Sunday Crummy Sunday

Yesterday was by far one of the worst days that we have experienced in a long time at the Pace house. Yes, it even beats Cole's big scabby face injury. The children were terrible yesterday. We struggled the entire time at church with them, I think that they were both tired. Makenna didn't want to go to nursery, which she usually runs right in and doesn't look back, but yesterday she wanted to go home. Well, that didn't happen.
After church we went to the Shepherds house since they had blessed their baby for a light lunch. The kids were downstairs playing and having a blast, but when it was time to go the tears began. Makenna wanted to take the Mulan doll home that she had been playing with and Cole wanted to go on the slide some more. Well, Cole decided to go back downstairs, backed up too far, lost his balance and tumbled down the entire flight of stairs. I saw the whole thing like it was in slow motion, his head was bouncing all over and his legs were rolling over the top of his head each time he went down. Adam was at the bottom of the stairs about two seconds after Cole. Cole cried and cried. Of course, me being the emotional wreck that I am, almost started crying. I was so worried that something was wrong, but he finally calmed down.
After the kids naps Makenna was so grouchy, I think she must have still been tired, but that continued until bedtime. Makenna then woke up at about 1:30am and came into our room. I went to go put her back in her bed and she told me her tummy hurt. I went back to bed and still hadn't gotten back to sleep when around 2:30am she came in our room saying she needed her hair dried. Yep, she had thrown up all over her hair, blanket, and the floor. So, we spent the next 45 minutes cleaning up. We finally got her settled down and had her sleep on the couch. When she was back asleep I decided to go back to bed, not 60 seconds later, she was in our room throwing up again. After that spell, she finally went to sleep on the couch until about 5:45am. However, it took me until after 5:00am to get back to sleep. I am so tired today!! Today I am already busy washing all the sheets and cleaning up the house. Makenna still doesn't seem like she feels very well. Serves me right, I had just told my sister in law not three days before that my kids have never thrown up...

Hopefully, today will be a better day!! I can't imagine that it could get any worse! :)

Cole's new look...

So, this morning Cole was playing at the bottom of the stairs and Makenna's baby stroller was down there and somehow he tripped on it and hit his head pretty bad. He skinned his forehead and has a pretty big goose-egg. I am pretty sure that it is going to turn into a huge bruise as well. I feel so bad!!

Couples questionaire...

Okay, thanks Brittany... Here are my responses!!

1. What are your full names? Adam David Pace and Marianne Pace

2. How long have you been married? Eight years in August

3. How long did you date? One year before his mission and two months after his mission.

4. How old are you both? I am 29, he is 28 (but his birthday is next Tuesday!)

5. Who eats more? Adam

6. Who said I love you first? He did, I remember feeling uncomfortable because I didn't say if for a few weeks after.

7. Who is smarter? Adam, he is really business smart, I am only smart at being a mommy, but I don't even know that I am that smart at that.

8. Whose temper is worse? Definitely mine, I tend to get upset about stuff that doesn't matter.

9. Who does the laundry? Me. I don't remember the last time Adam did a load of laundry.

10. Who does the dishes? I do, Adam sometimes unloads the dishwasher and he does put his breakfast bowl in the dishwasher. (Major pet peeve of mine, if you use a dish, just put it in the dishwasher when you are done instead of the sink.)

11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Adam

12. Who pays the bills? I do, again, don't remember the last time Adam paid a bill. Although, he has offered, but it would drive me crazy not to know what was going on with the finances.

13. Who cooks dinner? I do.

14. Who drives when you are together? Adam does. I tend to not focus when he is in the car if I drive, so he is always telling me to drive faster. I guess I am more interested in talking than driving.

15. Who is more stubborn? I think that is a toss up. We both tend to hold our ground, but I probably give in sooner than Adam.

16. Whose family do you see the most? Probably mine, but we see both families quite a bit.

17. Who proposed? Adam

18. Who has more friends? Adam, he still keeps in contact with a lot of friends from high school, me not so much.

19. Who has more siblings? Um, that's silly.. I don't think too many people have more siblings than Adam. He has ten kids total in his family, I have four.

20. Who wears the pants in the family? Adam, although, I would like to think that I sometimes do.

Sick again...

