Love.

“Parents, remember that now is your opportunity.
You may feel yourself harassed as you struggle through the days with children,
but you are living the happiest and most golden years of your life.
As you tuck them into their beds at night, please be kind to them.
Let them hear a kind voice amid all the angry, vile voices that they
will hear throughout life.
Let there be an anchor to which these little ones can turn when all else fails.
The Lord help you do so…” ~Harold B. Lee

I love this quote so much.
This is what I strive for every day.
I am not perfect yet I continue to try.
It's that important.
I love my babies.

{Oh and do you think "harassed" is a strong enough word? :}

{Note: There is no picture of my baby girl because I am not so desperate that I would risk waking a baby that sleeps like a feather.}

Journal Jar Monday

What is your favorite type of pie? Can you make it? Have you ever tried?

I think I would have to say Banana Cream Pie and yes, I have made it before AND after writing this post it time to try again. Practice makes perfect, right?

Uppidy Date

...Megan is now the proud new owner of {FIVE} teeth. 2 gappy top and two on the bottom with a loner off to the side. Thankfully she hasn't started biting me yet. The boys, however, aren't faring as well. When they are bugging her she'll try to bite them. She doesn't take crap from them. (It's kinda funny :) However, we better nip this in the bud now.

...Noah has been recently diagnosed with asthma. I'm still not sure to what degree. That last few years has found him coughing his brains out during the winter and totally cough free during the summer. He also seemed to be in kind of a funk and not himself. After a particularly bad week of coughing in January I finally decided to get him checked by his doctor who confirmed my suspicions. A few steroid treatments and a nightly dose of Singulair and he is completely cough free. Now he has no more nightly cough and he is sleeping (and so am I!). He is also back to normal sweet Noah.

...The stomach bug swept through our house this past weekend all on the same day. Kyle, Noah and I stayed close to the toilets for about a day but are now doing well. I HATE that bug.

...Kyle has been off track for the past 2 weeks and enjoying it. I can't say that we've done much but it has been nice to get out of the school routine. The boys did go to Gma and Gpa's house for a sleepover which they love.

...Adam got his hippie hair cut and as a reward got to go skiing to Snowbird with Von. He's a good boy.

...I just finished doing New Beginnings. I only had a month to organize it but I think it turned out really nice. We did stations including a personal progress, Young Women basics stations with a stations to make Valentines for the missionaries in our ward. (We had a Valentine/Charity theme) I did tissue paper pom poms for decorations and I must say, they were adorable. We also had pink mint brownies, mint ice cream and sprite with pink heart shaped ice cubes. It was all very cutsie. :) It was fun but I'm glad its done!!

My girls.

The ones with the pink corsages are the

"New'Bees'"

coming in this year.

This girl just cracks me up...

Check out those lips.

Holy moly!

I just had to post this again. Hilarious.

Megan's just gotta touch.

Things Babies Born in 2011 Will Never Know

{For posterities sake. This will be funny one day. Heck, it already is.}

Video tape: Starting this year, the news stories we produce here at Money Talks have all been shot, edited, and distributed to TV stations without ever being on any kind of tape. Not only that, the tape-less broadcast camera we use today offers much higher quality than anything that could have been imagined 10 years ago -- and cost less than the lens on the camera we were using previously.

Travel agents: While not dead today, this profession is one of many that's been decimated by the Internet. When it's time for their honeymoon, will those born in 2011 be able to find one?

The separation of work and home: When you're carrying an email-equipped computer in your pocket, it's not just your friends who can find you -- so can your boss. For kids born this year, the wall between office and home will be blurry indeed.

Books, magazines, and newspapers: Like video tape, words written on dead trees are on their way out. Sure, there may be books -- but for those born today, stores that exist solely to sell them will be as numerous as record stores are now.

Movie rental stores: You actually got in your car and drove someplace just to rent a movie?

Watches: Maybe as quaint jewelry, but the correct time is on your smartphone, which is pretty much always in your hand.

©Will D/flickr

Paper maps: At one time these were available free at every gas station. They're practically obsolete today, and the next generation will probably have to visit a museum to find one.

Wired phones: Why would you pay $35 every month to have a phone that plugs into a wall? For those born today, this will be a silly concept.

