the jarvis boys...

On Monday, when Cayden came home from school, he had a note in his bag from his teacher...but it was the good kind of note! She picked Cayden to receive the "teamwork" award for his class for the December Super Tiger assembly. On the note, there was a place to put why she had picked him - and she wrote "he is a great example to others." So - he got a RED paw on the wall at school! Go Cayden!!

Now...for the other Jarvis boy, Devon...he is my hero! Last night, I was washing a load of laundry...all of the sudden there was a loud noise - and the washer stopped spinning! It is important to know that it is an old washer...passed on lovingly to us by Devon's aunt and uncle...but still - I really rely on my washing machine. I am not a girl that responds well to things breaking or not working when I need them to! So - I was a little stressed - and did not really want to think about buying a new washer the week before Christmas...
Next thing I know...Devon has the washer taken apart and has found the broken part. He found online how to take the motor off and replace the part! Today, he went and got the part (for a total of $9)- and right now as I am typing this...my washer is rerunning the unfinished clothes from last night! It even runs better than it did before! I feel like I fell in love with him all over again as I watched him fix a very important and favorite appliance in my house!

Barrett Gray Jarvis

Barrett turned one on Saturday! It seems so crazy that he has been in our family for an entire year! He is the sweetest little man! He is walking all over the place - and always has the biggest toothy smile!

We had family over on Sunday for cake and ice cream - and Barrett took full advantage of having his own chocolate cake to eat!

beginning

middle

end

I didn't pay attention to how much cake he really ate...but at least he had fun doing it!

I was thinking back on the last year - remembering all the fun things that have happened...it is crazy to think of all the huge milestones that happen in the first year of life. He started rolling over, sitting up, kneeling, crawling, standing up, walking, talking, eating real food, drinking from a cup, getting teeth...the list could go on and on. I just feel so lucky to be his mom and to have him in our family. He adds such a happy spirit to our home. I love you buddy!

Here is a look back at his first year!

tHaNkFuL...

So - I don't know if it even still counts to say that you are thankful for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday - when it is two weeks past...but I feel like I haven't even had two minutes to update the blog!

We went to Dallas to spend the Thanksgiving break with my family! It was a blast! Two of my brothers and their families live in Dallas. My parents flew in from Florida and my little sister Maren and her family drove up from San Antonio! It was great to have so many of us together ...and really nice of Scott and Richard to host all of us!

Thanksgiving morning we drove downtown to run in the turkey trot! My mom and dad were so nice and walked with the twins and Barrett. Over 35,000 people participated in the trot! It was madness! Devon and I ran with Scott and Maren. When we reached the starting line - the race was already 30 minutes in! My parents were in the very back - since they were pushing a stroller - and I think the race was over an hour in when they passed the starting line!

It was fun to run through downtown! It brought back a few memories. When I was in high school - They Might Be Giants came and did a New Year's Eve concert - my dad, being the good sport that he is, took me and some friends to a club downtown to see them! We ran past the club during the 5k! The twins had fun walking with Grandma and Grandpa and their cousin Lydia. When we finished the race - we went back and met up with them. Cayden and Lydia really wanted to run - so Devon ran the last mile again with them! Cayden was so proud that he ran in the turkey trot! Hadley was content to walk - and even persuaded Grandma to rub her legs at each mile marker! Then she convinced Uncle Scott to carry her on his shoulders the last mile! Barrett pretty much slept through it all! (I know... he is such a hard baby!)

The rest of the break was very relaxing! We had a great time hanging out with everybody. My nephew, Jacob was baptized on Saturday - and it was great to be there for that!

I feel so grateful for all of the wonderful family that I have!

25 degrees and a chance of snow...sounds like 5k weather!

Devon and I ran a 5k together today! It was so fun! (The last time we did a 5k together was a few months after the twins were born...and we walked it with the stroller!) It was very cold! The temperature was about 24 degrees when we left the house this morning. When we were lining up to start the race... it started snowing! (just flurries - no blizzards) A few minutes into the race we warmed right up!

We didn't actually cross the finish line at the exact same time (I beat Dev by 6 seconds...oh yeah!) - but we got a picture at the finish line to show that we did it! I know for all the hard core racers - this isn't a great time... but for me - I was proud of my time! It is my first 5k since before Barrett was born! The best was running it together! I think it was one of our most fun dates!
This is Garron - he's 12 - and he beat us by about 10 minutes! He was also in my primary class a few years ago! It was fun to see him at the race - he is part of the Willard running club - I wish I would have taken a picture of the back of his shirt - all the kids in the club were wearing them - it says "Our sport is your sport's punishment" - isn't that funny ?!?

