Girl Splurge!

We splurged on Black Friday. Oh, what a day! I went out with some friends to Wal-mart, which opened at 10:00p.m. on Thursday, and that was fun. I'd never done Black Friday before and seeing the parking lot, the crowd in the store...it was incredible! Crazy people!! My friend wanted some sheets...and they were all gone. And funny thing, we were checking out and the checker said the only fight she'd seen was over sheets. How odd is that? When did sheets become such a hot commodity?
(I love her dandelion hair here...it's finally starting to grow in more!)

Anyway, so I went back out around midnight to Kohls. And stood in line for an hour. And then took back everything I bought. Except for this dress. It was 60% off, so not a huge deal -- probably not worth an hour in the line at 2:00a.m. when I had to teach at 5:00a.m.--

But we just had to splurge. She's our little girl! The backdrop isn't the best, though it does give a holiday vibe.

Then me with my baby girl. I love her so much! She's growing and learning every day and it's amazing to see her personality and disposition manifest themselves increasingly more all the time.

Merry Christmas!!

Love at Home

Just a bit about my kiddos.

Caleb playing with water. He didn't want his picture taken, thus the indignant look on his face.

Mackenzie being oh so cute in her Christmas get up.

And more Christmas get up. These holiday outfits were ones we had for Caleb...and he was 2 months younger than she is at this time.

They sure do love each other! It's been so fun lately to see them playing together. Caleb will get her toys and show her the toys he's playing with and explain things to her; she will grab his entire head and try to stuff it in her mouth; they'll lie on the floor together screaming and laughing and eating their hands; yes, I have fun children!

Tis the Holiday Season...

And I mean "holidays"....Thanksgiving and Christmas! Otherwise I would have said "Tis the Christmas season..."



Mackenzie was our little Turkey on Thanksgiving! We got to eat with a couple of friends in our complex, potluck style. It was so good and I was so glad to be able to get all the food without having to cook it ALL!
I never posted about gratitude either. There is so much that I am grateful for. One thing that I've been feeling lately is the power to be informed and to have an opinion and to make my own choices. The gift of agency is amazing. I am so grateful for the opportunity each day to try and be a better Mama, be a better wife, a better friend; each day is a new day. I'm grateful for my family. Most of all, I'm grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. Teaching Caleb about Him always makes me emotional. If I start to feel distant, I just hone in on Him and His life and I feel His spirit reaffirm His divinity and His love for me. It's wonderful.

And that leads us directly to His birth: Christmas! I'm so excited about Christmas this year...Caleb is practicing his Santa visit conversation, we've got some fun gifts for our kiddos, we have a tree (seen being decorated)...it's magical!

Showing Caleb how to put the ornaments on.

Him giving it a shot.

Caleb and Justin with the finished project.

And here it is! We had an old mattress cover that was used when we moved and it hadn't made it's way to Goodwill yet....with a few cuts, a few folds, some maneuvering, and voila! A tree skirt!

I really love our tree. It's a real one. Cheap, so it's already dried out hard core, but the needles haven't dropped yet. It's just exciting! And Caleb loves the lights.

Merry Christmas!

Play Dough Fun!

Every now and then I get up the courage to do something artsy and messy and so wonderfully creative for Caleb. Every now and then.


Here, we are playing with some play dough I made. I loved making it, and it's kept so well so far (almost a month old!). For any of you other moms (or teachers) who are looking for creative learning, I've fallen in love with this blog. I bite my nails thinking about presenting Caleb with some of the very messy activities, but it's so much fun to watch him learn while playing.

I made a purple snowman. Caleb wanted to make one too (the blue one). And he very enthusiastically kept calling it a "snowman!"

Then he needed more noodles, and took my snowman apart.

So proud!

And my turkey. haha, this was before Thanksgiving, so I was trying to be festive. It made me feel so accomplished when Caleb saw it and said, "It's a turkey, Mama." yes, son, it is. Thank you. :)

Hard at Work

Caleb wants to be like Daddy. So, when Justin is studying Caleb likes to go get his "computer" and study right along side with him. Sometimes he'll even get colored pencils and "highlight" like Daddy. It's so cute! I love it.

And Mackenzie likes to work hard, too. She is investigating her feet, looking at something oh so interesting next to the chair, and then of course, smiling at the camera. She's 5 1/2 months here.

