Madi discovers the mirror...

...and lipstick, and earrings, and hairspray. She was in the downstairs bathroom the other day, (not related to these pictures) and she was sitting on the counter. I had peeked in to see if she needed any help. I asked her what she was doing and she said, "I'm just looking at myself." I think she knows she's pretty. She always wants to put my makeup on and I try to get her to settle for lipgloss. She wants to go get her nails done, but she says, "Mom is going to take me to get my nails clipped."

Attack on Kendall

These pictures are from the week the Tenney's were here. All of the kids tackled Kendall on our bed. I think he could have shook them all off, but they thought they "had him."

Grandma Smith gave everyone a big bath in her jacuzzi tub. They kept saying they were having a naked party. Let's hope that doesn't go on into their teens.

Family Home Evening

We have been trying to do at least one "out-of-the-house" family home evening every month. This was our March trip. We took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese. They had a lot of fun. We bought 100 tokens and still have 60! I guess we can still get a couple more trips there.

Monday, Monday

Brant finished getting all of the maintenance done on the Expedition today. I am so excited. I am finally going to have a vehicle. I went to pick it up from the shop with him after work. He took me out to the Black Bear Diner. It was a cool little home-cooking kind of restaurant. While reading about their origins on the menu, I discovered it was started in northern California in Mt. Shasta. That is the area my Mom grew up in, so it was kind of exciting to find it here in Vegas.
Lane has been sick for the last three days. He has a fever and goopy eyes and nose. He's been up all night--so have I. I can't wait to get back to sleeping through the night. Poor little guy. It's so sad when they're little and sick.

Busy Week

I don't know where the week went. I was so busy. Geneva and Mead came to visit with their kids: Aundra, Jantzen, and Cambry. We had a really full house. The kids had a good time playing with their cousins.
I had a dental appointment on Tuesday--they seated the crown on my root canal and filled another BIG cavity. But, I'm done for awhile now.
I've also been taking classes on Credit Restoration classes. I am helping some members of my family work on repairing their credit. It is an awesome program and I can't wait to work on it more. It's fun to watch the numbers climb.

Funny comments

Madison had a sword and Porter was holding a gun. Madison yelled: "I have the sword of Laban!" and Porter yelled, "I have the gun of Laban!

Madison Cleaning

I was cleaning the bathroom yesterday and Madison wanted to help. I was using a spray bottle.

Madison at 2 years and 8 months

Madison is my little smartie pants. That girl is amazing with the memory and mind she has. She is always thinking, thinking, thinking. And she says the funniest things. She's the one that can talk a mile a minute and be my "show girl." She knows the answer to everything.

Yesterday, I told her my visiting teachers were coming over. She said, "We have to say 'Nice to meet you. My name is Madison.'" I said, "That's right."

She is the little mama over her two brothers. She will tell me that Porter is making a mess. Although a lot of the time she was involved in it to. She just decided to repent and confess. She also tells Porter and Lane what they can and cannot do. She also likes to help with house cleaning--as long as a spray bottle is involved.

One of her favorite things lately is to get my phone and say, "I need to call my Aunt Dona." She will ask her a few questions and then be satisifed that she talked to her.

Porter at 2 years, 8 months

What a sweet, sensitive boy he is. He loves to cuddle and be held. He still has an obsession with his binkies. We've talked to him about letting them go and he just doesn't want to. He has no problem leaving them at home when he has to go out. That's good. He loves to watch Disney movies. He can play outside for hours and loves to play with his little brother. Him and Lane play like brothers having a good time. Him and Madison are little chums in a different way. It's so fun to watch.

He hates to take naps or go to sleep. It's as if he going to miss something. He rarely takes naps during the day anymore. He'll play quietly by himself or follow me around. Yesterday, he was out on the patio just sitting in a chair. Rhonda asked him if he was reflecting, he said, "Yeah."

I think his favorite person right now is his Dad. He gets so excited when Brant comes home. He will often say, "I want to play with my Dad."

He painted the picture above a couple of days ago. Brant bought the kids some paints. He also weighs 27 pounds.

Lane at 10 months old

Lane now has eight teeth. (4 top and 4 bottom) He has been walking all over the place. He officially starting stepping about 2 weeks ago. Sometimes when he is in a hurry to get to something he drops down and crawls. He loves to crawl up the stairs and if you don't keep an eye on him, he'll be at the top before you know it. He did fall down one time. But I was heading over to get him off of the stairs anyway. Thankfully, he was only up about 3 stairs.

He loves to play in the backyard. He thinks dirt, rocks, and flower petals taste good. He also likes to stand on my bed and look out the window. He will dance even when I sing off tune. He adores his big brother and is sometimes annoyed by Madison who tends to be overbearing at times. He gets the biggest kick out of seeing his cousin, Isabella. He will lay his head on her chest and kiss her. He is still such a joyful child. He maintains a permanent smile and laughs easily.

Little Quips

I have to record these conversations before I forget them.
_______________
While watching Animated Book of Mormon.

Madison: Mom, Heavenly Father can teach me how to build a ship, too.
_______________
After coming back from picking Nathan up from work.

