Happy New Year

I can not believe how fast this last has gone. 2010 was a year filled with lots of fun, laughter, and wonderful memories. After spending a week in California for Christmas, we decided it was time to get home and prepare for the new year.


Once you have kids, New Year's Eve gets tricky because you never know if you should let them stay up or just put them to bed. Krystle found a fun event for the kids during the day. The local library was having reading time and a countdown to 12 to celebrate New Years Eve. It sounded like fun so we got the kids ready and met at the library. Well we didn't know you had to sign up and it was full so we decided to take the kids to Chucky Cheese to play. The kids had a blast and it was a great way to start the festivities.


For the evening we thought it would be fun to have a little family party at our house. Krystle, Dan, and Luke were our guests of honor. We let the kids play for a little while and then we put them to bed. Then it was time for Game Night. We played clue and life. Surprisingly we barely finished playing life in time for the countdown. We went out our front door and had perfect seats for the fireworks. We could see all the shows and despite the cold it was an awesome sight. There is no better way to bring in the new year than with apple cider and the ones you love. It was a really fun day and a great way to start the new year. Here's to 2011, may it be even better than the last.

Christmas

Ok it is way beyond time to get caught up. This year has already been filled with so many fun things that its time to get them posted. In the next few weeks I will be getting caught up so I can get back to my weekly blogging.

My last post for 2010 is of course Christmas. Everyone knows this is my favorite holiday of the year. This is because there are so many parties and its the one time of year I get to see the most family. Our festivities began with our church's breakfast with Santa. Aaron was gone on a business trip, so the kids and I decided to go get some pancakes and see Santa Clause. I had been talking to Ashton about Santa and was curious to see how he would react when he saw him. The food was yummy and then it was time to meet Santa. Ashton got in the back of the line and kept scooting back till her was practically last. Finally he went up and sat on his lap. He didn't say much, but at least he didn't freak out when he saw him. Next year we will have to go see the Santa at the mall.

The next day after the ward party, we had our ward Christmas Program. Our program was entirely musically and this year I was able to participate. I sang in two small groups (one of which I organized) as well as sang in the choir. It was so much fun to sing again. It was a fantastic program and a great way to remind us why we celebrate Christmas.

Our next celebration was exchanging presents with Luke, Ashton, and Kaylynn. The kids all loved their toys and it was fun to watch them play with each one. The boys wanted Kaylynns' toys and Kaylynn wanted theirs. It was fun to visit with Dan and Krystle and to watch the kids play. After this it was straight to San Diego to spend Christmas with my family. This is a multiple day event as well. Trina and the kids came down to play before the Seymour Christmas party. My mom bought ginger bread kits for all the kids and they thought that was really cool.

Then we had our two dinner parties, one with the Seymour family and annual Christmas Eve dinner. I love seeing everyone, visiting, and catching up. Present exchanging is just a perk of the season. One of our favorite parts is the nativity play that the kids put on. Kaylynn was the cutest baby Jesus ever! She was really good, just sat there smiling at everyone trying to figure out how to crawl out of the cradle.

Then came Christmas day. I love watching everyone open presents. The kids were so fun to watch. Kaylynn could really care less about presents and just wanted to eat all the wrapping paper! Although she did love her toys. Ashton had so much fun opening everything and playing. My children didn't need any more toys, but they LOVED getting new ones. I had a very wonderful Christmas as I got the Silhouette Machine. Now I can finally do my own Vinyl. I have had so much fun with it! Thank you Aaron for getting me exactly what I wanted. I got lots of wonderful presents and am thankful to our all families for a wonderful Christmas, even the ones we weren't able to spend it with. Its a wonderful time of year full of love and giving and that is why its my favorite time of year.

Legoland

Legoland is a theme park in Carlsbad, which is 10 minutes from my parents house. This park opened when I was in high school and everyone I knew worked there. I never had time to go and by the time I wanted to go years later the prices sky rocketed and I thought it was too expensive! Well needless to say, I had still never been to Legoland until this last trip when we were down visiting for Christmas. Sharla found an awesome deal online and we decided it was worth going. I knew Ashton would love it because he is really into Lego's right now. Since the tickets were so cheap, my mom sent Taryn and Maria with us and Sharla took Dallin and Brooklynn and her two friends.

