Travis: Eliza is so cute!
Jenna: Do you even know what cute means?
Travis: Uh-huh.
Jenna: What?
Travis: Eliza!
(after Caleb walked all the way to the car from the store backwards)
Caleb: I did it!
Jenna: You're so awesome!
Caleb: No, you're so awesome!
Jenna: No, you're so awesome!
Caleb: I am awesome!
Westley: I want to sit by Felicity and Nana.
Caleb: You'll be girl-trapped!
Westley: That's true! But I'll be girl-trapped by girls that I love to be next to.
Caleb: These are my grandpa shoes (about his sandals that are falling apart).
Jenna: Why are they your grandpa shoes?
Caleb: Because they are so OLD!
Westley: My low for the day was when Big Caleb beat me in basketball. I got like 10 points and he got, like, 30,000 or maybe 11.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
King Family 2009
The King family started the year by moving back to our home in Queen Creek. During the spring, we learned that In-N-Out would be opening stores in Salt Lake and Utah Counties, and Corey decided to take that opportunity to help them expand. We put our home on the market in June and sold it within 3 weeks. The new buyers were willing to let us stay in the home until we needed to move and rent it back from them for 6 weeks after closing. We moved to Riverton, Utah in October, where we are currently renting.
In June, Jenna took the kids and went to Southern California for a family visit. While there, news came that her grandfather had passed away with a funeral to be held in Salt Lake City, so she caravanned with her brother to Utah, meeting Corey up there. While in Utah, Corey's grandmother passed away, so Corey took Westley and Travis back to California just after the Utah trip for that funeral. Despite these sad occasions, we took the opportunity to visit the Wild Animal Park and the beach and enjoy the 4th of July festivities in Utah. Hopefully 2010's family trips won't involve funerals.
Corey: Corey started the year in his last semester at ASU and graduated in May with his bachelor's degree. Shortly before graduation, he was promoted to a 2nd manager with In-N-Out. He is currently the 2nd manager for the American Fork store, which opened mid-December.
Jenna: Jenna keeps busy just doing the mom thing. In the fall, she started teaching preschool at home to Caleb three days a week. Managing the household is a full-time job and that's all she has time to do right now. In the spare time she has, she manages several blogs and reads any books that she can.
Westley (6): Westley started first grade in July after finishing kindergarten in June with flying colors. He continues to excel in academics and is currently undergoing evaluation for the district's gifted program. He has lost 3 teeth in only a few weeks and will be asking for his two front teeth for Christmas this year. He still loves drawing and creating projects.
Caleb (5): Caleb does preschool 3 times a week with Mom. He is learning his letter sounds and excels in math. Caleb loves tools and building. He could spend every waking hour playing computer games or watching TV, but he is also good at creative play.
Travis (3): Travis successfully potty trained in only a few weeks just after moving to Utah. He loves to play in the snow in the winter and swim in the summer, play with cars, and play with his siblings. He is excited about everything that comes his way.
Eliza (2): Eliza is our little handful. If there is a mess anywhere in the house, it is usually because of her. She keeps up with her brothers in play, but also loves to play with her babies, wear her tutu, play with her tea set and loves everything pink.
We wish all of you a Merry Christmas and hope you find joy in this holiday season.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas and End of the Year
Christmas
We had a lovely Christmas. It was just us here in Utah. On Christmas Eve, Corey came home from work, we had a light dinner of ham and scalloped potatoes. We baked chocolate chip cookies for Santa. We did a little Christmas Eve program where the kids acted out the nativity and we sang some Christmas carols--Away in a Manger, Silent Night, and Oh Come All Ye Faithful. We opened presents--ornaments--our traditional Christmas Eve gift. Then we had hot chocolate/egg nog. Then the kids went off to bed and Corey and I finished all the wrapping and setting out of presents.
On Christmas morning, the kids got up and we all got ready for the day. Then we did stockings and the kids found little boxes of cereal in them which they had for breakfast. Then we unwrapped presents. Corey fixed a big breakfast of French toast later in the morning, which was really close enough to lunch time for the kids that it acted as lunch. The younger ones took naps while the older ones watched new movies. Aunt Jamie came over and in the late afternoon, we had a bigger meal of baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and rolls.
A few pictures:
Eliza as Mary, Caleb was Joseph, West and Trav were shepherds. Jenna was the angel and we skipped the wise men part because it wasn't in that part of Luke and the kids were getting antsy. In fact, we had to get them dressed back up in order to take the picture.
Snoopy enjoying his Christmas present--a rawhide chew.
Opening the stockings
Being Crafty
I am not the craftiest person. Well, I do like to do crafts, and when I do them, I'm usually pretty good at it, but I just don't thrive on being crafty. I also don't usually come up with my own ideas, I just copy other people's. I was pretty proud of myself when I bought this plain wreath, some bows and other trinkets to put on it and put it together myself.
