Fun Family Times

So this is not so much a fun family moment but I think Tanner might finally be potty trained.  He has been completely capable of using the toilet for some time but he has chosen not to.  In fact, he had used the toilet more times than any of the other kids before actually regularly using the toilet.  There were several times he purposely peed and pooped in the the tub or shower because he didn't want to use the toilet.  He enjoyed the convenience of diapers.  Some days he would want to be a big boy and then the next day when I tried to get him to use the toilet he would tell me "no, I just want to be a little boy."  There was one day when he would run screaming from me because he didn't want to use the toilet.  So as you can see this is a big, exciting moment.  I had nightmares that he would be in kindergarten still wearing diapers.  I don't fully trust him yet so he is my only child that will use pull-ups regularly.

In other fun moments, last night we took the kids out for ice cream for reaching a goal.  The goal was to pay attention and not be wild during scripture study for 5 nights out of 6.  We went to Cold Stone and Kelsey had white chocolate chips as a mix-in.  She began pulling some out because she said there were too many.  Brian scooped up one chocolate chip on his spoon asking her if she was going to eat them.  Her response was that she wasn't so Brian popped it into his mouth.  As soon as he swallowed it she starts laughing and says "you know those were in my mouth, don't you."  He is a little grossed out and asked why she didn't say anything before.  "Because I wanted to see you eat one."  Kelsey!  She is quite the tease.  She is quick-witted and likes to get a laugh.  There are times when she tries our patience and we try not to laugh as she does it.  Other times she tries our patience and we have a hard time controlling the anger that simmers from her comments. Sigh.

 At Cold Stone

In other good news, I beat Macy and Brian in monopoly tonight.  Macy didn't listen to her dad's strong advice because she had her own plan and then they were in a negotiations stand-off.  This allowed me to slip in for the win.  It was a sweet feeling since Macy beat me the other night when I played her and Brian has a tendency to win most of the games we play.  Sequence and Rummicube are the only ones I can consistently win at.  I think I might have finally gotten the upper hand at Ticket to Ride but it has been awhile.

Kids are such a boost to self esteem

About a week ago the bishopric in our ward was released and a new one sustained.  Brian had only been a part of the old bishopric for about 9-10 months.  The Saturday evening before his release Kelsey started asking questions about how a bishop and his counselors are chosen.  Brian told her the process. He told her the stake presidency thinks, prays and seeks inspiration and the Lord's approval for who should be bishop.  The bishop then goes through the same process for his counselors.  When Brian is done Kelsey says "and they picked you?"  After a good laugh, realizing her mistake she says "no I just meant I didn't think you were old enough."

Kelsey was on a roll because the next day we were at my mom's celebrating her and JT's birthday.  We were eating ice cream and one of the flavors was a chocolate brownie.  Kelsey didn't like this flavor so she says "I don't want this 'poo' ice cream. Can I have more Moose Tracks?"  JT was scooping so he gave her this huge, I mean huge serving of ice cream.  Kelsey exclaims "finally someone who understands me."

Another good story that happened recently involved Tanner.  He was picking his nose and Brian saw him.  Brian asked him to stop.  Tanner says "There is just something in it."  To which Brian replies "So that makes it ok?"  Tanner continues to pick and says "There is just something small in it."  Yes, Tanner it is called a buggar.

Other fun events this week: 

• zoo on Wednesday with snow that evening which culminated into a snowball fight because of JT's suggestion
• Thanksgiving at Uncle Dale's on Thursday
• Mall shopping with Macy and Kelsey on Friday
• sleepover at Grandma Wendy's Friday night with cousins and decorating her tree on Saturday
• snow fort building with JT on the same Saturday
• Decorating our tree Sunday
• more snow last night which meant a desperate attempt at sledding after dinner, we didn't get tons of snow

More Things to Remember about this Past Year

I believe this happened sometime around May.
Me: "Did you fart?"
Tanner: "no"
Me: "Are you sure?  It really stinks."
Tanner: "No. Kelsey did it."

Kelsey was at school at the time.

Tanner is very sensitive to stinky smells.  He plugs his nose around farm animals and will ask what the smell is.  Well around the same time as the conversation above, Tanner went through a phase for a week or so of crying and plugging his nose after Kelsey would fart.  He would cry and be so mad at her.

I found a text to my mom and Emily on May 21.  I said "Not sure if I love this, but I am downstairs and can hear my kids playing baseball inside.  I guess at least they are getting along somewhat.  Of course Macy is ensuring they follow every rule she can come up with, especially ones she has to make up on the fly because the situation doesn't fit in current rules."

