Allison turns 2!

We had a big birthday party planned for Allison's 2nd Birthday, but Jake and Allison got sick so we canceled it. Atleast she too young to realize what is she was missing. Instead her cousin Ayden (who was sick too) came over for cake and opening presents. It was a snotty nose birthday.Allison was so excited about the cake! She is my daughter!

She blew out the candle before any of us sang Happy Birthday, she was ready to eat the cake

Present opening time!
She was so excited that she broke into the presents when I wasn't looking. Smart little girl - it was her birthday, why should she wait. So I had to rewrap the present and she opened again when everyone was watching.

It was a kitchen birthday, everything was kitchen themed!
She loves to "cook". She has been pulling pans out of the pantry and pouring things into them for months. It was time that she got her own supply.

Then it was time to eat the cake - of course she and Ayden couldn't stop playing kitchen.

Grandma Carol and Opop got Allison a little kitchen. She loves it and has been playing with it for an hour now. And in Allison time - that is FOREVER!!!

We got her plastic "healthy" food (from Cosco). She knows what is all is, I guess that means that we are feeding her well.

Happy Halloween

Allison, Jake, and cousin Ayden all went trick-or-treating together.
Allison was a ladybug again - it still fit!
Jake was Yoda - so cute!

Jumping

We pulled out the jumper for Jake, but Allison has enjoyed it more. She has figured out how to get in and out, funny to see. I think she needs to be in gymnastics....

Trying to catch up

Things have been very busy here. We are both working a lot, trying to renovate the house, and keep up with the kids and daily life.

Here are some pictures of daily life that we have taken over the past month....

Hanging out on the lawnPlaying at the park
Chillin in the crib with company

Watching college football - Go UF and FSU!

Watching movies with Ayden

Reading to Jake (turn up the sound and pause the radio on the blog)

Intuition

Always worry when your kids are "too" quiet.

I wasn't listening...

Allison found the markers.

Looks like she was "copying" Mommy and putting on makeup - thankfully she didn't get any on the walls or the furniture.
It was hard to keep in the laughter!

Jake's first "hair cut"

OK, I HATE it when newborns get that "mustache" of hair at the base of their head - where the hair rubs off above from sleeping and grows below. So even though my intuition said not too, I TRIED to "trim" the small patch of hair, but instead shaved bald a "step" in his hair. So Ivan had to buzz it all off to correct my mistake.
It doesn't look a bit different to anyone else... so he is STILL a baldy!He didn't mind the hair cut, just hung out with daddy.

Chores

We have to find ways to get household chores done with two little ones... Ivan was a little creative and Allison LOVED IT!!

The house renovations

Of course they are taking longer (and more money) than we wanted, but things are getting done. Here are some updated pictures of the house. Ivan almost has the kitchen cabinet door painted, so those should be up in a week or so. We have ordered granite countertops which should be in in about 8 weeks - can't wait....

Brandy's Visit

My best friend Brandy came to visit and see Jake for the first time. We had so much fun just hanging out.Managing two in her lapJake loves his diaper being changed - he coos and smiles at you.Smiles after a bathChillin around the house

Allison doesn't always get her way - and she doesn't like it!!!

Temple Square

Our Hike
We couldn't pass up the chance to enjoy the mountains. The weather threatened rain, but it held out for us.

Brandy packed in Jake and our lunch. He fell asleep soon after this picture - babies feel right at home in the wilderness.We stopped for a picnic lunch and of course Jake woke up for lunch too.

Allison missed the picnic, too much fresh airShe woke up right as we were leaving and enjoyed the hike back down

Dad and Kailey came to Utah

Kailey came out to visit for a week (flying by herself) and Dad joined her later. It rained every afternoon (unusual for Utah) so it stopped some of our plans, but we all had a fun time.

Oquirrh Mountain TempleWe went to the open house
In the mountains

We planned on going camping, but the weather didn't work, so we just went up to the mountains for a short hike and camp fire dinner.Ivan and Kailey started the camp fire together.Papou held Allison and Jake while observing the fire starters.Jake "chillin" on Papou's lap.
It was chilly and the only "non-pink" hat I had was a hat Aunt Kristin sent for the winter - so Jake was our little Santa!
On our hike...
Ivan climbed up onto this large rock - he thinks he is a mountain goat.From his viewKailey hiked with AllisonJenna hiked with Jake.
Why did both of the women carry the babies - like the olden days...


Park City

It was the 125th anniversary of Park City, so they had activities for the kids.
Allison got butterfly.

Jake got a dinosaur.
(Apparently my lips were dry)

Afterward we went out for a nice dinner.

Thanks for visit Dad and Kailey!!!

Update

Sorry it has been so long....
But between moving into a new house, renovating a new house, a 1 1/2 year old busy little girl, and a newborn - some things are put on hold. But I have some help, so I am getting a chance to catch all of you up on the family.

Here are some older pictures

When Rita was in Utah to help me with Allison after Jake was born, she tried to get potty training started. Allison liked sitting on the toilet and she would wipe when she was "done".

PUT UP YOUR DUKES! I want to fight!
(Jake about 3 weeks old)Allison hopping into the bath, she put on my shower cap.
GREAT BRIBING PHOTO - I plan on showing this one to her dates in the future (the FAR AWAY future)!