LIVING THE GOOD LIFE

Hello Again

2011-09-24T11:25:00.000-07:00

Newest update is that we are adding a baby to our family in December. The kids are excited to welcome the new little boy to our family.

Halloween

2010-01-09T14:10:00.000-08:00

It is a little late, but this is my cute little family at halloween. So much fun.

The girls got new hair cuts!

2009-10-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

Allie before her hair cut.

Allie with her Aunt Janay who cut her's and my hair.

The View from the back. Her hair looks so much thicker.

I also got my hair cut. I wanted to try really sort. I love change. It will be fun to try it out.

John's new trick

2009-10-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

John has a new trick he learned on monday!! Watch and be amazed!

Pretty good for a 6 year old!

Take 3 of Pledge

2009-10-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

Ginny says the pledge

2009-10-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

Take 2 of the pledge.

Ginny says the Pledge of Allegience

2009-10-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

We have been going to the sunrise ceremony at my kids school and they say the pledge there. Ginny learned it from there on her own and not from us. I just heard her say indivisible one day and decided to listen a little closer because that is not a 2 year old word. After a week of trying to get it on video here it is.

First day of School

2009-09-08T11:23:00.001-07:00

I am a little late posting these, but sometimes life gets a little crazy. Have fun.

Thanks to Amber coming with me, we were able to get some nice action pictures.

John doesn't seem to care what he is wearing. But he can tie his own shoes now. He learned just two days before first grade started. He is so happy. He can even double knot them.

I do like uniforms, but Allie is not too thrilled about no pink. We just make sure she has pink or purple shoes or bows.

Climber

2009-09-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

What is with my kids learning to walk early and climb right after!! Brandon has mastered the folding chair.

Bye Bye to my hair !!

2009-09-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

Ever since my sister-in-law Kate cut her hair and sent it to locks of love, I have always wanted to do the same thing. So, when my hair got really long, summer time in Vegas came, and my baby turned into a hair puller, I felt the time was right. I love my new hair cut. Thanks to my other great sister-in-law Janay.

This was before I cut my hair. We sent 10 inches of hair in.

This is me after Janay cut my hair. It is so much fun to have short hair. I haven't had short hair in a long long time. Sam was very reluctant to have me cut my hair before, but now he loves it. He even caught himself checking me out in the store and didn't know it was me. What a great husband right!!

Mom Trauma, otherwise known as LOVE in kindergarten

2009-05-28T12:31:00.000-07:00

So...I was picking John up from kindergarten today. The kids were lined up outside the classroom door and I was running a little late. So when I saw John standing there I was shocked to see his arm around a girl's shoulder and her arm around his waist. They were very cosie...I was not. I told John it was time to go and he smiled really big at me and then leaned in for a KISS (on the cheek, but how shocking). He was just grinning. She then says to me, "Can John come to my house and play today?" Since they were such good friends my obviouse answer was NO!! but I said it very nice because she is just a little cutie. This is also the same girl that sent him a really sweet love letter home in his backpack about a month ago. Sam is of course shocked as well because he used to run away from girls in kindergarten. Oh what have I gotten myself into? My brother, Matt, must have been having secret 'picking up on girls' lessons with him. I better keep my eye out.

Happy Birthday Allie

2009-05-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

Today has been a long awaited day in our home. Allie has made her own invitations to all the family and been counting down the days for a month. She has decided to refer to herself as "the Birthday Girl." I was sending the kids to Grandma's house for Grandma to take them to get Allie's free ice cream (thanks to Cumorah, love them). John darted across the street looking right and left for cars as he was in the street. Allie, on the other hand, stopped, looked right and left, and then proceeded across the street. I am always trying to practice positive parenting, so I yelled, "Good job Allie, thank you for looking before you crossed the street." She then yells back a classic comment, "Birthday Girls always do what their mom's want on their birthday." This is said from the girl who asked me last night, "I get to do whatever I want tomorrow because it's my birthday, right mom?" Man I love her.

Split pea soup

2009-05-12T15:03:00.000-07:00

I just asked my Allie if she wanted to have some split pea soup. (Allie is ALWAYS hungary.) She said, "No mom, I don't like peas and I don't like splits." Nice!

Final Stretch

2009-04-22T17:27:00.001-07:00

So it has been a week since I updated last and I am happy to say that she is on the final stretch of potty training. She now tells us when she needs to go and we only have to remind her sometimes. She has usually only one accident a day, but it is a surprise which kind of accident it is. She also woke up dry this morning for the first time. It is pretty exciting. We will see how long the final touch ups take. She is such a sweet heart. When I ask her if she needs to go potty, she often answers, "No, I don't think so." What a silly girl. Well, that's all for now.

Progress in Potty Training?

2009-04-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday: I so did not want to be potty training on Sunday because I just wanted to relax, but the show must go on. So here it is: 80% mostly because she pooped in her pants. I wish she would just tell me.
Monday: Hallelujah! She is a strong 95% today. She even told my hubby this morning that she had to go potty and then went. She also told me this afternoon that she had to go potty and then went poop on grandma's toilet. She is amazing. It has been a true week since we started and I have been very diligent even though at times I really did not want to be. She is on my good side today though. She is super wonderful. and I just love her so much.

