Nursery Boy

Who has two thumbs and is the newest member of the Grantsville Sixth Ward Nursery Class?

This guy.

November Funnies

Ellie:

• It's Sunday. So how come it's not sunny?"


• We were dog-sitting Frankie, and you were scratching her tummy. When you were done you looked right in her eyes and asked "Did that hit the spot Frank?"


• Taytum was making you laugh and laugh. When you finally caught your breathe, you gave a content sigh and said "I'll never get tired of hearing you say that Tay."

Reese:

• Dad told you to go clean your room and you started crying. Between sobs you said "Awww, come on! You've got to be kidding me!"


• You were looking out the window and said "If you ride on a pelican all the way up in the sky you can look down and see the earth." I said "You've ridden on a pelican before?" You gave an annoyed sigh and said "Mom, I said IF."

Taytum:

• "Can Frankie wear my jammies?"


• You came running into my bedroom and jumping around. I asked you what you were doing and you said "Sashaying."


• You were trying to call your sisters knuckleheads and just called them knuckles.

Beck:

• I'll ask you to go put your cup in the sink or some tissue in the garbage can and you will look at me for a minute, kind of like you are processing what I'm asking you, then say "All right." So cute.


• You call yourself Bepp


• You call Aunt Brittney "Bipp"

Someone Else is Five!

Ellie Brook Mondragon
Favorite Color: Purple and Pink
Favorite Book: Too Many Toys
Favorite Foods: Mac and Cheese, Watermelon and Sweet Potatoes
Favorite TV Show: Fairly Odd Parents and Martha Speaks
What She Wants to Be When She Grows Up: A Pet Helper
Favorite Thing About School: Eating Cupcakes
Favorite Thing to Do: Draw Mommy Love Pictures
Least Favorite Thing to Do: Clean Her Room
Favorite Drink: Grape Juice and Gatorade
Favorite Dinosaur: T-Rex
Favorite Bug: Ladybug
Best Buddies: Baylee and Cousins

Someone's Five!

Reese Erin Mondragon
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Book: Llama Llama Mad at Mama
Favorite TV Show: Wow Wow Wubbzy
What She Wants to Be When She Grows Up: A Mom
Favorite Food: Eggs and Grapes
Favorite Drink: Lemonade
Favorite Thing About School: Having a Birthday with Birthday Spanks
Favorite Thing to Do: Help Mommy Wash Dishes
Least Favorite Thing to Do: Change Diapers
Favorite Dinosaur: Brachiasaurus
Favorite Bug: Black Widow
Best Buddies: Cousins and Grandmas

Boo

DiD wE sCarE yOu?

Baking Boy

Mom, you know I'm shy about baking

All right, I'll just say it. I love Baking!

Be still my heart

Doesn't get more handsome than this.

October Funnies

Ellie:

• When passing in the hall "Mom, you look like a Chinese girl."


• Ww were watching a Rachael Ray cooking show where she was making meatloaf, and had put crackers in a food processor to make into crumbs. You watched in awe then said "Awe, she's making a cracker smoothie."


• You were bringing in the eggs from the chickens (your favorite thing in the world to do) and came to the door exclaiming "Mom, we got 5 eggs!" but you only had 4 in your hands. I said "No, that's only 4 eggs." You got this annoyed look on your face and said "I know mom, I could only carry 4 at a time...I don't have 5 hands ya know." I just smiled since it sounded like something you may have picked up from me, when you turned around and said "I wish I had a million hands. But they would cover my whole body."


• "I wish my name was L and then E."


• "Don't worry mom, we'll be little kids when we're grown-up"


• When we got home from Trick or Treating you said "All right, let's check for drugs."

Reese:

• "Mom, I had a dream that our house was full of snow."


• You hunkered down and made sure that we didn't have any candles burning in our pumpkins before we left for trick or treating. We didn't carve pumpkins this year.


• You are famous for telling me a completely random story about animals or school or something off the wall then will say "Anyways, that reminds me. I'm hungry."


• You came up to me and said "Did you know that the structure of jellyfishes is mainly made of water?"

Taytum

• While at Subway, you looked down at your sandwich and said "Mom, is this salad or feathers?"


• Calling an elevator an alligator


• "If you kill someone that is really rude."


• You went to the dermatologist to have a mole on your head checked, and when the dr asked you if you had a freckle on your head you said "No, it's just sand!"

Beck:

• You had on your footie jammies and came in my room saying ow and pointing to your foot with a quizzical look on your face. I unzipped your jams and found a plastic monkey, a plastic horse, 2 leapster games and a toothbrush.


