Josh Leisa Kadie Laney Crew

6 Years of Sassy

2012-02-03T16:30:00.000-08:00

This little princess is now becoming quite the young lady!

I am so glad that I have documented this little girl through the last 6 years.

Some of which you can read on this blog, like...

when she used all of the orange frosting...

or all of the silly outfits she used to come up with.

I love Laney, and really who doesn't? I mean, yes...you will probably end up getting scowled at or have her stick her tongue out at you at some point...but you will also be entitled to her sweet hugs and her telling you she loves you and why. Laney also gives a mean foot massage, and she likes to do it.

She is {very}sassy and sweet and now also SIX!

February 6, 2009...the beginning of sisters!

2 years old...the beginning of Sassy Laney

Somewhere between 3 and 4 her chub just got chubbier.

Once Crew was born, she knew she wanted to be a mother.

When Kadie had her Wizard of Oz party, Laney discovered she loved disguises.

This year, she discovered she loved spying.

Thank you for so many fun times Laney, I am sure that we will experience a thousand more...

and each memory is worth {at least} a thousand words...

Happy Birthday Laney Bug!

Santa...Super Cool or Super Scary???

2011-12-04T20:39:00.001-08:00

Our church Christmas Party was last night. Our kids were SO EXCITED to see Santa. Unfortunately... up close, Laney and Crew didn't like him as much.

Kadie walked right up, sat on his lap and told him she wanted a Xia Xia pet.

It took like 10 minutes to calm Crew down just from taking him in the same room with Santa.

Laney wised up once she heard them announce that Santa was leaving in 15 minutes.

She was able to tell him what she wanted. {A Spy Camera}

Then the primary kids sang a few songs. Laney refused to stand with them.

Kadie was hidden, although we could tell where she was standing because of her green hat.

Merry Christmas! I love this season. :)

D.C. Day Five

2011-11-28T22:31:00.001-08:00

Tour of D.C. Capital Building and underground tunnels, oooooh...

Meeting McNerny, could have been David Harmer!

Chats with police men...

More silly pictures...

Crime and Punishment museum...

Josh unlocked a safe and got his mug shot...

Dinner on the town...

D.C. Day Four

2011-11-28T21:58:00.001-08:00

Smithsonian Museums, and more Smithsonian Museums...

Dorothy's Red Ruby Slippers...

Giant diamond we contemplated purchasing...

More lame pictures of us trying to "hold" things...

Cupcakes for lunch...

1940's bike parade...

Ford's theater...

Staking out the FBI offices...

The Old Post Office...

Andy Warhol Exhibit (Maybe his last while he is living)...

More Air and Space!

We even went and saw a movie, It was like 20 date nights in one day!

D.C. Day Three

2011-11-28T21:42:00.001-08:00

Lots of pictures, lots of fun. :)

National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA...

View from our Hotel...

Night tour of the Capital and all the Monuments!

Josh and I learned that we aren't very good at "pretending" to hold large objects.

D.C. Day Two

2011-11-24T23:41:00.001-08:00

The Wedding!

(I can't say or write that word without hearing it in my head the way Fronk says it on Father of the Bride)

The temple was beautiful...

The bride and groom were adorable...

The trees were colorful...

I couldn't have asked for a better experience taking pictures.

And to do it for two people that I just love to death!

Congratulations Adam and Callie!

After the wedding it was off to visit another cousin in Maryland!

Jared, Liz and their cute boys!

Jared and Liz took us to Baltimore and we ate pizza by the water.

The entire fall experience with the chill and the colorful leaves made me want to stay forever,

but we did miss the kids. So we eventually came home.

D.C.

2011-11-24T23:32:00.001-08:00

Josh and I just took a trip to the other side of the country. It was for Callie and Adam's wedding in the Washington D.C. LDS temple. It was long overdue that we have some time together, and we spent every minute of it well! The trip was long to get there, and we had a lot of details to figure out before we left, but it was worth it. The first day just consisted of travel, and checking out the temple grounds at night!

The next day was the marriage of these two lovebirds below!

Congratulations Adam and Callie!

Halloween!

2011-11-18T22:03:00.000-08:00

Halloween was CRAZY this year. It also seemed to last FOREVER, which the kids loved.

Kids dressed as In n Out workers and it was seriously the most complimented costume we have ever done.

Each of the kids were constantly being told by strangers their In n Out orders.

It was so funny!

Nick and Josh were an old married couple for Halloween.

It was at the very least HILARIOUS!

We ended up with more than 12 POUNDS of candy,

that the Pumpkin Fairy took away Halloween night.

Hee Hee

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-20T23:29:00.000-07:00

After Laney's field trip, we decided to take the whole family to Joan's pumpkin patch last weekend. Kylie and Mike and their girls came along too! It was fun to get outside and have some family time after a looooong week with Josh working late.

The Pictures speak for themselves. :)

Laney's first fieldtrip!

2011-10-20T23:24:00.000-07:00

Laney's first Kindergarten field trip to the pumpkin patch!

We went to Joan's farm with the entire Coyote Creek Kindergarten.

