his BIG day

We finally had Nalu's blessing on Sunday.

I felt like he was so big by this point.

We had originally planned to do it in January,

but then the first Sunday of the the NEW year

seemed to pose too many conflicts.

We were soo grateful to the family and friends

who sacrificed to come bright and early

and join us for Nalu's special day!

Quinn gave such a BEAUTIFUL blessing

and said some very special things.

We know this boy is going to be great

and do amazing things

throughout his life (just like his siblings).

The PROUD parents of this precious boy!

I can't say it enough what a sweet, happy, easy-going

little guy Nalu is. He just melts our hearts

and we LOVE HIM to pieces!!

I did take some pictures of the

get together afterwards at our house,

but I accidentally erased them off of my camera.

Thanks to one of the GREAT family

photographers (Karli) for having her camera on hand

and for taking some fantastic pictures!

best buds

I think these 2 are going to be

best buddies when they get a little older.

SOme of the cute things Ash says and does:

Everytime I bring Nalu downstairs or into

the same room as Ash he says...

"Ahhh, Nalu's cute"

(as he is saying in this picture)

He LOVES to give him kisses
He tickle his cheek and says "goochie goo"

Can't you just SEE the bond between these two?!

Makes me get teary eyed just looking at them!

*Brotherly Love*
there's nothing quite like it

Date Night

Friday Night Ame got to have a DATE NIGHT

with Grandma and Grandpa.

They went to see the Toothfairy movie

and then SHE chose to eat at IHOP.

And she even got to have a sleepover.

WHAT A LUCKY GIRL!

Ame soo loves her special one-on-one times

together with gma and gpa, probably because they

SPOIL her to death!!

Ame was soo excited when she came home the

next day, to tell me that SHE learned how to

make cake all by herself.

My mom sent these "oh so easy" recipe's

home with her and so Ame was the

treat maker for FHE, and she did NOT

let me help at all, only her brothers!

I thought I'd share the recipe's:

*MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE*

Mix together in a small (cereal size) bowl

1/2c. chocolate cake mix

1/3c. water

Top batter with 5 teaspoons hot fudge topping

Microwave approx. 95 seconds

(increase time if topping is cold)

Serve w/ice cream or whip topping

*OREO COOKIE CAKE*

Mix in a cereal size bowl

1/2c. white cake mix

1/3c. water

1-2 crushed oreos

sprinkle with another cookie and top with

ice cream or coolwhip.

*we did our own variation, because we didn't have a
white cake mix and Ame wanted oreos, so we just used a

chocolate cake mix instead. Very chocolately, but still delicious!

These are great recipes that actually taste quite good

and the kids can make them, so its extra fun!!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa

for making such wonderful memories with Ame!

She couldn't stop talking about

all the fun she had with YOU!!!

recommendation

Because she did such a good job,

I think she deserves a strong recommendation.

Here is the website for the lady that did our pictures.

She lives just behind us (her daughter is one of

Ame's best friends), and some of our pics were taken

right in her backyard, then the others at

a nature park just down the street from our house.

faiolafamilyphotos.blogspot.com

check out the website, her prices really are unbeatable!

3 months

3 months old today!

How is that possible...but at times it feels

like he has always been apart of our family.

He continues to be such an EASY baby-

content to be in the swing, or his bouncer seat

and just observe and take in his surrounding.

He is a great sleeper in the crib,

usually only waking one time in the night.

He is such a happy boy, smiles all the time and is just

Such a Joy!!!

We love you our sleeping prince!

family picture WITH our new addition

Quinn wondered several times WHY we were TORTURING

our kids, especially Nalu, with outdoor pictures

in the winter. And it definitely was COLD, even though it was

in the 40's. My reasoning was justified I think-

I wanted family pics with Nalu B4 he

was no longer a newborn,

because he is all too quickly growing up!

(I think we will do more when it is warmer,

as well, and a bit more enjoyable)

Despite the cold, I am happy with the outcome.

The only challenge is now for Quinn and I to

AGREE which one to order, to join our family picture collection.

I think we will end up ordering one large

and a few others in a smaller size.

Which is YOUR favorite?

*I guess you'll have to come to our house

to see which one we order*

homemade pizza

I decided I was quite tired of having take-out

pizza for our weekly

Pizza & Movie Night

so I got ambitious and the kid and I

MADE

our pizza tonight. EVERYONE helped
either make it or eat the toppings
And now the finished products are in the oven cooking!

CAN'T WAIT TO EAT IT!!!

more sledding

Last week, Kaipo's preschool class went sledding

and I got to go with him!

I am sad that this year I just haven't

been able to join him as much,

first being REALLY pregnant and

now with a newborn. But Quinn was working

from home that day, so it worked out.

(I HATE this picture, I look soo aged)

They took a break and had some hot cocoa & graham crackers.

