Payton turns 5!

On July 27th our not so little man turned 5!

We had a fun, busy weekend celebrating.

I worked the 3 nights before in Jackson. Devry's brother Joe and his Family were visiting from Florida so Devry took all three kids to Rexburg on the 25th.

I was able to join them after work on the morning of his Birthday. 

It was a great day! 

Payton was in heaven playing with his cousins, and of course we enjoyed visiting with family. 

blowing out candles on his superman ice cream cake

Opening presents with all of his cousins watching. 

We are very grateful for this funny, sweet guy.

I'm pretty sure he is the most independent (aka stubborn) boy in the world. 

But his sweet, loving side sure makes up for it. Most of the time. 

He is still very tall for his age, and wears size 6 or 7 clothes.

He loves anything that goes, Cars, trains, trucks, planes. 

He is SO smart, but only learns things he wants to. 

He is very social, and is ALWAYS inviting people over to play (including the kids he just meets at the grocery store).

He is a great older brother, and enjoys playing with Cohen and Kayson.

We love Payton so much! We are so lucky he is ours!

Happy 5th Birthday buddy!!

Crazy life.

Our life is a little nuts.

Devry rarely works his set 40 hours a week. It's more like 60, sometimes 80. Hardest worker ever.

Being a mom is a full time job. And I have two part time jobs on the side.

I am really enjoying my phone nursing job. I started in March and am able to work about 40-50 hours a month taking patient calls from home. A great way for me to get some more hours, use my knowledge but still be home.

My 2 nights a week at the hospital has gotten to be very challening. The boys are at very VERY busy stages and need constant attention and help. I rarely get more then 3 hours of sleep after shifts. Doing that for a couple shifs in a row is beyond exhausting. I become overtired, impatient, cranky and mean. It is effecting how I treat the kids. After some very challenging weeks, I finally said it was enough. I could not continue to do what I was doing. So despite the financial stress it would cause, I called my boss and told her I needed to go CPT (casual part time) starting the middle of June. This means I will work 2-3 shifts per month at the hospital. We werent sure how we would make up my pay, but knew I couldn't keep working as much as I was without sleeping.

Then a week or so after making that decision, I received a call from a travel nursing company about a travel contract in Riverton, WY. At first I kind of brushed off the idea, thinking there is no way it would work out. I started looking into it more and became interested. I could work 13 weeks and make what I was making in a full year at the hospital. I decided to put my profile in for the job just to see what happened. The unit manager called me the next day and after a quick phone interview, told me HR would be in contact with me for an official job offer. Luckily it was a Friday afternoon, and I had the weekend to sort things out. I immediately began searching for a Nanny. I had used the BYUI classifieds to find my previous Nanny, so I started there. I soon decided to pay to use a nanny website (the same one I used to find my Nanny job way back when). I began talking with literally dozens of candidates. We narrowed our options down and were able to drive to Utah and meet one of the ones we felt the best about. She was great! We officially offered her the job, and I accepted the travel contract.

So starting in 2.5 weeks, I will be driving to Riverton WY to work 3 shifts a week. I will work 3 then drive home. I am hoping to work 6 in a row and have 8 days off. It will be a very crazy stressful time, but ultimately it allows me to be home with the boys without the financial stress we were worried about. The nice thing about it being out of town is that I will be able to sleep between shifts. We have found a wonderful girl to care for the boys when I'm gone, and have been able to work out all the details. I will be able to continue to do my phone nursing job while I complete the contract.

Between work, vacations, house projects and more we have a pretty crazy summer planned!

Cohen and Kayson Turn 2!

On March 18th, Cohen and Kayson turned 2 years old!

These little guys have brought such an indescribable amount of love into our lives in the past 2 years.

They are such sweet, funny, busy little guys and I am so lucky to be their mom!

Both boys are growing so fast, and learning so much. It seemed like in a matter of a few weeks they have transformed from my little babies to these talking, independent toddlers. They are so SO different from each other, but best buds!

