Happy Birthday Jack

"Happy Birthday...dear jackie..."
"As years go by, they seem to do..."
Corbin: "I'll help you..."
"Deeeelicious"
Presents!

Jack showing off his manners...opening the card first!

Jack wasn't quite sure...about his horse

But he soon got the hang of it...

Okay, I know I know I've been a "bad mommy" as Corbin would put it and haven't posted pics from Jack's 1st birthday! Better late than never right! Happy birthday baby boy!

Splish Splash

Lanae's water park
Lanae and little Austin...isn't he cute??
Jack was a little water baby
Lanae's little Nelli and Austin
Jack seriously couldn't get enough of the water

Neither could Corbin

Corbin trying to "help" (push) Jack

Corbin showing his latest move...Jack not loving it!

Little Austin

Last Thursday Lanae invited us over to her awesome house for a little pool party for the kidlings. The boys LOVED every minute of it. I think Jack could have stay in that water all day if I would have let him. Thanks Little! We had a BLAST!!!

My baby birds

Jack cheesin' it up

Corbin being a hungry little bird

My baby birds are growing up so fast! Jack is into EVERYTHING. He likes to say "ut oh", and mimic just about every NON human sound that he can. He climbs up stairs and down stairs. And he's starting to walk. He can't walk too far yet, but he's really close to being completely mobile. He's already like the fastest crawler in the west!

Yesterday I made some rice with our dinner. Corbin couldn't seem to get enough. I went to scrape the last of the pan with the rice and I looked over at Corbin and he seriously looked like a hungry little bird...Mouth gaping open. It was funny!

I love these boys! They are my pride and joy...If only I could exert a little more patience with them, I'm sure life would seem just GREAT!

INSPIRATION

Today, Corbin and Jack have INSPIRED me to stop having children!

Today, Jasmine has INSPIRED me to trade her in for one of these!! (above)

Today, Coby has INSPIRED me (threatened me) to get one of these! (above)

***(I may have accidentally lost my license and debit card AGAIN)***

Kids say the darndest things

This morning while we were all having breakfast, Corbin was being a little pill towards Jack. Jack was getting bugged and letting us know. Coby then asked Corbin a question....here's how it went:

Coby: "Corbin, would you like a little sister?"

Corbin: "NO"

Coby: "Would you like another little brother?"

Corbin: "NO, I want a DOG."

So there you have it folks. Corbin has spoken! Dogs it is!

*** (Only they have to be small, non-shedding, non-chewers (unable to open cans with their teeth), and non-barking)***

Chunky monkeys

Jack taking a break...munching on a cheeto

"Mason, would you like one?"

"Well, ya...hand it over...thanks man"

Jack found a water gun..."Hmmm...how can I shoot Corbin with this...?"

We went over to Honey and Poppy's house for a little fun in the sun. Ben and Whitney's little Mason is getting SO big! I'm excited that he and Jack are so close in age. Only two months apart. They are going to be good buddies. Whitney keeps telling me that if I want to keep our kids close together I'll probably have to start trying to get pregnant this fall. THIS FALL????? I love being prego with Whit and I REALLY love our kids being so close in age. Don't get me wrong I love my kidlings...but they are work. And a lot of it! I just don't want to be the kind of mom that is constantly yelling at her kids. The kind of mom that's fun, whitty and most importantly PATIENT. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday that I've been so blessed with such an amazing little family. My husband rarely gets mad, lets them make mistakes and learn for themselves. There are 5 kids in Coby's family and I see just how much fun they all had when they were little and especially now that they are grown up. They are really close and I see the happiness that surrounds their family and I KNOW that I want that! As I'm writing this Corbin is sitting on Jack, Jack is mad. And what did I do...I yelled at Corbin. He just got this sad look and a pouty lip. Why do I yell???? Why am I not more patient? Instead of cleaning INCESSANTLY I should be playing with them. They are only little for so little time and I know that I'm giong to regret cleaning instead of playing. I look at moms of 4 and 5 and wonder how they do it. If you're reading...HOW DO YOU DO IT??? I need a little reassureance that I'll survive! :) How do you keep your cool, play with your children, still look cute and STILL manage to keep a clean house???? I've got to know!

