Off to Laramie we go

We finally made it down to Laramie to visit with Carissa and Quitin and Tyler and Cami.  I know, "It's about time!"   We went down on Friday and the drive was great.  The roads were decent and the kids were really good.  I was a little worried about Kaitlyn since she is in undies full time now, but we stopped in Douglas and used the potty and she did great.  Keith did really well too.  He slept all the way with a few times that he would wake up and talk for a bit, then back off to dreamland.  We even saw a coyote trotting across the snowy plain just after getting out of Sybil Canyon.  Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough with the camera. 

We arrived that afternoon just in time to go eat some dinner.  We all (Carissa, Quitin, Tyler, Cammi, and our clan) loaded up (again in our case) and headed to The Library.  They have wonderful sweet potato fries and a pretty good brisket sandwich.  Good food, good company, and thankfully good kids. 

Keith had a rough couple of nights.  He woke up congested and having a hard time breathing through his nose.  I had to get up and walk around with him a few times, but did eventually get some sleep. 

Quitin had also fixed the PS3 (Thank you so much!) by putting a new hard drive in it.  So they took the PS3 over to Tyler's appartment to test it out.  So far so good.  Jordan even had to test it out when we got home.  Thank heavens it still seems to work. 

We went to lunch at McAllisters.  I was so excited to hear that they have a McAllisters.  Laramie is moving up in the world.  I had my favorite, the Muffaleta with potato salad and of course their famous sweet tea.  Love it!  Thanks Carissa for the wonderful lunch!

The Boys and Cami went to the Laramie vs. BYU boys basketball game.  Of course Laramie ended up losing.  Carissa and I stayed at home with the kids.  We talked, played a little Wii and then went to the grocery store for cupcake essentials.  Just after getting back the basketball game had finished and everyone came home.   Had Little Caesars for dinner and then stayed up waaaaay too late playing Wii.  I never thought playing a video game would make my arm hurt so much.  I'm still a little stiff.

We came back home on Sunday after having a little breakfast at Tyler and Cami's.  Thanks for the great breakfast guys.  Kaitlyn also helped Carissa make some cupcakes and got to eat one just before we left.  The drive back was ok.  The roads were a little more snowy than on the way down, but we made it home safely.  We were all glad to be back home and in our own beds, but we enjoyed our time with family.

Thanks again Carissa and Quitin for everything, a place to stay, food, and fixing the PS3.  Thanks Tyler and Cami for breakfast and for hanging out.  We can't wait to see you guys again!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Hope everyone had a great and Happy Valentines Day!!  We had Valentines Day dinner on Saturday.  Jordan was on call all weekend, so we had to eat it when we could.  I made a little surf and turf of T-bone steaks and King crab legs.  We also had mushroom risotto, green salad, and individual apple crisp.  Thanks Mom for the recipe, it's my favorite apple crisp recipe ever.  

Valentine's Day morning we had Pink Strawberry Pancakes.  A little tip for everyone:  Jordan likes to get buy those instant oatmeal packets that are fruit flavored, but will only eat it every so often.  They come in strawberry, peach, blueberry, and banana.  I add a couple of packets to the pancake mix and you instantly have added flavor to the pancakes.  It's pretty good.  We used the strawberry and added a few drops of red food coloring to make them pink.  If we would have had some miniature chocolate chips I would have put some of them in as well, but no such luck.  Kaitlyn really enjoyed their pinkness.  

Jordan had bought Kaitlyn and I boxes of chocolates.  Kaitlyn's was substantially smaller than mine thankfully.  She has enough energy as it is without adding a bunch of sugar.  We just bummed around the house most of the day.  

For dinner we went to Grama and Papa's.  Jordan's uncle, Tim, was in town and came to dinner as well, along with Grandma and Grandpa Jackson.  Grama also had some Valentine's for the grandkids.  I think just the balloons would have been enough enjoyment for all of them, but they also got some candy and small toys as well.  Keith did not get candy though, which is a good thing.  Hannah and Kaitlyn also made some foam Valentine butterflies, which I turned into a magnet and put on the fridge.     