So, it's been a grand total of about three weeks since someone in our family was sick. Well, Makenna started it this round with the sore throat and now full blown cold. Cole woke up this morning with a runny nose and both Adam and I can feel it starting. Seriously, I don't understand how we are sick so much. It's really frustrating. Hopefully, we can all get over this quickly and it won't drag out for a couple of weeks. Cole still seems like his cold isn't bothering him too much yet, so maybe he won't be too awful until the weekend (when Adam is home.) :)
On a side note, Makenna loves Enchanted. I wanted to rent it because I wanted to see it, but I watched it with Makenna yesterday and she actually sat through it really well. Cole wasn't too interested, but he is a busy boy. We may have just found a new movie for her to watch and for me to get sick of.
Well, I better stop now, Cole is touching everything he can by the computer. Boys will be boys...

Move over Martha Stewart...

Well, here is a picture of my cake that I frosted and decorated at Young Women's last night. It was actually really fun. I have debated about taking cake decorating classes in the past, so this was kind of a good indicator if it would be something that I would like to do. Now, I do have to admit that it's not great, but for a first try, it definitely could have been worse. Maybe one day I will take those classes...
Also, Young Women's is a great escape for me during the week from the kids. It actually may turn out to be a great calling for me after all!!

18 Days and Counting...

Just wanted to say that we leave on vacation in 18 days, can't wait!! I am so ready to go to California and enjoy some time with the family. Adam and I haven't been on a real vacation since our New York trip in August 2004... It's been a while. Anyway, I am excited and can't wait to go!! Spring fever is hitting something fierce in my house lately. The kids always want to go to the park, which I am totally fine with, but the weather just needs to cooperate a little more. Luckily, yesterday and today have both been pretty nice days. Hopefully, we can go to the park this afternoon after naps.
Well, tonight is Young Women's and we are learning how to decorate cakes, so I should be an expert for Adam's birthday next week. Maybe I will be able to do something more elaborate than some Betty Crocker frosting and a candle or two. Doubtful, but maybe...

Pictures from Easter

Makenna in her Easter Dress before church.

Cole shoving the candy in his mouth.

Makenna looking in her eggs for candy or money.

Easter for the Pace Family

So, Saturday we took the kids to an easter egg hunt at my Grandma's retirement community, but the camera died, so we don't really have any good pictures of that. They got plenty of candy at that egg hunt, since there were only eight kids total. They probably had a lot better chance of collecting eggs there than at the Riverton Egg hunt that we were originally going to go to. On Sunday we had an easter egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Pace's house and our kids got plenty there. I know that our kids got way too much candy and there were many tears shed over baskets and treats over the past few days. Makenna and Cole both got a new outfit for Easter Sunday. They both looked very cute, no new outfits for me or Adam, but that's the way that it goes. Makenna had some cute bows and a bracelet that Grandma Gina gave her to match her new dress. We had a hard time getting pictures of the kids on Easter Sunday, but I will post the best shots that we have.
I had the idea that letting the kids eat all the candy they want to the first day is the best, then when they are asleep you hide the rest. Well, Cole was shoveling his candy into his mouth as fast as he could on Sunday and put a Reese's Peanut Butter Egg in his mouth with the foil wrapping still on. He almost threw up, but eventually spit it out. I was glad that he didn't swallow it. What a great mom I am, I didn't even notice that he had put it in his mouth until Adam noticed. Needless to say, Cole was extremely grouchy the rest of the day, I think he got too much sugar!!

Cole On The Slide

Cole has finally got the hang of the slide. No more help from Mommy and Daddy-he wants to go on it by himself. Mommy and Daddy aren't complaining...

New Things #2 - Plus, A Spoiler-Free Review of the Harry Potter Audio Books

As promised, I am back with a few more of the newest things I have tried. As you can see, I am also reviewing the Harry Potter Audio book series. They aren't exactly new, but they are new to me, so deal with it.

First up, also as promised, the Chocolate Limited Edition Skittles.
Ew. Is that 'nuff said? No? Fine, let me elaborate more on what I consider to be a ripoff even though they only cost me 65 cents. Skittles do not release "limited editions" as frequently as Hershy's Kisses, or the infinite incarnations of Reese's Peanut Butter cups. When I saw the Chocolate variety, I knew it would surprise if I were to like it, but I thought for the sake of this blog that I would try it. Again, just look to ol' Adam when you need someone to take a hit for the team. The five flavors in this essence of poo colored pack are S'mores, Vanilla, Chocolate Caramel, Chocolate Pudding, and Brownie Batter. I believe that the M&M/Mars corporation listed the flavors in this order to resemble the taste of each one getting progressively worse. The S'mores and Vanilla skittles are by far the best. Probably because those are the two that are making the smallest attempt of tasting like "chocolate." If there was a way I could just buy a pack of the Vanilla flavored skittles, I would be greatly pleased. Unfortunately, brownie batter and chocolate pudding happen to make up 75% of the bag. As statistically unfeasible as this sounds, the skittle gods were not smiling upon me when they decided my future that fateful Saturday morning at the maverick gas station in Chesterfield. Maybe that should have been my first clue.

