My two new favorite kid's products!

1. Bumbo infant chair
2. Anything 'Leapfrog'

Bumbo
I love this chair because Lincoln(almost 4 months) can sit up by himself and really be a part of the action. He loves it. At first I was hesitant to purchase one even though it has won many awards and seems to be on all the infant must-have lists, because it seemed to be yet another bulky item and it costs $40. It is worth the money.

Long live LEAPFROG

http://www.leapfrog.com

Okay, so most people don't believe unless they hear it, or hear it and see it, but Tatum knows her alphabet. That may not sound all that impressive, but when I say she knows the alphabet, she can tell you every sound that every letter makes and she can point out a letter and tell you what it is and they don't have to be in any order. A large part of this due to LeapFrog toys and videos. The best video for your toddler is 'The Letter Factory'!
We also love the 'Word Factory' and 'Math Circus'.
Seriously, she has learned so much and can do alphabet puzzles and sound out simple words--it is amazing.

The Deterioration of 'Ducky'

My mom bought Tatum this 'ducky' during a post easter shopping trip. She immediately fell in love with it. She would nestle her face in the soft fur and would snuggle so sweet with her 'ducky'. At the time I was thinking,' Oh great another toy that I am going to have to find a place for, that probably won't see much playtime,' boy was I wrong. Tatum doesn't just snuggle with 'ducky', she sleeps with it, he plays toys and reads books with her --it is her best friend. If she had to choose between 'ducky' and mommy, 'ducky' wins. We do have a couple rules with 'ducky' 1.He isn't allowed in the bath, and 2. He doesn't leave the house (we wouldn't be able to replace him).

April 2006

June 2006

November 2006 At this point, 'ducky' has lost his hat.

December 2006 (Okay so he left the house for this trip, he came with us to Utah)

February 2007

July 2007 ( Okay, so he left the house again-- but we were at the beachhouse for a week)
'Ducky' seen here without his hat and now without his scarf.
12/26/2007 Tatum, Ducky, Lincoln (one week old)
'Ducky' losing his fur(feathers), I think it is called molting.

January 2008

February 2008

March 2008
'Ducky' has been gradually losing all his fluff, Tatum will find a piece of his stuffing and put it back in through a whole on his head.

April 2008
Tatum recieves 'new duck' and Lincoln receives 'froggie' for Easter. Tatum calls the new duck, 'new duck' and it has definitely not replaced 'ducky', but she does like to play with him and has started sleeping with both ducks.

April 2008
Lincoln with 'froggie', this reminds me so much of the early months with 'ducky'.

Easter Weekend

This is how we dyed Easter eggs last year with Tatum and it worked great. No worrying about spills or stains and when she was done we just jumped the dye down the drain and kept Tatum in the bath. She loved it. She actually dyed and re-dyed the eggs about ten times, until her hand was literally black (see third picture)!

Our Easter Baskets

Lincoln donning new swimwear, found in his Easter basket.

Rigggins with his Easter gift--we had to give him something to leave the plastic eggs alone!

This is the first of three Easter egg hunts of the day. I didn't want her to have candy overload so I filled her eggs with her refrigerator alphabet magnets--she was more into the hunt than what was actually inside the egg! Although the candy was a bonus! This egg hunt was in our yard.

Examining her loot

Second egg hunt of the day, at GoGo's and Papa's

Tatum was more concerned with finding more eggs and less with the family photo op

Tatum and Lincoln's Easter basket from GoGo and Papa. Yes, that is a new duck in the basket but Tatum isn't planning on replacing 'ducky'!

Third Easter egg hunt of the day (there were five in total), at the Peterson's home. She completely insisted on carrying her own basket.

This is how Lincoln spent the day!

Easter Sunday
Redlands Temple

It was so fun to share in the excitement of Easter with Tatum and to see how excited she was with the candy and eggs how grateful I am to experience this with her, but more importantly I am grateful for the knowledge I have of the resurrection.

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15)

I know that Jesus Christ died for us. I know He suffered and laid down His life because he loves us. I know that if we choose to follow Him we will be happy. I know He died, but more importantly I know He has risen. He lives!

“And now after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!” (D& C 76:22)
Happy Easter

Rest in Peace Uncle Dave

I feel so blessed to have known this sweet, generous man. I am so proud to be a part of his family and I am so grateful for the memories I have of him.

What happened to March?

Oh my goodness! What happened to March. It seems our lives have been a little crazy this month and extremely hectic. Our family, kids, callings, school and term finals, work and Ben's new promotion have really kept us really busy. I am so grateful for a supportive family, a hard-working and dedicated husband and the sweet smiles from my two angels--this is what is it all about!

Tatum and Lincoln.

Tatum's first shiner!Tatum painting with Uncle Trevor.

Bubbles with Uncle Tyler!

Where's Uncle Todd?

Happy Birthday!

Yes--it's my birthday and this is what I woke up to this morning! Thank you Ben as always you amaze me!
(Notice Tatum ogling the cake in the corner!)