King's Gold

My own little Shirley Temple!

2009-11-21T00:25:00.000-08:00

We used "rag" curlers to make these beautiful curls. She couldn't sleep on the sponge curlers anymore, so we tried strips of material and it worked beautifully. I was inspired by "Sense and Sensibility" one of my all time favorite movies :)

More Pics from Cali...but at the beach!

2009-11-07T21:49:00.000-08:00

Still More Fun from the Magic Kingdom

2009-10-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

More Magical Pictures From Disneyland!

2009-10-30T14:45:00.001-07:00

Disneyland! Definitely the Magic Kingdom!

2009-10-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

We had such a blast! Other than straight junk food and no sleep, I think we could take up permanent residence at Disneyland. I know that especially Isabel would be in absolute heaven wearing her princess dress and crown every single day and being hailed as princess by all the employees at every ride :)

More pictures of the Desert

2009-03-15T15:51:00.001-07:00

Truckin and Relaxin in the 'Desert'

2009-03-15T14:28:00.002-07:00

On Saturday we decided to take our big toy from Christmas...the kids' 4-wheeler out to the desert and break it in a little more. It was such a blast. My dad had a few of my nieces and nephews up at his house, so he met us in Saratoga Springs and we headed to the desert West of Utah Lake. Jamie's sister Cindy and her husband Reed came with us too. We really enjoyed a beautiful day up in the mountains. The kids rode the wheeler a little, but mostly they loved exploring and hiking up the hills and digging in the dirt with some shovels and rakes that Grandpa brought. We had lunch and enjoyed the sun...yes, I said the SUN! Yay!!! So relaxing and just something that was quiet and a break from our busy everyday life!

I love my kids so stinkin much!

2009-03-12T21:52:00.000-07:00

I just want to tell you all some funny stories about my kids:

Gavin just started going to nursery on Sunday, and let me tell you I didn't think I'd miss him that much, because I wasn't able to sit through Sunday School or Relief Society for months, because he wouldn't sit still, but he went this past week, I think it was like his 3rd time ever. The first couple times he cried and was clingy and I totally had to trick him and sneak out, but this time was totally different. He was so sweet, when I headed for the door, he watched me very carefully and I thought for sure he'd break down crying and run after me, but he calmy blew me a kiss and waved to me with a big grin. When I went back to pick him up, his teachers told me that he had made the rounds several times kissing and hugging all the kids and helping calm down the cryers of the group. What a cute kid!

Collin is sooooo excited for kindergarten and has been loving preschool even more because he realizes how smart he is. He is a crack up. He is already reading...but he kind of has a big head about it...scary. He was preparing to go to his friend's birthday party across the street and we were making a homemade birthday card for the big event. I helped him spell Happy Birthday, he wrote all of the letters on his own, making sure I knew that he could do it by himself and I don't need to tell him more than once. Then I said, K, let me help you spell Jacob's name. He promptly replied, mom I know I see him write it all the time at preschool: it's J A C O B of course. And he wrote it without hesitation! I was so proud! Then he proceeded to draw a musical note and balloons, which I had never seen him draw and then he wrote From: Collin. He knew exactly what to do! How did my baby get so big and smart?

Isabel is my pretty princess. Good thing she's more humble than Collin since she gets told how beautiful she is about a hundred times a day, especially from her Daddy. Her hair is well down to her waist, and she spends time primping in front of the mirror and in the tub. She asks to put on a different princess outfit about every ten minutes from her dress-ups. She loves it when I paint her nails, especially her toes and she tells everyone about it. She is extremely shy...she does not like big groups of people. However, when you sing primary songs with her, she belts it out at the top of her lungs, especially "I Am a Child of God" and "The Lord Needs Valiant Servants".

She loves to draw I's (because that's the letter her name starts with) all over every sheet of paper she can find all over the house...at least it's not on the walls yet. In every book and movie she points out who is the mommy and who is the baby and she takes such good care of all of her babies. She even feeds them bottles and medicine and rocks each of them and sings the "Baby Mine" song from Dumbo to each of them before she puts them down for their nap. She is so sweet. We have a must-do bedtime ritual. I tell her one of 4 princess fairy tales (including all the songs mind you), then I scratch her back, rub her right arm, then left, rub her left leg, then right,

make sure she has the appropriate baby and her "snuggly" (a very soft pink blanky), and she usually passes out pretty quick. I can't tell you how important one on one time is with kids. It makes such a difference.

On Friday night we decided to get a sitter for G and take Collin and Isabel on dates. I took Collin out and Jamie took Isabel. We went to different restaurants, and had a blast! I was so impressed with my Collin! We had to wait for 25 min to get a seat at Chilis. They gave him a kid's menu and two crayons to keep him busy, and did it ever. He colored the maze and a few other activiites they have including drawing hair on a bunch of different characters...that took about 2 min out of 25-30min. Then he played with the crayons themselves for the remaining time until we sat in our booth. First they were rockets, then planes, then light sabers, then horses...you name it. He was so entertained, it was actually quite amusing for me to watch and kept my interest for most of the time, and I'm usually an impatient person. Well, once we sat down, of course we had to wait for the waitress, and once we ordered we had to wait for our food. Well, that didn't bug Collin at all. Kids are so great! We had thumb wars, played I spy, played SLAP, and had wars with the crayons. We had so much fun together, who'd a thunk? He was such a conversationalist too. He asks me at least a million and a half questions every day and tells me at least that much more about the world that he's sure I haven't noticed yet. He is such a character! I sure love that kid!

Isabel didn't have such a compelling experience...but she sure loved being with her Daddy! They went to Red Robin, and I guess they had some mascot looking guy dressed as....yep you guessed it....a Red Robin roaming the restaurant, and apparently scaring my daughter to death. She was so busy watching the bird and making sure that she didn't have to talk or in any way interact with it, that she flipped off her booster seat onto the hard tile, and to her absolute horror, the Red Robin rushed over to help Jamie pick her up. She just screamed and barely calmed down enough eat any of her mac n cheese...poor thing. The bird guy felt so bad that he gave her free ice cream, which she ate every last drop of :) Like mommy like daughter. She has such a sweet tooth just like me. She is always asking for a spoonful of peanut butter or choc frosting, or whatever we have in the house pretty much. I just hope her cute little figure can keep up with it!

Gavin is mischief to the utmost degree. He is so funny! He will actually purposely look over his shoulder to make sure I'm watching before he does something naughty...that he knows I don't approve of, then when I react (which of course is his goal) he runs away giggling. And when I follow, he just runs faster, only to his dismay, that usually lands him in timeout....However, does that deter him like 15 min later from repeating the drill...albeit a different naughty action....NO WAY. He is starting to talk a lot more, my new favorites are nigh nigh as he is whisked away with his big white fluffy teddy and his Baw (bottle), and no no, waving his finger at me like in the song popcorn popping. He is such a tough guy and a bully to all, until it's time to snuggle with mommy and his teddy.

I love my kids so stinkin much!!!

Random Recent Pictures

2009-03-06T22:16:00.000-08:00

It's been forever friends! As many of you know, my sweet mother-in-law, Sharon King passed away on January 19, 2009 from liver failure. It was bittersweet because she suffered so much and was in a lot of pain. We are relieved that her suffering is over, yet we miss her so much. We have been so busy and crazy for more than three months. Finally we are trying to get back to normal and things are slowing down a bit.

I wanted to share some of the cute recent pics of my kids. Hopefully soon, I will be able to blog more and update more often. Love to all!

Cool new website

2009-01-11T00:20:00.000-08:00

I have been a total slacker and have not kept up with the blog. The last time I posted I wrote a big long explanation of Isabel's b-day only to have it wrap around crazy all over throught the pics and I got so frustrated that I ended up losing the text I had written and just through in the towel....
Enough rambling. Jamie has been working on an awesome website and I know especially all you ladies will love it! Here's the link to the site: http://www.crazibeautiful.com/. Enjoy! I promise to post new pics soon. You can see some recent ones on facebook. Love to all!

Isabel's 3yr old Dora Party

2008-11-20T11:37:00.000-08:00

More Fun Pictures of Fall Activites

2008-11-12T22:12:00.001-08:00

Catching up

2008-11-12T21:57:00.000-08:00

It's been forever since I blogged. At least one family member has been sick now for 3 weeks. Jamie is still battling a sinus infection. And to be honest, we're in survival mode. I had walking pneumonia for 2 weeks and finally got rid of my congestion and cough the last couple of days. Here are a bunch of pictures from Halloween. Well, just before the actual big day, since we left our camera at Gma n Gpa Kings' house right after these pictures at Pumpkinland in Orem. Enjoy the fun pics!

