Big Kids

Yep, We dove into Potty Training this week with Peter. A while back Peter started requesting to use the Potty. We'd put him on every once in a while and always before a bath and he would go most of the time. Casey was all for potty training a month or so ago, but I wanted holiday travels out of the way and a good couple of weeks at home to give him a good start. He picked out his underwear (Mickey mouse, Dino's, and fun colors) which made him more excited. On Monday we dove in and started his journey. We've done lots of Old McDonald and other songs to keep him sitting. He's done really well and only had a few accidents this whole week. We even managed Story time at the Library and a short trip to the Grocery store accident free. I ordered a "Cars" potty seat that came this week and Peter's been obsessed with it. (Finally used some Huggies points and got the potty seat for free!) He's very independent and wants to get on and off the potty himself, and he insists on getting  re-dressed himself. I'm a little surprised at how well Peter is doing. I keep pinching myself that it can't be this easy, but I'm not holding my breath that the potty is a complete success yet. Cross your fingers things continue to go well : )

Whenever I pull out my sewing machine Kendal wants to sit down and sew something too. I had my machine pulled out this week for a couple of projects and with enough begging I caved in to Kendal wanting to help. She helped me a little on my projects and we spent Peter's nap time one day making her a couple of headbands. She was so happy to get to do a project and even happier to wear her headbands. Right now she's sitting contently by me making some bracelets with her rainbow loom.

I love it when the kids play together well. Above is Peter and Kendal's train creation where her Lego's are combined with his going on a ride.

This week Preschool was cancelled (Holiday / sick kids). The kids and I painted, played math games, and did a lot of puzzles during preschool time.
Casey had two away games this week. This past week he had a second player get a concussion, two players sick, and another two players out with bad sprains. He had to steal a few players from JV to play in Thursday's game (Which they won!) Making it 4 wins and too many losses to count. Their last game is this next week at home against Declo. He's got two with concussion's, and two more with sprains that are done for the season. So we're crossing our fingers that his five remaining players stay healthy and able to play Tuesday.

This week. . .

Not much to report from last week. We had our car worked on so the kids and I went crazy at home for a few days.
When we did have the car back Friday we ran a backed up amount of errands in town. We meet up with Vanessa and her kids at Arctic Circle to give the kids some much desired active time and I got to cuddle with Thomas.
Casey had a game Saturday. We were trying to give a moral boost beforehand by feeding the team a good lunch. Since Kendal went with Casey to practice over Christmas she's been obsessed with getting to spend more time with the team. She was thrilled to sit at the same table with all of the girls. Our normal chatterbox was silent and in awe of the gaggle of girls she was surrounded by. We even made a sign for the game. One side said "I believe that we will win!" (Flashback to USU games ; ). The other side said go lady Dawgs and had all of the players named. Unfortunately our poster and lunch didn't add to help the girls win, however they are improving as the season goes on.
Sunday night we got to go and meet our newest nephew Grady. He's another breath of Heaven. (I also hogged him almost the whole time we were there.) The kids had a blast running wild around the house playing.

This week it was my turn to host preschool. On Monday we had a show storm come in so I took advantage and brought in three sheet pans of snow for the kids to do some color mixing in. They loved it. After that I warned them up with coco. We read snowman stories and made name snowman. We sang songs, played around and made icicles. Monday night for family home evening we talked about safety. A brief part of that was reviewing fire safety. Unfortunately our review scared Kendal into waking up 8+ times that night worried something was going to happen to our home. At least she's informed and hopefully knows what to do in the of chance something happens. Right?!?
Kendal kept begging to play in the fresh snow all day Monday, but I didn't want to go out while it was falling (which was most of the day). Tuesday I gave in after forcing a nap with both kids. (Kendal needed it from her previous nights adventures.) I bundled up myself and the kids and we ventured out. We made a bear, an Olaf and I carved out seats for the kids in our drift of snow. It was a fun afternoon with the kids they were happy to get out and play.

Wednesday for preschool we focused on the letter o, and had a bit more about snow and hot/cold. The kids made snowflakes and had scissor practice. We read a story about a snow owl and made owls. For free time I got out the kids play house and the kitchen stuff. The kids also had a blast going on an O hunt and had to find 15 O's around the house. They loved it and made me re-hide the O's five times. Wednesday afternoon we had David and Becca over. We played a game then the kids went nuts with play dough for over an hour being super hero's, alien worms, and making birds nests.

We're ending our week at home with colds. Can't escape sick season with all the gunk that gets passed around.

Thankful for talents

Continuing with my finding positivity vibe I'd like to pause every now and then to write about life, being thankful, being happy, etc.
I am thankful for talents.  I consider myself no expert on really anything in life, but I'm grateful to have talent in some ways.
- Cooking; I've come a long way from a newlywed basic cook to finding a good recipe, perfecting it, and making it my own. I love to see when my food is enjoyed and consumed. I don't cater to my kids for meals so I am grateful when they love / devour a meal. I enjoy baking. I love home made rolls, breads, sweets, and pizza's.
- Creativity; While I can name countless people more creative than me, I shouldn't discount that I can be creative. I enjoy putting together fun activities for preschool, doing fun activities / crafts with my kids, or making something for my home. I like to sew. I'm no match for my Mom with a sewing machine, but she taught me a lot and I like to create and make things regularly.

