Potty Training

This picture was taken this past week, it doesn't really have to do with the post except you can see Sarah in her panties (if you look close). I thought cause Jonathan picked up one of Dave's school books and started to read it too Sarah! But I guess the funniest part is the title of the book!

Well, last week Dave and I decided that we were done with Sarah and diapers and the things that went along with that such as always removing her diaper, painting on her door. So Monday was the first day I started with Sarah. I gave her a little lesson on when she drinks what happens with a little doll we had, and then I gave her a lot of juice. Well, a little while later she had n accident and then later she went to the bathroom. The success rate on day one was over 50 % so I thought she did pretty good. Day 2 was on Tuesday and she started off doing good, but then I got nervous cause we had to do a lot of errands and she won't go on a big potty and she was drinking a lot. Well, we got home and she still won't go. The thing with Sarah you can't get her to sit unless she really has to go. Well, later we had to go pick up Jonathan frompreschool and I knew she needed to go. But she didn't want to go, so I just told her that I was going to the bathroom and that it would a long time until she could go again so she needed to make a decision. Well, I went to the bathroom and then I could hear her in the bathroom! She went! A lot! I was so proud of her. Well, she only had one accident- during naps. Day 3- No accidents (she didn't sleep during naps). Day 4- at Aunt Kristi's she did great and had a diaper on during naps and did go in the diaper. Day 5- no accidents thus far and she just got up from her nap after sleeping and was dry! Way to go Sarah! I really didn't think that it was going to be this easy! We love you, Now to figure out your reward with Daddy!

Nicki's Wedding

This past weekend I went out to Washington DC for my wonderful cousin, Nicki's, Wedding! I was so excited for them to get married! Well, prior to leaving Dave couldn't get Thursday off so we brought Sarah and Jonathan over to two friends of ours. I packed their lunches and they were excited to go play!

Jonathan wanted to make sure that he brought his Monkey backpack!

So that night we got into DC late, and rented a van to get around in, which with all our luggage we were packed! After, we went to my Mom's favorite crab cake place! Kristi and I had cream of crab soup and Grandpa & Grandma and Mom & Dad splurged and got stuffed shrimp and cake cakes and they were kind enough to share with Kristi and I. They were VERY good!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Then we traveled close to Loretta's place, and Kristi and I stayed with Emily & Michelle at a friend of Grandma Shepherds (she actually was out of town so we had the place all too our self!) We stayed up till about 2 talking and then I decided that it was time to go to bed. Emily and I were up early (5am) to do a photo shoot with Nicki and Dustin, since I was Emily's assistant!

This is what I looked at a lot! They were so fun to watch, very much in love. I also learned a lot from Emily about angles and where to take the pictures!

Trying to multitask, by holding the flowers and take pictures of what I liked!

This one is for you Dustin!

Mr. Personality

I loved this one, and yes I copied Emily and what she did!

Sisters, sisters!

Cousins!

Doing a great job!

Showing the government personnel that we had the right permit to be there taking pictures!

I loved Nicki's Dress!!! It was prefect for her, she had sent me many of pictures of what the dress was to look like and it on. But, it didn't do it any justice until I saw it on her! Nicki was a Beautiful Bride!

After the photo shoot I went with my family to the Mint, which was very interesting in how they print money! I couldn't take any pictures in the factory!

We took the metro! It was an adventure, but it was a LOT better then being stuck on the freeway!

That night we went back and had a little BBQ at Loretta's and then my Mom, Kristi and I were in charge of the flowers! Well, that was interesting cause mom was the only one that was a professional! It was a little STRESSFUL making the different bouquets but the one above with Jessi is the one I did- which I was very proud of myself!

Emily was busy editing photos so that Nicki could print off a few for the reception the next day!

THE WEDDING DAY!

