Jake and Addy's school is having a reading contest right now and the school that has the most minutes wins a Jazz player party. The kids are really excited and Jake is determined to read at least 60 minutes a day. I caught him and his buddy catching some last minute reading before heading off to school this morning. 
Addy could not miss out on all the fun Kendyl was having so last night she came down dressed up as "SUPER Z MAN /POWER RANGER" girl. So funny. Maybe I can get Jake to dress up but I doubt it. He is way too grown up for that. 
This week Kendyl's school is having spirit week which really means dress up and have fun week. Today was "SuperHero" day. Some of the other days have been cowboy day, backwards Day, crazy hair day, and pajama day. She dressed up in Jake's "SUPER Z MAN" costume. It was hilarious. I remember Jake went through a phase where he would wear this costume every day, so funny. I think he might have even worn it out in public a couple of times which is so funny because now Jake gets embarrassed if someone even catches him in his pajamas and he goes to great lengths to hide if he is wearing them and the doorbell rings. This costume comes with a darling mask but for some reason I couldn't get Kendyl to wear that part. I wonder why. 
Addy lost a front tooth last night. She was so brave and didn't cry at all. Actually, that isn't true. It was hanging by a string and would move when she breathed in and out, so it actually just "FELL" out. The look on her face when she went to wiggle it and it just came off in her fingers was priceless. She looks so grownup and it has even effected her talking. I guess she really is growing up after all. SAD!!
WARNING: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! 
Last night I was watching Mama Mia with Addy and Jake I love this movie. I have seen it three times. I still can't get Dean to watch it with me though, but I haven't given up hope. During the movie Addy turns to move all serious and says "Mom, I really love singing but I don't want to go on American Idol." HA! HA!
BEFORE
AFTER
This is just a funny side note. It never fails that whenever we do our balloon tradition, at least someone gets their balloon stuck in a tree. I hate to admit this but this year one of those balloons was mine. We all had a good laugh remembering what happened at last year's birthday party. Jake got his balloon stuck in a tree and was very upset about it. Kendyl was trying to help so she got Jake up on her shoulders and gave Jake a big stick to try and hit it out. The only thing he succeeded in hitting was Kendyl with the stick. Thank goodness no permanent damage was done. I only wish we had it on video, maybe I could have won some money on Funniest Videos.
If roses grow in Heaven,
Kendyl and Grandma Linda had such a cute relationship. They adored each other. She was the only grandchild until Jake came along. Kendyl's favorite memories of Grandma are the many sleepovers they would have, playing Hungry Hungry Hippos and painting pet rocks together.
Monday, January 19th was my mom's birthday so my family and I decided we were going to have a birthday party for her. We started off at her favorite burger place "Eat A Burger." WOW!! You've got to love those fries. I remember many times going to this same place when I was little with my mom and dad. The kids like the food but their favorite part was the old jukebox. I wonder how much money we spent at the jukebox keeping them entertained? After we were all done eating, we all headed to the cemetery. For a long time I couldn't go there but now I find it peaceful and a happy place to go. My kids even call it the park. It is even funner in the summer when the ducks are out and there is no snow and it is WARM. We started this tradition quite a while ago, where we write love notes and attach them to balloons and send them up to heaven. I love this tradition. The kids look forward to it every year. After watching the balloons until we couldn't see them any more, the kids ran around and played in the snow and we all shared our favorite memories of her. I am so grateful for this and am grateful for them sharing their stories so I can keep her memory with me and share it with our children. I am so grateful for my dad and sisters and their familes and I love spending time with them. I am so incredibly grateful for eternity and that someday I will be with her again forever. I love you MOM!!
Last Saturday our ward had a sledding party. The kids loved it. I thought the hills were big, steep and scary but both Jake and Addy had a ball. Jake immediately found some friends and didn't stop sledding until it was time to go. The first time Addy went down the hill, I held my breath at the bottom but she loved it and continued to do it over and over again. So much fun! They can't wait to do it again. 
I'm surprised this picture is not just a blur because I don't think he stopped once the whole night. 
You can't tell in this picture but she was scooting so hard, her cheeks were bright red until we got home. 
Isn't she beautiful. 
This picture is so funny. I think he forgot how to stop and so he ran into the curb and actually fell down. Thank goodness there were no little kids in the way but he is a quick learner and it only took a couple times to remember. At least he was willing to try, I couldn't. Someone had to take pictures right? 
Last night Jake and Addy's school had their twice annual "SKATE NIGHT." Addy gave me the invitation last week and I quickly hid it, hoping she would forget about it but both their teachers did a great job of promoting it this year so we went skating. It was actually really fun. Jake immediately found his friends from school and I would just catch a glimpse of him as he passed me by. Addy found a couple of her friends and would scoot around the rink and wave, making sure I was still there every time she passed. I have learned in years past that it is much easier to bring the little one's scooters and let them just go, than to try to help both of them skate. Kendyl found a couple friends but I think she had more fun skating with Dean. It was so cute, he asked her on her first SNOWBALL DANCE (boys choice song). The kids were exhausted when it ended and my stomach was sore from laughing so much. We can't wait to go again. 
The other day I was cleaning out my cupboards and guess what I found? The turkey wishbone that I had drying out from Christmas. I hid it to prevent fighting and then promptly forgot about it. Kendyl was babysitting that night so I let Jake and Addy make their wishes and pull away. It broke right down the middle so I told them they both get wishes. They were so funny. They wouldn't tell me what their wishes were because if you do that, then they don't come true you know. Later that night as I was putting Addy to bed, she asked me "how does that wishing thing work anyway?" So funny. 
Last night I was upstairs on the computer, Dean was at work and Kendyl was at Young Womens and Jake and Addy had been fighting and teasing each other all night it seemed. I noticed it had gotten really quiet and that always concerns me. I went downstairs and Jake had carved their names out of the play-doh. SO CUTE!!! I had to add this post so that I can always remember that they do like each other, at least most of the time. 
I forgot to add this picture to my New Years Eve post and it is so funny, I just had to stick it in here. Dean took Kendyl and her friend Maddie to her house for their sleepover and came back to this. This is what happens after you party like Rock Stars on New Years Eve. 
Kendyl and Grandma Terry. They have such a cute relationship. Kendyl loves to talk to her and I think it is because Terry treats her like a grown up not a kid. We love you Terry.
Grandpa Lynn and Grandma Terry and the birthday girl.
Mom, birthday girl and Aunt Marnie.