Happy 11 -11-11!! (a bit belated)

11-11

My personal holiday

I realize it's kind of a random day of the year to pick as my "holiday," but it is. It all started my Freshmen year of college. Actually, it probably all started my senior year of high school. I love 11-11. It's from a song I heard my senior year ("catch the clock it's 11:11")....and I happened to share it with my high school boyfriend. *cough* But that's not why it's important.
It just became something fun I do all the time. Try to do things at 11:11, or actually check the time at 11:11. And my Freshmen roomie (*awesome gal*) Allie decided that it needed to be a special little celebration for me. What a GREAT idea!
Thus, a tradition was born.

Now, let me clarify. I'm not trying to steal any attention from Veteran's Day. I very solemnly acknowledge the services, sacrifices, and commitments made by our troops both today and in past. I am so grateful for their willingness to serve our country...their families...in the end, me. So, rest assured, 11-11 did not become a personal holiday in an effort to mask the importance of Veterans.

It just happened to be the words to a song...

Now this year, it was 11-11-11. How could I pass that up?!? Being without money and much time, I didn't really plan anything. In the past, on 11-11 at 11:11 I would call 11 friends and wish them a happy 11-11; or eat 11 cinnabears (oh---that would be GREAT right now); or give 11 random hugs, etc. With my two kiddos in tow, I wanted to do something they could enjoy too. But I couldn't think of anything, and before I knew it, it was 11-11 and I hadn't planned a thing. It was so fun to have the creator of the special holiday (reminder: Allie, Freshman roomie) text me and wish me a happy day. Yay! a few friends on Facebook remembered my personal celebration, and that really helped make it feel special. But I still hadn't planned anything to DO.

Until Justin came home. He bought me $11.00 worth of flowers (which are still surviving, too). We decided to drive up to CiCi's Pizza. About a 40 minute drive. Unless you get stuck in one-lane traffic that moves about 1/2 a mile/hour. Yup. So, we were a little delayed getting there. But we made it. And, being CiCi's Pizza, I had to indulge myself in 11 different slices of pizza. "had to". Pft! It was so fun, so easy too I should say, and it was great being able to go somewhere with my family. Couldn't have planned anything better! Unfortunately, we didn't snag any pics of my "big towr pizza!" (Caleb loves big towers).


I just had to inform the general public of the special day of 11-11-11 and note the great celebration I enjoyed with my family. And the wonderful caring husband who wanted to make this arbitrary day of the year special for me because of tradition (and he says he doesn't like Fiddler on the Roof. riiiight).

Being a Mama

It seems like I have a constant struggle with patience. Some days (like yesterday) are just perfect...I feel truly blessed with an added measure of patience that allows me to just enjoy my kiddos for who they are!



But then there's today...where before 8:00a.m. I've already had to raise my voice at Caleb 3 times. I hate it when I do. I feel awful. I feel like a terrible mother. I just don't know what to do when he doesn't listen. And so I'm learning.

With that in mind, you can imagine why last week, after an especially hectic and baby/toddler crying morning that resulted in a reluctance to go to church (never happened before!), I was not too thrilled when I was called to teach Sunbeams. I love kids. I love working in Primary. and I finally have a calling! But man...it was not the beset morning to tell me I now have a class of three year old's I'm in charge of on Sundays. *sigh*

Luckily, those good days, even good hours, or even more so good moments are what help me get through those rough days.

Like when Caleb hugs me; or he puts his dishes in the sink; or he tries on my shoes and walks around (still); or when he spontaneously says, "I love you, Mama."; or when he gets up from his nap and sees me sleeping and plays quietly so I can finish my much-needed nap; or when he decides to take his pants off at the grocery store (I found it hilarious!)...he is such a nut and it's those precious moments that make me love being a mama.

In this picture Caleb and I took a Mama-Caleb date to Mcdonalds. He has a CTR-sticker chart that he gets to put stickers on every time he makes a good choice (like not screaming, yes picking up toys, no biting, and listening). Well, after forsaking it for a few weeks, we started it up again and he filled it up so quickly!! I was so proud. And I loved our date together.

And he loves his ice cream!

I love my children! I love being a Mama!
and I love having the opportunity to learn and to grow to be a better person.

Noah's Ark

For Family Home Evening last week we talked about Noah and obeying God even when other people laugh at you.



I had made a very rough "ark" out of a box. We put Caleb in it and put 2 of every stuffed animal that we could: 2 rabbits, 2 doggies, 2 monkeys, 2 Care Bears, and, yes, 2 Sesame Street Monsters. :)

After putting all the animals in, Caleb threw them all out and insisted that Mackenzie come in with him. Because of the sides of the box, it was one time he was able to successfully and safely hold her without help.

And best of all, they were all saved from the flood.

Meat Lover

Trick or Treat!

