Trains, Santa, and lights!

We've been trying to keep ourselves busy as the semester winds down, and as it gets closer to going home! It seems the closer it gets the slower time gets! Anyhow, our plan is go back to California, BUT I just got 2 interviews for teaching jobs in Kearns, UT...so we'll see. One is for a 4th grade class and the other one is for a 1st grade class. I should know by the end of this week if they'll offer me the job or not. Either way, I'm excited. If I get the job, that means I get to teach! If I don't get the job then we get to go back home! (and I'll look for a job there).

Anyway, last week we went to the mall. Of course we rode the train for Nenji. And when we rode the train, they made a stop and guess who climbed aboard! Santa Claus!!! He sat in the cart ahead of us, and Nenji was terrified...at first. I told him that it was Santa, and that Santa would give him a present if he was good. After I told him that, Nenji wanted go sit with Santa! **And we didn't bring our camera! So sad :( **

**Here's a clip of the train I keep talking about,

this was taken at another time.

While at the mall, we ran into our friends, Alex and Eliza (Alex is from Fi Dan's MPH cohort), and their two kids. They told us that Mrs. Claus would be reading books to the kids and that the first 100 kids would get a free toy! Yay, we were excited. We went to the reading...I am sorry, but it was SSSSOOOOOO boring! Mrs. Claus didn't have a microphone, so you couldn't hear her. And she didn't even show the kids the pictures in the book. And she read for like 45 minutes! I thought she'd read for like 10 minutes and then it would be over. Towards the end Nenji and Lisa (Alex's daughter who is about 6 months older than Nenji) started getting restless, which I don't blame them. Even Santa, who was sitting next to Mrs. Clause, looked like he was about to pass out! Anyway, Nenji got a little stuffed animal moose toy. He's so cute, when he first got it, he looked at it and said, "bear!" :)

But here's a picture of Nenji and his moose "bear".

And yes, he still likes to sit in his walker.

On Saturday, we decided we wanted to go so the lights at the Salt Lake City Temple. Little did we know there was going to be a mass of people there! It took forever for us to find a parking spot, but we finally did. It was cold, but beautiful! It was cold too, so we were there for a total of 40 minutes. Nenji really liked the lights, but his favorite part was seeing the horses who were pulling the carriages on the street. Good times! I love my little family and our little adventures!

The temple! Beautiful for more than one reason!

Daddy and the boys!

Mommy and Rylan with the lights.

I just wish you could see us better.

But I'm glad for strangers who are willing to take pictures for us!

Here's Nenji looking at the horse.

This was his favorite part!

Thanksgiving!

This year was the first year that I was away from my family for Thanksgiving. It was a little sad, but I'm glad we didn't have to do the 12 hour drive. This year we just stayed home and hung out. Fi Dan was able to stay home for most of the week, so it was wonderful spending time with him. We went to my cousin's house (Mai Kou), who lives in Orem. She prepared a fantastic Thanksgiving meal, and she packed a good amount for us! On Friday we went shopping, Black Friday. We were able to get a few things for the kiddos.

They survived their first Black Friday!

Today we woke up for church and found a beautiful snow covered Provo. I love it when it first snows, but after a few weeks, the snow gets slushy, ugly, and grayish black...then I don't like it so much! :) Overall, it was a good Thanksgiving week/weekend.

Growing up!

Sometimes I'm so busy with trying to get through the day that I forget to take a look at my boys and realize how big and grown up they are already! Last night Fi Dan and I were watching clips of when he was about Rylan's age, Nenji and Rylan are so much alike! I love them! Yesterday they went for their check up appointment. We absolutely love our Pediatrician (Chris Iris), she's a lady. She was the one that helped me and Fi Dan get through Nenji's fractured collar bone. Anyway, here's an update of Nenji and Rylan.

Nenji will be 21 months in a few days. Only 3 more months and he'll be 2 years old! Nenji is in the 83 percentile when it comes to weight and 93 percentile when it comes to height. Fi Dan was so happy that Nenji is considered "tall" for his age. Now he's convinced that Nenji will be 6'0". Nenji can say over 50 words. His most recent word is "Harry Potter". He loves to watch Harry Potter and I don't mind at all because it gets me ready for the newest Harry Potter movie. :) He's learning something new everyday. Sometimes it's hard for me to say no because now he can verbally say "please" with a sad voice and face.

