WiLl U bE mY VaLeNtiNe?

Thankfully Josh and the kids answered "yes" to be MINE! I really did enjoy having Valentine's day on a weekend. It was so fun. We did heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast, cupid brought us all a few things, Josh took me out to lunch to Mimi's Cafe, (dinner time would have been nuts!), we watched a movie all together as a family (madagascar 2) and visited Josh's parents for some chocolate covered strawberries. I really did enjoy the holiday. And I relished in a day to just eat lots of chocolate. Hmmm...I mean I really relished in a day where I had many opportunities to tell my family and friends how very much I love them. And I do. So if I didn't tell you then...I love you!

DrApEr TeMpLe

Josh and I got to take the kids to see the Draper Temple Open house on Friday. It is the most beautiful temple and it was so fun to take the kids there. I loved being able to explain special things to her and for her to have this great learning experience. She loved the mirrors in the Sealing rooms. The whole time she kept asking when we would get to the room where people get married. It was just amazing to take our kids. Some have said that the spirit is less poignant in an un-dedicated temple than a dedicated temple, but I absolutely felt the spirit. If you get the chance to go, you should. I wish our picture would have turned out better- the sun was so bright so Annelise looks like a turkey in it. I know how lucky I am to be able to attend the temple and wish I could more regularly. I also know how lucky we all are to live near some many beautiful buildings. It is truly amazing.

MoVe It!

Annelise has been beyond obsessed with cheerleading lately. One of her teachers at school has a daughter at Clearfield who is a cheerleader and invited Annelise to do a "mini cheer clinic." She loved it. And they got to perform at a half-time show for a basketball game. She has asked me to make home-made pom poms...and has wanted all her Barbies to be cheerleaders. It is super funny. However, I am not sure I want her to some day be a cheerleader- I did love it and enjoy it- but the sport has alot of down-falls. Only time will tell if she holds this interest!

jAnUaRy & fEbRuArY bLaHs...

I think it is a good thing I don't have much to write about. Except when I am bored of playing "princess" with Annelise and a short order cook and maid for Aaron I am not so sure I like the lax-ness of this time of year. I am excited for Valentine's Day- and I must say waking up little Cole each morning does make it a little more fun. I love babies so much! I wish I would have appreciated my other kids more when they were babies. I do not have much for complaints they really are good kids. And I sure think they are cute! It is amazing how much one can love their kids. I have certainly found that out with all three.

Infact, I do have a story for you- Aaron has a querky habit to his personality. He always puts things down his shirt instead of using his pockets. When I change his clothes at night there is almost always something hidden in there. ONe day he really took it a little too far...and well, this is what resulted! I took a pic of all the stuff that he had stuffed in there so you can see how nuts he is! It is too funny.




Oh! I just remembered one other thing I have to look forwsrd to- the BASEBALL season is coming soon! Yah! I sure hope the D-backs have a better season this year!

MaYrA's VaLeNtInE's TaG

For all you married people out there! Tag your married friends that you want to know about!
1. When is your "engagement" anniversary: July 10 2002
2. When is your "marriage" anniversary: Aug 8 2002
3. How long have you known your spouse: NOT LONG ENOUGH! Jk...6 yrs.
4. How long did you date/court before you were engaged: long distance for 6 mos.
5. Altogether? engaged for 1 month (my mom was really not happy about that)
Where did you meet your spouse for the first time: BYU soccer game
6. What is your spouse's full name: Joshy pooperscooper Yeates What were his parents thinking?
7. Do you have any children yet: of course! We couldn't wait to join that bandwagon
8. How many: 3 really sweet, beautiful ninos
9. Do you have any house pets: no, and I don't think we ever will (much to Annelise's dismay)
10. Do you own a house or rent: Own-with a very lovely mortgage I don't think we will ever pay off!
11. Do you live in the country or town/city: City and frankly it isn't a big enough city to satisfy me
12. What is one of your favorite activities together: not telling...jk. We love to read together or debate politics
13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot: Rocky Point,we love it so much.
14. How many siblings (including in-laws): 16 and I love them all
15. What church do you attend: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
16. Is this the church you were married in: Well, technically we were married in the temple...so the Mesa Temple
17. What town is your current address: a dot on the map of the US
18. Do you work or stay at home: both, unfortunately
19. Where did you honeymoon: Cancun, Mexico
20: Leave a piece of marriage advice: My aunt gave me the best piece I have ever gotten- she told me that after I married Josh I needed to BELIEVE & KNOW that he IS the "right one." And not look back or wonder ever again. Good huh?

aArOn El TrAviEsO

Oh yes, Aaron is a little travieso (Spanish for trouble maker). Yesterday I was changing Cole's diaper on the floor in his room and Aaron the trouble maker with his uncanny-child strength pushed the closet door off it's track and it fell on top of Cole and me. Cole got some bruises and I cut my finger- but needless to say we were ok. Annelise was crying hysterically because Cole wasn't breathing well from crying so hard and thought something serious was wrong with him. I did have to apologize to both kids since I called him a stupid kid a million times (and that is a bad word in our family). It was scary- but, he is a boy...and didn't know what he was doing so you have to love him. I put the pic on that I did because it just shows what a little crap he is!

