Still here...Just distracted

I've been MIA--at least when it comes to my blog. We've been busy potty training, keeping up with David's 2nd year at school, and trying to keep the house somewhat clean! I've done a few here and there in the past few months but its been pretty poor...and i don't think I've had any picture for awhile. SO.... Pictures is what you'll get.

Carson's 3rd Birthday 

Opening very carefully --This is how he approaches most things

My silly, but super adorable kids

On our cruise in December

Body surfing on the very top of the ship

Flow Rider surfing

Fall--Football, Pumpkins & Leaves

At the Pumpkin Patch



Waving to Grandpa at Jake's Football game



Goo was such a good sport!

Waiting

Today (and for the last several days) I have been waiting for....

*The weather to get cooler. I really am ready for 50-60 degrees. I want to wear jeans and longsleeves and not get hot playing outside. I am ready for jackets & fuzzy crocs, hot chocolate & spiced cider.

*The holidays. With cooler weather comes decorations, fall baking, holiday shopping, birthdays, & family time. I already told David that the Christmas decor is going up after Halloween this year. I love pies, caramel apples, all the food of the season. I love family football, late night games, caroling, and wrapping presents. I love warm fall colors and bright Christmas colors. I love the nativity story and think maybe this year it will make more sense to my children. I love smiling neighbors, door bell suprises, & people bustling about as they conquer their own holiday agenda. I really love this time of year.

*David to finish school. I know, I know, he is not even halfway thru. I miss my husband. I miss Saturdays. It is no longer a family day. Just another day without Dad. We don't have the whole family cuddle time in Mom and Dad's bed because he is always absent. I am grateful for the opportunity that he has to go to school and the sacrafice is worth it. But I'm waiting.

*My brother to come home. Elder Facer will be home from Norway Janurary 12. Just today he wrote in his email of his relief that he was once again reassured of that departure date and not the sooner possibility. I have to feel a little guilty for in his joy, is my dissapointment. I wish he was going to be home for Christmas. I am stoked that Seth, Hansen, and Angie will be there. I can't wait to see them!!! It would be perfect if Garrett was going to be there too. Guess he's a better person than I am. Who can blame him? He wants to serve the Lord in that capacity for as long as he can.

*My friends to come see me. Doesn't any one want to come see me? I come back to visit them...and I look forward to it SO much. Maybe its not recipricol. Or maybe its not as easy I think it is.

*A car. We knew that a new car was enevitable in the next few years. David's just doesn't have the life capacity to hold out for long. It seems like it may have served its time. To fix its most recent repair might not be worth the cost of the vehicle. David won't drive it to work since we aren't sure how reliable it is--and I absolutely HATE driving the thing. Let's just say I wasn't there when he bought it. That was pre-Malerie era. That leaves us with the next decision. What do we do...and what do we get...and how much do we spend?

*That right feeling that we're ready for another baby. I can't believe I was already 8 weeks pregnant with Chelsea when Carson was her age now. He seemed so much older than she is. So much less baby like. Did I mentally make him older because I was expecting another? Maybe, but Chels is still my baby for now. I do miss the little newborn/infant stages. I think I'll always love that. I'm just not ready for another human being in the family. Babies do grow up! For now my two are perfect. But that third will come, sometime.

*The exercise bug to bite me. Maybe I will NEVER have that push, that desire to have a consistant roustine. I know what I don't like, but there are things that I DO like. Why can't that be enough? Why do I have to make it happen? Why do I have to have a lengthy conversation with myself titled, "To work out now or not", only to have it fizzle and die with "NOT". Anyone have tips?

*My kids to wake up. They are both down for a nap (yay!) but---I'm ready to see them again. To hug and kiss their cheeks. I LOVE my kids! I miss them when they're right here, in the house, sleeping! Isn't that funny? They're just great kids like that. You always want them around.

I guess I'll just keep playing the waiting game. Its one I don't particularly mind.

There and Back Again

a novel (because it will take FOREVER to finish) by: Malerie


Ok so this summer we left our house for a month long vacation involving 7 cities, 30 hours of driving, 10 hours of flying, and a TON of stuff in between.

