Extras

Kids at their activities. Tyler, karate. Audrey, gymnastics. Both are doing great, although I think Audrey's gonna make a return to dance class after this run of gymnastics. Tyler loooves karate, especially this class and teacher. Tyler also likes basketball, and is pretty fast - I wonder if down the line he'll enjoy running. Might need to look into that. They each do one extra activity right now, and I feel like it's a good balance for us with school, homework, and play time.

 Not the best shot, but how tiny is this girl!? She bounces down this trampoline forward and backward with no fear.

Variation

This method, but substitute carrot cake mix, and a cup of raisins. Didn't think kids would dig the raisins, but they were a bigger hit than the chocolate chips. Seriously?! Kids can be weird like that. If you want to make them a little unhealthy, cream cheese frosting on top would be pretty darn good. Audrey ate five out of the oven. I don't know why it makes me happy to watch Cole toddle around the house with mini-muffins in his chubby little hands, then stuffing them in his mouth with a big ol' smile and fat cheeks. The chocolate is still my favorite.

Re-Emerging

Finally feeling human again after yesterday's fight with the stomach flu. Oh. My. Getting sick is never fun, but since becoming a mother I dread it, and do everything to ward it off. Sadly it got me (hopefully no one else in the house). Sick to my stomach and trying to take care of three kids felt nearly impossible, but I sent Adam to work (yay - he's back at work! Sam and Cat - watch it! And yes, the irony of me getting sick the first week he goes back to work is not lost on me.) When you're a mom and you get sick, your kids act crazier than usual and don't know what to do with themselves. This is when it's most evident that moms truly keep the household from falling apart because when we're sick, that's exactly what happens. (In my delirium I might have bribed my kids with a new toy for being mommy's helpers, which is not necessarily a good parenting strategy, but hey - it worked yesterday, and only slightly regretting it today). By 10am I knew I couldn't handle it because of bad dizzy spells and too much getting sick, dehydration, blah blah. Well thank goodness for the most amazing mother-in-law in the world who showed up at my doorstep at noon and took care of my kids all day, made soup and then some, while I locked myself in my bedroom. Thank goodness for my friend who showed up with Gatorade (which tasted like gold, by the way), and her awesome husband for coming over at 8:30pm to give me a blessing with Adam. That's when I finally turned the corner, Adam and I watched Taken 2, and I woke this morning feeling so much better. Still queasy, but cleaning the house, doing laundry, and hoping to keep food down. The only silver lining being maybe now my jeans won't feel tight after the few pounds I gained over the holidays. I sure am grateful for all these people who love me and my family, and while I don't want anyone to get sick - I will be ready with Gatorade in hand if you do. Here's to a healthier week.

Two Front Teeth

The other one fell out at school today! Tooth Fairy's comin' tonight. When did this boy get so big?!

My Little Book Worm

He's also my page ripper, so ya gotta look out. Love that I find him like this once or twice a day.

Happy Nine

11 years ago this month I met him. 9 years ago today I married him. Still love and like him a lot. Happy Anniversary to my love, Adam. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Tait for spending the day with the kiddos so we can have a little us time. Movie, maybe massages or some shopping, dinner.

This is a funny (and random) photo from our honeymoon in Kauai and Oahu. I found it a while back when rummaging through keepsakes. The tourist shot! Adam looks so young. I'm so blonde.

Next year is the big 10! If 2013 treats us well, maybe we can head back. Maui would be heavenly. (If you wanna see a couple wedding shots, I like this post from last year. Still rings true.)

Easy After School Snack

Made today with what I had on hand:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini-Muffins

1 box vanilla cake mix (would be good with spice cake mix, too)
1 small can pumpkin puree
1 cup water (I've seen this recipe without water, as well)
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix all the above ingredients. (Don't add anything to the cake mix, like the oil and eggs - just the cake mix). Spray mini-muffin tin, and pour in batter. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Enjoy with milk. Kids and baby love them. Low-fat and healthier (thanks to the pumpkin). Makes a ton, great to put in the lunch box the next day.

Proof, and Brothers

These two both started walking around 14 months, Audrey before she turned one. I like how Cole sneaks a bite into Tyler's shoulder at the end.

Walking!

Yep. This little guy is walking. With and without a push toy. Does about 5 steps on his own before he's on his knees. I'd say by the end of the week he'll have the hang of it. Can you tell how happy it makes him? Cole's pretty proud of himself, and we're making him feel like a big deal over here.

And yes, today was as gorgeous as it looks. Seventy degrees - the LA winter I love.

Baby Dance

He might still be sick, but Cole just discovered he likes to dance. Baby's got a little rhythm.

Cookies

Lately I'm trying to find stuff Audrey and I both enjoy doing on her mornings off school. Two things have been reading chapter books (that's how Charlotte's Web started), and baking. Okay - I don't really enjoy baking, but with Audrey it's pretty fun. I let her have (almost) complete control - from picking out a recipe together, to the ingredients, mixing and all. Today we made these cookies going around pinterest that are supposed to be the best ever chocolate chip cookies. I'd say they were very good - maybe not the best ever, but a keeper for sure. Audrey named our bakery the Glitter and Sparkles Cafe. Stop by on Thursdays if you want a treat.

Check out that apron. Used to fit her when she was this big. Maybe we can hit up a Grandma to make a new one.

As a non-baking mama I was pretty proud of our finished product. Yum. Next up are snickerdoodles, we think.

Little Sickie

Day 3 of Cole's bad cold. My happy baby is oh so sad. This morning he was up for a cranky couple hours before heading back to bed. Treated him to a bubble bath.

Now he's sleeping peacefully in warm pjs, humidifier running. Hope it doesn't get worse, sad Cole is pretty heartbreaking. Poor little buddy.

