What?! An Update after 8 months? Who does that?

 Catch up on 8 months of Blogging? Aaaah! Yeah, I can do that at 2:45 am when the insomnia strikes again. I'll have you know I have tried to post a couple times, but I couldn't get my photos to load so I would get frustrated and give up. Recently my Grandma Higham (now deceased) reminded me how important it is to record things and my Grandma Harker reminded me how much she likes these update. So I shall proceed....

 Winter was cold. We had snow a few times which was so fun.

 But the snow melted and out came spring.

We took a trip to Vegas the end of April which was so fun. 

 On Memorial Day we were given a trampoline. It has been well loved by many thus far.

 In May, Jacob earned his white belt in Tae Kwon Do. This past week, he finally was brave enough to Gi hap (pronounced Key-yap) or yell when he kicks. He is now the most senior in his class of 3 kids and loves it.

 I have actually kept up on the Sunday photo before church. Unfortunately, Mason hates photos and wont look at me and Jacob likes to be silly. Oh well.

 In June, we went camping with friends. It was a ball. I think we need a boat someday. Eli is the best jumper offer of things. I am the best first time getter upper on ski's or wakeboards type things. We had so much fun. I get sore just thinking about it.

 Somewhere in there Eli surprised me with a new phone. Instagram, Facebook, Word with Friends.....the addictions  fun applications are endless.

 This summer, Jacob was obsessed with all things crafty ie. paitning.

 In August he turned 5. Funny enough, he and Mason (age 3) are thought be twins by many strangers.

 In September, my grandma Higham passed away, which I should be sad about, but really felt nothing but peace after I found out. She was suffering and it was her time to go be with my Grandpa. I had some very special and sacred experiences. Death is a very humbling time. I felt watched over and protected as I hopped in the car  with my 2 sweet kids at 9 pm  and drove through the night to try and get to Utah before she passed. It was a memorable trip. The song, " Swing Low Sweet Chariot" which was sung at her funeral now holds a special place in my heart. I also was able to spent some one on one time with my mothers parents, as my grandpa Harker had to spend most the night in the Urgent Care due to some health issues. I felt so grateful to be the family nurse and able to be with them and just talk for hours.

 J & M were so lucky-- they drove my uncle's digger.

Then the much awaited day (Sept 25) came-- Mason turned 3! And I turned 29 and my dad 52. She started with preschool and loves it. She loving calls it, "my preschool" and loves her teacher, "grandma Pam" (who is not her grandma btw).

Jacob also started kindergarten, actually more of a home school kindergarten. He goes to class two days a week for two hour and I am accountable for 6 hours of instruction in the home. I am still figuring it out, which is a tad stressful as I find it hard due to the time factor. But, he is loving it, so it is worth me figuring it out.   

Now it is October (now that 8 month catch up wasn't so bad). Eli is busy, taking over Procomfort Medical Vancouver (Nathan my brother has Procomfort Medical Las Vegas up and running) and we are moving locations tomorrow. It is going to be good for Eli, but stressful at the same time as now he is basically starting his own business. Now it is not a complaint, because believe me I have complained plenty, but I realize 2012 has been a whirlwind for our family due to his learning to make orthotics in January, while managing a business, and being the entire sales force for the business. I am looking forward to the future. It is exciting. 

Oh and we are having another baby sometime in May. Mason keeps telling us it twins named, "Ashton and Galla" (a boy and a girl apparently). We shall see......

Valentines Schmalentines

February has been spent breaking one of my new years resolutions-- to do less home improvement projects and play with my kids more. I just can't help myself. All the doors upstairs needed to be painted white.

I have kept one of my resolutions to take a photo of the ninos each Sunday before church.

This one is my favorite thus far:

Followed by this one of Jake trying to eat his sister:

My other resolution to get together with Sisters-in-law, wax our facial hair, and practice looking sexy is up and running full force (don't hate me girls):

Who could resist that right? Well, Valentine's day was pretty bogus. Eli was anti-love and affection that day. Thank goodness I have some friends that showed me some TLC. Eli made it up to me though-- cleaned the house, watched the kids, and let me go to the Temple then get a massage. He's pretty awesome and a good dad. I don't get it. Jacob and Mason spend all day with Eli on Friday while I am at work. I come home from work and who do they want to throw their arms around, hug, kiss, and play with?----daddy. Yeouch! that hurts. Oh well. Jake says I'm cool too...only when we do crafts. And that is about it with the Hillstrom fam this month. Hope you all are keeping your resolutions better than I am.

Love,

Janel

A Very Happy New Year and Belated Merry Christmas

We're off to a good 2012. We have been working really hard to get our basement ready for a renter. I had to warm up to the idea of not having my entire house to myself-- even the deep dark cold basement parts that we seldom use. I think it is going to be a great blessing for our family.

Eli bought me a new camera for Christmas-- nothing too fancy, but I am still getting used to it, so please bear with me.

Jake is into jammies. I have to beg him to go anywhere (except church and preschool), convince him of the need to put on normal clothes, and as soon as we get home he is immediately back into PJ's--not the same pair of course.

