Alaska bound

For the past 4 months I would say, Jeff's job has laid many people off. We found out in January that Jeff's job would no longer be a position, thus sending our nerves flying with trying to find another job within his company or looking for another altogether. A job opened up in Alaska as a state manager. He would be responsible for the entire state. It would be a huge promotion and honestly I prepared myself that he would not get it. However, today we found out he got the promotion. We are just so grateful that he has a job especially considering todays economy. We feel humbled that the Lord wants us to be there and excited for the new experiences that will come our way. I'm sure I will have some fun posts in the future wether it's random wild animals, extreme climate, or environmental differences. Either way right now we're just elated that the anticipation of having a job is over and looking forward to the anticipation of Alaska living.

last time we were at the temple we parked our car as we usually do. When we came back, this Alaska car was parked right next to us. I took a picture because I thought it was a "sign," at least I was hoping it was.

My bachelor date

I know you're thinking, "Wow those outfits are hot." Luckily Jeff and I have been married for awhile now. This isn't something you want to do on a first date. You realize how ugly a person looks like with googles smashed to their face and a funky type of space suit on. As if that isn't bad enough, when you're in the chamber with huge amounts of wind, you see just how much excess skin is on someone's face. It totally flaps everywhere and if you open your mouth, drool will fly out. But it's worth it. If you don't have fun, you definitely have fun watching other people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wgu9ry7RUg Here is a link to watch a minute clip of myself skydiving indoors.

Jeff had a surprise date fo me yesterday. When we showed up to this indoor skydiving place the thought crossed my mind that this was like "The Bachelor" sort of date: exciting, adventurous, and with a hot guy to enjoy it with. We were in this chamber that blew tons of wind and flew in the air like we were skydiving. It was a ton of fun. I would recommend this activity to anyone who is curious to feel the sensation of skydiving without the cost of really jumping out of a plane and skydiving. After this, Jeff gave me another surprise and had made a reservation at a nice restaurant close by. It was great to do something that got me a little nervous. There was much fun "screaming" coming out of my mouth. Jeff was a little disappointed when he quickly realized that you can't just jump in the chamber and do backflips. There is quite a bit of coordination and experience involved to get to that level.

Sydney and Jordyn updates

I know there are a ton of pictures but some people have been wanting an update on the girls. In these first few pictures the girls are together. Sydney and Jordyn are really starting to play and interact together. It very cute to see them talk and play together and the added bonus--I'm able to fold laundry and unload the dishwasher without them helping me.

We like to take the girls to the temple. This time however, Sydney had a strong desire to go inside. Once we weren't looking and I had to run across the huge lawn chasing after Sydney. She was running towards the doors screaming, "Jesus I want to see you." Of course the tears began to flow when I finally got a hold of her telling her she couldn't go inside. Thank you for visitor centers and the big statue of Jesus.

Here's Jordyn. She is growing so much. Sometimes I look at her and think, "how did she get so tall." Her first tooth finally broke through 2 days ago. At this point it will be strange to see her with teeth. She runs and is a climber just like her big sis. She climbs on chairs and the dinner table and anything else she can figure out. I really have to keep an eye on these two.

Jordyn is fascinated with the dryer. She loves to pull the dryer vent thing out.

I caught Jordyn in the drawer in our kitchen. She also loves to play with any kitchen utensils, mostly measuring cups. Another favorite is chewing on toothbrushes.

Just a great picture of her going down the slide. I told Syd to give her a push because she was sitting there for about 5 minutes.

NOW FOR SYDNEY.

She's been in gymnastics now for about a month. She loves to attempt handstands, cartwheels, and backbends. So our living room floor is now her floor exercise routine. She also uses our couch as vault for backflips. Like I mentioned earlier I have to keep my eyes on these two.

Syd at the park the other day. It was such a nice warm day that we had to take advantage of the outdoors.

Sydney is a treat to have around the house. She is a great help and is becoming such a big girl. Shey may be getting her adnoids out. We have an appt. the beginning of March so we'll see what the doctors say. She recognizes all her letters now (mostly the capital letters. We're still working on the lower case ones) and she is learning the sounds of them too. She picks up things quickly.

Syd loves to do her little flip from the bar. I hope this update of the girls give you a good sense of the things they're are doing and learning. Life is so much fun with them in our life and we love them so much.

You PRANKSTER, you!

The other day Sydney told me that Jordyn's diaper needed to be changed. She's usually right. So I laid Jordyn down with Sydney sitting next to me watching the process. I proceeded to open the diaper and all the sudden I totally freaked out and screamed when I saw a bug. When I realized it was fake I took a deep breath of relief, but Sydney on the other hand was laughing hysterically. She totally had set me up. I can't believe she thought of that. She's a little prankster and keeps me on my toes....HOURLY.

The ONE pounder

Our family went bowling with some friends the other day. This was Sydney's first time bowling. I think she enjoyed it...minus smashing her fingers between two bowling balls. She did pretty well with the gutter bumpers set up. I love those by the way. Her score was only 6 pins fewer than mine. That translates to me being a poor bowler. After this we ate at Cheeburger Cheeburger and that's when Jeff devoured a one pounder. It was a dare and he completed the task and then was still hungry and downed a banana milkshake. The difference between me and Jeff: he eats a one pound hamburger and gains 1 pound; if I ate a one pound hamburger I would gain like 5 pounds but look 4 months pregnant. Thus, I don't take on such dares.

