Jana’s Blog

Potty Training

The Pillow Pet Chart!!!

Benji helping him color the last box!

I DID IT!

'it's a pillow...'

Packer officially completed his “Potty Chart” and is now the proud owner of a PILLOW PET ! He is so happy. They have done a great marketing job on PBS and all of my kids want one SOOO BAD. Packer told me today that he should be on the TV now, and Benji told me that “it’s only a 20$ gift when I told him they cost way to much to just go buy him one. Anyway, It was a glorious day for Packer and a hard day for Benji but such is life. I AM JUST GLAD TO HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD THAT DOES NOT NEED DIAPER CHANGING – woot woot!

hmmm she wants to be big. It didn't work though - I am still changing her diapers.

The HAPPIEST boy on earth

and the SADDEST kids ever! - life is not fair

Cali and Markers

look like trouble?? SHE IS!

She loves MARKERS, Every cute little girl needs marker on her face!!

Demolition Derby

the handlebars

@ the Demolition Derby! 8th year in a row!!

The Trophy - that we did NOT win sorry Benji

Pickle Eaters

more pickles please

What kids actually like pickles?? these two do! Packer begged to bring them to the dinner table and Cali screamed when they were all gone so we had to go get the other jar.      yuck

We went to the pool on Friday!

Loves his goggles and loves the freedom of the tube

you never know what a day at the pool will be like with these two

My only complaint… Why can’t any of the pools  have open swim in the morning hours before my children are exhausted and need naps? The pool from 11am to 1pm would be so nice… In the meantime we go a few times a year and stay as long as the youngest child will let us.

Cali in her goggles, ready to jump... she'll wear and do whatever the bros. are doing. AND she and Packer have successfully bitten little holes in all of the other swimmies throughout the summer.

Packer wants to jump in without any floaties - he's learning!

The best part was that LaNell came with us! That’s why we actually have pictures at the pool. Everyone needs a LaNell in their lives!! … she held one or two of the kids, taught swimming lessons and then took each of the kids on the BIG slide 5-7 times!! The kids had a blast.

Benji and Packer learning the 'Superman'

3 months ago Packer wouldn't put his face in - NOW he won't keep it out!

Underwater Shot - Benj really wants to learn to swim like his big cousins

LaNell mentioned going on the big slide and they all wanted to try it. We have never gone because this one mom can’t take 3 of them down at a time and can’t trust them to sit and wait… anyway, Packer went first and loved it. Benji went and then Cali had to have a turn She spent a good hour taking each of the kids on the slide!!

Cali at the top of the slide! She went at least 3 times.

I need someone to take me on the slide... thanks LaNell!! I owe you.

Chillin at the beach front while Lan and Benji were on the slide.

Packer got cold and was ready to be done. Benji was the Flyer for a little 3 flies up with his cousin PJ and Cali just stayed in the water with LaNell, she did not want to be done.

Daring little swimmer!

Look at her pushing her limits!!

Thanks again LaNell. Probably our last pool day for this year but it was a fun one.

Hooray for Independence Day!

July 3^rd, Saturday Afternoon

We said goodbye to Than, Erica and kids on Saturday afternoon. Erica and I had to get a pregnant picture since we are due on the same day…

Two BIG beautiful Bellies with little girls due on September 30th

Erica and Jana, our goodbye picture

I had to include this picture because I am standing on a step and am still miniature compared to Erica!

Saturday Night

We went to the PG CITY fireworks with some of the local cousins and the Wisconsin cousins. The kids played and played while we waited for dark. This was the first time we convinced Benji not to plug his ears during the whole thing. It was a good show.

Duck Duck Goose with the cousins

The Sun Finally went Down!

Ready for the FIREWORKS!!

Enjoying the show!

July 4^th, Sunday Night

After a good day at church we let the kids do sparklers before bed and then we watched a few of the Miller’s fireworks next door.

sparkler time

Love Cali's face here - she does EVERYTHING her brothers do

Glow Stick Fun

Proud to be an American...

at the neighbors

July 5^th, Monday

We took the kids fishing this afternoon just up the road in Cedar Hills. It was great just to be outside, at the water, enjoying the summer heat. And tonight for FHE we finally took the opportunity to explain what the 4th of July is all about and why we celebrate. I’m grateful to live in a land of Freedom!

Our Little Fishermen...

Where did the bobber go? did we catch something??

The boys with their first catch! We didn't expect to catch anything so it was exciting.

after this post I will let it go…

Ben went Deep Sea fishing on Thursday!

The boat ride to Lanai - I lost my lunch on the way back.

Ben, Matt and Rick in the bamboo

Dinner at Canoes in Lahaina

The waterfall hike!

The boys on the beach

We enjoyed some malasadas for breakfast

Night out at the Magic Show

One more pic of our favorite Bamboo forest.

We had a great vacation. We loved spending time with family and with each other. We had lots of time to chat and relax and go on adventures. All of Ben’s siblings were there except one and his parents. We missed our kids but knew they were in good hands. Highlights were snorkeling with the turtles, riding the waves, fishing, shopping without kids, seeing dolphins, and LOTS of yummy food. The only disappointment was ‘Big Beach’, Ben and I loved that beach 4 years ago and did some fun boogie boarding but when we went on Friday the waves were breaking on the shore and the life guard kept warning people to stay out booo, maybe next time, whenever that may be. Luckily both of our families are addicted to Hawaii so there is bound to be another trip in our future. Until then, good bye hawaii,  and good bye lazy days without any kids to tend to.

We are having another little girl! It will be equal number of boys and girls and that is what is most important when you are 3-5 years old Cali is still clueless but has taken to talking to my stomach. Packer cried because he wanted a brother so we bribed him with getting a new bunk bed because the girls will need his bed. And Benji just thinks it’s good cause we will have 3 boys in the family and now 3 girls. We are excited!! Can the next 4 months go quickly please?

Radiologist said I’m measuring about a week small so baby might not come until October.

Radiologist also found an EIF in the heart, I don’t know exactly what that means, my Dr. said it means a chance of the baby having Down Syndrome. Wikipedia says this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echogenic_intracardiac_focus.