The Valentine Fam

They sure have lots of fun together!  Maybe a little too much fun at times....

Have you ever read the books by Mo Willems?  We just discovered him and my boys think they are so funny.  Especially the Elephant & Piggie series.  We've only had a few so far, but can't wait to check out more.  So far our favorite is "We are in a Book",  Jed read it to the boys the other night and the were all laughing hysterically!  If you haven't ready them, head to your local library fast.  He has different books for different ages.  Another one they like is "Time to Pee" (for obvious reasons the kids find this funny)!

This year the kids got to dress up 3 different times for Halloween.  Lucas had his school Halloween party on Wednesday and I took the kids to go watch him the other students parade around the playground.  Although I'm not a huge fan of Halloween, (as you would see from the one tiny skeleton decoration we have hanging from the fan) but seeing the kids dress up and act their part does bring a smile to my face!! 



Lucas wanted to be a mummy this year and since I was going for inexpensive, I bought some fabric that we just ripped and wrapped around him.  He thought it was great.  Kody wanted to be a cowboy... not surprising!  Grandpa Mark made some chaps for him and he also wore some spurs from when I was little.  He looked mighty authentic!  And Ryker was the puppy.


  



Wednesday night was our ward Chili Cook-off/trunk or treat.  The weather was good until the sun went down.  Then it got cold!  Ryker wasn't too fond of being cold or wearing his puppy ears.  I made White Chicken Chili soup for the first time and it turned out pretty good.  We scored lots of candy (which we used for the trick or treater's tonight)!

My mom and dad stopped by Friday and picked up Lucas & Kody to go to Tawnya's house.  From what I hear, they had lots of fun!!  When they got back Saturday, they got all dressed up and we went into Fuddrucker's for dinner and to see Jess.  Her costume was hilarious!  The weather Saturday included wind, rain, hail & snow... awesome for trick or treating!!  Luckily by the time we got back, it was just cold so Grams and I took Lucas & Kody around the block, Ryker went to bed!

All in all... it was a good day with lots of sugar consumption!

That’s right, my hubby has a job now!  He’s happy and that makes me doubly happy!  He had an interview last Thursday and they called him Friday to offer him the job… he started Monday.  He’s an Estimator for a concrete company in Lehi.  They are small, only been in business a couple of years, but certainly seem to have their heads on straight.  He completed his first week today and as far as I can tell, he’s loving it.  He works for good people who have the same values… and as a bonus… he doesn’t come home smelling like smoke!  He also made the comment that it’s nice not having to worry about certain words coming out of their mouths all the time!  He’s hoping that as the company grows they’ll be more opportunity for him to move up also.

Thank you, thank you for all the prayers and help on our behalf.  It’s been a long 5 months, but in the end, I know this is where he is meant to be.  Although the commute may get tiresome, we really, REALLY didn’t want to move and this job makes it possible to stay put.  We love it here!  A definite answer to our prayers!

Now that I’ve lost my tag team partner during the days, I have to figure out how to single parent again.  So far I’m not doing so hot!!  I get nothing done… and it doesn’t help that Kody has decided to stop taking naps!  Remind me again why I didn’t send him to preschool this year??!!

I don't know why it feels like such a chore to do!  It make me sad to think of all the things I keep meaning to put on here, yet I never do and now I've forgot half of them.  Hopefully I can take a day soon and go back and fill in the last month with a few things that we've done.

Here's what's happening in our neck of the woods....

Jed is still looking for a job.  It's a slow, tedious, and an annoying process!  He's taking any and all suggestions, so if you know of a place, let him know.  He's spent a lot of time up at my parents the last couple of months helping them remodel their kitchen.  It's all but done and I'm excited to see it when we go up there in a few days.  You can see pictures on my moms blog.

Lucas is LOVING school.  He's definitely our academic child who likes to learn.  He's very concerned about homework and making sure we complete it the minute he walks through the door.  The only thing interfering with homework would be friends.  He loves to play... nonstop!  He has his two friends on our street, Kyle and Mason, and they are inseparable.  Although I think they are starting to fight more like brothers... we may have to start limiting time!

Kody is still a piece of work!  He's pretty much in trouble all the time, but never ceases to amaze me with the kinds of things he thinks up.  His current obsession is Lonesome Dove and Return to Lonesome Dove.  All 12 hours!!  I tell ya, if I have to watch anymore of that show, I just might go looney.  He'll sit on his dad's lap and not move.  We've tried other westerns, but he's not interested.  I think it's cause the cows and horses are pretty much in every scene during the entire show.  I am happy that it keeps him entertained and confined for a little while.  One of my favorite things he does right now is put "my" in front of mommy.  So he'll say "night my mommy" or "help my mommy" (when he needs help).  I love it!  He's now potty trained with very few accidents.  Oh Happy Day!

