Birthdays

Beginning of April, Rachel turned 3 and Emily had her first birthday. We had a Princess birthday cake for them that had rings on them. The kids enjoyed helping Emily open her presents and playing with them. We went to Jungle Jim's Playland the week before. We then celebrated their birthdays with the rest of the family on Sunday. It was a lot of fun and I can't believe that a year has already come and gone. Rachel is finally potty trained, except for nights, and Emily is finally weened. Jarom loves going to school and Rachel can't wait to go next year. Emily is starting to walk and is cutting three teeth. As you can tell we have had a very eventful month of April. To add, The kids have been sick, and Emily has one more tooth to cut out of the three and her gums are so swollen.

Growing up

This week has been a busy, but eventful one for us. Rachel started using the potty on Friday and has been doing pretty good. She has only pooped twice in the toilet though. Nathaniel and I took her to the store Monday so she could pick out her own underwear. Of course, she picked out princess undies. I put her in her undies on Tuesday, and she hasn't had an accident yet. She has worn them all day today, and still has not had any accidents. We still keep her in her diaper at nights, I don't know if I am brave enough to let her go without a diaper in bed yet. On top of all that, we just enrolled her in preschool for next year. She will be in the same program with Jarom, only as a non-delayed and integrated more as a role model for speech with the other kids. Jarom and Rachel cannot be in the same class though. She will be going at the same time as Jarom does though. It is actually a really good deal for us and she is so excited to be in school. She lets me know every time that she misses Jarom when he is at school. We also had Jaroms IEP last week, basically parent teachers only more detailed, and Jarom is now going Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Jarom is okay with that and loves school. He told me that he wanted to go 5 times. Next year he will go Monday-Thursday, which I think he will enjoy. As for me, I am trying to integrate Emily off of me and onto a bottle or sippy cup. It is a struggle, but I like to think that I am winning, although I know she really is. I am not trying that hard, maybe twice a day, since she doesn't turn one until April. Nathaniel bought some panel doors to put in our house, and we now have two doors. Our house is slowly coming with the things we want to do, but it is slowly happening. Especially since we have had to take a break with a new baby and a back surgery. I also forgot to mention that Jaroms ear is looking really good and is completely healed, but we still need to keep putting on neosporen and sunblock on it for a year to help minimize the scarring.

Jaroms' accident

Well, we had a very eventful Saturday evening. Around 4:50 in the afternoon, We where getting ready to take the kids over to their Grandparents to be watched while Nathaniel and I went out to eat. Jarom got so excited, after putting on his shoes, he jumped up very excitedly and I don't know if he tripped over his own feet or if he tripped on the rug, but went spiraling into our built in bookshelf/desk. He hit it just right at the area where the wall and the desk connect that if split his ear open. You could see the cartilage. After putting direct pressure on the wound, we took him to the Instacare, where they said he needed stitches. We then took him up to Primary Children's E.R., not wanting this to be any more tragic then it is, and sat in the waiting room for what seemed endless. Jarom was so good and now has four stitches on the top of his ear. He will not wear a band aid, so he has a bandage around his head and we call him our little pirate. He will get the stitches out on Thursday, but he keeps telling us he doesn't want to go to the doctors again. Jarom is doing just fine though.

