"HIPPO" birthday {a}

Happy birthday to my darling daughter {a}. I know, it was yesterday, but when I went to download picts from her party, the computer wouldn't work right. So, here's a recap from the party.

She got a hippo toy from Mom and Dad. She can sit on it or walk and push it from behind. She was so cute when we got it out of the box. She almost immediately knew that she needed to climb on to sit on it. Then dad figured out that you can set it up so she can walk behind it. Oh! She LOVES that idea! Isn't her face cute?Cake! Double fistin' it--my kind of girl! Happy Birthday Beautiful! We love you so much and I can't believe how fast a year has flown by. You are a joy in my life! It's crazy that just one year ago, you were this little! :) I love you {a}! Thanks Grandma B, Grandpa H and Great-Grandma W for coming to dinner and our little party. :)

christmas tree hunting

so on the saturday after t-day, we made our annual voyage to the hills to cut down our Charlie Brown Christmas tree. this first pic is of {a}. She doesn't seem too happy, but if you look at the second one, she seems to be doing ok there. :)

This year, we decided to cut down two trees- one for upstairs, one down. Just cuz we can....

what, that's IT for SNOW??? How are we supposed to sled in this??{K} helping to cut down the adsolute best tree we have ever found in 10 years of searching! Ok, well, just 8, the first year we didn't try, and then one year a few years later we didn't make the time to go... no Charlie Brown for us this year!!Look closely, I told him to smile in the first, but then he thought he needed to continue to smile all while helping Dad. {A}s turn. He was so cute, carrying the saw most of the time, cutting just about every fallen tree he could see. Carefully decorating the upstairs tree. It was fun to have the boys help this year. I really only put a handful of ornaments on either tree. {A} was so careful to not load down one branch, he looked for open spots to hang the ornaments. {A} was invited to go to a friends house to make a gingerbread house. This was the end result. :)AHHH! SNOW!!! The boys had a wonderful time playing in the snow yesterday.

junk, hot cocoa and football

I bet you're wondering what this little collection of junk is all about. Well, I will tell you. I recently cleaned off the top of my dryer, and this is what I found. These are all the little treasures that I have rescued from the bottom of the washing machine and the dryer. It's fun to have little boys who have found their pockets. :)

Last Saturday, it was so cold, so we decided to have hot cocoa. This is my cup and {k}'s cup.

We watched the football game propped up to the counter in the kitchen. It was fun to have some one on one time with this adorable little boy. Why did I have one on one time you ask? Well, refer to the next picture, and you will see what {A} was doing. He wasn't feeling well.

he's back!!!

yes, I finally have a husband again. He made it home yesterday. And, true to {K}'s current nature, he cried enough last night that DH slept downstairs to try and get some sleep.

school picture update.

so, we got {A}'s school picts back today, and, yes, all that fussing for nothing! They turned out beautiful! I have it on the wall already! What a beautiful little boy!


on another note, I did more canning today and over the weekend. Pumpkin and more apples. :)

JaDell

canning 08

so here is a couple of picts of SOME of the canning I have done this year. This is pears...and this is grapes juice and grape jelly.

I have also canned apricots, applesauce and pie filling, and cherries. I also dried pears, and apricots. Yumm!

halloween 08

so, last weekend, we went to mom's ward halloween party. They had a costume parade, and here is a cute quick shot of {A} and {a} with Gma. They had a background set up so we could take photos. Cute idea. Here is the upclose version of my kiddos. I think that clown is SO cute!Uncle {B} and his brood of little darlings, came too! We had fun with them! They were so cute with my kids!{A} the viscious vampire dragon!! OOOOHHHHH! This week I wanted to try on all the cat costumes, unfortunately {a} didn't think it was such a great idea. :) {A} switched to a leopard for the big day, so I had the others switch to cats, too. They were cute! We had a fun halloween.

{A}

"mom, is it time to get up?" asks {A} at 7:43 this morning.



"mmm, hmmm." I groan.



so he climbs in, just like every other morning. Only this morning instead of asking about cartoons, he snuggles in next to me.



" I love you Mom."



What a FANTASTIC way to start my day!! I love this little boy, with all my heart! And because he is my first, he will always hold a special place in my heart. I love you {A}!!!

