Snow!

No, it did not snow in Bakersfield, but after last weeks 4 storms in a row, the mountains around us were pretty well covered in it. So Saturday morning we decided to drive up and go sledding. It only took an hour to find a decent amount of snow and a good hill. It was a fun little trip, and of course Andi keeps asking to go back to the snow.

Andi all bundled up and psyched to be in the snow.

Thad getting ready to take Sammy on his first sledding run.

Andi making snow angels.

Sammy's excited face. He was real impressed with the days adventure.

Andi and Thad built a snow man.

I took this picture out the car window on the drive home. Proof that just outside of town the valley is really beautiful.

Birthdays and more

Andi turned 4 last week, but since we had two parties(one family, one friend) she thought she had two birthdays, so naturally when Grandma Bulkeley asked her how old she was at the second party, she said five. And she keeps asking when her next birthday will be. Here are some pictures of her birthday fun. She had been begging for a princess tea party for a while, so I let her have a couple friends over and dress up as princesses.

The set up

Birthday princess waiting for her friends.

Princesses dancing in the kitchen.

Blowing out the candles on her heart shaped cake. They all had one.

With all the cousins at the family party.

Aside from birthdays it was a beautiful week weather wise, so we played outside a lot this week. The kids were in heaven, especially Sammy, who found much higher things to climb on.

As always, very proud of his accomplishment.

He even tried to help daddy with the yard work.

The beautiful weather did not last long, and we are on day 3 of rain, so we have been getting creative to keep everyone entertained. Thad made Andi this fort on the patio so she could play outside and stay dry. She was so excited about it. She got in and said, "okay, mommy, I need some books and a drink, and Daddy, I need a snack. " The fort was moved a little and a floor heater added so she could stay out there longer. She loved it.

Then this happened. I think it's a robot. I don't know who thought it was funnier, Thad or Sammy.

And this is where I found Sammy last night. He was so quiet it took me a while to actually find him.

Thad is gone for a few days again, this time in colorado, so mommy now has to come up with the crazy things to do. I'm sure the kids will be glad when Thad gets back to play.

Look what else I can do

Are you kidding me ?!?!?!?!

The Destructor & The Nemesis

Well, the new year has brought us new talents from the kids, Sammy mostly. For example he has mastered the skill of climbing. Climbing on to the couch, onto Andi's bed, onto the chairs in the kitchen, right up onto your head if you are sitting on the floor. We are still waiting for him to learn how to get back down without hurting himself, and crossing our fingers he doesn't break any bones in the meantime.

Here he is climbing the computer chair in the kitchen.

And feeling very proud of his accomplishment

And his attempt to get back down off Andi's bed.

He has also learned to love electronics. Remotes, buttons on the TV, I often find him wandering around the house "talking" on my phone. The weird part is that when he is babbling into it, he puts it right up on his forehead. I'm pretty sure I always put it up to my ear, so I'm not sure where he got the forehead thing.

He has learned to run very quickly, pull hair, throw a ball, and toilet papers the inside of my house on a daily basis. He loves to brush his teeth and every chance he gets sneaks into the bathroom to eat toothpaste, which wouldn't be so odd except that both kids use adult toothpaste. They were not interested in the sugary bubble gum stuff in the kids section. They like minty freshness. I do try very hard to keep the bathroom doors closed at all times to avoid the toothpaste eating and toilet papering, but that is where my nemesis Andi come into play. Always undoing what Mommy does, and waiting till my back is turned to take something from Sammy or play a little too roughly with him and run away. Sammy is learning to fight back though, with the aforementioned hair pulling. Andi has also decided that she is pretty tired of always having to wait for mommy to help her with things and has started doing things on her own If I tell her to hold on a second. Like this:The kids were outside playing when Sammy started trying to eat mud. So I took him inside to clean him up, and Andi thought that was a great moment to ask me to help her up into Sammy's swing. I told her she needed to wait till I had Sammy cleaned up. A few minutes later I hear her yelling for me outside, and I go out to find that she drug a chair off the patio and got herself buckled into Sammy's swing only to realize that she did still need me to push her. So I'm not totally useless yet.
She is learning to tie her shoes, and get's better at writing her numbers and letters everyday. She is very into words and asks me all day long "what letter makes this sound", "what does this word start with" and"do this and this rhyme". Dance started again yesterday and she was so excited to get back to class, although a few weeks off and she was "out of shape", for lack of a better phrase. She came home, ate dinner, took a bath, and asked to go to bed at 6:30. And she slept all night.
Destructor moment of the week: We had just returned from our Costco run and all the groceries were on the table. Andi asked for a drink and while I went to the fridge to get her some juice, Sammy walked over the the twin pack apple juice bottles and pulled them both off the table. One cracked wide open and about half the gallon shot all over the floor before I could get it picked up and tossed in the sink. The he splashed in it for the few seconds it took me to get rags. ugh. The good news is that my new H2O steam mop ultra proved itself. Normally apple juice takes like 3 moppings to really get all the sticky off, but this only took one. I love my new mop.

