Pom and Jazz 2 Basketball Performance

The Pom and Jazz 2 classes performed at a basketball games in January! They did an amazing job. They also had tons of fun waiting for performance time.

Winter Retreat 2013

Every year, the church youth group goes up to Cascade, ID for a winter retreat at Camp Cascade. It is an amazing camp with cabins and a main lodge with a beautiful huge fire place. It sits right on Cascade lake. In the summers there are water sports you can do, but since it was so cold, we didn't go down to see it.

On the first night, we got to the camp about 9 PM. We were the only ones there because the next day we were going to prep the camp for the campers to arrive. We got into our cabin and I fed Collyn his dinner. We had stopped on the way up at a restaraunt and ate dinner. I set up the cabin with sheets and blankets and got the boys tucked into bed while Lyndon brought in all the luggage. Thank goodness we brought my lap top and they had internet, because we let the boys calm down by watching some Netflix.

The next morning, it was about -5 degrees outside. We showered and got ready for the day and headed to the lodge. I bought muffins and bananas for our breakfast because the kitchen wasn't open until dinner when everyone else was there. Lyndon set up the sound system and the boys played and napped by the fire. We headed into McCall, ID for lunch at Lardo's. It was amazing. All homemade food. YUM! We stopped by the grocery store and picked up some groceries and a sled for Alden that I could pull him in. When we got back to the camp Lyndon took Collyn inside the lodge and I took Alden on a short sled ride. It was about 4 degrees outside so my hands started going numb after about 10 minutes of pulling him. We went back inside and warmed up in front of the fire.

I took the kids to the cabin and layed them down for naps and napped with them. When we woke up, everyone was there. It was almost time for dinner so we headed back to the lodge and ate. After dinner Lyndon did a lesson and we sat by the fire. They had small group time, so I took the boys back to the cabin and got their pajamas on and got them ready for bed.

The next morning, we got up early and headed to the lodge for breakfast. Then, we played with toys by the fire while the youth did some activities and a lesson. After lunch, everyone went to a hill to go sledding and I kept the boys with me because the high was 12 degrees that day. They napped by the fireplace and I read. It was so relaxing. When they got back we got ready for dinner and ate. They had another lesson and small group time later that night, so I took the boys back to the cabin and got them ready for bed.

The next day we left for home early afternoon. It was nice to get home. I went to start some laundry and wash some things and found out that our water had frozen while we were gone, because of the cold. After a couple hours we got it unfrozen and didn't have any problems since then.

It was such a nice and relaxing weekend.

Playing At Papa and Grams'

,p>Alden, Collyn and I went to my parents house one night while Lyndon was at Youth Group at Church. We ate dinner with them and then my sister and her girls came over. They wanted to do my mom's hair and makeup and play beauty shop, so she sat on the floor and let them go at it. Alden saw what they were doing and wanted to "Paint" on Grams' face too. They had so much fun!

While Alden was painting, Papa was showing Collyn how to shoot a Nerf gun at my little brother. The gun was WAYY bigger than he was. It was too cute.

They had lots of fun. They always enjoy going to my parents house.

Prep For Performance

The dance studio has been doing great this year. Even though the numbers aren't as high as last year, I still have a great number of girls and boys and all of them are amazing dancers and kids. This last month we have been prepping for performances and competition. The dancers have been working very hard. I went and watched the Junior High class practice their Lyrical routine. They were doing amazing!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY ALDEN!!!!

OH MY WORD!!!!!

My little baby Alden is 2!!!? When did this happen!? I can't believe 2 years have flown by so quickly. I am going to do some of my normal updates on the little guy.

GROWTH: Alden is around 28 pounds and is about 34 inches tall. We don't go to his 2 year check up until February because I combined his 2 year and Collyn's 6 month together. He is getting so tall and just today I noticed how big his hands have gotten. I swear kids grow overnight.

SLEEP: (cough cough) Alden MIGHT still be sleeping with us... Okay! We co-sleep with both kids, still. Every once in a while he will sleep all night in his own bed, but every night he falls asleep with us. Collyn and him share a room. Soon, we are going to have both of them sleeping in their own room, together, but he is currently, most of the time, with us. He sleeps through the night. He is my good little sleeper (Unlike his brother)

EATING: Of course, he is eating everything, just like a normal 2 year old does. He is able to eat all dairy products and has been for the last 6 months or so. He has gotten a little bit more picky, but we try very hard to keep the fresh fruits and veggies in him as much as possible. He's like his Momma and likes to snack all day. :)

CLOTHING: 2T and 3T- Depending on the brand

DIAPERS: Size 5

DEVELOPMENT: He is our smart little guy. We are working on the alphabet and he can sing most of the song. He can count to about 7 by himself and then needs help to finish to 10. He can stack blocks about 5-6 blocks high. He knows tons of animal noises. He LOVES animals! He can do a forward roll and jump on a trampoline. He is talking up a storm and says sentences that have 6-7 words in them. He still has that darn binkie, which we are going to break him from soon, fingers crossed. He loves to color with crayons and read books in the rocking chair. He is such a good big brother and tries to help Collyn as much as he can. He loves to help me cook in the kitchen and helps daddy outside with chores. We absolutely adore this little boy!!!!

BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!

Alden's birthday party was lots of fun! He had all his cousins over and grandparents, great-grandparents, and uncles and aunts. Hannah (My niece) helped me decorate his birthday cake. It was WILD ANIMAL themed. We played Pin The Tail On The Donkey, opened presents, and had cake and ice cream, and the kids ran around crazy all evening. It was sooo much fun. :)

Merry Christmas 2012

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We sure did!!! This Christmas was extremely fun with Alden. He understood, to an extent, what was going on.

We started our morning at our house, opening presents, stockings, and seeing what Santa brought. Alden's face was priceless when he walked into the living room and the presents Santa brought were sitting there ready to play with.

For Christmas, Santa brought Alden a new kitchen and a Tonka truck and Collyn a new toy with balls.

Collyn sat back and relaxed while we opened presents.

Santa brought Alden a train whistle in his stocking. He loves trains, so it was a great present.

Alden LOVED his kitchen. He loves to help me in the kitchen, so we put it in the kitchen so he can cook while I cook.

After we opened presents at our house, I made a breakfast casserole and we headed to Lyndon's parents house for breakfast and more present opening.

Alden got the hang of opening presents.

Alden got a John Deere toy from Uncle Kolton (Lyndon's brother)

Collyn was my present. :)

The boys playing with their toys

Collyn knows what is good!

So, the story behind this picture is interesting. Right after we got married we were living in our first home and while we moved to our second home, Lyndon's mom swore she gave Lyndon his diploma from College. We searched everywhere for it. She knew exactly where she put it in our house. We checked. Nothing. For 3 years we have told her we don't have it and she told Lyndon he lost it. This was one of Lyndon's presents. She found it in her bedroom. :)

A shirt that I got Lyndon for Christmas.

Grandma Kay holding Collyn during breakfast.

Alden loved eating breakfast on Christmas at Grandma and Grandpas.

Then, we came home for naps and i made a salad for lunch at my parents house. Lyndon played his video game that he got for Christmas. Then, we headed to my parents.

All the kids were very excited to open presents.

Alden got some Matchbox cars from Aunt Susu.

Papa Stuart (My dad) helped Alden open some presents.

This is a typical Christmas at my parents house. Sheer chaos! We wouldn't change it for anything.