Labor Day Picnic

Yesterday we headed up to Mt. Charleston with the Foisy's and Heiselbetz's for our annual "Labor Day Picnic". When we got there it was in the low 70's, so much better than the 99 degrees back at home. The boys were so excited to go up to the mountains again so they could run around and be as loud as they wanted...I don't let them do that at home. We don't get up there enough, but we should.

After we got our picnic spot and unloaded everything, we enjoyed a yummy lunch that consisted of Subway sandwiches (which Josh almost left back at home), chips, drinks, fruit, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and some other yummy snacks. Let's just say our tummy's were very satisfied.

Jaedyn still isn't walking on her own yet so we brought up some blankets for her to play on while the other kids ran around and played. She hates the grass at home so I knew I wouldn't have to worry about her crawling off the blanket into the dirt. I think she was loving the cooler weather too...just check out that happy smile!


Jaron and Jantzen didn't waste any time building their super cross track in the dirt that they make every year. It's funny how they always remember to bring their dirt bikes to play with. They also made a pile of sticks in case we wanted a fire, not that we could have one there even if we wanted to. Every time we moved our chairs out of the sun, the boys would move the pile of sticks so they would be close to us.



Even though Jaedyn couldn't go off the blanket to play with the other kids, she still had friends to play with. Both Avery and Rylee kept her company for part of the day.



After hanging out for a little bit the boys all wanted to go on a hike up the mountain, so I took Avery with me and we all headed up together. The boys were having a blast hiking on the trails, playing fun games together while Avery and I just followed behind having a fun girl conversation. When we finally caught up to the boys, we took a breather on a log before heading up further.

What a bunch of cute kids...and why is it that my kids are always the ones posing funny or making weird faces and gestures?


After a short rest on the log the boys took off again up the trail. Avery and I followed behind them for a little while, but then this old lady was getting tired so I told Avery we were heading back down.


Avery had to give the boys a quick hug before we went back down...it was sooo cute!


When Avery and I got back down from our hike we didn't see anyone at our picnic site. Apparently while we were gone a guy got hurt pretty bad while playing football with his dad. He fell into a ditch and snapped his foot completely sideways, it looked so painful...the poor guy! Lucky for him, Neil was there to help him out until the paramedics arrived. It's nice to know there was someone around who had the proper training to handle a situation like that. He even knew more than the paramedic did on how to splint the guys foot, how scary is that? In all the years we've been coming up to Mt. Charleston for picnics, we've never seen an injury quite like this one. We were all sure to tell the kids how to carefully play after that.

The boys came back down a little bit later and decided they needed some Jaedyn time, so they played toys with their little sis whom they had been neglecting all day. Don't ask me what Jantzen was doing with that lid...I have no idea!


I think Jaedyn was getting tired of being on the blanket and wanted to get off, but there was wood chips all over the ground and she liked them about as much as she likes the grass, which isn't at all. Being the smart girl she is, she figured out a solution to her problem...just dig them out of her way, who cares who's behind her (Jantzen). It was the funniest thing watching her dig. She was doing it just like a dog and was throwing it all on to Jantzen. He kept brushing all the dirt and wood chips off the blanket and Jaedyn would just keep digging and throwing more on it. Not to mention she was laughing while doing this...funny girl!



Here's my little dirt magnet! Why is it that no matter where we go Jantzen always manages to get his face all dirty? I understand that we're in the mountains, but he looks like he purposely smeared dirt all over his face and he loves it. I guess he takes after his mom, I was the same way when I was younger. My mom said I could walk into an operating room clean and come out filthy dirty.


I had Jaedyn sitting on this chair while we cleaned some things up to get ready to go home and Rylee wanted to get up there with her. They looked so cute together in their almost all matching outfits, and no, Lara and I didn't purposely coordinate them.

I love how Jaedyn was poking at Rylee like she was a toy. Then, after a few minutes on there together Jaedyn got sick of sharing the seat and tried to push herself and Rylee off it...she's such a bully, I wonder where she learned that from.




I managed to get a family picture before we headed home, not without any complaining though. They just all have to deal with it because I'm the mom and I said so! Because of this, it took a few shots before I got a decent picture without any weird faces or poses.

(Nevermind mine and Jaedyn's hair...it was windy!)


And to make Josh happy, I got a picture of just the two of us. Okay, so he didn't really want it, but I made him because, like I said earlier...I'm the mom and I said so!! It turned out cute because he actually smiled. It's so hard to get him to do that in pictures.


The ride home was a lot quieter than the way up and this is why...

...I think Jantzen was completely pooped out! He played a ton and burned all his energy by 4pm. Why can't he do that at home? He usually wears me out up until bedtime, he has so much energy! I think it's funny that it's always him that falls asleep on the way home. And, for some reason he always forgets to use his neck pillow...that doesn't look comfortable.



We all had another fun Labor Day picnic in the mountains this year. It was nice to have good friends to enjoy the cool weather and fun conversations with. We all, including the kids, had a great time. I'm so happy to have such awesome friends to get together with since we don't have family close by anymore. Thanks guys for the fun memories!

She's a Front Facing Girl Now

Turning one has been an exciting time for Jaedyn in so many different ways. One of the things she gets to enjoy now is being able to see everything that the rest of us do as we're driving in the car and I can tell you...she LOVES it!!

This was her first time being in her first front facing car seat. That's right, she has a different one now because her "daddy" didn't think the one I picked out for her was good enough. He thought it felt too cheap, so he upgraded her to a more "plush" car seat complete with a detachable booster seat for when she's older. I guess that's the perks of being "daddy's little princess" and the only girl to have to compete for dad's attention.

Jaedyn's first reaction to this new riding style was pure happiness. She had a big smile on her face and she couldn't stop looking around, checking everything out. Of course, I think Jaron and Jantzen love it just as much as she does. She thought they were in her face a lot when she was rear facing...I think they are in her face more now!




Here's the little princess in her new throne her daddy picked out for her, she's so spoiled! I do have to say though, that I like the harness better on this one than the other one...it's a lot easier to buckle up.


It's a lot nicer for me too now that she's front facing. I always worried about her when I couldn't see her and the boys weren't with us. Now it's nice to see her smiling face and know what she's doing.

Next up...booster time, but not for a while. I don't want her to grow up that fast!

Girls Weekend

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to St. George with two of my best friends, Lara and Savannah for a much needed girls getaway. Our hubby's were so awesome and willing to brave the single parent life while we were gone.

We left Friday afternoon and on the way to pick Savannah up guess what I did...I hit a pigeon with my car! Several of them flew up right in front of me out of no where as I drove, slowly I might add, and one of them didn't quite make it fast enough to avoid my massive SUV. Lara and I heard a "thud" and our response was to scream like little girls. I saw the poor pigeon fly over my SUV, but I didn't see it on the road behind me. I'm hoping that means I didn't kill it. Luckily it didn't do any damage to my car, except it left a couple nice white marks on the hood and bug guard.


After my close encounter with the pigeon, I continued on my way to pick up Savannah and guess what...I almost hit a cat, but I didn't, thank goodness! That would've been messy and gross! It just wasn't my day to be out driving. I made it the rest of the way without any more near animal death experiences.

Once we got to St. George we unloaded our bags in our room and got ready to go out and have fun. This was our room at the "Green Valley Spa". It was so nice. There was fluffy soft beds, our own personal mini kitchen, a nice big bathroom, and our own personal patio that led to the pool.


Our first stop out on the town was dinner at "The Pasta Factory". It was by far the best pasta I've ever eaten and the bread sticks were awesome! I'm definitely going there again someday.


After dinner we went to see "Charlie St. Cloud" with the lovely Zac Efron. It was a really good, but happy and sad movie. I cried, I laughed, I drooled, I loved it!


We went back to our room after the movie and got ready for bed. We didn't end up doing any swimming because I forgot my swim suit and we were too busy chatting about anything and everything. We stayed up until 2:30 am before we finally decided we should go to sleep. I haven't stayed up that long in forever, but I enjoyed all the fun girl talk we did.

I don't know if it was the fact that we stayed up too late or if it was because we didn't have any kids or husbands around to wake us up, but we didn't get up to get ready until 10 am. I actually slept better than I have in years. I think it was because I didn't have to worry about keeping an ear out for my kids if they needed me during the night like they do on occasion.

Before we left we had to get a picture of us in front of our room. It was funny trying to get this picture because we had to stack a couple tables on top of each other and use a rock to hold my camera lens where it needed to be. We did finally accomplish our goal.


Since it was almost noon we thought we'd better eat breakfast/lunch before we headed out to do some shopping. We decided to go to Ihop. We all ended up getting the same thing, cheesecake pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and sausage. I didn't eat my sausage, but the pancakes were to die for, they were sooo good!


