tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46376325373219335032024-03-13T03:56:10.989-07:00Autumn and Matt's Family BlogUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-535701376997522742010-07-18T22:17:00.000-07:002010-07-18T22:22:16.417-07:00A Pick Me Up For All Moms!I watched this on a friends blog a few minutes ago and am still wiping away the tears. I haven't had time to blog much, well at all, because I AM a mom of four busy boys. Hopefully this week I will find time to share our adventures. But, I had to take a minute to post this incredibly uplifting video with words by Elder Holland. I hope it will touch you and give you a boost to your summer mothering! (Click <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&vgnextoid=bd163ca6e9aa3210VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD&channelId=bd163ca6e9aa3210VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD">here</a>)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-36113749467792198582010-06-06T20:31:00.000-07:002010-07-24T19:34:12.551-07:00Still in Rewind - Easter and a Dog for a Week<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Disclaimer: This post is pretty much just for the family history record books, so feel free to skim = ). </div><br /><div>All while waiting for baby Graham to make his arrival, we kept busy with the Easter holiday and with a well-timed trip from Aunt Aubrey. The funny part was she even came later versus earlier to ensure she was here to meet the baby. She made it by one day (she had to go home the day after he was born)! But, though the pre-birth may not be as exciting as post-birth, we were so glad to have her to distract us while we waited 5 days past the due date for little Graham. </div><br />One of the most exciting parts of Aunt Aubrey's visit was that she brought the smaller of her two dogs for a road trip companion. The boys are DYING for a dog. I told them we couldn't have one until we have a backyard (i.e. the next house, which should be bigger and we should be done with crawling babies). So, they were ecstatic to have a dog for a week. I felt bad for Aubrey - her dog Sam was definitely the star of every day. To this day every dog is "Sammy" to Luke and Nathan is convinced that Sam is the perfect dog. These three boys definitely wore Sam out with all their loving!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479877042424804658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TAxvIu6MdTI/AAAAAAAABEA/guSS7ltpWqM/s400/blog_3.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>These PJs Nana had gotten Luke for his birthday and now they are "sammy" pjs because the doggie on them looks just like Sam...well, not entirely, but in Lukie's world it does. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479877023286108050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TAxvHnnLH5I/AAAAAAAABDo/GUwMmEqC2ak/s400/blog_5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div>I love the happy look Carter has in this picture, though it makes him look so old. It gives me a glipse of him as a goofy teenager.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479877020570421218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TAxvHdftB-I/AAAAAAAABDg/dQ3SmbWQxjA/s400/blog_2.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div><div>Then came Easter. Saturday morning the boys got to go on an easter basket hunt with clues. After 15 minutes of clue following (I purposely put one clue's answer downstairs and then the next answer upstairs to take more time and wear them out. It works great, though Nathan caught on this time to my ways!), they found their baskets in the van. </div><br /><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479877032618135490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TAxvIKYGj8I/AAAAAAAABDw/9lP4r2LH3I8/s400/blog_1.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><div>The boy's loot was minimal, but exciting for them - a new transformer and some candy. Yum!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479877035578531538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TAxvIVZ6ntI/AAAAAAAABD4/oMeK9MQem2A/s400/blog_12.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><div>Then, after listening to the first session of Conference, we headed on over to the city easter egg hunt at a local park. I made the boys sit on the strangely large Easter Bunny's lap (only so many more years that I can do this for!), including Luke, who was understandably terrified. I mean, when was the last time you saw a bunny this large with a pasted on smile?</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497662129721395410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TEuelEEpSNI/AAAAAAAABFI/3rXrby1pqJc/s400/blog_11.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497662122180534274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TEuekn-w4AI/AAAAAAAABFA/GQrciZZh9OQ/s400/blog_10.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Then on to the bean bag tosses and egg roll races. I laughed at the form difference between Nathan and Carter in these pictures. Guess we will see if early inclinations for sports ability pans out...</div><div> </div><div>Nathan going for the "shove it" granny shot approach...</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479877920219827090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TAxv7081i5I/AAAAAAAABEg/1jRQ05O67vI/s400/blog_8.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Carter with beautiful form in his swing, even with follow through. Who knew there was a technique to this game?!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479877931635527954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 326px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TAxv8fejURI/AAAAAAAABEo/dUMMKIDCJbo/s400/blog_9.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Finally the egg hunt! The boys were lucky and actually had two egg hunts, the city one (which these pictures are from) and then a family one that we did amongst friends. Needless to say, they had plenty of candy until the next candy holiday! Though Carter is funny - once he has candy, he just sits down and eats it. All of it. In one setting. Then he spends the next week hounding Nathan to share the candy that Nathan carefully is only one piece a day of. </div><div> </div><div>Here they are chomping at the bit, waiting for the starting whistle...</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479877913865348034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TAxv7dRz48I/AAAAAAAABEY/nJyMHmDe4RU/s400/blog_7.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Then when it finally blew, Carter got so anxious that he had about 10 eggs in his bucket and then he tripped and fell and dumped everything back onto the ground. Poor guy!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479877904842959810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TAxv67qtK8I/AAAAAAAABEQ/u2HuZF0An3Y/s400/blog_6.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Oh, and we braved easter egg decoration, which always goes so quickly. I think I had three dozen eggs and they knocked them out in like 15-20 minutes. And we definitely had to do it when Luke was asleep, that would have been a colorful disaster! But, the coolest thing we found was this roll on paint egg dye - no dipping, you just roll on the dye with little mini rollers. We got such bright awesome colors and it was much less of a pain we are doing that again next year!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479877900597960066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 313px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/TAxv6r2nnYI/AAAAAAAABEI/GSOLDXQ8K4o/s400/blog_4.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Thanks Aunt Aubrey for helping us stay busy and celebrating the holiday with us!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-46398473225464022932010-05-24T19:32:00.000-07:002010-05-24T20:48:35.227-07:00Back from the land of the UncommittedI have been out of the blogging world for almost two months now. Of course, I have checked out of most things for the last two months. It's been fabulous. If I had my way, I would just spend all day snuggling with Graham. Since that's not realistic with four children, at minimum we have just lived life uncommitted - I don't commit to being places or doing most things (minus school and church) and we just take life as it comes. I haven't committed to having more than one room of my house clean at any given time (so if I won't let you go upstairs, you know why!). But, we are slowly getting into a new life rhythm and though we are still minimal on commitments, I am ready to start documenting our family's life again. So, of course that involves a rewind and review, as April was a very eventful month for us!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div>Three days after Graham was born my husband renewed his super dad/husband certification, taking the boys of for a great weekend of planned fun, leaving me and Graham to recover, sleep, and relax. We did this with Luke and it was such a win-win, the boys getting to do fun things and have daddy time while I get a break from doing anything but taking care of and bonding with the new baby. </div><div></div><br /><div>Friday morning Matt and Nathan, Carter, and Luke headed off for some costal camping, first stoping in Banden, a costal town three hours west of here. They were lucky enough to score a yert for the night. Never heard of a yert? Neither had we, but they are these great little huts available to rent for the night on the coast. You get all the fun of camping (campfire, outdoors) with the comforts of home (bunkbeds, walls and a roof to protect from cold and rain, and electricity). It's a great way to go with young kids! The boys called them "ewok huts".<br /></div><br /><div><br />Here's what the outside of the yert looks like:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475031090992844482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s3xPDZDsI/AAAAAAAABBA/lHzv3Nq3gIQ/s400/blog_4.jpg" border="0" /><br />And an inside view with the boys looking comfy:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475031097366390514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s3xmy9pvI/AAAAAAAABBI/IcvTSW8tS2w/s400/blog_5.jpg" border="0" />The boys being boys - getting their energy out with a boy wrestle!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475032086289642594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s4rK0o9GI/AAAAAAAABCw/8XW2AQWaW-Y/s400/z+done+5.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><div>In Banden, they went to a great little animal park that included tigers, camels, bears, goats, sheep, llamas, ostriches, even a peacock or two. Nathan loved looking at and touching them all. Carter and Luke liked looking, but really wished the animals would stick to looking and stay far away from them!</div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475032056694280002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s4pckjj0I/AAAAAAAABCQ/AlMAlkLsfEQ/s400/blog_15.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475032226610567538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s4zVjwWXI/AAAAAAAABC4/AOY6Gb946Wg/s400/z+done+6.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475038748641762946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s-u-BKnoI/AAAAAAAABDI/F1QO3EAXYvQ/s400/blog_14.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Peacocks happen to be one of Nathan's current favorite animals, so he was pretty excited to stand next to this real one!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475032233368222658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s4zuu5-8I/AAAAAAAABDA/6zulIJKf8-I/s400/z+done+7.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>Also, they hit the beach. Of course, this was like most Oregon beaches - cold, windy, and rocky. But, they are also gorgeous and fun places to explore. </div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475031705514531794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s4VAUx29I/AAAAAAAABCA/7gmLAzMcAcQ/s400/blog_12.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475031699026737746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s4UoJ9-lI/AAAAAAAABB4/p6aCC7FdSoE/s400/blog_11.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><br /><div>Though it's a pain to clean up, I love how little boys will dive right into sand, mud, or other fun messy materials. Here they are laying and rolling around in it, making sure they could bring home some of this fun trips in every crevice and pocket.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475032061372890242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s4puABfII/AAAAAAAABCY/HhAh-3Iic10/s400/z+done.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><div>After spending the night in Banden, they headed up to Florence, about an hour north, to check out the dunes. Now you might wonder what you do at the dunes when you don't have any of the fun toys to do with it...no worries, you can rent them! Or, in the boy's case, pay to ride on a giant dune buggy. The boys to this day still sing a song they made up on their dune buggy ride, it was so much fun. They even took them over a few hills, which was super fun on this giant dune buggy. While they waited to take their buggy ride, they played a litlte golf...minature of course. </div><div></div><br /><div>I love the look on Nathan's face - can you say "cocky"?<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475031690924178834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s4UJ-KvZI/AAAAAAAABBo/MXZq0XCu998/s400/blog_9.jpg" border="0" /><br />A view from inside the dune buggy:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475031110807423138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s3yY3jiKI/AAAAAAAABBY/siKVgvWKOss/s400/blog_7.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475031115139934674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s3ypAgadI/AAAAAAAABBg/yt7b-xfsjwk/s400/blog_8.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475031108303320834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s3yPih9wI/AAAAAAAABBQ/MOaxJGcWA6s/s400/blog_6.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />The last day of the trip ended up in Eugene. Dad of course had researched fun parks they could play at and get energy out at until the grand finale - watching "How to Train a Dragon" at the theater. The boys don't get to see movies in the theater often (come on - 3 kids ages 6 and under? Not the best use of money - we do better at home!), so this was a treat and it was especially great to have such a good "boy" movie out after the baby was born. They loved it!<br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div>Here's a picture holding up their movie tickets, anxiously awaiting:<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475038751733069634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_s-vJiMN0I/AAAAAAAABDQ/jug0cBDizvE/s400/z+done+4.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p></p><p>I can't thank Matt enough for all his hard work in planning and executing this amazing boys weekend. I hope the boys will remember in some small way how much their dad loves being with them, wants to be around them, and wants to make memories for them. It's never easy, but always worth it. </p><p>And, I will end with a picture of another little guy who is worth every sleepless moment and hour tied down nursing - precious Graham:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475044721582782898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S_tEKo9RubI/AAAAAAAABDY/Fs9za9JFzcY/s400/DSC00991.JPG" border="0" />More to come, hopefully sooner, versus later!