Laney got to listen to a story, poke her head in silly paintings, pick a pumpkin...and a baby pumpkin, eat a snack, play on haystacks and hang out with her mom. :)

This look is how I know Laney is starting to get overwhelmed with a big crowd.

Reminiscing

2011-10-18T22:44:00.000-07:00

I was just looking through blog posts and the song "Popular" came on from Wicked. It immediately took me back to the time Kadie and I went and saw Wicked. I can't believe that was over a year ago... Almost a year and a half!

It kind of made my heart sink a little because all of a sudden I feel like Kadie is getting older and grown up too fast.

Did I write about her crush yet? Nope...let me fill you in.

I pull up in front of the school to pick up Kadie. She runs over pulling her rolling backback and stops right outside the car and stares at me through the window with the SADDEST look on her face. When she gets in she starts to cry. I asked, "What's wrong?" Then Kadie (in the highest most sad voice) says, "I will tell you when I'm ready" (sniff).

When we were about home she turns to me and says "OK, I'm ready"
{GULP} I am thinking that maybe I am not ready to hear it...was she in trouble? Did she get bullied? Who is the bully? If it is those same stinkin' kids from last year they will have something coming to them...

Then Kadie (again in the highest most sad voice ever) says, "I wrote a love note and some boys took it away! Do I have to go to school tomorrow? They will tease me!" She was so sad and serious at the same time.

Love note? LOVE NOTE? Kadie wrote a LOVE note? What?

Luckily her friend Natasha saved the day when she stole the note back before the boys read the entire thing.

It said:

"Dear Jack,

I really like your handwriting.
I sort of have a crush on you.
Do you have a crush on me?

Love Kadie

Yes or No?"

Seriously, it was so cute. It was written on a yellow post-it. I wish I still had it to show her when she gets older. And though it was cute, it did scare me a little. Boys? Already? Holy Moly teen years are just around the corner. I do remember first "go-ing" with a boy in 3rd grade. But this really crept up on me.

The thing that bugs me is that I want to slow things down but they just seem to keep speeding up. If anyone figures out how to slow down life {almost to a stand-still} just until I am ready to move to the next phase, please let me know!

Ne-Five

2011-10-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Reading tonight with the kids...and Crew started saying Ne-Five over and over...

It only took us a few minutes to realize he was saying "Nephi". So cute. I love toddler words.

Crew is becoming quite the talker. He actually doesn't ever stop talking...or eating...or running. He is also very good at climbing and can now "Jump" up on the counter. You know, with the jump and then leg swing move...
Oh yes, and the drawing. He seems to think that saying "pease fishy?" in a cute questioning voice means "please draw with me?" I think it is because I was always saying "Do you want me to draw a fishy?" when we first started drawing as a distraction at church. Now Crew always has a crayon in hand and wants to draw on everything. If paper is present he will go for that first {thank goodness}. He is particularly obsessed with "spidermans" right now which are spiderwebs and spiders of all shapes and sorts. He can spot a spiderweb outside from 10 feet away.

I love my Crew boy.

Family Pictures

2011-10-10T18:57:00.000-07:00

My friend Winter came out last weekend and was so nice to take family pictures. Actually, it was so incredibly awesome because I have wanted some ever since Crew turned two.

Christmas Card Designing here I come!

Primary

2011-10-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

This is our ginormous primary. This picture has about 85% of the children.

The fact that the tiny nursery kids sat for the picture was so much fun. They had no idea what was going on and it just melted my heart when they came outside holding onto their rope with their leaders.

We have our primary program coming up very soon, and I think it is going to be awesome.

Choir

2011-10-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

Kadie had her very first Choir performance in the very first choir she has belonged to.

It was at a family owned pizza restaurant in Danville.

We ate pizza, listened to cute kids sing, and Crew and I walked around the block about 20 times.

Uncle Cade and Aunt Morgan came and even brought flowers for Kadie!

All Crew wanted to do was look for "spidermans" all over.

Great job singing Kadie!

2nd Tooth LOST

2011-09-01T21:16:00.000-07:00

Laney lost her second tooth! Two bottom front teeth missing now. :)

She also does not know the whereabouts of said tooth again. Just like when she lost her first tooth...she was eating an apple, and then it was gone! This time we know that she swallowed the tooth with the apple bite.

Luckily the tooth fairy still came!

Good job tooth fairy...way to be paying attention.

School! And some other stuff...

2011-08-31T22:37:00.000-07:00

School has started here in San Ramon. I am now the proud mother of a big {tiny} 3rd grader and a kindergartner! It is weird.

Kadie got an awesome teacher. We are so excited. She gives the kids hugs every morning. She started out as a social worker, a profession that pulls at my heart strings a bit. She discovered that she loved teaching through that. Her name is Mrs. Smart...how much better can that get? Kadie is loving school and has already completed a class presentation and learned 4 cursive letters. She loves 3rd grade. She is also doing so great at piano. She has already started composing her own little songs. I think she truly has a talent, and she loves it. We found her "thing". Yay!

