Merry Christmas !!!!

We wish we could be together with all of our friends and family this time of year.....but such is life. I am enjoying having my sister Michele and her family here this year...from Pittsburgh....I think it will be hard to convince them to get on that plane back to the snow and ice.....

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year. I am ready to kiss 2008 goodbye!.....This world is such a crazy place right now....I am sure that we will see alot of change in 2009...hopefully some for the better. I am so grateful for the constants of faith and family in my life....we will rely on them more and more in these crazy times. So, bring it on 2009.... :)
I hope Santa makes his way to everyone's house and is good to all the kids!!! We are set to put out cookies and milk...Santa prefers Soy, we found out.... and some carrots and water for the reindeer. We will know if Rudolph drinks any, because his nose turns the water RED!!!!

We love you all and are grateful to have all of you in our lives, we are so blessed with good friends and family!!!
oxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Random Act of Kindness

Tonight we were the recipients of an anonymus random act of kindness...of the Costco nature....and I must say it has really touched my heart. I was taking Sadie out of the tub when I heard the doorbell....so I didn't get it right away. A few minutes later I went downstairs and peeked out the door to see if someone had left anything. I could hardly believe what I saw!

It is hard for me to be on the receiving end of things, and I found myself feeling guilty that someone had been so kind. Then I realized...with the help of the Spirit, that I was being stupid. Heavenly Father uses many of us here to be his hands here on earth and bless the lives of others....and I am grateful for those opportunities and for the sweet people who listen to the promptings and take time out of their lives to think of our little family.
Seth will probably be upset with me for putting this all in writing, but I wanted to share our gratitude for our gift giver tonight, as well as for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Times are tough right now for a lot of people and I take comfort in knowing that I have a Heavenly Father who is mindful of me and my family.
Many thanks to whomever you are!!!!!...In family prayer Ella asked Heavenly Father to bless you for what you left us while we slept tonight...( not quite...but close enough!!)

Where's Sadie?

She is getting so big!!!

Ella's party

We had some intense games of Pin the heart on the TinMan...which Hope made...and Melt the Witch...who we threw water balloons at...and Hot Toto......

More pics

Ella celebrated her 4th birthday on December 6!!!! She got breakfast in bed...before I could finish the pancakes she got up and into her Dorothy dress. She is suddenly in love with the Wizard of Oz....she is too cute! Our good friends the Kittners loaned us their jumpy castle for the kids to play in at Ella's party.....we all had a blast!

Pictures...many of them.

Seth clued me in to the fact that the cord to attach to my camera to get pictures is conveniently now under the desk practically behind the computer....I wonder why I could not find it.....

So, now I have a million pictures to show you all!!!! Let's go way back to the kid's piano recital and all the way back to Halloween..( grandparents appreciate these kinds of things)

The cutest!!!

I stumbled across this cute little advent calender for the kiddos....Advent calenders are a MUST at our house....but they are always so bulky and huge!...and who needs a chocolate first thing in the morning ( besides me) I know Gum isn't much better.....but it is a little better. :)
I am going to try and make these with my sister in laws in Utah this weekend....
http://mylittlemochi.typepad.com/my_little_mochi/2008/11/pocket-advent-calendar.html
We decided to go for it...( nothing like decided the day before we leave) ....so here we come 12 hour drive ...we have missed you!!! Hopefully we don't lose our binkies this time!
Happy Thanksgiving....

Where did November go?

Have I mentioned that I can't find the cord to get pictures from my camera? Which really makes me mad...because I have some really cute ones on there. The kids piano recital pics turned out super cute, Hope's birthday pics, etc etc....
So, just boring ol' me tonight. Seth and the bigger kids ( not Sadie)...are attempting a back yard campout tonight....We wanted to do something fun and free..so we are giving it a try. We roasted marshmallows on the BBQ for Smores....and I brought Sadie in for bed.... We'll see how long they last!!!
I went and saw Twilight on opening night....yep..midnight baby....with 20, 000 14 yr olds! I went with a few gals from my Ward....it was so fun! I am glad I went..I enjoyed it. I really loved the books....so I think the movie would have to be REALLY bad for me to not enjoy it. Like, I love Edward.....for reals. :)

I have been busy tonight making Ella's 4th Birthday party invitations. They turned out so cute! She wanted to have a Wizard of Oz birthday...so I found ruby slipper stickers and glittered them all up ...put in on the shimmery blue Bazzill card, with gingham backing ( like Dorthy's dress) I diecutted and glittered up some big e's and threw them on there too with some sparkley red ribbon. Ella approves!...she loves sparkles! Hard to believe she will be 4 in 2 weeks!!!!!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner....which makes me miss home and loved ones....( I know I know..I was just there!)...but I think we all miss the Thanksgivings we might have grown up with...I certainly miss not having to cook!!! IT wouldn't be so bad with a double oven...but with just one...I feel like I am cooking for days...
Well, I am going to peek out on the "cold ones"....( shameless Twilight wink wink)...
Hopefully I will find that cord in the mean time. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
Peace!

