Happy New Year!!

The last day of 2010, new years eve, aka...my birthday. I'm not sure why but I really don't like my birthday. Not because of the day, not because its so close to Christmas, or that its only a few days after Takaras. I just don't like it. It may shock a lot of people but I really do not like to be focused on, for ANYTHING. I begged Evan when we got married if I could just stand up at the front with him and not have to walk down the isle. I didn't want everyone to stand and watch me...watch me fall, trip, pee my pants, whatever. Most girls tear up when they see their husband-to-be waiting to take their hand. I could only cheese out like a complete idiot to keep from passing out. Even the bishop made a comment on how nervous I looked, in front of EVERYONE. I love to play piano and sing...but not in front of people. Its weird because generally I'm very outgoing and have no problem talking to anyone. So back to the subject...I turn 24 today. That seems crazy to me. 24 is not old...not old at all, but I always forget how old I am. I know this sounds weird, but I really do. I ask Evan all the time and he knows. I know that I am 3 1/2 years younger than him but I forget how old he is too..so it really doesn't help. I know the years we are born so when someone asks I have to do the math before I answer, lame I know. Anyways I feel that this "lack" of social focus has left a lot of people wondering who I am. I am not quiet or shy, the very opposite. I'm sure I annoy alot of people with my forward responses and off the wall comments. I really don't try to be like that...its just me. I've seen a few of the 30 day challenge posts and got to know alot about people that I didn't know. So starting tomorrow I think I will try this 30 challenge and maybe I'll find something new about myself too!

I haven't had a lot of time to update the blog although I did pretty good this month anyways. Its a good thing I was busy the last couple weeks because I had a very sad day and had a miscarriage. I can honestly say I never want to experience that again. Not that anyone would, but I love my babies so much and even losing them at this early stage still breaks my heart. On a lighter note we had a very busy Christmas! My little girlies are getting sooo BIG and Kimi is even trying to potty train herself. She's 17 months right now so it seems really early since Takara was so stubborn and wouldn't cooperate until she was 2 years and 5 months old. But Kimi wants to be just like big sissy so it works out for us...for the most part. We wrestle around trying to keep her diaper on but she just doesn't want to deal with it. Anyways after Christmas we celebrated Takaras 3rd Birthday!! I can't believe I have a 3 year old! We had a great turnout with lots of people food...and of course presents. Here are some pictures of the festivities.

My little doll Kimi!!

My little BIG princess Takara!!

Here we are at Great Grandma Allreds house...they aren't shy.

Christmas morning playing with their new babies. I originally got these to prepare the girls for another baby in the house. I wanted them to love and cuddle and get to know what a baby really is. Takara probably doesn't rememeber what it was like when we first had Kimi. Actually it really feels like she's always been here, I can't even remember what its like without them!

The girls with all their loot. It was a rough night since we spent the night at Grandmas so the girls were still pretty tired even while opening all the presents.

Here's Takara's birthday cake. Kai Lan theme if anyone didn't know. I actually really like this cartoon. I think its so cute, and I love listening to the girls interact with it.

Another angle with Rintoo the tiger.




and heres Kia lan

The dessert table. I was pooped after making all this. I made it all from scratch except for the green square cake up front. We had over 30 people come so I didn't think we'd have enough with just the cake I made. BUT we did anyways. I really didn't need to buy it because a lot of people were so stuff on the awesome chinese food.

Here we've got candy sushi and fried rice cupcakes.

More candy sushi and Lo Mein cupcakes

Takara did not like being sung to. In fact it took a good while before we could convince her she was having fun at her birthday party. She kept whining and saying I want to go home. Then after the whole shindig she decided she didn't want to go home.

Here are a few of the guests. From right to left we've got Grandma Allred, Great Aunt Judy, Grandpa Kawano, Grandma Kawano, Amanda Shuler, Darci Shuler, Great Uncle Lenny, and Charlie Kawano.

Here is the birthday girl showing some of her presents

We had such a great time and I have to remember to make a HUGE thank you card for Chinatown! They made (on their day off!) all the food and delivered it for Takara's gift! Its been good to wind down after a week like this but it will all start up again here soon. We'll celebrate New Years Eve and my birthday in a couple days...Party on.

Annnd we're having another one??

