Sledding in March!

For Christmas Grandpa Blaine and Grandma Heidi (Matt's parents) gave our family a great new sled. Because we were moving, we didn't try to hit the hills until Matt's birthday weekend (March 20). But, what can we say - we love Oregon. Where we live you don't have to be in feet of snow to be within driving distance of snow. We thought for sure we would be out of luck in finding somebut headed up towards Crater Lake to a great sledding spot called Union Creek with fingers crossed. We were driving and saw no snow, no snow....until we hit the sledding spot and almost like someone waved a magic snow wand - snow! We were so excited and had a great time (especially Matt!).


Matt definitely made the most runs, with Nathan at a close second. Nathan used to be such a cautious little kiddo, but has become more and more adventurous.

At the bottom of the hill Nathan would pop off and say - "That was fun - let's do it again!"

Here's a cute pic of the boys enjoying riding on their new sled.

Sleds aren't much fun to sit on unless they are moving, so the boys quickly enlisted the "daddy horse" to pull the sled. They made rounds over and over again, over little hills until they wore the daddy horse out. (And, yes, mom, Matt brought a jacket (see above picture), he just took it off when he was hot)

So what did Luke and Mom do through all of this? Well, I documented everything (hence the pictures and some video footage) as well as stuck with Luke. We started Luke out in the stroller, though as you can see from this picture he was dying to get into the action!

Finally he had had it being stuck in the stroller, so I moved him to the snugglie (after I had done my all of two sledding runs - I am not much of one for uncontrolled speeds!) and we spent the last hour like this:

Carter had been quiet while I was taking pictures/video of Matt and Nathan sledding so I checked up on him and he promptly told me how delicious snow is. At least it was clean snow!

Finally, after sledding, making snow angels, and eating snow the last thing was to make a snowman. However, towards the end Nathan realized how cold his toes were and Luke was super mad at not being allowed to crawl around in the snow...so not a happy looking bunch, but a great snowman!

February Recap - Sweet Lukie Turns One!

Luke has been an absolute joy, a sunshine baby. All of our babies have been fairly happy babies, and I thought Carter was a sunshine boy (believe it or not - minus the craziness of Carter lately, he is a very happy guy), but Luke has topped it all. If he cries, we know it's because he's tired, hungry, or in pain - otherwise he is smiling through it all: happily played in his carrier (for often the whole hour!) until just recently while I taught aerobics at the church, still exploring and happy despite the crazy nap (or should I say napless) schedule that comes with being the third. He is just so much fun. Matt has loved it because the other two have been such momma's boys, but Lukie loves his daddy!

We love you Luke and are so glad you are a part of our family! Here are some pictures from his big day (actually the celebration waited until my parents were in town to celebrate with, as his birthday was actually on the day we were traveling home from NM):

Here I am with the birthday cake. My dad always made our own cakes for holidays, and I love the creative part of carrying on that tradition - I love seeing what I can make! I was especially excited for Luke's birthday because he doesn't have any requests - I just made a cake I have wanted to for a long time. It's a dragon, complete with chocolate covered graham cracker cookie scales, and fruit roll up wings. Isn't it fun?!

This is Luke's first introduction to large amounts of sugar - aka his birthday cake. He wasn't too sure about it at first.


Then he started warming up....

Finally, he was begging for more! What a cute cakey smile!


Luke is one and our third boy, so birthday presents were pretty minimal. I got him some leather slip on shoes (you know, the kind with no sole so they can feel the floor for walking, but can't take off and loose their socks everywhere!), and then we used the money from Aunt Aubrey to get his one and only toy. We did such a great job getting a cool toy that we had to remind his brothers over and over to let him play with it!

Happy Birthday Luke!

February: A Recap (Part 1)

Still playing catch up here, but thought it better late than never! February was a fun, crazy month with a trip to Alburquerque, NM for Matt's brother Tim's wedding, Luke's first birthday, as well as all the insanity that comes with buying a house.

First, Tim's wedding. It was Matt's first chance at real vacation, as they don't let him use vacation during the first 6 months of work - poor guy! We were excited to go check out a new place. It was really only a long weekend, but the wedding was beautiful, it was wonderful to see family, and our favorite part of Alburquerque was this gem of an aquarium we spent an afternoon at, quite by accident.

You start walking through the aquarium and see some small fish tanks, walk by the big swim tanks for the sting rays, then see some cool eels (you're thinking, oh this is nice..), then BAM - you are infront of this amazing giant aquarium (the kind that is so big they build risers into the floor so you can just sit and enjoy). The kids could have spent forever watching in there - there were sharks, turtles, sting rays, various fish, and we even got to see the workers feed them all. It was so cool!