Travis' Injury
On December 22nd, just as we were about to walk out of the house to drop Westley off at his bus stop and then drive around some goodies to a few people, Travis fell down and hit his head, which warranted a trip to the ER for stitches. The cut was clear to the bone, and I freaked out a little and called 911. Partly because it was so scary-looking but also because if it was more serious, I had all the other kids with me and I needed time to get Corey home or Jamie here to help out. The call and the paramedics coming bought enough time that Corey was able to take Travis and then I met him there after dropping Westley off at school (late) and Jamie stayed with the other two. He got six stitches.
Westley's Teeth
Westley lost both his two front teeth about a week before Christmas, so he really could ask for them for Christmas. Pretty cool.
Bowling
On December 8th, Corey's sister Jamie took us bowling as a family, and it was a blast. We only played one game and we didn't even have Travis or Eliza get shoes and get a game, we just let them take some of our turns in their socks. The kids loved it, Travis was especially excited about it. Caleb won the game out of the kids, getting over 90! It was a lot of fun.
We had a lovely Christmas. It was just us here in Utah. On Christmas Eve, Corey came home from work, we had a light dinner of ham and scalloped potatoes. We baked chocolate chip cookies for Santa. We did a little Christmas Eve program where the kids acted out the nativity and we sang some Christmas carols--Away in a Manger, Silent Night, and Oh Come All Ye Faithful. We opened presents--ornaments--our traditional Christmas Eve gift. Then we had hot chocolate/egg nog. Then the kids went off to bed and Corey and I finished all the wrapping and setting out of presents.
On Christmas morning, the kids got up and we all got ready for the day. Then we did stockings and the kids found little boxes of cereal in them which they had for breakfast. Then we unwrapped presents. Corey fixed a big breakfast of French toast later in the morning, which was really close enough to lunch time for the kids that it acted as lunch. The younger ones took naps while the older ones watched new movies. Aunt Jamie came over and in the late afternoon, we had a bigger meal of baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and rolls.
A few pictures:
Eliza as Mary, Caleb was Joseph, West and Trav were shepherds. Jenna was the angel and we skipped the wise men part because it wasn't in that part of Luke and the kids were getting antsy. In fact, we had to get them dressed back up in order to take the picture.
Snoopy enjoying his Christmas present--a rawhide chew.
Opening the stockingsThe American Fork Store Opens
Corey's store, the American Fork In-N-Out where he works as a second manager, opened on December 17th. We went to the pre-opening party, which is a private party for associates and their families, and enjoyed some free burgers, fries, and shakes for dinner. His store is quite busy, as are all the Utah stores, and we are happy about that.
Corey's store, the American Fork In-N-Out where he works as a second manager, opened on December 17th. We went to the pre-opening party, which is a private party for associates and their families, and enjoyed some free burgers, fries, and shakes for dinner. His store is quite busy, as are all the Utah stores, and we are happy about that.
Being Crafty
I am not the craftiest person. Well, I do like to do crafts, and when I do them, I'm usually pretty good at it, but I just don't thrive on being crafty. I also don't usually come up with my own ideas, I just copy other people's. I was pretty proud of myself when I bought this plain wreath, some bows and other trinkets to put on it and put it together myself.
Travis' Injury
On December 22nd, just as we were about to walk out of the house to drop Westley off at his bus stop and then drive around some goodies to a few people, Travis fell down and hit his head, which warranted a trip to the ER for stitches. The cut was clear to the bone, and I freaked out a little and called 911. Partly because it was so scary-looking but also because if it was more serious, I had all the other kids with me and I needed time to get Corey home or Jamie here to help out. The call and the paramedics coming bought enough time that Corey was able to take Travis and then I met him there after dropping Westley off at school (late) and Jamie stayed with the other two. He got six stitches.
Westley's Teeth
Westley lost both his two front teeth about a week before Christmas, so he really could ask for them for Christmas. Pretty cool.
Bowling
On December 8th, Corey's sister Jamie took us bowling as a family, and it was a blast. We only played one game and we didn't even have Travis or Eliza get shoes and get a game, we just let them take some of our turns in their socks. The kids loved it, Travis was especially excited about it. Caleb won the game out of the kids, getting over 90! It was a lot of fun.
December Birthdays
December 6--Eliza turns TWO!!
Can't believe that my baby girl is a two-year-old! Do you see me weeping that she's no longer a baby? I can't believe that she is already starting to talk and how much she does.
Eliza on her birthday with her cake and ice cream. We didn't know then that on my brother's camera that we're using, we had to use the flash every time, so all the pictures came out blurry.
Eliza at In-N-Out a couple weeks later.
