Montes Familia Established June 9, 2007

TIME TO CELEBRATE

2011-08-20T02:33:00.001-06:00

Stationery card

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Happy 4th of July

2011-07-03T19:05:00.012-06:00

Catching a flick, we took the kids to see "Cars 2" Saturday night.

Our little ones in their patriotic red, whites, and blues; ready to celebrate the 4th of July.

HAHA, had to post this one of Elaina, her cousins were teasing her and she got mad and started pouting. She IS our little fire cracker.

The handsome Montes boys.

Little miss attitude. ;)

The Handsome Montes boys!

Marcus and Lainey, she LOVES her big brother!

Our little William, ready to celebrate his first 4th of July.

Popi and William watching the fireworks

We planned to go camping this weekend in our favorite little camping nook in the mountains...however, events earlier in the week caused us to have to cancel those plans as well as the plans we had made during the week with the kids. While it wasn't the week and weekend we had planned, we still had a great time and had some fun in the process. Saturday Manny and Marcus went fishing on 'The Pearl' with the Bogenrief's and out to dinner at McDonald's. Meanwhile, Elaina, William and I had a pool party and picnic in the backyard with Papa, Maca, Aunt Jessie and Justin. Saturday night we took the kids to see the new "Cars 2." They loved it and thought it was pretty cool. Elaina was super excited to go to the movies. She got a little restless about 3/4 of way through it but then snuggled next to Manny and was fine the rest of the time. Sunday was a chill day, just church and hanging out with family but all in all, even though it wasn't the weekend we planned and were looking forward too, we still made the best of the time we had and had a great time.

A Breath of Fresh Air

2011-06-15T23:59:00.001-06:00

The last 3 months have brought about a LOT of unexpected little ripples which have delayed just about all of my plans/ambitions or cancelled them completely. Here we are in June and I still haven't taken Marcus to do his 5 year old milestone pictures. Today, I was bound and determined to finally make it happen so I started to get him ready to go. Elaina seeing we were getting ready to go do pictures took it upon herself to go and finish getting herself ready. She got a little pink and brown sundress back in the Spring which she hadn't worn yet due to our cold Spring we had this year. It being a beautiful and warm day, I put that on her today. While doing Marcus' hair I hear her coming down the stairs. She had gone and got her little cowgirl boots and put them on as well as her pink cowgirl hat. She looked so stinkin' cute and I couldn't believe how well she matched her little outfit. She says, "I'm to go Mommy." She certainly was, she looked so cute, I told her I was gonna take a few pictures of my best cowgirl even though she had scratched her little face up at her Aunt's house a few days before. I put a few loose curls in her locks, we packed up the camera and William and off we went. We had fun but they were clearly more interested in the many ducks and geese and other random animals walking about to focus on posing for pictures. I still got a few cute shots.

It was dinner time afterwards and Lainey said she wanted pizza for dinner. We decided to grab a pizza to go and eat it at the park and let the kids run around afterwards and play. It was a lot fun to just chill and enjoy each others company and the beautiful weather. They had a blast running around chasing each other and playing on the playground, they even chased Popi down the hill and saw bats flying around which they thought was awesome!

Class of 2011

2011-06-03T17:43:00.000-06:00

June 1st, 2011

Marcus' Preschool Graduation

Marcus had a fabulous year in preschool. His teacher, Ms. Hilary is simply amazing and is so great with children. His year was filled with new experiences, learning, new friends, reading, ABC's, numbers, songs and music, playtime, art projects, and so much more.

We had a fun day all day celebrating. We went on his last field trip with him in the morning, spent the afternoon with his cousins, and then came home and got ready for his big night. After graduation Manny and I took Marcus out to dinner [his choice] and we went to none other than Cafe Rio! It was especially fun because we met the Meyers there and Aunt Amy came to celebrate also!

Congratulations on your first BIG milestone as far as school is concerned kiddo. We are so proud of all your hard work, determination, willingness to try new things, and for all that you have accomplished. We hope you remember what you learned and will apply it into your life for years to come. It was certainly an experience for all of us and was fun to watch you grown and learn throughout the year. One of our favorite things was being able to watch some of those 'ah ha' moments. Daddy, Elaina, William and I were so happy we got to be a big part of your special day!
Congrats on a job well done.
We Love You.

Wheeler Farm

2011-06-03T17:27:00.003-06:00

June 1st was Marcus' last field-trip as a preschool student. His class went to Wheeler Farm and had a blast. Manny, Elaina, William, and I were all able to go with him. They got to look around at all the farm animals and go on a big wagon ride. It was fun to go exploring with his class and watch them interact with one another.

Elaina's favorite animal was of the coarse the horses and Marcus' favorite were the sheep. It was lots of fun and we were so glad we got to go with you kiddo!

One Month Old!

2011-06-02T17:13:00.002-06:00

A few snap shots of the day you were born and your first month.

June 2, 2011

Happy One Month Old day William! I can't believe it's been a month already since your sweet little face joined our family. You are such a little sweetheart. I love to cuddle with you and listen to your little sighs. I love your little newborn cry and pouty lip. Soon as we give you your bottle you put your little arms around both sides [hands in little fists] and make the cutest little grunts, it's you're saying, "Now that you finally brought it, I'm not giving it up so don't even think about taking it." I just love that.

Everyone you meet can't get over all of your beautiful dark hair and chubby cheeks. They think you are quite the handsome little ma, and of course, so do I! One of my other favorite things is how you smile at me when I sing you lullaby's. I remember the first night in the hospital after you were born, the nurse brought you sometime in the middle of the night so I could nurse you. I remember being SO exhausted. I nursed you on both sides and you were wide awake. Right after delivery I got pretty sick so I had barely gotten to see or hold you much at all that day, instead of sending you right back I took advantage of the quiet, still night and snuggled you close and talked to you about our crazy day. I wished you could tell me about it from your perspective and told you I was sure it would be an even better story. I remember how immediately I fell in love with you and feeling very much at peace and a feeling immeasurable amounts of joy and happiness all the while feeling very inadequate and unworthy knowing you just came from the pre-existence. I cradled your little head in my hands and put your little face in front of me and just talked to you. Then, I sang the song I sung to Lainey many nights..."You are My Sunshine" and you just beamed the most beautiful, handsome, big smile. It melted my heart and ever since you always smile no matter how horrible the singing is. :) I LOVE that. I know you will do many great and wonderful things on this Earth and I am so honored to be your Mommy. I love you more and more each day...you will never come close to understanding just how much until the day you yourself become a Daddy, then and only then will you begin to understand. I hope and pray I can be the Mommy and example you need and deserve to have. You are a choice son of our Heavenly Father and I hope you always remember and KNOW that. I love you son, I'm so pleased you are finally here. We had a long journey, you and I, getting you here safe and strong and healthy but it was well worth it. It brings much joy to finally cradle you in my arms and kiss that sweet little face.

Love, Mommy

Hippity Hoppity, It's Easter Time...

2011-04-19T00:41:00.000-06:00

We got a jump start on Easter this year. We don't have Marcus for Easter this year so we decided to go ahead and give the kids their gifts from us a weekend early. The rest of the holiday festivities will happen next weekend but we wanted to do at least part of it together as a family while he was home. They loved their gifts and strutted around Saturday night in their new PJ's and Sunday morning in their new church outfits. Everything Elaina got she jumped up and down yelling with excitement and saying, "Yes!" I love her ability to be happy with the 'little' things in life and to be grateful for what's she been given.

Marcus and Elaina in their new pajamas. Marcus thought his baseball pajamas were pretty darn cool and he looked so cute in them too! Elle loves her new Minnie ones. I'll never forget her jumping around with pure excitement for a pair of pajamas and Spring clothes/shoes. I love seeing the world through children's eyes.

They LOVED their new PJ's! Elaina strutted around showing everyone home how cute she was. I didn't realize I got Capri pants for her but I did and they are pretty dang cute on her!

The loves of my life, all decked out! I love this picture and how good they all look. I am almost 38 weeks pregnant so I didn't buy anything new for me just yet. Feeling VERY pregnant and swollen, I opted to not be in the pictures this day. :)

My boys looking all slic. Manny has been wanting a new suit for a couple of years now. With the upcoming baby blessing it was a good excuse to have it so we got him one for his birthday and Christmas. We actually got a great deal and he got two for the price of one. I really wanted Marcus to have a suit to match Daddy and his brother too so we decided to go ahead and buy him one for Easter, turning the big 5 this year also I thought it'd be fun to take his milestone pictures in style too. He's not into getting clothes vs toys as most kids are so I was worried he'd be just blah about it but he LOVED it and felt so handsome in it. He kept saying it was his favorite suit ever and loved he got a zipper tie like his cousins. We couldn't believe how he looked like such a little man in it, fun to see but also hard to watch him grow so fast! He is well on his way to becoming a young man and it's coming up all too soon.

This one was for Manny. One day Marcus will be as tall or taller [if he keeps growing at the rate he is.] Years from now, he can look, see and remember the day when Marcus was just a little guy next to him. :)

I just love these little faces. We're so pleased you both liked your gifts.

Laughing at Daddy...I think it's funny how Marcus always goes to play with Elaina's hair during pictures if we are doing crazy, silly stuff to try and get their natural smiles.

Daddy's girl

It's killing me how fast they are both growing up. Seems like yesterday we just brought her home from the hospital and look what a little lady she's growing into.

HAPPY EASTER KIDDOS! WE LOVE YOU!

"There's that beautiful little girl..."

2011-03-26T23:19:00.000-06:00

Since Elaina was born we have been stopped by countless people in countless locations who stop to comment on what a beautiful little girl she is. Every piece of her adds to the whole package that makes up her beauty but her most stunning features has always been her dark hair [and lots of it], big blue eyes and delicate, flawless little face. She has literally stopped 'traffic' in stores and such while people fuss over how beautiful she is and call someone over to come look at this baby or little girl. Seeing how she is now 2 1/2 we've become accustomed to this sort of thing and as long as people don't violate the personal space or get too weird or crazy with her, I [we] thank them for the compliment and are on our way.

I have used Sam's Photo lab several times to print off pictures I've taken of the kids whether it's their milestone pictures or snap shots. Many times it's the same lady there that checks me out. Today we were doing some shopping at Sam's Club to get ready for the baby. Elaina was in the shopping cart which my Mom was pushing and I had stopped to look at some kites. Once I caught up to them, my Mom tells me that a lady just came up to her and said "there's that beautiful little girl whose Mom takes so many cute pictures of." She laughs and joked saying, "Wow Jana, that's pretty pathetic she recognizes Elaina in the store from ALL your pictures." We had a good laugh and continued on shopping. A few minutes later she came walking back towards us said hi to me and was talking about Elaina and how beautiful she was. I told her what my Mom and I had just said and she said, "No, I don't blame you for taking all those pictures, her eyes are just so beautiful and stunning, how could you forget them?" Then she talked to Elaina and told her how beautiful she was and that she loved seeing pictures of her and her handsome brother.

We thought it was pretty funny, not the first experience like this, so I decided to write this one down so I don't forget it. I think she's pretty dang adorable but I do have a biased opinion. :)

The Big 5

2011-03-21T22:06:00.000-06:00

March 16th

Children's Discovery Museum

Marcus' preschool class had a field trip to the Children's Discovery Museum at The Gateway the day of his birthday. We all had a really fun time with the kids, complete chaos, but it was way fun nonetheless! It was especially fun to have the Meyers and Justin there to explore with as well. We took a ton of pictures, here are a few of them. [I just used the collages Ang made from this day to save time. ;) ]

Exploring in mini market store and in the farm.

The 3 youngest LOVED the water area! They all came home sopping wet!

We let Marcus open one gift on his actual birthday [his baby book I made for him] and the rest he had to wait until his family birthday party/dinner on Sunday. For part of his birthday, he had a date with Daddy to the Monster Truck show back in February. He asked for a Monster Truck cake so that's what I made for him. He also received a lot of cute clothes, sandals, and toys including a few monster trucks and remote control car. We sure had a lot of fun with you kiddo and hope you know just how much you are loved. We are so glad you are part of our family and are so grateful for the joy and happiness you bring to our lives. Hard to believe you are already 5, seems like yesterday we were at Utah's Hogle Zoo celebrating your first birthday.

We love you. Happy 5th Birthday Lil' Buckaroo. xoxo

Marcus' 5th Birthday

2011-03-06T00:20:00.001-07:00

Starry Party Birthday Invitation

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Elaina's New Princess Big Girl Bed!

2010-12-28T20:31:00.000-07:00

Elaina has needed to upgrade to a big girl bed for awhile but we had been able to find one we liked well enough to buy for her. We looked and looked and still had been unable to find what we wanted. With William's expected arrival date around the first part of May we wanted to get her in her new bed no later than January so she wouldn't feel like she got booted out of her bed [which was the crib turned into a toddler bed] for the baby. Crazy enough, Manny stopped in a furniture store not 4 minutes away from our house and found what we wanted! After he showed me, I told him it looked really nice and exactly what I had in mind for her. He went back the next day and bought it, it should arrive in a week. About 30 minutes after he got home we got a call saying we probably wouldn't get the bed until January 10th since the bed may not be ready to go out in last shipment before the holidays and because the drivers take a week off the week of Christmas and New Years the didn't anticipate it coming in until January. They said, we had a 3% chance of it coming the 23rd of December but she didn't want us to get our hopes up and told us it'd be more of a surprise than something to expect to happen. We hoped for our own little "Christmas Miracle." Elaina's Christmas gifts from Mommy and Daddy was the bedding and such to go with her new bed so we wanted her to be able to have it by Christmas so we could put it together. We decided we'd go ahead and keep what we ordered because it was exactly what we wanted and if it got here early, GREAT, if not...sometimes waiting for exactly what you want is so worth it so either way it'd be fine just so long as it was here by January!

