Christmas

Christmas was pretty low-key for us, especially after the crazy week we had before. Christmas eve we made a gingerbread house (gotta love the pre-package houses that have everything you need in them!). I did the icing and Annicka put on the candy. We had a lot of fun. For dinner that night we went to Chili's and left a big tip for the server. That's kind of a tradition that we have going. My sister Maureen came and spent the night and watched us open presents. We have video of that, but no pictures, it was too crazy. Annicka was really excited this year too. She woke up really excited to open presents and when we told her we had to eat breakfast first she had a melt down. Park on the other hand had no idea how to open the presents. He was excited when we got them open, but the opening didn't register. I think it is safe to say also, that Park is finally an official walker. He's been able to walk, but chose not to for a long time. On Christmas eve he spent a good 45 minutes walking back and forth between our couches and ever since, walks practically everywhere.


These pictures are the ones we took right before my brother's wedding reception.

Happy Birthday to me! (tomorrow)

Well, tomorrow is my birthday, but Scott took me out tonight because we'll be spending tomorrow at my dad's and at our ward Christmas party. We had a blast too! He took me rock climbing and shopping. I used to go rock climbing all the time in high school but I haven't gone since we've been married and so this was a great treat for me.

Scott took off from work at 3:30 and we were off by 4:15 and in Provo at The Quarry by 5. We climbed for an hour and fifteen minutes and then we decided to get something to eat. We went for Crappe Rio as Scott calls it, though he loves it as much as I do. It hit the spot, I love their Pork. Then we went to Kohl's so that I could spend a gift card and some money I had gotten from my mom and step-dad. I've decided I love Kohl's clearance racks...I was able to get four tops and five pairs of pants all for about $115. It felt good to get some new pants too, all of mine have gotten way too big. For some reason after I had Park I lost a bunch of weight. In fact, for the first time in my life I bought size six pants. AWESOME!


This is my favorite shot! Remember that picture from this summer, Scott? It's payback time!

C-R-A-Z-Y week!

Well, I think this will be my first novel. We'll start with this last Thursday. Three of Scott's brothers all came into town (Doug, Ross and Jeff. We haven't seen Jeff in a year and a half and so we were all excited to have all five brothers together and so we spent a lot of time over at Scott's mom's house spending time with them, up until Sunday. We played lots of games, in true Chamberlain fashion, and had lots of good laughs. They were in town until yesterday, but then my family came into town on Sunday for my younger brother Mike's wedding which was yesterday.

The real craziness started on Monday. Monday morning I had to put the kids in the bath at about 7:30 because we had to go shopping and they were dirty. I left the room for 30 seconds and Park had a bowel movement in the tub and it wasn't any little nugget either. There was poop EVERYWHERE. So I put the kids in the other bath tub (luckily we have two) and strained out as much as I could and then filled the tub with clorox and water. Well, then it was off to the store because my family was coming over that night for dinner and an early Christmas and I needed to pick some things up. I took our next door neighbor Sam with us so that his mom could have a break because she was sick the day before. At Walmart Park decided to take a head dive out of the shopping cart. He landed on his head. So we dropped everything that was in our basket and left to the ER. He was fine, but this being the first time something like this happened I had to take him to make sure he was okay. So, Summer came and picked up Annicka and Sam and she ended up watching Annicka for me for several hours, instead of me watching Sam. Thanks, Sum. Well, after the ER I had to finish the shopping, because my family was coming. Thankfully there were some good customer service people at Target because I had so much in my basket I couldn't put Park in it and I was already kind of stressed. Someone came and checked me out while I was standing in a long line and while I was on my way out one of the cart collectors asked if he could help me. The rest of the day ended up pretty good with spending time with my mom and Step-dad and all of my siblings, which doesn't happen very often. We opened presents and ate a yummy Ham dinner. This picture is the only one we took this whole week.

As you can see, Annicka got a princess dress for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Copple and Park got a really fun tractor that he can ride.

Yesterday was Michael's Wedding. The ceremony was at 10 am at the Salt Lake Temple. It was really nice. Then we had the luncheon at 1pm. We took family pictures at 5:30p and then the reception was at 7. We spent the whole day up in Salt Lake and thankfully BJ and Maggie let our kids crash at their place for an afternoon nap in between everything. Congratulations Mike and Ashley! We love you!