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-51012321137597603132010-04-14T16:22:00.000-07:002010-04-14T16:47:23.016-07:00Baby Graham is here!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQkGbtg5I/AAAAAAAAA_s/OdxuNUnuwhA/s1600/DSC00911+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140179365659538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQkGbtg5I/AAAAAAAAA_s/OdxuNUnuwhA/s400/DSC00911+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a>We are so excited to announce the arrival of our newest bundle of joy, Graham Hinckley Michaelis. The short of it is he was born on April 6 (5 days overdue) at 2:11 a.m. (*we have yet to EVER have had a child during the daylight hours!). He tied Nathan for our smallest baby yet at 8 lbs. 10 oz and 20 3/4" long. He is healthy and beautiful and both mom and baby are doing great.<br /><div><br /></div><div>You now have the choice to just scoll down to the photos of Graham or read on for details of the birth story. Kinda like one of those chose your own ending books. So exciting!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Monday morning at 3ish a.m. Matt and I headed into the hospital with contractions 6 minutes apart. I was crushed when they checked me and I was still only at a 1! They offered to let us walk around for an hour and then recheck before sending us packing. We did so, but it was obviously by the end of the hour the contractions weren't increasing so, as we thought, we were sent home around 6 (it amazed us how long it took them to send us home!). </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Monday was a rough day, as the contractions were still strong but only 10 minutes apart...all...stinkin'...day...long! The same thing actually happened with Luke, so it shouldn't have surprised me. But, finally an hour after we went to bed, I decided it was real enough to wake my sleep deprived husband and have him take me to the hospital. Again. </div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This time I checked in dilated to a 7 and they told me I was definitely staying. Two and a half hours after arrival, out came baby Graham! Matt and I actually laughed looking back on the end of my delivery in that they gave me the go ahead to push, and then left the room! I am sure they were getting things ready, but Matt was motified to see a head and only the floor beneath it to catch it's fall! Luckily, everyone finally got their act together and things turned out fine. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We were so blessed to have my sister here to help with the kids (more details on her visit to come) and have had so many friends pitch in as well to help with the transition. Thank you! Also, my superhero husband took the kids away on a trip as I recovered, which was just amazing and I will gush about that in another post. But, for now, no more delaying - on to the pictures!!</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Graham minutes after arrival! Yes, Nathan and Luke were also born with that dark hair...it sadly falls out and then after the awkward half-bald stage they turn out blondies.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140152374612946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQih4i09I/AAAAAAAAA_M/XL_xMYkn3BI/s400/g_blog2.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The proud (though incredibly sleep deprived) dad of four boys!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140163885959042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQjMxEB4I/AAAAAAAAA_U/ZmFoY4qGaoU/s400/g_blog1.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A family of 6 - wow, it's crazy to think we have FOUR kids.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140167496392274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQjaN23lI/AAAAAAAAA_c/bJjbaPeg-R0/s400/g_blog.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Each boy wanted to take their turn holding Graham and everyone seemed excited about his arrival. Carter is singing head, shoulders, knees, and toes, making sure we didn't get gyped any important parts!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140175685890194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 176px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQj4uYsJI/AAAAAAAAA_k/_eGQgHnZtYQ/s400/g_blog3.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Some close up views...</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140473490874626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQ1OIoIQI/AAAAAAAAA_0/FSWDD6VOfBo/s400/g_blog4.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140476334770322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQ1YuqiJI/AAAAAAAAA_8/E7tkkq0gXIc/s400/g_blog5.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The boys can't keep their hands off him, in a loving way, and I love how this picture captures that as Carter couldn't resist reaching in and touching him while I was taking pictures.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140486493137682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQ1-km6xI/AAAAAAAABAE/W8TrggN5P-Y/s400/g_blog6.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140487929887298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQ2D7J-kI/AAAAAAAABAM/AjUhTyS1L7E/s400/g_blog7.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140492008692418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQ2THnmsI/AAAAAAAABAU/ry7p1BQjII4/s400/g_blog8.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Of all the kids, Carter is probably the most captivated with his new baby. He can't wait to touch him, hold him, and see him every morning. Carter, I am finding, has a soft spot for babies and animals, which is a very sweet side to my little firecracker kiddo.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140637046268594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQ-vbRYrI/AAAAAAAABAc/AiW2xIFD0Ko/s400/g_blog9.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460140638379371970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZQ-0ZG7cI/AAAAAAAABAk/k05y-k3yWvw/s400/g_blog10.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><br /><div>Finally, to answer the question I know you all have: who does he look like? Well, to me he just looks like "his brothers", but I will let you determine yourself. In order, here are two pictures of each boy, ending with Graham. What do you think?</div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460143248088928738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S8ZTWuUWkeI/AAAAAAAABAs/DZexwzNB88E/s400/brothers_blog.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-11514501699757751102010-03-30T18:39:00.000-07:002010-03-30T20:02:00.284-07:00Spring oh how we love thee!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Of course I started this post on a gorgeous spring Saturday and now as I write we have had rain all day mixed with occasional snow flakes...so a sunny spring isn't fully upon us. But rain is part of spring and we have been so happy for the tastes of sunshine we have had the last few weeks.<br /></div><div>We were very excited to have a family Saturday this past weekend. Matt has been busy with his stake sports obligations every Saturday for the last 2 1/2 months, and it's finally done so we happily headed out without time constraint or obligation on Saturday as a family to a gorgeous wooded park in Ashland called Lithia Park. Any of you who have visited us have been there because it's just such a beautiful way to spend a day. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had a picnic and then whipped out a classic and favorite ball game of ours - track ball. Our set is literally from decades ago, but you can actually now get this outdoor game at Target as it has been re-released. It's definitely worth the $10. We have a lot of fun with it and Matt loves having anyone to play catch with.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Boys ready for some picnic goodness! (And Luke just trying to find the cookies...)<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454621499252972562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 288px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K1Wo8unBI/AAAAAAAAA90/bqyjLvZF4Oc/s400/blog_4.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Carter, like a lot of kids, can be Jekyl and Hyde when it comes to picture taking. Here is what I call his "anti-paparazzi" face:</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454621494559200210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K1WXdpU9I/AAAAAAAAA9s/gzeTrc2fGHk/s400/blog_3.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><br /><br />Then, minutes later, the goofy smile we love him for!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454621488760465874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K1WB3HqdI/AAAAAAAAA9k/h7vMjF8LWBw/s400/blog_2.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><br /> The track ball action begins!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454622266272241266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K2DSUX1nI/AAAAAAAAA-M/fUUGMZdBJ80/s400/blog_15.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454622276687784866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K2D5Hoa6I/AAAAAAAAA-U/TKLvTsGJzcE/s400/blog_10.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454621503403700802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 284px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K1W4aVskI/AAAAAAAAA98/ie_EYf-d320/s400/blog_7.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />After our picnic and sports, we headed off down the trail into the woods to enjoy the nature. The boys had a fun time trying out the simple pleasures such as stick races and Nathan got a kick out of this natural seat.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454622292507425858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K2E0DU_EI/AAAAAAAAA-k/oaBhOBTlMrE/s400/blog_12.jpg" border="0" /><br />In the midst of the woods is a pretty (though probably manmade) duck pond, with the occasional otter spotting. No otters were seen this trip, but we loved this duck that looked like someone painted it.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454622283623155698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K2ES9Jx_I/AAAAAAAAA-c/ORLXGKdSXs4/s400/blog_11.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>The boys looking handsome in front of the beautiful spring blossoms!<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454622263935413362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K2DJnOrHI/AAAAAAAAA-E/56MrXVGzS9E/s400/blog_8.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454621483123142114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K1Vs3E7eI/AAAAAAAAA9c/2hYLQCjHYBY/s400/blog_1.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />The boys were determined to wade in the water. So, we let them try and then laughed at their squeals that somehow this snow run-off wasn't very warm!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454623241795352514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K28EbNN8I/AAAAAAAAA_E/UeXB4ujVBfk/s400/blog_14.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><br />Nathan's GQ pose infront of the duck pond<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454623234693914802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 306px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K27p-F4LI/AAAAAAAAA-8/e3aqseAmpuk/s400/blog_13.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div>It was a perfect family day. Beyond that I guess you could say I am "nesting", though in my mind it's totally practical to be cleaning and organizing - I don't want someone coming over to my house in the middle of the night if I make a mid-night run to the hospital and be met with a dirty house! Plus, the more that is clean now, the more I know I will be able to relax and enjoy our baby. </div><div> </div><div>These pictures are what happens when mom is in a cleaning mode and is in charge of the FHE lesson. We had a lesson on WORK! We read a bunch of scriptures about the eternal nature of work and cleanliness and then our activity was...(drumroll please) bathroom cleaning. You had better hope there was a good treat after that one! Actually, the boys love cleaning and "wiping", and will clean a whole bathroom for me (decently well) for only a nickel each. I love cheap labor.<br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454623231786594738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K27fI7sbI/AAAAAAAAA-0/NZ1nwstXfqw/s400/blog_6.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454623224424214194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S7K27DtmrrI/AAAAAAAAA-s/IYeZartB3x4/s400/blog_5.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-56018553433570513842010-03-15T16:17:00.000-07:002010-03-15T16:42:27.690-07:002 Weeks and you bet I am counting!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I have decided the hardest thing about the end of the pregnancy is you have to accept that this is really happening (I tend to ignore reality sometimes...), at least enough to have general plans - visited the hospital, family coming to help, plans on where to send the kids, pack (or thought about packing) a bag. But, then once you accept that this is happening, it seems like every day is taking FOR-EV-ER to pass and your due date that seemed just around the corner is so far away. I can't complain physically, I feel great, but man, emotionally I have hit THAT point. And obviously, I understand by now that a due date is not an exact thing - I have had one baby a week late, one a week early, and one just about on time. Though it does make me laugh when my mom asks me every week, "So do you know yet when that baby is going to be born?" Nope, not yet mom!</div><div><br />I was excited to break up the waiting game with a baby shower that some sweet friends in the ward planned and hosted for me. Obviously, clothes aren't really the biggest need for boy no. 4, but man did we score on diapers. The kids insisted on making a tower of them and then totaling how many diapers we had. The number is currently up to 942. Hooray! Depending on how much this little guy poops, this could hold us for 3-4 months! Thanks to all who helped make my shower happen, it was a wonderful relaxing morning and we are so grateful for all the gifts. </div><div><br />Here is my latest belly shot, put next my first two. The doctor actually did an ultrasound last week to make sure the baby won't break the 10 lb. barrior, as Luke almost did. Ultrasounds aren't exact as far as size goes, but even give or take a pound, this baby stands to be even smaller than Luke.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449005525995491506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57Bp-QaELI/AAAAAAAAA7s/sve8UTUn2rw/s400/blog_2.jpg" border="0" /><br />The "loot"! There are a lot of talented women in the ward, so it included beautiful hand made booties, hats, afgans, and even a quilt (the Primary President makes a quilt for every baby born in the ward - and that is no small number!). I was super excited to see the quilt was in the colors I picked out for the baby's room - green and brown. <br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449005533805502242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57BqbWdXyI/AAAAAAAAA70/q6hBSj_9F2w/s400/blog_3.jpg" border="0" /><br />Oh the wonderful sight of abundant diapers!