my right hand man

Logan has become my right hand in the kitchen lately. He is always wanting to help with breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is starting to become a lot of fun. I will admit that my patience is sometimes tried during these times but I try to keep in mind these moments won't last forever.
On this particular night we were making tortillas. He got pretty good at flipping them over. I love this kid. While it isn't always easy being the mom, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is moments like this that make it all worth it.

The Problem.

The Culprit.

This happened twice in a 12 hour time span. You can't tell by the picture but the floor was SOAKING wet. Its a good thing he is so cute!

Another LONG catch up post

Here I am playing catch up again. Oh well, I guess that's life these days. Where has November gone? It has been such a whirlwind month and December isn't looking to slow down any. But, we are still pushing through, smiling and enjoying the journey together. The weather has officially turned cold and Christmas is in the air! I LOVE this time of year! Love the holidays and the spirit that comes with them. But, before I get to Thanksgiving (no pictures, sorry) I better fill you in on what we've been doing. And, in true to myself fashion, I'm way too lazy to go back and put the pictures back in in the right order so I'll just tell you how it went!

While in Arizona, we did a little combined birthday party for my mom, my little brother Collin, Chloe and Mason. Chloe loved her cupcakes.
I tried to make Mason a huge cupcake but since I had very limited time and I was too cheap to buy the $30 giant cupcake pan at Wal-Mart this is my attempt. I LOVE this picture. Look at his eyes!
Apparently my brothers Pork and Collin thought it was taking him way to long to dig in so they decided to help him out.

Ummm, Pork........

Collin?

I don't think so! Mason has gotten super shy around crowds and my brothers were slightly too much for him to handle. Daddy tried to step in and help but....
It was over. No cake, no ice cream. Just huge tears! I thought this was the funniest thing ever. Pork and Collin kind of felt bad but it was too funny to see Mason react to them.

Presents however, were another story. Tons of kids helping out but it was fine. In fact, for this kid, the paper and bags were fine.

Logan and Mason got Chloe a microphone. For those of you that know her, she is our little singer girl. This has been perfect.

Some dolls from mom and dad along with a sit and spin, a doll from granny, puzzles from Chandler, Emily and Jared and way cute hats from Aisley and Rigdon. Don't forget the jammas that saved us on the way home from the Hawkins crew!

So here is the snow we got about two weeks before Thanksgiving. There was a little more but not much.

The kids still played in and ate it.

Before all of that jazz our Maser Racer boy got his first haircut. This kid is a champ! He just sat so still, never cried. It was awesome!
I know this doesn't look like much but there was tons more on the floor. I just wanted a picture of how long it was.

Is this not the cutest thing ever?! LoVe this kid!

The weekend before Thanksgiving Seth had to work in Arizona so the week before the kids and I headed down with my mom and the girls that had spent the previous weekend at my house (I know, totally confusing right?). It was such a blast to have most of my sisters here as well as my mom. Seth was gone to Utah for a conference and we just hung out, shopped, late night run to Dairy Queen and just spent time together. Love my family.

So for Thanksgiving we stayed in Pima and had our big meal with Seth's family. It was so fun to get together with everyone that was there. We played games, the guys went shooting, and just got to spend some much needed time together. Our families are getting so big and busy that it is rare that we get to just be together. It was such a nice weekend. Friday we did family pictures with my family and Sas and Kolby blessed baby Carter Grace on Sunday. We headed home in the ice and snow and are now trying to get back into somewhat of a routine.

We are so excited about Christmas time and the spirit that comes with this season. We are looking forward to time with extended family as well as with our own little family. Love to you all!

What Fun!

So, I guess I should start off the weekend with Friday. It was my birthday. The kids sang to me all day, I got a few phone calls and Seth surprised me with a real date....dinner AND a movie! The girls at the office told him he had to and one volunteer to babysit for us. It was so fun! I got to sit next to him in the truck and everything! Woohoo! The show was over about 9:15 and we were beat! Are we really that old now?! It was a great day overall. I am so blessed with such wonderful family and friends. If this is what getting older is like, then its not so bad!

Seth's office has a lab guy that has a lake and he told Seth to bring the family out whenever and come fishing. He guaranteed us a catch! So, Saturday we headed out to fish. It was so much fun! This is totally our style. We loved it!