And then to top everything off, this morning Park had a blowout in his crib like no other! He is always happy when he wakes up and doesn't hardly make a sound and so I didn't go and get him out for a while because I was still half sleeping with Annicka watching TV next to me in bed. When I did get up to get him out he had spread the poop everywhere! All over the crib railings and all over his clothes. GREAT! Isn't that what we live for as mothers? Well, all I have to say is Scott better take me out on a really good date this weekend for my birthday. I DESERVE IT!

Apparently....

I need to smile more. So the neighbor boys were over playing the Wii. After they were done Daniel looked at me said, "Why does your face always look like that?" "Like what?" I said. "I don't know, kind of frowny." What do you say to that?

Family Calendar

For all of Scott's siblings out there...the Family Calendar is here! It looks great too, if I do say so myself. It's been a couple of years since it was done and I think Dad would like the cover...don't you? I'll be mailing copies to those of you out of state. That includes Ross, his will go to Doug and Emily's. For the rest of you we'll take them to Mom's house and you can pick yours up there.

First REAL snow

So last night and all day today it's been snowing. Annicka is finally old enough to go out and play and really enjoy it. She's been out several times today already. As you can tell from the first picture she LOVES to eat the snow. There's no stopping her.

Here she is on the small hill in front of our house going down on the sled



Here she is with Sam, our nextdoor neighbor and Annicka's best friend.

Buns

I was giving the kids a bath today and they were lying down playing next to each other. I just couldn't help but take a few pictures. I just love their little naked bums!

Rolyne's builtin

Well, this is for all of y'all that live out of state. Mom got her cabinets installed today. We thought you would like to see it. It is still missing a few doors and shelves that will come tomorrow, but I know that Doug was especially anxious to see it.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Mommy: So, Annicka, what are you thankful for?
Annicka: Trees.
Mommy: I like trees too. What else are you thankful for?
Annicka: Trees and flowers.
Mommy: Anything else?
Annicka: I don't know.
Mommy: What about mommy and daddy and Park?
Annicka: Yeah.
Mommy:What else are you thankful for?
Annicka: Heavenly Father love Annicka!

I guess we are doing something right! I've been doing a lot of thinking the last few weeks myself about what I am thankful for. I know it's all the generic things that everyone always says, but I'm going to say them anyway. I have an amazing family! I am so lucky to have parents who taught me the gospel of Jesus Christ and who taught me to serve and to love others. I'm lucky to have stepparents who are amazing examples of Christlike love and service. I have the best siblings (this includes you, Maggie and Paolo). I know we drive each other crazy sometimes, but we all get along and love each other no matter what. We are all best friends. Not everyone can say that about their brothers and sisters. I've been especially thinking about my in-laws. I'm so lucky to be apart of their family. Ron and Rolyne have been second parents to me and I love them as much as my own. No one could ask for a better father or mother-in-law. I also am grateful for my brothers and sisters-in-law. I feel like I have an additional 13 brothers and sisters, all of whom I love and care for like my own brothers and sisters and I'm not just saying that. I really really mean it. I wish I could convey how I feel better, but words are so limiting. I love you all SOOOO much! I hope y'all know that.

We've been working on getting all of Scott's brothers and sisters family pictures together for Scott's mom. It's been a long time coming...we originally aimed for Rolyne's birthday on Oct 19th, but we didn't quite make it. We decided to give them to her today. Besides Thanksgiving it also is two years ago today that Ron (Scott's dad) passed away. We thought today would be appropriate. Here is the finished product!

Here are the grandkids making Christmas ornaments after dinner. Thanks, Lori, for bringing all of the stuff to make them!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARK!

Well, Happy Birthday to Park! We kind of had two parties. One on Sunday and one today. My mom was in town on Sunday and we thought we'd have a little party with her and my grandparents.

As you can tell from this picture, Park wanted nothing to do with his cake. We had one both days and he wouldn't even touch them. We even force fed him a couple of bites and he would make a face and turn away and start to cry. What do you do with that kind of reaction?

So, Scott put my brother in charge of the picture taking during the present opening...and this is what he took pictures of. Annicka picking her nose and then eating it in sequential order. Thanks, BJ.