What I Aspire To

2008-10-17T03:03:00.000-07:00

“I don’t want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone’s garden.I want to be there with children’s sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Collin's Big Bedtime Chat

2008-10-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went to Chick Fil A to support a family who is losing their 8 yr old son to leukemia. The doctors have done everything they can, but this sweet boy, Trent is at home to die now. If you want to donate, look up the number for the South Jordan Chick Fil A (at the District) and you can get the bank info to donate. His family needs help with medical bills and to fulfill a few last wishes for their sweet son. Anyway, before we pulled in the drive-thru, I explained to my kids why we were at a restaurant we wouldn't normally eat at, and they had never been to. I told Collin that a little boy was dying and that we were going to help his family with some money. He was so sweet, he asked, "will the money help him not die?" I told him no, but that it might help him have some fun with his family before he dies, and it will help his mommy and daddy pay for all the hospital bills. He told me "well, that's important." He then remembered his little friend Justin and how his daddy died and they put him in the ground. Then he said, "Don't worry mommy, he's in heaven now with Jesus, and Trent will be with Jesus too, and with daddy's sister Jody". I told him he was right and I was so proud of how well he understood everything. He was worried that Trent's mommy and daddy and family would be so sad. I told him we could pray for them. So after family night that's exactly what he did. There is no greater faith than that of a child's.

He later told me a story about a giant who got sick and died and his friends and family were so sad and they had to bury him in the ground, but that he couldn't come back alive because he was too big and would break heaven, but that Jesus would visit him. I couldn't help but giggle, but I think that Collin was really thinking hard about all that we had talked about earlier that day. He said that he didn't want any of his family to die until they were really old, even older than grandmas and grandpas, he said.

He then told me that he was smarter than Grandpa. Isabel asked him which grandpa, Grandpa King or Lange, and he said BOTH! I told him that maybe the grandpas knew more than him because they have lived a lot longer. He said, "no, I think I am much more smarter, but they're kinda smart, like you mommy"! Aren't kids the greatest!

Tagged

2008-10-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

My sister Emily tagged me with this one, here goes:

8 Things that Happened Yesterday:
1. My baby G snuggled me forever and grinned and giggled, priceless
2. My first baby "wiggles" a.k.a. Collin is 5 and tall and lanky and I can't believe it!
3. It snowed!
4. Princess Bel played happily with her cousins without clinging to me constantly!
5. We drove clear to Santaquin for a baby blessing...totally worth it.
6. Jamie totally stuck his foot in his mouth talking to his big sisters best friend
7. I froze at church, hasn't happened in forever...not ready for winter!
8. Lazy night at home, fell asleep instantly when head hit pillow....rare!

8 Things I look forward to:
1. Another baby or two, just not right away.
2. Cancun or Hawaii for a whole week although I'll probably desperately miss my kids.
3. Another professional back massage and eventually zero back pain
4. Being debt free...will that ever happen with the whole bailout crap?
5. Summer nights...I know that they just ended, and it will be a while, but they are my favorite!
6. Taking some art and photography classes.
7. All my kids potty trained. I'll certainly celebrate that day!
8. My sweet Mother-in-law to return to full health!

8 Things I Love About Fall:
1. Definitely the colors and all the trees changing.
2. The breeze, the smell of the rain and snow.
3. The holidays are closer when fall comes. I love the holidays! Being with family is the best!
4. Cozy fire huddled reading books with my kids.
5. Collin loves that fall means storytime at the library again. All summer he kept asking when it would be fall!
6. Fall is when Jamie and I met.
7. All my children were born in the fall!
8. My birthday is in the fall.

8 Things on my wish list:
1. All my babies happy and healthy and snuggled close to me.
2. Carribean or Bahamas Cruise
3. Go Back to my mission someday.
4. My babies to stay tiny forever, nothing better than snuggling a tiny baby in a warm blanky.
5. Skinny jeans :)
6. I wish I could be around for Sarah and Pedro's first baby.
7. To see my best friend Dawn more often, and to see her sweet baby!
8. To be waverunning again.

8 People I Tag:
1. Emily Stout
2. Alice Thurber
3. Shanae Freeman
4. Desiree Martinez
5. Jennie Cowan
6. Jenny Arvidson
7. Jenny Petersen (I know a lot of Jenny's!)
8. Kari Schwitzer

Collin's Big Number 5 Birthday Bash

2008-10-12T20:06:00.000-07:00

We did a crazy thing and invited 11 boys to Collin's party, plus the parents of three of them from out of town, and the grandparents on both sides. However crazy, it was tons of fun and a huge success, if only a bit chaotic. The kids had a blast. It was a batman theme, as you'll see from the pictures. We started out with a rousing game of "Duck, Duck, Goose". Every time someone got tagged, especially if it wasn't her, Isabel got up and ran around the circle. Then when Collin finally tagged her Goose, she stayed sitting, very cute. The kids all loved chasing each other and the highlight was being "it". We then got out a pinata, which happened to be Lightning McQueen since we couldn't find a batman one, or a bat for that matter, but it was very cute. Jamie was very creative and used a garden hoe and a tie-down to dangle the pinata for the kids to hit. The kids loved it. None of them broke it open, (but Mommy managed to break the clip it was hanging from when she tried to "help" hit it with one of the kids) so we then pulled a bunch of ribbons from it, I guess the idea is that one of the ribbons pulls open a secret opening and the candy comes out. However, Mommy stuffed too much candy in the darn thing, and that didn't work either. In the end, Jamie just ripped it open, dumping all the candy out, and the kids went at it.
The next game was pin the shield onto Batman (see pictures). That was a hit too. Each kid had a bat logo with their name on it that they got to pin onto Batman's chest. On to the presents, totally cool gifts, then birthday boy blew out his candle (#5), and we ate the cake. My friend Alicia made these fabulous bat hats. Sooo much fun. I think that Collin was a very happy, very tired boy. He loved it! Happy birthday my big, tall boy! I love you so much!

4 Cheeses

2008-10-12T20:01:00.000-07:00

Collin very matter of fact to Isabel: "Bel, did you know there are 4 kinds of cheeses?"
Bel: "Oh"
Collin: "Yep, white cheese, yellow cheese, Mac n' Cheese, and string cheese!"
Bel: "Oh yeah, Mac n' cheese, yummy"

Later that day...Collin to James (they were having 2 sleepovers before Collin's big party): "Did you know the piggy ate all the pies on 'Word World', that means he is greedy."
James: "That's just because he's a pig."
Then they took turns telling very silly jokes that didn't make much sense. In the midst of this, James whispered his joke to Collin. Each time one of them made a 'joke', the other fake laughed very crazily. Collin laughed very loudly and slapped his knee after James whispered his 'funny' joke, then 2 seconds later he said, "What did you say again?" LOL

Confessions of a "Homemaker"

2008-10-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

So, this is a bit embarassing, but also pretty hilarious, so I will share despite the fact that I want to hide in a corner. Last night I got the ironing board and the iron out and after dusting them off, affixed some iron-on patches to Collin's worn out "holey" jeans. I left them out to dry and in the morning Collin ran over to the ironing board sporting his newly patched jeans and said, "Mommy, is this your sewing machine?" LOL ha ha ha Pretty sad that he doesn't even know what a sewing machine is. He asked me how I put on the patches and I explained that I used the iron to press the patches on with heat on the board. He said, "Oh, I never saw such an ironing thing before!" Don't mock me now, they make "wrinkle free" shirts for a reason! Terrible I know, I should be better.

And it's not that I don't know how to sew, it's just that I rarely make time for it. I always have the best intentions...oh well! Sad it's somewhat of a lost art. I should have taken advantage of my mom's tremendous skill in this arena and gleaned some basic sewing skills from her. She is a master seamstress. She made most of our dance dresses in high school, a lot of our everyday clothes when we were little, and she even made her own wedding dress!!! One talented woman. Sorry I didn't carry on the tradition momma, I'll leave that one to Emily. She apparently has more patience for it than I do!

My Kids Make Me Laugh!

2008-09-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

Whenever Isabel wants something warmed up, she asks me to "beep" it! It makes me laugh every time, it's so cute!

Yesterday Isabel spilled something and she told me sorry and without missing a beat, Collin said, "Isabel, sorry doesn't make the whole world better"! That had me rolling.

Every time a door opens be it to the bathroom, the garage, the front or back door, or especially the gate to the stairs, Gavin lets out a high pitched squeal and takes off running for it. If we close it before he gets out or through it, he growls at us! He is so fishy!

Love you all! Here's to all the funny things kids say and do!

Hupcakes and Blessings

2008-09-26T23:50:00.000-07:00

So the other night we were walking back from the park and Isabel was in the wagon, when she started laughing really hard at a little inside joke she and Collin had...they do this quite often. Anyway, when Isabel laughs really hard, she starts hiccuping...a lot! She was so cute she started giggling even more and said, mommy my hupcakes won't stop!