I was able to sleep in till about 7:30, and then got ready for Nicki's big day. My parents picked us up and then we headed to the temple! We waited in the temple lobby for awhile and then went in for the ceremony. This was me and Kristi's first time going to the DC temple. There sealing rooms were shaped in an oval, and prior to going into the room me and Kristi had decided that we wanted to be sitting across from Nicki so that we could have a clear view of her during the sealing. Well, with the shape of the room we had to sit on the outside row closer to Uncle Dave, well one of the temple workers I guess read that we were happy where we were sitting and asked us if we had a problem? Kristi responded and said no we are just fine, he insisted and said no your not. But Kristi reply again we are fine. Then he asked us she who is your sister, I told him that Kristi was. But he was implying that Nicki was. then Loretta came over and said that this was Nicki's best cousins that came all the way from Utah. He said okay and then put us up by where Dustin's Mom was sitting. It was a funny experience. The ceremony was very nice. Nicki was was happy and excited, and Dustin was really taking in everything that the sealer said. I was very happy that I came to be with them on there special day to be sealed for TIME AND ALL ETERNITY!

Siblings

I loved Nicki's shoes! She walked in them great!

After the wedding Dustin's family hosted a very nice luncheon! We ate some great food and then had a nice small program with help of the Nicki's family and Dustin's family! First Nicki's family preformed a song and dance that they changed the words to, it was so cute! Then Dustin's family showed a slide show of Dustin, and I guess a few embarrassing things of Dustin, shown by the picture above! It was fun for us to get to know Dustin a little bit bitter! Then both parents said a few words, and then Dustin sang to Nicki! It was a very well thought out program. I REALLY enjoyed it, and am so excited for them and their marriage!

That night they had a reception at Loretta's house, but it was predicting rain so everyone helped to bring everything in! It was fun to visit with cousins! Then they cut cake, and then Nicki and Dustin danced. It was a song that Dustin picked out because it had meaning to him. Then Nicki gave her bouquet to Grandma. It was so sweet! One of the things that I loved about Nicki's wedding she knew what she wanted and didn't want for her wedding, and did what she wanted!It was so good to see Candace, it has been too long! It was fun chatting and reuniting! I love you Candace!

Then after the reception we celebrated Mom's Birthday by singing happy birthday and blowing out candles! My Mom is so selfless and thinks so much of others and giving. She didn't say anything about her birthday until after Nicki's wedding! I love you Mom!

I am trying to download the viedo's, but I am not sure if I can cause they are really big!

In Memory of Lavette

Last Wednesday my Dad decided to put Lavette down. I know that this was very hard decision for my Dad to make but it was time to say good bye to Lavette. Lavette came to our family when she was just a pup. Dad and Kristi raised her as a seeing eye dog! Lavette left to go to training and then Wisconsin, but wasn't able to handle the stress of it. So she came back to our family, and especially when my Dad needed her most! I am not a dog lover, but I have grown to understand the love that people can have for there dog, and the important part that they may hold in there heart!

Lavette honestly was the best dog, she let all the grandchildren crawl all over her and would just walk away when she was done!

Giving loves!

Saying their last goodbyes!

Today we went over to Papa's and Sarah and Jonathan wanted to know where Lavette was. I reexplained to them (more to Jonathan) that she was in heaven now and that she was sick and she needed to be with Heavenly Father. He understood cause Sarah asked this afternoon where Lavette was and then at bed time with I was tucking him in he told me that Lavette was in Heaven! Lavette will be missed!

Update!

It seems as though I continue to be behind on my blogging, but my time seems to be spent so many places at this time! Such as life! Here is my attempt to get caught up! Last week was our 5 year anniversary!!! It was fun to hit a milestone in our lives with Dave graduating and having our 5 year wedding anniversary. We celebrated by going to dinner at Red Lobster (after attempting Mcgrath's, but it apparently has been out of business for quite some time?). Then we went shopping and just enjoyed being together. Oh yeah we then watched a movie! Dave was wonderful and gave me these beautiful roses! I gave him a scrapbook (that still needs to be printed) of our Costa Rica trip! That was fun to do to reminisce about the wonderful trip we had together!

Happy Mothers Day!
Dave made me breakfast in bed, but one of the best things was sleeping in (which hardly ever happens), I was in Heaven! It was a nice day spent with my family and I also enjoyed going to Sunday school and Relief Society and being uplifted by the messages (cause the men went into the primary to relieve the women).

