Andrew the Bon-Diggity Dancer

Andrew inherited Gwen's dancer genes. And it shows... as before he reached 18 months, he was bustin' some serious dance moves in our living room, to the beat of the Cheetah Girls.

Pay special attention to the part where the Cheetah Girls kick in some a cappella; he drops to all fours and gets his groove on! Very impressive!

Go Drew... Go Drew... Go Drew...

You'll see my daughters dancing in here too... Kimmie is a little Diva and I think her jamming-out skills have rubbed off on Andrew a little too.

Enjoy!

Not-So-Happy New Year

I had to return to make my return to blogging a happy one by posting about Mandi's baptism. This post is out of order some, but that's ok... cause this one wasn't as happy.

During the Christmas season, Ryan decided to play Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer all through December. He started by falling and scraping the top layer of skin off a nice chunk of his nose. Everytime it was about to heal completely, he'd fall again to reinjure it. The worst of the three episodes that made him suffer this symptom throughout December was when he was standing on a little toy basket we keep beside our couch. He was standing up to the arm of the couch on this basket, when he lost his footing and fell face first into the heater vent grate. All I can say is: "Ryan with your nose so bright... won't you guide my sleigh tonight?!"



It was all a precursor to a health nightmare that would begin on, you guessed it, New Year's Day. Why waste time when you can get an immediate start on the first day of the year, after all?

It began with Kimmie waking up on New Year's Day with Croup. After two visits to the instacare for Kimmie, we started getting her on the downhill; but Ryan and Andrew caught it before we could get Kimmie over hers.

If that wasn't bad enough, Ryan contracted an ear infection on top of it... so when we took the twins to the doctor, we were given Amoxicillin for both... a stronger dose for Ryan since he had the ear infection, and Andrew got his lower dosage just to make sure he didn't contract an infection too.

Well, when it rains, it pours. If that weren't enough, Ryan's little body decided to have an awful allergic reaction to the antibioitics.



Needless to say, Gwen and I rarely got sleep for the first three weeks of the new year, and it took its toll on our bodies. I ended up with Bronchitis bad enough to knock me out of work for three days, inducing some Pleurisy afterward, from which I was given steroids to try to make it go away faster, but that just started wigging my body out, so I immediately stopped taking that. Happy Happy, Joy Joy Joy!

Anyway, we're hoping we've had our fair share of illness for at least this half of the year. We're hoping for smooth sailing for a while, especially with Spring around the corner; cause we're sick of being sick. :)

Mandi's Beautiful Baptism Day

There aren't many blessings more wonderful in a father's life, than that of baptizing his children. Mandi reached the age of accountability and decided she wanted to be baptized.

It was all she could talk about for about a month-and-a-half. All she wanted was to reach her birthday, so she could get baptized. She wanted to have it happen on her birthday, but she, as patiently as she could, had to wait until January to do it. It couldn't come fast enough. :)

She invited everyone dear to her, including family, friends and Primary teachers. It was such a special day for her and she was beaming from ear-to-ear the entire weekend. Mandi was baptized, confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost on Saturday; and it was beautiful.

Sunday was fast and testimony meeting and Mandi decided on her own that she wanted to get up and bear her testimony to the congregation. In Matthew 21, Jesus said, "Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?"

I think that anyone in our ward that day would attest that her testimony was that. Normally young children require the assistance of parents to help them get their feelings expressed, but Mandi walked right up to the microphone and shared the tender feelings of her heart.

I really wish that I could've entered this blog entry back then while the words were fresh in my mind, because I was brought to tears it touched me so. Alas, my crazy busy life kept me away and now I must rely on the now-somewhat-faded memory of a couple months ago.

She expressed how warm and wonderful she felt inside as she got baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and how it made her want to do good and live her life as best she could to please her Heavenly Father. She mentioned how grateful she is that Jesus Christ gave His life for us that we might be forgiven of our sins and return to live with He and Heavenly Father again someday. She said it makes her really happy inside to know that she can be forgiven when she makes mistakes and can have the Holy Ghost help her feel happy again.

I really can't do it justice; her words were inspired.

I also had decided to bear my testimony and we had walked to the pulpit together to share them. A little cute sidenote I have to share... Our good friends Nathan and Jen Horner, who lived across the hall from our West Jordan apartment years ago, live in our current ward and their awesome son Timothy had also come up to bear his testimony. He sat down to wait his turn before Mandi and I had, but was trying to insist that we go first. He's so awesome. :) I had to keep convincing him to go first, because I wanted to follow-up after the kids so he wouldn't have to wait for my long-windedness. He kept insisting... but finally gave in. What a cutie...

Anyway, I found myself a little speechless (hard to believe, I know) after Mandi's spiritual edification and I had to pause, choked up, for a moment before I could share mine. It was definitely a "Parent Payoff" day, and I count myself blessed to have been a part of it. God certainly saved his choicest for this generation.

I'm grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my own life. And while I'm far from perfect, as you all know, I'm glad to know that my elder brother loves me enough to have suffered for all of my imperfections and has the patience to endure while I learn how to live as He did. I still have a long way to go, but I know He's with me all the way, especially through hard times; and I'm thankful he has blessed us with the Holy Ghost to help comfort us while we get through those.

Luckily the hardest things we're dealing with right now is trying to juggle our demanding schedules with the twins and everything else going on with the rest of the kids. My children are so precious... I don't know how the Lord saw me fit to entrust with five of his valiant spirits, and I hope that one day I'll live up to the expectations.

And moments like Mandi's baptism sure make it all worth it. You're beautiful Mandi! Mommy and I love you so much. We couldn't be more proud of you. Keep choosing the right!

Baaaad to the Bone - Shear Goodness

Don't be "sheep"ish, ewe must watch this. (I'm assuming no sheep were harmed during the filming of this YouTube video.)

Seriously though, this video is a must-see. Thank heavens for YouTube. It keeps life enjoyable.
Thanks, Russ for the link! It reminds me of the video game "Sheep" I played years ago on PC. Good times.

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Addendum: I know, I know... I've been gone for months, and this is the first post I could do?! I know many have been waiting for some other entries (like a pic of Mandi's baptism; coming next) ... but this was a quick post I could throw up here quick, so enjoy whilst I get my othe catch-up posts drafted. More to come...

The Daughters of December Delight in Their Birthday Celebrations

This month, my two princesses celebrated their birthdays. I, without bias, have the cutest daughters in the entire world.

Kimmie awoke on her birthday to find a makeshift "throne" awaiting her. I got to perform the coronation as we placed tiara on her head, with matching earrings and "royal insignia ring."

Here "wii" see our Princess (Peach?) in her royal throne, proudly holding her royal wand and wii remote; all ready to play Enchanted Journey or Hannah Montana.

Incidentally, as part of the passage-to-princesshood, Kimmie decided she was old enough and too big for her binky and burpcloth (which were the "security blanket" for going to sleep.) She promptly threw them in the garbage birthday morning, never to be seen again. We're proud of our princess.

Later, Kimmie was presented with her palace (which "ruled" because she got to eat it after!) And what's this?! Disney Princess toys to keep and play with after? Uh-BOOYA!

This castle cake was freakin' cute; especially her her royal-higness' picture on top in a fun stand-up frame.

She wasn't proud of her cake at all. Heck, skip the cake; Kimmie's cute enough to nibble in this picture. :)

And what birthday would be complete without a microphone that lets you sing with FM radio?! That's right... it's Hannah Kimtana! :) Princess and Pop-Star... Pop-Star Princess; it truly was 'the best of both worlds.'

... Then came Mandi's Birthday ...

Mandi received a new addition to her Littlest Pet Shop collection when she awoke on her birthday.

... She wasn't at all excited ... Mandi and Kimmie immediately began playing with it; and it must've been some kind of crazy cool, because Brennan even got in on the action for a few minutes. (No I don't have incriminating pictures... and if I did, they'd be saved for his dates when he comes of age.) ;)

Our family has been really into the original Knight Rider show. It has become a family tradition as we watch through the entire collection (we're in the middle of season 3 currently) and all the kids eagerly anticipate the next episode. They nag us on a nightly basis to watch another "new" episode (which I don't mind... I'm loving going back through the show; but that's another story for another day.)

Needless to say, Mandi included the Knight Rider video game on her birthday wish list. We, thanks to Amazon were able to deliver!

This is Mandi after receiving her game... with myself being silly and exchanging giggles with Ryan. Proof that being a Daddy sure has its moments and is completely worth it.

Mandi's "cake" was comprised of pumpkin-chocolate-chip cookies stacked together with frosting between for "mortar." It was tasty and we had a good time enjoying it. Mandi's bowling birthday party is this weekend with her friends; and she'll have a cool cake that she picked out for it. I haven't seen it yet, so I look forward to it; especially if it's cool like Kimmie's!

I caught a fun shot of Mandi blowing out her candles. The smoke from the candles came flying at me and I started coughing directly after... but was able to snap the shot before that happened.

I hope you get your wish, Mandi!

And finally, Mandi enjoying her "cake" ... Mommy's food is always so yummy!

For the record, Kimmie took this picture. I'm thinking she has a bright future in photography if she wants.

Happy Birthday Mandi and Kimmie! I love you my sweet darling princesses!