From the mouth of Levi

The other day Levi came up and asked me if my belly was big. I replied "no, does it look big?" He simply said "yes" and walked away. Ouch, I know I've got a few pounds to lose but really???
The next day he came up and said, "Mom, Erin's belly is big because she has a baby in there, right?" Me "Yep", Levi "Mom, maybe we can get a baby and then go to the doctor and he can cut open your belly and put the baby in so your belly will be big too" Me "buddy, it doesn't quite work that way"
He put a lot of thought into that though. Can you tell there are 17 women in are ward that are pregnant? Some thing in the water...

"RC"

Levi has been going through a stage (I hope it's only a stage) where he has major tantrums. He'll run up the stairs, slam the door and stay in his room over the smallest things. We've tried many different methods and hopefully we've landed on one that works. We have a chart for each boy numbered 1-10. Each day that there are no major meltdowns and that he behaves, he gets a sticker. When he gets to the end, he gets a prize.
Well today was the day. He got the 10th sticker today (it only took about 3 weeks, and over 1/2 the stickers have been in the past week, he has finally caught the concept)!!! He was pretty excited. His first prize was a transformer "RC" which is a motorcycle one that he's been wanting.
He was so excited when that was what I gave him. He said "Mom, this is the very best present that I've ever got!" I asked "better than Optimus Prime, or spiderman?" Levi "oh yeah, it's the best, I'm going to sleep with it tonight."
He's up in bed asleep now, "RC" is resting on his tummy.

Barking Spider

In our home there are 3 boys and 1 girl. Needless to say crude humor is a given. Last week our home teachers were over and Jace was snuggling on my lap after his nap. David (who's 14) was sharing a scripture when Jace ripped the biggest, longest toot ever. His eyes got big and he looked around and said "Barking spider?". It was all we could do not to bust up laughing. I have to give David credit, although he had to suppress a giggle, he kept on going and share his lesson that he prepared.

New Years Resolutions

My attempt at "organization". I actually don't do much with New Year's Resolutions. But it just so happened that I was working on this and it is the start of 2011. We had most of the bins before but hadn't put the labels on. HUGE difference!!! Now the house isn't sparkling clean but it is significantly more picked up since the boys can sort the toys into the appropriate bins. Plus, when they want a particular toy, they go to the right bin instead of dumping 3 to find it.

Christmas 2010

We had a very Merry Christmas. It was a very fun year. The boys are beginning to understand the true meaning of Christmas and were very excited about all the presents that Santa would bring.














A few of the favorites were a bunch of "dress-ups" (boy style). There were transformers, spiderman, ironman, Captain America, power rangers, and pirates (thank you Halloween clearance). The boys love to get dressed up and run around for hours.














Another favorite was Imaginext Bat Cave. It's been great for the boys to play together with and learn to share better. They actually do play together very well with it.















Rick got his new girlfriend (a 47in HDTV) and I got a vacuum and a compact camera.
We have been very blessed this year, and know that the next year will bring new challenges but are looking forward to facing them head on.
We are looking forward to many more Christmas' together.

Merry Christmas

It's pretty busy this time of year, from our home to yours: "We wish you a Merry Christmas"

First Snow

The first snow that stuck around long enough to play in