Bug Fun

Here are some pictures of our Halloween costumes. Jensen was a cockroach (yes, a cockroach, that was his request and he would not be talked out of it, it’s a good thing I have some experience in sewing), Siesa was a dragonfly, Derek was a spider and I was a butterfly. We went to a ward Halloween trunk or treat. Jensen was running around the whole night hissing at people being a scary cockroach. He enjoyed the Trunk or treat a lot but about half way through he said “I am done getting candy my bag is getting too heavy” I was thinking, great, less candy I will have to throw away so we stopped. Siesa on the other hand just wanted to eat everything she got as soon as she got it.

I forgot to put on there antenas, oops

Sunshine State

Now that busy season is over, Derek took the whole week off work (last week) and we had a nice long vacation. Sunday, right after church, the car was packed and we set off for the Florida beaches. The kids were superstar travelers and did awesome on the 6 and a half hour drive. They just sang songs and read books, and it was a nice relaxing Sunday drive. When we got to our campsite we realized that it was not exactly the type of camping we were expecting. There were no trees and just one gravel path which you drove your car on and pitched your tent on. We were also only about 200 yards from a major highway which we could hear all night long. The next morning we packed up our things and transferred to another state park with a campsite that was beautiful. The weather was perfect, 80s in the day and down to 70 at night. The kids were so excited to be on vacation, we just hung out and played. The first morning Siesa woke up at 5:30 am and would not go back to sleep so we took a stroll down to the beach to watch the sun rise. She loved the sand but was totally freaked out by the waves. At 6:00 am when Jensen and Derek woke up we packed up our breakfast and had a lovely morning picnic on the beach. Jensen loved everything about the trip. He is a natural born camper and loved sleeping in the tent. We asked him what his favorite part of camping was and he said it was eating the s’mores. He also loved the ocean and enjoyed standing in it and letting the waves “smack” into him. Siesa was not as keen on everything about camping. For a girl that is so messy at home she was sure concerned about everything being “dirty” camping. She also didn’t really like sleeping in the tent. When she realized it was bedtime she just kept standing by the door of the tent saying, “out, out, go, go.” By the last night she was doing much better. She also slowly got used to the water and by the third day she really liked the beach, but her favorite things were to chase the birds and squish the jelly-fish washed on shore. Derek and I didn’t do much swimming because it was jelly-fish season and there were lots of large jelly-fish swimming around. Most of our time at the beach was in the early morning hours because once the weather got a little warmer the dog flies started swarming us. For those who haven’t experienced dog flies, they are biting flies that are very annoying. It was great though, because no one got a speck of sun burn and we didn’t even wear much sun block.

On Wednesday we drove over to Alabama to visit my friend Jill and see her daughter. On the way we stopped at an Air Force museum which was another highlight of the trip for Jensen. They had a ton of planes you could walk right up to and a couple of cockpits they actually let the kids get inside. We ate a picnic outside by the planes and had a great time. We also had a good time hanging out with Jill. We went to a great seafood restaurant which was so fresh and so good because they catch the fish right there below the restaurant every day. There was also a playground underneath the restaurant where the kids got out their energy before we put them in the car for our long drive home.

It was a wonderful vacation!

Look what I can do!

Jensen learned to do a somersault. He was so excited, he wanted to put a video up on the blog to show grandma and grandpa that he can do one all by himself.

A big girl now

I can't believe Siesa is already 18 months old.

I love her blue eyes

Here is a little bit about Siesa.

Words I can say. . . A few of the words Siesa can say. I do, mine, no, goggles, sandal, read, book, animals, car, truck, not me, door, light, up, stuck, go, happy, pool, heavy “heby”, watermelon “wamen”, apple, open, hands, please, eyes, toes, not me, want some, water, cup, play, hurt, light, knee, sorry, flower, puddle, swimming “mimin”, water “wawa”, hands, tiger, night, froggy, hungry “hungy”, okay, and rabbit.

What I’ve learned to run and jump, Siesa is always on the move and is so happy running and jumping even though when she runs she looks like she will fall at any minute, and she often does, but she always gets up smiling.

Favorite food- watermelon, cheese, yogurt, cauliflower, spaghetti, gold fish crackers

Favorite songs If your happy and you know it, row row row your boat, itsy bitsy spider.

I like to . . . play in the water. Siesa love to play in any kind of water: the pool, puddles rain, bathtub, sink, water cup, and basically anything else wet. Anytime it rains she immediately wants to put on her jacket and run outside. This summer we enjoyed many trips to the pool. She had no fear of the deep end. I only had to pull her out of the water a couple of times.

One other thing Siesa likes to do is to take something with her anytime we go anywhere. As soon as we start heading for the door she scurries around the room to find something (or many things) she can pick up and carry with her. She gets very upset when we have to tell her she has to leave something behind.

I don’t like . . .Bugs. Siesa gets very upset when she sees a bug, she constantly points it out and can’t let it go until it is moved or squished. She also does not like sharing or being told what to do. She always has her own plan in mind.

Bug Attack

So, the other morning I was out watering my garden and innocently walked passed my blueberry bush when I got this severe pain in my knee. Shortly after that I had this strange red rash on my skin. Later, I went outside to find what had caused the pain and I discovered the most odd looking bug I have ever seen (actually there were six of them.) I promptly removed them (with a stick of course) from my garden and disposed of them properly. I will never cease to be amazed by the interesting looking insects and bugs I find in my yard and house. Gross.

trip, long hours and promotion.

Things have been eventful these last few weeks. Derek got promoted at work so his new title at work is now Senior Associate, we are very excited about that. This is also the busiest time for Derek at work so he has been working crazy long 15 hour days, not so fun. Because of his long hours we decided that we needed to take a vacation so last Friday Derek got off work early (about 5:30) and we headed for Macon Georgia. We wanted to go camping but the weather didn't cooperate so we stayed in a dumpy hotel. The kids were so excited about staying in a hotel and that it had a swimming pool. It was an out door pool so we didn't get to swim too much because it rained a lot.

In Macon we went to the Georgia music hall of fame. We went there about a year ago and Jensen loved it so much we went back. We didn't see too much in the museum but spent 1 1/2 hours in the children's area. They have instruments you can play. The drums were Jensen's favorite. Siesa mostly enjoyed running around and screaming it's a good thing it was a very rainy Saturday morning and there wasn't anyone else there. After visiting the museum we went to lunch and headed home, it was a little nice trip.

Pigtails

Siesa had a very important day in her life. For the first time we were able to do her hair and put little bows in it. Derek thinks she looks much more mischievous with her pigtails.