Toby Josie and Elle and Cash!: 2014

Friday, December 26, 2014

CHRISTMAS DAY!!!!

Why it's Christmas Day!!!! Such a wonderful wonderful day. It started with the kids waking up at the crack of dawn again...but who are we kidding. I couldn't sleep anyway. The kids slept all together in the boys room while of course we had Kemp. We started the morning with a prayer and our gifts to Jesus. After all what is this day really about. The kids always think I take so darn long getting everything ready.... teeth brushed, music on, camera ready etc....and you know...making sure Santa came and all. This year was extra special having Kemp with us and having a 2 year that is starting to get it. It just makes it all that much more fun. Some of the kids special gifts included: new bikes! and a scooter for Tate, an Eliza Doolittle doll for Elle, a football jersey for Cash, a train/lego table for Tate, Legos for everyone, a dino-zoomer for Cash, a peg doll castle for Elle, and lots more that I can't even think of. Santa spoils them. I loved watching Tates little face. So much excitement. We enjoyed going over to Kathy's and spending some time with them. Best part of the day was skyping with Grandpa and Grandma Christensen for awhile. Grandma June even got a special little corsage for the Skype. So darling. We opened gifts with one another and then back to my mom's for more gifts and food. We got a pretty special announcement that evening from Jamie and Jace....I had known for some time and had a hard time not telling anyone because my baby sister is having a baby!!! Ah!!! So exciting. No other way to describe the day than just magical. Best day of the year.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

The Night Before Christmas.....

THEE BEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR!!! I mean look at these pictures! I love Christmas EVE so much. The feeling is just pure joy and excitement. We were able to go to both families houses and have beautiful messages about our Savior and his birth and enjoy being together as a family. It was so nice to have Tory and Janie here this year. My mom gave the kids their annual Christmas ornaments, Christmas pj's and their breakfast boxes for the next morning. They love it so much. Then we came home to enjoy one more Christmas Eve in our house. Our last one. So bitter sweet. I love watching my two oldest laughing and anticipating the next morning. I think Tob and I turn into kids this night too. Its hard to sleep!!!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Zoo Lights!!!

ZOO LIGHTS! At first I was a little concerned about going on this December activity just because little Kemp is still just that. So little and I was so worried about him being cold and I still wasn't taking him out hardly anywhere. But our other kids wanted us to go so badly and we wanted to be there with them so we bundled Kemp really well, got the stroller really warm and cozy and off we went. The zoo looked so pretty all lit up and it was fun seeing the animals in a different season. Super great night other than....while I was taking a picture of my Dad and Tate by the train my brand new I Phone 6 dropped right out of my hands. I couldn't believe it. I honestly felt so sick to my stomach because it cracked the top of the screen. I was so worried Tob was going to be upset that it was hard for me to enjoy the rest of the night. I didn't even want to tell anyone and ruin their night haha. But this little story has a good ending because the next day I took it to the apple store...told the guy exactly what had happened..and he said, "because you told the truth and didn't try to sugar coat everything I'm going to get it fixed for you for free. Merry Christmas." Isn't that awesome?!!! I was SOOOO happy. Makes for a good memory:)

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Joni's Party / The Tree of Life / Gingerbread Houses

Wouldn't be Christmas without these traditions! Love our Christmas party at Joni's, Gingerbread houses at Grandma and Grandpas AND this year we added going to see the Tree of Life in Draper. What a beautiful sight that tree was! We of course, listened to Christmas music and drove by Christmas Street and other lit up houses along the way. My kids love it and I love watching their faces.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Our Little Christmas Tradition / The River Bottoms

We have a lot of Christmas Traditions....especially with the Downs family. But a while back Toby started one that I have really grown to love. The RIVERBOTTOMS! We started this year by taking the kids to Fashion Place mall to one of their very favorite stores...the Lego store. The kids are so cute there...makes me wonder what they'd think of LegoLand in San Diego:) After that we drove to Maggleby's and had such a wonderful dinner together and then we headed to the River Bottoms to see Santa again! It really wasn't that cold so it made for a nice night. The line wasn't too long and it's all such a charming set up with a fireplace, lights, music. It really is magical. Tate didn't see the magic part and screamed and cried to have to sit on his lap again. One of the stores there was just full of vintage toys and candy and I think the kids enjoyed playing in there as much as anything. Cute rocking horses, choo choo trains, and all. They were heaven. So fun to be together and enjoy things like this the month of December. A tradition we'll carry on for years!

