We love Sunshine

We are so excited to see some sunshine and play outside a bit! It helps the days pass by until we can play outside everyday without freezing our buns off! But I now have to lock the deadbolt, not to keep people out, but to keep Kyden from sneaking outside. I'm afraid he's the child that will always push his limit. He's already ran into the road a handful of times. Oh boy!
Kyden thought he was so cool under this laundry basket. One of his favorite things to do now is drag our laundry basket out to the front room, dump all the clothes out, spread them everywhere, and play with the basket. The boys love to make messes but they don't realize that I spend the majority of my day picking up after them. It's great! Guess some things have to give when you become a mom--dinner doesn't always get going on time, the house is hardly ever clean, some days go by and I wonder "What did I accomplish today?", pj days are a must, .... I have to remind myself that this stage of life will pass and to enjoy everyday the best I can. The days of taking care of children will be over before I know it and it will be a sad day. My boys test my patience, but I love them so much. I don't know what I would do without them. It's hard to think back to life before kids. It seems so weird.
Here doggie, here doggie! Kyden begged Jason for a bone from his ribs and thought he was so cool trying to eat it. He just didn't get that it was hard and he couldn't eat it. Although Jason does tell us about the Haitian people who would eat the bones. They love to suck the marrow out. Not my ideal food.
Braden and Kyden were invited to my cousin, Quincy, birthday party at Blast-Off. It was the first time they had been there and they loved it. Now that's where Braden wants to have his birthday party. We'll see about that one.

If you look close, you can see that Kyden is wearing some of Braden's boxer underwear over his pants. He put them on by himself and wore them all day. He thought he was pretty cool (well he always does). I think that Jason was a bit embarrassed because we took him dinner at work that night and I didn't want to fight with Kyden to take them off so I let him wear the underwear. Whatever--pick your battles!

I finally took on the adventure of making homemade bread. I think it turned out pretty well especially since I realized my Kitchen Aid wasn't big enough half way through so it was a mess. Oh well, good learning experience anyway.
Another pile of toys and books and stuff. The boys favorite thing to do. I don't get how that is a fort, but it sure it to them. The things they come up with! Quite the imagination.
I found Braden one night asleep in his bed just like this. I had to take a picture.

Our Boys

This is how we found the boys room the other night:
Yep, they pulled every single piece of clothing out of there dresser. Braden felt pretty bad because all he was trying to do was "Find that one shirt". Well, he didn't find it until I found it for him. We had a quick discussion on asking mom to help when you can't find something. It was funny until I had to fold all the clothes back up to put them in the dresser.

We are so proud of Dad! He is the best! We are just so glad to have him home spending time with us!
Man, this little boy is such a character. He makes me laugh everyday. He gets into everything, finds things he's not supposed to have, and has a little temper. But he sure is a cutie!
He figured out that he could roll the computer chair wherever he wants to get things he wants, but is not supposed to get. This time it was his binkie or "me me" as he calls it. He only gets it at nap and bedtime but wants it more often than that. It is going to be a monster of a time weening him from his binkie. I'm not looking forward to it!
Loves, loves, loves his pillow. I think he would rather have a pillow than a blanket. When I get him out of bed in the morning, he has to empty his crib in my arms which includes 2 blankets, a pillow, Pooh bear, and whatever else may have been left in there the night before and I have to carry it all plus him to the couch. He is so funny!
And this little guy LOVES puzzles. He is already smarter than me. He put this United States puzzle together all by himself. What a brain!! And he was proud of it--which he should be!
Ky with Braden's underwear on his head. He cracks me up all the time with things he comes up with.

He's home

Our wonderful father and husband is home! He ended up being gone just over 2 weeks! It really was a blessing that he got the privilege to go to Haiti and spend time with the people there. He mostly translated for doctors. He loved playing with the children and making them laugh. He is so amazing! I am so lucky to be married to such a wonderful man! Thanks babe!

Isn't this picture so precious?! This little boy is so cute! Jason said this little boy was very shy but asked if he could get his picture taken with Jason. How sweet! What's amazing to me is that although the people of Haiti have seen such devastation, they can still smile and look as if nothing is wrong. I have learned so much over the past month! What a blessing!

Update on Jason

Well, we hear from Jason every couple days which is always nice to hear his voice. He is staying very busy, but doing good. He has mostly been translating for doctors and helping them when there are no other hands available--something I hope to never do (I don't do well with doctor stuff). He has seen many of the families that he knew on his mission which is hard to see them in the circumstances they are in yet very comforting. If all goes as planned, we will see him this Thursday. They were originally staying 30 days, then 21, now 14. I think as they got over there, they realized how exhausting it is for all of them to go, go, go everyday and see the kind of things they are seeing--emotionally and physically draining. We are excited!

As for us we are surviving. No really, we are doing good--as good as can be without our husband and daddy. We have had so much support from everyone around us and it is so wonderful! Thanks to everyone for your love and support and prayers. We appreciate it and so do the people of Haiti!

