Cold Days of Winter

I am definitely a "sun kind of girl" and I love warm weather so although we haven't had much snow this winter - it is still winter and cold most days and we can't go play outside much. Anyway, I am so grateful that I have my little ones to "cheer me up" because I struggle this time of year - thanks Jax, Austin and Rio :)

Here are a few cold day pics that made it sunny around here!!!

One Sunday afternoon with Daddy and Jax and Lennox of course taking a little nap - Jax woke up from his nap and came out and laid down next to Daddy - I guess he wasn't quite done sleeping

Spence has not been home much at night during the week for the last few years and so when he's home, the kids are "all about Daddy" even when he's trying to eat.  My favorite is that Lennox is once again in on the action :)

I've said it before and I'll say it again I'm sure:  Girls will be girls and there is nothing like them!!! Little Rio in mama's tallest shoes but walking around like nothing

I had to include this pic because I think they are all so cute on the pillows "sitting tall" as they say.  And my little Rio with her "Dorothy's" on - she rarely leaves the house not wearing them - love it!

We had just come in from getting the mail together (hence, the coats) and the kids insisted on playing in the balls in the laundry baskets - so silly.  They could play for hours :)

Had to include our little miss once again all decked out with her princess shoes on - she earned them during potty training - she's such a cutie!

Rio insisted I "get a picture of Punzel too mommy" so here she is up close

Thank goodness that cousin Hayden's birthday is in the winter month of January!  She invited us to her party at Jungle Jim's!  Love that place so much - it is so, so fun!  Here they are with cousin Brinlee

Grandma with the boys - so glad she came with us!

Woo-hoo!  Pizza and cupcakes - they best kind of lunch and dessert!  Thanks Kristin & Mike :)

We had another super fun day at Bouncing Off the Walls with our playgroup friends - so much fun!  My kids could not get enough of it!

Boys in the Bounce House

We love our little Foulger triplet friends!  We made cookies together and gave all the kids a little frosting and sprinkles to make their own cookie - so much fun to watch kids be SO EXCITED about a cookie

Lucas, Reese and Jax

Austin, Rio and Avery eating and decorating!

Love this pic - the kids got shopping carts for their birthday and during the winter, they have saved us on many a cold day :)  This is Rio's - I'm not sure that she could stuff anything else in there could she?  She included the favs though - her milk, baby, princess shoes, doggy and a few other babies and balls... whew!!

And of course, I have to end on their favorite toy this winter so far...the vacuum :)  They'll play with it forever just laughing and giggling watching eachother - couldn't get any cuter!

Happy Birthday - We have 2 year olds!

Happy Birthday Jax, Austin and Rio!!! You're two today!!! 

 We had such a great day with the kiddos - it started out kinda crazy with having to take Austin to the doctor for his 2nd Rocephin shot since his ear infection wouldn't go away - we had no idea once again since they just don't symptom other than runny noses but luckily we had their 2 year well child check and found out - poor little guy.  Anyway, he had to get the first one two days ago and he's already doing so much better!  What is it with my kids and ear infections???  Anyway, after the doctor, we met my mom and did a little shopping and went to lunch together with the kids.  So fun to be all together :)  Then daddy came home a little early to hang out and then we ordered pizza and shortly after, all the family came over for cake and ice cream.

 We had both sets of grandparents, Aunt Sky and all the Fankhauser cousins (Uncle Matt was out of town), Aunt Kristin, Tyler and Hayden (Uncle Mike and Brinlee were sick), Aunt Kisty, Uncle Andrew and Ethan, Aunt Erin and Cole (Uncle Jon was sick too) and Uncle Marc were all here to celebrate with us! 

 Austin is loving daddy more and more lately - he always has been a total "daddy's boy" but lately he just can't get enough of him and it is so cute! 

 Rio, Jax and Austin in the back there opening up their new shopping carts from us - they love playing with them at our friends house so I knew they would love their very own.

 It was definitely chaotic opening up so many gifts three at a time, so grandma Anderson stepped in to help Rio open hers - thanks grandma!!!  Rio got some necklaces and bracelets too and was in heaven - she loves wearing jewelry.

 All the kids got little Zhu-zhu pets too and thought they were so fun and cute!  Austin opening up his pet and his Elmo book.

