Bubbles (Video)

Here is the bubbles video. Enjoy!

Pre-Birthday Gift... bubbles

Our boys' birthday's are in Feb. (Jax is on the 2nd and Josh is on the 22nd), but we couldn't resist this gift. It was on clearance at walmart and Jax noticed it right away. We brought it home and it was instance entertainment for almost a half and hour. Bubbles are fabulous and so inexpensive. I should give Jason all the credit who has been wanting to give them this for awhile. Good call on the gift Daddy:)

FIF Jan. 27

TAXES AND TAXES....

I decided to gather up all of our receipts and documents to prepare us for doing our taxes. We try and get them done before the end of Feb. I am pretty organized, but I did have to dig for some of the paperwork. Now let's hope Uncle Sam will give us a decent refund?

Holocaust Memorial Day Jan. 27, 2012

Some of us have never really seen "positive" pics from the Holocaust. I thought i would share something positive.This is a day that the UK recognizes as a day of remembrance when Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet Union in 1945. In April, there is Holocaust Remembrance week, to visit this tragic event in history and to celebrate the lives that were lost and those who escaped. The teacher in me wanted to make this post. It still is something that is very difficult to teach to children and hard to grasp as an adult. Love and tolerance is something this world lacks in many ways. Sometimes it is easy to Hate and ridicule others because they are different.

I am very strong in my faith and beliefs and nothing will really change that. Luckily I had parents who raised me well enough to be accepting and loving to others.

May we remember those who were lost and make the future brighter.

Pictures compliments of google images.

MOPS

I just had to share this with you. MOPS has been such a WONDERFUL experience for me and the boys. For those of you who don't know, it stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. It is an organization designed to help educate mothers and serve as a friendship time unit. It allows mothers time to get together with other moms who may be in similar situations. We eat, enjoy friendships, talk, and do a craft. While the Moms enjoy that, the children are taken care of by CDC volunteers. They too eat, enjoy making new friends, and enjoy making crafts. We meet twice a month and have a Mom's night about once a month. I have attached a pic from Nov. when we did Operation Christmas child. Now we are a group of 40+ and growing. Oddly, enough this group all started in Wheat ridge, CO in 1973 and now has grown into an international movement. Real cool:)

Here is our blog... (we are also on facebook)

http://29PalmsMilitaryMOPS.blogspot.com

Wrestle buddies

Here are some pics of our boys being boys:) Jax has this thing about not keeping his pants on, so you get him in a diaper and shirt:)

Play Time (video)

Josh loves being "thrown" into the love sac. I was able to catch it on video. Enjoy:)

Josh turns 11 months

This is the last month before my baby turns one:( I am sad, but I am so happy to watch him grow and develop into the cutest little guy. Here are some of his likes.
and current stats:


Favorite Food: Anything really, he really likes fruit, takes after Grandpa Dennis

Favorite "Toys": Blocks, cars, books, and his brother's blanket

Favorite Play pal: His brother and our friends the Adams' (they have three kiddos who just adore Josh!)

Favorite time of Day: Afternoon after lunch

Weight: 31 lbs.
Height: 33 in.

He continues to smile and laugh a lot. He always brings smiles to our faces. He is still in a size 5 diaper (goes through about 4-6 daily), large 24 month to 2T clothing fits the best, he has three bottles a day and one at night (still doesn't sleep through the night), he babbles all the time "DADADA", he takes two naps a day; varies between and hour to two and half, we are still working on walking; he took his "first step" yesterday as he was leaned up against me he stepped out once and leaned onto the garage door. Loves to wrestle with his brother. He is still very curious; he loves playing in the dishwasher while we are doing dishes( kind of annoying), likes plyaing with toilet paper, and getting into anything we say "no" for:) We love watching him grow and can't wait to see what the next month holds.

FIF Jan. 20

For this week, my goal was to work on the boys birthday party for next month. Jason and I have decided to combine their birthday's until they are 5. We will however have a family birthday party on the day of their birthday's to make it extra special. Last year, for Jax's 1 yr. we had a barn yard animals theme. This year, especially since both the boys love CARS and anything to do with cars, we have decided to do a race car theme. Thus far I have these items done.

1.) Set the date and location of party
2.) Created the invitations and did a draft (still have to print them out and glue the finishing touches to it)
3.) Compile who to invite
4.) Menu and Cake design (already bought the cake mix it was on sale!)
5.) Party favors (I stuffed them on Sat. though
6.) Decorations list (just have to purchase some and borrow some from Jason's work)
7.) Made the thank you cards (just have to print them)

Now it is a matter of gradually waiting for the 18th and making sure the boys have a great party.