IT WAS CRAZY! I'll do my best to recap our adventures.

We left our house on Sunday to drive 5 hours down to my parents house in Sa_____. We hung out there for a few days playing with siblings, gparents, uncles, an aunt...blah blah blah. The best part was riding in the wagon. Here are those pics.

On Wednesday around 7pm we had my parents suburban loaded with 15+ bags, a pack 'n play, SUV stroller, probably 15 pillows (for 8 people) dvds, food, and the tent trailer hitched in back. We drove through the night 14 hours to AZ. The kids sorta slept. They woke up several times and I'd nurse Chels back to sleep and then try to get some shut-eye myself. Lets just say I won't be driving through the night again.

Cities Vail & Tucson, AZ

 My Grandparents (mom's side) and my mom's sister Tracy & family live in AZ. I'm really glad I got to visit them. I think it had been 6 years since I'd been to my gparents house!      We went to the zoo...

 Carson would not leave this tractor alone. It was his favorite "attraction" at the zoo or "bee-youm" as he calls it. Not that it sounds at all like zoo.

it was SO hot I had to keep getting the kids' hair wet to cool them off

 The zoo was actually really fun...and it was one of the quickest trips to the zoo I've ever experienced!

 While in AZ we also played in my aunt's pool, went to In n out several times, and had a really fun time visiting with my cousins there. (they are closer in age to my sibling and my own children so they all had a blast playing with one another). Carson still to this day tells me he want to go to Aunt Tracy's house.

We ate good food, played with toys that I used to play with as a kid, played Shanghai, talked, and really had a great time!

Really not sure how this happened....poor Goo

 City # 4, Provo UT

After 4 full days of fun, we left Monday around noon to make the 13 or so hour drive up to UT. We got in around 1:30am and that was SO much better than all night long. Aw Utah. Home.

Provo House,                
                              Family,

Such a great depiction of their relationship

 Memories,  
                

                                    BBQs,




             
                                                 Games,

             




                                   



                          Best Friends,

really unsure of what I'm doing

 Learning, 

Bonding,                     

              Cousins, 




Aunts & Uncles,

Food,                
                Siblings,

LOVE

Do I even dare say that this was my favorite part of my vacation....? It was just peaceful and warm, comforting, and familiar. I love coming back home.

I loved seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and remembering why I LOVE being me.   Thanks to the Gill's for letting us stay with you! It was so great to be in your home again.

To be continued......

Things They DID Get From Me

Here are some of the things the kids got from me...

-Scruched nose when smiling really big! (both kids)

-Loud (both)

-redish tint in their hair (both)...with a little help from dad most likely

-Long tongue (chels)

-Eczema (both)

-Love to sing (carson)

-super chuncky baby fat (both)

Things they did NOT get from me...

I'm sure this list will grow and change but some things I've noticed lately...

--Clammy hands and feet (both kids)

--Blond hair (both)...i probably contributed but David had blond hair as a kid.

--Hands behind the head while sleeping (Carson)

--Liking mustard (Carson)

--Severe allergies (both)

--Love of Teasing (both)

Lazy Days

Sometimes we have lazy days.

Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Special Agent Oso, or

Baby signing time....Plus lots of cuddle time and play time on mom's

bed!

We also have shower time...I love clean kids!!

Day in, Day out

A peek into our days of late....

Its getting warmer...and we're getting ready for swim season.

Family home evening has been a very fun adventure!! We love teaching Carson (and Chelsea) about Jesus.

Pretty sure this is one of the cutest things ever!! I love her pink toes.

The Bumbo

If you have a child under 3...They might LOVE these!

I had one for Carson and just got it out recently for Chels. When he saw her in it...he wanted to use it. He would try and 'push' her out.

Needless to say, we needed another one. Now they both hang out in their bumbo:)

If your baby can pretty much hold up their head...the bumbo has enough back support for them to be in it. Usually around 3-4 months I think. It has a tray too so you can use it for feeding. I loved taking it traveling with me when carson was young. Insta-highchair.