Dallin

Dallin organized his cars in a neat row by color. If you look closely you can see that they are all facing the same way as well. They say this is very common thing for those with autism to do, but I think it is pretty smart. Dallin can now tell you his first name, last name, birthday, and how old he is also.

Dr. Visit

I had to go to a prenatal checkup this week. I managed to get a friend in the ward to watch a couple of our kids so that I wouldn't have all three with me. I decided to keep Dallin because he is really intrigued by going to the doctor ever since he had an ear infection a couple months ago. The doctor was so nice to him and he loved it last time. So he was pretty exited that it was mommy's turn to go to the doctor. He was such a good boy too. He waited so nicely with me in the waiting room and talked and talked. Then when we walked back to get weight and blood pressure Dallin told everyone that we walked by that mommy has a baby in the tummy and the baby's coming out in a long time! He held my hand and stayed with me. He even talked to the nurse all about the big truck he wants for Christmas. In the Examination room he sat so nicely in his chair while mommy talked to the doctor and then he came and stood right by me as we listened to the baby's heartbeat. He thought the gel on my tummy was pretty funny. Dallin was just a perfect angel the whole time and I was so glad I brought him. That is a good memory for me as I was having flashbacks of bringing him with the last pregnancy. I won't even go into how stressful that was. I can't believe how different he was this time. He is really amazing! I love seeing his progress show in the real life experiences. I am so grateful to have Dallin in my life.

Crazy

I have learned before that you have to be careful what you say, but this is pretty funny. I was upset about something the other day in the car and Dallin said "Mommy's crazy." I looked at Peter very accusingly as if he had said that to Dallin at some time. Peter said it wasn't him. We couldn't figure out where he had learned that, but being that it was sort of true at times, we thought it was kind of funny.

Then the other night I was trying to change a load of laundry and Dallin wanted to push the button so he was climbing all over the place when I was trying to put some clothes in the dryer. I stood up trying to work anyway and hit my head really hard on the corner of a cuboard that was open. It caught me so off guard that I screamed and sat down in pain for a few minutes. I told Dallin he was driving me crazy without realizing it(it had been a really long day so my patience was thin). A few minutes later we sat down for dinner and Peter asked Dallin to say the prayer. Dallin looked at me for a minute as if he was thinking about something else and said "mommy's crazy." OH!!!! Whoops, I finally realized that I said that to him and since he was repeating it, and I thought that probably wasn't a very nice thing to say either (true as it may be at times).

High Chair Woes

I really hate high chairs. At least the ones that I have ever had. We bought one when we had Dallin that was awful because the tray wouldn't scoot in very much. Since then we have had a couple of hand me downs. Both had the same problem. They also had high backs on them which makes for more cleaning and foot rests that my children would never reach in their high chair days so it served as a place for food to accumulate at every meal. Because the tray never scoots in enough there is always half of the kids food down inside the chair by the end of the meal and they stand up all the time because there is so much room.

So with a new one coming, for the last couple of months I have been keeping my eyes out for something more practical for us. Everything at the stores seemed to be the same idea so I was beginning to think that I was never going to find what I had pictured in my mind. Then we were eating at the McDonald's Play land and using their high chair and I was like, "Peter, why can't I find something like this?" as I noticed that their high chairs were everything that I wanted in a good chair. So Peter was like "Why don't you just get one of these?" (duh!) So after determining that the brand was Rubbermaid Commercial, it was very easy to do an Internet search and there you go! So here is the indestructible, easy to clean, way less messy chair. It is even made with some kind of antimicrocrobial material. Tanner doesn't stand up and the tray is so close to him that he can eat and it all stays right there. Afterwards, it is just the tray to clean for the most part. I know it is not the most attractive piece of furniture in the world but I would so rather have practical after 4 years of hating high chairs. I am pretty sure this one will last through the millennium.

Santa

Poor Tanner has a way of getting stuck a lot. Being the mean mommy that I am I made him wait while I grabed my camera. No babies were hurt during the making of this photograph. We went to our ward party on Saturday and the kids were so exited to see Santa. Dallin had a cute conversation that was very serious about the big truck that he wants.

Tanner just thought Santa was funny. Eden was a little more cautiuous but went ahead and told Santa she wanted a new baby.
I am so ready for Christmas. I got everything done so early this year that it seems like our trip will never get here. Peter and I wrote out our schedule for our 9 days in Oregon and it is so full and exiting. I can't wait to see all our family and friends.

