Life Now...

I never blog. I would love to think that I am wonderful with words and I like to blog, but mostly I'm just a talker, not a blogger. I do love watching all of the fun things my friends do and keeping up with them since most of us live so far away from each other. So thanks everyone who does blog.

So, it's been a year since I've said much. Most of our life, as far as pics go, are at our website, jamesandshauna.com. James is amazing at keeping that up to date with our pictures. But I would be sad if I didn't write a little something every once in awhile to remind myself of what is going on in my life now.

Now...Abby is so grown it makes me sad and proud at the same time. I love that I can talk to her, and reason with her, and some days, her idea of a good time is hanging out with me learning to sew or cook. This week we will pass yet another milestone as we send our oldest baby to kindergarten. I thought it was an eternity away. I thought that my long days with 3 kids home at once, all day, would never come to an end. And, it is ending. I was so excited until I realized that at this point, they will all go to school in the next few years and this part of my life will be over. I'll be the soccer mom, the chauffeur, the pta mom. But, just home all the time mom...well maybe, just without the kids. How lonely. I think I appreciate the home crazy a little more all of the sudden. Now it will be the running around crazy. Does that mean life will go even faster?...

Off track, Now... William suddenly made a huge 180 degree turn in his interests. It used to be cars and now it is ships. Except, with his speech it comes out like chip. His opening conversation line with the lady in the checkout store, the librarian, the lady at church, and the neighbors is: "My Nana gave me a pirate ship". But when you hear it, it sounds like: my nana nave me a pire chip". It's adorable. His speech has improved a lot. We will be going into a new class in a few weeks. He has problems with the letters that use the back of the mouth, g, c, k, and some others like sh, s. We just keep at it. He's incredibly smart, it's just translating all that he is trying to tell me. He likes to snuggle, be read to, run, jump, and even help me pick up. So grown...

Now...Alex is a really big boy. He has always been a really big boy. He reminds me of the really nice, HUGE, linebacker that everyone wants to be friends with just to make sure no one bothers them. He is really nice, and he really likes wrestling and tackling. I think that it is because so far he wins. Lets see, he's only 1 and he can take down his almost 6 year old sister...hmm. I'm just trying to make sure he doesn't accidentally become the neighborhood bully. He has the best belly laugh and is always cheerful. I love happy babies.

Now... James just went to Glacier Lake with my Dad on their BMW motorcycles. They had a great time, went 1760 miles in 4 days. And I think they would have gone again the next week if they could have. Mom and I went to the quilt stores. I found the materials for our family stockings. I can't wait to get them done. I think it's kinda lame on my part that we've been married 8 years and have 3 kids and are still functioning on hand me down, or old worn out stockings. Enough! I'm a mom with a family. My own family! Let's get with the program! I also found a skirt to make for Abby and actually got it done. I should post it. It's the cutest thing I ever saw. And the best part, she loves it too. It is so discouraging to put that kind of time into things and then the kid hates it. So, warm happy...I was a good mom at least once this week.

Now... We love our house, our neighborhood, we have new friends and still see the old ones. Family is good, fun, fulfilling. I got a part time job for some of the nights. I love getting a little bit of a break. I want to take a class again. I miss learning. I might try a religion class this semester. Just to do something new. James is an amazing dad. He has jumped into our new routine with me working and he is awesome. He's always cheerful when I come home. Dinner was made (hot dogs one night, eggs and bacon and toast one night, grilled cheese one night...at least it's not cold cereal), they are all in bed when I get home and he is usually cleaning the kitchen. Go James. Even I hate cleaning the kitchen after dinner because I have usually been in the kitchen for several hours and refuse to stay there any longer. He is so good to me. Life is good...

Bonzai!

The boys woke up before Abby this morning. Abby had a nightmare in the middle of the night, so she slept on the couch. I got up with the boys and told them to go downstairs for breakfast. They beat me down, and when I found them, William was yelling in Abby's face, saying good morning and telling her it was time to eat. Alex had climbed up on her back and was pretending she was a pony. The first thing that came to mind: Bonzai! This one is for you Tiff! What a good memory!

Life is Crazy

So, in April I thought, you know I'm so excited for summer. We don't have very many plans, we can chill at home, maybe go camping a few times, and just enjoy the warm weather. Well, all of that has happened plus a ton more. So here's a little catch-up. Alex has been learning how to crawl. He does a push-up (I can't do them like this kid does. I think only my Marine brother Jared and his wife can do them with expertise this kid shows), drops his knees and then rocks. When he gets frustrated that he isn't going anywhere, then he makes this little leap to get what he wants. He's growing so fast. It doesn't help that at 7 months old he is the size of a average sized 15 month old. He is the happiest kid though, and I'm really thankful for that.

