::star bits, grand stars, mario, bowser::

Port finally got Super Mario Galaxy 2 this weekend! And he's beyond happy! Lately, Mario is all he talks about. He talks about Bowser, grand stars, opening up new galaxies, etc. He hops around all the time going "wah-hoo" just like Mario.

It's a pretty fun game! It's been fun for all of us (even Coop). Port got in a bit of trouble on Sunday because he decided he did NOT want to got to sacrament meeting, and started throwing a 2-year-old fit! Oh, it was ugly! So we left church (sac is last), but we didn't want him to think that if you throw a fit, you get to leave church and go home and play Mario; so we told him he couldn't play. Then he LOST it! He was so mad! So he had to sit in the garage when we got home so we didn't have to hear him in the house. After a few minutes, Matt let him come in, and was talking to him and said that maybe if he's good he can play Mario (and he looked over at me). I felt so bad taking it away, and we were both hoping he'd be good because we wanted to play too.


Also, this weekend...

Baby Mia had her 1st birthday party! She was so cute, and got all kinds of cute little things. All the little cousins played together and had so much fun! We're so glad we got to go down and share her birthday with her :)

::today...::

...Matt is painting,

and he's really happy about it :)

We're (and by we I mean Matt) painting Baby Ava's room pink and pink. So far it's beautiful! I love it! I can't wait to see it all finished.

We've gotta paint the baby furniture too, but we've got to get Bubb some new furniture before we can move the baby furniture out of his room. I'm having a hard time deciding on a "theme" for his room. I found some pretty cute quilts at Pottery Barn. The one is a dinosaur-ish room, and I think that's my favorite. The other one I like is just boyish colors-kind of like what Port's got goin' on in his room. I just can't decide--plus he'd like anything! He loves all things boyish-animals, cowboys, cows, tractors, cars, trucks, fish, dine-wissors, you name it. The dinosaur room is greens and browns and I love it. I'm pretty sure we'll go with that one. I need to decide on a design on the wall-something cool to do with the paint (Matt'll love that!!).

In other news...

You know that Geico commercial where the farmer says "hey you dang woodchucks, quit chuckin' my wood" ?? Bubb says that all day long, and it's hilarious! Except he says "hey chuck, 'top chuckin' my woodle."

::thanks::

"You are such a cute little pregnant lady.
You almost make it look fun! I know it's not, but you make it look that way."

-random young mom in the grocery store

(my big ol' belly. 31 weeks along)

I'm about 9 weeks away, and I can't even believe it. It seems SO far away, but I've got so much to do before she gets here, so somehow it doesn't seem like enough time. I'm pretty anxious to be done. I'm not one who loves being pregnant. In fact, I hate it. I was telling somebody not too long ago how much I hate it, and that there's really not much about it that I like-other than the baby. It's cool when you hear the heartbeat for the first time, when you first feel them move, when you find out what you're having, but for the most part it's kind of a nuisance. I don't mean to sound ungrateful or disconnected, or like I don't love my babies, because that's so not the case! I just think the getting bigger, aching body, discomfort, lack of sleep, and just your body not belonging to you anymore is sometimes a lot for me. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and want to cry because of my sheer size. I can't breathe either, and that makes me feel claustrophobic, and that's just not fun. Aside from the physical inconveniences, I feel like I'm not much fun any more. I don't/can't play on the floor for too long with the other kids. Bubb can't sit on my lap (there's just no room!), and I'm just so tired all the time that all I ever want to do is lay down!-which makes me feel lazy, which I don't like.

But...
I am WAY excited for Spring. I'm excited to see some green grass, warmer temps, birds, flowers, playing outside, bikes, Chloe's Spring program at school, Mothers day (I love our big brunch we always do), Port's birthday (he'll be 5, you know), oh, and of course, Baby Ava's arrival :) We have a pretty fun vacation planned this summer-which we're all way excited about. I'm excited to start running again too-I really miss it. I'm thinking about trying barefoot running with the Vibram 5 fingers. I've never tried it, but we were talking to this girl at Disneyland who was wearing them and says they're the best thing since sliced bread. So, I kinda want to try 'em. Does anybody know anything about barefoot running??