Feeding the Fish

This is a fun video from when we fed the fish in Hawaii.

Christmas Tree Bribe

The last few nights I have been putting a mini christmas tree with lights in Dallin and Eden's room at night. The only rule is that they have to stay in their beds or it goes bye bye. I guess I am just tired of sitting in there until they fall asleep every night. They love the tree and it is really motivating, but Dallin hasn't been able to resist getting out of bed without me in there and they have lost the tree every night. So last night they finally did it! I am so exited. I kept checking on them because I couldn't believe it and they were just lying there. Yay! I hope this is the start of a new trend.

Baby and Christmas

I have been feeling a lot of movement from the baby lately which is so fun and comforting. So this morning I was lying in bed with Dallin and Eden and we were talking all about the baby in mommy's tummy. I mostly try to remind them not to jump on me. Then Dallin was asking if the baby comes out after Santa Claus comes. He kept wanting to put his hand on the baby and then they both kissed and hugged my belly. It was the cutest thing in the world. I think they are getting pretty exited about it.

Also, Dallin is still trying to figure out all the Christmas concepts. First he told us that Christmas was Santa's birthday so then we had our FHE and learned about baby Jesus and used a manger scene. Then he started saying Jesus was coming to put presents under the tree. So I keep explaining to him that on Jesus's birthday, Santa will come and bring presents. I think he is getting it now.

As for me, I am so relieved to have christmas cards done, all shopping done (except Peter), packages mailed, and plans finalized for our trip. That is a huge load off. I think the only thing that is stressful is all of the packing for being in Oregon for 2 weeks. Packing drives me crazy and unpacking is just as bad. But anyway, I am ready for all the fun.

Mystery Poo

Sorry if this is gross, but this is the life of a mom of toddlers so please don't be offended. Dallin's potty training has been a very slow process so last night I bought all new potty treats, small jelly beans for going number 1 and a snack sized twix for going number 2. I have been talking it up for Dallin and this morning Eden announced that she wanted to wear her Dora underpants today and get candy. So I taped 2 candy bars way up on the bathroom wall to motivate the number 2 process. Eden has been going potty a whole bunch because I give her candy for trying even if nothing happens. She has been very successful that way because there is no negatives if it doesn't happen. So anyway, all of the sudden I overheard them talking about poo poo. I ran into the bathroom and sure enough, someone had done it! This is huge since niether on of the kids have every really done this. I was making such a big deal of it that they both wanted to claim it. I kept asking and they both said it was theirs. It was hilarious. Finally I inspected both of their bums for evidence and sure enough Eden was the winner. Now that she got her Twix off the wall, Dallin is even more motivated to get it. I know, I am totally gross for sharing, but hey I find it funny.

Random kid things

Cheerio anyone????

Saturday Peter and I were talking and we decided that the kids were getting old enough to understand gift giving as well as getting. So we packed everyone up and went to the dollar store. We split up and helped Dallin and Eden find presents for everyone else in the family. They had a pretty good time, but Dallin was much more interested in some cars for himself. Then we came home and wrapped them and put them under the tree. I think they got something out of it, but I am not sure how much.

I know most kids eventually try cutting their own hair, but Dallin as we all know is a little extreme. I was sorting through a huge pile of mail we got while on our trip so I wasn't really paying attention. The next thing I know I feel a scissors in my hair and a snip. I quickly took my hair out of a pony tail and sure enough, a handful of clippings. Nothing noticeable thank goodness but I made it very clear to Dallin that Santa does not bring toys to little boys that cut others hair.

One more random thing: We bought a new plunger at the dollar store and Dallin is fascinated with it for some reason. Today for the lunch prayer he made sure to thank Heavenly Father for the plunger!

Aloha!

