Dear Daddy....

Dear Daddy,
Today I'm helping mommy with the laundry. I love doing laundry.

And look, I found your sock!
I love you, daddy.

Love,
Katya

What has Katya been up to?

Katya has been up to a lot in the past couple of weeks.

She pulls herself to stand on everything, and I mean everything. She loves doing it and always claps for herself afterwards. We have been trying to get her to stand for awhile, but she only does things on her own time frame. Once she started pulling to stand, she hasn't stopped.

Not only is pulling herself to stand, but she has started cruising along furniture. We have been trying to get her to do it for awhile but she just wanted to do it by herself on her own time frame. I was sitting on the couch burping Cali on Monday night and Katya was standing at the coffee table. She saw Cali's bottle at the other end and just cruised right to it. My jaw dropped open and I didn't know what to say. I am so happy for her! It is the best feeling in the world to see your child do something that therapists and others say she might not ever do. I am so proud of her. It makes me so happy to see her do so much.

As if Katya hasn't been up to enough lately, she also said her first real real word. Here was he setting: Katya is sitting in her high chair getting ready to eat.

Staci: Hmmm...Katya, what do you want? Do you want apples?

Katya: Appplesss

That's right. Apples. Jethro and I were both standing there and heard her. It was so clear. It was amazing. After she said it, she smiled and clapped for herself. I'm not sure why she said apples. We don't eat apples a lot, so I'm not sure if she meant

or

Jethro uses an Apple for his job and wants a Apple for a home computer and is always talking about them. He also writes for The Apple Blog so I guess she "apple" a lot. Jethro is very proud that his daughters first real word is one of his passions. I guess Katya knows how to steal her daddy's heart.

She did it!

Cali finally learned to roll over. She rolled over all by herself on Monday. She rolls over pretty fast, but doesn't know how to roll back over so she just screams until we help her. Funny girl. good job Cali!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day was rainy. That disruptive our plans for yard work, kite flying, and other outside things. But it allowed for time for other great things like naps, writing time, and a trip to the nickel arcade. We absolutely love going there and we haven't been for quite awhile. Katya enjoyed it too.

Katya loved skeeball and got mad if I didn't let her play.

Week in Review

I always seem to forget that I have taken pics during the week. I look at my camera and see all these pics that I forgot to blog about. I have a ton of pics that I just need to catch up on.

Cali is developing her own little personality quite well. She loves to

laugh and loves being tickled. She adores Katya (except when she's
bothering her). She also loves to jump like crazy in her jumperoo. She is
just so funny!

Cali loves getting kissed on her chubby cheeks. She also loves her daddy and
just loves smiling at him.

Some sister love. They love looking at each other. Katya loves Cali and
likes to bring toys to her. She's doing a lot better being soft and gentle.

Cali digs her sunglasses and loves going outside. On this day, she was
waiting for Jethro to come home so she could go outside.

Cali lets me put up her hair- what little she has.
I must say that she looks adorable.

My grandparents stopped by on Friday. They were able to meet
Cali for the first time. Both girls liked Marie, but were a little
afraid of my grandpa. It was fun to see them again as it's been awhile.

Katya loves waffles. She thinks she is too big to have it cut up, so she
prefers to be given a whole one and bite and break it off for herself.

My sister Megan stayed with us for a few days before she headed
off to her summer job. It was fun having her and the girls sure love their
Aunt Megan. Katya was so excited that she would wake up early
every morning so she could play with Megan. Thanks for coming Megan.

Why am I so excited for this week?

1. Jethro doesn't have work today.
2. Jethro doesn't have to go to Provo this week.
3. Cali has learned to roll.
4. It's raining so I don't have to water the garden today.
5. My garden is still alive.
6. Jethro's mom, Jo Anne, is in town.
7. I have another good book to read.
8. My kids are so cute.
9. The weather is supposed to get warm.
   

My new fav

Jethro thinks I'm crazy for blogging about this, but I can't help it. It's too good to keep to myself. I recently purchased the best body wash ever. I love Bath and Body Works and the way all their stuff smells, but I have found something that smells better than all their products. This fabulous body wash is made by Caress. It is so heavenly.
It is called Tahitian Renewal. It smells a little like Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar, but with a fruity twist. I totally love it's smell. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a new body wash scent.

Not only is Cali a twin, but.....