The butterfly cake I made for her birthday--this is how you decorate a cake that is chocolate with chocolate frosting--you use sprinkles! I just don't like chocolate cake with white frosting, so I had to work around that a little bit. Can't do lots of colors with chocolate frosting, just doesn't turn out quite right.
Two great things about Eliza:
1. She absolutely loves to dance and does so anytime she hears music (whether it is her brothers singing silly songs in the background or a song on the radio).
2. She gives the best kisses and hugs and lots of them too.
December 9th--Corey's birthday
Corey just doing what he loves, chilling with the kids!
Corey's graduation in May
Can't believe that my baby girl is a two-year-old! Do you see me weeping that she's no longer a baby? I can't believe that she is already starting to talk and how much she does.
Eliza on her birthday with her cake and ice cream. We didn't know then that on my brother's camera that we're using, we had to use the flash every time, so all the pictures came out blurry.
Eliza at In-N-Out a couple weeks later.
The butterfly cake I made for her birthday--this is how you decorate a cake that is chocolate with chocolate frosting--you use sprinkles! I just don't like chocolate cake with white frosting, so I had to work around that a little bit. Can't do lots of colors with chocolate frosting, just doesn't turn out quite right.For her birthday, she got a ride-on horse that would work better if we had hardwood floors, a pretty dress, a tea set, a cowgirl outfit, and Grandpa and Grandma got her a tutu with a matching headband that she LOVES! There was a picture from that day but it came out all blurry, so we will have to try again when she is wearing it.
Two great things about Eliza:
1. She absolutely loves to dance and does so anytime she hears music (whether it is her brothers singing silly songs in the background or a song on the radio).
2. She gives the best kisses and hugs and lots of them too.
December 9th--Corey's birthday
Corey just doing what he loves, chilling with the kids!
Corey's graduation in MayFor Corey's birthday, he worked all day. We had a lasagna with homemade French bread for dinner. For dessert, I made him a banana cream pie from scratch, my first time. In past years, we've either gotten one from Marie Callendar's or Village Inn or somewhere. Or I've made one using the Jell-O banana pudding mix and a store bought graham cracker crust. But this one I made entirely from scratch. It was really good. That was about all we did for his birthday. He got a personalized travel mug to drink hot chocolate in on his way to work in these cold Utah mornings and a subscription to a magazine for a year.
December 21--Jenna's Birthday
On my birthday, we went to Village Baker for lunch for sandwiches and got a couple take-n-bake pizzas while we were there for dinner. I love Village Baker pizza and sandwiches. As many of you know, that is where I worked in high school. So that was a special treat. I was also able to say hello to my old boss who still owns and runs the place. I love how the pizza topping charts that my brother made on our computer are still hanging there and I also loved that when I ordered a Baker's Choice, I remembered the number for that was 15 but the lady taking my order had to check the chart. Corey baked me a cake. We had a pretty typical day, didn't do anything special. I got an In-N-Out travel cup that can be used for hot or cold beverages and an In-N-Out blue tooth, which I'm sure I'll never figure out how to use.
Since I'm the only one who takes the pictures, when there are pictures of me, they're usually strangely posed or very horrible. I apologize.
December 21--Jenna's Birthday
On my birthday, we went to Village Baker for lunch for sandwiches and got a couple take-n-bake pizzas while we were there for dinner. I love Village Baker pizza and sandwiches. As many of you know, that is where I worked in high school. So that was a special treat. I was also able to say hello to my old boss who still owns and runs the place. I love how the pizza topping charts that my brother made on our computer are still hanging there and I also loved that when I ordered a Baker's Choice, I remembered the number for that was 15 but the lady taking my order had to check the chart. Corey baked me a cake. We had a pretty typical day, didn't do anything special. I got an In-N-Out travel cup that can be used for hot or cold beverages and an In-N-Out blue tooth, which I'm sure I'll never figure out how to use.
Since I'm the only one who takes the pictures, when there are pictures of me, they're usually strangely posed or very horrible. I apologize.Feeling "Pooped" Out
I am feeling completely pooped, and I mean literally. We came home from my cousin's house today to find that our lovely dog had a very runny bowel movement all over the kitchen while we were gone. Corey quickly cleaned it up (thanks, Corey, you're awesome!) while I kept the kids away and acted as his assistant, handing him paper towels, moving chairs, and whatever else he needed. It was great of him to help with since he had to get ready for work. He gave up a shower in order to do it, but I'm grateful he did because he has a stronger stomach. I had to fight the urge to puke several times and I wasn't even the one cleaning it up!
Well, that was fun and dandy, but after he finished that and was upstairs getting ready, our little Eliza started to scream because she was constipated, so I had to hurry her out of her diaper and sit her on the toilet. After that, things were calm for a bit. Corey left for work and we all went on our merry little way.