Cruise/Vacation

Our family left for our cruise on Friday 27th. We met up with the Kimball's, Howell's, and Turnbow's in Las Vegas. The kids had fun looking at the volcano on the strip and The pirate ship. They also saw the Atlantis talking statues. By that time the kids were tired that Nathaniel, the kids and I went back to our hotel and ordered a pizza. We then left Saturday morning and drove towards California, stopping off at a Ghost Town called Calico. It was fun for Nathaniel and I, the kids had a little fun, I think. We did a little train ride and had lunch, but the kids had a lot of fun just taking pictures. Especially hanging in the old jail cell like the two little monkeys they are. We then finally made it to our destination in California. We stayed in the Fairfield inn right across from Disneyland. We spent the night and went to Disneyland with the kids, Kim and John; Papa, mom and Josh; Chalese and Jaxon. Rachel saw Minnie Mouse as we where waiting for everyone to get their tickets and was dancing around all excited. The kids went on the Snow White ride, and the matahorn. They didn't like it, but they did like the Dumbo ride, Finding Nemo Sub, Tea Cups, Merry go round. We saw Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Chip and Dale, Goofy, Eeyore, Merlin, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Captain Hook, and Captain Jack Sparrow. We didn't get pictures with them all, because they had to get to their shows, but we did get pictures with the ones we could. We stayed until around 6 at night. It kept raining on us so we did rides we didn't have to be outside for. We went on a train ride and the Mark Twain Ferry boat ride. Unfortunately we left the strollers out in the rain, only to get soaked. We still had a very enjoyable time. The kids didn't want to leave. We spent the next night there again and was able to see the fireworks from our room. We then drove to Long Beach on Monday morning and went on the Carnival Paradise Cruise Ship. That was a lot of fun and it was nice to get in our cabin and relax for a bit. We then hit into Catalina on Tuesday. It was good getting off the ship. Monday night, Jarom said that his tummy was yucky, and I went to bed early also. I think we both had a touch of motion sickness. For it was all in our head. Tuesday, like I said, we went into Catalina and let Jarom and Rachel play on the beach. Jarom was having fun in the Ocean and Rachel loved just playing in the sand. We then went into a store where we all received a free ring that was clear and then changed colors in the sun. They loved being on shore. Wednesday, we went into Ensanada. We then took a tour to El Bufadora, or the Blow Hole. We did a little bit of shopping and got the kids and us a few souveniers. Mom, then that night stayed with the kids, while Josh took Nathaniel and I to a show. On Thursday, we spent the day on the ship and got packed to leave Friday morning. Friday morning around 7 in the morning we got off the ship and headed for home. The kids slept until Mesquite, so we canceled our hotel reservation and drove eleven hours home making three stops. Nathaniel and I are so happy to be home. Jarom on the other hand, wants to go back.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Welcome home Elder Kimball

I just wanted to welcome home Elder Joshua Kimball home after a very long and rewarding 2 years of serving a mission in the Independance Missouri Mission. Jarom was two and Rachel was 9 months when he left and we didn't have Emily. He has returned home to 3 new nieces and everyone a lot older. Josh has also changed very much. Josh not only grew taller, but is more serious and spiritual, and his voice has become a little more deep. I am so proud of him and it will get a little used to him being at home. Mom and Papa, Weiss', Howells and Ashes were the only ones who met him at the airport. I have never known Papa to be more proud of Josh then he is of his service. WELCOME HOME JOSHUA!!! I thought I had more pictures, but my batteries died on my camera. Sorry I couldn't put more up Josh.

Christmas 2007

I know, it is January and I am just putting up our Christmas. I have been very bad with keeping my blog updated, so here it finally is. This was Emily's first Christmas and it was a lot of fun. It is nice to be around family for the Holidays. Andrea and Don drove down from Lawrence to be with family this year and the kids just had a blast with them. Santa brought Jarom an Omnitrix (Ben10 watch) for all of you who know what ben10 is. It was the only thing that Jarom asked for this year. He is still upset with Grandaddy for teasing him about eating it. Rachel got a princess scooter from grammy and Grandaddy, that was what she really wanted, until she saw Jarom's omnitrix. Now she wants one too. We had a good year this year and now look forward to the cruise with everyone.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fun with Andrea and Don