We're about a week behind, but here are our Halloween pictures!
Caleb is Nemo (he was so excited!). He has fins, but you can't really tell. And since it was cold I made a hat to go along with it. Justin was P. Sherman. Hence the goggles and scrubs (he's a dentist). I was gonna be Dorie and Mackenzie was gonna be first Squirt, then Pearl...but neither one of her costumes nor my costume came to fruition. So we weren't worth taking pictures of. Apparently.
The Ward Trunk or Treat was so much fun! We took turns manning our car for the other kiddos (and there's a lot...3 nurseries, 3 sunbeams...) while the other spouse took Caleb around. So much candy! He had fun saying "trick or treat" (sounds like a bird). And it was good practice for real Halloween.
Most of the houses on Halloween just had bowls outside because all the other parents were out with their kids too. So, first we took turns, but then I told Justin to just come on with us. Caleb had no problem just grabbing candy from the bowls. He loved being able to do it! And now he's always asking for "Halloween candy." I love how holidays are getting to be more fun as Caleb gets more excited about them!

Justin and I had fun carving pumpkins. The scary face one is mine. Justin did a fabulous job on his Jack-O-Lantern. He decided to go along with our Finding Nemo theme and carved Nemo. WOW! Caleb loved it (though I think he liked the big gaping mouth on mine)

It was a great holiday. I had fun making Caleb's costume and carving our pumpkin and just enjoying the time with my family. Here's to more to come!

Kroul Family Farm

We took a trip out to this farm (there are many to choose from). Everything was free...except for the pumpkins, of course.
Caleb experienced everything from the wagon and Mackenzie slept in the stroller.

a hay maze...


a corn maze...

petting animals...


and saying 'BOO'!

We bought a few pumpkins for carving and cooking, saw a huge spider--Justin was greatly impressed--, leisurely explored, and came home.

Family: Isn't it about...

...story time with Daddy! Caleb loves to sit on the same lap that Mackenzie is on, and let's just say Justin is a bit more successful at handling both of them. This is a common scene, though: both kids on daddy's lap while he reads a story. Or two.

...cooking. Caleb has started to love helping me around the house. He's so good about getting what I ask, or putting this where I ask...and he loves to watch me in the kitchen. Here, we're making breadsticks for our Sunday dinner. Since he loves to eat them, I figured he'd love to help make them. I was right. Oh, and that apron...my mother gave to me at my Bridal shower: "Warning: Chef in Training." Glad it doesn't fit me anymore.


...smiling. Mackenzie's first time in the Jumperoo! I wasn't sure when she'd want it, but she loves to stand and jump frankly, it gets tiring! I was so happy to get a smile out of her while she enjoyed this new form of play and exercise. I can't believe she's already so big! She doesn't jump all that much, but she loves to have her legs straight out underneath her.


...celebrating! Justin has loops!! These are those expensive dental glasses that magnify the patient's mouth without causing prolonged discomfort for the dentist from hunching over all the time. These are actually a huge blessing: Loops aren't required until your second year of dental school, but it is good to get them before so you are acquainted with them before you actually need to be using them. Well, we couldn't afford them this year. Plain and simple. We thought maybe in the summer after we know where we stand a bit more, maybe we'd get them a few month early. But, then, Justin got an email from the Dean that a few of the professors had donated their old loops/frames and if you wanted them, email her. He did. It was a first come-first serve basis...but we got them! So, in order to get them fitted for his prescription and make them his own, it cost $205. New loops cost close to $1500. wow. That was (and is) such a huge blessing!! I'm still so grateful for the Lord's hand in our lives.

Family Fun Night!

The local mall has this cool gig every last Friday of the month. The Children's Discovery Museum is free (normally a bit more), the Carousel is free (normally $2.o0 a ride), and you get a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal in the food court. We're making it a tradition. It's fun and tiring, but just a great free family time!


Caleb loves the carousel. His first time he rode an elephant...this time it was a horse because that's all that was left. He didn't mind.

Playing the Xylaphone. He loved the music room and was so good at making music. He's started "singing" during Sacrament meeting, which just cracks me up: "La, la , la" in a very monotone rhythm. He also sways back and forth during this chant.


His first time finger painting. I think we walked by this room 5 times before he finally snaked around our defense to enter it. And...that was fun!

So, I'm making a really weird face here...and Caleb doesn't look at all excited to be in the plane. It's actually really cool because he can pedal and the propellar moves. Neat.

Mackenzie just gets carried around in the Snugli while we chase Caleb around. Soon she'll wanna get in on the action, I'm sure.