This week we went on a fabulous vacation. Lori and Lucy flew down and stayed with our kids and we spent 4 days in Oahu, Hawaii. We stayed at Waikiki about a two minute walk from the beach. The weather was not super sunny, but we were just so happy to have a little "honeymoon" just like six years ago. We have only been away from our kids one night since we started having them so we felt like it was just time. We ate so much good food, saw so many things, and missed the kids like crazy (couldn't help it). When we went on our honeymoon, it was just magical because I had never done anything close to that before, so I was exited to go back and relive that a little bit. So here is my long boring report with lots of landscape that won't mean much to anyone but me. We arrived late at night and checked into our hotel. Then we went out and found our favorite restaurant, Duke's Canoe Club, from our honeymoon six years ago. We sat on the patio right on the beach with the waves crashing and torches lit. It was a very reminiscent way to start things out. We were so tired that we zonked out. I still woke up in the middle of every night we were there because I am so used to getting up with the kids.
Day 1: This is a picture of Waikiki. We started off the day with another beach side breakfast at the Hula Grill with banana macadamia nut pancakes. It was so peaceful to look over the water and really feel stress free. Then we went to the international market place and did most of our souvenir shopping. We got the kids some t-shirts and lots of shell necklaces for Eden. We also got her a grass skirt, Dallin a shark tooth necklace, and Tanner a coconut piggy bank. Then it was time to hit the beach. We got some blow up beds and floated out in the water for a long time. It was so relaxing. Later that day, Peter's grandpa came into town and we all went to a Luau dinner.
The Luau was at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. It was so fancy and the food buffet was scrumptious. My favorite was the roast pig, but there was so much variety. You can't really see it but the beach is right there too.
We even got some beautiful leis to really get the luau feeling.
After the dinner the dancers came out and we saw a lot of different costumes and dances from different Polynesian countries.

To finish the evening a fire dancer came out and I couldn't believe how fast this guy could move.
Day 2: We woke up to a windy day. It rained at times, but it would only last for about 60 seconds at a time. The waves were much bigger and we even has some rainbows. We were still comfortable wearing t-shirts and shorts so we didn't really care. Since it wasn't really lazy beach weather, grandpa rented a car and gave us a tour around the island. He knows the Island really well having been to Hawaii so much in his lifetime (4-6 weeks a year for 25 years).
We thought this tree was so awesome looking.
This is a statue of Duke the most famous surfer in Hawaiian history.
As we drove around we went to the Valley of the Temples and saw a Japanese temple. This is the 18 foot high Budha inside the temple.

Outside of the temple there was this stream with thousands of giant Koi fish in it. We bought some food to feed them and so many came out that they were literally climbing on top of each other to get it. The birds liked it too. They would eat right out of our hands.

This is outside of the temple.


This is called China man's hat.

This is a lookout that we went to on the north side. Grandpa was telling us about how he and Larry climbed down these rocks one time with scuba gear on to go diving.
LDS Temple
It was so strange that the wind in Waikiki didn't follow us. The north shore was pretty calm.
That evening Grandpa took us to this Japanese inspired restaurant that had these giant bowls of soup with noodles and all kinds of meats and garnishes in them. It was very unique.
On our way home we drove around the port with all of the ships as the sun was setting. Unfortunately something didn't settle right at dinner and I woke up so sick in the night. We went out to find some Pepto Bismol but the corner stores were closed so we had to take a taxi at 1 in the morning to a gas station for some medicine. That didn't help too much and I was suffering all night.

Day 3: I woke up still feeling pretty sick so we decided to stay at our hotel and watch a movie. It was relaxing to just lay around and I finally started to feel a little better. We walked to the beach for a while and Peter decided that he wanted to try Hawaiian pizza in Hawaii. We went to four different places before we found a place that would special make it for us. Apparently Hawaiian style pizza is something that Pizza Hut made up. It was still really good with island fresh pineapple on it. After lunch I went to the Hotel for a recovery nap while Peter went surfing. That worked out because I can't surf being pregnant anyway.

That night we went out to dinner to the Oceanarium with Grandpa for dinner. The aquarium was fun because they had divers go in and feed the fish and swim around. They even help up Happy birthday signs for the birthday people. The food was a really fancy buffet with the best prime rib I have ever had. There was so much food and even chocolate fondue with fresh fruit for dessert.