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449005540565864738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57Bq0iQUSI/AAAAAAAAA78/otJmJiis4lU/s400/blog_4.jpg" border="0" /><br />One gal in our ward is talented with vinyl lettering and made these shirts for the boys. I thought they were just SO incredibly creative and cute and the boys LOVED them and insisted on wearing them on Saturday.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449005556872973746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57BrxSLDbI/AAAAAAAAA8E/gcWK0kCoZmo/s400/blog_5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Besides waiting, life is just same old same old. In the words of Nathan, "I am so tired of waiting for April! Everything happens in April!" Of course, he is just thinking of Easter, Carter's birthday party, and then his birthday and could care less about the baby being born, but it does stand to be a much more exciting month. But, here are some day to day snippets and smiles. </div><br />We asked the boys to get dressed on Sunday and this is as far as Luke got. No pants, no shirt, just his sweater, toga style. This is how new trends get started you know...<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449005566741151026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57BsWC7fTI/AAAAAAAAA8M/aRGEVrQXzjg/s400/blog_1.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />If you are what you eat, my boys are most definitely a large bowl of cereal. Even my best attempts to not get Luke to go the ways of his brothers (P-I-C-K-Y) don't always pan out when this is what the big boys are doing.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449006152682377650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57COc2NEbI/AAAAAAAAA8U/QhPGwzolohA/s400/blog_6.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div>I loved the day that Nathan realized he could read most of Luke's books and started reading to his brothers. Luke LOVES to read and it's such a great help to have Nathan read to Luke. <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449007062488824546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 284px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57DDaI9uuI/AAAAAAAAA88/BFIJ9QhD0iw/s400/blog_11.jpg" border="0" /> <div> </div><div>Matt is always an avid exerciser and sometimes the boys like to help make sure dad is in tip top shape. Maybe I should try this in one of my classes - father son weight lifting!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449007076627579698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57DEOz6AzI/AAAAAAAAA9E/qpOPbdDaGXI/s400/blog_12.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449007077439301698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57DER1b6EI/AAAAAAAAA9M/ok8TcBWJ9BY/s400/blog_13.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449007089582210098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57DE_Eh_DI/AAAAAAAAA9U/2N6nwawJLl0/s400/blog_14.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div></div><div>A few weekends ago we made a quick trip to Utah for a family sealing. It was awesome to see family, even for only a day and a half, and a surprisingly refreshing trip for being so short. Matt's brother Tim just bought this scooter to save money for around town trips and the kids had a blast even just sitting on it.<br /><div></div><br />Vroom vroom!<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449006160652313330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57CO6iYovI/AAAAAAAAA8c/SjJALtrDnWQ/s400/blog_7.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br />I have never seen this type of smile on Nathan before. The power of the machine must have overcome him.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449006168898593490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 312px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57CPZQc4tI/AAAAAAAAA8k/TZyeVKhWk6k/s400/blog_8.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449006180882723602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 269px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57CQF5sMxI/AAAAAAAAA8s/Rn3zLNvrjuQ/s400/blog_9.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Of course, the big kid had to try it too. He took it for a couple of loops around the block. Too bad we just couldn't figure out how this would be practical for us to get for our home t0wn.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449006193005781362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 354px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S57CQzEDYXI/AAAAAAAAA80/8u_p2F2day0/s400/blog_10.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Hopefully my next post will be a baby announcement!!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-6131358056517415742010-02-18T22:22:00.000-08:002010-02-18T23:01:24.882-08:00Luke's 2nd birthday and 1st haircut!On Monday our sweet little Luke turned a whopping 2 years old (in the words of Nathan "Man, he has been 1 forever! Finally, he's 2!"). Growing up, we always woke up to decorations and often one of our presents already at the table. I cheated and just left the decorations up from Valentines day, but we did give Luke one of his presents to start the day. We followed that up with our traditional birthday breakfast of homemade waffles and strawberries. Nathan had waffles with just strawberries, Carter ate only coolwhip, and Luke ate heartily until he realized his brothers had already come and gone and he was missing out on potential fun (the early end to most his meals, sadly).<br /><br />Presents, what are presents?<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439838692206308626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34weBRh7RI/AAAAAAAAA5U/bZ9fsF6-L4A/s400/bday_1.jpg" border="0" /><br />Don't worry Luke, your brothers are at hand with step by step instructions.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439838740857586658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34wg2g5g-I/AAAAAAAAA5c/hIqLYoMpyRg/s400/bday_2.jpg" border="0" /><br />Boy, how do I get this posed picture all the time? Notice whose hands are on the present...not the birthday boy's!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439838752313351138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34whhMKm-I/AAAAAAAAA5k/BlXVoUAReWc/s400/bday_3.jpg" border="0" /><br />Whee, bowling fun. Luke definitely had a hard time sharing with his eager brothers. I can see why my parents had the rule that you didn't have to share the first day you had something new.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439838763900677794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 293px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34wiMWzLqI/AAAAAAAAA5s/I8BNDVsrjm8/s400/bday_4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Matt got the day off work, well mostly - he had to do a midday budget presentation that I went to (and learned all kinds of things about what my husband really does all day. Man, he is getting to be a smart cookie!). After that, we came home and bravely ventured off to the sledding slopes at two in the afternoon. Sledding is far from news on this blog lately, but here are some cute family pics, that just happen to be in the snow!</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Nathan's king of the mountain pose.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439838775969797394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34wi5UTVRI/AAAAAAAAA50/qF9elpZ_n9s/s400/snow_1.jpg" border="0" /><br />Daddy talked Luke into the sled. After the run, Lukie said, "Scary!" Guess he joins the weenie club with Carter and Mommy!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439839746837289442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34xbaFJmeI/AAAAAAAAA58/o_rDQd3-YCc/s400/snow_2.jpg" border="0" /><br />We found these glasses sitting on a bench and I had to try them on Luke. I thought he looked just adorable! Don't look too closely, the girly flowers will kill the cool factor of his new look...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439839754204891986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 371px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34xb1huS1I/AAAAAAAAA6E/vp-f0XH7vjY/s400/snow_3.jpg" border="0" /><br />You know those pictures of your kid that you see and think, "THAT is my kid." It just captures the essence of your kid as you know them. This is that kid of picture for my goofy fun loving Carter.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439839761917103122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34xcSQdTBI/AAAAAAAAA6M/F_gUUjyAnew/s400/snow_4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div>They climbed into the tube together and just giggled for a few minutes head to head. Brother love!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439839768238337298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34xcpzjrRI/AAAAAAAAA6U/TzhH76WhRpk/s400/snow_6.jpg" border="0" /><br />If you have wondered why so many sledding trips lately, two main reasons: 1. Sledding is the main outdoor family activity to do right now and we love family outdoor fun. and 2. The look on his face says it all...guess who LOVES sledding?<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439839771573282130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34xc2Oq5VI/AAAAAAAAA6c/uNg1aTzfNiY/s400/snow_7.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>After sledding, we hit McDonalds for the rare treat of not just a dollar menu item, but birthday happy meals for all. We got home and I hadn't gotten around, in our busy day, to putting Luke's cake together. So, Matt tried to distract the boys as I slapped together a construction truck cake in literally 15 minutes. Of course, its so quickly dismanteled as each boy claimed different candied parts, you wonder why I ever spend more time than that?!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439841534217291426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34zDclwBqI/AAAAAAAAA68/DBmQYnXaw30/s400/bday_5.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div>We didn't get around to the special event of the evening that night, but did it two days later: Luke's first full haircut. We have trimmed the baby mullet in the back several times, evened out bangs, but never really given the guy a haircut. We let Carter's hair grow long at this age (see Carter's long hair below) and loved it, so we did so again. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439843912685435922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S341N5EvvBI/AAAAAAAAA7k/HHx3n5zM-jc/s400/img_8141.jpg.jpg" border="0" />We had really grown attached to Luke's shaggy beach boy look, but realized it was probably time to make the cut and change from baby to boy. </div><br />Here is Luke the day before his haircut styling his cute long hair with a classic, "How can you say no to ME?" adorable Lukie look. *Note: if you want to get a real smile from your 2 year old, how about letting him do something he knows he's not supposed to (climb up onto Nathan's top bunk) and see if you can't get some of those smiles!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439841494422242850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 322px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34zBIV3xiI/AAAAAAAAA6k/8mp_9aJmGO4/s400/luke_2.jpg" border="0" /><br />We couldn't resist one night trying out the capabilities of Luke's long hair. Note, he is NOT complaining and actually was begging us to put it back in after we took it out. Sorry buddy, this one's going in the blackmail folder!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439841508014347490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34zB6-e1OI/AAAAAAAAA6s/MH_TDT08aIk/s400/haircut_2.jpg" border="0" /><br />Matt held Luke upside down and you can see just how long his hair really got in two years. Just by finger measurement, his hair from root to tip is almost as long as his face is. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439841518339451266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S34zChcLaYI/AAAAAAAAA60/TlmBfDUfmvU/s400/haircut_7.jpg" border="0" /><br />The unsuspecting victim...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439843077877203810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S340dTK9A2I/AAAAAAAAA7E/4AepabzWnZA/s400/haircut_6.jpg" border="0" /><br />Not so sure about this. (Though to my credit his haircut was done in 5 minutes flat so the pain was short...that's about all the time you get to cut a 2 year old's hair!)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439843083532613314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S340doPTtsI/AAAAAAAAA7M/1bRSJxynOII/s400/haircut_5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>All done! Now officially a boy and not a baby. I was really sad and still miss the long hair and not so sure about the change, but what do you think?<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439843091771526258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S340eG7njHI/AAAAAAAAA7U/DHm4N_Ger0I/s400/haircut_4.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439843096650224002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 324px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S340eZGykYI/AAAAAAAAA7c/EJyuoFihaBU/s400/haircut_3.jpg" border="0" /></div>Either way, we couldn't love our Luke more than we do. Seems like every day we have a "Man, I love that kid!" moment. He just loves life, loves people, and loves to make you laugh. He is such a joy, though definitely still a curious into-everything energetic 2 year old! Happy birthday our sweet Lukie!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-5293952205732446502010-02-07T20:35:00.001-08:002010-02-07T20:42:35.960-08:00January Wrap-Up<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Well, despite my negativity about January in my last post, looking back on pictures we still had some great family fun. Nathan started Mighty Mights Basketball, a co-ed city basketball league for K-2 grade, which Matt was asked to help coach. Sadly, this is probably the first time Nathan has ever tried to dribble or shoot a ball, unlike some of his 5/6 year old friends who are suprisingly good at ball handling and shooting. But, Nathan is a hard worker and has fun learning the game. It's hillarious to watch these little kiddos play games, some kids just hold onto the ball for dear life and run down the court (forget dribbling!). I love that Matt loves coaching Nathan's teams and the time Matt and Nathan get to do this together.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435726847772725186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 303px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-UxLGMD8I/AAAAAAAAA30/69Ro6X_x6-M/s400/n+bball+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435726851206098434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-UxX4xLgI/AAAAAAAAA38/pLZSYgHkt-A/s400/n+bball+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>I laughed at this last weeks game when Nathan decided that since it was so important to always have your hands up when you are on the defense, that he started having his hands up when he was on offense. Maybe in the hopes of getting passed the ball? But sometimes he would actually get in the way off a pass with those obedient little hands up!