This picture is by far my favorite! Is this boy not his father's child?!
Chloe and I caught a fish (these things were huge) and when it started flopping around she kept saying, "Mom, its getting me! Its getting me!" It was so funny!
Seth and Logan caught one too! These things were huge! It was such a blast!
Mason mostly played in the dirt. This is his first happy place, to be outside.
When he started to crawl away, we strapped him in his car seat and gave him some rocks to play with. Don't worry, they weren't choking size! Great parenting techniques huh! Hey, he was happy! So sad I didn't get a final picture of him. He would get the dirt by the fist fulls, put it on his head, then pat his cheeks! So cute! Man I love this kid!
This is the orphan looking Chloe. She fished for about 5 seconds and after holding the fish realized that Mason's dirt was so much better! That's my girl! Love her!
And this boy couldn't get enough! He was all about this! LOVE LOVE LOVE this kid!
And the final catch of the day! This was our dinner that night and was a TON of meat! The kids ate about half of it themselves! They loved it!
However, there is a sad ending to this story. I didn't get to actually cast, hook and reel in my own fish and I didn't get to gut it either so I can't mark those off my list! I did get my own fish but it got away before we could grab it with our hands out of the water. Seth said it doesn't count! Oh well, guess we'll have to go again! What a great day. I am so in love with this little family of mine and so grateful we got to spend this time together. Much much needed. The next few months are going to be so crazy, it was nice to just slow down and enjoy what God has given us!

101 update

Just a quick update......

I really am working on this! I am on track for my standard works reading and have started my Oh Remember Remember journal. We are going fishing on Saturday so here's hoping I'll catch one and have enough guts to gut the thing! ;)

Really quick though, the few things I'm working on has already taught me so much. I feel so humbled. I am so richly blessed and am embarrassed at how long it has taken me to see the little miracles in my life. And now, more than ever, I feel not only motivated to complete my 101 list but that it is achievable! The only thing left to say is that I am so grateful. Is it easy, no, not always. But is it worth it...yes.

Busy busy busy

As always, things are moving at record speed around here! It seems like everyday something is going on and sometimes more than one something! We are keeping afloat though and still livin' the dream. Between a tax prep class I'm taking and taking care of kiddos I had the chance the other day to do pictures for this awesome family! Seth works with the mom and she is great, as well as her family!

I had a nice little get away in October and went to Time Out for Women in Phoenix with my mom, grandma and some of my sisters. I flew in ALONE (that's right, no kids) Friday and spent that night and all day Saturday at TOFW. It was AWESOME! Granny and Papa wanted to see Logan's primary program so I drove home with them on Saturday night. I had never left the kids and while it was great, I was really ready to get home to them! Papa took a nap Sunday afternoon and Chloe thought her sunglasses would help him out!
Two weeks later we were getting ready to head to AZ for Seth to work that weekend (he works down there every 3 weeks) and this time we all got to go. But, before that, he couldn't sneak out of the office Halloween dress up contest! The girls (I LOVE the girls) decided they'd do a Toy Story theme and the docs got to be Buzz and Woody. It was so funny! Seth even tucked his pants into his boots! This picture doesn't do it justice!
AZ was super busy as well (surprise surprise). We got in late Thursday night. Seth went to work Friday and I went to the Fort to see my new little niece Miss Carter Grace! So cute! I had a Shelf Reliance show that night and on Saturday (after Seth got home from work again) we went out and took Jonathan's senior pictures. I cannot believe this kid is a senior!? He's a young senior but none the less! Cutie huh!
Then (are you exhausted yet) we rushed home, dressed up our "yittle talking witch", our grumpy skunk (he was grumpy and didn't want the hat) and Zorro (what a stud huh) and headed out to the trunk-or-treat. We were wiped by the end of the night but LOVED every minute of it!
Now we are home, trying to keep ahead and making plans to do it all again in a few weeks! What can I say, just another day in paradise!

101 in 1001

So, I have a cousin that came up with this idea and I thought it was great. Those of you that know me know I tend to go above and beyond (aka overachiever) but after reading her list I realized that some goals that are set are for the mere joy of the opportunity to do something (like a pedicure or a couple's massage). Anyway, here is my list of 101 goals in 1001 days. That calculates to almost 3 years. I have to admit, some of these we already do and I am aiming more for consistency. Others are things that I would love to do but have always been afraid. I realize some of these are huge but maybe the overachiever in me will help me to be motivated to accomplish this. Besides, its always good to be striving for something, right? Check back often to see my progress (and give me some motivation)!