Day 4: We didn't have our camera with us for the day so here's the recap. We decided that we wanted to try snorkeling cruise. A tour bus picked up up in the morning and took us out to a small catamaran boat. Then they took us way out in the water to this 5 mile long sand bar. A sand bar is a place in the ocean that is shallow way out into the ocean. They set up a volleyball net and Peter played for about an hour while standing in 2 foot water and I stayed on the boat and visited with some other vacationers. Then we had a barbecue on the boat for lunch. Then the boat took us to a coral reef for snorkeling. Snorkeling is really fun and we saw lots of fish. I have to say that Hanama bay is more amazing though. It was a great day in the water. On the way home we took at detour through a rain forest area that was so lush and full. There was even a place where it was so grown over the trees had formed a tunnel. That was beautiful and I wished I had my camera. After we got back we showered and it was time to head out to the airport. Peter's grandpa drove us and we stopped at the most amazing little hidden restaurant at one of the ship ports. It was beautifully decorated with lots of sea glass and shells. The atmosphere was so charming. They had an amazing piano player come in that was blind. He just played all kinds songs just from his memory. We caught the red eye flight home and I could not wait to get back to my babies. Coming home was a sweet reunion. The kids were so exited to see us and see all of the things we brought back for them.

My hula girl
Eden clung to me the rest of the day and Tanner wanted Daddy to hold him and fell to sleep. The kids had a WONDERFUL time with Grandma and Lucy and they did a great job with them. The were definitely in good hands. Lori had even left the house cleaner than I had which was so nice to come home to. It was a lovely week, but I am so glad to be home. It was a lot harder to be away from the kids than I thought it would be.

Swim Videos

I am getting the hang of my new video system now. This is from swimming with all the Dickinsons.

Flip Video

This is the first video that I took with our new Flip Video camera. It is a neat little toy. You can tell Peter was so exited about getting up so early to go buy it. I am exited because it is easy to use and take little clips, which is what I do, and it will be better quality than just using a camera for video and it is pocket size. I think it will take a lot longer to upload, but oh well, somethings gotta give.

Funny Boy

Dallin has learned his full name and started learning everyone else's full names. He now knows all of our family's full names and several of Peter's siblings. He even started naming objects, but of course everything has Dickinson for a last name like "Syrup Dickinson". Eden is starting to get into it too. She thought it was so funny to come up to me yesterday and call me Pricilla.



Dallin was also really funny with Peter's Dad this weekend. He and Peter were asking Dallin what color everyone's hair was. He was mostly saying "yellow" or "brown". Then Peter's dad asked Dallin what color Grandpa's(Larry's) hair was. Dallin studied him for a minute and then proclaimed "Grandpa's hair is empty!"

This is Dallin on Grandma and Grandpa D's merry-go-round
Swimming with the Dickinsons

Benihana: one of my favorite things

Thanksgiving

This holiday weekend was a blast. Peter got off work at noon on Wednesday so we drove until 10:30 and stayed with my sister in Salem. Her little twin girls are getting big, but for 3 months really only look like 6 weeks since they were early. I had fun getting more baby hungry with them.

Thursday morning Peter went with Dan and Maurice, two of my brother in laws, to play football. They had a great time, but Peter wished it was ultimate Frisbee. Then we went to my Aunt's house for dinner with all of my relatives. I hadn't seen some of them in almost a year. It was so much fun to visit and catch up. We had a group of about 40. I didn't want the day to end it was so much fun.

Then we were off to Peter's parents to spend the weekend. We got to see both of Peter's grandpas and Larry D's family as well. It was fun having a sudoku tournament, playing games, and eating sooooooo much food. I think I went from looking 3-4 months pregnant to looking 6 months pregnant!

Friday Morning we woke up at 4:45 for some black Friday shopping. Peter won a gift card in a raffle from Clark Pest Control so we were ready and loaded. About a week ago we also sold our camera to Peter's brother so I have been dying without a camera. So we bought an awesome new camera and video camera! After the gift card and camera money we didn't have to use any of our own money. That was a huge plus. I am so exited about our new toys. I had never been out on a black Friday so it was pretty fun to see the crowds that come out that early. There was definitely excitement in the air.

Friday afternoon I had a nice lunch at Benihana with my sister Laurel who I was not able to see on Thanksgiving. That food is definitely in my top favorites. It was fun to visit with my sister. Then Friday evening we went to Larry D's for dinner and then swimming with all the Dickinsons. The kids had such a fun time, they didn't want to leave.

Saturday we watched the BYU vs. Utah football game at Larry D's. It was most exiting in the last 2 and a half minutes of the game and we won! Then we had another big dinner and watched the movie Hairspray, which I really liked. Then we played games until we were so tired we couldn't play anymore.