Some days I really wonder what makes me think I can handle another baby? For the last few nights Takara will not sleep in her room, which is odd because she loves that it is HER room and always kicks us out when its time for bed. Kimi has always had problems sleeping on her own and she comes in almost every night. So needless to say we have been up playing musical beds, but instead of music we hear screaming and crying. Evan brought home a large box of yummy oranges and they just so happen to be one of Takara's top favorite foods. So in the middle of the night Takara woke up screaming and demanding an orange. Kimi woke up and well there went our night of sleep.

This morning I was dragging around from our sleepless night and get the girls breakfast (oranges who'd have thought). I leaned back in my chair put on some cartoons and thought ok now if I could get a little rest...life would be good. Kimi sat on my lap and Takara decided to watch kai lan in her room. A few minutes later Kimi gets down and comes back to me with a pair of scissors! My panic level rises. In comes Takara, covered COVERED in black sharpie marker. I jump up run in her room and find that she has colored on her sheets, Kimi's bedding, the wall, the tv! WHY WHY WHY then I see it.. A BIG CHUNK OF HAIR! I grab Takara run her to the shower when I open the curtain my whole bottle of body wash was emptied down the drain. That was the last straw. But being a mom and having two kids you learn you can't snap...you can't. Thats how people lose their kids and go to jail. I don't want to do anything to deserve going to jail but I honestly wouldn't mind being locked up in a room by myself for a little while. Now as most everyone knows this isn't the first...or *sigh* the last time anything like this will happen. In this icky weather I don't blame Takara for being restless. So to save myself from having another episode like this I decided that would could bake a cake. Takara seemed to like that! So I guess I just need to find more activities for us to do. On the upside I dyed my hair back to a warm brown color last night, I actually love it! Tonight is the Biggest Loser finale, and we've rented The Other Guys so hopefully the rest of the night will be uneventful! Now for some pregnancy pictures!

Tested at 3 weeks 2 days...I didn't know it would show up on a test this soon

Sorry a little blurry but here I am at 5 weeks, I have some extra baggage from the previous pregnancies but now it just pushes it right out there

7 weeks...what the heck! I'm huge already.

7 Weeks

This pregnancy has definately been different than the others. But I've been hearing a lot of people say their 3+ pregnancies are a little more uncomfortable. I feel like I'm falling apart at the joints. I have aches similart to those when you have the flu. If this keeps up or gets worse Evan may only be able to talk me into doing this one more time. The way the first two pregnancies went I could have had unlimited kids just because it was SOOO easy. I'm sure everyone is S-I-C-K of hearing my complaints...the reason I know this is because I'm sick of hearing myself complain. I've never felt like such a whinner so starting after this blog, I'm going to try to think positive thoughts and direct my attention away from myself so that I can enjoy myself more. Anyways today I am making christmas baskets for some of our friends. I started pretty early because I had to be up to babysit my nephew Trenton, so Ive already made brownies, pumpkin bars, chocolate chip cookies and rice krispy treats. Hopefully I can get everything ready to go by time Evan gets home so that we can get ready for the Marathon Company Christmas party deliver the baskets and head up to Cody. Maybe I can sneak a quick nap in the middle of it all. I love this time of year but I'm not looking forward to the start of January. All the big holidays are over with and its still cold outside. I love when its warmer outside and I can load the kids up and go to the park or just let them out the front door and play right here. I wouldn't mind taking them sledding or just play out in the snow except it seems like we get snow, the next day it warms up a little, it melts into slush, makes mud, then gets cold again and freezes. Well I better finish up this post. Its lunch time and I've got a couple hungry girls!

