THREE (November 30, 2010)

Richard says he can't remember life without Sarah Jane and that it seems like she's been with us forever, and while I do agree, I still can't believe that my little girl is 3! Her birthday was such a fun day. I think part of that is because she understands what birthdays mean and what fun things come with them.

We started the day off by decorating our Christmas tree which we purchased the night before. Then we ventured to McDonalds for lunch with daddy. The afternoon and much of the evening was spent at BOUNCE. It's a warehouse full of bounce houses. There are slides, obstacle courses, sumo wrestling, a velcro wall, and more. We all loved it and ran around non-stop for 3 hours. We welcomed inches and inches and inches of snow this day and Sarah wouldn't leave the bounce house until everyone had come and joined her. Needless to say the snow held a few people up. But we had so much fun, it didn't matter. Once everyone arrived and got to play for a bit themselves, we headed home for Sarah's requested dinner; pancakes that ended up having to be waffles, eggs, and bacon. The evening was finished off with presents and a pink flower cake.

Fun Facts About Sarah Jane at 3!!
*Loves reading and often plays library
*still sleeps like a charm
*loves being a big sister
*funny
*whenever we are cutting cheese she asks for "cheese in my hand.", just like her 4 year old cousin Easton.
*loves her play kitchen
*is happy when she's outside
*talks and talks and talks and talks...
*sings all of the time and now intermixes songs or adds silly lyrics to make everyone laugh
*still in diapers. ugh! she couldn't care less about underwear.

WE LOVE YOU SARAH JANE AND ARE SO GLAD YOU ARE PART OF OUR FAMILY!!!

A Girl's Gotta Do, What A Girl's Gotta Do....

You see the lights on the highest peak? Yeah, I did that!!! We discovered that while I am afraid of heights someone else in our family is even more afraid of heights.

See, here I am!

Just Like Jessica

Sarah has a cousin named Jessica. She's cute, she's funny, she's friendly, well, she's many things. And right now she seems to be one of Sarah's idols. Sarah is just waiting for Jessica to come sleep in the top portion of her daybed. (hint, hint cardalls) Many nights she asks when she's coming and many mornings she asks for her hair to be done "like Jessica." This is what that means...

Thanks Jessica for being my daughters idol. If she turns out like you, I will be one happy mama! xoxo

SAD, SAD Day

While I have way more important blog posts waiting to be written this one just couldn't be postponed.

My in-laws were visiting last week and we don't have a vehicle large enough to tote all of us around town. My mom so kindly offered to trade cars with me while they were in town. Well, our visitors left Friday morning and my parents are returning from out of town today so my mom's car had to go back to it's rightful owner. If we didn't have a house that we love and adore we might have packed up and left town just so we didn't have to return my mom's MINI-VAN! Nuts, I know, but wow, I now know why it's the mom vehicle and I look forward to the day Richard is out of school and we can afford one of our own.

So, I am petitioning for more visitors, partly because there are many people we miss and partly because I want my mom's car back. Let me know when you'll be here, our calendar looks pretty open right now...

WARNING to all mothers

THIS COULD BE YOU IF YOU FALL ASLEEP ON THE JOB...

BOUNTIFUL BASKETS

Okay for those of you in the following states

AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY

you must check out the following website. (and I guarantee they will be in more states sooner rather than later!!)

http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/

You can get your weekly produce for $16.50. It's a screaming deal!! The produce is great quality and they even have organic baskets for $10 more. Their bread is amazing and the tortillas, fresh, and yummy. We have been getting a bountiful basket for about 6 weeks and love it. I rarely go to the market for fruits and veggies. Most of the time they provide produce that I would buy but occasionally there has been something I wouldn't normally buy, but I have actually liked being forced to try something new.

Then, if you get a basket, my sisters and I started a blog with recipes and ideas about how to use all of these lovely items. Check us out here at basket411

Dancer Turned Walker

It was Sunday night.

We were having a dance party.

I think that will be quite obvious.

Sarah is CRAZY!

I almost didn't post this for 2 selfish reasons.

First, we really did eat our way out of LA and boy does it show.

I'm working on that now.

Second, I get very excited and vocal when Luke starts walking.

So if you truly love me, you will please turn the volume WAY DOWN!

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Despite my reluctance, I decided I had to post this because it's Luke's first steps and because Sarah's hysterical.

She really does dance like that.

A lot!

