Catching up

You can't see me!

 Clayton got to have the most funnest day yesterday playing with his friend Gwen Dunn, they sat together, eat together, hid in the same spots together in hide-n-seek, and they made a HUGE mess in the house together.  He hadn't played with her in a while so they had a lot to catch up on...lol, they were so cute together.  The funny thing is that even though Clayton is several hours older than her, she is taller and a little bigger than him.  He is my bite size boy.

On Saturday we all attended the ward Christmas party, I showed up a little late of course, coming from work at the same time it started.  Chris dressed up Clayton in his pjs and Christmas hat, since it was a pj event with breakfast being served for dinner.  It was so yummy, there was breakfast casserole, crepes, and hash-browns..yum!  After dinner there was this beautiful musical performance by the local high school choir, one of the yw was in it.  Then of course we had a special visitor....SANTA!!!  Clayton was so excited to see him, I think because all the other kids were, but as soon as it was our turn to say hi, he froze.  LOL, but he was very happy to get a candy cane afterwards :D.

  Chris's parents and sister DiVeena came with, they kind of invited themselves to come along once they heard that we were having one and going.  Which I thought would be a little akward, but it turned out pretty nice, they seemed to have fun and got along well with some of the members, they chatted with some till the very end, even after everything was put away.  Oh, I do have to mention a little something about how well everything was decorated.  Not only was the gym decorated with giant scenery canvases, lights, figureings, and more, the hallways all had decorations as well.  Chris was really surprised that the walkway to the church was even decorated with candy canes, lights, and wreaths.  I thought it was way neat.  *Side story*  It turns out that after all the decorating there was there was one giant candy cane left not out, so Bishop had it sitting in his office in the corner next to the picture of Christ that he needed hung.  We were in there for tithing settlement on Sunday and he offers it to Clayton, who is obviously noticing it and touching it...great!  Clayton loves that thing, he uses it as an instrument, a beating tool, a staff, and much more.

We had so much fun these last several days just goofing off around the house with our little man.  Chris and I just took random pictures of ourselves, mainly because Clayton loves the camera so much and kept wanting to see himself in it..lol!  So here are some fun/cute shots that we got. 

As I am writing up this post Clayton is sitting next to me laughing at all the pictures that are up and pointing everything out, remembering thing about when we took them, he is such a smart little boy.  I do have to admit that it was way fun having him hold me tight to take a picture or trying to get me to pose funny.  And if I say so myself, Chris had fun too.

 On Thursday Jessica invited Clayton and I to go see the Festival of the Trees.  I had never been before and Chris was okay that we went without him, so off we went to meet her and the kids there.  Her main reason for going wasn't just for the trees and the kids, but to induce her labor from all the walking...silly girl can't wait for that baby girl to pop out.  Which is understandable, I couldn't wait for Clayton to come, I actually didn't sleep at all the night before I was scheduled to be induced with him.

As you can tell, this is one of Clayton's favorite trees.  This Sponge Bob tree was the first thing he saw when we came in and he was so excited and started yelling Sponge Bob's name, so we of course had to take a picture with it.

Big Helper

Clayton is such a big helper, he helped Maylyn walk her neighbor's dog.  The neighbor is this elderly man that has cancer and can't get around very well.  I am not sure if Clayton was really walking the dog or the dog was walking him...lol!

Clayton is 2!!

My little baby is officially two now...I can't believe how fast time has gone by.  We celebrated his birthday with the Jensen side on Thanksgiving, which I think it was a little overwhelming because all of the kids were almost in his lap as he opened presents.  But he did get to wake up to a front room filled with balloons, streamers, and a birthday sign.  Then he got to open a present from his Auntie Alexis and family.  He got away with a lot of fun toys.

Family Photos

Our family photos turned out so well, I love the ones of our little man, he is such a cutie.  I do have to say, I wish I looked a little better in some of them, no worries, next year about this time I should be a lot skinnier...for sure.

First snow of the winter

  Clayton loves the snow, the snow suit we got him last year on sale is still big on him, but he still looks so darn cute in it. 

Time to make a snow angel.

Helping mom and dad clean off the car...well the snow anyways from somewhere.

Vote

Clayton and I went to vote yesterday, it was really nice to be able to teach him the importance of voting and him seeing mommy do it.