{A} is ~smart
~Funny
~has a beautiful smile
~strong
~loves to wrestle
~always gets in trouble when he wrestles--just doesn't know when to stop.
~torments his brother incessently!!
~loves his sister to death
~is learning how to play teatherball from a 2nd grader at recess. This said 2nd grader is Austin's new friend. He was "assigned" this friend from his teacher basically so the other kindergarteners wouldn't pick on him at recess. Yes, he had a situation last week with one boy pulling him down and throwing bark on him, and then a little girl came over and kicked him in the head. Twice. No it wasn't provoked. and yes, I was not happy about this happening in kindergarten. By other kindergarteners. The other two had no recess for a few days..... However, I met his little buddy yesterday, and I don't think I have met a more polite 2nd grader in my life.
~he is learning to read!
~he told me yesterday that he likes to sit by a certain girl in his class, cuz "she's my favorite."
~does math very well for a kindergartener.
~wore his dirty sweatshirt to picture day, even though I had a nice shirt on underneath. I saw the dirt, but was in a hurry to get him to school, so I just told him to take his jacket off at school. He said he was still "a little bit cold", so he didn't.
~loves to work with his dad, no matter what dad is doing.
~tells us that uncle {K} is the greatest man he knows, then uncle {M} then Dad, cuz it all is a matter of height in his mind, and uncle {K} is the tallest man he knows. :)

ok, that's enough for today!~ Love you kiddo!

ok, here's the rub...

I don't have the time or energy to download cute pictures and comment about them. I am knee deep in apples. Apple pie filling and Applesauce to be exact! So, bear with me, I will be back soon. :) Thanks for your endearing patience!

JaDell

the big 3-0!

yup, that's me today! Hippo Birdie to me!!!

Unfortunately this is the most recent picture I have of myself. Thanks to {A}! :) I guess I had better work on taking more of myself. Oh wait! I forgot, I have this one, too!

I think this one is better, don't you think?? :)

JaDell

OREO

says {K}, "thanks for the yor-yo, mom".

:) Happy Wed.

This is the same little guy who will get his tonsils taken out in a couple of weeks. :( I am actually really glad about this, because when {A} had his taken out we saw an enormous change, and I can't wait for {K} to quit moaning during the night! :)


JaDell

checking in

so DH texted me this morning. They were heading to the hills and wanted to say hi. It was 7:30, which thankfully I had been up and down with {A} and {a} for a while, so I was basically awake. Basically. What a nice suprise. He said they have seen lots, but the hunters are young, so no success, yet. Off they go to another fun-filled day of deer hunting.

Thanks for checking in dear, it was a nice way to start my day.

I did a personality test this morning. I am an ESFJ.
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
Give it a try, what personality are you??

JaDell

nicknames

{K}'s latest nickname for {a}, "hey, my little Tootsaloot!"

just a bunch of pictures!

so, I downloaded a bunch of picts, and thought I would share. First, I tried {K}'s costume on from last year, to see how it fits--which by the way, he has grown atleast 4 inches this year... and he decided that he wanted to wear the cap for a while. Here's {K} enjoying lunch with a dragon head on...
Next, are 2 super cute picts of {a}. This is a bear outfit that Gma D gave {A} when he was little.

This is our favorite mode of transportation lately. {A} loads {a} into his bike and around the block we go....
This is at cousin {sh} bday party over the weekend.
The next two are just funny! I wanted {A} to try on the pig nose, but he wouldn't without me trying it on first, so here I am looking all "dolled up" just for this viewing audience! :)
Enjoy!!! Happy Monday!

tunnel

{K}: I'm going to park in the tunnel.

Mom: you're going to park in the tunnel?

{k}: [giggle] yeah...

I love cute imaginations!!

