I am not very good at this!

so I totally suck at this obviously. I decided that I have a little bit of time on my hands maybe I could update this. Well I might as well start with our summer.

Summer started with a ton of visiting family. We started having visitors on the 30th of June and continued up until the first week in September! It was a lot of work but a lot of fun as well. At one point we had 17 people in our house. That is including us though. We had a lot of fun playing rook and other great card games. Some of the down falls of this summer was that both Peyton and Kwynn broke their legs about a month apart! Ya it was crazy! The poor girls especially since both of the loved to swim. Another surprise is when Peyton decided to cut her own hair! Yes I cried! It was sooo long. So we decided to cut it all to about her chin. It looks super cute though and she loves having short hair. Needless to say we had an eventful summer.

On other news we are now expecting an addition to our family on May 26, 2012. I always have to remind myself on a daily basis why I am doing this but Gord's sister just had a baby boy and I remembered oh ya that is why!!!

My baby girl just turned two! I cannot believe how big she is getting. She is such a snuggle muffin and she always has a scowl for you if you look at her wrong. She has become VERY independent.

Peyton is her usual self but now she is turning into such a Mom. She likes to help Kwynn get dressed and she loves to put her down for a nap. She is definitely Mommies little helper.

Cooper is in grade one and LOVES it! He loves to read and is doing well with that. He is also turning 6 in two days! I cannot believe it.

Gord and I are doing well. We love the house that we live in and we are LOVING Kelowna! Gord has less then a year before he turns 30! I cannot believe how time flies!

Well I am not guarantee that I will update this very much but I will try more then once a year!!!

MY LITTLE BYU BABES

Explanation

so my blog about the cloth diapers was a little random. As most know, I am an avid on-line shopper. I came across this method of shopping when we moved out to Kelowna because everything here costs more and why would I want to go to the store when it came straight to my house. Anyway, one of my favorite bargin websites was having a contest and if you blogged about a product you got a sample and your name went in for a draw. Well I was hoping I would win if I did it just this once but no luck! Just wanted to clear that up.

So the past couple of weeks my children have been sick. When they are sick it means MOM does not sleep. But being able to spend that time with each child I would never trade for anything. Feeling soo needed is an amazing feeling and it reminds me of one of the reasons why I became a Mom. On Sunday we had someone in our ward stand up and bare his testimony. He talked about reading a report on happy people and it said the most happy people don't have kids and then he went on to say that he did not think that was true. I agree with him. Some of the happiest moments have been with my kids. The love that a mother has for her child is something sacred and amazing. When I think of my life before kids it is hard because that I have them I can never live without them. Sometimes, granted I just want to hide from them but when the say those three little words I just melt. I LOVE YOU. It is the best feeling in the world when you children tell you that. Lately Peyton and Cooper have had a habit of following me EVERYWHERE!!! So I usually ask them why they do this and their response is "because I love you." It is hard to argue with that!

New House

I am so excited to announce that we have bought our first and last house in Kelowna. This is it. This is the house that we are going to live in for the rest of our lives. This house has an amazing view during the day and an even better one at night. It has a ton of room and even more storage! The funny thing about this house is that it was an estate sale and the guy didn't want to clear everything out so we get all the furniture and a car that comes in it. Pretty much all the furniture is antique and I am sooo excited. My favorite feature besides the view is the HUGE kitchen with a lot of space, oh and the huge laundry room, oh and the storage, and the big living rooms, and the fireplaces. Ok there are a lot of great things about it and I am glad we found this house. If you want to see it you can go to www.realestateshows.com/540839. I feel very blessed right now that we were able to get this house at a reasonable price. We were in the right place at the right time and it doesn't hurt that we pay our tithing! :) Anyway we get possession in the middle of April and I am totally psyched!!!

Cloth Diapers

For those of you who have thought of using cloth diapers but are weary, I started using them and I looooove them. They have come a long way over the years and they are so much easier to use now. I found a great deal for them on Motherofasale.com. They are going to have a huge sale on cloth diapers starting tomorrow February 22 and Wednesday February 23. Stop thinking about it and get them. They not only save you money in the long run but they are stylish and they are sooo easy to use. If you are interested go check them out on www.motherofasale.com. You won't regret it!!!

My little artists

So I woke up this morning with my floors, walls and bathroom painted. I guess it was half my fault because I left the craft stuff in the laundry room but I was extremely surprised at the little artists I have on my hands. I don't know what was worse the big mess they made painting or the even bigger mess they made trying to clean it up without me noticing. It was one of those things that you just had to laugh at. I didn't even think to take pictures but the only evidence left is their ruined clothes. Oh well life goes on.

My baby girl is walking like crazy! I would like to thank Bre and Joel Walker's little guy Tyce for that. He and Kwynn were best buds when they were here for Christmas and she could not keep up unless she learned how to walk. So ta da she can walk. I cannot believe how big she is getting. Her new word is uh oh and whenever Gord gets home she says "Hi Dad!" It is so cute.

