Xander's First Talent Show

A week before our ward talent show I received an email stating that Xander had signed up to perform in the talent show! I was very surprised and wondered if he even remembered. I asked him the next morning and he told me all about what he was going to do and how he was going to do it. So, I let him try. He tried but I think he got super nervous because he was one of the last acts to go and was tired (it was almost 9 PM) and had seen others be frightened. Maybe next time!!

What we've been up to!

So, I've been a little MIA lately but I played a new role for the first part of the month! I got to be a wedding planner! I coordinated decorations and food for a wedding--I think I'd rather have done the cooking but I didn't do any of that. Here are some shots of what things looked like--we had little to no budget so we did what we could with what we had and I think it turned out pretty darn well! The LDS ward here was fantastic and so helpful and donated all sorts of things to decorate with--not to mention a professional photographer and cake maker/decorator! The couple that got married were truly spoiled!

And I can't resist putting this shot up! 1st time in pigtails--I'm in love! She is so adorable! The 2's are hard so far but there are some really good times too and I look forward to all that this child has in store for us!

And contrary to popular belief--it doesn't rain all that much here--so we had 2 weeks no sun and then we've had a week with cloudy/sunny days. It has been a beautiful winter! So my kids still love it when it rains--because they get to wear their rain coats & boots and sometimes, sometimes, I let them splash:

Oregon really is a beautiful state! If we can't be in Sacramento, I hope to be here!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZA!!!

Watch out world--we have another 2 year old on the loose! And this one does not stop for much. (food and sleep is about it!). Eliza is quite a character! She keeps us on our toes all of her waking hours. She is quite a little chatter box and writing all of her words or phrases would fill a book! Some of our favorites though are, "I don't know" or "I don't like it" or you have to see her say "glue" sometime! She LOVES to sing. Her favorite songs to sing: I am a Child of God, Wishing (from Snow White) and Families Can Be Together Forever. She LOVES food too. There are very few things that she won't eat. Some of her favorites: pancakes, yogurt, avocado, oranges, noodles. The list goes on! She is in love with Snow White, strollers, shopping, purses and cell phones--and her new kitchen.

Eliza adds so much to our family. She makes us laugh all the time. She and Xander are the best of friends and I love how the console each other, play with each other, feed each other and torment each other. Eliza loves to learn--and has a really hard time when Xander goes to preschool. She does not mind using the toilet, but will also get a diaper and wipes if she uses her diaper. She loves to help and it's the best when she finishes doing whatever it is and she says, "I help!" with the biggest smile! Her smiles melt our heart! She loves adventure--and was a tough cookie this week when she dislocated her elbow. :) We could talk forever but mostly, we just want Eliza to know that she brings a whole new world to our family and we are so grateful for her! We love you Eliza!!

PS Ben created the "Poppy the Penguin" cake as Eliza has begged for it since November!

On Being Pregnant...

So here is a belly shot...I'm about 21 weeks pregnant here (going on 40). It has been quite the pregnancy for me/my family. And the sad part is that I know my pregnancy is so much more mild than most people's! The hardest part of this pregnancy is just that I feel semi-nauseous most of the time. Food does NOT sound good at all. My poor family gets a good meal once, maybe twice, a week. In fact, most of Christmas was spent eating Cocoa Krispies. It's really rather sad. I don't get throw up sick or anything like that just a run down, icky feeling that still gets to me. I am starting to feel better though and Ben comes home and tells me, "WOW! The house is always so clean now!" I just smile--knowing that between moving here only 6 months ago and getting pregnant only 5 months ago--the house just has not been what either of us would like it to look like.

But despite all the roller coasters of being pregnant—we are so excited to have a new addition in our family at the end of May. The kids are constantly asking me how big the baby is, if it is moving, etc. And Eliza swears there is a baby in her tummy too—we even check its heartbeat some times. If we had to guess what the gender was—I think we’d both say, Human. We do not feel strongly one way or another and anticipate the announcement from the doctor! Some day maybe I will better understand why pregnancy has to be so frustrating and emotional…or maybe it is a combination of all the other things going on in our lives. I’m not sure.I do know that the Lord has truly blessed our little family and I am so grateful to be where we are at this time.