We're half way to a year!

Keith has reached the 6 month mark and is doing really well!  He is now 19 pounds and the nurse at the doctors office measured him at 27 inches, but that's what I measured him at last month so I'm not sure if I screwed up or if she did, but I can't imagine that Keith didn't gain any length in the last month.  I measured him and I have him measuring at 28 inches.  Who knows, either way he's still longer than average.  Actually he's just bigger than average all around.  He also had to get shots again and did really well.  He only cried during the second shot and only while getting the shot, after it was done so was he.  I really like that. 

Keith can almost sit without support.  He still gets a little excited at times and will rear back and fall over.  He tries to sit up when he's laying down, Grama gets a kick out of that.  I swear he has better ab muscles than I do right now.  He still loves the jumperoo and sitting up to play.  Though he's almost grown out of the jumperoo so I hope he starts to crawl soon so he can entertain himself.  I don't know what I'm going to do when he can't fit in it anymore. 

He has now tried every single fruit and veggie that he can at this age.  He really likes to eat now.  He eats three meals a day and about four bottles a day as well.  He's a big boy.  He loves to watch everyone else eat and almost has this look on his face that Duke seems to get.  The whole "You know you want to drop some for me" look.  He really looks at our food like he would really like to eat some of it.  He just thinks he's big stuff. 

He loves his big sister.  He thinks she's just the funniest thing in the whole world.  Most of the time just her mere presence is enough to make him laugh.  I actually had to ask her to leave the table the other night so that I could finish feeding Keith without having him choke on his food.  He was just laughing at her and laughing and laughing.  She loves it too, because he is a captivated audience to her antics.  I really hope they get along as they get older. 

Kaitlyn is doing really good.  She was goofing around while eating last night.  Not terribly, but I said to her "Kaitlyn Frances," somewhat jokingly.  She said to me, "I'm not Kaitlyn Frances, I'm Kaitlyn Princess."  She has major self esteem issues.  Obviously.  She still just cracks me up.  If I could just get her to listen to me better.  We're getting there. 

She has her daily ration of fruit snacks and won't let me forget to give them to her either.  She generally starts in the morning when I ask her what she wants for breakfast.  By the afternoon when she's actually allowed to have them she's asked several more times.  She is a fruit snack lovin' girl. 

The rest of us are doing pretty good.  I'm looking forward to warmer weather.  We have days that are all nice and sunny, no wind and it looks like it should be close to 40 degrees at least, but it's actually closer to 10 degrees.  It stinks! 

I've also got a birthday coming up and sadly I miss the days when birthdays were something to really look forward to and anticipate every year.  Not that I'm afraid of getting older, it's just that the spark and excitment of birthdays seems to be waning.  I have other things on my mind and it's almost as if my birthday could pass without fanfare and I wouldn't even notice.  It would become like most other things a feeling of "wasn't I supposed to be doing something?" or "there was something I missed today."  I miss being a kid and just being so filled with birthday anticipation that you just couldn't stand it.  I need to find a way to make birthdays more exciting again. 

Still loving my vacuum and my Sketchers.  Still don't know if I like my Total Gym, because it is STILL IN THE BOX!!  Sorry, a little frustration being vented.  Still loving my kids, even when they don't listen.  And still loving my husband, even if he hasn't PUT MY TOTAL GYM TOGETHER!  Sorry, frustration again. 

Keith Has Been Blessed

We finally had Keith blessed yesterday.  It took us a while but we finally got it done.  He did really well, there was no crying or screaming.  I guess he was trying to get a hold of the mic though, the bishop had to stick his thumb out for him to hold onto.  He looked very handsome in his little suit.  It was very nice to see all the family there to support and watch his blessing.  Kaitlyn did ok, she's just too busy all the time and Hannah was there as well and so it was trouble all around.  Thanks to all the family that came and especially those that had to travel to be there for Keith. 

Yesterday was pretty busy.  We also went to the Superbowl Party at Ang's house.  It was a lot of fun.  Didn't really see too much of the game, but it was great to talk and catch up with family and friends.  Kaitlyn had fun playing with Hannah and Tristen.  Keith had fun getting passed around.  He's not bothered by it like Kaitlyn was.  Thanks Ang for a great party! 

