Wolf and Bear

New Arrival

2011-11-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we have a new arrival in our house. He arrived November 5th, was 21 inches long and 9 pounds 1 oz. Those prayers for big and healthy really helped! Thank you! He is such a cutie, but you can judge that for yourself. Here are a few pictures.

Introducing ... Connor Andrew Groo

Connor arrives home.

Connor meets his brothers. Yes, they all were sick the week our Connor arrived. (Although they were all feeling better by the time Connor came home, we had them wear masks around him for a couple of days anyway...just in case.)

Connor meets Grandma Zaugg.

Connor hates bath time... ok, that is an understatement. Hopefully we can change his mind.

Oh, but he loves having his hair washed....that one is an understatement too.

Our first family picture. Skyler needed a picture taken for school, and since the boys were already in pj's, we all went for pj's.

♥ Welcome to our crazy family Connor! ♥

WELCOME TO NOVEMBER

2011-11-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Oh YEAH!!! We made it to November baby! I have now passed up how early Stephen was (13 days), and it feels great! Sure, I am exhausted and moody... I am sure that my family is about to kick me out of the house. But it is November! Hooray!
Alrighty... the truth is, back when I had a bit of energy, and my activity less restricted, I cleaned my house. Now it is a disaster again. Can a bathtub you cleaned a couple of days ago really suddenly look like you haven't scrubbed it for months? My bathrooms are all taking a toll, I must credit Mr. almost potty trained for this. My laundry has crept up to sky high, even though I am doing a million loads a week. Dishes, well, lets not go there. Anyway, I used to be ready for this little guys arrival at any moment. (We expected him a week to 2 weeks earlier than Cody.) Now I could really use another month to re-clean my house. But the truth is all I want to do is go have a nap... house cleaning will just have to wait...AGAIN.

37 weeks!!!!

2011-10-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would see 37 weeks! Well, here I am!!! I am so excited, but I must remain calm. No Toyota jumps are in my plans, although it is tempting. I really would like to make it to November! We are having a small Halloween party at my house tonight. Stephen and the kids dressing up as, well you will have to see, and me...well, dressing up as a Tae Kwon Do yellow belt. (If the outfit fits...wear it) I didn't plan me a costume since I didn't believe I would make it this far, and thought more about resting as per Dr.'s orders and getting ready for baby than Halloween or a party.
Tonight's dinner is going to be Chocolate Chip Pumpkin pancakes! (I feel confident in planning at least that far ahead.)
Onward and Upward!!! May I just say... TO NOVEMBER OR BUST!!! ;)

36 Weeks!

2011-10-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hooray, I am 36 weeks today, and no baby... he is happy as a clam inside I guess. He is just wiggling in anticipation of meeting all of us, and wanting to get out and play with his brothers. Wow he is really wiggly! (I am in no hurry for him to get here.) Come on baby!!! You can be full term in just 1 more week. :)

We still haven't agreed on a name for this little monkey. I suppose that is why he is waiting... Any ideas? There are so many I like, and Stephen doesn't, and one Stephen likes that I don't...the baby name dilemma kicks into high gear this week.

Oct 9th

2011-10-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

Let's just say... No baby yet and a great big HOORAY!!!

Yes, this is the day... if the baby was going to be earlier than Cody he lost his chance.
(He could still go for a tie, but I hope not...because that is only hours away...)

Today is 1 month and 2 days before my due date, the same amount of time

that our dear Cody decided he wanted to make his appearance.

So...

Dear Baby, (Who still has not gotten a name picked yet, besides "Baby Boo")

We sure hope that you are going to beat out Skyler at 3 weeks early,
(that would be Oct. 21)

and Stephen at 2 weeks early.
(That would be Oct. 30)

We are aiming for November... yes, NOVEMBER, as in the month I am due, would be very appreciated.

Thank you,
Love,

♥ MOMMY ♥

Next NST is Tuesday Morning... once a week appointments with the Dr. have begun... House is a mess...lol... but Baby clothes are washed and put away.

Oh yes, I think it is nap time. ☺ Thank you for all your prayers! ♥

October 6th

2011-10-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

Hooray hooray! Today is October 6th, and no baby yet! This is in fact very exciting. For every day that he isn't here yet, I think I should throw a party. (Ok, so I have... my boys are getting an overload of ice cream or other treats, a visit to the library, visiting old preschool teachers...we are trying to do something fun each day this baby decides to stay where he is...but without me overdoing it.) I seriously thought he would come Conference weekend, and I was pretty freaked out by that. Looks like he didn't want to follow his brother's plan of at least a week earlier than the big brother before him. (Good because we haven't agreed on a name for him yet.)
I have had a growth ultrasound recently, and a NST (Non stress test) for a few weeks in a row now... Everything looks good, baby is right on, if not a bit ahead. His head measured 35 weeks, tummy 34 weeks and femur 36 weeks,(these measurements were taken 2 days before 34 weeks). It means he is tall, and well nourished. (in other words, the placenta is doing it's job without a sign of a problem.) Everything looks fantastic!
We will try to keep you up to date on the new addition.

We have a 3 year old in the house!

2011-09-27T08:39:00.000-07:00

I love having a 3 year old in the house.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODY!!!

Cody is our goofy boy. He loves to make everyone smile. He has the cutest personality. He rolls his eyes and makes silly faces, tells jokes, and says the cutest things. "I'm turning green" is what he would tell people instead of "I'm turning three." when they would ask him about his birthday. He is a sweet boy that won't go to bed until he has hugged and kissed Mommy, Daddy, each brother including "Baby Boo" at least 5 times each. Even then he has all the stuffed animals to hug and kiss good night. When he pretends to sleep he dreams of peanuts. (Yes, I was surprised to find out he is part elephant too.) He says "Ahhh, bu bu bu bu peanuts." You know he is faking asleep because he can't keep a straight face as he pretends to snore. (And by chance if he is snuggling a stuffed pig he dreams of mud.)

Our dear Cody requested a "Cow jumping over the moon and stars cake" for his birthday. But about a week before his birthday, he changed his mind and wanted Bob the Builder... I mean, who wouldn't want a Bob cake? We had a lot of family over for Cody's birthday party. He was so excited!

The day after his birthday our neighbor came to visit. Luz brought over some cake left over from a party at her daughter's house the night before. Cody said, "Tanku, we almost out of Bob cake!" and took her cake to the kitchen while I explained that Sunday had been Cody's birthday. She yelled into the kitchen, "Happy Birthday Cody!" Next we heard Cody get a fork, sit at the table and sing happy birthday to himself... then he came back to the living room with a huge fork full of cake. When he was done eating it he went back for more, singing happy birthday to himself again. All Luz and I could do was laugh...yep that's our Cody for you.

Happy Birthday big guy! We love you!

Freaking Out a Bit this Week

2011-09-13T10:51:00.000-07:00

So it occurred to me a couple of days ago (On the 9th) that if this "Baby Boo," as the boys call him, comes as early as Cody did, I have 1 month left... and if he comes a week to 2 weeks earlier than Cody... EEEKKK! I better not go there... Lets just say, I am NOT ready for this! I don't even have any good names picked out to think about. (Where did time go?) All I gotta say is, hey baby, why don't you break Stephen's record for me being pregnant the longest and not try to out do Cody's earliness record.
Ok, enough freaking out... I'm taking it easy, I'm not on bed rest, just Restricted Activity, placenta looks good so far (Still on medications to help placenta work better), baby is measuring 2 weeks ahead, blood pressure is looking good , weight is looking good...I gotta keep the stress down and just believe I will make it to November. Positive thoughts...positive thoughts...

