Hee Haw Farms

We took the fam to Hee Haw Farms in Pleasant Grove last weekend.  I think it is new this year...at least I hadn't heard of it before.  Really cute place.  We actually made it out of the corn maze by playing rock paper scissors a few times and by following the sound of tractors.  Jake loved the corn cannonballs and being buried in the corn kernels.  Stevie loved the trick or treat hayride, especially Dorothy and also scaring herself with a crazy rocking chair lady.  Kelly loved looking for pumpkins and chasing Jake and Stevie everywhere.   

Kelly is Riding a "Real" Bike

Well....I haven't posted in a very long time.  I get overwhelmed with posting in order.  But I give up! That might take me forever.  I am just going to start with today.  Kelly has been riding her "run" bike really well all summer.  We have been kind of stalling on the pedal bike so that her brain could catch up with her physical abilities :-)  But now she really wants to do it.  Here is some video from today.  A very determined little girl.

Jake Did It!

This is a random post...but it is a common topic of conversation in our house.

Jake finally hit the 40 lb mark yesterday!  We have been waiting for him to get there for quite some time. He is now legal for a booster seat, at 6 1/2 years old :-)   Part of me thinks that I shouldn't be encouraging weight gain...but the other part is happy that he realized that he needed to eat more so he can grow...and he did it!

Conversation with Kelly & Stevie Kate

As we were driving to Wal-Mart yesterday, Kelly pointed out a convertible and said, "That is a cool car."  Then after a minute she also added "This is not a cool car." And all with a disgusted look on her face.  I asked her if she meant our van...and she said yes.  I got a pretty good laugh out of that one! 

I then asked Stevie what kind of car she would drive when she grows up and she said, "A van like ours."  I guess she doesn't really know much about cars :-)  But then she added "Except without the box on top...I don't really like that." 

Well...I know I don't look very cool driving our wonderful van (aka Smartie)...but I love it and wouldn't want any other car right now.  But ask me in a few years...

Kelly

Several big things have been going on with Miss Kelly.  The first one makes me a little sad - she gave away the pacifiers aka PACI.  We have been talking about giving them away to her baby cousin Halle for quite some time.  We tried not to push it too much...but just kept talking about it.  Last weekend she seemed ready, so we packed them in a bag and took them to see Halle at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  She was so brave and excited.  Since then...no tears...just a few little whines on one day.  Kelly seems very proud of herself.

The other two things are exciting and fun for us - Kelly went skiing for the first time and Kelly loves to bike on the pink run bike.  I waited until a really warm day and then took Kelly and Stevie out to ski.  She walked really well in the boots and seemed very excited.  She loved to watch Stevie and tried really hard to do the "pizza."  I was impressed with how hard she tried...and didn't whine once.  After going on the Magic Carpet a few times, we decided to try the chairlift.  Stevie Kate didn't want to ride with someone else, so I rode with her and Kelly rode up with another instructor.  I have to say, I still get so nervous riding lifts with little ones and especially when it is someone else holding my child...but she did just fine.  Wonderful first day on skis and now Steve is going to take her out again this weekend.

Kelly has been riding the run bike for several weeks now and loves it.  She is getting the gliding part down and enjoys riding with the older kids up and down the street.

My baby is growing up!

Stevie Wanted a Bob

Stevie Kate has been wanting a bob haircut for several weeks now.  One of her friends had it done and she loved it.  I tried to talk her out of it...only because I love ponytails...but she was set on it.  Funny how I had to beg her to get her hair trimmed about six months ago :-)

So I took her yesterday and asked that they cut it only short enough so that it will still fit in a ponytail somewhat.  Here is before and after.  It really isn't a bob...but she loves it.

There is More Progress...

I woke up this morning very panicked because I had a dream that the house flooded again.  This time it was because I was busy working in the office and the kids were playing in the bathroom with water.  Ouch...but it's not true...thank heavens.

We are so close to being done with the "remodel."  The remaining items are baseboard downstairs and more painting.  Yeah!  I love the new floors.

The Tooth Fairy's First Visit to the Hough Household

Around Valentines Day...Jake got an extra tooth in his mouth.  His adult tooth came in way behind his baby tooth.  The dentist looked at it and said that it should fall out on its own and if it didn't...to come back after a month and he would pull it out.  Jake has been working at it...eating apples and wiggling it with his tongue and fingers.  Last night we were at Grandma and Grandpa's house when Jake got hit with the back of Grandpa's chair.  We don't know what happened next...other than the tooth was gone.  Jake thinks he swallowed it.  He left a note for the Tooth Fairy and when he woke up...she did indeed come and leave him some money for the missing tooth. 