Today we will drive back to California and it is back to real life tomorrow. At least we will get to come back in just a few weeks. It is a little weird to come to Oregon and not have our house. I really look forward to being back permanently some day. I will put on our pictures when I get home.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Okay, so I already said how much I love shopping but I swear it is a gender thing. Eden is a shopper at heart. She always wants to go with me when I run errands. Even if I just need to get some milk she really wants to go with me. She is so good too. I could walk around Winco for an hour and she is perfectly content and very helpful. When she is in her imaginary world at home she packs one of her many purses full of the necessities and tells me she is going shopping. So she says "bye bye" and then a couple of minutes later she comes back to tell me she had fun. I remember always going with my mom to the store too. I really love having a little girl that is just like me. Funnest thing ever. Tanner on the other hand hates shopping more than anything. He can last about 5 minutes before he loses patience. I usually end up holding him so he won't cry while pulling my cart, or desperately opening a bag of m&ms which I pay for later to get him to calm down. Once again I see proof that gender is predisposed.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I am starting to feel that Christmas excitement in the air. It hasn't been very cold but in the morning sometimes it is cool and foggy, which is fun. When I go to stores I love seeing all of the Christmas decorations and even the smell of Cinnamon in the air. And of course the music that they play really makes me exited. On Saturday I got to go do our major shopping for the kids. I don't think I have ever had so much fun shopping, and I love shopping. I even told Peter that I wish I could take everything back and then go buy it again! I think the kids are finally old enough to really have fun with the gifts. I found some great things for them. I am probably the most exited about getting Eden a Rose Petal Cottage. I keep sneaking into the garage and looking at everything and wishing Christmas was here. I know, I am so not getting the true spirit, but hey its part of our culture so I might as well enjoy it. I am also very exited about going home to Oregon for Thanksgiving. I am so ready for that. I am feeling better and ready to stuff myself with turkey to celebrate.

The Sleep Talker

Well, if you are a Dickinson, or married to one this story will not surprise you. The other night, as usual Dallin crawled into our bed in the middle of the night. We have been working on that, but it is not going well. Anyway, some time later Dallin exclaimed "AIRPLANE!" I could tell he was not awake because he did not move. Then he yelled "HELICOPTER'S FALLING!", and finally "TWO HELICOPTER'S FALLING!!! Just another common Dickinson trait surfacing.

Peter Got a Job!

I am so proud of Peter. Even though most electrical companies are laying off, not hiring, he has been so diligent for the last few weeks. Finally, after countless resumes and phone calls and interviews he found a GREAT job. He really caught their attention because of his constructions management degree. So they called him and told him to come in and fill out their application. He decided to wear his suit because when he had done this at other companies sometimes he got an interview. So looking all sharp while he was doing his application, all of the people in the office noticed him, but thought he was a lawyer. After he left, the secretary told them who Peter was so that left a big impression on them. Then one of the head guys flew in from LA and took him out to dinner. He wanted to give peter an estimating job that probably would have been more money but Peter told him he needs to get hit electrical hours done (he has one year left). The guy told him that would be okay, but he wants Peter to move up as soon as he gets that done. The best part is that this is a national company that could transfer to Oregon if he wants when we move back. I am so proud of him, and this is going to be a great opportunity for learning for him.

He also has left a great impression with Clark Pest Control too. He realized that he was overpaid by quite a bit for something so he called the guy that he knows from corporate. The guy asked him to come down to Stockton and figure it out with him. So while Peter was there he got to meet Joe Clark, the company owner who actually knew Peter's name. They were so impressed that Peter wanted to return the money that they offered him a corporate job too. He was very flattered, and respectfully declined.

I guess there is something to be said for having character. I could not be happier for Peter and can't wait to hear how his first day goes today. Having a permanent job has been a missing piece for us since moving here and now we are feeling the blessings come once again. I am exited that his hours will be 6:30 - 3:30 too so we can still have him home a lot. He can also sell pest control at night next summer if he wants to. So many opportunities and blessings.

Coppertone Girl

Cuties

Eden got her clothes wet and when we took them off, I thought she looked just like the little girl on the sunblock except without the dog. This Sunday Dallin had his first Primary program. He did so great. I sat with him on the stand, but he made it through the whole thing and was not too disruptive. The only funny thing was that when his class went up to say their line, he took the car that he was holding and started running it along the top of the stand. I was a very proud mommy.