What a week . . . What a year!

I know I say this every year. . . we love the holidays, but phew! It's time to relax.
Our festivities started early this year when my sister Kelsie and her husband ("Uncle Camera" as Andi calls him) came in to town on the 19th. My parents got everyone Disneyland tickets for Christmas and we decided to go on the 22nd, but of course the weather wouldn't cooperate and the grapevine was closed. We found that out after we had woken Andi up "extra extra early" and had to tell her that we couldn't go that day. She was so sad and kept telling me that we could go a different way and she would show us how to get there. We hit up Rosemary's that night to try and make it up to the kids, and Thankfully the next morning the roads were open again.
We got Andi on a lot more rides this time. It's amazing what peer pressure can do.

Here are a few of us outside "the Beautiful Christmas Castle" Andi's words.


These two were so excited and did really well all day

Inside the animal cage of Casey Juniors Railroad


This is her nervous face, trying to be excited about splash mountain. I let her watch the big drop and told her it was like the water slide in Ashlynns pool. Total lie, but it got her on the ride.

And here is Andi after the big splash.
This is the only ride she freaked out on, and it came after the haunted house, and pirates, so she was about done with mommy's rides. We went to the pooh bear ride right after this ;)

I don't know how well you can see this, but look at the white tea cup in the center with the teal trim. That would be Thad and my two little brothers stretching before the ride began. They were serious about trying to set some sort of record for the number of rotations. Don't worry, afterwords none of them could walk straight and they were all complaining of headaches.

Andi and I made it to Pixie Hollow this time and she got to meet Tink and some other pixies. The weird part is when we got to the tinkerbell part there was this dude fairy with her. Andi was a little nervous about him and asked me who he was, I had no idea. We found out later that in the newest tinkerbell movie, she's got a boyfriend and his name starts with a T but I can't remember. So here is Andi with Tinkerbell and her boyfriend.


And this is us in line for It's a small world right after they lit it up. She was seriously that excited all day.

My siblings and my little family in line for Star Tours. Andi did not love that one either.

The next day was Christmas Eve and we had our traditional dinner and program at Thad's parent house. Andi, Sammy, and Paige were the only little ones around this year so it seemed kinda quiet. But Andi loved being able to drag in the Santa bag and listen to the Santa letter. Don't worry, we didn't take a single picture, and I haven't got the ones from anyone elses cameras yet either, but I did steal these from Tenille's blog.

The next morning we had to wake Andi up at 7:30. I know she was exited for Christmas, but it had been a long couple of days for her and what can I say, she enjoys her sleep. Sammy was actually the first one to the tree this year. This is him looking at is from the hallway.

And this is the happy face he makes when he's excited. If the face weren't awesome enough, there is a funny little noise that goes with it.

Andi with her new games, that we play everyday.

By the time we got to my parent's house for more tree and breakfast Andi had woken up, but was so busy running around with little Walter that we really didn't get many good pictures of them. Too busy enjoying herself. Sammy on the other hand was ready for a nap and though he really was enjoying his new Tonka truck from Kels and Cam this was about all the excitement he could muster for the camera.

Yes, he is riding in the back of the truck.
After naps we headed over to Thad's parents for a little while, then back home for another nap for Sammy and then back to my parent's for dinner.
The next day All of my moms family, and some of my dads came in to town for dinner and another tree session. There were so many of us though that we had to move the dinner to the church building because we couldn't all fit at my parent's house!
Sunday the kids were sporting their new Church outfits from Grandma.
Ignore Sammy's wild hair. After Church we had Thads family over at our house for dinner and Aunt Tenille gave Sammy his first hair cut.
It's funny how much a little trim made him look like such a big boy. I have to point out Sammy's sunday afternoon outfit, I love it. The new basketball shorts and the shirt you can't see is what we made all the boys in my family for Christmas. It's a Nerf Wars Shirt. Here is the back view.


