Where have I been?

So, I started this whole blog thing and then disappeared off the face of the earth right. Well, our little family has been a bit busy! Ryan and I have been participating in the "Savior of the World" play put our by our ward. It has been a long journey, but one well worth it. I am so grateful to all those who have helped with our children so that both of us could be involved! I learned a lot of lessons throughout this experience and I am grateful to know of a Savior who loves me, despite my pride and many other faults. Seeing as how I forgot my camera and took no pictures myself, I will post some photos when those who did bring their cameras send me pictures.

It's amazing to watch my children grow and change. Dylan, now 8 1/2 months, is fascinated with the stairs. The minute I set him down in the kitchen he beelines it toward the stairs. In as firm a voice as I can muster I tell him NO Dylan. He sits up, turns and looks at me grinning and laughing then heads back toward the stairs even faster then before. Looks like we need a gate!!

For those of you who know my son he has an abundance of energy. A few days ago I was bound and determined to wear him out. So I told him I was going to chase him until he got tired. So we start running around and around the sofa then to the kitchen over and over and over. After 15 minutes I gave up and I think he was still running when I collapsed on the couch!

Oh Christmas Tree

The day after Thanksgiving we went as a family and cut down our tree. When we were decorating it Brayden figured out how to hook the bulbs together to make his own creation. He was quite proud. We did notice that with Brayden putting the ornaments on the tree they weren't as evenly distributed as they could be (they all ended up on the bottom). And the candy canes never made it on, Brayden gave them to everyone including Sylvia and Glen. I love the Christmas Tree!!

In the meadow we can build a snowman

Today while Dylan was sleeping Brayden and I built a fabulous snowman. Brayden was showing it to Sylvia and she asked if his name was frosty. Brayden said Yes. She then asked if he would come to life. Brayden said, "He's not wearing a magic hat. We will have to put some magic in it." I asked him where do you get magic? He said that when we were driving yesterday he saw a magic store, and that we would have to drive really far to get to it.
What an imagination!!

We had a good morning.

I just had to add something that Brayden told his dad later that night. He was explaining about the magic store and Ryan asked how you got there. Bryaden said "you drive down this street (using his arm as a prop) then you go under the bridge into the water. When you get to the water your car changes into a boat, and you take the boat under the water to the magic store. Then you drive your boat back to the road and in turns back into a car and you drive home. " Ryan and I were just rolling with laughter!!

Where does he get those big words?

Ryan was making breadsticks today and was using the string cheese for the inside. Well, Brayden says to him, "Dad, mom is not going to be IMPRESSED that you used all the string cheese. But if you say you are sorry, she will forgive you!" I just have to laugh

Show me that smile

Dylan has 4 teeth now and they are so cute. We tried to get a really good picture of all of them, this is what we ended up with.

You helped make the mess!

Today we were at the eye doctor for Dylan and Brayden and I were playing with some blocks while we waited for the doctor to come in. After the appointment was finished I asked Brayden to pick up the blocks and he says, "Could you help me mom, because you helped make the mess!" Oh, this child keeps me on my toes! After we came home and put Dylan down for his nap I took Brayden outside sledding. The last picture is the hot chocolate afterwards. It was so cold Brayden's cheeks looked like they would fall off, but he sure had fun.

Where is the motivation??

I just can't seem to figure it out. All day long I make mental list of all the things I will do once the children are in bed. Then finally, the anticipated moment arrives, they are ASLEEP! I look at my list and all I want to do is soak in the tub or take a nap!

That reminds me of one of my favorite children's books that really should be for adults. It's called 5 minutes of peace. Mrs. Large (the elephant with pink rollers and a bathrobe) sneaks of to the bathroom for 5 minutes of peace. Eventually all the children join her in the tub, with the little one forgetting to take of his clothes. I just laugh and laugh every time I read it. AH such is life!

I LOVE BRITE MUSIC

Ok Ok, so before i make my pitch I might as well be honest, I am now a distributer for Brite Music, but let me tell you why. I loooooove Brite music. I was raised on it when I was growing up and when I was reintroduced a couple years ago, I still remembered all the songs word for word. They have everything from learning values (standin Tall series) to just having fun and creating a self identity. Brite music is based on 3 principles

1-Every child needs to know they are wonderful, important, loved, little people.

2- Music is a wonderful way to teach anything

3- If something is fun it's easier to do

I have to say that I have never been that great salesman because i don't like pushing things on people that they don't need or can't afford. But after contemplating whether or not this would be something I could do, I just knew that not only could I do it, but I felt I must because I truly believe in this music, and the values that it teaches. I saw it's effects in my own life, and am now witnessing them in the life of my children. So please, if nothing else, visit their site (www.BriteMusic.com)and listen to some samples of their music. Or allow me to come and share with you what I have. Anyone who purchases through me will receive a 10% discount. Spread the word, check it out. It'll be great!!

