I've got a two year old attitude!

Months before little B turned two his attitude started changing by becoming moody and stubborn. He has got a two year old attitude and he has it bad. Seriously, I don't remember my others being so stubborn. Luckily he still has some redeeming qualities and that I love him no matter what. I may just have to take a few more mommy moments and deep breathes to deal with him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE B. We sure love you around this house.

For your birthday daddy son date dad took you to Disneyland. Dad followed you around and let you choose where you wanted to go. You loved being in charge at Disneyland. Dad also let you pick out some toys you wanted to buy. Of course you got a glow in the dark Mickey and a glow in the dark gun. Your brothers were both very jealous. We had a Mickey themed bday party for your birthday. You loved all the balloons and your Mickey shaped cake. Your brothers liked the Mickey shaped rice krispie treats. You were thrilled with all of your presents, again your brothers were jealous.

At age two:

You love the big yellow dump truck. You push it around the tile floor as fast and as loud as you can. You only stop to add more items into the back of the truck.

You idealize your big brothers and have to do whatever they are doing. This both frustrates and amuses your brothers.

You love being outside playing. Whatever your big brothers are doing outside you are doing too.

You love family time and being the center of attention. You sure can be a loud kid.

You like wearing hats and gloves. 

Your favorites include: 

banana's, apples, avocado's, pancakes, and chicken nuggets.

The big yellow dump truck

Small cars that you can double fist

Reading with mom

Watching Mickey Mouse

Legos

What I love about you:

I love that you are so full of energy and life.

I love that you look up to your big brothers.

I love our mornings together where we ride bikes, exercise, play toys, watch Mickey, read books and take naps.

I love your big blue eyes.

Where did November go?

I can't believe how fast November has flown by. 

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, we were too busy having fun that I forgot to take any pictures. My cousin Leslie and her fun family came up to celebrate with us. They came up Thanksgiving Eve and spent two nights with us. The boys loved, loved, loved having so many kids to play with. We played games, ate tons, and spent a lot of our time outside playing in the street. In the end we were all sad to see our cousins go. We loved having such fun company!

My first time cooking Thanksgiving was a success! We feed 16 people in all. I can't say I pulled Thanksgiving off as flawlessly as my mom does, but I can say that there were no food disasters. I can't believe how much work goes into making Thanksgiving dinner, mom makes it look so easy. Thank heavens I had Nate and Leslie to help pull it off.

The day after Thanksgiving our Christmas tree went up. The kids were thrilled. I love watching the magic of Christmas through my kids eyes. I look forward to the next month of creating new Christmas traditions with our boys.

Christmas 2012 at the Franci casa.

My little Halloweenies

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday and is even more fun now that I have kids. I love watching them decide on their Halloween costumes, seeing their anticipation grow as the BIG day approaches, and seeing them all dressed up.

 Ash as a zombie.

 Coach as a vampire.

 Little B as a sweet lion.

 I love the back side of the lion costume.

 This is what the boys looked like when they showed up on a porch. For all of those family members who missed out on my boys trick or treating this year.

Little B was so cute this year as he was totally into trick or treating. He knew if he showed up on someone's porch and say twick or tweat he would get a sweet reward. He was always kind enough to say tank tou after receiving his prize. Our plan was to take Little B to a few streets in the neighborhood and then he would stay home to hand out candy with me. When we got home to do the switch off he was upset and knew he was being cheated. My little man gave it his all and almost made it the whole evening of trick or treating, but in the end tiredness won out.

Saying Goodbye

We lost our dear sweet Cookie Grandma (Nate's Grandma) at the end of September. Cookie grandma loved her grand kids and great grand kiddies so much. We always loved to visit as she always had cookies and the best hugs for us. We are going to miss you dear sweet Cookie Grandma and are glad that we will be able to spend the eternities with you.

We headed out to Utah for the funeral. It was a beautiful funeral full of sweet stories and lots of love. Even though the circumstances were sad we were glad to be home in Utah with so many loved ones.

 Nate, his cousins, and grandpa.

 The cousins decided to recreate a family portrait that cookie grandma loved. Silly cousins.

 Three generations of Francis boys. Nate, his brothers, his dad, and grandpa.

 Four Generations of Francis boys. Our boys, Nate, his dad, and grandpa. So far Nate and I are the only ones carrying on the Francis name. Lol! I think we are doing an excellent job!

While in Utah we had to check out the beautiful fall colors with a hike.