Quotes by Elle...and sometimes Cash:)

I turned on the tv and a certain cartoon came on.
C: Mom! I used to watch this show when I was just a kid.
03/11

I was on a girls night out with my friends when I accidently called toby. He was upstairs yelling "Josie" into his phone trying to get my attention. Elle came upstairs and said, "Dad she's not here!" He said, "oh I know elle she accidently called me so I was just trying to get her to hear me." Elle says, "Oh...she bummed dialed ya, huh?"

What??!!!! How does she know this??

02/23/11

Elle ran out of toilet paper so started calling to Cash to get her some. After 3 attempts and him saying he's just too tired she yells to me. I told her to ask Cash. "He's too tired!" She yells. Right then Cash says to me, "mom will you play with me?" She hears this and says, "oh never mind mom, I stand corrected, he's not too tired." -

02/24/2011

After "losing" Cash for a minute at the gym daycare:

E: Mom when I found him my heart took the biggest deep breath and my brain was like so happy. I just wanted to hug him!

05/2010

E: Mom I have to tell you something about myself that's different that I think you're going to be really happy about. I like lettuce now. And green beans.

02/2010

E: Mom I'm so happy for you. You've worked so hard today.

J: How do you know?

E: Well you made dinner and now you're making me these flowers for my room.

J: What about making breakfast and lunch, and the 3 loads of laundry, the dishes, cleaning yours and Cash's rooms, vaccuuming the whole house, the bathrooms, cleaning the basement, and organizing your closets...Did you know I did all that too?

E: No, but now that you mention it I did see vaccuum lines in my room.

02/2010

After Elle did something funny that reminded me of Toby

J: Elle I swear you and your Dad are the same person

E: No we're not mom. My face is a circle and Dad's is an oval!

01/2010

After getting off the phone frustrated because Elle was talking to me at the same time

J: Elle! Can I talk to two people at the same time? I only have one mouth!!!

E: No. But you do have two ears so you can listen to me and them and then just answer me when you're off.

J: (nothing...I had nothing.)

12/2009

After asking Toby for something and he said no Elle came to me. When I said Daddy already said no she said, "I know but you're in charge of Daddy."

11/09

We were driving around on some errands

E: Mom where are we?

J: Murray

E: Oh. That's too bad.

J: What's too bad?

E: This seems like a fun place. It's too bad they named it Murray.

09/2009

Cash and I (Josie) had been taking turns giving each other colds off and on for about a week. Elle finally got this bright idea and said, "Mom! I know what you need to do! You and Cash keep cuddling and giving each other colds back and forth back and forth. You just need to find someone not in this family and cuddle with them. Oh and it would be best if it was someone you didn't like."

09/2009

After Elle got in a little trouble and was in time out she got off the chair and said, "Mom do you forgive me?" I said, "Of course I do." She said, "Good. Cause if you didn't you'd be holding a grunge."

07/2009

E: Mom are you proud of me for being so nice to Cash?

J: Yep...I'm really proud.

E: So are you thinking of something really nice you can do for me?

07/2009

J: Elle Mommy has to get this done...can you please help me with Cash and talk to him for a minute.

E: Sure mom. I'll try and find the energy to.

07/2009

Elle was laying flat upon the top part of our couch and I kept telling her she was going to fall off. After the 3rd time I told her...she fell off. I had a hard time being sympathetic but I put my arms around her and asked her why she didn't listen to me.

E: I didn't hear you. (Sobbing)

J: Yes you did. I said it right to you.

E: Well next time you might need to use a microphone!

05/09

E: Mom I know who the 1st people on earth were...Adam and Eve. And they ate the bad fruit cause the bad man told them too.

J: That's right Elle...but they only made that bad choice once and then they decided to follow Heavenly Father from now on. E: Well how did he know they chose the wrong?

J: He's always watching us so He knows when we choose the right or wrong.

E: So what does he do just watch us with a telescope?

05/09

E: Mom I don't want to turn 8. I don't mind turning 7 but not 8.

J: Well I don't want you turn 8 anytime soon either elle, but why not?

E: Because when I turn 8 I get baptized and I don't have a good pair of goggles right now.

05/09

J: Elle be nice to your cute baby brother!

E: Well actually ...I don't think he looks that cute with his new haircut.

04/2009

E: Cash! That's not how you do it. Allow me to demonstrate.

04/2009

I had Elle and Cash in the bathtub together and Cash kind of slipped a little so out of curiousity I asked Elle if she'd know what to do if Cash slipped under the water.

E: Sure I'd just save him

J: Really? And how would you do that?

E: I'd just put some goggles on him.

(i think she's ready to babysit now)

03/2009

This morning I told Elle we had a lot to do cause it was her day for dance and preschool.

E: How did you know I had those 2 things today?

J: I'm your mom and I know everything.

E: Well I'm a girl and girls know everything too.

(Yep. They sure do.)