I cherish these alone times together,

because they are becoming less and less frequent!

Another Reason to Celebrate

Quinn had his birthday on Saturday.

He originally was going to play in a golf tournament

down in St George, but that didn't work out last minute,

so I threw together a night out with some family

and friends on Friday Night. We had a great time

just eating and talking!

Saturday we just had some family time,

and Sunday my parents and grandma came over

for dinner and dessert.

I know it wasn't a super exciting birthday and he

would have much rather been spending the

weekend golfing, but we hope it was a Happy Birthday anyway!!(Quinn and his older sis Kuulei, and me trying to stay out

of the pic but obviously it didn't really work)

updates

Nalu went for his 2 month check-up, got 5 shots and his rotavirus oral dose.
These are his stats:
weight-12.1 lbs, 75th percentile
height-23 inches, 60th percentile
He is pretty compariable to Ash at this age.
I am going to start having him sleep in the crib this week and see how that goes.
I would imagine it will be much more comfortable AND spacious than the basinet.
Plus, I am excited to put up his new bedding!! (Pics to come)

Ash is still potty training and doing pretty well. He isn't to the point of telling me he needs to go, but he will go on the potty if I remember to make him go regularly. He has yet to go poop in the toilet again, since that first day. Now I just find a nice surprise in his pull-up when we try and go potty, or we smell it sooner. I haven't been brave or patient enough to have him in underwear yet. I think HE needs to be controlling it, not ME b4 we try underwear.

*Note to self-don't start potty training AND transition beds in the same week!

transition

We have finally done it!

The boys got their EXTRA LARGE (full-over-full) bunkbeds,

now we are just working on getting Ash to sleep in it!

The first night I wasn't home, and Quinn was left

to put the boys to bed. Well Ash wouldn't go

right to sleep, so he gave up and put him back in the crib.

The next day I layed by him at nap-time,

for about 20 minutes and he did fall asleep in

his BIG BOY bed. Hurray!!

That night he did go to sleep again in his new bed, but didn't

actually fall asleep until after 10pm. I went in several times

to check on him, only to find him talking to himself,

singing, playing with the shadows on the wall,

and various other things.

I got so anxious to do the bunkbeds

for the boys, and put Nalu in the crib

(which hasn't happened quite yet),

that I forgot how much more effort and patience this takes.

Much easier when we could just plop Ash in the crib,

where he never tried to get out, and would eventally just

go to sleep all on his own.

I know... its the new found freedom!!

But this is going to take a whole lot of patience on my part,

especially since (starting tomorrow) QUinn will be teaching

4 nights a week, so I get to do the bedtime routine

BY MYSELF with 3 kids AND a fussy baby.

I haven't found any bedding I like yet,

that doesn't cost a fortune,

so for now its just sheets & old blankets.
(I am looking for some surfboard/tropical type

bedding-with blue & green colors (even just a comforter

would be great) cuz I already have wall-mural decor

in that style and color,

SO let me know if you see anything I might like.

Now Ame is jealous the boys have new BIGGER beds.

Always want what we don't have right?!

ready or not...

Today was not quite the day I had PLANNED

to start potty training, but I think Ash is soo ready.

He hates to be wet, and in so many ways

just acts like it is the right time.

So here we go!

When I pulled out the little potty this morning

he sat on it in front of the TV, while watching cartoons.

Dad and the older 2 kids had gone to a primary activity.

I went to put in a load of wash and came back to check on him.

Not expecting to find anything,

I actually found a load of another kind, hahaha.

He had gone pee AND poop in the toilet already.

That was easy :)

I hope it all goes this well!

Wish us luck !!!!!

sledding

On New Years Day, Quinn took Ame and Kaipo sledding. They met some of our old neighbors from Riverdale, and they all had a blast together. Mom stayed home with the baby and let Ash take a nap. Dad is way more fun to go sledding with than mom anyway!

Afterwards we all met for dinner at Chili's, where we had a great meal, especially because it ended with MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE!

We also had a really fun New Years Eve celebration with some neighbor friends here in Layton. It was ADULTS only which was really nice. We ate, talked and played some crazy, fun games. The most memorable one was The Bag Game. If you haven't ever played it, it is a definite must for your next party. (lets see if I can explain it, and make any sense) Using a paper bag, everyone takes a turn trying to pick it up with their mouth. You cannot touch the bag or the ground with your hands, AND you can't bend your knees. Each time everyone has had a turn, then a layer of the bag is cut off,which makes it shorter, meaning YOU have to reach farther to the ground. A definite test of your flexiblity. I did OK, QUinn made it a round past me, and a few others made it with just a tiny rim left, which meant they were pretty much kissing the ground :) I wish I would have taken any pics at the party, but really wish I'd gotten some of THIS game. So much Fun! We are thankful for our new neighborhood and the great friends we are making here.