I will say that I was pleasantly surprised. It had lots of roller coasters, which Ashton totally LOVED. He is such a little dare devil, he kept wanting to go on them over and over again. The only downside was that the lines were super long. I think we only got to go on 5 rides and have lunch. Aaron took Ashton on most of the rides while Kaylynn and I went for walks. Ashton did a good job waiting in line, which even I have a hard time doing. He was just so cute because he was so excited about everything. I don't know if I would ever pay full price for a ticket, but it was a really fun day. A big thanks to Sharla for finding an awesome deal! It was fun to do something different and I know the kids loved it.

**P.S. Ashton took the picture of Aaron and I. He just decided he wanted to start taking pictures and he is doing a really good job!

Ashton's Birthday

Well my little boy turned 4 this last December. I can't believe he is already 4! He is one Lucky little boy and got to open presents on several different days. Since we were in California the week before, we decided to have a little family party so Ashton and my Dad could celebrate together. We ordered pizza and my mom made him Ashton his favorite cake. He totally loved it and I was happy to get my grandpa and grandson picture for the year. Ashton loves playing with all his cousins and always has fun at Grandma and Papa's house. Brooklynn even made Ashton his own birthday hat. It was very cute.

Our next party was at home in Vegas. We decided to get a bounce house and just let the kids play. We had a few of his friends over and they played until it was dark out. They played so well together that all the moms got to sit inside and visit. Everyone had a good time and it was fun just watching the boys play. For a few weeks after his birthday he kept asking me if he was having another party. After two weeks of several parties, he thought we should have one every day. He is growing up so fast. I love my little man and feel so blessed to have such a smart, handsome, and loving little boy. Ashton got a lot of really awesome presents which he has played with and loved everyday since his birthday. He is one spoiled little man!

Grandma Rita's 90th Birthday

During the Thanksgiving break, we celebrated Grandma Rita's 90th birthday. We all gathered at Bruno's for dinner and dessert. We played how well do you know grandma game. It was fun to find out fun facts about her life. I think I got a little more than half right. It was really nice getting togehter with the Seymour family. I was glad that we could be there to celebrate Grandma's special day. I think she looks great for 90! We love you Grandma Rita!

Kaylynn's First Feeding

I know that I am really behind because Kaylynn has grown and is doing so much now. But I need to get caught up so here we go. Right around 5 1/2 months, Kaylynn started nursing all the time. I couldn't keep up with her with nursing alone and she was always reaching for my food on my plate. I knew it was time to start feeding her solids. So I was off to the store for some baby oatmeal. I had started giving her the puffs (that ones that literally melt in their mouths) so she could learn to chew and keep the food in her mouth. This must of helped because when I gave her the oatmeal, it was the cleanest first feeding I have ever seen. I also read that they did better if you used your finger as a spoon for the first week and I totally agree. She was so excited to eat food, she is now my awesome little eater. She eats and loves everything I give her. I hope she always stays that way.

Feeding her solids was exciting and frustrating all at the same time. When I started her on solids, she started spitting up and stopped sleeping through the night. I tried everything I could think of to help her. Finally I called the doctor and took her in. Four appointments later, we found out that Kaylynn actually had acid reflux and slight delayed gastric emptying. The doctor said that she was not symptomatic until I feed her the solid food. Kaylynn did not spit up at all the first 6 months, so I consider myself blessed that it only started then. Now two months later, she is barely spitting at all, maybe once every few days if that. As for the sleeping, well it's a work in progress now that we got her tummy fixed. Last night she slept from 8pm-5am so we are well on our way to sleeping through the night every night again :). She is such a happy baby and hasn't let acid reflux change that a bit. She is still my little angel and she is growing so quick.

Just a couple pictures of her before and after, not that you can really see a difference. I also did a short video clip. Enjoy!