On Manny's birthday he was driving home from running a few errands and happened to see the delivery truck at the store and stopped in to see if her bed happened to be in the delivery. The lady who had helped him asked if he got the message and he said no, she asked why he was there and he said, "I was driving by and saw the delivery truck so I stopped in to see if it made it here." Much to our amazement it HAD come in and it was our "Christmas Miracle" LOL We were so excited it made it in time for Christmas for Elaina, only problem we had now was we had to go find mattresses since we were waiting to see if it came or not. Next day Manny and Uncle Dave went and picked it up. The 23rd happened to be the day of floods and Manny worked until way late helping out family so Dave took me with his truck to go ahead and get the mattresses. Uncle Jason was kind enough to take down her other bed so I could clean the room and get it ready so Manny could put it together when he got home. After a long day, I wasn't sure if he'd be up to it but he got home just before 11:00, ate a quick bite and got to work putting her bed together.

We let the kids open one gift on Christmas Eve but this year Elaina got to open one on Maca's birthday too [the 23rd]. I let her open her new sheets so I could wash them and have them ready to put on her bed that night so she could sleep in her new bed...the rest of the bedding and decor would have to wait until Christmas Day but with the sheets and her princess blanket she would be plenty warm for one night.

So excited for her sheets and new bed!

She hung out with Grandma and Papa while we got her room together and had fallen right to sleep. I went and got her and brought her in and she snuggled in to her bed and was out for the count! First night in a few weeks she slept all night without waking up [so did Mom and Dad!]

I love my little sleeping angel...love the little hands under her cheek.

Christmas morning I set her bed up and everything for her but didn't make time to take her picture until the Monday night after Christmas. She's wearing her new Christmas jammie's and in her new bed! SHE LOVES IT!!! I've told everyone it's worth it's weight in gold because she sleeps SO good now that she has room to move around [since she's a wild woman in her sleep]. It's nice to have her comfortable in her own bed again and resting well!

SO EXCITED about her new big girl bed!

Ready for 'Mimi's.'

DECORATING OUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE

2010-12-09T01:10:00.001-07:00

As mentioned in an earlier post we decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. We didn't have Marcus that weekend because it was his turn to celebrate Thanksgiving with his Mom this year so we missed having him around to enjoy all the fun at our house as we prepared for Christmas! Also, I've really been missing seeing our family decorations [what few I did accumulate our first Christmas]. I especially missed decorating our tree as it's become a collective story of our joined lives and journey as a couple. My parents tree is 30 plus years of Bogenrief history and memories and it's the most beautiful tree, not to mention it is so fun to come home and see it and relive the memories as we decorate and enjoy it throughout the season.

Continuing on that same tradition, to start our collection we have an ornament from the day Manny proposed at Snowbird on his birthday in 2006, our first year as a couple ornament, ornaments from each place we visited on family vacation, we have babies first Christmas ornaments for Elaina and Marcus, etc. Well missing all of that, I had a hair brained idea to take the kids the 1st of December and go and see if we couldn't find a nice, real Christmas tree we could decorate as a family when Marcus was home again. I was really tempted to go get my ornaments and star and other decorations we had on our artificial tree we bought which is in storage but decided not too. Instead, since I planned to buy a smaller tree we went and picked out a few new additions and added them to the ones we had left out here at Mom's [baby ornaments and vacation ornaments from the last few years.] The favorite ones this year were seeing Mickey Mouse [which we bought in Disneyland in May] and our Newport Starfish with a bikini and surfboard. It's pretty bare compared to what I'm accustomed too [esp since the candy canes keep disappearing] BUT every year it will get new additions and one year the REST of our collection will be so beautifully displayed with them.

Daddy helping Elaina hang up some ornaments.

"Yay me! I did it!"

My cheesers! Love you two!

Elaina with our bare little tree but it smells beautiful and looks pretty regardless.

Marcus pointing at one of his 'babies first Christmas' ornaments.

We ran into a few snags while decorating [one of them was loosing our ornament hangers I bought and paid for-yes,they were on my receipt so I know I did and am not THAT crazy (yet).] We looked for an hour and couldn't find them. Which begs the question, why can't a soul buy a box of ornaments that have the hangers with them??? One of life's mysteries eh? More frustrating because we had so much to do that day and ran our butts off so we'd have time to decorate and do our fun family activity and have a nice dinner and then that happened. I didn't get dinner on earlier and happened to run into my Mom in Wal Marts parking lot and she gave me some steaks she had just bought. I had threw in potatoes to bake and we were running out of time and I needed Manny's muscles to help with the tree so Jason was kind enough to grill the steaks so Manny could help me get things set up so we could decorate. We weren't able to find them before Marcus had to leave [ended up going and buying more] so he was only able to help with the family ornaments we had so I wasn't able to get a picture of him with Elaina and the tree as I had planned. I took one of him tonight before he left so I had one with him but that's why it's late and why I don't have more pictures of him [stressing about trying to get everything done (decorating, dinner, cleaning, making sure everything was perfect, memorable and fun like Mom's do) before he left I didn't pull out my camera until after I stopped running around like a chicken with my head cut off.] Regardless that it wasn't the day I envisioned once again when I had this GREAT night planned for us...it was more like the Montes' version of 'Griswald's' decorating esp when after going to buy a second box of hangers, I got home went to pull the bag off my purse to decorate and they were GONE again! Um, yes. Burst of anger this time, hahaha! Luckily this time we did find them in the car. LOL, we STILL had a great time with you and Lainey despite the chaos, memories were made, just not the ones I was planning on! ;)

We sure do love you kiddo's!

It's Beginning To Look A lot Like Christmas...

2010-11-29T16:29:00.007-07:00

Growing up it was tradition to put our Christmas Tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving. We were taught to enjoy the season of Thanksgiving before all the hussel and bussel of Christmas. Growing up like that, I LOVE the Christmas season but have never liked to do anything Christmas-ee until after we celebrate Thanksgiving. I'm even crazy about listening to Christmas music as well. The cd's/music on the radio don't get played by ME until Pie Day which is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving where all the girls go to Mom's to make the pies for Thanksgiving.

I missed the exciting part with Elaina last year as the tree went up because I had worked the previous night so I was excited I was able to be there and watch her help and see things this year and help her decorate where she could. Amy, Jessie and Justin came to help since it's such a big job so Elaina had a blast with Justin and Aunts and Uncle Dave and Uncle Jason [when he got there after hunting.] Here's a few snap shots of our fun day of decorating!

In the morning I did some cleaning and laundry downstairs while we waited for Dave to bring in the tree and get the decorations down from the attic to start decorating. I ended up just showering and getting ready real quick and when I came upstairs I found Elaina right in the middle of all the decorating! Mom, Dad, Jessie, Amy, Dave and Elaina were in a circle around the tree shaping the bottom piece of the tree. She was so cute helping and having a blast being a big girl.

Elaina hanging up some candy canes. She loved this part!

LOL, I love Justin's face, I wonder what he's thinking.

Working together, having fun.

So cute doing their thing.

They both wanted to be where the other one was hanging the candy canes...

Elaina checking out her work and admiring the ornaments.

They were so eager to help. We thought it was funny how they hung 3 right together and 2 on top of each other...

This was a result of them wanting to hang their candy cane on the same branch at the same time...awesome that they made a heart in doing so. :)

We had a really fun day. Manny got off work and we went to Cafe Rio for dinner [haven't been there in a long time so it tasted really good!] Then we went to a few craft stores and bought a few Christmas decorations to add to our small collection! It was fun to buy something fun for a change instead of throwing it at bills-even if it was just a few little nic-knacks. :)

Going to the Candy Shop!

2010-11-27T14:40:00.002-07:00

November 24th Marcus' preschool got to go on a fieldtrip to Sweets Candy Factory. It fell on a Wednesday which is Manny's day off so him and Elaina went. Only a limited number of people could go so I didn't plan on going to allow room for other parents/siblings to attend but Manny and the kids had a blast!

Elaina all dressed and ready to go meet Marcus at preschool! They could bring a dollar to buy some candy at the end of the tour so I let Elaina choose which purse she wanted to take and put her $1.25 in it to buy her candy by herself. She was so excited to go with Marcus and Megs and Daddy and take her "monies."

Anxiously awaiting to go! I can't believe how big my baby is getting!

So big!

Marcus with his classmates waiting for the tour to begin.

Everyone got to wear a fancy hair net. So cute Lainey.

Typical Marcus! :)

Elaina and Megs

Nice picture Manny, but the girls are still cute!

Proud big brother with his little sis. So cute kiddo's. Glad you had so much fun!

Halloween Sneak Peak!

2010-10-29T15:13:00.000-06:00

Marcus and Megan
Our little beautiful fairy and cowboy after their Halloween costume party at preschool. I should have gotten one with the two of them and Ms. Hilary but I wasn't thinking, she was a cute clown. They were both SO excited for Halloween and to wear their costumes 3 days in row! They had a preschool party on Friday, trick-or-treating on Saturday and then on Sunday [actual date of Halloween this year, we had Justin's costume birthday party which was super fun!] It was sure a cold one this year but we had a great time regardless. :)

Fall Preschool Fun

2010-10-25T13:43:00.002-06:00

Marcus is really enjoying preschool. We are so blessed to have such a great teacher for him, one who keeps him excited about learning! Below are a few snap shots of some fun things they've been up too.

Pajama Day!

CrAzY hair Day!

Their class went on a field trip to the pumpkin patch in Sandy! They had lots of fun and got to buy a small pumpkin to take home.

My niece Megan who is also in his class. So pretty Megs!

Listening to the ol' pirates tall tails...Arrr Maty.

Having a little snack.

Making their way through the maze.

With Dracula!

Marcus and his buddy Owen.

What a fun pumpkin patch!

So handsome slic!

Having fun with his classmates.

Elaina's 2nd Birthday!

2010-09-17T12:59:00.001-06:00

The Birthday Girl. She was SO excited!

Mommy and Elle with her cake

Marcus wanted one with little sis too. :)

Elaina LOVES Minnie Mouse! She was fun to watch as her cake was getting made and she recognized that it was Minnie! She loved it which made all the prep work SO worth it for the Mama!

Popi and Elaina before her party. Love this picture of you two. xoxoxo

Oh darn. I got this one in the wrong place but here's her with all her gifts, minus her new wheels! So spoiled [loved] Elaina. I hope more than the nice gifts you received, you remember you have a family who loves and supports you in all you do! That is more valuable than ANY thing anyone of us could have bought you [even though all the nice cute clothes and other gifts and necessities were nice and VERY much appreciated. You are very blessed to have a family that loves and adores you! Don't ever forget that.]

I didn't really think this gift through, once all the kids saw, they SWARMED the car! Cute Megs ran for it, pushing Justin out of the way and hopped right in next to her! LOL I wasn't able to get my reaction picture due to the utter chaos following the exact moment they all saw it but it was fun to watch them esp. the birthday girl.

I love this picture! All the kids went CRAZY when they saw it! They couldn't wait for a turn!

You wouldn't know by their faces, but they were lovin' it! I think Justin just got to get back in for another turn and then they went down the steep drive way and he wasn't too sure about it.

2 years old and already a pro at walkin' in Mommy's 4 inch heels.

Mommy and Elaina on her birthday at Chili's! She got to share some of my DP...another generation started. ;) Not the best picture of her but she's getting hopped up on DP and it's her birthday so the Mama let her!

Our handsome boys at Elaina's birthday dinner. Owe owe.

Elaina and her best buddy and friend, on her birthday. She LOVES her Papa!

I cannot believe you are already 2 young lady. You have taken us on more adventures and thrills than I could have ever hoped for and it's been 2 short years. Popi and I have loved watching you grow and develop. It's been esp. fun lately to watch as you learn to talk and is always amazing and a surprise when you just repeat a word we didn't know you knew. You have developed quite the attitude and personality. You are THE sweetest, most thoughtful, caring little thing but you also have a a saucy, sassy side too, kind of like your Mama. ;) You love purses, shoes [you love wearing Mommy's shoes around plus you always show off your shoes to ANYONE who will look], cell phones, Minnie Mouse is your FAVORITE but you also like the Princesses and TinkerBell. You love Cafe Rio (and their mints) and whenever we drive by a Rio, you shout, "Mommy, Daddy...Rio!" and throw your arms up in excitement. You love going for drives and special trips in the car esp with Popi and "Maca" -your word you CREATED for Grandma. You crack me up when you turn your cell phone backwards and say, "Cheese." If that's the worst thing I teach you, I can definitely live with that. ;) You have a very kind and tender heart, you get HEARTBROKEN if Daddy or Papa tell you no or scold you! It's the end of your world and looking at your face I can feel the pieces of your little heart just breaking. You love your Papa and Daddy, you've had both of them wrapped around your little finger since the day you were born. You take such good care of your Papa. One example is if you see his oxygen has come apart, you immediately pick it up and say all frustrated/worried, "Papa." and run it straight to him-I know you've watched "Maca" and I do this over and over and it kills me how cute you are every time I see you do it. Your buddies include: Papa, Maca, Marcus, Justin, Megs, Josh, Emmy, and Jaxon. [Besides Justin, I think you and Papa and Maca get into the most mischief together.] You love ALL your cousins, Aunts and Uncles and frequently call them on your phone to talk and say hi. You LOVE spicey foods including chips and SALSA which you have been known to drink on more than one occasion!