*********

We are anticipating a wonderful year in 2010, with our family & friends, full of much happiness and many accomplishments! We wish YOU the same!!

time flies...

Our precious boy turned

8 weeks old on Tuesday.

How is that possible??

I guess time really does fly when you

are busy and having fun!

He continues to be such a good baby.

He has had some 5 hour stretches at night,

which is REALLY nice for mom!!!

He smiles lots, is very alert, and is often

content at just looking around and observing.

He is getting so big! We are anxious to

find out all his stats at his 2 mo. check-up

next week. Many of his 0-3 months clothes

are getting snug and too short.

We love you soo much Nalu,

but can you just stop

growing so fast, and just stay our

little baby boy forever???

our GREATEST gift

We are so thankful to have grandma and grandpa Asplund home.

It is by far the greatest gift we got this Christmas!!

We have loved hearing about all their experiences along

the way, and look forward to many more stories of their time in India.

Don't you just love how authentic they look??

Christmas Morning

We tried to keep this years gifts a little more simple.

The kids still got a lot of their wishes,

we were just lucky none of their requests were super expensive.

Good thing cuz we could not have afforded it this year!

It is so fun to watch each one open their gifts.

Each time Ash squealed with excitement!!
And Kaipo is always full of excitment about pretty much
ANYTHING!!

Ame thinks she is getting too old to sit on daddy's lap,

but she really wanted those presents :)

Nothing like a sucker BRIGHT AND EARLY!!

This was Ash's favorite gift.

He is obsessed with playing bowling on

Daddy's IPhone, so this is a nice distraction.

This was a great gift for our ACTION boy.

I don't know which BOY in this picture likes it better...

Our boys are lucky their dad still likes TOYS!!

Ame got a beautiful INDIA Barbie, among all her other stuff!

And the kids LOVED their Indian Attire that

grandma and grandpa gave them.

Don't those boys look like little PRINCES

in their dress-ups? And Ame's clothes are so cute,

she can actually wear hers out of the house.
Grandma brought home lots more clothes so the

kids can play dress-up when they visit her house.

We had a fun morning opening presents

as a family, and were even more excited when

gma and gpa showed up. They gave us all

such unique and beautiful gifts from India.

We enjoyed just being together, eating our

yummy GIANT cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa,

and reflecting on our many blessings,

through which our Savior has so generously given.

I am so thankful for the many reminders from

my incredible son Kaipo, that this season is not really

about presents and decorations, but about Jesus!!

J/K

The Saturday B4 Christmas my parents were scheduled to arrive home from INDIA. Their plane was suppose to land in SLC at 6:30pm. But then we found out (after making it all that way safely, and then to have trouble on the very last part of their trip) their flight was delayed indefinitely. They FINALLY got in the air, headed here, and we all made it to the airport to greet them, with signs and balloon, just as mom said she invisioned it. After waiting AND waiting, AND waiting...no sign of them, we got word that as they entered the SL area (and my mom & dad were prepping to get off the plane-lipstick, combing hair, etc), they were told they couldn't land and had to detour to Boise. WHAT???? My mom said of course she had a good cry at that point, and when we all got word of this we were so disappointed too.

The video captures our anti-climactic experience well!

They wouldn't be returning until 1:30-2am, so we all headed home, SAD, without having seen grandma & grandpa (Chris returned alone to pick them up).

Our reuniting came the next morning when we met at their ward to go to church together. Oh how wonderful that LONG awaited hug was!!!!

Gingerbread HouseS

Ame got to make a gingerbread house at school,

as part of their Christmas Celebrations. And then we made them at home too.

One of OUR holiday traditions.
Ame added a fire hydrant to hers...funny, huh?!

Santa visit #2

Last night we had a neighborhood Chistmas party.

There were probably 12+ families there, so the

hosting family's home was very full, but that didn't stop us

all from having a great time. Everyone brought their favorite

appetizer or dessert, and we all ate and talked

AND ate and talked for hours.

The kids all played and watched a movie in the basement

so us adults got to just hang out and talk upstairs.

We also had a surprise visit from Santa-

well his helper of course!

This was the 2nd time our kids got to visit

and give their wishes to Santa's helper.

We went to the mall last week

but I don't buy those pictures and they hawk you like

crazy if you TRY to take your own picture.

Luckily we got some pics this time.

Ash was soo excited to sit on the old guys lap,

with no hesitation...

Kaipo said he tried to pull off his beard

and then knew it wasn't the real Santa.

oh that kid! what are we gonna do with him???

And Ame, the little angel, ACTING somewhat shy

and embarrased, but we all know she is not!

And the fun continues...
Hope everyone is enjoying this Holiday Season.
Ours is going to get even better in just 2 days-
when Grandma and Grandpa Asplund get home.
We can hardly wait, and are just soo excited!!!