To train or not to train...

So today we "ran out of diapers" for Tayah, and we tried princess panties and the "big girl potty". Well, 4 outfits later and at the end of the day, we finally had 1 success! Wahoo. We'll see how tomorrow goes, but if she's only making it to the bathroom 1 time, then it just might not be time for her, no matter how hard we want it. We're crossing our fingers because we're tired of diapers!

Busy Week!

Here are the reasons this week has been busy:

• My baby sister Carissa graduated from Mountain View HS last night.  Simply unbelievable...not that she graduated, but that she's now a BYU student.  We had a fun time with the family, although our kids just couldn't endure the graduation ceremony!  Had dinner together at Mimi's Cafe.
• Two seminary graduations Sunday, one for our ward and one for Carissa.
• Helping my mother move to her nice, new townhouse today.  We hope she will love it and are grateful to be able to help her.  We love you Moms!
• Pinewood Derby Tuesday night.  Right up there with church ball, campouts, and fundraisers, the PD is a part of the Church's fabric.  Gotta love these energetic boys!
• Young Women's volleyball activity for Elizabeth
• Lost series finale...I'll be writing an entire post to describe my feelings about this...
• Went tracting with the ward mission and full-time missionaries to see if any new families have moved into our ward (a really transient neighborhood in our boundaries).  Met some wonderful people.  Love missionary work!
• Elizabeth's been working outside, planting a bunch of flowers and working on her garden. 
• Meetings upon meetings for me at church and work. 
• Tayah's (and her parents) are gearing up for some serious potty training.  Wahoo!
• Getting ready for Friends of Scouting...be ready to contribute neighbors!

• All three kids got cuter and cuter with each passing day.  Here's evidence above.

And all in one week!

My New Life

My New Life

Here is a short video for those who have ever lost a loved one. The words of President Thomas S. Monson are powerful here and give us hope in the time of loss. The gospel truly has binding and healing powers.

The Church does a masterful job with these YouTube Mormon Messages. I encourage you to share them through your blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and so forth, so these hopeful messages are shared with those we care about. If you've never done so, go ahead and start by passing this one along. Have a wonderful day!

Girlisms, the Dentist, and a New Dining Set

Here are the kids enjoying Grandma time!

Kadenceisms:
"We should eat, drink, and be married."  Wise words from a wise girl!
"Mommy, I'm worried that I won't be good at basketball." 

Tayahisms:
Every morning while getting dressed: "Daddy, I will be so beautiful!"
"I hear Stockton being so quiet!"

We took the girls to the dentist last week and they passed with flying colors!  They love the ceiling televisions, the new toothbrushes, and their prizes. 

Lastly, here are a few photos of our new dining set.  Some of you wanted to see what it looks like, so voila...

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Catching Up with the Smiths, Part I: Easter

Okay, like I mentioned earlier, we are way behind on things. So, without further ado, I offer you "Catching Up with the Smiths, Part I...Easter. Here are my ladies in the midst of some egg decorating fun. Kadence loves being photographed ("you ought to be in pictures. You're beautiful to see!").

More evidence of the above...and Tayah's joined in the photo fun!

Here are the girls after completing their egg hunt (in between Conference sessions)

Here they are "in action..."

Happy Easter girls!

April Nuts and Bolts

First off, we share with you pictures from our recent photo shoot...you'll enjoy all the faces from our kids!

We had an amazing time at Disneyland. As is the case with most things, watching things through our children’s eyes is truly wonderful. We spent 04.11-04.16 on vacation, leaving right after church, staying at Elizabeth’s brother’s house in Las Vegas, and then pushing through to LA. We then spent four jam-packed, magical days in the Happiest Place on Earth. The girls loved the rides, meeting lots of their Disney friends (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Alice, Tinker Bell, etc), taking in some shows, and just being there. Elizabeth and I felt like children again and loved seeing the girls’ absolute joy. Disneyland is first class and we cannot wait to go back. The best part of it all: being together as a family! Stockton was a little trooper and while the 12-hour days in the park took a toll of the girls, they were cheery and sweet. Nothing better than family vacations!

Stockton continues to be the cutest, sweetest baby boy anyone could ask for. He is starting to sleep much better, waking up only once per night. He has had a lot of firsts this month: solid foods, scooting ever so slightly, and sitting up for a minute or two. He has a smile that melts our hearts and gets so excited when he is picked up or when Daddy comes home. We’re grateful for some good friends who love Stockton and help Elizabeth take care of him during sacrament meetings. We love our adorable baby.

Tayah is a little chatterbox, from the moment she wakes up until she is supposed to go to bed. Just like Kadence, she dazzles us with the things she says. Both girls can listen to a song a few times and then recite the lyrics on the spot. She is very sweet in Nursery and follows her big sister around everywhere and does everything she does. She can also occupy herself for long periods of time reading or playing by herself. No progress in the potty department…just being patient. She is one active red-head and we love her!

Kadence is one smart cookie, doing great with her letters, numbers, and so forth. She looks forward to weekly preschool and has loved Sunbeams. She went to her first Primary activity and become much more social the past few months. She’s still on the shy side, but it’s fun to see her interact with friends and cousins more and more. She dances and dances around the house with Tayah. Both girls were a little under the weather a bit this month, but are excited for the better weather.

Elizabeth and I are as boring as ever.

Other highlights for April:
• We had a little fun with April Fool’s Day, announcing that we were expecting our fourth. Not as creative, but we had a few people believing us.

• Stockton had a great six-month check-up

• General Conference was fantastic. I enjoyed the Priesthood session with Dad and the brothers. The girls did pretty good watching at least part of it.

• BYU-Hawaii President’s Leadership Council meetings in SLC

• Utah/Oklahoma City game, tickets courtesy of the Utah Jazz. 140-139 thrilling overtime win!

• BYU Alumni Association Board meetings, including the BYU Ballroom dance concert with Elizabeth

• Ward baptisms two separate days

• Great visit from Elizabeth’s parents (for a week)and other family members. Scott, our brother-in-law graduated from BYU (the 19th in the Torgesens’ second generation to do so) and we enjoyed the convocation and festivities. Elizabeth’s brother also ran the SLC Marathon. Always wonderful to have family here.

• We all took turns being quite sick with colds and coughs.

• Smith Family dinner up in Woods Cross to celebrate Elizabeth and Darrell’s birthdays.

• BYU Employee luncheon with President Samuelson

We're Still Alive!

Family and friends--just so you know, we are indeed alive and well.  Sorry for the extended hiatus since we last wrote!  We'll have much to share-Easter, Disneyland, Grandma Nelson's funeral, etc.  Stay tuned!