5 Years old!

2011-09-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

HaPpY bIrThDaY sKyLeR

I can't believe my little guy is not so little anymore. Skyler is a great big 5 year old. He has the sweetest disposition. He loves to be helpful, and he loves to be the one chosen to carry out any special mission... like get Cody a drink, mop the kitchen floor, deliver a message to daddy down stairs, help fix dinner. He enjoys playing with his brothers, kissing my tummy to tell "Baby Boo" how much he loves him, buckle his own seat belt, get on the school bus himself. No doubt about it, he is growing up. (He even rides his bike at Occupational Therapy without training wheels... but he will deny it. One day we will have his confidence up and he will see that he really is riding without so much help.)

Skyler likes to be independent, but always likes someone there to watch him, and he loves being praised. Once he sets his mind to something, you can't get him to change his mind. (Yes, he is being MICKEY MOUSE for Halloween... why? Because we were talking about him being one thing... and another, went to look up pictures of those characters so he could decide, and WHAM, Mickey Mouse showed up in the side bar ads... "I am going to be Mickey Mouse for Halloween Mom!"

No Question about it though... Spider-man was the only consideration for a birthday cake...

Skyler just started his 3rd year of preschool. He LOVES his new school. He is going to Provo Peaks Elementary and attending the Sunrise Preschool for the 3rd year in a row with the same teacher. (He attended Farrer Elementary the first year... Oak Ridge the second year (because they were building Peaks and tearing down Farrer) and now the new school is finished, and "Beautiful" as Skyler puts it.

We have a First Grader in the house also!!!

Stephen J. LOVES school, his class, his teacher. He is such a sweet boy. He misses his friends from Kindergarten, but loves making new friends, loves school lunch (most of the time). He can't wait until the review from Kindergarten is over so he can start learning new stuff.

Today's Excitment

2011-07-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

Today Stephen decided he was old enough to ride his bike...no sooner than I removed his training wheels, he took off.
Skyler is doing great too!
Sorry, I tried to post a video... and it wouldn't do it without errors... I will keep trying.

It's A...A....Aaaaaa...

2011-07-09T15:52:00.000-07:00

IT'S A NEW POST!!! Ok, so I know you are all amazed that I am actually writing. (I was helping a friend create a blog, and thought...not only have I not checked up on my friends, but I have made it impossible for my friends to check up on me and my family.)

Yep, another baby coming to our family. We are really excited! Due date is 11/11/11... how cool is that?

Our big news this week is... BOY #4!!!

Diane and I have been sewing like crazy this summer, and the last couple of days I have been building a blog to help try and sell the pioneer bonnets, skirts and aprons we have been making. The new blog is handcarthandmedowns.blogspot.com you should check it out soon. Please pass on the information to those going on Trek, or need pioneer style clothing.

Stephen is having a great summer, but is getting really excited for 1st grade. He has been a really helpful boy this summer. He makes sure I don't have to change many stinky diapers. He takes care of his brothers when I am just too tired.
Skyler is doing great with his speech therapy and occupational therapy. He is becoming more confident,and talks without hesitations between words. He is enjoying his bike and scooter, fights for his turn to help with dishes. He loves to make everyone laugh. He's been such a great kid too.
Cody is great at taking care of me, and loves kissing my tummy and telling "Baby Boo" how much he loves him. He is really a character. I love his random comments like, "I am turning green." or "My face is ornery." He loves to help, and do things himself. He is so grown up. I can't believe he is turning 3.
Hopefully I can update again soon.

A Sad Day in Provo

2010-12-17T20:29:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning and looked out the window to see an eerie glowing orange pillar of smoke several blocks South East of my house. I wondered what it was, but went on getting kids ready for the day. I was somewhat aware that the phone rang, and that Stephen answered. Stephen ran up the stairs yelling to me to get out the front door, and that the Provo Tabernacle was on fire. He seriously ran out the door with camera and coat while putting on shoes...he went off to take some pictures.

Unfortunately I didn't have the camcorder battery charged because I don't know where the charger is...but here is what Stephen saw...

We will truly miss this beautiful and historical landmark in Provo. I know I haven't lived in Provo long...about 13 years is all. Which is really is a short time considering how old the building is, but it holds so many good memories for me. We always sat in the balcony for stake conference, my boys keep talking about how they loved to look down while the people were speaking. I hope they always remember this beautiful building for the good times, and not its tragic end.

Summer Vacation part 4

2010-10-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

Z Pines...

We ran away with Grandpa and Grandma Zaugg, and if it hadn't have been for the excitement of school starting...maybe we wouldn't have come back so soon! We had so much fun! Thank you for having us Grandma and Grandpa!!!

On our way home we stopped at a Wyoming State Park and saw Elk and Bison. AWESOME!!!

Stephen and Skyler decorated the bunkhouse with pictures of snowmen and flowers.

The bunkhouse...

And more bunkhouse . (The boys think it will be fun to sleep in the loft sometime.)

The boys don't want anyone to wonder what this trail leads to...so they put up a sign announcing the Zaugg bunkhouse.

The boys played in the trailer while Grandma and I tried to Witch a Well...but then the boys thought it would be fun to help.

Cody wanted to toast a marshmallow by himself.

Skyler wants me to tell you, he isn't mad in this picture, he was being a marshmallow toasting lion.

Grandpa took Stephen and Skyler for a ride in his big truck.

We took a walk from the spring to the bridge with Grandma.

While we were there, we helped get water from the spring. We filled a lot of barrels full of water to cook and clean and flush toilets. (The well is now dug, and this process will soon go extinct.)

We watched hummingbirds, and helped get the bunkhouse ready for painting.

We helped build this fire pit, ok, maybe watched more than helped.

It is close to the bunkhouse, perfect for smore's before bed.

The boys enjoyed the tiny picnic table.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for inviting us to the Pines!

Summer Vacation part 3

2010-10-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

Zaugg Family Reunion...

We played with cousins...

We worked on puzzles, played games, shared toys, and talked and became best friends.

We rode 4 wheelers... sometimes as bribes to eat our food.

Thank you Chris and Uncle Rob for taking the boys for rides, which also

happens to be the one thing they keep calling the best part of the trip.

We went on a hike... Abby slept, the boys ran and the girls picked flowers.
Cody fell asleep having a piggy back from Grandma on the way back to the cabin. Cody learned to jump out of the playpen on this trip, and has been on the go ever since.

We had a "Boys Club"...
These boys were inseparable.

We played and played and played... we had a great time playing with everyone!
And the boys say thank you for bringing the 4 wheelers.

Summer Vacation part 2

2010-08-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Collett Reunion Timplodge July 2010

a photo journal

Cody and Abby watching Aunt Jill (Abby's mom) fill up water balloons

A deer near Timplodge
Nathan, Ryan, Logan, Emma, and Alex
A small group of my nieces and nephews

The kids had a great time playing in the sand at the
River Park in Provo

Josh and Stephen

A quilt hanging that we made back in 1985 at

Silver Creek Plunge

for Grandpa and Grandma's

50th wedding anniversary

Cody and his first campfire smore (He had had microwave and stove cooked ones)

Uncle Frank, Aunt Doreen, Uncle Ken, Mom Delores, Uncle Lee, Uncle Neal, Uncle Glenn

Most of us...