Here are the two cuties early in the morning. Don't you just love the bed head?

FYI

I've changed the settings on our blog so that anyone can post a comment if they want to. That way you don't have to have a google account to comment.

Park's haircut

Before...we didn't get one of the back, but this kid was getting a mullet.


During...he sat really still while we were using the clippers, I think he liked the vibration against his head. Trimming the top is another story.


After...what a handsome little guy!

Well, I guess technically this is Park's second haircut since we shaved his head when he was just a few months old. I still want to call it his first REAL haircut.

Dr. appointment

Annicka did great at her 3-year check-up today. She is big enough now that she gets to go in the room with the big doctor exam table. They even did an eye test with her today. Dr. Wilcox said that a lot of kids come in who can't do the eye test just because they can't quite comprhend the instructions. Well, Annie did great! She stood against the wall like the doctor asked and covered one eye and kept it covered while they went through a bunch of shapes and she labeled them all without hesitation, even after they got smaller and smaller. She held really still while the doctor did all the regular exam checks, like her ears, mouth, eyes and chest. She does have an ear infection, but she hasn't hardly complained about it. She was even really brave when it came to shots. She only cried for a little bit and held still even after they stuck her. She is also finally starting to register on the charts. Her weight was in the 2% and her height in the 13%!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNICKA!

Well, Annicka's birthday was yesterday and we can hardly believe that she is three years old now. As you can see she got a bike for her birthday from her Grandma and Grandpa Copple. From mom and dad and Park she got the movie Ratatouille. We would have gotten more pictures, but Scott had the job of handling Park while I took the cameras and so any cake and opening presents was done with the video camera and the enjoying of presents afterwards was taken with the still camera. Happy Birthday, Annicka! We love you and are so glad you came to our family!

Miscellaneous

Here are the kids at the ward trunk-or-treat a week or so ago...

So last Saturday Annicka didn't get a nap because we were out running around. Scott had gone in to take a nap at about 4:30 and I was watching something on TV. Annicka wanted to watch a movie so I told her she could watch it in out room. I put it on and told her to be quiet because daddy was sleeping. I came in about 45 minutes later to wake up Scott because we were going to my brother's house for dinner and this is what I found. Scott doesn't even know I took this picture!

Park took his first couple of steps today...he's been pushing around this walker for that last week or so. We borrowed it from the next door neighbors. Don't you just love how you can tell how dirty the door is? I'm going to go clean it right now!

I've been tagged again!

The rules: Player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves. At the end of the post, player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and posts a comment letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read our blog for the rules.

Ok, I'll answer, but I don't think I know six people who blog who haven't done this, so I'm NOT going to pass it on.

1. Well, all told, including half and step, I have 10 siblings. It's still kind of crazy to think of, and usually if you ask me how many siblings I have I'll say five, because that's what I grew up with. But my parents divorced when I was 17 and are both re-married. My dad has two kids with his wife (both of which are younger than my Annicka, they are more like a nephew and niece to me) and his wife also has a son from her first marriage. My mom's husband has two daughter's from his first marriage. So 5+3+2=10

2. I LOVE to read! I'm always looking for something new and good to read or re-reading a favorite. I have to admit that I'm a Janite. The biggest problem this causes is that, especially when it's a book I haven't read before, I can't put it down until I've finished it. I've lost lots of hours of sleep and you can tell I'm reading a new book because my house isn't as clean as it should be.

3. I'm big into chick-flicks too...but not just any chick-flicks. They have to be period chick-flicks, among my favorites are Pride and Prejudice, Miss Potter, Sense and Sensability, Anne of Green Gables, anything like that. I have a really hard time with ones like How to lose a guy in 10 days and Maid in Manhattan, I'll see them, but then I don't really like them.

4. I almost never wear make-up. I think I can count on one hand how many times I've put it on since I've been married, and one of those times was my wedding day, and I've been married for five years. My dad always told me I was beautiful enough without it and I guess I believed him.

5. My exercise of choice is kick-boxing. It's a great stress reliever. Although I do like sports in general. I even had one of those long kick/punching bags in our basement. It's been taken down temporarily while my husband is working on finishing the basement (It will probably be a couple years before it gets put back up).

