Older and Cuter

Sydney turned 10 months old on the 8th. I actually missed it because I wasn't keeping track of the date, but I won't be to concerned about it unless I miss her real birthday. =)

So my little girl is incredibly cute.

She's:

- started loving walking around holding our fingers

-doing great with little chunks of food(she had a bad gag reflex for a while)

-started giggling and giggling with David after we put them both to bed(which is very cute to listen to, but also a little frustrating)

-doing many more different sounds then just "mama" or "dada" which I will not attempt to try to figure out.

-crawling very very fast

-looking at books on her own

-clapping every time I say "yay Sydney!" or "good job!"

-imitating me if I look at her and do something specific (example in below video)

I know this is random but I'm just so excited about it. I went to the DI for the first time shopping for Sydney and I found such cute things! Some of them are really nice and hardly worn. The most expensive thing was the old navy jean skirt for $5 and it's practically brand new. I got 7 dresses, a skirt, pair of jeans, a top, and a pair of sandals for $27! Love it! I know the picture doesn't show the details very good but they are so cute.

Sydney imitating my sheep sound. I was being really quiet because David was napping.

Easter

I love this time of year. And I love Easter. On Saturday we have fun doing Easter Egg hunts and things, and then on Sunday we can focus totally on our Savior. Scott was gone from Friday morning to Sunday evening, but the kids and I were still able to have a good time.

David and his friend did the city's Easter Egg Hunt together and had a good time. David was very happy about getting the eggs and immediately opening them to eat the candy inside. We actually tried the one at the theater a half hour before where they said no bags or baskets allowed, just what you could put in your shirt or pockets, but we got there 3 minutes after and their age group was already done. Anyway, that's why we ended up using a detachable pocket from our single stroller, and his friend used a baseball mitt. Sydney and her friend soaking up the sun. It was a beautiful day!After that I took the kids home and David and I made these really cool bird's nests with eggs. I found this in the Special Occasion section of a craft book for kids. It's crushed frosted mini wheat's mixed in melted chocolate and then formed in a muffin pan(on foil). Then you just add the candy eggs and peeps too if you want! David LOVED this. Funny Story:

This week was our turn to teach Gospel Doctrine in church and since Scott was gone I'd be doing it by myself. I got some friends in class to hold Sydney and entertain her, but during the opening prayer I heard David crying in the back of the class. I guess the Nursery sub saw that I was teaching and started leaving, but I asked someone to chase her down to tell her that I could hold him if I needed to(apparently he'd been crying for 20 min. cause he didn't know any of the subs). So there I am teaching with a 2 yr old on my hip. After a while he'd get down to sit at the piano(which is electric and can be turned off thankfully) but then he'd want up again. It definitely kept me on my toes and the class seemed torn between amusement and feeling sorry for me, but it really was OK. I'm used to multi tasking!

Some people in our ward asked us over for Easter dinner which was great seeing as how Scott had just barely gotten back. Thank you!

We had wanted to dye eggs with David but never got to it so we did it this morning. A little late, but still very fun! We especially loved shrinking the plastic covers over them with the blow dryer. So cool! =D

And yes, David's favorite color seems to be pink!

Twilight

I know some of you were thinking I was crazy for not seeing it earlier, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the books(Bella's character was the main hinderance) and with all the negative reviews I heard it just didn't make it to my must do list. I knew I'd see it sometime eventually. Well I watched it with my sister in law on Saturday and I have to say I liked it. It's not my favorite movie but I think I'd like to see it again soon. I actually thought right after it ended that I liked it better than the book because I couldn't hear Bella's every thought. She's much more enjoyable that way! And I think because I had very low expectations I was able to overlook the few cheesy parts. Also I thought Robert did an excellent job with Edward. He really was just as I imagined him to be. Anyway, I wanted to see the second movie right away after it ended, but then I remembered that that book is terrible except for the end (just my opinion!). Hopefully they will do a good job with it.

We've had a great weekened!

Friday
David's new hair do until we cut it again(hopefully soon!)

Albertsons had another cereal sale, this time Post brand, and Scott just couldn't resist. He loves to buy things in "bulk". The last sale lasted us about 9 months so...Sydney has started pointing that one finger and loves it when I touch it with my own. It's really cute. Saturday

I seem to take a lot of these and they're the only ones I'm in. oh well, that's what you get for liking to be behind the camera. This was during Saturday's General Conference.

We went to the park afterwards. Scott still likes to sit David on his lap even though he can do it himself. I think it's because then Scott can swing at the same time rather than just push.And that night...duh duh duh DUH!....I watched Twilight for the first time! I know some of you were kinda freaking out that I hadn't seen it yet. =) And hey, I liked it. It's not the most amazing movie ever but I did enjoy it and would like to see it again soon. I had such low expectations that I was able to overlook the various cheesy parts. I actually thought right after that I liked the movie better than the book because Bella wasn't so dang annoying. Sorry for you die hard fans out there, but I just couldn't stand her whininess, clumsiness, and obsessiveness. So yeah, with her thoughts left out I thought she was much more enjoyable. Thank you Hilary for watching it with me! And also for helping out with the kids... Sunday

We went to my Brother and Sister-in-Law's house to listen to Conference. I love General Conference. I love hearing what the Prophet of God and his apostles and other leaders have to teach us. Every time I come away extremely uplifted and happy, ready to face the various challenges of life. I feel so blessed. And also grateful for loving family members whom we love to spend time with. We had such a good time. It started with an awesome brunch and it seemed we had almost every kind of breakfast food there is.

