Portland or bust!

I did it. I just booked my ticket to Portland! Me and my girls are having a girls weekend! I can't wait! I will be there November 20-23. I have a few people who want me to take their family pictures, so if anyone else is interested, let me know. Sarah is planning some fun girls nights, so if you want in, email me, or Sarah, so you get the invite! CAN'T WAIT! It's been almost 2 1/2 years! YIKES!

Dasterdly Duo

Okay, Makenna and Haley are the best of friends. Seriously, they LOVE each other. They are about 3 weeks apart in age. Kenna older. They play pretty well together, unless there is only one stroller between the two of them. They also manage to get into things together too. A few weeks ago, I caught them in the bathroom. They had gone to all the bathrooms for stools, and then managed to play in the water. Oh yeah, did I mention with ALL the measuring cups and spoons from the kitchen drawer?This morning takes the cake though. It was almost as bad as thePurple Paint Catastrophe of 2006. I was downstairs working on the computer. The girls were a mere few feet away, playing in the playroom. Totally normal. Well, since Haley is potty training, she was butt naked. She just can't seem to understand that the panties need to come off. Most times, she sits on the potty, pees, and then realizes her panties are on...anyways, she was playing in the buff (all of you potty training mom's will understand...those who don't...don't judge til you're in my shoes). Well, they both came running to me to show me what they had done...Well, pictures are worth a thousand words, right?
So, at first I thought Haley just had a good time by herself. THEN, she turned around, and I KNEW it was a team effort.It looks like they tried to draw on Makenna, but realized it was MUCH easier to draw on Haley. Those silly girls.
My clean up effort. She still has red markings all over. Uh oh. Why couldn't they have gotten into a blue marker? Someone may think she's a Utah fan.

How come I have a feeling we have many more years of trouble with those two?

The week in review...

Oh man...where to start? Last weekend, my parents took all my kids out to Myton - to visit my grandparents. They all had a blast! I'm really sad I didn't get out there. The weather and my schedule just don't cooperate. I may have to take a road trip by myself out there when the kids are off track in a few weeks. I made Kristin promise me that she would give a hug to my grandpa from me, and she swore she did. I miss my grandparents. Seeing them more. Life is too busy, and I know I don't take time for the things that are most important. I'm grateful for my parents for at least doing some of it for me. I'm glad my kids have relationships with my grandparents - I just wish I was there to see it and document it. They took Haley this time. Usually they would take the older kids, but we were in charge of the amazing race for Donnarae, that we asked them to take her too. She's almost 2, and I thought she would love it. She did pretty good, but she's not a fan of animals. Of any kind. Not even tiny newborn kittens. Wonder where she gets that from? I think she likes them from afar, and when they are on a leash - where they can't get her.

The Amazing Race went well. I am glad it is over and I can't wait for the one next year.

I was sick for pretty much the whole week - which really thwarted my exercise/swimming routine. I worked out all of 1 day last week. I'm anxious to get back on the horse this week.

My dad quit his job this week. It's a great story, actually. His work was downsizing, and had to lay off 1 person. The company tried to be fair about who they laid off, so they just chose the last person hired. Which, happened to be a guy supporting his young family. He is friends with my dad, and called my dad the night it happened to tell him. My dad got to thinking, and decided to write his bosses a letter, explaining why it would be beneficial to keep this young guy, and lay off my dad. It's now a done deal. This is my dad's last week of work. Then, he will travel with my mom. I am so happy! My parents are both really happy, this young guy is really happy, and my kids are so happy to think that they get to go walk the dogs with papa all the time now! He was out of town so much before! My kids go off track for pretty much the whole month of November...so, watch out dad...your phone is going to be ringing off the hook!

Haley's potty training has gone pretty good. As of yet, she has not had any pooping accidents (LOUDLY KNOCKING ON WOOD). I was kind of discouraged yesterday. She hasn't gotten the pee exactly down - especially when she has clothes on. I was wondering last night if I should give up. Then...this morning, she went pee by herself - without having to be asked to sit on the potty, or if she had to go - TWICE. I was really sad I had to put a diaper on her for church. So, it has given me hope to go another day. She's just so tiny. The smallest panties they sell are big on her. They're cute...hoping to get a picture in the morning...

We had our Primary Program today. Whew...it's exhausting, and I don't even have to do a lot of the work. The kids were SO WOUND UP for classes, it was almost unbearable. Tonight we went to Raquel's house to carve pumpkins. Which, we didn't carve - our kids wanted to carve their pumpkins at home...but how convenient of our garden to produce 4 pumpkins for us? One for each kid! SWEET! That is tomorrow nights activity...can't wait for the mess!

Gotta get to bed...the gym beckens...

Poop Update...

The day went...well...it just went. Haley successfully used her potty 3 times. She had 3 accidents. She's learning. I was thinking tonight, that I want to give up. I won't, but I'm pretty sure that - with all of my kids - after the first day, I wanted to give up. I know if I do, that will make it harder the next time...but I HATE POTTY TRAINING! I have gotten so much more patient than I was when Kyle was potty training - sorry bud...

Wish me luck tomorrow...

POOP!

Haley just pooped in the potty! (I will spare you a photo - no, I didn't take one). WAHOO! She came to me, told me she had to go poop. I put her on her potty (which has all been done before) but this time - SHE POOED! WAHOO! She got the biggest sucker, and now it looks like I'm holed up for the next few days...sigh...I hate potty training...I wait until they're ready...but still...if you need me, you'll know where I'll be...