HeY! FeRb...I kNoW wHaT I aM gOiNg To WrItE aBoUt ToDaY!

I recently discovered that I have a small obsession with a kid's show. I find myself turning it on even when the kids aren't in the room and watching it! It is too funny and I love Doofensmirtz (the EVIL villan) Josh says I do a pretty good impression of his voice! (CURSE YOU PERRY THE PLATYPUS!) If your kids don't watch it- you should give it a try! I obviously love it...well, not as much as my beloved LOST!

PoOr LiL aArOn...

I really did have the scare of my life on Saturday. And you know what, it just makes you go through the scenario, "what would I do without him," quickly. I had just gotten Aaron up from his nap because he was making alot of wierd noises...and I was tickling his back on the couch. He was breathing really shallow and whining alot...and had a high temperature (103 degrees).

Then, he just stopped breathing. It was the scariest feeling. It was for a half a minute and then resumed but needless to say he say the doctor. After a chest x-ray, and doing a pulse-occ. measurement he said that we needed to take him to the hospital for a really large case of pneumonia. Well, if anyone knows how much I hate hospitals (bad memories) we negotiated and did steroid shots and 2 breathing treatments in the clinic; then let us take him home. I slept in his room and it was a long night (and has been a long week so far). Now that he has had his antibiotic for 24 hours he is no longer contagious, but the vomiting and diarrhea is getting very old. I just love our little Aaron and the thought of not always having him is terrifying. Now I am not so impatient with him and all his messes.

Now, to not have to end on a sad note, I will tell a funny story about him...while in AZ Aaron got a girlfriend. He dragged her everywhere, always went to her, I caught him staring at her, and he was just infatuated with her. Too bad she is 20 years older than him (and already married!) It was my sister-in-law Mayra. She is georgous isn't she? I don't blame him!
It was un-canny how much he took to her and it was super funny. He has never done that with anyone else like this before! It was hilarious! I hope she didn't get sick of him following her around! We referred to her as his girlfriend all week...and you know, she would be a catch for him...but, maybe he will just have to find someone like her...after his mission!

hApPy NeW yEaR!

We just had a lil celebration of our own...including Marinelli's and half-naked kids...and then at night Josh and I played Ticket to Ride with friends. I don't need to say who won...but well...I do need to say since it was me! Yah! That is one fun game! Ok...well, I am definitely not going to post what my resolutions are (way too embarrassing) but just know that they are good and needed! So happy new year's to all of you and good luck with your own resolutions!

ChRiStMaS tImE iS hErE aGaIn...

I really do think that we did capture the spirit of Christmas this year. I have no regrets about the Christmas season and I think it was magical for our family. I do love Christmas Eve with all the fun anticipation...and the presents, nativity, and all the good food at Grandma & Grandpa's helped make it wonderful too!



And who doesn't love the tradition of Christmas Jammies on Christmas Eve?



Annelise did ask Santa for a special gift this year...a Christmas Mermaid Barbie with holly berries on her tail. Santa had to enlist a special elf to help out (thanks lindsey!) and also asked Santa for the rest of us too in her letter! Her letter asked for earrings for mom (they are super cute), a bike for dad (he got a mini toy bike) and Wall-E for Aaron. It was a very cute letter...too bad we had to send it off-

However, Aaron's favorite present ended up being a scooter Grammy gave him! He got it on Thursday, and hasn't stopped riding it since. He eats meals on it...(using the handles as a cup holder) and runs to it first thing he gets up and is pulled off of it at night! We all have snuck rides in...and sometimes we all ride together!



We must have been on the naughty list though...since all we found in our family stocking was COAL...I mean COLE. ha ha...

And what better to do after Christmas is play in the snow...in our front yard on a built up snow slide and out in the street behind a sled?

Will we recoop from all this Christmas bustle and hustle? I sure think so! It was worth it! And we will miss it for another year! Can't wait! (Seriously! I know I must sound crazy but we love Christmas over here!)