For these reasons and SO MANY others, you have forever captured my heart and I will love and cherish you for eternity as I know your Popi does too. Thanks for being our ray of sunshine when things go wrong or get hard. You are truly a blessing to all who are lucky to be a part of your life.

My Love Forever, Mommy xoxo

New Arrival Coming May 2011

2010-09-04T15:27:00.001-06:00

It all started January this year with a very strong impression it was time for baby #3. Elaina still being pretty small at 16 months I wasn't really ready to have another one. The feeling persisted ALL year long. It was very frustrating seeing how Manny was out of work for 5 months the beginning of the year, I didn't feel like it was the responsible thing to do to get pregnant when he was out of work and not knowing what the future would bring. In May, I couldn't deny the feelings any longer so I called my OB's office to see about when I could have my IUD out. Soonest I could get in was July 28th. I figured it'd take 2-3 months to conceive like they said it does with most woman [even though you idealy can get pregnant right away] so getting pregnant in September or October seemed perfect. This baby had other plans though. ONE month and he's on his way, guess they were really in a hurry to get here after all. The end of August I was EXTREMELY tired, dizzy, and had brief moments of nausea. I remember sitting for a patient at work wondering why I was so tired and not feeling so hot. I kept telling myself surely it wasn't that I was PREGNANT already but thought about how I was with Elaina and then knew that I was. Elaina's 2nd birthday was coming up soon so I decided to wait to take a pregnancy test the day of her birthday so we'd officially find out on a special day. On Elaina's birthday, we got home from Chili's for her birthday dinner and I headed to take the test. About a half a second and it was very much POSITIVE. Manny and the kids were their room talking so I took it in to show him and we just told them right then. They were SO excited. I don't know that Elaina really knows what it meant but she was sure EXCITED. Marcus yelled, "I get to name it. If it's a boy it's Tiger, if it's a girl it's Tiger!"

September 2nd, the day we officially found out, too excited to wait. My plan was to order T-Shirts for both the kids to wear to Sunday dinner to make their big announcement. Marcus' would have said, "I'm going to be a BIG brother, again!" and Elaina's would have said "I'm going to be a BIG sister!" We wanted to wait to make Marcus a part of it but we wouldn't have him again for another 2 weekends because of the holiday; factoring in Manny's big mouth and the fact he can't keep a secret we decided to go ahead and tell Grammy and Papa the big news and tell the rest of the family that Sunday. My ghetto sign isn't a cute T-Shirt but at least it was somewhat creative vs Manny just spilling the beans. We wanted the kids to make the announcement and since I couldn't get a T-Shirt made in 2 days, this worked.

Here's a few of the families reactions to Elaina telling the them about her big news! I love the expressions on the kids faces!

So proud! She was so cute prancing around showing everyone her big news!

Marcus Man

2010-08-04T23:05:00.000-06:00

Here's just a couple of Marcus from the day we took their pictures together...I'm not posting all of them but I didn't want to leave him out because there were a LOT of handsome, studly ones of him. :)

* One of my favorites* I did an arrangement on their bedroom wall with expression shots in black in white and I love it!!! This is one of them that I used of Marcus. Elaina is so proud to take people in their room and show them her wall with her and Marcus, she loves to show them her handsome big brother!

What a handsome little devil, just like his Popi. Love you kiddo.

Miss Elaina - 18 Months-ish

2010-08-04T21:42:00.000-06:00

Here are some of Elaina's pictures I took of her this Summer. With bad weather, a late Spring and things that kept coming up we got to these a little later but here they are.

I love this one of my little sassy sweatheart

My little poser, love it.

Her sweet little smirk.

The wheels are turning....I wonder what she is contemplating so hard about.

The BIG Move!

2010-07-12T23:59:00.000-06:00

We finally did it. Elaina moved up to Marcus' room last Saturday. When we first started talking to both of them Marcus was only ever VERY excited to get to have Elaina as a room mate and Elaina was pretty excited too! Her little stories and animations as we talked to her were adorable. She felt so big all day as we moved her things and talked to her more to try and make the transition an easy one for her.

Marcus excited to share his room with his sister and have a room mate!

Getting her blanket ready just so....

Total poser! ;)

Trying to settle down. SO excited!

Marcus pretending to be asleep....funny kid.

SO HAPPY!!!

We have a monitor in their room but I had to go sneak a peak of my sleeping angels. They were passed out! The transition for her and Marcus was smooth and positive. Only problem we encountered was the first night. After I got a few pictures and said goodnight for I dunno, the 10th time, I just hung out in the kitchen for a minute to make sure they were going to settle down. All of a sudden I hear Marcus screaming and shouting at Elaina. I go in to see what the matter was and through his alligator tears he tells me that Elaina got up and out of bed and closed the door all of the way and he didn't want it closed all the way!! He has always slept with the lamp on and the door open enough that we can stick our whole head in - many nights us having to prove to him that we can in fact fit our whole head through the opening. We told him with him starting preschool this fall it was time for him to graduate to sleeping with just a night light and the door being open just a crack. Reason being, Elaina is use to sleeping with the lights all off and the door closed and I don't want to make her afraid of the dark and afraid of having doors closed at nearly 2 years old so this is ONE of the times little sis gets to help her big brother to be brave and strong. After I reminded him that he was a big boy now and that Elaina was right across the room and she would help him to not be scared and that she's not even 2 and wasn't afraid - he found new found courage and was OK after some more hugs and kisses. Marcus slept from then until morning and Elaina did wake up with her said little cry twice but after hearing a reassuring voice [Manny the first time and me the second time] she was out for the count. Sunday night she fell out of bed but otherwise slept through the night. Only draw back thus far is both Sunday and today she woke up early [it's much brighter in their room in the morning] but that's going to put a damper on me getting to sleep in the days I have to work at night but I'm sure we will adapt to that in time as well. This was a perfect weekend to do it because we had Marcus 3 nights instead of 2 so he was really able to help to make the transition easier, more fun and positive for her - and us too.

Marcus when I checked back to make sure they were okay. ;)

Love you two to pieces!

Sweet Dreams

xoxoxoxo

4th of July

2010-07-12T23:29:00.000-06:00

C E L E B R A T I N G INDEPENDENCE DAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Elaina and Marcus at our 4th of July BBQ on Sunday. Looking mighty patriotic and cute!

Getting so big!

Mom's festive "Patriotic Trifle" - Very pretty

Mmmm...yummy and so festive!

I had to work Saturday night so obviously no pictures of the annual BBQ at Andrus' or of fireworks but Manny, Marcus and Elaina had a blast with the family. I am so grateful to the men and woman and their families who sacrifice so much so my family and I can enjoy the freedoms and lives we have today. God Bless the USA!

Montes Nino's - July 2010

2010-07-06T20:19:00.002-06:00

Love the expression in her hands in this one. She does this with her hands all the time when she's playing adorable or trying to get out of hot water for being in trouble. I love the expression on Marcus' little face too. *Happiness*

Around 17-18 months she discovered her pockets and loves to put things in them as well as walk around struting her stuff with her hands in her pocket.

I love Marcus' expression in this one.

I love this one and the one below. These two have their moments like any other siblings in the world but most of the time, they are so sweet and like 2 peas in a pod. They've always had a close and sweet bond - I hope as they grow older that never changes. I'm so in love with them. They are my greatest joys.

These pictures were taken July 1, 2010. I've needed a good picture of the two of them since Elaina was born and I finally got a few that I love. Elaina was a little bear so the fact I got any of her that she wasn't screaming was a miracle in and of itself. Most of them she isn't looking at the camera but they are still some of her adorable smiles and natural candid facial expressions she pulls. As a Mom, those are some of my very favorite ones!

3 Years Strong

2010-06-10T23:28:00.000-06:00

My Hearts Treasures...

Manny and I ready to celebrate our 3rd Wedding Anniversary!

Lucky me, he's my date!! ;)

My "Prince." Love him to pieces!

The Montes Family

June 9, 2010

Marcus popped into the picture when I was trying to get one of just Manny and I.

Elaina's turn to be with just Mommy and Popi

Just Me...ready to celebrate with my family! **So Blessed**

Yes, this is the kids with us out to dinner on our anniversary. This year our anniversary fell on a Wednesday which is our always anticipated day of the week with Marcus! I really, really wanted to go celebrate our day but didn't want to cut our family time for the week esp since I worked the previous night which meant sleeping a few hours in the AM since Manny was off. When we reflect back on our wedding day we have a lot of GREAT memories but with the great times we're also reminded of the hard ones...Manny fought with his ex to get 3 measly hours with Marcus for our wedding day. I felt like everything was completely rushed and chaotic to get the important stuff done in just 3 hours. We rushed through pictures and I missed getting a lot of pictures I wanted. It was really hard esp. for Manny to not have his son there but for what seemed a glimpse of time. Remembering what we would have given to have Marcus be a bigger part of our day I really hesitated to do anything just the two of us on our actual anniversary this year...after all we did get married to start our family including having more children together - our family is THE most important thing to us.

How nice it was this year to spend our day with our children and enjoy one another's company. I am also grateful for how things have progressed over the past few years with Manny's parent time with Marcus also. I never second guessed our love for one another, only thing I worried about or was apprehensive about knowing the goals I had for my own family was if I was a strong enough woman to raise a blended family knowing SOME of the challenges that would face us and could I be a strong wife to endure what Manny had to when it came to losing time with Marcus. In my wildest dreams I couldn't have imagined some of the challenges and hardships we've faced and I'm sure it's only the beginning. I am so grateful though that Marcus is allowed to be a greater part of our lives. Our time with him is still strict in a lot of ways but not near as calculated and harsh as in the beginning. It's hard to build a strong, connected, close family when you have all your kids home all the time but esp a challenge when you have a blended family. Don't get me wrong, this is what Manny and I chose and I'm so glad we did because I couldn't imagine my life without these three angels in it. The hard times have been worth the wonderful/blissful times. The sacrifices we've made to have the relationships we do with them are ones I'd do all over again. Like I've said, it's difficult at times but I'd much rather live in a world where there is Marcus then in one where there isn't. Our family without Marcus [or Elaina] would be like the Earth without the Sun and having him for even an inking in time is better than none at all.

I reflect back on these last 3 years especially and wonder what I did to be blessed to experience all the things I have. We don't have extravagant, exotic lives but we do have ones full of unconditional, pure love and that's all I could ever ask for.

Thank You Manny for being an amazing husband, Popi and man. You are my perfect match and have blessed my life with your love and 2 amazing children. Because of your love, I have experienced it in the deepest, purest, most meaningful sense. My love for you grows with each breath I take. My dreams came true when you said, "I do," thank you for choosing me to be your queen by your side. XOXOXOXOXO

Forever Yours,

Jana

Easter Sunday

2010-04-16T23:11:00.000-06:00

Last year we planned to go on a family vacation the week of my birthday, I told Manny that's 'all' I wanted for my birthday since in years past we haven't been allowed to have Marcus at all for birthday celebrations with the exception of last year [we got to pick him up the day of my birthday for the majority of morning/early afternoon.] When we planned to do our vacation the week of my birthday I didn't realize that Easter Sunday was that weekend so we decided to post pone the trip and just keep our extended parent time since it was already scheduled as this would be the first time Marcus would be able to come to my family birthday dinner. I was so excited to just have my whole family there, crazy how when you get older it's the 'simple' little things that make the difference. With Easter Sunday and my birthday weekend I was stoked to have Marcus with us and to have 9 whole days off of work to spend with the kids and Manny. I planned all these fun things for Easter since we had the time off and Marcus with us (this is the first year we had Marcus for Easter where he was excited or interested to dye eggs and really get into the festivities of the holiday, not too mention Elaina is at a fun age too.) Slowly all my plans and fun things started to get unravel. It all began with my Dad going into the hospital the Thursday before Easter, then finishing touches on remodeling the bathroom prevented the traditional dying of eggs, which took away the traditional egg hunt as well; one thing after another it was all falling apart. I still had Sunday though, Easter Day and my family birthday dinner/party. Right before we were sitting down to eat, Manny got a call that his brother had been in an ATV accident and was in the ER so he raced down to see what was going on. The first year I was going to have the blessing of having my whole family there and my Dad ended up not being there as did my husband. I suppose some of us aren't meant to have it all. It was bad enough Dad wasn't home that day, I tried really hard to not let the irritation get to me and still enjoy my time with the ones that were there but I only ended up getting mad at myself for feeling cheated and selfish for not wanting my husband to run off on Easter Sunday and my birthday dinner. Having my family together is the only real gift I could ask for, two and three years ago - that's all I could of asked for was to have everyone together. It was still a nice day, lots of sweet moments with the kids and lots of hugs and kisses from Marcus and Elaina which kept me from losing it truth be told. Plus we had a very nice dinner and at least all my siblings and nieces and nephews were there this year.

