Idaho!

We went up to Idaho this past weekend.  Devin was able to come over and drive up with us.  The kids did really well on the drive.  Lily woke up around Malad and saw Devin and started fussing.  I think Lily just didn't recognize who Devin was.  Zac pulled the van over and made us do a Chinese fire drill in the road.  I ran around to the drivers seat, Devin to the passengers seat, and Zac sat by Lily.  She was fine the rest of the drive.  She would just smile at Zac.  I was able to make it up in time for Markell's baby shower.  It was so great to see so much of my family!  We went to Jackson's farewell on Sunday.  He gave a great talk!  I was able to hear every word from the mother's room in the church.  I didn't have any other kids distracting me.  The ward was SO QUIET though - except for my kids.  I am used to having the entire ward be loud with kids, but this ward it was MY kids being loud.

Lily kept on sticking her tongue out at Grandma.  We watched the BYU v. U of U game at Justin's house, then went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house to visit with them and Stephanie's family.  While I was there, Grandpa pulled out some cassette tapes that had Mom's solo recitals.  He let me borrow the cassettes and I put them on a c.d. today during my lunch break.  It was so great being able to listen to Mom sing on my drive home.  The songs were amazing.  She was so humble about how good a singer she was.  It is so nice that I am now able to play the songs and have my kids hear what she sounds like.

The kids had a great time playing with their cousins.  Eric and Aubrey were very sad we had to leave.  Last night Eric told me that he wished they would sell their house and move by us.  OR have us sell our house and move by them.  I'm glad they have a good time playing with their cousins.  Aubrey finally got over her fear of their dog.  Instead she became very annoying and was asking for the dog the entire time.

I was still trying to get the Sunday picture.

Jazz Game

Sunday pictures weren't very successful today.  Apparently I am mean.  I won't let Aubrey hold Lily in the picture.  Hence, the red crying face of Aubrey's.  Yesterday, I was mean to Eric.  He threw a toy and hit Jennifer in the mouth.  I made him go to his room for a time out.  Aubrey found out that in his journal, he wrote about it - and drew a picture of me, aka Mom, throwing up, and he wrote about how mean I am.

Zac and Eric went to the Jazz v. Rockets game on Wednesday.  They rode up with Eric's friend Zac and his family.  Their ticket gave them a free hot dog and soda.  Eric had the best time.  The Jazz lost by one point.  Zac said he was really worried that they were going to score another basket and HAVE to stay for overtime.  Oh Zac.  You need to learn to like sports a LITTLE bit. :)  I think it was torture tonight for him to watch the Superbowl.

The best commercial of the Superbowl was a Doritos commercial.  The guy started sucking on the other guys finger to get all the cheese flavor from the chips.  This was so funny to us.  Jennifer did the EXACT SAME THING to me the other day.  I wasn't really paying attention, and the next thing I know, Jennifer is sucking my finger that I had Doritos cheese on.  Gross.

Sunday Pictures

A lot of my friends have been posting a picture of all their kids on Sunday.  I like seeing their picture weekly, so I decided to start doing a "Sunday picture" as well.  Of course, I decided to do this in the morning before our 11 am church. We found out today during sacrament that we are moving BACK to the 9 am slot.  So hopefully we will be ready in time for a picture prior to church starting.

Last week Aubrey wanted her hair put up in rollers after her bath.  So of course Jennifer did too.  Jennifer is in a weird phase where she is eating weird things.  Earlier in the day Zac was changing the sheets on our bed.  We have a memory foam on the top layer.  When Zac took the sheet off he saw all these weird half moon dents taken out of the edge of the bed.  Then he looked over and saw Jennifer taking a BITE out of our bed! 

When I was putting Aubrey's hair up in the rollers, I would have her hand me the next roller while she sat in my lap.  I had Jennifer do the same thing.  But before Jennifer would hand me the roller she would take a BITE out of the roller!  She did this 3 times.  Today at Sunday dinner Zac caught her licking our railing on the stairs.  So weird!