Things to mention that do not have pictures. The Sunday before Christmas Bobby and I sang in Sacrament meeting. And the Friday before that Thad and I celebrated our 6th anniversary with dinner and some last minute Christmas shopping. Romantic, I know. I got a fabulous new sewing machine for Christmas along with the H2O Ultra stem mop. Don't laugh, I really wanted it, what can I say the infomercial totally sold me, and I love it! Thad and the boys have had 3 nerf war battles at the church building sporting their new shirts. And Sammy has been sick since monday. All the coming and going and people and chaos was too much for the poor little guy.
All in all it's been a fabulous couple of weeks, but we are exhausted! We are doing nothing this weekend, just because we can.

Word Vommit

We have now reached that point in life where taking Andi any place is embarrassment waiting to happen. Example: last week waiting in line at the post office, there was a large lady standing in front of us, Andi only has one volume: loud.
Andi:"Mom, that lady has a BIG bottom."
Me:"Andi be quiet."
Andi:"But Mom, look at her bottom!"
Me: "Andi, you are being rude, be quiet right now."
Andi: "But Mom, look at her BIG bottom."
Me(hit's Andi on the head with the box I was holding): "Stop talking right now."
There is no way the lady could have missed Andi's announcements about her big bottom. Then when we got in the car I tried to explain to her why we don't say things like that about people.
Andi: "But Mom, did you see her bottom? how did it get like that?"
Me: " She doesn't exercise."
Andi: "I exercise, so I don't have a big bottom."
Me: "You're right, you don't have a big bottom."
Andi: "that was so BIG!"

She does things like that on a regular basis, in fact almost every time we go anywhere. I'm almost afraid every time she opens her mouth in public anymore.

It's Christmas!

. . . At least that's what Andi keeps telling me.
We survived the craziness of last week, and we even got our lights and tree put up over the weekend. I am hoping the novelty of the tree wears off soon or this could be a long couple of weeks. Sammy of course wants to take every ornament off and throw it around the room, or chew on it, which freaks Andi out to no end. She is constantly trying to yank the ornaments out of his hands and put them back on the tree, and no matter where he got them from she always puts them back on the same two branches. Nice. So I'm hoping they both get over the tree soon and then it can just be left alone to look pretty.
Sammy had just woken up from a nap while we were setting up.


We let Andi decorate first, then I spread the ornaments out after she went to bed.


Sammy likes to crawl around behind the tree and hide.


Tree and lights up: check. Office Christmas Party over: check. Shopping done: check. Mom's project done: check. Cards out: check.
All that's left: wrapping, primary Christmas party, relax!

It Begins

Me: "Andi, what do you want for lunch?"
Andi: "Mom, I'm still a princess."
Me: "okay, princess, what do you want for lunch?"
Andi: "Princesses don't eat."
Me: "Princesses eat."
Andi: "No, Cinderella does NOT eat!"

Apparently media brainwashing and the ensuing eating disorders start a whole lot earlier than I thought. Don't worry, she did eventually eat lunch, after another 10 minutes of arguing about whether or not princesses actually eat.
Thanksgiving was wonderful, we spent the day at Thads parents with his family. And from the moment we left and Andi realized Thanksgiving was over it's been nothing but Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. "Is it Christmas now?" "When is it Christmas?" "Is that for Christmas?" "Where is our Christmas Tree." She's almost as pushy as the stores these days. If it were not for the crazy week ahead of me I would probably have given in to her prodding and started decorating today, but Thad leaves first thing tomorrow morning and won't be back till friday afternoon and I've got way too much to get done this week to do Christmas decor on top of it. I'm sure by next Sunday though we'll be pulling out our tree ;)

Calling it!

We're calling it. Sammy is walking. It's amazing the progress toddlers make in a matter of days. One day he was falling all over the place, and the next day it all finally clicked and he's walking everywhere. Don't get me wrong, he still stumbles, but let's be honest, Andi is still tripping over her own feet and she's almost 4. So we think he is officially walking.
He also does not like that it is finally getting cold here. He loves being outside, but I hate letting him out just because everything is wet and muddy and he comes in filthy and soaked. But keeping him in seems to make him very cranky. He needs a little time outside in the yard each day. So to facilitate this we bought him these.


