Easter Outfits 2014

Each year growing up, my Mom would make my sisters and I Easter Dresses.  Sometimes we would match and sometimes we wouldn't.  I remember very well the year I came home to be with the family while at BYU and she had made me a new skirt for Easter.  I wore that skirt so many times. It was a cream print with flowers.

This year.. I realized I could do it.  Last Chrsitmas, Christan's mom had given us white shirts, black pants and ties for the boys. However we didn't get shoes.  So finally the weekend of Easter I found little black shoes to complete the outfit!  I was excited that my boys would be dressed in their best for Easter and also my birthday. Surprisingly - both boys didn't protest the tight-fit neck and clip-on ties and the new shoes.

Here's Payden - In Swing before church.

Then: - 2 pictures of my little men

LAP Preschool Field Trip - Natural History Museum

In the middle of April, Patrick and Payden's preschool class were taking a field trip. I was incredibly nervous about the trip and decided that I probably should be there too. I was surprised it went as well as it did. 

Their Preschool is on the University of Kansas Campus so the class (and parents and teachers) walked to the Natural History Museum on Campus. We  went up a whole bunch of stairs and all the way across campus.  It was so cold, I had even made sure they wore their hats! 

Here are the pictures I took: 

Payden looking at the Seals  (Sorry little blurry)

Preschool classed sitting down, waiting for the go-ahead to go explore. Payden was in mid stride to come see me. 

Payden playing with a button at an exhibit

Patrick looking thru a Microscope at bugs, I think 

By the time we reached this last room - Payden was just done and kept asking to "go bye bye". He did so well though! He's reading his family book that I had in my purse for him just in case.

 Patrick in the tunnel with classmates

This is a classroom picture. I love this and couldn't believe after all that - Payden sat so well with his class for pictures!   Patrick also loves this picture as he points out each of his classmates. I am amazed at his memory for all their names. 

Christmas Decorations 2013

We put up out decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving.  I love to have the decorations up early as it is a great reminder of the Christmas season.


For the first 3 weeks or so - this is our tree.  And it's been our tree for 10 years. I pushed for a bigger tree this year but it just wasn't in our budget.  But beautiful just same.

Pic of the Nativity / Wise Men sign / and Picture of Christ

 A Close-up of the Nativity and Wise Men.  Our RS Presidency made these last year for all the sisters, I love mine! 

Then, Christian's mom found a tree at Walgreen's on Clearance.  It was only $10 and fully decorated except the lights didn't work.  So we undid the dead lights (took a couple hours) and then put new ones on.  It is a gorgeous tree!

Here's one view:

 Here's another view.

I love it!  -

December Snow Play

On the Sunday right before Christmas, we had quite the Ice Storm and then 5 inches of snow on top.  They canceled church and we stayed inside where it was warm.  But Patrick wanted to play outside - so we dug out the winter stuff to let him play.  We used it as a day to introduce the snow to Payden who would point and say snow but due to his reaction last year.. we didn't want to push too strongly. 

Here are some pics that I had on my phone. 

Pic of Maddie - this is her shoveled place to potty - Here she was looking at me, telling me that she was done and could come in now.  She HATES the snow!  

Ready to play outside

Big Smile! 

 Playing with Daddy

 On his knees in the snow. 

Patrick stayed and played for a good 30 minutes.  I think he was oblivious to the cold and we spent a good 10 minutes warming him up when he came inside.  We definitely need to look for better gloves as the ones he has are much too small!  

But it was sure fun! 

Family Pictures

Before we left on vacation - we had a Birthday Celebration for Christian's sister's little girl (my niece).  She was turning the big one years old.

Because Lindsay was in charge of pictures at the big party - she offered to get us some MUCH NEEDED family pictures.  I love them!   Watch Patrick and Payden's smile as it varies through all the pics.  I couldn't remember but I think it was Andy (my brother in law) making them laugh so hard. :)

First day of Preschool - September 3rd 2013

Patrick and Payden had their first day of Preschool on September 3rd, 2013.  We were able to get them School District Spots (due to their IEP's) and also they get to ride the bus.  Thank goodness they have the bus system down from last time!  

They started Preschool at the Language Acquisition Preschool (or LAP).  It is a preschool directed by Speech Therapists and they each of their own Speech Therapist assigned to work with him through out the year. There are 18 kids in the class and it is a crazy class as most of the kids are 3 and really young.  

One of the Best things about this preschool is the fact that I can observe them through a one-way window.  It has been hard at times to sit in that room (sometimes crying) as I see some needs of Payden not being met. After one particular hard week with a few new meltdowns, I realized we needed to add some Deep Pressure (Jumping) into his day.  Now he jumps 2 sets of 25 jumps every day when he gets off the bus and before Free Play begins.  I was so happy to see changes in him when we started that. 

Pictures!

Payden was so so happy for the school bus to come!  I got a few really great shots!  He's holding onto his "bus book"  (It's his visual schedule showing him pictures I've taken like :  Breakfast, swing, coat, school bus, school)  It helps with transitions like circle time through the day. 

Then both of them together.

Random Thoughts (Pictures) Thursday

Here are a bunch of random pictures .. in no particular order - 

Payden - just gotten out of the swing - he always takes a book to swing with and read.  This time:  Baby Bear, Baby Bear

After nap reading - In a People House I believe.. Payden loves Daddy's Chair

 Gorgeous Pic from our Royal's Game last Saturday.  Christan's mom watched the kids and it went really well. I was super nervous but loved the little "getaway" 

Patrick, my helper at Aldi. You bag your own groceries and he loves to help! 

 Messy downstairs room - we moved a couch downstairs - great idea!! 

And a few pictures of Maddie

Dressed in the Boy's pajama top - she was posing so well! 

And two pictures of her sound asleep - relishing the quite house to take naps ALL DAY LONG. (I think it would be rather nice to be a pug for a day - or an hour!)