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435726858147262482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 331px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-Uxxvq8BI/AAAAAAAAA4E/TporHUdD1Fc/s400/n+bball+3.jpg" border="0" /><br />Luke has a hard time resisting all the balls and occasionally gets the chance to chase after and play with them too. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435726862449514274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-UyBxaFyI/AAAAAAAAA4M/4Qn8gBllvmo/s400/luke+basketball2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435726866723301138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-UyRsW5xI/AAAAAAAAA4U/j5Mhcxw3VFA/s400/luke+basketball.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Despite a very busy month, we were able to sneak away for our second sledding trip of the season on a Monday holiday. I won't bore you with as many pictures as last time, but here are a few of the highlights. </div><br /><div>Best buds Nathan and Carter. Actually, the best news is that that doesn't just apply to a quick picture - they really have become the best of friends. We have stopped watching TV in the mornings and they have just started to play for up to an hour straight without any arguments having such great adventures. Yes - this is why the craziness of having kids close in age is worth it!! </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435727311959050994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 334px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-VMMU1SvI/AAAAAAAAA4c/ZpeZKln-9Sk/s400/blog+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The kids were so impatient to get the snowman done, I couldn't talk them into letting me make it bigger than this. Oh well, he's a cute little guy nonetheless. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435727316719107570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-VMeDt_fI/AAAAAAAAA4k/oeLlKWynFN8/s400/blog+3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Matt's parents sent us this great tube sled. Though there wasn't enough snow to use it much on the hill, it was a great place for the kids to hang out or to get rides from daddy in. Carter loved riding in it with Luke, but Luke wasn't so impressed. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435727321964429186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-VMxmTP4I/AAAAAAAAA4s/pWe5bMH_oUs/s400/blog+4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>On the way home from sledding all the kids passed out. I took this picture because you can very easily see how much Nathan and Luke look like each other! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435727329963534402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-VNPZb6EI/AAAAAAAAA40/TssmMM251Os/s400/blog+5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Nathan's picture he drew in class when they were studying ocean animals was chosen by his teacher to go on display in an art show at the mall. Nathan was pretty unimpressed with it all, but I was excited for him. Not that he is set to follow in his mom's footsteps as an artist, but it's fun to think about your kid possibly taking after you in some way. I did laugh that Nathan is a very realistic artist- he always wants to do things EXACTLY like the example and prefers to draw or color things he can see a picture of. I was sadly the same way, even as an art major at BYU - I was only good at drawing things I saw, never very good at just drawing "off the top of my head". </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435727330983018786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 398px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-VNTMgASI/AAAAAAAAA48/K-foav44-2I/s400/nathans+art2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Heres a close up - it has a orca, jellyfish, squid, crab, starfish, and long orange thing is a shark egg (they are often called "mermaid pouches" they look like long pouches - Nathan has read about them in books and seen one in FL) </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435727975172685618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-Vyy_SPzI/AAAAAAAAA5E/zyAwVUPTRSc/s400/nathans+art.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Finally, it's hard to miss my belly these days. I have gotten used to the comments about how I carry my baby so "out" over the years, but I laughed at myself tonight as we were at a friends house and I kept knocking things down or running into people, forgetting the "out"ness of my belly! Seven weeks and counting!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435727986961955938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 344px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S2-Vze6EPGI/AAAAAAAAA5M/n3CnubK7Tbs/s400/pregnant.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-17928921643765854642010-01-17T20:42:00.001-08:002010-01-17T21:18:23.277-08:00January HangoverHave you ever felt like that - that January is the hangover from the Christmas fun? No more holidays (at least till Valentines Day), no more anticipation, and, in my case, 10 1/2 weeks and counting until baby boy #4 comes. But, here are some of the things we have been keeping busy with. <div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>The day after Christmas we were excited to have Matt's parents and sisters come for a visit. Mostly we were just happy to be together, but we did venture out for a day of sledding. Of course, in all the anticipation and after an hour and a half drive I realized I had forgotten my carefully packed bag of gloves and hats for our family. Ah! I was so frustrated - little kids think snow is so fun until their hands freeze (which takes all of two minutes) and then they are done. Luckily, my dear in-laws had brought enough to share some so we put adult sized gloves and hats on the kids and were able to make do. Whew! After that, everyone had a great time.</div><div><br />Aunt Megan holding Luke - he spend most of his time in someone's arms. Megan brought this adorable hat with her - Luke looked so cute! </div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427938759024506194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1Ppivo69VI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/f6_XLS7Vx6I/s400/blog_1.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Aunt Melanie and Lukie (good thing he had lots of family willing to hold him!)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427939937990914818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PqnXoaswI/AAAAAAAAA0w/yTcun5vQz_M/s400/blog_12.jpg" border="0" /><br />One of Nathan's favorite snow activities: eating it.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427938762406198178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1Ppi8PLe6I/AAAAAAAAAzY/A1oIlYrcFVU/s400/blog_4.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div></div>Carter's favorite snow activity: throwing it.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427938770608726514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1Ppjay0IfI/AAAAAAAAAzg/9XRP_aAvx08/s400/blog_5.jpg" border="0" />Nathan looking oh-so sly with this snowball. At least his snowballs were all aimed at one place: daddy's head.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427938774280702114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PpjoeSCKI/AAAAAAAAAzo/iQKjVT4BDZI/s400/blog_2.jpg" border="0" />Lukie just being stinkin cute.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427938776526838066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1Ppjw1zWTI/AAAAAAAAAzw/L3uL8RbyT44/s400/blog_7.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427939711898217634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PqaNXt7KI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/6rAAfPVsVcA/s400/blog_9.jpg" border="0" /><br />Nathan's attempt at a snowman. This is as far as it got, the snow was too packed and not fresh.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427939933180416418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PqnFtgUaI/AAAAAAAAA0o/dFIn4WW2Odw/s400/blog_11.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Matt always loves sledding and will do hills of any size. Nathan was braver this year and even did a solo run. Luke did some small hills with dad and grandpa until he decided that wasn't his thing. Carter wouldn't touch the sled, he just walked around trying to make snowballs to throw at people, mainly his mom! </div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Grandpa and Nathan<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427939698454733090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PqZbSioSI/AAAAAAAAA0A/n3xzVPsgERk/s400/blog_6.jpg" border="0" /><br />Matt on one of his solo runs down the big hill.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427939702604191154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PqZqv2VbI/AAAAAAAAA0I/jo8FSVO5xPE/s400/blog_8.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>Nathan daring the sled for the first time by himself! He ended it with "That was awesome!"<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427939704241553698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PqZw2OgSI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/FrMyQXpjzYE/s400/blog_13.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427939945656883746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1Pqn0MIGiI/AAAAAAAAA1A/Ly7XBf8Vkt4/s400/blog_14.jpg" border="0" /><br />We got our first (and only) snow this year the day before Matt's family left. The kids of course wanted to run outside and build a snowman. They settled for trying to catch the flakes.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427941232245043602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PrytGpcZI/AAAAAAAAA1I/PbDLq4h7CC4/s400/blog_15.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427941234480944194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1Pry1bulEI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/Krix-NK1qO0/s400/blog_16.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Also, Matt's parents generously bought Luke his very own toddler bed, as well as a new set of bunk beds for the bigger boys (the ones they had were getting old). So, Matt and his dad assembled them and Luke was excited to sleep in his big bed. Or maybe he was excited about the not sleeping part, because that is what he does best every night - partying with his brothers. It's gotten to the point we have had to take the bookcase out of the room, as well as the dresser. Every night Luke would empty the contents of the bookcase, and then one night we found him jumping on the top shelf of the bookcase. They still party, but a little more safely. For a week straight they were so excited about their new beds all they wanted to do was play "sleep". Fine by me - what a nice quiet game!</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427944555950812546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1Pu0K32rYI/AAAAAAAAA2A/WCzWSjzxkHw/s400/blog_10.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div>For New Years we went and visited my oldest brother, Jonathan, and his wife Jenelle, and three daughters (Annika - 2, and twin baby sisters Clara and Nicolyn) in Portland. It was quite the bunch of kids for one house, but the boys were excited to visit their cousins with "two babies". Jenelle said Annika seemed the most excited about Luke coming to visit, probably because they are only 8 months apart and he is the calmest of the group. Except of course when he got bored and stopped loving on the babies (which he did a lot) and started picking on them. Sorry Clara and Nicolyn!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Annika just looking pretty. You can tell she will be quite the looker in ten years!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427941241889072898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PrzRB9pwI/AAAAAAAAA1g/RdI09zlVyMI/s400/blog_19.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>My boys in front of the Portland temple, where Jonathan and Jenelle got married.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427941250178628946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 316px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1Przv6WPVI/AAAAAAAAA1o/Ea34Gi-G5EE/s400/blog_21.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Jonathan, Annika, Matt and our boys on the temple grounds.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427941564384256194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PsGCazoMI/AAAAAAAAA1w/aE2RYE3mBQs/s400/blog_22.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Luke found this Santa hat at Jonathan's house and couldn't resist walking around shouting, "Ho, ho, ho!" It was so adorable!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427941569265347922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 332px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PsGUmjLVI/AAAAAAAAA14/lwlCLn_gEPY/s400/blog_lukie.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Finally, Carter wanted an upclose shot of "my eyeballs". This picture is proof of the minimal evidence that these adorable children are not just Michaelis'. It sums up the only Vance resemblance in my kids - Carter's freckles, white skin, and gray-blue eyes. Sorry buddy, no tan skin or brown eyes for you!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427941241580951938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/S1PrzP4gGYI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/o42DCMag0tA/s400/blog_18.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-63316390809378509282009-12-28T18:48:00.000-08:002009-12-30T09:45:06.855-08:00Christmas Joy!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Sadly, I don't have any pictures of the more meaningful Christmas Eve lesson, but a plethora of the more superficial present opening on Christmas morning! But, Christmas Eve mom and dad were doing a very energetic song and dance to try to keep the troops on the same page and the mood spiritual and Christ-centered. </div><br /><div>During a pre-Christmas FHE we had played a giving game, where you put anything into a gift bag and then the giver has to remember to do three things - 1. Say thank you, 2. Say something they like about the present (even if it is dog food or something you really don't want!), and 3. Give them a hug. We reminded them of this on Christmas morning and execution was far from complete, but it helped. </div><div> </div><div>Christmas morning, as always Luke woke up first a little before 7, then we all sat around waiting for Nathan and Carter to wake up. They finally came down and we made them wait a little until everything was all ready. </div></div><div></div><br /><div>Here are the boys in present anticipation, enduring a picture in front of the tree:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420486874047712802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzlwF81IDiI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/lV1BebMH-Xg/s400/blog_7.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /></div><div>We had them exchange gifts to each other first, since they were only from the Dollar Store and knew they would be overshadowed by the bigger gifts. One of the sweetest moments was this brotherly "thank you" hug. It may not happen much in later years, but I sure love it now!