So...even though it was super cold - it felt great to run again!

Another Cleaning Product Shout Out...

So...technically an air freshener is not a cleaning product...but it makes your house smell great! These are the best! They have a ton of different scents - each air freshener has two scents that alternate. I love, love, love them!

The other new thing that I have found ... the toilet cleaning gel - I am undecided on these. I bought the original scent - and I think the citrus would be better. Devon thinks it makes the bathroom smell like someone is burning incense. They don't turn the water blue...but the toilet bowls seem cleaner - so we will see. Has anyone else tried these??

Our FUN weekend in Cape Girardeau...

We had the most fun weekend with Casie and Miah in Cape! The twins did not have school on Friday...so after Devon saw a few patients in the morning - we headed out! The drive was so beautiful with all of the changing colors of fall.

We went to Miah's game (he coaches volleyball at Southeast Missouri State) on Friday night. Since we had celebrated Halloween for a full week...we decided that it would be way more fun to see Miah coach than go trick or treating again. When we were getting ready to leave Casie's house - Devon decided that he did want to dress up for the game. Can you guess who he is???

He wore all of Miah's clothes - I guess Miah lost a bet with his players - so they dressed him in the sweet 80's running suit!

His team totally dominated the game and they won in three! They must be extremely well coached!!

We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out, staying up way too late playing cards, and laughing our guts out! We all had so much fun - we were sad to leave on Sunday - it went by really fast! Hopefully we can get together again soon! Thanks for all the fun!

Disco Party!

We have been celebrating Halloween all week! The twins have already been TrIcK - oR - tReAtInG twice - and we are still 2 days away from Halloween! They have more candy than we need... and tomorrow they have fall parties at school - so there will be even more!

On Saturday night - Willard had "safe halloween" at the rec. center. We did a booth for the eye center- and Devon decided he wanted to have a disco theme! He had disco music blaring from his tent and we had a really fun time.

We had a Vampire, a Witch, and Mickey Mouse! Devon found afro wigs for us - but the best part of the night was watching Devon dance to the music! I even have a video for you all to enjoy...

PuMpKiN pAtCh FuN!

The twins had their first field trip in Kindergarten! They were so excited - they finally got to ride the school bus! We went to a really fun pumpkin patch to spend the morning! I was a chaperone for Hadley's class- which was really fun! Cayden's teacher said he could come with my group - but he is my independent kid - and was happy to stay with his "own" class! It was so funny! So- I have lots of pics of Hadley - and only a couple with Cayden! Having them split up is something that I am still getting used to! The kids went on a fun hayride out to the pumpkin farm to pick a pumpkin.

Hadley had a hard time picking the perfect pumpkin! She searched and searched... but she finally found the one that she wanted.

All the kids in her class thought it was so fun to find the smallest pumpkins! It was so cute!

After they picked the pumpkins - they came back and painted them!

They had a fun swing set - Hadley loves to swing!

There was this cute little train made out of barrels! The kids thought it was the best ride ever!

Here is one of my only pictures of Cayden from the day - he is the third from the back! When it was time for lunch - all the classes were laying out blankets to sit and eat - that was when Cayden came and asked me if he could eat lunch with me! So - maybe he still needs me a little! As soon as lunch was over - he was right back with his class again! (I am definitely not complaining about this - I am glad that Cayden is confident and independent!)

I think one of the best parts for me was not riding the bus! They only have room for a few parents to ride the bus - so I was happy to volunteer to drive my own car (I am not a huge fan of the yellow buses)! As much as my kids loved riding the bus - I was more than happy to get in my car and jam out on the drive home!

Happy Birthday Devon!!!

I have been very absent from my blog the last few weeks! I feel like I have been busy - but I don't really know why or with what! So - I am doing some catch up blogging!

Last Saturday (the 18th) was Devon's birthday!

The twins were very excited to put up streamers and blow up balloons! They even found a birthday crown for their dad! Since we were going out for dinner - we had Devon blow out his candle in a Reese's peanut butter pumpkin!

We only put 1 candle - to protect his health! Devon spent his first 5 birthdays in the hospital with extreme asthma attacks! (I know - his parents should get a medal) Luckily for us - he is much better!

I am so lucky to be married to such a great guy! He takes such good care of me and our family! He is a great dad and makes our kids laugh all the time!

Happy Birthday baby! I love, love, love you!

Barrett is standing!!