Pics from my Trip Home

Short on Time

Top ten exciting and notable things that have happened in our family lately::::

1 - last month Hope won the Kid of Character award at school for CARING - boy, they got that one right...she is a very caring girl! Congrats Hope!
2 - Luke won this month for Fairness...way to go buddy!
3 - Luke has been playing soccer on a team for the past 2 months....this is his first team since he was 4 or 5. He rocks! We are so proud of his hustle....go Luke!!!and the White Dragons!!!!
4- Ella is the star student this week at preschool. She got to have show and tell and gets to bring in her fave snack. What does Ella love? Puppies and Horses!!! ( that hasn't changed!)
5 - On September 28th...Hope turned 7....yep 7...can you believe our Hopey Girl is growing up so fast? We had a scrapbooking party that was a lot of fun!
6- My great Aunt Maryanne turns 100 this next month. Happy Birthday Aunt Maryanne!!! She is the best! I just love her to pieces!
7 - Sadie got 2 molars and another small tooth in the front, along with her first haircut. ( just a little evening out)
8- Luke and Hope had their first piano recital this weekend....they both performed a solo number...and were awesome!!!! Aunt Christine has been teaching them and they are really catching on. I love love love to hear them practicing, they sound so good!!!
9- okay I am out of happenings - and out of time! gotta run!

I slack...I am a slacker

Okay - you know it is bad when someone you didn't even know read your blog comes up to you at Church and tells you it is time to update your blog.... thanks Michelle...I guess I needed some extra motivation. To be honest, I feel like I am still recovering from my jaunt back east. I flew to Pittsburgh with Sadie and Ella for 8 days..where we drove back home ( Canada = home) for my cousins wedding. Sadie should be ban from all aircraft. The girl never slept a wink on either flight of apx. 5 hours!!!!!!! Kill me!!! I know it could have been worse, she didn't cry the whole time or anything...it was just hard to keep her happy...in such a small place...without constantly slamming the poor people's seat in front of us...etc.. I even tried drugging her for the flight home, because I really thought I might have a nervous breakdown if she wouldn't sleep again. Well, instead or drowsiness, Sadie experienced "combativeness:, a rare side effect. She hit, slapped and even bite me....THE WHOLE TIME.......it was horrible.
I know the Lord was mindful of me, because I kept it together and was able to keep her quiet most of the time. A sweet lady a row across from us stopped me in the bathroom after the flight to tell me she thought I was a good Mom... how sweet!...she quickly followed that up with a .."Now, go find Daddy!"
Amen sister!!!!
SO, ...here are the top things I miss most about home..in no particular order: Family ( you know who you are!) , Real Chinese Food....( sorry American Chinese people....you DO NOT have it going on!) Harveys hamburgers( yum!), east coast Pizza.....the real thing baby!.....changing leaves, ( I thoroughly annoyed my sister by pointing out all of the fall colors!) Polite drivers ( I am sorry but AZ drivers are the worst!)...and candy. ( the candy here STINKS!)

Over all the trip was as success...it was tough with Sadie...she didn't adjust well, sleep well, etc. I wore everyone out with my craziness....But it was great to see so much extended family..and show off pics of my "GIGANTIC" family. ( their words, not mine!) :) :) :)
I would never turn down time with my sisters...can't beat it!
I got to see my Grandma too...aka Great grandma around here....that is always a treat..she is getting up there...I think she said 86. If I overshot..she doesn't have a a computer, so it's all good!!
I will post pics....I need to post about so many things that have happened in our family...yikes~~~

The Best!

I am passing along this link to my fave recipe blog.....I met this lady on a scrapbooking message board...She is amazing... I want to try everything on there! Our faves so far are the cinnmon rolls...to die for! Santa Fe Chicken Salad...so good.... and tonight we are having smashed potatos.

