Peter is 11 months old

It feels like our baby is leaving and we'll soon have a toddler on our hands. Peter has picked up on so much this past month.
He has learned how to play peek-a-boo. He will lift a piece of clothing or blanket in front of his face and drop it while we say peek-a-boo. He gets the biggest grin when he does this.
Pete is learning to wave to people. He doesn't do this a lot, but it's sweet when he does.
Pete is getting shy. Sometimes at church he will babble and play with the people behind us. Lately he will babble at them and then hide in Casey or my arms.
Pete loves to stand and push his toys and our chairs around. He will stand a little on his own, but is still hesitant to make steps on his own.
Kendal can get Peter to really laugh. Casey and I can get giggles out of him, but he will laugh for a long time even when Kendal just jumps up and down in front of him.

Peter getting himself stuck behind the TV

Peter loves cell phones. He adores my flip phone; he's figured out how to open it, take pictures, babble to it,  and even call people. If he see's my phone (any phone really) he whines till he gets it. Pete holds the phone up to his neck or head and babbles. Sometimes he'll even babble and hand us the phone to talk then wants to phone back to babble some more. Any toy that is rectangle and relatively small Peter treats it like it's a phone.
Peter is still a champion eater. He eats up anything given to him, and often bangs his tray for more. He feeds himself well, and has learned how to handle his sippy cup on his own.

This past weekend my parents and sister came for a visit. They spoiled us by bringing Peter and me our birthday presents early. (THANK YOU!!) The weather wasn't awesome, but we made do. We toured Challis a bit, and spent a bit of time at the local park. Kendal was over the moon to have visitors (especially since they brought her a surprise butterfly net)! It was great to see them and I'm looking forward to more family time this summer with the Darrington and Loosle families. : D

A few other random pictures:

Kendal - "If Peter gets to be naked I should too."

Mother's day : D

Kendal is 3 1/2

Kendal is 3 1/2 today! Kendal is our little lady bug. I say lady bug, because she wants to be a little lady but she can be a bug sometimes. Just by reading our side posts about Kendal you can tell she is at such a fun age. She can say and do some funny things. Casey and I wonder where this little spitfire came from sometimes.
 Kendal's favorite color is pink. If she had her way she would dress head to toe in pink everyday. She also loves wearing skirts so she can twirl around. Kendal likes to pick out her outfits. She can put together some interesting outfits, but unless we're going to church or an event I don't feel the need to battle with her over what she wears.
Kendal loves to "ballet", and basketball. I've taught her the basic foot and arm positions and she loves to twirl and pretend the is doing ballet. Casey is teaching her to throw a ball better, and made a homemade basketball hoop for her. (She ended up getting her stool so she could reach the basket instead of having to throw the ball she could just dunk it.) We might consider putting her in ballet, gymnastics, or a sport, but Challis doesn't offer anything like that (especially for her age).
Kendal is still a very social little girl. She will talk to anyone and everyone. Any kids she meet automatically become her friend. She has a little cluster of older kids at church that like to coddle and spend time with her. We begrudgingly let her sit with other kids during sacrament. (She loves being with other kids and doesn't get to see kids during the week, so if she's quiet and behaves we let her sit with others after the sacrament is passed.) Kendal loves Sunday's she asks almost everyday if its church day so she can wear a dress and go to sunbeams with her friends. She still doesn't sit very well during church meetings. She loves to be involved in the lessons and likes to talk. Kendal has said the prayer a few times in primary. She does well with prayers and loves to go up to the podium. A few weeks ago she gave her first primary talk. We spent family home evening the week before going over what her talk would be about and writing up a short little talk. She talked about how Christ taught the gospel in his day and brought it back to earth through Joseph Smith. Aside from talking a bit too loud into the microphone she did awesome.
Kendal loves Peter so much, and wants to be a helpful big sister. Unfortunately her love can sometimes become a smothering love, and being helpful can mean pulling / hauling him places, and taking things away from him like his binky. She also can get possessive of some of the toys thinks she needs to play keep away from Peter. Half of Kendal's timeouts are because of the way she treats her brother, and the other half are because she doesn't listen to mom and dad sometimes when we say no or keep out of things.
Kendal loves her daddy. She looks forward to when he comes home everyday, and often declares that we are a family of four again. When Casey comes home and gives me a hug and kiss hello Kendal loves to squeeze her way in between us and insist on a family hug. Kendal knows daddy being home means she can go outside, play on his tablet, and climb on and play with him.
Kendal loves to be involved. She always wants to help make meals; and she's started to want to help with chores around the house. Kendal will set the table, throw garbage away, wipe the table and chairs, and sweep. We're finally overcoming her fear of the vacuum. I was getting weary of her cowering and howling when the vacuum came out so one day I made her help me push the vacuum. She was timid at first, but now she insists on helping me vacuum.
Kendal still adores being read to. She pulls out books throughout the day to read, and most nights she puts herself to sleep by looking at books. Kendal is doing fine with reading. We are not pushing her to read. She has learned a lot already, but still would rather be read to than read a lot to us. She can and two and three letter words, and most four or five letter words she can sound out. Vowels, sh, ch, and th are harder for her, but again it's no big deal how far along she is with reading.
Kendal loves to sing and be sang to. We sing to her when she goes down for a nap (yep she still takes regular naps; I'm lucky I know) and at bedtime. Casey sings her a variety of songs, and mine are mostly primary songs. Kendal still loves games and activities. During Peter's morning nap time Kendal loves to do an activity; this ranges from art, science, learning letters / words, and playing games. Kendal can do memory games, uno, candyland, shoots and ladders (with help counting), sorry, and a few others. Her pretend play has grown in leaps and bounds. She makes up little stories and adventures for her dolls and animals.
Kendal is a sweet, and loving 3 1/2 yr old. She loves her family a lot, and we love our little lady bug Kendal!