1. Have a weekend get-away with Seth

2. Share the gospel with 1 person (not just casually but really share it)

3. Make a dress for Chloe

4. Host a holiday party

5. Try a new recipe twice a month for 4 months

6. Have one Shelf-Reliance party once a week for 2 months

7. Attend General Conference

8. Call all siblings once a month for 3 months, then continue

9. Make breakfast every work morning for Seth for 1 month, then continue

10. Finish Vital Records binder

11. Visit a temple I have never been to

12. Post to family blog once a week for 6 months

13. Take an institute class

14. Go to a professional play

15. Read standard works: Old, New, BOM, D&C, PGP

16. Go on an overnight backpacking trip with Seth

17. Plan 5 romantic surprise dates

18. Cook dinner every night for 30 days

19. Run half marathon

20. Do a random “special party” day for kids just because I love them

21. Join a team

22. Go to education week or women's conference

23. Weekly outing with kids for 2 months, then continue

24. Memorize The Family Proclamation

25. Memorize The Living Christ

26. Hold Family Home Evening for 2 consecutive months (with lesson and all, not just family activity)

27. Kiss Seth every day for 15 seconds for 1 month whenever he comes home and leaves

28. Read 5 classics

29. Plan and carry out a FAMILY service project

30. Take a concealed weapons course

31. Read entire conference issue for November and May

32. One night a week no TV from 6pm to bed 2 months

33. Morning scripture study before kids get up for 2 months

34. Write in my journal weekly for 3 months

35. Acknowledge and celebrate every holiday with kids (not in a consecutive year)

36. Invite a new family for dinner every other week for 2 months

37. Pitch a tent in the backyard and sleep in it as a family

38. Have family scripture study daily, 1 month then continue

39. Go camping as a family 5 times
40. Host a game night

41. Get involved in a community event

42. No eating out for a month

43. Watch a sunrise and sunset in the same day with Seth

44. Learn to play 10 primary songs

45. Encourage someone else to start a 101 list

46. Do the 12 days of Christmas as a family

47. Start and finish P90X

48. Go to Shelf Reliance convention

49. Finish Colorado blog book

50. Friday night date night for 2 months

51. Kiss in the rain

53. Go golfing with Seth

54. Organize food storage and inventory

55. Use kids job charts for 1 month, then continue

56. Take Logan on a 'date'

57. Catch a fish

58. Go snow skiing without crying ;)

59. Try yoga

60. Do an ‘arts and crafts’ day with kids once a week for 2 months

61. Go on a family bike ride

62. One week, do not go grocery shopping for food and live off food storage

63. Start riding my bike with kids

64. Get at least 2 water barrels for year supply

65. Identify 100 things that make me happy

66. Plan a 6-month dinner calendar

67. Plant a big garden and can it and share it

68. Teach someone how to bottle meats

69. Get a couple’s massage

70. Get a pedicure

71. Go on a picnic with my family

72. Do 50 consecutive push-ups (hundredpushups.com)

73. Go on a girl’s weekend trip

74. Make a theme cake for someone

75. Start a new family tradition

76. Set up a Thrive booth at a county fair

77. Do a ‘themed’ dinner night once a month for 5 months

78. Do a 1000 piece puzzle with Seth

79. Try every day for 2 weeks to do 1 thing each day to make me a “holy woman” (this is from a talk at Time Out for Women)

80. Help someone start a meal plan for food storage

81. Gut a fish and cook it

82. Visit 3 National Parks

83. Do the 200 sit-up challenge (twohundredsitups.com)

84. Visit 3 states I’ve never been to before

85. Spend a week total (not consecutive days) with Aunt Joyce and gather genealogy information

86. Go to bed every weeknight at 10 for a month

87. Potty train Mason

88. Do an emergency preparedness show

89. Learn the Family History website and how to research and submit names

90. Research and submit at least 3 names for the temple

91. Do all ordinances for those 3 names

92. Go wake boarding and get up

93. Submit a food storage recipe to Thrive

94. Organize closets

95. Write 101 love notes for Seth

96. Pay for someone's meal behind me

97. Serve 8 people in a month, random acts of kindness

98. Read 15 minutes with kids daily, 1 month then continue

99. Do “Oh Remember, Remember” challenge from stake for 1 year

100. Move back to Arizona! (this is more of a dream than a wish and won't happen for a few years but it sounded good) ;)

101. Write a letter to self on 1st day of challenge to be read on last day of challenge. Letter should include how I am feeling about self, goals, and where I am spiritually and relationship with family/spouse. (10/22/10)

We have the cutest kids, hands down!

How could you not love these faces! Here are some super quick updates on our lively crew!

Logan S. - Age 4 1/2

1.LOVING pre-school and starting to read!
2. Has turned into a HUGE helper!
3. Uses words like "fantastic, actually, are you serious?, and holy moses" on a regular basis!
4. Loves to wrestle Mason!
5. Wants a power-wheels 4-wheeler for Christmas!

Chloe - Age almost 3

1. Starting to talk back (sometimes its cute and hard to discipline)
2. Loves Tinkerbell
3. Loves to sit on the counter and 'help' (aka snack while we cook)
4. A great snuggler
5. Wants mac-n-cheese for EVERY meal!

Mason C. - Age 10 months

1. Is finally crawling!
2. Loves the dog and "yells" at her
3. Loves to wrestle Logan
4. Only wants to snuggle Mom at night
5. Now has 6 teeth!