For those of you who think I am a very negative critic, please continue reading. Or don't...

Second are the limited edition "Lemon Créme" Hershey Kisses. Remember what I said about the "Strawberry Créme" kisses, and how if the company had to use the spelling of "créme", that it probably wasn't going to be any good? Well, shut my mouth. These things were pretty dang tasty. I'm a big fan of Lemon pudding, lemon meringue pie, lemon cakes, so I thought, what they hey! These kisses melted in my mouth much more easily than their strawberry counterparts, and they left a very nice aftertaste, not like the old "Lemon Diet Coke", that tasted just like how Lemon Pledge smelled. (Have you ever heard someone say "Ew, that tastes like Lemon Pledge, or something like that? Do these people not know that Lemon Pledge is a dusting spray, and not a breath freshener? Just curious if I was the only one...) I highly recommend these...

Next up, the Freschetta Naturally Rising Supreme Frozen Pizza!
I have not had a frozen pizza for several years. One night when Marianne was out for a night out, I thought I would take the kids to Smith's to pick out something to eat. I saw that these pizzas were on sale, and I thought to myself, "Adam, (because that's what I call myself), besides being extremely good looking and ruggedly handsome, you deserve a relaxed evening. Don't make dinner, just put something in the oven and enjoy the rest of your evening with the kids." I saw these pizzas on sale, and I thought that they looked like they would fit the bill. However, somebody forgot to tell me that the store now asks for some type of currency, or payment of some sort before exchanging their goods with their patrons. Needless to say, I had forgotten my wallet at the house. Well, it was rice and raisin's that night, 'cuz I was not going back to the store after that little embarrassing moment. Long story short (too late), I remembered to bring my wallet during a follow up visit to the old food king, and purchased this pizza a few weeks later. The statement "naturally rising" is an understatement, and is a little like saying that the Ultimate Warrior got his muscles naturally. This pizza had to be on steroids! I never thought what came out of the box would have turned into something so huge and delicious! The crust wasn't at all dry, regardless of how large it grew. It was tender, chewy, and very tasty indeed. Much better fare than the Pizza Mia Pizza's I reviewed last time. I highly recommend these as well.

Lastly, the Spoiler-Free review of the Harry Potter Audio Books -
I always thought that Harry Potter books were for little kids, however I would at least watch the movies. It was hard to miss that the movies have been getting progressively darker as the series reaches the finale. I didn't think that they looked much like kids books after all, and I thought that I would give the audio books a whirl, mostly since they don't require a lot of attention and I've got to listen to something anyway during my commute. As I progressed through the books, I became more and more enthralled with what would happen to Harry during the final two books (since I had already seen the previous five books in movie form.) The performance of Jim Dale, who read all seven books, was incredible. He was able to keep every voice very distinct from one another, and gave a very great reading. I was able to get all seven audio books from the Salt Lake County Library system, after putting them all on hold, and only had to wait about a month before I got them all. I've listened to countless audio books since getting my iPod three years ago, and of them all I would definitely recommend this series as one of the best. Oh, and anything that Dan Brown has written as well.

With that, I'll finish this month's review with another promise to be back. If anybody has any recommendations for things I should try, leave it in the comments section.

Dodgeball, anyone?

Well, last night I was able to re-live those precious memories of 7th grade with a good old fashioned game of dodgeball. You may ask, why was I playing dodgeball? Well, I finally got my new church calling in our ward and I am the Young Women's secretary, so Tuesday night is Young Women's. Fun-filled evenings are ahead I am sure. It actually shouldn't be too bad, a night away from the kids once a week should be a nice break. I am also in charge of Personal Progress for the girls, which won't be too fun, seriously, who likes that? Natalie must have been intuitive to my new church calling though, she totally called something in Young Women's.
Anyway, enough about church callings. I did have Cole's 18 month doctor's appointment and everything looks good with this hearing, I guess that he just doesn't want to talk. He weighed in at a healthy 25.11 pounds, which is more than Makenna weighed at 2 years old, but he is also a boy.
This Saturday we are taking the kids to an Easter Egg hunt at my grandma's retirement home. It should be fun, they usually clean house when there is candy involved there, so Adam and I will have plenty of candy to choose from for snacks. We will be sure to take some pictures and post them.
I don't have too much else to say, today I have a presidency meeting for Young Women's, taking the kids to that should be fun, well better go and get the kids bathed and ready for the day!!