A month later

It has been about a month since I started my Herbalife diet/lifestyle, and I proud to say that I have lost 12.5lbs and 11.75" all over my body...yay!  My stomach has definitely shrank and I can't stand to eat a bunch of junk food anymore.  I am so proud of myself.  Chris said that he has noticed a big difference too, for one I am happier, I look toner, and parts of my body looks thinner.  I am loving life right now, soon I will be were I want to be in health and size.  I will post a new picture once I have reached 20lbs down :D

OOOOoooo...Halloween fun

 We had so much fun this Halloween, Clayton got to spend the whole day wearing his costume and going from one store to another.  He got a yummy sucker and a small can of 7up from Dan's a 1/4 a bucket full of candy from Auntie Bekah's shop, Summit Shutters, and then some candy from going out to lunch with Bekah at Red Robin.  From there we went to play with Gwen as her mommy went to a doctors appointment and then we met up with daddy at Grandma Jensen's work downtown.  I was shocked how much candy he got there, they completly filled up his bucket with treats, I loved that it was just not all candy but some juice and crackers too.  Of course Grandma had to make sure she topped off his bucket, by then he was so tired that he clonked out on the way home and we just put him down for a short nap, with his bucket of course. 

Clayton got to go trick or treating with us and the Seversons.  He loved being able to run to all the doors with Lynnda, Alma, and Kally and yell trick or treat and thank you.  We were out for about an hour and a half and by the end he was so tired of walking, at one point he would bend over and grab his legs or set his bucket down, poor guy was having to much fun to realize that his legs were tired.  Man is he becoming a big boy.

Pre-Halloween Time

 Clayton loves his little frog costume, he wants to wear it all the time.  The other day, on Friday, he wanted to wear it so bad that Chris let him and the next thing we know he was knocked out with all his stuff frogs.  He is so stinking adorable in it. 

Later that night Chris's parents had their ward trunk or treat, and they do a great job at it too.  They always have a dinner, costume parade, spooky alley, and then the outdoor trunk or treat.  Now that Clayton is a little older he is more aware of what is going on and had a blast with all the other kids in their costumes.  But it was funny watching him go up to a car that was all decorated and a brother in a mask.  He was so scared that he started to cling on the the young kid next to him, as if he was going to save him.  All Chris could do was stand there and laugh at him, the poor guy.  He banked though, he got so much candy that I pretty sure he wouldn't mind sharing with his mommy and daddy. 

We went to our friend's, Rick Shurtliff's, house for a Halloween party.  The whole outside of his was decorated and scary.  I was walking up to the door and stepped on a mat and next thing I know a giant spider came flying down on me.  Needless to say I screamed and hid behind Rick once he opened the door.  I hate spiders, plus I didn't see it coming.  The inside of his house was well decorated too, and there was so much yummy food that he spent a whole week making...yummy!!  I do have to admit that I went a little over-board on the treats when I shouldn't have.

Now we have our own ward trunk or treat on Halloween and Clayton and I are going to go to Bekah's work to see her and to go out to lunch.

New do

 I got this super cute hair cut by my friend Tiffany, she is the manager over at Super Cuts off of Highland Dr.  I had to get in before she left for maternity leave, she is due in like 10 weeks.  I decided that whenever I have my hair medium length or longer it always ends up in a ponytail, so why not just avoid it all and have it short.  I don't like my hair on my neck really.  When I came home and started to clean up the house after my cut Chris was so lovely to point out that the angle of my cut makes my double chin stick out more and is more noticeable...thanks!  I know he is just trying to be honest, but dang.  Oh well, I still love it.  I had my hair cut similar to this when I graduated high school back in 2005, and I had so much fun with it.  Plus it literally took me like 5 minutes to do my hair and makeup this morning.  I know everyone at work will like it, plus they are always saying that I need to look more trendy and not so just thrown together, so here's to it.

Clayton has been so naughty most of the morning.  It all started in the bath, he decided to dump cup full of water out of the tub and all over the phone.  Just because you say 'ugh oh!' doesn't mean that it was an accident and that it was already there and you noticed it.  Then after the bath he went to finish up his bowl of oatmeal and decided to dump it all over my dining room floor...URGH!  So he ended up on the time out mat, which we really need to start doing more often.  He needs a little more structure in the discipline area.  This wouldn't have usually bothered me so much except he had done it all night long with things he was given, he drinking water, the pretzels, and more.  He'll get it after a few times in time out.  But you have to admit, he does look so darn cute sitting there, he only whined for a few seconds really.  Joys of being a parent.

