Santa

I love this picture!

Don't you just love Sarah's face, she is just smackin' her lips, and Jonathan is just happy with his donut and I am just smilin'!

Sarah, Jonathan and Santa

Jonathan and Santa

Jonathan was done, by this time!

Cousins
(Jonathan didn't want me to leave his side)

Grammy and Papa, Papa is always so festive!

Cute Cousins with Grammy and Papa.

They enjoyed talking to each other!

You have to love Benny's smile, Jonathan with his donut, Cute Kaitlyn and Lydia.

Santa came to town! We went to my mom's work party and saw Santa. I really wasn't sure how Jonathan would do this year! When we got there, there was a blow up Santa and Jonathan wanted nothing to do with it! However, with the real Santa Jonathan did great! No real smiles, but he sat on his lap wonderfully. There was a few games that we played, and Jonathan loved doing fish and seeing the little fish. He was so intrigued that something came out of the hole. Jonathan was done by the time we were taking pictures. He was very content with his donut though. It was lots of fun!

Christmas time

Sarah's happy to be helping

Jonathan is helping Daddy with the lights

Stockings all hung!

Our Beautiful tree

I just haven't made time to post. I have been busy with work and getting Christmas up. I love this time of year! There is a wonderful spirit about this time of year. Sunday after we got back, we started putting Christmas up. Sarah and Jonathan enjoyed helping Daddy put the tree up and see all the decorations that we had. Jonathan helped Dave put the lights up. Dave tried to explain to Jonathan that it was really hard to go around the tree because of the strain that goes in to wall, but Jonathan wanted to follow Daddy and didn't care that it was harder. Jonathan feel like a big boy! Its really cute though every morning one of the first things Jonathan does is plug in the lights to the Christmas tree. Even though they don't need to be on Jonathan has put himself in charge of this job! I finished Sarah stocking with week; I have a wise Mom that said I should just make another one when I was making Jonathan's, since Jonathan's is coordinating with the next one. So I just had to put the top on and Sarah's name. I think they look so cute all hung! It so fun to listen to music and get presents wrapped. I made new ornaments with year and finished the final touches on Monday and getting them hung. However, we have had a few causalities, but our tree still looks cute! I am working hard on a Christmas song to play for Christmas, it is coming! Tomorrow we are going to see Santa because my mom has a work family Christmas party. It should be fun we will see, how Jonathan and Sarah fair this year!

Finishing off...

Sweet Sarah crawling around

Playing around on Kiresten's bed!
Getting ready for bed!

Jonathan loves babies, and he wanted to hold baby Jericho, he is giving him kiss!

On our way to church, in our Christmas clothes!

Proud mother!

We had a chance to go up to see Dave's Sister and family and Mom. We enjoyed our short time there. We enjoyed a nice dinner on Saturday, and they played Monopoly (which I heard took a little long but they had fun). Kiresten had fun seeing Jonathan, she just couldn't get enough of him. She was always by his side. We were able to met Jericho there new addition, and Jonathan was eager to hold him for a few seconds. There many kisses given to everyone. We went to church the next morning, we weren't able to find there ward. However, Dave and I both had good experiences with feeling the spirit. I was able to talk to Jonathan more about the reason we take the Saracment because he wasn't distracted by little kids, yes we went to a singles ward. There was a wonderful spirit there, and I heard something that I needed to hear when I was there. The kids traveled great, we left both times during there naps so they just slept most of the time!

Happy Thanksgiving

Look at those Blue Eyes! I just love it!
Like I have said before Jonathan just loves cookies! Isn't that just a cute face! We tried to take a picture of Jonathan with the finished product, but he wanted to bit right into it!

These are the kids making there cookies, it is one of our traditions. They enjoyed decorating and eating them. I just love the ones of Lydi and Bethy, there so cute!

My sweet husband!

I was in charge of rolls this year. At first it was a little stressful, but they turned out great! They all aren't uniform, but they all are made out of love!

