Fox 13 News

Jason got his 2 minutes of fame today! This afternoon we received a knock at our door and it was Fox 13 News asking for Jason Kessler with Kessler Hatch, Inc. Random! They ended up interviewing him for 20 minutes about being a builder in Suncrest (the community we live in) and getting permits through Draper City, etc. They only aired 2 minutes of the interview but they showed our house and our view. Jason did such a good job! He wasn't even nervous. I must say I am proud to be his wife!

Granite Bay, CA

Jason's sister, Paulette, lives in Granite Bay, California. (a little town outside of Sacramento) It is beautiful. They are doing a big addition to their house so we flew out there for 4 days so Jason could help them with their electrical and plumbing. I came along to watch the kids and hang out with Paulette while the guys worked. Baylee and Griffin stayed home with my brother Brady. Paulette had to work the first 2 days we were there, so I stayed at their house and hung out with the kids all day. The next 2 days, Paulette and I took the kids to the zoo and we attempted some shopping (the best you can with crying, tired children). Of course, we ate at some yummy places that you can't get in Utah... Pick Up Stix, Chipotle, & Inn N Out. We had fun... other than the lack of sleep. We flew in early Thursday morning and that night we stayed up til 1:00 a.m. talking and Weston woke up at 4:00 a.m. and didn't go back to sleep. He is such a good sleeper, don't ask me what that was all about?? We are still trying to catch up. We got home late last night. Avaree and Weston were so exhausted they slept in until noon! (I loved every minute of it) Oh, and yes, I gave up on potty training for now. 3 and a half months of work... and I didn't accomplish anything.

The addition... it is going to be awesome! (see the existing house?)

Snack time

Bathing in the farmhouse sink since the bathroom was under construction

It was the perfect size for Weston

Avaree thought it was a pretty cool "tub"

Silly girls

Audrey and Avaree... pretty cousins

This is how the whole weekend was... at least one child was crying or whining at all times (from exhaustion)

Weston swinging

Tire swing (the weather was beautiful for November)

At the Zoo

Audrey and Paulette on the train ride, tickets please!

Weston, Avaree, and I on the steam train

So tired

TWINS

Of course, after shopping we had to get something matching!

Sad faces

Loves

Surprised faces

Weston and Jason... twins too in blue? (one of the only times Jason laid down other than sleeping) That night John's parents fed us all dinner. It was so nice to have a home cooked meal that I didn't have to cook.

Watching a movie and eating cheese quesadillas (Paulette has a talent for making quesadillas) If you look close, you can see that the girls colored all over themselves.

Thanks for having us John and Paulette. We love you guys!

HELP!

AAAH! Maybe I shouldn't be posting right now because I am so FRUSTERATED! I have been potty training Avaree since July and she is still not potty trained. She averages at least an accident a day and she always saves her #2 for nap time. Just after her 3rd birthday in September I thought we had it. We had about a week of her doing it on her OWN but after our little trip to California in October she has completely regressed. Prizes, candy, presents, rewards don't work anymore. I've even tried the cold baths/showers when she has accidents... not working. What do I do? I don't want to go back to diapers but we can't go anywhere, I am washing out clothes and poo everyday. I am seriously on the verge of tears all the time. I am trying to stay patient and calm but she knows better. I don't know what to do! HELP! Any suggestions??

PHEW...

PHEW, about a couple of things... PHEW, I made it through the busy birthday month and Halloween (just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas to begin!) PHEW, I am now updated on my blog, and PHEW, that Baylee made the 9th grade basketball team at her school! Congrats Baylee! I've been a nervous wreck during try outs. As a parent/sister you just want to see your children succeed. Baylee is a good basketball player and has great potential but would a coach see that?? Of course I see it. We were seriously preparing ourselves for a no, she would have been crushed and you hate to see your child go through that. I know making teams doesn't mean everything and we would have survived if she didn't make it but, PHEW, I am relieved and happy she did! (except now I have to give her rides EVERYDAY)

Daria's Birthday Party

We went to the funnest princess birthday party today! My friend Hillary did such a good job planning it. The party was at the pizza restaruant they own... Gold Medal Pizza on 13th East in Sandy (by the movie theatres near Fort Union) Awesome pizza, go try it sometime! Avaree making her own pizza

Weston eating pizza

Me with my princess friends... Hillary and Francine

Avaree hitting the pinata. It was funny to see girls in princess dresses swinging a bat. When Avaree was done hitting the pinata she said, "Mommy, that was fun!" She is my tom boy.

Gathering candy, Avaree picked all the smarties. I was trying to get her to get the chocolate.

The goody bags had tons of good stuff in it

Happy Birthday Daria!

Happy 15th Birthday Sarah!

Sarah is Jason's beautiful, tall, baby sister! She is such a good aunt and so good with children. We love you Sar Bear and hope you had a great day!

It's perfect because Baylee and Sarah are the exact same age. They are good friends. (makes family get togethers even better)

Halloween Festivities Continued...

Our old neighbors, Chris and Lori Rice throw a great Halloween party every year. This year we celebrated a little late, the Saturday after Halloween. Everyone gets decked out, except for Jason and I. It was last minute so we threw on some of Jason's company t-shirts and tool belts and went as construction workers. Chris and Lori are ideal neighbors. We miss living right next door to them. Luckily we are just down the street now! Jason and I with Chris and Lori (yes, crazy costumes... you should have seen Chris dance in that thing)

Jim and Jenny Reynolds with Angela and Charles Herrin (all great neighbors!)