Around the beginning of June we took measures to get rid of Tanner's binky.  I snipped it piece by piece just like I did with Macy.  At first he didn't notice or he didn't say anything about it getting shorter.  He just took it.  Finally one day at nap time he said, "my binky popped."
Me: "yep"
Tanner tried the other binky and said, "My other binky popped."
Me: "Oh no."
Tanner: "Fix it," as he handed it to me.
Me: "I can't."
Tanner:  "Yes you can.  Get duct tape."

The funny thing is it has been at least 4 months since the binky has been broken and just the other day he was asking for it.

That kid is a problem solver.  He will try to figure out to get whatever he wants.  He uses my 5 gal wheat, sugar, and flour buckets as stools.  He has done this since he was at least 2 1/2.  He moves them all over the main floor.  He uses them to feed himself from the fridge and pantry.  He gets cups out of the cupboards and uses them to help cook when I don't really want his help.

He gave up his nap shortly after the binkies were gone.  This is both good and bad.  He doesn't sleep any longer at night.  He gets up at 5:30 to 6:30 AM no matter what time he goes to bed.  He will fall asleep in the car in the afternoons.  If you can manage to wake him up he is a beast for an hour at least.  If you just let him sleep he will sleep 2 hours+ and not go to sleep at night.  He quickly figured out how to turn on his bedroom light at night.  Luckily his room light is a fan so when we put him down at night we had to pull the string so he couldn't get up and play.  About 2 months ago we finally stopped locking his bedroom door.  I think we had to lock his door for about 2 years because he hasn't consistently slept through the night and we didn't want him falling down the stairs in the dark.  It was also at least a year where he would cry at his door if he didn't want to go to bed.  He is stubborn and strong willed.

Right now I love to hear Tanner talk.  He uses sound effects to help describe what he is talking about.  For example he was said "I want a bow and arrow for Christmas.  It goes phssh, like that."  I wish I could remember more examples.  He uses sound effects as descriptions all the time.

Life Goes On...

Life seems to go really fast when I see that it has been 2 months since the last post.  I was going to at least post something monthly this year.

The biggest news comes from Brian's corner of the world.  At the end of January he was asked to be 2nd counselor in the bishopric.  He was a little nervous but he has really stepped up to the task.  He has only nodded off briefly on the stand once. The final test is will be next Sunday when he has to conduct in Sacrament meeting for the first time.  I am not worried.  He is a natural when presenting and his testimony is strong and always comes out eloquently.

His other news came this past week.  He was asked to move from his corporate position at work to be president of the Utah division of Woodside Homes.  Again he is nervous but he is excited about this assignment.  I know he will knock it out of the park.  He is so talented and dedicated that he does well at everything he does.

I wish I had some funny stories.  I am sure there were some funny moments but nothing comes to mind.  I even downloaded pictures to try to jog my memory.  I guess they have been pushed out of my mind because I have felt a little overwhelmed lately, from my own doing.  Might be time to step back and try to re-prioritize.

At the end of January the kids were off-track so we did a couple of fun excursions.  We made a trip to the Provo City Center Temple open house.  We visited the ice castles in Midway.  They were cool but it was definitely freezing even with proper gear.  We met up with Emily at Ogden's Treehouse Museum.

Kelsey played volleyball and took ski lessons while off-track. Macy just finished up the last of her 3 cheer competitions.  I guess she is going to tryout for a competitive team next year. Brian took Macy, Kelsey and Braden up skiing twice.  They all seem to enjoy it.  Braden doesn't really last a full day yet so he might not get another trip this year.

Tanner found his bike from last year.  He decided to bring it in the house and prefers to ride it in here despite the nice weather and a fenced in backyard.  He has continued his antics.  He dumped a full bottle of shampoo in the tub for the bubbles.  He has continued to color on the walls with pen, crayons and pencils.  One pen drawing was so big and deep that the magic eraser wasn't working.  Brian had to paint over it this weekend.  He also thinks he is big enough to walk to school by himself.  One morning I heard the front door open.  I didn't rush to check on him because he usually digs in my front flower beds.  When I went to see and bring him back inside, he was gone.  I looked all around the house, in the house in the window wells and at the neighbor's house.  Nowhere.  I grabbed my cell and started to make my way to the busy street.  On my way my cell phone rang.  It was my neighbor that worked at the elementary school.  She informed me that Tanner was in the office at school.  I guess he had heard all the kids at recess and made a beeline for them.  Braden was at recess and found him.  He had walked the whole way barefoot and threw a tantrum when I brought him home.  The next day he told me he was going to go to school.  I told him no and watched him very closely that day.

 Tanner as a box troll.  Kelsey's creative idea.  She made a box for herself and Tanner.

 

As for me I spent our tax refund on new patio furniture.  The gas fire pit and the jumbo umbrella are not out yet.  But below is a picture of my new table. We lounged on it today in the beautiful sunshine. I got my vegetable garden ready and planted my peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots and onions.  I just looked and some are starting to sprout.  I hope to get raspberry plants in soon.  Brian and I spent a Saturday finishing up my front yard project.  I weeded everything, put Preen down and then we spread mulch over everything.  Hopefully the mulch is thick enough.  I have a few plants I need to buy and plant to finish the front and replace a couple from last fall that didn't make it.  If you can't tell I am excited for the nice weather.

