Happy Birthday, Father of my children!

Today is an extra special day because not only are we celebrating Matt's awesome job as a father - but we're also celebrating his birth - woo! Do you like the cake I made him? It's a two layer peanut butter cake - with chocolate frosting in the middle and peanut butter frosting on the outside - then crushed reece's peanut butter cups and drizzled chocolate on the sides. I was pretty proud of myself. We'll see how it tastes tonight.

Anywho, I just wanted to give a quick shout out to the best husband ever whose birth I'm more excited about than anyone else's.

Dearest Babe,

Thank you for always being an amazing father and husband. You're the best thing for me and to me. Everything you do for our family is greatly appreciated. You've exceeded every expectation I've ever had for a husband and father of my children. I'm so proud of the daddy that you've become since we started adding crazy kiddlies to the mix. I'm so happy that I get to share each day with you! I love you so much!

Love,

The coolest wife ever

Top 10 Reasons Why My Dad is Cooler than Yours

I'm not a fan of buying cards (unless they're super hilarious) so here's my version of a card to my dad...

1. Knight in Shining Armor My dad has always been the fixer of any problem I've ever had. I think this is a man quality because Matt is the same way. But if I ever had a problem or was sad for any reason, my dad would jump into fix-it mode and immediately rectify the problem. No matter what it was, he would take care of it.

2. Best Buds My dad and I have always had a really close relationship, in high school especially. I went to him for everything. And there was never any topic off limits. He's always been able to really relate to teenage kids. He talked to me like an adult and he respected me an my opinion which taught me to really respect him. It was a big deal to me to have him treat me that way, it made me feel like I mattered. This is something that I really hope rubbed off on me for when my kids are teenagers. I want to be able to have the same special relationship with them that I had with my dad.

3. People Person I wish I was more like my dad when it comes to his ability to talk to ANYONE. My dad can make a connection with anyone, any day, any time. It's insane. He started a tradition with our family on Christmas Eve - we all go downtown and personally hand out gloves to homeless people. And the rule is that you have to talk to that person and get to know them. It was really scary for me at first, but then you'd see my dad talking to someone and they would be sharing with him how they use to have this really great job and great life and then everything went down hill, etc., etc. But you can just open up to him, it's the craziest thing. My dad treats everyone like they've been best buds for life.

4. Example of Service One of my absolute favorite memories of my dad is when Drew and I were little and he was driving us to our babysitter's and it was winter time with a lot of snow on the ground. All of a sudden - he pulled a dramatic U-turn and pulled in front of this old lady's house. I was so confused and then my dad got out of the car - and in his normal work clothes - he took the shovel that this sweet old lady was holding and we quickly shoveled her entire driveway. It was the greatest example of service to me to a complete stranger. And it will always stick with me. This story is him in a nutshell - he's the type of man that is willing to do ANYTHING he can for you - even if you're a complete stranger.

5. Funny Man My dad is a pretty funny dude - I mean, I'm pretty sure I'm the funniest one in the family, but I will credit him with my sense of humor. He's always made me and my brothers laugh - I think it's a big part of our family dynamic. We communicate through little hilarious comments. Nothing's ever too serious for a joke.

6. Choose the Right My dad has made the right choice at crucial points in his life. And by doing so, he has taught me and my brothers to do the same. It's because of his ability to be an amazing father - that me and my brothers are where we are today. We are making the right choices in our lives and we have a deep love for our Heavenly Father and our Savior and that is because of his example, guidance, and teachings.

7. Master G This is another favorite memory of mine and it also involves him taking us to our babysitter's. But my dad proudly knows every word to Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight." When me and Drew were little - we would beg him to rap that song - especially the macaroni and cheese part. We could not get enough of it. My dad has taught us to appreciate some sweet music including this song.

