72* and Sunny in California

Yes all of you who were freezing cold here can be jealous! California was absolutely beautiful and warm! I'm sure people thought that we were nuts wearing shorts and short sleeved shirts, especially placing our children in them. Most were walking around in jackets, sweaters, and turtlenecks!

While there we were able to visit and spend time with Dave's Grandparents in Murrieta. Grandpa Wurtz asked if I was carrying again and I told him no that I just hadn't lost all of the baby weight yet. Grandma Wurtz took the kids, Dave, and I on a walk around the block while supper was cooking. When we came back from our walk Grandpa had Dave hook-up his new all in one printing station and get the pictures off of Grandma's camera. The kids had a blast and wished that they would've stayed longer. From their place we left for Dana Point for dinner with his Grandpas. While traveling there we got stuck in construction for over a 1/2 hour while traffic headed in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, we had no cell phone service to ring ahead and let them know that we would be late and when we finally did get service no one would answer the phone at the location. We finally arrived late but to open arms. Dave dropped me off and Grandpa Bill escorted me in to let Grandpa Joe know that we were here. While walking in Bill looked and me and said, "Grandpa and I have done the math and our expecting some news about an up coming arrival." Once again, I let them know that No, I am not expecting I just haven't lost the baby weight as easily as the first two. The kids were excited to see their Grandpas and they seemed to be the hit at the Yatch Club. We feel so grateful to have been able to see them, the cookbook which Grandpa Bill put together is awesome and I can't wait to try all of the new recipes. All in all it was so much fun to get together with both sets of Grandparents and we love them dearly.

Next we were able to see Dave's best friend Jeff and the Browns! It was just like coming home, we love seeing them every time that we are able too. The kids especially loved the boat ride through Naples to see the lights with Jeff, his girlfriend Elizabeth (hopefully his fiance soon), Ryan, and Madison. The kids were all so well behaved and Addison loved hanging out with Madison and telling her all of the cool things that she could do.

Addison and JT loved spending time with Sarah playing games and going to the park with her. The kids loved having someone other than their mom and dad to play with.

Before we left I told Dave that there were a few places that I wanted to attend while we were in Cali one being El Zarape. So, on Thursday night we got together with Dave's brother Josh and his wife Kristen and all had dinner at El Zarape it was soo yummy! Addison and JT fell asleep while eating, JT in Dave's arms and Addison in my lap. Kristen took Payslei out of her carrier and feed her rice which she absolutely loved. When dinner was over we all headed back to Dad and Mom's house to laugh and visit more.

Lastly, we were able to seem Michelle and the girls which was a blast! Friday night we went and got pizza and laughed our butts off. Then on Saturday we went to the beach and took family pictures! The kids absolutely loved the beach! We feel so grateful to have such an amazing family!

Sorry for the run down but I need to keep a journal of the events some how!

Ornament Party and Santa Clause

This year we attended the annual Ornament Christmas Party in Lake Havasu, AZ hosted by my SIL Brandy and her mom Aunt Kathy! It was so much fun to get to spend time with them and make new memories!

Danny and Brandy got a new Rhino which Aunt Kathy refers to as the "Mule". Dave and the kids thought that it was a blast! JT especially loved the little power wheels jeep that he and Addison kept taking turns on.
While there I gave Dave and JT a haircut using Brandy's buzzers; which bty are terrible; so the haircuts weren't the greatest good thing it is only hair.
Payslei attached herself to Brandy and started to reach for people. It was the cutest thing, when Brandy would walk in the door she would ask where her baby was and Payslei would start reaching for her. Needless to say it was a nice break for me but their poor puppy was extremely jealous!