Two Sweet Boys

These picures were taken in our backyard just after the leaves fell. I thought they turned out pretty good and hopefully they will make it to our wall sometime soon. Although, I suppose it's now time for Christmas Pics.

Brayden Michael Yates

I just can't believe how fast life passes you by. This is Brayden, 3 yrs old. I have a picture buy this exact same tree from last year, and he is starting to look more and more like a boy, my baby is all grown up. Brayden has unending energy and certainly keeps us on our toes. We say that he sucks all the energy out of us which is why we can't keep up with him. Although he prefers them to be read to him, he will sit forever and look at them by himself. We signed up for the reading program at the library where you read (or have read to you) 20 books and then you get to pick out your own book to take home. We read at least 5 to ten books everyday so it didn't take long that the requirement was finished. I told him we can just put the stickers on because we had already read the books, but that wasn't good enough for him. He said, "No mom, I have to read them." Then he got a pile of books and as he finished looking at every single page ( his version of reading alone) he put a sticker on the chart. Talk about a proud mom! Brayden loves his little brother and from day one has also been kind and sweet to him. He is a very honest child and will usually tell you the truth even if he did something wrong. What lucky parents we are!

Dylan Edward Yates

THEN & NOW

This is our cute little guy, Dyan Edward Yates. He joined our family March 24th, 2008. I can hardly believe he is 8 months old. He has been such a fun person with the tenderest spirit to
have in our home. He currently has 4 teeth (2 on top and bottom) which all came in with in the last month. Also he is an expert crawler. He started attempting around 7 months and after a few weeks he's got it down. He pulls himself up on everything and I fear that he will be an early walker. Last week I was giving the children a bath but hadn't put Dylan in the tub quite yet. He crawled over to the tub and pulled himself up to the edge trying to get his leg over the side. I couldn't believe it, but am not suprised. He loves the bath and sits and splashes and squeels while getting it all over Brayden's face. A couple days ago I purposely set him down in the living room while I turned on the bath water, and sure enough he beelined it to the tub babbling the entire way. We are sure grateful for the miracles that have brought both our children into our home!

Halloween

This year Brayden dressed up as captain hook for Halloween. We had a lot of fun. The Garners let us borrow there pirate costume, to which we added a hook, hat, and patch from the dollar store. Then we found this great wig at Goodwill that I was able to tweek to work for hair. We went trick or treating at Palmer (Ryan's school) and Brayden won scariest costume for the three year olds. He was really excited and got to go with dad to toys r us to use his gift certificate. We also did a trunk or treat at our church as well as a little trick or treating around the neighborhood. There sure was a lot of candy for one little boy. In fact he unwrapped all of the chocolate bars and lined them up on the couch. Then he told us to come to his candy shop and we could each pick out one. What an imagination. These picture were taken on Halloween day. Dylan had a little cold so we didn't put his turtle outfit on him. If I get a chance I will do that and post it another time. I think Brayden made a pretty good Captain Hook!

Kids in a Basket

This morning I walked into the living room to see my two little ones, Brayden (3 yrs) and Dylan (8 mths), sitting in a laundry basket. I asked Brayden how Dylan got in the basket and he told me that he just crawled in. Now Dylan is an expert crawler, but I'm not so sure about the climbing. After prying a bit more I discovered he received a little boost from big brother. But hey, as long as no one is bleeding it's all good, right!
PS - I had to add more than one picture because they each looked good in different ones!

Winter Wonderland

Well, this is my first attempt at blogging and I am pretty excited about the prospects of staying close to friends and family.

Today we awoke to a winter wonderland, and I still attest that the first snow of the year is the best day! Brayden was quite excited. He wore his snow boots to church, and when we got out of the car, instead of walking on the sidewalk, he put those boots to work and tromped through the snow to the door. After church he just couldn't resist and while the rest of us were putting on our jackets he headed out to the field of snow. Not 5 minutes later he came back in crying because his hands were cold. When I explained that the snow was cold and he needed gloves to play in it, he looked at me and asked quite seriously, "Mom, why didn't you put gloves on my hands?" I fear it is going to be difficult to keep him indoors this winter. Looks like mom may have to invest in some snow pants herself.

On an even funnier note. Ryan was telling Brayden that we are having some company over tonight and as they walked into his room Brayden looked at the clothes on his floor and says, "This is embarrassing!" I guess we'll have to do a bit of cleaning before our guests arrive!!