Anyways, the Spring General Conference weekend fell over Easter weekend which in the LDS church means, no meetings at church that day. It being Easter, of course, I wanted pictures of the kids in their Easter outfits so I dressed them up anyway to grab a few shots. It was freezing cold and snowing all weekend and by the time I made time for pictures Elaina was grumpy and desparently needing a nap and Marcus was too busy having fun with cousins, I knew if I didn't get them then, I wouldn't get them at all. Marcus was still my Prince and was a good sport about letting me interrupt Spidey/Batman time for a few pictures and we ended up getting a few smiles out of Elaina before she lost it. Kind of disappointing to miss out on a lot of the traditions and things I was looking forward to for as long as I've waited for them to happen but life's about learning to dance in the rain right? I have way too many picures from Easter morning to try and choose from but here's a few snapshots of our good lookin' kids on Easter Sunday.

SO stinkin' cute!

He was sweet, he reached for her hand to help her down so I had to pause to grab a picture. :)

Running to meet Justin who pulled up to the house as we were taking pictures. So excited to see her bud! All the ones of just Elaina she is screaming in or has her dumb binky so these two cute ones of the back of her will do.

Aunt Deborah did her hair in braids for her, she was so cute and prissy walking up to the house to go play with Justin.

Getting so big! What a handsome stud!

Cute Boys

2010-04-16T22:24:00.000-06:00

Hmmm....one of these times, I'll get the pictures in the right order, the FIRST time! ;) Oh well, this one is just because....

My Dad was admitted to the ICU in April this year. We had made it through the hard winter months and thought we escaped the yearly trip to the ICU/hospital but it crept up on him nonetheless. Last year Elaina was 5 months old, Justin was about 3 months and Jaxon was 4 1/2 months or so, we had 3 strollers in the waiting room at one point but they were MUCH easier to control in that setting at that age than they were this year. As you can imagine an 18 month is very difficult to keep off the floor and doesn't understand the concept of a germ consciencious mother who's skin crawls and gets the hebbie jebbies every time her babies hands touched the floor. I don't know how many times I wiped things down and sprayed them with hand sanitizer, lol. The second night I finally just decided to try not to think about it and pray they didn't get sick. While watching the two of them play it made me reflect on the last year and filled me with gratitude for all I had been blessed with. We've had our challenges in many shapes and forms, but I remember all to vividly sitting in the ICU waiting room trying to prepare my 27 year old mind and heart to lose my Superman. Facing that you realize no matter how old you are or what phase in life you are in, you are NEVER ready to face that or to let go. Thinking back on the last year I think mostly of all the moments my Dad has been there for my little Elaina and about the sweet, tender relationship she has with her Papa. He is one of her best buddies in the world. She adores her Papa! Those two have a special bond and it has been fun to watch it flourish and watch him [and Grammy] spoil her rotten. It broke my heart when Marcus and Elaina saw their Papa and got worried instantly once they saw how sick he looked. Elaina reached for her Papa, took one look at him and started crying and reaching for him. She bought made me lose it then and there flashing back to last year but I knew I had to be strong for her and Marcus so as not to frighten them more. I feared the worst feeling the pain of my little Dolly and how crushed she'd be if she were to lose her Papa now. I am grateful for priesthood blessings and the advancements in modern medicine. Facing hard times and scary thoughts again, I am grateful for parents who raised me with a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and knowing our Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us. I am grateful for the power of priesthood and to have a husband who holds and honors that sacred duty. In such moments of fear, anxiety, and sadness, it's amazing to me how the Spirit can comfort and touch us to bring peace and happiness in the most trying times of all. I am grateful for the strong man my Dad is and am glad he fought to come home. I love you Dad!

Matchy matchy...

On a more random and less emotional note, as we got ready for the day after bath time while I was getting Elaina diapered and dressed, I sent Marcus up to get his clothes and told him to get something with long sleeves that was warm since it was snowing. This shirt is what he chose. Knowing we would be seeing Justin at the hospital I told him, "Hey maybe Justin will wear his matching shirt and I can finally get the two of you with your matching shirts on [what can I say, great minds think alike so sometimes the kids end up with SOME of the same clothes and since they both got the same shirt, I've wanted a picture of both of them wearing it.] When we got to the hospital and saw Justin in the waiting room and saw he was wearing the same shirt I had to laugh and thought, it's a good thing I have my camera! haha! Justin wasn't having it at the time and since I had two little boys not into pictures at the moment, I just took it and left it at that. :) This was the intention of the post...to 'document' the happy moment where I could FINALLY get a picture of them wearing their twin-er shirts but saw the picture of Justin and Elaina and all that came out too, sometimes writing is a cartharsis for me and apparently I needed to talk even if it's to myself to help me remember. :)

Baby Steps...

2010-04-16T21:23:00.000-06:00

Today we had the opportunity to go with Marcus to meet his preschool teacher, Ms. Hilary. He has been talking about preschool for months and is so excited! His Popi picked him up from his mom's this morning for our weekend parent time and then they started getting ready for his big day. He has been SO excited to go to Dylan's preschool! We've been trying to schedule with Uncle Dave's Barbershop for haircuts but he's a hard man to get these days so Manny took Marcus today to get their haircut so they'd look sharp for our appointment. They spent the morning together having fun "just being dudes" and then Marcus came home and spent time with Elle and I while Manny took my dad to doctors. We did baths and picked out one of his cute new Easter outfits [minus the shirt, he just wore a T-Shirt until it was a little closer to leave so he didn't get it dirty.] But, Marcus, Elle and I played Super Mario Bros Wii for a bit and just hung out and had fun. When Manny got home he showered and got ready and helped Marcus get his shirt on while I finished getting ready. I bout lost it when both my boys came in looking so sharp and handsome. Marcus came in asking, "How do we look Jana?" It took a minute to gain composure but then once I could form a word and sentence, I told Marcus how handsome he looked in his new outfit, and sandals he got for his birthday and told him that he made my heart flutter which he thought was funny. He giggled and said, "Thanks Jana" and ran and gave me big hugs and kisses!

There's nothing like that feeling in world! It's funny. I waited for 26 years to find someone to fall in love with and spend the rest of my life with, I never realized that when you become a parent, it's love at first sight. I honestly believe there's nothing or no one in this world that can prepare you for that level of joy and love. With Marcus, I don't have the mother/child bond that I do with Elaina BUT the emotions for such milestones or heartaches or joys are all the same. I keep telling myself to get a grip, that I'm only the step parent and I shouldn't be this emotional and it shouldn't be this hard to let go, but for you Mom's and and Dad's out there that have done this yourself, know that it's a hard thing to do. In my eyes, Marcus is very ready to begin this next chapter in his life...Manny, I and I'm sure his Mom however on the other hand...not so much. It's a good thing for me that we have another 5 months to wrap our heads around it and get a little more prepared for his new journey.

I was going to take a picture of him and him and Manny before we left the house because, well my name is Jana and I LOVE pictures! Don't know where the time went but before I knew it we were rushing out the door to make it on time and it's a good thing we did because it was like rush hour traffic started at 3 today, maybe everyone left early for Friday, I dunno. But I didn't have time to grab my two snapshots so here is one of him in the car, excited and ready to go.

We went to the Meyers house after wards so all the cousins could play together. Being the sentimental fool that I am, I did at least have to get one of just Marcus even though it's not at our house. He looks so grown up and is SO handsome, just like his Popi!

XOXOXO Kiddo! I love you!

Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail...

2010-04-15T13:08:00.001-06:00

We had Marcus for extended parent time the first week in April. So we planned to take the kids the Thursday before Easter and invited Justin to go with us to make it a little more fun, the more the merrier, right? That morning my Dad was admitted to the STICU at Intermountain Medical Center but I decided that even with all that was going on we were going to keep our plans and still go to enjoy part of the holiday traditions and take the kids to do something fun before we spent the rest of the night at the hospital which is not so fun for young kids.

We went to Fashion Place Mall because it was closer to the hospital. What a difference 4 months makes! At Christmas Elaina wasn't sure about Santa but she didn't cry or anything when we had her go sit on his lap, she just looked confused as to why she was sitting there and who was this strange man. I don't know if it's because it's a giant bunny but she wanted nothing to do with him up close. From a distance she would smile and wave and was excited but once we got close she started freaking out. She wouldn't even sit down by Marcus so we improvised and made it a family event. No smiles here either but at least she isn't running for her life and screaming bloody murder. \''/ Marcus of course was excited and not scared at all but a little sad later on because while we were driving to the hospital he says, "Dad. Jana. I forgot to tell the bunny what I wanted." We went the week before because we were out shopping with the Hopkins and Justin wanted to go say hi then too, Marcus wasn't with us so I didn't get pictures and because I planned to bring both of the following week we just went through the line. I told him that it was okay because we ran into the bunny last week when we were out shopping and told him. Lucky enough this satisfied him and it was all good again!

I'm glad we invited Justin because he was a crack up to watch. He LOVED the bunny BOTH times we went and was giving him high 5's and smiling and playing with him. Jessie says, "I wonder if he thinks it's a giant stuffed animal?" When it was time for his picture he would laugh and smile when looking at the bunny but once he turned around at the camera he looked all serious. It was really fun and I'm glad I kept my plans to keep this tradition. The rest of the weekend all of my other traditions and fun things got swept under the rug so I'm glad we at least got to do this. Oh and P.S. Jess, DETAILS! You should have pulled Elaina's pant legs down, lol!

Happy Easter to all!

Marcus Turns 4!!!

2010-03-16T01:00:00.000-06:00

Here it is already, another year has come and gone and Marcus is already 4!!!! While we've looked forward to this day for a long time, I'll confess we also dread when you will start preschool and kindergarten, at least I do...I'm just the step parent and I'm dreading having to let go a little already, you are at such a fun stage and the time has gone by way to fast but we are excited to what the future has in store for you too.

We have had so many fun memories and you have taught us so much about life and love, we are excited and look forward to sharing the exciting milestones you have coming up! You are such a fine little man. You are a spitting image of your Popi and it tickles me to see you walking in his footsteps. I love how you open doors for me and your sister, I've loved watching your Dad teach you how to treat little girls and woman. A few months back your Daddy started teaching you 'ladies first.' One day during primary when your little sunbeam class went out to get a drink all the other little boys were butting in front of the little girls. I walked past with my class and I could see the excitement in your eyes and your patience wearing off as you waited for your turn, a little girl went to go up and get a drink and you started to go first and I winked at you and reminded you, "Ladies first Marcus." Without skipping a beat you made sure all the little girls went before you and the rest of the boys, telling them, "Ladies first guys." After the little girls went, then you boys mauled the drinking fountain and I couldn't help but chuckle. I can't explain how much joy watching you that day brought me.

I have also ENJOYED watching you become one AMAZING big brother. Not only has it been one of my greatest joys to welcome her to our family but it has brought your Daddy and I much joy and happiness to watch how natural it has become to watch you be her big brother. I remember you weren't too sure about her at the hospital the first time you saw her, it didn't take you too long and you were giving her a kiss, then a hug and you two have been inseparable ever since. When you come home, the first thing you do is go to Elaina's crib and say hi and it's like you two haven't skipped a beat together. You are so sweet and careful with her and it is so fun to watch you take on that role in your life. She loves her big brother and always wants to be just like you!

Along with your beautiful, perfect, love, you have taught your Daddy and I many hard and important lessons in life, it isn't always easy in our situation, however, the rewards are far beyond anything your Daddy and I could imagine in our wildest dreams. We've learned a few hard lessons with you that have been hard, painful, and humbling experiences - but I know these things were things you needed to learn and understand. I'm grateful my life experiences have taught me the strength and insight I needed to go through these learning experiences with you and while they were hard to go through at the time, the life experience it has taught you was certainly worth going through the fire to get.

We have many happy memories with you Marcus and look forward to many more to come. You have brought much joy and happiness to ALL whose lives you impact. I am grateful for the way you've touched my life. Popi, Elaina and I love you "to the moon and back." We hope you have a wonderful birthday and look forward to a lifetime of experiences with you. We can't imagine our life without you and are grateful you are part of our family!

Marcus and his Popi the day he was born. March, 16, 2006.

So sweet.

I love his hair. It use to stick straight up no matter what they did to try and style it.

I'm sorry bud but these are all the pictures I have of you the day of your birth and shortly after. Daddy has begged your Mommy for more but we are still waiting, so until then, these will have to do, if something should happen, I just want you to know, I don't play favorites! ;) I love you!

So little and so sweet, you would never believe now he had black hair when he was born. ;)

So precious. I wish the others I wanted from this series would upload but I can't get them to copy or into Picasa to edit so I can save...:( If I wait, it'll never get done so these will have to do. :)

Little Moments

2010-02-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

I had promised myself I was going to catch up on editing and organizing pictures and getting things together once the holidays were over. Our laptop was broken in December and we still haven't gotten it fixed so it's put a kink in my goals but I'm going to still try. I really want to do better about writing things down as they happen so I don't forget so here are just a few recent things that the kids have been up to that I don't want to forget.

First off, everyone knows what a Daddy's girl and Papa's girl Elaina is. Living with my parents Elaina has the advantage of being spoiled by Papa and Grammy every day. Since my Dad has been on medical retirement for the last year, he has been able to spend a lot of time with her, they are like two peas in pod those two. Elaina cannot go to bed without first leaving our room, going up the stairs, running through the kitchen and down the hall to Papa and Grammy's room to say goodnight. After a few minutes, Manny and I hear the little footsteps running back down the hall, through the kitchen and down the stairs to make her grand entrance to our room so we can dote on her and welcome her back to the room, she is such a little ham. Hearing those little footsteps running around has been one of my new favorite things to hear, I LOVE it. Last Saturday Manny took Elaina upstairs to feed her breakfast and get ready for the day. As he approaches the kitchen he finds Elaina's little plate all ready for her. Papa had cooked her eggs, hash browns, toast and fixed her a cup of milk and had her breakfast ready and waiting for little sleeping beauty to awaken. It was so sweet, I wish he would have taken a picture of it ;) haha. Papa loves all his grand babies but we all know he has a soft spot for Elle and you should see how mad she gets when she has to share her Papa [or Grammy.] I love the sweet relationship they share and how cute Dad is with her. She sit in front of him and pat his cheeks and love on him, it's adorable.