Later that night, Isabel and Collin were in their PJs and Isabel was super cinderella, and Collin was superman with the cape and everything. Collin was the superhero saving the princess in distress, and he went to Isabel laying on the ground saying she was hurt. And he started giving her a blessing. It was so sweet, because he's seen daddy giving Gavin and Isabel blessings when they're sick. He asked that Heavenly Father would heal her...very sweet, but of course Jamie had to explain to him that only daddy can give blessings. We had a mini-priesthood lesson with him. Jamie told him that it was good that he believed that Heavenly Father would heal someone who's sick, but we only call on that power when someone's really sick. And that only daddy and other men who have that power can use it. I think Collin was a little confused, but he got the basic idea. I love how well my kids play together (most of the time, when Collin isn't teasing like all brothers do). They really love each other. Collin told Isabel last night that she was the "best stister (that's not a typo, that's how he says it, with an st at the beginning) that I could ever have".

The other night we were at the pool swimming together. When we finished we went to the hot tub to warm up before we got dressed. Of course we had the kids just sit on the edge and we splashed hot water on them. The three kids were sitting in a row on the edge with Jamie and I in front of them splashing them with the hot water. Isabel was in between her brothers. She grabbed both of their hands, then pulled them into a hug on either side of her and said, "we're a happy family", "Daddy, can we sing the family song?" It's the one that goes I love Collin he loves me, we love Isabel yessirree, she loves us and so you see, we are a happy family. That's one of her favorite songs. So in the hot tub at our gym, we sang that song...and I had tears in my eyes. It seems kind of silly now, but it was such a touching moment for me. I am so glad that my kids love me so much despite all my faults, and that they know that we love them, and that we're a happy family, and we will always be a family. I just melt every time my kids tell me and Jamie that they love us. And my Collin who suddenly became a tall lanky smarty pants "big boy" has me wrapped around his baby finger when he says, "Mommy, you are the best mommy in the whole world". I know that's not true, and I certainly try, but he really believes it and he makes me feel so much better when he says those words to me. My kids are so sweet, and they make all the endless laundry and dishes worth it. They make all the sleepless nights easier to bear. I am so grateful for my kids and for their dad who is such a family man and would do absolutely anything for them; for our family. Sorry so longwinded...just feeling very humble and grateful for my countless blessings, at the end of the day, I am the best mommy to my son, and that is worth a million bucks!

CinderellaS and their Prince

2008-09-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

Londynn Stout was over at our house playing. She had worn her new Cinderalla costume she got for her birthday. Isabel got one for Halloween and they look almost identical. So, we got some cute pics with Collin shmoozing and loving the camera! You go girls! They have so much fun together!

Our Baby G is 1 year old!

2008-09-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

We just had a nice small mellow party for G and it worked out great. He got a few toys and some clothes, but of course he played with the bags, paper and boxes too! He loved his cake and wasted absolutely no time tearing it apart. He even tried to dive in it while the candle was still lit. Here's some pics of his big day: Gavin dove in and got really messy, not the least bit surprising! The other kids decided to join him and eat the cake with their hands too. Lots of fun!

Big Scout Party

2008-09-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

So we actually had Gavin's birthday party on Saturday, just a small party with Grandmas and Grandpa. However, I have been so busy since then, I haven't had time to post the pictures of his cute party. Jamie is Cubmaster, and I'm Cub Scout Committee Chair, and we threw the big Blue and Gold Banquet to celebrate scouts. We did a huge dutch oven dinner (we had food in 12 different dutch ovens: funeral potatoes, BBQ chicken, green beans with bacon, cornbread, peach cobbler, apple crisp, and cherry chocolate cake) which was SO yummy and had a great turnout. Here are some pics of the "big scout party" as my kids call it, then next will be pics of Gavin's b-day.

Big Bro Little Bro

2008-09-18T13:05:00.003-07:00

Gavin sure loves his big bro and follows him everywhere. They play chase and sword fight and tickle wars. Gavin just giggles and grins. They have so much fun together. In this picture, he's wearing Collin's spiderman slippers that he stole from him and ran away giggling.

Our Little Night Owl...Who? Who?

2008-09-18T13:05:00.002-07:00

It's Isabel! She won't go to sleep these days. If I delay her nap at all, she is up forever at night. If I wake her up from her nap before she's ready, she's way cranky. She won't sleep in her own bed. I either have to lay on the floor by her toddler bed, or sometimes we compromise for me laying next to Collin in their room. Or she lays in our bed. The other night Jamie and I got desperate. We really wanted to watch a show together, but she wouldn't go to sleep and she was crawling all over us and asking a million questions like kids do. So finally we pulled out the secret weapon...dun dun dun The IPOD! She watched "My friends Tigger and Pooh" on Jamie's ipod with his huge headphones while we watched our show. So cute...really cute when you're not getting any sleep because a beautiful princess is the one waking you up instead of the one snoozing :) Any ideas how to get her to sleep in her own bed? I have used her sticker chart, other bribes, slept by her...she is crazy! She just wants to talk and laugh and needs a drink or to go potty a hundred times. I need ideas people!

3 Little Bakers!

2008-09-18T13:05:00.001-07:00

We had my niece Ragan Julander for 8 days while her parents were at Lake Powell livin it up. She was so much fun! These kids really played well together and they especially loved making cookies with me. They ate far too much cookie dough. I told them they were gonna turn into cookies, and Isabel kept telling Ragan that several times. Ragan looked at Isabel and said, "No, you don't call me a cookie anymore!" So cute and fun!

Six Little Known Facts About Holly

2008-09-11T22:44:00.000-07:00

1. I love to plan! Whether it be a party, an outing, even cub scout pack meetings. I am, however the queen of procrastination, so I'm always madly and wildly running around like a rooster with my head cut off trying to make it perfect...because I'm also a perfectionist.

2. I love country music! Well, most of you probably know this by now. I have to set the record straight though. Some of you may think I only like it because Jamie does and it's always playing...which is partly true...he has great taste, neither of us like the twangy, I shot my dog and left my wife crap...but my love of country started when I worked at Granny's in Heber while I was in high school. We used to crank up the juke box while we closed (pretty much exclusively country music) and dance with the mops! :) My all time favorite was "Talkin bout men" Shania Twain baby!

3. I am scared of the dark...mostly when my husband isn't home...I can't go to sleep and I have to turn on all the lights if I have to go downstairs from my bedroom. I HATE going down in our basement by myself, even during the day. I guess I've read too many mystery books and watched too many forensic files.

4. I am an insomniac...well I sleep sometimes. It takes me FOREVER to get to sleep, but when I finally fall asleep I sleep hard. I am immune to alarm clocks, esp Jamie's 4am alarm. I completely ignore it, don't even hear him get up most of the time. My mom had to buy me an extra loud vibrating horrible alarm that my sisters who shared a room with me detested, just to get me to early morning seminary! LOL

5. I went to Lithuania on my mission, and yes I spoke Lithuanian...everyone always asks what language I spoke. Some missionaries spoke Russian, and my mission actually covered Estonia, Latvia and BelaRus as well. Since I've been home, yikes for 8 years now...BelaRus has been transfered to the Moscow South mission, and my mission is now called the Baltic misson. Lithuania is former Soviet Union, located above Poland and to the West of Russia. Huge culture shock people. I'll tell stories later if anyone happens to be interested.

6. My husband is known to sing "I Henry the 8th I am" to me to make me livid and thinks it's funny. Just so I know people are actually reading my blog and care...you'll have to ask me to get the scoop on that one. LOL :)

Six Little Known Things About Jamie

2008-09-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

1. He is the best Home Teacher on the planet. The Seals will back me up on this. I don't think he's missed more than 2 months in the 7 years and 2 months that we've been married.

2. He is the best daddy in the world. He lets the kids climb, jump, stomp, dive, and ride on him. He reads endless books, and chases and spins and whirls them, even after a very long workday (Jamie routinely gets up at 3 or 4am to study and prep his classes, or work on whatever moonlighting gig he has going). He is more patient with them, even when he's more tired than me. He loves his kids more than anything in the world.

3. He knows several languages...that is computer languages and often wishes that I could speak those languages, because then instead of being completely bewildered and sometimes bored, I would be as excited about his computer code as he is. He passionately loves his job which is teaching 75 stinky, cocky, crazy computer nerd college students how to rule the world with computer code!

4. He is a very talented photographer and videographer. He is truly an artist when it comes to putting pictures and video to music. He absolutely LOVES music and usually only puts songs on his ipod that remind him to be a better husband, dad, and person. He loves down-home country music. He and I went country-swinging almost every date of our entire courtship. It was a freakin blast. We had never seen a movie in the theater together until after we were married. We went hiking, biking, on long walks, and dancing constantly.

5. He eats a bowl of cereal every night after dinner no matter what I make, whether he loves it or hates it. His mother can attest to the fact that he's done this since he was in grade school.

