Exciting news for the Pace family...

Makenna and Cole are excited you see...
Because our little twosome will soon become three.
Mommy and Daddy will be parents again soon
They say the first of July, but we're hoping the end of June.
We don't know if it will be a boy or a girl,
But will wait for the baby's debut into the world.
We hope this news is exciting for you
And that you will love this sweet baby too.

We are excited to announce that we will be expecting our third child July 1st! This poem was attached to a picture of an ultrasound and that was the present that we gave Adam's parents for Christmas. I had already told my parents earlier, but wanted to tell his family in a cute way. I am almost 14 weeks pregnant and have been pretty sick, but hopefully I am almost done with that. We aren't finding out what we are having since we already have one of each, so it will be a surprise!! That's our big Christmas news for all of you!! Hope you all had a great Christmas!

That's What Dads Are For

I have been able to take the last few days off of work, which has been great time for me to spend with the family.
In Riverton, it snowed 14" on Christmas, and another 6" or so the next day. We had already planned on going sledding on Friday, so when we woke up to another 6" of snow, it was a sign that we should definitely make good use of the sled we borrowed from my parents. I was fine with buying one, but we wanted to see how Makenna, the fraidy-cat, did before we bought one.
There is a hill pretty close to us, so we headed out in the morning to give us plenty of time to sled if the kids liked it. We got to the hill, and I instantly realized why my dad had a rope tied to the front of the sled when he would pull us up the hill as kids. Makenna and Cole don't exactly have long legs, and I was barely able to walk up the powder area myself. I ended up pushing them on the sled up the hill, which is a great exercise for your quads if you're ever looking for a hard workout.
We went down 4-5 times, but my body felt like it was 100. The kids didn't want to give up, but I was exhausted. The elliptical machine for an hour is less of a workout than pushing the kids up a hill. I'm bringing a rope next time. Anyway, here are a few photos of us playing in the slow. The sledding picture is pretty blurry, because Marianne was taking the shot from so far away. Yep, she came, but stayed in the car the whole time with the heater running. At the time, that sounded like a better idea.


This is the snow cave that Makenna and I built out of one of the large mounds left over from the snow fall. Marianne didn't think it was too safe, but like the title of this post says, "That's what dads are for." We made snow angels too, but the snow men we tried to make just crumbled apart, so we'll have to try that later.

New family pictures

We got our family pictures taken a few weeks ago... I absolutely love the picture of Cole and Makenna. The photographer did a great job at getting them to both smile.

Playing in the snow

Yesterday Adam had the day off from work, so it was fun to be able to spend time together as a family. Lately, Adam has been really busy and hasn't been home too much, so it was nice to have a relaxing day. We did some Christmas shopping and had lunch with my mom. Makenna has been so excited to go and play in the snow for the last several weeks, of course we haven't had any snow for her to play in, so now that we have a whopping two inches, Adam took her out in the snow yesterday to play. She loved it. I know that most kids want to go and play in the snow and then get cold and want to come back inside, but not Makenna. She kept making snow angels and was having a lot of fun. Cole on the other hand, didn't want to get his snow stuff on until he realized that dad was going outside without him and then he was in a panic to get dressed and get out there as well. Everyone had fun until Makenna slid on the driveway and went flat on her back. The tears came and didn't stop for quite a while. She hurt her bottom, but was okay. Cole cried when they came in for about 30 minutes because he wanted to leave all his snow stuff on and didn't understand why I didn't want him wandering around the house in his wet boots and snow pants. Oh well, it was the first time for the season, so hopefully, we will get better at it as time goes on.

Sick again...

So, just when I think that the illnesses are over...
Yesterday morning Cole wanted to snuggle with me at around 11:30 and he fell asleep (which never happens). After a little bit I put him on the couch and he slept there for about 45 minutes. When he got up he felt a little warm so I gave him some Motrin and then put him down for his nap at 2:30pm. When he got up from his nap he had a fever again. Gave him more Motrin. After that he seemed to perk up again.
Today he was a little pathetice this morning, but then was okay. We went to lunch with Adam and when we got home he had a fever again. He wouldn't take a nap in his crib today, so lucky me, I got to hold him while he slept and sweated all over me. I don't know what is wrong with him, but hopefully it doesn't turn into anything worse. As long as I keep the medicine in him, he seems okay. Of course, when it starts to wear off, he is just a clinging to me again...
Hopefully, Makenna doesn't get it. Or me... :(

Pictures of the kids

Here is a picture of Makenna in the dress that Grandma Pace made for her. I can't believe how big she is getting!!

