3 Months Old

Joshua is now 3 months old. I thought I had already posted his 3 month picture and then realized I hadn't done it yet. He loves to grab anything within his reach...toys, ears, hair, necks, etc. He really has a good grip too! He also laughs a lot now and he wants to be wherever the other kids are at!

Outdoor Cooking

Thomas has been wanting to cook on the BBQ with Joel for about a week now so he can pass off one of his cub scout requirements. Yesterday he planned the menu and looked through the fridge, freezer, and cupboards so he could make a shopping list for the things we didn't have that he needed for his meal. So today he and I went shopping to get the couple things we needed. Then Joel helped him BBQ on the grill. Thomas was in heaven. They made hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. Thomas was so proud of himself because Joel pretty much let him do it all by himself. While we were eating dinner Thomas kept saying, "Ohhh, this is delicious!" It was so cute. He is very gung ho about his scouting requirements. He wanted to earn a beltloop so he was looking through the different ones available and decided to earn the computers beltloop. He did all the requirements for that today and is now working to earn the computers pin. By doing the beltloop he also passed off a Faith in God requirement. It is so fun to see him take charge and ownership with cub scouts and Faith in God. I only hope I can keep up with him!

Trampoline, Wii, and Just Plain Good Fun

We have had so much fun yesterday and today. It is so fun to play with the kids as they try out all their new toys and fun things from Christmas. The kids have had a great time on the trampoline. They all love it. We have also had a great time with the Wii! Just this afternoon we tried out the boxing game and have had a great time with it. Emily and I tried it out together and she knocked me out at the last second. Then I boxed with Joel's mom. Everyone got a good laugh out of me boxing against my mother in law. I ended up with the win by KO! It has all been so much fun.

Aunt Emily gave Sammy the book, "Not a box" and some boxes and markers for Christmas. He and Mary have had a great time playing in the boxes. It has been a wonderful couple of days. I miss my side of the family, though, and wish we could have been with them too!

Christmas Morning

Our Christmas morning started "dark" and early! Thomas was up at about 1:15 am and every 30 minutes or so thereafter. Starting around 3:30 am he and I were on my bedroom floor talking together. He was telling me how excited he was for everyone to open the presents he made or picked out for them. He really was so good but he just couldn't fall back to sleep. It reminded me of when I was a child and just couldn't sleep on Christmas Eve. Finally, at about 5:15 I told him he could start waking people up. First, he woke up Spring and Sammy and then they all worked together to wake up Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Emily!

They were so excited to come out and look through their stockings. Thomas, Spring, and Sammy loved their beanbag chairs from Santa and Mary loved her little ride on bike. She even tried to sit on it before it was out of the box. It was great fun to see the excitement and joy on their faces. They really liked handing out all the presents that they had made or picked out for everyone else. The last present under the tree was for all of our family from my parents. We had the kids open it and they were so excited to see it was a Wii! Thomas said, "WOW...I can't believe we got a Wii!" To which Spring replied, "What's a Wii?" Then we had the kids check very carefully because we saw an envelope on the tree. It was a letter from Santa telling them he had left one more gift for them. They had to complete a few 'tasks' first and the last thing they had to do was go in the backyard to see what he had left for them. It was a trampoline! They were SO excited. They have had a great time with it too!

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas Eve day and night! Joel went into work really early so he was home around lunchtime. We baked some cookies and just enjoyed the afternoon as a family. Thomas made dinner for us to pass off a cub scout requirement. He did an excellent job! After dinner we read the story of Christ's birth from the scriptures while Spring and Sammy portrayed Mary and Joseph. Then we read a few Christmas stories until it was time for the kids to open one gift. They all opened new PJ's. It was fun to have them so excited to get their new PJ's on.

Spring and Thomas made a plate of cookies for Santa and a mug of milk. Then they ran outside to the front yard so they could sprinkle Christmas Dust on the lawn. The Christmas Dust was given to Spring by her teacher. It was some oats to help the reindeer smell their way to our house and some sparkling confetti to shine in the moonlight for Santa to see his way to our house. Oh, the magic of Christmas Eve is amazing. It is so fun to watch their excitement!