**Please note...I've gotten into the habit of always cleaning even when things aren't really dirty. We have a black lap who never seem to run out of fur. So, I'm usually sweeping up mainly after HER. But I sometimes feel like I have to clean because I don't want to get behind on things and then REALLY have a cleaning catastrophe on my hands. Coby hates this because, while he lives in a semi clean house most days, I turn into this crazy cleaning Nazi whenever anyone comes over for the first time, but especially when we leave to go on trips.***

Happy Birthday Schlime

Happy Birthday Schlimy! Sommer, it's your birthday...Happy Birthday Sommer! I hope that you have the most wonderful birthday EVER!! Sommer is such an awesome sister. She is always making sure that I'm "dressed" okay. She even takes it upon herself to go shopping FOR me and suprise me with lot of fun clothes. I love it. She's the reason I'll only buy my jeans at the Buckle. She's my favorite person to shop with because she's brutally honest and I love it! She's not only the best shopping partner, but she is always so fun to be with...MOST Of the time! She's is very selfless and willing to help in any way she can. My kids AdORE her! I can always count on her and I am truly grateful to have her so close and in my life. I'm sure she'd agree that the only thing better would be having our other sister, Amber live closer so that we could all spend time together laughing, goofing off and just having fun. I love you Som, Happy birthday!

Happy Happy Birthday Natalie Dear

"I love you....never again....We'll BEEE alllll alooooone ....'cause YOUUUUUUU light up my liiiiiiiiife....Yoooooooouuuuuu give meeee hoooooooopppppe"! Oh ya baby you light up my life!!!! I just got through listening to a message that I've saved on my machine for over 2 years of Natalie singing "you light up my life" as ONLY Natalie can sing it! And if there was some way to record it onto the camera and download it onto this blog...I'd do it! Hmmmm...maybe Coby can work his magic and you can all get a little treat! I miss you dearly. What I wouldn't give to have you live just a little closer. I realize Twin Falls is closer than Lansing, but.... why can't you work across the street and come over every day for lunch??? I miss you! Happy Birthday!

PS Ian...I'm sorry!

Exactly 5 years ago today...

Exactly 5 years ago today, Coby proposed to me on the "ocean"...I mean Bear Lake. Sometimes I wonder if he saw red flags that day. First I ran into the glass door proclaiming it was "Porch Time" and fell backward, then I announced we were engaged in the "ocean" instead of the lake... Regardless, he went through with it and and I couldn't be happier.

Today was a quite a treat for him though. This weekend our entire family caught the dreaded flu bug. Both our kidlings have been throwing up with really really muddy diapers* ...if ya know what I mean...wink wink!! I was sort of a brat this morning and didn't think I should have to take care of the kids all by myself. I wanted him to call in sick and stay home. I'm a brat...I know...it's just that he spoils me and well, I'm a brat! My hair is greasy, I have NO makeup on and I think I have been wearing these sweats since I got out of the shower on Saturday night. So to put it lightly, I was QUITE the site! And still he was kind to me...even after my pity party. Which as I'm typing seems pretty stupid...but anyway. I love ya babe! You're the best husband ever! Thanks for taking a leap of faith and listening to your stupid ex-girlfriend and coming to Michigan on a whim.

And thus we continue in the catching up...

Mother's day was quite exquisite. Coby woke me up to breakfast in bed with homemade scones, turkey bacon and low calorie oj. The scones were to die for. Corbin even got in on the action and helped roll out the scones. Carefully rolling out the scone dough...

"look mom...I'm a chef!!"

"Meee toooo!!"

"Let's EEEEEAAAAT!!!

He did have a little accident with the grease when he thought he could THROW the dough into the grease. Oooops! :) Then Coby surprised me with an awesome heart rate monitor/calorie counter watch. I LOVE it! Thanks babe! This was the BEST mother's day ever! I love being a mom...MOST days! The cute things Corbin says, the way Jack smiles so big that his eyes completely close and he throws his head back and giggles. I love when Jack nuzzles into my neck and just stays there and let's me snuggle with him. He's my little snuggle bug! I love tucking Corbin in and having our "late" night talks where he tells me that the witch from Snow White needs a "spank" and that "we don't like hers do we mom..." Then he has to hold my hand until he actually falls asleep. It's really the greatest feeling.