Long distance: Thanks to the Internet, the days of paying more to talk to somebody in the next city, state, or even country are limited.

Newspaper classifieds: The days are gone when you have to buy a bunch of newsprint just to see what's for sale.

Dial-up Internet: While not everyone is on broadband, it won't be long before dial-up Internet goes the way of the plug-in phone.

Encyclopedias: Imagine a time when you had to buy expensive books that were outdated before the ink was dry. This will be a nonsense term for babies born today.

Forgotten friends: Remember when an old friend would bring up someone you went to high school with, and you'd say, "Oh yeah, I forgot about them!" The next generation will automatically be in touch with everyone they've ever known even slightly via Facebook.

Forgotten anything else: Kids born this year will never know what it was like to stand in a bar and incessantly argue the unknowable. Today the world's collective knowledge is on the computer in your pocket or purse. And since you have it with you at all times, why bother remembering anything?

The evening news: The news is on 24/7. And if you're not home to watch it, that's OK -- it's on the smartphone in your pocket.

CDs: First records, then 8-track, then cassette, then CDs -- replacing your music collection used to be an expensive pastime. Now it's cheap(er) and as close as the nearest Internet connection.

Film cameras: For the purist, perhaps, but for kids born today, the word "film" will mean nothing. In fact, even digital cameras -- both video and still -- are in danger of extinction as our pocket computers take over that function too.

Yellow and White Pages: Why in the world would you need a 10-pound book just to find someone?

Catalogs: There's no need to send me a book in the mail when I can see everything you have for sale anywhere, anytime. If you want to remind me to look at it, send me an email.

Fax machines: Can you say "scan," ".pdf" and "email?"

One picture to a frame: Such a waste of wall/counter/desk space to have a separate frame around each picture. Eight gigabytes of pictures and/or video in a digital frame encompassing every person you've ever met and everything you've ever done -- now, that's efficient. Especially compared to what we used to do: put our friends and relatives together in a room and force them to watch what we called a "slide show" or "home movies."

Wires: Wires connecting phones to walls? Wires connecting computers, TVs, stereos, and other electronics to each other? Wires connecting computers to the Internet? To kids born in 2011, that will make as much sense as an electric car trailing an extension cord.

Hand-written letters: For that matter, hand-written anything. When was the last time you wrote cursive? In fact, do you even know what the word "cursive" means? Kids born in 2011 won't -- but they'll put you to shame on a tiny keyboard.

Talking to one person at a time: Remember when it was rude to be with one person while talking to another on the phone? Kids born today will just assume that you're supposed to use texting to maintain contact with five or six other people while pretending to pay attention to the person you happen to be physically next to.

Retirement plans: Yes, Johnny, there was a time when all you had to do was work at the same place for 20 years and they'd send you a check every month for as long as you lived. In fact, some companies would even pay your medical bills, too!

Mail: What's left when you take the mail you receive today, then subtract the bills you could be paying online, the checks you could be having direct-deposited, and the junk mail you could be receiving as junk email? Answer: A bloated bureaucracy that loses billions of taxpayer dollars annually.

Commercials on TV: They're terrifically expensive, easily avoided with DVRs, and inefficiently target mass audiences. Unless somebody comes up with a way to force you to watch them -- as with video on the Internet -- who's going to pay for them?

Commercial music radio: Smartphones with music-streaming programs like Pandora are a better solution that doesn't include ads screaming between every song.

Hiding: Not long ago, if you didn't answer your home phone, that was that -- nobody knew if you were alive or dead, much less where you might be. Now your phone is not only in your pocket, it can potentially tell everyone -- including advertisers -- exactly where you are.

Provided by Money Talks News

Top {ten} of 20{ten}

...Megan. Our smiley, sweet, gorgeous baby girl joined our family.

...Kyle graduated from preschool and began Kindergarten.

...Noah potty trained!! (Should be higher on the list. :)

...Adam decided to get disciplined and up his exercise routine and eating habits and lost a lot of weight. He was sexy before but dang! :) Erin lost approximately 37 lbs. ;)

...We re-did our backyard more to our liking and love it!

...Megan hit a lot milestones but crawling is my favorite. She loves to get around and play with her brothers.

...Adam and Erin ran the 10k Swiss Days race both beating their best times.

...Kyle played baseball and really enjoyed himself.

