::a LOVE-ly night in::

Happy Valentine's Day
!!!


The day was pretty good! The big kids had their class parties, and Bubb and I just ran errands (all day!).

Portie and Bubb had to go through all his valentines from school when we got home...


And taste a few...

...and it might've been a little sour.

Then, we had a valentines-y family home evening. Grandma & Papa Snowman gave us a little bag with treats, a lesson, and valentine's bingo. It was fun. The message was great too-all about love :)

Chloe won first, then Portie did. Bubb mostly ate the candy hearts. Some of them he put in his mouth and then put down on his bingo card. Yum!

We had a few valentines for eachother...

(Matt came home with flowers for me...aren't they pretty??)

Then we had ourselves a heart-shaped pizza for dinner.


I love Valentine's day. One day completely devoted to the ones you love?? What's not to love about that?? Ours wasn't a big deal, but I think we all feel like we love each other (Chloe even made Matt and I some valentines), so that makes it perfect :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

::super bowl::

We got to have (most of) Matt's family over for the Super Bowl on Sunday. We were, of course, sad that the 'Boys weren't playing in it at their own stadium, but it was a good game anyway. The Packers won, so I guess that was good.


We had lots of "healthy" food. Matt grilled some brats, and said they were good-I'll take his word for it :) There were even Super Bowl cupcakes-Coop dropped his on the carpet.

I'm not sure the kids loved the game so much. We liked Christina Aguilera's rendition on the Nat'l Anthem (nice, huh?) and LOVED the halftime show! But some time in between there, Chloe and I colored for a while, she played cards with Grandma, Port played the Ipad and fell asleep, and Coop just sort of ate the whole time!

It was fun having everyone over. We love it! Hopefully next year the Cowboys will at least make the playoffs!

::chaos::

(This is kind of a non-post. It's not too interesting.)

We've got some projects to do before Baby Ava gets here. Her room's all painted, and now we've started on Bubb's. His ceiling had to be painted white first (I hate a ceiling that's the same color as the walls, and unfortunately, our whole house is like that-dumb builder). We had to move out a lot of his furniture and toys into baby's room. So now hers is a mess too.

I just thought I'd share a few photos of the chaos that is now the little kids' rooms...

And there's still so much to do too!

We've gotta paint Bubb's walls, get his new bed set up, get him a dresser, bookcase, and table & chairs, paint the baby furniture (and put new knobs on all the drawers and cabinet), and get Baby Ava's room all set up. Matt's such a good sport to do all this-he doesn't love it, but at least he'll do it.

Thanks, love.

My neatfreak-ness makes this a little hard to handle, but hopefully it'll all be worth it in a few weeks.

In other news...

Portie says his "r's" the right way now. I figured he'd grow out of the "w" sound for his r's, and he did. It's kind of sad. He's always talked so funny, and now he's talking like a big kid! Our only consolation is that Bubb talks really funny too-I'll have to do another post about that-'cause it's pretty funny, and it won't last long. Port also tries to color inside the lines all the time, and is always trying to add numbers (and he does a pretty good job). I have to explain sometimes, and then he gets why 8+3 is 11 and not 83.
Also...
We had parent/teacher conferences for Chloe last week. She loves her school and her teacher. She's doing great on her schoolwork, and she's reading on a 3rd grade level (like beginning 3rd grade). We're just so proud of her. Her teacher said she's just a sweetheart and is always sweet to all the kids. She said that she knows she can always call on Chloe and she'll know the answer. Oh, and we were talking about her next spelling level and how one of her words would be rutabaga (an English turnip). I remember my dad always talking about rutabagas when we were little-how that was what we were having for dinner or whatever. Hearing that word again made me laugh-because how often do you hear "rutabaga?" AND We told Port he was going to go to that school next year, and he was excited.

And...

I should probably mention my status. I'm feeling large, uncomfortable, and just sick of the whole thing. March CANNOT come fast enough in my opinion. I pretty much wear sweat pants every day-unless I have somewhere to be, then it's my "super-cute" maternity jeans (bacause my for-real cute mat jeans are too small), but as soon as I get home, it's back to the sweat pants. Also, I have to sleep in Matt's PJs because, yeah, mine are too small!! Oh man! My headaches are totally back (they were MIA for a bit). So that's awesome, and sometimes I get pretty dizzy, and it's kind of annoying. It's a constant "unsettled" feeling when you're dizzy, and I'm not a fan. She moves a TON! So that's kind of fun-the other kids like that. They're sweet. Bubb shares his "beeky" with my tummy. Port-Port tells me all the time that I need to eat because Ava's hungry, and Chloe hugs my tummy and tells me how cute I am all the time. I sure love those kids! Their sweet little tendencies mean the world to me.

::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.)