Jared

This post is dedicated to Jared. Everyone says that you will have a child that challenges you. For me this is Jared. He is by far the funniest of my children. He always has us laughing. He almost always has a huge smile on his face (even when he is doing something that he shouldn't). Jared is definitely the most loving of my children. Ever since he was very little he would crawl, and then later walk, over to Derek or I and force his way onto our lap just so he could sit with us. He loves to give hugs and kisses. He is so adorable when he talks too. We love his little voice.

So are you wondering why I said that he is my most difficult child? Well, he likes to cause trouble. He doesn't listen at all. He doesn't think he needs to, I guess. He could get put in time out for doing the same thing several times in a row and it doesn't phase him at all. He will steal Kevin and Jenna's candy from Easter and eat it. When he gets caught he goes straight to time out. As soon as he is out he will do it again, if he can find more. I try really hard to keep all writing utensils out of his reach, but somehow he found some three different times last week and wrote all over the walls. One of his favorite things to do is to remove the vent covers and stick things down the vents. Most of time someone catches him doing this. He can't put the cover back on, so we usually notice. He is starting to sleep in a big bed for naps. One day this week instead of sleeping he was shredding books from the book case next to his bed (I didn't find that out until hours later). If I tell him not to do something, he will smile at me and do it anyway. He will fake cry sometimes when I put him in time out, but as soon as his two minutes are up he'll go right back to doing whatever he was doing before. Those are just a few of the many examples I could give.

Sometimes he is quite difficult do deal with. However, when he gives me that great big grin and gives me a squeeze hug, I can't help but think about how great he is. He really is such a great addition to our family, even if he is trouble. He will be the one that keeps us laughing for years to come. We love you Jared, even if you do keep us on our toes.

Enjoy the pictures.

One day this week, while I was showering, Jared decided to strip down to a diaper and get into the lotion. This is lotion that I keep on the back of my kitchen sink. He moved a barstool over to the sink and got the lotion. He is a thinker. :)

At least it wasn't as hard to clean up as when Kevin got into sunscreen. Remember that? :)

This is Jared talking on the cell phone and wearing one of Jenna's dress-up shoes. I told you he is funny.
This is just proof that he naps in a big bed (Kevin's bed to be specific since we don't yet have a big bed for him). He was just waking up when I took this picture.

This is how we found Jared one night. He was sound asleep with a Winnie the Pooh playing card stuck to his head. He loves those cards. He carries them around all the time and is always asking for "Pooh" cards. I guess he took some to bed with him, and one got stuck to his head. :)

Easter and Spring Break

This past week was spring break for Kevin and Jenna. (Derek's spring break was at the beginning of March). We stayed home and relaxed. It was nice. The kids spent time almost every day playing outside with the neighbor kids. It rained at the beginning of the week, but it was pretty nice by the end of the week. Kevin and Jenna helped me clean the house. That was great. We even made it to the park for a play date one day. I was really worried about having all three kids home all week (I know, I'm a great mom. :p), but it went well. Kevin even entertained himself a few times by reading a chapter book (from The Magic Tree House series.). He kept saying "Mom, it is so cool that I can read by myself now." I was pretty excited for him. Reading is so empowering, so I am thrilled that he is getting so good at it.

We had a great Easter! We left Friday after Derek got home from school and headed down to my sister's about three hours from here (the perfect distance, I might add). The kids were great in the car and we didn't have to stop. My brother and sister-in-law and their children came too. It was so fun to have all the siblings together. We missed my parents though. They live a little too far to head down for the weekend. The kids had a great time with their cousins and Derek and I had a blast with the adults. We had 14 people in my sister's two bedroom townhouse, but we made it work, and it really didn't seem too crowded (I'm sure it helped that we were only there for two days).

We took the kids to the park for lunch and an Easter egg hunt on Saturday. The kids really enjoyed that. We had hoped to go see a battleship, but the weather kept threatening rain. It never materialized, but we were too nervous to push our luck. Saturday afternoon the kids dyed eggs. They turned out cute. Sunday we went to church, had a nice lunch and headed home. We were back to our house by 5:30p. Thanks again Rachel for letting us come and making it so much fun.

Enjoy the pictures.

Kevin at the Easter egg hunt (I really like this picture)

Jared at the Easter egg hunt

Rachel helping Jenna count her eggs at the Easter egg hunt. Each child was allowed 17 eggs.

Jared and Jenna eating lunch at the park after the egg hunt.

Kevin eating lunch at the park. Notice the silly expression. This has become a common thing whenever I try to take his picture.

Rachel and David's little boy, Levi. Isn't he so cute?!

Kevin dying Easter eggs. Notice the expression again. I think this expression is pretty fun though.

Jenna, Derek, and Jared dying Easter eggs.

Jared dying Easter eggs (or at least that's what he was supposed to be doing).

Every year for Easter my mom made us a bunny cake that looked a lot like this one. It is a tradition we have kept. Rachel made this one, and she and Derek decorated it. I think it turned out really well.

No artist would leave their work unsigned. Rachel put her initials. Derek put "ph@ d-rock" - ph@ is to be read "phat" as in Pretty Hot And Tempting. You certainly can't fault him for lack of creativity. :)

Lazy Sunday

This picture has nothing to do with this post, but I thought it was cute, so I included it. Jared is wearing Kevin's hat and gloves. My kids have always loved to wear hats and gloves.


Today has been a wonderful lazy Sunday. This weekend is General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We gather to hear the leaders of our church speak to us. Because of modern technology we are able to watch this in the comfort of our own home. That means we can just rest, hang out, and enjoy some food centered conference traditions (Kevin couldn't wait for the cinnamon rolls and OJ this morning). I didn't get nearly enough done this weekend, but it has been very relaxing and uplifting. Plus the weather has been in the low 70s, which has been great!

