Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, etc...

Here's a letter Logan wrote to Santa, and left it for him next the cookies on Christmas Eve...

anser next to them.

Dear Santa,

I have some questions to ask you.

Will you anser them please?

1. Do you like children?

2. Do you like the cookies?

3. Do you like giving presents?

4. do you like are family?

5. Do you give evreybodey what they want?

6. Was I very good last year?

7. Do you sometimes give children fruit?

8. Does every person give you cookies?

9. Do you work all year?

10. Are you nice?

11. Do you have elfs?

12. Do you deliver all the presents in one minute?

We had a great Christmas this year! We spent Christmas Eve with the Seeley cousins. Here is a picture of all the rugrats in their christmas pj's that the elves left on the porch! My sister Stacy read them the gift of the Magi, we watched the nativity DVD, and had a yummy dinner of French Dip Sandwiches. During dinner Carly fell backwards off her chair, and hit her head. After that, she wanted to go to bed, but we made her stay up. She then puked all over. She wasn't sick, so I'm pretty sure it was a result of a little concusion. She's fine now!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This N That

Logan's been through a lot of changes this year. He started second grade, but a month ago I transferred him to another class. It was quite traumatic for him at first (he was sad to leave his friends) He got braces, he started speech, and just a lot of other little things that have pulled him out of his "comfort zone". I decided to go on the field trip with his class just to kind of see how things are going.

Well, it was the LONGEST field trip - 6 hours - to be exact. The bus left Bountiful at 9am. We went to Kingsbury Hall at the U of U to watch a Pirate musical. Then, they ate lunch on the bus, and headed to the Kaysville Sportsplex where they played soccer, basketball, tag, and had smoothies. Despite the duration, it was actually a pretty pleasant trip. 2nd grade field trips are ALOT different than Kindergarten ones. I was thankful for that. I thought that Logan would want his friends more, but he was really happy to have me there. We played the dot game on the bus with his friends, and had a real good time. And thanks to MY friends, I was able to leave Carly and Chase behind!

The next day we headed to Chase's Kindergarten program - cute as ever! His teacher plays the guitar, and they sing the funniets little songs. Chase's favorite went something like this..."Williby, Wallaby, Woo, and elephant sat on you, Willibly, Wallaby, wase, an elephant sat on Chase"! He couldn't keep a straight face :)

AND...since we can't leave Carly out...

Here's Carly and "cousin Hannah" trying on the latest swim fashions (at the end of November), while Stacy and I try to work on Pretty Petal stuff. I need to find out what Carly does to get those super ripped thighs! I don't know why she looks so buff in that picture :)

Halloween Past 2 Present

Since I don't have any new pictures, I thought I'd share some Halloween's from "days gone by"...

This was our first halloween after Chase was born, and the first "digital" halloween! The only reason they didn't match was because the matching costumes didn't come in newborn sizes!

I was so excited to have matching cowboys, we even made belt buckles from cardboard, and tinfoil. Two is ALWAYS cuter than one - what can I say?

This year I was just lucky. I went to Old Navy on Halloween Day, and found these "regular" clothes on clearance! Chase and Logan freaked out about the make-up, so I had to secretly put some on my hands, and just hold their face while I talked to them. They never even knew! I usually don't dress up, but that year, I found the little ears at Target, and put something together - believe it or not, I already had the leather pants :)

This was Carly Paige's first Halloween (that's what they called her until she was 2). Again, the matching firemen were just too cute, and the flower - EVEN CUTER! sorry boys :(


I know - why aren't they matching? This was our first year in Bountiful, and our house was under construction. I was so pre-occupied that I had a short stint of "I don't care". At least I kept a theme - right? Don't worry, we were back to normal by the next year.

Frank went on a business trip and scored some Green Bay season opener tickets at Lambeau Stadium, so he brought back these little beauties. We duck taped strips of styrofoam for shoulder pads! I even got all three to match that time!

Baby Sienna

This is my new niece - SIENNA (Brad & Kalisa's). She's got the cutest little beanie head, so Stacy, and I, of course couldn't keep our grubby hands to ourselves. We had to try on our new line of infant accessories. She's the most adorable little model. Thanks for humoring us Kalisa :)

We started trying on the beanies ourselves, and it looks like Sienna's good beanie head was inherited by Kalisa. Doesn't she look great!

