Jaida Is 9 months

Jaida is nine months old now. She is growing up too fast. At her doctors check up she weighed 17lbs. 6 oz. (25th percentile) was 29 inches long (95th percentile) and her head was in the 95th percentile as well. Jaida has made some awesome accomplishments in the last few months. She has been working out pretty hard at physical therapy and is now bearing weight really well on her legs. She is learning to bear weight on her arms, not quite there yet. Her neck is almost straight, she was born with torticoulous. She is sitting up with no help now too! She waves now and has even said, "DADADADA" a few times. It is so fun to see her grow and learn new things. I am enjoying every moment of having a girl. She also is one of the best huggers and cuddlers lately. She is still on oxygen, we hope sometime soon she will be off!

NYC(day 2)

Our Family in front of the Plaza Hotel. December 3,2010
After day one we were really tired! We decided to take day 2 a little bit easier. We woke up to a wonderful breakfast that Laura made for us and then all got ready for another day in the city. We opted to bring some strollers this time because I don't think our backs could take another day of carrying kids! The only bad thing about day two was the weather. Man, was it cold. It was a whoppin' 26 degrees and the WIND was the worst part! It was Freezing. We started out about lunch time. Our friends took us to a really tasty place to eat called The Shake Shack! The burgers were fresh and had the homemade touch, fries were delicious, and to top it off the shakes were irresistible. The restaurant isn't very large so with a party of our size we had to do some serious maneuvering to get a table. It was worth it. After enjoying every second of our lunch, we set out on foot over to Central Park. We tried not to make too many stops along the way because quite frankly if you stopped at all you would immediately get cold. The kids were in pretty good spirits despite the frigid temps.

We went to the Central Park Zoo. They had advertised that they were going to have some special events for Christmas time. It said that they would have thousands of lights and presents for the animals. Well, the lights were a disappointment. I think that they maybe had a thousand lights total! But the present that they gave to the snow leopard and polar bears were pretty cool to watch. The snow leopard ripped into his box just like a little kid does on Christmas. It was bouncing and pouncing all over the place! The polar bears were neat to watch, but didn't have quite the enthusiasm as the snow leopard. The kids loved it! We enjoyed the indoor exhibits too, and liked getting warm inside of them too. They also had a fire pit and you could buy marshmallows to roast and hot chocolate. It was a really fun time.

I absolutely adore these two boys.

Another one of my new favorite pictures of Brock! It is hard to catch him with a smile so when you do it is awesome! We saw a lot of smiles this trip! After the zoo we enjoyed walking over by the Plaza hotel again to get a family picture. The walk back to our car seemed endless. The wind was picking up and the temperature was dropping fast. This trip was one of the best we have ever had. Once getting back to our car, we said goodbye to our friends and began our drive back home. While we were driving the boys kept making comments about our trip. Pierce said," Thanks for taking us on this vacation, Daddy we are eternally grateful!" Brock said, " Dad, this trip was Sweet!" Trent and I couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces. It was so rewarding to hear! We can't wait to go back again!

Central Park, West

Until next Time NYC... We heart NYC!

NYC Family style! (day one)

The Must See McDonalds

Sweet baby Jaida

This is what we looked like!

TAXI!

The Big Piano

Central Park
One of my new favorite pictures of Brock!

FAO Schwartz

A kids DREAM!

Best Baby EVER!

O Christmas Tree

At the first of the month we took a fun family trip up to NYC to see some of the Christmas sights. This is something that both Trent and I have dreamed of doing! One of the things on both of our bucket lists! The drive wasn't bad at all it took us just over 4 hours to get there. Our kids are pretty good car riders and we are extremely grateful for that! We stayed with one of Trent's friends that he knew from BYU. Man were they so awesome. His wife spent hours researching the cities HOT SPOTS for us to visit while there. She even researched Home Alone 2 sights to see. They live in Madison, NJ. What a beautiful area! We were blown away by their generosity. The first night there we just spent time with them, getting to know them and their kids. What a fun family! When we awoke the next morning we took our time getting ready before heading in to town to see the BIG city! We knew it was going to be an extremely long day and LOTS of walking. We decided to not bring our stroller because of the crowds and chaos! Instead Trent carried Lumpy on his back (in a pack) and I carried Jaida in a front pack! We both also had back packs filled with daily necessities! Pierce was on foot. I was Pretty worried about that because almost ALWAYS it is a chore for that kid to walk from our car to the front door!

