Easton...

Easton cracks me up!  This kid is going to be the class clown.  He thinks everything is funny and can find humor in any situation.  Some of his favorites... bubble baths, football, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Monsters University, Smurfs 2 and Madi.  He has been totally jealous of Madi going to friends houses or having friends here and feeling left out.  He will tell me "You're my best friend" or sometimes "Madi's my best friend."  It is so sweet.  He also MISSES everyone.  He will look out the window every morning and say "I miss daddy."  If Madi is gone, he misses her too.

Easton is VERY independent.  He tells us all the time "I do it!"  If you don't let him then he will cry and put it how it was so he can do it.  On occasion he will stomp his foot, fold his arms, put his bottom lip out and declare "I'm mad at you."  It is so hard to keep a straight face!

He loves the little monkey on Croods and mimics him until it makes Madi mad.  "Da, Da, Daaah!"

He is terrified of the dark.  His light has a dimmer so we keep it on at night, dimmed all the way, but he will still wake up crying hysterically and tell us he is scared of the dark.  He cries in the car when we go anywhere at night too.

Some of the things I LOVE that he says... "That's delicious" and "that's a great idea!"  A few weeks ago we were eating dinner.  He didn't want to eat and I said " I made cheesy rice."  He took a big bite and said "That's a great idea!" like I was pure genius.

He keeps me on my toes.  I was getting dressed the other day and he comes running in my room. He whips out a butter knife and yells "Hi-ya!  I'm a pirate!!!"  The kid cracks me up! 

Madi and Easton fight and argue a lot!  I know they still love each other though because every now and then they have sweet moments like this, holding hands in the car.  Or they share or hug each other.  I love the sweet times when they play together and are kind to each other. 

I mentioned our trip to Bliss in Madi's update.  Easton ♥LOVES♥ shoes!  He put these on himself.  If Madi was going to try them on, so was he.  We took him across the hall to Payless and he tried on ten or so pairs.  When we didn't buy him any he had a complete meltdown and we had to leave the mall.  He's just like his daddy. :D 

 

Madison...

I have been meaning to get updates of the kids on here with some of the things they love and some of their funny stories.  I was going to wait until I was caught up but it seems like I never am so here goes...

After we tuck our kids into bed, read stories and have scriptures and prayers, Derrick and I usually play a game or watch a cooking show or something of that sort.  Tonight, like many others, Madi will sing songs to herself.  Tonight she was a little loud as she sung so Derrick went to ask her to sing a little quieter so Easton could sleep.  He came out grinning and said we needed to get her a mirror that can rest on the floor.  Of course I wondered why and he said "She put on her ballerina and was dancing on her dresser so she could see herself in the mirror."  Oh how I love this girl!

Madi loves when I make her any type of skirt or dress.  I made this one from a tank top...

We were at the mall (9.13.2013) and there is a frilly dress store called Bliss.  Madi goes nuts there and asks us to buy her just about every dress.  I hadn't noticed before, but they have pageant shoes there in children's size.  Madi tried on EVERY pair in her size!  She LOVED the high heel and said she wanted some for Christmas.   

Another of my creations.  She wanted a play gown...

...and what's a gown without some jewels??? 

Trying on a wig at Target...

Some of the cute things that Madi does...

She thinks the color yellow is called blond.  She calls light orange things yellow.  It is too cute to correct her.

She calls her dance teacher (Mrs. Julie) Miss Jewelry and corrects me when I try to correct her.

She ♥LOVES♥ her friends.  She said playing with friends is her favorite thing to do and does so multiple times a week.  She has some great little friends in the neighborhood.

Before Christmas we were at Target so we went to the toy aisle with the kids.  Easton wanted everything!  Madi looked at things, played with things and then moved on.  When I asked her if she had found anything she wanted for Christmas she shook her head and said "I just want an IPad."

Madi is a chatterbox, especially in the car.  She asks questions non-stop about the most random things.  She wants to know everything about anything and often surprises me with some of the things she comes up with.

She loves to draw and color and is really pretty good at both.  She draws/colors multiple pictures a day and wants them all to go on the fridge.  NEVER let her find one in the trash or someone is in serious trouble!

On Christmas eve, Christina was putting some crackers out.  Madi asked for one and Tiffany said "I think you are forgetting something." (implying a please).  Madi ran her fingers through her hair and said "I know, my crown."

Every year Santa comes to our Baum Christmas party.  He brings a special gift for each of the kids.  This year there was a big storm and we didn't make it.  For the first time since we have been in the ward, Santa was at our ward Christmas party.  The kids sat on his lap and then we ate dinner.  While we were eating Madi leaned over and said "Santa forgot to give me my present."  I realized that the Baum party Santa was her only experience in previous years.  I told her that he must not have had enough for all the kids so he probably left it at our house.  Sure enough, when we got home, there it was.

Derrick and I didn't really open gifts on Christmas morning.  In fact, they never got wrapped.  As we got them, we opened them and started using them.  I was putting Madi to bed on Christmas and she asked "Why didn't you open any presents?"  I hadn't even thought the kids would notice.  She is such a sweet girl to think about her mom and dad.

Madi is excited for school.  I applied for a variance to get her into a Spanish immersion program at a neighboring elementary.  She has been saying words (real and made up) and asking "Is that Spanish?"  I can not believe that she is old enough to go to school soon.  Where has the time gone?  My baby is growing up too fast!  When I tell her that or tell her to stop growing she tells me that she wants to grow big so she can get married and have babies.  What's the rush?  Let me keep you little, please!?!?!



Kevin & Aleisha's Wedding... 10.18.2013

Our dear friends, the Hoyes, asked Madi & Easton to pass out thank yous at Aleisha & Kevin's wedding reception.  I made Madi a cute dress, with no pattern, out of a sheet, and LOVE the way it turned out.  She loved that it twirled, but was less than thrilled that it was brown.  I made Easton a tie to match.  They looked adorable!  It was a dream come true for Madi since she loves everything wedding and there was dancing.  It was the most fun reception I have ever been to.  We are thrilled for Aleisha & Kevin and enjoyed spending time with them and their families.  Also, congrats to Rochelle & Justin on their baby!  Can't wait to meet the little one!

This picture is priceless!  I love the way she is looking up at him.  It shows how much she loves and looks up to her daddy!   

Dancing with Lani...

Taking a turn with Jeff... 

Grandpa's Farm... 10.16.2013

Growing up I always loved going to my grandma and grandpa Gurney's.  There are lots of reasons that I loved it but something that I looked forward to was seeing the horses in the fields.  My grandparents were mink ranchers and had a little farm.  I loved helping them in the sheds and seeing all the animals.  Many of my fond childhood memories involve their farm. 

Although they no longer farm, they rent their pastures out.  My kids look forward to seeing the horses each time we go and love to feed them apples.  They love to pet the horses.  Easton is completely fearless around them.  Madi holds back a little more but still loves to feed them and pet them.  On this day, grandma had LOTS of apples to feed them.

Easton was ready to climb in with them.  One of the horses nipped at him and he didn't even flinch.  We had to keep pulling him back. 

I love that they are able to have some of the same memories as I had at my grandma and grandpas.  Of course, I got to ride the horses.  Maybe someday they will be able to ride one too. :D

Nicholas & Christina's Family... 10.16.2013

Here are the pictures of Nicholas' family. I think they turned out good, I especially love the ones of Caitlin!