Gwen's Check-Up

 Last week, Gwennie had her 3 year old check up with Dr. Paxton. She was so excited that it was finally her turn to go see the doctor. She wore her favorite skirt and her red shoes. The nurses in the office think Gwen is a crack up. She takes being there very seriously and talks non stop. 

 She is a solid 30 lbs and 3 feet exactly. They checked her blood pressure and even did an eye exam. They said most 3 year olds can't do the eye exam, but since she was so thrilled about everything, they gave it a try and she was able to tell the nurse all the shapes that she saw. 

She loved chatting with Dr. Paxton and she sat so still while he checked her heart. She did her deep breaths so good (she practiced at home beforehand), and she loved having her reflexes checked. It was better than a day at Disneyland! 

 Gwen's other big news from the last couple of weeks is that she is finally potty trained! And she and Mommy both survived! She is now officially a big girl!!

Janurary Happenings

This month has seemed to fly by. There have been so many things going on. I keep saying that February 1st will be our official first of the year. Hopefully by then I will be organized and ready for a new year.

Tessa has taken off reading this month. She decided to give chapter books a try and wanted to start with Harry Potter, but we convinced her to do something a bit easier. She started with Charlotte's Web and loved it. She also started reading the Magic Tree House Series about 2 weeks ago and has already read 5 of those. I am so glad she loves to read. 

 We were sad to have to say goodbye to Aunt Katy earlier in the month. She went back to Washington D.C. to finish up her last few months of school. We had fun with her while she was here.

 Mommy so looks forward to a few minutes of relaxation in the evening without kidlets. These 2 have not been cooperating lately and are staying up far too late with Mommy. 

 Before Caleb started rolling, he was wiggling all over the place. He would start in the middle of his play mat and then wiggle himself all the way off of it. 

 We've had more cooking lessons. Adam made dinner all by himself one evening (with very little help from Mommy.) He made Aunt Virginia's Hamburgers and did a great job!

 January has been our sick month. It always it. We've had sick tummy's, sick noses and lots of coughs. Mommy and Gwen spent 2 nights on the couch one week when Gwen had a sick tummy. Gwen took a nap the next day. A very rare occurrence. Both babies were asleep at the same time. Mommy literally did not know what to do with herself. She could get used to that!

 We could not get Caleb to wake up one night for his final feeding. We tried everything, but he was zonked! But, oh so cute!

 Gwen has spent most of the month dressed up as someone other than Gwen.

 Adam and Tessa's handwriting is getting so good. Tessa has worked hard at her cursive and it is paying off!

 Late nights with Mommy means taking selfies.

 The kids are still constantly grabbing my phone to take pictures of their cute brother. 

Ma sent a picture of one of their cousins who was throwing a fit, so they wanted to take a silly picture to cheer her up. 

 Precious! I love when babies snore.

 Mommy has been getting up extra early to work out and get healthy. It is not easy! And Gwen is usually up by 6. So not much of a break.

 Mommy and Daddy made a goal to get to the temple more often this year. Mommy got to go first this month. We are so blessed to live to close to so many temples!

He's on the move!

I do not post enough about this adorable little guy! He is the happiest and most fun baby! He has been wiggling all over the place for a few weeks now and now that he is rolling, he is all over the floor. I finally got some pictures of him rolling over. The kids love watching him do his "tricks".

 Once he is on his belly, he looks like a seal. He will balance himself on his belly and keep his arms and legs in the air.

 Baby thighs make me happy!

 He is tolerating tummy time a bit better these days. He is getting better at rolling from his belly to his back, so that is helping. It helps when he can chomp on a toy or his fingers. 

 He used to have red hair back there. Now he just looks like a bald old man. 

 He isn't left alone much. There is always someone in his face or kissing his head. He is one loved boy!

 And, now we know we can't just set him in his bouncer without buckling him anymore. Sneaky little boy!

The Frozen Party

Last Thursday, we headed to the Springville Art Museum for a Frozen Party. The girls had been looking forward to this since we found out about it in December. Adam and Caleb got to tag along. We told our friends, Cooper and Presley about it, so they joined us. There were several different craft stations set up for the kids. But the highlight was seeing Elsa and Anna.

Making a snowman out of clay.

Winter Art

 Summer Art

 Tess and Gwen with their favorite princesses!

 Gwennie, Tessa and Presley. (Presley is Gwen's little bff.)

 Adam and Cooper just wanted to get to the hot chocolate.

 We made some cool snowflakes.

Before we left we had some yummy hot chocolate and then someone asked me if the girls could be in a picture for the paper. I snapped a quick shot too. We are excited to see the article when it comes out!

It was a fun afternoon getting to do so many art projects (Tessa's kind of Heaven) and the girls loved being in their Elsa dresses all afternoon. 

Gwen's Birthday Party

Last Sunday we had the whole family over to celebrate Gwen's 3rd birthday. Gwen wanted a Frozen Birthday party, so Mommy did her best to accommodate that. 

We had food to remind us of different parts of the movie, Frozen.  We had ham and turkey sandwiches (We finish each others sandwiches), ice castle blocks (jello jigglers), Olaf's noses (carrot sticks) Sven's antler's (pretzels), 2 salads (Troll Tossed Salad and Coronation Salad), Hugs, (Warm Hugs) kisses (A Kiss to melt a frozen heart) and chocolate (I wanna stuff some chocolate in my face).

Mommy made Gwennie an Elsa cake. It turned out pretty good. 

Gwen was not in the mood for pictures all day. This child does not cooperate on birthdays. 

We had to have a twirling party before everyone arrived. 

She got lots of fun presents and has been happily playing with her new things all week!

That face!

She loves birthday candles and has been so excited to blow her candles out. 

I think instead of baking for hours on end for my girls, I will just start making them bowls of frosting, since that is all they eat anyways. 

Gwennie and her Mamma

Another picture of the cake post party, with better lighting. 

She is definitely our threenager, but she is oh so fun!