Jake's new favorite pasttime is dancing in the livingroom. His moves are pretty amazing I must say, but I was particularly impressed with this new introduction he came up with the other day, to Billy Jean. Let the whole thing upload before you start for the best effect. ;)
Why do I get the feeling that everyone in his high school - including the staff, principal and vice-principal - are going to know who Jake Hillstead is?!
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Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Me at 30 and a half years old
Been thinking about some things in the shower tonight and want to get a snap shot of myself at this time in my life down on paper. Blogging has clearly become my journal of sorts in recent years - and I love it. That's one thing about me I guess, to start.
But who am I at 30 and a half years old? Here I go (in no particular order)...
I am a seven-months-pregnant mother of almost four precious children. I weigh as much as I ever have in my life - and I daydream about the day when I can get back on the road with my ipod on "fast mix" and feel the burn again. (The only burn I've been feeling as of late is that of my heart.) I daydream about the day this little baby girl arrives - I am getting more and more excited. 66 days - but whose counting? I also daydream about that fantastic vacation Tyler and I took in February - it was a week of heaven on so many fronts. I am the wife of an amazingly dedicated and hardworking man who puts in long days everyday to provide for us. I do my best to take care of the "behind the scenes" work here at home with the kids, their school work, their doctors appointments, their after school activities, their homework, our meals, laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, and all the rest while he does his part to fight dragons, put cash in the bank and come home a happy, loving man each night. We make a great team. During the week I wear many hats; family night coordinator on Mondays, room-mom on Tuesdays, cub-scout leader on Wednesdays, "hot date" on Fridays, Sunday school teacher on Sundays. I encourage practicing the piano, spelling, math homework, kindness. I require dishes to be unloaded, clothes to be put away, rooms to be tidied, books to be read, seatbelts to be worn, and food to be eaten. I enjoy swimming with my kids, floating in the pool on a noodle (the whole weightless thing in cold water is real nice right about now) and going to water aerobics class at the gym with the friendly white-haired people. I love completing projects around the house, marking things off my to-do lists, being busy, tiring myself out completely and then having my feet rubbed in front of a good show. I enjoy being on the computer, checking email, posting pictures, blogging, watching those great new Mormon videos on youtube and playing Solitare once in a while. I sleep pretty bad at night these days, think I may have restless leg syndrome and sometimes catch myself wishing I had a sleep number bed ... I see many signs of getting older... but most of them are okay. So that's me at 30.
But who am I at 30 and a half years old? Here I go (in no particular order)...
I am a seven-months-pregnant mother of almost four precious children. I weigh as much as I ever have in my life - and I daydream about the day when I can get back on the road with my ipod on "fast mix" and feel the burn again. (The only burn I've been feeling as of late is that of my heart.) I daydream about the day this little baby girl arrives - I am getting more and more excited. 66 days - but whose counting? I also daydream about that fantastic vacation Tyler and I took in February - it was a week of heaven on so many fronts. I am the wife of an amazingly dedicated and hardworking man who puts in long days everyday to provide for us. I do my best to take care of the "behind the scenes" work here at home with the kids, their school work, their doctors appointments, their after school activities, their homework, our meals, laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, and all the rest while he does his part to fight dragons, put cash in the bank and come home a happy, loving man each night. We make a great team. During the week I wear many hats; family night coordinator on Mondays, room-mom on Tuesdays, cub-scout leader on Wednesdays, "hot date" on Fridays, Sunday school teacher on Sundays. I encourage practicing the piano, spelling, math homework, kindness. I require dishes to be unloaded, clothes to be put away, rooms to be tidied, books to be read, seatbelts to be worn, and food to be eaten. I enjoy swimming with my kids, floating in the pool on a noodle (the whole weightless thing in cold water is real nice right about now) and going to water aerobics class at the gym with the friendly white-haired people. I love completing projects around the house, marking things off my to-do lists, being busy, tiring myself out completely and then having my feet rubbed in front of a good show. I enjoy being on the computer, checking email, posting pictures, blogging, watching those great new Mormon videos on youtube and playing Solitare once in a while. I sleep pretty bad at night these days, think I may have restless leg syndrome and sometimes catch myself wishing I had a sleep number bed ... I see many signs of getting older... but most of them are okay. So that's me at 30.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Ashley's room make-over
A few weeks ago we moved all three kids' beds downstairs to the basement. The two upstairs rooms will now become the baby's room and my craft room/guest room. All the while we've lived here it's been like musical bedrooms in this house - but we are finally to a point where we can really situate things - and it feels so good!
