Question.

Does Brooklyn love her cousin Kylie?
I think so.

Just me

Is it just me or is it super funny that Mackenzie calls the "hotel" the "show and tell"???

White Christmas

Merry Christmas!
We are definitely going to have a white Christmas this year. The Christmas season has been really fun with an almost 3 year old because she finds it all so exciting. We've tried to explain that we celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus. She told me "No it's Santa's birthday." I tried to straighten that out in her little mind. I can see how she gets confused though. I hope we can teach our kids about the real meaning of Christmas as they get older. I really wanted to include Mackenzie in our sub for Santa gift-picking it out and wrapping it and explaining how we want to help people out etc. Robert reminded me that picking out a doll for somebody else probably wouldn't go over too well yet. Maybe next year.


Here's the beginnings of the snowman who stood about 8 inches tall.

Here is Mackenzie trying to make a snow angel. She didn't really get it but we weren't willing to show her. After Robert shoveled the driveway and sidewalks after the first big snow storm, he promptly drove himself to Lowes for a snowblower.

Home Your, Your Way

The other day we were driving by an RC Willey billboard with Paige Davis on it. I didn't even notice it until Mackenzie said "RC Willey- Home Your, Your Way!"
Robert and I looked at each other wondering if she really just said that. We had no idea she knew their slogan (or kind of --Your home, your way). He said she is so smart and I said apparently she watches way too much t.v.

We drove by another billboard on a different day and Mackenzie said "There's Hannah Montana. She has on a hat." This was the "Sexy Halloween Boutique" sign where the seductive woman is laying down dressed as a sexy witch. I'm not quite sure what to make of this connection.

Both my girls love yogurt but Mackenzie will only eat it if it doesn't have pieces of fruit or "chunks." So we have a whole shelf in the fridge of the key lime flavor. The thing that cracks me up is the way she says chunks...
"I don't like the funks!" or "Is Brookie eating the funks?"

Go Jazz and so forth

We recently went to a Jazz game with both our kids. We even made it all the way until half time. Mackenzie just loves the games because she can scream as loud as she can and no one says a thing. She was cracking us up screaming "I love you" at the players. I have no idea where that came from. She also loves to watch the Jazz bear mascot which she insists is the "BYU Bear" (it must be confusing for a 2 year old to switch sporting seasons).


We now know that Brooklyn is a big fan of pop corn. I think the boys behind us got tired of her staring at them but I didn't care. Now that she is walking she will not sit still for a second. Up, down, up, down, back and forth...It's so fun to see her grow and learn but I wouldn't mind if she would just stay a little baby forever.

Thanksgiving Rocks

I am thankful for Thanksgiving. We had a great vacation to Fallon.

My cousin Leanna and I drove out a few days early with our 4 kids (3 years and below). We started out the trip like this:
Leanna: Crying kids don't bother me.
Karin: OK good, crying kids don't bother me either.
We actually didn't have too much crying to deal with and it went by rather quickly. Now that we know this trip is possible our husbands may see a bit less of us :)

Thanksgiving day we had yummy dinner and the traditional pinata afterwards.


The day after Thanksgiving we had the traditional Christmas tree hunting.

Here's our group from up above. These may not be the most beautiful Christmas trees but there's something sweet about cutting it with your own chain saw.


Additional highlights include
-----feeding horses with Grandpa


-----trampoline with cousins


-----cow train at Lattin farms
-----GRANDMA (Mackenzie would not let her out of her sight and she wasn't about to share her...did this cause some issues? yes)
-----just seeing everybody

Bunco!

I'm in this super fun monthly bunco group. November was my turn to host (which means having it at my house,making dinner, and picking out prizes.)
This is the only picture I got so here are 4 of the 12 girls. I love getting together with all of these cute, fun girls!

The Big One

The 0th birthday

Brooklyn and her new toy on her 1st birthday.

Happy Birthday to our little Brookie-Girl! Brooklyn has been an absolute joy these past 12 months.

Say Good Job

Mackenzie often tells us what to say. She says "Mom, say good job dribbling Kenzie." Or she says "Say where did Kenzie go."

Today when she and Brooklyn finished their bath Mackenzie said "Say Brookie good job not pooping in the bathtub."
This is because Brooklyn has pooped in the tub the last 3 baths she's taken. I told Brookie good job and I meant it.

3 Billy Goats Gruff

"I'm a troll from a deep dark hole
My belly's getting thinner
I need to eat and goat's a treat
So I'll have you for my dinner!"

Mackenzie memorized this little part of the 3 Billy Goats book we got from the library. I was kind of impressed and Brookie liked it too.

