Litterbug

Joel was out with Sawyer and Joel had Soy sitting on the trunk of the car and they were eating some snacks and Joel had dropped a cracker on the ground.
Joel- "Isn't this fun Soy"
Soy- "Yeah Dad, you know what's not fun, littering right here."
Joel- "Littering?"
Soy- "Yeah, you dropped that cracker on the ground."
Joel- "Where did you learn that?"
Soy- "Teacher Nareh"


Joel was sitting down watching a football game and Soy came up to him and said- "May I sit by you?" and then he asked "Why do you watch this stuff Dad?"

I put London down early because she missed her nap and let Soy stay up. We played Spongebob memory and drank hot chocolate. We had to say "cheers" everytime we took a drink. It was so sweet. It's moments like that that make motherhood so much fun. I wish I had a perfect recall memory so I could play back moments like this later down the road.

Coen Matthew is here!

November 22, 2010 at 1434 Coen was born, 7 lb 10 oz, 20 inches. We are so happy to finally have him here!

Thanksgiving Turkeys

Our craft project for our weekly night in with the Cavanaughs.

Preschool

Sawyer did a nine week preschool program through the city. He had a lot of fun and made lots of new friends. His teachers said that his obedience and attention span improved during the program......if this is true he definitely needs to go back!

Baby Blues

Sawyer wanted to play with the band, so he got two pencils and hit them together-- it was sooo cute!
They weren't quite comfortable hugging Frosty. Frosty finally got a high five.

So these past couple weeks before big baby day have been rough (probably the roughest on Joel--but lets focus on me). I don't remember getting this emotional before the other babies were born. I'm hoping this replaces the postpartum emotional roller coaster and not just a sample of things to come!

But I got out with the kids tonight and we went to a Christmas event on Magnolia Blvd, downtown Burbank, and listened to carolers, saw Santa, ate too many treats, drank too much hot cocoa, and watched a pirate band (yeah I don't know --it's California) But it was fun and boosted my spirits. Yay for Christmas!

Booger Gum

So I was trying to teach Sawyer today what the word "imagination" meant.
Sawyer- "Mom, sometimes I pretend that my boogers are gum"
Mom-"That is so gross Sawyer!"
Sawyer- "Mom! Just use your imagination!"

Sandwich Monster Forest

So in the middle of the night Sawyer informed me that he had a dream that he went behind a bush and got stung by a bee on his hand and he as quite upset about it.
Then this morning he woke me up and told me about how he had to run from the Sandwich monster in the Sandwich Monster Forest and that Megan, Mckenzie, Casey, and London had to run too and he had to become a pirate to save them and slice the monster in half. I asked him if he ate the monster but he said the bread was ruined.

Sawyers Dreams

Almost every morning Sawyer wakes up and tells me about a new dream he had. This morning he woke up and I asked him what he dreamed about and he said "Deep Sea Hunt" (A TV show from one of his books) and he said there were lots of sharks all around him and his friends shark came and got mad at the other sharks. He said a lot of other stuff but that was all I remembered. It's so different every morning. He had a phase where every morning he woke up with a story about Calliou (this TV character) like saving Calliou from the dragon. I need to keep track of them more.

London Alice Erickson

I can't believe it's already been two years with Miss London. London is sincerely sweet--she is sweet only when she means it which is fairly often. She pucker up her lips and gives me a hug every time I have to leave for work. She reminds us to say a prayer over the food by folding her arms and waiting for us to do the same. She helps tuck me in to bed when I come home from work and pats my head. She likes carrying around her "babies" right now which are a stuffed penguin and caterpillar. Her favorite blanket is a green fleece Christmas blanket that her uncles Spencer and Tony gave her for Christmas. She has the most adorable dimples. She loves shoes and hats. She loves to color and paint. She loves to just sit and look at books. She loves our cats and is very gentle with them. She loves playing with Sawyer and mimicking him. She doesn't love him taking her toys or hiding her babies. She loves to scream when provoked. She calls Sawyer "Londy". She doesn't like to hold my hand when we are walking. She wants to do things by herself. She likes sleeping in her new big girl bed. When she gets dirty or needs a diaper change she says "eww, guck!". Her favorite things at the playground are the swings and the slide. Her favorite fruit is probably grapes. She inhales them. Favorite veggie is corn on the cob or greeen beans. She loves candy just like Soy and probably gets more than Soy did at her age because he sneaks candy to her. If Soy sneaks candy he sneaks enough for both of them. He is usually a very considerate caring older brother. She is a big daddy's girl. She does not like it when Daddy is gone and will let you know by repeating his name over and over and over again. She isn't much of a cuddler but she will let you rock her a little before she goes to sleep. And she will let you know which lullabies to sing.We have really enjoyed London in our home, she has a very sweet and loving spirit and know that she will continue to be a joy in our home and family.