Cooper being Funny

So the kids got shots on Tuesday. Yes all Three of them. Anyway, Cooper did really well. He did not even cry. On our way out of the clinic I was telling him how well he did and he looked at me and said with all seriousness "Mom, I was crying in my mind." Oh the funny things that kids come up with. Thought I would share

Family Pictures

So I was only going to publish my favorite pictures but then I couldn't decide which ones I liked best. I had one of the women in our ward take our pictures. After setting up a date and having to reschedule the day finally came to get them done. We all were in the car getting ready to leave when the car wouldn't start. It wouldn't even turn over. It was completely DEAD. So Gord decided to show me a secret talent of his. He unhooked the battery took it out and put the boat battery in. He then proceeded to jump the pilot with the boat battery. When he got it started he then removed the battery and put the battery for the pilot back in. WHAT??? I had NO idea that he could do that. I was soooo happy that he was able to do that because aside from the car not starting I also could not find my cellphone and didn't have Viviana's cell number.

We finally got there and started pictures. Kwynn was in a mood that day and I am surprised we got such good pictures. Viviana was amazing and I a so happy with the pictures. ENJOY

Pictures

The Boys

the three munchkins

our first shot

Another Favorite

Love this picture

Fun times

Cooper Man

My Little Poser

My Favorite Picture of Cooper and Peyton

Being A Mom

Today for some reason i have been thinking about, what being a Mom means to me. I have realized since being a Mom that there is no other love stronger than the love a mother has for her child. I would do anything for my three children. Like for example waking up six times or more in one night just to put a soother back in or get a bottle. Going to lay by a child who has had a nightmare and can't get back to sleep without you by their side. Sharing your bed with two or three little bodies at the same time. This I do not recommend! Mom usually go and finds an empty bed to sleep in and Dad gets the honor sleeping with all three. One of my most favorite things to do is to tuck my babies in at night, kiss them goodnight and hearing them tell you that they love you. I also love those quiet times at night when I go into their rooms to check on them and seeing their sleeping forms and knowing that, yes these are mine and how I love them. There is nothing better in this world then hearing your child say that they love you. I know that I am so blessed to be a mother. Going through the good and bad times. Like having to clean up vomit off the walls, sheets, and children or on a better note learning with your children and being the best Mom I can be. Another thing that I love about being a Mom is when your child is asked a question and hearing their answer and knowing that YES they actually do listen!!! I love being a Mom so much and I would not trade it for the world.

Being a mother helps me to appreciate my own mother more. My Mom is one of my best friends. It hasn't always been that way but now that I a older and have my own kids I can understand what she meant when she said "Just wait until you have your own kids" I know that I put my Mom through a lot and I am grateful she never gave up on me.

Another thing about being a Mom has given me a little taste of how our Father in Heaven feels for us. I cannot even imagine the different feelings we have put him through. I am glad that he loves us so much that he put us here to learn of this love and to experience it for ourselves. I know that by the different trails that he puts in our lives makes our love for our families grow. I do not know what I would do if I did not KNOW that I will be with my family for all eternity. My kids are my life and I love them with all my heart. So to sum this little tangent up, being a Mom is the best calling I could have ever hoped for.

A little Fall fun

I told you I wasn't very good at this

So my sister in-law started a new blog and I decided that it was time that I should update mine. Since the last time I have blogged, a lot has happened in our lives. Last November we welcomed a new baby girl into our family. Her name is Kwynn Sydney Oliver. If all my kids were that easy I would have a whole herd. She is a really smiley baby. She is turning one on the 21st and cannot believe how much she has grown. Where does the time go? In the spring after Kwynn was born Gord and I decided to move our family out to Kelowna BC. It is absolutely gorgeous out here. The summer was amazing and we all had fun going to the beach and playing on the boat.

The falls here are also spectacular. Never have I seen so many different colours of leaves. Just beautiful. We had the opportunity of going to the pumpkin patch to pick out our own pumpkins and it was so much fun. The kids went through a hay bale maze, a corn maze and work their muscles on the pumpkin slingshot. Cooper did well. Speaking of Cooper, he is now attending Elementary school. His is in afternoon kindergarten and absolutely loves it. His teacher is amazing and he loves learning new things. Peyton turned three in August and is a very girly girl. She loves shopping, playing with dolls, applying copious amounts of "LIPS" and carries a purse wherever she goes. I have no idea where she came from! Kwynn like I said is growing fast. She says "yep" or "ya" and that is pretty much it. She loves to copy her sister. She is now into purses and playing with dolls. She tries Peyton's purses on and then crawls around with it on her shoulder. With her you always know when she wants something. She likes to yell at you until she gets what she wants. It gets Kind of annoying sometimes. The little stinker.

As far as I know Gord's business is going well. He works from home and it is a huge benefit to have him there. Sometimes a little hard but altogether a benefit. I have settled in quite nicely and really like it here. Although I am excited to come back to Alberta for Christmas!