January 5th I was working my shift at the hospital, I remember I was particularly missing the kids when I received a text from my mom saying, "Need a laugh? I just told Elaina how cute she was...she turns around and said 'ganks.' I had been working with her in trying to learn a few words to tell me things that she wants or needs, manners was one thing-I know she's young but having gratitude and showing it, goes a long way and it's important to me that my children know the value of showing appreciation. Instant smile as I read that. She's learning so quickly and catching on to so many things, I love it and was sorry I missed it.

Another thing we've worked on the last few months is trying to get her to start following commands and direction, which also is helpful to enforce the words I teach her and what things are. Having her hand me her cup, or a toy, or brush etc. About 3 weeks ago I started having her get me a diaper and wipes out of her drawer for me to change her, imagine my surprise and awe when she did just that. Well 2 weeks ago we had just gotten home from my sisters house and Manny and I were snuggled up on the couch. Marcus and Elaina were playing in the front room when Elaina ran up to me to give me hugs and kisses. I grabbed her in my arms, while I was hugging her, I said out loud, "Oh Lainers, you're stinky and need dry pants." I gave her a kiss and put her down and she ran off. Manny and I were telling Marcus how cool his tricks were and not 2 minutes later, here came Elaina with a diaper and her tub of baby wipes. She had ran down the stairs, into our room, opened the dresser drawer and got out a diaper and the wipes, carried them back upstairs and brought them to me and layed down to be changed. I was needless to say impressed. I still see her as this little baby/girl, I was somewhat shocked and taken back that she understood and comprehended what I was saying, had the ability to go and get the right things to correct it and that she just went and took care of it. I guess I shouldn't have been because that's who she has always been but this took it to a new level for her. How fun to witness this growth in her. I know, I'm a sappy Mom who's joys in life are but the little things but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Last one I have for now just happened yesterday. After picking Marcus up from his mom's for our Wednesday date we were driving home. I had one of my Cd's playing with favorite songs on and 'Jail House Rock' by Elvis came on. Marcus started smiling and smirking as I started singing and dancing idiotically in the car and then joined in. He says, "Jana. This is the song you use to play when we went to our apartment." Once again, I was taken back because I'm thinking, is it a coincidence that thats true?! I use to always play Elvis when him and I would drive around. We started dancing and such again and I stop to tell Marcus, "Hey bud, you wanna know a secret? With a smirk on my face I continue to tell him that Elvis was my boyfriend before I met Daddy and left it at that [Manny knows of my little crush on Elvis but come on, he's dead and ya right if he was alive...it's harmless]. Well Marcus looked puzzled and contemplative and while I took note of that I continued to sing and dance my way home-giving no thought to others around me until just now as I'm writing this...hahaha. What a sight that must have been. :) Anyway, I was singing to the next song, "Fools Rush In" when after a couple of minutes Marcus says something like 'Jana, he was your boyfriend but then you met Daddy and you married Daddy!' I told him yes, Elvis is the GREATEST singer in the history of forever and he has the greatest voice ever and dance moves to boot but he was no Daddy so that's why I chose to marry Daddy and we lived happily ever after. For some reason this satisfied him and we continued on our adventure home...I told Manny though that I sure wish I would have been able to hear the wheels turning in his head as he thought through it all esp. after watching the process. While I was having fun with him, I hope that this 'good, clean, fun' doesn't one day discredit my record for never lying to him or him not being able to trust what I say....hmf. Real quick, we went through a phase where often times Manny and I found Marcus arguing with us about simple things. For example, We say, "Marcus the sky is blue," "No, it's purple, guys listen, yadda, yadda, yadda." As a result of this we've tried telling him several times that we won't ever lie to him and he can trust what we say because we love him too much to lie and hurt him and we only want what's best for him and that not everything is an argumentative matter. Some things are just the way they are and where he is the child not the parent, that's the way it is forever and ever and even when it comes to the dreaded nap which he at times attempts to negotiate. Oh, I love that boy.

The rest of the story, I pulled a Dewey, lol.....Every Wednesday while we walk to the car he asks, "Where is Daddy?" At home, anxiously waiting for you to come home, I always respond. As we approach the car, "Where's Lainers, she's in the car!?" 'Nope, I just left work kiddo, Lainers is at home sleeping, dreaming of playing with you when you get home.' Every Wednesday, without fail when Elaina hears Marcus' voice she is immediately up and reaching for him, clapping and smiling. I should have prefaced this by saying that the girl could sleep through a tornado so the fact she hears Marcus' little voice in a whisper and immediately wakes up is quite funny. Yesterday morning I put my work shoes in the wash room and rush to the bedroom to see the meet and greet as it's one of my favorite things to watch since we brought her home from the hospital. Like I reassured Marcus she would, she heard him come home and popped up in her crib, was grinning ear to ear, reached out her little arms and put them around him and layed her head on his shoulder as he embraced her and gave her just as good of a hug. She layed their for a couple of seconds and patted his shoulder as she welcomed him home. The transferance of their message wasn't communicated through words that day but through their arms and the look in their eyes.

Being Marcus' step mom has been amazing. A lot of joy and happiness and love have emulated from that relationship and I honestly know in my heart that there isn't anything I wouldn't do for Marcus that I wouldn't do for my 'own' child. I have always loved and treated him like he was mine, that's the only way I know how to love him. The only way his and my relationship differs from Elaina's and mine is while I give him the unconditional love same as I feel I give Elaina, it isn't reciprocated back that way to me as Elaina does [that's why at times I miss the year with him that it was.] I don't have the advantage of his step dad either where I get to be a vital part in his growth and development and every day life so the lack of time at this age really plays a part in our bond too. With Elaina, that bond with her is there and it's constant unconditional hugs and kisses, little feet running to me with arms outstretched to look for comfort when needed. Experiencing that love with my child has been one of my greatest joys in life. Equal to that is the joy I see when Marcus and Elaina are together. From the day we brought her home he has had this special relationship with her and it's something I treasure. I am so grateful I get to witness it grow and flourish. No matter how many days it's been since we've seen him, when Elaina and Marcus are together, it's like they haven't missed a beat together. I hope our other children we have have a close relationship and bond with Marcus [same for his any siblings he may have from his Mom's side] but I know none of them will be as sweet as the one he has with Elaina. Since Manny and I decided to have a baby there's two aspects that I have loved being a part of with Elaina joining our family. One is receiving HER and having an instant bond and love with her and appreciating and getting to know her, loving her, watching her grow, learn, and develop, but the other fun part of it for me as a Mom and Step Mom is watching Marcus take on the role of a big brother and seeing him with her. The woman and mother in me has often felt sadness that his Mom can't witness what they share and see the little boy and big brother he is with Elaina because it's truly been one of the sweetest, most innocent, pure and precious things to watch. Knowing Marcus though, I'm sure he'll be attentive and loving towards all his siblings. But, perhaps that's one of the gifts Manny and I have been blessed with to get through the painful and difficult parts of missing so much of Marcus' life. [I should note that I include myself in that because as Manny's wife I know that Manny and I being together is right and I feel confident in the happiness and love we've created as a couple and I know that Manny is where he should be. But I also know how much he loves and misses his son when he's with his Mom, it's bitter/sweet but that's the way it is. I'm sure I don't feel it on the same level as Manny does but I feel that sorrow and hurt along with other things that come as a result of having a blended family and being the Mom in my household. So, I say that because I think perhaps it's one way God has eased that pain for two of his children in a hard situation, while it is very rewarding, having a blended family isn't for the faint of heart no matter the ages or circumstances, so I consider these little moments a gift to us.]

I do wish I had that moment on camera [again, with the photography, I know], but it was one of those moments though that you freeze and don't blink so you don't miss one second of the moment. I guess that memory is too intimate, tender, and precious to only me that it will be one I get to take it to the grave and hopefully have for eternity with me.

Hugs and kisses to my darlings. Like I tell your Popi, while it doesn't sound like near enough for the way that I feel, simply put; I love you and always will no matter what.

Our Lil' Buckaroo

2010-02-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

I love photography. I love the idea of catching a moment in time. My Mom's house burned down when she was a kid so we don't really have a ton of pictures of her growing up or of her parents and family during that time. My Grandpa died many years before I was born and my Grandma Harris passed away when I was 6 weeks old, since I didn't get to know them this is something I would LOVE to have. This is in part why I love, LOVE photography. Not having a relationship with them, it would be awesome to have more photo's of them and their lives. I would love to have more pictures of both my parents and grandparents also during certain milestones of their lives. I remember one of my favorite things as a little girl was to look through my parents wedding album and would just be in awe at how beautiful my Mom looked, how sharp my Dad looked and how they both looked so happy. They both had stars in their eyes, you could see the love they had for each other radiating from their faces. I know as a daughter this is something I treasure so I've made it a goal/obsession to always have my camera. Sometimes, you treasure what you don't have. My family and close friends always tease me about taking so many pictures but I always tell them that ONE day, they'll thank me.

I have always loved taking pictures of our lil' buckaroo! He has always loved the camera and been so photogenic. I love that now he will think of his own poses and has developed an interest in taking pictures too. Often times we'll get our phone and camera back to find pictures of HIM on there (as well as random objects throughout the house) but it tickles me that he takes pictures of himself [those that don't know this about me, I always have my camera and am always taking pictures of events and outings. Since I got pregnant I haven't done it as much but back a few years ago it wasn't uncommon for me to flip the camera around and take pictures of myself posing for the camera so this is why I think it's great Marcus does the same.]

I put this little collage together for Marcus to give to his Mom for her birthday last year and of course had to have a copy for Manny and I. It's amazing how much this little boy has captured my heart. He is so full of life, joy, happiness, eagerness, excitement, love, courage, hope...it is truly a blessing to have him in our home and lives even for the small amount of time we have him. I love him more than he will ever understand or comprehend and am SO blessed and thankful to have him in my life. Thanks for keeping us smiling and for teaching us so much about love and life! We LOVE YOU to the moon and back kiddo!

xoxoxo

Trying to Play Catch Up...

2010-02-03T21:23:00.001-07:00

I had these pictures taken back in September for Elaina's one year old milestone. I only got the two free sheets because while they were cute [simply because she's a doll] they weren't THAT fabulous - this is the FIRST time I haven't purchased photo's taken of Marcus or Elaina...usually I can't NOT have them cuz they are of course all adorable, so I was very proud of myself. Unfortunately she was teething VERY bad and not in the best of moods this day and wasn't a fan of the photographer. This shot she only has her little soft smile but it's sweet just the same.

With all the ones of her happy, I had to go with this one this time because this is her mad side. I figured I have a TON of snap shots of her being cute and funny and happy but this one captured the pouty cry when her hearts broken plus her mad side.

It's amazing to me how quickly things come to her. It has been one of my greatest joys to watch her grow, learn, and develop thus far. I can't imagine how I lived without my Elle for so long. To say she has taught me a lot changed my life and me is an understatement. I'm so greatful I am able to be her Mom. xoxoxo doll face. :)

Santa's Coming to Town

2009-12-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

Manny had today off so we decided to head to the temple in the morning and then make a date with the kids. We decided to take the kids to see Santa since we knew the following week would be too busy to fit it in.

We went to South Towne Mall and first had lunch with the kids. With full tummy's and energy we set off for our adventures. While Santa was at lunch we took them on a train ride that they had buzzin' around the mall. It was a lot of fun! I got some snap shots of Manny and they kids as they boarded the train for their departure (the kids must have deleted them by accident though because they are no longer on my memory card, just the few shots Manny took while they rode around.) Marcus was SUPER excited, cute little Elaina was having just as much fun entertaining the crowd and flirting with the little boys around us. Manny said they both waved at every one as they rode around which I'm not one bit surprised! So, off they went for their ride. While they ventured off I went back to the Santa line and waited to avoid a long dreadful line, while I missed the ride, I was able to see them as they rode past the North Pole so that was fun to watch them from a distance enjoying the ride. After their journey they came to meet up with me at the North Pole. We waited another 30 minutes or so and we were through the line! Quickest Santa line ever! Not only was it fun but I was quite pleased about how well the timing of things worked out too it made it all the better.

Marcus marched up and told Santa he wanted a shot gun and transformers and decepticons. Elaina just sat on his lap wondering what was going on but did not shed a tear or freak out. :)

I love the Christmas season, it was a busy day and we had to hustle and bustle to get to our places on time and have Marcus back to his Mom's on time but it was worth it!

Play Date

2009-11-02T00:56:00.000-07:00

Justin got to come play with Elaina and I the day before Halloween. They were a handful but a lot of fun! Day started out really sweet...when Justin first got to our house Elaina walked up to him and gave him a hug. They had a big time getting into mischief with each other and played really good all day together, so good that neither one wanted to take a nap. Finally the grumpy's forced a take two for nap time because two grumpy, teething one year olds wasn't so fun. ;) They had a big time together, here's just a few snap shots of a couple of pictures I took.

Elaina playing peek a boo with us.

Cute dangling toes....

So excited! Sure wish I knew what they were talking so passionately about [or plotting ;)].

