Whittaker family: 2011

Friday, December 9, 2011

December

December is a little crazy with so many things going on. I think I've had a headache for a week straight, but now that I've got most of my shopping done it is going away. So many parties going on and just little things to worry about. But I love it all! We wanted a real tree this year and when I was driving down main a couple of weeks ago I saw a sign that read "Christmas trees grown from Kalispell, MT". So of course, we had to get our tree there. I'm a pretty simple decorator, but I love our tree! Now if only I could take a decent picture of it...

We also have a visitor from the North Pole who is magical. His name is Christopher Pop-In-Kins. He watches the kids in the day from a high spot where he can't be touched. He leaves during the night only to return to a different spot in the morning. He loves to show up in random places and the kids love trying to find him everyday. He will report back to the North Pole a few days before Christmas on the behavior of our children. Not sure if he is making a difference in their behavior or not. =)

Dylan woke up one morning to a herd of deer in our back yard. He took a picture of them as they were leaving and then came and showed me in bed. We love seeing all the deer around here.

I had a birthday on Sunday and enjoyed the day with family. We went to dinner and an Aggie game earlier in the week and pretended that was my birthday. It was a good week.

This pregnancy is going well. I am 29 weeks and people are finally brave enough to ask if I am pregnant. Being in a new ward, they must of all just thought I was getting fat. This is when I really start to grow. I get contractions easily though, so I've had to quit zumba and running. But I love my recumbent bike. We spend a lot of time together.

Disneyland

We went on our 2nd annual trip to Disneyland in November and this time we coaxed my parents, Lani, Jesse, Chad and their families to come with us. It was So. Much. Fun!! Seriously, what a group we had. Lots of laughs and memories made. Lani and I missed out on some of the big rides since we are both growing a child (or in Lani's case, I should say "children") inside of us. But it worked out great. We would watch the younger kids, get lots of stroller passes so that everyone could get right back on the ride, and then navigate so we knew where to head next. The weather was perfect and we got lots of exercise as it seemed like we were walking all day long for 3 days straight. It was kind of funny because Claire was just barely tall enough for most of the big rides. Finally, a year where my kids can all go on the rides, and I couldn't. But I was just happy to be there. I love Disneyland!!! Nate and I were really hoping to go on a trip with out kids, but in the end, we both wanted to go to Disneyland. I didn't even take my camera, so the few pictures that I did take are with my phone (and of a computer screen on top of that). So not the best quality. I'm sure my family will appreciate most of these pictures.

Girls

Cassie loves to pose with Claire for pictures. Sometimes Claire likes it...

Sometimes she doesn't...

Basketball

Dylan finished basketball at the end of October and really loved it. He will start up again in January. He plays every day at recess and has already worn through 2 pairs of shoes this school year. At least he is having fun!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Family pictures

Thanks to the lovely Kristen Wilkerson for lasting through this shoot.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Random

We've had our ward carnival already and I thought I'd put these up in case I procrastinate blogging again.

I was trying to capture the Fall colors behind our house...

Cassie wishes so much that she had long hair. She taped her blanket on her head and insisted on us calling her Rapunzel. Notice the tape? I distinctly remember putting towels and blankets on my head too. Poor girl, she'll probably never have long hair, thanks to me.

Claire, on the other hand, was blessed by not having my hair. But hers only looks this cute when the aunts come to town.

I wish I'd gotten a better picture of this, but notice her whole right leg plastered with band aids? This is a frequent occurrence at our house. I think she "bumped" into the couch. And I really don't mind buying band aids every month because I was able to cook a whole meal while she applied these.

I am not crafty or into creating things in the least, but I was very proud of myself for putting together this huge magnet board. And it really is huge, like over 3.5 feet by 5 feet. I really needed something for that wall in the back entry. It works perfect for all the kids' projects and random papers. The lockers, a bathroom, the laundry room, and a drinking fountain are all back there too. I love it!

