Calloused children?

That's a rhetorical question, not to really be answered because some of you know we are very tough on our girls. Don't get me wrong, we are tough on them out of love and don't put up with a lot of griping and complaining, but it seems that we've passed this on at a very young age since these phrases have been and can be heard around the house quite frequently. At least once a day. And all directed at Brock who is only 2 1/2 months old. It really bothers Kelsey that I would even think of letting him cry at all, but I sat her down and told her very nicely that it's ok for babies to cry and that both herself and Katelyn had some crying time too. And that this next one will have to cry a little bit too. And he's not crying for any particular reason, he's simply protesting that he's not being held. Because you walk past him and he catches you, he immediately stops thinking you will pick him up.

Kelsey: "Brock, get your feelings under control."

Katelyn is the culprit for all the rest. "You're fine, Brock. You just ate." "Quit your crying out." and "He's crying like a little baby."

I'm sure this little one will hear much of the same after it's born too!!

The word is out

This post has been coming for awhile now, but with still a few people to tell before finding out on our blog, we're finally able to announce that we are expecting baby #3 in September. Unfortunately for me, it's the same EXACT day Katelyn WAS due (the 5th), but decided to grace us with her pressence and some serious prodding, on the 14th. I'm sincerely hoping it doesn't go this way again, so here's to praying for an August baby. Not likely. I'm pretty much past the morning sickness which lasted all day long this time so that was not so fun - hence the absense in blogging as of late. But we are set to find out sometime the middle of April what we are having and to be quite honest - it's just going to be another girl!! As for the girls, Kelsey wanted another sister up until last week when I started watching Brock and he has since changed her mind in wanting a brother. As for Katelyn, well, there's just no changing her mind, she still wants another sister. Dave and I - we just want a healthy baby and look forward to having to argue and decide on another girl name. It will not be a "K" name, as that will the be the 3 K's or better known as KKK. We can't have that.

Simple minds, simple pleasures

This has summed up the last 2 Sundays for me completely and here's why. On March 1st, we attended our nephew's baby blessing and last Sunday was Stake Conference. Translation: I was able to sit with Dave for two weeks in a row and there were no meetings for him to be at so he was home all day. For some of you that may not seem like such a big deal but I like having him around because it seems like during the week he is pulled in so many different directions just to be going constantly on Sunday too. And just being able to sit at home and veg for those 2 days, well that's a big deal for me and the girls. For only being in the bishopric for a few months, there have been some struggling Sundays with the girls when I feel like why even bother, but we still go. And then I see some people with just one kid having "one of those days" and I just think, at least you have your husband there to help. And props to us for not being late once since he's been in there. So here's to the small things in life!!

The proud new "mommies"

I started wacthing my friend's baby, Brock yesterday until she's out of school in June. When they came over on Saturday to drop his stuff, it was the girls talked about for two days until she dropped him off in the morning. They are getting quite the practice at being mommies and loving it. That is, until today when the novelty of having him around wore off!!

They just couldn't get enough of him. They didn't want to do anything but play and hold and snuggle him, including getting dressed.
Taking turns feeding him. Katelyn only wanted to do it for a few seconds, but Kelsey lasted the whole bottle, although he is the fastest eater I've ever seen.
They never let him get very far away from them. At least they got dressed, finally.
This is how Kelsey was anytime she was holding him. This was during Katelyn's nap and with the time change she woke up at 6:30 but refused to take a nap because she didn't want to miss anything.
There were a few fussy times throughout the day and Kelsey seemed to have the special touch to just hold him and calm him down. It's fun now because she was too little to hold and carry Katelyn on her own, but now she thinks she's so important to be able to do it herself.

Calico Basin

Last week for playgroup, we headed out to Calico Basin near Red Rock Canyon for some hiking and a picnic lunch. There were quite a few short easy trails that were perfect for the kids and definitely some place we will have to take Dave back too. We had a pretty small showing, but still had a great time with everyone that came. Although it was pretty windy up there, we all still had a great time, not to mention the kids got a great work out and were able to get out some of their energy. The girls had a great time and can't wait to go back again. We invited our cousin Vance to come with and were so excited to run around and climb on the rocks with him too. Thanks for coming out, Kimber.

Our first stop near a small joshua tree.

Vance running along the trail having a good ol' time.

Finally we got to some rocks they could climb all over.

Everyone sitting down for a little rest before heading back down.

Hanging out with our cousin.

Daddy & Me

A few weekends ago we were out at Dave's brother's house helping put in their landscaping in the backyard. They needed some equipment out there to speed up the process and the girls were all about helping dad. We have pictures of Kelsey riding on tractors when we were putting our backyard in but none of Katelyn so this was a new experience for her. And I'm pleased to say she was not scared in the least - always wanting to help her dad.

Katelyn was up first and then didn't want to give up her spot to her sister.

Then it was Kelsey's turn.

Fortunately for Katelyn Kelsey didn't want to drive the tractor for very long because there was something else grabbing her attention. Introducing baby Carter. She is going to be such a good little mom. So while Kelsey was holding and playing with Carter, Katelyn was doing this.

Getting to drive the big tractor by herself.

Anderson Dairy

Last week, Kelsey went to Anderson Dairy for another field trip with her preschool class. This is one of her favorite places to go and she can't wait for her free ice cream at the end of the tour. This trip was no different. Again, Katelyn got to tag along and even sweet-talked Miss Kris into carrying her half way through the tour.

Outside waiting to go in.

Calci the cow.

Listening to all the animals tell the story of Anderson Dairy.

What a great group of kids they were, and so behaved through the whole tour!!

The Grand Canyon

A couple of weeks ago Dave sold a roller to one of his customers down in Arizona. They needed it for a job they were doing out in Monument Valley (up towards the Utah border) so Dave asked if we wanted to go with him and on the way back we'd stop and go through the Grand Canyon since I'd never seen it. It was going to be a quick trip since he was only getting one day off from work to deliver it but the girls were all about getting out of the house and doing anything so we went. We left after church, around 3 and the girls each slept in the car and watched movies. They were so good. We drove over the Hoover Dam and what an impressive sight that was to see them building and working on the bypass over the Colorado River. That will be so nice once it's completed.

We stayed in the hotel until he was done delivering the tractor and then we headed for home the next morning. We decided to do the South Rim since it was still a few hours from home, but we still spent a few hours driving around in the park doing the whole tourist thing and the girls had a blast running around, looking at everything. The highlight was that all the mountains were covered in snow. Kelsey loves snow. We finished the trip by having lunch at a little pizza joint and then the girls slept and watched more movies till we got home. We got home around 8 and everyone was in bed at 9:00. We were all wasted from a whirlwind trip, but definitely worth it. Maybe we'll go again when it gets a little warmer.

Headed down to the tower. They saw this bench and they were just too cute with their arms around each other. They truly are best friends.

They tried to get as close to the edge as possible.

On top of the tower. I loved it that eveyone was so friendly to take pictures for us so we could actually all be in a picture together.
Kelsey working on her picture taking skills and doing great - no heads are chopped off and we're pretty closely centered. Success!!

What a great day!!