So we have been redecorating all four rooms at once. A lot going on. But it's been fun (I must be "nesting"!).
Ashley's room is the first finished project. My mom and I worked all day Tuesday painting, hanging curtains, and making it look like a garden (Ashley's theme request) with colorful flower decals, butterflys, etc. When she and Luke got home from school we revealed the big surprise and she was thrilled.
We all love it. It is such a happy little garden room for a happy little girl who loves to use her imagination! :)
The room before - brown - had been Luke's
After - surprise!
We used green for the grass and blue for the sky and found a cute little picket fence bed
She's a happy girl
So we have been redecorating all four rooms at once. A lot going on. But it's been fun (I must be "nesting"!).
Ashley's room is the first finished project. My mom and I worked all day Tuesday painting, hanging curtains, and making it look like a garden (Ashley's theme request) with colorful flower decals, butterflys, etc. When she and Luke got home from school we revealed the big surprise and she was thrilled.
We all love it. It is such a happy little garden room for a happy little girl who loves to use her imagination! :)
The room before - brown - had been Luke's
After - surprise!
We used green for the grass and blue for the sky and found a cute little picket fence bed
She's a happy girl
Friday, August 20, 2010
Happy 17th Birthday Auntie Shelly!!
Hopefully you check my blog and will see this small dedication to you on your birthday. I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. Crazy! It has been so fun to have you in our family, to be your big sister and have you as an auntie to my kids. We love you and are so glad you moved back!! Score for us.
I couldn't find a picture of you with Jake anywhere - so we'll have to get an "August Birthdays" pic on Sunday and from now on of the two of you! XO XO
I couldn't find a picture of you with Jake anywhere - so we'll have to get an "August Birthdays" pic on Sunday and from now on of the two of you! XO XO
Saturday, August 14, 2010
We miss you already!
Ali and Paige, your plane hasn't yet left, but we said good-bye this morning - and we miss you already!
It was so much fun to have little Paigey working her way around our house and playing with the kids this week. And it is always a treat to spend with my sis - especially when we are prego together (six weeks apart, both girls)! Yogurt Jungle was our best friend... and the couch... and Kohls. Can't wait to see them again. We missed you too, Blake - you better come next time!
It was so much fun to have little Paigey working her way around our house and playing with the kids this week. And it is always a treat to spend with my sis - especially when we are prego together (six weeks apart, both girls)! Yogurt Jungle was our best friend... and the couch... and Kohls. Can't wait to see them again. We missed you too, Blake - you better come next time!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Back to School 2010
The kids are off. Ashley is in 1st grade this year, Luke is in 2nd and Jakey starts preschool three days a week. Everyone is excited! I am going to kick my feet up daily and await the arrival of this new little one for the next three months, is the plan anyway.
Last night we had a family meeting and talked about our goals for this new year. Luke and Ashley were nothing but cool, calm and collected as they anticipated starting today. They know the school, their teachers and have friends in their classes. Not too many nerves.
As Tyler and I lay in bed talking about what good kids they are I couldn't help but feel grateful for how well they both are doing in school, with making friends and just being happy in life. I count it as my greatest blessing to have kids who are happy and comfortable and confident in who they are.
So here's to another school year in the making!
Last night we had a family meeting and talked about our goals for this new year. Luke and Ashley were nothing but cool, calm and collected as they anticipated starting today. They know the school, their teachers and have friends in their classes. Not too many nerves.
As Tyler and I lay in bed talking about what good kids they are I couldn't help but feel grateful for how well they both are doing in school, with making friends and just being happy in life. I count it as my greatest blessing to have kids who are happy and comfortable and confident in who they are.
So here's to another school year in the making!
Jakey is the birthday boy!