• You call any drink "Milt."


• You are OBSESSED with throwing balls. Daddy is so proud.


• You are un such a fun stage right now. You love wrestling, you love being right in the middle of any and all chaos.


• You were playing in the McDonalds Playland (aka Satan's lair) and a 5ish year old boy came up and pushed you really hard. Mom sent dad over to save you, or else a complete strangers 5 year old boy would have gotten a bare bum spankin by mama bear.

September Funnies

Ellie:

• "Mom, did you know that gravity is what pulls us to the earth?"


• During a prayer "And bless that no fire ants will bite daddy when he is in Texas."


• You were so excited to come home from school and tell me all about parallelograms.


• Once we told you about Disneyland you came up to me with a concerned look on your face and said "But mom, they only have junk to eat at Disneyland."


• You were looking out the window and saw that one of our chickens had gotten out. You threw the door open, caught that chicken and threw it back in the coop like a professional farmer. I would have NEVER done that. I was so impressed at how brave you were.


• When I asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up you said "A vet."


• It was our wards Primary Program in sacrament meeting and you were so excited to give your part "I will only wear clothing that is modest." However, you told me that you wanted to say "I will only wear clothing, but it's got to be modest."

Reese

• "It's Eleventeen dark right now."


• "Mom, I hope someday I can go to Sandy Diego."


• You were so excited to come home from school and tell me all about the flag. You know what all the colors stand for, that you will get in big trouble if you let the flag touch the ground or if you don't have a light on it when it's dark, and that when it's at half-staff it means someone important died.


• You also want to be a vet when you grow up.


• I asked you to hand me Beck's dirty diaper so I could take it out to the trash. You picked it up, looked at it for a second, then took a big whiff (still not sure why :) You quickly stuck 2 fingers up your nostril and said "Ohhh. That is so stinky mom!" Apparently you didn't realize it was a poopy diaper. It made me laugh for a good 5 minutes.


• Your part in the Primary Program was "I will only watch shows that are good." You were beaming and so proud to be talking on the big microphone. So proud of you!

Taytum

• I put a onesie on Beck, and when you walked into the room you said "Mom, that is so cute, is Beck going to dance class?!"


• You and Beck were playing, and he threw a toy at you, so you picked him up and put him in time out.


• Grammy was getting out all of her Halloween decorations, and you ran in sooo excited and asked "Is it Holy Ghost time?!!"


• When I asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up you said a dentist.


• "Mom, can I give the chickens some bubble gum"


• During a prayer "Bless that the chickens won't bit us."


• You call pistachios Green Peanuts.


• You brought in Beck's skunk costume and said "Mom, thank you for buying Beck this costume, it is sooo cute!"

Beck

• When I am rocking you to sleep you pretend to snore. You make a sound like a pig, then a shushing sound. It's so adorable!


• You walk around the house with my phone pressed between your shoulder and your ear, your arms folded, and will say "Hello, No, Yeah,No, Yeah, Bye Poppy"


• You call the Ipad the PiePad. You actually know how to turn it on, scroll over a few pages and get to the Itsy Bitsy Spider game. Impressive for 16 months old.


• You got in the tub with your sisters...fully clothed.


• You sing "Happy Birthday to You" complete with the Cha Cha Cha's.

Pre-School...Round 2

Old Pros. They picked up right where they left off.

Tu-Tu Fun

Heaven help me, baby's got their tutus on.

*Again, any assistance in the "Help Hillary Become Computer Literate" and can aid me in picture placement, would be mucho appreciato..ed.

Let's Party!

Kelly turned 31 this year, and Ellie got this idea that we needed to have a surprise party for him...and the kids told him about it every chance they got. After weeks of excitement the day was finally here. The kids and I went to Wal-Mart and I let them pick out the goods. They picked out the plates (Spongebob), the hats (Transformers), the crepe paper (red, pink and navy blue), and the cake (Rainbow chip with Rainbow chip frosting...which Kell doesn't love. I told the girls, but they insisted that he did.) I also let them pick out a gift from each kid. Ellie picked out Ferrero Rocher (?) chocolates, Reese picked out a bag of Snickers bars, Taytum picked out neon sour octopus (octopi?) gummies and Beck picked a Gatorade. The kids decorated the house with crepe paper (which mostly consisted of a whole lotta tape and not a lot of paper. Taytum would just ball up a big wad of crepe paper and put 10 pieces of tape on top, so it really just looked like a big tape ball on the wall...and floor...and toilet seat) we frosted the cake and we were ready to go! Daddy walked in the door and Ellie yelled "Surprise", Tay and Reese yelled "Boo" and Beck just screamed at the top of his lungs...it was awesome! The party was a huge success. I think we found a new family tradition.