Summer

So I am terrible at this. Well here has been what out summer has been like so far. I took a little trip down to Raymond with Peyton and Cooper in my Aunt Michelle's 300. I seriously felt like a mobster. Well the kids were actually good. When we got there we went to Great Falls for three days and two nights. That is when I found out that Cooper apparently hates shopping. We did a little shopping and swam in the freezing cold pool. The kids had dun but I was not a fan of the water. We then made our way back to Raymond for the July first festivities. Cooper and Peyton loved the parade and of course everybody loved the food. Cooper also got to go and experience the Motocross. There were also fun games for the kids to participate in. After that Gord and I returned to Edmonton without the kids. That week was a good one. I got a lot of rest and we also got to find out that we are having a nother girl.

That weekend was Gord and My anniversary and we spent the night in Kananaskis village. It was beautiful. The next day i had a luxurious pregnancy massage. I recommend them to anyone who is preggers. We then went to Raymond again for my Grandma's 80th. It was a surprise party and was so much fun. After that we returned to Edmonton for two days. Just long enough to do laundry and pack then we headed back down to Southern Alberta. We stopped in Champion for a couple of day where Cooper attempted to water ski. He did pretty well for a three year old but I don't think that he will try again for a while. We then headed to Waterton for ten days. Waterton was a lot of fun for the kids. Not so much for someone who is pregnant and has allergies. Peyton finally got rid of her soother which wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. We just told her that we left her soother at Great grandma Ellis's house which was partly true.

After Waterton we went back to Raymond. We had a family reunion that weekend. The reunion was a ton of fun. There was skeet shooting, mutton busting, pig tackling, longest drive contest and some other crazy activities that I never would have thought would be performed at a family reunion. At the end of the night we had a program and fireworks. My kids were so tuckered out they fell asleep before it was home time.

Gord headed to Texas that Sunday and had to miss the reunion. The kids and I stayed in Raymond for a couple more days. One night the cousins and I went out to dinner and then to a movie. It was fun. My cousins from Australia then had to return to the land down under and we probably won't see them for another five years. Well we got back to Edmonton to start the next busy week.

It was Peyton's birthday on Tuesday the 11th. i cannot believe my baby turned two. We went to galaxy land and the kids had a blast. Peyton was so worn out that she fell asleep on the way home. On Wednesday the kids went to Gord's sister Nikki's wedding rehearsal and I headed to Calgary for the Lion king. I recommend that show to anyone. The costumes were amazing and the music was just as great. Friday came and we went to Nikki's wedding. Peyton was one of her Flower girls and Cooper was the ring barer. They look so adorable and Nikki looked amazing. The wedding was beautiful. After the wedding the kids were exhausted and slept in the next day. That was a nice change for once. After that whole week was over I finally have time to relax and catchup. Gord has now left to go on Young Men's camp and I have a little time to relax. Pictures of the summer will soon follow.

Coops Chillin before the game.

Peyty wanting to play.

Trying to score but the other team scored for us.

Wrong way our net is at the other end!

Where did the ball go?

Coops takin a break

Second Soccer Game of the Season

Today Cooper had his second soccer game. What I failed to mention in the previous post was that I am his soccer coach. It is quite the experience coaching three year olds. Our team won but who is keeping score really. Cooper scored two goals. He wasn't as into the whole running around and chasing the ball today and he also complained about grass stains. He certainly doesn't have my skills at getting dirty. Peyton was not so cooperative. For some reason she wanted me to hold her the whole time which couldn't happen because I was on the field the whole time making sure our kids went the right way. I am sure glad Gord was there to take care of her. I have realized that three year olds have a mind of their own. They will come on the field when they want to play and go off the field when they are tired. Substitution what is that? That is ok though because then I don't feel bad if they don't get as much playing time as they should. They sub themselves on and off as much as they want. Some times we will have one player on the field other times there we be three or four. Everybody has fun so I guess that is all that matters.

Quick Review

I was told that I needed to start a blog so here I go. Here is a little bit of background on My family. Gord and I were married July 9 2004. We had our first child Cooper James Oliver on November 25, 2005. We were then blessed with a second child, a baby girl, Peyton Shae Oliver on August 11, 2007. Since being married we have lived in Edmonton Alberta, Lethbridge Alberta, Carry North Carolina, Plano Texas, San Ramon California and back to Edmonton. Gord sold security systems for APX alarm in the summers and he now owns his own company called Bio Protection Solutions. I am a stay at home Mom and I sell Silpada jewelry on the side. We are now expecting our third child in November. Cooper plays soccer and loves it. It is pretty much all he can talk about. Peyton is getting better and better at talking. She can talk your ear off even is you can't understand her. She is quite the princess. I play volleyball once a week in a co-ed league. It is an absolute blast. Well that is about it for now. I can't guarantee that I will keep this updated but I will try.