Overheard from the kitchen table..

Jake: You're a girl
Kristin: I am not a girl, I'm a woman. Haley's a woman too. And mom's just a lady.


Hmmmm???? Anyone know the requirements of being a woman or a lady?

Family Photo Shoot, up for Auction

I decided to auction off a family photo shoot for Trent. It includes:
Family Photo Shoot
High Res disc of images
Free Christmas Card
Free 11x14

The value of this is about $500.

You can bid on this at the silent auction at Chick-Fil-A at the District until 7 pm tonight. If you want to bid, but can't make it there, send me an email with the amount you would like to bid by 6:00pm tonight, and I will mark your name down. Last I checked, the bidding was at $150. THANKS!

A Day for Trent

Some of you know Trent, some of you don't....Trent is a little boy that lives down the street from us... He is 8 years old. He is losing his battle with Leukemia after fighting hard for the past 15 months. The following is an excerpt from his blog:

"Thank everyone for everything!! My family and I feel your prayers every minute of the day. We have been having so much fun doing things as a family. I have eaten the fast food I have wanted for so so long. It is good but I only handle a little. I am not in pain and still am making my family laugh. Dad and Grandpa gave me a blessing last night, it was beautiful. I know all will be well. I will not be in anymore pain or hurt, my family will also be ok. I will miss them terribly but they tell me time is different so I will have faith in that. To all my little friends please know I will miss you and await the time I can see you again. I have sure missed playing and having fun with each of you. I know everyone has to work through many feelings but please promise me not to be angry with Heavenly Father. He loves each and everyone of you and knows what is best for each of us. It is in his plan that I return to him, my time is over and I am ready to go. Please know I did not give up I would continue to fight if it was what the Lord wanted please be at peace all will be well. Love you all

Trent"

A Day for Trent

Fund Raiser on Monday, October 13th
For the last 15 months, 8-year-old Trent has been bravely battling AML Leukemia.

To help Trent's family with the tremendous financial burden from medical expenses,
Chick-fil-A of South Jordan will be donating 20% of the day's revenue on
Monday, October 13th to Trent's family.
Cash donations will also be accepted, and anyone making a donation of $10 or more will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich to be used on their next visit.
In addition, Chick-fil-A of South Jordan will hold a silent auction from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Auctioned items have been donated by local businesses and community members.
All proceeds will go to Trent's family.
Please help us in supporting Trent and his family!
Call Chick-fil-A of South Jordan with any questions at (801) 727-2697.

**Southtowne, Ogden & Layton will be giving a % of sales as well,
but only the District Location will have an auction and coupons for donations.


Visit his blog www.trentduval.blogspot.com

Nora Grace Cartier

Hanging out with us on Halloween - $0
A wedding dress - $600
9 months of vomitting and having vertigo on top of morning sickness - $1000 in copays
Letting your crazy sister-in-law with a camera, record your child's birth - Priceless















My newest niece. She's so cute! I was there for her birth. I documented it all on camera, and I have to say, I LOVED how the photos turned out. I WISH I had that of one of my kids! If I thought a doc would allow an extra person in the operating room, I just might consider having another baby! Miss Nora Grace Cartier was born on October 2, 2008 at 2:21 pm. She weighed 7 lbs 6 oz and was 20 inches. She has the greatest parents - who are probably scared to death! I hope they realize that is normal! Love you guys! Thanks for letting me crash your day! I get to take more pictures of her later today...stay tuned!

Family Photo Shoot, 2008

Well, it's that time again. Much to everyone's disbelief, we really only get a family photo done once a year. (Although, after President Monson's talk yesterday, we will now :Follow the Prophet - and get them done twice a year!) Erin and I have to plan a vacation - on one side or the other - just in order to get it done. I take their family photos, she takes mine, then we edit our own photos. This year, we decided to do it at The Gateway in downtown SLC.

Our kids were HORRIBLE. Well, really, they had the hardest time ever! Neither of us managed to get a photo where everyone was looking at the camera. Which, in my opinion is fine. I just have to view it as a candid photo shoot. Now that I have that in mind, I LOVE them! I would rather get the real smiles, or laughs, and have those documented than fake smiles. Which, my kids are spectacular at. Too bad that their fake smiles are horrible. I'm really happy to have candid photos. I can't wait to make prints! Thanks Erin! If you want to see ALL of them, you can visit my website: jenkorthphotography.com, go to the proofing section, and the password is: korth. Let me know what you think!

I have to say, I don't think I look all that great in these photos. My butt is still a bit large...BUT (no pun intended) I think EVERYONE should have family photos taken, regardless of whether they think they're too fat, pregnant, post pregnancy, have a rash - whatever. Get them taken! You never know what will happen in life, or when (heaven forbid) it will be your last family photo. Everyone complains about the time, place, clothing, and whatever else to get them taken, but I don't think anyone ever complains once they see the final result (unless you have a crappy photographer). I know my grandma still cherishes the last family photo we have of my dad's side of the family, which, unfortunately was taken back in...oh, I don't know, guessing the early 90's. My grandpa didn't die until 1999, so we should have had a more recent one. Ladies, if you need to convince your husband...it's all about following the prophet...

Here's a sneak peak!






See, isn't that first photo of the boys with real smiles a ton better than their fake smiles in the other photos?

Baby Cartier

I'm not telling you what the sex is. That's for Beau and Allisun to divulge! Watch their blog!