Happy Birthday Carleton!

I feel so lucky to be married to Carleton. He makes me feel like a million bucks every day. He keeps me laughing all day long. My favorite part of the day (for the kids too) is when he comes through the door from work. Carleton is smart, funny, fun, a great dad, happy, athletic, honest, spiritual, ambitious, calm (as in doesn't stress out), and my best friend.

Carleton is always planning amazing things for birthdays and anniversaries so I wanted to surprise him with his perfect day- starting off mountain biking with his buddies, playing racquetball with Craig, and going out on a date at night. Thanks Craig, Kimberly, James, and Brad for all your help planning. I was bummed when it rained...change of plans. We last minute went with some friends for breakfast, he still played racquetball, and we still went out. Fun day for both of us.





Here's a ride he did earlier in the week.


We went to "The Lovely Bones" for our movie last night. It made me so thankful to be a full time mom. Carleton told me once that he would work three jobs before I would have to go to work. Even though we live in a small 2 bedroom apt. (and pay more than most people do for their mortgages in other states), I couldn't be happier. I really enjoy being with Apollo and Annie and I know there is a short window of time that I get them to myself. Apollo had on a backpack the other day and looked like a school boy. I know that day will come too soon. I am thankful for my education...very thankful I got to teach for four years...thankful I got to speak at parent and high school camps during the summers (and absolutely loved it). It's not that motherhood is easy-quite the opposite. But I think if it were easy (and didn't take a lot of my brain power to think how I can best raise them and be purposeful) I would feel like there is more I could be doing. I love that Apollo and I watched the tractors work on our potholes for an hour and not have to rush (this is not always true-we are still on the go a lot). I could freeze Apollo at this age and be happy. He always says the funniest things, is so thoughtful, loves to snuggle, has an easy smile and laugh, is so good to his sister, and is at an age where he can do a lot of "normal" stuff with me like cook, clean, play ball, and ride a bike. I love that Annie likes to "entertain us", snuggle, smile, make funny scrunched up faces, and adores her older brother. I love to wake up with a little Apollo coming into our room. I get Annie up and I feed her in bed while Carleton starts breakfast. I love learning how I can be a better mom through prayer, books, the internet, and others. I am learning more and more every day that Heavenly Father loves mothers too by how He answers my simple requests. I love the quote by Elder Faust, "You need not sing all the verses of your song at the same time." I feel like much of my life has been about studying, studying science, playing sports, hanging out with my friends, etc. I feel like these last few years are another verse of my song. For the first 5 years of our marriage I never cooked. We always ate simple things like salad, cereal etc. I'm having fun cooking, starting my own teacher-training business, managing a household, learning to sew, crochet, and craft. I'm enjoying this "domestic" time. I enjoy being creative and thinking about how I can be a better person, wife, and mother. I enjoy all the dates we go on and Apollo's playgroup. Sometimes I have felt defensive with comments that have been made to Carleton or me about being a stay-at-home mom and I think sometimes this has made me feel like I need to prove myself and show all that I'm doing as a mom. But, I decided to just let it go (easier said than done) and I have enjoyed just being with the kids and being present with them. Of course I love doing my own things too. I need my girl time. I like to set and achieve goals. I want my kids to know that becoming a mom doesn't mean you give up your dreams and hobbies. I enjoy the kids' bedtime so I can hang out with Carleton. Wow. I wrote a lot. The movie just really got to me. I feel so blessed...so so thankful.





Here's Apollo doing putting dye in the water. I asked him what we could do to make the red spread out faster. I talked to him about molecules. How if we stirred it, heated the water, or added a catalyst, that the molecules would move faster.




We're always having dance parties around here.




Apollo's been helping me get ready for Annie's birthday party. He's covering the beads with glue and glitter. He doesn't stick with it for too long. He'd rather play with cars or with Annie.

Carleton's Post

Robyn's over hot gluing some cute piece of craftware together, so I get to steal the keyboard tonight for a change. Robyn had some great stories and pictures for me this week - check out the joys of doing laundry with 2 kids and the wash room 300 yards away...

Robyn ditched me on Wednesday to stay with her dad in San Diego - I was feeling productive, so I cleaned up the place and did the taxes, too.

Just want to take a moment to share the joy of mountain biking - I really love getting out there on the trail. I've biked in several different states across the West, from New Mexico to Utah to Washington, but I've been pleasantly surprised by the excellent quality of the trails in Orange County (not pictured here - this was Albuquerque). Thanks to Brad and James for the great ride yesterday - even though we are criminals...


That's about all I have to say about that.

Rainy Days

We are too spoiled here and wonder what's happening if the weather is less than perfect. Our workout group met in the nursery this week-fun for the kids to play together and with the toys. My dad came for some meetings in San Diego so he came by to hang out with us. We walked along the beach and went out to the Pancake house (our fav. place).




