Happy Birthday Brayden!!!

I'm a week late but I had to give a shout out to my curly-headed first born. He scored on his birthday. He got to go to a Fathers and Sons campout on his birthday, came home and had a Spiderman birthday party with A LOT of friends (reason I haven't posted is because all the pics were on Janessa's camera). I can't believe he is already 4! Man time seriously flies. He's turning out to be such a handsome and fun little boy. Here are 10 things I love about Brayden:
1. IMAGINATION!!! This boy loves to play pretend. He is always dressed up as someone or something. In fact for his birthday we didn't get him any toys, just costumes. He changes outfits at least 3 times a day.
2. Sensitivity. Brayden always knows when someone is sad and is always eager to give a good cuddle.
3. Cuddle Bug. I think Brayden will be my child that is willing to cuddle with me even when he's old. He loves to curl up on the couch, sit on laps, anything to have some cuddle time.
4. Even though it drives me crazy at times, ever since he was a little baby when he's tired or in need of comfort he plays with my eyebrows. It's endearing.
5. His ability to pull off some of the strangest faces, body movements and noises. I don't know wher most of them come from but it's funny.
6. Desire for adventure. When we were planning our family campout I asked him what he wanted to do his response was, "We need to go on an adventure in the woods for sure!" That sums up Brayden, he's always looking for something new and exciting. Whether is hiking through the mountains or flying to the moon, he's 100% in.
7. He's a great big brother. No one's allowed to bully Tavita but him! he loves to protect his little brother and sister. He's also pretty willing to "help out". Getting Tavita dressed, reading to Kalei etc.
8. His random hillarious comments. He comes up with the funniest things out of nowhere. Often it's him using phrases he hears from on like "Pfff, oh come on Mom be serious!" or "What the..." or "Whatever, I'm sooo over it". Other times it's him just saying what's on his mind. I.E. the other day we were driving in the car and out of nowhere he says, "Mom, someday Auntie Janessa's Hawaii friend (one of her friends he met in Hawaii and has had a crush on ever since) is going to be my girlfrien." I replied, "Oh really, why's that." He gets big eyes, throws his hands in the air and exlaims very dramatically, "Because Mom, she's the most beautiful girl of all my life!"
9. His love for animals. This boy adores animals and loves them all no matter what. He has even deemed every fly in our house to be his pet "Sugar" and runs around the house playing with them.
10. His thoughtfulness. This boy has an amazing memory. Along with being able to remember everything he sees and does, he also remembers people's likes and dislikes. He remembered Uncle Jason likes SpoungeBob so he saved the SpoungeBob toothpast he got from the dentist for Uncle Jason to use when he came to visit. He remembered Grandma telling him she loves fresh tomatoes so he picked some tomatoes to bring to her at the airport. He knows Incredibles is Daddy's favorite movie so he always asks Junior if he wants to watch that movie.
Brayden, we are so excited and grateful to have you in our family. You keep life exciting and always provide for some kind of adventure. Your brother and sister are so lucky to have you as their older brother and example. Happy Birthday!!!

We had a great time at his Spidermand Party. He had gotten a Spiderman suit for his birthday and he wore it the whole time. Had some issues with the rice krispy treats that made the head on his cake (hense the reason he looks smashed and wide) but the kids loved the spiderman power juice, Doctor Octopus hot dogs. We played Spiderman Limbo, bobbed for Spidey's friends, pin Spiderman on the web (compliments of Jr's artwork, had a Green Goblin pinata (again Jr's work) and the highlight of the party was running around and shooting the villans with their webs (water guns)

Remodel complete!!!

So we finally finished the house a couple weeks ago. Still have a few minor things to do and then decoratin. Who wants to be my interior designer cause I'm hopeless! Anyway loving my new kitchen and LOVING having the whole ordeal all but behind us

Kalei is 2 Months!!!