When we got to the city. Pierce and Brock's eyes were huge they were in amazement as they began to take it all in. Jaida was pretty much blown away too.. looking here and there at all the lights, hustle and bustle! It was a cold day in the 30s so we were all bundled to the max! We parked our van and began walking to Times Square. We took a million pictures this trip! Trent and I really wanted to have some New York style pizza for lunch, but we decided since this was a trip for the kids we would let them decide. We were going to do everything for them this trip. So yes, of course, they chose the McDonalds in Times Square! It actually was pretty neat and we got a prime seat, right by the window looking out over all of Times Square! After we were fueled up we began our trek up towards Central Park. We stopped at the big Toys R Us store and were amazed at all the many toys and most of all that there is a huge Ferris wheel inside the store! The kids loved looking around and Pierce's Big Christmas list extended to be even bigger. Pretty funny that kid has moved onto other Holidays now. He has a list for Christmas, Valentines day, Easter and so on! Just ask him he will tell you.

We made it to Central park and found a cool playground there for the kids to play on. I rocked Jaida to sleep while the boys played on the big boulders and playground. At the park we ran into Spiderman, well a man dressed like one) Haha you should have seen Pierce and Brock's faces! PRICELESS! He said to them:" Hey guys, I just got done fighting some bad guys and now I am on my way to fight some more!" He gave them high fives and then pretended to shoot them with his webs. Pierce said," Wow, now I can go back home and tell all my friends that I saw the REAL Spiderman in New York!"

After fun in the park we started our journey over to the FAO Schwartz toy store. We passed the Plaza and headed over to the line for the store. That store is a lot to take in. Their assortment of stuffed animals is pretty incredible. They had a huge stuffed bear that was standing up, when we got over by it Brock's eyes lit up and he yelled out, "Look dad it is a BEAR!" I think he thought it was real! The boys also had the opportunity to get to play on the BIG piano. That was pretty special! Jaida is such a trooper and just "hung" out in the pack all day with no complaints!

It was time for us to start heading over to Rockefeller Center to meet up with our friends to see the Christmas tree and the ice rink. All I can say about the tree is that it made the whole day of walking and hurt backs all worth it! That tree is simply breathtaking! It is more than I could have ever imagined. Such a wonderful thing to be there with your little family! By this time though BROCK had just about had it! He was DONE! We headed over to have some yummy Pizza! It was soooo good! As we made our way back to the car we stopped along the way at the LEGO store and the M&M store. The boys had fun dancing around at the M&M store, but not as much as Trent! He was shakin' what his Mama gave him there! Haha. Trent let the boys pick some m&m's by the pound to buy, not realizing that because they were special colors they ended up being $12 a pound! Can we say RIP-OFF! We savored every morsel! SHEESH! By the time we got back to our van I think both Trent and I were about ready to die! Our backs were killing us! It was then that we noticed that NOT ONCE did Pierce complain the whole entire day! Are you kidding me? That is a miracle in its self! What a trooper! I was so proud of him!

I will use this when you are older

This will be my proof someday that when you were younger you would FIGHT over doing the dishes.

Right now I think it is pretty cute and I will enjoy the extra "help" in the kitchen.

But someday you will turn on me and not want to do the dishes and it will be a battle to get you to do them.

*and some day I will look at these pictures and laugh about our awesome kitchen we had while living in Maryland!

Decorating

So it is kind of tradition for us to make our gingerbread houses at my parent's house on Thanksgiving. Since this year were weren't able to go to their house, my cute parents sent us foam house kits! Now you may ask why I took a picture of me with each one of them? Well, like usual the kids relied on me to help complete the project! So yes, I am taking some of the credit!

Pierce actually did his pretty much by himself. I just had to help take the stickers off the back. He was quite the perfectionist about it and kept checking the sample picture to make sure his was just the same! It was really cute to see him get into it this year. It could have been because it wasn't actual candy to distract him.