Happy Hauntings!

Happy Halloween! Our festivities began the on the 30th with class parties. I was in charge of the game (hallo-bingo) in Chase's class, and Carly just joined right in - she's so ready for kindergarten! Frank was out of town, so I took the kids to the halloween carnival at the church. Me and Carly were witches (not a strech - I know), and the boys were vampires. Here's the individual pics...

Carly, of course, L-O-V-E-D the purple hair - thanks dad!

Chase loved the fangs, but since signigicantly reduced his productivity in eating halloween candy, they were ditched within 5 minutes! (I would do the same thing- smart kid that Chase:))

Logans favorite was his cape, and hair. Since we're growing it out - we were able to get quite the widow's peak (even though it's a little lopsided).

Sports Wrap Up

The boys just finished their fall soccer season last week. Here are some highlights...

Logan was really into soccer this season. He was the "Golden Eagles", and their team won almost every game. There were some really competitive kids on his team - he is not one of them. Logan really enjoyed it, but he's just not as aggressive as the other boys. Logan loved being the goalee, and he was really good at it! We had a lot of fun going to his games, but glad it's over now - it was getting toooo cold :)

Chase was Chase. Sure, he loved going to the games, but he was such a goof ball the whole time. He was always sitting on the coaches lap, and saying funny things to all the kids on his team - and the other. He's funny to watch, but there's not much soccer going on. There was one game that he "accidently" made a goal, and his whole attitude changed. For the rest of the game he was a machine - so focused. I couldn't believe it. I'm glad to see he has some fire in him!

Carly was the ADORABLE spectator. She spent her game times playing with her friend "Maddy" at the playground, sitting with grandma, and rolling down the grass hill.

So, with soccer behind us, it's on to basketball. This is Logan's first time playing. He's still a little young, so Jr. Jazz has him in a little workshop where they just do drills, and practice for the first three weeks, then they play against some other teams. He's really liking it so far.

Dot Dress

I ordered a nightgown from Gymboree. When I showed it to Carly, she was DELIGHTED! She said, "It's my dot dress". I kept telling her that it was a nightgown, but she insisted that it's her dot dress. She has been wearing it for three days now. She changes accessories to get a different look (alternating hair flowers, pink snow boots, etc.), but it's still the same dress (or nightgown). This morning's conversation with dad...

Frank: Bye, Princess Carly

Carly: My not a pwincess, my Cawy Paige Wancastow

(pause for thought)

Carly: Oh, my weawing my dot dwess, so my AM a pwincess! Bye dad.

We have these conversations all the time. Last night, she was watching Dancing With The Stars with me. Here's the conversation...

Carly: Mom, that giwls not cute. Wanna know why?

Mom: Yes, why isn't she cute?

Carly: Because she's not weawing a dwess.

Mom: Ya, but she has sparkles on her pants.

Carly: Oh ya, she's cute.

Frightmares!

For Chase's B-day party, we went to LAGOON! We hadn't been yet this year, so we were really excited to go. My kids only get "friend birthday parties when they're 3,5,8,12,16... Since Chase just turned 6, it was a family party. My sister Stacy tended Carly, so we could just take Logan and Chase on the fun rides - well, that was the plan. Turns out, Chase is still about 1 inch short of going on most of the big rides, and Logan has no interest in thrills! I kept telling Chase that next year, I am taking him alone, and me and him will ride the big rides all day long. Logan gets his fear of fun from Frank. That said, we still managed to have a great time! I paid Logan $1 to go on wicked with me (which he hated - I loved!). The favorite was probably the rattlesnake rapids. They went on that 5 times in a row. It was fun to be there with my big boys. I never thought I would see the day!

Chase Face - THE SEQUEL!

Chase is officially the "CLOWN". He is immediately given this title wherever he goes...school, dentist, store, church, soccer, t-ball. It doesn't matter where - he loves to make people smile. Even the shyest of kids become friends with Chase within minutes of meeting him. He's very approachable, and loves to play with other kids. He's confident, but doesn't mind being bossed around (he's used to that with Logan around). He is super laid back. Yes, the "clown" has it's downside too, but for this blog, we will LOVE the "clown". Thank's Chase, for always making us SMILE :)

TAG!