Cohen is a tender hearted, silly, affectionate little guy. He is kind of quiet and shy, and takes a bit to warm up to people. When he does though, his goofy, silly sense of humor side comes out. He cracks us up constantly with his silly phrases, funny faces and goofyness. If you are sitting somewhere and get up, he stops whatever he is doing, and runs to sit in your spot. He is so proud of himself and with a huge grin laughs and says "My spot!!" He talks a TON. Since he is quieter, sometimes you miss what he is saying, but he talks in full sentences. "Mommy, I need apple juice. PULEASSSE," "Mommy, where'd daddy go?" "Paytee let's go play!" I can't even keep up with everything he can say since the list grows at least 10 words a day. A few of our favorite words and sayings are;

- "aww man."

-"lets go! Lets go! Lets GOOOO"

"Daddy at work" (with a huge sigh and sad face)."

"MOOOOOOOOOM.I toot." or "Paytee toot!" (literally anytime he toot's... he usually laughs and blames it on whoever is around him.)
Paytee (Payton)
Taysee (kayson)
Praying - He will say an entire prayer on his own. It is adorable!

He is still quite a bit bigger then Kayson. He is 29 lbs, and 35". He is a great eater. Some of his favorites are, grilled cheese, pasta, any kind of fruit, and chicken. 

Cohen is very independent, and wants to do everything himself. He is quite cautious though, and doesn't do anything he isn't completely comfortable with. He will spend hours just playing with toys, cars, blocks, books, and gets mad when his brothers come around and mess up what he is doing.  He LOVES mickey mouse, and constantly says "I need Mitey Mouse. Where da mote go?" (translation: I need Mickey mouse, where did the remote go?).
Some of his favorite things:
Mickey Mouse
Baths
His pacifier
Wearing shoes (he ALWAYS wants shoes on).
Playing outside
Cuddling (he is my little cuddle bug and always wants to be on my lap or sitting next to me. I love it because Payton and Kayson are not like that."
Sleep. This boy needs his sleep. He sleeps from 7pm until 7:30-8am. If he is woken up early, or woken up at any point during the night he is a monster the next day. He needs a solid 12 hours and he is the happiest little guy ever!


Kayson is such a silly, busy little guy! He is always on the go! He is feisty and knows exactly what he wants, and lets you know if he doesn't get it! Devry says he has a good case of little man syndrome, because he runs the show! He beats his older brothers up constantly. It is really hard not to laugh to see the littlest one picking on the others. He is tough too! He can take quite a fall and jump up ready to go again. He is a little daredevil and has NO fear. He goes down every slide he can find, jumps off anything, climbs anything. He will be at the top of the stairs, and I could be at the very bottom and he will leap assuming I will catch him. We have to watch him close, he will leap towards us from anywhere without notice. He will go down our deck slide head first and backwards. I doubt we will make it through this kids childhood without a broken bone or two. or 6.

Like I said he is quite the little guy. He barely broke 24 lbs, and is 33.5" tall. He eats good though! Although he is a bit pickier. If he doesn't want something, it is across the room and on the floor immediately. We are constantly working on having him push it aside, or telling us when he is done. So far it isn't working too well.
Some favorite foods: Popcorn, omelets, bananas (or any fruit), hot dogs, pb&j.
Kayson has a huuuuge vocabulary. He is very outgoing and talkative. He says hi to everyone he sees, and is quite the little flirt. He is constantly talking, so sometimes its hard to decipher words from babble. He talks in sentences, just very fast. Some favorite sayings;

"see!" Anything he wants to show us he says "see the book" "see the car." etc.
Co (cohen)
Paytee (payton)
Thank you - combination of saying thank you and signing thank you and blowing kisses.
"Les read a book!" He LOVES books. I think he would sit on my lap all day if I was reading the whole time.
"les go outside." - he LOVES playing outside and constantly asks to.