Towards the end Justin kept putting his hand on her tray trying to get her attention. He got her attention all right. First few times she would smile and play and then she kept getting more and more upset at him and she started to take his hand off the tray and squak at him [we all know she is a little doll but the girl has attitude and lets you know how she feels.] Justin thought this was great fun so he kept doing it. This picture she has the "I mean it." look in her eyes and it makes me laugh. Here she is being serious about, 'leave me alone and my high chair alone. I'll just sit here without you touching me.' ;) Justin just kept laughing and thinking it was great fun. He's such a tease already! So fun to watch them interact with each other and their world.

Thanks for coming to play Justin! We had so much fun!

Papa's Pumpkin Carving Bash 2009

2009-10-30T00:44:00.000-06:00

My parents have always taken great care of their garden and flower gardens. I remember several seasons of helping tend and care for the yard. Besides mowing the lawn [which the boys did] my dad pretty much did all the maintenance for his garden and the flower beds. Yard work kept him busy this last year and active and out of the house since he has had to be off work since this last February due to health issues. In the Spring he planted a bunch of pumpkins [with the grandkids in mind]. Throughout the whole season he would tell Elaina and the others the progress of the pumpkins he was growing for them. During the Summer, Marcus and Elaina loved to go out and help Papa in the yard. My Dad loved having Marcus out there to be his helper and talk with him and Marcus loved it too! Recently during fall clean up my Dad was quite tickled at Elaina as she took the apples from the bucket and threw them elsewhere helping her Papa and Daddy. That's how it was growing up in the Bogenrief household...finding a way to enjoy and have fun doing the work that had to be done.

The idea was to have a pumpkin carving night and make soups and make a night of hanging out and getting our pumpkins ready for Halloween. As luck would have it the week of Halloween half of my nieces and nephews got sick and had to miss the carving bash and the others lived too far away to come so it ended up just being Marcus, Elaina, and Justin! We missed the others but still had fun! It was fun to watch the kids interact with the pumpkins smell and guts! I've said it before and I'll say it again, but they are too funny to watch and crack me up!

Elaina's pumpkin got to be first, Papa's carved a special one just for her!

Getting interested in what's going on, asking serious questions [I just have no idea what they were.] :)

Paying close attention as Papa works on the master piece.

Elaina's finished pumpkin! She loved it. Out of the ones like this I decided to post this one because she got some of the pumpkin goo on her and I love the look on her face and close examination she gave her hand because she wasn't too sure about that part.

"Okay Mom, I'm done. Get me down."

We obviously don't let the kids help carve the pumpkins but they did get to help pick out the faces they wanted and help gut the pumpkins. Then they were the helpers in theory while Papa Dewey or Daddy did the rest. Marcus saw them getting out the knives and went to his tool chest and got out his safety goggles for Manny to wear. We thought it was hilarious and very smart of him and thoughtful to think of protecting his Popi. Manny wore his safety goggles [no lenses and all] the whole time. I LOVE these two boys! I don't know if they will ever know just how much.

Working hard. Popi's little helper.

My sad little goblin

Marcus helped me 'gut' his pumpkin! Wasn't too sure about the smells and texture of the guts but he did a really good job helping me!

The night got pretty busy after this and I didn't get a picure of all of the finished products but we had a great time. I'll have to find one of them on Halloween night to post!

Thanks Papa for such a fun night and helping the kids create their very own special Halloween Pumpkin to display! They were so proud of them.

Family Temple Day

2009-10-17T03:00:00.000-06:00

September 26th we had a family Temple Day at the Draper temple. It was such a beautiful day and perfect weather! Here's a few snap shots from that day. :)

Not hard to tell why these two are our weaknesses eh?

Marcus is becoming more and more a minature Manny.

Such a 'Manny face.' He such a little stud all decked out!

Our little Dolly

Love those chubby cheeks!

James and Deborah, Dad, Ang, Brady, Manny, Marcus, Elaina, Jana, Mom, Rebecca, Miguel, Jazzy, and Becca.

Manny, Marcus and Becky [Manny's other Mom] :)

Me and my dolly

Walking the Walk....

Elaina's 1st Birthday!

2009-10-02T01:27:00.000-06:00

So this is very much so past due but I've really got to back track on a few of my blogs just because they are important milestones for my family. One day I'll turn my blog post into a book so I can't have the BIG moments missing...here's hoping I can do better to keep these up to date once I get caught up.

We had Elaina's family birthday party the Sunday before her actual birthday and it was a blast! She was so happy and cute the whole weekend. The Saturday before her party her two nephews had a camp out for a boys night...they did just 'boy stuff' during the day but she thought she was hot stuff hanging out with Spidey, Batman, and Hogle Zoo Boy. Here are some snap shots of her the day of her party, with her presents and her actual birthday where we went to the zoo with two of her aunts and her cousin, Justin! Fun week!

Saying cheese for the camera! Yes, the following night when I was taking a picture of them in the tent Marcus says, say cheese and without skipping a beat, Elaina grins real big and says, "CHEESE!" She had a big audience here and was drinking it up!

Elaina's 1st Birthday Cake - Made with love by Mommy

A long time tradition in our family is to have a cake ONLY for the birthday girl [or boy] on their first birthday just for them to 'destroy.' This was Elaina's very own birthday cake.

She loved her new toy box, she kept wanting to climb in and play so finally we let her, wasn't long before one of her buddies was in their too.

She just beamed ear to ear while we sang to her. Was so happy and clapping her hands...she was also captivated by the flames on her cake!

Manny was in charge of the video camera and there was a technical difficulty with it so I don't have footage of her. She was hesitant to start with and then got the hang of it and loved it! Then her Daddy gently pushed her face in it and she was mad to begin with and then just dug in since she was already dirty I guess. :)

Gettin' the hang of it!

So I could remember what all she got I took her picture with all of her gifts. She was playing with Marcus and not to happy to have to take a time out here but I had to get things cleaned and organized so it was then or never....

Marcus started singing to her and she started to come around...before long she was happy, her though she's in between being happy and mad still.

The Big Day! Manny, Marcus, Elaina, Me, Justin, and Jessie

Aunt Jessie and Aunt Amy took the day off to come to the zoo with us! It was a lot of fun having them and Justin with us to celebrate the big 1! [The sun was blaring and I couldn't keep my eyes open to save my life so this is a horrible picture, but it's the only one I have so here we are.]

Aunt Amy with Justin, Marcus and Elaina

Mommy and Elaina checking out the Elephants! One of our favorites!

Justin and Elaina...stroller cruizin buddies.

Checking out the bears! Another of our favorites!

Aunt Jessie and Justin

Playing around on the big elephant that startled the kids...they looked so concerned, it was pretty funny to watch their reaction.

Getting ready to check out the rhino's. Not in the zoo 10 minutes and she already had her socks and shoes off. Guess that's what happens when you have babies that time of year. They were too small to HAVE to have shoes on all the time during the summer, since she didn't like them on I didn't make her wear them during the summer because I don't like shoes...took awhile to get her use to wearing them but we are getting there slowly.

Stopping at the ol' water whole.

Aunt Amy and Elle checking out the big cats!

Aunt Bun Bun and Marcus

-hitchin' a ride :)

Justin and Elaina...they weren't too sure about these things.

Can you tell he has had his picture taken a bunch. He posed himself here and told me to take his picture. Good work Marcus! I've taught you well lil' Buckaroo!

On her birthday Elaina was cruising everywhere as long as she was holding onto something. It's not that she couldn't, it's that she wouldn't until SHE was ready! She says Dad, Mama, Cheese, Hi, Bye, she waves bye and blows kisses. When it's time for her bath she always steps out of her PJ bottoms and will reach to put her arms in the sleeves when getting dressed. She's been doing the latter two since she was about 10 1/2 months and has been drinking from a straw since about 9 months. She's learned to do a lot of things by one! Her pediatrician said kids that have a bigger vocabulary usually walk later and vice versa so she wasn't concerned about it. I wasn't either as I know like with everything else, she will do it WHEN SHE IS READY and not on anyone else's time frame. So her she is finally humoring me and standing up pretending to walk and taking 2-3 steps before she refuses to do anymore! You are a stubborn and independent little one Elle. I don't know where you get that from.

Going for a walk with Mommy and Popi

Measuring up to the apes! They have this new measuring chart which I hadn't seen...Marcus thought it was great! Elaina was a good little mimic and did exactly as Daddy and her big brother did.

To end the festivities we stopped at Cafe Rio for dinner! We are singing happy birthday to her here and she is eating it up! LOVED the whole thing!

She was EXHAUSTED by the time we got home. Justin went and laid in her crib and Elaina crashed on Marcus' bed! She had too much fun!

Manny and I took Marcus to the zoo on his birthday. Since it was perfect season to go on hers that's where we decided to go to make it a tradition. We had a lot of fun spending time with one another and are so thankful to have our little Elaina, "Lainer, Lainey, Elle." I don't know what we ever did without her! Thank you for a wonderful year Elaina and for all the joy, peace, happiness, and love you bring to all of our lives! We sure do love you and are so grateful you belong to us. I can't believe a year has already flown by! "Can I keep you?"

Going for a Drive

2009-09-21T01:33:00.000-06:00

They say a sign of getting older is time going by more quickly. Even though I am now closer to the big 3-0 than 20 I still don't consider myself 'old.' I have convinced myself that I never want to grow 'old'....more mature, wiser, kinder...yes. But not 'old.' Thank goodness for two children and several nieces and nephews to keep me young at heart and help me to remember the important things of life....just so happens that the most important 'things' in life aren't things.

I got cancelled the last 8 hours of my shift at the hospital so I now find myself resisting the urge to wake Elaina up so I can hug and kiss her and tell her how much I missed her cute little face. Now, I am waiting for the sleeping pills to kick in so that sleep can come. In the meantime I've been looking at blog posts that my sister is so good about doing, wondering where this last summer has gone...year has gone! In looking at the little faces I adore so much I started thinking about the power of love. How blessed I am to have felt love in the capacity that I have. I know some people search and search and will never know the feeling. There are a lot of "things" in this world that I don't have or will never have, but I have been blessed with the gift of love in my life.

I remember being a top the peak at Snowbird, standing on a grand mountain, snowflakes dancing around two love birds, clouds creeping upon us, engulfing and crawling over the mountain side. I remember that moment and the exact words he said to me and I remember thinking I how much I thought I loved Manny that day. I remember walking down the isle seeing so many loved ones faces and then finally resting my eyes on my future husband, seeing his handsome face as each step I took brought me closer and closer to him, my body unable to breathe or think or concentrate on anything but that moment....seeing his soft gentle stare and admiration for the woman he beheld drew me closer, I remember then how I thought I loved him then. I remember the first time as a family we got to go to lunch [Manny, Marcus and I.] I remember feeling so happy and feeling so in love with these two boys. I remember the first time Marcus thought enough of me to call me 'Mommy.' The first time he ran and greeted me with hugs and a kiss voluntarily and was genuinely happy and excited to see ME....the first time he said "I love you Jana," the first time I saw him truly sad to leave me. The first time he chose to give me hugs first instead of Manny. I thought I knew love then. Becoming a step parent first, knowing how I feel about Marcus, I never believed that the love I would feel for Marcus would be different than what I would feel for my own child. I was wrong and I've just barely pin pointed the difference. I have always given my love freely to Marcus. The only way I knew how to be a step parent was to treat him as my own child therefore, I did as any mother would do. I gave him my heart whole hearted freely. I sacrificed. I felt empty when he left our little nest. Joy when he got that "ah ha!" moment. I thought and prayed about him when he was miles away, when he was in the next room, when he was curled up in my lap. The difference you ask?While I was giving of myself and loving him best I knew how....unlike the love I share with Elaina....Marcus' love isn't always unconditional love being reciprocated back towards me. With the hard moments and difficult side of step parenting came so many good and incredible moments, so many moments that you thought your heart would burst from the joy and happiness and love one felt...Being a step parent....I thought I knew what love is.

I remember the day I read the pregnancy test was positive. I remember being in our little apartment and looking into my husband's anxious face - eyes dancing around my face searching, hoping for the yes. Happy to see the twinkle in his eyes when he heard the news. I remember feeling so in love with him in that moment and so completely happy. That day, I thought I knew what love was. The day I had my first ultrasound and first saw Elaina in my belly...my heart stopped beating as I saw her little bean shaped self dance around inside me, love burned in me. The first time I beheld her gorgeous face, the first time she nestled down in my arms and like that I had fallen in love all over again. With her. With Manny. With Marcus. I thought I knew what love was. In these moments and so many others - too many to name by one, I've thought I knew the meaning and the feeling of love. Then comes a moment where I am so consumed with joy, happiness, love, adoration, peace that I wonder how so many months ago, so many times over...how I THOUGHT I was in love when this is ten times greater, deeper, stronger.

This coming Saturday I am "going for a drive." ;) I believe when you are trying to be good the adversary, 'forces of evil,' whatever you wish to call it will try and keep you from doing that which will make you a better person, that which will make you stronger, and happier. A lot of opposition has become Manny and I as we prepare for "our drive." It has been hard, difficult, sometimes unbearable forcing us to tears and down on our knees in prayer but it's had the reverse effect it meant to - it has brought us closer. Made us stronger. Taken our two broken hearts and weaved them together as one. When we felt we couldn't go on, that it was too hard, or too painful, we learned to embrace each other and let our tears become as one. Each time gaining a deeper love and appreciation for the other and being able to remember why we fell in love with one another. I have waited for this upcoming moment for a long time and been through hell and back to get there. I know when Saturday comes and that moment I've been waiting for is here, I know that I will once again find myself thinking, feeling...I thought I knew love. I thought I was in love. I thought I felt love until now but this...well this is indescribable, completely overwhelming in the most positive sense there is and total and complete joy, happiness....and peace.....and....love will consume my entire being.

