Happy Birthday Co Co Jo Jo

Today is my baby's 2nd birthday! I don't really know where the last two years have gone. I know people always say that, but I'm serious. It makes me so sad-especially since he's my baby. B tried to tell me the other day that he's a toddler and not a baby anymore. I was very adamant that he IS still a baby. Even when he's 70 he'll be my baby. He finally gave in to me when I insisted and got annoyed. We celebrated last night with Mickey cake and homemade chocolate chip ice cream (which everyone was oohing and awing over by the way). Our neighbors came down, my sister and her husband came, and B's dad and step-mom made the drive up. He did an awesome job eating his cake. I gave him a cupcake to go at it and it was much better than the freak out fest from last year. I wasn't thinking when I made the frosting black-our tongues were all black.

First we opened presents


This is the cake


Digging in


First time he got down from the table


On his way to a mustache


Final product-awesome black mustache that looks like a REAL mustache

This year my baby has learned to talk A LOT. He learned to walk (at 16 mths. finally), climb lots of stuff and also act like his brothers. He honestly mimics everything they do and say. So it makes him turning 2 even harder because he didn't seem like a baby for very long.

Some of Jo Jo's favorite things-CHOCOLATE milk, and actually chocolate ANYTHING, big brothers, wrestling, jumping off stuff, watching cartoons (when they're actually on), playing kitchen with Peanut, playing with cars and trains, nat nats (fruit snacks), granola bars, bread, see-e-al (cereal), any toys that make noise, his stuffed bear and dog, mama (the best), and da-ee (daddy). We love our little boy with a big voice, his blue eyes, tons of curls, contagious giggle, and everything else about him-well his ear piercing scream not so much. He can say SO many words now. And actually a lot of the time he speaks in full sentences. I love when he comes up to me and reaches up and says, "I you"-meaning he wants me to hold him. The other day we were driving down the road and he said, "firetruck" plain as day exactly the way it should sound. I love to drive down the road with him saying, "I fye it the car," or "I fye it the truck" (find). One day while we were at the store, we walked by the chips and he said, "I wan chips right now." Another fun (but sometimes frustrating) thing is when he says, "I do yit." He really wants to try everything himself first and he almost never lets me help-even if he can't get it. He loves to eat applesauce at night by himself too. Last night I was telling B that he needed a b-a-t-h, and he said, "I wan baf." So I guess he can spell along with counting to 6-which he does every time he's going to jump off something, or any time he's counting toys. Tonight B's step-mom and I were coming home from the mall and my sister lives over there. As we were driving by Barnes and Noble (where she lives behind), he said, "eesha"-her name is Alicia. So in case you don't get it by now-he's very smart. In fact, the smartest 2 yr. old I've ever met. ;)
Some more fun words that maybe only we understand-
biders=diapers
buy-ees=jammies
o yit=open it
rickrish=licorice
boing whenever he's going to jump
And he also loves to ride his "bye" in the garage. In fact, sometimes I have to rip his hands off his little trike to get him in the house.
He is also fond of crawling on all fours and panting and saying "ruff." Can you tell I love my boy and that I'm so proud of him? Happy Birthday Crazy Coconut!!

and Again...

Last night these cars, were in fact, waiting to use the elevator at the fire station.

More OCD

Sometimes I feel really bad that Peanut got my OCD, but at the same time it makes me laugh. I love how he organizes everything. I love watching his brain work as he does puzzles and builds big structures with Legos. He's pretty amazing. And I love how he can play for hours by himself. Such a fun boy.

Coco Crazy is at it Again...

As you can see, Jo Jo has struck again. I was downstairs and B was up helping the boys in the shower tonight. I could hear madness and mayhem going on upstairs, but that's usually what it sounds like when they're jumping around in the shower. I decided to finally go up and help finish everything up before scriptures. I walked in the entry way to this-

the stuffed animals had committed suicide. I thought Peanut was showing Jo Jo how to do it, but he was actually still in the bathroom. We have them all in a big blue tub in Peanut's room, and he was taking them one by one over to the stair railing and throwing them over. As I was coming up the stairs, he had started to take Peanut's clean jammies out of a tote and throwing those over as well.

