Merry Christmas (a little late)

Oh Christmas 2009..you were supposed to be the best one ever. Sigh. We have been sick over here since last Wednesday. I have had a kidney infection and Katie has been down with a high fever and her asthma has been awful. I didn't ever get to make my Christmas dinner. Katie wasn't even up to opening her presents. Her face didn't shine when she saw her new Sleeping Beauty dress. Alright now that's enough of my sad story. We really did have a great Christmas anyway. The boys were so darling and loved all their gifts. We all got to be together and Jason made some Christmas waffles for dinner instead of our big meal. We have such great families on both sides we are so so blessed and we all felt spoiled this year. No I don't have any Christmas pictures...sick remember? This will have to work, it's all of together at Pearl Harbor. Now I better get packing. we are off to Grandma & Grandpa Paces' house for the week.

Santa's Purse

Katie's list to Santa has four things on it: a pink dress, shoes, a bracelet, and a candy cane.
On friday Santa came by our house on a firetruck handing out candy canes from a big red bag and the kids got to go see him and get their treat. When we came back in the house Katie was eating her candy cane but was pretty quiet. I asked her if she liked seeing Santa. She told me "yes, he gave me a candy cane, but not a dress or shoes or a bracelet." I told her Santa would bring those things later and then she told me, "But Santa had his purse."

Christmastime is HERE!!

We are enjoying every minutes of the holiday shopping, baking, movies, music, and general wonderful feelings! We probably watch a Christmas movie every night with a different holiday treat (hello holiday pounds). First thing in the morning the kids creep into our chilly downstairs to open the door of their advent calendars. We read Christmas stories before bed every night and are loving every minute of this Christmas!! We are merry...life is good. Sorry no pictures, I'll try to take some soon. And with that said, wow I have updated all THREE of my neglected blogs!!! Hope you are enjoying your holidays too!

Aloha

We had a great time in Hawaii last week. It was a long trip, a whole week, and we spent most of our time at the beach. The boys loved playing in the sand and on the boards in the water. Katie loved swimming in the ocean and being Ariel singing her song. Many holes and castles were dug for Katie and Beckham to play in. We visited Pearl Habor, went snorkling at Hanauma Bay, played in the big maze at the pineapple plantation, and watched a surfing championship at Sunset Beach. Many thanks to the Paces for a fun trip and we already miss the sun, sand, & pineapple.

The Rapids

Another soccer season bites the dust. Although Addie finished last Saturday Noah has one last game tomorrow and then the team pizza & trophy party. The Rapids (aka the Ratpits) had another great season. With Coach Jason at the head the team did well and all the boys improved a lot these last couple of months. Here's Noah soccer quiz time:
Favorite position: Forward
Favorite part of games: second half (cause I usually do better)
Favorite part of practice: passing the ball around with friends
Best part of having Dad for a coach: Spending time with him.
Best friends on the team: Jayden & Andrew
That about wraps it up folks! Here's to the Ratpits.
*Special thanks to Sara for the fun photos.

Almost

In just a few days we will be somewhere very similar to this place and we can't wait! We are going to Hawaii for Thanksgiving and already we can almost feel the sunshine on our faces!

What's new?

Sometimes it seems like nothing much is new with us...but at the same time we are so busy! Warning: this post will contain some typical parental bragging so unless you are one of my children's grandparents...stop reading now. I just need to write this stuff down so it can make it into the blog book and the kids can look back and remember how great they are. First off let me start by saying that Addie's soccer season is over. When the coach was handing out the trophies he saved Adam's for last and told him he was the MVP of the team. He said he was a great soccer player and he looked forward to watching him play. He said he should definitely play up a year next year and maybe two because he was as good as the big boys. He is a real rock star out there scoring tons of goals and speeding down the field. We are very proud of him.

I had Noah's teacher conference a couple of weeks ago and his teacher told me that he is one of the smartest boys in the class. When they tested him his reading fluency and comprehension were far above grade level. His math is also excellent. He is one of the challenge word spellers and the teacher said the only problem was keeping him challenged in class because he is always the first one done with his work. We are very proud of him.

Tonight I took Missy to Disney on Ice to see the princesses skate. The show started with Mickey & Minnie and then went into the Little Mermaid. She was SO excited. She kept up a loud commentary: "Mom...Ariel," and "The Witch," "the necklace." etc. After the intermission the main part of the show was based on the Tinkerbell movie. She was THRILLED since she loves this movie and has seen it no less than 500 times. When spring came for the final number and the flowers popped up and Tinkerbell flew Katie's head exploded. It was so adorable, sweet, and hilarious...just like her. We are very proud of her.

Our Sunday Dinner Guest

We felt so lucky today for the opportunity to have Elder L. Tom Perry over for our Sunday dinner! Elder Perry is such an amazing man. He had some great stories, he has a wonderful sense of humor and an incredible spirit about him. It was really something to watch my children shake his hand and have him joke with them. He commented that I was the oldest sibling there and also the littlest. You can see how tall Elder Perry was and where I stacked up next to him in the picture. I feel truly grateful for the brethren and their dedication to the Lord and to his church. We are so blessed to hear their words and be led by them. It was a dinner we are sure not to forget.

Happy Halloween....and yes those moustaches are upside down!

My Pumpkins with Their Pumpkins

More is More

When Katie has too many dress up outfits, she wears as many at a time as she can. Adorable isn't she.