Laney has another awesome teacher for Kindergarten. She didn't get Kadie's old Kindergarten teacher, and we were sad about that because we loved Mrs. Young. Laney's teacher is Mrs. Mochizuki...she is Australian born, and has lived all over the world. She seems very structured {good for Laney}, organized and fun. Laney is having over-sensory issues with the ginormous class size. 24 kids...could become 26 through the year. So sad. When Kadie was in Kindergarten she was so lucky to be in a looped class of 10 Kindergartners and 10 first graders. It was so cool to have so much time with the teacher. Her teacher truly knew her. I am hoping among the chaos of a larger class that Laney will be fine. But one full week of her having anxiety attacks is getting me worried. Every night she cries and says "There are just so many kids!" In the morning she does the same. It took me 30 minutes to get her to go into class on Tuesday. We made a star chart, and for every day that she goes into class and is brave {and doesn't come back out of class looking for me and Crew} she gets a star. 5 stars gets her an ice cream cone at the ice cream store, or a prize from the dollar section at Target. I love bribery...hopefully it works...and really it is actually just an incentive because she gets the reward after she goes to class. I feel good about the star chart. :)

Crew is having WAY too much fun bossing me around with no one else here. He started this new conversation thing where he starts out with "So...mom..." and waits for me to say "What Crew"...then he talks in French or something that sounds like French...although I can usually make out "Buzz, Woody, Cars, Daddy, Kadie, Laney..." He is a cutie. He is constantly asking for kisses, hugs, and saying "I Yuv You _____!" He says everything like it has an exclamation point at the end. He is so enthusiastic.

Josh is back to a busy schedule...I mean wait...He is just the same. Busy. But we came up with a plan where Sunday nights we choose one night that looks a little less busy in his schedule for him to come home and have dinner with me and the kids. It worked this week! Hoping we can keep it up. It is so nice for the kids to see their Dad during the week. He got awesome reviews this last year, I am so proud of him. Senior Manager here we come!

I am busy with projects of course. Just finished wedding invitations for my cousin. I also painted and redid Crew's room and Laney's. On to Kadie's room {painting}, the primary program, Waldron Family Cookbook, and Children's swap! Bring it on September!

Leisa :)

All Grown Up

2011-08-10T22:19:00.000-07:00

Usually that title would entail a cute story about one of my kids, but this time I am noticing how grown-up I am. The main thing I think is different about being 30 years old is that I truly feel like an adult. Maybe people will take me more seriously, which is something I never feel like I get since I am 5 feet tall and got married at 19. Now I can proudly say, I am THIRTY. I am starting to love the number...

That being said, my actual birthday was a little depressing. I guess I sort of felt like fireworks should have gone off or I could have been given a balloon bouquet or something. A few people called or texted, and two sweet friends brought over some flowers. I of course felt the Facebook Love. Josh stayed home to work - and I actually told him next year to take the whole day off or go to work. It is hard to keep 3 kids quiet when he gets on the phone. I think I cried like 3 times just being stressed out and feeling like a loser. Crying actually made me feel more pathetic too since I was now a grown-up but acting like a 2 year old. I even got mad at Josh for being so busy with work. So, Josh went to Dublin and picked up my favorite Thai food. My Mom, Dad, brothers, sister and her hubby came over and brought me a new rug, Pride and Prejudice and some sexy heels! I was feeling much better then. That night I fell asleep pooped from all of the laughter. We had a good time.

Josh had a date night planned and babysitter booked for the following night. It was just going to be the two of us. We showed up at the restaurant and went to our table only to find a table full of friends that had known about my birthday dinner for weeks! Josh was so sly, I had no idea. It was one of the best group dates I have ever been on!

To make things even better, when I woke up the next morning Josh told me I had to get up and get ready. When I asked why he said, "You are going on a shopping spree" and handed me an envelope full of money. It was another fun surprise, and I spent every cent. I still feel guilty thinking about it, but it was definitely a guilty pleasure. :) Thanks babe for a great birthday and for taking the mean stares and crying fits without spoiling the surprise! I love you.

Here's to being 30 and grown up!

Thirty

2011-08-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

About an hour and half until the big 3-0 for me.

I am really excited to be in my thirties, but sad to say bye bye to my twenties. :(
It has been a good decade for me...a wild ride I must say. Josh was there through my entire twenties, and Kadie was there for 9 years of it. Weird! College, working, starting a family, supporting a career...I never thought I would have all of that going on for my entire twenties...maybe the thirties will provide me with a little bit of a slower pace.

Ya, probably not...

Cheers to being thirty flirty and thriving!!!

XOXO

Kadie the third grader

2011-08-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

Kadie just turned 9 years old last Sunday. I can't believe it has been almost a decade since she was born!

She hardly asked for anything this year, but did mention a few things she might like. We decided it would be a great idea to get her a camera. Turns out it was a FANTASTIC idea. She had learned how to take pictures, and turn them into a slide show with music and everything in the first 30 minutes.

My favorite things about Kadie the 9 year old:

She loves to read and alternates between 4-5 books at the same time.

