We Miss Jenny Already!

We had a great week! Jenny came to visit us, and we all had a blast! We were so busy and did so much. I am now so exhausted. I am sure part of the exhaustion has to do with the fact that Dallin is teething and screamed in the middle of the night for the last week. The tooth has finally cut and now the other is looking like it might come through on the top. Dallin also started to crawl on all fours, and he started to wave while Jenny was here. He would only wave to Aunt Jenny, but today I got him to wave to me. :)

Joshua has asked about Aunt Jenny several times after she left. He was sad to see her go. He loved to spend time with her and show her all of his cars. She taught him to say "Oh Yeah!" We get to here that a lot now.

Jenny was a big help especially when the boys decided that it would be fun to spit out their binkies and stay up for hours after bed time. It is nice to see them play together, but not after bed time. :)

We had an extremely busy week. I have also started to watch another little boy. I was proud that we took on the extra little cutie and accomplished all that we did this week. The money I make watching the little boy is going towards my new vehicle fund. :)

The last thing we did before Aunt Jenny left was dye Easter eggs. Joshua did a great job helping.
We went to the Science Place on Friday. We had so much fun. It was nice to have an adult to each child, as Joshua likes to fun away and be independent. He loved playing with everything there.

There was a little section in the backyard for 2 and under. Dallin had a blast crawling around on the mats. He is getting so strong, and sooo cute!

We went to the Arboretum on Wednesday. We had so much fun. It was the perfect day! We even ran into friends! They have a great exhibit up now, and the kids loved it. I didn't see them last time because we had to leave to put the kids down for a nap.

I thought Jenny and Joshua looked cute just relaxing staring off into the lake.

Joshua was playing in the water. He was pretty much soaked, but he looked so cute doing it, especially in his new cute clothes!

We went to the Zoo on Tuesday. Michael actually came with us. It was quite the adventure.

Jenny and Joshua had fun monkeying around. We had so much fun looking at all of the animals.

We love you Jenny and were so glad that you came for a visit. We had a blast!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

I just wanted to wish my Mom a Happy Birthday. We love and miss you! We hope that you have a fabulous day. You are such a great mother and grandma. The boys and I love you so much. We are all very lucky to have you in our lives! By the way I do know that this picture is really old but it is one of the few pictures that I had on a CD. :) The date of your Birthday also means that March is over which is also something to celebrate. ha ha We survived another March. :)

I also just wanted to mention Grandpa West and Aunt Jessica had a Birthday. We love you both very much as well. We hope you had a great one! We love and miss you all very much! We hope to see you all soon!

Happy Birthday Michael

I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to you! The boys and I love you very much. You are great Dad, and the boys can't wait to play with you when you get home from work. The pictures below are when Michael took them out to play so I can clean up the kitchen. He is such a great husband, and I am lucky to be married to him! P.S. I love this picture below because it shows that Dallin actually has hair. :)Joshua has been riding his bike a ton lately. He even makes car noises while riding his bike.

Dallin is getting a little steadier on his feet he always wants to be on the move.

We love the Aboretum

We had a great time at the Aboretum. Our friend Maren gave us a ride and let us in on her pass. Thanks Maren! It was so fun. All of the Pre-Schoolers loved the covered wagon.




Dallin wanted to run around so badly. I would let him down more often, but he loves to put everything into his mouth.

Gilbert and Joshua are so cute together in the tepee.

Dallin would not look into the camera for me so we got a profile picture.

Gilbert and Joshua again, peering through the window of the farm house.

Gator Fun in LA

We had a great time on Saturday with Jenny and her friend Mel. We met up with her in Shreveport. We went to Gator and Friends. They have alligators and a petting zoo.

We actually got to hold an alligator. It was fun!

Aunt Jenny brought beads for Joshua from Mardi Gras. He had a good time playing around with them. She also brought him grapes which he just about finished off before we made it home.

She also brought me a curling iron and things. Thanks Jenny!

Joshua got to feed the animals. Mel had to lift him up for this one. He was not afraid to feed the animals at all. He is still talking about the donkey and cows he saw. He loved the ducks as well.

Dallin did not enjoy the trip as much as Joshua but he hung in there. He was a trooper.

We decided to go bowling as well. I didn't worry about Joshua looking at the bowling ball because I thought they were too heavy for him to lift. I was wrong! He picked up the ball, luckily I ran over there before he dropped it on a toe or something. Jenny won the bowling game. Michael and I have lost our game.

The Aftermath

We very much appreciate every ones help and well wishes with the recent break in. We are feeling at home again. The finger print smudges are gone and I have disinfected almost everything. The door doesn't look all the way normal but good enough to lock tight. Everyone in our neighborhood is alert and looking out for one another even more now. Burglaries can happen to anyone at anytime, it is so sad. It doesn't matter where you live, especially with the bad economy.

I thought I would share some of the strange things that were missing, and they were not all shoveled into a bag because they were in different places, where many other things were left. Weird!

1. deodorant
2. make up
3. Q tips
4. toilet paper
5. curling iron
6. contact case
7. Foot Massager

The boys are doing great. Joshua has found a love for Nascar. He even talked to Grandpa Rasmussen on the phone about the race cars and the pace car. He is doing great with counting. We have a ways to go on the letters, but things seem to come in his own time. He has colors pretty good now, especially when it comes to cars.

Dallin is starting to pull himself up. It is a big effort for him, but he is working on it. He will almost crawl normal when he doesn't have any clothes on, so I know it is possible. We no longer give him bananas, which has helped him tremendously. He is sleeping better, drooling less, and his nose is not as runny. He is actually going to bed without a binky. He is doing great. He still is a bit crankier then usual, but happier then before. He also has been very clingy, which makes it hard to get anything done. I am sure the phase will pass.

March is very Unlucky!

Last year during this time Michael's position with Schwan 's was eliminated. This year we have a whole new set of trials, so maybe next year we will skip March. ha ha :)

Today our house was broken into while I was at the park. I came home and saw that our door was open. I knew that I had locked the door. They had kicked it in. The door frame was on the floor. I called the Police and they came. I called Michael and he froze all of our accounts. We lost everything that was materially valuable, and all of my pictures on my computer. They spent the most time in the master bedroom. They went through all of our clothes and under the bed. In the office they moved all of our pictures, we think they must have look for a safe. We went and bought a tower to go with our computer screen that I already had, so now we are back on-line, because they took both laptop computers. All my pictures gone. All my jewelry the cheap stuff and the other stuff. They stole my make up which is so odd. They also took the bag that I had my temple clothes in, they took out the clothes and actually left my recommend. I think this was a hint that no matter what the Lord will provide a way to the temple. ;)

The Police were very kind to us. We had a forensic team come in and dust for finger prints, and take pictures. Joshua was excited to see a police officers, and their cars. I filed a report with our insurance, we will see what hassles come our way with that.

Overall I am just angry and sad. We don't have much to begin with and they took what little we had.Thankfully we are all safe. I know the Lord is watching over and protecting us. I know they must have watched me leave, because I am here all of the time, so that is creepy. I guess they must not have wanted anything to do with Joshua, Dallin or I or else they could have at any other point, so I guess that is of some comfort.

Our friends and family have all called and lent their support. Scott came to fix our door so we can lock it tonight. Our other neighbors have come over to offer condolences and said that they will keep their eyes open. Everyone has been so nice.

We do have nice people who live around us. I am not afraid to be here. I think it was someone who must have been desperate or just plain mean.

If anyone has pictures that maybe I have emailed to them or they took of our kids or us I would love it if you could email them to me.