I know, there will never be snow here, and it's not even close to cold enough for snow gear, but it keeps him dry and the rest of his clothes clean. So he gets what he wants and I don't have to wash 3 outfits a day for him.
Andi had her first slumber party last weekend. I'm not sure if it really counts because Paige left in the middle of the night, but as far as Andi is concerned they had a sleep over. Tara & Jacob had an evening temple trip planned and needed someone to watch Paige. Andi was so excited when I told her that Paige was sleeping over she could not contain herself. Seriously, it was nuts. Thad walked in the front door before Paige did and Andi broke down and cried because it was supposed to be Paige. Once she got there they immediately put on their matching Cinderella dresses and heels and crowns and kept them on till bedtime.

They had a "tea party" in Andi's room and watched a movie back there, which they thought was the coolest thing ever, and we adults enjoyed as well ;) I was surprised at how well they did. I was expecting a 3 year old slumber party to be a traumatic experience, but it wasn't bad. All the same, I don't think she'll be having anymore slumber party's till she's much older.
Christmas shopping report, I'm done with Thad now and all we have left are the two kids, which is really good as I have a couple of Christmas party's I'm working on and other projects between now and then. Oh, and New Moon in 2 days! There is a group of my friends going to the midnight showing tomorrow night and I might be crazy enough to join them.

Sammy's discovery of the week: The ice & water maker on the freezer door. Luckily our fridge comes with a lock function, so he made one mess and we've been able to keep it locked and prevent many many others.


We have also started trying to include Sammy in story time at night. Andi is not a huge fan of this idea as story time takes place in her room, in her bed. But she has realized that Sammy doesn't last very long and at least half of story time is just me and her.

Andi feels very grown up these days and likes to be my "helper" for everything. More so than usual lately. Like last week at Target they were both in the basket. As we got to the car I took Sammy out first and strapped him in his chair and when I came back around the car to get Andi out, she was already out and pushing the basket back across the parking lot to put it away! I still don't know how she got out of the basket without hurting herself, and we did have a long talk about her walking around the parking lot without me and how it's just like a street and the cars might squish her.
Sammy is getting better and better at walking. I still don't think it's official because 6 or 7 steps is the max, but his balance is getting much better. It actually looks like walking now, not just falling forward and catching himself for a few steps.
We have attempted to start a little exercise group at the church building 3 mornings a week. I'm teaching pilates and we've been doing it for 3 weeks now. The problem is Sammy has decided he hates it and cries the whole time and crawls all over me and won't stop till we go home. Today I got through 1 exercise before he started up and then after 10 minutes without being able to get back to it I just gave up and we went home. I'm going to give it one more try and bring his einstein dvd's and if that doesn't work it might be over. So much for getting fit!
oh, and I spoke in sacrament meeting Sunday. Glad that's over with.

Halloween Tradition

I am hoping that Sammy is not trying to create a Halloween tradition of being sick and skipping all the fun, but it's 2 years running. Okay, the first year was not actually his fault and he wasn't sick, he was just 3 days old and so he and I skipped the festivities. This year however he was sick and miserable and not in the mood to wear his costume even for the 30 seconds it takes to snap a picture. Andi decided to be Cinderella this year, and we thought it would be very fitting to make Sammy Gus Gus. So I made him a little green hat with mouse ears and a tail, it was going to be super cute, but like I said, he ripped the hat off the second I put it on.
But I do have some cute pictures of our Cinderella, who was very excited about wearing mommy make-up and showing everyone her beautiful dress. After we got her all ready she ran to the mirror and did the whole exaggerated gasp thing and said "Oh I'm beautiful!"

She had a great time at the ward party playing games and getting her face painted, but wanted nothing to do with the spook alley Daddy was running downstairs.

After the party we went to my parents to pick up Sammy and she wanted to help hand out play-dough(my mom passes out little things of play-dough instead of candy) so she sat in the doorway and waited for kids to come up the walk. Lucky for us it's Bakersfield and even at 8 pm on Halloween it was nice enough outside for her to do that. About the time she started asking kids to come in and play with her, my mom thought it was a good idea for her to be done helping.
Yesterday I was making dinner while the kids were out back playing. I had Sammy in the swing and would give him a good push then run inside and work on dinner, then run back out. . . you get the picture. Apparently I took too long inside and Andi decided to help out. I got video of this, but blogger is being stupid and won't let me load it, so here is a picture which gives you an idea of what was going on back there while Mommy was inside.


Don't worry, Sammy was laughing hysterically as Andi twisted his swing up and let him go over and over again. Whenever he would do the dizzy head bob Andi would drop on the ground laughing at him. It's nice when they can play together and no one gets hurt.
Thad is actually home this week, yay! His trip got postponed for a few weeks which is nice. It's been a long week with a sick Sammy so it's good to have him here to help.