Chris and I found  a house that we want to try and put an offer down on, with the help of our amazing friend and realtor Jeff Weaver.  It is over in West Jordan, close to the Seversons, my sister in law's family.  The basement is mostly done, it just needs to be painted and the carpet installed and we need to put counters and cabinets in the kitchen...but doing it ourselves allows it to feel more like ours.  Can't wait to find out if our offer is accepted...please pray for us.

Week 2

After being on my new diet/life plan for two weeks I have seen a huge difference in my life.  Not only have I already lost 11.5lbs and have lost 7.75" throughout my body, but I feel great.  I am not so emotional, depressed, and all that stuff like I was before...I am surprised I haven't tried Herbalife and exercise before, together.  I will post new pictures of me once I have reached the 20lb marker.  So excited to be healthy and skinny.  Now I just need to get another baby going and figure out why I am not having a cycle anymore...off to call the doctors.

Rough Thursday Night

My poor little boy ended up at Primary Children's hospital with a dislocated shoulder.  He was at his cousin's house playing downstairs with the big kid and had brought over his 2-3 foot slide to play with.  Next thing we know we could here him crying downstairs, so Chris went down to get him and couldn't get him to stop crying.  Everyone, but me, thought and said that he was okay and was just being wining.  I tried to get him to grab his cup and noticed that he wouldn't/couldn't move his left arm and that it was hanging a little funny.  Then I sat him down on the counter and felt his shoulders thinking something isn't right, while the other four adults in the room kept telling me that he was just fine...WRONG!!  I could obviously feel that his left shoulder was sticking out some, and after me pointing it out so did Chris and DiVeena.  It was obviously dislocated and we rushed over to the clinic thinking, not again.  It was only a year ago that he had broken that exact same arm.  That was the main thing that was going through Chris's head, 'not again.'  Once arriving at the clinic they took a look at him real quick and the doctor felt his shoulder and told us that we just need to go up to Primary Children's just in case it was more than just a dislocation, they thought it might have been a fractured collar bone too.  Lucky for us, it was just dislocated and they popped it right back in.  I was hesitant at first with letting the doctor do so because the last time they thought it was just nurse-made elbow it turned out that it was fractured as well as dislocated.  But after about 5 minutes of talking to me about everything I agreed to just them try and pop it back in, within minutes Clayton stopped crying and was a lot happier.  To test that he could move his arm and was fine they brought in a orange popsicle and if he moved his arm to grab it he got to have it, if not it was off to x-ray.  My poor little man had a rough night, this all happened at like 7:30pm Thursday night, needless to say I did not go to work the next day.  Clayton is such a strong brave little man, I love him so much.

Week One

This week I did so well with my new life plan, I have lost a total of 5.5lbs and 2.5" around my body.  I started to do Herbalife and make sure I get to the gym as much as I can, and it is actually paying off.  It was a little hard at first adjusting to only eating one high protein meal a day with just one carb, but the fact that I got to have snacks and then some yummy shakes for breakfast and dinner helped some.  Just think how you'd feel if you HAD to have a chocolate shake for dinner every night?  Love it!

Last week Chris and I got a gift certificate to Hollywood Connection in which we decided to go for family night.  We took Clayton skating for the first time, and it was the first time in a long time for Chris and I.  Clayton looked so cute with his giant skates on, but that didn't bother him at all, he really did enjoy himself.

Last Wednesday Lindsey and I took the boys on the tracks to go to the Children's museum.  The boys, Clayton and Maddox, really do love vehicles, especially work trucks and trains.  It shocks me at times to see Clayton playing and realize that he doesn't need me much anymore to entertain him 24/7, he is a big boy now.

Oh Daddy!

   Chris cracks me up, the other night I had asked him to get Clayton changed and ready for bed as I finish up something I was doing.  He was changing him next to the bathroom door in our room and next thing I knew he was like 'tadaaa'....He had snapped Clayton's onsie over his pants, so funny.  The sad part was that Clayton didn't know what to think about it, he just kept pulling on his onsie and thinking something isn't right.  Silly daddy.