I love all the pics that go with each recipe.....it makes me feel more confidant in trying something new. Check it out! and be sure to let me know what you try!

http://creatingpostitnotes.blogspot.com/

Quirks - Nicole tagged me

Nicole tagged me on her blog....so I thought I would play along...although most people I know who read this blog are here for the pictures of the kids...so, sorry if you are getting more than you bargained for here....

The RULES1. Link the person who tagged you…In my case, Katie.2. Post these rules.3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them

( I don't know how to link anything...I Am lucky I figured out how to post this!!!..my wonderful sister is responsible for my cute blog paper..thanks Chel!)

here goes:

1 - I don't like my food to touch.....I like those plates where everything is separated.
2- I make up pet names for everything....I annoy people...because they can't forget my silly little names I make up....especially for "private parts"...sorry, people, I can't say them!!!!!!! ( my poor kids!)
3 - I never eat the "white yucky part" of an egg...I take it out ALWAYS. I call it the "body". gross, I know. You know, that little piece of nastiness hanging out by the yolk...
It was so funny when Wendy, my university roommate of 3 yrs....told me all these years later that her and her husband think about me and me egg issues all the time!
4- I am deathly afraid of bats....I hate them and I can't understand why Heavenly Father created such a disgusting flying rodent. I don't care WHAT they eat....it isn't worth it!!
5 - I hate belly buttons.....even my kid's. I try never to touch them...except for the occasion quick soapy wash..... I blame Cindy Moorehead......
6- I say things in 3's...no idea why...a story that comes to mind that I still get razzed about happened at Jardine's when Seth and I were dating I think...Adam, Seth and I were eating chips and salsa....at one point we ended up running out of chips...and we were totally bummed. I suddenly remembered there was a bag in the pantry ..and shouted while pointing... "The brown bag! The brown bag! The brown bag!!! ( figures it would have to do with food.....but it extends to all areas!)
Wow, I can think of all sorts of quirky things about myself..I must be quirky. :)
Ok, so I don't know how to link you all, but Julie, Christine, Tiffany,Mel, Chel, go for it!!!

Back to School ALREADY!!!!

I am not sure what is up with AZ, but the kids had their first day fo school on Monday. We barely got back from UTah Sunday night....from Dave's wedding weekend. The kids might have been a little groggy, but they all made it. Luke started the 3rd grade.....holy crap. Hope started the 2nd grade and Ella started preschool as well...her and Lucy get to go together, so that is extra fun.

Busted!!!

Sadie can't get enough of the tub..you have to be careful or she will join you!!!

Nice Do!!!

It's a Jardine Pile up!!

Sadie got into the flour!!

camping at Lake Pleasant

My camera LIVES!!!!

Maybe it just needed some time away from the kids....:)
It is working for the time being...so that is a bonus! I will hurry and download so I can post pics for awhile!
Summer is almost over for us....the kids start school Aug. 4...so that is coming up fast. Back to school shopping...ahhh....I think I hate you. It was always so fun as a kid...and I am trying to make it a positive experience....but I think with 4 kids in tow...It isn't working so good. Sadie has started to imitate my "mean" voice....you know, the voice I use when I say, "If your last name is Jardine, you better get out from underneath those racks of clothes, put your shoes back on, and put back that back massager...we are NOT buying it!!!" She looks much cuter than me doing it. :)

We did receive great news that David, Seth's older brother is getting married!!!! We are thrilled for him and Missy and we all hope to be able to make it up for the Aug. 1st wedding. Seth and the big kids are 100%...but I may have to stay back with the babe....we'll see.

I will hurry and post some pics....and sign off. love to all!!! oxoxoxxo

Happy Canada Day!!!

Today is Canada's birthday!!! Happy Birthday Home....I miss you SOOO much!!! ( especially when it hits 110 dregrees here!)
Summer is in full swing around here.....late nights, sleeping in, swim suits and towels all over the house and popsicle faces!!!! I wish I could post some pics...but our camera died. But if I were to post pics....that is what they would be of!!!
I took the kids to a friend's pool today....they are out of town and offered for us to use their pool.... complete with water slide and waterfall. Ella took off her floaties today and swam across the pool, back and forth..with no help!!!! She is such a little fish! Seth can hardly wait to sign her up for swim team next year!! He assures me that there is nothing quite like a little kid swim meet.
Luke starts basketball camp on Monday...afternoons all week,...he is pumped! I will be glad for a break from the "I'm bored" comments!!! We are holding off for Fall activities for the girls, dance and ice skating..if they ever finish the ice rink out here!!!
Hard to believe that there are less than 5 weeks left in summer vacation!!! The kids go back on Aug 4!!! Crazy!!!! We still have a few things we have been meaning to get in over the break..like some more camping, a drive in movie, and maybe a couple of sleep overs. Some friends of ours scored us some D Backs tickets for this Saturday...sounds like great seats....so we are excited about that!!!
This Wednesday Seth and I will have been married 9 years!!!! Crazy! I think anniversaries are something the husband should take the initiative on....could just be me....could just be that I just really want that...I wonder if all the ladies do stuff as well....you ladies will all have to fill me in...
and...this Saturday we also celebrate my re'birthday..( hee hee!) I will have been a member of the Church for 11 years. Look at me in the double digits!!! Time sure has flown by!
We hope everyone is having a great summer...I will post some pics as soon as I get a new camera!
peace!!