We've had to start time outs because of his tantrums. He gets mad if you tell him "no" and starts throwing stuff-usually hard things-at everything and everyone. He's really lucky that he's so cute.

He got his first b-day card today from our Texas Randall cousins. He really liked the dog on the front. Thanks Aunt Janet!

When It Rains, It Pours

So as you can see from the pictures, Bubba biffed again-on the same side. He was coming home from his friend's house across the street. JP yelled at him not to run (always the little mother) and slipped on the ice. That side of the street doesn't really see the sun and it's been cold enough in the morning that the dew forms ice. It's really slick. So he went down and ended up right on the same side and obviously couldn't catch himself on that side. He ended up with this huge goose egg on his cheek and it was bleeding. Our neighbor called and told me he slipped on his way home and she thought it was the same side. Luckily, B was home so he ran over and got him. He was bawling. It hurt so bad. He couldn't move his arm at all. We hurried and gave him some of the prescription hydrocodone that they had given him last time. Then we took him upstairs and got his shirt off to look at it. It was swollen in that spot, but we didn't know if that was from the healing process from before. B debated if we should take him in or not, but he was crying so hard about his shoulder hurting that he took him to the ER again.


Bubba called awhile later to let me know it was broken worse. The bone was now broken in 2, whereas before it had just been in a "v" shape. He sounded much better so I figured the medicine had kicked in. B said the nurse practitioner was lame and didn't really seem to care or want to do anything more to help it heal. They tried one of those slings that straps the arm to your body, but it was adult sized. I made an appt. for him this morning for Mon., rather than waiting the 1-2 weeks because I really want a better sling to make sure he heals properly. I made him stay home from school today so I can watch how he holds it and so I can give him pain meds if necessary. His cheek is huge today. I wish I could take his pain for him. My sweet little boy. JP was so concerned for him and felt so badly for him. Such a sweet, tender-hearted little brother.

Jo Jo wanted to be in the picture and even posed like Bubba. It was so cute.

My Sweet Little Bubba Boy

When he broke his arm at 2 yrs. old ON Christmas night. I thought and still think it's so funny how he's smiling so big.


So today Bubba broke his clavicle. I had taken Jo Jo, Peanut and JP to use their Target gift cards from Christmas and then went to Walmart to get a few groceries. Bubba was busted so couldn't come, but went and played football at his friend's house. They live right behind us. So B calls me when I'm checking out and says, "Where are you?"
I said, "In the check out line. Why?"
He said, "Because Bubba broke his collar bone."
Me-"Are you serious? How do you know?"
B-"I can see it."
I just about threw up. Not because I thought it was gross, but because I felt so awful for my sweet little boy. So I was at the Walmart by the hospital fortunately since I had the insurance card (not that I wouldn't have met him anyway). We got there at the same time somehow. I got the story then. They were playing football-which they do almost every day. His friend went up for a pass and his foot slipped and then Bubba fell over him and his shoulder hit the ground. The bone wasn't sticking out like I had pictured fortunately. I couldn't tell a difference, but dad recognized that the left side was dented in a little. After waiting forever for x-rays and the doctor to come back in to tell us what the result was, we found out it was for sure fractured. It was bent upwards, and the doctor said if you're going to break a bone, it was a good one to break. It didn't shatter into 3 pieces like she's seen before, so it really wasn't that bad. The bad news is that he has to wear a sling for 2-4 weeks and he's supposed to hold it at a 45 degree angle. I pinned the sling, but it still doesn't want to stay that angle. He's sleeping in the bean bag so he doesn't accidentally lie on it. He's so brave. He never once cried and said he's okay. I made him take Tylenol before bed anyway. They wrote a prescription for some heavier pain medicine, but all the pharmacies were closed by then. It only hurts him if he moves it on accident or he said when he walks. Um, how is that going to work? I hope it heals in the 2 week time frame. I felt so guilty for not letting him come to the store with me because if I had, it wouldn't have happened. We also have to start church at 8:30 am tomorrow. I would rather die than go that early. :{

Oh yeah, JP's beta fish died yesterday. He got him from Aunt Alicia for his 5th birthday. His name started as JP 5, then became JP 6, and finally JP 7. He's looked pretty pathetic for awhile. I thought it was dead a couple of times because it didn't really move anymore. I asked him if he said goodbye when he flushed it and he said 'no' like I was crazy for asking. Farewell long lived fish.