After we ate we headed out for a long day of shopping. Our first stop was Tai-Pan. I've never been to the Tai-Pan in St. George and the last time I was at one of those stores was when it was just a warehouse in SLC and I was picking out flowers for my wedding...that was sooo long ago! I was able to find some cute things for my house and I'll definitely be coming back to get more.

We found this awesome sign there, don't you just love it...we did. This picture is courtesy of Denise (Josh's mom). She works there and it good to see her and visit for a little bit. (Please ignore my hair...Lara curled it for me and it was cute until the wind ruined it!)


After spending way too much time at Tai-Pan we left and went to several more stores (I think it was 7) before we got tired. In between we did take a break and enjoy a super yummy smoothie at "The Orange Peel". It was delicious and refreshing. It was getting late, so before we headed home we ate dinner at "Twentyfive Main Cafe & Cupcake Parlor". We all enjoyed a different version of a panini sandwich and a yummy salad with I don't know what kind of dressing, but it was good. Lara and Savannah also enjoyed a cupcake, but I was too full and I think I'm all caked out from my family's birthdays in the last seven weeks.

This is the best picture I could get of the restaurant without taking one inside.


After dinner we headed home. It was sad to have to end our weekend so soon, but we had an awesome time together. This weekend was a very much needed break from reality and I'm so happy that I was able to go, even though I did miss my family. I hope that we can make this a yearly girls getaway.

Thanks for a fun weekend girls. It was so nice to stay up late and chat and just hang out without having to put kids in time out. You guys are the best!

1st Day of School

Today is Jaron and Jantzen's 1st day of school. Jaron is now in 4th grade (Wow, I'm getting old!) and Jantzen's starting kindergarten. Last night Josh gave them both their father's blessings and then they went to bed a little earlier than normal so they could get enough rest. They've had a summer full of a lot of late nights.

They were both so excited this morning. They got up and ready for school, including having their beds made, all before 7am. That's usually when I'd wake them up to start getting ready. It made me happy that I didn't have to fight them getting up, but why can't that enthusiasm last all year long. I'm hoping it will be like that all week, but I'm not holding my breath on that.

Jaron and Jantzen were also excited that they got to wear their new school shoes in the house. They were running all over the place! Unfortunately that's the only time they get to, according to them.

When we were all ready to go, we headed out the door for our annual 1st day of school pictures. I had to get one of me and Jantzen because I have one of just me and Jaron on his 1st day of kindergarten. I love the enthusiasm he has for school.


Here's my super cute school boys with their nice back to school haircuts...


...and all three of my super cute kids. Jaedyn was just chillin' in her stroller reading a "Bear in the Big Blue House" book the whole way to school. I think she's getting ready for school too, except she has a few years still before she goes to preschool.


The boys are excited to be back to riding their scooters to school with their "scooter gang". I didn't get a picture of all the kids together, but it's quite the sight to see the whole bunch of them riding together.


I got one more picture with all of us together before Jaron and Jantzen went their separate ways. It's going to be a little crazy this year having the two of them at separate ends of the school. I told them I will have to alternate days with who I walk to class, they are both okay with that. I decided to go with Jantzen today since this is his first time at the school. This is when it would be nice to have two of me so I could go with both of them, but I'll make it work. Besides, it's not really "cool" for Jaron to have his mom by him, giving him a goodbye kiss in front of all his friends, so he might not want me to walk him to his line at all...we'll see! Isn't that my right as a mom to embarrass my kids? I think so.


Here's a group shot of all the kids in Jantzen's class that he already knows, courtesy of primary. It'll be so nice for him to already have a bunch of friends in his class. Notice which kid is the tallest...that's right, it's mine. At least he's a boy though and not the tallest girl like I was all through elementary.


Here's a picture of my silly Jantzen with another Jansen. They are in primary together so they already know each other, but how crazy is that to have two of them? I hardly ever hear of another kid having that name, but to have them both in the same kindergarten class is fun. It's a good thing their names are spelled different, for their teachers sake.


This picture needs no explanation!


Jantzen's teacher was talking to the kids a little before they went in their classroom, explaining what she wanted them to do, then they lined up and were ready to head off to class. Jantzen gave me a goodbye face and then was gone.



I wasn't sad for school to start today or for the fact that my baby boy is now in kindergarten. The boys have been getting on each other's nerves and need to be separated for a few hours. Besides, they both love to be with their friends, so I know I don't have to worry about either one of them. I know it will be hard when Jaedyn goes to kindergarten, not only because that means that I'll be REALLY old, but because I won't have anyone at home to entertain me.