Cassie lost her first tooth a couple of months ago while she was eating a frozen gogurt. She lost a 2nd one a couple of weeks ago while wrestling with daddy. My kids have learned that if they leave the tooth, along with a paper boat and a candy in the boat, all under their pillow, then the tooth fairy will bring them an extra quarter with their dollar. The tooth fairy will only do that once though, even if they keep trying to come up with new ways to get money from her.

And finally, I was so proud of my kids as they finally ventured out of our dirt yard and up the hill for the first time after living here almost 3 months. You see, there were big rattlesnake scares here this summer, especially in this area. But fortunately, we never saw any. The ER usually sees 2 bites a year at the very most, and this summer they had 7 bites. Gross! And man, were my kids (and myself) freaked out to even be outside. They would close the garage door and ride their bikes inside the garage. And when they did play outside, they sometimes played baseball and they would make Claire go get the ball up in the field when it was hit up there. Silly kids. And to make things worse, our neighbors have seen cougar tracks in their back yard. Someone said they even saw one. Scary! Where did we move our family to?? So yes, I was very proud to see my kids venture out a couple of weeks ago. (Only because rattlesnake scares are over right now. I think. And the cougars supposedly come out at dusk). You can barely see them, but they are there...

Labor day weekend

Tanya, Candace, Jesse, and their families all came for the weekend. It was a lot of fun to have everyone come stay with us. To actually have room for everyone and a nice place for them to stay felt great. The guys played on the quads most of Monday and were so dirty. But at least they could leave from our backyard and explore the hills behind us. Have I ever mentioned how much I love Cache Valley? Well, I do. A lot.

The view behind Dylan is what we get to see everyday. I feel so lucky.

First days of school

Dylan started 2nd grade this year. This is the 3rd school he's been to in 3 years. Hopefully they won't switch things up again.

Cassie started Kindergarten. She is in love with it. Except the bus ride. I have to pick her up from school because she can't handle the45 minute ride. We are only 2-2.5 miles from the school, but she is the last one off. But I don't mind.

Claire started preschool and also loves it. But I'm not sure how long it will last. I was hesitant to start her so early, but she is 3 and I wanted her to learn some social skills. Not sure if that is working.

And for the first time in my life as a mother, I have 4.5 hours a week without kids!! And those are also the fastest 4.5 hours of my week. =)

Claire's birthday

Claire turned 3 in August. It's no surprise that her favorite gift was the bike from grandma and grandpa Folsom.

Hmm, what can I say about Claire. I keep a journal of all the silly little things she says and does everyday. She is such a cute little sweetheart and looks so kind and innocent. And sometimes she is those things, but everyday she is learning how to be more kind to others. Especially in nursery and preschool. She's been kicked out of nursery at least twice in the last little while and is on the verge of not having a preschool to go to anymore. We can't do play groups or be around other kids that are smaller than her for fear of her attacking them. Sad. But that's how our precious little Claire-bear rolls. Lots of energy that needs an outlet. Hmm, wonder where she got that from? I just wish I had the energy I once had. I often tell Nate that I think I used up all my energy when I was a kid because I sure can't seem to find it anymore.

We sure love having her in our family though. She keeps us laughing and on our feet at all times. I really think it's a blessing that we waited until she will be 3 1/2 before this baby comes. I don't know how I would have done it any sooner. She loves babies so much and I'm a little worried about that, but it will be fun to see her with him. We love you Claire!

Nebraska

In August, our nephew Jake got married in Nebraska. We decided to make a little trip out of it and went camping on the way there at Flaming Gorge. That place is so pretty! I always loved camping growing up and thought for sure I would be a camping mom. But seriously, I think having a trailer would make it much more enjoyable for me. Maybe someday.

The wedding was very interesting. There are some different folk in that neck of the woods. But I'm glad we could be there to support the family. We were able to see some pioneer history sites too. We saw Chimney rock in the distance, we were just too tired to drive right to it. It is a really neat landmark for the pioneers. We were in Scottsbluff and this pass below is where some of the pioneers crossed.