She LOVES to sing and play the piano. She has been taking piano for about 7 months now and it is totally her "thing". I can tell music will be a big part of her life.

Kadie wants to babysit already. I left her in charge while I took dinner over to our neighbor who was moving and she planned crafts and a movie for the 15 minutes I was gone.

She has started drawing from memory and/or life. Her imagination is amazing.

She wants to be a mother, a teacher, a photography, a painter, a "craft-er", and anything else that requires her to use her creativity. The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree.

I am so blessed to have her in my life. She is always watching out for me, and I know we will be great friends when she grows up. :)

Love you Kadie! Happy Birthday!

Pirate Day!

2011-07-14T22:01:00.001-07:00

We started off Pirate Day making a craft!Travertine Coasters are fun for any age.Just slap on some paint, some felt on the back,seal them and Voila!

Your one of a kind coaster for your favorite beverage.

Grandma Pack declared herself Queen!

Skylar reclaimed Harper from Crew's clutch.

Morgan sported a fancy "stache".

This meant it was time for an awesome TREASURE HUNT!

The girls got staches, tatoo's and chest hair via eye liner.

One More Time...

2011-07-14T21:55:00.000-07:00

The kids LOVE exploring at the tide pools. We went one more time before we left our beloved Shelter Cove. It was a good thing too! There were Starfish galore! And Kadie found the smallest starfish and crab ever before. She cried when we had to "set them free". :(

This was no easy task. The water was seriously beyond ice cold...

but I got the starfish.

Up North July 4th!

2011-07-14T21:47:00.000-07:00

Shelter Cove Day Two: 4th of July!

Red, White, and Blue Day! We went to the annual Shelter Cove Parade that lasted all but 3 and a half minutes. The kids got candy thrown and engines revved at them. We ate fish and chips, and played in the hot sun!

One of my favorite parts of the day was when Crew was obsessed with his "BeBe" Harper.

He really thought she belonged to him. It was so cute. I miss her squishiness!

Shelter Cove Beach Day!

2011-07-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...

I think this trip of ours to Shelter Cove was well worth the 1,000 pictures I took.

They all spelled out one word...

F-U-N!!!

Day One: Beach Day!

Full of sun, starfish, sand, and silliness.

Laney as a "dead mermaid".

Quick Post

2011-06-13T23:05:00.000-07:00

I have no time to catch up with my blog...I don't think I have EVER just not blogged about a trip or milestone...but too much has happened and I just don't have the time to catch up.

Here is a quick glimpse of the past month so I have it minimally recorded for my sake.

We had a fun Utah trip last month! Loved seeing family, and a cousin married - hated throwing up out the side of the car because I had food poisoning on our way there. Worst 5 hours of my life...

Some of our closest friends moved away. :( The Ellsworths. We have known them since their oldest Brock was 1 week old. Leslee and I were pregnant together 2 times! We had the ultimate 6 night sleepover with their family. Each of us has 3 kids...and all six of them are awesome kids. I miss the Ellsworth's!

Kadie had her first piano recital last weekend! She did awesome. Aunt Morgan and Grammy and Grandpa came and brought her so many flowers she could hardly carry them. She was so cute.

School ended. Kadie is now a 3rd grader and Laney will be in Kindergarten! Next school year is going to be the best yet. I can't wait.

Laney started reading! She is sounding out and trying to spell things all of the time. I keep finding notes all over the house in her "language". I love that spunky kid. She also gave her first primary talk, and she did great. She added her own little flair of course, the primary kids were all laughing.

Josh is still working 80-100 hr weeks. I'm not sure if I had a (or multiple) nervous breakdown(s) yet, but I think I do remember being tied up in a white jacket. Not really, but we have learned to play hard on the weekends again. No moment is wasted. :) And...the kids sleep pretty darn good Saturday and Sunday night after a full day of family time.

I have changed a lot in the past few months myself. For the first time in a long time I have stepped back and I am taking the slower road. I guess I got sick of life seeming like a race. I still want to be in the race, but it doesn't really matter to me when I finish it now. I want to take everyday one at a time instead of waiting for the next big thing to happen. Not everything is crossed off on my list everyday, and it is actually a good feeling to know the world didn't end because my list is still full. I took the work out of my hobbies and found the love in creating again, for myself and my kids. For the first time in YEARS, I have actually taken time to relax! I sat down with Josh and watched an entire movie without making something at the same time, and I enjoyed it! Life is getting good. I have so much to be thankful for.

Where's your Tooth?!?!

2011-05-31T16:49:00.000-07:00

Laney has already lost her first tooth!

After biting into an apple during our Utah trip last week, she loosened one of her front bottom tiny teeth. Her teeth are so tiny. It has been getting progressively looser and looser all week. (Is looser a word?)

Yesterday, she ran in to wake me up by yelling "It's gone. My tooth is just gone!". She was so excited, until I asked, "Where is it?", to which Laney did NOT know the answer. She was about 70% sure she didn't swallow it in her sleep. Kadie is sure she saw it fall out of Laney's mouth and onto a blanket on the couch, but that it was lost when Kadie lifted the blanket up.

