Amazing Preschool!!

I just registered Ben for Preschool. I can not believe it! He is really old enough to be in preschool.

I am very excited about the preschool I have found for him! It is an "academic and preforming arts" preschool. They will teach NOT ONLY the ABC's and 123's, reading, writing and sign language, but also Dance (creative movement, tap, ballet, jazz, and yoga), Sports, Tumbling, Violin (when he's four), "Kindermusik" (which is movement and music), and Musical Theater!!!!! They will also have a big preformance at the end of each year with costumes and such!! I am so excited! And, it is about $15 more (a month) than the other preschools I looked up in the area!

I checked it out and met the teacher and she showed me around. I was impressed. The BEST part to the whole thing -the thing that SOLD me on this preschool versus any others, was the fact that they have a place for parents to go and sit and observe the class on three TVs, away from the class. Neither the kids or the teachers will know if you're out there watching. You could be there early or stay after you've dropped the kid off and observe. To me, that shows confidence in the teaching and class management. I love that their open and will let you "see for yourself".

He starts in September. Crazy! He'll be in preschool for two years and then off to kindergarten. Time just goes toooooo fast!

I'M BACK!! Finally!

We moved in about three weeks ago. I went out of town for a few days- right after we moved in- and then Joe has been in Seattle for the past two weeks -and because of that I haven't had the Internet to catch up with everybody.

So, Now I am back. I don't have house pics ready to post, but I'll get some soon!!

So far we have been really enjoying the move. The library is great; they have three story time hours a day on three different days. We have scored some great books! -and, the library is right next door to the "water park", which we go to a few times a week. Sooooo FUN!! (We go early before its really hot. Perfect.)

We also go to regular parks around town too. Really fun too -just hotter.

I have only been to the temple once since we've been here. (Joe was gone, and two noisy round boys wouldn't make for a very peaceful temple experience. ;D )

Here are my "St. George Goals"!!!!! I am very excited about this new chapter in my life, and want to grow!

1. Attend the temple, at least once, every week!!!! And, take my boys there once a week. (Around the grounds and visitor center. They like it.)

2.Work out and get out MORE! (NOT be a home-body!)

3.Date my husband a TON more!

4.Give blood every two months. (I did this in high school and every chance I could in college -It always made me feel like really good that I could do this easy thing that could help somebody.There's a Red Cross here!!!)

5. Start back at Institute in the Fall.

6. Be a mad awesome coupon user and save a ton of money that way!

7. Be overall more organized and more efficient.

Anyway, so far so good. I am so grateful for this new home and new change of pace...For more options, and more to do with and for the boys. I am glad Joe no longer has to commute and that family time will be consistent and plentiful. I am thankful to our Heavenly Father for His hand in my life and for this exciting move. I feel very blessed.

I will be catching up with you all as fast as I can.

Movers!!!!

So, the movers are scheduled for MONDAY!!! Less than a week. Also, our realtor says we should completely close on Monday as well. AAAAAHHHHH! So fast. Can't wait, but so nervous. Excited for a change, not so for the unpacking and deep cleaning stage that comes with a move.

MONDAY PEOPLE! I can't even believe it.

It's Just Been Too Long!

So, I had to post something...it's been awhile since i have. It's been even longer since I've blog surfed too. But, I will catch up with all of you hopefully soon.

As of today, our little family only has 12 days left in our home. I am getting more and more sad about leaving my norm, my familiar and comfort zone. I am so excited for change, but.....oh, the thought of leaving the home where everything began is just starting to get to me.

Joe proposed in the backyard. It has been the place of our first holidays and where our baby boys both came home to, and did their first EVERY THINGS.

We are in the "due diligence" process part of closing. (Getting the inspection etc etc.) Hopefully it will all hurry along and hopefully the day we have to be out of here is the day we can move in the new house. (Sooner would be great though; I'd rather clean before we move in.) Anyway, I'll catch up to you all soon and post more soon enough. The finish line is near.

The House To Come!

Here's the future house. There is a lot of stuff we'd like to do to "fix it up" to be more our taste, but the bones are great the location is awesome and we're excited.There are two huge trees in front, also, a few other shrubs and palm trees. It's a nice front yard. Low maintenance. (Just needs some love and pruning and de-leafing.)

The front room. Off to the left side are french door that lead out to the deck.The one "weird" thing to the house -this filled in doorway, that they didn't take the door frame down before they dry walled. Good thing we have a lot of family members with "skills" to take care of this for me.

The kitchen. It is an open floor plan, which we like. (Ignore the window treatments.They're not staying.)

The back yard. Some of it is cut. It extends a little more to the right.
A view from the deck to the other side of the backyard.More trees and shrubs and baby palm trees. Me likey.

So,we have haven't signed papers yet. We are waiting for one more set of papers from the realtor and then we can hopefully get our stuff done. But, upon request from family and friends we took a few pics to post. More to come later.

I Just Can't Wait!

Lately, I have been feeling soooooooo anxious to move. I am not liking the waiting......and waiting.

I've been in the mood to just "go go go!" and DO stuff -stuff that's fun for the boys and me. But, there's not a lot to do in Cedar this time of year. Most days are pretty cold -and Kade's has an ear infection, so parks aren't an option yet. I've taken the boys to the one local museum, and we go to the library a few times a week for story time and just to get new books. We all LOVE this time out of the house.