 Here's the birthday cupcake cake!  We are obsessed with Sesame Street these days so I went all out getting the cake, presents and decorations in "Sesame Street style."  What a cute cake!

 But... for the three birthday kids, I did a little different cupcake with their little friend Elmo on it and their own candle.

 We put the kids in their high chair seats and let them have at their little cupcakes and attempt to blow out their candles.  Austin tried to put his in his mouth (scary moment for a bit) but eventually blew his out on his own.  Rio blew hers out quick and all on her own :)  Jax... on the other hand...

 decided to put his out with his fingers as soon as he saw it :(  Poor little guy!  He didn't act like it bothered him at all but kept looking at his fingers like "what was that?"  What a cutie!

 Jax eating his cake - look at those little hands :)

 Austin is so good at "savoring the flavor" of anything really yummy - he always has been and this year was no different!  He was so cute eating his little cupcake!

 Rio of course was not shy at all!  She dug right in and loved every bite!  What a doll!

 The next favorite thing outside of the cupcake was the little Elmo party blowers - Austin went through about 5 of them!

Jax loved them too - he was so cute with it - just so gentle and then... he realized the loud sound he could make with it and it was loud from then on!

*I have to write a little note to each of my kiddos so bear with me -

Jax - Happy Birthday Jax!  I cannot believe you're already two Jaxie!  You're so amazingly smart Jax and this year, you've surprised me so many times with what you can do.  Your physical ability is something to be amazed by - you starting jumping off everything in sight at about 16 months and with both feet!!!  You are so agile and quick - you never stop running!  You already know so many colors, numbers and shapes!  You are constantly wanting to learn new things every day and I love your determined, sometimes overly determined mind :)  You can get so frustrated because you want to do everything all by "myselp" (myself) and yet your little body doesn't always let you but you stick it out and usually get what you want! Don't worry... daddy and I will always be here to help you too even if you don't want it :)  You LOVE your "kankie" so much and it is your best little friend when you're sad.  You are so sweet to Austin and especially Rio - you take good care of her when you're not teasing :) Of course, you all have your moments of not liking to share anything but for the most part, you are a very good boy and very kind to your brother and sister.  All I have to say to you is, "Oh that makes them sad or it would make them so happy if..." and you do whatever it is they want.  You're very obedient too - that is.... when you want to be - I mean, you're two!!  Can't wait to see what the next year will bring for you Jax!  We love you so much Jax!

Austin - Happy Birthday Austerlish!  Two years old sweet boy!  You are such a happy little boy!  You usually have a big smile on your face and lately, you also like to have a look that mimics mommy's "explaining face"because you are so expressive with ALL of your emotions and we love that about you.  It's so nice to talk to you and you even allow us to reason with you most of the time.  You rarely spend time in "time out" because you're a great listener.  You have moments of being so timid about physical stuff like jumping and trying most new things (including food) and yet you watch Jax and want to try everything on your own too and eventually you do!  You're very kind to Jax and Rio too!  You laugh at them all the time and LOVE when you make them laugh!  You're very affectionate sweetheart - you love to be held and you're favorite words lately are "hold you."  You've made mommy realize how important it is to stop and hold you and hug you many, many, many times a day!  You and daddy have a very special relationship - he's your good buddy and you light up whenever he's around - what a lucky boy you are!  We love you so much Austin - can't wait to see what else you teach us this year!

Rio - Oh little Rio, our sweet little "moosey."  You have turned into quite the little diva this year!  You love anything with a strap because it makes a purse for you to put you're things into including mommy's old makeup, nail polish, chapstick and lip gloss.  You love wearing bracelets and necklaces and have lately started using your hair rubber bands as rings.  You ask to wear bows and in the last few months starting with Halloween (and even more so in the last 10 days) have insisted on wearing your "Dorothy's" (your little ruby, sparkly shoes).  You love to throw the best kind of temper tantrums like most super smart and determined little lady's :) and it can be kind of rough for us to know what you want but you're a very good talker and are getting better and better about telling us and your brothers what you want.  You love music and singing and know so many songs almost word for word (I'm not just saying that either), like "ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, If You're Happy..., I am like a Star, I am a Child of God and I Love to see the Temple."  The last two are your favorites and you ask to sing them before naps and bedtime every night.  You also know your colors and lots of numbers and shapes and love reading books.  You keep yourself very entertained with your babies and your Little People houses - what a little mommy you are.  If you're brothers are in your way, you often like to take your toys into your room and close your door to be alone.  You love to "hold mommy" and you're my little sweet friend.  You love your daddy and think he's so funny!  We love you Rio - I'm so excited to see what you do this next year sweetie!