My Little Guppie goes to School

Taytum has been soooo excited to start school. Ever since she watched her sisters go to pre-school and dance, she would constantly ask "Am I big enough to go to school and dance yet mom?" This year her wish came true. She marched into Kiddie Korner Pre-School like she owned the place. No tears, no fits...just like her sisters. I am so proud of what an amazing little person she is becoming.

Sleeping with her backpack

Miss Hayley, Miss Meaghan, Tay and Sadie, her BFF

I thought this pic was so presh, because it has all 3 of my girlies names on the "New Crop" wall.

Ready for mom and dad to leave and the fun to begin.

First day of school breakfast. Alpha-Bits cereal and an apple...get it? Haha...ahhhh, I love a good theme.


*BTW, If anyone has any suggestions on how to re-organize pics to be put into a different order than uploaded in, while not getting so frustrated that you want to smash your computer into the nearest wall, I would seriously appreciate it. Thanks!

August's Antics

Ellie:

• Calling your hamper a hampster




• Me: "Ellie, I love you more than anything in the world." E "Mom, I love you more than graham crackers."




• Calling Spagettios Oreos




• Once I gave you the bowl of said Spagettios you yelled "Come on Oreos, bring it on!"




• Calling Chex cereal checkers


• When you get exasperated you huff and say "Oh, for heavens sake!" or "For crying out loud!"

Reese

• "Mom, cows make milk and horses make potatoes."




• I was getting you a drink and you asked for chocolate milk. Instead I got you a cup of water. You looked down at it for a minute, looked up crestfallen and said "This isn't what I ordered."




• You are becoming our family clown. You love to make your friends and family laugh.



• Telling me that the caterpillars at school are already in their "raccoons" instead of cocoons.

Taytum

• When we were telling you guys that we would like to build a new house, we explained that you would all get your own rooms to decorate. When I asked you how you would decorate your very own room you said, without skipping a beat "In iPads."




• Reese was asking me what kind of a bug we found outside. Before I could answer you said "Maybe it's an armadillo."




• I was sitting outside on the rocking chair reading, when you walked out the door, looked over at me and said "Oh, hi mom...I thought you were a pig sitting there." Ow.




• Dad and I took you to breakfast after your doctors appointment. Once we were served you kept saying "Mmmmmm". I finally looked over to see what you were enjoying so much and you were dunking your bacon in a puddle of butter.




• I was going to the store and you called out after me "Mom, will you bring me something special, like gold?"

Beck

• I couldn't find you for a few minutes. I finally found you eating a Eggo waffle in the bathtub.




• You love hats and don't mind a bit when your sisters dress you up.




• When I ask you "What does daddy say?" you quickly reply "NO!"




• When I ask you "What does mommy say?" you quickly reply "Daddy!"



• You can count to 5...and its adorable.

Bonjour!

With school and dance starting our household has been somewhat chaotic...though some of us have found plenty of time to hone in on our creepy Frenchman disguises.

Twinks in frames. Such big girls.

Slumber Party

The girls decided that they wanted to have a sleepover on mommy and daddy's floor. They drug out all their pillows...and blankets...and stuffed animals...and special rocks that dad brought them from his trip to Yellowstone. Let's just say the clean-up took longer than the actual sleepover did. Aren't they presh?

Graham Cracker Time!

Graham Crackers...Check

Butter Knife...Check

Tub of Chocolate Frosting...Check

3 Ingredients for the perfect storm

July Funnies

Ellie

• You decided to get creative with the song "3 Little Monkeys." Instead of "One fell off and bonked his little head" you were singing about the monkeys chin falling off.


• You noticed a big bruise on Reese's hip, came running to find me and screamed "Mom, there is something very suspicious on Reese...it's a BROWN SPOT!"


• I handed you a pile of clothes to take up to your room to put away. You said "But mom, if I have to walk all the way upstairs that will be miles and miles!"


• While coloring with your sisters Reese wasn't able to find the crayon she wanted. You told her "Reese, this is no time to panic!"


• "Mom, your tummy is so squashy."


• You asked me if you could watch TV. I told you no, and that you were turning into a TV-aholic. You said "Mom, can you you believe that some kids don't even have TV?!"


• You saw a family friend with braces and when she smiled at you, you said "I like the necklace on your teeth."

Reese

• You were showing me a trick and afterwards asked me"Was that outstanding?"