6. Jamie makes superb pumpkin pie! He makes several every year during the holidays. We always eat the first one...it's tradition, and it's absolutely delicious, decked with plently of real whipped cream, of course. We take the rest to holiday parties to let our families enjoy them. His grandma McRae taught him how to make the crust and he has made them every year since she died, carrying on her legacy, isn't that sweet!!!

Our Baby "G" Q

2008-09-02T23:55:00.000-07:00

Our Baby "G" is really more of a little boy now. He's 11 months old and has already been walking for 2 months. He is practically running now, and climbing, and throwing, and getting into exactly what he know he shouldn't. However, he is the cutest, sweetest little dickens on the planet. I couldn't resist posting these beautiful shots. Isn't he Adorable!

Just a Few More Pictures. Farewell Summer, Welcome Autumn!

2008-09-02T23:36:00.000-07:00

More Summer Pictures!

2008-09-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

Is Summer Really Over?

2008-09-02T22:27:00.001-07:00

Dangit! We've had so much fun playing this summer on our toys and with so many friends. We just really don't want it to end. I actually love the fall, we just can't play as much on the water when it cools off! I know there will be tons of fun to be had in the fall and winter as well, but I like the warm weather and especially the summer nights. Here are some of our boating pictures, and some other highlights of the summer.

Lagoon with Stouts II

2008-08-20T12:27:00.001-07:00

We went to Lagoon with the Stouts for the second time this season. It was a blast! We contemplated getting a babysitter for Gavin, but the kids had been a bit sick, and we didn't want to pass it on in someone's home, so we decided to take him, and I'm glad we did! He was a trooper, and he had soooo much fun! He got to ride the ferris wheel with us, and the train, and Odysea (a huge Octopus with fish dangling down from it that were the seats, and water spraying everywhere...he didn't appreciate the water in his face, but he loved the rest, he was clapping his hands and bouncing and squealing...precious), the carousel, and he even rode the little whales all by himself. By the end of the day, he was past tuckered out, but I think it was worth it! Here's a few pictures of the kids!

3 little pigs and the Big Bad Wolf!

2008-08-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

One of Collin's favorite books is the 3 Little Pigs. We've read it a hundred and one times and he has it memorized. So one day he decided he wanted to make puppets and do a puppet show featuring the 3 little pigs. Of course that meant mom had her work cut out for her. I made 4 sock puppets, a curtain for a stage and 3 houses...one of straw, one of sticks, and one of "bricks" (leggos). Then we did a 5-star production for Grandma and Grandpa King and the cousins! Here are some pics of the big show! Of course Collin was the Big Bad Wolf, complete with Little Pig, little pig let me in, and not by the hair of our chinny, chin chins!

4 year olds do not like to lose any game!

2008-08-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

We finally got our backyard finished and mowed it for the first time this week. We played out there for quite a while yesterday. Collin and our dog Tex were playing tug of war, and then there was a meltdown! :) See for yourselves!

Our Beautiful Bel!

2008-08-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

Gavin's Entertainment for a whole day!

2008-08-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

Technology!

2008-07-31T12:51:00.000-07:00

So I have wanted to post video of my kids for a while, but didn't know how from my video camera. Come to find out, posting video from my regular camera is quite easy, just not as good quality. However, I still managed to video it sideways, so y'all will have to tilt your heads this time, better luck next time. Here's video of Gavin walking, and Collin and Isabel getting ready to help mommy back grandma Lange's famous Peanut Butter Fingers!

Gavin walking

2008-07-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

Gavin's Walking!

2008-07-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

Gavin officially took his first steps on Friday, July 18th. He's already cruising around everywhere and grinning from ear to ear. He thinks he is soooo cool...and of course we agree. We can't believe how fast this year went and how grown up he already is. He is waving hi and bye, and screams mamama when he's mad, giggles and says Dadada when Jamie walks in from work, and says "Dah" (dog) whenever he sees our dog Tex. He is into everything! especially things that are sharp or he can choke on. He is already scaling bookshelves and the baby gate by the stairs. He is our little baby G who Jamie has also nicknamed. Stay-puff (marshmallow man). He is 10 mos. tomorrow and already 22 lbs. He's our chunk and is so happy and lively and fun!

Comments

2008-07-16T21:39:00.000-07:00

I know that I haven't posted forever....but all those who actually read my blog, if you'd post some comments once in a while...then I'd know this is worth it and that you all actually read my babbling and see my adorable children :)

Our baby G's growing up!

2008-07-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

Collin begged for the Ferris Wheel

2008-07-14T23:53:00.000-07:00

Collin didn't get to go on the ferris wheel at Lagoon, so when we decided to hit the Fort Herriman Days Carnival, that's the first thing we did. He loved it! Isabel rode with mommy and Collin rode with Daddy, while Gavin snoozed with Aunt Cindy and Uncle Reed.

Uncle Alex's goats, and Rodeo

2008-07-14T23:37:00.001-07:00

The kids were decked out in cowboy gear to go see Uncle Alex's goats near Bluffdale. They went to the Herriman rodeo that night at Butterfield Park, so even Isabel has pink cowgirl boots. They played with the goats, and then went to see all the real cowboys and loved every second.

Tuckered Out

2008-07-14T23:30:00.000-07:00

We got to Lagoon at 11:15 a.m. and this is us leaving at 9:30 p.m. Believe it or not, these kids were still asking to go on more rides just before they passed out!

Just a few more from Lagoon

2008-07-14T23:21:00.001-07:00

More Fun Lagoon Pics!

2008-07-14T23:10:00.000-07:00

Lagoon with Stouts

2008-07-14T22:36:00.000-07:00

It's obviously been a long time since I blogged, since Lagoon was June 10th.

News and Updates

2008-06-03T23:57:00.000-07:00

Well, the latest on the kids:

Collin is way into whatever movie or book he discovers at the library. That kid has an amazing memory. He retains everything he sees, hears, or watches. He baffles me. He gave my mom almost a word for word play by play of the rodeo Sat. He loves for us to read to him and absorbs everything. He'll be 5 this fall, but won't go to kindergarten till next year. He loves music and pretending.

Isabel is a rare beauty, I wonder if every mommy thinks their girls are so gorgeous! She has gained quite a vocabulary, and jabbers about everything. She is such a detail girl, and will always be the first to notice things and is a great listener...not being sarcastic. She is the first to run to do something for me when I ask a favor. She is so good to her brothers, truly a princess. She loves to sing and play in the tub, sometimes at the same time. She is mommy's little helper: cooking, dishes, sweeping, vacuuming, laundry, you name it, she's on the job!

Gavin is growing up way too fast! He has been sitting and crawling for a few months now...and today he stood up for a full 10-15 seconds. He sort of lowered himself to the ground as if to say, "hey, I didn't really mean to do that, but boy am I cool"! He is already into drawers and cupboards....woah watch out! He also acquired his first tooth last week, which is way earlier than my other two kids. He just wants to beat them at everything I guess. He is so happy and so fun.

I don't know why, but to me Sleepy Pics are SOOO Cute!

2008-06-03T23:36:00.000-07:00

Fun at the Park!

2008-06-03T23:19:00.001-07:00

Sleeping Beauties

2008-06-03T22:54:00.000-07:00

More goats, couldn't resist

2008-06-03T22:48:00.001-07:00

These were just to cute to skip. Out in the "wild wild west" as my kids would say. They had so much fun chasing all those goats around!

Boot Scoot Boogie!

2008-06-03T22:30:00.001-07:00

We went to see my brother-in-law's goats near our house and the kids had a blast chasing the "kids". Gavin thought the grass tasted great, and Collin and Isabel were delighted to have their cowboy boots on for the rodeo later.

So Behind!

2008-06-03T22:29:00.001-07:00

I won't attempt to write a lot tonight. I'm just going to update with pictures mostly.

Hooray, Isabel's leg is healed! Cast is off!

2008-04-25T14:34:00.001-07:00

We went to the doctor this morning to get Isabel full cast off and expected to get a new shorter cast below her knee. However, when the x-rays came back, the doctor said that she didn't need more time with a cast, and just set up a follow-up appt. Isabel is still tentative about putting any weight on her leg without the cast, but she'll start getting around in no time I think. The doctor was amazed that it healed so fast. He just kept saying "WOW"! He told me that she must be really healthy and active and eat well, and he just kept saying, "I can't believe how fast kids heal!" Isabel was fascinated with the saw and did a situp to see the whole thing. She kept talking about the big scissors and the tickle that she felt when they used the saw. When the nurse used the spreader and the scissors and started peeling off the cast, Isabel said, "My foot's coming out!" and she also said, "my legs is better, all better mommy". However, when she tried to straighten and bend her knee, she started crying, which the nurse says is totally normal, because it's stiff and sore from being bent and immobile for a whole month. But the worst part was trying to keep her leg straight for the x-ray. She was sobbing, I felt so bad, but she was very brave and tough. She kept telling me to hold her and hold her leg and she said, "thanks mommy for holding my owee leg, you're so nice, I love you" with big crocodile tears in her eyes. She was adorable! Our princess will be running soon enough. Love to all!