Enjoy!

It's QUIET Around Here

This morning my girl went on vacation without us! She seemed SO BIG driving away in the car with grandma. She's going to Rexburg for Meg's birthday. She could hardly wait for my mom to arrive. She must have walked around the house for an hour with her backpack on.

She seemed even bigger tonight when she didn't even want to talk to me tonight when I called to tell her goodnight. I know I should be happy she's having fun and will do things without us, but my night's just not the same without her goodnight loves!

Yesterday when I was telling her I would miss her, this was her reply, "Don't be sad mama, I will come back!" Although judging by how much fun she seems to be having and that she won't even chat with me, I'm not so sure about that anymore. I guess I will just have to wait and see....it's going to be a long, quiet weekend around here!!

Halloween 2010

We didn't do too much for Halloween this year. On Friday we joined Cindy and Travis at their ward's trunk or treat. Lou-Lou the pink poodle had a fantastic time and bawkbawk the 2nd also enjoyed himself. Thank you Aunt Lisa for sending the pink poodle costume. I was so glad I got to reuse the chicken costume because it is truly the cutest costume ever!

Aunt Cindy and Uncle Travis are such good sports. I am not too into dressing up myself, but as you can see they are...

How I've Missed You

Fall is my favorite time of year. I can't get enough of it; the air is crisp, the sky is blue, and the leaves, oh, the leaves! The whole time I lived in California, I only made it home one time during this time of year and it was too early to really see the leaves change. It's been good to be back!

Sarah's Prayer

"Please bless Claire and Camden. I like to play with Claire and Camden and Ella. Please bless Ella and please bless my big pumpkin."

So Cal Speak

Mom: Sarah, we're just going to run into the grocery store real quick.

Sarah: Mom, it's not the grocery store it's the market!!!

Thanks for the reminder Sarah. We do say market (I think it's a So Cal thing) and I love how simple and charming it sounds. No more grocery stores for the Atchleys.

Temples

For FHE on Monday night we built temples out of Megablocks. Both kids likes it. Sarah loved building and Luke is great at knocking down and cleaning up. Tuesday morning while I finished getting ready Sarah built more temples. "Holy cow! Holy cow! Holy cow mom," she shouted! I found her with a temple taller than herself and it was still standing.

ONE?! Already?

It's true, my baby is one. We had a fun birthday celebration with family and friends. 

We are one lucky family to have this fun character in our lives. He is the happiest, smiliest little guy and he does make everyday a ball.

We gave him a little pool full of balls to play in and he loves it. I recreated his toy as his cake. It turned out super cute and was really fun to make. Oreo truffles inside a white chocolate pool. YUM! Luke sure thought so.

Bubba,

We love you! You bring us such joy. You are Sarah's best friend. You are mommy's best friend. You make friends everywhere we go because you are so happy and enjoy people's company. you have 8 teeth; 4 on top and 4 on the bottom. At your year checkup you weighed in at 27 pounds 9 ounces and are 31 inches tall. You are a big guy and I love smooching on all your chub. :) You play by yourself quite well. Books are one of your favorite things. Grandma has a table with a bottom on it in her hallway. We have put your books on the bottom and you climb inside and spend lots of time there with your books. You love small spaces. I have found you in the laundry room hiding in the cubby space next to the washer, under the kitchen sink where the recycling is. You nicely moved that out of the cupboard and climbed right in. You say a few words like mama, uh-oh, and daddy. There's a sound you make for Sarah. Sign language is not your thing. you throw things when you're done instead of signing all done. It's messy but cute. You love singing into Sarah's microphone and dance whenever music comes on. You stand all by yourself and cruise around all over the furniture. I bet you'll be walking soon. I have grandma's video camera on the counter so we can catch the action. You love to be outside. Your open mouth kisses make mommy's day and I can't get enough of them. Luke, you are so loved! What a blessing you are in our lives.

We love you-
Mama, Dada, and Sarah Jane

The theme of the party was, Life is a ball because Luke is around and nothing could be more true!!

The Boise River

Not only is it fun to be near(er) to my sisters, but I can always count on Cindy to have her camera with her wherever we go.

On Wednesdays Richard is at school from 7a.m.-9p.m. We miss him and so we make it a point to go have lunch or dinner with him on his long day. 2 weeks ago we met him, my sister, and my dad at Julia Davis Park for a picnic. Sarah had been wanting to feed ducks for days and days, so we headed down to the river after lunch. It was a perfect day for a picnic in the park.