Christmas Cookies

The kids and I have been making cookies the last few days. One of their all time favorites to make is sugar cookies. We made the dough, cut them out, and baked them yesterday. Then, this morning we decorated them. Boy, did we ever have a mess in the kitchen and on the kids. I think Mary thought she was decorating herself not cookies. It was fun to see them be creative, especially Spring. Spring was so detailed in all the cookies she decorated. In fact, she decorated a gingerbread family. She was so proud of her creations. Sammy did really well and then he started to just put the frosting directly into his mouth! It was fun and messy and it was time for baths after we were finished.

Our Sabbath Day

We usually try to get the kids a new church outfit for the Sunday before Christmas. They usually have outgrown their clothes about this time so it just works out nicely. They were all so excited to wear their new outfits this time. Earlier this week they all tried on their clothes which just added to the excitement. It was so funny to see Mary especially this morning. She could hardly contain herself as I was getting her dressed. After the girls got all dressed Spring wanted me to paint her nails so we were doing that at the counter. Mary climbed up and begged me to paint her nails too. Spring thought that was a great idea and I caved. I was actually surprised how still Mary sat while I painted her nails. It's a good thing Sammy was in the shower or he would have been begging to have his painted too!

Thomas had his baptism interview with the Bishop before church today. He was very excited for that. As soon as Mary saw Joel at church she ran up to him and showed him her nails. She had this huge smile on her face. It was really cute.

We realized today how difficult it is going to be for Mary when Sammy goes into Sunbeams in a couple weeks. We picked Sammy up from nursery to take him potty and when we returned Mary was sobbing with big tears running down her face. Joel told her, "look...Sammy's right here." She looked and looked and when she saw Sammy she ran over to him and held his hand and then she was just fine. The leaders always tell us how protective Sammy is to her and how sweet he is when she is sad in nursery. I am not looking forward to the new year and having to take her to nursery without Sammy!

We had a fun afternoon and evening as well. We watched a movie together and Thomas and Spring are having a sleepover in the family room by the Christmas tree. I am so excited for them to be home with me for the next 3 weeks during their Christmas vacation. I love having them all home! That is a great Christmas present for me!

Sammy's Stickers

When Grandma was visiting for Thanksgiving she potty trained Sammy. She told him that when he had been doing really well for a while she would send him something in the mail. He has done so well and Grandma sent him some stickers in the mail this week. He was so excited when he opened them. He tells us all about who/what is on each sticker. He carries them everywhere with him and calls them, "My grandma stickers for going potty in the toilet." He even takes them to bed with him and has to tuck them in on something soft so it doesn't hurt their heads! Thanks Mom for potty training him. We all appreciate it so much!

Storytime with Santa

The library had a special storytime with Santa this morning that I was able to take Sammy, Mary, and Joshua to. Santa was awesome and he read the children "The Night Before Christmas." Sammy was a little more brave today than he was at our Ward Christmas Breakfast. He even gave Santa a "high five." Mary even was willing to get close enough to Santa to get a candy cane but that was about it.

Thomas' Big Day

Thomas is now 8 years old. How can it be that we have an 8 year old child? Joel and I were talking last night about Thomas turning 8 and all the changes that come with this birthday for him. He is now in Cub Scouts and will be baptized in a few weeks. He will then be accountable for all that he does. I have found myself reflecting on the importance of teaching our children correct principles. We pray that he will continue to choose to be obedient and do those things that will increase his testimony and help him to live the life our Father in Heaven wants him to live. What a blessing, yet incredible responsibility, we have as parents to teach and guide these precious children of God while they are in our stewartship.

This morning I gave Thomas a big hug and told him "Happy Birthday!" He got a huge smile on his face and hugged me so tight. He had a great day at school. He came home so excited. For dinner he chose to have spaghetti, "the kind you can twist up on your fork" with white sauce. He wanted french bread as well. For dessert he wanted brownies with chocolate frosting and rainbow sherbet. We had a great dinner together. Then he opened his birthday presents. He has been asking me for the past while if we could get his cub scout uniform. I kept telling him I had to find a time to drive to Fresno to get it and I just hadn't done it yet. He handled it so well even though we knew he really wanted it. He was so excited when he opened his presents to find his uniform and wolf book. He kept giving us hugs over and over and telling us "thank you, thank you."