...Adam got a much deserved promotion at work.

...We went to one of Adam and my favorite places, Arches National Park, as family for the first time.

HaPpY nEw YeAr!

{BTW- happy 200th post to me!!}

Christmas 2010

Our Christmas

{in no particular order...cuz I'm lazy.}

It was fun to buy girly toys for once; especially the doll.

Adam and I cracked up when we saw this Kyle creation made from Daddy's weights, scraps of paper and a fuzzy blanket. So cute.

Love them.

Kyle posing in front of Christmas chaos.

Now Noah owns approximately 5 Buzz Lightyears...

We hit GOLD!

The long awaited and often asked for Christmas gift.

Iron Man RC car

Both Noah and Kyle received a Battleforce 5 car. It has ended up being more of a favorite than the Iron Man car.

We had a lovely Christmas this year.

We saw lots of family,

participated in the annual deaf center party,

saw David Archuleta sing with the MoTab (amazing),

did a few gingerbread houses,

drank lots of hot chocolate,

had our annual Christmas Eve breakfast with friends,

used lots of gas looking at Christmas lights (or as the boys always yelled out "Christmas decorations!"),

passed out store bought cookie dough to our neighbors with a nice little poem reading "Poinsettias are red, cookies are sweet, here is some dough, now make your own dang treat!" (Nice, eh?),

made a concerted effort to convince the boys that Jesus is the real reason for the season NOT the white haired, fat dude (I think some of it got through...),

We truly are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Savior during this beautiful time of year.

Uppidy Date

...Megan is a full on crawler and has been for a couple of weeks. She loves to get around on her own. I like it too.

...I excitedly went to Kyle's first parent/teacher conference. He is doing very well in school and is in the ABC club for knowing all his letters and sounds. He enjoys school but would rather be, alas, home with his family. Who could blame him?

...Megan likes to hold the phone up to her ear which we find ADORABLE. In fact, she is becoming quite the copy cat. She likes to clap along with the audience on TV. If you say "Yay, Megsie!" she will start clapping. Love it.

...My New Year's resolutions are to spend less time on my iPhone and finally finish Personal Progress.

...I have a new calling! Young Women's 2nd counselor. Apparently, I'm not learning what I need to because in this ward I have tried out all the YW callings except President. No thank you.

I'm about to hit my 5th year in YW's!

...I have a niece (EP and Amy), nephew (Mary and Von) and an ..."it" (Crispy and Nicky) due in the next 7 months. I am so excited to snuggle these baby bundles especially since mine will be 15 months old and giant by these time these little ones come along.

Boys.

Kyle: Have you seen my diarrhea? Hey, Will. Have you seen my diarrhea?
Will: Ewww, Kyle.
Kyle: No, no. My diarrhea BOOK. The thing that I write in...
Me: (laughing) You mean a diary, Kyle. LOL

Bah! Humbug!

The loser.

In case you haven't already noticed, we got killed in our gingerbread house {graham cracker house for you picky ones} competition. We got 28% of the vote...

I'd like to thank those of you that were willing to break out of the box and vote for something truly original. I'd also like to thank the White's for allowing us the privilege of horning in on their 8 year long tradition. It was seriously fun even if we didn't get to bed until 1:30am and had 9am church...

And lest you think I am too bummed by this blow out know that I have already licked my wounds {not sure Adam has though} and decided that it is better that we didn't win. I mean, beating a pastry chef would have been truly and utterly sad.

Please vote!

Please pick your favorite masterpiece by using the poll on the right--->. Some serious egos are on the line here so please vote carefully! :)

(This poll is anonymous.)

GINGERBREAD HOUSE #1

GINGERBREAD HOUSE #2

One last look...

{Nine} months!

Height: 29 in. 85%

Weight: 20.1 lbs. 75%

Head: 18.5 in. 97%

(the doctor measured twice because it is so ginormous.)

I've always said that 9 months is my favorite baby age and Megan is NO exception. She is so FUN and happy. She is sleeping through the night, taking nice, long naps {FINALLY! No more cat naps}, she loves to play with her brothers or even by herself, and smiles a ton.

She is really a good baby.

She is still pretty stranger shy but seems to be growing out of it.

She loves to point. I know bad manners but its so cute. :)

She's not quite crawling but is definitely dragging herself around.