6. Scott and I have never had a fight. Really. Of course we've had our disagreements, but we've never yelled at each other and we've never been mad for more than a few minutes.

Family Pix

Well, we got our annual family pictures taken a few weeks ago and we got the pictures back.
We went in the afternoon (we'll never do that again). It was nap time for both and so they were pretty cranky, especially Park. We couldn't get a single picture of him smiling. The concerned look below was the best we could do. Oh well. They are still some pretty cute pictures anyway.

Time for Prayers!

So, every night when it's time to get Annicka into bed we brush her teeth and then she tells whoever didn't brush her teeth that it's "time for prayers"! As we go into her room she shuts the door on us and we pretend to bonk our heads. She thinks it's HILARIOUS. We've been doing this for at least six months (I'm sure it's closer to a year) and she still isn't tired of it. Anyway, it's about this time that she starts to get all fired up and crazy. (Maybe we should stop bonking our heads. But really, who can resist getting that laugh that almost sounds like a cry out of her?) She starts bouncing on her bed and running around the room and it always takes a little while to get her calmed down enough to kneel down for prayers. Well, tonight we were trying to get her to come and kneel down with the usual, "Okay, Annie, it's time for prayers. Please, come kneel down." She was jumping on her bed at the time. "Annicka, please, stop jumping." Then she replies with, "Mommy, five more seconds," while she is holding up her hand with those five fingers spread as wide as they can go. Scott and I couldn't help ourselves. Writing it down it doesn't seem quite so funny as when it happened. Maybe it's just that when ever she keeps asking for something and I don't get it right then she starts whining and I say, "Annie, give me five more seconds." I usually add, "Please, be patient." But maybe she just doesn't hear that part.

This means war!

I'll tell you what...Annicka and Park have the best daddy EVER! He is the best at remembering what it was like to be a kid. He loves to make forts with Annicka and do all sorts of other fun things, things I don't even remember to think of until he comes up with them. Well, the other night we were all sitting around doing, I don't even remember what, and Scott had the great idea to have a paper war.
So we got out a bunch of scratch paper and crumpled it up and started throwing.
Park even got in on some of the fun.

The best part about paper balls is it's almost impossible to throw them hard enough to hurt someone.

Missionary Reunion

Scott had his missionary Reunion on friday. They seem to have fewer numbers show up every time we go. Aren't missionaries supposed to "spread the word". We had a great time even though they decided to have dinner AFTER the talks. I was so hungry and Annicka was getting so anxious for food. They are talking about getting everyone over to President Ramos's house sometime since they now live here in Bountiful. Scott had a while to talk with him on Friday night and he was really happy about the whole experience.

We Found the Watch BTW

JUNK!

SO...we have been searching for Scott's watch for the last couple of days. It was his dad's and so it has a lot of sentimental value. We decided to look in the couches...no watch. But, we did find some interesting things(not all pictured here)! The really funny part is that this was only one couch! The other one didn't really contain anything worth mentioning. Two pens, a copy of our house key, fingernail clippers, a beaner, a burette, the usual insane amount of cheerios and other assorted cereals, several toys, $2.61 in change that doesn't include a fake quarter, and a pair of handcuffs that I got in my stocking as a gag gift from Scott two Christmases ago. I think this means that we need to clean out the couch more often!

I know, I know...FINALLY

I think that I came down with another case of writer's block...I see everyone else's blogs and they write these amazing novels, don't get me wrong, I love to read them. I just get intimidated and I don't feel like I can write anything without a picture to go with it. I try to every once in a while, but they are never very long...ANYWAY...it's been three weeks since I posted last and we haven't been taking too many pictures and so that's why it's been a while. This first picture is a canteloupe that we got from our garden! I was extremely proud of myself. We've had a few more since then and they've all been really tasty.
The other day I decided that Park was ready for a bath without his special chair. This decision was mostly based on the fact that he was constantly trying to climb out of the tub and the chair was just too much leverage for him and he'd nearly toppled out a number of times. I think he likes baths better this way because he get's to move around all he wants. Annicka thinks it's great fun too.
Man! We have some cute kids! What's a mother to do? One day before I know it we're going to have to be beating the boys and girls back! Those little devils!