This is what Jennifer looked like after Zac took the rollers out of her hair.  After he combed her hair out, her hair looked exactly the same as it always does.  Which means I don't ever need to put rollers in her hair.

Eric had his first basketball game yesterday.  He has really improved since last year.  I think the basketball camp really helped him learn the drills.  When he first went out on the court he was looking around to see who he was suppose to guard.  As soon as he found him, Eric started pointing his fingers "shooting" the kid.  The next thing we hear is the coach, "Eric!  Stop shooting the other team!"

So last week I blogged about the guy coming into my van and I made fun of him.  Sigh.  Yesterday I was running errands with Aubrey.  When we got outside we started walking towards the van.  I hit my remote to unlock the van.  I went to the sliding door and put my bag inside.  I went around to the other side and Aubrey was still standing outside.  I tried to open her door and it was locked.  Alarms started sounding.  So I hit my remote button on "unlock."  The alarms kept going.  So I hit "lock."  Still going.  I hit my "panic" button and I hear another car alarm going off.  So I put my key in the drivers side door.  Aubrey finally yells, "MOM!  This is NOT OUR CAR!"  The other car that had the alarm going off was mine, since I hit the "panic" button.  So I opened up their van on the sliding door and got my bag out and headed to our van.  In my defense, this van had the EXACT SAME car seat on the bench seat, the van was the same color and make and model.

Skating

On Monday night the kids school sponsored a "family skate night" at Classic Skating in Sandy.  Eric and Aubrey both wanted to go SO BAD (they told us multiple times) so after I got home from work we headed up.  They let the kids bring their scooters so they used those to go around the rink.  Eric's scooter is in such bad shape that you could hear him coming around the rink.  It's a dark picture, but Eric is wearing the green basketball sweater.  They were giving out candy to people who could dance really well, so he ran out onto the rink and started dancing.  It paid off - he got a tootsie roll.  The camera's battery died right after that.  Shoot!  Zac took Jennifer around the rink a couple times.  Aubrey even dared the skates.  It was really crowded so we didn't stay the full time.

I went to San Francisco for work on Wednesday-Friday for a conference with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).  I got there Wednesday night around 9ish.  I took the BART to my hotel in the financial district.  Apparently when I told the USMS about taking the BART the next day, they were all shocked.  They were calling me a "team player" and "way to help the government out when we are in a financial need."  I guess everyone else took a taxi.  They were even saying they wouldn't risk it themselves and they all have guns.  Especially since I had my luggage with me, I obviously stood out as a tourist.  Oh well.  Nothing eventful happened, I didn't realize that it wasn't "smart" for me to take the BART.  I just thought there was a station right by my hotel and it would be easy to find.  The weather was nice...in the 50s.  It was great to be there, problem was that whenever we got out of the conference it was dark outside.  I couldn't really do a whole lot of sight-seeing.  I only saw Pier 39 at Fishermans Wharf because we went there to eat dinner, and I had to talk everyone into going there.  The next day was my flight back.  Short and sweet.  Apparently everyone arrived in San Francisco during the morning on Wednesday so they could sight-see.  I, on the other hand, worked the full day and came at night.  Again, I got made fun of for being the "team player."

While I was gone, Zac had success with training Lily to sleep better through the night.  She now only wakes up once - huge improvement over her 6-7 times a night.  She has kept it up for the last 2 nights as well since I've been home.  Zac just told me that I jinxed myself.  So I was about to delete this paragraph, but apparently since I've said it outloud and written it down, it's "out there!"  I can't take it back.  That's about it for our week.  It was pretty uneventful for Zac, and my trip was so short there's not much to write about. :)

Coupon Dad

Since Zac has been a "homemaker" he has gotten really into couponing.  He has had better deals than these two, but he didn't take pictures.  I got the above picture sent to me while at work from Zac.  This was retail $121.58 and he paid $11.46.