One team for Volleyball

and the other team

Cody, Stephen and Skyler

Cody

So cute!!!

Stephen

Me and my big pile of boys

I will try to add more pictures in a little bit.

Summer Vacation part 1

2010-08-28T07:07:00.000-07:00

We are quickly nearing the end of summer, and It has come to my attention that I need to update you all on what we've been up to. Stephen starts Kindergarten on Sept 1st and Skyler starts Preschool on the 7th.

We took a trip to SLC...And this is just a little bit of what we did.

The boys at the Gateway Discovery Children's Museum.

Life flight helicopter

Being news anchors Driving...Yikes!

Riding horses.
More driving...

Maze table

Our trip to Temple Square...

All of us Cody
Skyler

Stephen

Flowers

I'm So Glad When Missionaries Come Home

2010-06-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

♪♫ I'm so glad when Grandpa and Grandma come home, glad as I can be; ♪♫

♫♪ Clap my hands and shout for joy, and run to get a hug, ♫♪

♪♫ Put my arms around their necks, and hug them tight like this, ♪♫

♫♪ Pat their cheeks, then give them what? A GREAT BIG KISS!!! ♫♪

The boys are laughing at me right now, telling me that the song doesn't go like that... well, now it does, and the boys sing it this way now...ha ha ha!

We are so happy to have Grandpa and Grandma Zaugg home from their Family History Mission in Guam. Here are some fun pictures from yesterday's airport adventures.

Cody holding his sign, wondering why all the other kids got to run around without him.

(I let him out, and he went and crawled back into his stroller.)

Stephen and Skyler's Signs

Our Family...except Stephen, he was taking the pictures...

Megan and her family's sign

Everyone waiting...

WELCOME HOME!!!

Hugs for everyone!

Fun Things Kids Say and Do...

2010-06-28T16:31:00.000-07:00

Last week we were making posters for greeting my parents home from their mission. (♪♫♥ YEPPPERS, that will be TOMORROW ♥♫♪, we are a little more than EXCITED here.) Pictures will come... some day soon.
Stephen says, "I can't wait for the airplane to float them home." So, we made a poster that has an airplane tied to balloons floating them home (like "UP"just an airplane instead of a house because this is what 3 little boys want on MY poster), I was drawing, and then walked away for a moment...I came back to find my airplane finished (Amazing!)...and Stephen declaring it a "Airplane jet rocket, so they hurry home." And Stephen saying "Oops, I drew that thing to make it a rocket, but maybe that is for helicopters?" Oh, well, who knew? He made my poster cute...since I definitely can't draw...no artistic talent here.
Skyler says, "Pa and Ma come home from Guamy, nice!" He draws a huge smiley face on his poster. "I wear Guamy shirt from Ma n' Pa."
Cody scribbles on his poster and oinks like a pig, actually he will do that for anyone and everyone no matter where, (most often during prayer...any suggestions on how to stop this?)
On the way home from church yesterday, Stephen wanted to tell us the Joseph Smith translates the gold plates story... then also tells our guests at dinner "Heavenly Father gave Joseph Smith the gold plates. Joseph Smith looked inside, and all the words were spelled wrong. He poked a tool inside, and fixed it."
Skyler at dinner last night, (guests hearing everything) "Mom, more nade?" (asking for more lemonade, I got him some.) "Mom, too much nade." He runs off and drinks some, then comes back with a worried face "Mom, I drink much nade and pee bed." I just about died laughing, since when is he concerned about that? I reminded him that he still wears diapers to bed. I guess he wants to try staying dry? Ok, I'm cool with that.
Cody introduces himself as "Co Cu" (trying to imitate me calling him Coco I am sure) when people ask him his name. He dances and says, "Bye ee" and blows kisses as our guests drive away." Since when can he walk up and down stairs? Maybe it is just a showoff thing, he never did that before yesterday. I love Cody's laugh, just call him adorable, he points and laughs at you...apparently caught in his web.
Our neighbor came to visit for a moment last night, Stephen says, "You need to see me run like Skyler, he runs like a grapefruit." What does a grapefruit run like, and why does Stephen think Skyler runs like one?
Stephen says his hair is "longer shortish", Skyler says "hair gone", and they describe Cody's hair as "cute boo-boo hair".
Welcome to the Crazy World of Groo... ☺

Yippeee Skyler!!!

2010-05-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

I think I forgot to mention the other day...ok, I am certain that I forgot to mention, that my little Skyler has been taking the world by storm, here are a few things he is doing...
...He hasn't been having any potty accidents lately!!! (Nearly earning him a popcorn party.)
...He just reached 29 pounds!!! (Yes it is an accomplishment, he finally reached 5% for his age group. (And he is 10% for height.) They finally are saying he is a well proportioned kid, THANK YOU PEDIASURE!!! (We moved him to 3 pediasures a day to see if it would work better than 2. They like to see a minimum of a pound gained every 3 months I guess, and this boy gained 2lbs 5oz!!!
...He surprised me the other day by counting plates and cups as he unloaded the dishwasher. ("one, two, three, two, three, two, three, four, four, two, three, four, five, six!!!") I have been trying to get this boy to count to 5 for a long time, and he wouldn't. He must have just picked this up at school. (We love school and the great big bus!)
...Our Skyler is nearly bursting with words to say, sometime he has so much to say he has to stop and take a big breath. (Not quite sentences yet, but real words!) Did I mention that we love his school?
...Is it possible that my boy is finally growing out of his 2T clothes, and fits nicely in a 3 and a 4? (Just in time for Cody to need those 2T's, ah yes, Cody is at 50% height and weight, and growing out of the 18 month clothes that I just pulled out for him.)
I wanted to put in Skyler's school picture here...but my scanner isn't working...ok, another day...
HOORAY SKYLER!!!!

A hair raising...crazy day

2010-05-07T19:10:00.001-07:00

Ah, yes...on a day like today. I most certainly would like to send my kids off to someone else's house to live. It is days like this that I nearly go insane. Stephen was gone most of the day, and the kids decided to act up. (They seriously got sent to time out a world record amount of times today.) Why wouldn't they listen to me? Cody was the exception...his cute little hugs calm me down. He also started saying "Cracker" today. So cute! (!!!Yes!!! Stephen got the kids dinner, and put them to bed (mostly) so I could "run away". That is right, I ran away, I got as far as the Library...stopped in to pick up a book, ok, two books, and two books on CD... and then headed home. ( I had planned on being gone an hour. That is what I told Stephen as the amount of time it would take to restore my sanity.) So, after being gone slightly over 20 minutes, I drove up to my house, quietly sat on the front steps, and read my book. AHHHH, sigh. It was lovely!

I have decided I need more moments like that!

So, on crazy no minding days I have to remember...

Cody's cute baby talk. His cute hugs, sweet kisses. I LOVE HIS SMILES!!! He loves to love. My Cody can give me a hug that makes my day all better. He loves to be silly. I love the way he dashes away from me when I am changing him into pajamas. He climbs into the window, and blows kisses to the neighbors, (thanks for not thinking I am a weird parent for letting my baby dance in the window in nothing but his diaper. And if you do think I am weird, thanks for not saying anything). This boy loves to dance anytime he hears music. I love all the words you say! I love all the things you can do! I love to watch you learn! Love you baby!