Motherhood is . . .

Motherhood is a noble birthright, an honor, a privilege, a joy and a blessing. I know all of this is true about being a Mom. As a young Mom I'm afraid I don't always have these views of motherhood in my front most thoughts. Right now I feel motherhood is being a human jungle gym, personal cook, constantly cleaning, lecturing, hugging, laughing, crying, stressed, giving loves, looking disheveled with spit up or boogies on me, teaching, playing or reading the same thing over and over, etc. etc. It doesn't happen often when I actually sit back and think about the noble work I'm doing. I mostly ponder on my blunders and what I should do better for my family.

Knowing mother's day is coming I have recently put how I am as a mother and how I want to be as a mother under review. I want to have more happiness in my home. Some days as a mother bring a lot of stress, I admit I'm no treat to be around on those days and I know my attitude can be reflected upon the rest of my family. I want to rely more on my Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ. It is by their example and having faith and hope that I can be more successful as a mom. I only have to look to my Savior Jesus Christ and follow his example of having faith, virtue, knowledge, patience, kindness, charity, humility, diligence, etc.  I know being a parent is never going to be easy and having more happiness and Christ like attributes in my home is not going to happen overnight, but I will try. My kids deserve the world; they are my pride and my joy. I truly love them so very very much.  While it's not always in my thoughts I do truly appreciate the privilege, blessing, joy, honor, etc. that is being a mom.
 

There are times when I think about raising kids in these later days and I get overwhelmed. My children will face so much more than I ever had to and it is my and Casey's job to make sure they are raised well and set to live in this crazy mixed up world. I am truly grateful for my upbringing. I have such wonderful parents who raised me well, as does Casey. Our parents have done and still do so much for us. I only hope to live up to the wonderful example they have set for us.
I love you Mom, and Mom D. You are both wonderful mother's who I look up to and am so thankful to have you in my life.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! 

Challis

Casey has 12 school days left in his school year. He is ready for the summer break.  As of now it looks like we'll be staying in Challis another year. We've looked at our options and feel it's probably a good decision to stay here another year. Casey gets to add AP classes to his schedule (so he'll have 9th world history, and AP for sure), the rest is up in the air again. He may do finance, and current events, or they might shove something else onto his plate. He is kind of nervous about teaching AP, it's a bigger deal because it's like shoving two college classes into one high school class. I know it will add some stress, but he'll do well and enjoy it. Casey is also looking forward to coaching again. He'll have a few tournaments this summer with the team that he gets to help with.
To but it bluntly I am less than thrilled to be staying here in Challis. Living in Challis this past year has had it's challenges, but I'm trying to get over some issues I have with living here and want to go into this next school year with more optimism. As much as I complain I really am thankful to be staying here in Challis. I understand what another year here will do for Casey and his career, and that overrides my dislike of Challis.
We are really looking forward to this summer. Casey gets a much deserved break from teaching, we get more time outside, and best of all we get to see family. : D

10 months

Wow Peter is already 10 months old. In two short months we'll have a one year old on our hands. Peter is still crawling around and loves to pull up to and walk along furniture. He will stand for a few seconds on his own but won't take steps on his own yet. He's also picked up on how fascinating kitchen cupboards and their contents can be. Peter constantly has something in his mouth. As always he loves tho eat, and when he's not eating everything he sees on the floor he is chomping down on toys or other random things he can get his hands on. He's also getting mischievous and pulls out the cords to everything on the TV cabinet. : / Pete likes to blow raspberries. It's so cute because he likes to make those sounds as he's playing with cars or other objects. All boy : ) Kendal still likes to smother her brother, but lately it's with less love and more let me take what your playing with away from you cause I have to have it too. Luckily Peter puts up with her for now. We keep telling her that the older he gets he'll get bigger and learn to treat her like she treats him. It sinks in for a minute then a while later she's stealing another toy. I'm still waiting for spring to fully arrive so I can get some more sunshine and outings with the kids.