In this picture it retailed for $289.05 and Zac paid $41.32.  While we were unloading these Zac told me that this was the first time in his life to ever buy feminine hygiene products.  It was such a good deal he couldn't pass it up.  While Zac was in the store getting these items, I was in the van with all the kids.  3 of the 4 were asleep.  I saw this guy come out of the store walking straight for the van.  He was carrying his bags of groceries, and was heading for the drivers side door.  Yep.  He opened up the door and started to sit in the van when I said, "Hi!"  He about jumped out of his skin.  He goes, "Oh man!  I'm THAT guy!  I'm so sorry!"  As he was shutting the van door I could hear him say, "I can't believe I was THAT guy."  Then I could see him search the parking lot for his car.  He got into a dark blue minivan.  Eric goes, "Hey!  His van looks like ours!"

We had a pretty uneventful week.  This past weekend we had Justin and his family stay with us.  The kids had a great time.  Zac went to kiss Jennifer and Aubrey goodnight last night.  It was dark in their room.  After he kissed Jennifer he stood up to kiss Aubrey but realized that she had really short hair, and that it wasn't Aubrey it was Anna.  Then Aubrey popped up from behind Anna and laughed.  To end this post, I will provide you with a picture of Jennifer.

Jennifer

This last week of Christmas break has been pretty uneventful...except for Jennifer getting into EVERYTHING!  One of the days last week Zac was looking for Jennifer.  She hadn't been making much noise.  He found her asleep on the top bunk in Aubrey's bed.

Zac's Dad sent each of us our own Christmas card this year.  Jennifer's was a snow globe.  She immediately put it up to her face.

Barb got Aubrey a makeup set for Christmas this year.  She has been giving herself and the neighbor girls daily makeovers.  She really thinks that makeup needs to go on your forehead.

Aubrey even gave Jennifer a makeover.  Complete with mustache.

We told Aubrey to store her makeup on top of her dresser so Jennifer couldn't get to it.  On Wednesday, Jennifer pushed a tote box all the way over to the dresser and pulled all the makeup down on the ground.  She put lip gloss all over her face and body.  Then she crushed up the eye shadows and lip sticks into her hands and ground them into the carpet.  It has stained the carpet.

On Friday, Jennifer discovered she could flush toilet paper down the toilet.  She has actually been pretty good about potty training herself.  This past week she has used the potty 5 times on her own without us prompting her.  Anyways, she overflowed the toilet with the toilet paper.  Zac cleaned up that mess.  Then we were all in our family room watching a movie except for Jennifer.  Zac put on a movie for her up in her bedroom, which she is usually really good about watching.  I had Aubrey go check on Jennifer and she said she was laying in bed watching the movie.  10 minutes later, Jennifer came downstairs and has brown stuff all over her face, belly button, arms, legs, etc.  Yep.  She had a messy diaper and played with it everywhere.  It was all over BOTH beds, all the drawers, the light switch, the walls, etc.  Gross!  As soon as we got her all cleaned up, I went back downstairs and heard the kitchen timer go off.  I was making homemade bread.  I got out a pastry brush and melted some butter and brushed the bread with the butter.  Lily started crying so I went to nurse Lily and left the pastry brush and bowl of butter on the counter.  Jennifer of course was found with it upstairs going to town licking all the butter up.  After we got THAT all cleaned up, I went back downstairs and I heard Eric and Aubrey yell for me.  Jennifer had plugged up the bathroom sink and filled it completely full of water.  It was about to overflow.  Zac got mad and turned to Jennifer and said, "You are quickly losing your spot as my favorite!"  And this is the reason why we are finished having kids.  Seriously.  Anyone want to babysit a 2 year old?

Later that night, our neighbors called us up and wanted to play games since it was New Years Eve.  So they came over with their kids and they all did great.  Jennifer even fell asleep while everyone was playing.

