Christmas Angels

Nursery Girl

Sunday was a day of mixed emotions for me. It was Taytum's first day in nursery! I was so relieved that I wouldn't have her distracting me during Relief Society and Sunday School anymore (although, Papa takes over during Sunday School every week and does his darndest to get her to sleep...almost always successful!) but I was so sad that my baby won't be tucked on my lap anymore looking at books and eating her endless supply of fruit snacks. She did great-no incidences to report of, but I think that had something to do with Grandma Linda sneaking in and snuggling her for a few minutes between classes! Turning 18 months is no small feat...here are some of Taytums likes and dislikes:

Likes: Putting on mommys lotion, playing in mommys make-up, taking all the reciepts out of mommys wallet and strewing them all over the house, being rocked to sleep, fighting with her sisters and getting her way...every time.

Dislikes: When mom leaves the room, getting her diaper changed (yes, she is in the running away stage) and when her sissies won't let her play with their toys.

What a peach! She is our strong-headed little firecracker that won't back down, and we wouldn't have her any other way!

Thanksgiving in San Fran!

Gotta love Public Transportation-I know my kids did!

SO Excited to be at the Tree Lighting Ceremony!

MuirWoods

Enjoying the relish tray...and I mean REALLY enjoying the relish tray.

Look at that Turkey...and the bird he's holding!

After much begging and pleading and crying and pouting I got my way and we were off to San Fran for the Thanksgiving Break!! We arrived at around 1 in the morning on Thursday and woke up to an AMAZING Thanksgiving dinner being cooked. If any of you know my brother you know he is a borderline gourmet chef, so we had a wonderful brined turkey with fresh sage and other spices, brussel sprouts with bacon and butter (sooo yummy!) sweet potato casserole with brown sugar and coconut, potatoes, homemade apple sausage stuffing, the list goes on. The rest of the day was filled with lots of laughter and leftovers. The next day we ventured to MuirWoods Redwood Forest where we walked a trail along some, you guessed it, giant redwoods. We had to cross the Golden Gate bridge to get there and my kids were in seventh heaven-they thought it was great! Afterwards we found a delicious little pizza joint that really hit the spot! We took the kids to an AWESOME park where they would've played for the next 2 days straight if we would have let them. Uncle Jed got some amazing picures of all the kids-go to http://www.heatherandjed.blogspot.com/ to check them out. We also went to the tree lighting ceremony at Macys that night and saw the giant tree get lit up. The next day we went to Fishermans Wharf to see the seals and walked along the pier. We also took the kids to another park where they had an even better time than before. We had such a fun time with all the Thompson clan-I am so thankful for my family and their generosity to share their apartment, food and time with us. I love my family so much and am truly thankful that they are mine.

Happy Birthday...kinda

I am blaming daylight savings on my childrens behavior. It was the twins birthday on November 2nd and we decided to have a Build-A-Bear party! We had all their little friends show up and everyone was so excited about getting a new bear to take home as a new friend....everyone except for my kids. At one point of the party Ellie was actually having a "rolling around on the filthy floor fit" and screaming "I am having a hard time, I am having a hard time" over and over again. I guess the transition from age 2 to 3 is too much for some kids to handle. The highlight of the day was Ellie and Reese getting in a full blown punching fight in the middle of the store while all their friends watched....ahhh memories. To all my friends and Ellie and Reese's friends we're sorry for our behavior. Hopefully next years birthday party will be better...that is if we decide to have a birthday party for them...as of right now they next birthday party they get will be their 38th. Happy Birthday to my girlies-I love you more than anything in the world!

Crappy Halloween

This year wasn't our best Halloween ever. I have been hyping up Halloween and Trick or Treating to the girls for weeks, and they were so excited to go! They were as happy as can be and looked so adorable all dressed up as bugs, that is until we stopped at our first house. We made it all the way over to Grandma and Papas house before the tears started flowing like bat venom (had to throw in a Halloween simile somewhere!). Tay and Reese were sad for no reason whatsoever! Once we left Grandma and Papas we headed to Grandma Hopies house so she could see how adorable the girls all looked. After Hopies we decided to go see Grandma Linda, then we were going to go around our neighborhood for good old fashioned Trick or Treating. We took one step into grandma Lindas house and every stich of their costumes came off and they were done. I kept explaining to them that we had to go out to peoples houses for more candy. The response was a big "No thanks mom!" So, $30 per costume later 3 people saw them. I guess I shouldn't be so disappointed that they didn't get tons and tons of candy, but I was so looking forward to taking them around to our neighborhood so they could get a glimpse of how Kell and I used to Trick or Treat before Trunk or Treat hit this town. I guess there is always next year...

Status Updates

It's been a while since my last post, and as there are things going on constantly, we haven't done anything super exciting. So, here are some updates on my favorite puddin-faces in the world:

Ellie:

• LOVES bugs. Daddy has a very expensive, very detailed book on bugs that Ellie will fall asleep with on a lot of nights because she LOVES looking at them. Needless to say the very expensive book is now wrinkled, ripped and some of the pages stick together (so I let her eat a PB&H sandwich while looking at it, ok?!)
• Loves squishing bugs
• Loves robots (what am I, raising a dude here?!)
• Dosen't love Ratatouille
• Is turning into the "Heather" of the relationship. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVED being bossed around by Heather growing up, and now I can see that in Ellie and Reese's relationship.
• Weighs 34.3 lbs
• Really, really hates getting flu shots
• When asked to clean she tells me she is "weally, weally tired" Ok, so maybe she is the "Hillary" of the relationship, I don't know.
• Is very loveable and gets excited by the simple things in life-flocks of birds, a butterfly, cheetos.

Reese:

• Also, LOVES bugs.
• Dosen't love squishing them though. That is where her Knightress in Shining Armor Ellie comes into play. Reese looks at Ellie like she just saved her life when Ellie squishes a potato bug that is meandering towards her general direction.
• Loves cereal-wants it every single morning within a minute of waking up. Yesterday I made it a special occasion and made pancakes. Reese looked at her plate and said "This isn't cereals."
• Weighs 33.3 lbs.
• Is definitly the tenderheart of the two...reminds me of someone...
• Loves to say "Look what I can do" and do random things like blink her eyes, smile big, or shake her head back and forth...we are so proud of her accomplishments!
• Is always saying "Just a little bit."-"I'm just going to go outside just a liitttllle bit" (the little is always drawn out) or I'm just going to eat Hershey syrup from the bottle a liiittttllle bit" It's adorable how she can justify anything with a "little bit."
• Loves telling people her name is Sissy Mondragon.
• Loves everyone and gives kisses, hugs and snuggles to prove it. Even to perfect strangers. Awww.

Taytum:

• Is walking, talking and getting into EVERYTHING!
• Loves to have her arm rubbed to get her to sleep. In exchange, when she is really tired she will rub your arms until you have matching Indian burns.
• Really, really loves her Papa. It may have something to do with the licorice he always has in his pocket, we're not really sure.
• Weighs 22 lbs
• Loves helping mommy unload the dishwasher. I will stand by the silverware drawer and she will bring me the silverware one piece at a time (I've removed the sharp knives before this takes place...what kind of a mother do you think I am?!)
• When anyone raises their voice around her (which NEVER happens in this house!) her little bottom lip automatically sticks out and she is ready for the tears.
• Loves bracelets, shoes, socks and phones...she is a true lady.
• Is the most cuddly bug around.

Baby#4

• Is about 7 weeks old
• Is the size of a pea
• Will be a freshman when his/her sisters will be seniors and a junior.
• Is making his/her mommy and daddy very happy and very nervous at the same time.
• Is making his/her daddy buy his/her mommy a new, bigger vehicle as to fit him/her in.
• Better be a boy for his/her daddy's sake.
• Is completing our family-we can't wait to see you in June Baby Mondragon-we already love you so much!

Camping...ugh...

Everyone who knows me knows I hate camping. The bugs. The dirt. Going to the bathroom outside. I just basically hate being outside. Everyone who knows Kell knows he LOVES camping. The fishing. The wildlife. Building fires. He basically just loves being outdoors. He begged me to go camping this year. I begged him to stay in a hotel. Well, we compromised. We went up to Fairview and stayed at his Aunts cabin with all the Mondragons. Good news: It had indoor plumming, we didn't have to sleep in a tent, we were able to cook all our meals indoors and we were there with family. Bad news: We were still camping. The girls got FILTHY and we all know how much I hate when my babies are dirty, there were squirrels running on the roof half the night so I didn't sleep well at all, and everything we own now smells like campfire. I would have made a TERRIBLE pioneer. I've jokingly said that if I were a pioneer I would have died 3/4 of a mile into the trek. I truly believe that would've been the case. So, our first family camping trip (well, almost. Tay stayed with Grandma and Papa. I am sooo glad she stayed home. I missed her, but I was already a basket case trying to keep tabs on both girls the entire time!) was a success. We're all still alive arent we?

8 Years ago today...

Was one of the best days of my life. Kell and I were married for Time and all Eternity. It seems like only yesterday we were dating in high school, going to proms, Kell playing basketball and me cheering him on. Who would've thought that 8 (actually 12!) years later I would still be his biggest fan. I've loved him since the day we met and the only thing thats changed is that I love him more everyday...and one of us has less hair(I'm not saying who!) Hon, thank you for providing for me and the girls, for putting up with my emotional breakdowns, and for being one of the most amazing people I know. I love you-here's to 80 more years!

Thank heavens for little girls...

I MELT for her!!

Cotton Candy

Dear Papa:

We just wanted to thank you again for buying us the cotton candy that mommy specifically asked you not to. Don't worry, the stains came out of our white pants! Mommy thought it would take 4 washes, but the good news is that is only took 3!! Thanks again for making us stickier than we have been in 2 and a half years! We love you...oh, and sorry about the sugar induced fit we had on the ride home...all 3 hours of it! Love: Ellie and Reese

The many faces of Reesie...

A few nights ago Reese and I were still awake (daddy was out of town and sissies were asleep) when she found my camera. She said "Here mom, take my picture" and proceeded to make THE funniest faces I have ever seen her make. I would say "Do a sad face" or "do a silly face" and she would follow orders to a tee! I think I may have myself a little diva on my hands! Here are some of my favorites:

"Sleepy Girl"
"Reeser the Grouch!"

"Silly"

"Really Silly"

"Really, Really Silly!!"

Taytum Mae is ONE!!

A little late, but on June 18th my baby girl turned one!

Pumpkin-faced nerf-herder...where has the year gone? I feel as if I can remember every minute of every day of your life! You are quite the mama's girl, but now that the milk wagon has run dry you are turning into a daddy's girl, just like your sissies! Your not walking, but close! You love to stand up on your own and just look around the room as proud as a peacock! You love making the "popeye face" that mommy used to make when she was your age. You love eating corn on the cob the best, but anything you can get your precious little hands on will work too. You weighed 20 pounds at your one year check-up, which means you are a peanut!! I think your sisters weighed 20 lbs at 7 months!! I love that you want to be held by me all the time. I love that everyone you pass in a store or on the street makes a comment about your beautiful blue eyes and long curly eyelashes. I love that you make everyone around you laugh when you flash them a big toothy grin. I love your birthmark on your knee. I love everything about you. You are such a perfect baby. I love you more than there are words! Love, Mom.

Let Freedom Ring...

I LOVE the Fourth of July! It is one of my favorite holidays...also happens to be the day that Kelly and I became a couple 12 years ago (cute!). Every 4th of July we do the exact same thing every year, which I love! The day started by attending the parade. All 3 girls really liked it...I think. Once the twins each got about 3 pieces of candy they were fine to go find a shady spot to eat it. I once told Ellie to "Come with me and lets get some more candy!" to which she held up a piece of taffy and yelled back "I already have one mom!" Fine by me sis! The girls didn't like the fire trucks ("Too loud mom!") and Taytum fell asleep amid all the chaos, but all in all I think we had a great time at the parade. After the parade we headed to that park...every year I tell myself we aren't going to go since it's kinda lame, but every year we still find our way down there directly after the parade. We didn't stay long, just long enough to say hi to friends and for the girls to ride a few rides, then we were off to Grandma Lindas for lunch, then Grandma and Papas for a BBQ. We had a rip roarin game of badmitton going on (Go Team Mondragon!!) when we realized it was almost firework time...my favorite part of the 4th festivites! My sweetheart got me hooked on fireworks. I think Kelly loves the fireworks more than anyone I have ever seen! I was a little nervous that the girls wouldn't like the noise...and I was right. Ellie watched the fireworks with her hands over her ears the entire time, but none the less still loved them, Taytum fell asleep about 10 minutes before the display and slept the entire way through them, and Reese hid under a blanket and slowly drifted off to sleep. I joked that nothing lulls my kids to sleep like loud, booming noises! I love that the traditions of 4th of July run so deep in this town...you know where every family in Grantsville sits during the parade, who you will see at the car show down at the park, whose kids will be dressed in the newest Gymboree 4th of July garb and I love that. I love that a small town can have such strong traditions and that the memories every year are renewed just as you left them the year before. I love so many things about the Fourth, but especially the opportunity we have to celebrate our freedom no matter how we choose. Not everyone can say that. Thanks to the men and women who fight for our freedom, rights and choices. Happy Independance Day! See you next year-same time, same place!!

Fathers Day...a few days late!

So I am a little late posting this, but I wanted to make sure that I told all the men in our lives how much we love and appreciate them! I really do feel sorry for everyone else, because my children clearly have the worlds best daddy...sorry to all you runner-ups out there!! What other daddy does his girls hair every week for church until it's long enough to put in piggies? What other daddy will make up songs about robots and spiders to help his girl fall asleep? What other daddy will wake up at midnight when a certain one year old doesnt want to sleep after her 3 hour cat nap and will play with her until 3 in the morning? Not many...

Daddy, thank you for all you do for us-I don't think 4 girls have ever been so in love with the same guy at once! I appreciate your patience and calming ability you have-We love you so much!

Papa: Thanks for all the swings on your playset and the handful of licorice you give us every time you see us. Thank you for giving us rides on your tractor and being one of our favorite babysitters ever! There is no question on how much you love your little "punkin-faced nerf-herders!" We love you so much!

Grandpa: You always have the biggest smile when you see us walk through the door! Thank you for being an amazing grandpa to us and for helping raise the perfect man. We love you!

To all our uncles: You all show so much love and affection to us-thank you for treating us the way all girls should be treated. We love you!!

Love-Ellie Bean, Reese's Pieces and Tayter Tot

This place is a zoo!!

We took the girls to the zoo over Memorial Day weekend, and as always it was packed, but the weather was perfect! The highlights of the day was the train ride (Kell would beg to differ...the twins threw an absolute fit when we got off the train and they found out we were on our way back to the car. He insists that if we didn't go on the train ride they wouldn have thrown such fits. I say they were just biding their time...) the carousel (Tay and I rode in the peacock and she LOVED it so much that she attempted to suck on the arm rest. Apparently I need to have the old Rotovirus talk with her...the same one that I had with the twin in the Wal-Mart cart.) the giraffes (we have pics of both Ellie and Reese stretching their necks out next to them) but the best part was just being out and about as a family. It amazes me how easy everything is when Kelly is involved. I guess its the fact that he can hold both twins at the same time and still somehow manage to push the wagon...a skill I desire to have and have a sneaking suspicion that I never will. We capped off the day with shopping and a trip to Chik-Fil-A. Jealous Jared and Ryann? Thought so...don't worry, your trip is only a few weeks away and we will go as many times as humanly possible. So all in all a great day. Can't wait to go next year!

Mama Ellie

Ellie went over to Grandma and Papa's house tonight to visit (she took a 3 hour nap, so basically she will be awake until 1:30 this morning...) and brought back 'babies." A stuffed shark, puppy, squirrel and rat (I know, ew.) She was playing with them when I peeked in my room to see that she had covered each animal with a "blankie," aka towel, and looked up at me and said "Shhh, my babies are asleep, and I'm asleep but I'm your baby." Yes Ellie, you will always be my baby.

It's Official...Summer is Here!!

Last night for dinner we had corn on the cob and watermelon...sure signs of summer. Some things that we are looking forward to this summer are Kell's garden-he has planted every vegetable imaginable so if you find a bag full of zuccini on your porch you will know who to thank! We are so excited to take the girls to Lagoon this year, as well as the annual 4th of July celebration, Aunt Heathie, Uncle Jedders, Aunt Ryann and Uncle Jared visiting, Taytum's 1st Birthday Bash, uh...camping...I threw that in for Kell's sake. He actually thinks we are taking the girls camping...adorable! I am also looking forward to keeping things simple with the girls. Who needs Raging Waters when a sprinkler in the backyard will do just fine? I am excited to find fun, FREE things to do with the girls this summer. If anyone has suggestions let me know!

Mothers Day!

To my beautiful girls: Thank you for my mothers day cards...your little voices recorded for me to always hear "Happy Mothers Day, Love ya!" is something I will always treasure. Thank you for your handmade nursery gifts...your handprints will not always stay this little, so I am so glad you've put them on paper for me to always remember how precious and small you were. Thank you for always letting me dress you in frilly dresses, wiping your little noses when they run, staying in the yard when I ask you to, letting me hug you for just a couple of seconds too long, giving me eskimo kisses, eating your zuccini when I put in on your plate and especially for choosing daddy and I to be your parents...you three are the best gifts I have ever been given and nothing makes me prouder than to tell people that I am your mommy. There will never be anything that you could ever do that will ever make me love you any less. You girls are my everything and makes me strive to do everything I can to make you as happy as you make me every day. I will always love you forever and ever. Love: Your mommy

Sleeping Beauty

Is there anything more precious than a sleeping baby? If there is I don't want to know about it. Taytum is now 10 months and some of her favorite things are eating anything she can get her hands on, laughing and playing with her sisters, playing patty-cake, having everyone tell her how big and beautiful her eyes are, and walking along furniture. She loves giving kisses and will probably be walking in a few weeks! She is such a good little Tato Bug!

Fun at Discovery Gateway!

Last week my mom and I took the twins to the Discovery Museum at the Gateway...they had a BALL!!! Kell and I took them before Tay was born and they had a good time, but now that they are older they had such an amazing time! They loved planting a garden, playing in the water, organizing the fruit and vegetables (yet another sighting of Reese turning into Aunt Heado) and making music. They also got to go to a special book reading of David goes to School and made a star necklace. I can't wait to take them again...I think we could go for 3 full days and never get bored!