Now that I'm done showing off I'll move onto complaining...
Who thinks it's a good idea to bash in our car window and steal stuff out of my car??? Why are people so dishonest??? I guess it'll teach me not to leave my purse in the car, especially at night. In addition, I'm ready to be not sick and to have not sick kids. THE END

Today

Today it snowed and made the trees that line our street even more beautiful.

Today I am hoping I can muster up more willpower during Thanksgiving than I did for Halloween.

Today I made a conscience effort to sit on the floor and play with my kids without trying to do 17 other things at the same time (change the laundry, start the dishwasher, make those phone calls...). It was fun. I should do that more often.

Today I remembered how yummy it is to eat a bowl full of strawberries with whipped cream from a can (even if the strawberries weren't that good before).

Today Robert went to the Jazz game.

Today Mackenzie got to play with her cousin Dakota who she loves, even though she doesn't share very well with him. He shouldn't take it personal.

Today Brooklyn is getting that much closer to being weaned.

Today I'm glad to live in America.

BOO! A little late

A few trick or treat night pics

Trunk or Treat

We had a neighborhood trunk or treat last Saturday. We were feeling like our trunk was pretty lame but then we got there and we were the only ones who had any decorations so we were feeling pretty awesome.

If you can't tell Brookie is Elmo, Kenzie is a pink puppy, and the trunk is a face.

Cousin Hallie: Mackenzie, are you a poodle?
Kenzie: No! I'm a puppy not a poo poo!

Making Sister Laugh

Mackenzie is the best at making Brooklyn laugh.
But sometimes Brookie does her high pitched happy shriek and Kenzie gets so mad yelling back at her to be quiet. She yells at the baby who thinks it's a game and so the baby yells more and louder. Kenzie proceeds to get more worked up...and on and on...
Quite amusing that they are already such experts at pushing each other's buttons.

Spaghetti Sisters

-
Mackenzie eating spaghetti at 10 months.

Brooklyn eating spaghetti at 10 months.


This is the most still I could get the girls to hold while I took a picture of them in their matching dresses. They are pretty cute but not too into pictures.

As far as updates, Brooklyn loves to climb on things. She gets such a kick out of crawling up the stairs. Mackenzie was walking really well at this age but Brooklyn is happy just crawling and walking along things.
I never thought Mackenzie would give up her binkie but a while ago we started only giving it to her at bed time and she survived. She has now been to bed without it 2 nights in a row. I think she is going to survive yet again. What a big girl!

The Dog

Izzy likes to sit on these chairs outside. It's  pretty cute. She's a decent dog. I think she could be a good dog if we gave her more attention and exercise and training. We do what we can-well we could try harder to be honest. The girls love the dog, especially Brooklyn. I often put Brooklyn on the floor by the sliding glass door so she can look out at the dog. Sometimes Kenzie gets upset with Izzy and I try to convince her that we should give her to another family. She never agrees. I'm probably going to keep trying.

CJ

This summer Mackenzie went to the Gardner Village petting zoo and rode on this horse named C.J. She also has a cousin named C.J. and now she frequently says "I rode on a horse named C.J. like my cousin." She thinks it's hilarious.

Quirks

Wikipedia says quirks are odd habits. I wish I had useful quirks as some of my friends seem to-- must keep their homes clean and must be cute when going out--no such luck here! A few quirks I'm willing to share though...

1. I always think I know exactly how long something should be in the microwave and I put 27 seconds or 39 seconds- weird amounts like that.

2. I brush my teeth a lot (but I still get a lot of cavities).

3. I love teen books. I always have to have a book I'm reading.

4. My favorite food is cereal. The specific kind changes but right now it is Honey Nut Cherrios.

5. I do not like to shop.

6. I rarely forget a face and but I'm just decent with names.

6 b. I like this one so I'm going to share it...Robert is very careful when it comes to his last bite of his meal. He always saves the perfect bite for last and gets all upset if he saves the wrong thing for the last taste. What a weirdo :)

If you haven't shared 6 quirks on your blog and you're willing, do it for me.

Raw Raw Raw Raw Raw Goooo Cougars!!!

So true.

The Haps

Brookie is at the age where the t.p. is not safe on the roll and the toilet must always be shut. I love it! She loves peek-a-boo and music makes her bounce.

Here is Mackenzie on her first day of her little 2 year old preschool day. She loves to sing and her favorite song is still the ABC's. She likes to do art "projects." She makes jokes like "I want to eat some dog" or she'll purposely call you the wrong name. She already thinks she's funny.