03/09

E: Dad you're my very best friend. And I have A LOT of friends!

03/2009

As we pulled in to St. George Elle started talking about how excited she was to see her friends Bryson, Brielle and Trey. Then she said, "Dad why don't bryson and brielle want to live in Riverton? Hope and Caleb do. Everyone lives in Riverton!

We were picking up some food at Arby's and Elle kept saying she wanted a cheeseburger. Toby kept telling her they don't have cheeseburgers here...just roast beef. After telling her this over and over I whispered to Toby, "she'll be fine, she doesn't even know what roast beef is." Elle heard me and said, "I do to know mom. Roast beef is chicken!"

03/2009

I was painting Elle's toenails when she said, "Wow mom! This smells good." I smiled and kept on painting. A minute later she said, "Mom- this is smelling really really good." - NO more nail painting for Elle for a while :)

02/2009

Cash walked up to Elle and put his arms around her for a hug. She gave him one back and said, "Awww... thanks Cash. I can feel your love for me."

02/2009

I promised Elle a surprise if she was really good at preschool and didn't get the "Red Chair." I found her a little fairy book full of sparkles and cute pictures. When she opened it she said, "Wow thanks mom! I've wanted this book since I was just a little girl."

01/2009

Elle and I were watching one of her cartoons and it was talking about recycling and keeping our world clean. So when it was over I said, "So what do you think we can do to keep our world clean?" Elle says, "Not throw up on it." Good thinking Elle

01/2009

Funniest conversation between Toby and Elle. Elle had gotten out a game and had the pieces everywhere all over her room.

T: Oh no Elle...mom's going to mad when she sees this!

E: Mad at you?

T: Why would she be mad at me? I didn't do it.

E: Can we tell her Cash did it?

T: We can't tell her Cash did it if you did it.

E: Well Did you see me do it?

T: ARHHH

01/2009

After a disagreement between Elle and Cash over her sharing her toys with him I said, "Now Elle...Do you think that's choosing the right? No reply. But a few seconds later she yelled, "Mom Cash's isn't choosing the right...Cause he's buggin me.

01/09

One particular day when I felt like Elle had about talked my head off I finally looked at her and said, "Elle! please stop talking for one minute." She looked at me and said, "Why Mom? I like to talk. That's what humans do. They talk.

12/08

As the boy passing the sacrament put it in front of Elle she looked up at him and said, "Oh, No Thanks." Loud I might add. 11/08

As we were driving in the car the radio had an advertisment that was asking for a Big Cash Giveaway this holiday season. It continued on saying please donate Cash and give away as much Cash as you can.

E: Mom! I don't want to give Cash away.

J: (laughing to myself) you don't want to give him away?

E: NO!

J: Then what should we do?

E: I know! Let's brake the radio so it will never say that again!

11/08

I've been attempting to teach Elle that all she has to do is ask me ONE time for whatever it is she needs and I'll do my best to get it for her right away. None of this asking 15 times. This morning I asked her what she wanted for breakfast. As I was reaching in the cabinet I realized I hadn't been paying attention to her answer so I asked her again.

E: "Mom, how many times do you need to ask me what I want?"

J: "Just one Elle." (with a smile on my face)

E: "Okay and how many times did you ask me?"

J: "Two times."

E: "So are you sorry?"

busted

11/08

Elle really wanted to smell one of my candles that was high up on the wall in a sconce. I told her not right now it was too high. She kept insisting she needed to smell it. After the third "no" i finally said okay. After she was done smelling it she said, "Thanks Mom. That was refreshing."

11/01/08

Elle had gotten all of her toys out of her toy box looking for something and they were scattered everywhere.

J: Elle it's time to pick up all your toys and put them away

E: That's okay mom. That might make me tired.

J: Guess what? Mommy's been picking up the entire day and it makes me tired too but I still do it. So please pick them up.

E: Ugh! Mom...sometimes you just don't understand me!

10/20/08

Toby and Elle were downstairs together when Toby decided to go upstairs and change into his church clothes. When he came back down Elle must have thought it was quite the change because she exclaimed, "Wow. Dad you look a fricken adorable!"

10/08

Elle was laying on my bed and Cash's blanket was apparently too close for her comfort. She chucked it across the room.

J: Elle why did you just do that?

E: Cause it was in my grill

09/08

E: Mom who's Cash going to marry?

J: He doesn't know yet.

E: It's okay Cash. I'll marry you.

(yikes)

09/08

Cash was squeezing Elle's arm and she couldn't stop giggling. Finally she said, "Cash! Stop trying to get milk out of me!"

09/08

Toby took Elle on the giant Farris Wheel that's inclosed and swings as you go around at California Adventure.

J: Elle did you go on that giant Farris Wheel with Daddy?!