• Our new dog Ollie was outside laying in the sunshine and you said "Mom, hurry and get Ollie in here before he dries up!"


• We have OnStar in the suburban. When we got in the car it said "OnStar alert, OnStar alert." and scared you to death. After they stopped speaking you said, "Well, I guess it sounded like a nice monster." Instead of OnStar you thought it said monster.

Taytum

• Our church was SWELTERING during sacrament, so everyone was using the programs as fans. You were looking down at your book, and when you looked up to ask me something, you slowly looked around and said "Mom, why is everyone waving at me?"


• We were talking about how The Andersons will be moving soon. Ellie said "Mom, where are they moving to?" and before I could answer you said "Maybe into Target."


• You got your 3 year old shots and didn't even cry. Could have knocked me over with a feather I was so shocked. I was convinced I would have to pin you to the ground.

Beck

• We were just starting to watch the big firework display on the night of the fourth, when you crawled away from me, went and snuggled right in between Heado and Jeddy and fell right asleep.


• Every time you walk past the oven, or the BBQ or the dishwasher you give a hushed "Hot!!"


• I will pretend to cry and cover my face with my hands, and you walk over so concerned, pull my hands off my face and brush my "tears" away with your finger. Presh.


• You love saying "Owie, owie, owie!"


• You also love saying "No mom, don't"


• You love having your shoes on. Whenever we are getting ready to leave anywhere you bring me your shoes and stick them right in my face until they are on your feet.


• Whenever I ask you for a kiss lately you will shake your head and say "No thank you"


• You love being the big boy in charge of pushing the buttons to start the dishwasher and the washer and dryer.

Summer Lovin'

What we've been enjoying this summer so far...

Long naps

Seeing the "Up" house with friends

Watermelon comas

Drive-In movie with the cousins

Trying to stay cool

A visit to Temple Square

Headstands

A visit from Auntie Heado and Uncle Jedders

Slushies

So, what have you been doing this summer?

Mama's Boy

Perfection.

Independence

Let Freedom Ring.

Princess for a Day

My little princess turned 3! Anyone who knows TayTay knows that she is a GIRL. She loves pink, loves make-up, loves dress-up, loves it all. She has been talking about a Tangled party for at least 6 months, so we thought that we ought to go big or go home. We had Rapunzel come to the party! I think Taytum was shocked, because she didn't say a whole lot, but warmed up in no time. Rapunzel read the girls a story, then taught them a song and dance. She gave each girl a crown then had a photo session with them. She made all my baby girls dreams come true!

June's Jubilation

Ellie:

• When asked in Primary what 2 personages Joseph Smith saw in the grove you replied "Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father" without blinking an eye.


• "Mom, why is your face all red...and why do you have so many freckles?" When I replied that I didn't know, you said "Hmmm. Well, I guess that's just the way that Jesus made you.


• While eating sloppy joes you said, with a mouthful "I love sloppy flos!"


• When asking you what you would like to talk on at church on Sunday (meaning what topic), you thought for a moment and said "The microphone."


• "Mom, is Rapunzel's last name Mondragon"

Reese:

• While eating sloppy joes for dinner Taytum said "I only like the hamburger part". You said "Tay, you don't like the joe part?"


• You and your sisters calling oatmeal oatmilk


• We took you to your eye doctor appointment because you kept crossing your eyes more and more frequently. We found out that you had to get glasses! You are the same age that mommy was when I got my first pair of glasses.


• When we were driving home from picking up your eyeglasses you were looking out the window and said "Everything looks sooo cool!!!"

Taytum

• You are fully obsessed with Grammy and Papa. You are constantly trying to con a way to go over and spend the day with them. One morning I told you no, and here is how your smart little brain worked: "Mom, I need to put on my shoes." I asked why. You replied "Because I need to go outside and see something. I asked what you needed to go see. You said "A bird....I mean Papa."


• You had an amazing birthday party where the REAL Rapunzel came! She was getting to know you and asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up. Without hesitation you said "Tiana."


• Me: "Tay, I am making you a special birthday breakfast!" You: "Is it popcorn?!"


• "Mom, my tater tots are in the shape of a hexagon."

Beck

• You have turned into quite the jabberjaw. You love to say "Sit down" when you stand up in your high chair or the bathtub. You say "Hi Poppy" whenever you see Papa or when we drive by his house.


• Whenever you drop something or throw something down you always yell Uh, instead of Uh-oh.


• You LOVE horsies and cows. You are obsessed.


