Free To Play

Paxten is a very smart kid! He knows that when Parker and Paige are at school, he has free reign over the house and all their toys. No one is there to tell him "NO." As was the case this particular day. I was in the living room holding Pieper and realized that the house was very quiet, which can mean mischief. So I went throughout the house searching for Paxten to see what he was into. I walked into the doorway of Paige's room and found the little guy in her bed, playing with her iPad. When he realized I was looking at me he shot me this look like, "oh you caught me, but isn't this fun!" It was pretty cute because he looked guilty, but he knew I wouldn't care and Paige wasn't around to get mad at him. I think he likes the few hours he has the house pretty much to himself!

Funny Kid

Paxten snuck next door to my parents the other day. They had just cooked some chicken on the grill and asked Paxten if he wanted some. He said no. While he was there he ate some tootsie rolls that were on the kitchen table. He then went outside for a little while. He went back inside a while later while my mom was doing the dishes and cleaning up from dinner. Paxten grabbed the rest of the tootsie rolls that were on the table (5 or 6) and my mom said to him, "What will grandma eat if you eat those all gone." He replied, "Chicken." He didn't miss a beat. It was pretty funny! He would rather eat candy than anything healthy. My kids is a sugar monster!

Pretty Please

Paxten in quite the character in our house. He is very energetic and an all around BOY! He loves to run, jump, climb, and get into mischief like any other typical little boy. He tries to do things his older brother does, and sometimes his older brother tries to get him to do things that even he wouldn't do. He makes me laugh and smile every single day. Right now he knows exactly what to do to get what he wants. He puts his little fists up to his mouth and scrunches up his little face while he says, "Pretty please" but is sounds like, "pitty peez" it is just so darn cute and it gets me every time. "Pitty peez can I stay," "mommy choc milk pitty peez."  Whatever he wants, all he has to do is look at me with those blue eyes while holding up his little fists and say pitty peez and I pretty much give in. How can I not, look at this cute little face. I doesn't just affect me, Matt and my mom succumb to the asking as well. He has us wrapped around his little finger, and he knows it and uses it to his advantage. He is one smart 2 year old!

Kids Weekend part 2

On Sunday, the last day of our kids weekend, we took the kids to Hogle Zoo. It was in the 90's that day and it sure felt like it, but the kids were pretty good about not complaing and we had a fun time see all the different animals. Our favorites were the Elephants, Giraffes, and Monkeys. Parker love the snake area and Paxten seemed to be fascinated by everything. There were a lot of areas in the park that were under construction/renovation which was disappointing, but will give us an excuse to come back next year when it is all done. We packed a picnic again this day into the zoo and the kids rode the merry go round inside the zoo.  After we had seen all there was to see, each of the kids picked a souvenier from the gift shop and we got in the van to head home. All of the kids were asleep in no time, we wore them out! We had such a fun time together. It is great to have a sister to do these fun things with and I think we may have to make this a tradition! The kids loved being together and doing something out of the ordinary, we only wish that Matt would have been able to go with us as well.

Kids Weekend of Fun

Charyn and I thought it would be fun to take the kids on a fun weekend to Utah after school got out. The kids were most excited about sleeping in a Hotel and swimming in the hotel pool! We left on the Friday school got out, after Parker got home. We drove to Layton and stopped for dinner at McDonalds (this is after all a kids weekend, right!) Then we went to Hobby Lobby, our choice, to look around and find a few home furnishings and scrapbook supplies. The kids started to become restless in the store and we knew we had pushed our luck, so we made our way to our hotel. The kids immediately wanted to get into the pool. So we did! They swam for over an hour and had a blast! after swimming we had popcorn and watched TV until they finally fell asleep close to 11! The next day we had plans to visit Scheel's, go to the park for a picnic, and then to Boondocks for miniature golf. The kids rode the ferris wheel in Scheels and looked at the huge aquarium. They ran around at a nearby park and we had a fun picnic. Then in the afternoon we went to Boondocks to play mini golf. I am not sure what Charyn and I were thinking taking 4 kids and 2 strollers to go play miniature golf. The kids were everywhere, except by us! I think Charyn and I managed to actually play a total of 4 holes, which was a waste of money, because we were trying to keep caught up with the kids. It was extremely hot outside so the kids were fussy and whining! We did manage to make it through all 18 holes and then went inside to play some video games. Zander and Paxten had fun playing whack a mole and Parker and Paige liked the ski ball machine. We ended up getting only about 100 tickets, which didn't get very much in return, but the kids had fun. After a long morning and afternoon, we decided to go back to the hotel and let the kids swim some more and order in Pizza. It sure is fun to eat pizza in a hotel room! The kids were exhausted and fell asleep before 10 that night!

