I'm a big boy now!

 

I try to be pretty methodical in my parenting and transitioning Kaige from the crib to a big boy bed was no different.  He had been able to climb out of his crib for a year, but I retrained him to stay in there, but with the new baby due in a month I was running out of time.  So I put my pregnancy sickness aside and cleaned out what we called the "box" room.  Josh painted, and we set up the water bed.  My parents have got their money out of this bed.  It was my first big girl bed 27 years ago, and it's what Josh and I slept on the first 4 years of our marriage. I did a good job of talking up this move into the new bed, and he even got to pick out the new Spider Man to join him.  I was impressed with how little time it took Kaige to fall asleep.  Mission accomplished!

Preschool Spring 2012

My mom spoiled me with participating in Joy School as a kid.  I have the best memories and friends from it.  One of my sister in law's was a close friend of mine long before we married brothers because we were in Joy School together.  I wanted something similar with Kaige.  We live in a great ward with lots of kids Kaige's age and the other mom's were happy to be a part of a preschool co-op.  This was the first semester.  7 boys + 1 girl = tons of fun! Kaige wasn't even 3 when we started this, 5 of the mom's were pregnant or had a newborn, so it was definitely a learning experience for both the kids and the mom's. When it was our week for preschool, the house was trashed, I was exhausted, but I couldn't wait to do it again the next semester.  We love it!

Kaige's 1st Race December 2011

Josh's dad has a thing for cars, fast cars.  Josh has picked up that same passion, and I'm sure Kaige will grow to love it too! He's off to a good start.  Kaige had his dad's old hat, a race car shirt, ear muffs and was ready to go.  The noise and long day were a little much for this still 2 year old, but you wouldn't know it by how much he enthusiastically told me about it for the next day, week, at least month.  He had a little bit of an obsession going there.  Everything was about race cars.  He set up races with his cars all through the house.  I'm sure this is only the 1st of many races with his dad and papa.  I'm glad they have things to look forward to and enjoy together.
 

Sister Wives November 2011

These lovely ladies are my lifelong friends.  I have known Afton, Rae Lynn, and Eva since before kindergarten, and became super close with Valerie and Lauren when they moved to Arizona when I turned 16.  I have been through so much with these girls, and although many miles separate a lot of us, it's easy to pick up right where we left off when we can get together.  The last time we were all together is when Valerie and Lauren came to visit me after I had Kaige.  Valerie was pregnant then, and she just so happened to be pregnant this trip too.  If that's how it works, I'm looking forward to her being pregnant with her 4th.  I was pregnant too, and because I get so sick I was kind of a party pooper.  But we did have fun!  Things just didn't work like we had planned.  We didn't go away to some exotic destination, and most of the things on our want list never happened.  But it was fun! And I can't wait to do it again. We were afraid Rae wasn't going to be able to join us, but her and Lonnie ended up able to spend all of Saturday with us after all.  Lonnie was a good sport and went out on the town with all 6 of us girls.  Somehow at lunch with the waiter we joked about Sister Wives with Lonnie, I think at some point the waiter even said at least you aren't Mormon or something like that.  Well the Sister Wives joke just grew and grew.  Lots of laughs.  The picture of us in front of the fire truck with our number.  I'm wife number 5. Probably one of those times, that you had to be there, but it was fun.  We had fun bowling, getting together at the park with friends from high school and just spending time reminiscing.  I really do hope we can all get together again sooner than later.  Maybe when work, kids, pregnancies, and life isn't so complicated we can all meet up in San Diego for a relaxing girl's trip.  Life is nuts, by then we might be celebrating 50 years of friendship.

Dr. Kaige Halloween 2011

 Kaige knew for months that he wanted to be a doctor for Halloween.  We ordered him the costume and he was in love with it from the moment it arrived.   The more he wore it the more it evolved.  And this is literally what he wore and wanted to be- a doctor construction worker.  He had tools mixed in with his medical instruments and he insisted on wearing the construction hat with the plastic lining across his face like a mask.  He was quite the sight, but I loved it.  It was so Kaige, and so much fun.  That's what Halloween is all about.  He called himself Dr. Kaige for a long time after that. 

Adult Halloween 2011

 

Six years of marriage and we had never gone to a costume party, unless you count the ward trunk or treat.  I love to dress up!  I don't think the look on Josh's face says he loves to dress up, but he's a good sport.  My friend Laurie can sure throw a party.  We laughed, and laughed and laughed some more.  Josh and I, or should I say Josh won the fear factor game.  I thought I pulled my weight real well until the eat something gross part came.  This pregnant mama could not down the chocolate covered green beans.  It took me what felt like hours to swallow the one and only small bite I took.  When we were dating we watched fear factor religiously.  It was kind of fun to win and be able to say that fear is not a factor for us.   

Cute Conductor

 

We had so much fun at Aidan's 5th Bday party at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. 

Aren't my boys cute?!?!