Jamie, our daddy and hubby

2008-04-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

What is your husband's name? Jamie George King
How long have you been together? 7 years, 4 months, 3 weeks, 4 days, 5 hrs, 30 min, 2 sec....(well almost 8 years anyway).
How long did you date? We met briefly in Nov 2000 right after we both returned from missions (yes he's 2 yrs younger than me, can't tell can you, hee hee), started dating in Jan 2001, engaged May 2001, married August 2001...wowee fast, love ya honey.
Who eats more? Definitely Jamie, but I can hold my own...obviously.
Who said "I love you" first. I think we said it the same night, but I honestly don't remember who said it very first....sorry honey, help me out, do you remember?
Who is taller? Jamie, he's 6' 1'' and I'm 5' 8"
Who has more speeding tickets? I'm guilty...Jamie very strictly obeys the speed limit, to a fault almost, sometimes traveling under the limit just to make sure :) But I'm a repentant lead foot, since my last ticket for which I was ordered to attend traffic school, I have been much better, probably mostly out of fear for my life should I return home with another such ticket :).
Who is smarter? Hmmm I have to be careful here. Jamie was valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA. But I am pretty dang brainy too, the proof, our Collin is a freakin brainiac (as Andy would say).
Who is more sensitive? Gotcha hands down babe, sorry, but it's to a fault at times.
Who does the laundry? Me, me and me. It's amazing how someone who is master of everything electronic cannot figure out the dials on the washer and dryer!
Who does the dishes? Oh my, also me, except the four or five times a year that he takes pity on me, then he expects a medal or something.
Who sleeps on the right? from foot of the bed, me
Who pays the bills? I did for the first 5 years of our marriage, now Jamie has everything automatically "programmed" online, it's been a nice break for me. Thanks honey!
Who mows the lawn? Jamie mostly unless I've nagged him for weeks and it gets way too long for me to stand, then I do it, even if I'm 8 months pregnant...imagine the stares I get. Mostly though, Jamie keeps up on it, when he hasn't, he's been extremely busy winning lots of bread!
Who cooks dinner? Me, but I usually enjoy it. Jamie makes amazing crepes, pumpkin pie, and ramen (ooh yummy) but not all in the same meal thank goodness.
Who drives when you are together? ALWAYS Jamie, way too much of a back seat driver, makes me nervous oh man. But he is really a good driver.
Who is more stubborn? That's a hard one, but I would have to say Jamie, he can hold out a lot longer than me.
Who kissed whom first? Surprised the heck out of me babe, definitely all Jamie, but I enjoyed every minute of it!!!
Who has more siblings? I do, I have 8 siblings: 3 bros, 5 sisters, yes I count Camielle too! Jamie is the only boy. He has 4 sisters, 3 living.
That was kinda fun to spotlight my honey a little bit, since I mostly write about my kids and post their pictures. I love you my sweet hubby! You are the best daddy ever to our kids and you do so much for us! We love you and are so grateful your ours!

Snuggle with me Your Majesty!

2008-04-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

So all three kids were really troopers the whole trip. We were in the car a ton, not only 3 hours each way, but we did a lot of fun offroading and some traveling between national and state parks and we got back to the hotel (yes hotel, no camping for me thanks, not with 3 little kids...mom and dad, how did you do it, I'm a big wimp!) it was usually pretty late. But we did let them sleep in. The hotel provided a rollaway bed for Isabel and Collin and a Pack n play for Gavin. Then there were two double/queen? beds for the adults. These kids were sooooo cute. They were snuggled so close. We got several pics on multiple mornings. One time Isabel woke up next to Collin, snuggled closer, kissed his forehead, put her arm on his back, and went back to sleep...how precious is that! At one point, the kids were playing together and I heard from my corner of the small hotel room: "no, I'm the king...when you bow to me, you say your majesty". Yes that was my Collin...and Isabel justed grinned and played along. Priceless!

Moab's many sights

2008-04-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

The humongous sand hill right as you head into Moab was by far Collin's favorite thing on the trip. He jumped and slid on his belly and played for almost an hour in the sand. We wished we had brought shovels and pails or something fun for the kids in the sand. He also made us chuckle because he asked to go back to the hotel at least 10 times a day. He just thought it was really cool that we had a room where we all slept and ate and watched movies away from home. Jamie's sister and I teased Jamie quite a bit about "like Father like son" because when they went to Disneyland when they were kids, he was constantly saying "I want to go back the building". I don't think we got pictures of it, but out in the middle of the desert on one of our off-roading excursions, there was a random plaque about real dinosaur tracks. Collin and Isabel were so excited to see real footprints! We also saw some Indian writing in one of the canyons. My sister-in-law Cindy teaches 4th grade Utah history so she was esthatic to take pics to show her class. Overall it was an amazing trip and we had a blast. Other highlights for Collin were chasing lizards and feeding chipmunks and squirrels.

Fun Fun Fun in the Sun!

2008-04-24T21:19:00.000-07:00

1)The whole family at Onion Creek, yes Jamie is sporting red gym shorts...stylin. 2)Baby G in the luxury seat in Arches National Park

3) Closeup of G eating his hat, he either ate his strap or slept most of the hike. He was an absolute angel the entire trip, especially with all the driving we did! 4)Jamie's sister Cindy and her husband Reed came with us. They were a huge help with the kids and tons of fun. This is one of the arches we visited. 5) Isabel's setup...although after the first hike we ended up ditching the stroller because most of the hikes, even the easiest ones had big rock steps to hike up. So Jamie carried her on his shoulders, and she even hobbled along by some of the arches.

Superman--Ready for Takeoff!

2008-04-24T21:08:00.001-07:00

So Collin was in his PJ's the night before our big trip to the "Wild Wild West" (the kids watched an Elmo episode about the wild west and the desert and cacti--Collin called them castickes--so that's what we called the trip). He was so excited, he said he was gonna fly to the wild wild west and then ride some horsies and rope some cows with his "lasko" he was beyond thrilled to go where the cowboys live. He had left his cowboy suit (complete with bandana, hat, shaps, etc) at Gma and Gpa's so he insisted that we get it before we left. He's really into dressing up, as I've mentioned before. Anyway, he was sooooo excited to go!

Collin's Curiosity

2008-04-11T16:29:00.000-07:00

So Collin has been reading a lot of books about the weather. Then Wednesday he got a dvd at the library about airplanes (kind of like Thomas the Train with faces) called Jay Jay the Airplane. The movie talked a lot about the weather. So this morning he informed me that I needed to help him make a moon and stars for his bat (a finger play he does) that only comes out at night, and that we should make a sunrise, sunset, clouds, rain, lightning, etc. So we did! Here's our masterpiece. Most of the ideas for the pictures were Collin's, I was the just the artist. While we were designing in thunder and lightning, Collin said, "Kaboom, that's the sound for a rainstorm and oh, and thunder too." Without missing a beat, he said, "Mom, do you know what rain's work is?" I asked him to enlighten me, "What does rain do for work?" He said matter of factly: "Growin' the flowers, and Makin' puddles, and Fillin' lakes and streams, oh, and vaporatin'"!

Everyone's SnuggleBug

2008-04-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

Make sure you scroll down a bit, it was my catch-up day today. I have like 5 new posts today. Gavin sure likes to snuggle, and his brother and sister like to maul him, but it works out because he is so patient and mellow about it all. We all took turns snuggling our little hugabug...Well except for mommy. Lori, I am usually the one taking the pictures so I'm not in a lot of them...but I looked back through all the posts, and I'm actually in some of them, and I'm in the permanent pics on the right side of the blog.

Our Little Sweet Potato!

2008-04-11T16:13:00.001-07:00

His bib says it all, "Mom-I am so not into Green Beans"! I tried beans first and he was sort of interested at first, cause it was a new taste, but not so much. Next I got out the Sweet Potatoes, this was a favorite of Collin and Isabel. He downed the entire tupperware container!!! He loved every single bite. He would literally growl at me if I didn't shovel it in fast enough, and if there was any hint of me setting down the container, he was on it...he almost grabbed it several times. He had orange goo everywhere...including his hair, eyebrows, and yes--even in his left eye. He kept grabbing the spoon and shoving his fingers in his mouth with it, and then he'd smear it everywhere. It was fun times. We sure love our little wiggler...We'll call him Wiggles number 2!