Annie's been sick again. She had a hard time breathing the other night (without any other symptoms) so we called the nurse. She's had a cold ever since-fever, can't breathe, leakage out of her eyes, nose and mouth. She still entertains us and has a big smile. Apollo asks to play with Annie now and they have a great time together.

Check out Annie's teeth coming in:) Funny. We painted each others' face on one of the rainy days.



Well, we're headed outside to ride some bikes. Oh, I wanted to jot down how cute Apollo was today. Carleton stayed home with Annie from church today so Apollo and I were hanging out. There was a lady sitting by us that a man had helped to her seat from a wheelchair. I found out later she had a stroke so even though she can't speak or move very well, she is all there mentally. Apollo went over to her (I never said anything to him) and gave her one of his cars. For a lot of sacrament meeting, they "played" together. He was driving his planes over her skirt and she could kind of hold his planes a little too. It was very touching to watch them. Apollo is a sweet boy.

A Week of Play

Apollo had his little play group buddies over this week for their first play date. They had so much fun together. We painted, made bracelets, and colored with chalk. They reminded me of fish. When one turns, they all follow. One would say "mmmm" when eating snacks and just after, there was a whole group doing the same thing.








We have great neighbors. We had some fun rounds of Dominos and Rummikub. The three of them will probably want to have a rematch since I won both games hehehe.



Carleton took us on an incredible bike ride yesterday (we put the kids in the bike trailer). It's hard to believe there are places this amazing right by our house. Afterward, we took the kids to a park.







It was fun for me to join Carleton and his coworkers/friends for lunch.




I have been having chest pain when I run so I went to the doctor to get everything checked out. They ran a couple of tests and everything looks fine. I was bummed to miss a week of running (I've been training for a half marathon). I couldn't even workout with my girls this week. Everything looks great and I'm cleared to keep running. I am addicted to exercise and am glad to get back to my addiction this week. I usually eat breakfast right before I run and then go straight to my workouts (my doc. said this is a bad idea) so I'm going to try eating a little later and see if this changes anything.

I loved being a mom this week...

and every week (but especially this week). I've been following Stephanie Nielson's blog (a great mom that burned over 83% of her body in a plane crash). Reading her article in the the Arizona Republic, really made me appreciate all I can do with my kids. My greatest days are the days I'm really present with them and have fun. Here's some reasons this week was so great:


We biked to the library. Apollo fed Annie a little snack on the way. We got a bunch of books that have fun songs. My favorite is called The Lap-Time Song and Play Book by Adam Stemple and Margot Tomes. I've been switching putting the kids on my lap while we do the rhymes. The kids played with the library toys while I read my books and then we read together. Carleton joined us and biked home with the kids while I had some fun alone time enjoying my books ranging from raising happy toddlers to decorating a nursery.





I wore an apron. I felt like a homemaker. Apollo blew bubbles outside while Annie watched him and I cooked dinner. It was the first time I wore an apron to cook- I wish I had dinner ready more often when Carleton gets home. By the way, I love the dollar store and the dollar section of craft stores because they have great keep-kids-occupied projects instead of putting them in front of the tube. I'm using the Simple and Delicious magazine Ziggy bought me where they give you a grocery list and have a week's worth of dinners.







Apollo crafted. He made a cute bracelet for my neighbor and was so proud of himself when he gave it to her. He kept saying, "I made it." All I did was tie the knot for him. I loved the little car he made out of bristle blocks.





I crafted. I made some hair clips and flowers for this onesie. I also got some great ideas from a baby shower. I want to learn how to make these booties. Tami and Kimberly, I'm ready to learn if you'll teach me.








We went to the Spectrum. I love Anthropology and a cute little baby store (can't remember the name). I took pics on my phone of ideas on how to decorate or things I want to make. Carleton joined us after work for dinner, carousel rides, and playing in the fountain. Apollo looked up at the lights and said "it's a triangle."







Family bike rides. On one, Apollo fell asleep on Annie and she wasn't too sure about it.



Annie and Apollo played together. They are becoming good buddies. Apollo will say "I want to play with Annie." I told him I wanted to take a nap (trying to get him ready for a nap and because I was tired) and he told me to go to bed and he would play with Annie. Carleton and I jokingly told him the other day we were going to go in the back, and asked if he would watch Annie. He went to pick her up to put her in her play chair. Carleton helped him and then Apollo played with Annie. Wouldn't that be fun if he really could babysit her:)





Took a nap with Apollo. I usually don't but it was fun to snuggle with him for a couple of hours. I snuggled him and he snuggled his bear.