Last weekend we went to the BYU-Washington (also known as "UDub" which is short for U W if you're confused like I was because there is no "D" in Washington). We've been going to one away game for the last few years and this year it was Seattle. It was really fun because we went with lots of friends. The game ended dramatically perfect and the weather was also perfect. Perfect doesn't describe the girls but they were pretty good :)

Randomness

My Grandma came to visit recently. She always gets put to work when she visits us but in my defense I think she likes it. This time her assignment was to show me how to use a sewing pattern. She decided she should iron it first and asked to use my iron.
"Uh, sure I'll go get it"...after searching the house I found it in the shed in the backyard.
"You don't iron much do you," Grandma observes. We laughed. No, I guess I don't.

I flew on Delta Airlines to Alaska and found out that they now charge $5 for those plastic garbage type bags for car seats. I just decided to wash the car seat cover when I got home.
I think Jay Leno had a pretty good idea the other night...Start giving away free beer and charging to use the bathroom instead.

Are two year olds supposed to know and use the phrases "leave me alone" and "don't bother me"? Or how about "I'm mad at you- don't talk to me"-- Just wondering

Jessie Louise Isbister

Randy and Vicki walking Jessie as she tries to hold it together. We all thought she was going to pass out and take a mighty fall down those steps. With deep breaths and a nice slow pace she made it all the way to Denis without incident.

Denis, Jessie and the oh-so-cute Hannah

Jessie and Denis at the reception- getting ready to eat delicious food and dance the night away. Jessie had these adorable giant cupcakes decorated with pinwheels at every table (so her).

You just can't help but love her. She laughs easily, often, and much- which is probably my favorite of many wonderful qualities. Jessie is good at making friends and she is a true friend. She even had a friend travel all the way from Japan to Alaska to go to her wedding. The newest Mrs. Isbister is genuine and thoughtful and just plain cool! Don't we all love her?

Jessie has dreamed of and envisioned her wedding day for a long time. It was definitely a dream wedding. They held it in Talkeetna, Alaska at a Lodge overlooking the Susitna River. Mount McKinley was in the background rising up 20,000 feet about us. Congratulations Jessie and Denis!

Happy Day!

Previously known as Jessie Kroshus, my best friend is now Jessie Isbister. More to come on that later...

I know that guy

I love the summer Olympics. We've really enjoyed watching so far, especially cheering on Michael Phelps and Shawn Johnson. Robert is trying to figure out what he could take up to be in the London Olympics in 2012.

I'm so excited to watch a former fellow Greenwave compete. Tune in on Monday the 18th to see Aarik Wilson in the Triple Jump. We thought we were hot stuff to win a state volleyball championship but to make it to the OLYMPICS just BLOWS MY MIND.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=255/bio/index.html

Attention Readers!

Mackenzie has been in big girl panties for a week now and is doing awesome.
Brooklyn is a crawling fool.

July 24th

We went to Hogle Zoo to celebrate Pioneer Day. We got there early enough that it was cool enough to have a good time. Mackenzie really liked the animals and Brooklyn really liked to eat her snacks in the stroller. I had fun because it was my first time at Hogle Zoo (which I thought was pretty nice) and Robert had fun because he wanted to be a zookeeper when he was younger (like high school age).

CA NV CA

We're back from our wonderful vacation to Twin Lakes, Fallon, and San Diego. After the 4th of July weekend Robert came back to work in Utah and the girls and I went to Fallon. We got to relax and play with grandma and grandpa, go to the lake, see family and friends, etc. Then we flew to San Diego to visit my brother and see his new little girl. It was fun to see where they live before they move to Fallon. As always, though, it's nice to be home to Daddy and home where the girls can get back on schedule and not be quite so crabby :)

Let Freedom Ring

There is no better way to celebrate the 4th of July than at Twin Lakes. Here's Robert and Kenzie at the parade in Bridgeport, CA. This parade isn't exactly going to win any awards but we're happy with a few pieces of candy and an icecream from Jolly Cone afterwards.

Brookie waved this American flag like she'd been doing it all her life.

We had a great time with family at the cabin, which goes without saying when there's kayaking, biking, card games, and good food.

Functional Kitchen

This post is mostly so my mom can see our countertops and freshly completed backsplash. In our new house we got new carpet and paint everywhere but the kitchen was our huge project. We basically gutted it and started over...it took a long time but we're really happy with how things have turned out. I love feeling settled but I guess now I'll have to start trying (trying is the key word) to decorate.

Cousins

Jamie and Kalli looking like they just stepped out of some magazine ad- advertising some magic pill that makes you a great mom, skinny, genuinely nice, easy to be around, a cool cousin,  and tan. I NEED THAT PILL!!!

Alanna and Mackenzie during a rare moment where the word "mine" was not involved.

Mackenzie and Alanna 2 years ago...About the age both our little ones (Brooklyn and Kalli) are now.