Rylan is now 7 months old! He's a big boy! He weighs 23 lbs which puts in the 97 percentile! I wasn't really surprised, I can't carry him for very long. And he's in the 90th percentile for his height. Rylan loves to eat his rice cereal. He is the sweetest little baby ever. He loves to hug and cuddle with you if he hasn't seen you for a couple of minutes. I think he's getting ready to crawl because he's always on all fours...and then he moves and falls flat on his tummy. Rylan is a very determined little boy and will not stop at trying to get something he wants until he crawls to it or rolls to it.

I am so blessed to have these two little boogies as my own. :)

Hats courtesy of Aunty Kashia!

Getting ready to go to the mall.

I just can't get over Nenji's smile.

He's so silly.

At Provo Town Center Mall.

On the train at the mall.

This train takes you around the mall.

Nenji absolutely LOVES it! He's obsessed with Thomas the train,

so you can imagine his excitement whenever he sees trains, or

when he gets to ride in one. :)

Horay for Wonderful Moms!

My mom came to visit us, here in Provo, for about a week. She got here on a Friday night (November 5th) and then left on a Thursday evening (November 11). It was fantastic to have her her here with us. When my mom walked through the door for the first time, Nenji just froze in place...I believe he was in shock because he couldn't believe she was actually here. Before we came out to Utah, Rylan loved my mom, and it seemed like they picked up right where they left off. Nenji really liked having his tais-tais around. When she would come out of her room or bathroom he would cheer, "YAY" and run to her. Sometimes she'd be in the room, and he'd be playing, but as soon as he remembered that tais-tais was here he'd run to the room and try to knock it down. :)

We didn't do much. Although I ate A LOT! She cooked for us everyday and cleaned and took care of the kids. It was a good thing she was here when she was, because Rylan was really sick and was really needy. And she didn't mind holding him all day long. She's amazing!!! It was the exact break that I needed! I even got to sleep in a little. We did get to get to Danny and Nancy Bird's baby's blessing that Sunday. Their little Helen is so tiny, sweet, and beautiful! That following Tuesday we went to Danny's to have dinner. Yum! Wednesday night my mom made pho and a few of our friends...okay, like all of our friends (we dont' have that many friends, but the ones we do, we love!) Jeanny, Yu, Cami, Josue, Kaleb and Marcel were able to come over and have some pho. And the Rivas family brought some yummy fruit--Ponche...I think it was, over for dessert. :)

Thursday afternoon before she left, we took her to Olive Garden for lunch. Anyway, let's just say it was so very nice to have my mom here. I was sad to take her to the airport, but I'm sure my family back in California were excited to have her back, particularly my dad. (LOL, my dad is too funny, I think he called her every night and told her to go back early). Yup, I love my mom. She's great. :)

Here are a few pictures that we took. When I say a few, I mean it, literally. I've gotten really bad at remembering to take pictrues. :(

Mom took Nenji out to play in his SPIDERMAN pajama pants!

Nenji loves this pink bike. Every time he goes out, he rides it.

This one's a little blurry, but I love Nenji's smile.

Getting ready to go to Danny's house.

I love them!

I know, gross, but my mom and I had a good laugh.

Nenji was totally grossed out and kept yelling...he even tried to pop it.

Nenji and tais-tais after eating at Olive Garden. :)

3 1/2 nights of Halloween fun!

Halloween this year was pretty busy! Nenji had 3 1/2 nights of Halloween. Fi Dan bought the boys' costumes like a month early so that they could get used to wearing them. After weeks of wearing their costumes (Nenji in particular), and days of practicing saying "Trick or Treat", Halloween was finally here! On Thursday night, BYU had a Halloween festival that we took the boys to. Nenji went last year, but he was too young to do anything. This year, he had fun. He "fished" and got candy...and then he played game that was kind of like musical chair, except for you just walk on numbers, and he won more candy. There was a huge blow up slide but Nenji was too scared to go on it. They also had face painting, but he was scared of that too. We stayed for only a little bit and then left.

Thursday night, before we went to BYU campus. My superheros!

Spiderman, Super-daddy, and Mr. Hulk!

Mommy and Nenji playing golf....and getting candy!

My little Hulk!

Friday night was our Ward Halloween Party. We went and had some delicious chili. They had a chili competition. Nenji once again fished while Rylan sat and watched. Again, he got more candy. I love living here in Provo, on BYU campus, because grown ups dress up! Here are some pictures.