His morningwear pictured below:
Lunchtime attire:
Playwear: (he is also into funny faces and gang signs)
Mason is shaping up to be quite the little chef. It only makes sense as she is eating something or asking about eating 11 out of her 12 waking hours. She is a Higham for sure. She is always cooking something in her play kitchen. I love her beside me in the kitchen because this is what I used to do with my dad.
She insists on "painted toes". Fingernail polish or fingernails all share that same name.
She is 90% potty trained thanks to some very convincing women:
Merry Christmas 2011
Christmas eve 2011
Mason-- Drunk off cholocate
Jake fake sleeping so Santa will come:
Hope you all had a nice holiday and have a great 2012.

Laughter: The Best Medicine

We have had sick kids the last few weeks. Eli is always willing to stay home with the kids. This past Sunday we were doing an early thanksgiving feast as my parents were visiting. My mom and dad and I went to sacrament meeting, while eli and the kids stayed and prepped for our feast.

Last year we made place cards for the thanksgiving table, so in keeping with traditions the kids and I started making some. Eli finished making while we went to church.

We came home to such a nice table:


Then there was this:

Oh, he can only wish......

Apparently a Victoria Secret catalog came in the mail.

Let me explain....

It all started with Jacob going for a Well Child Check 2 weeks ago and receiving 5 immunizations. Me, wanting to do a non-food reward so as not to propagate another child with food issues, promised him a trip to the mall to ride the carousel. When walking though the mall, the stores seemed to be plastered with Jacob and Mason's favorite TV characters right now, "YO Gabba Gabba". There were Brobee back packs, Plex stocking caps, Foofah plush dolls, Muno tennis shoes and Toodee T-shirts. After doling out numerous "No's" and having two disappointed kids we couldn't get out of the mall fast enough . In typical Jacob fashion his solution to the problem was , "Mommy you should make me the Yo Gabba Gabba dolls!". How could I say no?


They were so patient. It took over a week and a half, but finally they were done. I set all 5 dolls up outside Jacob's room so he would see them in the morning. I came home from my jog to find him in mason crib and all their new friends. It made the time all worth it.

So I couldn't just let it be at that. I needed a cool costume anyway, so why not be DJ Lance Rock? It didn't matter to me that only about 5 people knew who I was. (Most people thought I was candy corn or a power ranger). Jacob knew and he was beaming when he came trunk or treating to my car. Plus I got to sing this song while handing out candy.



The coolest part was Eli... and his costume. He is still a little disappointed that he didn't win "Most Recognizable" in all of his 4 ft 5 inch big bird costume he made. I think he was the star of the party, which was cool because I didn't get him anything for his birthday so he needed some recognition.

Jake the Lion

Happy 30th Birthday Eli!!!!!
You are the best big bird making, pumpkin slinging, Yo Gabba Gabba Watching, diabetic shoe fitting, vacuum erection device selling, grocery shopping, fort building man around. And I love you.

Thanks for all you do for our family.

More importantly, we wouldn't have this sweet boy

or this sweet girl without you.

I love you.

"And Here We Have Idaho"

We went on a trip to Idaho and Wyoming to visit grandparents. It was a 14 hour drive there and 16 hours back. Mason is not the best traveler, but we made it thanks to Band-Aids, a purse full of almonds, and a DVD player.

This is my dad's Mom: Shirley Mason Higham Smith. I love her. It makes me sad she can't hear or see and gets lonely on Sunday nights. If I lived close I would love to go see her on Sundays. I get lonely on Sundays too.
This is my other grandma: Helen Harker. I love her (and my Grandpa) too. They live in Star Valley Ranch, WY. They are the fun, young granparent's that play golf, games, and sing Karaoke. It is always a lot of fun when we get together.

It is gorgeous where they live. At 6000 feet in the mountains, we were surrounding by beautiful views.


They took us golfing. Eli and I where a little anxious about how the kids would do, but it went great! We had fun. I played terrible and lost about 10 balls (and my grandma's pitching wedge and club head cover) but thankfully a nice couple behind us retrieved those.


Another highlight of the trip, I was able to visit with my cousin Natalie. As kids we were inseparable, but hadn't talked in years due to having families, etc. We picked up right where we left off and had fun catching up. Facebook, blogging, talking on the phone etc.--- it just isn't the same as a real, live conversation.

So now we are back at home to the rain, clouds, dark, and dreary weather. I think it may be the post-vacation blues, but I am ready to bring on the hot cocoa and prozac. Better start my to do list and dust off my jogging shoes.

Summer Highlights

Today we had rainy crummy weather-- a good time to upload photos of our few weeks of sun and playing.


A photo before church one Sunday highlighting Mason's piggy tails. Yes, I am so proud. My Baby girl finally has hair!

And my oh my can she eat! That bowl of watermelon was gone in under 60 seconds.



Eli spent the month of August at various county fairs selling medical equipment. We spent a lot of time at the fair. Jacob was finally tall enough for the overpriced rides, which were tons of fun, but the free stuff was the best.

(Eli promptly cut off Jake's sleeves when we arrived at the fair so he would fit in better and with hopes of relief from the sweltering heat)

I gave Jake a haircut and nicked his ear. Mason was kind enough to wear a sympathy band-aid.
Jake turns 4. Thanks for the fun day Uncle Andy and Auntie Brit.

Mason (and myself, my dad, and about 12 other people I know) had a birthday on Sunday. It was fun. She got a cabbage patch doll, which Jacob has been calling a "celery patch kid"

First day of preschool this year. He looks so little. I think Mason is going to outgrow him soon.

Now bring on the rain, boots, pumpkin patch, and game nights-- I started a hand and foot group to help make it through the rain this year. It's going to be a lot of fun.