I finally got some of Tanner's cute words on video. The pretend sneeze is his newest trick. He still only has his two goofy teeth in the top front and bottom. There are a couple of molars in the back now at least.

Pregnancy Humor

Sometimes even though I am feeling aweful, I have to look and see that some of this pregnancy stuff is actually pretty funny. I have to write about that because if I don't make fun of myself than I will just whine and I am trying not to do that.

I will start with the cravings. Anything salty, sour or spicy all the way. It is funny because when I am not pregnant I have the biggest sweet tooth in the world, but now, I would take something nice and salty over sweets any day. Some examples of these cravings are of course pickles (especially baby dills), but one day pickles just wasn't cutting it. I finally found a jar of peperoncini peppers in the fridge and dove in. I ate them until my mouth burned too much to eat anymore. It hit the spot though. Then at Costco much to Peter's dismay I bought a huge jar of pickled artichoke hearts, but they made me feel so sick I can't eat them and now we have this huge jar full in the fridge. Then there was the fateful day that we passed a Burger King. We HAD to stop and get some onion rings, but not small, a large order. Oh, I was so sick for the rest of the day, it was aweful. Lastly, Taco Bell just does it for me for some reason. Especially a bean burrito with sour cream and extra onions!!! Okay I know for sure this stuff is not normal.

Then there is the crying. I can't watch Oprah unless I plan on crying and even the smallest sentimental things really get to me. Today I got a forward of the video with the Autistic basketball player kid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOQkfQlwp4s . I don't know what came over me, but I didn't just get choked up, I was a mess. Just watching how the crowd loved the boy and was so exited for him made me lose it. Must hit close to home or something. I have to control my emotions just talking about it.

I have been the epitamy of a frumpy housewife the last few weeks too. I have only put on makeup if I have to and pony tails have been an everyday thing. I guess I am reserving the little energy I have for the kids. Last night we went to the temple and Eden was watching me get ready. So when I was done putting on my dress and make-up and everything Eden said "Wow, you look so pretty!" It was cute, but I also had to laugh at this rare occasion.

All I can say is bring on the second trimester, I am ready.

Isaiah 3-5

These chapters are such a roller coaster. Isaiah seems to go from talking of how evil Israel had become to the wonderful gathering of Israel. I have really tried to understand each of the symbolisms and relate them to what that would have meant in the time of Israel and how that could relate to us now. One of the verses that stood out the most to me was in 5:20

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. "

Boy this really describes our world today. Especially if you think about television and movies and the morals that seem to be so "normal".

Chapter 5 also has one of Isaiah only parables. He gives a great parable of a vineyard that reminds me a lot of Jacobs allegory. There are not many parables in the Old Testament. They are mostly in the New Testament.

I really like studying the chapters and getting as much as I can out of them and then listening to the BYU professors discuss their take on it. It gives me even more insights that I would not have thought of. Like in 5:29. This could easily relate to missionaries of today as the "young lions". I am sure I am only getting a small sampling of the depth of Isaiah, but I am feeling the spirit and learning so much that it is not really as scary of a book than I have always thought.

The Weather / Dallin

This is the craziest Fall for me. I can't believe that on most days it is still in the 70s and almost always sunny. The mornings are quite a bit cooler so we have been putting layers on Dallin for his bus ride, but by the time he comes home, t-shirts are fine. This is so strange since I am used to lots of rain and cooler temps.

Dallin's teacher called me yesterday to tell me how well he is doing. She said that he is saying so many original things and behaving great. Yesterday, he pulled his shirt up and told the teacher that he had a baby in his tummy but that "it won't come out for a long time." She didn't know we were expecting, but I guess the secrets out. I just think it is cool that he gets it. Then when she was working with him on something and there was a lot of noise outside he said he heard an elephant. She told him that an elephant was too big to be at school, so he explained that it was just a little elephant. He is also getting Occupational Therapy at school, which he loves and he is having a speech therapy evaluation next week.

I think I already wrote about church going really well, but it is amazing. He can sit through all of sacrament. We usually take him for a walk at some point but he has to earn it by sitting quietly for 5 minutes. I think that is pretty good for any kid. Tanner is now our little sacrament meeting disruptor.