8. Above All My dad has ALWAYS put family first - me and my brothers have always been number one on his list. He has taught me how important it is to have your priorities in the right place. I feel like so many people are looking for ways to get away from their kids, but my parents never did that. What's more important, is that my dad enjoyed spending time with us. Me and my brothers' friends choose to hang out at our place because my dad is so fun to be around. I remember a couple of my guy friends asking to come over so they could watch a game with my dad! But anyway, he has made sure to give me everything he never had and I really appreciate him for that.

9. Perfect Attendance Record My dad didn't have a father figure growing up so he decided to be the world's greatest father - and I believe he accomplished his goal. He made sure he was there for EVERYTHING I was in, even the super lame cheerleading competitions and disastrous spelling bees. Every major thing that has happened in my life, I will always remember that he was there for it - never missing even the tiniest event in my life.

10. Loves the Lord We don't have a lot of pictures and stories of our Heavenly Father like we do our Savior, and so the way we get to know our Heavenly Father is by knowing our earthly father and I couldn't think of a better man to exemplify the loving attributes of our Heavenly than my dad. He has taught me so much about my Heavenly Father because of the father that he's been to me. He's taught me compassion, unconditional love, mercy, kindness, etc. My dad is one of the reasons that my testimony of the Gospel is so strong. He provided me with the self-esteem and confidence I needed to withstand peer pressure in high school. I really hope I can be the parent to my kids that my dad was to me. I will consider myself lucky if my kids think of me the way I think of him.

Love you, Dad! Happy Father's Day! Woo!

Livy-isms

I always love reading people's hilarious conversations with their little ones and I remember being so excited to have them with Liv. Well we've had quite a few hilarious little conversations with our crazy toddler that I don't want to forget:

(Preface: Livy had been calling Matt "babe" and "Matt" lately and Matt had just told her that she calls him Daddy, not babe or Matt.)

Me: Babe, can you come here? ... Babe... Matt!!!
Livy: No Mommy! Not babe! It's Daddy!


Livy: (While laughing and completely out of the blue) There's no monsters, Daddy! See ya later aliens!! (???)


(Preface: We've been making Liv use sentences when she asks for something.)
Me: Liv, are you done with your yogurt? Do you want a banana?
Livy: Want... Nanas... uhh... Mom, I done with yogurt. I want banana... PLEASE!
(*It's so fun to see her think through things like that!)


Me: Alivia, you can't go outside and play right now.
Livy: No, mom. SHARE!!!

(*She tells us to share all of the time in instances when it makes NO sense - I'm not sure she knows what it means.)

Me: Sitting, minding my own business, watching T.V.
Livy: Oink!

(*This is Livy's go to word to get our attention or to show us something. We have NO IDEA where it came from!)

Me: Just finished doing her hair - nothing fancy just a half ponytail.
Livy: Oh mom! I so cute! I a princess!


Livy: See ya later suckers!
(*I blame this one on Matt.)


Livy: Good job Mom!

(*Livy is constantly telling me that I'm doing a good job on things. It's so funny to be complimented by a 2 year old.)

Me: Alivia, you need to calm down, stop crying.
Livy: No mom! I cry for a minute!


Livy: Oh I wuuuuv it, Mom!

(Warning: This one involves male anatomy - so if the "P" word makes you squirm - skip down.)

Me: No Livy, that's Adam's penis. Don't touch.
Livy: Adam has penis?
Me: Yep.
Livy: Does Daddy have penis?
Me: Yes.
Livy: (To Adam) Adam, you and Daddy both have penis!


(Preface: We've been working on her L's and Y's. So before she says a word I make her make the L sound three times.)
Livy: Daddy, l-l-l-wook!! or today she said: Daddy, l-l-l-watch! haha

Oh and this is random, but one day when I was getting home, Matt showed Livy how to pretend sleep and so they acted like they were sleeping when I got home. Now Livy thinks it's the most hilarious thing ever, so every time I go to get her out of her carseat, she pretends to be sleeping. And she's dedicated. I will tickle her all over and she will not budge - she concentrates so hard on keeping her eyes closed - it's the funniest thing!