Other news, and yes I know it's a little pathetic to be excited by this but, I got a new Dyson vacuum.  I love this vacuum!  I know that it's a little sad to be so excited about getting a new vacuum, but my old vacuum did absolutely nothing.  I really realized that when I used the Dyson.  I vacuumed the whole house and had to empty the canister about 10 times and clean the beater bar 3 times.  I was completely grossed out by how dirty the floors were.  This vacuum is amazing.  I love it.  My carpets look better and just feel cleaner.  There are also no more little strings and fuzzies left all over the floor.  This vacuum fluffs my carpets, it's incredible!

To Casper and back

This past weekend we took a little trip down to Casper to see Grandma and Grandpa Sessions.  We were a little overdue for a visit.  It had been close to a year since we were down in Casper.  Yikes!  I know, but we had seen Grandma and Grandpa a few times during that year, just not in Casper. 

It was good to see them and little Dakota too.  Kaitlyn had a lot of fun chasing him around and saying, "It's ok 'Kota, I just want to pet you."  She also got to stay up late every night and ate more junk than she should have.  Gigi even bought her some Minnie jammies for her.  Of course she had to wear them that very night.  Of course we forgot to take the camera, so sorry no pics.

Keith did really good too.  He was stuck in his car seat most of the weekend and didn't complain too much.  He even slept in the crib that Grandma has, Kaitlyn never would.  He slept all the way down to Casper and all the way back when we came home.  He's a pretty good kid.

My exciting purchase of the weekend, we did some shopping of course but we didn't go crazy, was a pair of the Skechers Shape Ups.  I bought them to work in conjunction with the Total Gym that I got for Christmas.  However, the Total Gym isn't working out so well, since IT HASN'T BEEN TAKEN OUT OF THE BOX YET!!!!  I have a feeling it will be next Christmas before I get to use it.  There are some issues with setting it up obviously which aren't helping me to get back in shape.  Anyway, got the Shape Ups and they are AWESOME!!!  I would recommend these shoes for anyone.  It's a lot like walking in sand.  These shoes would be great for anyone who has to stand all day or most of the day.  Having only worn them for a few days I can't say that I've seen a whole lot of toning yet, but I did notice that my lower back doesn't hurt when I hold Keith for any extended period of time.  That alone makes them worth it.  You feel like you could just stand all day.  The store we were in was a little limited on colors and styles, but I went online to the skechers website and they have a ton of styles and colors.  I'm really wanting to get a pair of Shape Ups that just slip on and a pair of the Tone Ups which are the sandals that are supposed to do the same thing as the shoes.  They are a little pricey, but I can tell you they are well worth it.  My only complaint right now is that they are still too new looking.  I don't really like the bright, fresh clean look on my shoes it actually makes me a little self conscious about my feet.  I just need to get them a little dirty and they'll be perfect.  I really wish I had a pair when I was pregnant.

Well that's my plug for the new Skechers Shape Ups, hope it helps anyone who was thinking of getting a pair. 

Also, for anyone who wants to come Keith is being blessed this Sunday during 2nd ward at the new Church.  It starts at 11:00 am. 

Helping to get ready for Spring!

Kaitlyn was helping me to start plants indoors for the garden.  She was a little worried about being dirty at first, but then jumped right in.  I was surprised at how little of a mess there was.  She did really well helping me out.  I just hope that starting them this early works out better than starting them when suggested like I did last year.  I put her in one of Jordan's work shirts to keep her clothes cleaner.

Also wanted to say Happy Birthday Carolyn!  We tried calling you a little too late I guess and you guys weren't there.  I'm hoping you were out celebrating at least.

Keith is now 5 months

Keith is now five months and "brother's so cute!" Still.  He's gotten to be so big.  He is now 17 lbs 2 oz and 27 1/4 inches.  He wears 6-9 month clothes and has his first tooth.  He smiles and laughs at Kaitlyn a lot which is really cute.  Last night Kaitlyn was singing about her Chicken Noodle Soup and Keith was in his Bumbo seat just laughing at her.  I hope they get along relatively well when he's older. 