Kayson LOVES music. I have never seen a kid react to music like he does. He dances, sings, and conducts (usually all at once). He has really good rhythm too! I turn music on all the time just for some entertainment from his dance moves. He gets really into it! He is such a little goofball!
He is SO silly. Always making silly faces, laughing and playing. He is a happy guy!
He is not the best sleeper though. He has been a challenge when it comes to sleep. About 8 months ago he started having night terrors. Waking up sometimes 3-4 times a night in hysterics. Screaming and screaming. He wouldn't focus on us and wasn't really awake. I did some research and found out he was having night terrors. It was bad for a few months, usually every night. Then they started spacing out. Now he rarely has one, maybe once a month. Unfortunately all the night terrors made him seem to get in a habit of waking up at night. For a long time he was waking up 3,4, 5, 10 times a night for absolutely nothing. It wasn't night terrors, there was a big difference, but he didn't need anything. We'd pick him up, calm him down and he'd go back to sleep. Sometimes it took longer, sometimes he had to cry to go back to sleep. It was challenging. I didn't want to let him cry it out because 1. he had had a legitimate reason to wake up and even though it was over I still felt bad, and 2. his brother was 2 feet away from him and is a complete monster if he is woken up at night. A couple months ago I started playing lullaby music all night long. It has helped a TON. The past month he has only woken up once every few nights. Hopefully it will continue to improve so he is sleeping all night every night.
One problem for both boys has been pacifiers. With Payton, I took away his pacifier everywhere but in his crib at a year then it was completely gone by 15 months. It was a fairly easy transition. I planned on doing the same with the twins. The year transition to nighttime only was easy. They learned quickly and the pacifiers never left their crib. Then at 16 months I tried to take them away, it was a huuuge fight and Kayson started sucking his thumb. My purpose in having a pacifier is to prevent that, so I gave them back. Now, at 2, they are SO attached to them it will be very hard to take them away. I think Cohen would do ok, but I think Kayson would struggle a lot. My plan was to put them in separate rooms for a few weeks, take away their pacifiers and let Kayson figure out how to sleep better at night. I was ready for some tough love. But he started sleeping better. So the idea of messing with it now is hard! Plus we have a TON of trips coming up in the next 4 months, Denver, Idaho, Cardston twice, and it is really nice to have for traveling. So I am going to put it off till late summer or fall. I love pacifiers! but they sure can be a pain!

I still can't believe two years has passed since these two came into our family. We ADORE them. They are such sweet fun little guys. They keep life fun and busy!

Here are some pictures of their Birthday, and their Birthday Party. Enjoy!

Christmas and Devry's Birthday

Christmas this year was wonderful!!

We celebrated all of December!

On December 1st, "buddy" the elf showed up at our house with some of his favorite Christmas books. 

He came to remind us to be good, and also to teach us about why we celebrate Christmas.

Every day we found him in a new spot, and he watched for all the good and kind things we did. 

We did a lot of holiday baking, card making, and gift giving.

We went to a live nativity sleigh ride. It was great! A family sets it up on their farm every year in Manilla, UT. A team of horses pulls you on a Sleigh and you pass the various parts of the Christmas story acted out by brave people who sit out in the cold :) The Christmas story is told while you ride. It was great and we plan on going again next year!

We went Carolling with friends.

We went to a nativity at our Church, where there was a live nativity, and a display of tons of nativity's people brought. There was also a fantastic musical program. 

I hosted a "favorite things" girls night/Christmas Party.

We enjoyed buying gifts for some children who wouldn't get any. 

We had a great month remembering Our Savior and his example.

On Christmas Day we stayed home and had a relaxing, low key day with just our little family. 

It was the first Christmas in my entire life that I stayed in one place. 

Growing up Christmas was always a busy day filled with visiting as many relatives as we could, at least 2 huge meals. It was SO fun, and exciting! But CRAZY and hectic. 

Most years since we've been married we have had Christmas at home, but go to have dinner and celebrate with Devry's family. Last year we spent the entire month of december with my family. 

This year was different. For the first time we aren't close enough to anyone to just go spend the day with family and go home. 

And I had to work. 

I worked the night of the 23rd (although I got put on call), the first half of the 24th, and the night of the 25th. It sounds like a lot, but it actually worked out good since I was on call a lot of the time I was scheduled. I worked till 0100 on Christmas eve, while Devry helped Santa. I came home did a few last minute things, then slept till 7 when Payton woke up. I got to spend all day with the kids. I took a short nap in the afternoon and went to work again at 7. I got to come home that night at 1 as well. 

Devry had the day off for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was so fun!

On Christmas Eve, we did a lot of preparation for Christmas Dinner so we wouldn't have much work on Christmas Day.

I made Chinese food for Christmas Eve, and took some to my coworkers. 

We all opened one gift Christmas Eve, which were pajama's, and a small airplane for the boys. 