Disneyland/Beach/AZ/Fiesta Bowl

So we had a tiring vacation. I'm not sure how much I actually enjoyed it. Well, I enjoyed the trip, but not the driving or sleeping on mattresses that felt like floor boards or like springs in my side making my leg go numb. Needless to say, I slept in a chair rather than not feeling my leg all night, and on the couch when the bed was too hard and when possible. So we left for CA the day after Christmas. Talk about stressful trying to enjoy the day and pack at the same time. We made it to Primm (on the border) that night. We went to In 'N Out and Bass Pro Shops which is seriously the biggest store ever. They even have a real stuffed giraffe. It's a boy's dream-boats, 4 wheelers, guns, bows, dead animals, a waterfall. The next morning in the 35 degree weather we went on the Desperado. In '95 it was in the Guiness Book for having the tallest drop at 225 ft. and fastest going 90 mph. It's an instant migraine right after the first drop, but totally worth it. I went with Bubba in the last row and JP went with dad in the last row. JP didn't get to go last year because we didn't think he was ready for it, but he loved it this year. We left after getting some healthy Mc D's breakfast and headed to my gramma's in Anaheim. We got there in the early afternoon and visited with her, my aunt, my brother Chad and Alicia and AJ who were also there to go to D-land. Then we headed to an early dinner to meet up with my best friend from high school and her mom who drove up from San Diego. SOOO great to see her after about 3 years.
The next morning we went to Disneyland. The happiest place on earth. Along with the population of the state of Idaho. No joke. They actually said that. Like 3 times more crowded than summer. So much for us thinking it wouldn't be as busy in Dec. We weren't thinking about it being a holiday. Good times. Thanks for Fast Passes. Bubba was chosen to be part of the Jedi Training Academy. They get to wear a robe and use a light saber and they teach them moves to fight the dark side. Then they fight Darth Maul and Darth Vader who is trying to convince them to move over to the dark side. We got it all on video.



I can't even tell you how many pictures I have of him making this face. It's one of my favorite expressions.


On the Winnie the Pooh ride that we frequented while everyone else was on Splash Mountain. One of Jo Jo's favorites.


In line for Nemo's Submarine ride.


He shot all by himeself on the Buzz Lightyear ride. He actually hit targets-he's very advanced for his age. ;)


Waiting in line for the Rockets.

Tues. we went to CA Adventure minus Chad who opted to go to the beach with Aunt Janet. Good thing we were already planning on going there since they actually closed D-land to new people because it was too full! Hardly anyone at CA Adventure. Fun rides and good times. Tower of Terror is my favorite.

Ready to see the awesome 3-D show from Bug's Life in Bug's Land at CA Adventure.


You might be seeing this in your Christmas card next year. We all wore our BSU gear this day. We even met other people doing the same!


C is for California!

Wed. Alicia and AJ went up north a little to visit his mission. We went to D-land in the rain. It actually only sprinkled all day-more like a mist, but it didn't deter anyone from going for the first half of the day. Towards afternoon everyone was disappearing so we got in some 5-15 min. lines. It was really cold, but really not bad. We've been in the rain in March before.

Hanging out to get warm during the rain at the Mexican restaurant next to Thunder Mtn.

Thurs. we hit the beach just to walk around. I put my toes in the sand, we walked the pier and I got one of those square dipped ice creams with sprinkles which were always my favorite thing to get there.