Kourtney tagged me.....

1. I auditioned for American Idol in Las Vegas just two months before getting pregnant with my third baby. I have to say that this experience always gives me good material for these "get-to-know-you" activities - totally worth it!!

2. I have dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S... Babies for free, eh???

3. In high school, I worked at an awesome sandwich shop called "Big Mountain Sandwich Company", where I tried mayonaise for the very first time - and loved it!!

4. My mom went into labor with me while doing a session at the Salt Lake Temple. Her friend that was with them was a nurse, so she was timing the contractions.

5. Speaking of labor, when I was pregnant with Chase, my water broke in the Costco parking lot. I was reciting Dr. Seuss's "Big Brown Bear" to Logan, and when I bounced to the word, "Bump" to entertain Logan, my "bump", bumped me right back. He was 3 weeks early.

6. Like my "self-titled" song, by Weezer? Last week I won tickets to the Weezer concert by pulling a red poker chip out of a big bucket of pork and beans (with hot dogs) at a car dealership in Bountiful!! Thanks 101.9!

7. I went to Jordan High School for one year. They needed a pianist for the "boys" choir, so I volunteered for the job, so I could get out of class, and meet boys. I don't play the piano! My mom had to teach me all the songs. Since I don't read music, I just memorized all of them.

I tag... Stacy Seeley, Callie Harmon, Tenielle Forsberg, Julie Uriona, Stephanie Anderson, Lorena Jenson, Megan Smith

The Cutest Little Brace Face...

Have you ever seen a cuter brace face? We went to the dentist for a routine checkup, and the dentist noted that Logan's teeth meet right together. Since the top ones don't overlap the bottom, he has an underbite. He told me to see an orthodontist to see what they had to say about it. It took him in, they said he should probably have braces to fix his bite before his jaw fuses shut (by age 12). At first, I wasn't so sure. Then he said that Jay Leno has an underbite - that's all I had to hear - it was done, then, and there. The very next day, he had braces. He was pretty excited to get them on - until he got them on. He was sooo mad. When the orthodontist asked to see what colors he picked, Logan just shut his mouth, and shook his head. He did the same thing to the receptionist. I pulled into the school parking lot, and he burst out into tears. He said, "I can't go to school. If I go, I won't be able to talk to anyone, or they'll see my braces." I sent him anyway, and worried the whole rest of the day. Here's his equally adorable "mad face"...

When he got home that day, his attitude was changed. He said that everyone in the whole school wanted to see his braces. He picked "fire red", and "blue"elastics. He says that no one can ever guess the "fire red". Rest assured, he will correct anyone who says that he has red braces. He is maticulous about taking care of them. He follows instructions to a fault. I had a bag of swedish fish at Chase's soccer game. He put one in his mouth, and realized he wasn't supposed to eat it, so he spit it out. I'm telling you right now, never in a million years would I have the discipline to spit out a swedish fish! Here's a better picture of the braces - NOT Logan. Although, Logan thinks this is the funniest face int he whole world (I think he's being a bunny?)...whatever!

So, She Thinks She Can Dance!!

About three weeks ago, Carly started Ballet at Bountiful School of Ballet. They have a pretty strict dress code: black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, all hair pulled back, no underwear, no skirts, etc. I was a little nervous about this since she usually insists on wearing a dress to dance - Princesses, you know. She was super excited to wear her new ballet garb anyway, and couldn't stop looking at herself, she loves to "shake it"...

She was a little apprehensive about being with all those girls (she's not the most social), so I had to stay at the bar with her for a little bit. Carly followed instructions ok, but didn't talk to the teacher once. After the first week, it was "no mommies allowed". Carly would have none of that. She was terrible the second week. The teacher said that Carly would just glare at her if she tried to talk to her. So, the third week, we went to 7-11 on the way, let her pick out a treat to put in my purse that she could have after the class if she was happy, and danced. She got the treat! She still says, "My can't talk to my teacher, though...beacuase it's too scary". I tell her that her teacher loves her and that she shouldn't be scared. And her reply, "No, she doesn't wove me so much, my don't fink".

