A Little Update

This week is lasting forever. I have had plenty to do, so normally the week would just speed on by, but it just isn't. So, instead of dreading the fact that there are a couple of days until the weekend still I thought I would fill you in on what we have been up to around here lately. We will go by person oldest to youngest.

Gaupo- He is doing great. He still really likes his work at the library. Most days he still comes home happy. His work has recently up-ed the health incentive to also include a day-off if you get up to the third tier. Gaupo is motivated and I am totally supportive. So, he has been doing lots of bike riding. He has ridden his bike the majority of days this winter. It is true that the weather has been good for that, but he did it. He even did it when he had to wear a hat and coat. Being this active for this long is a new thing for Gaupo. Gaupo is still going to school. We are looking forward to summer break here in a little over a month. We are taking the summer off and then will head up our last year of school in the spring. I am really proud of Gaupo because its a lot to be a dad, in the elder's quorum presidency, be a husband, hold a full-time job, and go to school. However, he manages it and it has been really fun to see him enjoy all of those things. Gaupo is awesome. I feel so lucky to have him as my husband.

Gaupo and I at the Ft. Collins Temple last weekend. We are still such a cute couple.

Me- Not too much has changed with me. I am currently still babysitting Trent and Tori everyday. I also picked up some work for my cousin Robert. It only takes about 10-15 minutes, but it keeps my mind moving, so I don't just completely waste the afternoon away. It also good for me to keep some kind of business work up just so I am not completely unqualified to work if I ever had to. I really enjoy my Thursday's because in the morning I have about an hour to myself and I go swimming at the pool across the street and take a shower all by myself. I will also be starting spring frisbee here in about a week and I am really excited for that. This month for R.S. I developed a Relief Society Edition of Cranium. It turn out good, but I would love it if it would get more use, so if you ever need it let me know. Other than that I just keep busy trying to be a good mom, have a somewhat clean house, put good food on the table, and enjoy the nice weather. I am totally loving the nice weather temperatures.

Trent, Tori, Kylee, and Tia. This is my crew. I usually don't go to the grocery store, but some times you just do things.

Kylee- She just finished up with her last Alligator swim class today. WAHOOOO!! About one and half years later and we finally passed. She is doing a great job. She can swim and float and jump in. She is still a little hesitant of deep water, but this next level should get her to conquer that fear, so I am excited to see what it brings. Kylee is learning lots of sight words in preschool. She is always doing something crafty. Her backpack comes home with no less that 3 papers every day. Her 'best' friends besides her sister are Tori Jacobson and Ryker Atkinson. Although she also enjoys playing with Jacob Detro and Jensen Blaine. She loves jumping on the tramp and having friends over. She still loves to sing and play. Kylee is super into Pokemon. Her friend Ryker gave her "the strongest Pokemon ever" today and, so she challenged her dad to a battle. Gaupo battled her and did lose, but just barely. It is so fun to watch this little girl catch on to new things, hold on as tight as she can to her big/older sister status, and find her own kind of adventures. Kylee is one cool five year old.

These moose antlers are so funny. That face is because she is snorting like a moose. Also according to Kylee "Boy moose fight for the girls, and then have babies."

Tia- Tia is growing and changing on a weekly basis I feel like. I feel like her speech improves and lengthens all the time. In the last two weeks she has learned how to ride a two-wheeler. She still has a little trouble starting on her own, but after that she is good to go. She loves riding her bike and being outside. Her baby has the best mom. Tia takes her for long walks in the stroller, feeds her, and takes her for 'car' rides. I love watching Tia imagine and keep up with her sister. Besides learning to ride a two-wheeler Tia has also mastered climbing up onto the roof of our play house. She is so proud of the fact that she and Ryker are the only two kids that can do it. (Kylee did it once, but hurt herself getting down, so she isn't real apt to try again.) Tia seems to like preschool. She loved it when she was doing the three little pigs unit, but now that they are on to something that I think is pretty complicated she isn't as into going to school. However, she still goes and seems to have a pretty good time. I am working on getting her some Occupational Therapy and eventually some additional Speech Therapy. So Tia is growing like crazy and she is so opposite of her sister in almost every way, but you know what I think that is one of the reasons that they are best friends.