We then ran off to his very first pack meeting for cub scouts. We went Christmas caroling. He looked so grown up in his uniform and he was so proud of himself. While we were waiting at the church to go caroling he took off his coat because he was so excited to be in his uniform. He just beamed when he was told how great he looked. I am so happy that he is so excited to start cub scouts. He is already working on the requirements for his Bobcat. In the time we were driving around for caroling he memorized the Cub Scout Promise.

We got home and he very carefully hung up his uniform. After prayers he told me, "Before I go to sleep I have some important things to do. I need to read my scriptures, practice some more things from my cub scout book, and look through my Faith in God book." Our little boy is growing up. I am so grateful for his obedient nature and his burning testimony. He is an example to me.

Gingerbread Houses

We made our annual gingerbread house last night. This is something my mom always did with us as we were growing up and we have continued the tradition with our children. We decided to invite our neighbors to make one as well. They came over for dinner last night and then had FHE with us. We talked about Christ's birth and watched "The Nativity" together. Then we decorated gingerbread houses for our activity. The kids had so much fun. Mary loved eating the candy. Every time we looked over she was putting more candy in her mouth. She also liked to grab handfuls of candy and just drop them on the house. Thomas and Spring were so good about being patient with her. Sammy got so excited about the chocolate covered raisans. He thought they were rocks and wanted to make a road with them. We all had a fun evening together. We will keep the house as a decoration until New Year's Eve when the kids can break the house and enjoy the candy!

Christmas Recital

Thomas had his Christmas Recital this afternoon. His teacher, Sandra Ball, is amazing with him. She thinks it is important for the children to learn to accompany as well as just play different pieces. Thomas really wants to be able to open up the hymnbook and play any song he wants to play so he can be a pianist so we appreciate all the efforts of his piano teacher.

Thomas played 4 pieces for the recital. He played the opening hymn, Christmas Bells, while the audience sang along. He also performed Carol of the Bells, Angel Eyes, and accompanied us for I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He did so well. We love to listen to him play because he loves it so much. You can just see it on his face. He does not have lessons for the next 4 weeks because of Christmas break and he has plans to teach himself new hymns and also the song, 100 Years, during his break. I am sure he will be able to do it!

Thomas with his friend, Carter, who also performed at the recital.

Thomas' school teacher, Mrs. Magpayo, and her daughter also came to his recital. I thought that was so nice of her to come.

Ward Christmas Party

This morning we had our Ward Christmas Breakfast. Then the Primary children performed a short nativity with a few musical numbers. Thomas was able to accompany them when they sang, "Away in a Manger." He has been so excited to do this and he did a great job. Spring really sang the songs well too and was so cute in her angel costume. Spring also made a new friend with Ashley. Her family just moved into the ward from Washington. Her dad had Thanksgiving with us before the rest of his family had moved here. They were so cute together today and once they met each other they were inseparable.

After the Nativity the children were able to sit on Santa's lap. Sammy and Mary wouldn't get anywhere near Santa and Spring wouldn't either until Thomas was on his lap. Then she thought it was safe enough for her to sit on his lap as well.

Thomas' Tonsils

Well...yesterday Thomas came home from school with yet another sore throat so we hurried over to the pediatrician's office before they closed. They swabbed his throat and yes...strep AGAIN! This is the 4th time he has had strep throat since November 1st. Each time he has completed the antibiotic and 1-2 days later he is complaining of a sore throat. We go back to the Doctor and sure enough...strep. After the second time they scheduled an appointment with the ENT for the end of January. Well, yesterday the doctor called the ENT and told them he needed to be seen sooner. We got an appointment for this morning.

The ENT doctor said he has very infected and inflamed tonsils. On a scale of 1-4 with 4 being the largest possible he is at a 3.5-3.75. He is now a carrier of strep so he will continue to get strep anytime he gets a cold or his immune system is compromised in the least degree. So, it is time for his tonsils and adenoids to be removed. Thomas is actually excited about this because he is so tired of getting strep and having sore throats. He is scheduled for surgery for the 15th of January. That is the earliest slot available. I will be so grateful when we aren't going to the doctor every 10-12 days!

