Children's Museum

This week was Spring Break for Kate, so I tried to think of things to do every day. Dave was out of town Wednesday through Friday on travel, so it was just me and the kids. The weather here was really crappy -- super windy and cold, so we spent a lot of time inside.

On Friday the kids and I went to Albuquerque. We checked out the children's museum. I went to the temple and picked up a few b-day presents for Kate while Aunt Karen watched the kids. Then we picked up Dave at the airport and drove home together. Here are some pictures from the museum:

Too Much . . .?

Tonight we were watching American Idol and after the song that all the contestants sang, Kate said, "Mom, that song really touched my heart."

I think we've been listening to too much Paula...
Or did that song touch your heart too?

No More...

Yep, Jack is officially potty-trained. I was going to post last week, but whenever I'd say how great he was doing he'd have an accident. But he is doing great -- accident-free and diaper-free.

Anyway...That's about all I can think to post about. This week is spring break, so the kids and I will be having lots of quality time together.

Another Sport

Last night Dave introduced Jack to another sport. Baseball! Jack loved it (of course).

Batting -- he hit the ball quite a few times.

Jack, the pitcher.

Kate wasn't too interested in batting, so she was the score-keeper.

And for a little potty training update for yesterday. No accidents! Hooray!

Big Kids!

It snowed last week, I think it was Friday. The kids really wanted to play in the snow, so I let them shovel the driveway.


And for some exiting news about Jack. We are on potty training day #3 and he is doing great! I was a little nervous to start potty training him because we have so much carpet in our house and I'm just a little lazy. But he is doing so great and is so excited about it. We successfully made it to the grocery store and back this morning, no problem. I think I'm going to have a 4 month break from buying diapers! I've bought diapers straight for 5 years, so this will be nice!

Meet the Builders

Today was our first day of having Bob the Builder around our house. My friend's little boy decided that he was too big for Bob, so he gave all his tools, DVDs, etc. to Jack. Today was a day when I didn't feel like going anywhere (for two reasons, (1) there is no where to go here besides Smith's and (2) it was snowing). Jack was in Bob the Builder heaven.

So, let's meet the Builders, Bob and Kate.

After watching a few short episodes of a Bob the Builder DVD, Bob and Kate did lots of repairs for me around the house. Their work style is a mix between Bob the Builder and Hanny Manny. I'm just glad that they're playing nicely together and hoping that they don't dent anything with their tools.

All Day in Windy Duke City

Today was one of those days when I remember why my mom hated going shopping so much growing up. We would have to drive an hour to Provo and then we'd be there all day running errands. Our day today didn't involve much shopping, but it was busy, busy busy. Here's what we did:

1 -- Left at 7:00 am (I'm amazed that the kids and I were ready by then) and drove to Santa Fe.

2 -- Spent 1.25 hours waiting inside the Kia Dealer's waiting room while they changed the oil in the van (Dave always changes our oil, but we had a coupon this time -- just for the record).
3 -- We drove another hour to Albuquerque where I dropped my kids off at my sweet aunt Karen's house. I pretty much just dropped them off with not much chatting involved since I was running a little late.

4 -- Then I went to the temple. Aaah, it was so nice and quiet there. I swear Jack is getting louder everyday.
5 -- I picked up the kids and visited with Karen for a minute. I'm so glad she lives there. She's such a lifesaver and it's so nice to have some family close.

6 -- We ran really fast into Walmart to buy b-day presents. Then went to Sam's to get gas.

7 -- Then at 2:30 we made it to the most-anticipated stop, the ZOO! I'd been promising the kids all week that if they were good then we'd go to the zoo today. Too bad it was so stinking windy today. Anyway...Here are some pics of our zoo trip:

The much anticipated zoo-train ride.

It was fun seeing the hippos -- they didn't have any in SLC.

Jack was fascinated by these 900 lb goats (I can't remember their real name)

We decided that this lion was on strike (from one of our favorite books,
"Animal Strike at the Zoo, It's True" by Karma Wilson)

The kids finally decided to ride in the stroller.

But the kids' favorite part of the zoo, was the kid playground. I guess they would have just been happy going to a McDonald's playplace.

This part was a little too hard for Jack -- he couldn't get up.

Anyway...After we made our final stop for dinner, then we made it home (12 hours later). The kids are now in bed. The car is cleaned out (the kitchen is a mess though from the stuff I unloaded from the car). And I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed.

Just think -- I really should be going to Albuquerque every month to go to the temple. All I can think right now is, "I wish it were closer." Anyway...It was a good day.

Random Pictures from Today

Here are some random pictures from today.

If you click on this picture to make it big, you'll see what can happen to your eye if your sister throws a library book at you. Why can't we just share? Seriously...

Jack. Serious as ever about golfing.

Kate -- photogenic as ever.
Saying, "Hi Dad!"

"Is my eye red?" Hopefully it's just allergies and not pink eye.

Pajama Day

Today was pajama day at Kate's school. She was so excited about wearing her princess nightgown (with shirt and leggings underneath) to school. Coming tomorrow: Crazy Hair Day!

And of course, you can't take a picture of one kid and not the other. I thought Jack looked really grown up today in his new 3T size clothes. What a big boy he's getting to be!

Back at the Golf Course

The weather this last week has been beautiful. Yesterday we took a family trip to the driving range at the golf course. It's been a few months since the guys have gone golfing and Jack was really excited to go. Here are some pictures of our golfing experience.

All I can say about Jack golfing is that he is SERIOUS!
Never mind that Jack is holding his hands the wrong way. He would not let us help him! Dave's showing him how to hold his hands as I type this (they're golfing in the house with a soft basketball and a plastic golf club).

Kate did a little golfing, but she was more interested in getting balls to put in her bucket and smiling pretty for the camera...

Okay, so here's a prego picture of me for all of you that haven't had the privilege of seeing my rapidly growing stomach. Keep in mind that I'm not due until July (I'm only 19 weeks, so not quite halfway yet). I'm a little scared of how big I'm going to get!

Here's a better side profile picture of my stomach -- never mind the ornery look on my face.

Okay, so I know I've posted lots of picture of Jack sleeping on the floor, but it just amazes me everytime he does it without me knowing. Kate told me today that I had to come see something really quick and this is what we saw...
Then of course I have to take a picture of Kate! It's not fair that she is so photogenic!