9 months

Today Claire had her 9 month check up and she weighs a whopping 13 lbs 10 oz. I have really small babies and she is no exception. She is in the <3%..she did grow a whole inch in 3 months and she got 2 shots ( we're taking it slow) and she had her heel pricked to check her iron levels. She got a new book at her checkup and was immediately interested. She has been so much fun and such a great blessing. Melissa started a project this weekend and decided she was done with the hawaiian theme in her room and took some paint we already had and began an "argyle" wall..her new favorite pattern. I was impressed with her knowledge of math as she had to do alot of figuring out to get the measurements right. I'll take a picture when it's all done. I'm adding a picture of the boys since I haven't blogged one of them lately. They are such great buddies and I'm so glad they have eachother. 

This week

I LOVE this picture of Claire..I've probably even posted it before.

Natalie's science project about music and the effect it has on your heartbeat.

It didn't win but I must say it looked the best! ha ha

So this has been a crazy week with Valentines and I got sick with a really bad cold which I still have and am now thinking it is probably a sinus infection. Natalie came home Tuesday night and said her science project was due the next day! (Typical Natalie) So we were scrambling at the last second trying to get it done. Then she tells me yesterday that we are hosting 2 girls from Mexico till Tuesday of next week. WHAT? Welcome to my life...

This is Natalie (right) with her friend "Hopper"

Natalie struttin' her stuff!

Our 8 month old Claire Bear..so cute isn't she?

Not much ..except snow has been happening here and I didn't even take pictures this time. We got so much in the beginning of the week the kids were home from school for 2 days. I went to Natalie's cheer pep assembly on Friday and she did great and really likes it. ( following in her sister's footsteps!) I have been battling a cold the past few days and so is Zane and Claire..my stay at home buddies. I think they might even be getting pink eye. Claire is over 8 months old now and is getting to be quite a character. She has discovered that she can shake her head back and forth and actually communicate the word "NO" The girls have also taught her how to wave her cute little hand "bye -bye" Valentines is coming up and I am hoping my wonderful husband has planned somethng WONDERFUL as it is his year to do Valentine's ..we take turns each year. We'll see.............;)

Winter Formal

This past Saturday was Winter Formal for Flagstaff High School. Melissa went with a friend named Christian who asked her to go. The theme was "masquerade". We found a dress while in California that fit her persoanlity perfectly and shoes at a specialty website since her foot is so small. My mom was able to find a white shrug to go on top of the dress since nothing these days is made modestly. My mom and Dad drove up here on a weekday and brought it to us. How nice huh? I made her a mask to carry around and she said it got stolen off her table...(sure). She spent the day getting ready at her friend Emily's house and I went over to get pictures. She looked so pretty and said she had a good time except that her date wouldn't stop following her around EVERYWHERE! She came home that night and came in our room to tell us all about the evening and chatted for about a half hour.. I felt great that she would want to tell us about her night and only hope that the communication between us will always be strong. Love you Melissa and can't wait to experience your next adventure in the dating world!

Happy Birthday Melissa!

Today is my oldest's 16th birthday...boy does that make me feel old to say but it's not about me, it's about her. Today is a day I celebrate her and her life so far. She is an amazing girl full joy. She was born on a navy base in Yokosuka, Japan on the inauguaration of Pres. Clinton's first go round and she has been a wonderful child. She is so cute and bubbly with a great personality. She is a sophomore at Flagstaff high school and a straight A student who is on Varsity cheer as a flyer and is also on student council. She is very involved in Politics and propositions. She is also very creative and comes up with some amazing things...like a name tag with argile patterns and letters ans all kind of sayings about herself. (and all the teacher asked for was their name on a card) But that is her..nothing ordinary about her. She wants to go to BYU when she graduates and that isn't very long from now. I keep thinking I only have 24 months with her till' she is an adult and it seems to have flown by. I am so proud of her and the woman she is becoming. I am thankful for her and to be able to watch her grow. Happy Birthday to my sweet little baby girl..I love you so much!

We just got back last night from a fun 16th b-day celebration with her and 3 of her friends for 4 days. I was out of my mind and took them all to Disneyland and Calif. Adventure staying at my in-laws home in Laguna beach ( thanks to the McCleve's) They had a good time and drove me crazy..let's just say "DRAMA" is the best word to describe it all. We had a good time and I'm sure it's something she won't ever forget.

happy Birthday Trenton

Today is my oldest son Trenton's birthday. He is 7 years old today and such an important part of our family. He is the funnest kid so full of life. He was the first boy and such a blessing to Brian and I. I remember bringing him home from the hospital and feeling so complete, like my family had girls and a boy now..little did I realize 2 more precious spirits would be joining us.

Trenton is a great little athlete and loves to run. He could outrun anyone on his t-ball team last year and his skinny little legs would almost move faster than the rest of him. He is my snuggler boy and loves to get cuddle time when he wakes up in the morning before school. He's very smart and picked up reading immediately. He loves video games and always being the winner..hmmmn, wonder where that comes from? He is a great friend and loves to go play with friends  and cousins.  He is joy and I am so privledged to be his mother and be able to raise such an outstanding kid. Happy Birthday Trenton

We're BACK!

Cousins playing indoor glow in the dark mini golf.

Trenton getting medical care from my sister Janay after he got whacked with a hockey stick.

The girls ice skating.

Jared #14 playing in his tournament. 

We are back and school has resumed. It was a bit of a relief to have things go back to normal after a long winter break. We have so much SNOW!!!! I was brave and took my kids on a roadtrip to Northern California for a week. My sister lives in Dublin. ( the east bay) We had a good time and everyone was really great on the trip, even Claire did exceptionally well. We went to Jake and Jared's hockey tournament in San Jose and it was fun to see them compete. My brother in law took them to see the movie Bedtime Stories and we took them to Super Franks indoor play area, where they played glow mini golf. I even took them to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, Ca where we all pretty much froze and were super glad we didn't have Claire with us..she stayed home with my sister. It was a long drive (2 days ) but so worth it to visit my one and only sister. We hope they will come and visit us next time! Hope everyone had a great New Years. Now I gotta go and check out everyone's blog and see what everyone's been up to.