MIA (Missing In Action)

Ken picked up one of the kids from preschool the other day and a friend asked if he was giving me a break. We both had a good laugh. There is no break for anyone right now. We are working like crazy to get our house on the market. All my time is spent working on the house. This week we have already painted the inside of our closet; put up, patched, sanded toe kicks; put up trim in bathroom; sanded, primed, painted, painted closet doors (I am having major problems with these doors, they are not my friends right now), painted in kitchen, put up fixtures in downstairs bathroom, in the midst of all of that we are undertaking our kitchen. Our goal get rid of this....

We already replaced the flying saucer light fixture as seen above.

We are hoping to get rid of the white, gold flecked counter tops.

This means our house is a disaster!!!!! My kitchen is all over my dining room table, the entry way and in the living room (see picture below)

Need some baking soda? I think it is sitting next to the TV, or maybe you were looking for the salt on the side table next to the couch.

The kids really have been doing great. Even with the nasty paint fumes (one of the paints I had to use in the kitchen was very strong). Some clothes have gotten ruined from paint they accidently touched but really overall I can't complain.

Chase did find the flour the other day.

Look Who's One!!

Chase turned one. Here is a little about him...

Has 6 teeth.

Is walking all over the place. Loves to walk just cause he can.

Likes his daddy more than the other kids at this age. If mom won't help him then he will go and find dad (if he is around).

Uses the sign drink anytime he wants a drink or wants something to eat.

Speaking of eating he is a big eater. Bottomless pit.

He loves crackers.

Can also sign down.

LOVES the stairs. He will go up them, just cause he can.

Loves to be around his brother and sisters.

Loves digging in the trash anytime he has the opportunity.

Likes to chew on mom's clothes when he is upset. Not so good now that he has teeth.

Walks around mom holding onto her legs when he wants up.

When he is done eating or drinking he throws his food/cup on the floor.

Finally sleeping through the night on a regular bases! Combination of teeth in and walking (being upright more during the day helps with his heartburn). He is also down to one nap a day.

Loves books that involve feeling things.

Likes to play in water.

Loves to take his blue ball (pictured in his hand below) and throw it across the kitchen. Walk and go get it and then throw it back the other way.

His cake was suppose to look like his blue ball (Seen in the upper right corner of the picture). It has a light in it that flashes when it is thrown.

Who cares about blowing out candles...Chase just digs in.

Chase loved his ice cream and cake. He actually stayed pretty clean and didn't seem too phased by the coldness of the ice cream. He is upset in this picture because he thought mom was taking away his treat.

I think he liked it!

Opening a present from Grandma and Grandpa Jones.

He likes it!

Presents from Grandma and Grandpa Jones

Due to a severe storm that come across the states Grandma and Grandpa Jones's present got delayed. Jordan was so excited when it came a couple of days later in the mail. She was even more excited when I gave her permission to open it even though Ken was not home (he was working a 24 hour shift).

She loved everything. She even loved how the wrapping paper left glitter all over her presents. Thanks Mom and Dad!

A Real Job

Its official! Ken finally decided on a job, signed the papers and mailed it off today. It only took 22 years of schooling and 3 years of training and he is finally out in the real world with a real job. We are excited to be going somewhere a little closer to family, a good paying job, and a decent size town (though if I had my choice it would be much bigger). Not so excited for the cold weather and our distance from a temple.

Happy Birthday

As any five year old would be, Jordan was estatic for her birthday. She has been counting down for the whole month. We had a small family party. We started with Jordan opening presents and ended with dessert--brownies with pink frosting and purple sprinkles and of course ice cream. Then Ken took Jordan and Kailyn to dinner. Every Monday the residency program has dinner for prospective residents. Ken and I often go (its a free dinner). They were so excited to go out with their dad and get dinner and pop.

Licking the candles. One of Jordan's favorite things.

Jordan was so funny to watch blow out her candles. She couldn't blow them out no matter how hard she tried. Probably would help if she was blowing out instead of up toward her forehead.