6 weeks and counting...slowly

I originally started this blog to keep my family up to date on our lives since they live in Montana. So when I posted about being pregnant I didn't think anyone else would see it! Not that I mind now it was just a surprise that random people were asking me about it and everyone we had told was sworn to secrecy :) But anyways Evan and I were talking about having another baby starting in January. Well apparently we have not learned from the past. Once my mind decides I'm going to have a baby..BOOM I'm pregnant. No trying needed. Yeah that easy. One of the first signs that Ive had every time was hot flashes, weird I know. Not just a little heat wave a blast of heat that makes me break out in a sweat then shiver after the sweat cools off. This pregnancy has definitely been different so far, that means nothing to me as far as determining gender. I found out crystal clear at only 3 weeks 2 days...is that crazy?! But knowing me I'll find out early and carry overdue, always happens. I don't know what really made me take a test, maybe because I couldn't keep my feet under the blankets at night, the "hot flashes" I dont' know but I woke up in the middle of the night and in the dark, took a test. I laid it down not bothering to check it and thought it will be there when I wake up. Evan left for work and I got up and saw the test, 2 bright lines! I was shocked, so I thought ok maybe I left it too long, so I decided to take another one, both lines showed up immediately. I was so excited but the reality sunk in...this baby would be due right around Kimi's birthday. When I told Evan he said REALLY?! Hmm that wasn't very good planning on our part was it? A couple days later we went to Chinatown and Mei came over and poked my belly and said are you going to have a baby? I was excited to tell but embarrassed that I have a big enough gut for the question to be asked with the due date at almost full length.
So far I've been a little queasy every day, usually if I don't eat frequently, which freaks me out a little. That just spells getting fat...overly fat. With my other pregnancies I wasn't sick at all...in fact I was able to eat just about anything and do anything I wanted. I only puked a couple times with Takara, first time being the plane ride back from Patricks wedding in California, and Im pretty sure it wasn't due to pregnancy. You see whenever I've been on planes they come around with the beverage cart and hand you a little cup and fill it up and only on some airlines actually give you the rest of the can. Well this airline not only gave me a can but kept coming back wanting to know if I wanted more! Well hot diggity! I'm not going to pass on a ton of free drinks I mean what are they like .50 a piece! Well you won't believe my choice of drink, even now I can't believe it. Tomato juice...thats right can after can of it within an hour flight. When we got to our destination we hit some turbulence. Did you know that those little barf bags only hold about 1 can worth of liquid...now the one can limit makes more sense. So while I filled bag after bag Evan was trying to hold his pretzels down and his little sister rubbed my back. I can't even stand the sound of puking let alone touch someone while they are puking. Another thing...they make you hold on to those "filled" barf bags. We got to take them along until we found a garbage can in the airport.
With Kimi it was the smells and sight that got to me. Evan brought some farm fresh eggs home and so I thought ok that sounds good lets make some scrambled eggs. I cracked the eggs while talking to Evan not paying attention and when I started whipping them up with a little milk...up floats a green little feather (the more I think of this now I'm not sure what the crap it was) aaaaaand up came everything in my stomach. I grabbed the bowl and threw all the stuff in the garbage. Evan says why did you do that?! I couldn't go into telling the details just yet. so I got out the store eggs and made scrambled eggs from that. After awhile and all the food was gone, I started to tell Evan the story halfway through I dry heaved and took off to the bathroom for my second session of puking.
It seems like this pregnancy is going by slow. Probably because I found out so early. I was about 6 weeks each time I found out and I'm just now at that point. I was going to post a few picks of my 4 and 6 week belly (although I probably looked like this before I even got pregnant) but the girls lost the camera cord so I will have to go hunting for it. I'll post pics every couple weeks when I find it...watch me gggrrrooowww.

Letting the bad in with the good

So Thanksgiving at home was W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L. We had prime rib, homemade mashed potatoes w gravy, stuffing, rolls, cheesecake, lemon meringue, and pumpkin pie. I've been eating my little heart out and gained 3 pounds over the holiday! It was so nice to snuggle in with my family and have a lazy day watching movies and taking naps and of course...eating. We tried to get to bed early to get some sleep before black friday but the girls weren't going to let that happen so at midnight we loaded them up and dropped them off at Grandma and Grandpa Kawano's and off we went to Cody. We got lots of treasure! I can't wait for the girls to open their presents, I think I will have just as much fun with their stuff as they will :) We came back to Powell and went to Pamida-I was looking for a body pillow since I am having such a hard time getting comfortable at night, a worker in that section told me to come back tomorrow because the pillows would be %60 off and a much better deal! The Merc- here I spent 41.00 and the regular prices would have added to 155.00! Lintons-I got a hat and Evan a shexy vest. We finally got home around noon and had the girls with us. They were obviously not tired so we had to stay up all day with them. Finally last night we all crashed and slept GOOD. Today I ran back to Pamida to get my "%60" off pillow and when I got there it was even more than it was the day before! I told them I was back to get it because the lady working told me it would be %60 off. They said it was only for bed pillows...W T H!!! I explained that if I would have known that I would have purchased it the day before instead of making a trip back into town to get the same pillow! Instead of honoring the workers word...or even giving me the price from the day before the lady working turned around and walked off! Talk about bad customer service. So now I'm body pillowless. I then went to the Kappa Kraft Fair and it was soo much fun. I bought the girls some bows and a petty coat for myself. I put all our names in for the door prizes and we ALL won! I couldn't believe my luck! But of course things always have to even each other out and when I got home to get my sunday school lesson ready I plugged my computer in and BOOM! It blew up! I wasn't as upset that our desk top blew up as I was that there are pictures on there that are not backed up...all of kimi and takara's baby pictures are on there! So I cried and called my brother in law and hopefully he will be able to retrieve them. Now Im backing all the pictures on my laptop up so the same thing won't happen to them!

