She's walking!

Well, really I'm just lazy--she's been walking for three weeks....yeah, I'm slow. I also tried to get a video on here, but that didn't work either--my mom got it figured out though--go here if you would like to see her in action: http://horstclan.blogspot.com/2008/09/kennedy-walking.html

Anyway, it was so funny when she first figured it out--it really was an accident on her part. She never intended to walk--she had it all planned out, she would just have me carry her everywhere for the rest of her life. Well, she slipped one day and walked. She liked the attention so she walked some more, but then, for the next two or three days, she wouldn't even lock her knees--she was just limp every time I tried to stand her up (little stinker!)
Well, she finally progressed to walking, but only if she could hold our hands, or else she would cry and scream and stand there stranded. Finally she started walking and enjoying herself a little. Now she has progressed so much that she can master walking with bracelets on her wrists and a purse over her shoulder. She looks like a little old lady when she walks--like she's pushing an invisible walker--it's so funny. Oh, and shoes are a must for her--she loves to accessorize (and I swear it's not due to my influence! :) )

And last but not least our little Kennedy has learned to fold her arms when we say a prayer. It is so cute to see her little dimpled fingers grab her chubby elbows, but she does it and she is so proud. She looks at each of us individually for praise before we can actually pray--and then we have to praise Bridger (you know how that goes...)--so, it is becoming quite the process!

Sweet Baby!

My precious little nephew was born a week ago--he was five and a half weeks early and only 5.4 lbs.
He is the sweetest little guy! For coming so early he has been so healthy and we are blessed that he is so strong.
This is the first baby to be born since I have had my two--so I was super excited to make little baby gifts and do all those cute baby things--imagine how disappointed I was to have a cold on the day he was born! What horrible timing!
Our whole family has had the sniffles for a while now--probably two weeks--not a big deal really, but we don't want to risk getting this little guy sick (or his parents!)
Needless to say, I am DYING to get my hands on him :) I just can't believe how little he is--about half the size of mine! :)

Well, it will be hard but I guess I'll just have to wait till he's a little bigger before I shower him with my kisses...and Bridgers and Kennedy's too...I'm sure they will have plenty of kisses...
For now we'll all just have to kiss the computer screen (at least that's Kennedy's approach) :)

Home for Sale!

So, my parents are moving-to Florida and they are needing to sell their house. As you can see it is gorgeous (and huge)! So, if anyone knows anyone.....

Here are some links:

www.obeo.com/489698

http://www.realestate.com/Property/10169994-11733-Harvest-Rain-Ave-South-Jordan-UT-84095-823721.aspx

What a story!

This is the story Bridger told me this morning--I have no idea how this was conjured up, but he sure seems to have a great imagination! (by the way--this is word for word, because I was typing as he was talking)

"Once upon a time, when I was your age, when I was sleeping an owl came and ate a hole in our roof and after that he left a hole there and birds came and ate me--I tasted like a candy cane--and all my friends were fast asleep. And the birds were all singing : "whoo whoo whoo"--and then the owl came down and gave me a kiss with his beak. And then the owl fixed the hole, he filled it up with concrete. Then I was all warm and nice and cozy in my bed...the end"

oh my--this sounds like the beginning of an Alfred Hitchcock movie--should I be concerned??? I'm thinking it was probably a dream that he had--but still!! Wow.

Yippee!

So, for my birthday (quite a few months ago...) we were supposed to go to the Dave Matthews concert--well, due to unfortunate circumstances that concert has been canceled. We were so bummed! But that's okay--our money was refunded and now we are going to Coldplay instead!!!! Yeah!! We love Coldplay--not that I am a diehard fan or anything...(I don't even think I know any of their names) but we love their songs. I am so excited--Viva la Vida!!!

State Fair

We had a great weekend! On Saturday we went up to the state fair with our friends, the Wilkinson's. We had a fun time watching a magic show (where Neil was a star performer!!!), eating fair food (gotta love hot dogs that cost $6) and taking Bridger and Tommy on some very clean and safe (yeah right...) carnival rides. :) No, j/k we really did have a blast!


Bridger and Tommy always have fun playing together--and since their play group ended over the summer--I think they have been going through withdrawels (well, at least Bridger has--he talks about Tommy all the time!)
The cute little sisters fell asleep--Faith looks a little more comfortable than Kennedy!

So for some reason, the blog won't let me write next to the pictures--I hate that!!! Anyway, the picture just on top is of Bridger plugging his ears and drinking lemonade at the same time--we were watching a 'chainsaw' artist--apparently it was a little too loud for him! Bridger loved going on the little train ride, although I think it bored Tommy a bit :). The next ride they went on was the race car--it looked fun and Bridger was so excited to get in. However, his excitement didn't last long--the cars go slow until they wip (at lightening fast speed) around the corner of the track...well, good old serious Bridger almost had a heart attack. He was screaming, crying and reaching out for me everytime the car passed me--it was so sad (and kinda funny...) I felt awful! He had a horrible time--Tommy was sitting right next to him in the car--he had the time of his life (along with every other kid there that day...) but Bridger hated every second. I think I've pretty much abused his trust when it comes to this kind of thing--I'll be lucky if he makes it to the Magic Kingdom by the time he's 30...