Jake turns four this week! I love kids who are four because they are still so sweet and babyish, but are smart and say the cutest things! Not to mention, they seem way easier over-night as far as remembering rules and manners goes. We are in love with Jakey!Anyway, we had a big birthday party for him on Saturday. Invited all his little buddies over and had a blast! Jake had requested a bouncehouse (which we found one for the inside since outside is not an option right now!) and a pinata. He had a great time and all the little boys were so good. For dinner that night we met grandma and Shelly at the Rainforest Cafe and topped his day off with the giant volcano for dessert. Jakey is a fun, charismatic little boy and we are lucky to have him in our family!
The gang - Luke, Connor, Austin, Rigley, Jake, Hunter, Jace, Nate and Ash
Playing party games with daddy. Ty's the best.
Happy to have guys, guys and more guys
Ahh! The big surprise! Daddy got him another "googley guy" - just what he was hoping for!
Showing all his friends a present, look how good they did sitting a watching!
His stash
Cake time - he could hardly contain his excitement
Blew the candles out one by one
Gathering up their pinata finds
Mesmorized by chocolate and fire - just like his mother
Friday, August 6, 2010
Everything isn't hot anymore!
This morning I woke up with Jake about 6:15 and couldn't go back to sleep. I started thinking about all my to-dos, which have become pretty daunting being pregnant in this heat with three little kids in tow all summer. Simple running around doesn't feel very simple.
So I got up, got Jake's shoes on and we headed out for an early Walmart trip while daddy and the other's slept. It worked out delightfully. I was able to round up a full cart of groceries, school stuff and birthday party stuff in company with one little helper and we were done by 7:30.
In the parking lot on the way out Jacob stopped in his tracks, bent down and placed his open palm on the pavement. I worried, "Jakey, honey. Stand up. What are you doing?" And he looked up in amazment at the sky and then the road around him and said, "Mom, everything isn't hot anymore!"
It was a classic moment. It was nice to know that even he enjoyed getting our errands done before the heat cranked up!
(it was about 88 degrees at that point, now at 2pm we're pushing 108)
So I got up, got Jake's shoes on and we headed out for an early Walmart trip while daddy and the other's slept. It worked out delightfully. I was able to round up a full cart of groceries, school stuff and birthday party stuff in company with one little helper and we were done by 7:30.
In the parking lot on the way out Jacob stopped in his tracks, bent down and placed his open palm on the pavement. I worried, "Jakey, honey. Stand up. What are you doing?" And he looked up in amazment at the sky and then the road around him and said, "Mom, everything isn't hot anymore!"
It was a classic moment. It was nice to know that even he enjoyed getting our errands done before the heat cranked up!
(it was about 88 degrees at that point, now at 2pm we're pushing 108)
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Motherhood
I love the new Mormon Ads and this video in particular this week. Love the reminder. Love the warm feeling.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Time for a post - A day in the life
7-11 am - I do laundry and fill sacks with old clothes and toys for Goodwill
11am - We drop stuff at the Goodwill and head to the dentist
12pm - Appt for all three kids, I always think they look so cute in the dentist's chairs
1pm - Arrive at Target to do a little shopping, get some popcorn, kill some time, let's be honest.
3pm - get home, hot, worn out and ready to relax. Watch TV and swim for a couple hours.
5pm - head to Chick-fila family night for dinner (ty had a work dinner). Found that the Army, Sherriff's department and Fire Department were all there competing in eating contests. Funny.
6:30 pm - Went across the street to the library - talked to the librarian about new series' that my kids might like reading, checked out 23 items (plenty to read between now and school in ten days!). Got to the parking lot to find the weather had cooled, it was sprinkling and there was the most beautiful rainbow in the sky!
Great summer day.
11am - We drop stuff at the Goodwill and head to the dentist
12pm - Appt for all three kids, I always think they look so cute in the dentist's chairs
1pm - Arrive at Target to do a little shopping, get some popcorn, kill some time, let's be honest.
3pm - get home, hot, worn out and ready to relax. Watch TV and swim for a couple hours.5pm - head to Chick-fila family night for dinner (ty had a work dinner). Found that the Army, Sherriff's department and Fire Department were all there competing in eating contests. Funny.
6:30 pm - Went across the street to the library - talked to the librarian about new series' that my kids might like reading, checked out 23 items (plenty to read between now and school in ten days!). Got to the parking lot to find the weather had cooled, it was sprinkling and there was the most beautiful rainbow in the sky!
Great summer day.
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