• You have a special name for horses. It's Boo-Dee. Whenever you see a horse out the window or in the backyard you yell "Booo-Deeee!" I have no idea where it came from, but now the whole family is starting to call horses Boo-Dee's.


• You love imitating animals. You see a cow and yell Muuuuuuuuu. You see a chicken and say Bock Bock Bock. You see a horsie and click your tongue twice and say HeeeHeee.


• One day we were getting ready to have dinner. I asked "Who wants to say the prayer?" You yell out "Meeeeee" then folded your arms, kept them folded until the prayer was over then yelled "Amen!" It was presh.

Papa's Little Helper

I thought these pics were so adorable. Beck was so interested in watching his Papa taking the nails out of these boards, then drop it into the bucket. Beck kept peering over the edge of the bucket, then look up with this look on his face like "Whaaaaa??" I love living close to my parents so that I can capture these memories. After all, it's not every day that a one year old has an apprenticeship.

Adoration

The look on Taytum's face is pure love. Ellie was in heaven being the best big sister she could be and giving everyone rides on the back of her bike. I love them. If only they would stay this small forever. And start hanging up their coats.

May Malarkey

Ellie:

• When we pulled up to Jaxxon Jensen's birthday party at the church, you exclaimed "Mom, did you know Jaxxon's party is at the TEMPLE!?"


• You opened the door and started heading outside without telling me. When I told you to "hold it!" you said "Mom, I am just going outside to enjoy the summer sunshine!"


• I yelled to daddy "What time is it hon?" You yelled back "It's 2 and 100!" I yelled back "Already?!"


• We were pretending that you were the ice cream man and I was a customer. After asking me "What kind would you like?" I asked what flavors you had. After thinking for a second you said "I only have 2. Blueberry and Rock and Roll."


• You came downstairs after sleeping in pretty late, and while stretching your adorable little body way up to the sky you said very sleepily "Mom, I just had the most awesome dream." It was A-dorable!


• I wanted to write down all of you kiddos little "comforts" that you all have had since infancy. I wanted to have it written down so I never forget. Yours is "The hair twirl." Whenever you are super sleepy, content, bored, nervous or angry you start twirling your beautiful brown hair around your finger. I remember you doing this in your crib when you were around 9 months old (not a lot of hair to work with, but you managed) and still do it almost every day. I have had to cut mammoth sized knots out of that beautiful hair quite a few times. You once got your finger stuck in it pretty good as well. I love that you have this adorable little habit that is only yours.

Reese:

• Daddy introduced you to the joy of dunking your graham crackers in milk. He said "just dunk it, count to 5, the eat it." Without fail, every time you enjoy this treat you will count to 5 before a soggy morsel hits those lips. It's presh.


• You and your sissy's calling Lasagna "Basagna"


• "Mom, when Beck grows up can we name him Zack?"


• "But mom, why won't Weeble Wobbles fall down? Why?"


• You have had a hard couple of weeks. Your still scared to get in the car since the accident, plus there was a crazy windstorm that scared the living tuna fish out of ya, so anytime there is a slight breeze you kinda freak. And by kinda freak, I mean totally lose your head. It makes me sad. Thank heavens for "magic dust" (thank you Amber! One of the many reasons I love you is that you introduced me to magic dust!) that I blow on you every time we walk out our door now. But, I know you are a brave little girl and will snap out of the "scardy-catness" stage really soon.


• While I had all 4 of you in the tub, you and your sisters were asking me about..uh...boy parts and girls parts. Ellie said "why are boys pee-pees so different from girls pee-pees. After clearing my throat and turning the shade of a radish I tried explaining it to you guys. After, you all kinda stared at me and you said, "Yeah, but girls pee-pees are better, huh?" I need to buy several books, stat.


• You love tucking your ears in. You will take the top part of your ear and tuck it into the...ear hole?? Man, I need to start consulting an ENT before I just type up any old thing. Regardless, you love showing off your Ear Trick. And on that note...


• Your "comfort" is twisting and pulling your ears. Same situation as sisters. Whenever you are really nervous, excited, tired or scared you will twist those tiny ears until I think they are about to pop right off! So, when someone asks me how to tell you and sister apart I can tell them "One twirls her hair to the point of baldness and one twists her ears so much that she is going to start looking like a wrestler with cauliflower ear." But I love it so much, because it makes you, you!

Taytum

• During sacrament, you were trying to share a Sun Chip with Beck. I kept quietly shushing you and telling you not right now, wait til after sacrament (our eternal struggle...treats at sacrament). You got your Taytum face on, thrust that chip in his face and said loudly "Here Beck, have a burrito!" I let him have it.