About two weeks ago we took our children hiking along some trails about 15 minutes from our house at a place called Pleasant Grove. It was pretty fun. I am amazed at how much easier it was than a few years ago. As the kids get older those sorts of thing become easier and more fun.

Last Saturday I ran my first 10K. It was actually really fun and went really well. The race was huge (over 26,000 people...yes you read that right). However, they did a great job making sure it didn't feel too crowded. I ran it in 50:34. My goal was about 54 min., so I was thrilled. It was a nice flat course, so easy to do well on. My running partner and I are trying to find another race to do in May or June, but most of the ones we find are on a Sunday. I hope to do this race again next year. Unfortunately (OK, maybe fortunately) I don't have any pictures from the race.

Below are the pictures from Pleasant Grove.

Kevin and Jenna on a piece of an old railroad track near the start of our hike.

Kevin and Jenna throwing rocks into a stream along the hike. We actually crossed the stream on the rocks on the left side of the picture and continued our hike on the far side.

Jared throwing rocks in the stream.

Derek and Jared by the Rivanna River where the trail ended and we turned around to go back.

Kevin in a great little spot by the river where the trail ended.

Kevin with a walking stick he found along the way.

Kevin, Jenna, and Jared resting near the end of the hike.

Happy Birthday Jared!

Jared turned two today. I cannot believe that my baby is two (which actually makes him a toddler, so there are no babies in my house anymore, crazy). Jenna has been talking about Jared's birthday for the last week. She has been really excited for it. We had a pretty relaxed day. Derek made us pancakes after church. Then we had cake, and Jared opened his presents. He liked all of his toys, but I am pretty sure that Kevin and Jenna were way more excited about everything than he was. They got so impatient when he took a little while to open a present. Ah, siblings.

As I think about the last two years, I can't help but be really grateful that Jared is part of our family. He has definitely been my most challenging baby, but he is also the most loving. From the time he could get himself around he would force his way onto your lap or into your arms. The vast majority of the time he has a smile on his face (just like his daddy...it's a great trait). He will even smile at you when he is doing something he knows he shouldn't. He can be a very difficult child sometimes, but he knows how to win you over with that smile of his. Jared has been a great addition to our family. We love you Jared!

Below are some pictures of Jared from the last two years, including today.

March 29, 2007 - the real "birth day"

May 2007 - Kevin, Jenna and Jared

August 2007 - Jared playing under Jenna's castle (I love this picture)

October 2007 - Jared with his favorite blanket (this is still his favorite blanket)

March 29, 2008 - Jared's first birthday

July 2008 - Jared in the woods

March 29, 2009
I made this firetruck cake for Jared

The birthday boy

Blowing out candles - he actually blew them both out by himself

Jenna, Jared, and Kevin

Jared with his new camera - Thanks Tia, Uncle Michael, and Tanner

Jared taking a picture of me - we might need to work on his technique a little...

Jared opening a present

Jared was attempting to drink out of his new water bottle, but it was empty

Kevin and Jenna jumping on bubble wrap that was around one of Jared's presents (instead of presents in the future, I think we will just buy bubble wrap)

Jared decided to give the bubble wrap a try - he wasn't as impressed as the other two

Grandpa's Birthday and Disney World

On February 28th my grandpa turned 80 years old! Every year my grandparents go to Florida for a couple of months. They were there when grandpa turned 80, so we drove down for his birthday. All of my immediate family was there (except my sister's husband). Many of my aunts, uncles and cousins were there. It was really fun to see every one and to think that this all started with my grandma and grandpa. We stayed with my Aunt Kathy (THANK YOU!!!) and had a great time swimming in her pool and hanging out with every one.

While in Florida my parents took my siblings families and mine to Disney World!!! Thank you mom and dad! We had so much fun. The kids were so excited to be there and it was especially fun that they could go with their cousins. We are already trying to figure out how to get back there. It really is a magical place for children (who am I kidding, I had a great time too). After we got back Jenna changed her name to Cinderella for about a week. She has since changed it back to Jenna. Below are a few pictures from Disney, and some other random pictures from the month. Enjoy.

Jenna in front of the Epcot ball

Jared by Cinderella's Castle

Jenna driving Grandpa in a race car

Derek and Jenna on the Carousel

Jared on the Carousel

Derek, Jared, and Jenna on the Dumbo Ride

My cousin, Brittany, and Kevin on the Dumbo Ride

Jared, Jenna, and Kevin enjoying Popsicles on a warm spring day

Kevin and Jenna enjoying popcorn during a "Movie Night"

Jenna wanted me to take some pictures of her, and I thought they turned out well.

Isn't she cute?

I know this is hard to see, but Jared decided to put make up on and this was the result.

Jumping on the bandwagon

I have finally decided that it is time for me to start a blog. Derek has just become way too busy to keep up our other blog, so I have decided to take over. I am not nearly as cleaver as he is, so my posts won't be as funny, but at least they will be updated. This address is one that Derek has had for years (at least 4). However, the only thing he ever posted on here were Jenna's ultrasound pictures. She will be 4 in May. It was kind of fun to see the pictures again. Derek may post on here every now and then, but I will do most of the posting. I decided that we were missing out on too many memories, so I had to start blogging. As soon as I figure out how to add pictures from Picassa Web I will do some posts with pictures. I am excited about this and hopefully will be regular about posting here. Thanks for putting up with me while I learn how to blog. :)