Wanting to go Swimming!

The kids were in their room for quite some time this morning. When I heard the door opened, I heard giggling coming down the hall. I asked what they were doing and Makena yelled out that they were going swimming. Then before I knew it, out runs Tyler down the hall sporting a cherry swimsuit! He was laughing and running all over. I tried getting him to stand still for a picture, but was unsuccessful until I told him I would give him a quarter.

Soccer and McDonalds

Grandma and Grandpa Kofoed came down to watch Makena's soccer game today. It was a fun treat to have them there. After the game, they took us to McDonald's for lunch! We loved spending time with them!

Kali climbed into the game that you throw the balls into to score points and she couldn't get down on her first attempt. Once she figured how to get herself down, she was up and down in that game the whole time at McDonalds!

8 Months

My little one is now 8 months old! Some new foods she has tried and likes to eat are macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes with chicken, chick-fil-a ice cream, hawaiian delight fruit and cherry/mango popsicles.
She is taking 3 naps during the day and is getting up 2-3 times at night. I believe she can and should start sleeping through the night...it's been long enough!!!
She loves sitting up and playing with toys, loves going outside and riding in the stroller, loves looking at books, getting into any bag and emptying the contents inside, loves baths, and loves her mommy!

Temples and Watermelons

Today we were driving to the jump and bounce place again. As we were driving, we drove past the temple. Kali asked from the back if that is the temple I went to (I went to the temple the day before). I told her yes that was the temple. Then she proceeded to ask if I saw flowers at the temple and if I smelled the flowers. I told her I saw flowers but I didn't smell them and that I also saw a water fountain. With big eyes, and a high pitched voice she excitedly shouted out..."You had WATERMELON at the temple?" We started to laugh and she wasn't as amused as when she heard me correctly this time saying I saw a WATER FOUNTAIN!

Wheeler Historic Farm

Our adventure for today was going to Wheeler Farm. We got there fairly early and got to see a lot of the animals before all the school field trips arrived. There were quite a few kids there...but it wasn't too bad. We were able to see all that we wanted. We had to wait to ride the wagon ride until all the school kids had there turn to go, but it turned out great because we were the only ones on our wagon ride. The kids loved going over all the bumps on the ride. And we got an extra long ride because we had to wait for 6 horses to cross the path. The kids thought that was cool to see the handlers take the horses out of the gate and walk them in front of us. We ate lunch there and then saw their favorite animals one more time (horses, cows, pigs, rabbits and goats). I love love love the time I get to spend with my kids. They make my days happy! And when I get to see the smiles on their faces...is there anything better? They truly are the joy in my life!

Jump N' Bounce

With Makena being off track, I try and do lots of fun things during the week...to keep us busy and also to make being off track the best!
So, today I tried out a new jump and bounce place close by. The kids absolutely loved it. They could run all over the place and do whatever they wanted and I could watch Hailey and Tyler. They were going non stop for 2 hours or so. Makena's favorite was the big slide. She would jump at the top and bounce her way down. Kali loved the maze bounce house. She had to crawl over obstacles and under them and then climb up to a big slide and go down. Tyler had fun jumping on the dinosaur one and also really liked the big slide with Makena. We bought a month pass so that we could go during Makena's whole 3 weeks off track.
They were so tired, that on the way home Kali, Tyler and Hailey were sound asleep and Makena was laying her head back in her seat watching a movie. It was a good time and they can't wait to go back...and this time they get to go with friends!

Three Happy Kids

The kids were happy kids this afternoon...Jarel got out the four wheeler and took the kids around the neighborhood. They were in heaven!
Makena also tried riding her bike without training wheels. She didn't like it so much and was scared, but she tried and that was awesome!!!

Pet Shop Puppy Party

Today, Makena and Kali had their birthday party. This year, they wanted the same party (a puppy pet shop) and so I combined them. It was a great success and I hope the girls and kids enjoyed it.
When their friends arrived, they got to pick a puppy and name it and then they got money to buy supplies for the dogs at the pet shop. They got to buy treats for the puppy and themselves, a puppy outfit, a puppy toy and some puppy chow. Once all their items were bought, they took their puppy and the outfit to the puppy salon where they got to bathe their puppy and do it's hair and nails and then got the puppy dressed (the girls got tutus and a bow and the boys got a cape) and put a dog color on it with their puppy names. We had puppies named Max, Mady, Annie, Love, Bateman, Pineapple, Sara, Pirate, and some others I can't remember.
We then taught our puppy some tricks and played a relay game and a "cat, cat, dog" (duck duck goose) game. We opened presents and Makena and Kali were thrilled with what they got from their friends. They came away with a princess game, barbies, silly string, necklaces, treats and a my little pony. We then sang "Happy Birthday" and ate some dog paw cupcakes.
It was a fun afternoon for them! I sure hope they had a good time.
These 2 beautiful girls of mine...sure do make me smile! Love them to pieces.

Mother's Day

I forgot to post about Mother's Day. It was a very nice day for me. On Saturday, the day before, Makena came to me and said she drew a card but was going to sneak it in my room when I was sleeping and lay it on my pillow. I told her that would be fun, but if she fell asleep then that was okay and she could give it to me in the morning. Makena told me that she would stay awake and put it on my pillow. That night the kids went to bed and then I went to bed. Makena was sound asleep. About 3:30 in the morning, I was awake feeding Hailey and was just done and laying Hailey back down when Makena came into my room with her drawing. I was so tired and asked her "what are you doing?" Makena hurried and put it on my pillow and away she went back to sleep. Bless her heart! It was so sweet and was so meaningful to me. She drew the picture of the family. Mother's Day morning, when I woke up, Makena was there in my room with a gift that she had worked so hard on at school for me. It was a book that Makena and her "buddy" at school had made. We read it and it was very cute. I loved it. It is so fun when the kids get bigger and do stuff on their own without being prompted to do stuff from one of us.
We had dinner, went to church and Jarel went the extra mile to make sure the dishes were done, meals were made and the kids were happy. He gave me a little gift and it was just a very nice day. We went and visited with my mom and also Jarel's mom!
I am grateful to be a mom...most rewarding role ever. I am grateful for my 4 little kids who teach me, test me and love me no matter what.
I am grateful to the moms in my life. My mother is without a doubt a wonderful mom. She would do anything for me and my family. She is selfless and I am so happy to call her one of my best friends!
I am grateful for Jarel's mom. We love going over and hanging out with her on her days off. She comes over to watch my kids when I am in a crunch and never complains. I am so grateful her have her as a mom to me!

"Mom I love you"

"My mom and I like to go to Dizseland"

"This is my family"

Family Pictures 2011