Paxten and his Nose

I am seriously going to try and get this blog updated before #4 arrives! It may take me a while, but it will evetually happen!


Paxten has this fascination with his nose for some reason. I am not sure if it is just a boy thing, or if his nose is constantly bugging him. Either way, the majority of the time when I look at my sweet little boy this is what I see! I am constantly telling him to get his finger out of his nose. He laughs and thinks it is funny! The worst part is when he actually manages to get something and then before I can grab him a tissue he puts it in his mouth and says, "yummy" What a gross little boy!! I sure hope that this little "habit" passes and he isn't a serious nose picker for the rest of his life! He can get away with it now while he is little and cute, but soon it wont be that way! My silly boy!

Easter Morning

The kids were once again spoiled by the Easter Bunny. They each got an assortment of candy and prizes in their baskets and were eager to play with them and eat the treats.

Easter Party at Aunt Marilyn's

It has become a tradition that our family looks forward to every year, Easter party at Aunt Marilyn's. The kids were all excited to go and play with cousins and go on an Easter egg hunt. It was beautiful weather that day and we all enjoyed being outside in the sunshine. The kids were egg hunting pros and all filled their baskets with goodies and they each got a prize out of Marilyn's prize basket. I'd say the day with a success and so much fun. I have the greatest family and I an so lucky to have so much fun when we get together!

Paxten's 2 Yr. Photos

At the beginning of May I got Paxten's 2 year photos taken, so I was only about 3 months behind, but it got done. He was a litle stinker and would not hold still or let me go for Misty to take the picture. I was about to give up, when Charyn arrived with Zander to get some photos of him as well. Paxten was so excited to see his cousin that he finally started to smile. And of course at the end of the session he was all smiles and would sit on the chair, and played in the cube. But it had to be HIS idea. I was thrilled that she was able to get a few good smiles out of my little guy, and I must admit I think he is pretty darn cute!!

Paxten Turns 2!

Paxten celebrated his 2nd birthday on the 9th of February. I can't believe my baby is 2, and isn't a baby anymore!! We had a small party at our house for our little guy with grandparents and my sister. We had little smokies, tater tots, cheese and crackers, a veggies tray, and a fruit tray. It turned out quite yummy and there was something for everyone. We enjoyed visiting with each other and watched Paxten open gifts. He was loving unwrapping the presents and wanted to play with all his new stuff as he was unwrapping. He got a few new outfits, a ball and bat, plastic golf clubs, gummie bears, goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, a couple of cars that make noise, sidewalk chalk, nerf guns, coloring book and markers, and an Ipad Mini. Talk about spoiled!! After Christmas time when Parker and Paige both got an ipad mini, Paxten would take theirs and play with it or was always trying to take my phone and play on it, so we convinced my parents that he needed his own. He had loved it and played with it almost every day. There are so many educational games that I don't feel bad about him playing on it. After he opened gifts, we had cake and ice cream. I made Paxten a robot cake with chocolate doughnuts. I thought he turned out pretty darn cute and it was one of the easier cakes I have done. Paxten seemed to like him. He had a fun day and was spoiled rotten by the people that love him. 

Best Buddies

These two kids can be the best of buddies. Some days I wonder what they are up to and I find them like this. Close by each other playing together or watching a show together. Paxten really looks up to his big sister and has to do everything that she does. He is always concerned about "Pai" and wants to be where she is. When he asks for a snack, he asks for one for her as well. When he is in another room and realizes she is gone, he asks where she went. He gets so excited to see her when she gets home from preschool and pretty much follows her around the rest of the day. Paige is a pretty good big sister as well and lets him follow her around. She plays with him really well and tried to include him in the things she is doing. She lets his cuddle right next to her on the couch and sometimes I catch her rubbing his back, or with her arm around him. They really do love each other and moments like that just melt my heart! I hope they always feel that way about each other!

Big Sister

Paige is a pretty good big sister! I often find her and Paxten on the couch with Paxten alseep in her lap. Sometimes they cuddle together on the couch and she puts her arm around him and it just melts my heart. Then before I know it Paxten is alseep and she is telling me to be quiet so I dont wake him up. It is just so cute! Paxten is at the age where he thinks he doesn't need a nap and it is often a fight to get him to take one, so days like this are cherished! Love these kids!

