Pierce's 5th

 And the force was with us. . . . .

This kiddo is ALL about Star Wars right now.  We had a Star Wars everything party.  Since his birthday fell on Easter Sunday this year, we decided to have his party on Saturday and it was a blast.  He woke up to being barricaded in his room with a door full of balloons.  We sprayed Darth Vader with silly string, had balloon races in the back yard and opened presents.  The only gift this boy got that wasn't Star Wars was a Nerf gun from Derek and I.  Pierce was pretty excited that Layla even gave him Star Wars underwear!  He loved the gun and everyone took turns shooting at all the Battle Pod bad guys.  I love how obsessed he is, it really makes me smile.

Pierce is such a handsome young man.  We love him so much and it is fun to watch him change into a big boy.  He is such a gentleman, he will always open my car door for me and says sweet things in his prayers like thank you for Mom to make this delicious food.  He really melts my heart in a way I never expected.   
Pierce's stats right now:
Weight: 33 lbs
Height: 40 inches (Just tall enough he can ride Star Tours when we go to Disneyland.  It's a HUGE deal!)
Loves: Star Wars
           Ropes
           Drawing (we go through about 10 pieces of paper daily, NOT KIDDING)
           Soccer
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Song: Nephi's Courage

Cheese

Trying to take a picture of Layla is always funny.  This girl has the best faces.  She is such a little cheese ball.  The only problem is if you want one of her just smiling for a project you are doing, GOOD LUCK!!  My little baby turns 17 months this week.  She is so much fun! 

Running around naked after her bath.  This little stinker ran outside (don't worry it was like 80 degrees that day!) and parked herself on this chair for 10 minutes.  I love her crazy hair!

Speaking of Cheese ........

This week Derek went to Missouri for the grand opening of the Schreiber Health Clinic.  To help all the partners in Clinton Derek started up a health clinic.  No copays, and access to a nurse pratcioner.  She can do everything from stitches to ear infections, to blood work, to physicals.  Wish we could be there to take advantage of it!

I am SO PROUD of all his hard work getting this up and running, especially considering the last six months he has been doing this from Texas.  What an amazing man I have.

Too Long

Sometimes I wonder if I should even post because I am SO far behind.  I have decided that at least for now I am going to focus on the here and now, and worry about back posting later (if it really happens, Christmas is overwhelming!)

Just a little update for now. 

Allee is growing up way too fast.  She has decided she wants to be a famous singer and I hear Taylor Swift and Justin Beiber cranked as loud as possible blaring from her room.  Her bed is the perfect stage (except for when she leaves Layla there all alone!)  She is testing her bedtime and almost every night is up messing around in her room until well after 9:00.  She is a great help with Layla and honestly still loves playing with Pierce which is awesome.

Pierce is in speech right now and loves every minute!  He loves going to the same school Allee is at (even if it is only for 30 min two days a week).  That kid is SO excited for kindergarten.  I see and talk to him every day, so I really haven't noticed any change, but our family always comments on how he is getting easier to understand and that makes me so happy for him.  He is such a sweet little thing and it breaks my heart when others can't understand him.  For example he was called Ian for two months when we first moved to our ward in Texas because his primary teacher couldn't understand him.  I was devastated.  Thank Heaven for speech therapists.

Layla is getting to be quite the little character.  She is climbing on EVERYTHING.  I have never had a climber.  She has colored on walls and the beanbag.  She is constantly in the pantry handing me things.  She rarely eats and is a tiny thing weighing almost 17 lbs at her 15 month visit.  This last week her pediatrician had us get a consult with the GI clinic at the children's hospital so hopefully the addition of some Zantac and an allergy medicine which will help stimulate her appetite will help her gain enough to get back on her growth curve.  She is definitely our sweet loving monster.

AAAHHHHHH.  It really does feel better when I can get some thoughts down, remember the good and crazy going on in our lives, and just take a time out and remember the little things that unfortunately get forgotten too easily. 

A Beautiful 8 year old and her Baptism

 What a blessing Allee is!  It was so bitter-sweet to celebrate her 8th birthday, I can't believe she is already 8.  Time has passed and she has grown right before my eyes and I still feel like I have missed it!
Allee is such an awesome kid.  She takes good care of her brother and sister, leaves notes for Derek and I all over the house, and has the sweetest spirit about her. 
At 8 Allee loves:
Music: Justin Beiber and Selena Gomez
Movie: The Game Plan
Favorite thing about school: Recess
Best Friend: Mikiah Carter in Missouri
Favorite Color: Neon Green and Neon Pink
She loves to wear her hair down
Will wear anything with sequins or sparkle

We were blessed to have LOTS of family fly to Texas for Allee's baptism.  Stephanie and her kiddos came for a month while Dave is deployed in Afghanistan.  Judy came on Allee's birthday, and Christy, my parents and grandma came the next day.  We had a wonderful house full of people all weekend, and it made me miss having family close!

It was awesome to watch Derek baptize Allee.  What an amazing father/daughter moment.  Then when it came time for her confirmation Derek gave her a beautiful blessing.  What a blessing it is to have a priesthood holder in our home.  It was one of the sweetest moments between those two and I will never forget it. 

Congratulations Allee!!  We are so proud of your decision.  You couldn't be a more wonderful daughter.  We know that Heavenly Father has a special plan for you and we are so happy you have chosen to follow the example of Jesus Christ. 

Layla's First Birthday

I am always amazed at how fast the first year goes by.  Our little Layla was one in the blink of an eye!

 Waking up to a room filled with balloons.  This little one was in heaven crawling all around chasing them.

 She was so into unwrapping.  She caught on very quickly and loved tearing the paper.  She got very upset if anyone tried to help her.

 Her favorite toy from Mom and Dad.  She would just hug it.

 This is her "after" picture.  No cake smashing for this kiddo.  She wouldn't even try the stuff!!  After about 10 minutes of coaxing I finally just gave up.

Lucky for her, my cake and ice cream was delicious.  She ate half my plate.  This girl is such a character!!  She makes me laugh, she is the best cuddler, loves her Daddy, and she puts a smile on my face every time I see her.

Happy 1st Birthday my little Layla!  We love you so much and are so blessed to have a spunky girl like you.
Layla's Stats at 1:
Weight: 16 lbs 7 oz
Hair:  Blond and for us TONS!
Loves: Rice cereal and oatmeal
Hates: Pretty much any other food.  The little stinker will some days love noodles and other days not even try them.  She is very strong willed, hence only weighing 16 lbs!
Crawls all over and will walk a little around furniture, but isn't even close to walking.
Loves to clap and squeal at the top of her lungs.