By far my favorite memory from that visit will be going to see Santa Claus at Brandy's work. This was the first time that Payslei and Kendrick were to meet Santa. When we first got there Katelyn and Addison became shy so I quickly placed JT on Santa's lap to null the fear. Wouldn't you know that as soon as Santa asked what JT would like for Christmas he reached up and almost pulled the beard off. Thank goodness Santa is quick and told him that, "Santa doesn't like his beard pulled." Of course only my son would do something like that and smile while doing it. Next, came Payslei who just reached up to him in awe and wonder, so precious! Addison sat on his lap and just giggled and then told him that she wanted a Dora Kitchen (not gonna happen) and a kitten (also not gonna happen). Katilyn was just smiled and I didn't catch what she wanted but told him that she had written a letter and so he should already know. (In fact, her mom has been trying her hardest to find out what game Katilyn wants for Christmas and she finally told her mom not to worry about it because she wrote Santa a letter and so it will be there Christmas morning!) Lastly was Kendrick who just laid there. The pix's will be posted soon as soon as some one sends them to me! HINT HINT!

Thanksgiving the beginning of the Holiday Rush!

I know that some of you are thinking finally a post it's not that many wonderful things have not happened because they have it is just pure exhaustion!

Thanksgiving was absolutely wonderful this year! We all went up to Moose Lodge in Idaho and spent time as an extended Hatch Family. Gramms only fell down the stairs once and to her defense they were extremely steep and narrow!!! Aunt Brook's rolls were amazing as usual, Auntie Mo's cranberry relish is always something I look forward too, and lastly the appetizers which definitely makes Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving! I've decided that when the later generations read of our family they will discover that we love food, shooting guns, playing in the mud on ATVs, singing, and playing card games as a family. I think that the memory of this Thanksgiving will definitely be one that not only I but the rest of the family will hold close to our hearts!

Just to make some of you laugh after reading this long post....Up at the cabin there is an electrical fence in place around the perimeter to keep the cattle away, it is on a 10 second delay. The make shift shooting range was placed on the other side of this perimeter ensuring that no one would get hurt. JT decided that he wanted to be near his daddy while shooting and while standing on the opposite side of the fence he was holding onto the wire. Dave thinking that the circuit must not be connected decided to grab onto the wire and to his surprise got a nice jolt! Mean while here is JT still not feeling a thing; we decided that he must of had too many concussions and so he doesn't feel many things! Also, Grams and Gramp's brought up the boys' old BB-guns so that the kids that were Addison's and JT's age could shoot something as well. JT decided that it wasn't good enough and so came inside whining that he wanted to shoot. I was an awesome mommy and took him outside to shoot the BB-guns and he proceeded to explain that he didn't want those guns but the ones that his daddy was shooting. Needless to say JT shot the gun twice before saying that it was too loud and that he was done! He is such a boy!

Also, we came home to see the Russell's who were in Utah for Thanksgiving and the Morgan's baby blessing! Such fun!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

This year Auntie Leelee came over with Bailey and Kendrick to take some Halloween Pictures! Don't they all look so adorable?!

Addison's first Primary Program

Today was Addison's first Primary Program and it was so cute! Addison was so excited to go and sit up on the stand to sing and say he speaking part. I made sure to wake her up early to get ready and had arranged with Grammy Mac to take her to church so that she wouldn't be late. It was a beautiful program and when it was over Addison proudly came down to where we were sitting to receive her praise. Sadly though, I missed hearing her speak her part I caught the last of her class but did not see her stand in front of the mike and she let me know it. Her exact words were, "Mommy you didn't hear me say my part, Jesus is my big brother, you were still walking." I sweetly explained to her that I was so sorry that I had missed hearing her part but, that I had helped her practice it and so I already knew how amazing she was at saying it. I do have to say how cute it was to see her up there singing her little heart out and how that while she was standing there and happened to look over and notice me her whole countenance changed, she started to smile and sing a little bit louder as if to say, "Mommy, look at me!" I was so proud of her! JT on the other hand was very disappointed that he was not up there with his big sister, he kept asking, "Where's Addie?, How come Addie's up there?, Wheres Addison?" Poor Grammy Mac kept explaining and when she started to sing along JT promptly told her, "Stop Singing, Why you singing?" to which she patiently replied, "because I am in Primary and I sing these songs." Needless to say it was a great Primary Program and our home teacher informed us that when Addison got up to the mike and said her part that both he and his wife smiled and laughed at how cute she had said her part!