The boys watching football, Dave was a Little disappointed that he didn't get to play Risk. However he enjoyed relaxing!

Getting the table all set! I realized that I didn't take any pictures of our Sarah, but she was sleeping when I was taking pictures (but she was there)!

There are so many things that I am thankful for! I am thankful for my family. My husband, who I love so dearly, that makes my days complete along with my children (I honestly can't live without). My parents who have taught me correct principle and are wonderful example to me, how to love and treat people to working hard.

I am so thankful to being a mother. I didn't know what to expect, when I became mother. But I love it, yes it is challenging but so rewarding. I often get the question if I am going to have more children, with having two so close some might think that I m done, but oh no I know there are many more to come in there own time. Which I welcome with open arms and heart.

I am thankful for setting goals and learning to play the piano. It has been a blessing in my life, to be working towards something. But, always the sweet power of music into my family life. I was hope that it will instill in my children a love of music.

I am so thankful for the Atonement and the healing power of it. I know that it is real, and with it I have become a better person through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for our home, I am also so thankful for when we bought it. When prices were low enough that we could get into one, and for the equity we hope to get out of it one day. It was a very hard decision to make, but it is such a blessing in our lives.

My education, I am thankful I completed my education so that now I can help put Dave through school and keep our house. I never thought that it would be that great of blessing when I started going to college almost 10 years ago. I have so many more blessing and I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of me individually and blesses me each and everyday!

Kisses

Jonathan loves to give kisses to Mom, Dad, Sarah, Papa or Grammy. He is very good at puckering up too. So after sacrament we went to nursery, where today Jonathan was the only boy. Well, he decided that he wanted to give kisses to Annika, however she wasn't sure about that. So Heather said that Aubrey likes kisses. So Jonathan went and gave kisses to Aubrey on the lips, and then he proceeded to give kisses to all the girls in the class, whether they liked it or not! It was so cute, it made me just smile. Jonathan loves kisses!

Our cutie

Sarah is not a little baby anymore. She is all over the place, she is very efficient in her crawling. Sarah pulls her self up quiet frequently, so we finally put her crib down to the last setting! Sarah now has 5 teeth! Sarah loves shoes and will always find them and try to put them in her mouth (besides anything else she can put in there). Sarah has now realized that the piano playing at Papa's equals Mom in the other room. She will play a little in the family room but then she fines herself right next to me watching me play! We put Sarah on the little car and I was a little leary that she would fall right off, but she did good and actually really liked it! Sarah is 19.2, only 14 oz to go to be up to 20 lbs. It is hard to believe that she will probably be 20 lbs by her first birthday, since Jonathan has finally hit 20 pounds and he is 2 years old!! I know that this is normal, but not for me.

I am thankful for Dave and Heavenly Father that are patient with me and let me explore different avenues that might make me happier. But after the searching realizing that I am in the best spot for me right now! I am going to this mothering class for special needs children, which I have nothing to complain about. But it was very good to hear the mothers and what they are dealing with and being uplifted by them.

My cute boy! *Edited*

Papa and Jonathan!

Jonathan sportin' his croaks, pjs, and his heavy coat!

Jonathan and His bear!
Jonathan just enjoys life! The above picture is at Papa's house (we still don't have a camera so the only things we can capture are at Papa's but it is better then nothing) we were playing games and Jonathan was just enjoying himself. I looked over and he was in front of the heater and he put his bear on the little booster. I thought that it was so cute! Jonathan has just started to say bye and waving at everything before he goods to bed. I mean the picture, the door, the mirror, anything that we past on the way to his room. The first he did it I didn't know what he was doing. It mad me smile big, I try not to laugh- I just think that he is was cute. Jonathan of course adores his Papa, and a few weekends ago we went over to my parents house and Papa was working in the yard. So of course Jonathan went right over to Papa and following him. So Papa started pushing him in the wheelbarrow, Jonathan was in Heaven. So much so he started to lay back and relax at one point. Jonathan LOVES his sister, he is always thinking about her from the time he wakes up he is asking for Sarah and always wanting to give her hugs and kisses. He always want to make sure she is eating what he is eating and making sure Sarah gets what ever he gets with baths to lotion. He such a good big brother. Jonathan loves when Daddy get home from a long day, sometimes he is already in bed depending on if he is good or not. So this past week, went to bed early but was waiting to for Daddy to come home. So when Dave got home he had some Daddy and son time watching football (it was so cute I video taped it). Dave got into it, and would so go go go, soon Jonathan picked up on it and would say go go. It was way cute. And now when he see football on he says go go. It so much fun! Another cute thing that Jonathan likes to do, is when ever he see a cow he just Moo's- it is way cute! He is learning so much!