 

William is so active. He runs everywhere, jumps on everything, and is constantly in my fridge. Typical boy. He loves his cars still and has developed a love for water. That includes the bathroom sink, the kitchen sink, the pool, the bathtub, and dumping his drinks out on the table. Bless his heart :D.

 

Abby has turned into such a good helper. It's so much easier when they can dress themselves and are out of diapers. And for better or worse, her vocabulary is huge. The other night James and I were laughing about something in the car and she told us to "settle down guys". She's awesome with the boys too. She plays with them and helps me help them. And at night when she is done and William is trying to turn on the lights she yells at us under the door to "turn off the breaker please!". How many 4 year olds know what a breaker is? She does because it disables William so he can't play all night long.

 

Well, enough blabbering, here are some pictures of some of our adventures.

Our cute family pic courtesy of Jes Myrick.

Daniel's high school graduation. The question is where are Abby and Tavner in this picture? Deriously no one knows. So much for a family pic at this event!

Charity and her kids came to visit in June! Yay! It had been almost two years and it was great to see them.

We went camping with Melissa, Brandon, and Maxwell.

Alex asleep in the car top carrier.

Maxwell and William playing in the tent.

Abby's family of inch worms.

Abby

Alex always has his tongue out.

William's birthday. Poor kid was sick but he got his bike!

Hiding in the box is fun too.

Putting stuff together is always fun.

James 10 year reunion

4th of July Parade in Kaysville.

Old car in the parade.

William thought that old car was Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He was so excited since that is his favorite show right now.

James and his brother Daniel and their synchronized diving

 

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And last but not least, the house we have under contract that is also under construction. It looks more finished now. They are painting this week. Maybe one more month or so and we can move in. About the time that we are going to sign and move in, my brother should be going to CO on leave before he leaves for Afghanistan for 7 months. My friends are having a reunion at the same time. And, James is doing the photography for a wedding. We're just hoping the timing all works out perfectly on this one! To see the video tour of our very unfinished house clicke here:

http://www.jamesandshauna.com/photos/photo.php?photo=9858&album=186. That's about it for now. Thanks for being patient with my inability to post more regularly.

 

 

Alex Baby Blessing

It's been a busy month. My little sister got married, which made me feel old since she is the youngest and last to get married. It was fun though, and I don't think I've ever seen her more beautiful and confident. It was a fabulous day. And, since the whole family was in town, we did Alex's baby blessing. He is the fattest little thing. Yesterday he cried for an hour before I pulled off his pants and he stopped crying. They were too tight. At this point jammies and one piece outfits are tons easier. Even his new church cords are 6-9 mos pants, and I have to unbutton them. He just turned 3 months this week. He's a big kid, and a very happy one. Adjusting to 3 has actually been good since he is a happy baby. Additionally, William is learning to talk which makes life easier. And lastly, Abby is amazing. She has grown up so much and she is such a good helper. She's smart and funny and I think she is beautiful. I feel bad sometimes because I don't usually do her hair with curls or put it up much. But, she is finally getting enough hair to do it, so we need to start practicing. Anyway, here are some pics from the blessing.

James, Alex, and I

My mom holding Alex

Grandma and Grandpa Slaydon

James, Jared, and his wife Basia

Abby with her cousin Tavner (his mom was here, she was the one taking the pics, thank you Christy!)

Nana and Papa

My parents

Jessica and Dave (sorry Jessica, it was the only pic we had)

Caitlin and Will

Daniel

It was fun to have everyone together. Even Crystal and her now husband Zachary came. He left quickly though since he was late for his own Bachelor Party. Thanks everyone! We appreciate your support and love!

 

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Abby and deductive reasoning

So last week, Abby and I were talking about fingers and what the names of all the fingers were. Pinky and thumb were easy, but she was getting the other three mixed up. No worries though. The next day, I was getting ready and was cleaning my ears out with Q-tips. Abby came in and wanted to clean her ears too.

Mom - If you want to clean your ears, then I need to help you. We have to be careful with the Q-tips so that they don't go into your ear too far and break your ear drum.

Abby - Oh, we don't want to break my ear drum, cuz that would hurt huh mom.

Mom - Yup

Abby - That's ok mom, that's what this finger is for (holding up right pointer finger). This is my ear finger so that I don't break my ear drum.

It's amazing how much they really retain when you don't think they are really paying attention.