I cannot wait for that moment and the many more to come in the coming years.

Happy 1st Birthday Elaina!!

2009-09-01T23:38:00.000-06:00

Me about 4 AM waiting for my baby

Same time, Manny waiting...wouldn't it be nice to be a guy and have the ability to sleep through everything? ;)

Here she is!!! Her first cries were music to my ears!

Amazing to me how alert she was even the day she was born.

My 'snow white'

Proud big brother. He was a little aprehensive when he first met her but then warmed up to her and has latched on to her ever since. When he gets home Wednesday morning's now he goes straight to her crib to peak on her. He is adorable with her.

Love at first sight.

It's amazing how quickly a year can come and go. A year ago tonight about this time [midnight] I was hunched over in pain and had finally surrendered to Elaina's plans and told Manny IT WAS TIME TO GO. This baby was coming! She has other plans for her Mommy. Last August I craved PEACHES and Cafe Rio [spicy foods]. The feelings of discomfort in my own body are too imprinted in my memory to forget just after a year. Swollen feet, toes, legs, achy, tired back, a certain picture Manny took of my sad foot the weekend Amy moved in to her house is too vivid still in my mind to be forgotten already. Despite the discomfort, my favorite parts of being pregnant was towards the end. Lying on my back and watching my tummy roll in waves as I watched my little girl moving around inside me. Feeling the movements of her [although they became strong and sometimes painful] I was still in complete awe at the miracle growing inside me.

After a long hard week at work [12 hours shifts KILL when you're a pregnant CNA even if it's 2-3 shifts a week] combined with other activities during the weekend left me drained and exhausted. Although I didn't do much to help my sister move as I felt so sick and exhausted from the work week and getting things prepared and organized for her arrival...what I did do still left me feeling more fatigued. Labor Day I finally slept in until about 10:45 and got some rest. When I woke up I had all sorts of energy. "Nesting" had set in and I got a lot of stuff done and set out to run last minute errands. I remember after a few stops I stopped at Subway to get a sandwich because I needed to eat something but I didn't want anything too greasy. While I was eating my lunch [about 3:30] I just had an overwhelming sense of peace and happiness come over me. About that same time I also started having the beginning of labor pains. My next stop was Wal Mart to exchange some duplicate gifts for other little fillers we needed for her. Labor Day at Wal Mart was not the day to do exchanges. I waited in line at the service desk for over a half an hour. I remember I kept getting pains and it became more and more difficult to stand there let alone tolerate the annoying people around me. I finally made it through the line and back to the back of the store to get what I needed and decided I couldn't go anywhere else, that I just needed to lie down for a few minutes and all would be fine again. My contractions kept coming and were consistently 5-7 minutes apart and then would stop for a bit so I kept telling myself it wasn't the real deal and she wasn't coming. I remember about 8:00 at night my mom saying, "Manny. Would you please tell your wife that this baby is coming tonight. She isn't working tomorrow, she's having a baby." About 9:30 is when I started to time and keep good track of my contractions again as I decided I better start again just in case [9:00 they had slowed down for about an hour so I took 2 Tylenol PM so I could sleep before my shift]. For two hours they were right on schedule...I didn't want to go to the hospital and be sent home so I tracked them a longer than what my Dr. told me to be sure it was the real deal. A little before midnight when I experienced a very intense contraction I decided she WAS in fact coming and I better hit the road.

We got to the hospital and got checked in. When they checked me I was dilated to a 6. About 12:45 my water broke. I got my epidural shortly after and it was smooth sailing the rest of the way. Elaina and I had a deal that she would wait until September to be born and that she wouldn't come over Labor Day weekend because Marcus would be out of town to a reunion with his Mom. I also didn't want her to come over the weekend because Amy was moving and needed man power to get moved out of her apartment. I wanted to work one more week but she listened to the most important request I made so I couldn't complain. I had one final last minute request - that she wait until Dr. Terry got there to be born.

It was a surprisingly short night considering. I fell asleep for about 5 minutes then the nurse came in to check me and I was awake the rest of the time. I kept thinking about what she was doing prior to being born. I kept thinking about what she would look like. What Marcus would do when he saw her. I was too stoked to sleep. I just sat in my delivery room, Manny asleep at my side on the couch, my mom sitting in front of me on a chair who FINALLY decided to get a couple minutes of sleep for the big moment and I thought of every last little thing I could. Modern medicine is a beautiful thing. Since I got the epidural, I didn't feel a thing until it wore off which made the rest of the delivery a very pleasant, beautiful, experience as neither I or Elaina had any complications.

Right at shift change I was dilated to a 10 and 100% effaced. They were getting things set up and I was getting nervous as my Dr. wasn't in the room yet. About 7:15 I think it was, he came in was gowned and ready to go in no time. It was the moment of truth. I don't remember it taking very long to get her out, 5-7 pushes and she was here at 7:34 AM. I remember waiting breathlessly to hear that first breath and cry... and nothing. As I watched my baby and Dr. Terry he was tickling her feet and stroking her and finally gave her bum a swat and out it came as did my first breath after she was born. I was a Mommy. My little girl had safely made it here and her first sad, scared cries were music to my ears. I couldn't believe the shear perfection I saw right before me. "2 pounds of hair," beautiful skin, perfect 10 toes and fingers, the cutest round little cheeks. I could finally let a few tears fall in absolute joy and happiness as I looked around this perfect scene and saw my husband beaming with joy and pride and my own Mother there to be with me on this special day for me, listening to her tell me all about her first big stories I anxiously awaited a closer look. I reached my trembling arms to receive my little bonita. I fell in love 10 times over and over, again and again. As they took her away I felt empty and alone and ached to hold and smell and kiss her. While they took care of her we called her new big brother to tell him the news. He wasn't too sure about it. When he first met her - he wasn't too sure about her but shortly after he was all big brother and couldn't get enough of her.

Marcus' last Soccer Game

2009-06-16T00:25:00.001-06:00

June 13, 2009

Here's the proud Popi and Marcus after Marcus' last game. He played very well the last game and even scored his first goal! After the previous week of him just mopping around the field it was good to see him have fun out there and get in to the game. We had 2 of Marcus' cousins sleep over Friday night last weekend for a boys night, thought it would be perfect because then we could take them both to his last soccer game. In honor of Marcus' last game and boys night I made him a soccer cake and cup cakes which even had little soccer ball stuff on the cupcake holders. I had lots of batter left from the cake so I made cupcakes and told Marcus he could take some to share with his team mates because I thought it'd be fun for him and because I wanted to get rid of them because we didn't need that much cake around. It was pouring the rain when we were getting ready and so in my head I'm thinking man, we can't take the cake and cupcakes because the cupcakes would be lame without the cake and if I take the cake they will get ruined from the rain. When we left it had cleared up but I was rushing trying to get everyone and every thing there and on time I ended up leaving without it. Such is life, we were the only ones to enjoy it and Marcus was so proud of his cake all day. We served it as part of Jessie's birthday dessert so it's all good and his other cousins got to enjoy it as well!
He was so proud of his cake...we were all bummed we forgot it but it was made for him so at least he got to enjoy it! While I was decorating it Friday night the boys would be running around playing and then come in and check up on my progress. They would say, "Don't forget the white Jana." [I did the black icing first so they were worried I would forget the white I guess.] "You are doing very good at that." They cracked me up and made it even more fun for me to do.
It would figure...with our little munchkins and 2 of my nephews to get ready by the time it was time for me to get ready, there was no time for me. Plus it was pouring rain so I figured if it was like the last game where it poured I would just wear grubby clothes and then get ready for the day after the game so I didn't feel like a drowned rat....the one time we take a picture together I look like a bum who crawled out of bed...and Elaina isn't even in this one. Oh well, here we are with our awesome little soccer player. Manny was rushing us though it b/c the next team was getting ready....and we didn't get Elaina in the picture...sorry Lainey!
Taking a minute with his proud Popi...they are like two peas in a pod those two! Manny is such a great Daddy!

Playing hard. Several times, Marcus would push [tackle] the other kids...we try to tell him he's not playing football...Manny finally pulled him aside and told him to stop pushing the other kids that it wasn't nice. It broke his heart that Dad 'scolded' him but he bounced back from it and was much better after that about plowing the other kids over. What a brute! I think one day he will make a perfect football player. :)

Marcus' smallest cheerleader! Elaina LOVES her big brother and thinks the world of him!

Getting ready for kickoff! [Man, the pictures are backwards again..this one was suppose to be on the top....will I ever get it right?]

Celebrating 2 Short Years!!

2009-06-09T05:00:00.000-06:00

June 9, 2007 The day we began our journey together as husband and wife.

Park City, Utah 2009

The year we got married we stayed in Park City the first two nights because Jessie and Jason's wedding was the following Saturday and we couldn't be too far away. I didn't want to go back to our apt our wedding night so we stayed in Park City and had a mini honeymoon, came home for family reunions and a wedding and then left to Oregon on our 'real' honeymoon. Since our anniversary falls on a Tuesday this year...we decided to go to Park City overnight to celebrate our anniversary the weekend before and re-live, sort of speak our 'first' honeymoon. Marcus was with his mom that weekend and Elaina had her first sleep over at her cousin Justin's. Jessie and Amy watched her while Manny and I left for some R&R. I was REALLY dreading leaving her but I was also REALLY looking forward to some quality time with just Manny and I. I told Manny, I wouldn't change being a mom or step mom for the world but I forgot how nice it was to spend just time with the two of us...our own space, no kids interrupting every 5 minutes, no one waking up in the middle of the night crying and bringing you out of your shallow slumber. We did some shopping, went out for dinner and enjoyed our very own hot tub for two. Above is a picture of Manny and I before we left our hotel Sunday.

Our family today.

We are blessed to have two beautiful children. It's funny how much has changed in two short years. After we got married Manny wanted another baby but I was set on finishing school. I told him not so soon that we needed to get a little more financially stable and pay off debt and work on our education. In September [yes, just 3 short months] I kept getting the impression that it was time to have a baby. When I told Manny about my change of heart - of course he was all for it but I told him since it was such a life changing event I wanted to wait a month or two and see if we both felt we should at that time. I was scared to and didn't know how we would work things out and worried about school, child care, and everything else but knew it was time and couldn't deny or delay Elaina's arrival any longer. So we started trying and 2 months later, our little Elaina was on her way. I was surprised we got pregnant so quickly but we were both emotionally ready and so I knew the rest would work itself out...eventually. :) It has been a roller coaster ride since but one of our greatest blessings. We wonder how we ever lived without her before....she has been such a blessing to our lives. It has been so fun for Manny and I to watch Marcus take on the role of a big brother. He is so sweet, caring, and protective of his little sister. Marcus and Elaina are both special to Manny and myself. They both bring their own unique ways of how they bless our lives and our family. We are so grateful to have them both.These pictures of our wedding day were suppose to go on first, but after trying 3 different times to download pictures from 3 different media sources while being interrupted by a teething baby off and on, I decided I don't care if they are in order anymore. Here is a brief look back at our wedding day.

Manny and his best 'little' man. They look so sharp! Marcus was so little he didn't know what was going on. His mom barely let him come for a couple of hours so we barely have any photo's of him. It still makes me so mad and sad but we still had a wonderful day despite her trying to ruin it for us.

"I do."

Posing for the photographer.

Our wedding day was completely insane. Hindsight, I would have done our ceremony earlier in the day and not back to back to the reception because it was too much too close and some of the little things that are little but important got over looked...but we had family coming long distance and wouldn't be here til early afternoon and I couldn't have them miss the ceremony since they came all the way out here, plus arrangements with Marcus complicated things as well. In the end, it was a beautiful, perfect day and when some of the little things didn't go as planned, I took the advice of my sister and let the 'little things' go and enjoyed our day together. We still got married, had many family and friends come to share in our day and overall....it was a beautiful, intimate wedding. One funny memory I had is my gorgeous little flower girls walked down the wrong side of the pool...they were so broken hearted I didn't get to walk on the rose petals, How could I be upset with them? I had been to a wedding the Saturday before mine and the flower girl only dropped a few flowers, so I told them, their job was to have empty baskets by the time they got to Manny. When they came up to me they said, "We are so sorry Jana, but look our baskets are empty." I could only laugh it off and thank them for doing a great job!

Mr. and Mrs. Montes [that use to sound so funny to say, now I think, oh yeah, I was a Bogenrief for 26 years....]

I am so grateful I got to marry my best friend. It has been said that "Love is friendship on fire." I think that completely describes Manny and I. We are completely and utterly in love with one another, it's amazing to me that I love him more today than I did on our wedding day. Sometimes we drive each other crazy too and we aren't perfect but our love and friendship always prevails over all else. We've had our share of struggles and been blessed with opportunities to grow as a couple and as individuals, but I can honestly say that while we've only been married 2 years, it literally feels like a blink of an eye. Thank you for walking by my side through it all and for blessing my life with you, an amazing step son, and a beautiful daughter. I look forward to many more years of walking by your side, hand and hand, from here to eternity mi amore. My love forever. XOXO

Our Baby is 8 Months!!