A Little About Jordan

Favorite color? pink

Favorite food? apples and peanut butter (anytime I ask her what she would like to eat this is what she says she wants)

What do you want to be when you grow up? doctor

Favorite thing to do? play with Taiya (Phillips)

Who are your friends? Taiya, Kailyn, Jenessa, Caden, Chase, Kiersten, Hailey

What is your favorite toy? My American doll (it is actually a Madame Alexander doll)

Favorite Story/Book? Barbie magazine

Where do you want to live when you get big? Montana

How many kids are you going to have? 2

Favorite song? Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam

Favorite movie? Barbie and the Island Princess

What makes you happy? if someone takes my toy and wants to show me something and then give it right back. It makes me happy when they give it right back to me.

What makes you sad? when somebody does mean stuff to me

How do you know mom and dad love you? By showing me they love me. They do nice things to me.

Christmas Morning

Jordan: "Mom, I know why they call it Christmas morning."

Me: "Oh, really. Why do they call it Christmas morning?"

Jordan: "Cause it is Christmas and when you wake up its morning."

All the gifts under the tree.

Jordan opening some new clothes.

Chase playing with Caden's new toys.

Jordan and Caden watching Kailyn open a present.

Kailyn holding her new tights.

The kids giving dad his gift.

Remember that basket Caden loved to wear as a helmet. Look what mom found at the dollar store to replace it.

Jordan holding her new boots. All of the kids got new boots this year.

Kailyn and Jordan with their gift from Grandma and Grandpa Bassett.

Chase opening his present.

Chase with his new toy from Grandma and Grandpa Bassett.

Kailyn trying to figure out what her gift is from Grandma and Grandpa Jones. She is really excited now to be creating her very own book that will be professionally printed and bond.

The kids holding our gift from Aunt Jessica and Uncle Jorden. Stuff for a movie night, a cute tile with a quote from President Hinkley, and a cute little Christmas pillow. We love it all!

Kailyn playing with her new toy laptop. Really just a cheap knockoff that just has math and typing games on it. Hey she loves it though.

The kids got some great gifts this year.

From Grandma and Grandpa Bassett--Kailyn: Madame Alexander Doll, Jordan: Madame Alexander Doll, Caden: Talking Microscope, Chase: Big toy car with lots of fun buttons.

From Grandma and Grandpa Jones--Kailyn: Illustory (make a professional bond book), Jordan: toy laptop, Caden: Manny Tool Box, Chase: Plastic Cars that roll and go.

Thank you so much. The kids loved them all! You really made the kids Christmas special this year.

Traditions we celebrated this year: Eating a yummy breakfast (made by Ken) together before opening presents. Opening a present one at a time and whoever opened the last gift gets to pick the next gift to give. A treasure hunt for each kid to find their main gift.

Christmas Eve

Ken had to work today. Luckily we were still able to have some fun without him...

Kailyn, Caden, and Jordan making cookies for Santa.

Kailyn did really good rolling.

Cookie made by Jordan.

Caden was trying to frost the cookie when it slipped and landed on his hand. He was quite distraught, until he realized he could lick the frosting off of his hand.

The Phillips were incredibly nice and invited us over for Christmas Eve since we Ken was going to be gone. Even when Chase broke out in a fever, they insisted that we come over. I am so glad we went. Not only did we have a delicious ham dinner but we also had fun activities. Thank you so much Philips it would have been a miserable Christmas Eve without you. Here the kids are sitting on the couch learning about the different meanings of Christmas.

Chase checking out a candy cane.

Doing the nativity.

Mary (Jordan) and Joseph (Caden).

Kailyn as Mary. We ended up doing the nativity 4 times so that each girl could be Mary.

Putting out food for the reindeer back at home.

The kids' cookies for Santa.

Ready for bed in their new pajamas from Grandma and Grandpa Jones. They looked so cute!