I'm also excited to go watch Despicable Me on the big TV with the big kids with popcorn and hot chocolate (Port's request) while Bubb takes a nap.

So, 9 weeks, and counting down. I hope my family still loves me after it's all over :)

Oh, and thanks, random young mom in the grocery store. I appreciate the compliment more than you know
:)

::bff's::

This past week Coopie and I have been potty training. I say "we" because he's not the only one being trained! I have to learn about as much as he does--especially in the patience dept.

So here are a few of my best friends this week...
(aside from the washer/dryer, carpet shampooer, towels, juice, and candy-for bribery purposes)


...and also this guy. We've been joined at the hip all week. He's lots of fun. We've played a lot, laughed a lot, cleaned a lot, and cried a lot this week.


the result...

Success! He's pretty much there. He's still got some polishing to do, but he's got it down for the most part. His favorite thing to do is say "I wet" which means he needs to go potty. He says it ALL DAY LONG! I think half the times he says it just because he knows it'll make us rush around a bit. Man! Talk about a true test of your patience! I've potty trained 3 now, and I have to say it doesn't get any easier. The only advantage you have over having done it before is you know how crappy (no pun intended) of an experience it's going to be, and I can honestly attest to the fact that girls are easier!

Some days are worse than others, but overall he's improving every day.

(My little Bubb age 2 years and 1 month. Wearing his "dine-wissoah" jammies and big boy "unna-wee-uh")

In other news
Chloe and I went to "it's great to be 8" (a program our stake puts on for all the kids turning 8 this year). We heard all about what to expect for baptism, how important it is, the responsibilities that go along with it, and that it's her decision. She's SO excited about it! She kept telling me "Mom, I feel like I just turned 7!" She did, so it's probably weird to be talking about turning 8 already, but I'm excited for her. I, of course, got teary thinking about her baptism and all the memories and thoughts that would be entering her little 8-year-old mind. I thought about my own baptism-even how my foot slipped off the step. I didn't fall, but I remember my foot slipping off the step. I thought about how special it will be when Matt baptizes her, and how she doesn't even understand how lucky she is to have him and to have him baptize her. I thought of her in her little white clothes and her white dress (that she's so excited about). She's already so excited to read scriptures and Book of Mormon stories. She got a card with all the articles of faith on it, and was reading them to me. She loves to go to primary. I lust love her so much, and I'm so thankful for her and for the person she's turning into.

::2010 finale::

This post finally catches me up!

We all know that Matt loves to golf. So the tournament right after Christmas is one of his favorite things every year. This year we stayed in St. George instead of Mesquite, NV. Mostly because what is there to do in Mesquite?? So Sarah, the kids & I kind of just shopped, went to the movies, went to lunch a lot, took the kids to a soft play jumpy house place, and the last day, we just stayed in-the weather was terrible, and none of us felt too hot, and we were SO tired!. We did manage to get out for lunch and a cupcake though :)

We ended up having to stay an extra day because of the weather-which was tough because we really wanted to get home, but ultimately a good decision. The temp dropped big time and we were a little nervous driving on icy roads at night. The next day they were still way icy, but at least we could see!

(Portie, Coopie, & Chloe in our hotel room in St. George)

We had a little new years celebration with Matt's fam-we played games and ate lots of "healthy" food :) I didn't take any pictures of our night-probably mostly because I knew I was already so far behind in my posts that I didn't want to add to my pile of pictures to go through. All 3 kids made it 'til midnight (and so did I), and we all had fun at Grandma's. It was pretty mellow as far as new years parties go, but that's just how we roll! We're thankful for the year we had in 2010 and all the joys and blessings that we enjoyed this year. We're glad to welcome a new year too. We've got lots of exciting things in store (new baby, Chloe getting baptized, Portie starting kindergarten, Chloe starting a new school, Bubb learning how to go potty, and a big road trip to MI-to name a few).
Welcome 2011!


In other news...
I feel like I oughtta mention that Bubb is not "beeky" free. He made it all the way to California without it, but his parents are big ol' softies and we caved and got him some new ones at a Wal-Mart in Anaheim. He was SO happy and comfy after he got a "beeky" again, and I can't say we're sorry we did it.