I got ready and went to work while Devry and Payton made sure Santa had cookies to eat. 

I arrived home from work around 1:45, and found that Santa had arrived!

Christmas morning was SO exciting. I LOVE being a parent on Christmas morning!

Payton was up before 7, and could hardly contain his excitement. 

After about 30 minutes of waiting we let payton wake up his brothers. They were so excited to come out and find their stockings. 

The boys opening their stockings

Kayson was SO excited about his new monster hat.

Cohen with his stocking gifts

Payton with his stocking gifts

Then we headed upstairs to find presents under the tree,

Payton tore into his presents! We had to try to slow him down so we could at least tell him who they were from.

The twins took a little longer getting things unwrapped.

They loved all the new toys!

They had a few presents for all three of them

These boys LOVE their dad! 

And I was actually there. Here is proof

We spent about an hour and a half opening everything. I had made a breakfast casserole the night before, which we enjoyed after presents. 

Then the rest of the day…this is what we did…

Played with toys

Watched planes

Played with toys

Especially this toy.

It was a wonderful day! We ate ham dinner in our PJ's. We skyped, face timed and phoned family. 

We enjoyed having a relaxing day together!

The weekend after Christmas, we decided to go to Utah. Devry's Birthday was Sat. the 28th. We drove over friday, checked into our hotel, and went to temple square. It is the first time I've seen it with all the lights! It was SO beautiful!! We had a great time looking at all the lights. 

On saturday we did a little shopping, and went to Scheels. It is a huge camping/hunting/outdoorsy store. It has a ferris wheel inside, lots to see and lots of games to play. The kids had a blast! And it was super cheap :)

The babies looking at all the animals

Payton and me on the ferris wheel

Payton on the Ferris wheel

They loved the fishtanks

Huge moose

It was a fun little getaway. We stayed in a great hotel and enjoyed some fun time as a family. 

Of course Devry said he didn't want anything for his birthday.

So instead of a big gift, I made him an "all bout you" basket.

It had a lot of his favorite things, with little play on words sayings of why we love him.

We are so lucky to have Devry! He is the most incredible husband and Father. He is so good to me. So patient with me. So loving and kind, and thoughtful and devoted. I could go on and on and on. I got me a good one thats for sure!

He adores the boys, and they adore him! He spends every second he is home playing with them, taking care of them, helping me in any way he can. 

I am so grateful for such an amazing husband. I couldn't have ever asked for more!

We love you Devry. Happy 29th Birthday!!

New House!

I am FINALLY getting around to posting some pictures of our new house!

We really love this house! We love the location, the layout, the space, the storage, everything!

So Here is a little photo tour..

Our front entry. Typically I don't like split level homes because of the cramped entry, but the angled stairway and large entryway makes it spacious. The garage door is also on this landing, which is SO convenient!

View into the house from the front door.

Heading up the stairs, you enter the family room.

View of the stairs from the family room. The house came with a built in baby gate!

Our family room.

Kitchen. I LOVE my kitchen! Granite countertops, tile back splash, lots of cupboards, and 3(!) ovens!! (main oven, lower oven on the stove and the microwave is a convection oven). 

Another kitchen view

view of the dining room and door to the deck.

Upstairs hallway 

Heading downstairs, here is a View of our very spacious family/play room.

Play area for the kids.

Big family room. The door leads to unfinished area under the stairs. We don't need the storage (because there is SO many other places for storage!) so we are going to finish it and turn it into a play house for the kids.

Stairs heading to the lower level. And looking down the hallway

Downstairs Bathroom

Baby's Room is downstairs.

This is our main garage that is attached to the house. It is a full double garage with storage above it.

I still have to get some more pictures of our room, paytons room, other 2 bathrooms, our guest room and the other garage. Ill post them eventually :) 

Our favorite things about this house:

-Right across the street from the elementary school the kids will go to

-right down the street from preschool

-2 blocks from the grocery store

-near tons of our friends

-2 blocks from our church

-fully fenced in back yard with gorgeous landscaping

-box garden in the back

-2 full 2 car garages

-TONS of storage

-Updated kitchen and carpets

-Nice neighborhood, Safe street (school zone :) )

-Huge green field across the street that gives us a great view!

There are so many other things, but those are some highlights!

We are loving it!