We searched and searched, to no avail. Said tooth is lost. Twice lost.

The Toothfairy was kind enough to leave a whopping $5 bill under Laney's pillow last night.

Lucky girl.

My Josh...

2011-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Cinco De Mayo, and Happy Anniversary to US!

Warning: This is mushy and squishy and specifically written for Josh...ok. I have warned.

Since I met Josh 11 1/2 years ago, I haven't seen anything in front of me except him.

After only 2 months of dating, I knew he was who I wanted to {hopefully} marry and be with forever.

There have been a few definite moments in our marriage that were almost more than I could handle, and through my craziness he stood by me. I knew we loved each other when we got married, but I had no idea how much that could grow. I also knew he would be a good father and husband, but I had no idea what an AMAZING father and husband he would be.

We were so cheesy when we were first together. We spent pretty much EVERY minute together. We wrote love notes. We took walks every day. We spent hours on the phone when we weren't together. Then, we spent the hours we had together telling each other what we loved about one another.

Times have changed so much in 11 1/2 years. I like to call it Modern cheesy! Instead of written love notes, we send emails and texts. I don't know what I would do with out being able to send Josh an instant message and instantly get a reply. No matter how hard it is between work and kids, we make time in our separate schedules so that we have time together. Then, we spend the time we do have together talking about all of the work and the kids.

I just wanted to write down, how thankful I am to have someone like Josh in my life. Of course our marriage isn't perfect, and there is always room for improvement - especially on my end. What I am thankful for is that Josh doesn't ever comment on my flaws, he cheers me on in all of the good things he see's in me. That cheering is what gives me energy and makes me want to be a better wife, mother, and person.

Happy Anniversary My Josh, I love you!

Here are some fun photos through the years...

Sleeping Habits

2011-04-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

It all started when we had our friends the Tramleasure's staying with us amid a move...

Laney offered to sleep in her tent, so that they could have her bed.

I found her a few times under her bed, or back in the tent, or inside a fort fast asleep.

Now she seems to be moving into other parts of the house.

I think I see a future in espianage or something in the military.

Looks like a normal door, but once opened you can't get in!

I had to push and shove my way into Crew's room,

only to find this (ALL of this) stacked up behind the door.

The curtains were askew as well, so I investigated...

Laney's new sleeping spot!

The funniest part of it is that she was not in the room.

I have no idea how she got all of the stuff stacked up behind the door so that no one could get in,

yet she got out!?!?

Easter

2011-04-25T22:24:00.000-07:00

Laney is a big fan of rainboots lately...

I was lucky she didn't ask to wear them to church!

Ending with a nice game of DOMINION.

I think Settlers has been left in the dust...

This Easter was pretty low key for us. We didn't go out of town. We really were just happy to spend some time together with Josh! I didn't freak out over the kids outfits like last year. We matched, and it was cute and simple and fun. I am so grateful to have a Heavenly Father to thank for all of my blessings and a Savior to thank for all of the healing I need. This year so far, I have a special place in my hear for our Savior and all he atoned. It has been a huge blessing in my life.

Waldron Family Weekend!

2011-04-25T21:52:00.000-07:00

The very next weekend after Harper's blessing, we headed up to Roseville to meet up with Jake, Andrea and Grandma and Grandpa Waldron. We were excited to see everyone! Especially Michael who was so much bigger than the last time we saw him at his blessing...and we got to see Jake and Andrea's new house!

The girl cousins!

Kadie, Laney and Morgan

Bowling is a Waldron tradition!

Laney was literally shot putting the ball down the lane.

I was jealous of Leon's perfect form!

Michael loved his "push-pop".

Kadie didn't have the best time at first...

Laney was impatient waiting for her ball each turn, tapping her foot with her hands on her hips.

Off to the Park! Silly faces and chubby baby boy!

Kadie loved playing with Baby Michael.

More chubby baby pics!

Morgan tried winking!

We even got her to be sassy for a minute!

Family of Four!

Crew was worn out the whole weekend. He actually had a fever for most of our trip, and once we were home I discovered a molar in the back of his mouth! Poor Crew boy.

How to Swing:

By Kadie and Laney Waldron

Perfect Form!

Laney was nominated family swing pusher...

Jake didn't get bucked off the wild stallion!

Back to the house for fun and games,

including but not limited to an Easter Egg hunt!

Baby Michael!

We had such a great time seeing everyone and catching up!

Thanks for a great weekend Waldron's!

Blessing Day!

2011-04-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

WARNING: Lots and Lots and LOTS of pictures

So much fun

Highlights from the Blessing Day:

Crew dumping out an entire bag of treats before the blessing

Mike wiring himself to record the words of the blessing: James Bond Style.

Crew locking himself in the church kitchen

The whole Family!!!

So Sassy, I love it!

Squishy!

Not for realz, but I would say she is up next. :)

Sisters!

Some Darn Good Lookin' Grandparents!

More DOMINION!