Coby thought it was time for a little family trip to Disneyland! So, of COURSE we did NOT object! We packed up the Camry and headed south for a few days. The boys were sooo good over the course of the drive. The boys loved it....except for Snow White's Scary Adventure. It's actually scary! If you have younger kids, I'd think twice before FREAKING them out! Corbin started screaming and could hardly sit still long enough to get off the ride. The witch the scary one literally pops out all over the place. It's like they thought it wise to re-create that one scene in the movie were Snow white gets lost in the woods. CREEEEPY! Anyway, for the rest of the time we were there he kept bring the "witch" up and telling us she was a "bad witch" and "you get her daddy...right"..."you give her a spank...a big one...okay daddy?" It didn't matter which ride we went on, we heard about that witch! Then the next day were waiting in line for the Peter Pan ride and lo and behold...guess who we saw peaking out of her castle? THE WITCH!!! Who noticed...CORBIN!! Yeahhh! Anyway, other than the witch Disneyland was awesome. Lines were a little longer than last time, but still not too bad.
Corbin's "Shoot" as he calls his Buzz Lightyear gun, I'm pretty sure he shot the witch about a billion times!!!

Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!

"Whoso pulleth out this sword..."

"Look mom...I'm driving!!

And Tigger too...

Our whole family in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle

I can't wait until Corbin is 2 inches taller and can go on Soaring over California. That the best ride! I love the smell of the orange groves and the pine trees that they pump in. It's great! We're planning another trip in October...if anyone wants to go!! We bought season tickets last year...and we're getting our moneys worth okay?!!

Jack is officially 1 year old! I can hardly believe it! Where has the time gone??? He was so tiny and now he's our little chunk. I love him! We had a little party for him at Disneyland, but we're going to have another party with our families soon. Then he'll have his official first birthday cake to destroy. Happy birthday lammy lou, doodle, stinker stink, Jackie Jew....wow...I have retarted nicknames. That's okay, they LOVE it...I think!

Then as a result of Jack turning 1....along with that came the dreaded 1 year checkup...and I mean shots! Seriously this was the worst. My sister Sommer came with me...and thank goodness she did, because I don't think I could have gotten through without her. First Dr. Cramer found that Jack had yet ANOTHER ear infection. This makes like 12 for the year....I may be exaggerating a tichy...but honestly he gets ear infections every single time he gets a cold. EVERY SINGLE TIME!! He's getting tubes....in about a month. Okay, so the nurse came in and Sommer had to hold Jack down while the nurse gave him 6 shots in his chubby little thighs. Then Dr. Cramer came back to say that he wanted to test Jack's iron and Vitamin D levels. Guess how they do it....they find a non-existent vein in his fat little rolly polly arms and start gestimating exactly where they THINK his vein MIGHT be! So they poke him, then while the needle is inside his arm and he's silently SCREAMING at the top of his little lungs, they keep pressing down on the needle. FUN huh? Then after about 2 minutes of what feels like an eternity...they decide that they should try the OTHER arm. Poor Sommer, I nearly walked out because I could hardly stand watching. So Jack had bandages on both legs and both arms. Happy birthday baby! :( I'm a wimp...I know...but I can't stand to see me children is such distress.

Then we were off to Bear Lake for Memorial Day. After our annual "clean up" it was party...like usual! Everyone in Coby's fam was there. The weather wasn't the best, but the company was fun. I was able to go on a run...and it felt sooo good. Perfect weather. I ran a little over 3 miles without stopping.

Well, we're finally home and back and things are back to normal...whatever that means! I missed being home, my fam, Jasmine and of course the gym. I was good however on this trip, and I think this has been the ONLY trip I don't think I've gained weight on! :) I will miss listening to the books on tape we have been listening to. "Tennis Shoes among the Nephites" We got through 3 books during our MANY MANY hours of driving. If you ever get a chance to read or listen to the books by Chris Heimerdinger, they are AWESOME! They are great because while they are fiction, the author incorporates facts from the Book of Mormon into them. It's great! I don't think I can hold out for another road trip, so to the Library I'll go!

A little catch up....well...a lot of catch up

Amber, Sommer, Poochie, Grandma and Grandpa

CorbiMac and Ambie
Sommie and CorbiMac
Sommer, Me and Jack, Ambie

First my little sister Amber came out for a MUCH needed visit. Coby's family was so sweet to let us "get away" at their fun cabin at Bear Lake. It was beautiful. We played a family tradition of Chicken Foot and I don't want to point fingers...but SOME people cheat....GRANDPA and DAD...oh and me of course! We got to play on the frozen lake in innertubes being pulled with the four wheeler. It was fun, but freezing cold...so Jack and I didn't last long. We had so much fun. I wish she lived closer so we could play.