JT's Monster!!!

JT is TERRIFIED of being in his bedroom! This isn't just your run of the mill temper tantrum every time that he has to go to bed but a genuine fear of what is lurking in his room. In his eyes there is a monster. Now both Dave and I have gone into his room carrying him as he screams and cries about this monster trying to ask him questions of where this monster might be hiding. It's not under his bed, in his closet, by the bookshelf, under the covers, or by the dresser but, it some how appears lying down next to him on his pillow every time he lays down or goes to his room. It has gotten so bad that he won't even go into his room to get any type of a toy or to put one away; he would rather have his Daddy throw it away then face his room. He seems to see this thing in broad daylight and it doesn't matter if you are there with him! Oh yeah, and if you have JT fall asleep elsewhere and then put him into his room you can bet that within a half an hour period he is screaming at the top of his lungs and running back into your room. The night before last he slept out on the couch in the front room and last night I placed him in Addison's room after he was asleep, just so I wouldn't have to wake up to a blood curdling scream and crying! I know that we have not watched any scary movies but, man something has definitely gotten this kid spooked!

Payslei

Payslei is growing up and getting more adventurous everyday. After fevers of 102.7 and 103* on Thursday night we were determined that she was teething and that at any moment a tooth would pop threw, it wasn't until Monday night that the little razor showed itself. Payslei has finally cut her first tooth and it only took nearly 9 months to do it. Along with her first tooth she is now pulling herself up to the furniture and walking around it and today she went for a little walk while holding her mommies hands. Every time someone would comment on what a cute little girl she was she would stop and smile at them as if to say, "thank you, I know." I must admit that she is adorable and has such a fun personality! Last night was the first time that she has shown me her belly laugh, it was the sweetest music that I had heard in a long time! Her excitement and joy seemed to have come from some where deep inside of her soul and just exploded into a sweet and innocent laughter. The more that I would smile and laugh the stronger that little one's giggle would get! At last though her giggle wore her out and it was off to bed for the night!

Adventures at Cornbelly's!

Today we thought that we would take the kids to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Pointe it was so much fun for the kids. While there they got to play on a jumping pillow, ride in a tractor pulled train of cows, play on slides, race peddle karts, watch piggies race, mommy kiss a piglet, go inside a scary monster, and take pictures! We all had a blast and were so glad that our Auntie Melissa and Baby Carolisa were able to come! I wanted to take the kids there so that we could get some fun pictures of the kids for me to place on my scrapbook pages that I have been creating at my sisters Alyssa's house. Anyways here are a few of the photos from our adventure! If you want to go I recommend getting coupons at Hogi Yogi because it is $10.00 for each adult and you can get 2 for 1! Yikes!

Practicing for BMX and Motorcross

Dave has gotten his two older children trained that when they get bigger/old enough they are going to start racing! It is so cute to hear his two little children ask him how much longer until they can get a 4-wheeler or dirt bike to race. He seems to get a grin every time he thinks about it. Problem is, is that racing and equipment take money a heap of money so for now all they can do is dream! Here is the bike jump that they created yesterday and were jumping their bikes off of. At one point Addison biffed it and so I cheered to make it not such an ordeal in doing so JT thought that it was an awesome thing to do and so when he went off of the jump and landed he peddled for a little ways and then threw his trike and landed in the dirt announcing, "Oh man, I biffed it!" My kids are sooo cute!

Ramblings of a child...

