Jackism

So yesterday Wade gave Jack a bath. While he was in the tub, he was on his stomach. Does a big fart. Jumps up and says BURP! ha ha ha. In fact, he farted again today and called it a Burp. HA HA. Just had to share. Sorry if you're grossed out now ;)

Jack's 2nd birthday!

We just celebrated Jack's 2nd birthday on the 23rd. We had a fun, simple day. I can't believe he's 2 already. He is such a joy and we love him so much. He's got quite the personality and makes you laugh so much. I'm so thankful he came to us. We are so blessed to have him.

The day started out with him being shown his presents. HE LOVED THEM ALL!!! He got a bike, helicopter, bubbles, measuring tape and a few presents from Grandma and Grandpa i.e. hat, shirt, money (used some of it for a Handy Manny toy), stickers, etc. He had a blast. We ate Chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, McDonald's for Lunch and Jack's Brick Oven pizza and of course cake and ice cream. And we did our tradition of watching a movie (once the others are in bed) of their choice. He had a great day. We just love Jack so much and will do anything for him.

Jack has this thing about screwdrivers (the tool ha ha). And of course every other tool that's out there. So we decided it would be cool to do a screwdriver cake. And he knew what it was instantly! I thought it first started to look like a sword when making it. Now it looks more like a screwdriver...sort of. he he


This picture CRACKS ME UP. I don't know what he was thinking but it made us laugh.

Happy birthday, my Jack-a-roo. You make us so happy!!

I hate my toes but...

Girls camp was all last week and each day we tried to go up for a few hours. Hard to go up the whole time when you nurse a baby and have little ones but it was SO fun going. When we went up on Thursday, the girls were giving pedicures. So Charlotte had hers done and then she wanted to do my toes. So this is all Charlotte. She's an artist! he he. It was so fun to let her do it. It's a pretty color...dark green!!! :)

THANKS CRYSTAL!

We are spoiled like crazy from Wade's sisters. Crystal and Lian are just awesome. This time around, Crystal sent each of the kids t-shirts with the colors in written in Maori. There's a song that goes with it too that they learned when they were little! I know the first half :) I'm excited to have them learn this. It's hard not living in New Zealand and trying to incorporate the traditions and culture from there. But we are working on it and are loving all the little things the family sends to us to help the kids. So thank you Crystal for these shirts. The kids love them and look so cute in them!!

Bear Lake :)

A couple of weeks ago, our good friends The Tippets, came up for a couple of nights. We ate, laughed and watched our kids make huge messes. SO FUN!!! We went up to Bear Lake for a few hours and had a great time. I didn't get in the water cause mainly I feel too fat to get into a swimsuit so I wore pants and didn't want to get wet. Lame. But yeah, Jack was a bit scared at first but got more and more brave in the water. And Charlotte loved playing in the sand. Thanks for the fun time, Jen and Gary!!!

Rise and Shout!

Like this Hoodie??

Me too. Guess how much it cost me? A DOLLAR! YEP. You read that right. Wanna know how it could? Well, cause I bought the plain navy hoodie at Walmart for a buck on clearance. Then I raided my sewing fabric and found some beautiful gold crushed velvet and my iron on stuff (have no idea what it's called.) Found this "exact" sweatshirt online. Except the other was pink and the BYU was a different font. Tried to find it again to show you but can't. I don't know what happened to the image. Oh well. I was going to do pink fabric instead of gold for Charlotte then thought, well Jack could eventually wear this. So there you have it! My Alma Mater's hoodie for Charlotte. GO COUGARS!!!

Randoms...

I haven't posted some pics of Kate so here are a few of her being SO SMILEY! I love it!!! She's been so much happier lately now that the thrush is almost gone. Poor girl. She's still a fussy one and needs to be bounced. A LOT. But she's seriously so cute and so cuddly and I love how she smiles. Wade got her to laugh the other day. I can't believe it. She's almost 3 months too. Where has the time gone?!

Forgot about these pics of Jack...He loved Kate's headband and tried it on. I thought it was hilarious. Then I took it off.

Bye Grandma and Grandpa Chandler!

We had such a wonderful time with my parents here. We miss them dearly and hope they know they are always wanted and loved. We'll always remember the fun time we've had!! Thanks, Mom and Dad!!Sorry Dad, I forgot to get a picture of you on the day we left! I love you!

4th of July

Well, the 4th of July was Kate's blessing, of course, but we waited until July 5th to celebrate. I went shopping while my mom watched and played with the kids. Wade and my Dad built shelving in the garage. We were going to have a nice bbq but my Dad ended up getting really sick and Wade wasn't feeling too well so I just made some quesadillas and spanish rice for the rest of the family. It was still fun. We lit some fireworks late that night and had a fun little old time. Charlotte and Jack loved the fireworks at first but Jack got scared. Then after the kids went to bed, we watched Poirot. I love that show!

This is the best my poo camera can do! ha ha

This photo CRACKS me up!! I think my dad was trying to stay warm and my mom looks like she's waiting for a movie to start. ha ha ha. So cute.