Cute Hats, I want one. :)

Thanks for a fun weekend everyone! And mostly to Ky and Mikey.

It was a pleasure to meet you Miss Harper. :)

Harper's Weekend

2011-04-11T21:41:00.000-07:00

Our entire family went to Reno this last weekend. Some of us to meet Harper for the first time! And we were all there to support them in blessing little Harper. When I say little, I mean a 3 month old who is barely 10 lbs...she was so cute. And I was happy she stayed small. I guess it is okay for her to grow now.

She looks JUST LIKE Kylie when Ky was a wee little one.

Weekend Weirdness from Josh Laney

The Guys playing "DOMINION"

Plants vs. Zombies

The Proud Father!

The Comfoltey Brothers

Happy Birthday to Alex!

21 years young! Woot!

Harper and her Grammy. :)

Crew is Two! 2! Two!

2011-04-11T21:32:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Crew is two years old!

He is growing up too fast.

We spent the weekend in Reno for baby Harper's blessing, and because all of the family was there, everyone also got to celebrate Crew's Birthday! It was also a birthday celebration for Alex and Mike's brother Nick.

Party Hardy!

Crew is more than obsessed with Disney's "Cars" right now...

and he got his share of Cars toys for his special day.

The Girls having fun with Crew's "Cars" stickers. :)

Crew is also enchanted with Disney's "Toy Story" and one of his first words was

"Buzz".

Crew's Milestones!

at 2 years

Crew is learning all sorts of boy noises...mostly sounds of engines.

He can throw a ball pretty far, and almost anything else.

Crew sounded French at first, but is quickly gaining and American accent.

He can jump off of almost anything and "stick-it" on the landing.

Crew is hollow, and eats all day long trying to fill every crevice.

He can open almost anything, including child protective pill bottles and DVD cases.

Crew still likes to eat dirt and sand, even though he spits it out every time.

He can spot a piece of candy from a mile away.

Crew can pronounce his letters very well, our favorite sounds are his "sh" and "z".

Crew's words, (and their meanings)

Cars Cars Cars Cars Cars - I am obsessed with Cars and that is why I say it 5 times

Nigh Nigh - Goodnight

I wu woooooooooooo - I love you

Heh-wow - Hello?

Nanny Nanny Nanny - I am almost as obsessed with Candy as cars, so I say it 3 times

No! - No!

Dive Dive Dive - I am pretending to drive my car

Shoe (lips puckered again) - Let's put on my shoes

Ow-Sighee - I want to go outside

Eh-Pane - Airplane!

Keeeeey - Kitty!

Up - Lift me up (or sometimes it means put me down)

Down - Put me down (or sometimes it means lift me up)

Dweeee - I want a drink

Pess Pay - Press Play

Show - Turn on a show

Shek - Shrek!

Pah Perzzzz - I would like some Crackers

Wishy Wishy? - Can I have some Fishy crackers?

Buzz an Wooeeee - Buzz and Woody (Toy Story)

Pizza - Pizza, Quesadilla, really anything cooked on the stove he calls Pizza

Jesus - hey, there's Jesus! (when he see's a picture of Jesus of course)

Apple - I want an apple (his favorite fruit)

Ah-sauce - I really want some Apple Sauce

Hi Dad! - (Says it any time he see's me on the phone)

Marmie, Mommy, Mom, Mam - ...I don't know why he says my name so many ways

Kayeee, Nayneeee, Tu - Kadie Laney and Crew!

Doose (lips puckered) - I am thirsty and want some juice

Ball - I want that ball!

Peese - Please

Ownge (lips puckered again) - Can I eat an Orange?

Nana? - Can I have a Banana?

Feh Fize - French Fries

Wow! I didn't know he knew so many words.

Happy Birthday Crew Boy!

We love you!

Hiking in Sunol

2011-04-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

My friend Libby asked us to go on a hike the Monday of spring break. We were headed to Sunol where Loralee and I tried to go at one point and completely got lost. We ended up in Hayward, don't ask me how??? But this time we made it safely and in a timely manner! My girls and Libby's boys were a good match in "nature". I think we will turn this little hiding place into one of our own. :)

Banana Slug. Yuck!

Laney didn't even try to jump in the water,

AMAZING!

"How to throw a Rock"

by Crew.

"How to enjoy Nature"

Again, by Crew.

Kadie and her Lizard pet...

I don't know how she catches them so fast!

Gratefully Stressed

2011-03-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

Josh has been clocking 90+ hour weeks out of the home - make that 100+ if you count commute time, and bringing work home on top of that. He also has been out of town a ton this year. Poor guy is just going to fall over into a sleeping coma any day now.

A shop I sell my jewelry at in Reno was burglarized, and all of my jewelry stolen, but I should get an insurance check for 70% of what was taken.

I am hosting a "children's swap" at the end of the month, and haven't even gone through my items.

I have a list of growing favors I have agreed to do for people, and I have no time to work on it.

My garage is now full of Craigslist finds. As a defense mechanism, when Josh is gone I find more projects for myself, or I eat. This year I have been doing both.