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420486878202776338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 297px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzlwGMTxSxI/AAAAAAAAAyY/B1mC6ixuQ88/s400/blog_8.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Carter was adorable when he not only helped Luke open his gift from him, but then proceeded to try to sell him on how great it really was. Maybe a future salesman in that one...!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420486867051125394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzlwFixAmpI/AAAAAAAAAyI/qevrab9__30/s400/blog_5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The presents were purposely minimal, but the boys had a great time. I loved it when the boys got their last presents and wondered how Santa "knew" what they wanted for Christmas, when they had changed their minds since they told him on his lap. Christmas magic! </div><br /><div></div><div>Here the boys are "helping" Luke open his presents. Luke really wasn't too interested in opening them himself, so this worked out just fine. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420486865423498706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzlwFcs8_dI/AAAAAAAAAyA/iKL8V07CbdM/s400/blog_1.jpg" border="0" />Luke trying to figure out how all this works:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420486883069954338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzlwGecMiSI/AAAAAAAAAyg/Mwn26-Irh0Y/s400/blog_6.jpg" border="0" /><br />Hello? Oh, not only does this phone talk, but in three languages. Nathan was very excited it talked in spanish - as he just learned how to count to 10 in Spanish. Matt was excited it speaks French. Luke just liked that it barked like a dog!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420487104577262706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzlwTXnp1HI/AAAAAAAAAyw/cw2tlfb1tac/s400/blog_10.jpg" border="0" /><br />Nathan's world - building (legos and k'nex), projects (art), and books.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420487134812029762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 396px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzlwVIQLw0I/AAAAAAAAAzA/iP8NO8beauI/s400/building+books+and+projects.jpg" border="0" />The joy of Carter's morning - a microphone "that works". He had one that died, the battery connections rusted. So, I searched high and low for this microphone and it was well worth it! He got such joy out of it. His favorite feature? A voice recorder that he could record and then play back his own voice.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420487139118567986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 332px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzlwVYS8UjI/AAAAAAAAAzI/Pgfdy-5HHFY/s400/microphone+love.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx4D0JAhcoQp-saGuGW2S7F0hmlKfPqBWNX7c6vs4s9LSaJHlHvmSoOX2EX18ZKVsLc_iKtezIuU1YR4ya1Zg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><div>The rest of the day was probably the most relaxing day Matt and I had have had all year long. We literally stayed in our PJs all day long, and put aside all the computer stuff, projects, cleaning, everything and just sat in the same room and played and enjoyed being a family. We had bought a used Wii from Matt's sister earlier in the year and it has been a really fun source of family play time. Here is Carter just jumping and punching his little heart out in the boxing game:</div><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwkztgeIrHWIuAy5NSWry-v627OE2U8AbcHUdQFiHY6nTL5OWSyBOlF4iXeEK442Hq-o0uX1nnoXw4PjtQycQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><div> </div><div>It was really wonderful. Dinner was simple, but very appreciated - Nathan said, "Mom this is the best dinner ever!", followed by, "Mom, this is the best day ever!" </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420487131144466130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzlwU6lxLtI/AAAAAAAAAy4/DQWdAfogyQs/s400/blog_17.jpg" border="0" />So well put. Hope yours was filled with smiles and simple joys!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-62091563622574790652009-12-24T14:49:00.000-08:002009-12-24T15:25:29.312-08:00December - The Cliff Notes Version<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I finally loaded my new camera's software onto the computer to be able to FINALLY blog about the last month. But, since it's the holidays and I also had a new camera to play with I had over a hundred pictures to sort through and try to minimize into one blog. So, I am going to keep it conscise and make this the "cliff notes" or "readers digest" version of the last couple of weeks, before Christmas hits tomorrow and I have tons more to blog about!</div><br /><div>First, the non Christmas, funny life happenings. Luke is turning into such a little ham. He keeps us laughing, even in our most frustrating moments and we love him for that. We were having leftover birthday cake for FHE one night and he didn't even wait for the fork I was getting - he just dived right in! I miss the youthful lack of inhibitions! </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418943864106586194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 334px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP0u83bEFI/AAAAAAAAAv0/U4MShO8HROc/s400/blog_9.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418943870786725010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 367px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP0vVwF5JI/AAAAAAAAAv8/2AHBw_r73Xk/s400/blog_10.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>However, he also keeps us hopping as he has been our best climber yet. His latest trick is to use props to help him climb to new heights. He loves finding any kind of box, turning it over and putting it next to the sink to be able to play with our spraying water faucet. Or, to climb up to the top bunkbed in his brothers room - defeating the whole purpose of Matt and I chosing not to use a ladder (to discourage little ones from climbing up high). Crazy kid!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418944529497973410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP1VrpF4qI/AAAAAAAAAwE/php29IuMlVc/s400/blog_8.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div>We recently adopted two new pets - two guinea pigs. Matt and I both agree that we wouldn't have bought this type of pet on our own, but his boss was getting rid of them, complete with all the cages and food/supplies. So, within hours we said, "Why not?" and now own two guniea pigs. Boys, of course, because we don't seem to do girls in this household. I like them because they live in a cage and don't smell too much and the boys like them because they are a lot more interactive than fish. But, I would have to say Luke wins hands down for absolute fascination with them. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418944546210281906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP1Wp5nebI/AAAAAAAAAwU/-SQ5v_A2ONU/s400/blog_pigs.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418945284349668082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 316px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP2BnrwqvI/AAAAAAAAAxM/q1NoPybfWfY/s400/blog_21.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418945282259671602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP2Bf5d2jI/AAAAAAAAAxE/jJcqJ8iYv_M/s400/blog_20.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The boys and I have had to change our daily dynamic as winter has settled in and playing outside isn't as much as an option. I treasure the mornings when the boys (Nathan and Carter) play great by themselves. One such morning, I found them like this, reading to their stuffed animal "pets". I will miss this sweet innocence! </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418944555024780450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP1XKvKDKI/AAAAAAAAAwk/j9XYIMU145g/s400/blog_26.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418944547978864050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP1WwfR5bI/AAAAAAAAAwc/tMRMtTtzMCs/s400/blog_25.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Carter has taken a big liking to helping in the kitchen, picking his favorite counter spot to help add ingredients.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418945273686657666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP2A_9gCoI/AAAAAAAAAw8/KuC72qYAqWQ/s400/blog_19.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Carter is also apparently preparing for a life of fame, already practicing on creative ways to dodge the papparazzi. Lately, when I try to take a picture of him, I often get this:</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418944538996273554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP1WPBqcZI/AAAAAAAAAwM/4H54xeyGlks/s400/blog_29.jpg" border="0" /> <div>Finally, Christmas. We set up our tree the day after Thanksgiving. And since ours is an oh-so-natural tree from a box, the boys got to have fun helping dad "assemble" the tree. Of course, then they just had fun with the box (I do have lots of boxes in my garage - can I just use those for Christmas presents?)!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418943846645532994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP0t70YiUI/AAAAAAAAAvc/jiD9Dde3Xfs/s400/blog_3.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418943851427077906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP0uNoZHxI/AAAAAAAAAvk/P06y-mtEPCA/s400/blog_2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418943860539371602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP0uvk7sFI/AAAAAAAAAvs/hWT4ppmzzhA/s400/blog_4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>We had a great ward Christmas party, with everything from a full nice dinner to a play/program, to wandering carolers, to a kids craft, and a gingerbread contest. Everyone did well with Santa this year, though Carter started crying as we left - apparently he had gotten so excited about his upcoming treat bag he forgot to tell santa what he wanted. We had to excuse ourselves as he ran back to make sure he got that in. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418945267577721266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP2ApNBEbI/AAAAAAAAAw0/hpfYWbz2i3c/s400/blog_14.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418945264714148786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP2AeiSa7I/AAAAAAAAAws/lgdLCzZhR-U/s400/blog_13.jpg" border="0" /> <div>The boys one morning pulled out the sleigh and Carter was "Santa" and Nathan was the reindeer. You can't see it in the pictures, but Nathan even made Carter take his belt off to use as a "whip" to make Nathan "go". After we had fun making one of many Christmas projects - a fun one that uses the child's foot for the reindeer face and hands for the horns. It will be fun to keep these for when their hands are much much bigger!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418946118919127250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 195px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP2yMsoANI/AAAAAAAAAxc/aqjHTMHZwMY/s400/blog_28.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418946111690843922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP2xxxRJxI/AAAAAAAAAxU/ZMSxTKqBwyo/s400/blog_27.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>We have other undocumented Christmas activities that have added to the holiday season. We did our annual Christmas caroling and treat drop off early in the month. Two of the three kids even sang this year! Then we made a great gingerbread house in a box while dad was out of town, but I pulled a trick my mom used and hid it in the oven the next morning when candy was all Luke wanted for breakfast...and, you guessed it, forgot it was in there and later melted it onto the bottom of my oven. Fire alarm number 2 for the holiday season! Not improving my reputation any time soon...</div><br /><div>Finally, here are just some plain old, "Aren't my kids so cute?" pictures. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418946128657340482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 331px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP2yw-ZWEI/AAAAAAAAAxs/u2sbyx1tkPY/s400/blog_16+copy2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418946122832395442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP2ybRnvLI/AAAAAAAAAxk/KKXFah5yCvM/s400/blog_11.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418946137192867762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SzP2zQxbJ7I/AAAAAAAAAx0/y4MMJ0wd4Do/s400/blog_23.jpg" border="0" /> <div>Hope your holidays are merry and bright!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-25567605933346959152009-11-28T19:54:00.000-08:002009-11-28T20:26:17.693-08:00Our Own Turkey DayFor the first time since Matt and I started dating in 2001, we had a Thanksgiving in our own home, without traveling to family. Though we love seeing our families and enjoy spending the holidays with them, we were also excited to try out some of our own family traditions this year in our first ever at-home Thanksgiving.<br /><br />The morning started out with the fire alarm blaring. Not an auspicious start, but not totally my fault! I had a friend recommend a turkey recipe and then they also told me they always cooked their turkey in an oven bag. So, I prepped the turkey, bagged it, and put it in the oven. Didn't realize that the oven bag wasn't supposed to be under temperatures over 400 degrees, which my recipe called for. It started burning and smoked up the whole downstairs. I really hoped that no neighbors would walk by and stare as we aired out our thanksgiving cooking mistake! I almost cried, so anxious to have a successful dinner, but we made it though okay once I ditched the oven bag.<br /><br />Despite the rocky start, we had a good morning. As good Americans, we introduced our kids to the Macy's parade and this was probably the first time they had any interest in it, recognizing characters in the parade. Then they had fun with a variety of Thanksgiving crafts ("projects" are definitely Nathan's current fetish!), including these fun little toilet paper roll pilgram and indians. Gotta love familyfun.com for continual supply of craft ideas!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409376047962133282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 362px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SxH22wNKEyI/AAAAAAAAAuc/UvizXn3XzRM/s400/blog_craft.jpg" border="0" /><br />Then dad took the kids outside to get some energy out on bikes while we had a special guest come over for a visit. After a little "preparation" I rushed outside and told the kids they had just missed a special guest - Terry the turkey! He had brought surprises for them but got so scared when he saw the turkey in the oven that I had to chase him all over the house for them before he disappeared. Good thing he left a trail of feathers for us to follow to find where he left their surprises (wink wink ; ). So, we went on a turkey treasure hunt. Matt laughed when he realized that I purposely alternated hiding the clues between upstairs and downstairs. Hey got to get their energy out somehow! They loved it and I think it will be a tradition for years to come.