We will post pictures of his trip when he returns!

Our Hearts Go Out To...

Our hearts go out to the people in Haiti. Jason served his mission there and as a missionary became a part of many families there. He loves the people. When the earthquake hit, he wanted to know everything he could about it. And I don't blame him. It was sad to me but I don't really have many ties to anyone there. He now has the opportunity to serve them again. He left for Haiti with US Aid Thursday to translate for doctors or whoever, help clear out fallen buildings so they can rebuild, and whatever they need him to do. He will be gone for 2-3 weeks. I know that he will be blessed while he is there. I know that I am being blessed also with comfort because I worry about him but I am at peace when I do worry. I really am so glad that he has gotten this opportunity to go. He truly loves the Haitian people and this is his chance to go back and really make a difference. The Lord has a hand in everything because this trip came together in less than a week and everything worked out so he could go. Also, the first day he was there, he saw one of the only families that he really wanted to see while he was down there. The Lord makes miracles. I admire him for going! He is amazing and I am so blessed to be his wife! Good luck babe! Love you tons!

Little Missionary

Uncle Jesse, or Elder Peterson to the people in Korea, sent a letter home and challenged us all to read the Book of Mormon before he gets home the 1st part of July. Part of the goal is to color things about Christ in different colors. Well, we decided to accept this challenge and do it as a family. Jason brought 3 Book of Mormons home one day and explained to Braden what we were going to do with them. Braden got super excited. He now loves to "color" in his very own Book of Mormon. I found him one afternoon on the couch with his Book of Mormon and I had to take a picture. The faith of a child--isn't it amazing? I think, actually I know, my boys are teaching me more than I teach them. I love seeing them grow up--as much as I want them little forever, I love seeing them change and learn. Braden is now in Primary and absolutely loves it! Now, after fighting with him for a year and a half to go to nursery, we were sure we'd have our hands full trying to get him to Primary. But we are shocked to say that he looks forward to Primary and asks everyday if it's Sunday. He had a Primary Activity last Saturday and I was worried that I would have to stay the whole time with him, but to my surprise he let me leave him at the church for an hour and a half. He is growing up! I can't believe it! The Primary activity was so awesome and he loved the whole thing. Everyone got to wear there pj's, eat breakfast (pancakes, sausage, milk, juice), and watch his teacher, who is a Chemistry teacher, do experiments (volcano, grow warts, egg in a bottle...)! He has a wonderful teacher which I am so happy about!


My mom caught Kyden a couple months ago holding my Dad's scriptures coloring in them with a red pencil. Although he's not supposed to do that, it was pretty cute! Crazy what those little one's pick up on isn't it?! But the picture is on my mom's camera so no picture today!

Christmas Memories

We had a wonderful Christmas full of family, friends, food, fun, lights, and the true Spirit of Christmas. We stayed busy and were hardly ever home, but we loved every minute. We are so blessed to live by family and be able to spend so much time with them. Family is what life is all about. These pictures are completely out of order and it really bothers me but I'm too lazy to fix them so here you go.

Boys in front of our shabby looking tree wearing there Christmas jammies. The lights were Kyden's favorite! Especially plugging them in. "No, no" is what Kyd's would tell us as he was plugging them in.

This picture turned when I downloaded it and I have no idea why.
They got this train from Santa and love it!
Proud doctor!
Our NEW BIKES! What an awesome surprise! We love them! Thanks!
Ky with his (and Braden's) tool belt. He thought he was so cool--always does though.
Mischievous kid anyway! Christmas night we were all eating dinner and Kyden disappeared and this is where we found him chewing gum with the rest of the pack spread out around him. It was just too hard for him to keep his hands off of things that weren't his.
Boys new basketball hoop. They love it!
Christmas morning playing games. Braden loves games!
New pj's--Christmas Eve.
Cute sheppard


Shoes, shoes, shoes. Kyden loves shoes--anyone's shoes!
More shoes--Grandma's boots this time.
Handsome boys. It is so fun to see these little boys grow and learn everyday. They are getting so big and I feel so blessed to be there mom. Yes, sometimes they make me want to rip my hair out, but they make me smile and teach me so much. They are starting to really play together and I love it. They both have such an imagination that comes alive as they both play and make forts. I could kiss there chubby cheeks all day if they'd let me. Love you boys!
Kyden's favorite toys are not really toys. Actually dangerous tools--like hammers, screwdrivers, tape measures. He even got toy tools for Christmas but sometimes that doesn't make the cut with him. He needs the real thing. Bad mom for letting him play with them? We are trying really hard to keep them out of his reach but sometimes we slip and leave them out.
Braden got this cool coloring book from his Grandma and liked it so much, he didn't want to go to sleep so he fell asleep coloring in it one night.
Can you tell how much Braden liked Santa? Yep death grip around Grandpa's neck. He did finally give santa a high five, but that was it.
Kyden was a little more brave. Wouldn't sit on his lap but got close enough to touch Santa.