With the onset of summer upon us we have been starting our summer projects! Dave has been painting our different doors in our house so that they match the base boards and not the tan walls :)! Jonathan is Daddy's little helper, he was just so excited to help him and be with Daddy! Jonathan is in a great stage of life, just interested in everything around him. I have a funny little story that I need to explain a little bit. Since I am a nurse, I feel that it is important to explain to my children the real names of body parts and not nickname them. Well, I was going the bathroom, and it of course never fails one of my children come in;- it is Jonathan and this is the conversation

Jonathan : Whatya doin'?
Me: Going the bathroom.

Jonathan: Why? (he comes closer)

Me: Because I have to go pee.

Jonathan: Why? (he comes even closer)

Me: Because that is a normal thing that people do.

Jonathan: Oh, Mommy where is your penis?

Mommy: Only boys have a penis and girls have a vagina
Jonathan: Oh (and walks out)

I couldn't believe it, just made me laugh. But, I couldn't laugh in front of Jonathan so I went out where Dave was painting and told him the story and we just laughed!

Jonathan is just so interested in life and people! He loves to play at the neighbors and talk to them through the fence! Jonathan is SO excited about going to the beach and going to Disneyland now!

Dave is busy working full time now as a marketer at Costco, we both love the company. He also is working on the different projects I have for him. Along with applying for teaching jobs, which could be a full time job in itself. The applications are very tedious and time consuming. He also has been starting up working out, which everyone in the house benefits from :)

THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN CENSORED BY ADMIN DAVE

(He said it was inappropriate)

Oh my Sarah! I just love this picture it is just a classic picture of Sarah after a nap! NAKED! Paired with shoes! Sarah sure keeps us on our toes! She HATES a wet diaper and always has! I don't know if she is ready to potty train just yet, but I think after my trip to DC and to Nicki's reception we will attempt. I know it is a process at least in this house. She is very strong willed and I hear "ME, Me" repeated over and over again when she wants to do something that I want to do for her, which is frequent. I am trying to let her choose more and do things for herself. But when she gets upset or doesn't like something she gives raspberries very upset like, which I don't like one bit. However, Sarah has become my little helper and loves to help me clean the mirrors or help put things away for me! She really enjoys having me all to herself when Jonathan's at preschool once a week (the other day Papa, takes him). This past week we were going home and she kept saying "Papa". I asked her if she wanted to go over to Papa's and she said "uh huh." She loves getting loves from Papa, while I practice! Sarah loves to be sang to at bedtime by me. I think that Sarah has the hardest time when I am at work (has always been so), well one night I layed next to her in her crib and sang to her cause she was having a hard time. She just LOVED it because ever since she gets right into bed at bedtime and points at me and then the pillow. She now will say certain words with the song. I have to say I enjoy this one on one time with Sarah that we can just enjoy this time together! (I'll try to get live footage of the above mentioned bedtime ritual soon.)

Enjoying time with Grandpa

Jonathan and Sarah just love when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit! Jonathan waited up the night they were going to get in town, and was so excited the next morning when the motor home was in there! Sarah just loves the attention that Grandpa gives her! As I have said previously Sarah started calling both Grandma and Grandpa "Baba". We enjoyed the time they spent with us, and enjoyed being spoiled by them!

Dino Museum

On Saturday we had talked about going to the Dinosaur Museum, but decided to go to the Aquarium. Well, Jonathan heard that and Curious George has show about the Dinosaur museum and so his heart was set on going there, so Grandpa took him! He looked it!

Playing in a little cave!

This was one of there favorite places! They could dig around in the and and play with dinosaurs.

WE saw a 3-D movie about Dinosaurs and Jonathan really enjoyed it. He was trying to touch them. Sarah was on my lap hiding her eyes!

This was another favorite spot. Acting like Paleontologist.

Jonathan enjoyed making a dinosaur!

Enjoying coloring! It was great fun, thanks Grandpa!