Halloween

I love Halloween with kids.  They are so fun to dress up and watch.  Lexi was Minnie Mouse and Carter was a cowboy.  We all got to go to Grandpa's work a few days before Halloween and trick or treat around his office.  The kids did really well and got tons of candy.  Carter liked being a big kid.  On Halloween we stopped my the trick or treat on Main Street and Jolene's and then went to Grandma's.  Cole dressed up as a painter and I was an 8 ball.  We trick or treated a few houses in her neighborhood and then came home to do ours.  I love trick or treating in my neighborhood.  The kids had fun but by the end they were ready for their beds. 

Lexi's 5th Birthday

Lexi had a fun 5th birthday.  She got to go to pre-school on her birthday.  Later that night we celebrated as a family by going to Culver's and opening her gifts.  She got a bag pack with a lock and a new coat.  She loves her bag pack and the lock so she can keep Carter out.  The next day we had Makani, Emily, and Madi over for a princess party.  We made wands, necklaces, played don't eat the princess and pin the crown on the princess, did a pinata, and had cup cakes.  Lexi had fun.  The day after that we had Grandma, Grandpa, Jolene, John, and Diane over for filled cup cakes.  Lexi got a suit case, lala loopsie, boots, and Mickey Mouse innotablet game.  She loves all of it.  She got spoiled and enjoyed every minute of it.

Update

Fall has begun and I am so happy!  I am in my third trimester now and actually feel better than I did a few weeks ago.  I am antsy to get things ready for Christmas.  Cole has been working hard on the basement and we are getting the carpet installed this week!  We are so excited to have this extra space to play and hang out.  Between doing the basement and the backyard this year we are ready for the projects to be done for a while.  The kids are still making us laugh all the time. 

Carter has gotten easier and more compliant.  There is a big difference between a two year old and a two and a half year old.  I am glad I've been able to have my kids two and a half years apart.  My favorite things about Carter right now are the things he says.  He tells me he doesn't want to be "coldie" (cold).  The other day he asked if he could play with my hair and I said yes.  He proceeded to grab it and such his thumb but looked up at me with his sweet eyes and said, "I love you Mommy."  If he accidentally does something wrong  he is quick to say he's sorry.  He is really good to share his treats and food with Lexi.  He has a kind heart and notices when others feel sad.  He breaks my heart when he feels sad because he has the saddest face.  He always tells us that people hit him but usually no one has.  We're not sure why he says it.  He talks like he's an adult and uses appropriate social phrases.  He has the best singing voice and uses a lot of bravado.  He loves to dance but always has to wear a princess dress when he does it.

Lexi has changed and wants to be more independent and in charge lately.  We've been butting heads more because of this.  The other day I was telling her that this house and everything in it is mine.  It made her really mad and she said "Santa gave me some of the things so they are mine not yours."  It surprised me and made me worry what kind of come backs I'm in for when she's a teenager.  I am trying to figure out how to enforce what I say but also let her have a say.  She still loves pre-school and says her best friend is Hailey (and me).  She loves to pack things and faithfully takes a church bag each week.  Lately she's been into building clubs, forts, and stores with pillows and blankets.  She idolizes her cousin Megan and gets excited to do things that Megan does.  She likes to do projects and her creativity has blossomed a lot lately. 

Backyard

It has been so nice having the backyard done.  Whenever Cole gets home from work he takes the kids out to play and they love it.  It has been too hot to go out during the day much but in the evenings it's great.  We've also been able to have people over and I've been happy with the way we decided to lay it out.  The volleyball net fits perfectly on the end and the playground is a lot of fun for the kids.  I am proud of Cole for all his hard work.

Pregnancy update

The following pictures are of 13 weeks and almost 23 weeks.  This pregnancy has been hard.  I am so tired all the time.  I am very very emotional and cry a lot.  I have a lot of pains.  It feels like I have been pregnant forever.  Cole has had to do a lot more and I appreciate his willingness to help out.  I am excited to have this little boy in our family.  I think it will be so good for all of us.  I am nervous for when Lexi goes to Kindergarten and I am home all day with two little boys.  I don't know what I will do with them.  This little boy is active.  At the 20 week ultrasound he was very busy and the tech had to be quick to get the images she needed before he changed positions.  I love feeling him move.  That is my favorite part of being pregnant.  My placenta is up high above my belly button so I mostly feel his movements down low.  So far I like the names Trevor, Devan, and Levi.  I would like to use the middle name Ray but am also considering Dale and Bill.  Carter and Lexi love their new cousin Ellie and I think they will be obsessed with their little brother when he arrives. 

First day of Pre-k pre-school

Lexi started her first day of Pre-k pre-school this month.  She was very excited to go back to Ms. Stephanie's.  She was also excited that I was going to come assist once a week.  It was hard having her go back.  Me and Carter didn't know what to do while she was gone.  We always miss her when she is gone.  I have been able to go help and get to take Carter with me.  It's fun and I get to see what she is learning.  I got to do Lexi's test and she did so well.  I think she has a great capacity to learn and is quite smart.  Lexi is a really great girl and I am so glad I have a daughter!