Skyler's quiet patience... but when he has had enough, he has had it, and he doesn't care who hears about it. I love that he is really trying to say words now, sometimes sentences. I love that this boy is really trying most days to be potty trained. (Today was a put a diaper on himself day, because mommy wouldn't give in.) I love his cute personality. He loves fast books, lots of pictures with few words. He would rather laugh at a silly picture and point out what is happening than have the words read. (He will pick up anything though, a flyer, a letter, what ever it is, he hands it to me and says, "What book say?" or "Read book!") I love how he loves to cook, he loves to be told how things work, but mostly he would rather figure thing out on his own. He is a smarty pants! He loves his big bus, and he loves his school. His hugs also make the world a better place. He loves giving hugs and kisses. He can climb and get just about anything...I think he is 90% monkey. I think he would live in a tree if I would let him. But this boy is just like me...not a morning person... it is the hardest thing in the world to get this bug out of bed in the morning to get ready for school. But he is also very much a snuggler. He is possibly moving to a new school next year. They are going to tear down his elementary school when the new one is built. They are moving some of the preschool classes to another elementary for a year while they build the new school. He may keep his same teacher though, so that is exciting!

Stephen is a very loving boy. Sweet, but with selective hearing. He is very smart, independent, and has me wrapped around his little finger most of the time. He is my big helper. he cleans well, picks up toys, helps takes care of his brothers, and loves to make everyone surprises. This boy loves to talk, and write, and test if his brothers know something like a color, or counting, or simple words. He is always the teacher. Always talking to his brothers about something interesting. He loves to take charge of his brothers, (But also encourages them to do rule breaking things like throwing rocks at the tree and into the road.) He loves anything that moves, bikes, cars, trucks, trains, planes, helicopters. He is the most willing to mind if he is alone, but with his brothers, he just can't help himself I guess. He loves school, and is excited to go to Kindergarten this fall. This boy could live in a jungle and never enter another building and be happy to be free forever.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent...ah, all better. =)

7th Anniversary.

2010-02-28T14:36:00.000-08:00

We celebrated our 7th anniversary yesterday!

We had a great day. Aunt Terri watched the kids in the afternoon,

and Grandma B. and Ryan watched them in the evening.

(Thank You, we appreciate it!)

They said they had a lot of fun with you!

Most of our time out we didn't have the camera with us...

sorry, most of the pictures are of the ice castle.

The day started out very grey...

couldn't we have just a little bit of sunshine?

Yippeee!

The sun did come out for a while,

making it warm up enough to go

around Midway without coats.

When we were driving down the street we saw an amazing site. Clearmont Spa had left their fountain on so it could freeze. (Homestead Resort has done that in the past...) but this was huge! We couldn't stop though, Stephen said we had somewhere to be at a certain time.

We pulled into the Homestead Resort, and right up to The Crater. We were scheduled for snorkeling at 3:00, but they were running behind, leaving us time to walk over to the Ice Castle.

They had built a structure out of PVC pipes, and let the water run, it was amazing!

They built paths around and through the towers of ice.

Snorkeling in The Crater was a blast,

We had a group of Scuba students beneath us, sending up pillars of bubbles. Glittering bubbles, awesome!!!

We went to lunch, and dinner

(We had to wait an hour to get a table)

Not everything went as planned, but all things considered,

we had an amazing day.

Birthday Cakes

2010-02-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

Here they are... The birthday cakes you have all been waiting for...and it is only the end of Feb...

Here is Stephen's Birthday cake... COOKIE MONSTERStephen and Skyler wanted to make my birthday cake...
Stephen, although it was his first time frosting a cake, patiently taught Skyler...so cute!

Then they added the sledding snowmen. (Already falling off...) And a marshmallow igloo. Thanks boys!

Ok, here are some pictures from Christmas...just for fun...

The boys wanted to make something special...

And decided what to bake right away...

**TAAA-DAAA**

A gingerbread house! Sorry the picture is so dark...this house battled the big bad wolf...and lost...but we rebuilt it, and it stayed together till the "big bad boys" came and blew it down Christmas day...

Ok, that wasn't so bad...We got our new post up pretty quick. We will try for another post soon.

Happy Fluorescent Yellow Food Day 2010

2010-02-20T15:20:00.000-08:00

Celebrating year 13...and a baby bean... (Can you believe this is year 13 already?)

Yes, it is that day again...the day we wait for all year long. Feb 20... This year is extra special ...Holiday Co-founder Pamela should be having her baby any day now... (due date today)

We made what we have dreamed about for years for the potluck. A great big bowl of Mac n' cheese...

Ok, ok...it is a cake for the celebration here...(my kids are sick again...so we will not be attending Andrea's potluck, we are very sad.) We hope that you all have a great day, and eat something yellow in celebration.

All right...as long as I am on my blog I should add more pictures just to prove I am not a total slacker.

So ...here we go...

Skyler writing out Valentines...
Stephen signing Valentines...

Cody decorating envelopes to send out Valentines...
Some of the millions of Valentines Day cookie we made. Wahooo, the story of that week will have to be yet another post...I'm still not over it.

For some reason it won't let me add more pictures...So, I will do that in the next post...

Ah, yes! Here we are!

2010-01-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

Wow, we find ourselves in January 2010 now...where does time go? I guess we have put off updating our blog for long enough. So, here we go...here are some pictures for you. We will have to do this in a few posts, but here is the first installment.

Skyler's school took a field trip to Pumpkinland in Orem. We were invited to go with them. Oh so fun!

My three pumpkins and the pumpkins they grew in our front yard. I promised that they could pick them October 1st. (Oh, and I only knew about 2 that were growing. When Stephen and Skyler picked their pumpkins, I made a little wish for just one more for Cody...and there it was, growing on the grass hiding beneath our jungle flowers.

We went to Aunt Laura's house to choose a few bigger pumpkins. Cody found a pile of leaves...

Here are the carving masterpieces outside our house Halloween night.

These are our turkey treats for Thanksgiving dinner. They were fun and exciting. I had talked over plans for them with little Stephen, but made them while they all slept. They were so excited, and they all decided on their favorites.

Sorry

2010-01-02T19:32:00.000-08:00

Sorry there hasn't been a new post for a while...I promise, some day soon. Ha ha ha...my last post was that Cody my darling whirlwind had started walking...I have really been chasing him since.

Cody-Cody-go-go-gooooo!

2009-10-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

My sweet little guy started to walk suddenly the other day.
He is 13 months old now...

Isn't he sweet? The farthest he has made it is about 1/2 way across the living room. He gets so excited that he gets distracted and falls over. He likes to walk when everyone is watching, and cheering him on.

Stephen calls him the cutest walker boy ever, and Skyler just shouts "Walk EEE" (it means Walk Cody).

He is getting so big, and so funny. Cody loves to play peek a boo, and blow his food off the spoon all over me, he thinks that highchairs are for dancing on. (Yes I buckle him in, but when has that ever kept my kids down?) He loves stuffed animals just as much as the big boys, and has to hug baby green to go to sleep. Cody gives amazing hugs and kisses. He loves to bite noses too, so watch out!

(Picture of pumpkins still coming.)

Fall Theory

2009-09-26T10:26:00.001-07:00

My boys came up with a really great theory the other day. We took a walk gathering leaves, then came home to talk about Fall as we did leaf rubbings.

So here it is... from the minds of a 4 1/2 year old and a 3 year old. (At least this is what I learned in from the conversation.)

In the fall the kids go back to school, and the pumpkins turn orange,

The kids run around with smiles on their faces.

The trees are so happy that the kids are happy,

they decide to have a party.

The trees decorate their leaves in yellow, brown

orange and red

and throw their leaves like confetti so they all fall down for the kids to play in.