I didn't have a Halloween costume this year, so I just wore my

Halloween shirt and put leaves in my hair...I'm what I like to call:
"The Spirit of Halloween". :)

"Happy Halloween!"

I saw him walking down the hall and HAD to take a picture with him!

Can't wait for Harry Potter VI !!!!!

On the third night, we went over to my cousin's house to trick or treat. When we got there it was lightly raining, but by the time we were ready to go out, it was pouring. We noticed that there were no trick-or-treaters out at all. We went to two houses and then came back home because it was just raining too hard! Plus, Nenji was getting a nasty cough.

Brayden, Ariya, Nenji, and Sueyen

On Sunday, Halloween night, Nenji wanted to dress up in his Spider man costume. So we just let him play around the house with his costume on for a few hours. I tried taking it off a couple of times and he would run away or cry. So we didn't really do anything, but Nenji did dress up...so that counts as 1/2. **Nenji now knows how to "candy" and wants to eat a piece of candy everyday. Oh, no.

Nenji on Halloween night, dressed up as Spidyman yet again...

but no trick-or-treating.

Good news and Sad news

This past week has been good and bad. Last Sunday I got to see my old roomie, Rachel Snyder. She was in town and was kind enough to stop by. I haven't seen her for over 5 years, so it was nice to chat and catch up with her. :) It felt like I never left...except for the husband and 2 kids.

Now the very bad and sad news. My little family and I just came back from a funeral in Driggs, Idaho. A cousin of mine passed away this past Tuesday. :( Angela Ly Cooke passed away Tuesday night from a car accident. She was pregnant and neither her or the baby made it. My heart hurts just thinking about her being gone. The funeral service was in Driggs, Idaho....that's where she lived and she had the accident about 15 minutes away from her home. Her family from Minnesota was there, and her sister who lives in Rexburg were there too. It was so nice to see them all, but I was it was for a happy occasion. My heart really went out to Angela's husband. I can't even begin to imagine the sadness and pain that he must be going through.

But I've realized that in times like this, it's when the gospel and atonement comes into play, and it becomes more real than ever. All the sadness and pain eases just a little when you remember that there is life after this one. Because our Savior was willing to give his life for us, we will live again. It warms my heart to know that I know the truth, and that I'll see Angela again one day.

Cornbelly's Pumpkin Patch

Yay! I absolutely love October because it's the month that starts off the holidays and festivities! I bought Nenji, Rylan, and me Halloween shirts and was way excited about wearing them to the pumpkin patch. I wanted to get a shirt for Fi Dan too, but I knew he wouldn't wear it, so it was just me and my babies. Anyhow, we took them to Cornbelly's pumpkin patch yesterday. It's located in Lehi, and it was an awesome pumpkin patch. It was more than the regular field of pumpkins, corn maze, and a couple of hay stacks. This place had it all. It had the usual pumpkin field, cornmaze and hay stacks, but it also had a tractor train, swings, jumper house, a stage where Princesses tell stories, haunted house, etc. It was a really nice day. It was a sunny day, it got a little warm, but it's better than the kids being cold. We rode on the train tractor, and Nenji LOVED it. (His new thing is trains...he loves Thomas the train). Afterwards, we ate and took some pictures. It doesn't seem like we did much, but it felt like we were there the whole day.

While we were there, I saw some kids with the most amazing face paint! I wanted to get in line and get my face painted too. I tried getting Nenji to get his face painted, but he just screamed and cried when we got in line. :( Party pooper. We were there for about 2 hours and the kids were pooped out. They came home and took a nap, and later that night they slept almost the whole night through. :)

I am excited for this Halloween though. Fi Dan, who hardly gets excited about the holidays (before we had kids), has already bought Nenji and Rylan their Halloween costumes. Nenji is going to be Spiderman and Rylan is going to be the ever adoreable Hulk! Can't wait, hopefully we'll get some good pictures. :)

Yay! We were in the Princess tree house! :)

Nenji totally thought he was cool.

My little Farmer Ryaln.

Mr. Farmer Nenji!

Daddy and the boys.

This was the "Chicken Show". There were little chicken puppets

in the cages that would pop out and tell chicken jokes.

Nope, daddy didn't give us a warning.

Inside that monster was a haunted house.

Nenji and Fi Dan went through it.

Ry and daddy on the tractor ride!

Me and Nenji on the tractor train!

He loved it.

Halloween shirts! We had such a good time! I love the holidays! ~

Similac Recall...and more!

