The End of August

Wow, I have been so busy lately I haven't had time to blog and I am way behind. I have been taking lots of pictures and projects have been flowing in our house but no time to post them. So here are some things I have been working on.

My friend Susan is having a baby girl in Sept. She is due Sept. 30th which is fun for me because that was my due date last year with Lizzy. Man how time flies. Anyways, she had a wonderful baby shower last week and I was so excited to make her baby present. I made her a quilt out of this great fabric that she loved. It turned out so cute I love it.
Then I made a onesie and dress out of the rest of the fabric. I am loving my Cricut lately. I cut the lady bug using the cricut and the dragonfly on the dress. It is so easy with the Cricut.


The dress was a pleasant accident. I planned on making the stripes horizontal but the stripes weren't wide enough (I measured wrong) so I ended up making them vertical which made the dress so much cuter. Then I added the lace to the bottom and the dragonfly. Little touches that make each dress special and one of a kind.

Right now I am working on some baby presents for my cousin Erica which i am really excited about. I will post pictures of that soon.

It is still super hot here but the kids don't seem to mind. They love being outside. The will spend all day outside if I let them (which I don't because like I said it is too hot). Most of the time they just play on the back porch riding the cars or playing in the sand box. Every once in awhile I go out there and spray them down with the hose (haha). They love it.
We spend our evenings coloring, playing with blocks and watching movies. It is a good thing that I love Disney movies because I watch at least one every day. Usually the same ones over and over because Jackson loves Nemo and Cars.

We are still working on the potty training. I am not so good at it. Not very diligent. But we are trying. Jackson seems to be more interested in it. I found him sitting on the potty today all by himself. Then I asked him what he was doing and he said going potty. I was really proud of him. He really wants to wear his Spider Man underwear. He actually has them on over his pants in the bottom picture but you can't tell, I just really like the smile.
I love how we can have special bonds with each person in our lives. I think Jackson and I will always have a special bond because he is my first. I always wanted to be a mother and when Brandon and I were talking about starting a family I never wanted anything so bad in my life. He was my perfect gift. Every time he kisses me or snuggles up to me I think about the first time I held him and saw his little face looking up at me. I love him so much I didn't think I had any room left in my heart for Elizabeth. But then she came into our lives and it was like a grew a whole new heart for her. She is my sweetheart. My little girl that I didn't know I always needed in my life. She is at a difficult age. So much independence. Walking, eating, laughing, playing all by herself. I know she still needs me but that newborn dependence is gone and all I see now is a beautiful little girl that is changing from a baby to a toddler. Where has the time gone? I need to cherish each day.

Ice Cream and Pickles

There is a reason why pregnant women love ice cream and pickles. I think it is because kids love ice cream and pickles. When all other food fails there is always ice cream and pickles. The sweet and salty can't be beat.

At the Stoker house we recently started Friday night Sunday night. Since we are trying to save money instead of going out every Friday night we eat at home and make yummy ice cream sundays. The kids love it and it is fun to have a super tasty treat on date night. Don't worry, Brandon and I still go on dates once in awhile, but for the most part Friday night Sunday night is a good alternative.

Almost 1

Elizabeth is now 11 months old and I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. I drove by the hospital today and I couldn't help but think back to where I was a year ago, having weekly checkups with little tiny Lizzy in my tummy. She was so small and fragile. Now she is strong and independent.

I watch her and can't believe how smart she is. I feel like the time has passed by and I didn't even realize what a gift she is in my life. Babies grow so fast and life gets so busy. I just can't believe my baby is almost a toddler. Here are some things that I love about her right now:

-she likes smoothies from a cup. Yeah, she can handle a cup all by herself. Not a sippy cup, a real cup. AMAZING
-she is walking like a pro. She can stand up on her own, bend over and pick things up, and walk where ever she wants to go. I just know she is going to be running after Jackson in the blink of an eye.
-she loves reading books. I hate to say this but I really didn't put in the reading time with her like I did with Jackson. Then all the sudden I pulled out a few peek-a-boo books and she could turn the pages and flip the peek-a-boos all by herself. Now we read every night.
-she says mama when she sees me, or wants something. It sounds like she is begging, which is so cute.
-she knows the word no. Most of the time when I say no she just gives me her sweet, innocent smile and does it anyway. . .but she knows she is not suppose to do it.
-she climbs on every thing and is very resourceful. If she gets in a position that she is confused by she figures out how to get out.
-she is a quick learner. Brandon taught her how to get off the couch in like 10 min and now she does it every time and knows how to get off the bed too.
-she points to things she wants, or grabs them herself.
-she loves Jackson and adores him. Where ever he is she wants to be.
-she is so sweet when we rock in the chair at night. She cuddles up next to my neck and her sweet cheeks and lips are so soft. I just want to snuggle her and give her kisses all night.
-she has 4 teeth but can eat everything and will eat everything including blueberries, asparagus, broccoli, and noodles.
-her favorite place to hang out is on her clothes bind in her closet. She climbs up on it whenever she can, but gets stuck up there a lot.