These eels just made me think of Flosom and Jetsom in the Little Mermaid (yes, I even remember their names - I was obsessed! I had the sheets, the sweetshirt, the movie, knew all the moves and songs...)

The glass on the giant aquarium was obviously specialized - you felt like you could just touch the fish!

There was an amazing jellyfish tank as well - we love this picture that Aunt Megan took of Lukie just mezmerized by them!

Here are a few pictures from the wedding. Like I said, it was beautiful and the love the bride and groom had for each other was very sweet. All our little boys had on white shirts and matching ties - it was adorable!

The handsome couple - Uncle Tim and our new Aunt Kaitlyn

The kids were pretty pooped by this point in the day (can't you tell by Nathan's fake smile and having to lean against me!), but amazingly enough Carter is the only kid smiling!

This is all of Matt's immediate family - Top row (right to left): Megan, Matt, me and Carter, big football player Aaron (just entered the MTC for Samoa!), and Melanie; bottom row Grandpa Blaine, Kaitlyn and Tim (holding Luke), and Grandma Heidi with Nathan. What a great group!

It was a fun trip, and we love any chance to see family! Hope you are loving married life Uncle Tim!

Our trip to Portland

If you haven't noticed, the blogging bug has been dead for me for the last little while - as I am just barely pulling myself out of the post-holiday blogging sluff. But, what can I say, between teaching aerobics 8 hours a week, doing the kid scene, running a personal training fitness challenge for some friends, and buying a house I can feed you all kinds of excuses (oh wait, I just did!). But, instead I will just back track a bit in time to cover the latest Michaelis happenings.

Last month we took a three day weekend to head up to Portland to see my oldest brother Jonathan and his wife and daughter. They took us around to see some of the sights and we hda a great time (despite Carter flat out disproving my statement that "I think he is coming out of the screaming stage." Sigh.)

One of the boy's favorite things was the Portland Children's Museum. Lucky for us they now have a traveling Bob the builder exhibit that was a huge hit with my little guys, especially Carter (no family get together on my side is complete if we don't all hvae the bob the builder song in our heads from all of the little boys chanting it! How can you not love a guy who gets to use tools and has talking trucks?!)

Here are the boys posing with Bob and his cat. I love the look on Nathan's face!


Every time Carter got behind the wheel of one of the trucks, he had a smile on his face!



So they announced that Bob was coming LIVE to meet and greet. We excitedly joined in line with other little boys and parents to get our picture with Bob. We wait, and wait, so excited. Then, it's our turn with the big guy and the boys have a Santa moment - they want nothing to do with this strange person with a plastic head. As other parents watch on, I make my kids come sit with me with Bob (I had just waited 15 minutes in line, gosh darn it!). As you can see, they were far from excited.

Sweet Luke being scooped up by a digger truck.



Nathan not even turning to look at the camera as he gives a thumbs up. We had to drag him away from these trucks kicking and screaming when it was time to give other kids a turn.



Carter also happily behind the big steering wheel.



This is my sweet sister in law Jenelle and their beautiful little girl Annika. I don't think she was nearly as excited about all these trucks. Poor kid, she is one of 2 granddaughters on my side, with 6 grandsons and, until her twin sisters are born, is just doomed to be surrounded by little boys, their noise, and their trucks.


The boys love the water exhibit and the chance to get all wet without getting in trouble!


I know this is supposed to be for the kids, but we took the opportunity to get a rare shot together.



On Sunday, before we went home, we took a few hours to go see the beautiful waterfalls around Portland. However, there was ridiculously strong wind. I wish I had a video - people at one lookout point were, I kid you not, falling down just trying to walk to their car the wind was THAT strong! We drove past all kinds of fallen debree and even a few trees. We thought for sure a tree was going to fall on us as we drove, it was crazy. Needless to say, the boys weren't too interested in getting out of the car to look around. So, we just would run out of the car (one at a time) take a few pictures and then run back in and drive to the next waterfall. We look forwrad to going back in the summer and actually getting to enjoy the view!

And finally, Carter is very independant and determined to do everything himself. He came in the other day, just so proud of himself "See mom?! I put my shirt on! Ta-da!" That kid is both ends of the spectrum - so darn cute when he is happy, and just a firecracker when he is mad. That one might be karma...

For all those picky eaters out there!

I truly wonder what my kids eat. How on earth they are not in the "underweight" cetergory at the doctor's office, because most days I sure feel like I am a failure as a mother as far as feeding my children. Argh. But, I did want to share my current food victory with all of you out there. Three words: peanut butter balls.