<br /><br />The boys played the Wii while I put the finishing touches on dinner and then we had our feast! It consisted of our scrumptious turkey, mom's amazing crescent rolls, stuffing (stovetop - nothing but the box stuff for my honey), mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. We couldn't wait and everything couldn't have turned out more tasty! I was very nervous about cooking my first large piece of meat EVER, but thanks to a great brine recipe from local friends it was the most amazing turkey I have ever had. It even pulled a "wow" out of Matt, who is not a turkey eater.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409376052635610514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SxH23BnZrZI/AAAAAAAAAuk/oQrIi1JOlqo/s400/blog_1.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409376543520554738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SxH3TmTffvI/AAAAAAAAAu0/vUTpi6b4Vnk/s400/blog_dinner2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409376062738764418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SxH23nQLkoI/AAAAAAAAAus/1VRDisSJJRQ/s400/blog_dinner.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />We followed stuffing ourselves with a family movie (Spiderwick Chronicles - if your kids aren't scared by realistic goblins and mythical types, it's very well done!) and then called it a successful family day. Hope you all had great turkey days!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-49029351734443939892009-11-22T20:04:00.000-08:002009-11-22T20:31:59.217-08:00Are you due any day now?<div>Yes, it's true. I, at week 21 of my 40 week pregnancy, was asked by my first unsuspecting person if my due date was on the near horizon. The funny thing is they always ask with such confidence, as if I just have to be at my size of belly. I didn't even feel like shaming the poor guy with the knowledge that this is only half way through! So, no, not any day now. People have been asking for a belly shot, which I have forgotten to take for a lot of my pregnancies, so I will try to do one a month for this guy. Here is me at month five:</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407148000232210498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 241px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SwoMdTnOAEI/AAAAAAAAAuM/KbGLCv--ZBc/s400/IMG_0310.jpg" border="0" />Now, come on folks, do I really look like I am due any day now? I do get pretty big (sticking out like a watermelon shape wise) towards the end, but don't have any pictures to know if this is as big as normal. My YW told me I look like I have an alien belly sometimes (from the mouth of babes, right?), which I just attribute to my lovely umbillical hernia that came with baby no. 1. No, not dangerous or painful (and no aliens either!), just gives my belly a strange pointed shape.<br /><br />Among other random Michaelis happenings - Matt was volunteering at a recycling roundup the other weekend and came home with a slide. No, we don't have a back yard. No, we don't even have the wooden or plastic steps leading up the the slide. Just the 6+ feet of plastic slide. I of course was not excited, but Matt saw the potential and the boys love using it to get their energy out in the house when the weather is bad. Here is a video clip of Lukie doing a more ambitious stunt on it:<br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwJi4qlzcIgjy7yBfjSigQ2L_RqnyHK3GS1KCzd_hllMhswGwne9B_jV9E6nnDoVyyq3JRMXUXkuSud231VFQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br />The boys love to dress up, as I said before. One day Carter wore this hat all day long. I thought he just looked handsome in it and made him pose for some pictures.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407148006471967938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SwoMdq25JMI/AAAAAAAAAuU/927Jfxy4liw/s400/IMG_0301.jpg" border="0" />Thanks Grandma Heidi for the fun hat additions to our dress-up collection!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-31451169240811835642009-11-18T14:58:00.000-08:002009-11-18T15:20:40.228-08:00Lost and Found<div><br /><br /><div>It's been a rough week, to say the least. I have lost some things that were emotionally very hard for me to lose, though in an effort to not be ungrateful or selfish, I am going to counter balance my whining with a does of gratitude. A spoonful of sugar right?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">LOST:</span> We will start backwards. Two days ago, I lost my wedding ring diamond. Yup, my solitare is totally gone. Three of the prongs totally broke off in an unknown event and at one point I was playing with my ring (which I do throughout the day subconsciously) and noticed it felt very different. That's because there was a big HOLE where the diamond should be. Now any of you who have seen my ring will know that this is not the size of diamond that would be easily noticed on the ground, it's definitely modest, possibly mistaken for a large piece of lint. I have been looking on the carpet and in the car, but no luck. I never wanted to ever change my wedding ring, never wanted to "upgrade" in my older years - I always wanted it to be the exact ring that we started out with in our humble beginnings. Not quite sure what we will do with this one...For now I am ringless, but I am sure the three kids and big belly are enough to assure anyone I am "taken"!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">FOUND:</span> My love for my husband is unmeasureable by any ring or token. He always teases me about movie stars or guys that pass by, asking if I think they are cute. I can honestly say I am not even tempted. Ever. Never had a crush on a movie star. I have the hottest, greatest man already. My looking is done!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">LOST:</span> In October we were very excited to take our first family professional pictures out in a gorgeous nearby park. The kids were a handful, but the photographer was great and the fall leaves were stunning. I adore pictures, decorate my house with them and could not WAIT until I got my pictures. Finally, 5 weeks after the shoot I got my package from the photographer only to find out that her harddrive crashed and she lost all but three of my pictures. I cried (granted I am hormonal with pregnancy, but it was sad nonetheless). She did everything right to make amends, but this is one lost thing that will not be coming back.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">FOUND:</span> Three heathly handsome boys that are just too cute for words, and apparently someone's harddrive!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">LOST:</span> My dreams of having this baby finally be a girl baby. Yup, we had our ultrasound on Tuesday and we are now expecting boy number four. I sulked for slightly longer than the last time and am still occasionally trying to get over myself. My mom asked if they were "sure" about it being a boy. Well, I didn't think it appropriate to post the "flagpole" (as the technician called it) picture, but, yes, we are pretty darn sure.</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405587332778036258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SwSBCgSWDCI/AAAAAAAAAuE/ckfog68bH4Q/s400/IMG_0304.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">FOUND:</span> A wiggly, healthy wonderful little spirit whose body is growing inside of me. Babies are still amazing miracles and we are grateful for this little guy. We might have to think a little harder for another great boy name, but we are still thankful, especially for his apparent health. He was actually the wiggliest baby the technician had ever seen - she was chasing him all over the place and we even have to go back again to try to get a few things he wouldn't hold still for. Sounds like he will give his brothers a run for their money!<br /><br />Hope you are all finding joy and things to be thankful for in this holiday season as well!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-43480953072085321072009-11-02T20:47:00.000-08:002009-11-02T20:50:43.701-08:00The Missing LinkSo my brother questioned Matt's choice as a ewok (who are traditionally the size of my children) for halloween, versus a wookie (who are at least 6 feet, which Matt is). That thought had occured to us too. Truthfully, he started out as a wookie, then we just had the hillarious thought (or funny to us at least) that it would be funny to have Matt be an obviously oversized ewok. I guess not everyone got the joke.<br /><br />However, one of Matt's friends posted this comment on his facebook page that makes the connection for us all:<br /><br />"That's freakin hilarious, you're like the missing link between ewoks and wookies: ewooks or something."<br /><br />So, really, Matt was a ewook for halloween.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-9001906432153545092009-11-01T20:00:00.000-08:002009-11-01T20:33:37.653-08:00Halloween Madness!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>WARNING: It's been a busy week - long post to ensue!</div><div> </div><div>I am always just tingling with excitement when October finally hits and I can start putting some of my creative and mom energy into holiday celebration. We picked our costumes at the beginning of the month and figured I had plenty of time to put them all together. </div><br /><div><div>Well, lets just say a week before Halloween, those store bought costumes (though seemingly outrageously overpriced in my book) were looking very appealing. I LOVE doing family themes, and will continue to do so as long as my kids let me (which will probably only be a few more years). Nathan was all set early, I had religiously hit craigslist and we had scored a great $5 darth vador costume. Check. Carter we started out with me making a jedi costume, but I had a hard time finding a good pattern, ended up winging it on making the costume, patternless (which I do often), but only ending up frustrated. So, we both happily settled on the less impressive, but less complicated storm trooper costume from the DI. Downloaded, printed, and laminated a mask for him and he was done. </div><br /><div>That left Luke, Matt and myself. Luke was the one I was tempted to buy - a yoda costume. But, I finally dove in the morning of a good friend's kid halloween party (realizing at 8 a.m. that this was probably a COSTUME party! Ha!), and had that done in a few hours. It needed some adjustments between the party and Halloween, but in the end I was glad I put my scraps to work and didn't buy the store bought. I thought mine was cuter!</div><br /><div>Here are some pictures from the fun party our local party queen Kari put on for the kiddos:</div></div><div><br /><div>Nathan, his friend Spencer (aka Indiana Jones), and Luke doing a craft</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399353380679407666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5bSvAzWDI/AAAAAAAAAsU/GQYoVdEOT7U/s400/blog_3.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div>We've all probably done the "use toilet paper to turn someone into a mummy" game, but I have never seen kids do it, and it was so great! Here is my cute little mummy. Plus, as a bonus, the kids loved playing in the toilet paper afterwards, dancing with it to halloween music.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399353381127994322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5bSwrwO9I/AAAAAAAAAsc/d_sZRYkbkfE/s400/blog_2.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><p>I finally figured out how to do video clips! Yay! Here is the mummy game in live action:<br /><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxydYd5mVzsvrBAEEhT4zO23xUCLapQWHMj214_dhiPDQcpxiiSRTdWX3vceoRp79qsJoquIppnRwdw1GsYLA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p>On with the Halloween madness! Thursday I took Carter and Luke to meet up with Nathan at his first field trip - to the pumpkin patch! It was our local one, just up the street, which we hadn't been to yet, so it was fun. The kids loved the hayride, getting to pick out not just a pumpkin but a gourd, feeding the animals (who definitely had Luke captivated), and playing in the playground and haunted maze.<br /></p><br /><p>Nathan proudly showing off his "perfect" pumpkin:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399354619625810514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5ca2cpKlI/AAAAAAAAAsk/xZPF9KyuFhk/s400/blog_7.jpg" border="0" /></p><div><br />Nathan on the hayride with two of his best buds, Mia and Aiden. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399354622785620914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 291px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5cbCOAC7I/AAAAAAAAAss/SB1klLfMXWI/s400/blog_9.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Carter loved this horse-shaped tire swing!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399355474813156658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 261px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5dMoRMfTI/AAAAAAAAAs0/D-RoVAGQlxs/s400/blog_14.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Nathan bravely feeding the goats</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399355477765992546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 321px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5dMzRNMGI/AAAAAAAAAs8/zNl4bzzu-g8/s400/blog_15.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>I thought this pumpkin snowman was awesome. No, Carter doesn't too...he just got a piece of candy and is doing a happy candy dance = ).</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399355481830884994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5dNCaWhoI/AAAAAAAAAtE/xQepbTryleA/s400/blog_13.jpg" border="0" />Friday I helped out at Nathan's classroom Halloween party and then watched the kids do their little Halloween parade. I had to laugh as at least half of all the boys were star wars themed - I had no idea it was the "thing" to be! Nathan just wanted to be Darth since last year, and we followed suit as a family.<br /><br /><div>The rest of Friday was spent madly getting Matt and I's costumes ready. I made both of them that day. Maybe procrastination exasterbated the halloween "madness" just a little! Let's just say I used my sewing machine more this week than the whole rest of the year...and am very happy to put it away, maybe until next halloween! </div><br /><div>Here's our couple pic and let's see if you can guess who we are (again, think Star Wars):</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399356556704691010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5eLmoPM0I/AAAAAAAAAtM/i6ZIJddmh8s/s400/blog_16.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div>Here is who we are modeled after (Queen Amidala - Luke and Leahs mother, and an ewok)</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399357172301871170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5evb6CuEI/AAAAAAAAAtc/_ljJBL-tFE8/s400/LC1013.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399357166346908546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 329px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5evFuRM4I/AAAAAAAAAtU/-U0gYTaNJA8/s400/ewok1.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>In the end, I had a lot of fun with my costume. I think all the girliness in my combined and enjoyed this princess costume. And, man, was I the envy of the 8 year old girls out trick or treating = ). They seemed to appreciate the costume the most, complete with "ooh"'s and "wow!"s. Though, I did have a man tell me that I was the best adult costume he had seen that year, which I appreciated. So, in the end the creative process was fun and worth it (though my husband might still be recovering...).