Peaceful

Dear Joey, as much as you torment that cat, it will still lay down and sleep by you. What a peaceful picture...something that is rare in our house.

Side Ache

Dear Kylan and Joey, yesterday after the girls left for school I started singing Beat It and dancing while I was making swedish pancakes. You didn't like the song because you didn't know it so I started singing Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam and Book of Mormon Stories and dancing. You liked it better but said, "Mom you can sing without dancing." Thank goodness because I was getting a side ache.

Kylan, this morning you asked me in a really needy voice, "Where's dad?" When I told you he was at work you said, "Can I go with him?" I don't think I remember any of the kids asking to go to work with dad.  Dad will be happy. :)

Also, we were taking Kayla to a friend's house and when we drove past the doctor you said, "Mom, I need to go to the doctor, I'm sick... cough, cough."  WHAT? I said. "Just kidding, I'm not really sick." You and Joey love going to the doctor because they always give you a prize after.

Dirty Looks

Dear girls, I'm not sure if we've ever realized this or not, but Jaida has been able to give dirty looks since she was 2 and Kayla doesn't know how to give a dirty look. We made her try and it was kind of funny.  Kayla can look sad or mad but can't give dirty looks.  You don't ever have to try again Kayla.

Another 6th Senser

Dear Miss Keira, I remember when Joey was a baby and I could have swore he had a sixth sense and just knew when I'd woken up and left the room - he immediately would wake up. You are getting that same trait. You don't go to bed until I do and will usually wake up as soon as I leave the room.  Joey just turned five and is now sleeping all night in his own bed (most nights). Do I have to wait five years to break you to? I guess we'll see.

Balloon Walking

Dear Kylan and Joey, I wish I would have taken a picture, but today we tied some yarn to a balloon and you went outside and took your balloons for a walk.  You two are too cute together!

Happy 11th Birthday Jaida

Dear Jaida, you were so excited for your birthday! You could barely sleep the night before and you woke up bright and early. You and your friends had a great time dressing up and I think your favorite part was unwrapping your KINDLE!! I had fun making your birthday cake and was thrilled that you took the party into your own hands and was in charge of pretty much everything. While I was cooking breakfast I told you the story of when you were born.  You were stubborn about being born then and you are stubborn to this day. Happy Birthday and we love you. :)

50 Degree Fun

Kayla mad that dad won't let her play with the charred log.

Luckily she's easy to make happy.

Kayla with black char all over her face - but happy!

Joey, happy to be out of the house!

So Sick

Dear Keira, you have been so sick with croup the last few days! Yesterday we went to Three Peaks and you loved digging your fingers into the sand. You filled your mouth with dirt once and after throwing a fit while I cleaned all the dirt out you didn't put anything else in your mouth. You love being outdoors. Today you can hardly breathe because your nose is so runny, poor girl! :(

I'm Such A Baby

Dear Monty, yes I cried when you got home.  Six days is just too long to be home alone with five kids, a holiday and the the two littlest sick. Ahhh but hearing you yell at the kids (the next day) to get things done and me sitting on the couch doing nothing, was music to my ears. Hahaha! Right now loving you more than all those chocolate chip cookies I saved for you.

Valentine's Day Walker

Dear Keira, you are growing up way too fast! I remember a couple of weeks ago and you took one to two steps, then you started standing really solid and now this. Following in your siblings' footsteps and not to be left behind.

My Valentine's Date

Dear Jaida, thanks for being my date to the ward Valentine's party. You even ate almost all your dinner! Too bad we couldn't get those cinnamon rolls you wanted!

All By Myself

Guess what Joey? You slept in the top bunk all by yourself last night - all night! In the morning when you got up and told the girls what you did you were so proud (and shy at the same time). You had this excited little shy/proud smile on your face all morning. Guess this is just another step to getting older, and means no more getting in my bed in the middle of the night. I sure wish the dogs would grow out of that. Now what are we going to do with that mountainous pile of stuffed animals on your bed?!

Snow Forts

Dear Kayla, we had so much fun building these forts and when our snowball fight was done we all went into the house except for you and when I looked out the window you had knocked them all down. :(

 Joey, you sure could throw a lot of snowballs, but if anyone hit you with one you cried and cried and cried.

 Yeah Jaida...keep throwing...

Classy Girl

Super Kylan

Dear Kylan, when you walked in the door I really thought we had a super hero at our house. You looked awesome!