Although Carly has a difficult time, Chase is catching on very quickly. Since he is with me at dance, he has mastered how to "sit on your marshmallow, then stand up, sit on your marshmallow, then stand up". He quotes this line during breakfast, playing with friends, at the grocery store...he has great form. He's a natural!

Bye, Bye, Boys!

Our day yesterday (Sunday) began at 7:15am when me and the boys left grandma Peterson's in Canada to come home after a six-day visit. The 12-hour drive went pretty well. I was lucky to have my mom in the passenger's seat to tend to my kids, and read me PEOPLE magazine. Being the airhead that I am, I left my camera home, so no pictures right now. Stacy's family came too, and I talked her into snapping a few for me. I'll blog about Canada as soon as I get pics! Anyway, we got home yesterday at about 7:30pm - just in time to get all the kids bathed, and in bed for their first day of school. Here's how it went...
Chase started Kindergarten. When I picked him up, he couldn't quit talking about soda crackers. I don't even know what they are (are they saltines?) Then, after thinking a little more about his time at school he said, with dissapointment, "but I didn't leawn how to wead - she didn't teach me". We keep telling him that he will learn how do read in kindergarten, so he was frustrated when after two and a half hours of school, he was still illiterate...poor Chase :(Logan is in a portable this year. That's a good thing since the school doesn't have A/C. He looked so big in his grown-up classroom. I can't believe he's in second grade! Luckily this year, he's back with his good friends Jackson, and Sam. He's a really responsible kid, and will do great. I'm so proud of him:)

AHHHHH, Sleep!

This is what I wish I was doing right now. It's 3:20am, and Frank's snoring woke me up, so here I am! Chase ends up on the floor every night. I promise, I DO put him in his bed, but every night when we go to tuck him in, he is on the floor, covered in EVERY pillow from his bed---FUNNY :)

Go Time!

Yes, it's GO TIME!! Now that the summer is coming to an end, I have this pressing need to do all activities we said we were going to do this summer, but have put off. So, the things left on our list are; Boise, Canada, Lagoon, Camping, Baseball Game, Bowling, Mt. Timpanogas, Swimming, and probably more . As of last week, I can cross off Camping - thank's to our one-night ward campout :)

It was actually pretty fun. Frank built a campfire right outside our tent so he wouldn't have to go the the ward fireside that night (you know, someone has to tend the fire, right?). The funny thing was that since he was the only one that built a fire, the ward came to him - therefore, the ward devotional was at Frank's campfire. It worked out well because we put the kids to bed, and were still able to stay up late with the fire :) One night only is the way to go!!

So, tonight we are headed to Weinerschnitzel, and then the Bee's game with my sister's family. We'll see how things turn out with the rest of the list...

Summer Slack'n

I know, it's been like a year since I last posted a blog...so here it goes. As soon as school got out, my sister Stacy and I thought we'd take on a little summer project, and take some of our hand-made hair accessories to sell at a little craft booth at the Centerville 4th of July celebration. Well, our "little" project has kind of snowballed - thanks to the men in our lives (our husbands, and my brother Brad). They have all been so excited about the idea of starting our own business, that we now have a legitimate business with an company name, The Pretty Petal, a website, http://www.theprettypetal.com/ (thanks, Brad), an e-mail account, www.theprettypetal@hotmail.com, a business phone, 801-742-5365, and more!! It's actually been a lot of fun, but VERY time consuming. Our booth was tons of fun. Here's a picture...

The booth was a blast, but the highlight was definately my parallel parking job! I did it on the first try in the Expedition - all by myself. I was so proud, I took this picture...

The summer has been pretty fun. Even though the 4th of July was hectic, we still managed to squeeze in some good old fashion family time...

Yes, his shirt says, "FRANK THE TANK"!

On July 14th Carly turned 3. She had her "princess party" with her girl cousins Sadie, Emma, Sage, Hannah, and baby Rachel. We decorated the side patio with drapes made out of plastic table cloths - Carly called it her "kingdom"

We had pedicures...

We put on our prettiest princess dresses...

We made Princess Magic Wands...

We stuffed our faces only as princesses do!!

Happy Birthday Carly!!

Another highlight this summer was our pineview reunion with my roommates from college. We ALL made it there, and it was a blast to see everyone. We went from 6 bachelorettes...

to six wives, and mothers to a total of 15 and a half kids! Pine View Rocks :)