Christmas is Here

7am- sent the kids to their rooms to look for Poppy (elf on the shelf) while I snuck the elf out of my pajamas

8am- meeting with primary presidency(only mom in her pajamas at ward christmas breakfast)

9am- breakfast with kids- santa arrives - asks children who their bishop is - Harley "Joseph Smith" - laughter from the crowd, followed by Harley, "You're Grandpa Larkin!"

11am - run home to shower and get ready for party with the kids

4pm - James and I finishing the lights in the yard.

7pm - rush to Carl's Jr. for a delicious famous star

8pm - kids in bed as usual

10pm - surfing the internet for ideas for sharing time tomorrow

Another perfect Saturday

Bachelorette Hangover

I want to give a special thanks to Jodie Melton, my only true friend that decided to come to my fabulous viewing party last night. We made banana cookies and ate chips and salsa, and had the best time listening to James commentate from the peanut gallery about how lame the Bachelorette is, even though I know he likes it deep down inside. This morning it was painful getting out of bed and just as I was getting ready, I get this text from Jodie, "Are you feeling like you have a bachelorette hangover this morning?" It kinda reminded me of the old times on our coul de sac when the kids would fall asleep at one of our houses and we would stay up late to watch the latest dvr. I really miss that house and my friend so close by!

I also want to especially thank my husband for cleaning the house and getting the kids to bed for my party of 1. You're the best!

boot camp month 2

I started a boot camp class last month, when my friends Jessie and Julie talked me into it. I love the workout(as hard as it is), but I hate the diet. Tonight I had mahi with spinach salad. Yummm, not. I really don't get excited to eat anymore. Last week I told the whole class I had lost 15 pounds. I was so excited to be losing the weight so fast. In disbelief, I weighed myself again when I got out of the shower. Apparently your scale on the bath mat makes you lighter than you really are. I was so embarrassed. Half the class hated me and the other half wanted to know what I was doing. I just decided it would probably motivate everyone more to not tell them the truth. But seeing how my friends will probably be reading the blog soon, my little secret will be out. So far, I've lost like 5 pounds, which is better than nothing, I promise to keep everyone posted on my new life. My goal is to lose 20 pounds by Levi's birthday.

The kids are getting so smart. They teach me new things everyday. Layla wanted to watch only the weather tonight when we got home from gymnastics. She's been learning about the weather at school. Avery just started mini kittens today. I brought a new leotard into the gym to have her try on and she dropped her pants in front of the entire class. It was so cute to see her so excited to be in her own class. She's so grown up. Harley is probably the funniest kid I have ever met. I'm always nervous when we get around our friends and family. You never know what that kid might say. He's turning 4 this month and every sunday at church he wants the primary to sing to him. Either he's a visitor or it's his birthday. James and I lay in bed every night talking about how much fun the kids are and how lucky we are to have them. I wonder sometimes what Levi's personality would be like. I have a feeling he's the polar opposite of Harley which would mean he would get less timeouts and not as much soap in his mouth.

New Year's Resolution

1. Get organized (list includes, meal planning, shelves cleaned off, etc.)
2. Lose weight (start new diet and ruin it by 5:00)
3. Read my scriptures, say my prayers (every night)
4. Make more entries on the blog (I thought that Sunday would be a good day to wrap up the week, me trying to be organized.)
I just got home from work tonight. Usually, it's around 10 on Tuesdays, that I end up walking in the door, which I actually prefer as compared to chopping up my work days into little segments like when I was working after I had Layla. James informed me that Avery has gotten serious about potty training herself. He said he handed her a pull-up and told her to change into her jammies and she is doing it. It's pretty amazing that the Avery is two and is potty trained and dressing herself. Harley still can't get dressed on his own. James claims it is because he has a huge head and it's too hard to pull his shirts on and off.
Layla called me today at work to ask if she could have Presley over to do homework with her after school. I thought it was hillarious that 1. she could actually call me 2. that she was using the homework as an excuse to have friends over. She thinks she's a teenager or something and she's 5.
Harley's ride to school had to call and inform me of what Harley had said to him so that he would not forget. Apparently Harley was having a conversation with Chris (Shea's dad) on the way to preschool and after about the 4th or 5th question, Harley mumbled something from the back seat that goes something like this,"This is why I like it when Jessie takes me to school. She doesn't ask me any questions". Who says that?
Everyday I come home from work, if the kids are awake, I get a huge freakout homecoming. I love it. Avery always says"Mommy, miss you" and gives me a huge kiss, mouth open of course. She is our only child that loves to cuddle, kinda like one of those lap dogs that quietly follows you around. She wants you to hold her all the time and I don't really mind cause she weighs about 18 pounds. Lately I can't get enough of her. She's at such a fun age where everything she does is cute. Who can resist those dimples?
This past weekend, James took the ym to brianhead and I thought it would be a good weekend for me to get out of town with the kids. We surprised nanna and flew her to California to spend time with her grandkids and get some sun. It was a really fun weekend of swimming, Disneyland and the beach. The weather was perfect and I never had to put the kids in time out. I just decided to let them plan where and when that weekend and it worked out great. I thought it was pretty funny that when I asked Harley if he wanted to go to Disneyland, he responded,"Do they have a swimming pool?" I guess they missed being in the pool all the time. I definitly have some Vegas kids.

