Happy Birthday Jace!

Today Jace turned 2! yipee, he's getting so old!

Today was such a chaotic day baking, decorating, cleaning. You know the typical Saturday activities, so I feel really bad that Jace didn't have my full undivided attention. But I knew this was going to happen so last night we took the kids and went with our great friends the Murdocks and Kathy and her kids to Kangaroo Zoo! I forgot the camera (Bummer) but it was so much fun playing with the kids on all the bounce houses and slides. We were there for at least 2 hours and we finally had to drag our exhausted kids out because it was way past bed time. It was a blast!

The things I love about Jace: He is so small and cute, if he were a girl I would have to say he is beautiful! He is very curious and loves to play. He loves to be outside infact I think he wishes we didn't have a house and lived outside. He loves to play in the dirt and get really dirty. He is my mess maker in every way. I love his smile, I loves his hugs, I love his kisses and the way he catches mine! I love to watch him with Gabe. He talks a lot now and he mimics the way Gabe says words, so therefore they understand each other and it's great! In my dad's words "Jace is the pick of the litter!" (Shh. don't tell anyone) I love everything about my little Jacey!

Gabey loves Jace!

Mommy Loves Jace!

Daddy loves Jace!

February update

I don't know about the rest of you but I am ready for the sunshine. I have survived this winter better than the last one thanks to the beautiful snow, but I am ready for the grass to grow green and the sun to shine bright. Rumor has it the pools will be off limits to little ones so we will have to spend the summer on the boat and in the backyard. Hurry up Mr. Sunshine, come shine down on me!

Here are a few pictures of the last few days.

After church Gabe wanted his Dad to have lunch with him, so it had to be at the kids table.

For Family Night we had Grandma & Grandpa Phillips, Terri & Robbie over for dinner and cookie decorating. Yummy! Terri we love you and miss you!

January updates

So Mike and Todd got to go skiing, they had a lot of fun but they have to remember they are getting OLD!Gabe and Jace tried to have a ride on the little sled, Jace kept falling off on his face and didn't like it one bit.
Grandpa is all the kids best friend because everyone wants to help plow the snow. Today it was Gabe and Jace's turn, Jace cried forever when he had to get off.
My little Snow Angel. Jace loves the snow.
We tried to build a snowman but it wasn't very good rolling snow, so it turned into a mound!

Mike and Gabe playing race car's. All of this snow makes for some real sweet jumps! That truck seems to be indistructable landing on it's roof more than once. Mike sure loves to be a little boy.

A day of NEW

So today Mike bought a new truck. No not one that he drives with a remote control, a big Ford. He's really excited, he never loved his old work truck but it was free so it was awesome. But the boss decided he needed to sell it so Mike of course started Truck Shopping. He loves to shop for big items. I will post a picture of it later, pretty nice.
The other new thing today is Jace. He started his first day potty training. Yes he is young but he is ready and on fire. That kid kills me. His skinny little bum running around in big boy undies. Yesterday we went shopping, he picked out Thomas and Gabe picked him some Bob the Builder underwear. He went through all 6 pairs pluss a few pull ups pluss a few of Gabes old undies all in one day! They were small accidents that didn't pool on the floor. I remember puddles with Gabe, maybe that's the advatage of doing it when their small, their bladder doesn't hold as much as a 3 year olds. I know it gets better and I'm not discouraged at all (yet)! He is doing really good and he loves to put a sticker on the chart when he goes on the potty. I'm sure there are tuff days ahead but it's cold outside so why not!

Christmas

Mikes New Truck

The Dream, It goes 30 mph.

Gabe and Jace looking at the presants they gave each other. Gabe gabe Jace and Mike a new train and as soon as all the gifts were opened Gabe adopted the trains, he didn't really want anything else, for 3 years now all he wants is TRAINS.

Christmas morning was so much fun. The boys slept in so finally Mike went to wake Gabe up. After asking about his night he asked if he remembered who was coming. He got a bright eyed look and said "Oh ya, ya, ya" he said this as he ran down the hall to see his new race car santa brought him. He was definately excited about this big morning.