I have been very neglectful of Barrett's newest accomplishments in my blogging lately! But...he has started (in the last week or so) standing on his own! It is so funny because he gets so proud of himself. He also doesn't fall very often - because he starts doing squats until he is low enough to just sit! I got this funny video of him today -

He loves my wooden spoon right now - and carries it with him all the time. He is also cutting his top 4 teeth - so he has 6 teeth now! He is almost 10 months old - and I can't believe how fast time continues to fly by- he adds such joy to our home and family!

Cleaning Product Shout Out!

I wanted to give a quick shout out to my new favorite cleaning product...

Lysol's Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes!

I love to try new things when they come out - some are not as great as the commercials make you think...

but these wipes lived up to the commercial and more!

One side is rough - so it helps you not have to scrub so hard to get left over breakfast, lunch, and dinner off the table and counters!

I love, love, love these wipes! So - go buy them and try them!

They are definitely worth the $2.93!

Super Tiger

Today was the first SUPER TIGER assembly at the twins' school. They have one every month to recognize different accomplishments in the school during the month! They give all kinds of awards and get to cheer for each other. And...the whole school wears matching shirts.

(I know ...it is all very exciting!)

The twins were very excited - to the point where Cayden could literally not sleep last night - he woke up every hour to ask me if it was time for school!

Each of the "specials" (P.E., music, art, computers, etc.) gave an award to the best class of the month - Hadley's class won 3 of those- and since she was the helper of the day - she got to go up in front of the whole school and get the award for her class. She thought that was awesome!

Here she is getting one - sorry the pictures are a little fuzzy - I was at the back of the auditorium.

Each teacher gets to give 4 awards for the class. One for academics, one for most improvement, one for teamwork, and one more - that I cannot for the life of me remember...maybe character?!? They call it "getting a paw" (because we are tigers...)

Cayden and Hadley both received the academic paw from their teachers. I am so proud of the twins for being two of the only readers in their kindergarten classes! Hadley's teacher has her read to some of the other kids in her class - which - as you can imagine - she loves to do!

Here they are standing up when the principal asked all the students who received academic paws to stand up!

(Their teachers were nice and let them stand together!)

This is the wall where they get to post their paw!

Here is Cayden's paw... Here is Hadley's paw...
It was fun to see them having so much fun during the assembly! They were both rocking out doing the tiger cheers that they learned! I am so glad that they both are doing so great at school and that they love going everyday! I miss having them at home - but it is easier knowing that they are having such a great time! (and, I am not going to lie... it is fun to get some things done while they are gone everyday!)

Way to go my Super Tigers - I love you both!

Called to Serve...

My little sister Ann got her mission call!!!

She is going to California - San Fernando mission - spanish speaking!

She leaves so fast - she enters the MTC on the 29th of October!

While I am sad that I won't be able to see her or talk to her for 1 1/2 years...I am so excited for her! She is going to be such a great missionary! She is such a hard worker - very dedicated! I know that she will be such a great addition to the San Fernando mission!

Ann - I am so glad that you are my sister! You are such a great girl - thanks for being such a fun aunt to my kids - they are for sure going to miss seeing you! We will be praying for your success - and we promise to send lots of letters - (and treats - since you are staying in the states!) Congrats and lots of love! :)

Hair Bows

I made these!!!

So - I am not trying to brag - because I know that many people can make much cuter and more intricate bows than these...but I was really excited to make these for Hadley.

These are my first bows to make by myself! It was so fun to find cute ribbon - and I saved a ton of money making them myself. I bought the alligator clips from Sally's for $4.99 for 100 - and I found all these cute ribbons at Hobby Lobby for $.99 a roll!

girls weekend - and my new computer...

I am so excited to have my new laptop! Devon got it for me! It is green and super cute - it matches my kitchen! Now I can blog all the time - and not have to wait for Devon to bring home his laptop!

This weekend I went to St. Louis with Devon's mom and his sisters for a girls weekend! It was great! We headed up on Thursday morning and stayed until Saturday night! Jen flew in from Utah and we had a blast!
We shopped, ate out at fun restaurants, and stayed up late - laughing and crying - mostly joyful tears! We also went to Time Out for Women - which was great! It was so fun just to be together! I love them all so much - it was great to have a few days to refill our spirits! Here are some pics of all of us together! (Barrett and Brock came along for the fun also!)

The other great part of the weekend was running into my long lost friend - Jill! She and I worked efy together long ago... she lives about two hours away now - so hopefully we can see each other more often! It was so fun to see her! She is such a great person!