Getting ready for...

THANKSGIVING!!! I'm so excited. We were planning on driving up to Billings to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family but because of the roads we figured it probably wasn't a good idea to risk the drive...so I ordered prime rib and have plans for a tastey dinner here just for us! This will be the first year that we will celebrate together as our own family. The girls are getting so big and everything is just getting more exciting for them and for us! We are also going to head up to Cody at midnight on Thursday for some black friday shopping. On top of Thanksgiving and Christmas we are also getting ready for....thats right...baby #3. I made this blog to be more of a journal so I'm pretty sure I don't have enough followers to worry about the word getting around too fast. I have very easy pregnancies and deliveries and I know I was sent here to bring lots of little spirits into this world. Thats basically all my Partriarcal Blessing was about! We are hoping for a boy only because we don't have one. But I love my little girls to death and would be just as pleased to welcome another black haired fuzzy girl into our lives! This baby will be due 2 days after Kimi's birthday in July, I wasn't planning on telling anyone until I was 12 weeks along but my body (even before I know about it) goes into pregnant mode. I started getting hot flashes, thats one of my first signs so I had taken a test and sure enough! People were asking me if I was pregnant. Mind you I was only 4 weeks along and I can tell you I would never ask someone if they were pregnant unless it was obvious! So I guess I have a little pooch that sticks out already...not too happy about that but I guess the more babies you have the sooner you show. Anyways Have a Happy Thanksgiving and hopefully I will get some pictures up with the events!

Turkey Cupcakes I made for the mini horse banquet

I love being creative!

~HaLlOwEeN~

So this year for Halloween we were busy busy. We celebrated all month and had a BLAST! Here are some pictures of the festivites!

Evan and I at Jared and Amanda Shulers Party I'm a French maid and Evan is Michael Jackson
Beer Pong table...the only problem with this party was...the drinking. There were TONS of people there but when you don't drink and are the only sober ones there its not very fun. We did enjoy chatting with everyone and the costumes were great but we ended up leaving early, which was fine because we missed our girlies!

Josh (as himself..party pooper)and Seth Vikings fan

Jade and Kyle...this one worried me a little..they came as missionaries (they are not mormon by the way) I helped Amanda set up the party and when they showed up on their bikes I thought it was a joke that someone invited the missionaries because they really looked like them! But then they got inside and we saw the nametags and facial scruff on Jade.

The sober couch minus Evan.

(Wilma), Amanda-(Pirate), (Cowgirl), (Bunny)

Evan and Cody (I don't know what he was but he was wearing daisy duke shorts)

Beer girl and guy in this one

Flintstones and White Trash Pregnant chick...she fooled me, I thought she was really pregnant when I showed up but she wasn't holding alcohol or anything at that point.

Ok if you've watched the Hangover...you know.

This was my downtown Trick or Treating outfit...I'm a tiger in case you didn't know.

My little cheetah...she was soo cute. I had some much fun making the girls' costumes this year. Next time I am doing the tulle differently because the little individual strips got tangled and blew up into their faces outside.

My little laty bug Kimi. It took awhile to get her distracted from the wings. She really got into trick or treating and I was surprised, but she loves doing everything that sissy does.

Grandma and the girls

downtown

These girls got so many comments on how cute they were! I love homemade costumes.

Round 2 Trunk or treating at the church

Its always a big hit and everyone around town shows up not just church members

Our friends Tif and Gary Phister

The kiddos, Trenton-Iron Man, Takara-Chicken, and Kimi-Puppy.

