Finally...an update to our blog

I have been meaning to update our blog for months and finally took some time to do it...so here is a quick recap of what has happened in our lives over the last, ummm, a lot of months. :) I'm planning to post updates a little more often. Wish me luck!

Enjoy!

~~~April 2009~~~

We celebrated Jeff's birthday...thought I had pictures...guess not...Kathy or Elaine do you?

Here are a few pictures of the kids in April.

Grant = happy; Chelsea = serious; Whitney = mischievous

Grant always has a huge grin!

Playing in the ball pit.

~~~May 2009~~~

This month we went camping with my family in Utah. Had a great time!

Cute cousins!
(Whitney, Chelsea, Kyra, Grant & T.J.)

The guys and their catch!

Whitney and her worm.

Tummy time in the trailer.

Whitney wearing cousin Kyra's red boots!

~~~June 2009~~~

This month Whitney and I went to Disneyland to celebrate my birthday. She and I had a great time, just the two of us spending the day together.

Started the day on the carousel.

Goofy...one of Whitney's favorite characters.

We had to see Mickey!

Riding the tea cups with no hands!

Ended our great day on the carousel!

~~~July 2009~~~

Kids decked out in red, white & blue for the 4th.

Whitney on Jeff's shoulders and Farrah on Ray's shoulders; watching the fireworks from our backyard.

Jeff and Whitney had a camping party in the tent in the backyard...mom wasn't allowed!

Chelsea

Grant
These two are growing so fast!

They sure do eat a lot!

I buy baby food by the case...this was only enough food for about 5 days! Crazy!!!

Whitney helping clean the window...while wearing her dress and mommy's "up shoes".

Whitney started gymnastics.

Whitney and her best friend, Farrah at gymnastics.

Chelsea wore herself out!

So did Grant!
(Funny how babies can sleep anywhere.)

~~~August 2009~~~

Whitney helping daddy wash the cars.

Visiting Grandma Jo and Grandpa (I drove with the kids all by myself...never again...very hard to drive 8+ hours with just the kids...lots of stops along the way to change diapers, go potty, make bottles, etc., but we made it there and back.)

Classic! I was in the middle of potty training Whitney during our trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa; on the drive home she had to go potty; we were in the middle of the desert...so out comes the potty chair...here she is on the side of the rode. (Notice the princess dress, with her sundress over it, sunglasses and "up shoes" aka high heels...she's a funny little girl.)

~~~September 2009~~~

This was a very exciting month. My parents left on a mission. They are serving in Edinburgh, Scotland. We miss them, but we are so glad that we can video chat with them every few weeks on our computer.

Whitney performing on her stage.

Uh oh! Who was watching you guys???

So cute!

Big blue eyes!

This picture reminds me a lot of my dad and my brother.

~~~October 2009~~~

Lots going on this month!!!

We shared some exciting news this month with our family and friends...baby #4 is on the way!!! Yes, you read right! I'm pregnant with #4! It was a total surprise and a little miracle. We couldn't be happier and can't wait to welcome this little one to our family. The big day is May 3, 2010...or earlier. We are waiting for the baby to be born to find out if it's a boy or a girl...much more exciting when you don't know what you are having!

Our 3 beautiful kids on a trip to Target...doesn't happen very often that all 3 kids get to go to the store at the same time, but daddy was with us and we were all able to go.

Picking pumpkins at Riley Farm in Oak Glen, CA

Pumpkins...the perfect teether! Who knew!!! :)

Chelsea and Grant celebrated their 1st birthday on October 28, 2009!

Chelsea digging right in! Let's eat!

Yum!!!

Grant was a little more cautious starting off...

He definitely enjoyed it quickly after the first bite.

Happy Birthday!!!

Halloween 2009
(Grant was sleeping, otherwise he would have been in the picture)

Here's daddy with all 3 kids.
Whitney was Sleeping Beauty, Chelsea was a banana, Grant was a monkey.

Whitney wearing mommy's witch wig and hat!

Another great month that came and went.

~~~November 2009~~~

This month we finally had some updated pictures taken. It was an effort to get them taken, but so worth it!

Whitney and her pink Christmas tree!

Our family at the St. Regis Christmas tree lighting.

Let us out! A constant image when someone is on the "other" side of the gate.

Jeff and Scott, our neighbor, putting up our Christmas lights.

No way would you catch me up there!

~~~December 2009~~~

Another big month of events for our family!

The last few years we have been traveling to Utah to chop down our Christmas tree. We've been able to bring home really tall trees (18+ feet...the taller the better in Jeff's eyes). This year we didn't make it to Utah, so we had to resort to going to the Christmas tree lot to get our tree. It was still a really nice tree, just not as tall as usual. We hope to make it back to Utah next year.

Whitney got to meet Santa!

Whitney and daddy making a gingerbread house.

The newest addition to our outdoor Christmas decorations...a huge wreath!

Thanks again to Scott for helping hang the wreath...how did he get stuck doing the hard part???

These two are always on the move! They are both walking and know how to climb up the stairs...now they just have to learn how to come down the stairs.

Whitney got to meet Santa again at our neighbor's Santa Party. Daddy was Santa's helper!

Wow! Look what Santa brought Whitney.
A Snow White princess barbie! She was one happy little girl.

Whitney and Spooky, the cat.

We traveled to Michigan for Christmas this year. We flew out on Dec. 23rd with the help of Jeff's sister, Kathy; stayed for a week; flew home on Dec. 31 with the help of Jeff's mom. We couldn't have made the trip without their help. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! (I don't think we will be traveling anywhere, anytime soon with the whole family - it was a great trip, but a lot of work and somewhat tiring...or maybe it was only for me.) So glad we made the effort and got to see Jeff's side of the family. His grandma hadn't met the twins in person, so it was really nice for her to be able to see them, hold them and give them kisses. We'll be back again, just not sure when. :)

Here we are Christmas morning.

Santa even found us in Michigan! He brought Whitney a Snow White princess dress!!!

Whitney in all her glory!

Santa also brought her the Snow White movie!

Aunt Kathy and Whitney - in the Snow White dress again...on a different day. She loved this dress and wanted to wear it night and day.

Uncle Kelly with Chelsea and Grant.

Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village. Riding the carousel, of course!

Aunt Kathy and Whitney sledding.

Jeff and I. He's the best husband! I love you!

Chelsea riding the rocking horse.

Grant and Chelsea hanging out eating breakfast.

Whitney turned 3 during our trip to Michigan...yes the Snow White dress appeared again! All she wanted was a pink cake and she got one! Aunt Marilyn even had a princess crown for her to wear on her special day!

Daddy told her to smell the cake and then he bonked her face into the cake. She thought it was hilarious!

Whitney, Me, Jeff and Kathy hanging out at the dining room table after another delicious meal.
We always have such a good time when we are in Michigan; wish we lived closer and could visit more often.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That's all for now. Come back soon for an update...and this time, I hope I have posted something before it's been another 9 months!!! :)