Another try

I know I said I was back and was going to try and keep up but spending 2 out of the last 4 months in bed makes for a boring life and not much to blog about. We did go camping a couple times, once with Dereks family to Bear Lake which was tons of fun. It was a nice grassy area so it was a lot cleaner and relaxing. We went to the beach a couple times which the kids loved! They take after me a little bit though and were a little afraid of getting all the way in the water. They really loved playing in the sand digging trenches, being mermaids and building castles. Then we got to relax around the fire and make smores and just talk forever. The kids thought it was so cool they got to stay up late with all the grown ups. At the same time they were really excited to go to bed and sleep in their sleeping bags in their tents so they kept saying they were going to bed, but would be back at the fire after a few min. We also went rough camping with my family and we had a great time despite all the dust! It was a really dusty campsite but we made the best of it. My dad is a master camper and he set up a great little kitchen with tarps for shade and everything. It was so fun to just sit around the campfire and enjoy ourselves. I did get in a great little four wheeling trip with my dad and Kaden which resulted in my miserable back injury but it was awesome while it lasted. I should know better than to try and show up my dad for my kids. :) We had a great time just being with each other playing games and laughing. Kaden also started kindergarten which he loves! He loves getting ready all by himself before I even wake up and wears his backpack all morning until its time to go. We'll see how long that lasts. :)I was able to enjoy halloween a little bit though. I usually get all into Halloween with themed costumes and all but I just didn't have it in me this year so the kids just raided their dress ups. :) Whatever works. We went out to Dereks moms house and it was lots of fun. We usually have always done a trunk or treat and then hit a few houses on the way home, so they really hadn't experienced real Trick or Treating until this year. They had so much fun going to every door and getting more and more candy. Before they left from grandmas house though Kaden wanted to pass out the candy to the trick or treaters while he was waiting and he absolutely loved it. About 15 min after they left to go, Kaden came back with Aunt Stacey and said he just wanted to come back. I was wondering if he was tired or cold but he said no. I finally got out of him that he wanted to come back and hand out the candy. That was more fun for him! ha ha After a break he did meet back up with the rest of the kids to finish out his night of trick or treating. It was really fun to do something different this time, they had so much fun with grandma and aunt Stacey.

Jace waking up Kaden and chloe in the morning

Shooting with Papa

Fourwheeling with Dad

Smarty Pants!

So I hate to admit it but I accidentally let a little four letter word slip out in front of Kaden and it was quickly called to my attention by him. He told me I shouldn't say those bad words. I immediately apologized and said I'm so sorry Kaden you are right, I shouldn't say that, I won't do it again. oops. Well then his response was not at all what I was expecting but boy did I feel guilty. :) My little 5 year old looked back at me and said "Don't sorry ME, sorry Jesus!" I was very surprised but so touched that he put that all together. Just try not laughing at that so he doesn't feel stupid. It was hard but I made it through until I had to tell Derek.

Finally an update...

I'm finally back to the blog world again. Tons has happened but if I blogged about all of them I would be here forever. So for a summary, Derek now has a new job that he will be starting next week. Not really sure what exactly it is yet or what he will be doing but it is for a delivery warehouse called "On time Express" Kaden graduated from preschool and will be starting Kindergarten this year, I think that is absolutely CRAZY! He is so excited and can't wait. Chloe just finished her dance class and had a recital and she was adorable! She was so thrilled to be up on that stage with everyone watching her. Jace just had his birthday a couple days ago and the poor thing is sick so we only got to go to lunch and will save the big celebration for another day when he is feeling better. I'm still working at the Aquatic Center and being a full time MOM and I love it. I love this age when they are really starting to understand things that are going on and start asking questions that you don't really know how to answer. It can also be a little troubling sometimes but I love how they learn, it can be very entertaining sometimes. We have just been having lots of fun this last year hanging out at home, the zoo and Park City. My big brother Mike came for a visit this month and it was great. I loved catching up with him and getting to know him a little more, its been a really long time since we've seen him. We had lots of fun hanging out playing games and talking, it went way too fast though. I really miss having all of us together and I wish we had more time but I'm very grateful for what we got. The 4th of July was awesome, like always. I just love that holiday. We went to the parade in Kaysville and had a blast, even though I was also completely humiliated by all the "grown ups" taking over the parade and screaming for all the candy and prizes like it was their job! Yes I am talking about you Blake, Derek, Matt and Kasey!! I don't know who had more fun them or the kids, well actually I do, pretty sure it was them!! It was very entertaining to watch though, glad they had fun. That night we went to Layton park and hung out and played games before the awesome fireworks. It was a great day as always. Here are a few pictures from the last little while. I lost a ton of pictures though when Chloe formatted my card in my camera though, still trying to get over that one...

Park City-

Chloes Dance recital, not very good quality, I couldn't figure out my camera

Chloes "big" dance class of 3!

Ha Ha Ha!!

Kaden is 5!!

Kaden had his 5th birthday last month and he will not let you forget it. He reminds me over and over that he is 5 now and the reason that everything happens to him is because he is 5, it's so funny how he thinks. On his birthday me Kaden Chloe and Jace went to Chuck E Cheese. We had a great time, Kaden got to do everything he wanted too and was running all over the place trying to do everything. His favorite was the Skee ball and he was actually pretty good at it. Later that week we had a birthday party with our families. He talked about it all week that he was going to get 2 birthdays. So when I told him about his party with his friends he was even more excited and asked everyday if it was his birthday again. I was worried about the friend party because I have never put together a kids real birthday party with friends, games and everything. It turned out pretty good though and he had a great time. I'm just glad it's all over. Kaden is growing up so fast, I can't believe he is going to school next year!! Kaden is such a sweetheart. He loves everyone and is the best cuddler and such a big helper. He loves his little brother and sister and loves helping me with Jace and watching out for him. He loves super heros, transformers, cars, sports and all things boy! He loves cheering at all the games he watches with his dad and get so excited when Derek does, its so cute!

I feel so bad because I was so involved in what was happening I didn't take any picture except of him opening presents, so kind of boring pictures.

Christmas

Christmas was Awesome! Christmas Eve we went to my moms and just had a great time being with each other We had yummy food all night, made an awesome gingerbread house and played some fun games. Then Christmas morning we stopped by again and talked to my brother Mike and his family in Englad and did our gift exchange. It was fun this year because we had skype and got to see everyone open their presents. Then later that day we headed over to Dereks moms house and had a great time together. We exchanged all our gifts and had a wonderful dinner then just had a fun time hanging out, talking and playing with all their new toys. It was cute, all day Kaden kept wanting to have cake for Jesus' birthday and sing to him, I love that they are starting to pick up on what it is really all about. I loved all the time with family and just being together. The week before Christmas we had our ward party and I was on the commitee to plan it. It was a lot of work, but it turned out great. We had Dereks dad come as Santa Clause and he did a great job. Unfortunately he has one of the unmistakable voices and the kids recongnized his voice and said "that's not Santa, that's Grandpa!!" So I had to explain the whole santas helper thing and they were still thrilled to get to tell him what they wanted. It was a lot of fun.