 I love Utah in the fall!

 We also made a trip out to Gardner Village to check out the witches. So fun!

Best buddies! I love that these two get along so well.

First day of school

It is official I have two boys in school. They both started on August 8.

Coach Kindergarten 2012
Teacher Mrs. Nipper-Mealey

Ash 1st grade 2012
Teacher Mr. Barnes

The boys both love their teachers and seem to be doing very well in school. Now if they would do their homework with out whining school would be perfect.

As for little B and me our days are pretty full without our older brothers. In the morning we work hard to get the boys off to school. We ride our bikes together as a family to school. B loves these rides. Once B and I are home we cook ourselves a healthy breakfast, do our morning aerobics, and then have some play time. My favorite time of the day is reading time and nap time. I am so blessed that I can snuggle up and take a nap with my little B. After nap time it is lunch time then off to school to pick up the boys. They get out at 1:55 p.m. every day except Thursdays when they are out at 1:05 p.m.

This wonderful life is brought to us by our Dad who goes off to work everyday so mom can be home with her boys. Thank you babes!

We are very blessed!

SEVEN

I can't believe you have fast you have grown from being my first little baby to the big seven year old boy you are today. 

Seven of the many things I love about you!
1. You are the sweetest most patient older brother. You almost always include your brothers in what  
    you are doing and you are always looking out for their well being.
2. You are always up for an adventure. Wether it is hiking or riding big scary roller coasters with mom
    or riding the waves on a body board or biking with dad.
3. You make friends so easily and are friends to anyone. That will take you long ways as you grow so
    keep up that friendly personality.
4. You are up for trying new things. You learned to ride your bike with only one lesson. Then you
    turned around the next week and taught the neighbor boy how to ride.
5. You love your parents and work very hard to please them. We see this every day and are very proud
    of you and the many things you do.
6. I love your big brown beautiful eyes. They always melt my heart when you look into my eyes.
7. You are so smart and work hard at school almost as hard as you play at recess. You are going to
    kick butt in school this year!

We love you Asher and are looking forward to many more fun and exciting adventures with you!

Summer thus far

On Father's Day weekend we headed out to St. George to meet Nate's fabulous family at a house his dad so generously rented for the weekend. We had a blast hanging out with our Francis cousins swimming all day! 

The boys and I hitched a ride back to Salt Lake with Nate's family while Nate headed back to work in California. We missed our dad while we played in Utah, but we were glad we got to go and catch up with family and friends.

Our Bennion cousins arrived in Salt Lake when we did. We had cousin sleepovers, cabin time, boating, water play time, hiking, and an array of other fun activities with our cousins. We sure do love spending time with our cousins. It is such a rare treat.

We spent a total of five weeks in Utah. Our other activities included:

Camping with grandma Honnie

Cousin fun time with our Francis cousins

Celebrating Ash's 7th birthday

Exploring the Timpanogos Caves with our Bennion cousins

Meeting up with friends at This is the State Park

Checking out the new RIO Tinto Natural History Museum. Which is awesome!

Catching the South Salt Lake firework show with the Crooks, the Martins, the Bennions, and my cute mom and dad.

Me pulling off the BEST JFS Family Reunion in recent history. Go me!

Sleep over with Grandpa Brad, Grandma Marilee, and Aunt Alycia

Fun time with cousin Missy at the Children's Museum and Planetarium

Visiting the polar bears at the Hoogle Zoo with our baby cousin B

Eating at our favorite Utah restaurants, including the PIE, Cafe Rio, The Blue Lemon, Red Butte Cafe, Crown Burger, and Kneaders

Playing at splash parks with friends. We love the Watsons!

Lots of swimming. Thanks cousin Julie and family for sharing your pool. Thanks Cousin Aly for giving us swimming lessons.

Picnics in the beautiful Utah canyons

Catching up on our hugs and kisses from our grandparents

Spending quality time with the Davies family. We miss our neighbors.

Hiking Grandeur peak with Mary and Maisie

Guys movie night for Nate and the guys in the old hood, which meant girls night for Hollie and me.

Nate taking me to see Wicked before heading home.

Bringing Maisey dog home with us! Thanks Bampa, Glama, Uncle James, and Maggie for taking such good care of our girl. She misses you guys, but is also glad to be with her family.

We had a blast and are counting the days until we get to visit our Friends and family in Utah again. In the meantime our doors are always open so come and chill with us in Southern California!