Cute Pictures of Jack and Ella

 Did I ever post any of these pictures?  Maybe I forgot...maybe they are being repeated, but seriously I can't help it, because they are just my two favorite kiddos ever!

Jack's First Prayer

Tonight while I was cleaning up around upstairs, Jack decided that he was going to "put daddy to bed."  The bedtime routine in our house is to brush our teeth, get into bed, say prayers, and I sing a song.  So Jack said a prayer all by himself!  This is what he said:
"Dear God,
Thanks for letting us go to Jeremy and Connor's house.
Thanks for our guns. (the toy guns he was playing with today)
Thanks for the robots. (also what he played with today)
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Maybe it isn't much, but seriously, I am so proud of him for doing that all by himself!  I love that little man!

Jack's Fire Truck Party

Okay, so his birthday was in September.  I know I'm super behind at all this...but really so are most bloggers! I'm still documenting my life though...so here are some pictures from the day of the party. I know that I have more pictures on my husband's phone...but I will probably never get to those and that is why it was taking me forever to post.  It was a great turnout and Jack still remembers his firetruck birthday cake and tells me that he wants the same thing for his next birthday too.

 We spent about three weekends working on the cardboard firetruck.  After renovating the kitchen I knew we would have some cardboard lying around, so we decided to use it.  It took lots of spray paint and only lasted long enough for the party, but it was a huge hit with the kids! We were going to have a firetruck relay race in the yard, but it rained so that part got shut down.  However, it made the chili all that more tasty, because it was fitting for the weather.  I also cut up apples, red/yellow/orange peppers, strawberries, and watermelon.  It was actually pretty low key.

 Probably my favorite part was the gift bags.  We were able to get some items from the local fire department (crayons, coloring books, a fire safety book, and key chains in a cloth bag.  I also purchased a few plastic fire hats to share as well.  As you can see from Jack's smiles, it was all a real big hit.  Oh, and I think he loved that he had presents.  I meant to tell people they didn't need to bring anything, but forgot and he got a few gifts.  Of course, he was basically in love with them all!

Halloween 2013

I'm trying to hunt down pictures from Jack's birthday...I didn't even take one!  However, my sister-in-law and husband both got pictures on their phones.  So I'm hoping between the two I will be able to put up another post soon.  Can you believe Jack is already three?  Time flies.

We had a fairly uneventful October. We made it to the pumpkin patch and actually bought a new truck the same day.  We totally didn't plan on doing that!  It just happened to be the right time, the right price, and the right used truck.  Lucky us, I guess.  Anyhow, this post is about Halloween though.  We did get a lot of fun stuff done though.  We carved pumpkins as a family...Joe made the scary pumpkin face and I tried to create the hungry caterpillar on the pumpkin that Jack picked on his preschool field trip.  I took the kids trick-or-treating on Halloween night, it was so cute to see them both get excited for their treats.  In fact, this year we saw more families out and about than ever before, which truly makes the spirit of the night that much more fun.  And I even went to the Halloween party at Jack and Ella's daycare.  Oh, I cannot forget the trunk-or-treat at church this year.  It was a real hit.  I made a maple pumpkin pie with salted pecan brittle on top...I won second place in the pie competition too.  All and all, it has been a good month and I am now officially thinking about Christmas presents!

 Jack did not want to wear his spiderman mask...so this was the next best thing! I'm surprised the ears stayed on Ella's head for as long as they did...and I had to hide the tail and distract her so she didn't try to take that off too!

 We gave out vampire teeth with the candy this year.  That was a fun treat and the kids seemed super excited too!

Ella is 20 Months Old

So life has definitely gotten in the way of writing any blog posts.  The last time I wrote anything was back in May (before I started working).  After that I took up a part time job at a local restaurant for some extra money and then I found out in August that there was an open position in the county so I went back to work as a teacher.  That transition all happened in a matter of two weeks...which meant finding daycare and adjusting to a whole new schedule!  Oh, and throw in a kitchen renovation at the same time.  I think we did a pretty good job enjoying the summer even with all the craziness!

I have been wanting to write up an update, but I just haven't had any time to really sit down.  Then I thought about it on my drive home from church today...so that is why I am in front of the computer.

She has truly started to grow up.  I am always surprised by how many words she can say.  Basically she is able to repeat almost anything we say, and she is already starting to put two words together.   She is a very happy little girl.  Usually she is in the best of spirits.  However, she is also very sneaky.  She loves to take things from Jack, as if she knows this will drive him crazy.  She also has learned to hit, bite, push, and be aggressive towards her brother.  It is like a love/hate relationship between the two of them.  I am hoping that one day they will grow out of the constant back and forth and we might go a few days with a little bit of joy in the house!

Recently Ella has become quite interested in her baby dolls.  She likes to lay them all on the floor together and put a blanket over them.  I think she has motherly instinct about her.  It is really cute to watch.  I see a lot of barbies and a doll house in our future!  She also loves animals, especially puppies and cats.  I think she will be an animal lover, because she has such and interest in all kinds of animals.  The last trip to the zoo was really fun, because she was so interested and captivated by them.

She really loves to read books.  However she still doesn't sit in our laps for long (unless it is her favorite book).  Mostly she likes to pick out a book and pretend to read it herself.  Ella loves to go for walks in the stroller and often climbs up into the seat, to let you know she is ready to go. 

I think she is more curious than Jack.  I feel like I'm always trying to get her out of a mess, like the liter box.  She loves to pull all of the clothes out of the dresser in her room.  Or everything from my wallet.  She is not having fun unless she is making a mess.

Ella has always been an eater and she continues to be that way even as a toddler.  Sometimes she is picky, but usually she is game for anything we give her.  The only thing I can think of that she doesn't like is milk.  She will eat cheese, yogurt, and any other dairy, but not milk.  They try to give it to her at daycare, but she just doesn't like it.  So I have to remind them to give her water all the time. 

What else can I say? Well she has a devilish side too. She loves to annoy her brother. She already knows how to push his buttons.  She takes his shoes, touches him while they are both sitting for a meal, steals his food, basically if he says no then she will keep doing it.  They love each other tremendously, but they fit relentlessly too.

We started daycare about a month ago and she is doing so well there. No more crying when I leave in the morning, however I don't think she gets long enough naps. So on Saturdays they usually last about four hours. Poor baby!

I love my baby girl with all my heart. I am so grateful for a little girl in my life. I think if I had two boys I would always have wished for her in my life. I am so glad she is with me and I get to help her grow into a beautiful, strong, and self confident woman.

Something I Don't Say Enough...

I know that I can bicker with Joe a lot. I can be naggy and annoying with my demands.  I know I expect a lot of him as a father and a husband.  I know that he has a lot of things he wants to do and finds a hard time to juggle it all.  And I know that I don't tell him enough that he is doing a good job.  He is a good husband and father.  I should do less complaining and more celebrating of all that he does that is good.  And even though Mother's Day is this weekend, I think we are overdue for a little post about ten great things he does as a dad and husband!

10. I appreciate his mad cooking skills.  All those jobs working as a server or cook have come in handy, because he had a good sense of taste and often puts together the most delicious meals.

9.  He has started to take Jack with him on his climbing days and Jack really loves it.  I know it is awesome for Jack to have that one on one time with him, but it is also great for me to have some one on one time with Ella. 

8.  Last night Jack wasn't feeling good and just wanted to be held.  I had a hard time with that, because if I sat and held him then Ella only wanted to sit with us too, but she was squirmy.  He just needed some comfort and Joe willing sat with him for about two hours.  I think it was exactly what Jack needed.

7. Often times Ella wakes up very early in the mornings.  She usually likes to eat right away and Jack and I don't mind waiting a while to eat.  Joe is almost always sitting down with her and eating breakfast with her.  I think they bond over that early meal!

6. He is great at reading books to the kids.  He often asks questions or points out different images in the books.  It is really great for their learning and he probably doesn't even realize he is doing it.

5. Joe oftens pushes our family outside for hikes and trips.  I always enjoy going, but I am horrible about initiating it. I truly believe our kids will love being in the outdoors because their father has harbored an deep interested in God's world around us.

4.  It really makes me smile when he gives the kids a bath and pretends to have all the water toys jumping off pretend diving boards (i.e. the shower head).  They LOVE it and watch him in awe.

3.  I have realized that I lack patience with my kids at night time.  I just don't do well when I haven't slept good.  Sometimes we bring Jack into our bed and I always complain and get frustrated with Jack when he kicks me.  Joe doesn't like it either, but he never complains and just lets Jack smother him or snuggle right up to him.  It can be very precious to see in the mornings and I know that Jack is bonded to him in a very special way.  Secretly I think Joe also likes the cuddling a little bit too!

2. Our family comes first, even though it might not feel like that to me sometimes, I know that his children and wife are extremely important to him.  He wants the best of all of us and works hard to try and make that happen.  Actually family has always been important to him and that is one reason I fell in love with him. 

1.  "Dear God" I always say a prayer with Jack before he goes to bed at night and I think Jack expects that in his bedtime routine.  So Joe will pray with him, but he prays different.  I always say, Heavenly Father and he says Dear God.  I know that daddy is the favorite, because whenever I put Jack to bed he says, "I like Dear God."  He wants to be just like his daddy!

Joe, we all love you very much! xoxo