Our boy

What a great day....our baby Lukeys is suddenly 8...and got baptized!!! We are so excited for him. He is also now a cub scout....in the Wolf Den....at his first Pack Meeting, he had to drink the Wolf's blood...to become official. He said it tasted like red kool aid. :)

How fun that he gets to do all of this fun stuff. I think it is awesome that so many people volunteer their time to help my children grow and learn. It sure does take a village!!!!

Luke's Baptism

Is it OVER yet?

Yikes, what a week! First off, I have pictures to post, but I have them on a CD, and I am not handy like that....so I will have to wait for help on that one.
Sadie and Seth had a birthday on the 25th!!! Hard to believe that Sadie is already 1!!!! She loved diggin into her cake....we just let her go at it, it was cute! What a mess she was! She had fun with her little toys and the kids around.
I threw a baby shower for my friend Melanie on Tues night....it was a success..and it was a good thing I did it then, because she had her baby on Thursday! I got to be there for the delivery and I even got to cut the cord...it was amazing. She was very blessed to have an easy delivery....it was quick and painless! Congrats to Melanie! and welcome baby Dylan!!!
Okay....so our week....let me back track....I took Sadie in for her check up on Tues....she had been acting fussy for a day or 2. The dr said her ear was red...not really infected...but she had an eye irritation too. An antibiotic could take care of both..She got one immunization and we were on our way. Dr. said I could wait a day or 2 on the antibiotic, see if the ear cleared up. Wed....she is worse....Thursday...cried all day.. I start the medicine( this is when I am at the hospital for a good part of the day)...
I get home from the delivery...Seth Has got to get working on his CPE classes to finish and renew his CPA license by 5:00 Friday. I think at his point he had like 50 hours to get in! AHHH!!!
So, I take over with the baby.....she is a mess. I take her to the Urgent Care at 1:00 in the morning....The Dr. says she has a couple of blisters in her mouth....not a reaction to the shot, and thinks she has a virus...nothing we can do....discontinue the antibiotics.
I walked away NOT happy.
She had a horrible night in pain...Friday..same thing....Seth is frantically studying and taking tests....Sadie is a mess. Luke and Ella both get fevers.....they just lie around thankfully and eat popsicles.
Friday was the longest day ever...it was 10 am and felt like 10 at night. It was horrible. I called Sadie's doc to tell her about the blisters...she says she has a virus that causes that. Herpangina.
great.....it can last 3 - 7 DAYS...
As the day went on I reserached online about these types of viruses and checked Sadie over again. She has Hand Foot and Mouth disease. She literally had like 50 blisters on her poor little tongue. And, more on her hands and feet. She woudn't eat or drink or take a binky...so sad. The Dr prescribed some lidocaine to put in her mouth to try to get her to drink. The viruses are similar..adn there is nothing you can do for them...just let it run its course.
So, our poor Sadie....she has lost weight and looks worn out.
This morning she seems to have a bit more energy and ate breakfast....so hopefully this is almost over! If you can, remember her in your prayers... And oh yah, Seth finished in the nick if time...I think he handed it is at 4:50....so he remains a CPA....and a procrastinator. :) Phew!
On a happier note....my cousin Charlene and her baby Turner are coming all the way from home ( Ontario) on Monday for a visit! I am so excited!

more beach pics...

Hope got her hair braided....so cute!

Camping on the Beach Rocks!