After all of these stresses...I realize how grateful I am for them being so small. I almost feel guilty for even admitting being stressed with all that is going on in Japan. I feel like the Second Coming is around the corner. I just wanted to document for my own sake all of the things I am grateful for in these scary and dangerous times.

My generally healthy children

My husbands job that provides us great health insurance and stability

The talents that I use to get me through busy times

Amazing friends who are always watching out for me

Extra icing on the cake for me right now...

People willing to "swap" their kids clothing with mine

The free section on craigslist

If you hate reading mushy stuff then skip this next little part...

When I am having one of those terrible horrible no good days, I am going to remember how my stresses are truly a blessing for me and for my family. What would I do without such a hardworking husband who is so willing to do anything for me, and still goes to the store for me at midnight. What would I do without the ability to create anything! I use my talents everyday. What would I do without such lovable and cute kids following me around begging me to play with them. I am so flattered they want to spend every minute with me. And of course, for everything I thank my Heavenly Father.

Josh travels to London

2011-02-25T22:57:00.000-08:00

Why Hello there dear friends!

I'm a young chap from the States with a hankering for authentic fish and chips.

Why don't we travel on over to London for a bite and I will give you a tour on our way!

After that 10 hour flight I need to stretch my limbs.

Let's start our walk off at Trafalgar Square!

Look, look...look! Over there!

Aw, you missed it. The Queen was waving at us from Buckingham Palace!

Don't I look good next to the gold plated gates?

Right around the corner is the Tower of London Castle and the Tower Bridge!

The gate at the bottom is the Traitors Gate where prisoners would enter the castle.

My favorite song is "London Bridge is Falling Down," I like to do the actions and everything!

Let's sing it a round or two while we gander at the London Tower Bridge!

Some signs in London look different than in the States.

Instead of Yield look for "Give Way"

Instead of Exit look for a sign that reads "Way Out"

And if you see a sign for a Queue...that is where you should line up.

Also, KFC is much nicer here and is two stories tall!

Let's take a picture in front of the London Eye.

You won't get me up there until I have had my fish and chips.

I don't want to get queasy now.

Do you have the time? Oh wait, I think I hear the chime of Big Ben.

It is so convenient having a giant clock tower I can see almost anywhere in London.

You may have hear of St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir Winston Churchill's funeral was held here.

Now you can see it!

London is busy busy right now getting ready for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Let us get some snap shots of Westminster Abbey! Remember when Princess Diana and Prince Charles were married there? Carla Laney does.

The city of London is three times as busy at night than during the day.

It is fun to see the city with the lights of Harrod's, Big Ben, and the London Eye.

Let's go grab a bite before it gets too late or too busy!

Ah, these pepper and vinegar fish and chips were just what I needed.

Thanks for the company around London!

Until next time!

Cheers!

Where Josh was today...

2011-02-21T19:58:00.000-08:00

I am officially jealous. Just look at this! I don't know if Josh is drooling over all of the awesome architecture like I would if I was there. All of my art history teachers would be scolding me for not hiding away in Josh's suitcase. I am getting a passport ASAP.

Westminster Abbey

My mom will probably try to tag along if Josh goes to London again anytime soon, or in her lifetime!

Makes me miss Princess Diana just looking at it, and I am almost positive that my mom knows everything about Princess Diana. I can't wait to see pictures of the upcoming Royal Wedding.

Where Josh is Sleeping tonight...and tomorrow...

2011-02-20T22:20:00.000-08:00

Talked with Josh twice today...and I wish I was in London with him.

Here is his place for the next couple of nights, not too shabby!

He left 7:00 pm Saturday, arrived 1:15 pm in London Sunday where they are about 8 hours ahead. He slept 3 hours on the plane which meant he got in 3 hours of sleep in 32 hours. Not much different than here at home lately during this crazy busy season.

Josh saw all that he could in 1/2 day today, but tomorrow it is work work work. Tuesday it is work work work, and then catch an 11 hour red eye to Chicago for a lay-over. Then another 5 hour flight back to SFO. I am not jealous of the lay-over and flights, but I am sure he will use it wisely for sleep.

I can't wait to see all of his pictures and get my prize! He got me a prize. :)

Where Josh is Sleeping tonight...

2011-02-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

Not like our bed, but at least it is Business Class! In 10.5 hours Josh will be in London.
I am just a little bit envious...

He was practicing his British accent all day. :)

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T16:09:00.000-08:00

What I love about my family...

Josh: Enthusiasm for life. He really wants to add exciting things everyday. Right now he wants to move to London. Don't know if that will happen, but it is exciting just to think about! Also, he is never worrying out loud about things. Very good at keeping his cool when I, as you know...am not!

Kadie: Wants to make everything she owns/touches just a little bit prettier. I feel like I am watching an 8 year old movie of myself. She worries about everything, makes crafts with anything she can find, and doesn't like when someone is mad at her. She also loves to talk and tell stories, and she thinks she is so funny - which makes her even more funny. She is my mini-me.