We've been having family slumber parties lately. This is her slumber party blanket and then we have popcorn and watch a sweet movie. We all lay on the big blanket together and she LOVES it! She has a very good memory. We had only done it once and then I mentioned we should do it again and she goes, "Daddy make popcorn??" haha

This is the day she said she looked like a princess. haha Go figure - not the days when I put her in her big princess dresses.

Here's our special boy! As of today, he can't breathe through his nose and he hates sleeping at night - it's been a rough week... But we still love our little pug dog!

He can roll!!!

This little thumb sucker can roll! How cute is this picture, by the way? Anywho, he's rolling over about a couple weeks after Livy was when she started. And we thought he'd be our chill kid... Anyway, here's the proof:

And how much do you love those chunky legs!?!? I can't get enough of them!!!

*Note about the movie: I was gone when Matt found out he could roll and so when I got home, Matt started showing me the video and I was like - if he rolls over on this I'm going to be very upset! And Matt goes, "Oh well then I better turn this off..." haha I was so mad! Hello! This is why I stay at home with my kids - and of course they pull this stuff during the 20 minutes that I'm gone during the day! Little buggers. I'm not bitter...

Time to Toot My Own Horn

I generally don't like posting things solely about me - I prefer to have this blog about the kids and family happenings - but this particular post affects our whole family so I'm making an exception...

So I haven't really been blogging a lot lately because I've been consumed with my new hobby/way of life. I've become one of those crazy coupon ladies and it is SO AWESOME!

Since May, I have saved over $500 on groceries/diapers/health stuff/etc.

This morning has been my most proud moment so far. I spent $43.28 and saved $172.47!!! And that was on a total of 69 items!!! Included in those 69 items were a couple $10 razors; a couple Herbal Essences products; a mega pack of Huggies (normally $18 - ended up being about $5!); a ton of groceries (including 6 boxes of cereal - 3 Frosted Flakes, Honey Nut Cheerios, and 2 normal Cheerios - ended up being .50 a box); a couple body wash es and deodorants for Matt; AND MUCH MORE.

Ah! I'm so proud! Every time I go and save a ton of money - I make Matt look at everything I bought (which is all nicely laid out on our table, of course) and I make him marvel for about 5 minutes. He LOVES it... haha I've learned that the most I'll pay for cereal (always name brands) is $1 - but that's only if it's a cereal I really want - besides that it's usually .50. I've also learned that you should never pay more than $1 for expensive battery-powered razors. And I'll only get toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant if it's free.

Here are some examples of my awesome savings:

Do you like how nicely they are all laid out? haha
All of this cost me $20.03!!! (That includes 11 boxes of cereal!!!)

This doesn't look like a lot - but I got all of this SHIPPED TO ME for $2.50!!!

We are so stocked on food and toiletries right now - we had to go get some more shelves for extra storage space! It's funny how happy it makes me... haha

Done tooting.

3 whole months!

This cute little bugger turned 3-months-old yesterday. I can't believe it! He is SUCH a sweet baby and still usually pretty chill.

Things he loves:

*To be sung to and will always start cooing when I sing
*To sleep at night just like his mom! We put him down at 9 and usually don't hear from him until 4 and then after he eats (while sleeping) he then goes down till 7:30 or 8
*To talk and giggle
*Doing the motor boat song with his feet
*His binky
*Baths with his sister with HOT water
*His swing
*To slither down out of his bouncer or when he's propped up on a pillow
*His sister (even though she is usually the reason he starts crying)
*Sleeping on his tummy
*Scooting on his back and moving up by pushing off his feet
*Chillin with Daddy watching sports
*Chillin with Mommy watching crazy TLC shows

Here are some cute pics of him in all of his 3-month glory:

This last one is his talking face. He concentrates so hard!