Boise

This past week we got missing daddy a little much . . so we took a trip to Boise to see him. We left on Wednesday and came home Friday. Cory was doing bids and the fair all day-- and was gone in the mornings by 8 am and didn't get back til 11:30 pm. So we decided to spend the days shopping, car hunting and fun stuff like that indoors while it was super hot outside. . then about 7 pm when the sun was starting to disappear we'd head to the fair to spend time with him. Araleigh rode the little horsies a bunch. I decided that instead of paying $30 for her to ride rides (which I'd have to buy too) we just spend $5 to let her ride the little horses over and over. She LOVES riding horses. . . so it was fun to watch her. One of the nights we walked around and she saw some cowboy hats--- and REALLY wanted one. So we found one for her and when I asked the man how much it was he said "that one's $5" well, suddenlt my TWO year old runs up and yells "I HAVE FIE DOLLAS" and pulls out $5 out of her pocket. My mouth hit the ground. Apparently my mom gave her a little money that she could buy something-- and we are not sure how she knew it was a five. BUT it was the cutest thing ever and a proud moment for me. I of course let her keep her $5 and bought it myself. She is getting so big. We finally let her spend her money on a last pony ride at the fair. She was so proud giving her money to the man. These are the moments I truly are cherishing right now, as we are having such a hard time with her tantrums and emotional state (and mine). Anyways, Canden started rolling over - - - I cannot believe that's happened already. He always goes from his belly to his back and almost his back to his belly. Not quite though--- he is so cute. Araleigh has become really hard for me to handle lately. Cory being gone has really turned my world upside down *(and hers)and I am feeling overwhelmed. The bad part is: it's really not going to end--- he was home tonight and then off to Twin for another week on Wed. Life is going to be tough for the next few weeks--- especially if it like the last 10 days he was gone. Man, I am glad I am married right now--- because I CERTAINLY don't know how single mothers do it. HIGH FIVE TO SINGLE MOTHERS! . . . I would be a mess. Nuf said.

Well, this is what our family will look like for the next 3 weeks. Just three of us. I am a little nervous about Cory being gone that long--- so hopefully it will be worth it in the end. We will see! As you can see I was trying to get a picture with both my kids (like my new do? LOVE IT! Thanks Tash!) Canden kept getting VERY MAD-- and of course Araleigh just kept saying "CHEESE" while not looking at the camera. After about 9 pictures--- I stuck a binky in his mouth to stop the crying . . .. and we got one with their faces.

I HAD to post this picture because I think it is HILARIOUS. It was the first attempt to getting a picture-- and Canden has overalls on and I didn't realize that they were bubbled (I couldn't see) and when I looked at it this is what I found. ........ BIG EYES looking at the camera thinking "WHAT ARE YOU AND WHY ARE YOU FLASHING A BRIGHT LIGHT AT ME" . . .haha. Araleigh was in the middle of saying "cheese" when it snapped --- hence the open mouth.

Now, if everyone could wish us luck . . . I am not so sure how sane I will be in the next few weeks. Although, school has now started again so I finally have the house to ourselves during the day!!

Catch Up

Well. My little man is officially 2 months old. He is so cute. He is now smiling and cooing, and I LOVE it! He has always had a strong neck-- but now its even stronger so he looks like he should get on all fours and take off crawling. Right now he currently loves to stare at lights and fans . . . and his mobile to keep him occupied. He LOVES tummy time. He usually falls asleep when I put him on his tummy. He loves being on his belly. . . just like daddy. I took him for his 2 month checkup last week and this was his stats:

Height: 22" (14%)
Weight: 11 lbs 10 oz (51%)
Head: 15" (11%)

SO. To sum it up . . Short and Fat ! His cheeks are getting HUGE. They are just right now for mom to munch on them all the time . . . to which I do of course!!

About 3 days ago he started sleeping through the night. I have realized that if I put him down between 10:30 and 11:30 with that being his last feeding- he will sleep until 6:30-7:30. It's been great! Hopefully this keeps up as a habit! He has started to laugh a LITTLE. He will start . . . but it hasn't been a full blown giggle yet. Any time now that will happen! I just love this little guy. I cannot believe how much you love each of your children. I was SO worried that I wouldn't have enough love to go around after having Araleigh. . but you just do some how. I cannot imagine my life without EITHER of my children!

Araleigh has been a bit challenging lately. Before she'd act out--- but now its like NAUGHTY acting out. It's almost like she FINDS things to get into trouble with. I feel like we are ALWAYS disciplining her. We have tried EVERYTHING. Time out, spanking, yelling (I know that never works-- hard not to though!) SO if ANYONE has found any affective ways of discipline-- PLEASE, PLEASE fill me in . . . cuz I feel like I am hitting a wall. Today I got out of the shower and decided things were TOO quiet. So I went into the bedroom to find Araleigh IN Canden's bed WITH HIM (he was napping). I was SO MAD and SCARED that she like jumped in on his head or something. But then I went over to of course get mad and get her out--- only to find that she had the mobile going and was laying by him--- and Canden was just smiling and cooing at her. Although this was super cute ONCE I saw what was going on, this image gave me a feeling of how I think they will really have a great relationship when they are older. Probably a lot of trouble making is headed my way with these two! It really was a sweet moment though. Araleigh has become a little mother to Canden. She always is concerned when he is crying or has a dirty diaper. She is always running for the binky and kissing on him. I have to just say . . . I love my kids. They are truly the joy of my life.