2009-05-13T21:04:00.001-06:00

Our little 'Lainers,' 8 Months Old and Growing fast!

She loves to clap!

Our little Elaina

That big grin, melts your heart into a puddle...how I'm going to discipline her...I dunno ;)

8 months old! Elaina continues to roll everywhere [even off the bed a couple of times :( ]. She still pulls herself up and around, today I thought she was going to pull herself up onto the couch, had her carseat not been in the way, she may have just done so. She is getting stronger at standing on her little legs, pretty soon she'll be running with the other kids! We experience so many joys being parents. With having to share Marcus, there is a lot of pain and hurt and sadness that comes with his joy. It's definitely difficult to be a way from such an amazing little guy, with Elaina - we get to experience that joy 24/7. She doesn't replace Marcus at all as he is his own little person, but it helps to hold one baby when you can't the other. Parenthood has brought such a joy and sweetness to our lives and we are so blessed to such amazing children.

Bath time! Her hair got cut off here, that was the best part! :) So bonita!

She LOVES to splash!! Most days she gets me very wet, which I don't care unless I'm ready first - which doesn't happen too often. She is always entertaining and fun to watch her explore her world. I love how kids are fascinated and happy with the littlest things in life!

Oh, man! I tried, they got out of order....oh well. I had bathed her and done her hair and she was having a very good hair day, good day for cute naked baby pictures...:) Gotta love the drool!

Trying to call Daddy and Marcus..."I know this thing works, but how?"

Standing up ALL BY HERSELF!!! Getting so BIG! [tear]

I decided she's too big to carry around in her car seat so, this is her second time in the cart at the store. She feels so big. Her little wrist are excited as well as the feet and she is so alert and concerned with everything going on. She loves being a 'big girl.'

This was Mothers Day, she looked so pretty I had to take her picture. I took her outside and set her in the grass, for whatever reason she would not put her right leg down on the grass. Her left one was fine laying in the grass, any time she dropped her guard and it fell on the grass, she raised it right back up. It was so funny to watch. She cracks me up.

Here, she is a little more relaxed and watching her cousins play, thus her not looking at the camera.

Playing with Mom..."just another day in paradise."

Our Little Sunshine

Marcus Plays Soccer!!

2009-05-13T20:20:00.000-06:00

Marcus is playing soccer this Spring. It has been so fun to watch him get psyched for the games and play. At his first game he surprised Manny and I with wanting $4, b/c his little buddy who is on his team was bribbed he'd get $1 if he scored a goal [that's right, Marcus doesn't just want one, he wants 4!] We told him not to worry about that, to just have fun and enjoy the game and play his little heart out. I figure he's 3, at this point soccer is to get him involved in something using age appropriate motor skills and to above all just be active, play and HAVE FUN. As clumsy as he is, I'm impressed he can run and kick the ball. We were driving to breakfast and Marcus tells Manny and I, "Guys, I'm sorry I messed up out there." It bout broke my heart to see his broken hearted little face cuz he thought he had disappointed Manny and I. I don't know what pressure he gets from his Mom but we reassured him all he had to do is just have fun and enjoy playing and assured him he did great! Which he did, a few times he's kicked the ball all the way across the field and just missed the goal [again, I was impressed, he is ONLY 3!]. It's been fun to watch him the past few weeks and definitely entertaining to watch the "stare down"...I will post a few of those pictures soon. Here are a few snapshots from his first two games I believe. :) GO #3! Ready to play, strikin' a pose for Janie...well Manny took the picture while I was getting Elaina and I ready, but on my request, had to have one before his first game! ;)

Driving to his first game, he was so excited and pumped! It was so cute to watch and listen to him.

Ready to start their first game!

Marcus and his little friend, Ashie playing ball.
Going strong...
Aunt Jessie and Justin cheering Marcus on....[in the freezing cold I might add.]

Marcus with his Daddy at his first game!

His best little ChEeRLEaDeR!

Team Blue...[real original] having a ball in the cold! His step-dad is their coach, he's in the grey shirt.

His #1 little fan, Justin has been every week [rain or shine] even if he's hiding snuggled away in his carseat/stroller! Thanks Justin, Elaina likes having a friend on the side too!

Marcus and Uncle Jason

Spring Fever

2009-04-22T21:13:00.000-06:00

Here's a picture of my youngest sister [Jessie] and I - we are photo happy fools, stopping to pose imbetween having family pictures taken...haha

Spring Time Adventures...

2009-04-22T20:13:00.000-06:00

First time in the swings...

Manny put his arm and was trying to get her, she responded right away with reaching out for his hand...it was really sweet, this is where she started giggling out loud and a lot.\"/
Having Fun

Enjoying the wind in her hair...

Ready to go for a walk [ride] with Mommy and Daddy. She talked a good part of the way telling one story after another....

We decided to take advantage of the perfect spring weather and went on a nice walk on my jogging route...we stopped at the park to let her swing for just a minute [we were there the day before with all her cousins but the swings were too busy]. Elaina wasn't sure about it to start with and then loved it, she was giggling really loud towards the end...so fun to watch her.

Easter 2009

2009-04-22T18:18:00.000-06:00

It was Marcus' turn to spend Easter with his mom so we didn't have them this year...here are a few pictures of Elaina in her dress and with her little buddies and one with the Bunny at South Towne Mall. We had a really nice dinner up in Syracuse at my brother's house and the kids had fun with Easter Egg hunts and playing games.

Yes Ang and Jess, I am an "Elsey"....but cute eh?

Elaina soaking up the sun...

Experiencing the grass on bare legs for the first time!!! Not too sure of it!

Here's one of the two of them....LOVE Jaxon's cute grandpa smile!

Jaxon, Elaina, and Justin on Easter Sunday. My best attempt to get a happy picture of them together, after Justin tipped back - it was all over...after Elaina got changed though there wasn't another opportunity to get the three of them, but this one makes me smile.

She caught her hands! Still loves to chase her hands and feet.

Our little blue-eyed 'dolly'...

Elaina with the Easter Bunny. We were out shopping on a spur of the moment one weekend [we didn't have Marcus this weekend].....there was no line so Manny said let's just have her sit on the Bunny's lap, I said, "Babe, do you know me at all, it's her first Easter if she sits on his lap then I have to have a picture for her scrapbook. I'm glad we did though because we never got back to the mall with Marcus. She was too intrigued with her new surroundings to smile, she tugged at his bow tie a few times but I think she looks like a little doll sitting in the Bunnies arms.....

Elaina, Our "Dolly"

2009-04-14T02:15:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Here are some pictures of Elaina...I couldn't get pictures off my new memory card to down load so until I get it to work [and make the time to do it] here are some newer [and older] ones of Elaina. She is growing and learning so quickly! She's been sitting up since 5 months on her own, at 7 months she would do a half of a roll but wouldn't go all the way and then all of a sudden a few weeks back she pulled herself from the middle of our bed to the night stand to get something she wanted. Since then, she rolls all over the place...as for Mom, it's fun for me to watch her grow and learn and interact more with her environment and with us...I'm enjoying and savoring these last few months of her being 'little,' soon she'll be crawling and walking and soon my baby will be a toddler!

Marcus' 3rd Birthday Celebration

2009-04-14T01:23:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Here are some pictures of Marcus' 3rd birthday [finally.] We had a lot of fun. One Wednesday a few weeks before his birthday when I picked him up for our Wednesday date I asked him if he wanted to go to the zoo or to the Aquarium to see the fish...he chose 'the fishies!!' So, we took him and Elaina to The Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy for his birthday. He saw an Octopus, sharks, got to pet a sting ray [although his arm was too short so he got half his body wet, but it was worth it!] He got a new friend, a stuffed shark, "Gill." He chose Cafe Rio for dinner [big surprise, and ate like a horse.] Then we went back home where he got to play with part of his cousins. He had such a nice family birthday party too! He is so blessed to have so many people who love him SO much! Happy 3rd Birthday ese! WE LOVE YOU!

Going Back...

2009-03-30T17:04:00.000-06:00

I had started feeding Elaina and needed to get her diaper bag out of the car. I went out to grab it and came back in to find Marcus feeding her for me. He said, 'she started crying Jana, her's hungry.' She was painted of course, but all I could do was just laugh and smile and of course grab my camera out of the diaper bag...he's just a sweatheart with her! Manny dressed her this day and put clothes on that were to small...she looks like she's going to pop out of them! LOL

Growing so big

2009-03-03T23:58:00.000-07:00

I had these in order, but somehow during uploading they got all mixed up so here they are....
Elaina turned 6 months on Monday the 2nd. I look at her and wonder where that baby went that I brought home, she is growing way too fast! She is at such a fun stage though. Learning and discovering her world. Her personality is coming out in her too which is fun to see unfold. She loves to play with her feet and hands, they fascinate her. It is so fun for me to watch her discover her surroundings and self. Only with her feet and hands is she in continuous awe with. She'll play and watch them over and over and never tire of them, it's hilarious to watch her.

I never did get her first cereal up on here because the computer crashed right after I got this going but here's a recent picture. Her first cereal she sat in her bouncer seat, a month and a half later, here she is sitting up on my bed eating her cereal [which she loves!] So big!

I put Elaina in her crib to play while I cleaned and did laundry. I finished our room and went to change the laundry only to come back to find her sitting playing with her toys and talking to her crib pals. It was SO stinkin cute, I of course had to grab my trusty camera...lol

Marcus LOVES being a big brother. When we got home from me picking him up for our Wednesday date with him we found Manny was making us breakfast, Elaina was still sleeping in her crib. Marcus ran right down the stairs to her crib. After saying hi to Manny, I went downstairs to change and check on them, Marcus was peering into her crib talking up a storm, Elaina of course was just beaming and talking back. I lifted him up into her crib and while giggling at me doing this Marcus says, "Don't tell Daddy Jana, I'm in Elaina's crib, Hehehe." He thought it was too funny. It was too cute, he was being so sweet with her as always so I grabbed a snap shot! He just hugs on her and smothers her with kisses. You would never know he gets to see her so little, they're best friends.

When playing with her buddies on a Sunday night, Aunt Jessie caught the intrigued look she gets when she finds her hand at the end of her arm. I LOVE IT! It kills me!

This was a day Jessie came over to help with Dewey when he got out of the hospital. She loves playing with her cousins [and their toys!]

This was taken awhile back but I love her big eyes and facial expression. If you look closely too you can see the natural caramel hightlights on top of her hair. Since she was born, she's had them all over, but this picture is really the only one to capture them well.

Spring Photo's 2009

2009-02-28T23:05:00.000-07:00

We took the kids for their milestone photo's sort to speak...Marcus will soon be 3 and Elaina is 6 months on Monday! Here are pictures from their photo shoot. It was a lot of fun. Marcus was a riot and so good and had a lot of fun with it. Elaina was sick plus teething but did well considering. I think we still got some pretty cute pictures and were lucky enough to have captured some cute poses as well as some natural ones of them. Enjoy!

Stay Tuned...

2009-02-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

Our computer at home crashed two weeks ago so I haven't had easier access to put the new photo's with the fun new things going on, so here's a little bit to last until I can get better organized on here.

Our Valentines

2009-02-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

Here is an updated photo of our little ones. Marcus loves his little sister and is so proud of her. He is so sweet with her. Last Wednesday, I got off work at 7:30 in the AM and went to pick Marcus up at his Grammy's. When we got home we went and woke up Manny and Elaina because he had to say hi to his baby sister and Daddy. After smothering each other with hugs and kisses I ended up laying on our bed with Elaina on my lap and Manny laying on the bed with Marcus on his lap. Elaina, reached over and held Marcus' hand and just started 'talking' for the longest time. It was the cutest thing ever. I hope they always share that close of a bond and fondness for each other. They are our pride and joy and make our lives so happy and sweet.

On Valentines Day we took all 12 grandchildren to Kiddie Kandids to have a picture taken for Grandma Shirley. It was quit the event as well as entertainment. All the mom's were dreading it but they actually did really well. Not one of them was crying! Marcus was so excited to get a picture with all of his cousins. To start with Marcus tries to go through all their names, he starts, "Josh, Dylan, Lala, Megs, Cousins...wait!" Now since there is so many of them, if he's talking to more than a couple it's "Cousins!" It cracks us up.

The back row has Katelyn, 6, Dylan, 3, Joshua, 3 and Marcus, 2 1/2. The middle row has Laura, 6 holding Elaina, 5 1/2 months, Stephanie, 9 holding Justin 3 1/2 months and Lauryn, 8 holding Jaxon who was 4 months old on that day. The front row is Emily, 1 and Megan 2. They are a good lookin' bunch of kids if I say so myself!

Our First Attempt at Blogging

2009-02-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

We're going to try to do this blogging thing. We'll see how consistent I am, but I love the idea! It's so fun to share pictures and memories with friends and family who because of life's business and having family all over the country - we unfortunately don't get to see often enough for our liking. Manny and I were married on June 9, 2007. Manny has a son from his first marriage, Marcus and last September we welcomed our much anticipated little Elaina to our lives. Marcus will be 3 in March and Elaina just turned 5 months!!!

In deciding our blog name, I chose this one because while I was pregnant my youngest sister use to always call Elaina my little "Montes Monster" because I was so sick through my pregnancy. Someday's, what started as a joke though still rings true to both of them though. ;) Our children are our greatest joy in our lives and we are so blessed to have each other and 2 beautiful, happy children. We work to live and share as much time with them as we can! This is the most recent picture of our little family - so until we get another one that is updated - here we are!