Best 3 Day Christmas

Well, if I'm blogging... I guess I'll keep blogging to make sure I'm all caught up before the end of the year!  I'm quite proud of myself this year, I've done much better than last. (at least I think so)

Anyway, we had so fun this Christmas - we got to make it last 3 days instead of just one.  My dad had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas unfortunately (time for a new job already!!!)  But...it did allow us to start Christmas fun a few days before.  So, on the 23rd we got together with my side of the fam and ate a delicious dinner that my parents made and then we got to open some presents with my parents and the Fanks.  We had such a great time together.  Sky and Matt's kids are seriously so amazing with my kids and they are just so sweet and kind and fun to be around.  We are so lucky! 

Zak, Luke, Gabe, Ella, Anna, Halle, Jax, Rio & Austin showing off their "grandparent" gifts

This was the "pre-opened" joy from Rio sitting on her present (and yes, those are her "Dorothy's" she's wearing)

Jax and Austin opening their Little People race track - with two tracks!  Perfect for little ones that aren't the best sharers just yet :)

Spence and I (with our little Lennox) showing off our gift of a "date night" -woo-hoo!!!

Sky and Matt and the kids got our kidlets THE CUTEST puppets!  They are so, so cute and so, so soft!  Aunt Sky showing Rio how to put it on her hand - they loved them!

Jax & Daddy with at least 3 of the puppets that he got... and of course "kankie" is present as well

Austin was thrilled with the soft puppets too but as soon as Uncle Matt showed him "another" way of playing with them, he was all in - Matt stuffed all 9 of the puppets inside Austin's shirt!  He thought it was so funny until he realized he was the little boy from Christmas Story and couldn't put his arms down :)

The ever performer and hilarious Gabe showing Austin and me that it's okay to "love the stuffing"

Grandma & Grandpa Anderson with Jax, Austin and Halle calming down after the craze

Then, on Christmas Eve we got to have our Morris Grandparents over to open up their special presents.  The kids loved to have them all to themselves! 

Grandma and Grandpa Morris helping the boys open up their trucks - they loved them and have been so excited about them ever since!

The boys playing and figuring out the trucks can move on their own  - so cute to watch them play.  Rio got the cutest Little People set with a horse and a swinging fairy - she would not let me get a picture because she was too nervous someone would take it and she LOVES it!  Two of her favorite things: horses and swings - couldn't get any better than that!

Christmas Day at Home:

Jax, Rio and Austin posing for the "forced" picture  - love, love Jax's face - he's so funny! Gonna have to curb that curiosity & suspicion I think one day :)

We got all of them a cute train table this year - we're kind of getting interested in it a few days later now but at first, it was WAY more fun to take EVERYTHING off the table - made for some awesome fun after Daddy spent at least 2 hours putting it together and setting it up!  Live and Learn....

Jax showing off his train pieces

Spence and the kiddos opening up some presents - did anyone else think that Christmas wouldn't change that much with having kids?  I did - I pictured the same kind of routine... oh no, we are on "kid time frame now mama!"  I think Spence and I opened our presents about 2 hours later - ha-ha!

Little Miss Rio as happy as could be with her new baby that actually uses a bottle, laughs and cries!  She takes such good of that baby!  (and really not that surprising, so do the boys!)  What a doll you are Rio - love you!

Me and Austin opening up his new "Elmo" puzzle - we're obsessed with Sesame Street around here!

The favorite present of the day has to go to "chapstick!"  We honestly could have just given Rio but even the boys 20 chapsticks and they'd have been just as happy!  (they must get it from their dad - he ALWAYS has some in his pocket)

It's trying to keep it out of their mouths and only on their lips that is the trick :)  Rio's was gone in about 15 minutes!  She was showing daddy how to use it and Austin was telling me that his was "orange"

Merry Christmas sweetie! Love you so much!

Even Lennox joined in the stocking fun - he was digging around trying to get out his new "chewy's"

Merry Christmas Spence, Jax, Austin & Rio!  I love you all so much!  Thanks for being the best thing in my life!