Sydney hanging out on her Daddy's lap for a little while as we listened. She actually wasn't feeling very well in her tummy poor girl.

After both sessions were over Rick, Heidi, their youngest- Naomi, and David and I went for a walk. They live on a quieter road with fields on one side and a river on the other so we had a great time walking and talking and throwing rocks in the river(David!). He couldn't get enough of it. It's fun to watch him try new things all the time. He's never been able to do it before. He was actually kinda funny because he seemed like he just wanted to get as many rocks into the water as he could in the shortest period of time. He didn't even look to see them hit the water. He just looked down at the pile of rocks and pelted them into the water one after the other. Rather like a machine gun. He's got quite an arm! This was the one split second where he actually looked up and it was after much coaxing on my and Aunt Heidi's part.David on his Uncle Ricks shoulders. He also got a piggy back ride from Aunt Heidi. He still hasn't quite figured out that he needs to hold on so it's a little harder to do, but they managed.On the way back to their house. We, or at least I, hadn't realised how long we'd been gone. 2 hours!? It didn't seem like that long. Everyone we left behind were wondering what we were doing and when we'd be back. It was so great to get out like that in the sun! Almost there! The kids are a little tired now but still good troopers! David kept trying to run over to the river to throw more rocks in so I had to watch him carefully.
Monday

Today was beautiful as well so we walked outside. Hallelujah! Sydney tried the swing(her second time) and she kept smiling and talking. She really loved it a lot.

Can't think of a title...

Sydney sitting on her uncle's shoulders. She was so cute holding his hair with her finger tips to be more stable. I'm so glad she no longer has stranger anxiety! Too bad it didn't end until right after christmas and seeing family!


We broke out the paint brushes this morning(the kind that already have paint in them) for the first time in a while, and David had a great time. And when I wasn't paying attention he started painting his hands. When I noticed I didn't try to stop him because until now he's been very opposed to getting himself dirty. Things like smearing food all over himself, digging his hands in the sand or dirt. Things most boys seem to love to do he has never done. I was actually impressed that he was making a mess of himself like this if that makes sense! So he kept smiling at me sheepishly and doing it some more. That's right David! Get dirty! =)

I asked him to hold up his hands for the picture.

Counting to Ten

Well here's my adorable son counting. I had to set the camera down on the arm of the couch so I could lift my fingers as he counted. I'm amazed at how quickly he is catching on to things now. He is starting to do the hand motions and sing when I sing songs with him too. His favorite songs are "I Love to See the Temple"(he knows almost all the words to the first verse), and Popcorn Popping.

Progress!

Up until now I haven't done much in the way of potty training. If I thought about it I'd ask David if he wanted to sit on the toilet, and he'd usually say no. But today I decided to REALLY make an effort and he went "pee pee" in his little toilet finally! He actually suddenly started whining when Scott was putting a clean diaper on him(after he had just sat on the toilet) and, recognising that he was asking to sit on the toilet, we went ahead and let him try again. Well we both walked away for a minute and sure enough, he did it! We were so proud of him! I told him he would get a sticker if he went pee pee on the toilet and so he was very excited to receive his first one. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction and not just a fluke. Either way, I'm proud of my little boy, who doesn't feel quite so little anymore.

Spring is Here!

I know this might not be very interesting to some of you, but I just can't resist posting these pictures because it's the first time we've been able to walk outside in over 3 months! This was Wednesday on the BYU-I track, and today we walked to the park! Yay! I would've taken some pictures of David too but he was too busy loving running around.

Sydney with her friend Dallin. They are 5 days apart.

Here are David and Tanner's feet. We let them take their shoes off since they haven't been able to in so long! Can you guess which are David's feet?

Happy St. Patricks Day!

I know my sisters have probably been dying for some more stuff on my kids so here ya go!

David had fun playing with Scott's hat yesterday.

On Sunday David and Scott made a fort and had fun playing in it. Scott wanted to leave it up even though we were having company over but no. At least we got a picture!

David seems to enjoy books more and more. He's started looking at them all by himself, as well as having daily story time with Mommy in the morning, and daily story time with Daddy before bed.

Sydney has been showing a lot more personality since this month started. It is SO much fun! I have to say that she's a little goof ball! This video doesn't really show that but it's still cute. Sorry it's a little shaky. I was trying to make Sydney laugh by making faces. She is also now waving goodbye and clapping, and she's just started trying to cruise furniture!

I should also mention that David can now COUNT TO TEN!!! I just hold up my fingers and he goes all the way(sometimes needing encouragement to get past 4 because he's so excited). I'll have to get a video of it. I'm so proud of him!