Here is a video of Tia on her bike about 5 days after I took the training wheels off.

Tia feeding her baby in the highchair she thought up all on her own.

I am thoroughly enjoying this stage of my family's life. I love watching every member of it grow and change. I love how we actually have something that we all like to do (play pokemon go and ride bikes). I love that we can watch a movie together if we want. The sun going down later lends itself to just a little bit more play time before bed. My kids I don't feel like are too fussy of eaters and tend to hang in there when they have to eat something they don't like. I love that I treasure the moments I have with just my kids. I feel like such a lucky mom to have great kids. I love Family Home Evening with these two. They always want to help. My favorite job for Tia is the lead the music because she mostly just dances, but it is so great. I love to hear Kylee give a lesson or scripture, but her favorite job is to be the special helper so she can serve dessert. She also loves to conduct. I just love being a parent with Gaupo. He supports me and loves me even if he thinks I am sometimes a little crazy or over ambitious. I am so blessed to have this sweet family of mine.

It Started With a Date

Around here we have been trying to get into the habit of having some sort of family council. We try to talk about Family Home Evening and who wants to do what, and what we having going on this week and stuff like that. Well while were were talking about it Gaupo said, and I was wondering if you wanted to go on a date either Friday or Saturday--you just get the babysitter. I was so pleased that he was thinking about such activities and so of course I said yes. However, as the week wore on I almost forgot to call the babysitter; however, I remembered and we got our favorite babysitter Makenna. So Friday night at pretty close to 5:30pm Gaupo and I left the kids and went out on a date.

We went to Red Lobster. It is one of Gaupo's favorite places to eat. You can't make reservations there at least not for a party of two, so we had to wait and it was awesome. For awhile we walked around the building just holding hands, talking about whatever and walking. Gaupo didn't pull out Pokemon. I know he was tempted because he joked about taking it out. However, he didn't he kept his device in his pocket the whole time. So, we walked and talked until Gaupo (he didn't have a jacket) got too cold and then we went in to warm up. Once inside we didn't do too much more talking while we waited. I don't know about you guys, but when you are sitting really close to people you don't know, it kind of makes you not want to talk about all the stuff you were before. Plus, Gaupo was standing and I was sitting which I also think makes for really awkward conversation. Luckily we didn't have to wait long and we got seated at our table. At first I was kind of worried about it because it was a booth, but it didn't have a wall on either side. However, it was perfect. It wasn't too loud, I didn't feel crowded it was great. Plus we had an awesome server, who helped us get exactly what each of us wanted. We got a combo platter: shrimp linguine (Gaupo), Steak (me), and coconut shrimp (to share). Then we got a side of potatoes, and a tomato mozzarella thing it has a fancy name, but I can't remember it. It also came with one salad, but our server said he could make two smaller ones if we wanted them different, so we each got our own. Yes, it was expensive, but we knew it would be and it was so good. We each got what we wanted, tried some new-ish things, and got full. So, the food was a success and so was the company. I had a great time just visiting and talking with Gaupo. We really didn't solve any problems, worries, or anything we just got to be together uninterrupted. It was so great. So after dinner we hit up Sams Club for some cheese because we ran out. AHHHHH, I know, but we got it so the world is safe  again. Then we came home and enjoyed being together some more. It was really so good. It has been awhile since we went on a real date and you know what it was so good, so thanks to our Aunt Kitt for a wonderful Christmas present.

Luckily the great weekend didn't stop there. Saturday was a busy day, but for once we did everything we said we were going to do with the kids. Gaupo got up early and worked on some homework and then worked a little more after we had breakfast. I got a few of the piles that some how end up here. It felt good to sort through them and get them put away. Then we went swimming. The girls have been so excited to have their dad watch them swim. And the look on his face when his little girls turned into little fishes did not disappoint. He had proud father written all over his face. I think he might have even said 'Wow.' He hasn't been with us for awhile, so to see Kylee floating and Tia swimming and both just seriously acting like little fishes is pretty cool. I really just loved watching him be proud of his girls and his girls being so excited to show Daddy all the cool stuff they can do. Also because Gaupo was with us, I got to go off the diving board and Tia and I got to do the slides and I did the slides a little by myself too. It was so great. After swimming for about an hour, we came home. We had lunch and Guapo and the girls took naps. I started working on a game for our RS meeting this month. Then when naps were over we talked about what to have for meals went shopping and then came home. Tia had been wanting to ride her bike all day, so while Gaupo made dinner I took the girls out to the grass hill. Yes, if you remember from last year that means someone is learning to ride a two-wheeler and guess what Tia is doing great!! She can do it we are just working on steering, getting started, and stopping. So obviously I am not taking her for any wild rides yet, but she is doing really good. As I said Gaupo was suppose to be making dinner, but it took a little longer than it should have because he was watching the girls ride bikes. So, we had dinner and then did a floor puzzle together and then got the girls to bed. We finished the night with a movie. It was such a good family day.

I loved this last weekend. It was so fun to be together. To do things we loved and to try a little to make it work. I loved that we all had to give and help to get things done. I loved that we could have fun as a couple and as a family. I doubt this post does the weekend justice because it was so great. I actually have had an extended weekend because I have had just my kids the last couple of days and it has been great to focus on just them. True I had them help me with chores yesterday, but you know what we got them done in no time. We could do them after swim lessons and naps. We could motivate ourselves because if we got it done then we had two days to just play together. We also still had time to play. I have loved watching my girls love each other. Its just been great. I also loved that Gaupo and I started a book together. Every once in a while we will read a book or series together and it has been awhile since then, but it is so fun to read together and enjoy a good book. For me love is definitely spelled T-I-M-E. Take time to love and enjoy your family because they are yours and they are worth everything. I am so grateful for mine. Together Forever.

Kylee is 5

A lot has happened since I last blogged, and I wish I could write about all of it, but it will have to suffice that on President's Day Monday we had a super fun bike ride out at Sandstone Ranch, and did a bit of exploring there too. Then we went home and made delicious egg rolls and rice. Last Tuesday we had a visit from Aunt Kitt before she went to Michigan and then we got to have her some today too. In addition to those things we have also had the missionaries over for dinner, lunch potluck, dinner group, swimming lessons, and preschool. Needless to say I feel like we have been a little busy, but never to busy for a good birthday celebration.

Kylee turned five on Friday and boy howdy was she excited. She has been counting down the days until her birthday. She woke up pretty early, but luckily was pretty quiet until about 7 when she asked if she could go downstairs. I had totally planned to be awesome and go down right away with her, but I just couldn't so she came downstairs and saw her poster, balloons, and presents by herself and a great time playing with Charmander. I did not stay long in bed and we came down and read a few books until everyone else got up. Then we had scriptures and prayer and opened presents. She loved everything she got. My kids are really funny they open everything really fast and don't pay much attention and then they go back later and look at everything. It might be normal, but for me it seems weird. Anyway, we slowed her down a bit, but she really did love it all. She got some coloring stuff, a a floor puzzle, memory game, new dress, bubble gun, gum, chalk and a couple other things. She loved it all. After presents I got ready while her breakfast muffins were cooking. Then we had breakfast and took her to Preschool. So since it was her birthday I asked her if she wanted to take anything to school for her class and she said "oooo, banana bread!" That is what we did. She helped me make the bread the night before and then I sent her with two slices for everyone to take home and then a slice for each person for snack time. Luckily there are only 3 kids in her class because she was so pleased to be able to take banana bread to school. 

Kylee and Tia with some presents.

Kylee and more presents.

This gift didn't come till the next day, but here are Kylee and Tia with a playdough set and Elsa coloring pages.

She had a great time at school and when she got back Tori and Trent were here and one of her other friends Ryker came to play. The kids all played and played until it was time for lunch. We had lunch and got that cleaned up to we could have more friends come over for ice cream. The non-party--it was a non-party because I didn't plan anything but ice cream. Her friends didn't have to bring gift and I didn't give out gift bags or anything. It was just friends and ice cream that is it. Anyway, it started at 1:00, but no one really came until about 1:15. As the kids arrived, they went and found the other kids and they all just played. It of course got louder as more kids came, but over all I think everyone was pretty nice and though they didn't all play together the little groups tended to all play in the same area. It was kind of interesting. So, after everyone arrived they played for awhile and then Kylee asked for ice cream. So we got it out and I served up each kid a bowl and then allowed them to top it with Oreo's, chocolate chips, Chips Ahoy cookes, chocolate syrup and whip cream. The kids thought it was awesome. They all crowded around the table and ate and then ran back outside to play. So, from about 1:15 to 2:20 I had nine of Kylee's friends, plus Tia and Trent. So I had 11 kids 5 and under here and amazing it wasn't too bad. Anyway, once everyone left except Tori, Trent, Kylee, and Tia it was nap time. Everyone was pretty tired, so it was much needed. When everyone woke up they played till Trent and Tori had to leave. Then we had Kylee's birthday dinner of Macaroni and Cheese and hot dogs. Then for her cake we had death by chocolate cake and ice cream. Her exact request was chocolate cake, no frosting. Luckily she loved it and it was a great meal. Kylee could not blow out her candles. She would just blow super hard above the flames so it took her like five time to blow out the candles each time we lit them it was pretty funny.

Daddy lighting the candles.

Kylee, Me, and Tia.

Kylee and Tia.

After dinner, we cleaned up and then went to Lego club at the library. Gaupo asked Kylee if that would be something she would want to do and she said yes. So, he actually worked Lego club and we went to it. They were showing one of Kylee's favorite shows Cat in the Hat, and building with Legos. This was Kylee's first time playing with real legos and it took her a bit but once she got her idea and figured out the pieces she loved building her airplane car. It was fun to watch how she figured it out. To be honest it was kind of frustrating to me because they had the legos separated by color not by shape or size which was kind of annoying, but we got it figured out and everyone had a good time. We actually stayed the whole time and, so when it was over we went home and sent the girls to bed. It was a really big day, and Kylee loved it all. I mainly think she loved the whole day being all about her, but who does't and that is the whole point of a birthday to celebrate them.

Some of our pieces.

Us with our creations.

Kylee and her airplane car.

Tia and her car.

Now that Kylee is five let me give you a little update on her. Kylee is one amazing little girl. When she started school this fall she never colored real pictures just kind of doodled. She didn't write any letters and definitely didn't recognize any words. However, now she loves to color. She draws her, Tori, Tia, and Trent most often. She loves to color and when she slows down she is really good at staying in the lines. She love to write her name and knows how to write quite a few letters. She has some sight words she can recognize, but her favorite is the. She loves her friends and her sister. She loves to play. She also love to be the boss, so when someone differs in their opinion she kind of struggles with that but she is learning. 

Kylee loves primary. She still loves to sing. I think her favorite song is still Praise to the Man, but a close second recently is We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet. She got new teachers in January and is loving having them. Kylee loves church and tries so hard to be good.

Kylee has turned into quite the little fish. She is still in Alligators, but she is so close. She just needs a little bit more on her back float and then she will have it. She is so close. She loves jumping into 3ft deep water. She loves swimming, bobbing, and diving for rings. She also still loves the hot tub at the rec center. Kylee has done really well with swimming and I think we will have a lot of fun this summer. 

Kylee is such a great sister. She really tries hard to include Tia in everything she does. It doesn't really bug her to let her play with her and her friends. The two of them will often hold hands if they are unsure about a situation like the first swim class with a new teacher or going to babysitting for the first time in awhile or something like that. Sometimes they even hold hands just because they want to be together. Kylee still loves to talk for Tia although she is getting better at letting Tia answer before she does. 

Kylee is really a very sweet little girl and I feel so blessed to be her mom. I love feeling her love for me and the rest of her family. I love watching her get excited about thing. I love her personality and how even though she takes her sweet time sometimes she will usually try most things (note the in her time thing). I love watching succeed at life. This little girl is one of a kind and I am so glad that I get to be her mom and just watch all the awesomeness that come from her.

Happy Birthday Kylee!!

Love this girl of mine.

I actually feel like this pic should go somewhere else, but I don't know where. So, it goes here so that it will get published at some date in time.

Gaupo documenting that I am teaching my kids bad things, but as you can tell from the pic above they love it.