That is why there is fall.

Here are a few picture of our fun fall project.

Oh, and our little Cody is able to stand at has been know to take 1 step at a time. He is also getting 3 new teeth for a total of 8!!! Go baby! Wahooo!

Skyler and the GREAT BIG BUS

2009-09-21T08:23:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, a little boys named Skyler suddenly grew up and went to school.

Preschool that is...(how did he get this big?)

This is Skyler's "I'm adorable pose."

Skyler was keeping a close eye on the road, looking for the big bus.

He didn't want to miss the bus while having pictures taken.

Already for school, bus should be here in about 3 minutes.

I'm a big guy, and I am going to ride a big bus!

Here I go...off too see the world of preschool.

We hope you have a great first day of school Skyler! We love you, and we miss you already!

I expected tears from my little guy, but he was so brave, and so excited.

He has been talking about riding big buses ever since we heard that he got into the school district preschool.

Cody's Birthday

2009-09-18T21:34:00.000-07:00

Cody Turned one year old today!

I'm a HUG waiting to happen.

Happy messy boy...he loved his cake and ice cream!

Cards and toys and pictures, he loves to share it all with his brothers.

My boys loves baths, especially Cody...so, here is a bathtub cake! Cody ate the "soap"...

What a cute boy you are!

You do so many fun things, like

Crawling over my piles of folded laundry, just as I am about to put it away.

Stealing someones hat so you can wear it, or play peek a boo with it.

I love how you melt hearts just by your smile.

You know just how to get your way, at least with Daddy and your brothers.

I love the way you kick your legs when you ride in the stroller, the faster we go, the faster you kick.

I love the cute little squeaks you make when you are happy.

I love your pouting, I'm not getting my way looks. It is cute, but I'm not giving in...

I love snuggling with you. You are one cuddly boy, I am so happy, cause your brothers really only like to snuggle when we are reading a book, or when they are sad.

I love the way you smile when we dance.

I love the way you giggle when I dip you.

I love the goofy grin you give when you know you are doing something you shouldn't, like standing in the high chair.

I love your independence, you climb up and down stairs like a pro.

You like to hold your diaper until I am ready to put it on you, and you like to get your own wet wipes...not necessarily when we need them.

WE ALL LOVE YOU CODY!

Happy Birthday to you!

Skyler's Birthday and Stephen's first day of School

2009-09-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

Skyler is 3...sorry I meant to put pictures on here a week ago. He had a great birthday! So, after waiting for so long to have his first peanut butter sandwich, he didn't even like it. =( maybe it will just take time.

Stephen, Skyler and baby Kyaah.

Skyler wanted a "Raining Gumballs" cake. He really likes the movie Bedtime Stories where it rains gumballs. It didn't turn out quite like it was planned. The cake cooked crazy in the bowl, and I had to stick it all together with frosting instead of cut it to look more umbrella shaped. Oh well, he loved it. Note to self: no more mixing gumballs with cake.

Thanks to the play doh monkey, all our play doh is now a pea soup color. He loves all the gifts he received, thank you everyone, we enjoyed you coming to visit!

Stephen started preschool yesterday. Oh he is going to have a great year in school! He loves his class, and teacher. Everyone is so great. Here are some pictures from his day. (I got to go to school with him his first day.) Wahooo!!! What a cute boy!

Stephen loves his new dinosaur shirt.

Too many cute things for a kid to do at school!

ToDaY's FuN!

2009-09-02T10:51:00.001-07:00

Ahhh, the fun and excitement! Today we took our new "Baby Van" for a little drive...

and went to feed the ducks. There was no parking at BYU on the street by the pond, so we skipped on over to the park on the West end of 500 N. (The ducks there have always been over fed, and never hungry when we have gone before.) Our luck, they were excited to see us!

The ducks ran toward us...it was so funny, the kids couldn't stop laughing.

Afterwards we played at the park, took a walk in the "forest" and took pictures of our flowers and pumpkin in front of our house. It has been a great day, and it is only noon!
Stephen's pumpkin seed from preschool grew and grew and grew...TA DA- a pumpkin!

Ah, so pretty.

The boys love their garden!

Saying our Goodbyes

2009-08-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

Stephen kept asking when our car was coming home, and if it felt better yet...

No hun, our baby car is not coming home...

Stephen tried to hold back the tears when he reminded me he wanted to turn the car into a race car when he turned 16.

Skyler looked at the pictures of the car and said, "mine car." He just didn't quite understand that it was to badly crashed to ever come home... I wanted to cry too... my little car was my favorite in the world.

I decided that we would go visit our car one last time... the insurance company wanted us to remove the licence plates anyway. Maybe seeing the car in person, they would see it would be too hard to fix.

Stephen removed the licence plate from the front bumper while Skyler tried to fix the car...he took a toy screwdriver out to the towing yard. Cody was a good sport.

Skyler removed the licence plate from the back bumper.

The boys wanted just one last "drive" in our baby car.

We quickly fell in love with our rental truck...the only vehicle that the company had that they were sure 3 car seats would fit in the back.

My boys didn't want to give up "their" truck.

Well, we need to get some pictures...but that will come soon! We got our MINIVAN!!! Our prayers have been answered, We have had it for a while, (a few weeks) but I am still very excited about it. The kids have so much room!

We have also been blessed with a car (borrowing a car from my parents). Stephen can get to work, and I can take kids to school, and we are not rushing to get everyone everywhere all at the same time!

The Pictures

2009-07-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here are the pictures you have all been waiting for...

First of all, I really am not so bad off. The extent of my injuries are not as bad as they should have been. I am really blessed. I know the Lord protected me.

My seat belt scratched up my neck...I was really red Saturday and Sunday...but really not so bad now. And most of the scratches are gone.

My head is red from where it got bumped, but no real bruise to be seen there. Just really tender.

My elbow must have taken most of the blow...it is the only bruise I have that is accident related. (I have a bruise on my leg from rescuing Stephen Friday night...when he climbed up on a table in our living room and tipped it over. I dashed to rescue him from being pinched between table and wall, and I bumped my leg on the table.)

The swelling in my elbow has really gone down a lot...

My poor car...

It did it's job in saving my life...

I will miss you baby...we have had some good times. I have owned you since Valentines Day 2000. You were a good car, I love you!

Thank You Wolf, Laura, Mike and Wind for coming to support me at the scene of the accident.

Thank you to all my friends that have helped me out...brought me dinner and movies and popcorn, pie and cookies to cheer me up, took me to take pictures of my car, took my boys so I could rest. Called or wrote to ask how I was doing. Thank you.

I love you!

Not so fun...Bumper Cars...

2009-07-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

Today is a sad sad day, and I will have to go get pictures and post them, but I was on my way to my Taekwondo class this morning, and was hit by a guy running a stop light... (at least that is my version of the story.) There was a car ahead of me, it got through the intersection just as I was entering...and a car behind me that swerved to miss the accident, and continued through the intersection. (Neither of these cars stopped...sheesh! Now I have no witnesses that my light was green.) And neither of the gas stations on the corner have cameras that show the intersection.
I am lucky to not be as hurt as I could have been...
I am lucky that the guy wasn't hurt beyond his hand was a little scrapped up.
I am lucky that the police didn't issue any citations...at least I think that is a good thing for now...because 2 people at a yard sale said that his light was green...and the citation would have been mine because he had witnesses and I didn't.
I am lucky that my car stopped about a foot from hitting into a pole. (The impact into the curb actually made me think I had hit the pole.) Yes, I believe he was speeding...I seriously flew from middle north bound lane to West bound's right turn lane.