More about Living here

The people. They are crazy over their football. This is a home game, not even Homecoming. We walked down to the Institude building for a pancake breakfast...and then we walked back. The tailgater here are just crazy. They have to close off the streets because there are so many people. There are cars parked anywhere they can; people charge upwards of $30 for parking if they live close to campus. And the golf course across the street from us even turns into a parking lot; there are even 5th Wheels camped out. The tailgating is just intense. These people LOVE their football team. I've heard that the school even had to change the game times from evening to more morning/afternoon because people would start drinking the night before no matter what time the game started. You could smell it too. It was such a fanaticism I don't think I've ever expereienced. I don't know if I"ll ever get that Hawkeye fever. Maybe I'll get a t-shirt before we leave.

My sweet baby girl. It was a chilly day about a month ago. We've since had numerous days of Indian Summer. We just enjoy being outside when we can.


Caleb with his friend Jack. They are a couple months apart in age and play quite well together.

Caleb in the jacket I made for him. I seriously started it about 2 years ago...thought I'd finish it for his first Christmas. Then when that didn't happen I thought I'd finish it for his 2nd Christmas. When THAT didn't happen it was a full year, to the day, before I worked on it again. And then when I did finally finish it, it wasn't too small or too big...but he was afraid of it. I finally coaxed it on him when he was sick (shameful?). And now's he okay with it. I spent so much time on it, I was really sad that he wouldn't wear it!

This is just Mackenzie enjoying her toy. She's got a little bit of a smile, which is what i was trying to capture, but she always blinks with the flash. She'll get more hair someday, right?

Belated Firetruck Update

This was actullay like way back in September...but I haven't dumped my camera in a while...and these pictures were on Justin's computer so I could just use them without much effort.

This is at one of the Farmers' Markets that happen during the summer/fall.

Our first Saturday after both parents left, we went and visited this bustling event. It was the Kid's Day, and there was a fire truck, a police car, and an ambulance for the kiddos to climb up in, explore, and just get to fully enjoy!

Caleb was so excited to wear a Fireman's hat (really heavy, actually...I am holding it up from the back). And he loved the spinny thing on the front (what is the purpose of that?). We recognized it from one of his favorite internet videos:
Lots and Lots of Firetrucks!

That's also me and Caleb in the police car. There's a few more from this event I'll have to post later (like his delighted surprise at meeting his little boy idol B at the market...and successfully holding his hand out of pure excitement!! Too bad B isn't as enchanted with him...) And even more since then...

At any rate, I knew some pictures were needed (M is about 3 months old here); it's been a while. Still gotta give y'all a tour of our apartment.

Attack Ducks!

Okay, for reals. You read that right.

Last Friday we took the last few minutes of daylight and went and fed the ducks (with pancakes from an Institute Breakfast a few weeks back; they were still frozen...ducks didn't seem to care).

Anyway, we started off trying to encourage them get out of the water. You know. placing some pieces on the rocky bank, tossing a few out into the water so they'd notice them. Those little duckies started to come on up to us. Caleb was so excited! We had to work on throwing the pancakes and not just holding onto it. He had so much fun chasing those duckies around!!

Then...we noticed the ducks were still coming. From all the way across the little pond. Quickly. Eagerly. And they just poured onto the bank where we were. Seriously. I was getting a little freaked out because they weren't scared of us at all. They came so close and I was afraid they were gonna get Caleb's little fingers because he was still holding onto the bread too long.

When we were all out of bread, we just walked to our car. By this point, we'd already walked back most of the way to the parking lot: about 15 yards, and the ducks still followed us with such urgency and they were still coming off the water.

I almost ran to the car. It was fun. Caleb had fun. But man, I had no idea ducks liked pancakes so much.

Ode to my Life

I feel an itch to blog. Not that I have anything particular to blog about...but it's all the non-particulars that are on my mind.

1) The Relief Society Broadcast last week was fabulous! I had a headache that night and almost didn't go...but I got Mackenzie to bed a little bit early and headed out. I made it before the opening prayer! Yay! I really enjoyed the last talk by President Uchtdorf. Those 5 reminders were exactly what I needed to hear. I love hearing instruction from the Lord's servants that I know is what He wants me to hear. Wow, I'm excited about General Conference!! I just need that nourishment, encouragement, direction, reassurance...whatever you wanna call it, I need it.

2) Caleb. Nuff said, yeah? haha, he's a crazy boy! We've had a few concerns with his development, but since we moved here to IA he's really progressed rapidly! We're so proud! He had his well visit on Monday and the doc (both of 'em) said that there doesn't appear to be any problem, but that if it makes us feel better, come back in 6 months and have him evaluated again. Basically, he's been talking up a storm. I can't believe it. He'll say stuff and I'm just like, "How on earth did you pick that up?" or "Did you really just say that?" And his screaming has reduced dramatically. relief! He is such a big boy...oh! and he hasn't bitten Mackenzie since last Thursday! That's almost a whole week! yay! I'm just so glad and so proud he's made some big steps lately. What a wonderful boy!