Brandon Crawling at 5 months

2009-04-07T16:48:00.000-07:00

Yes my baby is crawling. This video was taken on Sunday and he is now sitting up and everything. It all happens so fast. He is still my baby though.

Potty Training Again!! Do not read if you are sensitive to potty words.

2009-04-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

So, Today their is hope. Yesterday, I got up and decided that this week is the week Ginny gets rid of diapers in the day because it is spring break and I have time to stay at home ALL DAY. I have now decided to give an update of the progress for my future sanity when potty training other children. Here it is:
MONDAY: 20% Today was not good. She managed to go pee-pee on the toilet twice and she was in underwear from the moment she woke up till bed time. Luckily she did manage to have all her accidents outside. If she were a puppy, she would be done potty training. Thank goodness it is laundry day.
TUESDAY: 100% so far, and it is already 4:30pm in the afternoon. Hooray. This is a huge improvement from the 7 or 8 pairs of undies we went through yesterday. Yes she even pooped on the toilet instead of in the undies. O.K. she pooped her pants once (and a 1/2), but otherwise she did great.
WEDNESDAY: 80% She has decided that if I actually catch her before she poops in her pants then she gives me this look that seems to say, "Give me a break, mom." It is adorable. There was no pooping in the pants today. She just peed in her undies twice. She is really doing well now that she gets a gummy worm after she goes pee. Who would have guessed?
THURSDAY: 80% so far. She also managed to poop on the toilet seat. Don't ask me how that happened, but it did. I couldn't get mad because I always say, "poo-poo on the potty." I should have said "in the potty." Kids are so smart.
FRIDAY: Today was about 90%. She only pee-peed in her undies twice and was able to wait the rest of the times. She has also been taking naps all week in undies and not had an accident. She didn't even poop at all today. We will see what tomorrow brings.
SATURDAY: She was with daddy today, but managed to poop "on" the toilet seat again in the morning. Still working on "in". I am getting frustrated because she still won't tell us that she needs to go, but she will tell us right after she has gone. She will also show us where she has done her business if we ask her. She is so helpful.

That has been the adventure for this week. Stay tuned for next week.

Potty Training Part II

2009-01-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

So, Ginny has been in undies the whole day and has gone pee-pee on the toilet at home and at Lowe's. I am sure Lowe's feels really privileged to be my girl's first outing in undies. No accident though. She is so awesome!!

OOPS!

2009-01-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

It was pointed out that I forgot one important detail of 2008. In February, Sam and I went to Mexico on a cruise with my cousin Stefi. A week away from the kids with great people. How fun can that be. Let me tell you. GREAT!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

2009-01-08T15:53:00.000-08:00

Better late than never. Here is how our family has been doing in 2008:
Sam- He is still working for the State, but went through some changes at church. He was the scout master for most of the year but now he is teaching primary and doing a great job.
Stacie- I have been pregnant all year and we welcomed Brandon Miner into our home in October. He is so cute and lots of fun for everyone, but especially for his siblings. They LOVE him. I am still teaching primary, John's class actually, and I am starting to get the hang of it after a whole year. In fact they like me so much, that I get to be his teacher next year too. Oh Joy!!
John- John has had an eventful beginning to kindergarten, but he is now in a regular education classroom and is loving it. He is so proud that he can make good choices at that school. He is taking tumbling with Grandma Larsen and can now kick over his back bend. In May we went to see Thomas the Train at the Heber Creeper and the kids loved it. John was in heaven.
Allie- She is in her last year of preschool and loves to tell me all about her day when I pick her up. The biggest news is who was the leader that day. I am constantly being told what a great student she is. She is taking dance class from Grandma Larsen and absolutely loves it. I don't think my mom is EVER going to be able to retire.
Ginny- What a handful and a cutie. She is starting to talk now and is cracking us up with all the cute things she can say. Slowly we are beginning to understand her constant chatter. Her hair is actually coming in as well, but it is so blond, that it makes a halo above her head so she looks like an angel. She likes to do everything John and Allie do and thinks she is big enough to do it.
Brandon- CUTE!!
We just want to thank all of our family for their support and love. We wish you all the best and are so thankful for your support.

We love you,
Sam and Stacie Miner Family

Embarrassing

2008-12-05T17:47:00.000-08:00

So, my family has been hit with the stomach flu for the first time of this season. I love what this means for a mom with four kids. I was picking up John from school and as I was getting Ginny out of the car, she started looking a little green. Right in the newly paved parking lot, I just pushed her head over and she blew chunks. Unfortunately it was right by the driver side door of a lady who had just left her car. I was late, so when Ginny finished I grabbed her hand and dragged her running behind me with Brandon on my arm racing toward John's class. I was just hoping that she didn't do it again on the play ground. We made it back to the car without anything going wrong. As we were coming back from getting John though, the lady had made it to her car that had been parked next to us and was pulling away. I hope she didn't get offended by the puddle by her car. I was just trying to make it home before my car got a taste of it. We made it.