Anyway, we will see how sore I am tomorrow...(I am supposed to teach the RS lesson)...

4th of July

2009-07-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!

We had a great time celebrating Independence Day!

We are thankful for the opportunity to celebrate our great nation.

We are thankful for our freedom,

We love the beauty,

We love the country that brings so many opportunities to us.

Some of the fun things we did to celebrate were...

We saw Aunt Terri Perform,

We went to the parade,

and the shops on Center Street,

we saw the fireworks above the stadium...

and hot air balloons.

We woke up early and went to bed late.

It was a really great day, long but fantastic!

You know...Fireworks are great and all, we love them...

We love the bright colors flashing in the night sky.

But, the real treat is always the BALLOONS.. the HOT AIR variety that is.

Freedom Festival Provo 2009

The balloons touched...it is called a kiss, We think it is cute.

Once again... our friends Ron and Linda Dupee

Came from Las Vegas to play,

and brought their new hot air balloon.

(Only a couple of years old, I sure miss their red balloon though.)

Ron landed the Riatoh behind Smiths...just down the street from our house on the 3rd of July.

Ok...I admit, we love one Hot air balloon more than the rest.

We love the RIATOH.

Three little boys we know love them as much as we do.

Can you see the RIATOH?

We hope your 4th of July was as fantastic as ours was!

Life- with all the Toppings

2009-07-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

I want my life with as many of the toppings I can get...

Many things in life have toppings. In my house, toppings are what make everything so special.
In my house my kids ask for...

*Ice cream with silly sauce on top...(chocolate sauce that is, not sure why my kids call it silly sauce.)
*Pancakes and waffles have to have jam on top.
*Kix with Cherrios on top.
*Cheerios with kix on top.
*Cheerios with raisins on top.
*Mac'n cheese with chopped up hot dogs on top.
*Crackers with Cheese and salsa on top.
*Toys with more toys stacked on top.

Anyway, you get the idea, my boys are quite silly.

My Favorite Toppings Are...

*Hugs with a kiss on top.
*Kisses topped with more kisses.
*Hugs with tickles on top.
*My lap full of a boy holding a boy holding a boy. (Big Pile of Boys.)
*Pictures of Stephen wearing hat on top of hat on top of hat.
*Stephen's insistence that painting is all about putting one color of paint on top of the other so they all turn black. (His creative little smirk is priceless...not so much the pretty colored paints turning black.)
*Skyler with stuffed animals on top. (He sees how many he can hold on his head at a time.)
*Cody applies kiss after kiss, and tops it off with a big bite in my cheek. (Yes his razor sharp teeth hurt, but his kisses are the sweetest thing ever.)
*Wolf and his super surprises...(never happy with just one, he has to stack a surprise on a surprise, (even if it is as simple as a movie he rented for us to watch with a candy bar on top.)

Yes, I will have life with all the toppings please...

Life's best toppings... March 2009

This is an old picture of Stephen and Skyler.

Cody is now crawling...officially on hands and knees, but still goes army crawl when he is in a hurry. He is also getting another tooth. This is #3 on the bottom. Wahoo!!! Go Baby Go!!!

Trip to the Dentist

2009-06-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I know Stephen should have gone to the dentist long ago...maybe even a full year ago if not a year and a half ago. But hey, we finally did it! I made the appointment yesterday morning, and to my surprise they had an opening at 3:30 in the afternoon.
Stephen was so excited! He brushed his teeth each time he had a drink of water, or ate anything. (He really wanted to be ready to go when I said it was time.)

This guy did great! You would have thought walking out of there that we had just been to the park. He was even talking to a stranger in the elevator about how much fun he had at the dentist. (The poor guy had just had a tooth pulled, and said that he didn't have so much fun at the dentist.) Stephen can't wait to go to the dentist again... unfortunately it will be too soon for me. He didn't exactly have any cavities...but he needs some developmental things worked on. His molars on the top back for some reason didn't finish developing. The enamel didn't get hard, and discolored. They said this won't effect his permanent teeth...but they need to do some work so he wont get cavities in them so easily.

Skyler wants to go to the dentist now...I hope when that time comes, he is a little better at opening his mouth without biting fingers. (That is what happens to me when I floss his teeth.)

Cody and his first Tooth

2009-05-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Cody is finally having a tooth start to break through today!!! Yeah, the crazy sleeping finally feels like progress. I will have to write more later, and when possible, get a picture for you all. (Good bye toothless grins and giggles that I love so much.) He is also making some progress in the wanting to crawl category. (Don't know what I will do with 3 mobile and crazy boys...eeekkk!) Cody also knows a good joke when he hears it...his favorite, and nearly a no fail at getting him to laugh, is big brother Stephen mooing like a cow.

On to Stephen news, he is working really hard on night time potty training. He went 5 nights with out an accident...he is being so good about it, and reminds me all the time that he shouldn't drink too much at night. What a sweetie...he is also wanting to potty train Skyler for me. (Go for it kiddo!)

Skyler is talking!!!! (Can't understand all he says, but he is finally making an effort.) His favorite words are... no, k, help, yea, shoes, and Kyaah. He loves to cook, clean and take care of his baby brother. (He also is a pro at putting his little stuffed animal that he calls Kyaah down for naps.) Recently Skyler played a joke on me. When I told him to go get his pajamas so I could help him get ready for bed, he came back empty handed. He wanted me to follow him. Pointing at his bedroom door, he laughed, "ama door" which I am fairly sure meant, "Pajama's on the door" or "The door is ready for bed, he has my pajamas on."

Wolf passed his Re certification test yesterday. Yes, it has been a full year since he graduated, and he had to re certify. (Wow, they changed a lot of laws since he was in the academy!)

I'm not sure if I said this already, but I am a YELLOW BELT in TKD. (Taekwondo) I tested on April 25, yes the day my new niece Abby was born...and finally was presented my belt the day before Mother's Day. Wolf and the boys came to watch me test. (Stephen and Skyler still haul my broken board around asking me to break it again...apparently they were impressed.) OOOOHHHH, the yellow belt test to get the yellow advanced belt looks tricky...I guess I have time.

"Cook'n Thingy"

2009-04-16T22:26:00.000-07:00

Stephen and I went shopping for a few things on Friday. Stephen got an idea while we were walking through the sewing department in Walmart. "Hey Mom, I have an idea!" This declaration is usually followed by a demand of some sort or another. "I want a cook'n thingy! K? deal?" After some discussion, a "Cook'n Thingy" is an apron for cooking. And not just a "deal" he wanted to make it over the weekend..., as if I was looking for more to do over the weekend. We agreed on fabric, a thick canvas type...they had just enough for 2. After all if you make Stephen something, he wants one for each of his brothers...I draw the line at a 7 month old helping cook, so sorry Mr. Cody, maybe next time.
Skyler was sick on Easter, so while he and Cody had nice long naps, and Stephen was with Daddy, I made a pattern for the aprons.
Yes, we had a busy weekend, but first thing Monday morning we began cutting fabric. By Monday afternoon they could proudly wear their finished but not decorated aprons. Today we finished making and decorating them.

Here is how they turned out!

I failed to measure my boys...so they turned out huge and will give them years to grow into.