This is Cole lounging around in the morning, he piled all of the pillows so that he could be more comfortable.

Finally feeling better...

I don't know what it is, but when the kids get sick it is inevitable that either myself or Adam get sick from them. Well, since the last post, Cole got worse with his sickness. On Friday he was throwing up and needing a new diaper SEVERAL times a day. The throwing up fortunately only happened once in his crib, but the other issue went on through Sunday. He finally seemed back to normal on Monday morning, thank goodness!! I, however, did not feel well on Saturday. I didn't have any energy and was so tired. I also had a really bad stomach ache, but fortunately it was just on Saturday. Then Sunday I started to get the dreaded cold. I am finally starting to feel better from that, so hopefully I am on the mend as well. Adam has also had a really bad stomach ache and the throw-ups on Sunday night. He said that his stomach is finally feeling better today. Hopefully, we have all had our sicknesses and will be well for a while now.

I thought that I better update our blog since it has been a while. Cole and Makenna have been sick this week. Cole woke up on Monday with the most terrible runny nose that I have seen in a LONG time. It is still pretty bad, but it is getting better. Makenna has had a little bit of a runny nose, but not as bad. Of course, Cole always gets way more sick than Makenna and tends to be sick longer. That being said, we have spent a lot of time in the house this week. In fact, we haven't really gone anywhere.
Cole is talking more and more everyday. I was getting nervous there for a while that he may never talk, but he says new words everyday and it is funny to listen to him say his ABCs even if he doesn't get the order correctly. He recognizes almost all of his letters so whenever we look at a book, we have to go over the letters. He also is recognizing his numbers as well. Maybe Cole will be ready to read before I know it. :) The cutest thing that he does lately is when you ask him where Papou is (Adam's dad) he points to his butt and says "there." Apparantly, that sounds like poo to him.
Makenna is still a little princess and surprises me with the grown up things that she says. I can't believe that she is already 3 1/2. She is getting so big, it makes me sad. Cole is almost as big as Makenna now, I get asked a lot if they are twins. So, I guess that I can't really call Cole a baby anymore, even if he is the baby of the family. :(
Adam has been really busy at work, still. He is also working on getting his own business started on the side, which I am terrified about. Not that I don't think Adam can do it, but because I am not a risk taker. I know that Adam will do well no matter what he does, he is a very motivated person. I am just trying to get used to the idea that he may not be home too much between his regular job and the side business, but it will hopefully give us a little extra income which is always nice. I appreciate his hard work in always trying to do whatever he can for the family.
As for me, everyone always asks what is new with me and I can honestly almost always say nothing. I spend my days with a 3 1/2 year old and a 2 year old, life is pretty much the same day in and day out, but I am glad that I do get to stay home with them. They are growing up so fast and I am glad that I am not missing out on this time.

Happy Halloween!!

Carving pumpkins with Daddy.

Makenna is at the age where this is the smile we get for pictures.

I absolutely love this picture!

Cole showing us his bucket.

Halloween was a busy day, well actually two days, for us. On Thursday I took the kids to my mom's work for the parade at school. Cole wouldn't put his costume on, so he got to go in the parade not dressed up. It was bad, tears and tantrums on the floor. Seriously, two year olds are hard. On Thursday night we took the kids to my Grandma's nursing home for trick or treating and Adam was able to get Cole's costume on and he looked so cute in it!! The kids got a ton of candy there, which we mostly gave out to the trick or treaters at our house since most of the candy was stuff that I didn't want the kids to eat. On Friday Adam took the day off of work, so he carved pumpkins with the kids. I took the kids out trick or treating and they absolutely loved it. Makenna wanted to keep going after an hour, so I went back to the house and switched with Adam. He took them out for about another 30-45 minutes, but at the end Cole was crying to be carried and Makenna said her feet hurt. Either way, they had a ton of candy and most of it may get "lost."

Fall is here!!

Makenna and Cole throwing leaves in the air.

Cole in the leaves.

Makenna in the leaves

At least Cole is smiling in this one. He liked to sit on the pumpkin.

Cole looking terrified at the witch that daddy is making him stand by.

Cole mad again, but Makenna sure looks cute.

This was at the beginning before we saw any witches, so Cole was okay.

Even though it has been in the upper 60s for the temperature, it is still fall. We took the kids to Gardner Village a couple of weeks ago to look at the witches. Cole HATED it. He threw a fit every time we took him near one. He doesn't really like Halloween or anything to do with it except for the candy. I can't get him to wear his costume, so he may just be a stubborn two year old for Halloween. Makenna on the other hand, LOVES Halloween. Everytime we go to the store we have to go to the monsters and witches part. Last night we went for a walk and she told Adam to be careful and not let the monster get him when he went to look at a spec house in the neighborhood. Silly girl.