Cory has started a new job working as the salesman for Mountain View Wind Power. He sales Windmills for energy production. I am hoping it will be good-- especially cuz he is really getting to work around school. Only bummer thing: he is leaving me tomorrow for pretty much 3 weeks straight for fairs in Boise, Twin, and Blackfoot. Of course we will get to see him at the Blackfoot one--- but not much. So HOPEFULLY we can make some good money over the next few months. Araleigh has sure had a rough time with Cory being gone. He gave her his complete attention everyday when being home--- so she isn't used to mom not giving her attention all day long. It's been hard and she cries for him a lot. It's sad.

Last week we had to Madison Fair. I took the kids there to see dad. Brock-- the great guy he is: took her on the rides, which gave me a break from a stressed day with her. She had a lot of fun. She still to this day talks about her tickets and how she needs to go get some more to ride.

Araleigh has REALLY been into music lately . . and I mean HARDCORE. All she wants to do is dance and sing.. ALL DAY. Well, at church she usually tries to stand up on the bench and follow the chorister with her hand to lead the congregation. It's pretty funny. She loves it. Anyways, one night for family night she wanted to sing all the songs she knew. So she led the family in singing: Popcorn Popping, I am a child of God, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Once there was a Snowman, and Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam. It was pretty funny. . and as you can see she had found my glasses and my necklace and was thinking she was pretty hot stuff. It was cute. We love her to death and she keeps us laughing. Her current favorite word is "Silly Goose" and "it's my hepday present." NOT SURE where she got "HEPDAY" for birthday. I am guess she combined Happy Birthday. But she talks about her birthday ALL THE TIME. It's pretty funny. She thinks everything she gets is for her "Hepday."

Last week we also took Araleigh and the kids to that Youth day thing at the Greenbelt in Idaho Falls. It was actually a lot of fun for them-- although I recommend next year to take CRAP clothes for them to wear. For her cute outfit she wore that day is now ruined from paint. Anyways, they had little booths for the kids to stop and make things. These pictures are of them painting walls, boards, and playing music. Logan, Londyn, Kenzi and Araleigh had a pretty good time painting everything. Plus, Logan came home with a kitty-- so it was pretty fun. We got a sweet new double stroller and have found that it is now that cause of fights. All the kids want to sit on the big kid seat with Araleigh ---- glad all the kids love it so much! I was worried!

Congrats Trent!

It's official. The day we have all longed for has finally came! Trenton will be serving a full time mission in Tucson, Arizona! Hopefully Chelsi and the Clinton family won't try and distract him too much. haha. Anyways, this day has been prayed for and the journey has been a good one, as I have witness it first hand. I couldn't be more proud of my little "brother" . . . we are so proud of you Trent and are so excited for what lies ahead for you!!!! He will leave on October 7th. CRAZY how that's not too far away--- WHAT will I DO without my babysitter for Araleigh??? I am not quite sure how this will affect her because those two are quite the buddies, she usually can't go to bed without giving him "luvs". We will miss him --- but he will be serving the Lord and that is the important thing!!

Oh what an update

So. . lots to blog! Well, this past week Cory and I decided to take a quick trip down to Utah to see our friends, the Shirts family. It was so much fun. We love being with them and miss spending every weekend with them. Anyways, so we went down on Thursday --- had a bite to eat and spent the night chatting and such. On Friday we got up and Becca and I went shopping for baby stuff while Cory watched the kids (he's a good man for that)! I got what I wanted, grabbed some lunch at Costa Vita (YUMMO!) and we got home by 1ish. Then at 2pm we went to Scera Pools. It's a kid pool --- little Canden even got in his swim suit. It was hot all day til we decided to go and then it got windy. Canden just slept-- but if I got out of the pool with him he'd scream instantly because of the cold. Araleigh had a blast! Now that her fear of swimming is gone-- she LOVES it and thats ALL she wants to do now. Then on Saturday, Cory went and did some things for the shoes and we just hung out and let the kids play while we breastfed NONSTOP. (Becca's baby is a few months older than Canden and is such a cute chunk!) Then once the men were back--- we were off to Cabelas. Cory went birthday shopping for himself-- and I must say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU--- he got just what he wanted and spent what he wanted. SHEESH that place is spendy! While there we met up with some old friends. We ended the afternoon with having a big BBQ with our friends that we hung out with when we lived in Utah. We haven't seen 2 of them for over 2 years. SO CRAZY. It was a lot of fun visiting with everyone though! The girls had fun together. They put on their dance outfits and danced all the time. Araleigh has become OBSESSED with dancing. At night I have been watching So You Think You Can Dance--- well, when I ask her if she wants to watch Dora-- she says "NO MOM, I want to dance" So we watch it all the time. She mocks the dancers and does pretty well. Tonight I was watching her and she did a pirouette by accident. I made a huge fuss-- and she kept trying and would get confused. BUT I am so proud. I think its so cute. Luckily, I signed her up and she is starting dance in September. I AM SO EXCITED. I am hoping and thinking she will do good.

As for my lil Canden boy--- I just munch on him all day. He is the sweetest little thing. He gets belly aches all the time-- and he just mildly pushes through it. He isn't too fussy and just toughs it out. It is so sad to see his sweet little body when he hurts but he tries so hard not cry. Its crazy. He has the cutest little bark-- he doesn't full blown cry too much its more like he barks at us to let us know he wants something. Today we got a smile out of him and he is starting to coo a little. I am really trying to get some better smiles out of him. He has become quite the spoiled little man. I had to buy one of those baby slings to carry him in because he always wants to be held. I don't care though-- he's too cute to put down!

I finally got my watches done and I LOVE THEM! I have 2 more to finish. Candice, Dustin's wife-- she makes jewelry and such for a hobby and she helped me make them. I am so excited to start accessorizing more! I will post pictures of them as soon as I get them all finished!!!