We headed out to AZ after that and ended up there around 11 pm just in time to watch the ball drop. We stayed with B's mom and step-dad. Thanks so much for the hospitality. Fri. we hung out with the family and went to Chinese for dinner. We missed the J & J Randalls and Jared and Delia.
Sat. morning we went and climbed up the 'A' mountain up by ASU. The boys slid down it and then we climbed even higher to the very top of the mountain. I didn't take in to account the fact that I have a seriously bad knee and ankle and the steps were really rocky and high. My knee is still hurting due to the fact that I also sat in a car for 2 days on the way home. That afternoon we met my gramma, papa punkin, and dad at my favorite wing place Nino's in Glendale. Then we went to their house and hung out and opened gifts. Oh yeah, we had to wake my brother up at 2 pm. He's 20 what else can I say? I made my dad a small scrapbook of our family and I bet B that he would cry, but B wouldn't take the bet because he knew he would. Love ya dad! Around 4:30 or so more family started to show up for gramma's famous tacos. Uncle Pat came, his daughter Ashley and her husband and 3 kids. I haven't seen her since she was about 14. Uncle Marty and his wife Amy came. My step-sister Nancy and her husband and 4 kids came too. I think that's it. Good times. My little brother Levi plays the guitar and sings in his band Kommon Measure. He played and sang for us before everyone showed up. I had no idea he could sing. He taught himself to play a few years ago. They play local clubs and even have a producer and demo. They have a sound like the band Sublime. He's written like 20 songs or so. He's great. He also skates and has been in a few competitions and was meeting with the DC shoes guys yesterday about signing with them.

Our family with my dad and brother Levi.

Mon. we packed the car and hung out with the family before heading to the Fiesta Bowl with the two oldest boys. B was "sweating like a stuck pig" (his words) on the way there in the bumper to bumper traffic worrying that we might not make it in time to see the team come out. I forgot how bad traffic could be. We made it and hiked from Alaska where we parked to the stadium. He had gotten tickets on a website that's like Ebay for tickets so we were in the 29th row close to the end zone. AWESOME seats!! We could see so clearly. We got to see my dad before the game started because he was working security on the 50 yd. line on the field behind the BSU bench. Best seats in the house, except for the fact that he isn't allowed to watch the game. It was such a great game. It was a sea of blue and orange. BSU fans took up about 3/4 of the stadium. We know how to show up. Both teams had great defense. We threw out a trick play on a 4th down where the kicker threw the ball for a pass that resulted in a touchdown! If you didn't watch it you missed out. Catch it when they replay it. The only downfall was that there was an incredibly drunk man next to us. He was seriously obnoxious. We could've reported him since we were in the family section which didn't allow alcohol, but we just wanted to watch the came. He was really irritating Bubba who was sitting at the end of the aisle and the guy kept offering him his beer every time he came back in with another one. It was a good teaching opportunity for the boys to see one of the reasons we don't drink, though. It was such an exciting game and so thrilling when we won. It was SO loud with cheering BSU fans. We have a cheer where half the people shout "Boise" and the other half shouts "State."
We left about midnight from B's mom's house which was on the other side of town, but we had to go get the two little ones that she offered to watch. Thank you so so much! They had fun with grandma and grandpa. We got to Hoover Dam about 5 am and decided to get a room just past there. It was only $20!! Score on that. We attempted to sleep, but it was more of an uncomfortable nap for B and I. For some reason it seems like it's harder to sleep when you're beyond tired. We left around 10:30 am and made the uber long drive home. We made it about 10 pm last night. The boys had to go to school today, but didn't seem to have trouble getting up this morning. I was so tired that I made their lunches in my underwear and made them take their scooters to school. I know, nice visual. Every wear we stopped yesterday was full of BSU fans. We would shout the "Boise" chant and they would finish with the "State." It was cool. We were in a caravan of fans all the way home. The cops were out in packs and lots of the fans were pulled over after speeding by us at like 90 mph. Fortunately, we chose to drive the speed limit so we were not one of them. The cops knew that everyone would be on their way home from the game and got their quotas for the month.
Felt so wonderful to sleep in our own bed with a soft mattress. Although, Jo Jo slept with us the whole trip so of course now he thinks that's where he sleeps. Hopefully by the end of the week he'll be able to sleep in his own bed again.