Our love of lunch and jello

So, at school the other day Logan made his own peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He was so proud of himself. So, when I asked him what he wanted for lunch he shouted, "Peanut butter and jelly!" I asked him if he'd make all of our sandwiches and like he's been cooking for years, said, "Sure mom. That'll be fine." Cracks me up. Chloe needed a job so she was put in charge of chips and sugar snap peas on plate (this is our attempt at a well balanced meal).
Doesn't this look so yummy? FYI... there was peanut butter on his shorts, shirt, arms, hands of course and between each piece of bread he licked the knife.
He asked for a little help to get the peanut butter to the corners but did most of it by himself. I think the funniest part of this entire lunch making session was when Seth walked in the door and saw the process. The look is beyond words but I assured him it would be fine (aka he'd be blessed for eating this mess). Ahh, I'm laughing just thinking about that look!
The final products. Mmmmmmmmm!
And even though he didn't get to enjoy the peanut butter and jelly feast, he was just happy to be here. See his forehead, he tried to pull up to the rough bricks on the fireplace and crashed.
After lunch I thought it would be fun to let the kids made jigglers. Another first for the Skinner household. Logan checked the fridge like every 10 minutes just waiting. When it was finally time, well, these looks say it all!
Chloe really did enjoy the entire process. This is her wiping her sticky hands on a kleenex. That equals another mess for mom but it was pretty cute.
And litter Maser Racer got to enjoy the spoils. This kid inhaled his jello (like all other meals) and couldn't get enough! Sticky was an understatement with him!
So, if anybody is hungry for a fabulous lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, sugar snap peas and some jigglers, we offer a mighty fine meal!

Labor Day on Mt. Graham

*Warning...this is a REALLY long post*

It has been years since we were able to go to the mountains for Labor Day. We used to go all of the time but the drive from Denver for 3 days was too much. So, 7 hours seemed a little more doable.

We started up Friday afternoon and had some time to get settled in before the party animals arrived (you know who you are). The kids did some digging for worms and we just relaxed and enjoyed the cool weather.

(isn't this the cutest face ever? Mason not the dog.)

Jess even loved the mountains. Aside from falling out of the back of the truck and being lost for like 30 minutes, she had a blast. Seth said when he found her she was SOOOO excited to see him. Poor little puppy!

Awesome find huh.

Seriously, Mason wanted to grab this thing so bad. If he wasn't going to put it straight into his mouth I might have thought about letting him get it. Logan was so cute. He really took care of Mason and made sure he was having a good time. Saturday night we had some special visitors. Grandma and Grandpa Skinner joined us at the cabin for dinner and church on Sunday. Grandma played with kids, took some walks and helped pick raspberries. She wasn't worried about any bears. Logan made it very clear to everybody that his cap gun was very dangerous (exact words) and no bears would get us 'cause he would shoot them. Oh, and our dog would get the bears too. Made me feel better.
Grandpa made sure the ground was soft enough for anybody looking for a place to sleep.
On Saturday morning we took pictures (the Jacobs) and headed up the road to Webb tower. Our fearless leader (Seth) said it was only like a mile and the road would be easier for the little kiddos that were walking (Logan and Madison age 4).
We'd stop to rest and Curtis would play a little pine cone baseball with Logan. Almost everybody was carrying a kid and between the 3 families we had 6 ages 4-9 months. Crazy, yes but it was fun. See, doesn't Seth look like he is having a blast? Can I just tell you the only thing that made him carrying Chloe heavier than me carrying Mason was the water and snacks he had in his pack! Mason is heavy!
Anyway, after our 2 mile hike up the road (yes, Logan and Madi did the entire thing, with only a few tears from Logan) we snacked, rested and much to the kids delight found ladybugs! Chloe had them in her hair, pants, you name it. So fun.

Aren't we beautiful? Two days without a shower and hiking up a mountain carrying a sleeping baby and you can look this good too!
When we got back and Grandma and Grandpa got there we left Grandpa to his post and went to pick raspberries. I had never done this before and it was so fun! Mason had the best seat in the house!
And Logan and Chloe ate more than they picked. This was after the hike with no naps and picking on a pretty steep slope. Can you say exhausted?

After the traditional potluck dinner, getting kids to bed and breakout the snacks (yes, we had more treats than food) we stayed up late playing cards (another tradition) by lamp light. Great for the already going blind! We went to church on Sunday at the flat and felt the warmth of the Spirit in all senses. Great meeting and everyone was fried from sitting in the sun. Who does umbrellas and sunscreen? Apparently most there but us!

We rounded off the trip with some yummy French dipped subs (another mountain tradition) and some horse shoes. After the guy's round, the kids got in on the action. Really in this picture, Chloe is crying because he won't let her have a turn as he is saying, "Chloe, let me show you how okay, you can have a turn in a minute." Ironically, this is after he begged her to play with him.

As always, we had an awesome trip. The food, the company, the games, the hiking... the mountains are always awesome. And, as always, the time spent there was way too short.

Thanks for joining us Jacobs family and here's to another 3 years! Just kidding!