Happy Halloween!

I got James talked into another trip to Disneyland, again. We got the kids up at 5 to get to the park by 9 and drove home all in one day. Kevin, Jill and Annie came along for driving support. It was fun to spend the day with them. The kids dressed up in their costumes that I finally got finished. Layla was too cool, the first half of the day, to put on her costume. But after the 20th compliment Harley and Avery received, she had to make her costume change to get some of her own attention. It took us a whole month to talk Harley into the idea of Tin Man. He really wanted to be Buzz Lightyear, but I thought that would have been way too adventurous of a project for me. Maybe next year, we'll do that one. Layla was the first one to bring up the costume idea. She wanted to be a cute witch and when her old Dorothy costume didn't fit Avery, I decided to go with Glinda, and throw Harley into the Tin Man idea.

The day after Disneyland was Halloween and we were invited to Patty's party. It was so fun to see Austin dressed up as Scarecrow and another one dressed as Dorothy. Our trick or treating party was complete.

I now appreciate the trips my mom and dad would take with us kids in 24 hrs. I'm pretty sure it was out of necessity, as was ours. I was so tired, I spent the whole next day recovering. I'm not exactly sure if it was worth it. The kids had a good time, though. It's just my thing to try and cram a thousand activities into one weekend.

Some alone time...

So, James is getting ready for another bar exam and I'm pretending to be single for a few weeks.  We went to dinner the other night for his birthday at the Country Club in the Wynn.  I had been waiting a couple of months to tell him about the cruise and I could hardly believe I had kept it a secret the whole time.  As we arrived, I had the concierge place the laniard my mom had made, into the menu.  As soon as we got our menus, James looked up at the waiter and said, "What's this?".  The waiter then replied, "I don't know!", needless to say, it was a huge letdown.  I love surprises and James isn't very good with them.  I think that by the time we get off the ship, he'll be really excited about it.  Anyway, he and the kids are flying up to Utah tomorrow afternoon and I have about a thousand things on my list for when the kids are gone.  James is worried I'm going to be hugely disappointed.  Here's my list...

1.  pack up all the kids clothes that are too small now.  It's driving me crazy that their closets are full of nothing to wear.

2.  paint almost the entire downstairs ...  I picked out a new couch and got all excited for a new color.

3.  install child locks on every single cabinet I have in the house.  I'm worried I might lose it on one kid in particular if he gets into my clorox spray again.

4.  buy new pillows and recover the rocking chair.  See number 3 for reference

5.  Donate shoes and clothes I don't need anymore.  Maybe migrate over to James closet, too.

6.  Get rid of Harley's old room and move my sewing back in.  Since Levi's not gonna need a room anymore, I need to make better use of the space.  I know it sounds kinda insensitive, but I don't know how else to say it.

7.  Clean carpets.  I love the smell of the house after the carpets are all done.

8.  Go to all of the classes at the gym I like.

9.  Get James' desk organized.

10.  I scheduled a haircut, manicure, pedicure, tooth cleaning, doctor's appointment, visiting teaching appointment, invited all of my friends and family over for hair appointments, etc.  