Man, our lives have been so crazy over the past two months I was shocked when I remembered yesterday she had her 2-month check-up today. I hate when life is so chaotic I feel like I'm letting the time with my kids slip by. Oh well, after Tuesday (appraisal day) our lives should slow down considerably. Anyway are you ready for the little chunky monkeys stats:
Weight: 12 lbs 14 oz
Height: 24 inches
She's in the 97% for height, weight and head. Don't mess with this girl cause as soon as she's mobile she'll be ready to do some damage!
A few of her first this past month:
- 1st trip to the zoo (slept through it)
- 1st parade (slept through it)
- 1st fireworks (slept through it)
- 1st time to church (slept through it for the most part)
Are you seeing a pattern here, no wonder she's so big, her body is 100% committed to growing, no energy can be wasted on anything else!
- 1st time playing catch (Tavita was shocked when he chucked a ball at her head she wouldn't catch the ball and throw it back)
- 1st time being sat on (Thanks Brayden!)
- 1st time being fingerpainted (Her brothers are artist!)
My favorite first for her is definitely her SMILE! This little girl is so animated. She gets a smile that starts from her toes, she shakes and a giant smile explodes on her face. She's also always cooing and making the cutest baby noises. It amazes me how much more socially interactive she is than her brothers were (must be a girl thing)
This is the closest I've gotten to catching a smile on camera. She's gearing up for one of her explosive smiles but I snapped a second too soon.

Why Bother?

This is the question I found myself repeatedly asking myself as we worked (and yes with the Shum tribe it's work) our way through church this morning. We were racing out the door 5 minutes after 9 for our 9 o'clock services. A disturbing trend we've started since I've had Kalei which makes no sense cause I woke her up 5 minutes before we left, slipped a dress on her an whamo she was ready. So why is it that her mere presence makes us suffer from chronic tardiness. Anyway as I was saying we were racing out the door Brayden donning pirate gear over his church clothes and Tavita still barefoot Janessa notices an unpleasant odor and finds Tavita's hindside to be the culprit. Look in the diaper bag find millions of Kalei's diapers but of course none for Tavita. I run in the house, grab a diaper and say we'll change him at church after the sacrament. We continue our trek, Janessa kindly carries the wreaking child while Junior pushes the pirate and Kalei in the stroller. We get to chruch 10 minutes late while the sacrament hymn is being sung. We try to depirate Brayden as we walk in the chapel but he managed to walk in with an overlooked eyepatch crossbones and all.
We sit down to sing the last few verses and I finally manage to strap Tavita's shoes on. Brayden pulls out his bag of cowboy and indians (not the most church friendly toys to begin with but they aren't allowed any toys until after the sacrament has been administered) I whispered to him he had to hold them queitly in his lap until after sacrament was over. He gives me a look like, "no way am I listening today" and tries to sneak an indian out of the bag. I whispered a little more firmly to put it away, he still ignored. I then told him, the toys get set to the side that instant or they were going in the trash can. (yes I'm a mom of threats and I don't care what you think!) He still ignored so I grabbed the toys from his hand. No sooner did I grab from the bag that a scream started comnig from his mouth. Note, the whole room is quiet as the bread is being passed around. I instantly covered his mouth and guided him toward Junior who was at the end of the pew. This made him cry harder and as Junior carried him out he cried (loudly) the whole way, "No Daddy, not the trash can! Please not the trash can." Everyone looked back with a confused look on their face. I just smiled like, "what, you don't throw your kids in the trash when they act up? you should try it!"
No sooner did they leave that Janessa realized not only was Tavita's diaper extremly smelly (which I'm sure only confirmed people's suspicions of our tendency to dump our kids in the trash) but also very full. In fact so full it had gotten all over both her and Tavita when she carried him. So off they went.
Finally a bit of quiet, or so I thought. Soon I hear Kalei whimper. This girl gives no warning when she's getting hungry. It's dead asleep straight to wails. I pick her up, soothe her long enough for the sacrament to end and as soon as the deacons sit down out we go.
So, we had been at church a total of 10-15 minutes and not a single one of us were in the pew anymore. I just sat in the mothers room and thought, "Why, why bother." and I'm sure the rest of the congregation had similar thoughts. The boys did redeem themselves some. Brayden and Junior returned soon after the sacrament finished, fit over and renewed commitment to act the way he's supposed to (which he normally is very good at doing). Janessa and Tavita returned poop free ready to take on the rest of church. I just sat in the mother's room and listened to the speaker I just started laughing. Why, becuase of all things her topic was on teaching reverence to our children. I'm sure she wanted to hold up a giant sign that said "Shum's take notes"
As I was returning to the chapel I glanced in the primary room and noticed the chairs never got set up prior to church starting as they were supposed to. So I spent the remainder of sacrament meeting setting up chairs and remembering the good old days where I left church and actually felt spiritually uplifted rather then physically drained.
But as the primary kids filed in for primary and I got to listen to their little testimonies and as we walked home from church listening to what my boys learned in their classes I realized that I do benifit from church. True I don't leave with some new deep concept learned. But I have constant little reminders of how beautiful the basics of the gospel are.
Brayden came home and sat at the table for a very long time until he finally gave in and wrote (actually traced) "I will not scream in church, I will listen to Mommy and Daddy, I will be reverent in church." Then we talked about how he was going to act next week. Tavita came home and used to toilet several times so hopefully his stinky days are coming to an end. Kalei has slept almost the whole time since coming home. I sat back and thought, "yeah someday, these kids will be sitting like angels in church and everyone will wonder how I do it." And I'll sit there in my 80 year old body, gaze lovingly at my middle aged children sitting quietly just as we practiced for the past 50 years and finally I will have a quiet sacrament meeting.