I blame it on bad timing. I feel like if he wouldn't have lost it the day before a 12 hour car ride and 5 day vacation, we might've been a little tougher on not getting him a new one. Who knows if that's really true or not, but that's what I'm hangin' my hat on :)

::on Christmas day...::

Christmas morning!!!!

(we grabbed this picture after Santa came and while the living room was still decent looking)

Matt and I woke up before the kids! We gave them a few minutes (it was after 8 in the morning!) and then decided we better go get 'em up. They were all 3 sound asleep. We woke up Chloe and Port and they said they'd been upstairs to see if Santa came, and he did, and they said Matt and I were still sleeping so they went back downstairs. They were WAY tired when we got 'em up, so I don't know how long they were up or what time they first came upstairs-but Chloe said it was still dark out. I can't imagine going back to bed after seeing Santa had come! We told them to wake us up if they came upstairs too! Crazy kids.

Santa was pretty good to us again this year.

Chloe...
the guitar she'd been dying for!, American Girl salon chair, AG salon kit, The Sound of Music dvd, Tangled/Rapunzel wig (and it's so funny!), nail polish, bath stuff, princess undies, princess outfit for her AG doll, games, color explosion thing, play-doh, clothes, a new coat, easy bake microwave cookie thing, carnival games wii game, a pink and purple lamp for her room.


Portie...
Buzz wii game (Toy Story Mania), play-doh, Buzz lamp for his room, tri-county landfill (Toy Story 3), color explosion thing, remote control Buzz spaceship, socks, Buzz undies, dinosaur bath egg (green of course), Buzz board games (kerplunk & operation), clothes, a new coat (that picture looks like he really loves it, huh).

...and Bubb
(chuck the truck track set (to go along with the ones he got for his birthday), chuck the garbage truck, tiny chuck the trucks (they can go inside his garbage truck), undies, big kid toothpaste, bath color tablets,
dinosaur puzzle, books, Rex (from Toy Story) flashlight )

We had our famous cinnamon rolls (not really "famous" but it's tradish), and then Grandma & Papa Snowman and Jared & Sarah came down for a little bit to see what Santa brought. We love that they come down! The kids get so excited to show them what Santa brought and how it all works. Chloe answered the door in her wig and her guitar-funny girl. Grandma said she looked like Hannah Montana-haha

After a while, we went down to Grandma & Papa Kitty's house for some dinner and some more gifts. Our dinner theme this year was Williams Sonoma (it was our pick). We particularly liked the pork loin. It was all new stuff we'd never made or eaten before and it all had LOTS of flavor! Williams Sonoma does not disappoint! We opened a few gifts. Mom & Kevin spoiled us as usual. Billy and his kids were there and were lots of fun. Liam & Portie both got remote control robots (Buzz Lightyear & Iron Man). It was pretty cute watching them play together with those things. Bubb and Mia were funny together-she kept trying to eat his toys, and he'd say "no, baby. Heeuh! (here)" and he'd give her one of Chloe's. Chloe got some American Girl doll clothes and some jewelry-which she wore ALL OF IT at the same time-I hear some other little girl a long time ago used to do that same thing :)



And that was our Christmas!
(then back home to pack for our trip to St. George.)

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!

::brown paper packages tied up with string...::

As for the rest of our Christmas eve...


We came home from the Halling party and opened our family gifts.

Jammies, of course.

Portie and Bubb got some Buzz jammies.


And Chloe got some "mommy" jammies (which is jamma pants and a shirt-because that's what I wear to bed). I love how much she wants to be like me-it's precious, and I love how she laid it all out...isn't she cute?


We had to make some treats for Santa...

...and get our picture in our new jammies.
:)

Then, the Mr. and I had a loooooot of work to do!

(Keeping up this Santa thing is pretty serious work! We have to be pretty careful about where we hide things (we usually hide them at Amberlee's house, but since most of it came in the mail in brown boxes, we just hid them in the storage room in our basement), we use different wrapping paper, different gift tags & bows, we've gotta disguise our handwriting, etc! But it's pretty fun. The kids get so excited. I'm not looking forward to the day (which I think may be coming in the next year or two for Chloe) when they ask if Santa is real.)