By now I am used to people asking whether Katya and Cali are twins every time I go somewhere. We attended a Tongan wedding reception on Friday night and what someone said to me was totally unexpected. The lady standing behind us in line said, "What a cute Tongan baby!(because she is so huge)" or something pretty much to that effect. I know that she is cute, but I didn't know she was Tongan too! Jethro and I are pretty light skinned (and so is Cali) so it totally made me laugh. No, I didn't laugh in her face, I just laughed after we got out of line, the whole weekend, and I'm still laughing.

Here's to Cali: our little Tongan twin!

Why am I so excited for this week?

1. Jethro doesn't have to go to Provo
2. My car is clean
3. Megan comes to town
4. We get to go to the zoo
5. Plants are finally growing in our garden
6. Grocery Shopping!!
   
7. Go to the movies
8. Have a good book to read:
9. Project for the week: Finish Anna Karenina
10. Katya pulls herself to stand on everything!
11. Wii Fit comes out!
12. American Idol Finale
13. Picnic with Megan
14. Elders Quorum Activity
15. Temple
16. Finally have the second half of Don Quixote to listen to
17. Budget
    

Claritin and Bzzin'

As many of you know, I am a BzzAgent. I get invited to try out products and services and tell people about them. I get compensated by getting the products for free (or a reduced price). Well, I recently got invited to join a campaign for Claritin RediTabs. I don't have allergies, so I almost didn't accept the invitation. But then I thought about all the times that people complain to me about their allergies at this time of year. It turns out, it is good that I did take the campaign because I am allergic to something. The last two Saturdays we have been working out in the garden, and after I came in, I took a shower. That made my contacts really dry, so I put some Visine for Contacts in my eyes and they were no longer dry. It felt great. Well, it didn't look great. The image below shows how I looked about 10 minutes after putting the drops in my eyes.

I did edit the image a little because the redness wasn't showing up so that it was visible on my computer screen. It looked a lot worse in real life. It still didn't hurt, but I don't think that Visine is supposed to do that to your skin.

So, I took some Claritin RediTabs, and in about 15 minutes the redness was all gone. The Claritin did not leave an aftertaste in my mouth and dissolved in 5 seconds. The first time I used the Claritin, I thought it was a fluke, but the second time, I knew that it really did work.

Staci has also used these when she has had sneezing attacks. If you have allergies, try these RediTabs and let me know what you think.

Sleeping away

Katya didn't want to go sleep during nap time so she just fought it. After like an hour of her in her crib, I went in to check on her and this it what I found:

She pulled out a lot of the clothes from the dirty clothes and went to sleep on them. What a funny girl.

It's Time for Swimming!

Last year we bought a kiddie pool on sale for the girls to swim in this year. It was the best $4.50 I spent. Katya went swimming on Friday and absolutely loved it. The water was pretty cold, but Katya didn't care.

Katya with her "it's too cold" face.

Sewing Projects

My sister had a baby boy last week so I decided to make him a blanket. It's nice to be able to something that isn't pink.


I also made a wall hanging for his nursery. I hope my sister and her little boy like it.

Mario Kart Wii

You are welcome to add me as a friend if you have Mario Kart Wii. I added these (and any future codes) to the sidebar on the left.

Kart friend code - 2707-2190-3064
Wii Code - 8435-3604-7739-2511

Pics from the past week

I was looking on my camera and found some really cute and funny pics from last week.

Every since Katya got this tent for her birthday, she loves
playing in it, especially inside.

Who doesn't like playing Mariokart Wii?

I love, love love this picture. Both girls love Jethro so much. He is
such a wonderful dad. This picture just melts my heart.

My Mother's Day

Jethro was such a sweetheart and gave me such a wonderful Mother's Day gift. He took care of the girls all day long. He got them up, fed them, naps, got them ready for church, kept feeding them, and got them ready and in bed. It was so nice of him to do that because sometimes it's nice to have a break. He was so wonderful about it. HE also made me breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He's so wonderful. To top it all off, he got me a book that I've really wanted but never bought. I have talked about "The Well-Educated Mind" before and Jethro got it for me for Mother's Day. I love it and never would have thought to ask him for it. He sure is wonderful. Thanks for the wonderful day Jethro. I love you.

Utah Blaze vs. Colorado Crush

My good friend Heather called a couple of weeks ago and asked if we'd like to go to a Utah Blaze game with her. We love football so of course we said yes. It was so much fun. I rode TRAX for the first time too so it was a fun night.

Heather and I on my first TRAX ride. Go TRAX!

The funniest picture: All the boy scouts gathered in front of
the beer sign.