Power Outage... so FUN!

Greetings from the land of the powerless...

Sadly, this month we have had two power outages and anticipate two more (one notice is not pictured). According to our electric company, they are making adjustments to the power grid to make electricity more efficient in our area.... yeah whatever. We were given notice of the dates and times (which was nice) and for the first one, they followed the identified time frame. For the second one, well let's just say the power took an additional 7 1/2 hours to come back on! Oh yeah, that meant numerous things for our family that we did not plan for. First, our FOOD! Jason was home that evening and had to go to work at 5 in the morning the day of the continued outage. So we kept the fridge closed to ensure that our food was not spoiled... well almost eight hours later, we lost a lot of our food.... so FABULOUS! Second, (which goes with number one) no power means we can't cook! So for breakfast we had oranges, bananas, dry cereal, fruit bars, and water; then lunch was peanut butter and honey sandwiches, fishes, canned peaches, and water.... so EXCITING! Third, no power means no cell phone service in the house, so I had to literally go into the street to make a phone call....so WONDERFUL! Fourth, no power means no heat or lights. Candles were everywhere and sadly the temp. dropped very low our house. The boys and I bundled and snuggled a lot! Going outside was not an option because it was colder outside... so BUMMER! And fifth, no power means no Internet or TV (which really wasn't a bad thing) so less ways of entertaining the boys. We did however have enough juice in the smaller computer to watch a movie while we ate. We enjoyed playing with games, coloring, flash cards, etc more so then we do on a daily basis. Jax and Josh both found playing with the flash light humorous.... so that was actually GREAT to watch. Needless to say, it was very eventful. So we have two out of the way and now we wait for an additional two. I pray they go smoothly and that we aren't in the same position as last time. I read a friends blog awhile ago and their power was out for almost a full week. So I know it could be worse and for that I am thankful that we made it through the outage. Guess it is time to buy a generator huh?

Birthday Celebration (Video)

I think this video is proof that I don't act my age:) HEHE

Birthday Celebration

My birthday was wonderful. I received so many cards, texts, and calls from family and friends and for that I appreciate all of you:) Jason was at work, so I was kind of bumming, but to my surprise he texted me around 10 and said that he was on his way home. I had to do some grocery shopping, so I went (without kids!). Came home to my husband with specific instructions of going to get my nails and toes done at this salon he had arranged for me. It was SOOOoooo relaxing. Came home from that, we went as a family to the park, then out for some good Mexican food. I was craving shrimp fajitas, we came home and ate some cheesecake and Jason sang happy birthday to me. Then present time.... Jason has helped the boys make homemade cards (too cute), he made me a coupon book (what a stud!), and then I opened I brand new blender! It was really nice too:) The day was wonderful! My three boys have a way of always spoiling me:)

Turning Thirty...

Today I turn 30, I really can't believe it. Bye Bye twenties...

One major lesson I have learned as I turn 30 is being grateful for what you have. I have found that there are times I tend to focus on what I don't have and not recognize the blessings God has given me and my family. My sister in law posted something on facebook that Jason read to me that really hit home," Happiness is being happy with what you have." I am indeed happy with my life. I am so very thankful for the family I do have. For the two wonderful baby boys I have and for the supportive loving husband I have. Without them, life would not seem complete nor would it have meaning or purpose for me. Turning 30 may seem like a life altering advancement, but in my life it has made me look back on those teen and 20's with thankfulness of what I have been blessed with. I welcome 30 with open arms and hope that these next tens years will be full of fun, love ,and laughter with the people that matter the most.

Bathtube Laughter (Video)

Jason took this of the boys last night. Thought it was too cute to note post. I love love love my kids' laughter! It truly is the best:)

Gift in Memory of Great Grandma Trimm (Videos)

I was fortunate enough to have known my Great Grandma Trimm. She was born in 1896 and went to Heaven in 2000. She lived through three different times in history which is pretty amazing. I remember listening to her when she remembered getting a telephone call or watching a show on TV for the first time. It was wonderful knowing her and sharing those memories. While she was alive, each year for Christmas she would send our family money to purchase a family game. It was a special way of bringing our family together and some of my most fond memories with my sisters was playing board games. Even after she passed away, my Mom kept the tradition alive; each year we got a game under the tree labeled "in memory of Grandma Trimm". When I got married, I decided that it was still important and the message my Great Grandma sent was that families need to stay close and do things together. So for this year I bought "Don't Break the Ice." Today the boys and I attempted playing it, and when I say attempted I mean they didn't get the whole DON'T break the ice concept. Oh well, good fun watching though. I know my Great Grandma is smiling:)

FIF Dec. 30 and Jan. 6/13

Meant to post these sooner but since Jax got the chicken pox and our house has been a bit chaotic the past few weeks I haven't. I do enjoy FIF:)

Dec. 30: Really I just wanted to reflect on the year and make some resolutions what a year it was. New baby and a cross country move. Need I say more?