Madison: Where did you go, Mom?

Me: I went to pick up Uncle Nathan.

Madison: Did he go on a mission again?
_______________
While watching real lions on tv.

Madison: The lions are going to get you, Mom.

Me: If they get me I will be gone. Who will take care of you?

Madison: Grandma.

Busy is good

I have been so busy lately I haven't had a lot of time to blog. The kids have been working on the garden. It's mostly planted now. Though I can't take much credit for it. It is impossible to actually try to plant when you have 3 kids hanging on. The twins are anxiously waiting to pluck their one strawberry that is getting redder by the day. They are delighted by the real "popcorn popping" trees in the backyard. I am going to have to get Dona's Apricot jam recipe because are certainly going to have a surplus this year.

Brant has not been working as much. The time we have him around has been so pleasant. He takes the kids with him grocery shopping and to the park. They get so excited when Dad gets home. I admire how he is able to have fun with them and still maintain a level of discipline. He made dinner last night too. This is kind of funny--I mean, now after the fact. Brant made chicken strips and scalloped potatoes last night. The chicken was done a lot sooner than the potatoes so he put them on the stove. When he came to get the potatoes out, all of the chicken was gone except for one piece. Wayne, Kendall, and Nathan had all walked through the kitchen at different times and taken a piece here and there. Brant just ate potatoes and the kids and I split the last piece. I thought it was funny.

Brant came home early last Tuesday and wanted to take me out on a date. We went to Olive Garden for an early lunch. (One of the benefits of living with your in-laws is that you have instant babysitters.) It was great and I am thankful they are so awesome.

I've been spending a lot of time on our new blog. It's been a fun project, but has taken alot of time. We're ready for more submissions!

Help me get the word out...please

Have you ever had a child make a mess in 2 seconds flat? You just turned your back for one minute and before you know it--they emptied the fish tank on the living room floor; painted the walls; or cut up your leather sofa. Vicki (my sister for those of you who don't know) and I have created a fun web page to post these laughable (after the fact) incidents. We would love to get your stories and photos as well.

To visit the website go to: http://lookwhatmykiddid.blogspot.com/

To submit some of your favorite mishaps please send a story and email to mailto:mykiddid@gmail.com

I know you've got these. So send it in. Feel free to forward this to anyone you know!

P.S. There is a $25 Target Gift Card for the messiest photo. Tell your friends.

Lane with Isabella

Lane loves to play with Isabella. Grandma Smith was giving her a bath and he wanted to jump in. Grandma was nice enough to let him.

Self-proclaimed "Best Friends"

Porter and Madison chum around together like they've known each other for a long time. They're fascinating to watch. I wonder just how long they have known each other. They often refer to each other as their best friend. They are happy to include Lane into their little private club.
Porter is turning into the ham and clownster. Tonight I was getting on him because he was tired and crying at every little thing. I warned him in

my sternest voice, "I want you to get happy, Porter. You need to find your happy face really quick."
"Okay," he whimpered. I gave him his glass of water. While he was drinking it he lit up and said, "Look Mom! It's my happy face. I see it!" He was standing in front of the oven and could see his reflection in it. He ran over the oven and grabbed at the glass and then put his hand over his face. Excitedly, he jumped up and down, "I

found my happy face, Mom! It was right here." He became very happy after that.The twins have spent a lot of time in the garden with their Grandma. They love being outside and helping. However, sometimes their well-intended destroys good plants. They are very excited about their strawberry plant that is growing. One strawberry is starting to turn red.

They tell me over and over not to pick it because it's not ready yet. Porter told me it would be gross and yucky if I pick it now.

I am afraid Madison might be getting chicken pox. Her and Isabella have tiny pimples on their skin. Madi's is on her tummy and Isabella's is on her face. I guess we will see what develops.

Lane in Pictures

I finally got my camera problems worked out. Lane has been moving all over the place. He took 14 steps today and has been taking steps here and there all day. I'd say he is officially walking. He loves climbing into things. He climbed under Madison's bed and into a cupboard the other day.
He has a special fascination for his older brother, Porter. They are very cute watching together. The boy in them both comes out. It's so interesting the dynamics of brothers playing together. I hope they continue to be close.

As much as he looks up to Porter, he seems to have an "protector" thing going for his little cousin Isabella. He loves to see her and talk to her. I can't wait to see Lane's personality develop even more. He's adorable, happy, and sweet. He is sometimes reserved and cautious. He has spent the last two nights crying off and on between 2 and 4 in the morning. It's killing me.

61 now? Really?

I am the only person I know that can start using an exercise program and get worse at it instead of better. The Wii told me I was 61 today. I was only 60 3 days ago.

2 a.m. Ramblings

Lane is having another bout of waking up in the middle of the night and wanting to nurse. He does so good for a stretch and then starts waking up. I don't get it. He's been up for and hour and a half tonight! I'm waiting him out.

Brant surprised me with a spontaneous date yesterday after work. It was fun. We went to the Olive Garden and had a nice early dinner. We're on such a weird schedule since he gets up at 4 a.m.