Made my day!!!

Yesterday, I had to work (and today). I would have rather been at home. But, my parents were watching the kids, which is such a help. So my dad brought them up so I would feed Sarah. Which I love to have a break and see them, it doesn't seem as long that way. Well, when I came walking around the corner Jonathan saw me and jumped and ran over to me and said Mommy and gave me a big hug and Sarah just beamed on my Dad's lap. I love it when they are excited to see me, it makes me so happy. And then when they were leaving and Jonathan realized that I wasn't going with him, he all of a sudden broke down in tears and got a sad face. However, he was going to do errands with Papa, so I got him some cookies and he was set to go. Happy once again, man is it easy to please him with candy or cookies!
So after a long hard day at work, I walked in the door and Dave had dinner ready and on the table (and he had been at work all day too, but got off a little earlier then me). I didn't expect it and it sure put a smile on my face. It is the little things that make a big difference! I have you guys!

Getting it!

We are finally getting somewhere, with Sarah that is! Around 7 months or so, Sarah decided that she didn't want a bottle she only wanted me. So that meant on days that I worked she only would get feed three times and she was fine with that (yes by the time I get home from work she is sooo ready to see me). So we started trying to get her to drink from sippy no success then to a cup same result, then back to a sippy and now back to a cup! This week she is finally getting it. She has been drinking from the cup when she wants a few little drinks after eating table food! It is great cause I could tell that she was getting a little dehydrated on the days that I was at work. So I wanted to share our little triumph! Oh and by the way Sarah is almost caught her brother on weight she is 19.2 and Jonathan is 20 lbs! Keep working Sarah your almost there!

Motherhood

Ater one of Sarah's first bath's
Jonathan letting me just hold him, he wasn't feeling good. So I was just able to sing to him and rock him to sleep!

MY greatest hope is teaching my children correct principles and instilling in them a desire to have their own testimonies. As Dave and I try to be good parents and teach our children the way we feel is the best- we have been going to this Love and Logic parenting class. This is our second round at taking this class. However, I feel that it is a good reminder for us and we can pick up a few more principles of parenting that we want to start implementing. So with this hope, on Sunday we were having Family Home Evening with Jonathan and Sarah. Prior to the little lesson we sang Jesus wants me for Sunbeam, Jonathan really enjoyed (the rest of it was torcher to keep him sitting and listening). He really likes to hop when we say "beam" or to just randomly do it. Well, this morning I was fixing Dave's lunch and Jonathan was just kind of jumping around and talking to himself. But he kept repeating himself and then I realized that he was saying "beam", and hopping with it. So We started to sing it and Jonathan and Sarah were just loving it! I had a feeling that no matter how little the things are that we are trying to teach him that Jesus loves him or that he is Child of God. He is getting a little bit of it every time we try to teach it. I feel that I need to write these things down, so when mothering becomes hard and more challenging I can remember that I am doing my best. I love being a mother and the opportunities to learn and teach and try to do better everyday!

Halloween 08'

The cutest flower ever!

Our little Tiger- Dave even worked on grueling with Jonathan. It was cute when he would do it!

The Family

What cute kids!

Everyone all dressed up!