Today we had dinner at Nathan's house after church.  I had made brownies for dessert.  Jennifer kept on coming up to me asking if she could have one.  "Please Mom!  Yum!  Mom!  Jennifer yum!"  Nathan was in the kitchen and she pulled the same cuteness on him.  He gave her a brownie.  When she was finished she came running to me and asked me for another brownie.  I told her no and she ran over to Nathan crying and made him hold her.  He had after all, given her a brownie before.  She was really cute with him.  This is the game she plays.  She has the terrible two's more than any of our other children, but she also can give us those huge puppy dog eyes and be so sweet and cute.

Christmas!

We had two big snow storms at the beginning of the week.  I came home from work and found this huge snowman.  Unfortunately, the rain made the top head fall off, and by Christmas it is 1/3 the size.

 

One of my co-workers had trial this week on Monday and Tuesday.  Unfortunately, she had a death in the family, so I volunteered to help her out.  Not an interesting trial, it was about canals, easements, boundary lines, etc.  Anyways, during lunch on Monday I overheard one of our witnesses talking about how his neighbor just got called and sent over to be the mission president in Mongolia.  Small world!  I immediately jumped into his conversation. :)  Then on the last day of trial, just before closing arguments, the opposing side had 2 paralegals come in to set up for their presentation for closing.  One of the paralegals was my really good friend from college that I haven't seen since college!  Neither of us should have been doing this trial, so it was great that we were able to see each other.  She only works 2 blocks away from me.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at Zac's Aunt's house again this year.  As soon as Santa came in the room, Jennifer started waving.  Once he sat down, she ran up to him, crawled on his lap and pointed to herself and said, "Jennifer!"  Santa responded, "Santa!" and pointed at himself.  She was not shy at all.

After Eric opened up his present he turned to me and said, "Santa always gives me the lamest presents here."  Shoot, Santa better step it up next year.

After the party we came home.  Zac's sister Barb stayed the night over at our house.  I always let the kids open up one present before going to bed, and then put out the stockings and milk and cookies.  Of course the present is pajamas.  After they all got into their pajamas, I wanted to take a picture.  Zac and I briefly debated if Eric was old enough to hold Lily for the picture.  I took 2 pictures, and looked at the camera and noticed they were kind of blurry.  As Zac and I were looking at the camera, Eric dropped Lily on the floor.  Great.  She's fine, but for the moment I freaked out.  She was face down and Zac said he saw her bounce.

In hind sight, we should have made sure his arm was AROUND Lily instead of both of them under her.  Thanks Bobby for making the pajamas - they looked great on them!

The kids slept in until 7 am for us.  We made them stay upstairs until we could get to the tree.  I let them open up their stockings first in the front room, and then they made their way down to the family room.  Jennifer did not care about any of her presents, she just wanted the candy.

The kids "big" presents this year was Aubrey got a DSi, Eric got a big Lego's set, and Jennifer got Zhu Zhu pets.  Again, Jennifer was more concerned about eating her chocolate than opening presents.  After presents, Zac made a great breakfast, the kids talked to Zac's Dad, we drove down and saw Zac's Mom, came home and Devin came over, then my Dad called from Mongolia, and we had a ham dinner.  The kids had a great Christmas. 

Lily's 4 month check-up

Zac took Lily in for her 4 month check-up.  Her stats are as follows:

Length: 25" - 77%
Weight: 14 lbs 3 oz - 64%
Head: 40 cm - 21%

So it looks like she is going to be tall (no surprise) with a small head.  They gave Lily her shots, and I think this is the 1st time Zac has ever had to experience witnessing the shots.  He told me he hadn't heard Lily cry like that before.  Yep...shots are horrible when they are babies.

We signed Eric up for a basketball camp at the high school.  It was for 3 Saturdays all morning long.  Today was the last day, and I finally remembered my camera.  I didn't get any action packed shots though.  He went with his friend Zack.  They had a great time - they are already talking about going again next year. (Look at how tall Eric is compared to Zack - Zack is older than Eric.)