Crochet Night. We had some great Chinese food (thanks Joanie) and I learned some new tricks to make some cute hair and clothing accessories (thanks Jennifer). Here's the yummy dessert we had. I'll get the recipe and post it on my other blog.



Trained for a half marathon. I'm enjoying listening to SuperFreakonomics. I used to be nervous for a long run (9 miles) but Carleton took the kids and pushed them this time on his 10 miler. I look forward to running now on Saturdays. This is the day I go without the kids. I get to enjoy our beautiful area and listen to a good book.

Went to the park. Apollo loves park toys. One day I took a book and read for a minute while the kids played. Apollo likes to go with Annie down the slides now and hold her on some of the kiddie toys.

Carleton's highlight was going on a great mountain bike ride with his friends. He came back pretty pumped. Apollo's was helping Daddy clean his bike. He loves tools and doing anything with Dad.

Happy New Year!!

Here are our highlights from our trip to Albuquerque, NM (my parents), in no particular order:
1. yummy food
2. shopping at cool old stores with Mom and Heidi
3. biking with the boys (this is Carleton)


4. Date night while Mom and Dad took care of all the kids. We went rock climbing at the gym and out to eat.
5. Christmas Day




6. Hiking to Tent Rocks


7. Crafting
8. Looking through Santa Fe galleries




9. Santa and Mrs. Claus coming


10. Football (this is Carleton)-playing and watching

11. Hearing about Heidi, Josh, and Maddy's trip. They went to Mexico to deliver clothing and food to the poor right before Christmas. They had some amazing experiences. When my dad asked what she learned from the trip, Maddy (my niece-6yrs old) said "a little Spanish." Funny.

12. Watching kids play with the family.
















Carleton took a pic of Apollo's cool hairdo. My dad had brushed it. He did the same thing to me and Heidi when we were little and had long hair-hehe.




Annie loved to play in the presents.




Downers from the trip:

1. There is a beautiful Christmas Eve walk through the galleries with music and lights. Josh brought his guitar and had crowds of people watching. We missed it. We took this one pic on our way out. Apollo had some bum probs. I spent a long time in the bathroom with him and all our layers of clothing trying to help him out. He had to stay away from Santa that night so Santa could deliver all the toys to all the kids that night.



2. The drive from HELL. The drive to NM was great. We left right after Carleton's work party and drove through the night. It went by fast. The way home was a different story. Apollo was sick over Christmas break with stuff coming out of both ends. Annie threw up the night before we left and woke up with a soaking bottom. She threw up hard the whole 12 hour trip home. Apollo said he didn't have to go to the bathroom when we stopped to eat breakfast, but as soon as we were on the freeway said he had to go but did not produce when we pulled over. Sick baby+newly potty trained bigger baby=nightmare. It was our #1 worst drive. We had to constantly change Annie's clothes and I tried to nurse her more often (I called the nurse and that's what she said to do) so she could maybe hold some down with less milk. More nursing-more barfing. I went pee on the side of the road when we had to stop so we wouldn't have to make an extra stop for me-maybe I had too many New Year's toasts. I cried along with Annie. There is nothing more stressful than a sick baby. It scared me to see her throwing up that much. By the end both babies and parents were done. We left in darkness and came home to darkness. It was good to finally be home. Apollo said, "My bed! My blanket! My pillow!" Both kids had a great night's sleep. Annie is on her third day and is now eating real food and is holding it down. Happy New Year!

Christmas is Coming

Here's our church Christmas party. Apollo kept trying to get in front of everyone to see Santa he was so excited. Then, when he came to sit on his lap he started crying until Santa gave him candy. He told Santa he wanted a "big spider" for Christmas. He keeps repeating it-we can't tell if we can't understand him or if he really wants a big spider?? Annie loved Santa and loved his beard-so cute (she got too hot in her Santa suit at the party).







Here's Apollo with the other little kids watching the carolers (after a little dance party).



I met with some friends I haven't seen in many years for breakfast. So fun to see Kim and Kelly again.


Our church put on a festival where the kids dressed up.






We had Brian, Aileen, and Katie over for our Christmas get together. Apollo was excited about the snowman cake.






Heidi sent this picture of Gracy (my niece). It totally looks like Annie. Even Apollo thought it was Annie.




New Moon Party. Megan threw a New Moon party the day it came out. It was the best decorated parties- cardboard cutout of Edward, New Moon trailer projected on the wall, framed Edwards, beautiful food, lights outside, people with decorated shirts, wall hanging cutouts... etc. So fun!











Last weekend, some of us had a Twilight get together to see the first movie again. I wore this shirt "My heart belongs to Carleton but my neck belongs to Edward." I stole it from the New Moon party bathroom sign.