A Happier Little Princess

2008-04-11T16:03:00.001-07:00

Now that she's gotten the hang of crawling, scooting, and yes even limping around, she is much happier, and I must say very resiliant! She is such a sweetheart. We sure love her and we're amazed at how little her temperament has changed, dispite this hardship in her life. She is just as happy and loves to play with her brothers and help mommy with cooking, vacuuming, and other projects.

Collin's latest!

2008-04-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

When Elder Holland spoke in General Conference (this was after we had explained that President Hinckley had died and that we had a new prophet, President Monson):
Collin asked, "Who's he?"
Jamie: "That's Elder Holland."
Collin: "Is he a prophet?"
Jamie: "Yes, he's one of our prophets."
Collin: "Wow, well, if he's a prophet, that means we have a lot of prophets to follow!"

Another conversation, this time while Jamie was reading Collin one of his books about planets and stars, and in particular, the sun:

Jamie wrote:
Living Scriptures videos finally paying off...I was reading a book about the Sun with Collin, and I said, "If you look at the Sun too long, your eyes will burn out and you won't be able to see anymore."

And in a matter of fact way he said, "Well, then we'd have to get Jesus to put mud in them and then go wash in the river seven times or something..."

Isabel's Pretty Pink Cast

2008-03-26T22:19:00.000-07:00

So Isabel has a pretty pink cast that she picked out (no hesitation, they gave her a key ring full of colors, and she chose pink in 2 seconds). The cast goes from her hip all the way to her toes. She doesn't need surgery, just had to have the specialist look at it to make sure it was set right. The instacare put a splint along the back of her leg with a soft cast around the whole leg. The surgeon had his nurses put a hard cast on this morning at a 90 degree angle at her knee. The angle is so she won't try to put weight on it or walk on it. She is kind of freaking out, she's already asked us to take it off several times. She doesn't understand why she can't stand up or walk. This should be an interesting 4 weeks with this cast, then 2-3 more weeks with a walking cast. They will x-ray it again this coming Wed to make sure it's set right. Lots of sponge baths and movies, books, and ice cream. We'll get through it...this too shall pass.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

2008-03-25T20:18:00.001-07:00

Our little princess checking out who is the fairest of them all. She is just like her name, belle, Beautiful. This week she has been so tough. She had an ear infection, then a fever for a week, then a weird rash. She was finally feeling better and up for going to the park, and then she went down the slide with mommy and got her leg caught between mommy and the slide and broke it. She really is tough. She has a cast on and we're going to see an orthopedic surgeon in the morning, I guess just to make sure it's set right and that it will heal properly. The doctor at the instacare we took her to just wanted to make sure an expert looked at the x-rays and made sure all was well. I guess they're really careful with little ones because of growth plates. It was a "complex break" as he put it. We'll keep you all updated as soon as we know more.

Collin's latest

2008-03-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

Alex Freeman: I have the movie Casper the Friendly Ghost
Collin: Oh, well, did you know that if you lose toys in the forest or get lost, you just have to call the Holy Ghost?
Alex: Well Casper is a friendly ghost.
Collin: So all we have to do is find a phone in the forest and call the Holy Ghost, and he'll pick up another phone and say, Hey I'll be right there.

Mr. Wiggles

2008-03-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

This is my Mr. Wiggles showing off his "manly" pink sunglasses he got from Jacob Arvidson's birthday party a few weeks ago. He was so proud to wear them to the library and then put them safely back in his Lightning MacQueen party bag. This was such a classic smile, I just had to share! Love to all!

Royalty on Ice

2008-03-13T23:23:00.000-07:00

These are my two adorable kids all ready to head out the door to Disney Princess Wishes on Ice at the "Energy Solutions" Center a.k.a. Delta Center, as I know it. They were sooooo excited! Two favorite parts of the evening were 1) At intermission when we went to get some popcorn (yes I spoiled them, we went for ice cream afterward too) a little girl pointed at Collin and said, "Mommy, it's Prince Charming." He turned to her and said, "No, I'm the King." and 2) When Isabel saw all the other lovely little princesses running everywhere, she said, "oh mommy, all the princesses like me"! We had so much fun on our date. The three of us went to the show while daddy stayed home with baby G and was such a good sport. The two of them need to spend more time together 1 on 1 anyway. He did a great job and Gavin was so happy to see his brother and sister and mommy again when we got back. Love you little royal kiddos!

Our little Angel Boy

2008-03-13T23:05:00.000-07:00

Isn't he gorgeous! He's snuggling his fluffly green bunny that Grandma Lange gave him for Christmas. He is such a ham. He loves to smile for Collin and Isabel especially, but he gives mommy some pretty awesome grins!

We love sleepy kids!

2008-03-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

It's so sweet when they're sleeping, they look so peaceful. The silence is nice too. But mostly I just love to capture my gorgeous kids (isn't it fun to brag on our blogs?) while they're sleeping. I tried to find a sleepy one of Collin, but he doesn't nap anymore, so it's hard to catch him. I just think they're soooo cute!

Mohawk Mega Muncher!

2008-03-11T20:41:00.001-07:00

My mohawk boy ate a huge bowl of rice cereal today and the whole time just grinned and giggled. He is soooo excited to be a big boy and eat "real" food. He doesn't realize how nasty it is probably. Boston Stout could tell him, he prefers oatmeal, which in my opinion is not much better, but they have to start somewhere I guess. Isn't that grin sweet! I'm hoping the added calories will help him sleep longer for me, we'll see. I love my little messy face boy!

Collin's 4 going on 13

2008-03-06T21:50:00.000-08:00

Some of the conversations I've had with Collin lately make me think that I'm really in for it when he becomes a teenager. Already he's decided that he knows a lot more about the world than I do, and he sets me straight. Just some fun facts that he shared with me this week:

"Mom, did you know that big spiders have 8 legs, but little spiders only have 5."
"Well, Collin, actually all spiders have 8 legs, there's even a scientific name for them: arachnids, and did you know that most spiders have 8 eyes too?" (I was ready for him, you see lol)
"Oh, well mom, did you know that little spiders actually have 5 legs" (choose your battles, wink)

"Mom I think Earth is really the biggest planet, not Jupiter"
"Oh really, who told you that?"
"Nobody, I saw it in my book, and Earth is bigger"
"Well in the book, because Jupiter is far away, it probably looked smaller"
"No, mom, Earth is bigger, my book says its bigger"

"Mom, did you know that caterpillars make green houses and have a big sleep and then they come out as beautiful butterflys?"
"That's right, Collin, that's so smart!"
"But mom did you notice that moths are like butterflys?"
"Yes, that's true, good job noticing!"
"But did you know mom, that inchworms inch...they don't crawl mom, they inch"
"Oh really, I didn't know that!" ;) (he was so proud that he had me stumped)

"Mom did you know that at a traffic light you need to slow down when it turns yellow?"
"That's right Collin, because the light turns yellow before it turns red, when we need to stop"
"Yeah, so why did you go fast?" (He definitely had me that time)

"Mom, I just needed to tell you something"
"What do you need honey?"
"Well, when babies are ready to come to our house your belly gets big and you get very tired"
LOL "That's right buddy, when mommy is busy making a new baby, she gets very tired" (why do we always end up speaking in 3rd person with our kids?)
"Well, so then you go the hospital and the doctor pulls the baby out and they come home with us"
"That's right kiddo"

"Mom, you know what?"
"What honey?"
"I just need to say that I love you so much! You are the best mom ever!" (That's what makes it all worth it right there!!!)

Gavin rolling and rolling

2008-03-02T13:16:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken a few months ago, when Gavin was first experimenting with rolling. I have some film footage now of him rolling from front to back and back to front and even doing 360's on his back and belly. I have yet to learn how to upload the video, so patience everyone. I will get them on here eventually. But it's official...Gavin can roll both directions with ease now. They grow up so fast!

Santa Baby

2008-02-24T21:36:00.001-08:00

I know that Christmas is long past, but I couldn't resist sharing this picture of our little Santa. Grandma King gave him this suit as an early Christmas present, and it was perfect. He was so patient with the hat falling down over his eyes every two seconds. Everything fit him just right except for the hat and he was the perfect little elf. He was the best Christmas present any of us could have hoped for.

Big Brother

2008-02-24T21:22:00.000-08:00

Collin loves to make Gavin laugh! Soon to come, a video of both of them giggling at each other...as soon as Jamie teaches me how to upload the video clip. It is soooo cute! I'll share as soon as I learn!

Tummy Time

2008-02-24T21:01:00.000-08:00

Gavin is getting so good at holding himself up and he loves to play with his toys and scoot a bit. He only lasts a few minutes, but those minutes are filled with pure joy in grabbing and holding and drooling! :)

50 Things about Me

2008-02-24T20:27:00.000-08:00

Emily Stout inspired me to make a list of 50 things about me to help all you other bloggers get to know me better...so here goes, we'll see if I can actually come up with 50 things:

1. I have only lived in two states: Utah and Wyoming, but I also lived in Eastern Europe, behind the former iron curtain.