Discovery museum

My parents took Nathan's kids and our family to the Discovery museum.  It was amazing!  The kids loved it and could have stayed there forever.  Lexi was in heaven getting to do things like go shopping at the grocery store and put the groceries away in the fridge.  She still talks about it and loved it.  Carter liked the water exploration table. 

Carnival

As usual the carnival was a big hit with the kids this year.  Carter liked the rides and Lexi was fearless.  She really wanted to go on the ferris wheel and loved it.  Carter loved the carousel It was really hot and I barely survived but it was fun seeing the kids have such a good time.

Cute kids, Fun times

We had a nice summer.  These are just a few fun snapshots of the kids the past few months.

Chamberlain Family Reunion

In July we had a Chamberlain family reunion.  We didn't take any pictures of the reunion but it was fun.  We started off with Ariel's ring ceremony and family pictures.  Then we went up to Lagoon and the kids had a blast.  They loved all the rides.  They both got to go on the dragon ride and loved it.  I think they are thrill seekers.  Sunday we had a family adult meeting at our house where we were reminded of the ways Satan deceives us and how to avoid them.  Monday we went up to Jordanelle Lake and boated.  Both the kids loved going on the tube.  The minute Carter got off the tube and back into the boat he threw his hands up in the air and yelled "I did it!"  He kept asking to go on a boat the rest of the week.  Marilyn and Maleah's kids came with us to the Thanksgiving Point farm and the kids really enjoyed seeing the animals and playing.  Later that week Marilyn came over for a sleepover.  Lexi had been asking and asking to have her over.  We were thrilled when she said she would.  She even watched the kids so me and Cole could go out.  It was a fun night and we enjoyed visiting. 

4th of July Camping

For the 4th of July we went camping with my parents and John and Jolene.  My parents had just purchased a trailer and me and Lexi got to sleep in it while Cole and Carter slept in a tent.  Both kids did well sleeping in new places.  It rained really hard every night and I worried about the boys but they did fine.  We had great food and great company.  We rode into Heber, went to Cascade Springs, and played cards.  It was fun to get outside in such a beautiful place.

Tender

I just had an experience with Carter I don't ever want to forget.  I know I usually only write about his mischievous side but he has a very compassionate side.  Today I found out one of my Young Women is having surgery for a brain tumor.  It has really been hard and I found myself crying this morning just thinking about it.  Carter saw and asked me if I was okay.  He always does sweet things like that when he thinks there might be something wrong.  I asked him for a hug and he gave me a big squish.  I was still crying so he asked me again if I was okay.  He then asked me if I wanted a "headband" (aka band aid).  He touched my tears and said he wanted to get me a band aid for them.  He then heard me sniffle and told me he would get me a tissue.  He ran to his room and got a baby wipe and came and wiped my nose.  Needless to say my tears grew heavier as I watched my little boy care for me.  His tender heart touched mine in a way I've never felt.  The love and mercy of a child.  What a powerful example. 

Laughs

We were at Grandpas with Nathan's family.  The kids were all looking at Grandpas garden.  Grandpa gave the kids some tomatoes.  Madison asked Lexi, "Are you a tomato fan?"  Lexi said, "No, I'm a BYU fan."  I was so proud.

I told Carter if he was good and sat in the shopping cart he could have a treat.  At one point during the trip I picked up a large bag of mini M&M's for cookies.  Carter picked them up and hugged them tight while saying, "I love you treats!"  I feel the exact same way.

Each night we read a story from the kids version of the Book of Mormon.  We let the kids pick which one.  Carter kept  asking for the popcorn tree one.  We brushed it off for about a week of him asking.  Finally one night it dawned on me he might be talking about Lehi's vision of the tree of life.  Sure enough I turned to that page and Carter was so happy because right there in front of him was a picture of a "popcorn tree".

Baby #3

It has been an exciting time at our house.  In May we found out we are expecting our third child January 14, 2014.  We got lucky this time and didn't have to wait long to get pregnant (first try).  I was anxious to know so I took a bunch of early tests but they came up negative.  When I was 2 days late I took a dollar store test and it looked positive so to make sure I bought another target one and it was positive.  I drove straight to Cole's work to tell him.  We called it a "flower" for a code name until we were ready to tell Lexi.  Around 8 weeks we told Lexi.  She was so excited and couldn't stop laughing.  She said she thought Grandma should have a baby too.  She loves to lay next to the baby and tickle it, kiss it, and hug it.  She always tells me how she will help take care of the baby if I'm too tired.  I love that she loves it so much already.  Carter doesn't have a clue what's going on.  He's having to grow up a little because I don't like to carry him and in general make him be a little more independent.  I have had the hardest time with this pregnancy.  I have been nautious and can't stand to eat meat.  I have been super tired, thus my house is a mess and my kids are bored.  We have eaten out way too much but things seem to be getting better.  I am excited to have a baby around again but worry I won't be able to handle everything. 

Elder Succo Returns

Christian returned home from his mission to Ghana.  We had fun making signs and going to the airport to greet him.  We went to JCW's after and enjoyed spending time with our extended family.  It was fun because the weekend I moved back to Utah Christian left so it was fun to think I've been here for two years.  Christian is all grown up now.  I can tell he was a great missionary.  I enjoyed listening to his talk in Church.  He did a great job.