I can fly high in the sky!

We are never in short supply of wind living in Idaho. We took advantage of the wind this week and took Kendal's new kite out.  The first day we went out we had the kite up and flying for quite a while. The second time we went out this week we weren't so lucky. Even if the kite gets little flight time Kendal has fun and enjoys herself.  If my yard wasn't plastered with deer scat I might have enjoyed the experience a bit more this week. It's starting to get to me that we always have to watch our step for scat, and I can't even let Pete down in the yard to enjoy himself. The schools grass / fields and park are also plastered with it, so there is no escaping it anywhere around here. Big sigh
Sorry for the rant, anyways -  I have fond memories of flying kites as a child. I can still remember windy days at my Grandparents home in Wellsville that were spent flying kites. Good times : ) Casey has always liked flying kites. We've been through a few kites throughout our marriage (one that was stuck in a tree in my parents yard for a couple of years). I know flying kites will always be a good family activity that we all enjoy.

 

Sometimes it takes a bit for Kendal to get to sleep. We hear her in her room talking to her animals / dolls, reading books, or playing around. We always check on the kids before we head off to bed; put Pete's pacifiers back in his crib, and put a blanket on Kendal. The other night we walked in to find a first. Kendal had fallen asleep on the floor while she was playing. Casey and i both laughed. Love these funny little moments.

Easter Break

Originally our Easter Break was just going to be a few days in Logan, but with the purchase of a second car, my nephew visiting, some desired family time, and my Mom's b-day during the week; the kids and I stayed a few extra days.  On our way to Logan we stopped off in Pocatello and got to eat lunch and spend time with Casey's parents, Jaxson, Hunter, and Nicole. Living so far from family has limited our time this year with the Darrington clan. It was good to see them, and I hope we can see more of the family in the coming months.
When we arrived in Logan Kendal got to go on a treasure hunt. A couple years back my parents gave my nephew a tricycle, and this year they bought Kendal a scooter that she got to go on a treasure hunt for. Kendal has been anticipating getting her scooter for quite a while now, and was so happy to get it.

On Friday we took Peter to his 9 month Dr. appointment. At 9 months Peter is 17 pounds (5th %), and 27 1/4 in. tall (25%). Even though Pete weighs as much as Kendal did at one year the doctor feels that he is underweight and recommends that we up his calories. I will also be adding formula since he's not getting enough when he nurses from me. It took time for Pete to warm up to family over our break. He's had a lot of Mommy time, and new people wanting to hold and love him was sometimes a challenge.
Casey and I have needed a second car for a long while now. Challis obviously doesn't offer any help so we've had to look online, and send my parents around Logan to car shop for us. On Friday we found our new family car. It's a small SUV with ample room for our family. We are very happy with our purchase and I'm glad to have a little more freedom at home.

On Saturday we found some Easter hunts for the kids to join. We met up with my cousin Billie and her cute brood and went to Elkridge Park in N. Logan. We made it with a couple minutes to spare. It seemed like the candy was gone in less than a minute. Kendal didn't pick up much (thankfully she doesn't mind, she was happy with the candy she got). After that we picked up my nephew Campbell and headed to Lee's grocery for a hunt. The kids got a great haul there - light up ring, toothbrush, bag of carrots, string cheese, cookie, little milk, chips. Billie and i looked at each other and said this was lunch. So we stopped by the deli and got a sandwich to complete the meal. Saturday evening we met up with family at Andy's house for a BBQ. Later we dyed eggs with Kendal (we undercooked the eggs so they weren't worth eating, but looked good anyway)

 Sunday morning I put together an egg hunt for Kendal and Campbell. They found their baskets and had fun that morning playing and eating sweets. We went to church, and came back and enjoyed a nice family dinner.

Casey returned to Challis Monday so he could get back to school. During the week we went to a castle playground in Logan, went bowling (Anica wiped the floor with us, and my Dad thinks how people bowl these days is weird.), did fun experiments, Kendal got in a lot of swinging time, and most of all we got to see family.

Thursday was my Mom's birthday. While she got a haircut and went to lunch with my Dad Katherine, Andy, Billie, and I took the kids to baby animal days at the American Heritage Farm. We got to go on a horse carriage ride, a train ride, see the baby animals, and a do a few more things. Kendal got to hold a duck and chick. She squeezed the duck a bit too much, but loved holding them and petting the other animals. Thursday night my family took my mom out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Kendal had been acting a bit sick for a day or so; at dinner she ended up throwing up all over herself and me. : / We left right away, and the family joined us for cake soon afterwards.

On Friday the kids and I made the trek home. We stopped off for a mini break at my Great Uncle Arnolds and Aunt Margarets home in Blackfoot. We had so much fun in Logan with family and they were so wonderful for helping me with the kids during the week. We are glad to be back home with Casey again, have our beds back, and enjoy some conference this weekend with a visit from Casey's parents!