It was a little more chilly and so we decided to put the kids in cozy costumes. Kimi fell tripped and hit her cheek eye and forehead on the curb so she had a swollen red eye and trenton tripped and hit his chin on the cement. But they still had fun and quickly forgot about their owees.

We had so much fun this year and It seems to get better and better. I've noticed that when you are little everything is so exciting and you look forward to holidays and as you get older you gradually lose that. Now that we've got kids I've noticed that the fun and excitment is back in full force but in a different way, a GREAT way. You may know the secrets behind everything but its like you experience what you did when you were younger through your own kids. I always worried before I was married that holidays would seem like more of a chore once you had a family and kids because they got to have the fun while you were on the sidelines doing all the work. I can honestly say that I enjoy holidays MORE because I love my family so much and want them to have the same experiences I did and I am included in it!

LoVe lOvE LoVe this time of year!!

We've been pretty busy lately but a good busy. It seems like everyone around us is having babies and I am defiantely getting baby hungry again..BUT I'm having so much fun with my girls that I don't feel the need to jump on the prego wagon with everyone else just yet. Here are my little cheerleaders before we go to Auntie Aimee's volleyball game. Luckily Powell's colors are the same as Halloween and I get the best deals AFTER Halloween so they have plenty of orange and black clothing that I can deck them out in. The leggings cost me .10 a piece, I made the tutu's (tulle is pretty cheap), pom poms for free from a yard sale, and shirts from the merc.

Here the girls are with Auntie Aimee!!
Go Panthers!!

If anyone has followed Cowboy Rowdy on Facebook then they will all recognize these pictures. I didn't get pictures from the night before but there was a dance at the fairgrounds and its been a good couple years since Evan and I have tried to cut a rug. Needless to say we were a little rusty...and sweaty. Although Rowdy passed away, the benefit activities still went on and there was an awesome turnout for the cowboy play day. Takara LOVED riding this horse. It was one of the most gentle horses I've ever seen. Kids were diving around its feet and tugging on the lead rope and playing with toys and making all kinds of noises and this mare did not blink an eye. The family that brought her got her for free and I could not believe someone would just give a horse like this away.

We finally had to pry Takara off the saddle but she didn't come down without a fight.

Here's my sweet Kimi girl. The girls had such a great time running around and enjoying the beautiful, warm, fall weather.

Tuckered out and snuggling up to Daddy.

Me and my babycakes!

On the 11th of October we celebrated our nephew's birthday with a scooby doo theme. I'm still learning but have had to figure things out on my own. I really wish there were some cake decorating classes around here. I'm sure the way I rig up a cake is not the "correct" way but it still turns out pretty cute in my opinion. I forgot my camera for the party but it was a hit! We went to pizza hut to celebrate with family and friends. The waiter was bringing out a HUGE tray of ice waters and as he was setting one down on the table the rest flew off the tray and right onto Takara's head and my lap. We were soaked! It was just water and accidents happen but Takara wasn't going to let this kid get off easily. She yelled and growled at him and he apologized and was so embarrassed he didn't come back to our table, so another waiter had to take his place.

I'm so excited for Halloween this year. I made the girls' costumes but I will post pictures of those when I get them dressed up. Happy Fall everyone!

Life update

I now know why there are crazy cat ladies...I'm surprised there are any sane women left in this world that have children. Lately...ok ALWAYS, I feel a little scatterbrained. Between potty training, restless nights, fighting, daily demands, colds, teething, cleaning, appointments, bills, babysitting (the list goes on)...I think I deserve to be a little crazy. Today I babysat Trenton and he and Takara fought the WHOLE TIME. By time Tina got back I was ready to drop kick all three kids out the door. I hurried and dressed us all and drove into town for Kimi's WIC appointment, halfway there I realized I forgot the stinkin papers that they need. So I got to the annex building and quickly filled out new forms, Takara was being her usual self, and refused stay put in the room during the appointment. Afterwards a behavior speicalist came in and offered to do a screening on Takara since she was at the right age. Sure why not, tell me what to do or better yet lets see if you can control my child. She talks to Takara a little then starts asking me some questions, the last question, "Does she generally listen when you tell her to do or not to do something?" Perfect timing. Takara climbs into the lego net. "Takara get out of there you can't be in there it will rip the net." Takara-No. I get up take her out of the net. Takara- NO!! hits, climbs back in. The woman says watch this. She picks Takara up and puts her in her lap. "In 5 minutes a child will usually calm down and realize that if they don't do what they are told they will have to sit on your lap and thats no fun." Takara is screaming, pinching, biting, scratching, kicking, headbutting, spitting...takes off her shoes throws them. 45 minutes later- Takara is screaming, pinching, biting, scratching, kicking, headbutting, spitting...and...pees on the lady. Nice. So I'm sitting on a chair across from her trying not to smile, and finally the lady decides that we should put her in her carseat. The End. Good news...I lost 13 pounds since labor day, thats the only positive thing I can come up with for the moment..oh and we're all alive..for now.