Setting out Milk and cookies for santa! They love their new pants mommy made them

Gabe thought he would make a bed under the table so he would be sure not to miss santa. He invited us to all sleep here with him.

Gabe and Jace coloring a picture. I think Jace was born with a crayon in his hand. He loves to draw.

Grandma and Grandpa enjoying Christmas morning with us.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

So for our christmas letter this year it has to be blogged. Too bad all of you who check our blog already know about most of our events this past year and the life we live. So here it goes.

Mike had a busy year with construction full time and tile part time (Can't say no to a job)! After the building market slowed down we opted to go back to tile until Mike's boss gets his feet back on the ground. It hasn't been a very big change for the most part, after all we never did quit tile. We have enjoyed spending more time together and that has been a blessing. We feel really blessed for Mikes talents and his hard work for our family. He is still a little boy at heart and got himself a new RC Truck just because "he always wanted one." My dad told him "you can have what ever you can afford." so he decided he could afford a toy! He loves it and has fun chasing the boys around the house with it along with racing it up and down the street, jumping off snow banks and curbs. Every boys dream!

Gabe started his second year of preschool and loves it. His vocabulary has improved so much and he is so fun to talk to. He comes up with the funniest things and is so random, (just like his dad). Out of the blue he will say "B Y U Cougars!" or sing his ABC's. He can count to 20, knows all his shapes, clolors, you name it he knows it. It is still a little hard for him to comunicate but if he cares enough he will get his point across. He still is so sweet and loves being a big brother. He loves taking care of Jace and is quite protective of him. They are great play mates, both into trains and race cars. They love to pretend cook with my whole kitchen spread all over the house because they are "making hot chocolate!" Gabe sat the table for quite a few days in a row in hopes that we could have a tea party. He put 6 bowls, plates, spoons etc. Then added to the table marshmellows, cheetoes, nuts, whatever he could reach in the pantry. It's always so fun to see little imaginations working.

Jace is such a helper, always putting everything away and making sure all of the droors and doors are closed. I got a new sonicare for Christmas, for the first few days It was never on it's base because Jace had put it in the droor where he felt it belonged. He hides things, like his new RC car in a droor in the basement bathroom where no one would EVER look. Jace mostely is found following Gabe around wanting to be just like him. They are always helping each other and they understand each others language, it's great! Jace loves to dance and sing, and try anything new. He has loved the snow and always wants to walk in it on our way to Grammys house.

These two sweet boys suprise me all the time with the cute little things they do. Just recently I started a book called "you made me smile today." On top of Journals for all of us I wanted to have a book just for the little things they do. It has been fun finding cute things they do each day that put a smile on my face. I truely am blessed with three boys that are so sweet.

I Becky am still teaching piano. This year I am up to 12 students. It is a handful but I am blessed with a mother at my becon call to watch the kids while I teach a few of the afternoon. I along with Mike still mow lawns all summer and as much as I use to enjoy it, It might not be my favorite thing to do anymore, but it does make good money. I clean my Grandmas house just once a month and once again my mom makes it all possible by watching the boys. But enough with work, it's not my life. My boys (all 3 of them) are my life and I love being home with them. Unfortunately the work I do makes me feel sometimes that I don't get to spend as much time with them as I should . I love to spend time with my mom and lucky for me she loves to be with us. I love to read and have enjoyed some great books this year. I have started up yoga again and I love the strength it gives me not only physically but mentally. I love to run and wish I could but my knees are not allowing it with this cold weather. I hope that that will change when spring hits but if it doesn't I am begging Mike for a treadmill!

Mike and I did run another 1/2 marathon this year and it was a lot of fun. We also ran a 5k and 10k, somehow with no training Mike is the Ironman that 13 miles doesn't even phase.

Our biggest event of the year was our Trip to Ohio/New York. You all read about it.

We have enjoyed this year and can't believe how fast life passes us by. We love you all and thank you for loving us.