Say cheese!!
Charlotte's excitement for fireworks.

The first time Jack saw fireworks. I don't know if Charlotte remembers them from two years ago, so I would say it's her "first time" too. :)

Kate's baby blessing. July 4th 2010.

I made's Kate dress for her blessing day. It was such a wonderful day. It really felt so special getting her gussied up to be blessed by Wade. I'm so thankful he honors his Priesthood and is able to do this for my children. He has an eloquence when he speaks and can truly feel the spirit. There are amazing blessings ahead for Kate. I hope I am able to teach her and help her develop a testimony of her own so she can fulfill all that was said this day.

Sorry my camera is a piece of poo. I hate these dark indoor pictures. My friend, Jen, has a super duper camera and can't wait to get the pictures she took of Kate too. hint hint. he he. I will post them when I get them. Cause they're just WAAAY better.

So yeah, this was the best picture. I love Charlotte's fake smile and Jack's gasp. What's going on Jack? Kate was getting so fussy so I had to swaddle her in the pink blanket for these pictures too.

She looked absolutely gorgeous in her dress. I dressed her up in the headband my Aunt Jean gave her. It matched so well. And I put on Charlotte's blessing shoes and bracelet (from my friend Jen!) that she wore. So special.

My mom and Dad were able to come out for the blessing. I was so honored to have my Dad up there with Wade. My kids just love their grandpa!

After the blessing, tradition is to go home and celebrate and eat! That's my kind of tradition :) Wade and I made all the food. I don't have a good picture because I was frantically trying to get everything put out, etc. I'm so thankful for my family and friends coming to my rescue and helping me!! So grateful for them!!

This was the savory section. The yummy treats were on the table!! I will post pictures of the food too if I get some better ones!!

Savory foods (just for journal sake) We had Chicken Salad Croissants, Build your own ham, cheese and tomato croissants, mini quiches, Maori bread, veggies and dip, cheeseball and crackers.

Sweet foods: Pineapple Lumps (in the NZ shaped dish. So appropriate!! ha ha) Peanut Butter Shortbread cookies (thank you Tracy!), Mini Lemon Merengue Pies (thank you Lian for the recipe!) mini cheesecakes (from Sams Club).

I don't have a picture of Aunty Judith and Aunty Tracy! I'm so sorry. Thank you for brining your delicious goodies...I think Tracy needs to add her recipe to the family recipe blog!!!

My friends who came! Doug, Gary and Mel. Love you guys. So glad you came!

My beautiful sister, Rachel.

Our surrogate grandparents, The Midgleys. We love them so much. They live in Provo...so far away I think!

My closest friend, Jen. Well, I should say best friend!! I love her so much. She is SO good to me and Wade and the kids. They live in Spanish Fork practically next door to both of our good friends, Doug and Mel. There's a house next to us and across from us that's for sale. I think they need to buy those houses just because I want them too!! okay? OKAY! You are too far away!!

Jen's gorgeous little girl, Kya. She was so good to Kate. I think Kya needs another younger sibling...k Jen? k.

Mike and family come to visit :)

I was so lucky to have my brother, Mike and his wife, Kecia and their kids London, Cade and Cole to come visit us at the end of June. It was a little visit before they took off to celebrate the 4th with Kecia's sister in Pleasant View. But we had the best time. We look forward to them visiting us every time they come and I just love how wonderful their kids are especially with how much love they have for their little cousins. Cade and London were smitten with Kate and of course had so much fun with Jack and Charlotte. And Cole and Charlotte got along so well. It just made me wish I was closer to all my family.

I LOVE this photo. Jack just woke up...he really did love his cuzzies.

Cole and Charlotte hugged like this earlier. And so I had to make them hug again. It was so cute!!

I taught London how to make cake mix cookies. She was a pro at them. And it was SO cool she ended up cooking and making the rest without my help. She really really wants to be a cake decorator and I think she's got a natural talent for baking and decorating :)

Mike is ALWAYS good to me and my little family. He's a great brother and I love him. I love how he loves my kids too. And wants to play with them or hold them.

I realized I never got a picture of Kecia!! I didn't even think. I'm so sorry...at least your arm is in the top picture opening the microwave...does that count? lol

THANKS FOR COMING!! LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!

Wish I was here...

This is just a crazy memory I'm thinking about. One year ago (again! ha ha) we arrived in New Zealand and had the best time ever. We miss it like crazy and can't wait to go back...in like a zillion years.

Yep...These are all of our bags! ha ha. And that's the Air New Zealand plane in the background at LAX. We were only 12.5 hrs away from Paradise.

Memories of New Zealand:

Jack turning one!
Crazy people er I mean Whanau (family)

Wade's family. I love them!

Beautiful beaches. This one is my favorite one. Raglan Beach only 30 min from Temple View.

GORGEOUS sunsets

New Zealand Temple which is right in Temple View.

I could post a zillion more photos but I won't bore you too much. But if there's one place to ever visit, New Zealand would be a perfect place. :)