Joey is 11 months old!!

Wow, I feel like this winter has dragged by, but then when I think about my baby boy being almost a year old I guess it really has flown. He is getting so big, and independent, and I just can't believe it. Just a week ago I walked into his room to get him up for the morning, and he was standing up in his crib!! This is the first time he has stood up using something. I was so excited for him and he was so proud of himself. I sat in the rocking chair cheering him on, and I felt a little sad. I LOVE the 3 month plus baby stage. They are so much fun and I adore their cute happiness. They seem easy to please. The more independent and mobile they are, the harder it seems to please them and they get more moody.....

I'm not going to lie, if I could keep them at 6 months forever, I would!! It's almost tempting to have another baby, but they would grow up too. LOL, I said ALMOST TEMPTING!! But I'm not up for it yet. He's gotten to the point that he wants to be going, going and so church is becoming a challenge. It's a good thing he's so cute and social. The ladies in the ward adore him! And everybody comments on his beautiful blue eyes.

He just got his 7th tooth, the bottom second from the middle on his left side. He has seemed to be teething for a month now, so it's been a relief to get it in. His hair is really coming in! It's so blonde, he hardly seems like the same baby when he was born. I will need to give him a haircut sometime before his birthday.

He can wave, clap and feed himself for awhile now. I keep forgetting to write it down. He is a big eater, probably bigger then his sister was. He loves everything, but not broccoli so much.

He is starting to defend himself and play back with Addie. They are pretty cute and play hard. Sometimes too hard which ends in frustration on his part. But they are good friends. They seem the happiest when they are up together. Addie is very protective of her brother and tries to help him when she can.

About 2 weeks ago I looked over and he was on his tummy, I watched in the corner of my eye, half paying attention to him and suddenly he was on his bum sitting up by himself!! He was so smooth and quick, it looked like he had been doing this for months. And maybe he has and we haven't seen him. He does it all of the time now and seems to think he's pretty great. He also is using the toy totes to stand up and gets very excited at any chance he gets to try and stand. What a handsome big boy!!

I couldn't resist, they are just so cute playing in the tub!! But all essentials are covered, so these are for momma. Their cuteness must always be remembered, I love them so much

A letter to my children when they have children of their own...

I want to write this to my children....hopefully they will get some smiles, laughs, and reassurance that we all go through it. I get intimidated being a mother. I do! It's hard not to when I have my mom, that was pretty darn as perfect as they come! And my sister Stephanie, I don't know how she does it all and seems to enjoy every minute of it! And my sister Rachel, who is so patient and mellow about everything. And so I just want to express some of my thoughts and feelings so that my children will hopefully feel like I understand!

And yet I can't even write more because my kids are demanding 100 percent attention....I'm exhausted and envy neighbors and friends who had family close by they could visit and help out, go on dates once a week! Without paying so much for babysitting that you can't afford it.  Things were so simple with just the two of us. But then again, everything have more meaning and depth with children. The plan of happiness, was never easy, but always worth it.

Boise visit to Grandpa Gary, Grandma Sally, and Uncle Phil

Joe's dad Gary had to have both hips opperated on again in December. Unfortunately when they were removing the old hardware they found infection in both hips. So he had to stay at a facility to recuperate and heal so they can go back in to replace the hardware. We waited until we were all feeling healthy so we didn't share our bugs and drove 5.5 hr drive to Boise. All in all the kiddos did pretty good. We got dvd players for Christmas for long trips like this, however Addie and especially Jojo aren't old enough to enjoy watching TV yet.

It was fun for Jojo to meet his Grandma Sally and Uncle Phil for the first time, and for Addie to see them again. It always amazes me how fast they warm up to Sally. I think her animated facial expressions are so similar to Joe's that they automatically feel that they know her.

We were able to visit Grandpa Gary a couple of times and bring him some dinner (greatly needed after being in the facility for a couple of months!!) and treats. Considering his situation, he is amazingly optimistic and only had positive things to say. He's a great example to all of us.

She's wearing all of the bows Aunt Rachel gave her....She'll wear a bow for a couple of minutes, just to take them all out. Lol, what a silly cutie pie.

I wanted to show that she does sometimes let me do her hair, SOMETIMES!

New Year's

Daddy had to work New Year's Eve, so we went to visit my family the following day. We were excited to see my parent's and Kevin's family. The kids always enjoy the attention and love. Addie jumped for her first time in front of me and my dad. That was pretty excited. She has become a pro at jumping ever since. She really enjoys to parents and likes to tease my dad. He always seems to soften when she comes in for a hug. It's a big deal because she doesn't give those freely. Joey got ooh's and aah's over his speed with is army crawl.

Joe and I had some fun going to the shooting range with Kevin, Ben, and Adam. It was my first time shooting a gun (besides a beebee gun at girls' camp, I know, pathetic!). We went back another day with just Kevin. I didn't do too bad with the shot gun, was great with the 22, and was one for one with the 220 Swift of my dad's a ways back with a scope (totally cheating, I know).

Kevin often does a smoker for meat when we visit. It's so yummy! A lot of work, but it is wonderful. He has been milking cows now, working 40 hrs plus in 3 days, and sometimes more!! And even then he still got up so smoke the meat for 12 hrs.

Fun times with Grandma Hebdon 

Addie's Christmas Dress

I know we have some pictures of JoJo with his Christmas outfit, I'm not sure where they are.

Jenna's robe she gave Addie, so cute and grown up

We always enjoy going to Arimo and are grateful for such a fun family.