The other day, on Wednesday, I took Clayton to the zoo with Lindsey and Maddox, he seem to have had a lot of fun.  Lindsey brought her mom's wagon so we could pull the boys, part of me felt like Clayton was more amused with the wagon then the animals there.  Then again, he has been to the zoo several times already this year and this was his first time on a wagon.  I think I might have to get him on, he fully enjoyed riding around in it and even pulling it.  Unfortunately he didn't do a good job pulling it with Maddox in it, it was a tad to heavy for him.

The cool part about being at the zoo is being able to see the new Rocky Shores exhibit, where they have the sea otters, sea lion, and the new polar bear.  The neat thing was while everyone was trying to see the bear in the inside exhibit where you can see under the water, we stood outside and there she was entertaining us and having a good time herself.  Right where Clayton was standing she would swim right up and flip back, she did that so many times.  Clayton had the best seat in the house. :)  But after a while Clayton started to get a little nervous with the bear flipping in front of him and the kids starting to crowd around him to see the bear.  But all in all we had a blast at the zoo, like we normally do.

We found out the other day, as well, that Maddox will be a big brother, how fun!  Chris asked me if my friends all being pregnant makes me a little more anxious to be so myself.  The funny thing is, you would think so, but I am actually okay with it all.  I know that it will happen when it does.  I try to keep myself busy enough to not think about it to much, plus Clayton keeps me busy enough and I am really enjoying spending more time with him now that my schedule is back down to part time...yay!

CHANGES

My sister recommended I read this blog by her roommate from college, it is about her struggle with her weight.  Can I say 'WOW,' I can really relate to her.  I emailed her in hopes that she could be a mentor for me or someone that can help me on this journey, especially because she has been there herself.  So here are some pictures of me right now, as I commence my journey, they aren't the greatest.  No holding or sucking it in or anything.  Wow, I can't believe I am posting this, but to all my readers, maybe you can help me be accountable too...gotta do this for myself, my husband, and my children.  No more excuses, I just not happy with myself right now, there has to be a change. 

Mom's Saturday off

This past Saturday I actually had the day off so we had some fun as a family.  The day started off with Chris and I dropping off the little man at Jessica's house so we could help the Evan's move.  Then we went to lunch with them to Sizzlers...yum.  Then we picked up Clayton and went to Wheeler Farm to feed the ducks, he fully enjoyed that.  He is still afraid of the horses, which was actually a funny story.  Clayton and Chris headed over to the horses as I was talking on the phone with Alexis and next thing I know the horse sneezed and Clayton took off running with freight and Chris chased after him.  It was so sad but cute at the same time.  Then I took him back to see the horse, thinking he is with mom so it will be better.  But we got a up close look at a horse's nose.  We were standing next to it watching him eat when he decided to say hi and lifted his head over the gate and got an inch away from our faces.  LOL!

Clayton is really loving being at Lindsey's house, he gets to go to the zoo, go for ice cream, play cars, and even pop fresh popcorn.  He loves hanging out with his good friend Maddox.  Which reminds me, Maddox is going to be a big brother.  Lindsey announced to me today that they just found out that they are expecting, which is so amazing since they have been trying since April...I just hope that we find out real soon that we are too.

Streeker

This morning has been so eventful.  Our little man got to jump in the shower with me and refused to get out, then he got all dried up and lotioned with daddy.  As I was getting ready I decided to paint my nails,  thinking it would just be nice to have a little color in my life, plus my nails are all long now.  Chris was sitting with me on the bed as I was doing so then our little man surprised us.  Clayton came into the room yelling about caca and ew....low and behold he had taken off his diaper which he had pooped in and was grossed out about it. So Chris jumped out of the bed and grabbed him while me with my wet nails tried to get a diaper and stuff to get him cleaned up...so proud of myself because I didn't mess them up.  Clayton was so funny about it all, he was just saying ew the whole time as we tried to take care of him and then I got the privilege to go and search the house for any diaper remains/content.  Man what a morning.

I'm at work and.... *Lauren loves Victoria*....this was typed by my friend Lauren Perrier that I work with while she sat at my desk, silly girl. Here is a picture of the two of us from a while ago as we crossed paths at the zoo.  She cracks me up, definitely lightens up my day at work.

