I may regret this.

We weren't going to do it so soon, but we put Linc in his "big boy bed."

To prepare him we took him to Build-A-Bear to pick out a bed buddy.

 

The first night he realized he wasn't in his cage (crib)  I think he was a little confused and scared. He kept yelling, "Mama, Mama!" When we peaked in to see what was going on Tatum was in his bed trying to comfort him and 'read' him a story.

The second night. he came running out  and giggling because he realized he could, I told him I was going to sleep in his bed and I crawled in, that was enough to get him to lay in his bed for the rest of the night.

He loves his bed, his Buzz pillow and he bot-bot, that is what he calls his Robot comforter.

I may regret this in a few nights but it's not that hard to reassemble the crib!

Tatum say me taking pictures and wanted to show off her bed.

I've joined the club...

.. and I am not ashamed.

i.love.it.

 

 Our new (new to us) 2006 Chevy Uplander

The Mini-Van Mama

 

The Happy Kids

 

I like this arrangement better!

 

This van has changed my life.

Where else can you see this...

palm trees AND snow!

A glimpse of things to come

A week ago Saturday we had some pictures taken of the kids. This is what was posted on the photographer's blog.  We love taking pictures with Sarah--she is so good and especially patient with the kids.

 Sarah writes:

So...

...on Saturday I had the opportunity to go out to Redlands to do some photography. Initially I went out for a newborn session and then decided to just open the day to mini sessions.

It was a blast!

Anyway, I arrived at the newborn session to find the most darling house (with darling children to match) ever! Seriously, Better Homes and Gardens has nothing on this house! It was a photographers DREAM!!

Anyway, as I am standing on the step taking some pictures of the cute baby, I look over and see this....
Then I looked back over at Tricia (the cute mom of the cute newborn) who saw me look at the mailbox and we didn't even have to say a word to one another. We both knew we had to try....

This!

Apparently some babies just don't love the idea of being stuffed in a mail box!

My cup runneth over

Tatum is our little mommy.

 and Lincoln doesn't want to be left out.

The kids don't always get along (shocker), but the moments I find them all being so sweet with one another is enough to make up for the times they make me want to pull out my hair.

Take the keys and lock them up!

Police Station Field Trip

It traumatized Tatum. She wouldn't go near the jail cell, motorcycle or even the policemen and I had to gently coax(bribe) her to stand next to the police car for a picture.

Lincoln on th other hand was far to comfortable here:

Lincoln's Nap

I think it is time to move the crib away the closet.

California is going to float away!

Oh my goodness--so MUCH RAIN!

WE are trapped inside and going stir crazy.

It has been raining all week, which we desperately need, and it looks as though it will continue into next week. We hae had rain,thunder, lightning,  hail and wind but we haven't had any flooding  or mud slides like some places in CA.

Inside activities

After the Rain

The Standard of Truth

Yesterday my mom was in charge of preparing and serving a meal the the missionaries in our area during their zone conference. She spent two days preparing the meal, many sisters in the ward also had a hand in the preparation and donation of food items. I took the kids the to church at the time I thought they would be cleaning up so the kids could run around in the cultural hall (this rain has kept us indoors and everyone was a bit stir crazy), anyway the missionaries had just sat down to eat when we arrived. We stayed anyway. Tatum and Lincoln took little baskets and walked around each table handing out dessert, fruit and/or handy wipes. The missionaries were so gracious and sweet with the kids. At the close of the luncheon the missionaries as a thank-you, stood up and recited "The Standard of Truth" and then sang "We'll Bring the World His Truth", one of my favorite primary songs. It was the best thank-you, it was so powerful and the spirit that filled the room was incredible. I literally brought tears to my eyes.

I think Tatum felt what I was feeling. On the drive home she kept saying that was the best  party ever.

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540).

Bunker's vs. Squirrels

If you have never heard Ben's mission story about squirrels, you must. It involves a "Peeping Tom" squirrel known as Dale, snowballs, and a squirrel being punched. Ben's coworkers caught wind of his personal vendetta towards squirrels and have been relentless in teasing him. At the baby shower at Ben's work we received a stuffed squirrel, squirrel onesies even a squirrel bouncer chair.