::halling party::

We had the Halling (Matt's mom's side) family Christmas party on Christmas eve. First we (Matt's brothers & sisters and their families) do our gift exchange at his mom and dad's. It was fun. The kids were so excited to get some fun presents. Chloe got a Tangled/Rapunzel barbie doll (whoops! Santa & Aunt Krystal had the same idea), Portie got a Buzz snuggie (whoops again!!), and Bubb got an awesome firetruck thing (which he LOVES!). The kids and adults got some presents from Matt's mom & dad too (Despicable Me dvd, American girl craft kit, some Bubba sized crayons and coloring stuff-and some fun stuff for the grownups).


After that, we headed down to the church (because this side of Matt's family is pretty big too!) for dinner and some Christmas carols. The great-grandkids all did a little gift exchange-which is always fun. Chloe had her cousin Halle (who is only a year older than her) and Halle had her name, so that was exciting for them. They played together a lot at the party.

And that was {part of} our Christmas eve
:)

::papa guitar::

Papa Guitar came on the 22nd. It was a short little visit (he left on the 23rd), but we're really glad he came. He brought some gifts for all of us, took us out to dinner, played with the kids, and read some stories.





Papa, we're so glad you came and stayed with us. We know you're busy and far away, but we're glad you can visit and we appreciate everything you do for us. We're so glad to get to spend a short time together right before Christmas. We hope you know we all love you so much

PS
How awesome are these jammies?? I mean really...

Thanks, Papa :)

::jeppsen Christmas party::

On the 18th, we went to the Jeppsen Christmas party (Matt's dad's side of the family). grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc were all there. There's lunch and games-marbles-their own family game (a lot like Sorry if you can remember how that game goes).

There's usually a pretty big turnout (Matt's got such a big family!!), so we have the party in the gym at the church every year.

(marbles)

Usually Santa or one of his elves will make an appearance, but I guess they were just as busy as the rest of us this year and couldn't make it, so he sent gifts ahead for all the kids.

Chloe got a miniature Rapunzel doll...


Port got a new Toy Story V-Smile game
('cause he's a gamer)...


...and Bubb got his very own magna-doodle thing.

They're always so excited to get some fun toys before Christmas!
Thanks Santa ;)

::portie Christmas program::

December 15. 6:30 pm. Snowing outside.

Port's preschool (which we really LOVE) does a Christmas program every year. It's so cute and great! The kids get dressed up and sing Christmas songs and some other ones they've been learning in school. Santa comes too.

Doesn't he look cute??

(Porter 4 1/2)

There were tons of people there, so I sat on the floor up front so I could get pictures-which was great because Port could see me, and I think that made him not nervous.







It was a way cute little program. Port knew all songs, and sang most of them (he doesn't get into it the same way Chloe does). He did some actions, and was just cute. I really loved the kid next to him! How great was he??? haha


Chloe really loved watching him. She remembers the songs from when she went to the same preschool, so it was fun for her too. Bubb mostly ran around in the back and ate cookies. Grandma & Papa Kitty came and so did Grandma Snowman and Jennie. Thanks for all the love and support for Portie!! It was fun, and made him feel like a big deal :)

::huntington beach::

While we were in California, it was a pretty big deal to me to go see the ocean. I remember the first time I ever saw it in Florida when I was little. I really wanted Matt and the kids to see it and taste the water. I don't know why, it was just kind of a big deal to me.

So...

we went to the beach too...


















...and it was SO much fun! I think it did us some good to get away from the Disneyland crowds for the afternoon (our last day there-Saturday). There was lots of runnin' in and out of the water, chasing waves, getting chased by the waves, squealing, throwin' sand in the water, writing our names (or Buzz's name) in the sand, finding seashells, getting our pants wet, staying back away from the water (Bubb) 'cause we're not too sure, tasting the salty water, seeing how far out we could go...

Then, Port fell in...completely! He was soaked from head to toe. He cried a little. We took off his wet clothes, and he ran around in his undies and was happy again.

(poor Tatey!!)

And that was our day at the beach
:)