Last week was a drainer on Fi Dan and me. We usually get Similac formula for Nenji and Rylan because that's what WIC gives us. Anyway, starting last Sunday, we noticed that Nenji was not eating well and that he was having diarrhea. He also started throwing up in the middle of the night. Not good. When Rylan woke up that Monday, he had diarrhea too. I happen to be watching the news (which I don't normally do) and I saw that there was a recall for the Similac formula that Nenji drinks. We immediately took him off of the formula and by the end of the week he was feeling better. Rylan has also gotten better. Rylan's formula wasn't recalled, so we can't figure out why he had diarrhea too! By the end of the week I was a very cranky and tired mommy, but I'm so grateful for Fi Dan because he's such a good daddy and husband. He really hung in there with me, even though he has school, he was up with me every night taking care of the boys. I'm just glad that they've recovered from it, because diarrhea and throw up are not a good combination... especially in the middle of the night.

Another exciting thing that happened last week, Cami, Josue and little Kaleb came over for dinner! Kaleb is so tiny, I forget how tiny newborns are! I'm so excited for Cami and Josue and can tell that they'll make excellent parents! **and I can't believe that I didn't take pictures...or that I didn't even hold Kaleb! No worries, I have many plans on seeing that cutie again.

Today has been rather uneventful, which I am grateful for, but here a few pictures that I took of the boys. I did laundry last night and didn't get to folding it. I left it in the living room and found Nenji laying on it like it was his bed. And to make it more hilarious, he was watching TV. He is such a silly kid.

Rylan is now about 5 months and 1 week. We decided to start him on rice cereal. He's doing really well. I love the way he eats and just thought I'd share it. :)

Delicious Ideas from ourbestbites.com

With two babies, I find it nearly impossible to eat healthy or even cook. When I've had time I've been looking up some yummy recipes. My go-to blog lately has been http://ourbestbites.com/ . I love the ladies that write the blog and their awsome ideas. I just thought I'd share the site and maybe you'll find something you'll fall in love with too!

* My favorite recipes from this website:
-Apple Dumplings
-Breakfast English Muffins
-Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pastry Pockets


**AND since Halloween is coming up, I should point out that under their Crafts & Special Features, there's a super cute substitute for carving pumpkins. It's their Mason Jar Lanterns. :) Enjoy!

Early Christmas gifts!

Our camera was lost (or stolen, if you asked Fi Dan) during the process of moving. I haven't been able to take pictures of the little ones. Originally, Fi Dan wanted to get one of those hi-tech cameras, with the big old lens. I totally objected to spending that much money, and I knew if I had to haul a huge camera around, I would never use it. I just wanted a small little camera to carry around and have it in hand whenever I needed it. Of course I wanted a nice one too, that would be fast, with good quality. So he went and did research and found an awesome one. We just received it yesterday, and I've been snapping pictures of the boys.

In addition to the new camera, he's wanted a mini-laptop...or whatever they're called. He's using our 2nd room as his study room, and we have the laptop in there. His laptop is pretty big and heavy, and sometimes I take it into the living room to use while the kiddos play. He's worried that I might drop it or something, so he bought me a mini-lap top.

I'm loving my early Christmas gifts, and now I'm so not expecting anything for Christmas. :) Yay for husbands who like to keep up with technology!

Nenji playing. :)

I love his smile!

My Rylan sitting at the edge of the slide....so brave!

Love him! I should have wiped his drool first.

:)

Good Sunday!

One reason I love living here in Provo, UT is because it is so peaceful and quiet on Sundays! When you take a walk down the street there are hardly any cars, you don't feel rushed and you can just enjoy the moment. Today was a good Sunday. We went to Stake Conference, and heard wonderful talks. My personal favorite was one given by Elder Holland. He spoke about not giving up in these latter-days. We came home and took a nice long Sunday afternoon nap. Then we took the kids out to play. Since it was such a nice day, Fi Dan asked if I wanted to go have a dinner-picnic by the temple. I absolutely love Fi Dan, especially when he thinks of great ideas like that. It was a perfect evening. :)

My boys! I love Fi Dan, he's such a wonderful daddy.

*notice Rylan starting to bug Nenji already.

Yay! I'm so glad we got one with both of them smiling

and looking at the camera!

Rylan thinks Nenji is the funniest thing in the world.

My little Rylan at 4 months and 3 weeks!

What a chunky little monkey!