Let Freedom Ring! and a ridiculous amount of pictures

So, I know it's over a week late but here's a tribute to the greatest day of the year. I love the 4th of July! The BBQ, swimming, being outside, corn on the cob, watermelon, and most of all the chance to celebrate this great country. I am so grateful to be an American. I one of those that gets teary-eyed every time I hear the national anthem, am driven crazy when people don't salute the flag etc. I think I look forward to this day more than Christmas, no joke.
If there's one thing I have to give Provo credit for is that it puts on one heck of a 4th of July celbration. It goes on for days. I was going crazy this year since I couldn't take part in most of the celebrations. I had just had surgery that Tuesday (nothing major just a cyst removal) but because of it I was still laid up. However Junior and Janessa took the boys out and about and they had a great time. On Friday morning they woke early for the Balloon Festival. They were at Provo High at 6:45 to watch the launching of tons of balloons. They even had a chance to go up in one (it was anchored and taking them like 30 feet) but both were too afraid.
Later that day they headed over to the Freedom Festival where they walked through a colonial village, jumped on millions of inflatables, rode on tortises, and had snakes hanging around thier necks (yes, they'll let snakes slither around on them but they won't get in hot air balloons, go figure) and lots of other fun activities. All the while I was sitting at home going stir crazy.
Saturday morning I had had enough of being holed up in the house for the past four days so I hobbled along to join them for the Grand Parade. A lot of people love to stake claim to their spot at 3 the day before and camp out but we sent Janessa and her friend 1 1/2 hours early and then showed up 15 min before starting and it worked out perfect. The parade is crazy and attracts tens of thousands of people. Really puts a down home feel good patriotic pride in you. Despite a brief downpour then lots of heat the boys had a ton of fun. Their favorite by far were all the emergency vehicles at the beginning blasting their sirens, the military (esp. the tank shooting cannons). We discovered just how resourceful our little boys are. Tavita HATES the rains so when it started raining he dove under Janessa's arms and used her as a tent till the burst passed. Brayden was desperate for some shade, pushed two chairs together and watched crouched down and peering through cracks. We went home and napped because we had 3 different BBQs planned. However, Tavita wound up getting heat exahustion and we didn't make it past the 1st BBQ. He climbed into my lap and said "Mom, I sick, go home" It was so sad to see our full of life little boy turn down fireworks, ice cream, cookies the works just so he could go home and sleep. Brayden was a good sport about missing out on all the action. We finished of the night by sitting on our roof and watching the fireworks from Stadium of Fire. Some year we'll splurge and let the kids watch the action from inside the stadium. Anyway, as always no particular order here's some shots!
Balloon Fest!




Freedom Festival
Going Back in Time


Future Crocdile Hunters "Crikey!!!"



Bouncing Fun


The boys LOVED looking at the cars



One day we WILL own a sandbox like this, they could've stayed all day!


The Grand Parade
Ready to go!

If you only knew how huge her head was, you'd know the true enormity of that flower she loved oh so very much!

Waiting for the parade to start

Taking cover from the rain

and the sun

Giant otterpops, water dumped unsuspectingly over your head by a loving mom= instant cool down



What Kalei thought of the whole ordeal


And finally a few (or not so few) randoms
At the pool with Aunti Janessa. As you can see she has pretty much taken over as Mommy since my surgery (thanks a million Janessa!)

You can't have a well-rounded childhood without seeking warmth from the concrete.

Playing pirate with Papa

Before their cousin Cooper left we took a zoo trip.


A tribute to spiderman


Watch out Cooper, theres alligators on the other side of that rope!



Bustin the moves headspin style!

Fun with sparklers

1st time going to church

What's not to love about summer!

Just cause I can't get enough of this girl!