Ode to Claire

Claire went in for her 18 mo well child check up yesterday. We were only four months late...she's now 22 months. That's what happens when you are a fourth child. She's really started talking lately and it's been so fun. I think being able to verbalize more has helped with the tantrums. We also learned last week that she had a double ear infection, so she's much happier now that that is gone. She weighed in at 23 lbs (20th percentile) and was at 50% height.
So she's still a little peanut. She's obsessed with meow meow's and wants to watch them on youtube all day long. She's a fun girl.

Here's claire singing her version of jingle bells. We heard this A LOT over Christmas.

Malia's happy birthday makeover

Here's some pictures of Malia's room makeover. I decided to change a few things in her room when I was looking at her curtains one day and noticed a nice two tone affect caused by the sun (and no blinds).


BEFORE: boring and bland


AFTER:
I have to say I was inspired by my sis-in-law Julia's fun design style. So we picked
out some fun fabric at ikea and made the wall art, the curtains and the lamp. I designed the
vinyl wall art and Brent made her desk. I found the comforter at target, I was excited that it fit the color scheme so perfectly. There are still a few little things I'd like to do, but overall i'm happy with how it turned out. The most important thing is that Malia loves it.

Our Christmas break

Our Christmas break started a week early because of snowy, icy weather. I have to admit it was pretty cool for the first few days. The kids loved playing in the snow and we drank hot chocolate and cozied up in blankets. We enjoyed a few extra days with Daddy at home. We took the kids sledding one day and had a blast. Malia was in a really bad mood that day (which is becoming more common) and refused to get dressed to go. So we made her stay in the car with claire. Well after we were there about 30 minutes she decided it looked pretty fun. So out she came in her flimsy pajamas ready to brave the hill. She loved it. She would have had more fun if she weren't so stubborn and had put on some warmer clothes. Hopefully she learned a little lesson.

This is what happened to our poor tree in our backyard. This picture was taken before even more branches broke off. We now have a HUGE pile of branches in our backyard waiting to go to the dump.

Christmas eve morning we woke up and made santa pancakes. The kids loved them. How could you not, all covered in whip cream! We spent the day playing games and watching movies. Christmas eve Brent went to pick up my sis and brother-in-law from the airport. We all drove down to Albany, but it was pretty late by the time we arrived. So Christmas eve consisted of the kids opening up their jammies, running around a bit and going to bed. I realize I have no pictures of Christmas morning. We took a lot of video and my dad took all of the pictures. And he made sure he got EVERYBODY with every gift! Love ya dad.
I had to include this picture, just because it was cute. Claire is soooo attached to her pacifier. I've tried to take it away, but she is seriously the loudest baby/toddler on the planet. So the paci goes back in. In this picture, Jacob has tied her paci to her stuffed dog so she wouldn't lose it.
After Christmas Brent's mom came to stay with us for a few days. After we picked her up from the airport (Brent's birthday) We went to Ikea, ate at the Portland city grill, went to deseret book and headed home. We left the kids with my mom, so we enjoyed taking our time. We also took a trip to OMSI (thanks Grandpa!) I haven't been there since I was little and the kids have never been. They loved it! They practically had to kick us out. After OMSI we headed over to Fuddruckers for an awesome dinner.


Sunday was Malia's birthday/baptism. We let Malia sleep in our room the night before her birthday. While she was asleep we gave her bedroom a makeover. Brent made her a new desk, we put up new curtains/bedspread, and fun vinyl on the wall. (I'll post before and after pics as soon as her room is clean enough for "after" pics) What a fun day it was for her. She loved being in the "spotlight" and having her own special day. She was lucky enough to have aunts, uncles,cousins, grandparents, and friends all be there for her. Our house was crazy that night, with kids everywhere. But they have so much fun together.
Malia was baptized by her Dad and I think it will be a day that she'll always remember.

Winter storm

I've lived in Oregon almost all of my life and don't ever remember having a storm like this. Yesterday we had about 6 inches of snow, followed by freezing rain. More freezing rain tonight and 1-3 more inches of snow in the forecast. This has been going on for about a week now. Church was cancelled today. We spent the day playing games and baking Christmas goodies. It was a nice cozy snow day. I'm just grateful that we didn't lose our power like the 45,000!!! in the western half of Oregon. This picture is kind of dark, but you can see that the ice is doing a number on our willow tree. We've had four large branches snap off and probably more tonight. The tree is pretty funny looking now. We'll have some fun cleanup in a few days when this storm is gone.

I just have to clarify that the lady in the story below (from church) was on no way
ungrateful for my "attempt" to help. I just didn't want it to sound that way. It's more a matter of feeling like my efforts have been pointless....
Today was day 4 of school closures here. I'm guessing tommorrow will be day 5. The kids are driving me crazy...a nice beach in mexico sounds nice right now, eh??

Dang global warming...

Dang, it has been cold here! I'm sure anyone in the northwest knows what I mean. It took Brent 3 1/2 hours to get home last night. (he did get lost trying to take the back roads, but still!) We've been mostly homebound, since I prefer not to drive on icy streets. The kids have had snow days every day this week.
These are pictures we took for our Christmas cards. Yes, you heard me right! IT's a tiny christmas miracle, we are doing Christmas cards. You may not receive them by Christmas, but I figure they are fun to get anytime.
So, recently I've been feeling like I should find opportunities to serve other people. To think less about myself and more about what other people might be needing. So Sunday a family was singing in church. They were holding their young toddler who was out of control, so the mom goes to bring him out to the foyer mid-song. Thinking I would help out, I get up so she can hand me the child, thinking she'll go up and finish the rest of the song. Instead I carried a kicking, screaming child out while the mom followed me. (Me not knowing she was following). So I ended up just feeling dumb as I immediately returned to my seat. Then today I thought I would be nice and bring some hot chocolate over to some men who are building a house kiddy corner from our house. I felt bad that they are out in the freezing cold all day. The kids were excited to do this little good deed. So we make hot chocolate, fill up the thermos and find some paper cups. I head over with Jacob, only to have each man refuse my offer for some hot chocolate. One man wouldn't even look up when I asked him, he just sort of chuckled and turned away. So again I end up feeling really dumb. Don't people know that you are supposed to just accept someone's offer for Hot chocolate, even if you don't REALLY want it?? Anyway, my desire to do good deeds has been deflated.....On a better note, we are so excited for Christmas and the three birthday that will follow the three days after Christmas. It's going to be party central around here! Happy holidays.

Holiday update

What a crazy, busy time of year! Although I wouldn't want it any other way. We
just returned from a 8 day trip to Spokane for Thanksgiving. We had a great time. We were able to take the kids to a fun indoor waterpark, we hit the cheap theater and saw wall-e, decorated gingerbread houses, played with cousins and ATE! We had a great time and even had some snow.
Now we are back to reality. I'm busy with vinyl orders..December is busy with people wanting signs/letters for gifts. We are also doing another craft show this coming weekend.
While we were gone my wonderful neighbor was nice enough to show our house to a couple who were wanting to look at it for a second time. They just called and want to look at it a third time tommorrow. So, at least we know they like it. But who knows what will happen?? We are busy gearing up for Christmas and for the THREE birthdays that immediately follow, plus Malia's baptism. So there is no slowing down around here...Happy Holidays!