She also loves to bop to music.

LoVe her.

Princess movies...Yay!

My little men are in for a rude awakening. Along with little sisters come princess movies. "Tangled" being the movie in question. They refused to have anything to do with it until Kyle {who wanted to stay with a sitter} talked to his cousin, Will, who had seen it and gave Kyle his okay. Noah wanted to go to Dawn Dawn's house and watch "Star Wars" instead. Turns out....

...they both loved it. {Noah can't stop talking about the part where she gets "tangled up" in her own hair.} Hmmmm, I wonder if "Sleeping Beauty" would go over as well...

Happy Thanksgiving!

SO much to be grateful for this year...

I am grateful for my family. I'm especially thankful that my laundry has had an influx of pinks, lavenders and yellows. Megan is a beautiful, sweet, healthy baby girl. I'm thankful for her big brothers and they way have just welcomed her and LOVED her. And of course, my man. He works hard for us. I'm thankful that despite the nasty economical problems we have felt secure and at peace. I am thankful to have one less diaper to change (Way to go, Bones!).

I (Adam) am thankful for the additional opportunity to get in touch with my feminine side. Megan is a beautiful baby girl that has already enriched our lives so much. This year I have gained a strong affinity to local, amateur art. Both Kyle and Noah have started to draw and bring us random pieces of masterpieces. Kyle just made one and drew a postage stamp. My wife is a marvelous wife, mother, domestic engineer, logistics supervisor, communications director, head chief, educator, counselor and eternal companion (plus she's easy on the eyes). I don't know that I can truly express everything I am grateful for. My Heavenly Father has given me so much.

Kyle is thankful for the church, toys, clothes, learning in school, the city (don't ask me to expound. I can't)

Noah is thankful for Kyle, the letter "L" (the one happened to spot on the key board, I'm sure), Scooby Doo movies, his "blanklet" and Buzz Lightyear

Megan is thankful Mommy, Mommy, Mommy...oh and Mommy, Daddy, FOOD, milk and brothers that make her laugh.

{Oh and Happy Birthday to me!}

Uppidy date

New Hoover Dam bridge. This picture doesn't do it justice. It is scary big.

Crazy cousins. They had a blast together.

...We spent a fun 4 days in Vegas a few weeks ago with the Schroeder's. Adam always has a trade show around this time of year which, for me, means a visit to see my sister's family. Yay! Shopping, eating out, playing at some really fun parks, singing with Cyd in sacrament {When we got done singing Noah said in a loud voice "Mommy that was beauiful. That was beauiful, Mommy!" The people sitting around us loved it more than our song, I think.}, letting the kids get caught up, movie watching, seeing the volcano at the Mirage {Kyle LOVED this, Noah not so much} and just plain chillackin' were all on the docket.

Just like her brothers, Megan's eyes get red when she eats something she particularly enjoys.

...Megan is growing like a weed and is almost 9 months old. She sleeps through the night pretty well, is still her Mommy's biggest fan and yes, still dislikes strangers holding her or really anyone that is not Adam or I. She'll give you sweetest smile but no touchy!

She has run fevers twice this month but with nothing else happening. I hope this doesn't become habitual.

She is really getting smart. She likes to wave, push buttons, smile, suck her thumb and eat...anything. Although, fruit makes her gag. ???

...Kyle is enjoying school and doing really well. He went off track for the first time last month. His teacher gave him a big packet to take home and do during the off time. He had it finished in an hour. Yay for a kid that likes school and doesn't take after his Kindergarten sluffing Mama. It's been really fun to watch him learn to read and write. He's also been improving his art skills. Lately he can sit and draw or color for a couple of hours. He NEVER did this before. Now he finds great satisfaction in creating art with paper and crayon. He's into mazes and dot to dot as well.

...Noah is making us laugh all the time. He has a laugh that can only be described as a "yuk, yuk" kind of laugh. He loves to make others laugh and tries hard at it with his non-sensical knock, knock jokes. He misses Kyle everyday he goes and school and is anxious to go pick him up. {What is going to happen next year when Kyle is in school ALL day?} He loves his pajamas. He always wants to eat. And is just a sweet boy.

*The pics of the boys above are from our October Arches trip. Here's a few more: