October 31st...

October 31st is widely well-known as Halloween. We love Halloween and luckily, it is another special day for us too.  It's Matt's Birthday!!  We Love you Baby, and so we did all we could to make it a special day for you.  Hope you had a wonderful birthday, you deserve it!

The lovely breakfast table.  We started the day off having a traditional morning breakfast and opening presents. I made Matt's favorite, Blueberry Muffins and OJ.

My darling family!  I think Kate was a little unsure about the animal that was on her daddy's back (the hood to his costume was on his back).

I had to post this one.  What a darling girl!!  Such a sweet expression.

So this is where Matt leaves for work, and my day starts going downhill...

Today, this picture makes me smile.  Yesterday I wasn't smiling, in fact, I was so close to loosing it.  Tanner was really, REALLY getting under my skin yesterday.  He would not take a nap, I'm sure he was just excited, but he would just keep running out of his room, saying, "I'm awake."  So, I put him back in his room and told him that if he got out of his room again, I would take all his toys away until tomorrow.  He jumped up and followed me out.  So, I started to put his toys up on top of the kitchen counter, and the little stinker started helping me--he would go grab some toys and bring them too me.  So, then I put him back in his room again and told him we wouldn't go trick-or-treating if he got up again.  He's been very excited about going, so I thought for sure he wouldn't fight it anymore.  But, he jumped up again and followed me out.  Dang it!  I was really looking forward to taking him trick-or-treating, but I had to follow through, so we didn't end up going. (Another side note, I was venting to my mother-in-law later and Tanner asked if he could talk to Cole, and while he was talking to Cole I heard him say, "No, I'm not going trick-or-treating, I wouldn't go to bed, and mommy said I would be in trouble if I didn't go to bed, so now I'm in trouble." It's funny now, but at the time, I just wanted to scream).  We did go visit Matt at work because the residents wanted to see the kids all dressed up.  And of course, after about 2 minutes in the car, I looked in my mirror and this is what I saw.  Why do they fight it?  I'm just glad a good night's sleep allows me to look at this today and smile!

My cute family, Tanner the "Spider," Daddy the "Lizard," and Kate the most adorable "Pile of Leaves" I've ever seen.

Too Cute!

But of course, I am VERY biased.

My tired, little spider playing by the rocks at daddy's work.

Enjoying some Reese's Pieces from an employee--the ONLY treat he got on Halloween.

Asking Mommy to "Climb the Mountain."  I think it is adorable that he calls big rocks mountains. 

Look at me Mommy, I made it to the top of the mountain!!

Getting ready to blow out daddy's candles.  I think this picture is so funny.

Blow those candles out!

Mmmmmm, candy corn is my favorite!  Sorry Mary, I couldn't wait for you to cut me a slice.

Daddy did it!

Mmmmm, this is good, I want some more!

Overall, I have to say it was a great day.  We celebrated a wonderful father, husband, and friend, and I didn't have to think of what to do with all the Halloween candy, because there wasn't any.  LOL!

Tanner, the running Spider...

Poor Tanner, I don't know why, but he has really been on one lately.  I don't know if it is just this age or what, but he just doesn't want to listen.  (Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!).  Anyway, this picture is so funny once you hear the story behind it.  We were at a kids Halloween party with some friends, and Tanner would not stop throwing rocks, I would put him on time out, didn't matter, he would throw rocks, I would sit him on my lap, didn't matter, he would still throw rocks.  So finally, I told him the next time he threw a rock, we would have to go home.  We were having so much fun, that I thought for sure he would stop.  But nope, he walked right up to a little girl and threw a rock--luckily his aim was a little off or he would have hit her pretty good with that rock.  So I got up and said, "Tanner, that's it, were going home."

He, of course, proceeded to run around the entire backyard, away from me, saying, "I don't want to go home, I don't want to go home."  My friend had a camera, so I asked her to start taking some candid shots.  This is one that she emailed me.  I think it's so funny.  He's of course looking back at me, as I am trying to chase him with Kate in my arms.  Look at that face, does he really think he's going to get away...oh, the joys of being a mother to sweet toddlers...=)

New Project for Matt...

Now that Matt's website is finished, and he is separated from the climbing world, he has been itching for a new project. Apple just came out with a new operating system and with it, an easy way to make movies, websites, photo albums, etc. Matt tested out the movie software tonight and we couldn't get enough of this video. We watched it like 10 times. Matt's got 3 years of video to edit, so he should have plenty to do before he returns to Utah for winter climbing. By the way, I am creating a new family website that I hope to unveil January 2008...it's soooo cool! Once you go Mac, you'll never go back!!

Just Playing Around...

I have been soooo inspired by my friends blog and the way she takes pictures. She is so good at capturing moments and emotions rather than just taking a picture. After looking at her blog one day I pulled out the camera and shot over 150 pictures of the kids. Just practicing (thank goodness for digital!). There are several that I want to post, but I'll just post a few of my favorites.


My favorite. I LOVE Kate's sweet potato covered expression. She was laughing when I took this picture.


Another one of my favorites. Tanner rarely smiles for pictures, so I don't capture the true essence of his smile very often. But this is Tanner smiling through and through. I LOVE IT!!


I love Kate in this picture, Her skin looks so pure and her eyes just pop out at you. Th lighting on this one was just perfect! She's in her Halloween costume here (just in case you're wondering), she's a "Pile of Leaves." I'll post more of those later. =)


Tanner in his Halloween costume. Doesn't seem to bother him at all that he has a "Spider Mask" on his head.


You've got to love that sly grin. What is he thinking...?


I LOVE Tanner's big, bright, blue eyes!!


Kate is playing pat-a-cake with Tanner, her favorite game! I focused on her hands instead of her face, so you'll notice that her hands are clear and her face is blurry. It would have been nice to have her face clear, but it's kind of a cool effect, maybe...?


I'm bummed that this one was blurry because I love the angle of the picture and Kate's cute scowl. I want to learn how to better work with lighting, shutter speeds, and all that fun stuff so my pictures are more crisp and clear, and the colors are just amazing. I know I have a lot to learn, but I am really taking a liking to photography and "capturing moments." Matt has recommended a book to me that I'm going to start reading this week. I'll post the book title later this week, with more pictures, hopefully.

A day with Grandpa...

Recently my dad came to visit us. We continued with the tradition of a zoo visit, which Tanner has come to LOVE!!! Here are some of my favorite pictures from our outing that day...


Me with the kids. I was excited to have someone else there taking pictures so I could get a picture with Tanner and Kate!


Tanner taking advantage of a good bouldering rock! He was so excited when he got to the top, he kept saying, "Mommy I climbed the mountain!" He was so excited to tell his daddy.


Here is Tanner at the "top of the mountain!"


Then Grandpa comes over and gives him a taste of what it would be like up on a taller mountain. I LOVE the last picture of Tanner and my dad!!


I love this picture of my dad telling Tanner stories and pointing out all the animals to him. His eyes follow everywhere his arms go. I had about 5 different pictures (some of them didn't turn out, but his eyes would always follow, too cute!)


They had a tree-house you could climb up so you could be at the same level as the giraffes, and Tanner loved this part. He's been to the zoo several times, but this is the first time he could climb up and down all by himself (we haven't been since before Kate was born). He did this over, and over, and over. In fact, when we were eating lunch, I was chatting with a cousin and after a few seconds (literally), looked over and Tanner was gone. My heart started racing b/c I couldn't see him anywhere. There were soooo many people at the zoo that day, and I couldn't find him. I said a little prayer and instantly the tree house came to mind. Sure enough, he was climbing up that treehouse again. LOL!


We tried to get a picture with Kate, but she was in a "if anyone holds me but my mommy I'm going to let them know I'm not happy about it" mood. Sorry Dad, this was the best one.


Probably my favorite picture from the day! Tanner sure loves his Grandpa! Several times since we went, I'll ask Tanner what he'll want to do, and his reply will be, "I want to go to the zoo with Grandpa!" Thanks Dad for a great day! Love you!

Updated Plan...

My 90 Day Plan has now become my 10 Week plan.  Check it out here...

Who looks more like who?

Ha! I always secretly thought that Tanner looked more like his mom! =) And I've thought since day 1 that Kate looked like a Jesperson. Overall though, I think they are still a pretty good blend.

6 Months!

My sweet baby girl is already 6 months! I can not believe how fast time has flown.


She is sitting up very well on her own, babbling all the time (she said da-da today, Matt was thrilled!), rolling across the room, teasing her big brother, melting our hearts with her darling smile, eating EVERYTHING in sight (except food--she's not at all interested in solid foods), teething, and becoming more and more curious everyday.

She's in the 91% for height (27 1/4 inches); 92% for head circumference (17 1/2 inches); and 77% for weight (17 lbs 10 oz). She went down quite a bit for weight, but I still think she's a pretty big girl.



We had a photo shoot a couple of days ago and these are some of my favorites. I love her "concerned that Tanner just took her toy" face (top right), and her "I just found something really interesting to look at" face (center); and that she can fit her shoe in her mouth! She is such a blessing, we are so lucky to have such a darling, happy girl.




I had to post this for my brothers. Guess what is keeping her attention? Football!! Matt was watching a football game and she would not take her eyes off the TV. Must have been a good game.




What a sweet, darling, beautiful little girl!! We love you Kate Lyn Jesperson!!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!

A few days ago, I told Tanner that we were going to the Playhouse Disney Concert, just him and me, for a mommy/Tanner outing. He was so excited that he could barely stand it. He watches Mickey Mouse Playhouse everyday, LOVES it! He kept asking me when we were going to get in the car and go to the concert, so I made this count down poster so he could see how many days we had to go. Everyday, he loved pulling the piace of paper down to reveal 1 less day until the concert.

He was so excited to go today, and talked about it the whole way in the car, "Mom, is Goofy going to be there, and Minnie, Daisy too..." When we parked the car, he asked me to carry him because he wanted to get there "faster." I was so excited, I couldn't wait to see his reaction.

We walked into the arena, it was dark, and the music was LOUD!! His smiles quickly changed, it really scared him. I think he was expecting the show that he watches on TV, not a LIVE and LOUD performance on stage. When Mickey came out, and he saw that he was a GIANT mouse, and not the little mouse that he sees on TV, he would not let go of me. Poor thing, I should have prepared him better. I totally thought he was going to go nuts to see these guys in person. But my 2-year old wasn't star-struck, he was confused and skeptical of these huge creatures on the stage, singing very LOUDLY. (I keep reiterating loud b/c he kept asking me to turn the sound down). He did end up warming up to the concert, and maybe smiling once or twice, but overall, he was glad when the concert was finished so we could go home and watch it on TV. When I asked him if he has fun, his answer was, "Yes mommy, it was fun, but it was really loud, and I think I like to watch Mickey Mouse on TV better." At least he's honest.

Here are a few more pictures of the Mickey Mouse Live Concert...




Little Eistiens were there too (so was Pooh and Handy Manny, but my camera was out of batteries and since Tanner doesn't watch those shows, I didn't take a picture. Sorry these pictures are a little blurry).


The first picture is what his expression was like pretty much the whole concert. The second picture is him smiling because I told him that I wanted a picture with him smiling. Maybe the next mommy/Tanner outing will just be to our own living room with a big tub of popcorn to watch Mickey Mouse on TV. =)

Shopping Cart Fun...

A couple of days ago I needed to head to the grocery store. (The funnest errand when you get to bring two little ones with you, lol). At least some stores have these fun race-car shopping carts that make the expereince much more fun for the kids. Tanner wasn't very thrilled that Kate had to sit with him in his race-car, but when I told him it was either that or we get a "normal" cart, he agreed. It was so cute, I had to take a picture, and of course I didn't have my camera with me at the grocery store, so my phone had to do (so sorry about the quality).

She's done...

Our home remodel is done! There are jsut a few things here and there, but for the most part, it's complete! We are so thrilled. We spent all last weekend moving our stuff into our new home (thanks for your help everyone!), spent 2 nights sleeping in our home, and then caught a late flight Monday night back to AZ. I know, bummer huh! Matt is still working here in AZ and so we wanted to come back and be with him. We'll most likely be here until the end of the year. It's only a few more months...=)

Here are some before and after photos...



The family room. I love how the fireplace turned out. I can't wait to put some gas logs in this winter...=)




The entry way. We knocked the little wall out and I can't believe how much it opened it up.



Our old dining room, new playroom area. If I had to go back and just make one change, this would be it, hands down. This is my most favorite change as it opens it up to the kitchen so much!



Our kitchen. I am sooooo giddy about our new kitchen. Since I love to cook and the kitchen is where we spend a lot of our time, I am so pleased that we were able to make it our own.



Another view. No more drop down ceiling!! And I am so excited that you can see clear to the other end of the house and into the family room and playroom. Now I don't have to feel like I'm in the "room on the other end of the house."



Master Bedroom, no more pink carpet! Thank goodness.



Master Bathroom, Matt and I are so excited about how this turned out. And double sinks, we are so excited about the double sinks. (Simple pleasures, right?)

Everything else was pretty basic, carpet, paint, etc, so I won't post all the pictures. Now, I have to find a way to furnish the place. In time, in time.

Oh, I almost forgot, since so many of your opinions were helpful, here's our new door...

I LOVE IT!!