The joys of children Heavenly Father blesses us with

I could really use a nap, a break, or even better, a padded room. I've always been one that needs SOMETHING going all ALL the time. I hate being bored or being stuck in one place. Well my children are the "somethings" that ALWAYS go on. Yesterday I got us all ready and showered (after Takara dumped milk over Kimi's head) and on to the list of ladies I go visit teach. We met at McDonalds for lunch and the kids played and had a good time, but when Takara was ready to go...she was ready to go. She yelled, cried and threw a fit screaming out into the lunch rush crowd, "I'm ready to go!!!". As we were walking out the door an older, toothless, man looked at Kimi and said, at least she's not crying, I don't like babies because they cry too much. Nice. We went on to our other places and things went pretty well. One of the ladies I met with was selling her house and I was really interested after looking at it and thought Evan would like it too. We got home and Evan was home from work so I got Kimi some mac and cheese, and Takara a PBJ sandwich. We are breeding our two mares to one of our friends studs and we're squeezing it in right before the season ends so we had to get two injections called ludalyse to bring them into heat. So I went out to help Evan set up the corrals while the girls were eating and when I came back in...You guessed it, Takara had dumped the mac n cheese all over kimi and was rubbing the Peanutbutter half of the sandwich all over herself and in both girls hair. In the shower they went for the second time. We loaded the girls up after and went to go see the house I looked through earlier. Its in a secluded area and the girls had a movie playing in the truck so we thought, we'll go take a peek while they are strapped in and being occupied. We came back to the truck to find Takara out of her seat..her and Kimi COVERED in chocolate from a big M&M dispenser. It wasn't the end of the world, I mean it wasn't out of character for them. As we drove down the road I looked over and saw the ludalyse syringes..EMPTY!!! Now we were freaking out. We called the vet..no answer. We called poison control...we stumped poison control!! Who does that?! The vet called us back and told us to go to the ER. Away we went and when we got there they checked out both girls to see how much, if any, of the ludalyse they had ingested. They seemed fine but we had to stick around 4 hours getting regular evalutions and vitals taken. Takara was screaming and going ballistic and wouldn't let the drs touch her until, she got some chicken nuggets. Of all things, chicken nuggets. Thank goodness for grandmas, we couldn't get Takara to shut up until she had her stupid chicken nuggets. By time we got home we were drained and I didn't want to wake up this morning to babysit my nephew Trenton but really had no choice. And not so surprising, Takara was in a BAD mood and took it out on everyone. The rest of the day went pretty good, up until a few moments ago when Takara got stuck under our bathroom sink and couldn't get out fast enough and pooped, yes, pooped under the sink. I'm so glad its Friday.

Fantastic Fall!!

I love fall weather. I love the smells, the colors, the temperature, and just the feeling in general. I always feel August/September marks the beginning of the year instead of January. Probably because of school but it always feels like a fresh start, so I usually start my resolutions now instead of the real "new year". I'm on one of my weight loss kicks again, a constant battle I've gone through my entire life, after two kids its even harder. Losing the weight has never been my problem, its keeping it off. Feeding children with high metabolisms and bottomless pit tummies is my major setback. If I can stay away from food I do ok but when I'm constantly digging in the cupboards and fridge to feed the girls' demands I find myself popping things in my mouth all day! I figured after our annual labor day reunion on the mountains I would kick myself into gear, so far so good. I have motivation to lose weight, summer 2011 we are planning to visit Evans brother in California! I'm so excited! Also in Sept 2011 we are planning on an Alaskan cruise! As the girls get older it seems like life runs a little more smoothly. We debated for awhile if we should have another baby right now but we figured we would do a few things that we wanted before we tie ourselves down with more kids. I can't put a number on how many we WILL have but I do know that we want at least 4. Evan wants to be done when he's 30 or soon after just so that we can enjoy our children while we are young, and still have some youth in us to enjoy each other and travel by time they are on their own. Kids are hard work but they are the most entertaining creatures in the world. They are snuggly, lovey, and honest. There are times you want to beat them and times when your heart aches because they are sick or hurt. I can't imagine what life would be without them. Evan is such a good Dad and Takara loves him more than anything in this world. It is so cute when he snuggles down with Takara in her itty bitty toddler bed to watch a movie. I don't remember what its like to go to the bathroom or take a shower alone, or sleep without playing musical beds. I can't think back to what it was like to sleep in or be able to stay up all night. A clean house lasts as long as a nap, and packing for a trip takes days instead of an hour. The first moment you hold a new fuzzy soft baby is worth going through all this alone, but luckily even as our babies grow it reinforces how blessed we are to have a person that loves us and forgives so easily. I love my family very much and I am thankful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with the riches of this life!