When I was on the computer checking Facebook, I saw Caleb dancing and acting weird at the top of the stairs. I asked him what was wrong, and he said nothing, but with a tone of voice that suggested something was wrong. He was standing with his hand behind him, so I asked if he'd pooped in his underwear again (he did last Monday because he didn't want to stop playing computer and was thus grounded from the computer for a week). He wouldn't answer me. I knew he had--he didn't want to tell me and invoke my wrath nor did he want to lie, so he remained silent.
So, I had him get undressed, threw the offending underwear away in the outside trash (a consequence of pooping in the underwear after full potty training is to lose that pair of underwear), and he went on the toilet to finish the job. He must have sat there for 45 minutes while I picked up his Legos, which he is now grounded from until Monday. When he was done, he left a clogged toilet, a new roll of toilet paper that was sopping wet having been dropped into the toilet, and a very dirty toilet seat. When I shooed him out of the way to clean up that mess, he accidentally sat on the floor in the hall, still not clean, and smeared the carpet. So then I clean up that mess, and tell him to get in the tub to wash off his mess. He did, but left a huge mess of it in the tub. He had let the water run and stopped the drain, though, so it was just all floating around in the tub with him. I had to empty and clean the tub, then make him clean himself with the water running and NOT filling up. When I finally had him situated in the tub and the floor and bathroom cleaned, I went to get his towel and clothes and found that Eliza and Travis had gotten into his Legos and thrown them all over the toy room. About 1,000 Lego pieces all over the whole room.
Now he is out of the bath, the kitchen floor is all clean (after the THIRD mopping for the smell), Eliza is happy and the Legos are finally picked up.
I am all. pooped. out...
Well, that was fun and dandy, but after he finished that and was upstairs getting ready, our little Eliza started to scream because she was constipated, so I had to hurry her out of her diaper and sit her on the toilet. After that, things were calm for a bit. Corey left for work and we all went on our merry little way.
When I was on the computer checking Facebook, I saw Caleb dancing and acting weird at the top of the stairs. I asked him what was wrong, and he said nothing, but with a tone of voice that suggested something was wrong. He was standing with his hand behind him, so I asked if he'd pooped in his underwear again (he did last Monday because he didn't want to stop playing computer and was thus grounded from the computer for a week). He wouldn't answer me. I knew he had--he didn't want to tell me and invoke my wrath nor did he want to lie, so he remained silent.
So, I had him get undressed, threw the offending underwear away in the outside trash (a consequence of pooping in the underwear after full potty training is to lose that pair of underwear), and he went on the toilet to finish the job. He must have sat there for 45 minutes while I picked up his Legos, which he is now grounded from until Monday. When he was done, he left a clogged toilet, a new roll of toilet paper that was sopping wet having been dropped into the toilet, and a very dirty toilet seat. When I shooed him out of the way to clean up that mess, he accidentally sat on the floor in the hall, still not clean, and smeared the carpet. So then I clean up that mess, and tell him to get in the tub to wash off his mess. He did, but left a huge mess of it in the tub. He had let the water run and stopped the drain, though, so it was just all floating around in the tub with him. I had to empty and clean the tub, then make him clean himself with the water running and NOT filling up. When I finally had him situated in the tub and the floor and bathroom cleaned, I went to get his towel and clothes and found that Eliza and Travis had gotten into his Legos and thrown them all over the toy room. About 1,000 Lego pieces all over the whole room.
Now he is out of the bath, the kitchen floor is all clean (after the THIRD mopping for the smell), Eliza is happy and the Legos are finally picked up.
I am all. pooped. out...
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Travis and the Birthday Suit
Travis came downstairs naked yesterday when the kids were getting dressed for the day. I said to him, "Travis, why are you wearing your birthday suit?" and then sent him back upstairs to get dressed. About five minutes later, he came down to me, still naked, and crying.
"Travis, what's wrong?"
"I can't find my birthday suit!"
Apparently, he thought I'd told him to go put his birthday suit on. I had to try to explain to a 3-year-old the meaning behind the phrase "wearing your birthday suit". He still doesn't get it.
"Travis, what's wrong?"
"I can't find my birthday suit!"
Apparently, he thought I'd told him to go put his birthday suit on. I had to try to explain to a 3-year-old the meaning behind the phrase "wearing your birthday suit". He still doesn't get it.
In Your Face, Santa!
We were telling the kids that they had to be good or Santa wouldn't bring them anything but coal for Christmas. Westley's response?
"If Santa brings me coal, I'll just play with it!"
So there you go, Santa, that's making lemonade out of lemons for you!
"If Santa brings me coal, I'll just play with it!"
So there you go, Santa, that's making lemonade out of lemons for you!
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