Happy 30th Aunt Lori

Tuesday night was Layla's 3rd dance recital.  I'm not sure which part of the day she enjoyed more; hair and make-up or dancing.  She couldn't wait to get ready with Presley.  It was so fun to have the dressing room all to ourselves.  Presley and Layla sat on the counter while Bracken and I made the final touches.  

Layla danced to Mickey Motion and Happy Feet.  Harley and Avery danced in the aisle to just about every other dance in the show.  

Then, of course, Preston had to steal the show with the boys number, followed by a proposal to Melanie.  I guess she's on his buddy list now.  

Lettin' it Pour

James is in bed asleep and every time I walk in, he asks as if he's wide awake "Do you need help in there?". I need help.  Oh, yes,  do I NEED help.  The last time I entered a new blog,  was a little after I was just finding out that I was carrying another baby.  The baby that has changed my whole life completely.  The tears most definitely will never stop coming tonight and the only thing I can think of doing is write.  

A year ago, I was helping decorate for a lunch at my church with my friend Jodie.  My friend, Stephanie, had lost her baby.  Who would have known that one year later, I would be living that same nightmare.  The nightmare that seems like one long day.  I remember how horrible I felt for her and what a wreck I was.  I couldn't handle walking into the chapel and seeing a picture of the most beautiful little girl in her high chair, completely covered in her lunch.  I thought of how I would feel if I had lost my Avery, who was a few months younger.  My heart ached so badly for her parents who were dealing with this tragedy and loss of such a sweet little girl.  The funeral was one I would never forget.  Stephanie and John gave the most inspiring talks I had ever heard.  They made me want to be a better mom to my kids.  I was so jealous of their strength and their testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ.   

Their experience, I felt most definitely helped prepare me for what was about to happen in my life.

Potty Training

So, James decided this weekend to start potty training again (maybe the 3rd time)with Harley. I'm now almost 5 months pregnant and I desperately want him to want to be potty trained. He did really good on Saturday with only one accident outside helping Dad trench the yard for more grass. So, today I decided to let him wear the "big boy pants" to church. HUGE MISTAKE! I checked on him every 10 minutes, made him sit on the toilet, begging him to just go, and nothing. I'm thinking to myself, "Just let Harley make it through church without crapping his pants". His daily ritual usually happens during nursery. Long story short, the kids and I ended up home from church early today. So, I'm going to wait another few months and forget about today and keep changing his disgusting diapers. I guess there's worse things in life than 3 kids in diapers.

A few weeks ago Harley found some of his big boy underwear or as he embarrassingly calls them panties. I am still working on that, but I guess that is the problem of having an older sister. Anyway, I did not want any accidents on the floor sow I put on his flip-flops and we went outside to hit some balls off the tee. He then pulled a "Happy Gilmore" and came running off the patio and smacked the ball. Now it is hard to get him to hit the ball normally because he gets such a reaction from spectators when he hits the ball on the run. Unfortunately, he has not shown that much interest in ditching the diapers since then. I think Avery will be potty trained before Harley.

Our version of the zoo

So, I thought it would be cool to get the kids out to the LV strip and check out some culture.  They had never driven down the strip other than passing thru to the other side.  We checked out the wildlife at the Mirage, the fountain show at the Bellagio and the conservatory inside.  The only time I ever go downtown is when we've got family that wants to go.  This time Jordan came through with Lisa to get a quick  make-over and to check it all out with me.  Layla totally bonded with little Tyler.  They were so cute with each other.  Thanks to Dad, Harley knew the difference between every kind of lion, tiger, panther, jaguar, you name it. At the end of the night after about 20 people gave me dirty looks for having my kids out on the strip,  we watched the fountains at the Bellagio.  Try to find Harley in the dark.  It was so funny to see "Harley monster" afraid of something.  He always acts really tough on the outside.

Labor Day with the Hermanators

Since we didn't go to the fair this year (a first in seven), I thought we needed some fun over the weekend.  I think this was our first time out with them this summer.  It's too bloody hot to even go out to the lake.   That day wasn't too bad though, and really, what's better than getting muddy and eating a bag of chips with a diet coke on the Lake Mead beach.