I would also like to shine a light on a few of my little families talents.

Kendal - Kendal is so very loving and social. While some might not view it as a talent I do. I consider myself to be an introvert; I avoid being in the center of things and am not very active in discussion outside the home so having a daughter like Kendal is amazing to behold.  Kendal warms up to people and makes friends easily. She will talk your ear off and loves to love others. She showers us with hugs, kisses, and sweet compliments every day. Kendal is smart. She is reading very well for her age and loves learning about new things.

Peter - He has the ability to make us smile and laugh. I believe it is a talent to bring a smile to others and Peter does that with us every day.  Peter speaks well. While I don't always see his verbal skills as advanced We hear praises from his church leaders, friends, and family that he talks very well for his age and has a good vocabulary.

Casey - Casey is academically talented. He's so smart and has such a vast knowledge. I'm envious of how easily learning and schooling comes to him. He is very good at working out things whether it's fixing something or working through a problem. If he doesn't know he'll look it up right away and learn all he can about it. Hard working: Casey works hard in all that he does. He puts his all into teaching and coaching. He cares so much about their success and helping them become better. He works hard in his church callings. Every calling Casey has had he puts in a lot of effort to make it good. He works hard at home with the kids and me. He is helpful (willing to cook : D, and is a great Dad who takes time to play with the kids, teaches them, and loves us all.


I'm so thankful for my family and the many talents that make us special and the unique individuals we are. I'm grateful for the our extended family who have shared their many talents with us, taught us with their talents, and been great examples to us.

 These two love their pillow cases from Grandma Loosle. Thanks for sharing your talents Grandma!

New Years week

We went to Logan for New Years. We opened our Christmas gifts from my parents Tuesday night. Peter's favorite gifts were his farm set and vehicles. He spent the whole visit taking apart and rebuilding his vehicles. Kendal loved the games and activities she got. I was spoiled with fun things for my kitchen. (Thank you Mom and Dad for our gifts, they were wonderful!) We went out to my grandma's house for New Years Eve. Casey went with Cody to a USU basketball game then joined us later. Billie was there with her family. Kendal had so much fun playing with Emma. Peter enjoyed playing cars with Ben and ruining around after the girls.  I sent the kids home with my Dad (Thanks again dad!) And the "big kids" played games.
On New Years day we went to the fun park and went bowling and played arcade games.  Kendal had fun running at the lane and chucking her ball down the lane. Peter was my partner in a few frames of bowling, and spent some time roaming around with my Dad. Casey and David were pulling out their trick shots so they lost to Anica. We had fun playing a free arcade games afterwards with the kids. Kendal's favorite was basketball and Peter loved one that you could knock down ducks.

 Later David and Anica taught us to play Bohnanza; a card game about planting beans and negotiating.  Casey and I went and saw The Hobbit with David and Anica on Friday. (Thanks Mom, Dad, and Katherine for watching the kids so we could get in a much needed date.) After that Casey and I took the kids out to spend some time with Nana for the afternoon. Emma was visiting also so kendal was thrilled to get to play with her again. Andy and Campbell joined us Friday night. The kids played, and watched a cartoon before bed.

Saturday morning was relaxed at home with the kids playing all round us. We went to Fredrico's to celebrate Katherine and Anica's birthday. (Happy birthday today wonderful ladies!)

2014 was a good year. Lots of good memories with family. Looking forward to 2015!

Hello 2015

Starting out 2015 I will write about my goals for the year. I make goals to better myself. These goals I'll write about are for me; I am an imperfect person with plenty of shortcomings. I have more goals than what I'll write about, but everything I do does not need to be spotlighted or shared.
I plan on continuing my goals of being more active, eating better and drinking water. Plainly put I want to feel better, so I hope to be consistent with them this year.
I have some spiritual goals I hope to work on. I want to better my personal prayers, continue studying my scriptures with more meaning, and get to the temple more often.
I hope to be more positive this year. I am very good at getting down on myself and seeing the negative in things. I'm grateful that I have a loving Father in Heaven who forgives my shortcomings. I'm grateful for my savor who is a perfect example for me to follow and my great Redeemer.
I am grateful to go into this year with my family. I have a great extended family whom I love dearly. I wish nothing but health, happiness, and good will for them this year. I have a wonderful family with Casey at my side and two wonderful kids that keep us busy. I look forward to this year as we make family memories and grow together as a family. I also want to do better with family scripture study this year.
Goals and resolutions aren't for everyone. If I didn't have goals, hope, and trying then I will never progress in life. I'm sure I will falter and be inconsistent with some of my goals; but I will try.