The kids also love to play in the leaves, not our leaves since we have no trees, but my parents have a big tree in their backyard. I raked up the leaves and let the kids play in them a couple of weeks ago.

Trip to the Zoo

Makenna in front of the penguins

The kids were terrified of this fake gorilla, if you can't tell they aren't happy that I am making them stand by it.

Last week I took the kids to the zoo for the first time this year. I know, I am a slacker mom. Makenna asks me all the time if we can go and I always say "soon." So, when Tarese called me last Wednesday and asked me if I wanted to go, I decided to take the kids even though they missed their naps for the day, it was worth it. It was really fun to get out of the house for the afternoon. Thanks Tarese for inviting us!!
Makenna was a little scared when we first got there, but she warmed up quickly and was excited to see all of the animals. Cole wanted to be out of the stroller tearing things up with the rest of the kids, so I did let him out a few times. I think that both kids had a great time.

Adam Andretti

They didn't have a #1 car, or that would have been mine. The helmet looks lame, but once I got going, I was glad I had it on.

This is the straight away where we got up to 140 mph. Not fast enough...

When do I get a car like this?

White knuckled, while holding my breath, I got the chance this week to do 12 laps around the Miller Raceway track in Tooele while I was behind the wheel. I still hold my breath when I think about driving that car as fast as we were taking them.

Before they let us behind the wheel, we got a short tutorial on making the most of our turns so we could take them quicker, how to maximize tire contact with the road, and using the brakes to help us go faster. Then, they let us have a chance behind the wheel.

We were actually split up into two groups, and I wanted to go second so I could see what the first group did so that I could do it better. Bad idea. I saw everything that was done wrong, including one guy who spun off of the track, and it scared the bejeezes out of me. Of course, I also didn't want to be like the guy they had to take off of the track because he was going to slow that he was holding everyone else back. What to do, what to do....

So I got in the lead car so that I could set the pace for the others (get it, Pace car... Hey, all my life I've never been able to say that!) Anyway, I was following behind a pro that was showing us the best place to hit the track, but we were told (and later found out) that the pro could drive a ton faster than we ever could, so as the pace car, we would go as fast as we were able to keep up. Great. More pressure. If I go slow, everyone behind me is upset that we're not squealing around every turn. If I go too fast, it's my bank account that pays for the $46,000 car. Oh yeah, and if you forgot who you were reading about, I don't have $46,000 in my account.

Well, I did the Pace name proud that day, and I took every turn as fast as I dared. The tires were squealing, and most of the turns I drifted around, just hoping I didn't slide off into a wall. As much fun as it was, I was almost glad when it was done so I could finally breath again.

Then we got to go with a pro, as we sat in the passenger seat to see how it is really done. Lucky me, I get the 55 year old woman. No offense to 55 year old women, but they typically aren't known for their fast driving abilities. Little did I know, that this English lady used to race in the Formula 1 races, and her husband designed the track. I was like a scared little girl during the first lap she took me around. I thought that I took the turns fast, but she lit the tires up, and drifted around every turn like some crappy "Fast and Furious" movie. She was as calm as a 55 year old woman should have been while picking up a blouse at Dillards. After the first lap, I told her to let it go, and she didn't hesitate. Exhilarating doesn't properly describe it. Maybe the proper adjective is scared-out-of-my-mind-light-headed-I-think-I-crapped-my-pants exhilarated.

I highly recommend this experience if you ever get the chance. You won't drive your wussy 4 cylinder Mazda 6 the same way again.

Not much to post...

Well, it's been a week since our last blog, so I thought that I better write a little update on what's been happening with us. Not too much. Life is actually pretty boring right now. We have a little down time now that the yard is done, but not for long I am sure.
Adam is still super busy at work, which is good I always tell him. He also has been helping out a lot with the kids at night and the weekends since I have been having some issues with my back the last couple of weeks. I finally got my back feeling better and now I have twisted my neck all funny. So, I have been spending a lot of time with ice packs and heating pads for the last several days. I didn't know that my body would fall apart so fast, it must be because I am almost the big 3-0.
Makenna has had a little cold the last few days, but already seems to be doing better, so far Cole hasn't gotten it, but I am sure that it is on the way. He usually catches everything and hangs onto it for a lot longer. I have been having a hard time with Makenna at nights. She gets up out of bed and comes in our room at least once a night, the last few nights it has been twice. I try to take her right back to bed, but then I usually have a hard time going back to sleep.
Cole has started to climb out of his crib, which is not fun. He now climbs out whenever we put him down for naps or bedtime, so we play the up and down game with him a few times. I know a lot of people are probably thinking I should put him in a bed, but I think that a bed would be even worse. I want to avoid that as long as possible. Cole is also FINALLY starting to talk more. His new favorite thing to say is "no, mine!" as he hides whatever he is claiming behind his back. I don't know what it is, but my kids do not like to talk before they are two, oh well. Makenna sometimes won't stop talking, so she must be making up for being so quiet to begin with.
Well, that is pretty much all that is going on in the Pace family for now, hopefully, we will have something interesting to blog about soon!!