• Your newest obsession is Aladdin, but "not the scary pawts."


• Heathie wanted to talk to you on the phone. You huffed over, grabbed the phone and said "Heathie? What is it?!" I had no idea your schedule was so full that you couldn't say hi to your auntie.


• Beck was trying to give you a kiss and you kept resisting. I said "Tay, let him kiss you!" and he gave you quite the smooch. You pulled away, disguisted, and wiping your mouth saying "See mom, I don't like when Beck gives me snot kisses!"


• After putting dad's deodorant under one arm, and mine under the other, you had me smell them both, then said "Mmmmm, yours smells good....like Diet Coke."


• "Mom, my popcicle is cold, will you warm it up for me?"


• You watched High School Musical over at grammy's house and came home asking me "Can I watch Disneyland here too?"


• We thought we were going to have to get your adnoids removed, but once we took you to Primarys for a second opinion, we found out that you don't have to! Yeah! While at your appointment, the dr wanted to get a CT scan of your face to see why your constant cough and drippy nose has been going on for so long. So, after 45 minutes of negotiations, bribes, threats and pleading to just lay down and get a picture of your face taken, I finally told the radiologist "She's not going to budge, you need to strap her down." So, you thrashed around for another 10 minutes, finally held still for about 3 seconds and they got their shot. We found out that you have Sinus Disease, and are having to take 6 weeks of antibiotics, daily doses of Nasonex and a saline spray nasal wash. Anyone who knows you, knows that you are the most stubborn little squirt around, but you are taking your meds suprisingly well.


• Also at the Dr, he called for a Sodium Chloride test, so he could rule out cycstic fibrosis. We had to take you back in to Primary's, where they strapped you up to a machine that ran an electric current to your arms so that it would stimulate your sweat glands, wrapped your arms in gauze, then saran wrap material, then garbage bag material, then taped heat packs to your arms, then had us put on your sweatshirt, a coat and blanket and were told to make you run for the next 30 minutes to make you sweat. You were such a trooper. Daddy and I found the best way to make you run was to walk fast so that you had to run to catch up. You kept saying "Wait up guys! Guys slow down, ok? Wait for me!" which was the hardest part of the test for me. We had to wait until the next day for your results and luckily they came back negative for CF...yet another miracle Heavenly Father has sent our way lately.


• Your comfort is to rub my arm raw. When you were about a month you sucked your thumb until about 4 months old, then just stopped. You were in the market for something else to comfort you and my big ole arm got stuck in your path. You rubbed my arm every single time I nursed you or when you would get hurt and cry I would pick you up and you would immediatly calm down once the "Indian Burn Ritual" would start up. When we moved you into a big girl bed you wanted me to lay with you. I would lay by you, you would start rubbing my arm, let out 2 huge yawns, then drift off to sleep, but not without whispering "I love your arm." You are almost 3 now and still love to come and snuggle me, but pretty soon instinct takes over and you turn me into the Red Armed Bandit...but I love that you still want to cuddle me and that even though you are older I can still be there to comfort you.

Beck

• Anytime you see an animal you start growling under your breath.


• You turned one this month and we had a Super Duper Sports Party for you with lots of friends and family. More on that in another post.


• You have upped your vocabulary this month. You now say Eeee when you want to eat, Din for a drink. When we get to grammy and papas house you start saying Papa, hi. You can say Tay-Tay for sis.


• Once I pick you up, you immediatly hold you hand out, palm side up, and start urging me forward. I will stop at the door, you'll think about it for a second then choose your next destination. You have definitly started being more opinionated about where you are going.


• You love going up to sisters, gently saying "hi" and give them such a soft sweet hug and kiss. It is truly heart-melting.


• You love hitting right now...but only mommy for some reason. Maybe your true feelings are coming out about me shutting down the milk wagon?


• You still throw your fits when someone tells you no, only now you stick your tongue out while doing it.


• You were such a ham when we went to get your 1 year pics taken.


• You were such a butt-crack when we went to get your first haircut.


• Your comfort is playing with my hair...and putting it in your mouth. I will pick you up and you will grab the back of my hair in both fists, decide which fistful looks more appealing, then put that wad in your mouth. You like to slowly pull your head away and let my hair basically floss your teeth. It's bizarre and silly, but I love it.

Birthday Contentment

Nothing says Happy 1st Birthday to me like sitting naked on a four wheeler, in a a big pile of crap, while eating a sucker. Ahhh, the life.