Here's the recipe:

• Mix 1 c. peanut butter (preferably creamy for better consistency, but crunchy will do in a pinch) with 1/2 c. honey or maple syrup (we strongly prefer honey for flavor and health reasons, but both will do).
• Stir in 1 1/2 c. rice crispies (or 1 1/2 c. crushed chex - my kids love this better just because they like being the mashers that crush them!).
• Scoop out by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet and freeze for approximately 10 minutes. (*You can also add sprinkles for an extra treat or roll the spoonfuls into crushed graham crackers or chopped nuts). Enjoy and store leftovers in freezer (they are gooey at room temperature).

My kids think they are getting a treat, and I am as happy as a clam knowing my kids are eating a good source of protein (peanut butter), no white sugar (gotta love honey), and decently healthy fortified cereals. And, I can make these with my kids without wanting to pull my hair out by the end.

Now if only I could make broccoli so appetizing! (Actually that's the one vegetable Carter likes - but only the tops).

Holiday Recap: Part 2

We had an amazing ward Christmas party. It was themed around the Polar Express, and let me tell you, we had it all! The kids (5 and under) arrived in PJs and a conductor greeted the children and gave them their punched "golden tickets". Around the room was a train mural, complete with sillohettes of each of the primary kids, that they had created in primary the weeks before. Also, hanging from the ceiling were not just lights, but snowflakes the kids had made in primary. We had a yummy dinner followed by a short program, including the primary kids singing, which is always a favorite of any parent.

Then, as the grand finale came santa. This was our second santa experience of the year, and it did go better than the first, though it took some convincing to Nathan, ever the logical one, as to why he needed to tell santa AGAIN what he wanted for Christmas (didn't he listen the first time?!). Of course, it was all about mom wanting a better santa picture...

Nathan and Carter in their special new Christmas pjs with good buds, twins Aiden and Anden and best gal pal Mia (actually, around here one of the ONLY girl 4 year olds and popular with all the little boys!)

Carter showing me his golden ticket! Man this party was authentic!

The "train conductor" - what a great costume! Also, you can see in the background the decorations I was telling you about with the train and children sillouhettes.

Nathan singing in the children's choir. I love that he is reading the music - like he can actually read! I am pretty sure it's even turned sideways, but he dilligently looked at it the whole time.

The cutest reindeer on the block!

Here is Santa, Take 1 at the Childrens Museum. Luke was the only one who would sit on Santa's lap and Nathan and Carter wouldn't be up there without mommy (as you can tell from their body language). Too bad too - a very authentic looking santa!

Santa Take 2 at our ward Christmas party. Still a little nervous about it all, but they did get on Santa's lap.

Of course, as we are walking out the door to the car with very tired kiddos, I realize I have more than 2 children and that I didn't get a picture of little Luke on Santa! Ah! So, I rushed back, cut in line (awful, I know - sorry everyone!) to get a quick candid before going home. Whew!

Our thanks to our ward committee and leader for an amazing party and a fun night/Christmas memory!

Holiday Recap: Part 1

Well, I am finally putting my blogging cap back on to recap on the holidays. We spent Christmas with Matt's family in sunny So Cal. Again, unfortunately, Matt wasn't able to join us until the night after Christmas, because of his stinky inability to take vacation until mid-January (6 month probation period). However, the kids still were the highlight of Christmas for us all and made things fun and festive. Here are the Christmas day highlights:

Nathan was the first to wake up (not surprising) at 6 a.m., raring to go to open up presents. I convinced him to wait until I fed Lukie and then finally around 6:30 a.m. me and the kids were all awake and I let them open our door and start waking up the rest of the family. Our three boys are in such different Christmas stages, it was funny to watch present opening. Nathan of course, just wanted to open any and every present (including those not his). Carter opened one or two and was content with those. Luke we couldn't even really get interested in opening presents, he just wanted to crawl away and climb the stairs (the favorite activity of the trip for him).

Here's Luke with his present from Santa enjoying Grandpa Blaine's lap:

The boys enjoying their great new sled from Grandpa and Grandma (though we have yet to have any snow to actually get to use it! Argh.)

Nathan proudly displaying two of his new presents - his lightsabor and laser gun. (He also has his old lightsabor and a new flashlight attached to his pj pants - this kid is loaded!)

The boys both got lightsabors from Santa - not just any old lightsabors, mind you. These glow and make the whooshing noises! Very exciting. Of course, Santa didn't know they don't collapse down to shorter than 1 1/2 feet and, extended, they are taller than Carter. Ooops...so far though, they have only helped the boys play together more and no major injuries. The best is Carter's repeatedly playing "dead" (see last picture below). He says "I dead" and falls down, sometimes even with his tongue sticking out. It's too cute!

Kids sure do make the holiday season. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for the great visit and all the fun new memories!

The holidays, to be continued....