Ballerina

Grandma Pace made Makenna the cutest little tutu and Makenna LOVES it. Makenna loved to dress up and this is the newest thing for her. Grandma Pace also bought her these cute little ballet shoes, so now we have to wear those all around the house with the tutu. I am pretty sure that I will be using this for Halloween with some fairy wings. I had to post this cute picture that Adam took of her the other night.

St. George Trip

Adam trying to re-enact the scene from Mission Impossible 2.

Adam and me.

Natalie and me.

The four of us at the beginning of the hike.

Down in the caves.

Last weekend we went to St. George for a little rest and relaxation with the Millers minus the kids. This is the first time that Adam and I have gone away without the kids ever. Well, I guess we did leave Makenna overnight with Grandma Osborn once when she was like 4 months old, but that doesn't really count I don't think. I was a little stressed about leaving the kids (if you ask Adam, I was a lot stressed) but everything went okay and hopefully the kids weren't too much work for Grandma and Grandpa Pace. Luckily, Makenna is pretty easy, but as Grandma Pace put it, Cole is just in perpetual motion. You really have to keep your eye on him, or he will be gone.
It was a quick trip, we left on Friday afternoon and came back on Sunday afternoon, but it was enough time to get rejuvenated and have a little break from everything. We ate at the Pizza Factory on Friday night and enjoyed a late night movie before heading to the condo. Saturday morning we got up and went to Snow Canyon for a little hiking followed by lunch and shopping. Natalie and I hit the Old Navy and the outlets, I think Adam and Jason were ready to scratch their eyes out in pain after about two hours, but we got some great deals and if Natalie and I plan it just right, we may even wear the same shirts on the same day!! Saturday night we went to another movie and then a late dinner at Olive Garden. Sunday we relaxed, went to In-n-Out for a hamburger and headed back to SLC. It was a lot of fun, hopefully the Miller aren't too sick of us since we have now been on two vacations with them this year. Adam got some relentless teasing about his soda consumption, but he survived.

New Outdoor Toys!!

Cole on the slide, he loves this!!

The rocker/teeter totter, Cole is scared of it.

Cole crying after having to come inside to get dressed for church

I have wanted to get the kids a slide of some sort for quite a while, something that we could use indoors and outdoors, but they are expensive!! I have a hard time paying $75 for only a slide (which is about what they run...) I have also wanted to get the kids a sandbox and the one I want is like $79, too much for me as well. Well, Adam's work had a garage sale on Saturday and one of the guys Adam works with was selling a bunch of his kid's outdoor toys and we got a few new things for the kids. The sandbox that I wanted at the beginning of the summer that was $79 we got for $10! We also got a sand and water table, which I know the kids will love for $10 and a rocker/teeter totter for $10. The best thing of all is that we got a climber/slide combo for $75 which normally sells for $260!! I am so happy with our new (gently used) toys. They are all in really good condition and the kids LOVE the slide. It is in the garage right now since the sod was just laid on Saturday in the backyard. We have to go out there several times a day to play on it. I think that we will move it into the basement for the winter. Here are a few picture of the kids playing yesterday morning right after breakfast, they couldn't even wait to get dressed to go and play on the new slide.

Am I a bad mother?

Today was Cole's two year appointment with the pediatrician. I trekked off to the doctor's office only to discover that BOTH of my children have ear infections. They have both had a runny nose and a little cough for the last two weeks, but no fevers, no crying about sore ears, nothing. I was actually starting to think that maybe they had allergies... Nope, Cole has an infection in one ear and fluid in the other and Makenna has an infection in one of her ears. Way to go Mom, I get the loser of the day award.
Not to mention that the pharmacy had problems with Cole's insurance, so I will now be making trip number two to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for cough syrup...
On a more positive note, Cole is not quite as big as I thought he was. He weighs 27 pounds 14 ounces and is 35 inches tall!! He is tall, but that I knew, I was planning on him weighing like 30-33 pounds. He feels so much heavier to me than Makenna, but I guess that he is just more solid or something, who knows. They do almost look like they are the same height and I get asked all the time if they are twins, but nope, they are 17 months apart and I love them ear infections and all!!