I love her to death and can't image my life without her.

Another Project-Some Service

I have still be sewing, right now I am making a secret quilt for Brandon's birthday. (He never reads the blog so I don't have to worry). I also made a birthday onesie for Lizzy (1 month to go) and I am working on more dresses. Busy Busy. I added another vinyl quote to Lizzy's wall. It looks really cute I must say.
On another note, tonight our Relief Society had an enrichment activity that I thought was great. We had a white elephant exchange for service. So instead of bringing a gift you put a service card in a bag. I offered a home cooked meal with dessert for an entire family. But some of the other women had great ideas. Someone offered some vinyl lettering, another offered singing/piano lessons, one person offered to organize one room in your house, lots of cookies were offered, and one women even offered to take someone on a girls only night to the movie of their choice. Simple service. We should all offer simple service to our friends. It is fun, a good way to get to know others, and an easy way to feel the Lord's love. So if anyone is looking to serve, look my way. Your service is always welcome.

Weekly Review

Jackson's collage for his Grandma.

This week we had a lot of fun. We went swimming a lot, did new crafts, and had dance parties in the living room. Jackson discovered jumping off the coach into a pile of pillows was entertaining for about an hour and Lizzy started walking. These kids bring so much happiness to my life I never know what to expect next, and I never though that hanging out in our pajamas could be so much fun.

Dance party, don't you love Jackson's ensemble? Cookie monster hat (with the tag still on it) and 1 shoe, drinking a smoothie. His dance moves are the best. It is a cross between Criss Cross and a hyper 2 year old. Lots of knee bending downward movement with spinning. Lizzy just moves her arms really fast and watches Jackson.
Check out that face, he looks exactly like Brandon's little brother Cameron and my little brother Adam. WEIRD!

Where is Lizzy hiding? In the bathroom cabinet, of course. Could she get any cuter? Look at that face!

We got a pet fish this week too. When we were visiting my mom in Seattle we bought a fish with her and Jackson really loved it. He took such good care of that fish while we were there. Feeding it just a little bit of food, and watching it closely. So I went a bought a fish. Jack picked it out himself (he liked the blue), he carried it very carefully to the checkout and home in the car. Then he put the jellies in the bottom of the bowl and the reef in the bowl. I even asked him what he wanted to name the fish and he said Buba (which is the same name as my mom's fish). I have to admit that was over 2 months ago and I can't believe he still remembers it. Then I asked where we should keep Buba and he showed me to his room and pointed to his dresser saying, "right here". It is so cute to see how much he already loves that fish. Every time we walk into his room he says "hi Buba". So cute.


Jackson passed out on the coach after church. He is so sweet with those red cheeks.


Lately Jackson has been obsessed with his swim diapers because they have Nemo on them. He takes one to bed with him every night and insists that Nemo sleep with him. (I should probably just buy him a Nemo doll). Anyways, the other night he insisted on wearing his Nemo diaper to bed. Unfortunately as many of you know those swim diapers don't provide the best protection. So as a compromise I allowed him to wear the diaper on the outside of his jammies.

Here are some shots of Lizzy walking. I tired to upload a video but it would work so you will have to just imagine her moving across her room. She is getting really good at it.

Mischief Managed

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." That has been the theme in our house lately. Captain TP has taken it upon himself to search for mischief and Lizzy is his unwavering follower. (I think her nick name is Princess Tampons because that seems to be her favorite medium of disaster). Now it is all in good fun. Most of the mischief is observed by me from afar so no need to worry about safety issues, but man these kids keep me busy.

She's no princess, playing in the mud.Yeah, that's not chocolate. Yummy dirt.

Captain Toilet Paper trying on mom's shoes. Actually he walks pretty good in heels. Should I be worried? lol

Giving Mickey a bath.

Giving babies a much needed bath.

Such a sweet face.
She is too cute, I can't be mad.