Pumpkin Patch

Well we finally made it to the pumpkin patch and we were very lucky to get a sunny day. We shot the corn cannon, played in the hay bale maze, petted all the little animals, and of course took a tractor-wagon ride to pick out our pumpkins. On sunny autumn days it is so beautiful where we live. The leaves were the most amazing colors and the trees were gorgeous. I love Washington, despite its rainy days.
This morning was one of those rainy and dark days and when I woke Addie up for school he looked out the window and told me, "Mom it is WAY too early, it's still the middle of the night."
Katie said, "We need our com-brella for the rainy." I guess you have to trade off those awesome long summer nights for the dark mornings & evenings in the winter. I am one of those people who think it's worth it!

Her New Do

What do you think of Katie's new haircut? She did it herself while I was in the shower. I didn't even know what to say. She told me it was because, "some hairs was in my eyes." I guess the scissors shouldn't be just hanging around, huh? Don't worry though, Katie tells me "I still look like Tinkerbell." At least she still has her cute pigtails, even if she does have very interesting bangs.

Hooked on Phonics

On Tuesday when I was in Addie's class the letter they were working on was W. During Addie's turn in the writing center I asked him what he was drawing. It looked like a rocket. He said, "mom it's a wocketship." Then he made the W sound and said, "See...w..wocket."

KatieBug Girl

This is our ladybug girl. When Katie was staying at her G & G's house for the week Jason & I were on our cruise, everyday she had Grandma read her the Ladybug girl story. She likes that story. Then for her birthday she got this dress up from her Aunt Mandy. She REALLY likes it. The boots have barely left her feet. She tells us all constantly, "I'm the ladybug girl." The only thing is, this ladybug doesn't really like taking pictures, as you can pretty much tell.

Happy Katie Day

Katie it's hard to believe that you are three already! Your little life has just been flying by. You have brought so much happiness, love, and laughter into our lives. We are so blessed to have your sweet little self in our family! Here are a few of your favorite things:

Song: Float On by Modest Mouse
Color: Pink or Purple
Food: rice with soy sauce
Treat: suckers
Show: Yo Gabba Gabba
Movie: Cinderella and Tinkerbell
Book: Wemberly Worried, Pinkalicious
Friends: B, Tanner, Elise, Taylor, Emma
Primary Song: If you're happy and you know it
When She grows up: A princess

Katie you love princesses, dress-ups, baby dolls, and tea parties. You are such a GIRL! We had a great pinkalicious tinkerbell party with Grammy & Papa, Grandma & Grandpa, Aunt Mandy, Uncle Dave & Aunt Jenny & Lizzy, and Uncle Mike & Aunt Melissa & B. You are just so very loved!

What I'm Up To

I don't just sew stuff for Katie you know. I am also the new den mother for Noah's Bear Den. I went to my first meeting tonight and I loved it. We built model dinosaurs. I am really excited to be hanging out with Noah and the other cub scouts. I also volunteer in Addie's class. I am there on Tuesdays for an hour to help with the centers. Addie is an excellent student, very helpful, very attentive to the teacher, and of course finishes his work quickly and correctly. He likes to have me in there and I like to watch him in action. I have been running in the mornings, I know- hard to believe, but the best part about it is that the boys come with me. They ride their scooters while I jog and we get some nice morning air together. They also keep me from getting scared out there when it's so early, dark, and quiet out. Jason calls them my bulldogs. I've started watching my niece Lizzy on Wednesdays so her mom can work and keep up her dental skills. It's fun and we enjoy having another little one around the house. I am loving the fall weather and everything that comes with it: hot chocolate, apples, scarves, soccer, soups, Halloween, pumpkin recipes, gorgeous colored trees, cozy fires in the fireplace, sweaters, snuggling under warm blankets, and that is just to name a few. Life is good.

A Bear

Noah got his Wolf badge at pack meeting last night. Here I am pinning his wolf pin on (Katie is helping). We are very proud of our little cub scout.

Party Boys

Grandma & Grandpa came to visit last weekend for the boys' birthdays. We had lots of fun together with them and Mike, Melissa, and Becks. We went to the fair, got to watch some great soccer games, shopped, played at the park, built legos, and Grandpa even got to watch some Cinderella. Addie got a new bike for his birthday which he loves! The weather has been so nice he has been out riding it constantly. We were a little worried it was too tall for him but after only a couple days he is a pro. Katie also got her own princess castle playtent from Grandma and she has it in the loft full of all her things. And I mean all. The only thing left in her bedroom is her bed. Noah got a bunch of cool legos for his birthday. He has been very busy building. We love it that G & G can come for the boys' parties, it really makes their birthdays special! We had a great time and now we need to recover before it is time for Katie's birthday in only a little over two weeks!!

Happy Addie Day

Adam you are six!!! Wow. Here are some of your favorites.

Song: Best Day Ever

Color: Green

Food: Chicken nuggets & Macaroni

Treat: Mike & Ike's

Show: Spongebob Squarepants

Movie: The Chipmunk Adventure

Book: Any Berenstain Bears or Curious George Books

Friends: Matthew, Elise, Taylor

Subject: Letters

Primary Song: Follow the Prophet

When he Grows up: An Astronaut

Favorite Person: Mom or maybe Katie

Ok I added that last one again. For Addie's big day we are having a huge family party on Saturday with Grandma & Grandpa all the way from California. I will post pictures and details later but just couldn't let Addie's birthday go too far by without saying, Addie we love you like crazy. You are one fun and funny little boy. You are an amazing big brother, a goofy little brother, and a lovely son. You add lots of laughter and love to our family and we are soooo glad for getting you!!!!