Coby and I standing outside the entrance to Wicked

THEN, Coby...the BEST husband in the world, took me to San Diego for a fun little trip...just the two of us. I was a little sad about leaving the kids, but about 30 hours into the trip...and in Vegas...I was happy and hoping our trip wouldn't end! :) We stopped for the night at the St. George house then left for Vegas in the morning. Our first stop Coby's favorite In and Out Burger. I still don't see the big deal...so I ate in Caesar's Palace. Then we drove to L.A. to see WICKED!! We got there about 1 1/2 hours early to put our name in a sort of lottery to get tickets. They give away 26 front row tickets for only $25 each. So of course we had to try. We didn't win, but the still gave us a pretty good deal anyway. Wicked was AMAZING!!! We had awesome seats.

I'm a poser...what can I say!!

Jim and Joanne were nice enough to let us stay at their resort in San Diego.  It was really cool.  Our room was on the golf course and their were two pools.  One pool even had a water slide.

Me on the waterslide

Coby on the waterslide

Then it was off to the beach.  We went to Oceanside Beach.  I reminded me of Grand Haven.  It was BEEEautiful and COLD!

Then I helped Coby play golf....let's just say...I have a long way to go before he'll want to take me again.  Then we had to drive back the next day.  It was a short trip, but so much fun.  We are so thankful for both sets of parent who took the time to watch our kidlings.  Thank you thank you thank you!!  We love you so much!

When we got back, Jack crossed another milestone...CRAWLING!  I was nervous he'd never do it!  But on the 20th of April (his 11 month anniversary) he proved me wrong.  Now we crawls EVERYWHERE...even places he's not supposed to.  And he's fast!  The other day I was on the computer downstairs in the basement.  Jack was playing on the floor next to me.  Then a few minutes later I realized "just how quiet" it was.  So I went looking for him...he had crawled all the way up the stairs to the main floor and was almost up the stairs to the 2nd floor.  That little stinker!!

We got home just to pack up and head back down to St. George for the weekend.  It was a ball.  The weather was so nice and warm.  I even got to have a little girl time with my cousin Lanae and her friend Emily.  We laughed so hard I thought they'd kick us out of Neilson's Frozen Custard.  Corbin and Sammi had so much fun together, bouncing on the bed, playing golf and painting.  They are such good little friends.  It's so fun!  Corbin hurt his foot because he thought he could stomp on a cactus with his crocks shoes.  Not the best idea.  He hurt his little foot and all weekend long told us about the "bad cactus...he's meeeean...he'll bite you!"  It was sad, but really cute.  

Then Amber had a birthday!  Happy birthday girl!!  We miss you!

Mother's day was AWESOME!!  Coby stayed up late making homemade scones from the Favorites cookbook (my absolute favorite).  They were soooo yummy!  My diet went out the window and I got to enjoy them.  Coby was so sweet, he bought turkey bacon and low calorie orange juice.  Corbin helped cook everything and then gave me a Suunto heart rate moniter watch.  It's awesome, it even tell you how many calories you've burned!  I love it!!  He's the best!  He took care of the kids all day and even cleaned the house.  Later that day we headed to Lanae and Jared's for a Mother's Day BBQ.  My mom was so sweet she gave me beautiful iris' out of her garden.  They we so pretty!  My mom and dad marinated some turkey and it was DELICIOUS!  Corbin and Jordan had ball jumping on the trampoline and driving Jordan's jeep. Then it was off to Coby's folk's.  It's always a party!  He had cake and ice cream and got a little mother's day treat.  Corbin and Sammi had fun playing with some moroccos.  Fun day!  It was the BEST mother's day ever!  Thanks babe!  I love you soooo much!

Tuesday we had a little girl's night out with Coby's mom, Whit, Marse, and Anna.  We went to see Maid of Honor and then Joanne treated to coldstone.  She's so great!  We all had a BLAST!  I got the german chocolate cake ice cream!  LOVED IT!

Wednesday, We had dinner with Ben and Whit and then headed over to take some pictures in Lanae and Jared's GORGEOUS backyard!  Whitney makes a mean spaghetti and meatballs.  She made it with whole wheat pasta and it was to die for!  The pictures turned out great!  Thanks Ben and Whit!

Our cute little family

Me showing off my mad back flip skills!

Thursday, Benniwinny boo boo and Whit called and invited us to see Iron Man.  At first I thought it was going to be stupid!  But it was sooo good!  It was fun to hang out!  

Corbin's been saying the funniest things this week.  When you ask him a question sometimes his face will light up and his eyes get really big and he'll say, "that sounds like fun!!"  I asked him if we should get him a BIG BOY pottie and he said..."oh, that sounds like fun!"  He's so cute!  He can sing "itsy bitsy spider"and "popcorn popping on the apricot tree".  He loves to eat my homemade pizza dough.