Brock on the other hand put about 10 stickers on and he called it quits! He has no attention span and lets face it his wasn't diggin' craft time!

He did like taking my picture with it though!

And after a VERY COLD, morning of family pictures we went over to Costco to get our Christmas tree. The sign said it was 6 feet, but it was HUGE! When we got it home it didn't fit in our house and Trent had to do some tree trimming!

Funny story. The next morning we came down stairs and the tree had fallen over. I thought that it was weird, mainly because it was quiet downstairs and Brock was on the couch. Anyway, as I hoisted the tree back up I turned around to ask Brock if he knocked the tree down, as he was denying it I felt a huge tree falling onto me. It caught me totally by surprise and I was trapped under it. I was yelling for help and Trent was in the shower. Pierce ran up to get him to help me. I heard both boys giggling on the couch that I was stuck under the tree. Trent came down in his birthday suit and rescued me. Quite the visual I know! Haha it was classic! I will never forget that!

Just a game of hide and seek

So Brock wanted to play a game of hide and seek the other day. He said that he would go and hide. Unfortunately, we didn't find him fast enough before he fell asleep!
Brock, can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. We actually think that he has some sleep apnea issues as well. His nights are extremely restless and so most days are a challenge! He will be having his tonsils and adenoids removed the end of the month and we hope that it will help us all get better sleep! Wish us luck!

Happy Thanksgiving

This was the only picture I took this day! And boy am I grateful for this cute lady! My mother-in-law is pretty much amazing! We had a very different Thanksgiving this year. We spent it at the mission home with other missionaries and my in-laws! The food was delicious! I won't lie I was a little bit homesick for my family. This is one of the first times I haven't been home to enjoy my Dad's awesome dinner! Here's to new traditions!
On the morning of Thanksgiving, Pierce was so happy. He woke up and came out of his room yelling Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! He was so excited for this day. He made everyone go around and say what he was grateful for. Brock said.. yummy food, Pierce said his family, And both mommy and Daddy said our kids and a nice warm home!
I have to tell you that later on as I was getting Jaida out of the bath, Pierce came in and was talking to me and he said," I know one more thing that I am grateful for mom." I said,"What Buddy?" He said, "well my two cute girls!" I almost started to cry and now I am glad I didn't. I said, "Oh buddy you are so sweet, you mean me and Jaida?" He goes, "eww... No not you Mom; Jaida and Gracie!" Well I should have known that I wouldn't come before his beloved Gracie Girl! Gee Thanks! Made me feel like a real winner! I have to laugh though! Pretty funny!
Things I am Grateful for:
Pierce- For his big bright smile and always there to cheer you up. Knows everytime you are having a bad day and tries to make others happy!
Brock- For his comebacks and one-liners that keep me on my toes. I love his grumpy little face and that he loves to come in my bed in the morning and snuggle with me!
Jaida- For her beautiful smile and eye brow lifts that always make me smile! She has the best attitude! I am just grateful to have her and that she is somewhat healthy!
Trent- Where to begin? Love that we can be complete goofballs and laugh together. That he works so hard for our family. I love him more and more everyday!
My parents and family- Love them so much and so glad that I can just be me around them. Grateful everyday that I have 2 amazing parents that love me and taught me what was right!
The Belliston Fam- Their willingness to include me and make me feel so loved and welcomed! Each one of them have such amazing qualities that I could go on forever and ever about! I am just SO LUCKY to have family like them!
Friends- I have some of the best, no name dropping you know who you are! Thankful for their listening ears, loving hearts and good times together!

Missionary Boys

Pierce and Brock have been asking for their very own missionary tags since we moved our here. Trent finally found his for them to wear. They want to wear them all the time and Pierce often tells complete strangers about his special tag. When he isn't wearing it he also often tells them about how he is a missionary but forgot his tag!

Oh, to be a child again and have no fear! Cracks me right up!

Here they are with Gramsie and Papa some of the 2 best missionaries we know!