Keith has also started on veggies today.  I would have waited a little longer to start him on veggies, but he would eat a little of his cereal and then be done and he would spit half of it out.  Well, with the added squash this morning he ate more and spit out less.  I don't think he liked the taste of plain cereal. 

We also got out the Jumperoo that Kaitlyn loved so much and he really seems to like it as well.  He turns himself around in it even to play with all the toys or watch sports, which ever.  He even feel asleep in it the other day.  I gave him his blankie in it so he'd be calm for a second so I could finish what I was doing and when I was done and went to get him he was out.  He didn't sleep for very long but when he awoke he just started playing.  Silly boy.

He still won't roll over any more, not sure what that's all about.  I almost have a feeling he's going to be one of those babies that walks before they crawl just because he loves to be standing or in the standing position.  He can almost sit by himself, still just a little wobbly. 

He has been talking a lot lately and can say "ama"  just need to get him to put an "m" before that and he'll have "mama" down.  He'll sit there and open and close his mouth while he watches me or daddy talk sometimes, trying to copy us.  There are also times where I'm not quite paying attention and it sounds like he actually says something, but then I wasn't listening properly so I can never be sure.

Kaitlyn is doing good.  She's becoming more and more sure of herself in the bathroom.  She'll announce that she needs to go and then go into the bathroom by herself, shuting the door behind her, and use the potty.  She also likes to show off her butt, which I'm hoping is just a phase and doesn't continue as she goes to school.  The other night I was changing Keith and getting him ready for bed and I asked Kaitlyn to pick out some jammies for herself.  I hear her mumbling something behind me and so I turn around to see Kaitlyn bent over, her undies pulled down just past her butt and her saying, "Look Momma, it's my butt!"  What do you say to that.  I had to turn around and laugh a little bit.  I asked her again to get some jammies and thankfully she went. 

Duke managed to create a small bald spot on his head.  I was doing dishes one night and heard this "THUD!" come from the other room.  Jordan was in there with the kids and I thought Kaitlyn had done something (it's not unusual for her to be the source of some large sound).  So I walk into the other room wondering why Jordan didn't say something about the sound.  I asked him if that was Kaitlyn and he told me it sounded like something fell on the stairs.  Not knowing what it could have been I go check the stairs (Kaitlyn was playing quietly on the floor this whole time and Jordan was holdind Keith).  I couldn't see anything that may have been the source of the sound.  That's when I notice a sizeable chunk of the wall on the floor.  We have a half wall that extends up most of our stairwell leading upstairs.  This chunk had come from the corner of that wall and there was a dent put in it on the opposite side of the corner from the now missing chunk.  There also happened to be a tuft of hair stuck in the dent.  I called Duke over, and sure enough there was a chunk of hair, fortunately that's all it was, missing from his head.  I have two theories:  1.  Duke saw a ghost and tried to turn and high-tail it off the stairs, or 2.  Duke was taking his ball, which happened to be on the small landing before the stairs, upstairs and dropped it, turning to grab it without realizing where he was.  Only Duke knows what really happened.  Other than the missing hair Duke is doing well and seems to be getting about cabin fever like the rest of us. 

It has been really cold here for quite a while and when I say cold I mean barely getting above zero degrees most days.  I'm looking forward to the heat wave that is supposed to be coming our way.  We'll be above freezing and in the 40's.  I can't wait! 

Jordan's going goose hunting for the last time this season on Wednesday thru Sunday.  Hopefully he'll bring some home since we are running low.  We've been eating a lot of goose lately.  Jordan really likes the maple smoked goose breast hash that I make.  It's like corned beef hash, but you substitue smoked goose for the corned beef.  It is a lot better than the junk from the can that Jordan loves so much.  I can't stand the canned stuff.

Thank you Aunt Sissy for making this for Keith, it turned out great!

Happy Birthday Bryan!!  Hope you have a good one!