</div><br /><div>Finally, here are some pictures from our ward trunk or treat and the whole star wars gang together. Hope you had just as happy of a halloween as we did!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399358516989387538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5f9tQh4xI/AAAAAAAAAtk/-3HPBvhxxH4/s400/blog_5.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399358520285144210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5f95iTJJI/AAAAAAAAAts/xsV1uv0S1hA/s400/blog_11.jpg" border="0" /><br />I love my little Yoda! Of course, he was the only one without a mask...masks sure do hide cute kiddos faces!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399358518742923138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Su5f9zymt4I/AAAAAAAAAt0/eAJM5fQxv5s/s400/blog_6.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-63832833955840304962009-10-26T14:45:00.000-07:002009-10-26T15:23:15.685-07:00Manna From Heaven!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Amazing but true, just when I was threatening to buy a new camera this week, the video camera turned on and gave me back my pumpkin patch pictures. Again, the quality isn't the best, hence still probably the need for a new photo camera soon, but I will take what I can get and am glad I get to share these with you!</div><div></div><br /><div>One thing I LOVE about the holiday season that it's so easy to do fun family activities (and hence take cute family photos!) </div><div></div><br /><div>Two weeks ago we headed to the pumpkin patch, one in the nearby city of Talent. They have the pumpkins, a huge giant hay pile to play in, a big and small corn maze, a kids craft, and then some things you can pay to do (pony rides, pumkin launching, etc.). We went last year and loved it and had to hit it again. </div><br />We started by hitting the pumkin patch and picking out our jack-o-laterns to be. (Last year we tried to save this for an end climax to the pumpkin patch and only met with anxious "Is it time to get our pumkins yet?" the whole time. So we learned and hit that first!). Each kid got to pick out their own, though Carter and Nathan helped Luke, as Luke was only interested in driving the wheelbarrow. Here are the boys with their selections (and Lukie with the wheelbarrow...):</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032025279362658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SuYcCEQu9mI/AAAAAAAAAr8/wpk3X8NyOVQ/s400/blog_9.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032033693126354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SuYcCjmuztI/AAAAAAAAAsM/u-8zdrFbNXc/s400/blog_011.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032032512428034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 247px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SuYcCfNOyAI/AAAAAAAAAsE/DCv5N5iHbXE/s400/blog_010.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032016218056290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SuYcBigWZmI/AAAAAAAAAr0/c39_mfPKnyM/s400/blog_8.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Then they had fun doing the kids craft. I love how, no matter how simple, kids love a "project". This one was just a piece of paper with eyes and a mouth, white streamers and a few stickers = voila! a ghost wind sock. These ghosts are proudly hanging on our front porch now.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397031802551308530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SuYb1GiOkPI/AAAAAAAAArk/EF2gVeRR_I8/s400/blog_6.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Next it was time to play with the hay. This is always a highlight for the kids, though we have to police them from throwing hay at each other too much (or, worse, unsuspecting unknown kids who want nothing to do with this hay fight). Luke especially got the giggles out of this hay mess, though he always seems to crack himself up. The little boy with our boys in these pictures is a friend Isaac, whom Nathan and Carter boy love to play with and whom we met up with at the pumpkin patch.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397031796142744850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 385px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SuYb0uqTpRI/AAAAAAAAArU/YFR0D8JsNOI/s400/blog_3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397031795020633218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SuYb0qexlII/AAAAAAAAArc/I_-9KzLV4OA/s400/blog_4.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div><br />There are times in life when you realize how sadly sheltered your suburbia children are, and this Saturday was one of those when Luke would not be pulled from the chickens (they were the first live ones he had ever seen) and then the boys were just amazed by a REAL sunflower that was as big as their heads!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397031779658751522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 321px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SuYbzxQN3iI/AAAAAAAAArE/6uIKGs6O69I/s400/blog_5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397031786236181586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SuYb0JwZfFI/AAAAAAAAArM/9m2YQqr-ISg/s400/blog_2.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Finally the boys played in the little photo area where I snapped this cute shot of the two brothers (well, the two brothers that will hold still for a picture!) and then the boys got to play on the real tractor, which we had to DRAG Carter away from! But, of course, my camera had died by then...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032011389644306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 342px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SuYcBQhKrhI/AAAAAAAAArs/2gLUdf1_Sd0/s400/blog_7.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-1396306714167312782009-10-18T13:15:00.000-07:002009-10-18T13:19:01.831-07:00Got a camera you would recommend?Yup, no post lately to do several serious cases of camera swine flu. The first was a fatality - the canon camera that my parents so generously had given us when they upgraded theirs died a few months ago. So we switched to the not so great, but it got us by, video camera camera function. However, the video camera is temperamental too so the great pictures I took at the pumpkin patch yesterday cannot be downloaded and shared as it won't turn on. Argh!<br /><br />I am ready to buy a new digital camera. I can't stand family moments not being captured and documented. I am mostly interested in the small point and shoot digital cameras, something I can slip into my purse easily to take pictures of the kids. Also, if there is a camera you have gotten and DIDN'T like, I would want to know that too so I can avoid those. <br /><br />Thanks for the tips! Hopefully you can all benefit from great pictures to come!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-19711644298340448312009-10-11T20:12:00.000-07:002009-10-11T20:47:35.132-07:00Peacocks and Salamanders<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I asked Carter for tips on a title for this blog, as it's just kinda a hodgepog happenings blog. He suggested, "Peacocks and salamanders." If nothing else, it made you curious, though it be potentially misleading...= ).</div><br /><br /><div>We love the weather where we live. For the most part, it's a mild version of all four seasons - just enough to get a taste without being fed up with the sweltering heat or feet of snow. One other great thing is we are in a valley and there is a decent amount of wind on a regular basis. Not enough that you get blown away, but just the right every now and again for flying kites! More than anything I love how kite flying captures everyone's attention, even my spirited (I am told that is the PC word...) energetic little Carter. </div><br />We were all impressed when Nathan got his new kite THIS high!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391551863420749666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 360px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/StKj2qdKB2I/AAAAAAAAAp8/c2NLPRfy9Jc/s400/IMG_1423.jpg" border="0" /><br />Carter was very focused and attentive to his kite flying, taking it very seriously.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391551869538566194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 360px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/StKj3BPwgDI/AAAAAAAAAqE/rJiRB_-9gUI/s400/IMG_1426.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391551874479962658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 360px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/StKj3Tp4OiI/AAAAAAAAAqM/sLeGUdit4iU/s400/IMG_1431.jpg" border="0" /><br />What you do when your legs are pooped but you just aren't done flying your kite. New sport - seated kite flying!<br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391551884492128866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 360px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/StKj3489wmI/AAAAAAAAAqU/L5S3fTnPUb8/s400/IMG_1437.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Another season of soccer has started and it's been fun to watch Nathan's growing enthusiasm for it. The first season we had to force him to go to practice, even though he wouldn't participate, and he would only play in the games because there was a treat at the end. Now he just loves it and goes all out, running around, kicking "monster kicks", and getting sweaty (though, poor little guy, that's not very hard for Nathan to do! He sweats so easily...hate to see what happens when puberty hits!). It's been fun also for Matt to coach Nathan and have that time with him. Every year they pick their team name, this year they are the Turtles. Mostly because the girls wanted something pretty like the Ponies and the boys wanted something fierce...somehow turtles were a middle ground.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391551886986299426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/StKj4CPnyCI/AAAAAAAAAqc/NOgXBMXfhFQ/s400/IMG_0189.jpg" border="0" /><br />Coach Matt doing his kid herding, I mean coaching, job while Nathan joins the pack of kids running tightly around the ball. <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391552215587569762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/StKkLKYRQGI/AAAAAAAAAqk/3IjUlb10Apg/s400/IMG_0188.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Over Conference weekend we got to have my brother and his wife and three little girls down for the weekend. The boys loved having the to twin babies around, especially Luke (who is a baby fanatic, at least until he gets his own). The pictures aren't great because we are still using our video camera camera function (anyone have a point and shoot digital camera you love and recommend??), but it still captures a fun weekend. Carter still gets excited when he sees someone with two babies just like his cousins. We had fun pulling out princess plates and anything remotely girly (there isn't much). </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391552220777601730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/StKkLdtq2sI/AAAAAAAAAqs/B5e8FkGjzIo/s400/IMG_0200.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391552227260558770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/StKkL13U7bI/AAAAAAAAAq0/bm6613n9p7g/s400/IMG_0197.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391552231645135362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/StKkMGMsQgI/AAAAAAAAAq8/GO9VUl3xqGM/s400/IMG_0196.jpg" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-25041672899572690612009-09-27T19:51:00.001-07:002009-09-27T20:12:27.772-07:00Back to School!<div><div><div><div>What? We've been in school for three weeks? Nonsense! Didn't your mother ever tell you to NEVER argue with a pregnant woman? That's what I thought...</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386349338561912306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SsAoL3EknfI/AAAAAAAAApU/q2zMUoe0Lls/s400/IMG_0173.jpg" border="0" /> <div>Nathan was just stinking cute on his first day of kindergarten. He has afternoon school from 11:00-2:30, so of course all morning long - "Is it school time yet?", "Is it school time yet?" I tried to clarify things by telling him that school wouldn't be until lunchtime. I thought I hit home as he mulled that one over, only to be followed by a chorus of "Is it lunchtime yet?"s. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Finally the time came, and mom of course made him take a bunch of pictures. No hunny, in front of the door. Smile! Now, in front of the tree. Now, in front of the tree with your brother. Okay, yes we are done now. </div></div><div> </div><div>I love this one of Nathan and Carter together. <br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386349341164376354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SsAoMAxDESI/AAAAAAAAApc/qoqWq83DcDs/s400/IMG_0175.jpg" border="0" /><br />I know, the door was a bad idea - horrible lighting - but I just love when my kids voluntarily show affection to each other (Nathan's arm around Carter).<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386349354470495154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 348px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SsAoMyVeU7I/AAAAAAAAApk/q6KpVegCF64/s400/IMG_0174.jpg" border="0" /> <div>The only time I got teary that morning came next. I got down and looked Nathan in the eyes and said something like this, "Nathan, mommy has been with you almost every day, every hour of your life. I have loved sharing everything with you and sharing all the things you are excited about. Mommy is so excited for you to go to school and learn even more fun things. But, this time mommy's not going to be there, so I need you to store up all the cool things that you do and learn in your head and then come home and share them with mommy so I can still be a part of that part of your day, okay?" (He of course was lost on the sentimentality of this situation and just kinda, "uh-huh"ed me...) Sniff.</div><br /><div>Shuttled them into the car and then drove the whopping 1 mile away to school, unloaded everyone and took Nathan to the cafeteria, as Nathan eats lunch first. He proudly opened his transformer lunch box (matching his transformer backpack of course - I did ex-nay the transformer shirt for the first day of school however. Come on, I had pictures to take!) and ate his pizza squares, chocolate milk, yogurt, and fruit snacks. It was so cute to see him with all his little friends. I had no worries about him being sad at my leaving, so I said adios and shuttled the other two off to the park. </div></div><div> </div><div>Nathan proudly sitting in the big kid cafeteria (though notably absent of big kids!). He is sitting next to his favorite pal Mia (Who did you play today with hunny? Who did you sit by at lunch? Mia. Mia. And more Mia.). She and two other kids in his 14 kid classroom are LDS, which is fun.