I can't wait to hear how Jaron and Jantzen's first day of school went, but for now I'm enjoying the house being super quiet while Jaedyn's napping.

Mastering The Stairs

I have known this day was coming for a while, but I was hoping it wouldn't have happened yet...

...Jaedyn has learned how to crawl up the stairs!

That's right, my life has gotten a little more crazy now that she's getting more mobile. I wasn't expecting it when it happened. She's always just sitting at the bottom of the stairs watching her brothers run up and down, wishing she could do the same thing. Now she can, well, not run up and down, but I'm sure she'll be there soon.

It was last Thursday night while I was decorating the house for her birthday party the next day that I thought to myself, "It's so quiet right now, what's going on?" I was in the front room and I turned around and this is what I saw...


She apparently was tired of waiting for me to take her upstairs so she could see what her brothers were up to, so she decided to do it herself. She was so proud of herself and she wouldn't let me help her, she had to do it on her own.




As soon as I said something to the boys, they quickly had to come check things out. Jaron, being the older protective brother he is, had to get right behind Jaedyn to make sure she didn't fall. She did really good and didn't want his help. She is also trying to go back down the stairs, but we need to work on that with her because she just tries to go head first. I know she'll master that soon too.


Crawling up the stairs is all Jaedyn wants to do now. I will sit her on the floor in the family room and go to do something and she quickly high tails it to the stairs, laughing the whole way! Sometimes she'll stop and wait for you to look at her so she knows you're paying attention, then she'll take off as fast as she can...it's so cute!

The boys are really good about following behind Jaedyn to make sure she doesn't fall down. That's one thing I really worry about because of the tile at the bottom of the stairs. The railing makes it kind of hard to have a gate to block her from going up or down so we have to improvise with other things such as...the box to her car seat or the kids' card table. Those haven't worked out very well. She quickly learned how to move them out of her way, so yesterday I had Jaron use the card table and a tote full of toys to block the stairs. That worked a little better, but Jeadyn tried to move it without much luck and became extremely frustrated! However, she did move things out of her way a little bit. This little girl is so strong and determined to get what she wants. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

I'm not sure I'm ready to have three kids running up and down the stairs, but I guess I don't really have a choice now.

Pretty, Sparkly Ears

For part of Jaedyn's birthday we decided to get her ears pierced. Now don't think this decision came easily, there was a lot of discussion about it first. Ever since Jaedyn was born Josh has been very clear on the fact that she wasn't going to get her ears pierced until she was 18 years old. I, on the other hand said she could get them done when she was 8 years old because that's how old I was when I got mine pierced.

Now, after several months of thinking and pondering about what age Jaedyn would be when we decided to permanently put holes in her ears, Josh came to the conclusion that she would be so cute with earrings now because she has beautiful dark brown hair. And lets face it, she's a gorgeous little girl and sparkly earrings would only add to that! So he gave in and decided he wanted her to have them now.

On Saturday we took her to Claire's to get her ears pierced. The whole way there Josh was worried that she was going to cry and was thinking maybe we shouldn't do it now. I kept telling him she'd be fine, she gets shots and I think those are worse! When we got to Claire's, I signed all the paperwork and then the girl there started preparing Jaedyn's cute earrings that we picked out for her...14K white gold CZ studs.

Jaedyn just watched in anticipation of what was going on while Josh was getting nervous and wasn't really wanting to watch, but he's the one who decided to hold her while she was getting her ears done. Meanwhile, Josh had passed his anxieties about this onto Jaron and Jantzen. Jaron kept asking if this was going to hurt her and if she was going to be okay. I had to keep reassuring all of them that she'd be fine. The boys decided they wanted to hide and plug their ears, so that's what they did.



I asked the girl if they could do both ears at the same time and she said they legally can't on babies. I guess that makes sense to me. What if the baby moved while they did it and her ears got pierced in the wrong place or she got hurt worse?

And so it began... On the first ear Jaedyn didn't even flinch, but on the second one she cried...not for very long though. I think she cries longer when she gets her shots than she did with her ears pierced. She's a brave little girl.



So, here's my pretty little princess and her sparkly new earrings. You can't even tell she had been crying for a minute. She was smiling and laughing pretty much right after she had her ears done. She's such a good girl, how did we get so lucky?



Here's a close up shot of her earring, so cute!


Jaedyn looks even more beautiful now that her ears are pierced. She doesn't mess with them at all. The only thing she hates is when we have to clean them, but luckily we only have to do that for 6 weeks. Have I mentioned how much fun it is having a little girl? I just can't get over how beautiful she is.