Busy week...

Well, it has been a busy week so far for the Pace family. I am finally starting to feel better. After having a fever and a sore throat I think that I am on the mend. Now, if only we can stay sick-free for a week or two....
The weather has been great, so I have been able to take the kids to the park the last couple of days, they love it there. Makenna is finally getting the courage to climb all over and not just go straight to the slides. Cole still won't go up the stairs, but he will go down the slides by himself now. So, we are improving.
Today we had our house appraised so that we can get it refinanced at a lower interest rate, so hopefully that will save us some money each month.
Tomorrow is Cole's 18 month doctor appointment. I can't believe that he is already 18 months old. Time goes way to quickly. I am sure that he will be way bigger than most kids his age still, he is a tank. However, Cole doesn't talk at all, so I am going to have the doctor check the fluid level in his ears to see if that is an issue. He tends to stick his thumbs in his ears a lot like there is something in there bothering him, plus it is genetic and Adam had the same problem when he was little until he was about three and got tubes. We'll see what the doctor says, maybe he just doesn't talk because we do everything for him... Of course, Makenna didn't really start talking until later as well, so maybe that is just how my kids are...
Well, I think that I better go make sure that the kids are okay and not destroying anything in the house!!

What a great daddy!!

Okay, I just have to say that Adam is a great dad. Every night when he gets home from work the kids are so excited to see him and run to the door to greet him. They also both want to be held at the same time by daddy. Cole is definitely a daddy's boy, he would rather be held by Adam than me any day. Adam puts them on his shoulders and runs them around the house, lets them climb all over him, builds towers for them to knock over, eats pretend pancakes with Makenna and he even changes diapers at night when he is home. :)
Last night after dinner we made cookies and Adam let the kids help him. He has such patience with the children, letting them stand on chairs by the counter so that they felt all important. It was really cute watching Cole try to stir the cookie dough, even though he was really just trying to stick his hand in there to get a lick or two. Makenna thought that she was a pretty big helper as well adding the ingredients and stirring a time or two as well. At lunch today, I gave them both a cookie and Makenna made sure to remind me that those were the cookies she had made with daddy. I wish that I had our camera so that I could have taken a picture.
I just wanted to let everyone know what a great dad Adam is and that I am glad that he does so much for our family. I love you Adam!!

Nap time... me time!!

The kids are down for the naps and so I thought that I would update our blog and enjoy a little quiet time of my own, the napping time with Makenna is getting smaller and smaller, so I need to enjoy it while it lasts. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures to post because our camera broke, we have bought a new one, just haven't gotten it yet. Everyone has finally gotten over their sicknesses, however, I think that I may be getting a cold, so hopefully that doesn't mean that it is going to circulate through the family again.
I am definitely ready for summer, last week there were a couple of nice days, so I took the kids to the park one day to let them play and they loved it. Cole cried when I took him to leave. It's nice to have a park so close by, especially since we don't have a backyard yet for the kids to play in. Cole loves to swing, he laughs and laughs. It makes me realize how much I love the little guy when he is so happy and laughing. I am actually looking for a good deal on a swing set right now, but they are so expensive!! I can't believe how much they are... maybe next year, we'll see.
Adam is still busy at work, I don't really know what else to say other than that. I guess that it is always good to be too busy than to not have enough work.
As for me, I am still busy being a mom and trying to keep my house clean. It seems like a daily struggle to keep up with all the toys spread around the house and the countless snacks in the kitchen that need to be cleaned up. Two children definitely keep your hands full, I have said it before, but I don't know how moms have three, four or more kids. It's a struggle to keep up with it all with only two. I don't think that I mopped my kitchen floor as much before kids, luckily, I have a good system down. I still think that I need to have Natalie come down and clean my walls for me... seriously, is that part of spring cleaning? I really have my work cut out for me if I need to keep up with the cleaning she does!! Oh well, I guess there is always something more to do, but for now I am enjoying my time while the kids are napping.