Friday

Layla started pre-school this past week and I pick her up on Fridays to take her home since Janie works most Fridays.  Miss Marsha's is about halfway between my office and our house so it works out fairly convenient for me to take her home and eat lunch at home.  I snapped a few pictures while I was at home with my new camera.  It is nothing special, just something I can put in my pocket.  It does have wireless internet to send photos.  I will probably never use that feature like most of the features on my cell phone.  

Janie and I actually got two dates in this week.  On Monday Janie's Uncle Dave, who does the sound for Phantom of the Opera, got us some great tickets. The stage is amazing and the show is pretty good.  Of course, the sound is amazing tickets.  Coincidentally, it was Dave's 1,000th show.  Then on Friday, we went to dinner and a movie for Nicole's birthday.  Yesterday, I took the kids to Rock and Roll Kids for a make-up class.  I am sure the other mothers at the class thought Avery was homeless.  I was in a hurry so I grabbed her out of the crib, where I had left her wearing a dirty onesie complete with dried oatmeal on her face.  I am sure that combined with a black eye from earlier this week raised a few eyebrows.  The kids had a great time.  Avery even got involved as she is walking all over the place now.  We came back and and the kids made some bagels before nap time.  I mopped the floor and we could actually walk around the house with bare feet for about four hours.  

Yesterday, we took the kids to the UNLV v. Utah State football game and they loved it.  We were there with Eric and Diane and Tyson, Kathleen, Devon and Tyler.  Eric gave Harley a piece of licorice, which he fit the whole piece in his mouth and was asking for seconds.  He also made good friends with the family in front of him and they shared their cotton candy with Harley and Layla.  While the mother was distracted Avery even tried to get a sip of  the mother's beer.  Fortunately, she was unsuccessful.  It is scary how much Avery acts like her big brother.  This morning, I was feedomg her some oatmeal.  She watched Harley blow on the oatmeal on his spoon to cool it off, so she blew on the very next bite I gave her before eating it.  She also goes around and sips on everyone's drink, which Harley is notorious for doing.  

Well it is time to sign off as I know the kids will be up shortly ready to go.  

Summer Vacation

We have been gone 2 weeks in August and so much has happened in the past few months that I wanted to jot down a few things.

I decided that August is probably the best month to not be in Las Vegas and I couldn't pass up another Goleta trip with Aunt Barb.  This time I strung my mom along for the ride hoping to get some quality time with her and the kids.  I love being away from home, not worried about my work and home stuff.  Mom and I drove the kids down on Tuesday morning which became a terrible mistake.  Every parent knows that driving at NIGHT with kids is the best.  It has just taken me a few times to figure that out.  We spent every day at the beach and one day in Solvang.  Layla and Harley got to pick out a toy at the little old toy store there, just one of my little traditions starting the year before.  Everywhere we went Layla worked on her magnet paper doll set and Harley was busy with the new motorcycle he picked out.  My dad always had a few rules when the family went on vacation;  there's no such thing as Sunday and the money grows on trees.  I've tried to live by these rules and add a few of my own.  Anyway, it was so nice this year to be right next to the best free hotel breakfast ever and the pool.  It was really hard to be with the kids without James but it was still worth it.  One of the last nights my mom had me move the pack and play right onto the courtyard and it was the greatest idea ever.   Avery could be outside and I wouldn't have to be grossed out at the next thing she was licking or playing with.  Layla and Harley were always in the pool or at the beach.   We had the best time and the weather was pretty perfect.   James met me down there on Thursday night to spend one more day at the beach with him.  We came home Saturday, I worked another week and then took off again to be with the kids down in Oceanside, CA.  I forgot my camera that trip but wanted to jot a few things down.  Sorry no pictures.

swim lessons

Today was our last day of our month of lessons at the Turner's and I thought I would take a few pictures of the kids and Austin(Patty's grandson), excluding the swim teacher.  I didn't want anyone to be offended by her Playboy bikini.  I'm serious.  Every lesson, she wears a the same string bikini with an actual Playboy logo printed on her chest; very proffesional.  Trust me, you don't want to see her.  I'll save your eyes. 

Anyway, I told Patty when we were all done that I would pay her the $25 to come swim anytime.  I should have listened to my Aunt Eileen who told me to never get swim lessons.  I knew it was a bad sign when the instructor asked me for the money before our first lesson.