Recent Events in Joshua's Life

Joshua is doing so many new things lately. He loves to play with his hands. We will often look over at him and he is just mesmerized by his hands. He smiles so much now. When I hold him he will look up at me and coo and smile as if he is trying to talk to me. He started this with my mom when she was visiting for Thanksgiving and now he does it almost all the time. The kids love to listen to him and tell us he is saying specific words. He also loves to grab onto things lately. One of his favorite things to grab hold up is Spring's hair. He has a strong grip too and he always goes away with a fistful of hair. He really enjoys it when Thomas and Spring clap his hands together. He will smile so big. He is even beginning to laugh when he gets really excited about something. It is so fun to watch him grow and interact more with us; however, I am saddened to see how quickly it is all happening. I know I should be used to these 'stages' by now but they still sneak up on me way too quickly!

Spring has also become very interested in taking pictures. She will pose Joshua and then take his picture. We have many pictures taken by her so I will just include a couple.

Spelling Bee

Thomas participated in his first ever spelling bee today. I got to the school a few minutes early and he came running up to me with a big smile on his face. He said he was excited but a little nervous too. He looked so cute up there on the stage. He does not have a very good poker face...you could tell right away how confident he was on the spelling of different words. There were 10 children in the spelling bee. They were all given the same word and they had to write it down and then hold it up when they were told. Nobody was eliminated until their 3rd incorrect word. Before too long it was just Thomas and one other girl and neither of them had missed any words. They kept going and then Thomas missed the word, "cozy." He spelled it "cossy." Afterwards he told me, "Mom, I knew that word. I guess I just got kinda nervous." He handled missing it very well though. They kept going and then they both missed the word, "detective." Thomas spelled it "detecktive." They spelled a lot more and then they both missed the word, "muscles." Thomas left out the "c." So, that meant that was Thomas' 3rd miss so he won 2nd place! He was so happy with himself though which I was so relieved about. He is really learning to handle frustration so much better. He is so hard on himself and tends to get emotional when he makes mistakes. He didn't get that way at all today. He was happy and proud of how well he had done. I think that was the best part of it for me...to see that he was happy with himself because he had done his best. He earned a trophy and a ribbon. He is the alternate for the district spelling bee that will be held in January.

Thomas with Mom and his teacher, Mrs. Magpayo.

Our little boy is sure growing up. Today as I sat and watched his excitement and saw the smile on his face as he competed I realized how much he has matured. Then I found myself realizing he will be turning 8 next week, joining Cub Scouts, and then being baptized a few weeks later. Where have the last 8 years gone? It really doesn't seem that long ago that we were holding him in our arms like he now holds Joshua. We have been so blessed by his spirit in our home. He is so kind and sensitive. We love you, Thomas and we are so proud of you!

Sammy's 3 year Pictures

Here are Sammy's 3 year old pictures! Mom...let me know which one you want in a 5x7. I only got an 8x10 of him standing so choose from the other ones. Also, Alanna and anyone else let me know which one you want in wallets!

2 Months Old

Our little Joshua is already 2 months old. He is so fun. We just love having him in our family. He is quick to smile and is starting to try to laugh. We love how he responds when we talk to him or when he hears the kids laughing. His coos and little noises are so fun. He still loves to cuddle and he just molds into our chests when we hold him. One of my favorite times with him is in the evening after the older kids are all in bed because I feel I can give him some one on one time and really enjoy his sweet smile, noises, and cuddles.

He had his check up and shots yesterday. He did so well with the shots and stopped crying as soon as I picked him up. Joel and I went to the temple last night and he wasn't fussy at all for the babysitter. He slept most of the time or played with the kids. He is such a good little baby for us. He is growing like a weed and getting more and more chuncky everyday. He now weighs 13 pounds 4 ounces and is 22 inches long. He is around the 75th percentile in both. What a blessing this sweet boy is to our family.

Joshua's Blessing Outift

Here is Joshua in his blessing outfit that Grandma Powell made for him. We have been so blessed by Grandma's sewing talent. She has made all of her grandchildren their own blessing outfit after they are born. Each outfit has been different and wonderful. Our children will be so blessed to have such a special gift from their grandma.