Ryker (aka class clown) thinks he's a crack up!  We think so too.  He loves to act silly and make silly faces.  He talks none stop although not much is recognizable yet.  He can say mama, dada, and YA (very blunt and loudly) when he wants something.  He does know the signs for more, please & thank you.  I love this stage, where they aren't quite old enough to get in trouble, but they like imitate everything you do.

As for me, well, I'm still doing the same thing... chauffeur, work, clean, laundry... oh and I learned to make bread.  And now I'm addicted to making bread... Mmm good!

Think of the busiest 3 year old you know… multiply it by 100… and now you have Kody!  Yesterday I walked up stairs and could smell something burning.  Instantly I turn to Kody and ask what he’s been doing.  He takes me to the iron, which he so carefully set back on the shelf.  Unfortunately he set in direct contact with a plastic container that was melting!  That it explains the smell, but why is the iron HOT!  He took me to Ryker’s room where proceeds to show me everything he’s ironed.  Ryker’s pants, a pillowcase and a swim diaper.  That would explain the junk all over the bottom of the iron now.  But he’s proud as punch at his accomplishment.  And surprisingly he only had a minor burn on his thumb.

A few of his sayings right now are…

• Me oh tay (when he falls of his bike or does anything that could result in injury)
• Me towboy (We get this all the time.  I’m now trying to turn it back on him with potty training… Cowboy’s don’t pee in their underwear!)
• Me wite it, but…  (he says this for just about anything he doesn’t want to eat)

He’ll be starting speech therapy again in a couple of weeks and hopefully he’ll be able to get the “K” sound again.  I’ve been awful at working with him during the summer.  But it sure makes his speech cute, even if it is wrong!

We’ve been working on potty training for the past couple of weeks.  This is so not my favorite thing!  Luckily he’s poop trained (he did that all himself).  Now if I could just be consistent in potty training.  He was doing really good until he headed up to Honeyville last week.  With Jed and I working on my parents kitchen all the time, I wasn’t very good at reminding him.  We started a sticker chart today so hopefully it’ll be a little bit more incentive.  When he fills the chart up, he gets to spend the night at Tawn’s so he can ride horses!

Lucas had his first day of Kindergarten today.  And from what I can tell, he had a great time.  He was so excited for today and was not happy this morning when he had to wait until the afternoon to go.  He only has one friend from our ward in his class so he’ll have to make some new friends too.  Which won’t be a problem for him!  I’ve been just as excited, if not more excited for this day than he has.  Towards the end of summer I could tell that he was ready for something new.  He loves to learn and I wasn’t the greatest at giving him projects over the summer.  It’ll be a nice break for him during the day and maybe I can work out the crazy nap times right now so that Kody & Ryker will sleep during school time.  But… I’m afraid that might be more wishful thinking than anything else!  We’re so proud of you Lucas and are excited to watch you on this new adventure in life!  Love you!

 

 

to realize that this little boy has an attached tongue!  (at least I think he does).  The other day I was trying to get him to stick his tongue out cause I could see a sore on the end of it.  Then it dawned on me… I bet he can’t!  I’ve never, in his whole 15 months of life, seen him stick his tongue out of his month.  No wonder he he drools like a mad man!  (refer to picture above)  He doesn’t have another appointment until 18 months.  I guess I need to research a bit on how and when they clip it.  Then find out if I need to get him in sooner.

Yesterday the bishop taped this footage of Kody during Nursery.  Apparently he gave all the leaders a good laugh.  I guess we need to work on marching!




A couple nights ago Lucas was saying his prayers and blessed that "the grown-ups will listen to their children."  I don't even think he knew he said it, but I thought it was pretty funny!

Yesterday we spent the majority of the day at Cowabunga Bay.  Most of our family was able to make it for the last of Kody's birthday parties!  We had such a fun time!  There is lots to do for the young and old alike.  And... the water in the pool area is warm!!  The slide water... not so much!

Jed left for Scout camp and will be gone until today.  Lucky for me, my mom, Tawnya and the kids came to hang out for a couple of days.  It worked out great to have some people here on Kody’s birthday and also be able to have a little party.  The day before his birthday we pulled out the sprinkler and let the kids go wild.  We grilled some yummy pizza’s and had ate cupcakes. 

 

 

          

This pictures cracks me up… and first glance you might only notice the boys running, but if you look closely, they may be running for a reason.  Yup… Kody’s in the background with a big ol’ rock in his hand!!

 

He finally got to open his presents on his real birthday!  We sang and then he blew out each candle… individually!!  He loved all his presents, the tractor & horses, the books, his new beach towel, the movie Flicka (which he actually watched!), clothes, and candy!  His brothers gave him the book “No David”.  We’ve read it a lot so far.  You could easily substitute Kody’s name for just about every action!  He also got a new bike and is excited to show his dad how good he is tonight!

 

Lucas & his buddy Mason even took a break to watch Kodes open gifts!

 

I don’t have a single picture of Grandma Carole, but I promise she was here!  Thanks for coming to spend a few days with us.  It made for a fun couple of days.