E: No mom. They're called swinging gondolas.

(my bad...how in the world did she know that?)

09/08

We bought Elle a little Minnie Mouse doll at Disneyland that comes with changes of clothes and accessories. As she was going through all the little tiny brushes and mirrors she came across a little cell phone. She said, "Wow mom! I didn't know mouses had cell phones."

09/08

J: Did you have a bad dream last night Elle?

E: No

J: Did you have a good dream?

E: No. Medium big girls don't know how to get good dreams out of their heads.

09/08

T: Elle do you like horses?

E: Ya I do like horses. But they stink.

08/08

Elle's going to be going to preschool at a friends house in our neighborhood. As we were going on a walk past it I said, "Elle that's where you're going to be going to preschool in a couple of months." She said, "No it's not." I said, "Yes it is." She said, "No it's not Mom. Schools don't have garages." She has a point. 07/08

J: Elle go grab me a tissue so I can help you blow your nose.

E: Oh no thanks mom. I'll just blow it back in.

07/08

Every Wednesday a couple of my friends and our kids have a standing swim date at another friends pool in our ward. For some reason we couldn't get Elle to get in this time. She was all lotioned up and had her floaties on but she would not do more than dangle her feet in. After 45 minutes and one last attempt at coaxing her in she exclaimed, " I don't want to mess my hair up!" Wow.

06/08

After an extremely short prayer offered by Elle

J: We need to practice saying a little bit of a longer prayer huh Elle?

E: I can't say a long prayer Mom... See look how little my legs are!

05/28/08

J: Hey Elle... do you want to go swimming today?

E: Oh no thanks Mom. I need to go to Target today.

05/15/08

We were passing the temple by Day Break that's undergoing construction.

E: OH NO!

J: What Elle?

E: The temple is still yellow and now I can't get married tomorrow!

04/30/08

T: Elle are you picking your nose?!

E: NO! I'm just getting the bugs out.

04/27/08

Toby teasing Elle

T: Cash is so happy your his big brother!

E: I'm not a boy dad! I'm a girl...see look...I have eyebrows!"

04/2008

We were watching Dancing with the Stars and Elle was playing in the background and then suddenly looked up and stared at the show for a minute. As serious as could be she exclaimed,

"Hey! Those are my dance moves!"

04/2008

Elle and Tob swimming together

T: Aren't you just a little fish?

E: I'm not a fish dad! I'm a princess. (very concerned)

03/2008

Tob and I were driving through Spanish Fork Canyon today and the conversation went something like this:

T: Elle we're going to have so much fun driving right through those mountains!

E: No Dad, we have to go under them.

T: Nope we're going to go right through them.

Elle's bottom lip starts quivering and big tears start running down her face.

T: Elle what's wrong?

E: I want to go home.

T: Why? We're going to have fun today.

E: No! We're going to crash!

03/10/08

We woke up to snow last Sunday morning. On the way to Church as we passed all the houses covered in snow Elle yelled, "Oh no! All the houses are ruined!"

03/02/08

Toby was singing "You are my Sunshine" to Elle but when he got to the first 'sunshine' Elle exclaimed, "No Dad! I'm your moon."

02/27/08

(Yelling into me while I'm in the bathroom)

E: Mom are you going to the bathroom?

J: Yes Elle

E: On the big toilet?

J: Yes Elle

E: Oh Mom...I'm so proud of you!

02/22/08

E: Dad I'm not a baby anymore. I growed up.

02/20/08

J: Elle did you seriously just do that?!

E: Oh come on mom! It was an accident! ( she'd never said that before)

J: (silent)

E: It wasn't your fault mom

J: (still silent)

E: You've got to talk to me (followed by the cutest mischievious smile)

02/17/08

After a little disagreement with a friend..

J: Elle are you okay?

E: Look at my face mom...there's no smile on it.

02/16/08

She was all bundled up in her snow clothes so tight that she looked like a little pink marshmellow and couldn't move...then she fell over.

J: Elle are you alright?

E: Ya I think so

J: Need help up?

E: Oh...no. I can handle this.

02/16/08

After leaving Grandma's house when she really put up a fight to stay...

E: Mom I don't want to go!

J: I know Elle but we need to go home

E: But I will miss Ema (Grandma)

J: I know

E: Mom? My heart is breaking!

02/08

Friday, December 26, 2014

CHRISTMAS DAY!!!!

Sunday, December 21, 2014

The Night Before Christmas.....

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Zoo Lights!!!

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Joni's Party / The Tree of Life / Gingerbread Houses

Friday, December 12, 2014

Our Little Christmas Tradition / The River Bottoms

SO Happy!

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Our Little Family a Year Later

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