Nathaniel, Jarom, Rachel, Emily and I where invited to meet Don and Andrea in Lava Hot Springs. I think that we all had a blast. It was so freezing cold, but the hot pools were nice and hot. I know Jarom had a blast and didn't want to come home, Rachel was trying so hard and still had fun, but it was to cold outside for her and she wouldn't stay in the water. I had a lot of fun, but didn't get to do a whole lot of swimming due to the factor that it was way to cold to take Emily out. We learned that after we had already taken her swimming and her poor little head was almost frozen. Thanks for letting us come guys!!! Don and Andrea letting (helping) the kids pick out songs from the jukebox. We were all waiting for our food the first night there. The pizza was great and the kids had fun picking out music from the jukebox. All of us except for Emily and I getting ready to go out swimming in the hot pools. It wouldn't have been that cold, I think, if it was not for that chilly, cold wind. Andrea and Don bravely taking Jarom in the cooler of the hot pools. He really warmed up to Don and Andrea from this trip real quick. Don watching Nathaniel get out of the cold and into the pools. I wish I got to go in one last time. Nathaniel and Jarom were swimming in the background, waiting for Rachel to join in. Don and Andrea helping Rachel get in the pool. She was a little bit unsure about getting in, but didn't want to stay out in the cold. Don and Nathaniel talking while holding Jarom, and Andrea and Rachel swimming around. I just thought these pictures were really cool looking with the steam from the hot pools. This was Don and I wanted to make sure that we had pictures of Don and Andrea, because we don't really get to be with them that often. This is a picture of Andrea swimming with Rachel. I don't know if she was starting to bring Rachel in or if they were just swimming. I guess it doesn't matter what they where doing it was a cool picture also. Rachel got so cold Andrea brought her in and put nice warm water in the tub to help Rachel warm up quicker in the hotel. This was our dinky little room that Nathaniel and Jarom slept in. I shared the room through the door with Rachel and Emily. I was more worried about Emily sleeping through the night, but I should have been more worried about sharing a bed with Rachel. She likes to move around in her sleep and I ended up getting kicked all night in the back and having feet plop on my head and twisted in my hair. It really was fun, but next time Nathaniel can sleep in the bed with Rachel. Don and Andrea was in the room on the other side of us. We really did have fun and Jarom is all ready trying to talk us in to going back in the summer.

Christmas party at school

Jarom had his Christmas party at school on Tuesday the 18th. He has been so excited for this party to begin, mainly to see Santa and tell him he wants an Omnitrix (Ben 10 watch). Not only did Santa come, but Mrs. Claus came also. It was different to see Jarom in his school setting. The whole time I was there he wouldn't say a thing, until Santa came, then he said really fast, I want a "Ben 10 Watch". Jarom said it so fast, I don't think that Santa heard what he said. Jarom didn't say a word after that. He is a totally different kid at school then he is at home. Rachel was so excited to be at his school. She doesn't like it when Jarom takes off to school or parties and she can't go. She really misses playing with him. She did have fun at his school though, and the teachers where really nice and let her eat snacks with Jarom. Fun was had by all!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Visiting with Kevin

Saturday Nathaniel, the kids and I went to visit with Kevin. He looked like he was in good spirits and I am glad we went. We didn't stay to long because of kids falling asleep on the floor and a fussy baby. The kids were a bit shy around him, but they don't know him yet. Emily let him hold her for a while, just staring at him, trying to figure him out I guess. Any way, Kevin was glad to see us, especially since the only child he has seen in our family was Jarom. That was the last time he had been to Utah, and Jarom was only around, but I was pregnant with Rachel. Kevin and Emily meeting for the first time. Emily deciding what to think about this stranger to her. She decided that he was okay and would allow Kevin to hold her for a while.

Snow day!

Okay, so everyone has been so good about taking pictures of their kids playing in the snow. I didn't get any pictures, but I was out there playing with them. Nathaniel didn't get any pictures either, because he was trying to rest his back so that he could try and get to work for a couple of hours. Jarom and Rachel, where so cute though! They had on their snow suits and hats and gloves. We built a snowman just a little bit bigger then Jarom. It was fun to watch Jarom and Rachel each roll the snowballs for the body. I of course made the head. Then to watch them hunt our yard for two sticks for the arms. We are still looking for the eyes, nose, and mouth. I had to go in shortly after the Snowman to take care of Emily. The kids still played in the back yard. Nathaniel and I are so glad that we have Rachel and Emily for Jarom to play with, because it wouldn't have been as much fun for him to play in the snow alone. Once I had Emily to sleep, then the three of us made snow angels, a start of a fort (one brick made) and we had a fun little snowball fight. Shortly after, we all came in and had Hot Chocolate, YUMMY!!