3) Mackenzie. My baby girl...she's 4 months old! I can't believe that. I just can't. She's my doll. She's just started laughing and I love it. She was completely entertained yesterday when Caleb grunted at her. He'd grunt and she'd giggle. I was quick enough to catch it on film...but our camera doesnt' upload directly to blogger..so it makes it difficult to share. But she was like 15 pounds and 22 in? I can't remember, but it's written down somewhere. She's long, but even though her weight is up, compared to her length she's not that chubby. She has graduated to the crib. She has no interest yet in rolling over, though. Soon, I'm sure!

4) Justin. He's so busy with dental school. I'm so proud of him. He's working so hard in school and doing quite well and he still has time to spend with us...we went to a pancake breakfast, we went to the fire station, he gives me foot massages (yeah, I know!), he makes dinner...he's amazing. Just plain and simple. I love reading with him, or watching Prison Break (it's addictive, don't start it!); and his Family Home Evenings are always so creative and appropriate for Caleb. He's a great Daddy...Justin is a great man.

5) Church and such: I still have no calling. I'm told that I've been pegged for one, but I haven't been asked to serve in any position yet, even with my approaching the Bishopric inquiring about said pegging. Nothing. I haven't had a calling since Mackenzie was born. Count it. That's 4 months! I'm kind of enjoying the break, though having something to prepare for and contribute to would be nice. I like our ward a lot. The people are so welcoming, and even though there are a LOT of professional student families, there are quite a few of permanent families as well. It's a great mix. There's some ethnicity in there too.

6) Me. Whew. I'm doing great. I have so many projects to work on(thus why blogging doesn't happen as much). I'm making Caleb's Halloween costume (and ours if there's time). Nothing fancy, mind you, but it will still take some cutting and sewing and fitting. He's going to be Nemo! (be sure to watch for pictures) He's so excited about it! We're still working on 'trick or treat' but we've got a whole month! so with that, and the never-ending quiet book...still getting settled, crocheting various gifts and jackets and blankets...I just printed about 300 pictures. Got them mostly put into an album, but I haven't written about them. Gotta do that. Baby book updates. Oh! I grind my own wheat for bread. That's been fun. I'm re-learning how to be a mom/wife/homemaker now with 2 kids. But I have no school. I still completely enjoy it.
I'm still meeting people here. I haven't "connected" with anyone yet, but I'm trying to stay involved and outgoing. There's plenty of people that I can have a good time with. We have a sewing night every Thursday...library visits, volley ball; it's just a great complex I live in. Lots of great families and gals for me to get to know.

Wow. Like you wanted to read a novel today, eh? Well, maybe you did, but not necessarily about me. haha It's an ODE. Anyway, that's me and my family lately. Lots going on. I'm loving it. I love my family!

Baby, baby!

Caleb loves Mackenzie. And when he found this "baby" among some stuffed animals that Grandma and Grandpa brought up for me to go through, he adopted her.

He carries her around and yesterday I gave him a burp rag for his baby. He loves to give her her binky and cracks up when I make sucking noises. Oh I love my little boy. He's getting so big! Grandma and Grandpa also brought up a twin mattress and box spring for when he's out of the crib. Well, for fun, the past few nights we've asked him if he wants to sleep on Mama and Daddy's bed. The response is a little boy flopping onto his tummy and closing his eyes.

Well, last night, he rolled off. By the time I made it upstairs, he'd fallen back asleep. Good thing we have a bed rail that I got off of Freecycle (love it!).

Grandpa Hart and more fun

It's so fun when grandparents come to visit!

Caleb warmed up to Grandma and Grandpa so fast! We'll have more pictures with Grandma Sugar later. He's had tons of fun playing with "papa." I love this cuddly picture. And the bottom right picture...they are walking and balancing and Grandpa showed Caleb how to stick his arms out to help balance himself. He looks like a little bird or something. So cute!

And who doesn't love bike rides with Daddy? I'm so excited for when Mackenzie is big enough so we can all go out together. Caleb's helmet has little flying pigs on it so we call it his "piggy hat" and he snorts every time he sees any sort of helmet. lol, we'll teach him English one of these days!

And my sweet baby girl. I've been trying hard to get some smiles...and I've been a bit successful! She loves to sit up...

And when I blow my lips. I just love her smile. It's fun to me how she still looks so much like Caleb, but she's starting to look so much like herself, too.

Anyone else think they look a lot alike?