Pre-game show

The game

Jethro and I

The Hinckley Challenge

I did it. I finished the Book of Mormon. So it took me 98 days instead of 97, but I am happy. It was really hard to do. I love reading books, but usually reading the scriptures puts me to sleep. I really enjoyed reading the Book of Mormon. It was such a wonderful experience. I have read it before- in high school- and parts in college, but sitting down and reading it in 98 days was a whole new experience. I connected with it so much better and really understood what it was saying. I love the history aspect of it all where they talked about who the king was and what was going on with the people. I thought that it was so interesting. Reading it has also strengthened my testimony so much. I have a better understanding of the prophecies of the the latter days and what must come to pass before the Second Coming. I have a greater love for the Saviour. I understand more about the impact of our consequences on ourself and our posterity. I want to be a better mother and to raise my children in righteousness. I want them to know about the gospel and to understand it. I want to help them develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I don't want to be held accountable for not teaching them all that I should. I want to better a better person. I want to read the scriptures more and develop a better understanding and love for them.

I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Christ lives and loves each one of us. I know that the gospel is true and that by following Christ I can return to my Heavenly Father. I know that families can be together forever. I know that the prophecies for the latter-days will come to pass and that Christ will return to the earth once again. I know these things to be true.

Why am I so excited for this week?

1. I have time to read some books or finish listening to them.
2. The weather is supposed to be nice for most of the week (except for today).
3. Jethro got me a book that I've been really wanting so now I can read more of it. (Thanks honey!)
4. I get to watch the things I planted grow.
5. Will get some scrapbooking done.
6. No pressing appointments so time to do things around the house.
7. Jethro doesn't have to go to Provo!
8. Cali has been started to talk (she's been saying daddy all day)
9. Katya pulls herself to stand on a ton of things
10. I get to see Katya do head stands all day, everyday
11. Go to a wedding reception for a college friend and another for Jethro's cousin
12. Get to stay at home with my girls.
    

Happy Mother's Day!

We wanted to wish a Happy Mother's Day to both our mothers.

Happy Mother's Day Diana!

Happy Mother's Day Jo Anne!

David Archuleta

Okay, I admit it, I went to see David Archuleta at Murray High School today. It was kind of cool to be there among all the fans and feel the excitement. Sadly, I didn't really get a good shot, but here is the best one. I took these on my phone, and it takes a while to register and save the shots. Governor Huntsman was also there, but I couldn't get a good shot. He had a lot fewer bodyguards and cops around him than David Archuleta.



Make sure you watch for me on American Idol next week because that is the American Idol cameraman in this shot.

I love feet

I just love my kids feet I have an awesome pic of Katya's feet from when she was little and I'm still trying to get a really good one of Cali. I painted her toenails the other day to match mine. They were painted really cute, but Cali loves to jump in her jumperoo with her toes curled under so the carpet has rubbed quite a bit off. I still think they are cute though.

Why?

I have no idea. She just started doing it. Many times a day I look over and there she is. I have no idea where she learned to do it either. She started doing it a week ago and even does it with no hands. It makes us laugh every time.

Congrats Candi and Brent!

My sister had her baby last night at 8:54. His name is Taylor and he was 8 lbs 10 oz. (I can't believe he was that big!) Congrats Candi and Brent! I am so happy for you and can't wait to see him.

Thanks Mom

It was fun having my Mom here. Thanks for spending a few days and for all your help, Mom. The girls really enjoyed seeing grandma. Thanks for letting her come Dad.

Happy Birthday Megan!

I hope that you have a fabulous 19th year and that it is much better than your 18th. Have a great day!

Katya's 2 year checkup

I still can't believe Katya is 2. It just blows my mind. She had her 2 year check up today and she is a lot bigger than I thought she was. She weighed in at a whopping 21 pounds 2 ounces. I didn't know she was that heavy. She doesn't feel that way. I am proud of her. She is a pretty good eater and I guess that helps in putting on weight. She has looked chubbier lately- especially in this picture.
She also measures 29 1/2 inches. She really is getting big. Way to grow Katya!

It's a party!

We had a birthday party for Katya with a bunch of our friends and Katya's friends. It was a blast and I think everybody enjoyed it (at least I hope so).

Katya's so excited to be 2!

Eating another cupcake after she stole it from Jethro.

So excited for her toys. She got one that I always wanted when I was little.

Just chillin' after dinner and cupcakes.

Katya loved playing in her new tent with all her friends.

Thanks to all who came and celebrated with us. We are glad you did and we had a blast. In fact, Katya cried all night after everyone left.