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386349369593281794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SsAoNqrBvQI/AAAAAAAAAp0/PhYeT-yIac8/s400/1st_day_of_school_007.jpg" border="0" /> <div>How's Carter doing with the change? Well, it's rough...yeah right. Every day he gets pure JOY out of wearing Nathan's shoes, sitting in Nathan's carseat, playing with Nathan's toys. Suddenly karma has come!! He plays by himself for hours on end, even shoeing me away when, out of motherly guilt, try to interact with him (my mom said to never wake a sleeping baby - I say the same with never disturb a happily playing toddler!). </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386349359219327730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SsAoNEBrwvI/AAAAAAAAAps/Oy72PXItLc0/s400/IMG_0171.jpg" border="0" />Here's to your journey Nathan! I am excited to see the boy you become and know your little sponge of a brain will just love school, hopefully for many years to come!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-5011637344522219972009-09-22T12:29:00.000-07:002009-09-22T12:35:46.474-07:00Losing my marbles!Today has been one of those mornings. Luke spilled a whole box of cheerios, smeared ketchup all over himself and his chair, climbed into the bathroom sink and then filled it up (fully dressed mind you)...all before 8:30 a.m. and usually with me in the room. He is just too quick! I finally headed to the store to buy some sale items and to be able to make large batches of pumpkin bread (it's the first day of autumn and I think I am going to start a new tradition of handing out pumpkin bread - my favorite fall treat! - on the first day of autumn).<br /><br />I was trying to collect myself, looking at the ad and pulling out coupons as the kids were looking in the toy isle of Albertons. Suddenly, Luke had reached a bag of 100 marbles, bit through the bag and they spilled out, heading every which way direction down the isle. I groaned and sent the boys after them. A nice man was nearby and started helping. Embarassed, I thanked him, and he said not to worry about it, that he had three kids too. Though as he left, he laughed as he said, "Well, you can tell everyone today that you really did lose your marbles!"<br /><br />Let me know if you find any extras rolling around - I am pretty sure I am still a few short!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-27782119921514228152009-09-20T20:27:00.000-07:002009-09-20T20:36:12.352-07:00Newest Addition(s) to our Family!<div>That's right folks, we are moving up the pet scale. First, it was a simple beta fish (no tank, just a bowl with food). Then, we moved on to FL hermit crabs (which survived the cross-country trip and are still with us today). Not very active during the day, but occasionally entertaining. Finally, we have just moved on to a full fledge aquarium, complete with some pretty fish and even a very small shark (small like 2" small!). The kids love watching it while they eat (it's next to the dinner table). Course they are still opting for a dog, but my rule is no dependant animals of that size until there are no totally dependant children (i.e. no babies or uncommunicative toddlers in the house!). Come on, I have my hands full here people! Or at least every stranger tells me so at the grocery store....</div><div><br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383759052174099890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Srb0VWUhhbI/AAAAAAAAApI/8cz0MuSVZt4/s400/IMG_0184.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Oh, yeah, and there is one other upcoming addition:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383759043025719330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/Srb0U0PYUCI/AAAAAAAAApA/-QTrQZmC8DY/s400/blog_11.jpg" border="0" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-41905929698672827352009-09-20T19:59:00.000-07:002009-09-20T20:26:15.622-07:00Summer Wrap-up<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Yes, I know school has been in session now for two weeks, but my poor digital camera died, forcing me to use the photo option on our video camera to capture any kodak moments. I finally figured out how to get them onto the computer, so now it's blog catch-up!</div></div><br /><div>Towards the end of the summer we had an amazing group campout with a big group of friends in the Redwoods. Wow! I thought it was great to just visit the redwoods, and you have seen plenty of my pictures of that, but man, to camp there - talk about the perfect family vacation, especially with my boys. We had such a blast exploring, hiking, playing in the river. We hope to go every year! Here are some of the funny highlights:</div><div> </div><div>The boys LOVED how you could crawl in and through these old big trees. We had to pull them away when it was time to move on to something else. Here is Nathan with a good buddy Isaac.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383753204744836082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SrbvA-8v0_I/AAAAAAAAAoY/scQax3Q6FuY/s400/blog_6.jpg" border="0" /><br />We of course had our hands full at time, especially with little Luke who doesn't know not to touch fire, eat dirt, or tough poison ivy. For the most part it was doable to contain him, but when we were trying to cook meals it was a little more challenging. We quickly found out that Luke couldn't get down from this stump on his own...are we awful parents or just creative?<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383753212899776386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SrbvBdVCV4I/AAAAAAAAAog/AuoRJ1RDdQs/s400/blog_13.jpg" border="0" /><br />Carter contained himself - having a blast playing in the "bear box" - the box you put food in to prevent bears from smelling or getting into it (of course we paid close attention to make sure he didnt' get trapped!). <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383753229033935458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 329px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SrbvCZbuEmI/AAAAAAAAAow/t6Y3nkPUyLI/s400/blog_17.jpg" border="0" /><br />The kids loved the river - throwing rocks, building dams. Kids and nature is just such a natural mix - I love it!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383753238116114626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SrbvC7RFIMI/AAAAAAAAAo4/q9N48lRFG0k/s400/blog_18.jpg" border="0" /><br />Daddy's adventure of the weekend - jumping off this over 20 foot high rope swing. Wowsers!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383753221631927522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SrbvB928ZOI/AAAAAAAAAoo/YFNYN-sAVBk/s400/blog_15.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div> </div><div>One of the things I love about Oregon is the proximity to such great fruit (not the case in FL). There are even an overabundance of blackberries that grow everywhere (it's kind of a problem here) and you can go a lot of places to pick them for free. I didn't get as many this year as last, but the kids still loved the fruits of my labor - especially Lukie!</div><div> </div><div>Mine all mine!!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383752367274690114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SrbuQPIThkI/AAAAAAAAAnw/cY-JtTV9uS8/s400/blog_8.jpg" border="0" /><br />Mmm mmm good! I love how both the boys would just belly up to the whole bowl and dive into the berry goodness. <br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383752370740264578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SrbuQcCj_oI/AAAAAAAAAn4/XCVgarbWOrA/s400/blog_9.jpg" border="0" /><br />There are a lot of toys I wouldn't mind getting rid of, but dress up clothes are ones I am always trying to aqcuire when I see a good deal. The boys just have so many fun adventures with them. Neighbors and friends laugh at the boys going into public places with them on, but for the most part I don't mind letting them express themselves (though Carter wearing a 2T woody costume to storytime was probably borderline PC = ). </div><div> </div><div>Carter loved riding his bike with the cape on because he said the wind made his cape blow. <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383752398136487106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SrbuSCGVLMI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/SU4LvDN3r8w/s400/blog_3.jpg" border="0" /><br />Even Luke insisted on getting in on the action on this one, of course wanting to put on the biggest costume we have (and Carter once again wearing the 2T sized one!).<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383752392167732258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SrbuRr3RNCI/AAAAAAAAAoI/nacj0P_BE54/s400/blog_1.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-67541509710386215002009-08-26T15:48:00.001-07:002009-08-26T15:59:56.332-07:00Sprinkler Fun<div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SpW9Ee9WosI/AAAAAAAAAnY/x0HIOpS3grc/s1600-h/blog_7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374409615064081090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 278px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SpW9Ee9WosI/AAAAAAAAAnY/x0HIOpS3grc/s400/blog_7.jpg" border="0" /></a>What kid doesn't deserve a good run through the sprinkler on hot summer days? I remember doing so fondly (though not so fondly when I recall that my dad was fumming when I had run the grass to death...) and when I found out a sprinkler attachment was only a few dollars I decided to give the same fun memories to my kids. <div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>What, we don't have a back yard? Well, no we don't . Nor a front yard for that matter. So what grass am I picturing my kids running through? That's right - the two foot wide strip of it in front of our house. Laugh all you want, these kids had a great time and I got my good mommy points for the day!</div></div><div><br />At first they were only brave enough by holding hands, squinting their eyes shut, and running as fast as they could through the sprinkler.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374409356741494162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SpW81cocxZI/AAAAAAAAAmw/R5cAz-LJias/s400/blog_1.jpg" border="0" /><br />Often Carter just plain ran around, just giggling at how the sprinkler "missed" him. Oh, he's so tricky!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374409364000035250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SpW813rBUbI/AAAAAAAAAm4/uP6HKEgMe0k/s400/blog_2.jpg" border="0" /><br />I love the squinched eye squealing pictures. This is what I am talking about!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374409372697112114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SpW82YEkLjI/AAAAAAAAAnA/riTjmFdtCKw/s400/blog_4.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374409384736844322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SpW83E7D6iI/AAAAAAAAAnI/KRDbfcwb55U/s400/blog_5.jpg" border="0" />Finally, as they got braver, they went through the sprinkler on all fours as "dinobots". Don't know what a dinobot is? Ha, some transformer fan you are! It's robots that transform into dinosaurs instead of cars of course. Don't worry, Nathan has made sure to educate all the other kids on these old school transformers (because we only let him watch the old original (less violent) transformer shows). Sorry about that ladies. <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374409620239999090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SpW9EyPY4HI/AAAAAAAAAng/LDHTwV7kZxs/s400/blog_8.jpg" border="0" />Top it off with a fudgicle on the porch and we had a rockin day!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374409628770567746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hNhMPHYJylo/SpW9FSBPBkI/AAAAAAAAAno/EYJLdM6yQHw/s400/blog_3.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4637632537321933503.post-83075622984332277212009-08-23T16:51:00.000-07:002009-08-23T17:12:20.849-07:00I choose you!I am not usually one for the pensive deep posts. My method is simple - use the blog to remind me to take more pictures of my kids and our family and then write some family history type summary of the pictures and click post. Not the funniest, not the deepest or best read, but will help us remember as a family, share it with friends/family, and then preserve things for posterity. <br /><br />However, today I have somethings to say that has nothing to do with some cute pictures of my kids (though there are always more of those to come!). It has to do with a realization that I want to capture and share with my children. <br /><br />As most of you know, I started teaching aerobics when I moved to Oregon, using a part of my Exercise Science degree I haven't since college. How much better can it get to be paid to work out right? I have really enjoyed it, though it has been an on and off struggle to make sure it stays in the background of my life, not the foreground where it could interfere with our family life. Not that I have ever taught more than 8 or 9 hours a week, which is far below part time, but the amount of energy that it took mentally to prepare for classes and shuttle the kids to and from got to be too much. I felt like that was all I did. So, I cut back on some classes (and gave myself a good pat on the back for making the hard but right choice) and have only been teaching 4 paid hours a week for the last few months. <br /><br />Funny how sometimes I guess Heavenly Father really wants you to be committed in your decisions, as the same temptation came back recently, with a different face. This time it was to teach more Zumba classes, which is my FAVORITE type of class to teach because it actually is more than a workout - it also honestly makes me happy. I feel like it pulls together parts of me I haven't used in a long time - specifically my love for dance. I struggled with saying no because of how it uplifts me. However, to say yes, I would have had to do some real finageling with the kids - to avoid putting them in the kidcare at the YMCA (which they don't like much) and then to get Nathan to school on time. I had some sweet friends who offered to help me make it work, so I almost said yes. <br /><br />But, last night as I finished my prayers it hit me - the clarity I needed to be able to say no to further opportunities that would affect my family life. I knew that saying yes would add another morning of craziness - the stress of trying to get the kids where they needed to be and then to prepare for my class, not to mention my body being tired from overexercising. <br /><br />Now is not the time and season. In ten years I will probably be done having kids and all my kids will be in school from 8-2 and I will have plenty of time to dance my little heart out or teach whatever. But, right now my calling is to be a mom. And all the things I have heard about how "you will miss these years" and "don't wish away your children's childhood" sunk a little deeper into my heart. <br /><br />I want my kids to know that their mom didn't be a stay at home almost exclusively because "what else would she be doing?" (which is what I think I grew up thinking!). I CHOOSE to be home with you. I want to be a part of your day, every day, all day. I want to be your main influence, especially for the first pre-school years. I want to be that point of security, that constant. And I want you to know that YOU are my priorities. I don't want you to remember mommy always doing something else. That when you are home, I am with you, interested in you and caring about how you are doing. I want you to think that I have nothing better to do - because really, I don't. I teach and personal train because I want to improve people's lives, to make a difference. But, it doesn't get more impacting than to spend my days with these impressionable little spirits. <br /><br />So, my sweet little boys - even on the bad, crazy pull-my-hair-out days - I choose to be with you!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3