Month update

I realized I haven't updated this since I went back to work.  Guess life is a little busy now. :)  I can't remember everything that happened, and at the time I knew I wanted to blog about it.  Drat!  There are a couple things from last month that I want to make sure I write down about the kids.  Jennifer is hilarious.  Her little personality is showing more every day.  The first week Zac was home with the kids, he sat in Jennifer's "spot" on the couch.  She ran over to him and yelled, "Dad!  Move!  My spot!"  Zac pretended like he was asleep.  So she yelled at him again, "my spot!"  Zac was still pretending to be asleep, but he said he could feel Jennifer's presence over him.  Then she licked his cheek from chin to eye.  That woke him up.  Now whenever Zac pretends like he is asleep, she runs over and kisses his cheek.

The other night we were putting the kids to bed.  We usually check up on them after a 1/2 hour or so to make sure they went to sleep.  Zac went into the girls' room and Aubrey was sound asleep.  Then he looked in on Jennifer.  She had a blanket over her face.  So he removed the blanket and she had her eyes closed with her tongue sticking out to the side like a "dead man."  Then she started laughing.  She had been waiting for Zac to come check on her.

Last night after we put the kids to bed Jennifer started yelling, "DAD!"  So Zac went in to check on her.  Right when he walks in her room she says, "DAD!  Arm! Finger! Head!"  So Zac left her room.  Then he gets back and she yells "DAD! HELP!"  He went back in.  "Nose! Toes! Eyes!"

On Zac's second week home, he was unloading the van from a shopping trip.  Eric and Aubrey were playing upstairs.  Aubrey's window has a window seat underneath it.  Eric jumped off the window seat and his hand hit the blind cord.  It swung around his neck while he was in the air.  It got tangled up on his neck.  Luckily, Eric was able to undo the cord from his neck.  It was scary.  He now has a scar around his neck.

This past month we have taken the kids up to Temple Square to see the lights, saw Megamind, and had 2 Thanksgiving dinners.  I had a Thanksgiving dinner at my house with Nathan's family and Devin.  On Thanksgiving we went over to Zac's Aunt's house.  I have completely finished shopping for Christmas and have wrapped all the presents.  We even passed out our neighbor presents on Sunday.  When our neighbor's answered their doors, the kids would yell, "Merry Christmas!"  We got a lot of strange looks.  I passed out my work presents on Monday.  My old supervising attorney wrote me and said he was surprised when he didn't get something from me the day after Thanksgiving.  k - I like to be done early, it is less stress.  I guess I have built a reputation for myself.

The kids decorated gingerbread houses tonight.  Really messy.  Never again.

Work has been going well.  It's a lot easier going to work knowing that the kids are with their Dad.  I have been commuting on the bus every morning.  I get really motion sick, so I have to sit on the front row.  But it's nice not to have to drive.  As soon as people heard that Zac is staying home, they have been hiring him out for handyman work.  He has re-roofed a co-worker attorney's house, fixed a sink for our neighbor, hung doors for our neighbor, and hung light fixtures and odds and ends for a co-worker paralegal.  He currently has a cobblestone path he needs to lay, 2 landscaping jobs for the Spring, 2 complete basements our neighbors want finished and odds and ends things for a co-worker.  It's amazing.  We haven't even looked for the work and it has fallen in his lap.  I'm not trying to brag, I'm just meaning that we have been extremely blessed.  It was the best decision for us to have Zac quit his job.

Zac and I were able to go on our first date since we've had Lily.  Amy watched all 4 kids while we went and saw the new Harry Potter.  When we picked up the kids, Amy had the kids make reindeer puppets, sugar cookies and ornaments.  When we got in the car Zac says, "Is that what stay-at-home mom's are suppose to do?  Because I haven't been doing ANY of that!"

School Pictures

I was finally able to scan in the kids school pictures.  Lily's picture is her 3 month old picture, and Jennifer's picture is her 2 year old picture.