We went to a LAN party last night at the Severson's and I was actually shocked that Chris wanted to bring the computer, for the longest time he didn't want to because he was afraid that he would slow everyone down on the games. But he did bring it and had fun.  He got home at like 1:30am and I left at like 9:45pm to get Clayton home and in his bed, which I clonked out too and didn't realize Chris was home and in bed with me till way later this morning.  Gosh, there just isn't enough hours in a day.  Clayton was so sad that I left this morning, my hours really need to go back down to part time because it is really impacting him.  He just cried and screamed when I left this morning and was banging on the window crying as he watched me leave, so sad.

Fun times

OMG...my son cracks me up so bad, we were having dinner on Tuesday and I had made my lazy man lasagna, so yummy.  Before I could add the meat and dish out all the food Clayton pushed over a chair and had commenced eating out of the pan and was shoveling the food in his mouth as fast as he could before his daddy came and got him.  And as you can tell from the photo, after he was done eating he was told that he might need a bath.  Clayton loving baths wasn't going to chance 'may' needing one, he made sure he got one.  He rubbed his dirty hands all over his face and put his bowl on the top of his head...it wasn't empty either.  So I thinking it was funny grabbed the camera and he posed for the picture, that is him saying cheese.  LOL...I love him!

Yesterday being my day off, you would think I would take it easy after being sick almost all week with sinusitis.  Nope, I had to wash clothes, go grocery shopping, stop at the bank, find Clayton some church shoes, get tomatoes from my in laws' garden for Chris, rearrange and go through our storage unit so we can put our bikes in there instead of in our bedroom and van, and much much more.  Then I made a delicious dinner of broccoli, chicken, and cheese soup.  Days off aren't really like a day off at all, it seems to be one of my most busiest days out of all of them.  Clayton was getting cranky through all the errands but he did love getting his picture taken though.  The picture with him in black he was actually saying 'cheese.'  Too cute!

I am so tired today, I worked at the temple this morning and one of the gals from the next shift was there a little early and we sat and chatted for a while.  Her husband is a doctor and we were talking about my health and my issue with weight and my thyroids.  She suggested that I ask about hashimoto disease.  Evidently it attacks the thyroid and causes the medicine to not work as effectively.  The thing is, the is the second time someone has mentioned that to me in the last month...maybe I should have mine tested or find out if that is my problem.  Gotta talk to Chris about it later tonight.

Utah State Fair

 So as you can tell from the many pictures, we had a lot of fun at the Utah State Fair last week.  We went last Wednesday with Marcella and her boys.  Clayton and Chris really enjoyed the hilarious divers that played around like clowns on the diving board, the only thing I could really see is the pounding sun in my face.  But I do have to agree that they were kind of funny with their jokes and colorful suits.

We took Clayton to look at all the animals at the fair, which we had to see them all so Lorimar can pass of one of his scout things.  I thought he would love it, since we go to Wheeler Farm all the time and look at the animals there...nope!  He was actually really afraid of them, especially the roosters that kept crowing.  It was so funny watching him cling to Chris and I every time the chickens and roosters made a sound.  When we got to see the cows, that was a different story.  Clayton thought it was funny that the cows were mooing so he did it too and it was so dang hilarious, it was as if he was trying to talk back to them.

As we walked around the fair they had some of these boards you could stick your face in and take pictures, which we did.  Hence the reason we have all these cool pictures of us on the farm..lol!

Potty training Clayton is going really slow, we are kind of taking our time with it till he is really showing interest in it.  He did one day want to go sit on the potty though.  He was playing with his Halloween costume that we just got him and in taking it off he felt like he had to take his diaper off too.  Which he kind of tore in the process, then Chris took him to the bathroom were he persisted on having a potty snack, which is one of the M&Ms we have in the potty jar for when he goes.  Then I asked him if he wanted to wear big boy undies, thinking he wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about, which he didn't but still said yes.  I got out a pair of spider man undies...way cute.  He thought it was the coolest thing EVER!  Which I have to agree, he did look so darn cute in them.  My little boy is getting to big.  Chris didn't like the idea of having him in just undies so to make him feel better I put them on over his diaper, which Clayton didn't care either way.  Here is some adorable pics of him in his costume and then in his cool big boy undies.  Many has he grown up fast...I love being a mom!