Happy St. Patrick's Day!...

Keeping with tradition, a picture medley of Zach's facial expressions and poses. This time Kung Fu style...Unfortunately, I wasn't blogging when Zach was younger(2 1/2 yrs.), but I did in fact take pictures. It is amazing how fast kids grow. But the personality just seems to enhance! I can't wait to get them printed and onto this layout that I made for my scrapclub this month!

This year we celebrated St. Patrick's Day with our first ever corned beef and cabbage meal with our friends, the Broadbents, and their family. It is going to be a sad day when we have to move in just 3 short months. We are really going to miss them.

Today was also special because Justin was able to go to Zach's pre-school class today to help out. Zach loved it!






I took these when he was 2 and half. Funny how we seem to keep dressing him in these green soccer shirts. We really aren't trying to force him into this sport or anything. HA!

More From the Mouth of Zach...

"Mom, I love you!" (While he is standing behind me, with his arms wrapped around my legs)..."I love you more than my army guys!" ( Walking away into the other room) Will he stay this way forever?...I hope! I guess I am just happy to beat out those Toy Story Army guys these days.

Nine Years Ago...

Justin had been off his mission for about a month and a half when he asked me out on our second date to Tucanos for Valentine's day. At that time I was just happy I had been asked out on a date for Valentine's day. I had no idea that we would get married two years later, but I can say, that on that date, I realized he was definitely someone special. We were pretty much attached at the hip from that day forward.

For Valentine's day this year, I thought it would be fun to go again. This time we invited our friends, the Hoelzers, to come with us. Tyler is also in the residency at the U with Justin, and Ali and I have become great friends. Her last two kids are the same ages as Zach and Kate.



For the kids we made them pancakes, with a few of them heart-shaped, and gave them a few treats. Later that night, we went over the uncle Jeff's and aunt Britt's house for dinner, and afterward the kids got to decorate sugar cookies and dip strawberries into chocolate. Needless to say they had a very sweet Valentine's Day. In Zach's words, "This is the bestest day ever!"

Check Out...

Justin's new Pearly Whites! He got his braces off, and could not be happier about the outcome. What a boost of confidence this brings. And what a handsome daddy and hubby the kids and I are spoiled with.

I Should Be Worried...

Tonight after FHE, we were eating our treat and Justin says, "Guess what is this week?" Zach says, "What?" Justin answered, "Valentine's Day!...(and goes on to say)guess who I get to go out on a date with?" Zach replied, "Oh, are you going on a date with Kate?" Justin answered, "No." Zach replied again, "Austen?" I busted out laughing. I can only think Zach's response is due to two things. 1. That we obviously don't go out on dates enough, or 2. I need to seriously be worried...
Did I mention I love this kid?



This picture was taken over Christmas break. We went to the Children's Museum in Portland, and they had an area where the kids could do their own face painting. This is what Zach created for himself.

The Things They Say...

Zach said this to Justin tonight...

"Dad to be a dentist you first have to go to college, and then be resurrected."

We love this boy! I am pretty sure he means residency but resurrected is just as good. He has also been into making what he calls commercials. Enjoy!

Even Kate is Addicted...

Every day Kate gets her clothes on and loops her purse over her shoulder and asks to go to...

We're Talkin' Bowel Movements...

On Wednesday I was cooking dinner and Zach calls to me, after coming out of the bathroom, "Mom! My poop was so big, it was just like popcorn balls, and they liked just popped out of my bum...I even left them in the toliet so you can see (as he is covering his mouth making hee hee sounds). So come take a look!"

Are you kidding me? I don't think I am ready for this stage. I know every boy goes through this and some never seem to grow out of it, or at least never hesitate to laugh at this sort of topic of conversation. Hopefully this will pass quickly. From the texts Justin and his good buddy Austen share during work, I am not holding out much hope. We won't even go there, all I can say is Life Father, Like Son.

Grandma suggested taking a picture of it for memory sake. She was joking, but sadly enough, I did, but spared the blog...you can thank me later.

On a happier note though, that very same day Kate was browsing through the Friend, probably more like looking through the Friend, trying to decide which page to rip out, but when she flipped to the full page picture of Jesus, she pointed to it and said, "Mommy! Jesus!" She melts my heart with those pouty lips and squishy cheeks.



My sis-in-law, Mari, took this picture of Kate over the Holiday Break. She is so talented!

Christmas Bits and Pieces...

This year we spent Christmas in Portland with the Thompson side of the family. We had a great time playing with all the cousins and enjoyed spending time with the family. It is always bettersweet to come back home. If only Christmas lasted the entire year. Here are a few of the highlights.

This year was the FIRST year Zach was excited to see Santa. Kate, the little social butterfly that she is, did not even hesitate to get up on his lap. She was mostly interested in his beard.



For our Christmas Eve nativity Zach played the role of a wiseman, and Kate the sheep. They don't look too thrilled to be in their costumes in this picture, but I have to say that they were the most reverent wiseman and sheep I have ever seen.



Zach is obsessed with anything and everything ARMY! Every day I would ask Zach what he wanted for Christmas and he would reply, "Army picture, Army suit, Army gun, etc." I am happy to report that Santa delivered. He puts this little get up on every day and let's his imagination run wild. His bombing and shooting sounds he makes with his mouth are priceless. True boy I tell you.



When this little peanut wasn't sneaking off into the bathroom to make a mess of Grandma's make-up you could find her with pen and paper. She is never without it! As well as never without her necklaces and bracelets. To feed her obsession of drawing Santa brought Kate her "Pimpess" (princess) color wonders.



Now back to the grind...it is hard to believe that we are only here in Utah for 6 more months. We better start playing and taking advantage of all the places and things Utah has to offer.

More Pictures...

We also got Kate's 2 year old pictures and Zach's 5 year old pictures done at the same time. Ginnie, again, did such a great job.