Halloween was a lot of fun this year! Jonathan and Sarah looked so cute in there customes. Sarah was a cute little flower, and we even took pictures in the flower pot. Jonathan even got in the flower pot since Sarah did. We went trick or treating with the cousins. Jonathan did really good, he walked almost the entire time. We did about 2 entire blocks, but by the end it was taking a lot of time in between each house. It was very warm, which was really nice!

Festivities

This was the pumpkin that Jonathan picked out from the pumpkin patch. We thought that he would enjoy painting his pumpkin, which he did for a few minutes and then off to see what Daddy was doing!

Watching Daddy use his muscles to degut the pumpkin. I was going to take a picture of the pumpkin when it was all lite up, but out camera broke!

After dinner on Thursday we decorated sugar cookies!

This is what really happened with Jonathan's decorating time! But he enjoyed eating the decorations and periodically taking a bite of his cookie!

Our little mover

Sarah is just our little mover these days! She is not just content laying on the changing table and holding something in her hands she wants to see what going on! So within seconds of her put on the changing table she looks like the picture below. So since I can' put her on the changing table and get things ready anymore. I put her on the ground, and she was just lovin' crawling around nakey everywhere! It just made me laugh, she just loves the freedom she has! Sarah's personality is coming more out, she is so happy! I just love it, she loves to smile and laugh; and I have found her tickle spots. Her laugh is so contagious; it is so much fun! Sarah can now go from sitting to lying to sitting (which she has been able to do for awhile). Sarah is Mommy's little jewel!
Our cute girl

Jonathan just loves his Daddy! It so nice that on days that I work, Dave (most of the time) can be home with the kids. Jonathan loves it!!!! This is a new found love of Jonathan's!

I had to put some cute random pictures of Jonathan. So the past few days have been really warm, and we are usually very strict about Jonathan wearing a jacket and shoes when he goes outside (usually he has his pants on). So after his nap this week he wanted to go outside, so he brought me his shoes so I could put them on him! I think he looks so cute here with his shoes and his shirt and no pants with those cute skinny legs- how can you not love this boy!! Side note- Jonathan is starting to speak so well these days. I will say a word and he will usually try to say it, if he feels like he can't then he just giggles. He is coming!

He loves his bear! Jonathan is sleeping good with out his pacifier, which we re so excited about breaking him of it. He does ask for it randomly!

So a really sad thing happen, our camera broke. Yes, I dropped it!! We have been needing one, but now we have to get one. It was four years old, and only 4 mega pixels. So we are on the market for a good camera less then 300 dollars. If anyone has some suggestions that would be great. So the camera broke right before trick or treating, so I have to get some pictures from my parents so we will have to wait for there cute costumes!!

Weight

Once again I am talking about Jonathan weight issue or lack of it. Today we had an appointment with a dietitian, MD, and social worker. I think that it just left me more frustrated then anything. Jonathan weight is 79% of where is height is, they like it to be between 90-110%. SO he is underweight big time, which isn't anything new to me. They figure that it is because of his IUGR when he was born. But I feel that I'm getting conflicting information from the occupational therapist that comes and then these people. Right now I feel like I just want him to eat when he want and what he wants. But I am sure tonight I will just feel fine, and go back to the normal schedule and know that I can only do what I can. But anyways Jonathan is almost 20 lbs he is 19.14 lbs and 31 inches, and two yrs old that's my little guy! I love him even though he is in the 2% for his weight! He is just my little bug, and problem will lways be that way!

Pumpkin Patch

Last week, on Jonathan's Birthday, we went to the Pumpkin patch with PEEP! Jonathan was in Heaven, he wanted to see everything. Jonathan was off and running once we got to the patch. There was so much to do! There was the pumpkins, corn maze, animals to see, and a light alley. Jonathan's favorite thing was the animals. He loved the chickens, we spent plenty of time with the chickens. It was a cool day, so it was good that I dressed Jonathan warm! Jonathan didn't really care about a pumpkin, he would rather play! We had lots of fun, Jonathan could have spent a ton longer there.