Rhonda and I went to the temple last night. I really enjoy going. It is so peaceful and such a fine alignment of your spirit. Despite the fact that Brant was sick, he watched all three kids for me so I could go.

My stomach is feeling it from the Wii Hula Hoop. I tried running on the Wii yesterday, but kept getting interrupted by kids. My last two laps I ended up holding Lane while I was running. It lowered my percentage, but I think it was actually harder! It's a very fun workout program. I love it.

It's Wii Cool!

I started using the Wii Fit as part of my weight loss plan. Despite the fact that it is an onry and rude trainer, it is a lot of fun. It hardly feels like exercise. That's a good thing for me. It determines your "actual" age based on your balance skills and weight. I happen to score at 60 years old right now. Although, I will argue the validity of the test due to the fact that I have scoliosis and am unbalanced because of this. After my balance test the machine asked me, "Do you trip when you walk?" He/she--uh Wii--is so smart. How does he know that? Whatever works is fine for me. I'm dreaming of a cruise...

Therapy...Root Canal that is

I just got back from the dentist. It was so awesome! I love getting root canals. I wish they were like Christmas and would come every year. Did I just say that? It must be the meds talking. I did have a really good dentist, though. He had big shoes to fill as my only dentist has been Ron. (Except for the wisdom teeth Terri pulled.)

Fit or Fat?

Our family (my parents and siblings) are having a fitness competition. I am so excited about it. I have been wanting to lose weight and this is just an extra push. My brother is sponsoring a cruise and monetary awards to those that meet their goals. I am going to try to lose 40 pounds. Today, I started out great. This weekend I tried to eat up all of my chocolate stashes so that they wouldn't tempt me. Unfortunately, I realized I have way too many. Which also indicates that maybe I do have a problem. I had plain M&M's in the pantry. Peanut M&M's in the kids cupboard--disguised as "potty treats." I also have a bag of dark chocolate Dove bars in the garage. Did I mention the bag of Cheetos in another cupboard. So I'm ditching all of the junk. Fortunately, my kids are health nuts and love grapes as much as chocolate.

My in-laws have Wii Fit. I've heard great things about it. So I am going to include that as part of my fitness. I am excited to give it a try. I really want to go on a cruise in October!

Six Days without blogging...Wow!

Wow! That's a first for me. I guess I must be really busy because I love to blog. I always have--just in the old days it was journaling and not everyone could read it. I have been wanting to put some pictures up, but have experienced some technical difficulties so I just think I'll catch up on what's been happening the last week.

Lane has cut 4 teeth in the last 3 weeks. He got his bottom two teeth at about 5 months. I was afraid he was going to have a full mouth like Porter. He didn't start until 3 weeks ago and then he's gone crazy! He is growing by the day and I love watching every minute of it. He is so sweet and joyful. He does have a bit of a temper when he gets ticked. He is now sleeping through the night--kind of. He goes to bed at 7 and wakes up at 4 a.m. He will eat and go right back to sleep for a couple more hours. I consider myself to be getting a pretty long leg of sleep in there so I can't complain. I think his waking time coincides with Brant getting up at 4 a.m.

Madison and Porter are a happy little twosome these days. Grandma and Grandpa have been putting a garden in the back yard. They are right there with them. They love the outdoors. Grandma Smith helped them plant pansies and they were so proud of them. Madi and Porter play non-stop. Madison is still very motherly and mimics me in my "mom voice." She gets her hands on her hips and purses her lips. Aaahh or ugh! I'm not sure which to say at the reflection of yourself in a "Mini-me." Her favorite copycat phrase is to come into a room where were at; put her hands on her hips; then say, "What's going on in here?" It's a question loaded with the intonation that someone is doing something they shouldn't be doing.

Grandpa John Hibbard came to visit for a couple of days last week. We picked him up from the airport and took the kids to the mall while Brant was still at work. It was a lot of effort! I don't know how anyone makes regular trips to the mall with three kids. They are actually pretty good and listen at an okay level. They're potty-trained, which is nice, but sometimes I just want to put a diaper on them when we go out.

The twins are in that phase where they're not always tired enough to take a nap, but they get too tired and cranky at the end of the day when they don't have one.

They are learning the days of the week. They know them by "Family Night," "Pizza Day," "Park Day," and "Church Day." They sure get excited over the littlest things. It makes me try to be more grateful for the simple things. They love going out with Dad. Porter always goes up to Brant and says, "Dad, I want to play with you."

Brant taught Lane a mean little trick--to pinch his feeding orifice after he is done nursing. It's not nice. And, with Brant's laughter and encouragement, he continues to do it throughout the day. As if to signal he's done.

I made a mistake

Last night Lane woke up crying about this time--1 in the morning. I felt bad for him so I fed him and put him back to bed. You're not supposed to do that. You know, give in to your kids. Now I'm paying for it. He woke up again tonight and he's been crying for about 40 minutes now. They (the researchers) claim that if you give in you just taught them that there is a possibility that you will pick them up. So, I'm waiting him out tonight. It's totally my fault. Why do they do that to you? It's so hard not to give kids everything they want. I guess it's a good lesson for me to learn.