Home therapy is well underway now too. They come for 3 hours every afternoon. It is great motivation to have my house spotless every day. He usually just loves all the attention and is pretty compliant. The way it works is that he gets rewards for complying with demands. For example, if asked "What is your name?" He says "Dallin",so his tutor says"that's right", and he gets to swing in a blanket or have a mini m&m. They have tons of lessons that they work on. Potty training is going great too. He stays dry all day with very few accidents. I am just so glad to be here, I really believe this help will affect the rest of his life. We have been so blessed for moving. I am so exited for Dallin's future.

Isaiah 1-2

I am not exactly sure, but I think it took somewhere between 2 or 3 hours to go through these chapters. Using the student manual and the footnotes has been so educational. I can understand ancient parables that Isaiah uses and how his writings applied to his day and also to us. the margins of my scriptures quickly filled up with notes and meanings. I was also able to chunk sections of scriptures together to help me understand the general meaning or topic.

So one of the most awesome things was in the footnotes regarding Isaiah 2:16. Nephi qoutes this scripture from the brass plates as well, but it has a small phrase that the KJ does not. Not that exiting except the Greek version of the bible has the phrase too, but is missing a phrase that KJ has. The BOM has all three phrases. In other words: The Greek (Septuagint) has "ships of the sea." The Hebrew has "ships of Tarshish." The BOM has both, showing that the brass plates had lost neither phrase. I learned from the Student Manual that scholars may suggest that Joseph Smith had taken the phrase from the Greek verson. The problem with that is that Joseph did not know Greek and there is no evidence that he even had access to the Septuagint when he was translating the BOM. The only conclusion: The BOM is true of course!

Hewow!

This is my FAVORITE sound lately. This is how Tanner says hello and it just melts my heart.

Isaiah

I have always found Isaiah to be very intimidating, but intriging. I am beginning a chapter by chapter study along with the student manual so that I can really get it. I am also listening to the BYU Insights to Isaiah series that I found on the website which has about 30 half hour discussions for the whole book. So far I am just trying to learn how to go about it with introductions, etc. I think with the study helps I will learn a lot so I am going to write down the most interesting things here over the next few weeks. I am very exited to learn and especially that we have so much more knowledge and understanding because of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and the Temple. I am not giving myself an exact timeline for the 66 chapters, because I want to cross reference and read the study helps as I go. So far, I have learned about how Isaiah was called to be a prophet in the holy of holies at the temple and how he was very humbled.

Johny!

Peter's brother John came to visit for a couple of days so he could interview at a med school in Vallejo. The kids love him. Dallin recognized him right away and knew his name. While John was here we went to our favorite pizza place with the kids. Dallin and Eden have been pretty cute about holding hands lately. It really helps me out because I am outnumbered sometimes and they keep eachother in line.
This is Eden's bathroom art that she did the other day. She loves bathtub crayons.
63 pieces all by myself!!!
This was at the pizza place. Tanner decided to eat his ice cream cone backward.

Candy Monsters!

For Halloween, we trick or treated at some of our friends houses and then we went to a little party with some other friends from the ward. We ate yummy food and then did a little more trick or treating. I couldn't believe how much candy they got from only doing maybe 15 houses. Their pumpkins were practically full. The kids had fun and went to town on the candy all night. We even did some karaoke. This is how I got Eden to wear her costume. The pink vest was very convincing, for about 10 minutes. Then it was over. I even let her wear "make ups", which was really just lip gloss and pretending to put blush on and curl her eyelashes. Once again she just work a pink outfit and her crown.
Dallin LOVED being thomas. He liked me to chant "chugga chugga choo choo!" over and over again while he ran around the house. We missed his bus for the first time yesterday, but I was glad because it was fun to see his little classmates exited about his costume when I dropped him off. He seemed to feel pretty cool. I took him to the doctor the other day and we discoverd ear infections once again. It seems like he has had them for half of his life. I just can't say enough about his progress with everything else though. I watched him at school for a couple of hours and he is so good at waiting and staying in his seat and eating and talking. He did not have any disruptive behaviors at all. I have had many primary leaders come to me and tell me how awesome he is doing too. They get choked up when they describe the difference from six months ago. I am just so proud of him.
Tanner is a total candy boy. He has been carrying the bucket all over the place and just helping himself to it.

I didn't edit this video but I really think the first 20 seconds are cute.