Cole turns TWO!!

Cole handing every tiny bit of wrapping paper to me, he likes to keep things clean.

Makenna and Cole laying on the basketball hoop box from Grandma Pace, maybe it's a bed?

GeoTrax, more for Dad than Cole

Blowing out the candle...

Enjoying some cake and ice cream...

On Saturday, Cole turned two. I can't believe that he is two already. It kind of makes me sad that my youngest is turning into a little boy and I no longer had a baby. He definitely acts like a boy. He had a great birthday with lunch at McDonalds with Mom, Dad, and Makenna and a party with family that night. He got great new toys that will hopefully keep him entertained at least for a couple of days (that's about all they last, right?) and some new clothes for fall.

Yard Work

Well, there hasn't been too much new going on in the Pace household lately, other than we are putting in our backyard. I guess I shouldn't say "we" but more like Adam is putting in our backyard. He has been working every night after work until about 9:00pm for the past several weeks and all day on Saturdays trying to get the yard done. I can see a dim light at the end of the tunnel. We are getting top soil delivered today and hopefully laying the sod next Saturday. The kids love going out in the yard with Adam to help him work, even though they make is worse on him when they are out there. I try to keep them busy while he is working so that they don't want to go "help" daddy. Here is a picture of the kids trying to help Adam fill in the trenches. Makenna is already asking for a swing set, at least three or four times a day. One thing at a time, we need grass first. We keep trying to explain to her that we will get her one next year, but I don't think a three year old grasps that concept. Oh well, only seven more months and she can get one...

Is he ready?

So, my son has decided in the past week to seriously take an interest in the potty. He will willingly go to the bathroom if you ask him and he needs to. He also will sometimes go in on his own. However, he doesn't quite grasp the concept of only going on the potty and thinks its okay to still go in his pants if he feels like it. The first time he actually went on the toilet I thought that it may be a coincidence, however, he went four times on Sunday and a couple times yesterday. So, what to do? Do I try to potty train him? I am thinking I just may... It would be so nice to not have a child in a diaper! I never in a million years thought that Cole would want to be potty trained this early. He turns two on September 13th. I guess he is ready? We'll see!!

Going Camping!

Here are a few photos from our 2008 family camping trip. We had previously gone to fish lake, but we thought that we would take break from the long drive, and go to the Timpooneke camp ground up American Fork canyon. Despite not having flushable toilets and showers, we decided that the proximity advantages outweighed the luxury disadvantages.
The kids were pretty good, although Makenna was very reluctant to take naps, which meant a very irritable little girl at around 6:00 pm. Cole was very busy bugging the dog, and playing in the dirt. He wanted to hike up the mountain, run down the road, and climb through the bushes any chance he could get.
We went with Marianne's family, which made it a little easier since her parents have a small trailer. Cole managed to break the license plate off of the trailer, but I fixed the water pump while we were up there, so I figure we're about even.
Besides going without a shower for a few days, this camp out was a lot of fun. The kids had a great time. Makenna was very excited about going "kiking" (hiking), looking out for "chick-munks", and all-in-all, loved "camming". Cole made what should have been a relaxing mini-vacation into a worry-filled, chase after the toddler, stress-filled long weekend. Cole was very good at taking naps though, and it was very cool to see how excite he got over every little thing - Everything from going into the new tent, sleeping next to daddy, roasting marshmallows, and the little hike we took through Cascade Springs.
Marianne was great with the kids, and took them on hikes through the camp. She was ready to come home, but never complained about being covered in dirt (thanks to the kids climbing on her.) She did far more work than I did, by packing up and cleaning up when we got home.
We're already talking about where and when to go for next year's big camping trip!

She is her daddy's daughter...

The other day we were in the car listening to the radio and "Papa loved Mama" by Garth Brooks came on. After the song was over Makenna said "Me love Garth Brooks..." The reason that is so funny is because Adam is a huge fan of Garth Brooks. (That isn't even doing his obsession justice, but anyone that knows Adam knows how much he loves Garth...) So, when Makenna said that we both looked at each other and laughed. Adam then said that he thinks he loves Makenna a little more now. :) Makenna and Cole both love to watch Garth Brooks music videos as well. I guess that is genetic or something?