Jan. 6: Go through the boys clothes and games. Rotate the clothes and put away the ones to keep for later that are too small. Jax is now a 4T and Josh is a big 24 month and small 2T. Growing boys I tell you. At our next MOPS meeting, we will donate what needed donating from our home to the store on base as community service. So going through the clothes was needed and rewarding. In light of Jax getting the chicken pox, it was a good thing I got this one done before his apt. on the 6th.

Jan. 13: Finish baby shower invitations and send them out. As some of you may know, my sister Sharee is giving birth to a girl this Feb. Sadly, she lives in NY and won't be able to have a shower with family. As a replacement, I sent out invites to that shower but with a twist. I mailed out advice notes to those that may not be able to attend and fill out and send back to Sharee. She will open them the day of her shower; so in a sense it will make it seem like everyone is a part of this special day.

More pics of Jax's Chicken Pox

Jax wasn't too camera shy with these.

Welcome 2012

Sadly, I did not take any New Years Eve/Day pictures. Ours was pretty uneventful. None of us managed to stay up until midnight... I know we are weak! But nonetheless, we had a great time as a family welcoming this new year. With a new year comes change, and there has been A LOT to think about in the Dennis household in regards to change! Many new opportunities and challenges to come and we are only five days into the new year! However, we do feel so blessed. On New Years Eve we decided to reflect on the year and make some resolutions; as I am sure most of you are doing as well. Some were personal while others lead to growth and health. The year was great and we know our family will continue to grow in love and faith.

I have decided until I have more time and energy, 2011 was my last year scrap booking (for now). It was too hard to keep up with and when I did have time it turned into more of a chore than a hobby. So I will continue the blog and at the end of each year, I will print out a blog book and that will be my memory/photo album.

Our biggest resolution this year is to maintain better health! I know everyone goes nuts at the beginning of the year about losing weight... getting fit. We have known for quite some time that this is necessary for both of us. So Jason and I both want to lost 20 lbs this year. Since I had Josh in Feb. of 2011, I have managed to lose 25 lbs. that I gained in pregnancy. What I want to lose is the remaining 20 that I couldn't lose after the birth of Jax because here comes baby #2. It will be real good for both of us to eat healthy, exercise more, and be more active in general. We aren't getting any younger (not that we are old).

So here's to a wonderful New Year, may it be blessed and bright!

Jax has the Chicken Pox:(

About five days ago, Jax out of the blue spiked a 101 fever. Overnight it seemed to go away, but the next day Jason and I noticed bumps on the back of his legs. We thought they were bug bites. I panicked and thought they were bed bugs; went and checked and no sign of that, luckily. But the next day he was coughing, had a runny nose, and now the spots had gone all over his legs, feet, arms, hands, area, and face. It was not apparent on his belly of back so we didn't know what it was. Luckily, my best friend Ash helped me out a bit and we narrowed it down to either chicken pox or poison oak. Jason is REALLY allergic to poison oak and ivy; so maybe this was a genetic trait passed on. When we got to the doc, he confirmed that it was indeed chicken pox and that Jax was the 20% of children who receive it despite him having the vaccine. So he prescribed us with some lotion and meds. and we went home. Josh has not yet shown signs, but I am sure he will! We will be in the house for the next week or so... can you say cabin fever! But the bright side is, they will get now and I won't worry later right? Jax would not let me take pictures (can't say I blame him) so here is one I got when he was asleep. You can see the bumps all over his face, poor guy.

Joshua Tree's Key Views

Joshua Tree never lets us down. We find something new each time we are up here, which is often! We decided last week to go up and hike around Hall of Horrors again; the boys didn't last long, so we took a drive up toward what was known as "Key Views". There you are about 5200 ft. up and can see the whole valley. You can see Palms Springs, Indio, Rancho Mirage, the Salton Sea, a mountain range that borders Mexico, and the San Andras Fault (first picture at top). Jason and I took turns going up to see it; both boys were asleep in the car. It looked almost unreal. What beauty:) Yet again another reason why we love this national park so much!

Josh's laugh (Video)

This always seems to put a smile on my face. I can't help but laugh with him:)