As for decorating them...The boys laid out their names (insisting on middle initials) so I could iron them on. (Skyler liked the letters all over the place look, but gave in to a big brother helping him put letters in order.) Stephen likes the twin idea, at least for now, and after putting hand prints on his...he told Skyler where to put his hand prints. (Hence why they look exactly the same.)

What's New?

2009-03-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

What's New at our house?

Last week we told you about our Family Home Evening. Here are some pictures...

We planted seeds, built a green house, and have been taking great care of our soon to be garden.

We are so very excited to announce...

To the great excitement of everyone... Friday morning we woke up to find...

That we have babies!!! (That is what the boys call the little plants.)

We have a lot of lettuce, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and tomatoes...we hope it all grows well in our limited space.

In other exciting news,
Two little Leprechauns visited our house and frosted cookies.

Cody is 6 months old, and is nearly sitting by himself, he is 14 pounds now!

Our stroller magically turned into a rocket ship over night.

Superman and his brother came, and cleaned our house!

Yay, it finally let me finish posting the rest of my pictures!

FHE

2009-03-18T02:04:00.000-07:00

FHE at our house was a blast Monday night!

We have been looking forward to this since fall came last year, and killed our balcony garden. I have become antsy, can't wait for spring, can't wait for fresh veggies, oh the taste of our beloved cherry tomatoes. (Oh, the work...keeping the boys from over watering, and overly loving their baby plants.)
Part of our lesson was from the friend...

Our Family Garden
By Elaine Champion
Friend, Jun 2002, 48
My family is a garden, A place where we can grow. Our garden is for people, Not plants grown in a row.
We’re growing love and patience. We’re growing kindness, too. We’ve planted seeds of service For things we all can do.
Politeness grows inside us; We’re sharing more each day. Our smiles are growing bigger—Like the hugs we give away.
We can tell that we are growing The seeds of love and cheer—We fill our home with sunshine And feel our Savior near.
I love our family garden, Although I’m still quite small, ’Cause in our family garden, I’m growing straight and tall.

and

Plant a Garden
Words and music by Sally DeFord
1. If I planted a garden, If I carefully sowed, If I nourished each tiny seed, If I tended it well, And helped it to grow, What a beautiful harvest I’d reap.
2. In my life, like a garden, There are seeds to be sown. I must choose with the greatest care, Planting only what’s good So I can be sure Only beautiful things will grow there.
3. I am planting my garden Every day of my life, And the harvest is mine to keep. If I plant seeds of faith, Of honor and truth, What a beautiful harvest I’ll reap.

We then headed out to the front porch and planted seeds for our garden. Wolf really didn't get into the gardening mode last year, so it was cute for him to help the boys plant seeds, and I tried to keep up marking what we planted where in our little green house. ( I think I failed to keep up, so we may end up with more plants than I had planned for.) Then Wolf woke me up Tuesday morning to say that he thinks we should get more pots... does this mean he is excited about the garden this year? Anyway, I went and got more pots, and of course more seeds... we shall try some carrots, and beans I think, those are things we didn't try last year.

I am so excited! I am shaking all over... isn't it silly to feel this way about the coming of spring/summer? Oh, if only our balcony were twice the size, wouldn't that be twice the fun? (Last year it was nice to have the balcony garden, although it was tough taking care of it when I could hardly move...maybe that is why I am so excited about it this year.)

8 THINGS

2009-03-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

Bethany Tagged me for

8 THINGS ABOUT ME

Here are the rules:
1)POST RULES ON YOUR BLOG 2)ANSWER THE SIX "8" ITEMS(They're not in any particular order) 3)LET EACH PERSON KNOW YOU’VE TAGGED THEM BY LEAVING THEM A COMMENT

8 FAVORITE TV SHOWS
1. MacGyver
2. Pretender
3. Home Improvement
4. Lois & Clark
5. Knight Rider
6. Animaniacs
7. Gilligan's Island
8. Keeping up Appearances (British Comedy)
(You can clearly see I haven't watched TV for a long time.)

8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY
1. Made a birthday cake for my Mother-in-law
2. Took Skyler to his Neonatal Follow up Clinic
3. Watched "The Trial of the Incredible Hulk
4. Chased kids
5. Visited with my sisters
6. Chased kids
7. Snuggled Cody
8. Cleaned house

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO
1. Being able to sleep through the night (please Cody, get your teeth, and start sleeping please)
2. Sunny warm weather
3. Being able to take Cody out
4. Planting my balcony garden with the kids
5. Planting flowers
6. Kickboxing
7. Date Nights with my Wolf
8. Picnics at the park

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
1. Outback
2. Pizza Factory
3. Brick Oven
4. Cafe Rio
5.
6.
7.
8.
(I don't eat out so much either.)

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST
1. Wolf getting a good job
2. School loans paid off
3. Own a house
4. Have a good sized garden
5. New minivan
6. Skyler potty trained
7. Get in shape
8.Have a lot of fun this summer

8 PEOPLE I TAG
1. Jill
2. another Jill
3. Lynette
4. Toni
5. Delia
6. Beth
7. Linda
8. Valeri

Kickboxing

2009-03-09T22:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I finished off my 3rd week of kickboxing. It is going pretty good, I am thinking more than ever that I am the least coordinated person on the planet, but it is fun. So far, I have re twisted my ankle (sprained it just a few weeks before starting class) made kicking contact with someone else while warming up, and been out done by a kid that is not even in the class. We have a break from class this Saturday, most of the people in my class are in a tournament at UVU, and the instructors too. Oh, no...I don't think I am the tournament type. We will see though.
In other news, our family had a great trip to the Draper Temple Open house. Poor Skyler was in a bad mood all day, and I thought it was because he didn't have a good nap, Stephen kept walking him up. (Stephen was starting to get a cold, so they were both supposed to be sleeping.) The poor little guy, Skyler was trying so hard to put a smile on his face, he even smiled at a baby or two while we were there. Well, Wolf put the big boys to bed as soon as we got home, while I took care of Cody. I went to check on the boys, and kiss them good night before I headed to bed (as always) and poor Skyler was burning up. (Fever of 102.9°) So, we haven't really been anywhere since, and we have canceled all appointments at our house. (Skyler's speech pathologist was supposed to come.) And I was looking forward to Stake Conference. Both boys have pretty bad coughs, and Cody and I are now getting colds too. Oh, I can't wait till it is warmer outside, and not so much sickness in the air!
So, since I am writing...anyone have any suggestions on how to get two best friend brothers to sleep when they share a room? I have found that I can't put Skyler to sleep, then send Stephen to bed, because Stephen will wake up Skyler to play, and the other way around too. They used to be so good at falling asleep and not giggling for more than 5 minutes or so. I am so tired of trying to get them to sleep at night...it has been taking about 2 hours. I don't know what to do! I am thinking that we will have to change the storage room into Stephen's room, but it is sooooo cold down in the basement, I really don't want to. Any ideas?