Happy Birthday London!

London turned two on October 28. We had a little party for her and some friends. Of course this is the day that I took her to the Dr to get her shots and the day she decided she wouldn't nap and the day that I got only a couple hours of sleep after work...so I think the party went pretty well considering!

Fun Fact

I just noticed tonight that the amount of floss Joel uses is super long. So I had him hold it from his hip to compare it to his leg length......it went all the way to his ankle! Joel uses leg long floss. Who knew? No wonder I have to buy so much floss. Doesn't he know we are in a recession?

How Embarassing

So I was walking down the sidewalk hand in hand with Soy and London watching them like a hawk because we were next to a busy street and they were holding eachothers hands and all of the sudden *GONK* I hit a pole. I have the bruise to prove it. I don't know if anyone saw it but the kids weren't even old enough to laugh about it. It reminds me of the time my mom stepped on a rake--what a goose egg!

We were on our way to pick up the rest of Soy's batman ensemble and to get some pumpkins. I think the only time I lost it was when Soy through the pumpkin out of the cart.....other than that we had a good time.

Santa Barbara Beach Day

Sorry Blake no boogie boarding waves! But the kids had fun!

Solvang

Madalyn and Blake came down to visit this summer and we went to Solvang and stayed at one of our timeshares. We had alot of fun parading our twin bellies around and everyone got a kick out of the fact that we are due the same day. The kids loved having them here and were pretty good for the most part. I don't think Blake and Madie were prepared to see London's dark side. But she is pretty darn cute for a majority of the time.

33 Weeks

We are almost there! I am feeling the pressure--literally. But I feel really good. My worst complaint is heartburn and that is manageable. I can't wait to see what this baby is! And to have a newborn around again....it's been so long! HA! I'm getting nervous for the delivery but that is natural. I'm sure I will forget it all when I see our new baby.

Good Day

Today was just a good day. We started out with an early morning walk with our great friend Andrea Wilcox around the cutest of the homes in Burbank/Glendale by Brand Park. And played at the park then got groceries. When the kids are good grocery shopping is actually really fun because Sawyer pushes around his own little mini cart and zooms around the store and picks out his own groceries....so cute. (He would not survive if he got to choose what to eat--neither would his father come to think of it). Then we came home, had lunch, and London and I took a nap while Soy watched a movie. Then we painted some wood crafts, had snacks, made a pie, made dinner, (while Joel cleaned the house), and ate with the missionaries. Soy loves the missionaries. He talked about them all day. He is such a social butterfly and loves making new friends. London is getting more outgoing but in a totally different way. Once she gives her "high fives" she is done socializing. Soy sticks around til there is nothing left. He says the cutest thing almost every day "Mom, do you know I love you?" Today he said it while we were by the peaches in the produce department.

I looked at myself today in the mirror. Yikes! No wonder people always tell me that I'm big and look uncomfortable! I'm getting huge! 12 more weeks!

Idaho

We just got back from Idaho....beautiful Idaho. Where the stars actually shine and there are no such things as multiple highways or more than 3 lanes. But it is pretty windy there. We had a Richards reunion in Peterson, Utah---I want to live there--it was gorgeous! It was just outside of Ogden, Utah. Then Joel had his 10 year high school reunion. For the 4th of July we stayed at the Ameritel in Idaho Falls with his family and we swam and watched the fireworks. His parents invited my family too---I love that our families hang out together! Then Monday we had a Matthews reunion at Rigby Lake and a Schwendiman BarBQ that night at my parents house. Tuesday we just hung out at my Mom's house--I had to wash all of my baby clothes and my maternity stuff and throw away the things the mice got to. YUmmy. Wednesday we went to Bear World...the kids loved it. We had a lot of fun and we miss being close to family.

Cheesecake

My first baked cheesecake! And it tasted amazing--well much better than I had imagined.

Empty Can of Sunscreen

So Soy has a hard time going to bed....this we all know. Tonight was no different. But he was staying in his room and not making too much noise and London had fallen asleep. So I was organizing our 72 hour kits and watching a movie. After a while I decided I better go see what he was up to and make him get back in bed. He had emptied out the diaper bag (why haven't I learned yet to not leave the diaper bag in their room?) and got a can of sunscreen and had been "cleaning the room". Poor little guy. I probably shouldn't have gotten mad at him....... At least it wasn't the spray lotion! But that will fun to clean up tomorrow.

Sawyerisms

Sawyer came up to me today and said, "I will keep you safe Mom."
"Thanks for washing my hair, Mom." (Usually he is screaming)
London was crying in her crib at bedtime and Soy said, "It's okay London, I'm right here."

San Diego

Hotel Del Coronado

Japenese Friendship Garden at Brand Park

Happy Easter!

My Girl