2. I served a mission in Lithuania (right above Poland, former Soviet Union, one of the 3 Baltic States). It was an amazing experience. I had major culture shock, but I loved it...not every minute of it, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

3. There are very few foods I wouldn't try...I even tried squid when I was back east in Washington D.C. before my mission...however, I'll never eat it again, because it tastes like flavored rubberbands, yuck! I also don't recommend "meat jello" which I had on my mission, it was nasty!

4. I love movies! There are many that I could watch over and over such as: While Your Were Sleeping, Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, Ever After, Princess Bride, Runaway Bride....and many more that I won't take time to list. However, I must say I am disappointed in the quality of movies lately...there are so few that are worth the time and money that don't have all the junk!

5. If given the choice between chocolate cake and candy....chocolate cake all the way baby!

6. I'm a country girl too, (Emily)...I never was until I worked at Granny's Drive-In in Heber and that's all they had on the juke-box. Oh the memories of dancing with my mop to "Any Man of Mine" late at night while closing! Then when Jamie and I were dating, most of our dates were to city halls or dance clubs where we would line-dance and swing the night away. We even got good at all the lifts and flips! I would kill to be able to do that again!

7. I love the natural high that comes with running and exercising to music. I feel so energized and like I could conquer the world after I hit the gym!

8. I love to sing and would take voice lessons if it fit into my busy schedule with my kids...maybe when they're all in school or something. I would also play the sax if I had a choice. I would love to be in a jazz band and play big band music someday. The best thing in the world though, is to see how much my kids love music and to sing and dance with them.

9. Wow...I'm only on number 9!!! I don't know if I'll make it to 50, maybe I should have said 20. So, I don't love to cook, but I wish I was more creative. I love it when a new recipe turns out awesome and wows my family.

10. Something that I could do all day is ride our waverunner. I love the feeling of speeding across the water, and knowing that even if I wreck, the worst that will happen is I'll get wet and get some relief from the sun beating down on my back. I love the water...I could lay by the water or swim for days on end. I am a true water baby.

11. I'm with Emily on the emotional battlefield as well. I hate that I cry so often. I wish I could react and deal with things without all the drama.

12. I played soccer and volleyball in high school and miss them both desperately. What I wouldn't give to play even church ball or in a community league even once a week or every 2 weeks!

13. I've traveled a bit in my life, Eastern Europe to Lithuania on my mission is the farthest I've been, and I remember thinking on the plane ride there...what in the world have I gotten myself into! I am leaving everything I'm comfortable and familiar with behind...and I can't turn back, not for a long, long time. But it was the best experience I could have ever had. I came home appreciating everything about my life way more: the church, the gospel, my home, all the luxuries we have, clean cities, and much more.

14. I've been to California, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Ohio, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, and Hawaii...I think that's it. Aside from that just the airports in Denmark, England, Minnesota, and Illinois...although that probably doesn't count.

15. I love to hike and bike and camp and be out in the great outdoors. Jamie and I went on a lot of hikes and biking trips when we were dating too. One trip that sticks out in my mind is one that both our parents were worried about, as I guess they well should have been. We went to a Bluegrass Festival with some friends who were sponsoring and running the whole thing and they asked us to help. We took two tents, and even set up two tents...but we only ended up using one tent, wink wink...although it turned out that we only talked and cuddled into the night...so our parents didn't really have to worry ;)

16. I am definitely only doing 20 things...this is harder than I thought it would be. How did you come up with 50 Emily? I didn't really care much for high school, although working fast food and playing sports kept me pretty busy. I got good grades and enjoyed reading and writing stories, and was pretty good at math, but all the drama with clicks and popularity contests just really drove me crazy!

17. I hate to be tickled, in fact I am no longer ticklish. I have learned to control it because my dad and grandpa and uncles made me hate it and the aversion to it makes me no longer ticklish.

18. I tripped into a cement wall when I was 7 while racing my cousin to the front door of his house and as a result had to have plastic surgery on my lip when I was 17 years old. It was my graduation present...oh how exciting.

19. I have only been to Disneyland once, and it was the day after my cement wall incident, so as you can imagine, it was a bit miserable for me.

20. I love to dance, but rarely get the chance to do it, other than with my kids with the music jacked up in my house...my moves are really pretty awesome, at least to my kids...but probably a bit scary, or more acurately dorky to anyone else, but we sure have fun.

I could probably come up with some more 1 liners, but I'll call this good for now. There you have it, 20 things, not 50 about me. Sorry to disappoint you Emily.

Ok, ok Emily you win...I'll try a few more and see if I get to 50.

21. I love puppies, but hate slobber, so I'm not the one to play with them a lot, that's Jamie's job. I do like a good game of fetch with our dog Tex, and I love to see him catch a stick or bottle and hop like a deer to get his toys.

22. I detest cats...not only am I allergic to them, but I just hate how they rub your leg and expect to be spoiled. Bummer for Jamie because he grew up with them, and loves them. He still thinks that our kids will eventually talk me into getting one.

23.I love to ride horses but have never had one of my own. My sister and I babysat for a lady in exchange for the chance to clean,comb and then ride her horses. The ironic thing is that Jamie had horses growing up, but he didn't care for them. He would much rather have had four-wheelers, which is still on his wish list.

24. Maybe if I wasn't so long-winded, this wouldn't be as hard. I've only been pulled over 4 times in 14 years of driving, but I got a ticket every single time. My first one I was a basket case because it was the first time I had driven in several months after leaving home for college, and it was my dad's car...I was sure he was going to kill me.

25. I love downhill skiing, but I haven't had the opportunity to go in about 9 years...probably mostly because its ridiculously expensive!

26. I wish I could get rid of 80% of the junk in my house so I could have everything organized like I want it...but really, who has time for that kind of purging?

27. I used to hate speaking in public, but my mission cured me of that...I still don't love it or ask to do it, but I'm no longer terrified of it. I think speaking in a Lithuanian sacrament meeting completely in Lithuanian for a 20 minute assignment...then singing solo for the Easter program officially cured me of my stage fright!

28. I shattered my wrist on the easiest hill at Brianhead in southern Utah while on my second time ever snowboarding. I was with my roommate and a bunch of cute guys, one of whom I had a huge crush on...and I fell while getting off the lift (a teenage kid totally cut me off and steered me into a snowbank, and I tried to catch myself with my left arm)...yikes what a dork...very embarassing. Thank goodness it was my left wrist though, because finals were the next week and I am right-handed.

29. I love any kind of competition...sports or games. I love to win...but mostly I just love a rowdy bunch of people laughing and enjoying some healthy competition. My family has always loved playing games together.

30. My favorite candy is Reeses' cups. My kids know them as treats...whenever we get a treat at the store, my kids know I'm gonna reach for the orange wrapper.

31. I love french fries and fry sauce too Emily, but my butt and thighs don't think much of them :)

32. I hit a parked car in Smith's parking lot when I was 8 months pregnant...needless to say it was a very emotional experience...and one my husband should have been way more sensitive about....don't mess with a pregnant lady's hormones!

33. Housework is therapy to me...I'm a little OCD about clutter. My mom used to call me "work-a-Holly" and I was her best worker all growing up. I still can't concentrate or sit still when my house is a mess. I have a hard time napping, even when I'm really tired, because I just lay there thinking of all the things I could be getting done if I was up.

34. This may sound cheasy and bit self-righteous...but if I won the lottery I would sponsor a women's shelter or go to a third world country and devote some time to a poor village or two. That has always been a dream of mine. Maybe that dream will be fulfilled someday if Jamie and I get the opportunity to serve a mission together. I just feel like I have been so spoiled, and I have no idea what it's like to be without food or shelter or the basic necessities of survival.

35. That's not to say that I wouldn't love to buy new clothes or finish my basement or decorate my house...but really, if I had a lot of cash...I hope I would share some too.

36. I only take long showers when Jamie's home (because I know I can when my kids are under his supervision), so he thinks that I always take forever to get ready...most days I'm lucky to even get a shower, let alone pamper or primp for any amount of time.

37. I hate shopping...my idea of a good shopping trip is to know exactly what I will buy when I get to the store, go in, grab it and leave! I hated the hours and hours at the mall with all my sisters and mom--I would literally collapse on the floor of the millionth store we went into and whine about when we got to go home. Once in a while I like to browse for decorating ideas... but I'm usually pretty grumpy if I don't get to take at least one or two things home with me...I'm definitely not a window shopper, I want it NOW! :)

38. I have the sweetest, most adorable kids on the planet! Look out world, when I become a grandma...I will be a horrible bragger!

39. This is taking forever...I don't think anyone besides Emily will actually read this entire entry...so this is for you Emily! I am definitely long winded...there is nothing brief about any of my stories or conversations!

40.I'm a sucker for Chick Flicks. There that was short.

41. I love the rain, the smell,the humidity...going on a walk or run right after it rains is heaven.

42. I love to fly. I would travel all over the world and see all the sights if money and time permitted. Maybe someday I'll convince Jamie to go with me.

43. I've always wanted to try scuba diving and/or sky diving...but having kids gives you a new perspective I think...both are quite dangerous...but I've always loved a rush.

44. I used to go cliff jumping at Lake Powell with my cousins who own a houseboat down there...I think the highest one I went off was about 35 feet. I didn't have a death wish like my brothers who went off closer to 75 feet. I don't think I'd jump from higher than 10 or 15 feet now...I've really become a wuss.

45. I love to dress up and go to a symphony or the opera....not necessarily only for the show, but just to feel like there's a purpose to really get really "fancy" (as my kids would say).

46. I'm boring everyone, but it's fun to reminisce a bit. I once got off on the wrong stop on the Metro in Washington D.C. and felt like I stepped into an actual ghetto. I was sure my friend and I were going to die. Luckily, a well-dressed business man came and took my arm and escorted us back on the train and said, "don't you dare get off for another 3 stops".

47. I've only gone skinny-dipping once in my life, and it was with my Auzzie friend Daynia in Hawaii. We swam about 50 yards out to a private beach...hope nobody had binoculars!

48. I know several "Wiggles" songs by heart because my kids love them.

49. I love to see my kids sing primary songs. They are so close to the Spirit and I learn so much from them.

50. I made it Emily, aren't you so proud of me! I'm gonna cheat like you did and just be proud of myself for getting this far.

Primary bloopers!

2008-02-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

So this was a conversation that I eavesdropped on this Sunday:

Daddy: "Isabel, what did you learn at church today?"
Isabel: "um...about da Howee Ghost."
Daddy: "Oh wow, that's pretty cool."
Isabel: "No, I don't want da Howee Ghost come to my house!"
Daddy: "Oh, really, why not?"
Isabel: "I scared a da ghost. I need to hold you Daddy."
Collin: "But Isabel, the Holy Ghost is so nice, he helps us find our toys!"
Isabel: "Oh, our toys?"
Collin: "Ya, he loves us, he's so nice, but if we make bad choices he will eat us!"
Isabel: "No eat us, Daddy, I'm scared again!"
Daddy: "Collin, he doesn't eat us silly...the Holy Ghost helps us to feel good inside when we make good choices, but he would never hurt us."
Collin: "Oh, yeah, the Holy Ghost loves us, and helps us feel good. See Isabel, you don't have to be scared!"
Isabel: "Oh, the Holy Ghost loves me, yeah, I feel better, thanks"

I'm not sure I got the exact wording on everything, but those were the basic sentiments. Kids say the darndest things! Love to all!

Big Sister

2008-02-21T22:06:00.000-08:00

Isabel loves to hold Gavin's hand in the car to calm him down and even after he's gone to sleep like in these pictures, she continues to hold his hand and give him love and security. It's amazing to see the love that my kids have for each other. It's so pure and it's a miracle to me.

Smiley G

2008-02-20T23:23:00.001-08:00

Gavin is such a smiley happy kid. He has been right from the start. He is so easy-going and good natured. We love his smile. It makes us all just smile and and giggle right along with him.

Baby Bel

2008-02-20T21:27:00.001-08:00

Baby Bel decided she wanted to climb into Gavin's saucer and she actually played and played and had a blast, so much fun, in fact, that I couldn't convince her to get out to have a nap, and didn't have the heart to force it (choose your battles), so she ended up having her nap in the saucer. She has also reverted back to the crib, which makes it hard for me to transition Gavin into it, until she decides she wants to sleep in her "big girl bed" again. She has been talking about monsters and ghosts in her closet, so I figure it's best to let her get over that first before I force her to sleep in Collin's room in her big girl bed again...on top of which, Gavin much prefers his bouncer to any other sleeping surface...ah the joys of parenting...will I ever have a full night's rest again? But they are definitely worth it...they are soooo cute and how can I tell them that cuddling is against the rules when it's bedtime...I know that if I don't take advantage of those moments when they still want to cuddle me, I'll regret it. They're only babies once. Gotta love it!!!

Isabel and Gavin

2008-02-20T21:07:00.000-08:00

Gavin has been loving tummy time, and he lasts even longer when Isabel gets down with him and talks to him and dangles his toys. She is so cute, she tells him she loves him, and tells him he's "fancy" (a word we use a lot at our house for some reason), and that he's a good boy. It was so fun to capture their smiles while at play.

Musical FHE

2008-02-15T00:09:00.000-08:00

So we recently had a family night where we got out all the musical instruments from around our house, from homemade shakers (paper towel rolls with rice or beans inside and taped shut) to Isabel's pink keyboard that she got for her birthday. We had our mini drum set, wood blocks, whistles, a flute, a recorder, a slide whistle, etc. We had a great time playing along to some Kindermusic tunes (Collin attending a few sessions of this German rooted music-based developmental class). Collin especially got into it as demonstrated by the attached pictures :)

Our little Princess Bel!

2008-02-13T22:10:00.000-08:00

Isabel really is our little princess. She is all girl and loves sugar and spice and everything nice. She loves her brothers and is so loyal to them. She helps mommy tons with little Gavin and showers him with affection, sometimes a bit too passionately. She helps cradle him and bounce him and just gives him whatever he needs. The best is when she uses her soft, high voice (mimicking mommy) and says, "oh, what's the problem" and "it's ok, it will be all right, mommy's coming" and "oh, I love you, don't cry sweetheart" and so on. She is just the best little "mommy" to her babies. Because mommy is nursing baby Gavin, she is already starting to mimick a little too much with her babies...:) But they say that imitation is the best form of flattery...if you really like that sort of thing, although sometimes I think her mimicking a cow would work just as well LOL! Anyway, she loves to be in dresses and princess dress-ups. But mostly she loves her "snuggly" which happens to be her favorite blanky. She wants to drag it everywhere and especially when she's sick or sad she asks for it. If we ever leave it anywhere, we panic. She is the sweetest, cutest baby girl in the whole world...of course I'm a little biased, but I still hold to it. By the way, this is Isabel at Pumpkinland the Saturday before Halloween. Love that sweet smile!

Donuts anyone?

2008-02-13T21:42:00.000-08:00

Collin is our little police officer, writing out tickets, shining his flashlight into our eyes, begging us to let him handcuff us over and over while we "patiently" wait for him to unlock them with his keys, but mostly just being adorable in those big 70's glasses! The ironic thing is that a few months after he took such a liking to this costume, mommy got a ticket on the way to Aunty Em's house in Ogden. All mommy heard the rest of the way to Em's house was: "Mommy, that policeman made us stop, he said you need to slow down and be careful...but he was glad we were "strapped" (a.k.a. wearing our seatbelts)..." and much more. And of course he was happy to report to daddy and most of the extended family that mommy got a ticket and he went around for the next few days writing me tickets on his little police notebook...saying, "Mommy, how do you spell your name again? You really do need to slow down and be karfo (careful)" So cute...ha ha ha!

Gavin's first days

2008-02-13T21:14:00.000-08:00

Gavin's first days were a little rough, but he got through them. He had to have antibiotics through an IV in his little arm and he had to stay in the nursery for an extra couple of nights. But he is now healthy and happy and growing like a weed. We sure love him...his laughs and squeals and smiles are definitely more precious than gold. We love to just sit and watch him respond to our little family. He watches Collin's and Isabel's every move and I'm sure he'll be crawling after them to join in sooner than we realize. Kids really are the greatest. They present many challenges, but we wouldn't trade those challenges for anything. They make us stronger and they mold these kids into great people. They teach us so much every day. They are amazing! The little rascals teach us patience, long-suffering, charity, and more patience...they are the best!

Our newest addition: Gavin Joseph King--Born September 22, 2007

2008-02-10T11:16:00.001-08:00

Gavin is such an easy-going, happy baby. We just love his smiles, laughs, and coos. He will be 5 months in a few days and it's hard to believe it went so fast. They just grow up way too fast, but every stage is so fun and rewarding. Gavin's brother and sister sure love him. They are so good to help mommy with him and to play and laugh with him. He is our little baby G.

2008-02-09T21:34:00.000-08:00

More Dress-up Fun

2008-02-09T21:17:00.001-08:00

King and Queen of Dress-up

2008-02-09T21:09:00.001-08:00

Collin and Isabel love to dress up in all different costumes and play together. They are so cute! I love to eavesdrop on their conversations--they are so simple and sweet. I love that they love each other so much. Not that they never tease each other or squabble over toys...all kids do that, but they sure are loyal to each other, and Collin is very protective of his little sister. They help each other and serve each other already. I am so proud of them!