Oh well, it was nothing a cookie with pink frosting and sprinkles couldn't fix (great parenting, I know...) :) We just wish we could have stayed longer!

It was Jeremy's dad's 60th birthday party that night and we had a great time celebrating with them! We always have the best birthday dinners--here is a pic of him with all the grandkids--so cute!!!

For Sale!!!

So, I have finally faced the cold hard truth--we have put our house up for sale! It has been so crazy here over the past week (yes, week--it was a fast decision--as one neighbor said: "yes, it was fast! I went to go get some pizza and when I came back you had a sign in your yard!")

Anyway, we have found a house much closer to Jeremy's work--which will take our commute down to 5 minutes (aaahhhh....)--it will be fun to see him for lunch on those days when we don't get to see him at all!!! But as much as we are excited for this house, and the convenience of it, we are truly heartbroken to leave!! We love, love, love it here! And needless to say, we have had many sleepless nights (and I even lost my voice--go figure--) over the stress of the decision. So, even though we are leaving (although I'm not sure when)--I will still be tagging along to a certain book club and to any kind of race or marathon that my running group participates in!

We have never had to sell a house before, and it is a little daunting that we kind of already own two houses. Not to mention how extremely annoying and frustrating it is to keep my house completely spotless at all hours of the day, just in case someone wants to see it! I have cleaned this house everyday for a week and have almost nothing to show for it--this will get old soon, I just know it. So, if I seem to be out of my mind--I probably am--too much potty training, house organizing and toxic cleaning fumes going around....

One cool thing though--our realtor provided us with a 'staging' service. I had a couple of decorators come over and for 2 hourse, set my house up like a model home. It was really fun! Although, I don't feel quite like I am in my own house anymore--I had to take down so many pictures...that was sad! But, it really does look great--I especially love the little tray on the bed--with the books, and mugs and reading glasses (yeah, like I'm going to set that up every morning....) but it makes a great picture! Here are some after shots:

Bridger's First Day!

Bridger started preschool today! He was so excited that at 7:00 in the morning he yelled down to me: "Mom, get off the computer! preschool starts soon and we're going to be late!" (Hmmm, wonder where he got that from...no, we're never late to anything...) :)

He had such a wonderful time--he came home and kept kissing my hand (part of a book that they read there--really cute) and he was so excited to show me all of the treasures he brought home in his little backpack. I can't believe he is already this big!!! He is such a cutie!

Potty Training Update!!!

So, First of all--thank you to all of you for your wonderful advice! My goodness--potty training is a horrid thing--why is modern society so mean???

Anyway, I started yesterday--when Bridger got home from preschool. All of the kids there are already potty trained, so I told Bridger that is was a rule and he needed to follow suit. He agreed (I was suprised) and we took off his diaper. I let him go naked and gave him lots to drink--set his potty in front of the tv and stayed by his side for the next...umm...like 5 hours (asking and prodding every 10 minutes!). Then, I ran downstairs to get something, when I came back he had peed on the carpet. It was so hard not to lose it, but I didn't--just had him help me wipe it up. Not five minutes later did he do the same thing. Crazy kid!
Later, I caught him going poop and hurried and ran him to the potty so he could finish. Well, he did (a half success there...) and while I was cleaning him up and helping him--sweet darling little Kennedy came along, opened up the lid to his potty and I will leave the rest up to your imagination...I screamed...Bridger laughed (a little too hard) and Kennedy jumped a mile!

It was horrific. But we got it all cleaned up and the kids went to bed--I was in a horrible mood all night (sorry Jer!) and dreaded the next day. However, today has been great! Right away, he went potty 2 different times--on his own accord! I was so proud!!! Then, he had a couple of accidents, but then he went 2 more times!! We are at 50%! yeah!!!!! He didn't pee on the carpet and Kennedy kept her curiousity to herself! By tonight he was running to the potty and taking care of business by himself--he never went when I reminded him. It was a much better day today.

I am so excited, I know that tomorrow will be even better! He is such a turkey--this morning he was trying to put a diaper on himself and crying for me to help him (he couldn't figure out the velcro)--but I think he finally realizes I am serious. That kid got some major praise today! We are building up for a toy (either a 'real train' or a mini van--don't know why but he is a little obsessed with mini-vans right now!)

Go Bridger!

So, sorry Jordan, but we didn't go with the pull-up idea :)--loved Rachel's advice ("It's hard...) :) but in the end I combined Lindsay S. and Sarah B's ideas---so think of what you want for your prize!!!! :)