We took our trailer down to Puerta Penasco, Rocky Point this past weekend. Seth wanted to do the race there, and we were all desperate for a getaway! We had blast! We played at the beach, gathered seashells, ate mangos and relaxed! Just want we needed! Seth was really brave and took the 3 big kids on a banana boat ride....and it was a little windy too! I was really scared as they pulled away from the beach...and rode far out of sight.....But they all made it back safe and had a blast! Ella had been wanted to ride that all weekend long!( as well as the dolphins) I think she will be my future roller coaster companion....I sure hope, anyway!
We were also very lucky to have a huge fireworks display ...right on the beach in front of our trailer! We just lied in bed and watched out of the trailer...it was super cool! Cinco de Mayo was the occasion....I am guessing...
We made it home safe and are already missing bare feet and the ocean breeze!!!

Our Triathlete! ...with permission this time

Seth participated in the 2nd annual Las Palomas Triathalon in Rocky Point, Mexico this weekend. He did awesome, despite lack of training time, and a super late night working ( so we could take off!)...and a bike from the early 1900's.........I believe he came in 14th in his age division. Way to go Daddy! We walked down the beach from where we camped to watch!

Sorry I don't know how to rotate images.

2 cuties in the Tub!

Okay - Sadie can not stand it when the girls are having a shower or bath without her....poor Ella is never alone.... Sadie is THRILLED to be the the tub and never wants to get out. She grunts in disapproval when I pick her up out of there. Ella was really into this photo shoot.... too cute!

She's off!

Sadie is walking....at 1o months....that is early...

She is everywhere!!!! She looks so minature....She hates crawling now...she is so over it. She is either walking or doing the gorilla crawl...too funny! Still no teeth though...which is fine by me....

She is such a cutie!..it seems like so much personality is suddenly bursting out of her this week....it is fun to see.

Phew!

We made it....April 15th....

We are all a little tired....looking forward to chillin' together.

Luke had his baptismal interview tonight....he is all set...How cute is he? Even missing 2 of his 4 front teeth?

Slacker

Yes, I am a slacker....but I have a a good excuse....it is TAX SEASON...and thank goodness it is almost over. I am ready for Seth to be done! I think he might have injured his foot at basketball last night....gotta love Church Ball....Our Stake thinks it is the NBA....I was going to take him up to Urgent Care for some X-rays, but a client called with an emergency..so he ran off..or I should say limped off....with only 1 shoe on....

To say life is crazy right now, is an understatement...but we are all surviving. Luke is keeping busy with 2 sports right now ( mental note...never again) Basketball and Football. I think he enjoys basketball better....he is certainly a great little player. His coach is pretty hard core..and we think Luke will learn alot this season.
Hope is keeping busy with school..and seems to be reading and writing stories all the time! I love that the kids love to read.... Hope has a field trip coming up to the Zoo...which should be really fun! She is ever the sweet helper and angel in our home.
Ella is enjoying having her cousin Lucy just around the corner! They play so cute. She is writing her name and recognizing letters and numbers..and excited for preschool in August. She always keeps us laughing around here...
Sadie has taken 4 or 5 steps already!!!!! She is a mover and a shaker! She wants to be be big like her sisters and brother. She is growing up too fast...I can't beleive she will be 1 in May...on Seth's birthday! Seth agreed to have a princess or TelleTubby joint birthday theme.... I will definatly post pictures of that!!!
I can't post any pics today....my camera is full and I messed it up trying to download it.
We will all resurface here in a week or 2....
peace!

Our Triathlete!

sorry - had to remove....

Starting for the Coyotes...Hope Jardine!!!

We have been enjoying a few Phoenix Coyotes games lately...we are working for a white out as they call it...in other words trying to make the playoffs...which is unlikely....but we still root for them! Luke and I went last weekend..to the Sens game...and there were TONS of Canadians there!!! I can spot them from a mile away! I loved talking with them..except it made me so homesick. They kept stopping me to ask me what Luke was eating...a dead giveaway they were Canadians..it was a Churro...

Ella has taken quite a liking to the games as well...so much though, that in the middle of sacrament meeting at Church she yells,"Let's go Coyotes!..said Ky- yotes!!!! like they yell at the games.... that's our Ella!

This weekend it is the Oilers...and they are giving our free green Coyotes hats for St. PAtricks Day! whoo hoo! I will post pics later.

We have a busy weekend...with that game, Luke's 1st football game of this season...he is on the NY Giants and they are playing the Seahawks....He is excited.

Adam and Christine ( Seth's bro and family) are moving in a few streets over on Saturday too! Should be fun!

Working From Home

Poor Seth! Try as he may...some days those girls just won't let him work! They are such daddy's girls! I must say Seth is good about giving in and giving the girls a little love here and there. Sadie now stands at his door to his office and yells,,DA DA DA!!! But it is tax season...so I try to keep them occupied as best I can.