Taggy

Some kids have a blanket.

Some kids have Binky.

Some kids have a doll or a stuffy.

Jack has taggy.

Taggy might just be the love of Jack's life.

What is taggy you ask?

Well taggy is the tag that was on his crib bumper from when he was a baby.

When we were letting him cry it out (oh yes we are mean parents)

he would scoot around his crib until he found the silky tag and then go straight to sleep.

The bumper made the transition from crib to toddler bed and then we were going to go on vacation and we needed to figure out what to do with taggy.

So JOSEPH (!!!) cut the rest of the bumper off. And sewed up the one little square.

Once we went to stay with Nana and Papa in Fl and we forgot taggy, well actually I didn't forget, I just didn't realize the full realm of affection he has for taggy.

He would cry and cry and cry for taggy at night.

We tried to give him papa's silky pj pants but he would have none of it.

Now taggy goes on all major family vacations.

And he (taggy) is the source of much anxiety because there is only ONE taggy.

He cannot be replaced. EEK.

ps. taggy is kinda gross. :)

Four.

Jack turned 4!

We had a movie party.

He only wanted family and 2 friends.

No classmates and no other friends. AWESOME.

We had the kids come over for pizza before we headed to the theatre but they didn't want to eat

they just wanted to play.

So we let them play, eat pizza and popcorn, and watch a movie..... in the toyroom.

They had so much fun.

I'm so grateful Jack is so easy to please.

I wish everyone could have a boy just like JackJack.

2 weeks ago after church we had a munch and mingle. I'm not a fan of potluck unless I know whose kitchen it came from, so I usually bolt right after.

But we decided to stay and chat it up for a bit and I'm so glad that we did.

Joseph and I each, separately, were told by 5 people how wonderful, smart, kind and good our kids are.

It was so nice to hear those things from other people.

There are so many days when I feel like I have failed them or that my kids are the only kids who can't sit still during sacrament, or are talking too loud, running, being too silly, etc.

But on this particular day it felt so good to hear others say how wonderful my children are.

They truly are such wonderful, smart and kind children.

I don't care if my kids grow up to be Drs., professional athletes, geniuses, etc.

I just want them to be kind. We could use a lot more of that in the world.

CRaZy hAiR DaY

Abbey wasn't too sure about crazy hair day.

She cried for 10mins after I did her hair because in her words "i look like a BOY!".

So I busted out the glitter hairspray because glitter makes everything better.

And bitty baby got to wear some glitter too.

yikes

So sad.

A few days after we returned from vacation Abbey got to take a ride in the ambulance.

She smashed her forehead on our headboard. oy.

Joseph said seeing her crying and thrashing while wrapped to the board was enough to put him over the edge.

Taking them out was quite a treat too!

The good news is it's all healed up and the bruising is all gone.

After they were taken out she was hit in the head while at school, everyday.

For a week.

I'm pretty sure we're on speed dial now.

Disney

We travelled to Orlando a few days after Christmas. We (and by we I mean Joseph) decided that we were driving. I had prepared myself for screaming, crying and non-stop complaining but I was pleasantly surprised.

We made it about half way on Tuesday stopped and stayed in a hotel for the night and drove the next 6.5hours on Wednesday.

Our saving grace was Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and Toy Story 3. with an occassional episode of Pokemon.

Whenever Joshua would get tired or begin to fuss we would pop in one of the movies and he would be quiet and not say a word or make a peep for the next 2hours.

And the big kids didn't complain about it.

We stayed at Disney's Old Key West Resort.

It was beautiful and so clean.

There were boats to rent, water taxis, an awesome water park, 4 pools, hot tubs.

The pools were all heated to 85degrees. So nice.

Everyone had their own room to sleep in, laundry in the unit, fully stocked kitchen, grocery delivery, etc. So we ate most lunches and dinners in our suite. It was perfect.

1st day we headed to the Magic Kingdom. It was crowded and overwhelming.
But we had extra magic hours because we were resort guests so we were able to ride all the rides we wanted and beat the BIG crowds.

Proof Disney isn't always the happiest place on Earth.

We had breakfast inside Cinderellas Castle.

Abbey was in heaven. All the princesses were there to visit for a few minutes.

Snow White had a thing for Jackson.

Abbey's favorite.

Lunch on our porch. Epcot was right over those trees.

We watched the fireworks every night.

We had breakfast with the Little Einsteins, Handy Manny, and Special Agent Oso.

Josh was more entertained by video games.

Josh loved this slide at Hollywood Studios.

Jack on the other hand cried because he thought it looked like a brain.

Jack's favorite was the stunt show.

Fire, guns, motorcycles, fast cars, screeching tires.

What more could a boy ask for.

New Years Eve was spent at Hollywood Studios.

They have a fantastic light show.

The kids are obsessed with face painting.

Breakfast at Chef Mickeys.

Madeleine this picture is for you.

Minny said she LOVES you.

Animal Kingdom!

Dinner at the Polynesian.

One perk of staying at a Disney World Resort is being able to dine and park (for free) at the other Disney Resorts.

We headed over to see the fire dancers, have dinner and get a Dole Whip.

Yummmm I love Dole Whips.

We had a great trip.

Joshua was the hardest part of the trip.

He doesn't want to be confined to the stroller and he can walk for approx 2 mins before his legs are done.

And now that we've been at Christmas time, we will only go during the month of October from now on. It's just too busy.

The weather was 75-80 all week.

It was so hard to come home to 30degrees.

We decided to make the 13hour drive in one day.

I never would have guessed that our kids wouldn't make a sound the whole trip home.

All 13hours they were all awake and silent watching movies.

It was amazing.

But I'll never do it again. :)

Christmas Round #2

We had a Merry Christmas here at home.

I love that we have sworn off travelling at Christmas time.

Before the madness.

This is as good as it gets around here these days.

Jack cannot smile like a normal child to save his life. sad really.

Josh has no time to look at the camera or do anything other than talk about Buzz-Woo-ee.

I was being irreverent and snapping a picture during prayer time because there is NOTHING cuter than a little person folding their arms for a prayer.

Josh finally has his own Buzz and Woody.
They go everywhere with him.

We finally got him to put down the guys to open 1 present.

Jack either takes a picture with the item in front of his face or....

he smiles like he has a mouth full of mash.

Thanks for the walkies Nana and Papa.

This was the year of the Barbie for Abbey, I think there were 10 in all.

My grandmother had this Barbies clothes made just for Abbey.

Thanks Glaa

OOOOO la la

Thanks Pap and Pip.

Thanks Mary for my beautiful doll dress.

hahahahaha his face!!!

Thanks Pap, although I would love to throw these wings in the garbage.

Note from Santa.

Stern warning to "Be Good" Note written by Abbey all by herself.

She continues to amaze us with her spelling.

Jack signs his name with a single letter J.

We hope one day he will finish writing his whole name.

He says J is enough.

Before we open the BIG box.

We're going to Disney World!

We hope your Christmas was fantastic!