Now let's hope that adult tooth moves forward :-)

Before and After Pics (I have a new camera and haven't quite learned how to use it.  Sorry for the blurriness).

There is Progress...

We now have a complete ceiling again and walls too!  The kids and I escaped to St. George last week while Steve worked hard at home and helped Todd coordinate the subs.  Now Jake has a new color on his walls and there is carpet.  Yeah!  I was beginning to get used to plywood floors.  In another 1 1/2 weeks...we should have new hardwood floors too.  It has been 4 weeks tomorrow since the flood.  When they told me it usually takes about 2 months to finish everything...I thought they were crazy.  But they were pretty close.  I am hoping it is a total of 6 weeks.  Thanks to all of you who have helped so far.

Ski School Graduation

Stevie Kate and Jake did a six-week ski school program at Deer Valley.  They both loved it!  Which is an accomplishment since Stevie had not liked ski school before.  The last lesson she had before this program...ended in the instructor carrying her down the mountain kicking and screaming.  Jake didn't love ski school at 3 years old either.  And even though I teach 3 year olds how to ski all the time...I really don't recommend ski school until 4 and older.  It is kind of a gamble...but maybe it is just my kids.

Anyway...Stevie's instructor was Kate.  She was so sweet and drew pictures for Stevie and brought her accessories to wear every week. 

Jake had Charlie and learned a lot about carving, hockey stops, side slipping and going through the trees.  Apparently there were some very rowdy boys in Jake's class that couldn't take direction very well so that made it interesting for everyone. 

The graduation parade was a beautiful sunny day and Grandpa D came to watch too.  Having Grandpa there was really fun for Kelly :-) 

Jake graduated from Advanced Beginner to Intermediate and Stevie graduated from Beginner to Advanced Beginner.  Great job!  Here is a link to the video we took if you want to watch. 

Love is in the Air

I love Valentines day.  The theme of love is great and I also think it is a very simple holiday.  Just wanted to share a couple of pictures taken around Valentines.

Jake and Shayla - they have only had eyes for each other since the 1st day of Kindergarten.  They have a really sweet relationship.

 

Kelly and Choo-Choo - Tyler snapped this picture at the circus that we went to with the Dustmans.  I love it!  He really is Kelly's 1st love. (Choo-Choo is a nickname that has stuck with him since he was a little baby.  It is going to be hard for us to switch to Drew).

The Flood

So for my birthday this year...I wanted new carpet.  Just kidding!  But that is what I am getting.  On my birthday I woke up to a pretty major flood in our house, complete with damage to both levels of our house.  Jake went to the bathroom around 10:30 the night before and we think the toilet just malfunctioned and overflowed like a waterfall all night.  With help from Val (I love you Dad!), we spent the morning cleaning up what we could and then turned things over to the insurance company and their disaster cleanup people.  I left with the kids for the rest of the day and Steve went to work.  When I got home late in the afternoon...I was pretty shocked to see how extensive the damage was.  And how they moved our belongings around and just stuffed it into the guestroom and the office.  I had a little meltdown then, at the expense of my dear friend Kathy.  But she promptly informed me that it wasn't a fire, everyone is healthy, and to calm down (she did give me a hug first).  She is right, although I'm sure I will have a few more meltdowns until we get everything back to normal.  It is just hard to deal with when you have three small children running around and demanding almost all of your attention.  But I will be getting that carpet along with new flooring downstairs too :-)  Here are a few pictures after everything was ripped out and the very loud fans were doing their job of drying out the house.

What Comes Out of Their Mouths...

Quoting Stevie Kate...said at the table during lunch today.

"Katie told me I was a cute baby.  I told her that we were all cute babies.  But really....I think Jesus was just a little bit cuter."

Happy New Year 2011

Cheers to a New Year!  Thank you to all of my family and friends for making 2010 a great year.  I am excited for 2011 and so very thankful for the life that I have. 

The list of New Years goals could be very long (especially with parenting)...but I am trying to make it simple for now.  I am vowing to drink more water, be on time more, pray more, and smile more :-)

What about you?

Holiday Pictures 2010

Great holiday season!  Lots of great time with family and friends...