Laney: Seems to make everything in all of our lives a lot funnier and more exciting. She is also the most sensitive and loving 5 year old I know. She hugs me when I am sad, and smiles at me when I am getting frustrated. She can raise my temperature to a boil, and then simmer it down just as fast. :) Never a dull moment with that one. :)

Crew: I love his French accent. And he loves me so much. I love how much he loves me so much. He always wants me to hold him, and he snuggles now. And he says everything so cute and in a positive tone - even though we can only understand 5% of it.

I also would like to tell Diet Coke that I love it too. And I miss cheese a lot... Even though I don't eat it hardly at all anymore, I still love it because of all of the good memories of eating it before now.

Happy Valentines Day!

What do you love?

The Fancy Schmancy Tea Party Birthday!

2011-02-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

Look who is now a 5 year old!

Laney asked to have a "Fancy" party for her big 5 year old debut.

I was just a little excited when Kadie suggested a Tea Party and Laney jumped aboard that idea.

I will admit I went overboard, but it was definitely worth it!

The Birthday Girl!

Simple decorations outside...

Inside Decor...

We used my pop-up tent and set it up in the play room so that we could have decorations hanging above the tea tables. We had to put together 3 tables for the "Fancy Tea Table" because 18 of the 20 children we invited came to the party! Streamers, Doilies, and of course PINK!

The Food...

Tiny treats for those with a sweet tooth

The Cake...

Believe it or not, this was my first attempt at fondant.

It was like playing with playdough.

I covered the cake with fondant flowers, and adorned it with a tiny fairy tea set.

Laney LOVED her fancy cake.

The People...

I am so lucky to have a mother, sister and brother-in-law that were willing to dress-up and put on an act for the kids, Queen of England style!

Arrival:

Kids decorated name cards and placed them at the Giant Tea Table

in the open spot they wanted to sit.

Game:

We played a Tea Party Spoon race outside.

Kids had to scoop up a spoonful of tiny marshmallows and race to the end to fill up their tea cup.

There were a lot of marshmallows in the grass afterward.

Dress Up:

After the racing, we came in and played dress-up to get everyone fancy for our tea party.

The girls made Fancy Tea Party Hats with butcher paper and adorned them with flowers and feathers.

There was candy jewelry, feather boas, and beads galore for the girls as well.

The boys decorated top hats and cardboard ties with stickers and crayons.

How to make a Fancy Paper Hat!

For more detailed instructions, you can click here.

Tea Time:

Once we were all dressed, it was time for tea!

Or at least, sandwiches, crackers, and snacks.

Tea Party Etiquette:

My favorite part of the party, was when all 18 kids sat at the table,

and they were almost completely silent, eating their snacks.

While they were eating I told them some silly tea party etiquette.

For instance: drink with your pinky's up, and perhaps they could talk with an accent!

Laney almost freaked out when she had to wait for her birthday cake while everyone ate.

But soon enough, it was time!

I am so fortunate to have a brother-in-law that will act as a servant to 18 little 3-5 year olds.

Thank you Cade!

I think Laney's favorite part was everyone singing "Happy Birthday to You!"

and of course blowing out the candles.

Present Time:

Laney opened some presents, and actually it was A LOT of presents with 18 kids attending.

While that craziness was happening, we turned on Alice in Wonderland for the kids to watch.

End of Party Activities:

Kadie put herself in charge of a ribbon dancer follow-the-leader game,

and some kids continued watching Alice in Wonderland.

Crew was happy as long as he had his "Nanny" (Candy).

Picture Time:

Before anyone left, we had to get some pictures of these fancy little kids.

I have to say...I think they do fancy quite well.

Thanks everyone for helping to put on a great show for the kids!

And most of all...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANEY!!!

We love you the mostest. :)

P.S. Josh (below) after the party and an 82 hour work week,

not counting commute time. Poor Joshy. :(

Sweet Spirited

2011-02-07T22:36:00.000-08:00

Tonight was such a cute night with the girlies. Out of nowhere Laney wanted to watch "The Testaments".

She found it all on her own in our DVD cabinet and brought it to me. She said we should watch a Jesus movie. I didn't hesitate because honestly I hadn't prepared anything for Family night.

We watched the whole thing, and both girls were so "into" the video. Crew was even screaming "NO, oh NO!" at the bad guys. Laney looked like she was about to cry afterward, and when I asked if she was okay, she just asked me, "why did they have to nail His hands mama?" It was so sweet. She was genuinely upset, and compassionate, and it was an amazing opportunity for me to bear my testimony to them, and have a heart felt conversation about the Savior. Kadie said a sweet prayer blessing us to be together forever.

We had such a special moment together. I love that my little girls are sensitive and "sweet spirited". I have decided that it is a very good thing to have a sweet spirit.

Harper Rose

2011-01-17T21:46:00.000-08:00

This is my new niece!

Harper Rose Comfoltey

Born January 12th, at 5lbs 2 oz tiny.

I am going absolutely bonkers not being able to see or hold her yet.

She is so adorable.

We love you Ky, Mike, and Sky and of course teeny tiny Harper. :)