Brandon Samuel Miner has arrived

2008-11-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

Our beautiful little boy has arrived. He was born on October 28, 2008 at 9:40 am. He was 8 lbs. 11 oz. and 20 inches long. We are having so much fun having him in our family. The kids absolutely love him. This is a picture of him and mommy.

He also had the special experience of getting circumcised on Halloween. I dressed him in his pumpkin costume to go.

The doctor was dressed as Harry Potter. My son was circumcised by Harry Potter. As my husband said, "Only the best for our boy."

Ba-Ba Daddy

2008-10-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

So, Ginny has been successfully transitioned to the toddler bed which is lots of fun for us. BECAUSE in the mornings, she comes to wake us up. At first she used to get into bed with us, but now she wouldn't even think of that. She goes straight to Daddy's side of the bed. Daddy tries to coax her into the bed with us to snuggle, but today she said, "No." very clearly I might add. Sam tried again and she said, "No, Ba-Ba." This means she wants her Ba-Ba/Sippy cup. Daddy is such a sweetheart that he always gets out of bed to get it for her. The best part is, that Ginny is not the first of our children to do this. John and Allie both did this to daddy. They stood by the bed pulling on his hand or simply begging for daddy to get out of bed and get them a drink. Notice I say daddy, not mommy. Mommy stayed firm and told them to go watch TV while mommy slept 5 more minutes. John and Allie have grown out of begging for a drink, but now Sam has Ginny to deal with. I just love kids!!!

Getting Ready for #4

2008-10-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

So I am supposedly 2 1/2 weeks from my due date and there hasn't been much progress. My mom and sister are helping though because they have gone walking with me two days in a row at 6:30 am. Amber only gets mad at me for one or two minutes when I call her that early. Monday is the next doctor appointment. We will see how it goes.

Mutton chops

2008-09-06T18:02:00.001-07:00

And this is Sam with "Mutton Chops". We actually went to a resturaunt with his beard this way and we got a lot of double takes. Every time Sam saw himself in the mirror he couldn't help but laugh. (I laughed every time I looked at him.)

Cute Pictures

2008-09-06T17:52:00.001-07:00

John's First Day of School

2008-09-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

This is John's first day of Kindergarten. He had to have his new school shirt tucked in. They don't wear uniforms there, so he gets to choose. He is so cute.

Rootbeer

2008-09-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

So we were working on john's pronunciation of the letter S the other day and John was kind of getting frustrated. (He puts his tongue between his teeth when he is saying S instead of putting his teeth together.) We were trying to get him to say soda when all of a sudden he says, "I can't say soda but I can say root beer." What you have to understand is that he has trouble with R as well. So we heard, " I can't thay thoda, but I can thay woot beew." He is so cute.

I Love In-Laws

2008-07-30T19:19:00.000-07:00

So, my in-laws are getting ready to go on a mission in the next year and a half. I volunteered to go over to their house and help them go through all the stuff they have collected over the past 3 or 4 decades. They only have one child still at home, Scott, so I thought it wouldn't be too tramatic for anyone. Well I thought wrong!! We were going through a closet and there was a bag of Scott's old soccor shirts. Rhea and I called him up to the room to ask him if he wanted to keep them. He said yes of course and then I suggested that he take them to his room or find another way to store them. Needless to say, we got into a friendly arguement about what things should be thrown out or stored. Then came a box of balloons out of the closet, (A very old box let me remind you) and I had the nerve to say that they might need to be thrown out because they probably have gone bad. Scott came unglued and proceeded to prove to me that they are still good by making flowers and hats for the grandkids that were visiting. He even sent innocent little Mack with a balloon flower in hand to tell me, and I quote, "Hah!" Yes, they were still good and I was wrong about them being bad, but to use all the balloons in that box Scott will have to make a balloon creation every day for the rest of his life to possibly get through all the balloons. He sure will have some lucky kids. The whole experience was really fun and I am lucky to have such funny people in my family. When looking for in-laws make sure they have a sense of humor!!! It makes life Grand!!

New Stuff in our Family

2008-04-14T15:35:00.001-07:00

So yesterday was the logandale fair and John and Allie went with Grandma & Grandpa because mommy and Ginny were sick and Daddy was in the Savior of the World play. Which by the way Sam did an absolutely wonderful job. The show was amazing!! Allie got to dance at logandale and did a really good job. She sure is a dancing queen. John has now lost two teeth and has a big old tooth coming in. He was kind of upset about loosing his tooth until we showed him the picture of his cousin Josh who also had teeth missing. Then John was o.k. and actually got excited about it. Kids are so funny. We would also like to congratulate Mack on her baptism. We were sorry to miss it and wish her all the best. One last bit of information for those who don't know, we are expecting an addition to our family at the end of October so we are really excited about that too. Well, That is all for now. Stacie

Kids are Fun!!

2008-03-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

We were at the park today and Ginny found a dot on the ground about the size of a plate, but she couldn't figure out how to sit down on it. Finally she gave up and put her head on it with her butt in the air. Kind of like an ostrich. Love it!!