A favorite moment today.
We are driving in the car and Queen's "We Will Rock You" is playing. Cannon and Zane are rockin' out, trying to perform the obligatory stomp stomp clap, but are just a little off beat.
Cannon (3 yrs old) says:
"Mom, this is an awesome song!"
Yes... yes it is.
So I decided I should change the title of my blog to the Lazy Blogger... Because that describes me to the T.
I've wanted to post pictures from our trip to LA for Christmas. But honestly, we have nearly 2,000 pictures thanks to everyone being shutter happy (I love digital cameras!) and there are so many to choose from! So rather than spend my time posting... I'm deferring you to my sister-in-laws blogs so you can enjoy our pictures there! Aren't I pathetic? :)
We had an amazing time. Doug and I flew down with the kids a few days before everybody else and we vegged with Deanna, Jon and the boys for 2 days. It was really great. We knew when everyone else arrived that we'd be busy, so we made no plans and the kids just enjoyed the 60 degree weather. Doors open, windows open, kids playing in the yard with no shoes. It felt like late springtime... not the week before Christmas!
We had a great three days at Disneyland. In the end, we were exhausted, my feet hurt really bad, but we were in good spirits and it was totally worth it! Zane talks about the Tower of Terror every time he plays with Legos. Its his favorite thing to build.
Christmas was awesome. We talked about going to the beach, but staying in pajamas all day and playing with all the new toys sounded better. The kids did act out the nativity on Christmas Eve. It was fun, spiritual, but a little irreverent. That pretty much sums up our family. :) The dog (sheep) was on a leash and kept pulling the shepherd (Cannon) around the room. The kids were all going crazy and the only person who remembered their line was Mary (Kyah). Who ever knew that when the innkeeper answered the door - it was Mary, not Joseph who said "Do you have a place where I can have this baby?" It turned out great.
So to my 2 dear blog readers that are not Amanda, Jon or Deanna, check out their blogs for some of the great pictures! Thanks for your hard work! And come on Jon - I told you to make a slide show with music! Where is it? I'd like to share many more pictures with my 2 other readers!
Jon & Deanna's Blog
Amanda's Blog
You guys rock!
It is hard to believe... 3 years ago I was 2 weeks away from my due date when we went in for my regular Dr apt. We found out the baby had turned into a transverse position. So they scheduled an apt the next day at the hospital to have him turned, and to deliver the baby. Crazy! Talk about getting ready for the baby in 1 day! Well, by the time we went to the hospital the next day Cannon had turned back head down again. This told me 2 things... 1-that there is still plenty of room in my belly for a big baby to be doing sommersaults and 2-I was not going to wait another couple weeks for this kiddo to grow even bigger. Just because I have the room for him, doesn't mean he needs to take up ALL the space in there!
Here is the proud (and slightly bewildered) older brother holding his new baby bro.
1 Year Old
After many tries... he finally blew out all 3 candles
A picture afterwards... Talk about happy kids!
What a blessing!
Kyah wanted to enter some submissions for the Reflections art contest at school. She was very stressed out about what she would do for it. The theme was "Beauty Is..." After prompting her with questions like... "What do you think beauty is? What do you think is beautiful?" she finally decided to pick up the camera and go outside.
She took a few pictures and then decided which ones she wanted to submit for the competition. This was one of our neighbor's roses that had some dew on it. She won 3rd place! So fun to get ribbons and awards! We are proud of her!
Today after church we asked the kids what they learned about in class. Of course, the initial answer was "I don't remember..." but I know some things did get through to them! They talked about helping people. I asked how can we help people that we know? Zane said "I know! When Grandpa Holsten gets really old and really tired, I can get his walker for him!" CLASSIC! Gotta love that kid.
We've been spending a lot of time with Doug's aunt, since his uncle has been unable to drive and has been unwell. She doesn't drive either... so we get to play chauffeur quite often. Its been an interesting experience. She smokes and Zane never misses a chance to give her a hard time about it. It has brought up some great conversations with the kids about not smoking... (she is the perfect poster "child" example of why you shouldn't smoke). And we've actually had to talk to him a few times about not saying anything so her feelings aren't hurt or so she doesn't get angry. The other day I bought Aunt Judy a sandwich from "Quizzy Nos" and she was raving about how good it tastes. Zane said "Is that because there is smoke in it?" It took us a moment to figure out what he was saying. I was surprised at his insight and skill at making a sarcastic joke. Wow! She didn't think it was that funny. But those of you that know Aunt Judy... please enjoy a chuckle!
A few weeks ago, Grandpa Holsten was showing us a really cool website with 360 degree photos of temple square in Salt Lake City. Sometime I'll have to post the link here. They were beautiful photos of the temple, tabernacle and temple grounds. Cannon saw it and said "I see the temple! I'm going there to get married!" My dad chuckled and said "Oh, do you think you can find a girl that will go with you?" Cannon just gave him a funny look. It was great. Thank you nursery leaders! It is more than just playtime in there!I just want to say congratulations to my awesome sis, Allie, and her awesome team of girls. They played in regionals this weekend and did great! On to state! Way to go! I'm so proud of you and cry that I couldn't watch them play this weekend!
Allie, you are awesome! You care about those girls so much and you are doing a great job! We love you!
Here is Cannon trying to kick the fish. I have no idea why he decided to kick it. I just happened to snap the photo at the right moment.
Here is the tiny fish Grandpa caught after being at the lake less than 5 minutes. It was the only fish we caught that day. It was little, but tasty!
Cannon has a little tire on the end of his line... its a great weight for casting. We tried putting a hook on his line, but he only wanted his tire. So we put it back on. He didn't catch anything with it and probably scared fish away, but he is pretty good at casting!
I've had some amazing mothers cross my path in my life. Although I like to think I know everything and although I like to be independent, I recognize their huge influence on me! I've learned so much from them! So here is my tribute to some of the most amazing mom's I know. If I didn't list you, please don't be sad! It is just late and I could be up all night typing a list of all the mom's I know! (And I don't want to shed that many tears before bed.)
First and foremost, my own mom. What an amazing woman. Resourceful, patient, intelligent, spiritual and all around amazing. I hope to be half the mother she is! There is literally nothing she can't do, and nothing she is not willing to do for her family.
Second, my second mom! Theresa is strong, loving, patient and ever helpful! She has taught me the importance of long lasting friendships and connections.
Third, my sisters... Here are some things that impress me about them:
Fourth - all my friends who are mothers, sisters, and overall great women! Here are just a few who are on my mind tonight.
There are so many more, but I'm getting really tired. Its been a long day and a long drive in the car and I'm ready to sleep.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