OK I'll Explain Myself

So in the previous post I said that those are the movies I could watch over and over again. I meant that I could watch them over and over again through my life. There are some movies that I really like but don't have any need to see them ever again(like the Prestige or Deja Vu). These, however, are the movies I could watch rather regularly:
Bruce Almighty
Pirates of the Carribean series
Pride and Predjudice
Harry Potters 3-5
Bewitched
Hidalgo
However these movies don't have the extra something that the below ones do. Atleast for me.

I do need to add one more movie to the list below- "It's a Wonderful Life" This movie holds a special place in my heart.

My Favorite Movies

So it's really late and I really don't feel like going to bed, so I'm going to do a lame post. Yay! Anyways, I was just thinking today about my favorite movies and I thought that just maybe some of you care! It's too late for me to put them in any particular order. I am a huge movie fan(though not generally of the ones Oscar loves for best picture) and there are TONS of movies besides these I love, but these are ones that are at the top. The ones I could watch over and over, and that have touched me in one way or another(I know when some of you see some of these you're gonna wonder about that, but sorry, I don't want to explain myself over each one). So without anymore pointless remarks that you probably skipped anyway, here is the list:
1. The Sound of Music
2. Seabiscuit
3. Australia
4. A Little Princess
5. The Lord of the Rings series
6. Prince Caspian
7. Sense and Sensibility
8. Ever After
9. Anne of Green Gables series
10. Moulin Rouge
I'm sure I might've forgotten a couple. Now that I have it down I'm actually a little surprised. Way more chick flicks then I would have thought before. I am normally not a huge chick flick fan but, when they're good I guess they're really good. What are some of yours?

Another Month Gone

Sydney is 9 months old! I know I say this every time but I really can't believe how fast she is growing. Sometimes I look at her and think "She looks different than yesterday!" She is such a joy to us. Some things she's doing now:
-Pulling up on the couch
-Waking up every morning at 5am (she's been doing this since she got sick and I'm afraid it's now a habit!)
-Watching David's every move and following him around. Sometimes he plays with her and sometimes he gets annoyed and tries to push her away.
-Sleeping through noises during her naps(I don't have to be absolutely silent like I did for David).
-Picking up every little thing mommy doesn't see with her thumb and fore finger.
-Cuddling when she knows she's about to be put down to bed. I love it.
Here are just a few pictures from last week. She is now over being sick(hallelujah!) but in these pictures she still has a little runny nose.

David giving her a kiss. She had just woken up from her afternoon nap and David followed me in to get her and we ended up playing on the bed for a while.

Random Bits

So I think we are almost done being sick in our house. David is totally better, I feel totally better though I still have a stuffy nose, and Sydney I think has improved just a little bit today. She's still sick with what she had when we went to the doctors, but I think she's over the fever she got right after we went to the doctor. Let's hope so. With all the breathing treatments I've had to do with the kids I haven't been able to go on my walk since last Thursday. And I can't believe I'm not going crazy yet. Must be a blessing! I am sad though because the weather has been warming up a little and snow is melting, sun is shining, and I really want to take my kids outside! Hopefully I will be able to tomorrow. It all depends on the two 20 minute breathing treatments that are every 4 hours and nap times.

On Saturday night Hilary and I went to see "Australia" in the cheap seats. Man am I glad we did. That movie was soooo awesome! We both LOVED it! It is a long movie(about 2 hrs 40 min I think), but my own opinion about movies is, if it's good, who cares how long it is? I don't. I have to say this movie was totally snubbed by Oscar. It should have definitely received a best cinematography nod. It was beautiful. It was also funny, happy, exciting, sad. Also beautiful music, great acting by the lead roles Nicole Kidman(one of my favorite actresses), Hugh Jackman, and the little boy-Brandon Walters. It was AWESOME on a big screen. I hope I'm not building it up too much. I tend to do that when I see a movie I love. But it was so good! haha. Anyway, go rent it(or find it in a cheap theater like me!) and find out for yourselves. If you already saw it- what did you think?

Note: There is a little nudity on Nicole's part so when a scene like that is obviously imminent just close your eyes if you're not ok with that. It's not more than a few moments before the scene changes. I'm glad Scott can see it now with my editing skills. =)

Some of David's favorite phrases:

-"Sydney take it!"

-"Deener(dinner) so good!"

-"Story time uh yeah!" He'll say "uh yeah" basically at the end of anything we're about to do that he is excited about.

-He doesn't say "I see the bear(or whatever it is)" he says, "bear I see it!"

-"Help you!" he says this when he wants to help me make his sandwich

-"Tractor uh scary!" again he says this with MANY things, not just tractor. I don't know why he's so obsessed with saying everything is scary.

I'm sure there are more but my brain can't think anymore. More to come later!

-

Rexburg Temple

On Sunday I really needed to get out of the house so we went for a little family drive up to the temple. David and I got out and walked around for a few minutes and then we went down a back road that has a nice view of the temple. That's where this picture is from. Though there was a huge snow pile on the side of the road so I wasn't sure we'd be able to see the temple over it. But we found a good spot. Anyway, I just thought the temple was so pretty with the snow and mountains behind it.

Bringing in March

I am sick now as well(though not as bad as the poor kids) so Scott stayed home from church to take care of all 3 of us.