Book and Movie

We read the book together over the past couple months, finishing this past weekend. Last night we watched the movie (thanks to Amber for letting us borrow). It was such a sweet, touching read for all of us, nostalgic for me. Audrey and Tyler were really into watching the movie after reading the book. A good reminder to read the book first! Maybe Harry Potter next? Open to suggestions. Love Charlotte's Web.

One Last Winter Break Treat

Kids and I helped Patricia with her Ladybug Music demos this morning. Crazy that Patricia was Tyler's very first teacher when he was about one year old. Today the oldest kid at music class. We treated ourselves to the hot dog train, Carney's, afterward. Nice morning me and these cute kiddos.

So Long Winter Break

Today we fed ducks and went to lunch with the last of our holiday gift cards. Cold!! But such a nice day. Came home to the new Ice Age and hot chocolate. Audrey's already back at school, Tyler starts Monday, as does Ladybug. Winter break is coming to an end. Ready for back-to-life.

This face makes my heart so full.

Four favorite people on this planet!

Zoo Today

Winter break continues. If you live here go to the zoo! LA went back to school today so no one was there. I've never seen it so empty. Not a field trip in sight. Good weather, happy family. Lovely day!

Pooped out! Cole is a trooper on these big outings. He's never sucked his thumb or taken a pacifier, but he loves his blue blankie, and loves to suck on it. It gets washed a lot!

How funny are these lizards?! Posing for their photo op.. Besties.

Me and my bearded man.

Even stopped at the playground (which we never do because it's always so crowded I can't keep track of the kids). Empty today!

Perked up.

First Grade Smile

When I volunteer in Tyler's class, nearly all the kids look like this:

The six year old toothy grin. Tyler lost his big front tooth this week. The top front two were both very loose, but all it took for one of them to finally fall out was an Audrey punch to the face. I told Tyler when he returns to school (in another week), he can tell his teacher and friends he was visited by Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy over winter break. He's wriggling the other front one like crazy, hoping it falls out soon. Collecting his gold dollar coins.

Friends

Went to dinner and a play last night for Amber's birthday with these gorgeous girls. Hurrah for girlfriends, happy to get to know these fun ladies.

Resolve

2012 treated us well. Biggest deal being our house, and a pretty easy adjustment to our new neighborhood. Kids thriving at their new schools. A few challenges along the way, Adam's looong haitus being the big one. Our family is happy and healthy though, and I'll take stress any day over losing time with these four. Overall a year of growth and gratitude. Did pretty well with last years' resolutions. If I could have one thing happen in 2013 (besides, of course, us all staying healthy) it would be for Adam's career to take off. He is the hardest working guy I know - getting connected, and a name for himself in this town. Plus he's turning 40 this year! Come on 2013 - Say you have big things in store for Adam! Besides that, here are a few goals for 2013:

Teach the kids to swim this summer.
Start to prepare Tyler for baptism. Read the Book of Mormon with him this year (good for both of us).
Get Audrey out of pull-ups (still sleeps in them).
Plan Adam's 40th birthday - March!
Read more. Starting with this book I got for Christmas.
Be a calmer parent.
Less distracted by technology. Look in my kids eyes when they're talking to me - not phone, computer, or kindle.
Let go a little of busy and to-dos. This is a big one for me because I tend to let my to-dos stress me out! It will all get done, (or maybe not - and that's okay, too).
Date Adam. 
More one-on-one, quality time with Tyler, Audrey, and Cole.
Stay on track with the budget, saving money, and responsible spending. Work on allowance and tithing with kids.
Continue working out and eating healthy. (Should probably get more sleep, and drink more water, too - but not sure if that will happen. I will try.)
Plan ahead for 10 year wedding anniversary - January 2014.
Cherish each day with my family. Savor the little moments.

Let's go, 2013!

Travel Town Today

Thursday's winter break outing with the big kids and Michelle, Jonah, and Ashton. Such a nice day - great friends, awesome weather. Cole stayed home with Adam, still recovering from his cold.

I remember spending mornings here when Tyler and Jonah were itty, and Audrey and Ashton were babies. They're all so big now!

New Year's Day Jambalaya

Such a nice first day of 2013. Did the Christmas purge - took down some decorations, cleaned a bunch while the kids played. This winter break we've stayed home a lot, so far. I think we needed it. It's helped us reconnect a little, and de-stress. (I, for one, have needed to de-stress). We borrowed Wreck It Ralph, and Rise of the Guardians screeners from a friend - so nice to hang around home, eat yummy food, and watch good movies. Wanted some good luck black-eyed peas to kick off 2013, so I found this old recipe from my mom's friend, Charlotte. I need to make it more often - so good, so easy (all in one pan), enjoyed by everyone.

Jambalaya

Margarine, butter, or olive oil to coat the pan
1 lb. (or less) chicken breast, cut in bite size pieces
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 c. uncooked white rice
16 oz. can diced tomatoes with juice
14 oz. can chicken broth
1 tsp. basil
1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped (didn't use this)
1 tsp. tabasco, or favorite hot sauce
Other add-ins if you want: precooked shelled shrimp (I omitted this), sausage, beans
Salt and pepper to taste

In large skillet saute chicken, onion, green pepper, and garlic for 5 minutes. Add rice and cook 3 minutes. Add tomatoes with juice, broth, parsley, basil, and tabasco. Bring to boil. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add shrimp, sausage (I used Trader Joe's chicken andouille - it was spicy, sauteed it on the side for me and Adam), or beans (canned black-eyed peas for New Year's good luck). On it's own, this is very mild and perfect for kids. If you want it spicier, add more tabasco to taste.

Happy first day of the New Year. I keep hearing "lucky number 13" - sure hope so! Resolutions are comin'.