So, I have been meaning to let everyone know just how adorable and creative my children are. JT seems to think that he is no longer a little boy but a little man. Just the other day he snuck out to the garage and tried to "help" fix his daddy's dirt bike. Such a little helper and when I told him that he needed to stop him informed me that, "I fix it, I'm a boy, daddy's a boy, boys fix things!" What?! Where did that come from? So, when we went inside his started crying and ran into our bedroom to tattle to his daddy. When Dave heard what the commotion was all about he just smiled, as if he was so proud of his little man. Addison was quite clever as well and told her daddy that, "boys break things and girls fix things, huh mommy!" All I could say was that's right girlfriend! So now when ever there is a argument in our house those two start in on who is responsible for breaking things and fixing them.

Boys will be boys....

So the past weekend our family and some of our friends went out too Little Sahara to play in the dirt. Matt had gotten a new dirt bike and couldn't wait to break it in and knew that Dave loves playing in the dirt. So, after a few trips to Rocky Mountain Motorsports and a visit to 5 mile pass it was decided by the boys that we needed to go camping. I guess that I should probably back up a little and explain that we went with 2 somewhat newly wed couples thus responsibility isn't something that they understand. Packing for them is a cinch each one of them does their own while I on the other hand had 3 children and one husband to get ready for, who thought that the store was more important than helping his wife. Yes, we discussed this in detail!!!Needless to say by the time we got on the road I had had enough and was done. Not to mention that I left my wallet at the local grocery store in the process. Once we got to the campground everyone was ready to get onto the dunes. I in the meantime had to take care of the kids, begin setting up the tent, etc.,etc. When Dave came back from riding I think that his conscious got the better of him and he decided to aide in assembling the tent and quickly start the coals for dinner. Dutch Oven Lasagna, YUMMY! and Peach Cobbler a' la Dave. Then it was time for bed which Daddy took in stride as he tried to get the older two to go to bed. Needless to say it took singing and cuddling with mommy for the sandman to come. Next morning it was riding again while I made breakfast and tried to calm a little boy who was devastated that his sister went instead of him. Not to worry mommy took him and his baby sister on a little ride around the campsite. I have to say that he is such a boy and absolutely loves the dirt and anything with a motor. As we were riding around camp he kept begging, "Peas mommy go on the sand, up the hills," "No mommy the sand mountains." He is to smart and daring for his own good. Lucky for him his daddy has the same sense of adventure and took him into the "bowls" and as Matt would say, "they were banking like sideways." and JT kept asking to go faster. I did go out riding for a brief moment before we left but I was on the utility and kept sinking into the sand so I went back in and let Dave leave again. He has already gone out this week and will probably go out again before the "season" is over. Here are a few of the pictures from the event thanks to Matt. We got half way and realized that we had forgotten our camera. We had a blast!

Addison's school Pictures from the first days of school

Fall is here!!!

So, any of you who know me well enough know that I absolutely LOVE Fall and Winter!!!! I have anxiously been waiting for it to arrive, just like a child waits for Christmas! I just adore the crisp Autumn air hearing the rustling of the leaves, kids going back to school, football games, fall food, and canning. Yep Fall is finally here and I need to get my canning done. Addison is at school, Payslei is sleeping, and JT is resting in front of the television so I finally have a small break to myself before I begin on all of the chores that are calling/yelling my name. . Our past month has been a busy and exciting one and I just know that it is only going to get busier. Here is a small glimpse as to what we have been doing....



1. Now for some of you this might not seem all that important but, get ready to cheer, I now have a washer and dryer in my house again!!! For some of you laughing at my excitement let me remind you that I have not had one hooked up since Bambi and Chad first moved into our basement (that is where they used to be) and when Dave's mom moved in their permanent residence became the garage. I was in desperate need of having one in my house as well as my poor mom, we would go over to her house every couple of weeks or to the laundry mat to do wash. AGH! But alas, I sacrificed my hall linen closet for a stackable washer and dryer and am so excited! Never in my life would I have thought that I would get excited over a household appliance but it has happened! I LOVE being able to do the laundry at my own house and putting it away promptly! Here looking at empty laundry baskets and floors!