Have a happy sunday.

ok, you convinced me...

thanks to my dear Aunt, I have decided to go ahead and buy the bike for {A}. She reminded me that it's ok to splurge sometimes and allow my children to enjoy life... So, today we are going to buy a new bike, which will mean that {K} will get training wheels on the smaller bike, too. I am excited to see their reactions, and I will try to take picts of the new "arrival" and discuss reactions tomorrow. (or soon :))


I know that my neighbor wont read this, but I want to thank her for her kind words and pat on the back. She has said numerous times how grateful she is that we moved in next door and that she really enjoys having me around. This is huge for me, since I am struggling with my new church and fitting in there, so her kindness has helped me feel needed and wanted here in the neighborhood. I too, am grateful for her, and her friendship. We have been exercising 3 nights a week. I can't believe I am saying this, but I ENJOY working out!!! I know, CRAZY. :) Thanks {T}


Have a wonderful weekend, I know I will. Church at home this weekend, and my kids and I and my brothers and families and my parents are all going swimming at a local hot springs. DH is off hunting which I know he is excited about... Fun for everyone!

morning musings...

Why do I feel so strongly to get my Christmas shopping done *soon* this year. I almost bought Austin's Santa gift last night, but decided that a bigger size would fit better. So, I waited. I guess that's a good thing, I just feel *really* compelled to try really hard to hurry and finish up. Maybe it's because last year I told myself I had to be ALL finished before Thanksgiving. and I basically was. But, I had a good reason last year. You know, the baby and all... :) But this year? I can't quite wrap my finger around the reason... so here I am debating whether to jump on craig's list or not to check out the bike page again, looking for an 18" boys bike in great condition that Santa can suprise {A} with this holiday.

DH is still not sure that waiting to get him a bike for Christmas is a good idea. I just can't justify giving him one earlier than that. I know it's the middle of winter and now is the time to ride, but why spend $80 or more on a new bike now when we have a perfectly good holiday coming up in less than 3 months... off I go for a fun day of extra kids, no school and cookies to bake. I am thinking I will try to bake bread today, too. Go me. :)

I'm BAAAACK!!!

I FINALLY got my camera fixed, so now I can download to my hearts content! I found 3 super cute picts to share with you tonight.





First, is this not the CUTEST picture of a baby you have EVER seen? I can not get over how adorable she is!!! She figured out how to clap her hands today. She is so fun and cute, and is such a happy baby. {a} seems to be the kind of child who will love life and go with the flow of it all. I love her so much!! I seem to be really stepping back and enjoying having a baby this time. Maybe it's a sign, I should stop when I'm ahead... :)

Second, {K} was out playing around while DH was working on a car. DH said to {K}, don't get muddy. "ok, Dad" and this was the next thing we found. Too Funny! He is such a laid back kindof guy. I really enjoy his sense of humor and funny disposition...
Third, {A} was super excited about the first day of school. He dressed himself, which I might add, he always does. And, I hardly ever say anything about what he is wearing. I don't concern myself with matching clothes. I figure why worry about that at 5? So, usually he is dressed in plaid shorts, a striped shirt and cowboy boots. Which, by the way, he looks so grown up when he wears them with blue jeans... Anyway, I think he is such a cute boy. {A} is really enjoying kindergarten. He seems to be soaking it all in. They worked with 3rd grade buddies today, and he came home with a 15 page book, and "read" the whole thing to me when he got home. I can't wait for him to actually read.

{A} got in trouble tonight. He wasn't being kind to {K} in the garage so Dad sent him into the house for a time out. He threw an absolute TEMPER TANTRUM!! Screaming, crying.... so I asked him to stop... of course he didn't. SO, I told him to get jammies on and he was off to bed. It was 7pm. Jammies on, in bed, and boy was he MAD! He screamed and cryed and called for us for quite a while. He threw all his books on the floor, all his stuffed animals and pillows, and if he could have gotten his blanket untucked, I am sure that would have hit the floor too. After a while, like 45 minutes, DH and I both went in and talked to him about the importance of not throwing temper tantrums... Whew!! I hope he learned a lesson on that one.
Off to bed I go. It's been a log few days what with {a} teething and all...

*SHOCKER!! I DIDN'T TAKE ANY PICTURES!!*

I know, I am terrible. But, I didn't take ANY pictures. But, I think I have a ~good~ reason... First, {k} decided to run a 104 deg temp on Tuesday eve, so we thought we better take him in on Wed.--that's the day we were supposed to leave. So, 9:45 I am in to see the Doc. He says their MUST be something wrong with him since he had this terrible fever and his tummy was still hurting. So, we go to the hospital and have an ultrasound done on his abdomen to see if his appendix is bad. We do that, and the Dr. says that it looks fine. Well, thanks, but now what is wrong?? They decide it's merely a virus of the abdomen and not to worry. Yeah, thanks.

So, Wed is out to leave. and we figure we had better not leave them on Thurs either--just in case he pulls another super high fever... DH and I head to the late movie on Wed. We saw Indiana Jones at the cheap theater. --Gotta love that! They offer a $4 movies pass, and it includes a pop and treat/popcorn. There were a total of 8 people in the theater!! :)

Thursday we decide that maybe we should do SOMETHING, so we hopped in the van and drove to MIL's house. That way, we could do fun things there. We went to Miracle Hot Springs. Super FUN!! DH was amazed that he had never been there before. {a} had a wonderful time--as did the boys, but she was cute to watch splash and kick in the warm bath water... On the way back from the pool, {a} started running a fever. DH and I and {a} decided to run up to a friends cabin outside of town, and once we got out the door and had dinner, it was late, so we just got a hotel room for the night--right there in town! It was a nice place. Except... {a} threw up about midnight and was up every 30--yes, count them 30 minutes crying!! DH says it is the longest night he has ever had. Aparently he hasn't been up with sick kids for the past 2 weeks!
So, at 6am {a} and I went to the lobby and hung out there for 2 hours, while DH got a nap.--Don't worry, my 2 hour nap came later in the day... We just hung out at MIL's home for the day, and went to the Outpost (yum!) for dinner with DH best friend and his wife! We hadn't been out with them in forever. It was nice to catch up with them... Sat night was an equally as long night, so at 7am when {a} had thrown up all over all of her blankets, DH came and rescued me so I could go and get 2 hours of sleep. Thanks dear!!
I have decided that it couldn't have been more an eventful weekend!!!! I really did have fun, and I am sure I wont forget my 10 year anniversary "getaway" for quite a while! :)

So, how was your weekend? Anyone do something better than me? :)

off we go...

As if you're going to miss me, but DH and I are taking a little vacation getaway. We're loading up the camping trailer--thanks Dad!-- and taking little {a} with us for a long weekend. This is our 10th anniversary "vacation". It might be a little tough with little {a}, but we're hoping to enjoy the time away from the chaos of home, and work. big {A} and {K} are going to be well entertained by DH's Mom --thanks {D}!!

We'll be back on Sunday, and I hope to have picts and a fixed Kodak program so I can share!

See ya!
JaDell

NieNie Donations needed

As I was surfing, I came across this horrific story about a young couple who were in a plane accident and both are in the hospital in medical-induced coma's and have severe burns all over their bodies. They have 4 young children and are in need of our help and prayers. Please read here for donation info and a regular update. My heart cries out for them and their families. I don't know them personally, but I do know they are LDS and for some reason that makes me more drawn to them and their story.


In other news, DH leaves today for 6 days of hunting/vacation from work, home, family, church... He is so excited he can hardly wait! :) Good luck love~~ slay one for me. :)

JaDell

I DIDN'T CRY!!!

I am so proud of myself! I didn't cry when I dropped {A} off for Kindergarten today. He was shy, as usual, but he did go in and sit down when Mrs Mary asked him to. I am so pleased with how brave he was! :) This is going to be a GREAT year!

6 more days til...

my BABY goes to school! I am so proud of {A} and all the successes he has had lately, but boy, I am so sad he is old enough to venture off into this scary world called school. We went and met his teacher, Mrs. Mary yesterday for our one-on-one meeting. She is super nice and sweet, and I was so proud of {A}. He was brave and talked to her when she gave him a little quiz. They walked around the room to understand all the different stations, and I loved that he was brave enough to ask her questions when it was his turn.

I am not sure how I feel about this whole education thing. I know it is definately the best for him--he is SO ready to learn! But, I worry that public school is the best choice. I think that maybe I should look into private or charter schools, I just know that they are much more inconvenient, and where I am tending kiddos 3 days a week, that would be too much for me! So, in 6 days, {A} toddles off to Kindergarten! I love you, son, and am so proud of you! I hope I can just keep it together til I make it home--so I can cry in private!! :)