Funny story about Pierce:

Last week when I picked him up from his preschool they had learned about Moses. Upon leaving he yelled out in front of all the people in the foyer," Mom, my teacher told us to have our parents read us the story out of the Bible about Moses! I told her that I would have her read it to me out of our book, The Book of Mormon! She just doesn't get it, mom!" Thanks bud! I was mortified!

s'more fun

We have almost lived in this house for a year and on November 19th we decided it was high time that we got a fire going. Trent cooked up a fun evening with roasting marshmallows by the fire, s'mores, and watching Home Alone 2 to get us in the Christmas spirit.

While I was getting the boys all set up with their marshmallows and s'more goodies I looked down and saw that Jaida had helped herself to the graham crackers. She is getting more and more independent and realizes more and more her place as the 3rd child!

Love her cute little face!

We had a great time together as a family and stayed warm by the fire. I absolutely love having a nice warm fire!

Lets face it

Lets face it when you are the third child you have to get a little creative. When you see that mommy is so busy getting your brother's dinner cut and ready to eat and has forgotten that she left your food sitting on your tray of your highchair. Your little cries for attention just don't cut it or sometimes aren't even heard because your brother are so LOUD!

This is what you get mom when you forget that I can grab things! I was hungry and you were taking soooooo long! I guess I just had to take matters into my own hands and feed myself!

Sorry I made such a mess it looks easier than it is I guess!

But I am sure you won't be upset with me because of my cute little face! After all it was your FAULT!

So much for that flu shot

Well it was one of those moments where you look like a complete moron of a parent. I had taken all the kids in just the week before and told them the importance of why we get flu shots. I told them that if you are brave and get the shot you won't get sick and throw up! Well, to our surprise Pierce woke up a week later in the middle of the night moaning in his bed. I went in and felt his head and he was on fire. I went and told Trent to come and get him, the kid weighs 50 pounds and it isn't exactly easy for me to get him down from the top bunk! After giving him some medicine and thinking we could now get some rest, haha the heaving began! All over Trent, our bed.. yeah you get the picture! After cleaning that all up, Pierce went back to sleep and Trent and I were wide awake! Bummer!

The good news is, nobody else got it and it only lasted a day! I hate to see my little buddy sick!

Kumbaya

One of Trent's friends invited him and the boys over for a much needed manly retreat around the fire! They had some soda, hot dogs and s'mores! The boys had a great time being just that, boys!

Air and Space and Good Stuff

After a bitter cold morning, watching Pierce in his last soccer game. Doesn't Jaida look so cute bundled up? My Aunt Julie made her that Beenie, so cute! Okay sorry got a little side tracked. After soccer we decided to head on down to Washington, D.C. and see another museum. This time we chose the Air and Space museum.

The boys napped on the way down and were sure excited to be there. Pierce was on the hunt for Amelia Earhart's plane!

They had a fun interactive children's area in the museum. Here are some pictures of the boys flying a Cessna.

After being in this area, I couldn't help but notice how inconsiderate some parents and kids are. There are so many things to do in there and it was super busy. Parents aren't even watching their kids and they are just roaming around. We would be waiting in line for things and other kids and parents (Clueless and often times on their stupid cell phones) would just cut right in front of others and start doing the exhibits! Pretty frustrating. Made me always want to make sure I taught my kids that they need to be patient and wait their turns.

He found it! He was so excited when he did! Brock was insistent on taking the picture, so the quality is lacking!

The boys had a fun time walking around the city and jumping off the raised flower beds!

I just love these two boys! They are at such fun ages right now and their personalities crack me up! Here they are in front of the big telescope!

After about 2 hours of the museum, that is about all our kids can handle. Trent took us down to the Good Stuff Eatery. His friend Jamie Blakesley introduced him to this place. I am not sure we should thank him for doing so. It is some "Good Stuff!" if you know what I mean. We were especially bad this time and got 2 large orders of french fries (yummy and to die for!) and 2 large Black and White milkshakes! ( oh my goodness, can we say Naughty!) These shakes have a thick coating of hot fudge around the inside of the cup!
Now that was a healthy dinner!

Cute behinds! Trent said even the first lady Michelle Obama is known to come to this place! I can see why. I am glad we don't live close by!

The boys loved this place! I hope we can go again soon!We had a great day together!