By this point, the end, everyone was starving and crabby.

Sydney and her friend Abby watching the ball hit the pins.

Just a cute picture of Sydney.

After he ate the 1 lb. burger in seriously like 5 minutes they took a picture of him with this thing and hung it on a wall.

This is what it looked like before he devoured it. The bun did not come close to even cover the meat.

More Stitches?

Last night, Jeff and I were all excited to put the kiddos to sleep and watch Biggest Loser together. Sydney was in her bed and wanted to say the prayer. Of course she can't just say a prayer kneeling on her bed or floor like me and Jeff. She always says it kneeling on her headboard of her bed. I'm not even sure how she does it considering her headboard is about 3 inches wide. And even while she prays she continues to move around like a monkey but that is normal for a 3 year old, right?....I'm not really sure. So while she is praying, we hear a big thud and instant crying. She fell off her bed somehow (my eyes were actually closed this time) and hit her forehead on the corner of her dresser; thus, sending her to the ER with bloody PJ's on. I stayed home because Jordyn was already asleep. I immediately moved the dresser by myself to the other side of her room, away from her bed. At one point, Jeff called me giving me an update and I hear him say, "I gotta go..... Sydney stop climbing around. You have to stay on my lap, " click and hangs up. Only Sydney has a head injury and continues to climb around like nothing happened. Now I'm determined to put her in gymnastics so she can swing, jump, flip, whatever her little body can do in a safe place for her to let off her dare-devilish...or clumsy tendencies.

Family Pictures

These are the fun and cute pictures Brooke took of our family over Thanksgiving.
Of course a "photo shoot" with 2 young ones goes with some drama. Jeff's glasses got stepped on within the first 5 minutes, breaking the frames. Notice the sucker Syd is holding. I thought the sucker would keep her entertained for just a few minutes to get a couple decent pictures. Little did I realize, Jordyn would throw a fit because she wanted some. So they ended up sharing until it fell on the ground and became an asphalt and grainy sucker. But after 300 pictures brooke took, there are about 20 that turned out great. Gotta love making people smile when they don't want to. I love candid shots way better so here are a few of our family in a red phone booth.

The joy of shots

I read a friend's blog yesterday and it reminded me of something that happened when Jordyn and Syd got their yearly shots in the same visit. There is an advantage of having two kids born within a week. I knew I would find out soon enough. To go on with my story...we were in the doctor's office waiting to get shots. Jordyn had to get 4. The doctors then said, "Okay Syd you don't need one (a shot) this time." This sent Syd in a frenzy. She started whining, "I want a shot" over and over and over. The nurses and myself were in shock that she was requesting a shot. I brought to the doctor's attention that Syd needed her second flu shot. The nurse came in with the needle and Syd got the biggest grin on her face and finally stopped whining. She got her shot and then started crying that it hurt. Oh...there's not even words to describe the emotional roller coaster that Syd experiences on a daily basis.

Tis the season

December is a busy month with figuring out what to give people, doing some kind of service project, decorating, attending parties, creating christmas memories with traditions like sitting on santa's lap, baking cookies, making ornaments, etc. To top it off I have two birthdays to celebrate. Sydney's birthday was on the 5th and Jordyn turned one on the 11th. Luckily they are young enough not to ask for a party with friends and they are young enough to appreciate opening one present and eating cake and ice cream. Yes poor girls don't have cool birthdays but will they ever remember? no. When they care to request a fun birthday I will have to cave in and have a party with a group of girls, but until then I'm going to chill and enjoy my busy december.
Syd got a pretend medical kit. She loves it. Everday she has to give me or Jordyn a checkup.

Jordyn loved her cake and ice cream.

Syd finally got the idea of blowing out candles, opening presents, and being spoiled on this one day.

She was so excited to eat her cake and then go to Chuck E. Cheese.

Jordyn was very happy too. I did for Jordyn like I did for Syd, which was asked family to write a letter for Jordyn's 16th birthday that she can read. I think it will be a treasured present that she will enjoy reading in 2023. Along with the letters are other memorbilia from her first year...a binky, favorite outfit, articles about the life of pres. hinckley, pres. obama getting elected etc. So if you're a family member and haven't written a letter to Jordyn please take the 5 minutes or so to do so. THANKS. She will love it!! I still have to write mine too:)

Thanksgiving in Cedar City

We enjoyed our Thanksgiving at my parents home in Cedar City. We were so happy that the 9 1/2 hour drive was flawless. It's nice to travel when the kids behave.
Opps. We took Sydney skiing twice. She did really good. Her favorite part is to ride the ski lift.
Sydney also rode a horse, Bo. She threw a fit when she had to get off the horse. Once she even fell off the horse. The horse got spooked and moved quickly sending Syd off the horse and on the ground. But she got up, cried a bit, and wanted more. She has guts.
Jordyn admiring the horses.
Sydney feeding Bo some apples. We had a great vacation and now have Christmas festivities to look forward to.