Thanks for capturing these memories Cin. My family really is cute!

Everyone Does It

It you live in the Boise area you go to the Western Idaho Fair in August. It's just what you do! I grew up doing it and this year was able to take my family there too. We ate my favorite churros, chicken pita, mini donuts, fed the animals, and Sarah made a spin art picture. It was a fun way to start our journey here.

P.S.--Yes, she is sporting a new hairdo. Short and so, so sweet. I will get a better picture of it soon.

We Made It

It's true, we've moved here...
Isn't it interesting that Richard was raised on 26th and Idaho in Santa Monica and he married me and we eventually ended up here?

The beginning of August after the job search for Richard became tiresome, we both felt really good about moving to Boise so that Richard could go back to school. He's studying electrical engineering and we are hoping that when he's finished in 3 years, it will pay off more than his zoology degree did.

It was a dirty job packing up all our belongings and moving nearly 1000 miles in 2 weeks time. We're crazy like that. It hasn't gotten much cleaner; for my parents that is. We have been staying with them since we arrived 2 months ago. They've been very accommodating to a lot of stuff (mostly kid stuff) and 4 extra bodies. I think the 2 tiny bodies who give lots of hugs and kisses make it worth their while.

Sarah thinks this truck belongs to us. Still today when we see a yellow Penske truck she gets excited to see our truck and asks why someone else is driving it. Funny girl!

It was a huge truck. When we were packing we thought our stuff would never fit. Then Richard picked it up and we thought we would have oodles of extra room. Our things BARELY fit and it was packed tight. Thank goodness for a great elders quorum and dear friends who gave up a Friday evening to pack us. I've decided we have entirely too much stuff. Again, it's the kid's fault! :)

California we sure do miss you; you provided us with a lot of great times and fun memories!

However, Idaho hasn't been half bad! :)

Camera, Where Are You?!?!

We can't find our camera anywhere. Before we moved we searched for it, but couldn't find it. I know we are missing some pictures of some terrific adventures from this summer. BUUUMER, as Sarah would say. My only hope is that we packed so quickly that we missed seeing it somewhere and that when we get settled, claim our things from storage, and get unpacked, magically it will appear! A girl can hope, right?! Until then, I will fill in where we have left off. There have been many changes in the Atchley household.

Pinewood Derby

On Saturday we attended what could possibly be my most favorite ward activity of all time, and having been in SM3, I have been to some great ones. Our ward had a pinewood derby and everyone was invited, not just the scouts. I think what I loved about this activity was how much fun the families had together. I loved that it meant dads, moms, kids, and siblings all worked together to create some amazing derby cars.

There were cars with rocket engines, huge wings, a candy coated limo (yummmm), kiddo scribbles, 50 year old cars, and then there were ours. A big "blue" bus and a...what do you suppose richard created? It started out Richard and Sarah were going to share a car, but quickly richard's became a solo project, rather than one sarah could paint herself and so we got another block and they created sarah's together. Sarah can't get enough of her bus.

her daddy made her.

cutting out his pinewood derby car. it was amazing.

i like helping daddy in the garage.

putting on the finishing touches.

painting her blue bus that ended up being every color we had and prettier for it.

GO! GO! GO! sarah really got into the derby races. she especially liked the one that had a rocket attached to it, that ignited and made it shoot down the track. well, she liked everything about it, except, "that one stinky mom!"

look carefully at the little people riding on sarah's big blue bus.

our family cars lined up to compete after the official races were over. Sarah's beat Richard's and yes, his is a guitar. I should take a better picture of it. It had everything from strings to tuning knobs, and you all think i'm crafty! :)

the family + one.

WE CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR!!!

Speaking of Good Friends....

I have some great friends too!!

Here we are at the Montage Hotel after our spa treatments. For Mother's Day Carrie treated us to a little R & R. HEAVENLY!

(Tauna, Jules, Jazmine, Carrie, Taryn, me, Nicole)

I have become good friends with these gals because our kiddos are little friends and how grateful I am for each one of them. They make park day, holidays, music makers, church, and running so much more enjoyable.