What a summer

I have mixed feelings about summer coming to an end, mainly because I hate being trapped in the house with two little kids during cold weather. On the other hand I LOVE the fall, sweatshirt weather. And then theres the string of holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, to look forward to. I thought today I'd share a recap of our summer in 2010. June came and went pretty quickly. Evan turned 27 on the 17th, I got my horse Saki,

and our trip to Rapid City was AWE-SOME. During our vacation we went to:

"The Cosmos"- This place was pretty cool, Evan wasn't too impressed but the whole place threw me off and I felt very sick and dizzy inside because my head was trying to figure out what my body couldn't. Evan stood off the wall and was completely balanced, we saw a ball and water run uphill, and trees being bowed because of gravity

Old McDonalds Farm- ok so this place was nothing new to us but because of Takaras love of farm animals we decided she would appreciate it more than most of the other stops. My favorite was the nursery, they had tiny baby goats that I could have fit into my purse, lambs, and all sorts of babies.

Bear Country-This was fun although most of the bears didn't seem to notice the line of cars driving through their home. It was cool to see them up that close but once again my favorite part was "babyland".

Reptile Gardens- This was one of the main stops we made. We had a lot of fun here, Takara got to pet an baby gator, we walked through the little town, watched some reptile shows and pet the giant, old, tortoises. Storybook Island- This was one of Takara's favorite stops...the best part, it was FREE! Every cartoon and storybook character you could imagine was here. They had bridges to walk over, slides and playhouses, a train to ride, and charicature drawings. This summer was also filled with many yard sales, town celebrations and parades. Almost every saturday Evan and I made our traditional stop to maverik to get a pop and scout the town for yard sales. We gave ourselves a $20.00 spending limit together and found some awesome treasures. We usually didn't even bring money with us just so that we wouldn't be tempted to buy junk we didn't need. If it was something we thought would be worth running to get our money for, it was usually worth it. I think Evans top treasure this summer was his leather holster and belt for his .22 pistol for $10.00. I had to many to count :) the most memorable for me was the brand new hooked on phonics set, some craft stuff, a bike for takara, and a mini recliner for takara all for $10.00 all together. I'm a bargain shopper!

In July we lost our dachshund Dixie but also welcomed our new little baby bassetthound Dinky to the family. We also had the Park County Fair where Takara participated in the "goat dress up" show. She was a hula girl and the goat carried the roasted pig.

We also celebrated Kimi's 1st birthday! It was such a fun day with lots of family and fun. I decorated her cake and we had a blast at chuck-e-cheese. Kimi has been walking since she was 10 1/2 months old and says little words here and there. Right now her favorite is I'm hungry. She's ALWAYS hungry. It also means thirsty. grocery shopping is hard because Kimi reaches out for everything saying I'm hungry and everyone looks at me like I starve my child.


August rolled around and it seemed like summer flew by in a blink. We got our first family truck! Evan has been skipping around like its his birthday and Christmas rolled into one. Everywhere we go he has a grin plastered on his face and always says, I love my truck. This month we also celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary! I can't believe how fast time has gone by. The first year of marriage was hard, just trying to mesh two different lives together. Now things flow smoothly and its wonderful being able to share our lives together. If you ask Evan he'll jokingly tell you that he's just learned to go along with whatever I want...haha which is probably true.

I'm going to miss summer but there will be many more to come and many more adventures to be had!