Family Photos

I like to take a few family snapshots at Thanksgiving time each year. These are the ones that I was able to get in the short amount of time the kids would cooperate. Notice there isn't an individual of Paxten, because he would not stand by himself to let me take a picture. He is at that age, and I didn't want to fight him for a bad picture of him crying. It was freezing cold, so Parker and Paige didn't last long outside either. Nevertheless, we got a few good ones! Matt 30, Erika 30, Parker 7, Paige 4.5, Paxten 20 months.

Paxten's Stats

Paxten is now almost 22 months ond! I had forgotten to take him in for his 18 month shots partly because I have been looking for a new Pediatrician. Well I finally found one that I think I am going to like and took Paxten in at the end of October to get his last set of immunizations. He is still a little guy weighing in at 19.9 pounds and he is 31 1/2 inches long. So he is not on the charts for weight and in the 9% for his height. His head was 48.3 cm which was in the 52%. So he has a big head and a little body! Everything else looked great. He is developing normally and has been saying quite a few words. (Mostly only I can understand, but at least he can communicate some!) The doctor wasn't concerned and didn't make me feel like a bad parent for having a small kid! That made me feel better! He did really well as far as the shots go, he cried at first, but then it didn't seem to bother him at all the rest of the day. Although he did seem to get a fever the next few days, which I am sure was from the shots, but he didn't let it slow him down one bit!

My Little Trick-or-Treaters

On Halloween, I took out my littlest trick or treaters to visit my Dad and Mom at their work. Parker was at school and we were also going to visit after lunch for his school's Spook Parade. Isn't my Little Red Riding Hood and my little Lion so adorable?! I sure think so! After visiting a few places they were both ready to be done for the day, or at least until the Trunk Or Treat at the church.

Snow Day

We got our first snow storm last week on the 25th of October! What?!! The kids were super excited, more than me of course! After Paige got home from preschool she was adament about playing in the snow, so Paxten wanted to as well. I got them all dressed up warm and out they went...for about 15 minutes. Then they decided they were cold and wanted to come in and have Hot Chocolate. I think that is they real reason Paige wanted to play in the snow, just so she could have hot chocolate afterwards. They are so excited about winter and the snow and all the fun that comes with it. As much as I don't really like the slick roads, and cold cold temperatures, I couldn't imagine the holidays in Idaho without snow! I love seeing the kids so excited about something new, and being able to do a wide variety of fun activities throughout the year because we live here!

Washable?

I was working on the computer one afternoon and Paxten was right beside me playing in the desk drawer full of crayons, coloring, books and markers. I did not know there were markers in the drawer and within a few seconds Paxten had completely covered himself with teal marker. He had some on his face, his arms, his hands, his feet, his clothing...all over the place. After I had taken a picture to document his mischievousness, I tried to wash off the washable marker. But guess what, it wouldn't come off, and it made an even bigger mess. So we let him wear the marker for the day and then put him in the tub that night where I could really scrub him good and the majority of it faded but didn't completely come off. Lesson learned, move the markers from out of  the reach of the 1 year old! I should know this after 2 other kids!

Best Buddies

Paige and Paxten have been able to spend a lot of time together while Parker is at school. They get along so well and for the most part they play well together and entertain each other. Catching them snuggled up on the couch together is almost a daily occurance, but it makes me smile every time. I love seeing them get along and I love seeing them be kind to each other and help each other out. Paige is a really great big sister and is always helping Paxten out and getting him things he needs. Must be that motherly instinct girls have, because Parker is not like that at all. Paxten often follows Paige around doing what she is doing and sometimes I catch them in her room playing dolls or barbies and Paxten is loving it! He just loves to be included and doing what everyone else is doing. These two kiddos make me smile everyday and sure make me grateful to be a mother! (Parker does too!)

Flour Boy

Sometimes I just need a few minutes to get dinner going and sometimes this is what I resort to so that will happen. It kept Paxten occupied for about 1/2 an hour. That works for me!! He loved it and he kept saying, "uh-oh!" it was too cute!

The Swing

Paxten has loved having a swing set in the back yard, in fact all the kids love having a swin set and it was definitely a good investment. Although I am not sure how many more years it will last! Anyways.. Paxten loves to swing and I often find him bent over the swing swaying back and forth. He can't quite get on the regular swings himself, but can lay over one and swing gently back and forth. He loves it when I puch him and as he is swinging toward me I move out of the way, like he is trying to get me and a just barely miss getting hit. He usually laughs and smiles and thinks it is the greatest thing ever! I love his little laugh and his cute little smile. I don't want him to grow up!!