2014 House Face-lift

Our house has had a big face-lift this year!

No more bushes, new fence, new roof, new paint!

YARD BEFORE:

DURING:

AND AFTER:

FENCE:

ROOF:

and last but not least, PAINT! It's like a whole new house!

Next years project is to get some grass to grow!!!

It Clicked

Jack and Owen are two years apart. Owen arrived two days after Jacks 2nd birthday. People always ask me how Jack likes having a brother and I usually say he's fine about it, doesn't mind much either way. He ignored him for the first few weeks of Owens life then took a while to make the connection that this little thing was "bebe" like he'd been practicing and he was here to stay. Jack is in his own world about 90% of the time. He likes to observe others playing rather than play with them(which is quickly starting to change.)

But today something was different. Jack said, "baby Owen" for the first time today and kept saying it. He brought toys to Owen to play with. Jack gave him a ring, watched him play with it and when he dropped it, picked it up and put it back into Owens wobbly, uncoordinated hand. I had laid Owen on the bed and was stroking his back when Jack came in and hopped up right next to his brother. They giggled at each other when Jack jumped on and off the bed. I left and peeked in 5 minutes later- they were still giggling at each other. Later, I laid Owen on a blanket on the floor and Jack laid next to him, smiled and said, "Owen!" Over and over!

The biggest thing that ssurprised me today was when Jack offered his blankie to Owen. His blankie. That he takes everywhere. That he cries when anyone else touches it. That he's chewed the corners to shreds. This blankie, the thing he loves most in the world, he gave to Owen. It was so sweet I actually started to well up some tears! Granted, he took it back after what looked like a very nervous 10 seconds. But he offered it to his brother. Totally the sweetest.

I can already see them pushing each other in go carts down the street, fighting over toys, sleeping in the same bed, going everywhere together and getting into the toothpaste or food storage peanut butter, wheat and macaroni(if you know my childhood stories, you'll get that reference).

Siblings are the best.


(written November 1 2014)

Daddypile, Knobs and PJs

So. I have a few stories to document.

Jack is going through a phase where he goes without clothes 87% of the day. It's only been a problem a few times. He escaped out the front door completely naked and ran across the yard. Luckily, the only person that saw was our neighbors who were driving by. They are sisters that live together and thought it was so funny.

The other day, Jack was routinely running around the house completely naked when he jumped up on the couch to look our huge front window- head to toe visible, watching the neighborhood.

Daddy-pile. Every day when Colin walks through the door from work, Jack immediately says DADDY!! and insists that daddy run in circles with him and throw him on the couch. Daddy is his favorite for sure! And Jack keeps him busy!

I was doing dishes the other day and put Owen in the bumbo on a short table so he could watch. All the sudden, I turned around to find he had reached the drawer, pulled it out and was sucking on the handle. Thankfully I deep cleaned these things a few months ago. But this kid puts everything in his mouth!! I can already tell how different he is from Jack and he will give us a run for our money!!

We haven't done Christmas PJs before but I really wanted to do them this year but didnt want to pay an arm and a leg for them. So I thought I'd make some! How hard could that be. I found some really cute material and a pattern online. I made a shirt in 12 month size for Owen(he's 7 months). But when I went to put it on, it didnt fit over his head- not a chance. It was the wrong kind of material. It wasn't stretchy. Seriously? Talk about a bummer. So I gave up. Until we got some Christmas money from Colins Grandpa and I knew just what to use it for! I found the boys Christmas PJ tops for a reasonable price! Christmas PJs 2014- Check! We did it. Now I can't get Journey out of my head...

Life with the boys

Christmas is almost here. I cant believe it's already been another year for our family!!

 

Jack is now two and a half. He hates wearing clothes and it's not that I don't try to keep them on him. I will dress him multiple times a day but after a few minutes, 30 if I'm lucky, he wants them back off. Luckily, its winter and we stay inside most of the time. I guess if it were summer, I wouldn't care very much either. This is a battle I choose not to send in my toughest cavalry.