Layla is actually putting her face under water.  A week ago, she wouldn't even let her hair touch.  She' s getting so much better.  I'm not attributing it to the lessons.  Probably her friend Presley who can get her to do pretty much anything I can't.  I'm hoping that by the end of the summer that I can get her to swim to the wall by herself.  I think it's a good goal.

Harley only pooped twice in the pool (so humiliating for me, not him).  He actually thought it was funny.  Weird, I know.  He is not scared of the water in the least bit.  His floaties (James calls them water wings) fall off every time he jumps in the water and he doesn't freak out at all.  He's a total fish.

Avery is just like Harley.  She puts her little face right in, blows bubbles and doesn't really care about being wet or splashed.  I'm remembering Layla being that way now.  Probably just her age.  She is such a good little baby.  Everywhere we go people want to steal her from me.  

I love my kids.   I never thought I would like them this much or enjoy doing the little things with them.   I feel so blessed to have this experience of being a mother.  I love it all.

Bye the way, I love that James adds his two cents when he can.  He made fun of me starting a blog and now he blogs way more than me.

The usual routine

I just finished the bath/book routine and I am getting the kids ready for bed while Janie is at a Relief Society meeting.  

I couldn't resist posting this picture of Harley. Janie gets really ticked when I tuck his shirt into his pants.  In fact, Harley has caught on and pulls them down after awhile.  

I also posted a picture of Avery, our runt.  She just finished one of Aunt Barb's magical cookies baked with love.  As you can see, she enjoyed herself tremendously.  She has four teeth on the bottom and two teeth on the top.   She is also pulling herself up on the couch, table and my legs.  Her little fingers are able to grab my individual leg hairs as she pulls herself up.  It is surprisingly painful.

Layla is talking me into watching a little Deadliest Catch before she goes to bed.  So I will have to sign off for now.   

Fourth of July

I just hooked up an extra wireless keyboard I had to Janie's Apple.  It reminds me why I hate this computer.  I have to relearn everything from PC.  After using non-Sunday language I actually figured out it was the batteries and not the computer.  

We spent most of yesterday in the Pool at my in-laws.  The kids were pretty wiped-out and we came home so they could take a nap before heading over to the Clark's annual 4th of July party in Red Rock Country Club to watch the fireworks.  I thought Harley was going to be disappointed because he kept saying "firetruck" when we were talking about seeing the "fireworks" during the drive over.  He loved watching the fireworks.  He kept saying to me, "did you see that," every time a firework went off.  He did a get a little nervous as some of the big fireworks went up.  I think he thought they were going to land on us.  

Anyway, I should probably go to bed since Janie is already asleep, which is unusual for her to go to be before me.  I think it is her fault for signing us up for this blog thing.  I am surprised I am actually contributing.  

Here is a little sample of Harley's moves.  I think he was a little shy when I got out the camera.  Normally, he does  a few head spins and leg kicks.  

Computer Skills

I am uploading this video to prove to my wife that I have computer hacking skills. Enjoy.

Father's Day

I thought it would be fun for the kids to go to the fire department for Father's Day with their dad since it's kind of a manly Father's Day thing to do.  It was hard to get Harley away from the big fire truck and ambulance.  Jon was kind enough to take us on a ride through the neighborhood.  We had so much fun with the kids that day.  It's a rare occasion that we're all together now.  Sunday's are not really my favorite day any more since James was put into the bishopric.  Since James dropped an idea for a gift for Father's Day, the kids and I picked out a nice knife for him.  He says that using the new knife makes him feel rich.

Follow the Prophet

 A little someone I know created this blog for me and I'm feeling a little ungrateful since I complain all the time about not having any kind of remembrance of my life with my family.  Today at church, Bishop Hyte spoke to us about goals and following the prophet and he asked us to come up with some things that we would like to change to make our lives better and this was my mental list.

not in any particular order...

1. Read my scriptures (every day) even if it's one verse.

2. Keep a journal (this blog will be mine since I'm not ever going to be good at the pen and paper thing)

3.  Pray in the morning.  I find that my prayers are a little more meaningful in the morning than at night when I'm getting more anxious to get my head to my pillow.

4.  Get my food storage going.  How many times have I said to myself,"Today's the day".