Play date turned picnic

Last week we watched Camden. Sarah and he had so much fun. Most of the time was spent in the backyard, having a picnic of Puffins, raisins, cheesesticks, and goldfish. Whenever I went to check on them they were just hanging out chatting away with each other. I LOVE Sarah's friends...EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM!!!! I hope I can always say that about her friends because picking good ones is SO IMPORTANT!!

Crack up

We found Sarah in the kitchen with the bath and body works smelly things you can plug into the wall. I haven't used them for years and years, but Sarah found another use for them.

She wants to be just like mama!!

OUCH!

i thought i had 2 more years before i would have to make a visit to the emergency room. you know, because only little boys are supposed to spend time there. right?!

WRONG!!!

on thursday, sarah tipped over our rocking chair and crashed into the TV stand cutting open her forehead. julieann came to the rescue and watched luke (of course the day richard has a career workshop she does this) while "us 2 girls" spent the morning in the ER. she ended up getting 4 stitches. lucky for our pocketbook we still had insurance, but just barely. we'll probably remove the stitches ourselves since the insurance expires tomorrow. :(


sarah thought the ER was pretty okay until the stitch up part, since she got to lay on a bed and watch all her favorite shows she only watches on occasion at home. when it came time to stitch her up, they swaddled her so that she couldn't move and there were 3 of us holding her down. the hospital volunteer got a little queasy and had to leave the room so then i had to hold down her body myself. her face was covered and she just kept crying and hollering, "mama, i just want MY band aid back!!" over. and. over. again. due to previous experiences with band aids, where they magically make things feel better, she put 2 and 2 together and figured her band aid she had on when we got to the hospital was all she needed. luckily it doesn't take these skilled doctors long to do their business. and even more lucky, sarah was her chipper self by the time we reached the parking lot. however, we did spoil her the remainder of the day; in-n-out, diddy riese, and she got to pick out her own band aids and stickers.
sarah summed up the experience perfectly when on the way home she said, "mama, us 2 girls like it (while shaking her head)!!"

p.s.---the band aid on her arm is from the night before when she burned it on a frying pan helping me put the toppings on our omelets. nice work i know. poor girl, it's a pretty good burn too. she'll have a big rectangular scar there for sure.

SO LATE, yet so important

When it became just too far after Sarah's 2nd birthday, I just couldn't get myself to post pictures of her special day, but it was such a special weekend that I HAD to at some point. I decided that when she was 2 1/2, that would be the day. Today is the day. May 30, 2010.

Since Sarah's birthday fell only a few days after Thanksgiving and almost 2 months after Luke was born, we had all the family come to town for Thanksgiving, Sarah's party, and Luke's blessing. It was such a memorable weekend, but by the time it was all said and done, I was tuckered out and especially sick of standing in the kitchen preparing morsel after morsel after morsel!!!

For Thanksgiving, my parents and grandparents came into town from Boise. I haven't spent Thanksgiving with my parents since 2000, so it was a special occasion for me. The Johnsons came up from San Diego and the Steeles joined us for pie. We had fun, but I was so glad to have so many helping hands. Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner is a lot of work, and really, since turkey, in the form of a big bird, isn't my favorite, I might try to convince Richard of having pizza or something simpler one year.

Friday we spent preparing for Sarah's birthday party. Sarah's best friend Claire is 13 days older than Sarah and they adore one another so we combined our efforts and threw them a joint, Two 2riffic Girls are turning 2 party. SUCH FUN!!! We celebrated at Crestwood Hills Park on Saturday. The kids played, and the craft table with colored sand, stickers, and glue sticks was the hit of the party. We loved celebrating Sarah. We just plain, love Sarah! We pretty much celebrate her daily. :) Sarah's Grandpa and Grandma Atchley as well as the Arizona Atchleys came for the fun day, as well as all those we spent Thanksgiving with.

On Sunday we blessed Luke Edmon Atchley. Oh how I love this boy! The blessing was wonderful and it meant so much to have him surrounded by so many wonderful people for his big day. He didn't make a peep and looked quite stunning in his outfit. A while back Ron had been home cleaning out his closet and was going to get rid of the suit he wore on his wedding day with Adele. I kept it and used some of the fabric to make Luke his blessing pants. They turned out super cute and I love the sentimental addition.

It really was a terrific weekend, and with all the family around, we were reminded of what we were most thankful for. As I write this, the weekend doesn't sound like that much work, but I remember being completley worn out and so tired of the kitchen.

Thank you everyone for joining us for such a wonderful weekend. It really meant so much to us.