His speech is starting to explode. Still working on multiple words but its comin along.

Current vocab selections:

MING- green, his favorite color

SET GO!- then runs and runs and runs

MAWEEEE- mary from the nativity

TWEE- Christmas tree

DUM!- jump, which he does off everything more than an inch off the ground

BOO BA- blue bath, every bath must have color

GO, BYE-BYE, HOME- things he says when he wants to leave, usually right when we arrive

ANG ANG EEAH- blankie. HIS blankie. Origin: ang-ie, ang-ang-ie, ang-ang-eeah. Cracks me up.

BOOK- but only nice, thick expensive ones. Thin ones are boring. Kids books- also boring.

EES- said with teeth together. Eggs. He drops them onto a plate- coolest thing since sliced bread.

BABA- bottle. With milk. All day. Every day.

FWIESSS- French fries. He could eat this for every meal. But I'm not that bad of a mom.

 And of course Mommy and Daddy. His favorite is Daddy. By far.
 

 Owen is 7 months old. Anything and everything within reach goes in his mouth. Jack was not like that so I am constantly picking things off the floor. It doesn't help that Jack so lovingly shares everything with Owen. The other day, I looked in the back of the car to see Owen had the bag of trail mix from Jack and had dumped the crumbs all over his head while thrashing the bag around. The violence.

He still doesn't sleep through the night. I think the longest hes ever slept is 5 hours. One of these days I'll sleep train him. And potty train Jack. And keep on top of laundry. And practice my cello. And paint the bathroom. Just add it to the list of things I want and need to do. 

 

Colin has had a great year. He got into the Saint George Marathon and we went down as a family for the event. It was a crazy weekend. Colin finished a few minutes slower than he wanted but finished with an injured Achilles! He had a coworker who crossed the finish line, collapsed, and woke up in the Hospital a few hours later from extreme exhausted and dehydration. We count our blessings!

 

His work has been going great. He is so blessed to work with great people. He loves what he does and who he works with. He has been traveling more but only during December-March. It's definitely worth the sacrifice. We are very blessed.

 

I stopped teaching cello and piano when I had Owen earlier this year. I didn't know if or when I would be able to take back any students; mothering two kids is a full time job! After playing with a few of my former students for our stake Christmas program, I now feel ready. Not to mention one of them hasn't gotten another teacher, practices every day and it shows! I'll be taking a few students back at the beginning of the year and we'll see how it goes.

 

I feel like I am constantly pulling my phone out and taking pictures of these hooligans. My phone usually fills up pretty fast from videos and pictures. They are growing up so fast. They drive me crazy sometimes, but I love the sweet moments when they make each other laugh or when Jack falls asleep while laying on me or when Owen smiles and snuggles in my neck. To me, it's those precious things that make the insanity of raising kids worth it.

 

 

Jack decided to open a present before Christmas. They are now put away until Christmas day.

 

 One of the best things about having really little ones- you can work on their presents right in front of them and they don't even know! He's a pretty cute helper too:)

 

 

 

Out on a winter walk. There's no snow yet so we bundle up and venture out!

 

 

 

Owen with cousin Kayla.

 

 

 

Trip to Winco. Have you tried these carts? They should require a special license to drive but are awesome.

 

 

 

Jack talks to Owen when they play. Gibberish now but they will be bossing each other around soon.

 

 

 

This is not the best picture of me but figured I should put one of me on it. It's so classic- Jack with a comfort bottle, I did my hair(miraculously) but forgot about makeup, Owen is chewing on his sleeve, and the muffin on the table has a few Jack nibbles from it.

Merry Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas from the Campbell Family!! This was the boys first experience with Santa. This will be a classic in our family I'm sure!

During the Christmas season, we want to wish everyone well. Midst the trees, ornaments, presents and lights, lets not forget to remember the true meaning of Christmas. He is the gift and the meaning of Christmas. I love this video. brings the spirit and is beautiful!

 Our new nativity this year.