2. Addison is learning to read and absolutely loves her pre-school! Dave and I went to parent night at her school and enjoyed learning how her classroom works. We also walked away with a new CD that helps to reinforce what she is learning at school. For example the other day she asked me to sing the alphabet with her and when I started singing she told me that I had done it all wrong and could no longer sing with her. RUDE!!! Anyways to make a long story short we bought the CD that sings the alphabet the "right way". Also her speech is getting clearer at least to me it is.



3. I am now the Section Rep for Dave's work. When our friends left the section his wife asked if I would take over and I blindly said, "yes, this is the way that I'll get to know all of the wives better." Little did I know that just 2 1/2 weeks after I had agreed I would be in charge of a BBQ for all of the troopers, their families, and the State Legislatures appointed to our section. I am happy to report that it is now over and everyone had a wonderful time.

4. JT is now wickedly awesome on his skateboard and is doing tricks! He ends up with a new battle wound every other day. He also is very protective now of his little sister and has no problem with putting you in your place. I am also no known as a monster when he is upset at me. Yep, the other day when I told him that he needed to listen, he replied with, "Mommy yous a monster!" I had to turn around so that he couldn't see me giggle and then once composed I told him that that is not what we say to our mommy.

5. Payslei is now crawling, eating solids, and no longer in my bedroom! She absolutely loves her crib. Addison especially loves that she now shares her room. I only wonder how long that is going to last. As for the food if she doesn't have it and you do your in the dog house. We like to joke that she is just like Jandee when it comes to food. She also tries to climb out of her crib when she is ready to wake up and play. SCARY!

6. We no longer have Trooper but, that is okay.

7. Dave "bought JT" a remote control truck yet JT hasn't gotten to play with it yet. Someone is still breaking it in. Or should I say breaking the core supports multiple times.

8. Attending everyone of Uncle Jamison's football games! Addison and JT just love to go watch
and cheer for their Uncle. JT's favorite thing to say is, "Go Tigers!, Yea Jamie!" and Addison's is, "Yea Orem, Go Uncle Jamie." Yes I am teaching them the teams to cheer for!!!

Well, here is just a small glimpse of what has been going on. Nothing to exciting for some of you I'm sure.

Just for Giggles

I thought that it was about time that I posted some of the quotable sayings and mishaps that have happened over the past little while. The most recent one happened this afternoon as I laid resting on the couch...Addison came up to me and looked at my exposed belly and began to pat it with her hands with each pat getting bigger. She exclaimed that my belly was squishy and bounced like a trampoline. "Look at how it wiggles mommy." Next exciting moment was when I was in my room sorting through mounds of clothes and ran out to answer the telephone. My kitchen was completely soaked! JT had taken the spray nozzle and spun around in a circle while it was turned on. Everything and I mean everything was drenched! My dad was the one on the other end of the telephone and as I told him what happened he chuckled and exclaimed that, "That is one of the reasons we are glad to have boys." All I could do was laugh! Addison starts preschool tomorrow and is ecstatic! In fact, I do not know which one of us is more excited...We met her teacher for the first time on Monday, it went super well. Addison was so anxious that she picked out her outfit and wore it on Monday and so now we have to go and get a "new" one for tomorrow. I will post pix of both of the outfits. JT is totally bummed that he doesn't get to go as well but he will go next year and I am already counting down the days. JT also refuses to sleep in his own room as there are MONSTERS that reside there. His Gramps told him to tell the monsters to "Come out or Gramps will kick their butts!" So now I have a 2 year old running around yelling that he is going to "kick your butt!" and that "No Monsters in my room I beat dem up!" Unfortunately, every night those same monsters seem to return and the cycle begins all over again. There were so many more quotable things but alas my mind went blank! Oh well I'll just have to post it later.

Payslei

I absolutely LOVE these pictures!!! They were taken last week and I've been meaning to post them. The pix that were taken of the older two didn't exactly turn out so all I have are the ones of the baby that I took while the others were sleeping. I have to say that she is a pretty good model.