Super Horhei

Dear Horhei, I seriously cannot believe what you can put up with. Kayla dressed you up the other day as our super hero cat and you were actually falling asleep - one of these days I should post the video.

Forgetfulness Is Not Cool

Dear Kayla, when we got to church today I said, "Monty, I forgot to give Kayla her medicine!" A few minutes later we were in Sunday school and I could hear you yelling, "WHOA, THAT IS SO COOL! AWESOME!!" You were down the hall and in a classroom with the door closed. As we were walking out your teacher came out behind us and as I was saying hi and about to explain she said, "Next week she needs her medicine or I'm bringing her back to you." Hahaha, Sandy's hilarious and an awesome teacher. "Holy cow, I could not get her to settle down. I gotta get home and take some Vitamin B to calm myself down." Oh man, you really did one over on Sandy today... maybe we should do something special for her for Valentines day!

Kylan Turns Three!

Dear Kylan, we had the perfect three-year old, family birthday party for you! Okay, it was perfect for me. No friends, no games and no stress. Plus Grandma and Grandpa came to help. Dinner was the biggest production and you loved it!

 Jaida helped you read all your birthday cards.

 Grandma helped you get all your food.

 We ate bugs on your birthday cupcakes!

And Joey played with the toy he got you until it broke.  Who could ask for a better birthday? :)

Jaida, Georgia and Horhei

Dear Jaida,
This is the second report you've done that you started the night before it was due and dragged your feet 'til it was done.  You end up with a really good report, but at 10pm I hear you and dad listening to music (from downstairs) as you write - whatever gets you through it I guess.  I'm just glad dad helped you do the report as I was getting too frustrated. At 1am (from Kylan's room) I hear you oustide the bathroom door asking dad if he'll buy you a Green Machine drink for school lunch in the morning and then, "Owe! Horhei, NO!" And then crying and, "Dad, horhei's attacking me!" More crying and scared whimpers. Dad's hollering in the bathroom for you to kick him and I'm trying to get to you as fast as I can so neither of you wake up Keira. When I walked into the hall you were cowering against the door and the cat had his ears laid back, I kicked him for you and took you to bed. You had scratches all up and down your arm and a really deep one that still hurt when you got from school the next day.

Oh, the first report was a persuasive essay on New Jersey, I thought it was going to be really hard but it actually made me want to go after researching it. This second report was on Georgia, just facts and figures, and can you believe I haven't read it yet? Shame! I'll get to it!

(I really need to start taking more pics of you)

Don't Tell Grandma

Dear Kylan,
A couple weeks ago we went under the bridge and the water was completely iced over! After a few 40-50 degree days we all went for a walk, again to the bridge. You, Joey and Dad walked out onto the ice which had melted a lot since we were last there. I stayed with Keira and took pictures. I think I snapped this pic right before you FELL IN! I think you just got to close to the edge, slid off and slowly started sinking. Dad hurried over and grabbed your one hand you had reaching out. He brought you up to me and we quickly stripped off your clothes. You were SO cold! We put your jacket on, wrapped you Keira's blanket and rubbed you until you were warm. I had you all bundled and you said, "Dad got me." "Dad saved you huh?" And you nodded your head up and down. It took you about two minutes and you were warm and having fun again. So we decided to walk the entire trail back to the house, brrr that was a little too cold and too long.

(On a side note as we were reaching the first house past the park four police cars came zooming to that house and a bit later an ambulance. Someone had passed away.)

Grandma Fielding told us to keep an eye on the boys and not to let them go near the ice in case it breaks so we'll just keep this story on the down low. ;)

Below is a picture of the ice the first time we went to the bridge.

Storytelling Time

Dear Kayla and Joey, last night all three of us snuggled in Kayla's bed. First we read the story of Adam and Eve from the Bible, you wanted the real story, not my "I think this is what happened" version.  Then I told the Three Billy Goats Gruff story. Joey you laughed every time the troll came out from under the bridge. Then Kayla, you told us about Little Red Riding Hood, the big bad wolf raced her to Grandma's house and then you asked me to finish the story. My throat hurt too much to talk after that so Kayla you told us another story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I did not know Goldilocks was named that because her hair was yellowish, blondish lemon. I fell asleep when you got to the radios and you had to wake me up and retell the ending. It was a great night until I came back down to put Jaida to bed and realized Joey had no diaper on and had peed in your bed, oops!