 These are the kids Valentine boxes from this year.

Kelsey's - Sniffle's cage

Macy's - Valentine monster

Braden's - Monster sack he made in school

2015 re-cap

I guess this is a 2015 re-cap.

February
Macy made it to the regional science fair at BYU.  The regional science fair was in April.

We took a trip to St. George to visit grandma and grandpa.

Braden played basketball.

Celebrated my birthday with chocolate cake.

Macy froze while skiing.

Tanner throwing one of his monstrous tantrums in the hallway of the school.

March
Brian and I took a trip back to Kauai.  The kids were upset that we didn't take them.

 Me eating a hot dog and liking it.  It helped that it was more of a polish dog and had pineapple mustards and mango somethings, etc on the dog.

 Hike on the southern side.

 Our ATV tour to see beautiful surroundings and movie back drops.

 The rope swing from Indiana Jones.

 Secret cave on the south side where native royalty would go to hide.

 View from our balcony.

 Hanalei Bay

 A point where we hiked to.

 Stopped by a restaurant we went to on our honeymoon.  We almost had to to dishes to pay for our meal because they didn't except Amex and we left the visa at the condo.  Luckily I had thrown cash into the glove compartment.

 Met up with friends from home (Clint and Kelli Hansen) who happened to be vacationing there the same time we were.  We went on a hike with them through a mahogany farm and came to a pretty pond.  We saw these signs along the trail.

 Exotic foods from the farmers market.

 Surfing the last day.

 April
Tanner helped me with yard clean up.

 Then he got himself stuck/lost in a window well.  I could hear this faint "mom, mom" because he was stuck.

 We dyed Easter eggs.

 The kids made their fort for conference.

 Chased baby chicks.

 Braden started baseball.

 May
Tanner thought the dryer was a good place to hang out.

 Then he wanted to see so he solved this problem by dumping out the dirty rags and using the basket as a step stool.

 Probably not the best idea.

 Parent night at rock climbing.

 Macy's violin recital.  After 1 year in the school orchestra and then 1 year with a private teacher she switched to voice.

Took a trip with the our friends, the Kirchens and Hodlmairs, to my uncle's home in St. George.

Backyard remodel started.

June
Taylor's wedding

 Tanner enjoying some root beer.

 Brian and I were a "ma and pa" for our ward youth conference pioneer trek.

July
Trip to Island Park with Grandma Carol and the rest of the family.

 Walking with their buddy Nelson.

 Strolling with grandpa.

After Island Park I went river rafting in Moab for our ward girl's camp.  Macy was really bummed she couldn't go but all of her friends in the neighborhood were able to attend because they are a year older.

Tanner's birthday

Trip to St. George with Grandma Wendy and the rest of the family.

In July our backyard was completed.

August
School begins.
Kelsey is in 4th grade.

 Macy is in 6th grade.

 Braden is in 1st grade.

 Tanner wants to go to school too.

 When I won't let him this is how he decided to spend his time, playing the wii.  He wasn't very good.

 We went on a hike to Lake Mary.

 And we visited the Jordan River Temple for FHE.

September
Macy turned in her soccer cleats for cheer shoes.
Morgan, our niece, was married.
Braden played soccer and started piano.

 Kelsey played volleyball and is still taking piano.

At the kids jog-a-thon Braden ran 2 miles. Braden was mad because a friend beat him by 1 lap.  Last year he ran the most laps in kindergarten and wanted the same spot.

 Kelsey ran 1.8 miles.

 

We were given lots of tickets to a suite at Rio Tinto stadium to see the Monarchs play.  The kids were able to take a friend.  I don't anyone watched the game.  They only ate the free food.

I guilted Brian into helping me remodel the front flower bed.  I added a drip, laid a pathway, tore out old plants and planted new.  We will see how it turned out next year.

October
 Tanner playing chef.

Kelsey and Braden being goofy.

 Macy made some demands.

We went to Temple Square.

Halloween

 Tanner's pumpkin has the binky.  We weren't going to carve one for him until he demanded it.

 Kelsey did the cat and cut most of it herself.

 Braden was the gnome and did it all by himself.

 Macy was the bat and I did most of it for her.

November
Tanner found swim goggles and they gave him super powers.  He could run "super fast" and would run around the house with this arms out stretched behind him.  He had to wear his goggles to parent teacher conferences.  There were a few giggles as he walked by.  Macy was embarrassed and made him take them off.

 Kelsey got glasses in November and looks super cute in them.

Kelsey had her 10th birthday party at Discovery Gateway with all her friends.