The "elbow to the nose" manuever

The Stare-down

and finally,

 the cold shoulder.

Like Father, Like Daughter

Allowance.

We are on a super tight budget we even allot ourselves a small allowance every two weeks to keep the spending in check. Ben is really good at saving. I am really good at spending. One of my new favorite things to spend on is matching clothes for the kids. It is so fun to match three. I will keep matching them as long as they let me, if my family is any indication they will be matching until they die ( Thanks Mom).

Matching Sunday Dress

Matching PJ's

 

This week's allowance

Matching leggings for the girls and coordinating shirt for Linc

(Oh, and they were all on clearance, it was meant to be!)

Sorry kids.

We fit in.

I remember it took about a month to feel confident taking Tatum out and I would think, "I was so much easier on my own."

Then Lincoln came, just when it was getting easy with Tatum. I had the car seat and a toddler and it seemed like such a huge ordeal to go anywhere and I remember thinking, "this was so much easier with one."  Of course, two became manageable and now we have three.

I have been really scared to venture out with the three kids on my own. I didn't know how I would handle the shopping cart or if I should use the double stroller instead. I knew I would have to time the trip just right. Every kid fed, snacks in the bag, Saylor nursed and all stuffed into the back of the Honda we went to the one place I thought we would fit in. Even if the kids are dirty, even though I have a preschooler, toddler and newborn and even if one, two, or all three were throwing fits we would fit in.

We went to Walmart.

We fit in.

One Month Old

I can't believe my NEWBORN is already one month old. AHHHHHH--where does the time go, I seriously feel like we just brought her home and at the same time that she has been a part of our family forever.

Saylor Rose

1 month old

We decided to celebrate her one month mark with a trip to, where else?

Disneyland

Lincoln and Minnie

 

Prepping for TOY STORY

Linc loving it

 

Saylor's first ride

Homemade Christmas

We decided this year that Ben and I were going to make gifts for each other. I would have been more worried about this idea if Ben weren't so creative. What I worried about the most was that my gift wouldn't be good enough to gift.

This homemade Christmas idea extended beyond our gifts to each other. We made gifts for other family members and our service project this year was also very hands on.

Ben's Christmas Gift
"He Said... She Said"
A 35 page book of memories of our first year together.
First Date. First Kiss. Family Impressions. A compilation of a whole bunch of firsts.

Part of Ben's gift also included
"The 12 Dates of Christmas"
Each night was something that we could do together
Guitar Hero, Temple Night, Christmas Movie

Family Service Project

We made 'texture bean bags'. We went through the Humanitarian Services with this project. They had the project ready, they just needed someone to fill the beanbags and sew them shut. Local hospitals and clinics use these cloth bags of different textures for sensory learning of children with special needs.

Ben gave me an amazing gift.

He took me on a trip down

" Memory Lane"

It was a pictorial trip.

It had pictures of all the places we've lived, icons representing our children and other wonderful and personal memories.

The qoute on the picture reads:

"The heart of a marriage is memories; and if the two of you happen to have the same ones and can savor your reruns, then your marriage is a gift from the gods. " --Bill Cosby

Our Best Homemade Christmas Gift

Saylor Rose

First Bath

Saylor's First Bath

December 25th

2 1/2 weeks olds

Her belly button cord finally fell off and we were so anxious to give her a bath.

 All clean and ready to celebrate

It is amazing what a new baby does to me. She really is still just sleeping, nursing and making all her funny little noises, but I can't get enough of her. I love when she falls asleep on my chest, the way she smells and how I can feel her breathing. I love the sweet spirit that surrounds her. I love how she smirks in her sleep. I love that when I look at her it reminds me of Tatum and Lincoln and the sweet moments I shared with them when they were newborns. I love watching her dad hold her so gently and talk so sweetly to her.  I love her chubby cheeks.  I love that when I look at her my eyes well up with tears.  I can't believe she is ours, I feel so  lucky, so blessed.
I love you Saylor.