Addison's love of the telephone

Alas my little girl is getting bigger by the second. Addison today dialed her Grammy Mac's telephone number all on her own. She didn't ask for the numbers just picked up the phone and dialed it. No redial was not the button that she hit, but the actual number. Needless to say I am flabbergasted. Is she really supposed to be that grown up already?! I guess the next number that I will see her dial is her Grams and Gramps. Next thing you know my phone bill will be sky high due to her and her dialing capabilities. WOW!!!

Can we say slacker?!

Yuck, so I knew that I hadn't updated in quiet awhile but didn't realize that it had been a month! So much has happened and the days just seem to be flying by faster and faster with not many projects being accomplished. If one could count my house being destroyed seconds after it is cleaned then yes many projects/hidden agenda's of my children have been completed.

So here is some of what you have missed out on.....

1. Payslei and I were able to travel down to Arizona for my bff temple experience. It was so much fun to go and see where she grew up and put places and faces to all of the stories that she has shared. The temple was beautiful and I was so happy for her and the rest of her family. (Heath and Selina also went through the temple and then were sealed to one another and Lane) Payslei absolutely loved the horses and was such a good little girl while we were there. Our parents rocked they watched Addison and JT while we were gone for the long weekend, in fact when I got home they were happy to see me but now they keep asking to have sleepovers.

2. Melissa moved to Heber and so now I am lost without her here, in fact we don't even talk as much as we used to . Bummer!!! Hopefully though she will meet someone up there who is more into the country life than the city one that she wanted out of.

3. Dave's patrol car was in and out of the shop due to trani problems, it is going back in next week.

4. JT got a haircut! I LOVE IT and the grandma's hate it! (see the other post)

5. Addison turned 4 (see the other post)

6. Payslei is rolling over, smiling constantly, and loves to babble.

7. Payslei got her ear's pierced and now her and Addison have matching earrings. Or as Addie says, "look at mine and Payslei's diamonds", yea right not even her mommy has diamond earrings. Silly little girl.

8. Payslei is now on Rice Cereal and loves it. She will not go to bed at night unless she has gotten her cereal.

9. Payslei now sleeps through the night! Oh Happy Days!

Daddy the Barber

The other day I was approached with a question or rather a statement, JT needs his haircut. Dave asked if he could buzz it of give him a Mohawk. I quickly responded by telling him that I do not like it when boys have buzzed heads, so he can have a Mohawk. (I think it is because my cousins buzzed theirs every year and I never liked it) Dave asked once more to make sure that I was being serious and when I reassured him that I was all for the Mohawk he just grinned. I then proceeded to go and get the clippers so that I could cut JT's hair but his daddy wanted to do it by himself. So, JT now has a Mohawk that is off-center and absolutely loves it. I tried to offer my assistance but Dave declined and so now it just needs to grow out a little bit more so that I can straighten the doo.

Addison's 4th Birthday!!!

June 28th 2003 a beautiful 5lb 11oz girl was born and who could believe that she is now 4! Addison got to celebrate her birthday twice this year. Once on the 23 of June and then again on the 30th. For the festivities on the 23rd she got to pick out her very own pinata and help fill the candy in it. Her Auntie Nicole brought her siblings over to help Kami Bam, Coop, JT, and Addie to break the ninata open. It was so much fun!!! On the 30th we actually had a bbq to celebrate and open presents! Anyone who actually did call on her birthday was told, "It's not by birthday until it is B's one year mark" or "It's my birthday when Auntie Nicole goes to the temple" if you were then clever enough to ask or remind her that it was actually those to events she would quickly respond with," Umm.. probable it is my birthday!" I can't believe how grown up she has become lately! We love you Addison!!!

Hogle Zoo

These are just a few of the many pictures taken at the Hogle Zoo. Unfortunately my SLR ate some of my film when it was rewinding, such is life but the ones that turned out were totally cute. These pics all came from the digital. The best thing about the Hogle Zoo is that by the time the kids are ready to leave the Zoo is finished. Thanks everyone for the eventful week.