Dance Dance Revolution

Here are my little dolls, looking like, well, little dolls. This was their final dance recital of the year, and may I just say that I am so glad that the pressure is now off. If I never see another curling iron, hot roller and sponge curler combo again I will die happy. They of course looked beyond adorable. They had 2 dances that they performed, and while Reese was pretty on point, Ellie prefered to mouth the words to the music and bust out a move or two of her very own. At one point Reese's neighbor got a little close to her for comfort, so she just ever so slightly shoved her out of her way. Between the two of them I was hysterical. For the most part the girls have loved dance, or at least the performing aspect. Their teachers are wonderful. Next year Taytum will also be in dance, so start the praying now please!

My chickies and my honey bunny!

April's Antics

Ellie:

• Calling popovers "leftovers"



• For April Fools Day, I "shrunk" your breakfast (mini box of cereal, mini bananas, mini carton of orange juice). You were so excited that you exclaimed "Did the Aprilchaun (I think someone still had St Patty's Day on the brain) get this little food from Costco?!



• In your nighttime prayer "Please bless that we'll be good and strong, and bless that we'll be good and strong...some more."
  


• "Mom, have you ever seen a sparkle rose?" When I said no, you replied "Well, I have. It was in New York City."



• "Mom, my eyes feel insane."



• "Mom, when you snip my fingernails it makes them feel so nervous!!!"



• Making a special drawing for Grandma Linda when she was in the hospital. You were so concerned for her.

Reese

• When I asked you to please eat your hash browns, you said "No thanks, I'm allergic to them for the day."



• After the car accident, I was explaining how there are important things to always remember, like wearing seatbelts. You said "Yeah, but what's really important it to watch for falling coconuts."



• Ellie was whining and complaining about having to get ready for dance class. When she said "Mom, why do I always have to go to dance?" you yelled from the other room "Because mom pays for it!!"



• You the first to remind everyone that we need to wear our seatbelts, no matter what.



• Since the accident, your very scared to drive anywhere, and will constantly ask me "Why didn't that big white truck see us?"

Taytum

• We found out this month that you need to get your adnoids removed. Boo!



• You telling me to quit sassing you at Payless Shoes, when I told you that you couldn't buy the 7 purses you had on your arms...and around your neck.
  


• You are constantly talking about Flynn Ryder. You are either pretending to be him or pretending he is your boyfriend.



• You still invite and uninvite me, your sissy's, aunt Britt and cousins to your Tangled party...in June.



• You now have an aversion to anything that might make you sticky or dirty. No honey, no ketchup, no pancake syrup.

Beck

• You, my little man, are a walking fool. Your sisters didn't walk until closer to 13 months, but you were walking at 11 months. Big boy!



• I was changing your diaper and when I lifted your onesie, a Cap'n Crunch was stuck in your belly button.



• You love holding my phone up to your ear and say "Hi" about 36 times.



• You love balls and anything with wheels.

March Madness

Ellie:

• I asked you "How come I love you kids so much?" You answered "Um, because we are cuties?"


• "Mom, my smoothie tastes ridiculous!"


• On our way to school we were talking about how baby farm animals are born in the spring. I said "Baby chicks, baby lambies, baby ducks..." and you interrupted by saying "Yeah, and baby jaguars!"


• "Mom, you shouldn't buy pepper. It makes people sneeze ya know!"


• "Mom, you bought me Crunchy Little Squares (Cinnamon Toast Crunch)?! You do love me!!"


• "My voice is a little pony." Instead of a little hoarse.


• When we had green pancakes on St Patty's Day a little bit of the green batter got on a paper towel. You looked at it for a second and cried "Ew, I think that leperachaun blowed his nose right there!"


• You said so many adorable prayers for Reese when you found out she was going to the hospital to see the cardiologist. Made me melt.

Reese:

• You braved your double ear infection and your cardiologist appointment like a champ. So thankful for that.


• While at the Dr's office you had to use the bathroom(at our Dr's office they have a child's bathroom that has a child-sized toilet.) You sat down and said "Mom, did Jesus make this teeny tiny potty?"


• When I got my haircut you kept asking if I was mommy or Heathie.


• "If you don't give me my medicine right now, I guess I'll just have to leave the city."


• You were helping me make dinner and we were making fruit salad. I opened the fruit cocktail and you asked me what it was. I said "Fruit cocktail." You replied "Mmmmm, I love cocktails."


• You told me you thought the leprachaun colored the chicks green.

Taytum

• When I asked you how you wanted to do your hair today, you replied "Like a dolphins."


• "Mom, that stinky leprechaun put my sunglasses on his face. I'm so mad at him!"


• You keep calling the chick's "Bocks"


• Calling your Croc's (shoes) "Cracks"


• You got so mad at Ellie that you just sat for a minute trying to think up the meanest thing you could say to her. You finally shouted "Ellie, your an eyebrow!!!"


• During Eye Spy, Ellie said "Eye Spy something orange." Without missing a beat you said "Is it your face?"


• You and Lily were "helping" me fold a batch of clothes. Lil's asked "Are these your brothers jammies?" You replied "Absolutely."

Beck

• You stood up in the middle of the room with nothing, and no one around you on March 21st.


• You took your first 3 steps on March 23rd.


• You love saying "Hi." You say it whenever you see my phone, or when someone comes in the room.


• You had an ear infection, croup and a cold within about 2 weeks of each other.


• Your still sleeping through the night, yay!


• When dad comes home from work you get really still and somber, then start yelling "Daaadaaaa? Dad?? Daaaaaadaaaaaa!" It is adorable.


• You've outgrown all of your jammies. On to 24 months I guess.


• Your quite the Grammy's Boy lately. You love to snuggle into her and pat her back when cuddling.

Reese's heart murmur...that almost gave Mommy a heart attack.

We found out that Reese had a heart murmur a few weeks ago. I don't know when I've ever been so scared of 2 words: heart murmur. It just sounds doomed. We were fortunate enough to take her into Primary Childrens Hospital (aka the best place in the world) to see a Pediatric Cardiologist. When the cardiologist came in and listened to her heart, she kept listening...and listening...and listening. She said that some things sounded a little out of the ordinary and that they wanted to do an Echocariogram. My stomach dropped into the floor and I started bawling. The cardiologist assured me that she thought everything was fine, but just to make sure, let's do the EKG. She also told me that she's never made anyone cry by telling them that. Glad I could be the first. The EKG (which is just an ultrasound) took about 40 minutes and Reese was an absolute peach. The ultrasound tech said they have to sedate some patients because they aren't able to be controlled. Sooo glad Reese was cooperative. Once they got the reading back the cardiologist came in and said that everything looked perfect. There was no need for follow-up appointments and that her murmur would eventually be outgrown. The word relief dosen't even touch what I felt. The whole experience just made me grateful. For so many things. For having such an amazing hospital less than an hour away, for having proper medical insurance and the ability to give our daughter the best care possible, for healthy children, for a loving and supportive family, for having the priesthood in our home. For all these things, it warms my heart.

During her EKG

Being an adorable patient.

Yawn

Prince Charming and Sleeping Beauty

Feeling Lucky?

Someone looks like a leprachaun.

Apparently it's not easy being green.

The girls had so much fun with St Patty's Day this year! It all started with the green party the twins had at pre-school. I asked them all about it and all they would tell me was "Well, we had green cupcakes." I would pry and pry and that is all the info I could get out of them. I found out later that they had a green picnic with all green foods, and that the leprachaun came to the school and messed up a bunch of toys. Naughty.

On the morning of St Patrick's Day the girls were shocked to see that a leprachaun actually snuck in their bathroom and toilet-papered the entire place, dumped out their clothes hamper into the bathtub, and had actually used their potty and didn't even bother to flush (we figured that out since the toilet water was green.) He took the girls on a scavanger hunt and left them little Tangled coloring books that were just his size. We thought that was the end of his antics, but oh no, there was more. Green pancakes and green milk for breakfast? Shocking. After breakfast we got ready (Taytum refused to wear green. She didn't care how many times she was going to get pinched, she wasn't going to wear a boy color.) and went and watched the Childrens Sociable. When we returned home that little stink had been at it again-he had taken all of the couch cushions off and just threw them wherever he pleased, then left some Sprite and green pudding in their place (I think grammy put him up to it.)

We finished up the day with a non-green dinner (I guess the leprachaun was pooped) but did have green pudding for dessert. The best part of the day was that the girls kept saying things like "Look mom, he must have left Taytum's shoes in the middle of the floor!" or "That little stink must have dumped out my toys and played with them." when really it was the general mess that it always is. But it's always good to have someone to blame the mess on, right?

Anyone have a steak?

Another post about a black eye, huh? Please don't call CPS. Reesie was running up the stairs at my parents house when she tripped and hit her eye. It started out as a "cawpet buwn" and the next morning was a full blown black eye. She loved the attention she got from it though. Ellie was the official spokeswoman about the whole situation. She would walk up to a complete stranger and say "My sissy got a cawpet buwn, look" and Reese would shove her little face right next to said stranger. Apparently black eyes are front page news.