I was dying to get out of the house this morning. It wasn't even 8am yet, but I had to go somewhere. The news was on, and the high for St. George was 70 degrees!!!! I heard a chorus of angels.

I had looked up "things to do in St. George" last week, just to know all that was awaiting me, and I found this awesome park.

So, to make an already long story short-er. I took the boys to St. G, and we had a blast -for two hours, at this awesome park. (the water features weren't on -but it was still a fantastic!) It was wonderful, we ate lunch, we played, and I am so glad I got out of the house and the cold. (I'm just sorry I didn't have my camera.)(I know St. G is hot in the summer, and I am not looking forward to the heat per-se, but there are a lot of parks with water features, so that helps, also there are tons of museums, indoor pools/recreation centers, a library etc -so I'm prepared. Plus, the temple is ever calling my name!)

I just can't wait!!! St. George is what I'm craving. I want to get active in a lot of different ways and St. G offers so much. I'm ready for a new phase! I want to progress and grow. I've always been a home-body, but no more! Now, I want to DO things! Now that we know we're moving, I just want to move!

Kade's ONE!!!!

I can not believe Kade is already ONE! I am amazed more and more at how quickly time flies once you have a child. I remember his birth day so vividly, it's as if it happened yesterday -but nope...it was an entire YEAR ago.

Kade is a cute boy and is so expressive and dramatic. He is mischievous, and silly. He is happy and sweet and gives the best hugs! Kade is just amazing and so fun; I am just thrilled to be his mother. I wasn't quite sure how parents really do love all their kids the same until Kade came along and showed me the oodles of love I had reserved and waiting for him alone. He accessed a whole other part of our hearts and has lit us up in ways only our Kader-bum could! We love him.

Here's a million pics from his first year.

Ben's Three!!

Just born and perfect!

They put this pic up in Walmart as a display for a few days 2 months old. How else could I fit him and the food in the cart. Aw, back in the day -when all was new and trial and error.....still is.

Chillin' at 4 months.Gettin' kissed by Kole (one of our black labs).

One of his first immunizations -see the bright Orange band aids. Check out those chubby thighs! Wonder where he gets those from. :) Ever the baldy.

Ben was a gas master! I had to make the shirt.
His first real photo shoot at six months.

I love his little church clothes.One year birthday.

Just barely one year old.

About 14-15 months.

I know -Picture Overload! But, hey, we celebrated Ben's 3rd birthday this past week, and I had to put some past pics to reference his growth. ;)

Time has flown and I can hardly believe it. I have so many pictures of Ben it was hard to just choose these few.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I am blessed to be a mom --especially of such an amazing boy as Ben. He has always been a happy, smart, funny and entertaining kid to say the least. We love him so much. Happy Birthday Boogie!!

My Favorite Tag So Far!

Now for the very long tag:"On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me..."

1 embarrassing moment: In the middle of my college art class, I fell off my "drawing horse" during a very quiet drawing time. I was sitting on it "Indian style" and reached to the floor to pick up my eraser. I couldn't keep my balance or untangle my legs and fell as hard and as loudly as anyone can imagine. I was laughing, but was bright red at the same time.

2 best friends: Joe and Brittany.

3 things you buy regularly: Apples, Veggies, and yogurt.

4 places you want to go (and might actually REALLY go): Montana, Alaska, Australia, and Canada.

5 goals for the upcoming year (that you might actually do): Run a 5k, run a half marathon, lose weight, write more, and take up painting.

6 things most people don't know about you: I want to be a published writer, I love to bake, I have lens implants in my eyes, I want to learn to play the violin someday, I love Barry Manilow songs, and I love whoopi-cushions!

7 things you would never say: "I don't want to talk to my sisters or Brittany.", "Let's move to California.", "No, I would not like that jr. mint.", "I'm a vegetarian", "I'd rather cook than go out.", "Coke is better than Pepsi.", and "My butt's too skinny."

8 things you love about the Christmas season: Decorations, Family gatherings, Good food, Snow, Christmas Lights, Baking, Giving gifts, Having a birthday.

9 things you say to your kids: "I love you.", "Take a bite.", "Do you need to go potty?", "Time to go sleepy.", "Be careful.", "Come here.", "Good Job!", "You're a stinky bum.", "You're so cute."

10 things you do a lot: Feed kids, Change diapers, Laundry, Load the dishwasher, Sweep/swiffer floors, Wipe noses, calm tantrums (mine included), put kids to bed, clean up messes, and think.

11 things you would rather not live without: the gospel, my whole family, my great friends, a safe home, my healthy body, a phone, the sun, good veggies, clean water, a memory, grocery stores, a cozy bed.

12 people to tag: April, Brittany O., Katie, Wendy, Megan, Patrice, Mindy, Katy, Jenna, Camille, Steph, and Jaime.

Funny Face!

Kade makes the funniest face sometimes. He does it when he's bein' silly or when he's mad at something. I have caught it a few times, and I love this video clip of him. It cracks me up every time! I hope you'll find it as funny as I do. Gotta love my Kader-bum.