Stanley is 2!

Updates on Clifton -
He had a better week and it may just be that school started again.  He was happy to be back at school.

Updates on McKay -
This girl just cracks me up.  She loves to wear a hat and sun glasses all day and would wear them to bed if I didn't put my foot down.

She is just adorable and so not afraid to be who she wants to be.

Updates on Stanley -
He is TWO!!!!  He is just the craziest kiddo I know but we love it.  Tired, but love it.  He is talking like crazy, running around, wanting to play every sport in the book, dances all day long, and keeps us on our toes.

Monday we had a birthday party for Stanley with some friends.  He loved the cupcakes ;)

Yes he climbed up on the table when no one was looking and stole another cupcake.

 Look at that intensity.

What a fun day celebrating our little man.

Tuesday we went to Chuck E Cheese for Stanley's actual birthday.  We picked Evan up to join in the fun since school had not started back up yet.

 Seriously though she might have some anger issues.

Such a great morning!

Wednesday was the last day before Clifton went back to school again, so we had to have one last hurrah.  To Seattle we went.  Pacific Science Center!

I love playing with my kiddos.  It was a wonderful day!

Thursday started sickness in our house :(

But luckily medicine made things better.

So I got my workout in at home with the cutest workout partners.

The next day we were still stuck at home with fevers but got outside to check out our frozen (very, very shallow) pond.

 It's cold,  but sure can be cool.

Saturday Stanley was still sick and getting worse so another day at home and I needed to keep them entertained while Alex laid flooring in our bathroom.  So we busted out some science experiments.

It was messy but awesome!

When I got Stanley down for a nap I got to help Alex with the flooring.  I know I am weird for thinking this stuff is fun.

The floors turned out great.

When Stanley woke up he was worse than ever.  He was struggling to breathe and even his fingers and toes where turning purple.  So we got him a priesthood blessing and tried to make a decision whether we should take him in.  Thankfully after the blessing he started to breathe better!

Clifton is such a sweet brother to cuddle with Stanley when he was feeling horrible.

Sunday Stanley stayed home from church but was feeling a lot better.  After church we decided to try baking some rolls, and make it in a bag.  Sunday bake day!

More pictures from the week...

 Treasure often gets up in Stanley's high chair while I make food.  It makes us all laugh!

Stanley trying to give Treasure a bath :)

The new year brought on new goals for me and my biggest one is waking up before the kids wake up everyday and reading my scriptures and having quiet time.  Oh boy Satan is testing me with the sickness that has hit the first week I do this, but I stuck to my guns and it really starts my day out better and calmer.  It has made a huge difference already.

Even Clifton has noticed the change and wants to jump on board, since he is my first riser.

2017!

Updates on Clifton -
Is my hard child right now and sure making me feel lost in this motherhood business.

Updates on McKay -
Is such a diva and its pretty cute.  She puts on the cutest outfits everyday, layers on pink and sparkles.  She pretty much wears a tutu everyday.

Updates on Stanley -
He loves his Treasure... and Treasure tolerates it :)

We tried potty training.  He went potty on the toilet! But after a few days of staying at home and working on it, he was refusing to and it felt like we were just catching him.

I have never given up before but we gave up and will try again in a few months.

Alex had all week off so we enjoyed  a lot of family time and mostly at home while potty training.  Clifton got walkie talkies for Christmas and I actually love it.  The kids play well together when they use them.

 And when they want to explore I feel a lot more comfortable letting them do so if he keeps a walkie talkie with him and one with me, so I can check in.

Yay for exploring.  There first adventure without Mom!

McKay and I worked on some crafts she got for Christmas.

Alex got a new car this week.  His other car is old and has had lots of issues.  So we decided two car payments are worth his safety and having a reliable car.

We feel very blessed.

Wednesday we meet family in Tacoma to do December birthdays.

Cousins, got to love them!

We had our friends over to have on last hurrah with them.  Sure going to miss them and hope they come visit!

We love the Gelsinon's!

Alex (and Stanley) worked on our bathroom floors and got one bathroom done.  Yay it looks so much better with no more pink floors and countertops.

Love it!  I should have taken before and after pictures.

We finished reading the Book of Mormon together and did it before the year ended. 

 It feels so good to accomplish goals as a family!

We did get out a little this week.  When Stanley was sleeping Alex stayed home and the older kids and their friends went on a hike.

It was a much needed adventure.

Then we went bowling as a family.

Which was a ton of fun.

Friday Grandma Stanley came into town.  So we got out and played.

Zoolights!

It was cold but very fun night.  It was also very busy, we had to take a shuttle there from a different parking lot.

The shuttle was a school bus and I think that made Stanley's day more than the zoo lights.  

New Years Eve we spent celebrating with Grandma.  

 We made cookies, 2017 snickerdoodles!

 Watched the count down for London and celebrated early with the kids.  Then they turned on a movie and had pizza while Alex and I went to chaperone the youth dance.

Alex was the DJ (DJ Pete) this year and did a great job.

Isn't he cute!

We of course had fun too acting like we were youth again.

I wanted to win so bad :/

The New Year we were greeted with beautiful white snow!

Every year should start white!