Programming Troubles

2009-03-03T08:47:00.000-08:00

Well, we are trying out a program called weblock on our computer that Stephen's friend highly recommends in case you all want to try it ... it is a free program downloadable from www.We-Blocker.com. It is a few years old I think, but it is supposed to block problem web sites. There are too many of them! I was doing a simple job search for Wolf while he was at work, and I couldn't believe what kind of sites came up on my serach. Some looked like what I was looking for. Hummm, nope, I was wrong! So.... here we have a problem! (My search was for probation and parol officer jobs)...
Stephen's friend said that when he installed this program, him and his son tried for hours to get into a sickening website...and it didn't work. His son couldn't hack his password, and he has loved it. The first couple of days I have loved it too. I can web search to my hearts content, and the program decides if a site is safe or not. And it won't let me in. Whahoo, no more "Oops' I went to a bad site".
Now, my problem with it is...if it chooses, I can enter your blog, and if your blog has pictures, it will let me in to read your blog, but won't show pictures...I am slowly going through and unblocking your blogs. That is time consuming. My other problem is that it considers the word verification box in the "write a comment page" as something taboo. So, I am having trouble leaving comments on your blogs because it won't let me see what it is. If anyone has experience with this program please help me figure out how to unblock that too.
Anyway, this seems like a good program, it is just going to take time to get it set up to work for us the way we want it too. (Warning, it has an audio alert, so when I go into a blog or my email, it screams "BLOCKED!" at me, I keep jumping, and so do the kids.) I know that there are sites out there that aren't marked with adult warnings so they may slip through...but I feel better about my internet now.
Have a great day everyone!

6 Years!!!

2009-02-25T10:17:00.000-08:00

Bountiful Utah Temple February 27, 2003

Wow Hun, it has been 6 years!

This Friday we celebrate our 6th Anniversary!

I Love YOU Sweetie!!!

I love our sweet boys too.

Life has had its challenges,

but has been worth it!

You are so wonderful!
How did I get to be such a lucky girl to get you?

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WOLF!

Happy FYFD!!!

2009-02-15T19:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Fluorescent Yellow Food Day!!!

Ok, so...FYFD isn't really until Friday, but to get ready for FYFD, I thought I would post this now. Just so if anyone wants to join in on this fun celebration with their own families, they have time to prepare.

Ok, everyone is wondering what FYFD is. In a nutshell it is a celebration that came upon my cousin Pamela and I by accident 12 years ago. (Can you believe it has been that long ago?)

The History Lesson

Pamela and I needed to go grocery shopping, but were both hungry. We hurried to put together food for dinner before going. Pamela said, "I have mac'n cheese", I said, "I have corn". Pamela said, " I have some Crystal light I haven't tried yet." (There was more, I just can't remember it all) We tossed everything on the table, and not til that moment did we notice that everything...everything! was a very bright yellow. Tammy, a roommate was a health nut, and we had heard her laugh at us many times about the unhealthiness of "Fluorescent Yellow Food". Oh, if she could only see us now. We laughed, ate and went shopping. When we got to the check out counter we laughed again. We had each bought treats for us and the roommates...all unintentionally yellow of course...we cracked up to say the least. We wondered if there was a holiday we were celebrating without knowing it.

When we got home, we packed the treats in a basket, made a "Happy Fluorescent Yellow Food Day" card, left it on our own doorstep, rang the doorbell, ran back up to our room and waited for roommates to answer the door. We couldn't believe it!!! No one was home, and no one came home for hours. Finally at 11:00pm we retrieved our treats from the front step. (Acting surprised of course...I mean, who knew it was a holiday besides us?) Meanwhile, we tossed a glow-in-the-dark frog back and forth underneath the glow-in-the-dark stars, and had a big party, just the two of us.

Since that night 12 years ago, we have celebrated FYFD each February 20th, with a pot luck dinner with friends, and of course, anonymously leaving yellow treats and a card on our doorstep. (Yes, it was a bit tricky distracting guests as we placed the basket on the doorstep.) But to see their faces all light up at the surprise left for all to share was worth the trouble. I remember making, was it 12 boxes of mac'n cheese? It was a lot anyway, and having plenty of leftovers.

Tossing a frog under the glowy stars has become optional, seeming, not all people have access to glowy frogs and stars.

FYFD has since been celebrated in Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Canada, Oregon, Illinois, and the Ukraine...did I miss any? Maybe Germany?

This Year

This year will be the biggest year yet for partying. Pamela just got married, Congratulations by the way, and is having a party in (place of a reception) and it is on Friday the 20th of Feb. And yes, she happily reports she is decorating in YELLOW.

To see some absolutely awesome photos of past parties check out the link in my sidebar to Pamela's website, yes, you guessed right...the Fluorescent yellow food day link.

Hope you all had a great Valentines Day, and hope you have a great President's Day!

Life Time Acheivements

2009-01-31T16:36:00.000-08:00

My Sister-in-law has this list on her blog, and I Completely copied it.

Things I have done during my lifetime are in bold.

1. Started your own blog.

2. Slept under the stars.

3. Played in a band.

4. Visited Hawaii.

5. Watched a meteor shower.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity.

7. Been to Disneyland.

8. Climbed a mountain.

9. Held a praying mantis.

10. Sang a solo. (Only to my kids...does that count?)

11. Bungee jumped.

12. Visited Paris.

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.

15. Adopted a child.

16. Had food poisoning.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.

18. Grown your own vegetables.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.

20. Slept on an overnight train.

21. Had a pillow fight.

22. Hitchhiked.

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.

24. Built a snow fort.

25. Held an alligator.

26. Gone skinny dipping.

27. Run a marathon.

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.

31. Hit a home run.

32. Been on a cruise.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.

35. Seen an Amish community.

36. Taught yourself a new language.

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.

39. Gone rock climbing.

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David.

41. Sung karaoke.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.

44. Visited Africa.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.

46. Been transported in an ambulance.

47. Had your portrait painted.

48. Gone deep sea fishing.

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.

52. Kissed in the rain.

53. Played in the mud.

54. Gone to a drive-in theater.

55. Been in a movie.

56. Visited the Great Wall of China.

57. Started a business. (Helped Wolf start his business)

58. Taken a martial arts class. (My class starts in Feb... so, almost)

59. Visited Russia.

60. Served at a soup kitchen.

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.

62. Gone whale watching.

63. Got flowers for no reason.

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.

65. Gone sky diving.

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.

67. Bounced a check.

68. Flown in a helicopter.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.

71. Eaten caviar.

72. Been to Canada.

73. Stood in Times Square.

74. Toured the Everglades.

75. Been fired from a job.

76. Seen the changing of the guards in London. (no, but saw the Trouping of the Colours, or in other words, The Queen's Birthday Parade.)

77. Broken a bone.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.

80. Published a book.

81. Visited the Vatican.

82. Bought a brand new car.

83. Seen Bon Jovi in concert.

84. Had your picture in the newspaper.

85. Read Gone With The Wind.

86. Visited the White House.

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.

88. Had chickenpox.

89. Saved someone’s life.

90. Sat on a jury.

91. Met someone famous.

92. Joined a book club.

93. Lost a loved one.

94. Had a baby.

95. Seen the Alamo in person.

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.

97. Been involved in a lawsuit.

98. Owned a cell phone.

99. Been stung by a bee.

100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own.

Self inflicted hair cuts and Winning the Lottery

2009-01-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

I will add some pictures to this post...but I think I need to charge the batteries for my camera...as is always the case. K, Post updated with pictures now.

Skyler...(Or maybe possibly even Stephen) got my scissors down off a high shelf. Skyler was a bit overdue for a hair cut...and I was getting up the nerve to cut it myself. (How hard could it be?) Well, apparently someone got impatient. Three chops to the front and one to the back (Middle of the back that is, and the reason I really suspect help from a big brother.)

Skyler is not shy about showing off his own hair cut...

Sooooo...Skyler has a new, and very short hair cut...appropriate for winter...right?

Skyler not wanting his new hair cut shown...

The Stylist cut his hair and spiked it, I thought he looked cute,

I don't think he liked the spikes though.

He tried to mess them up... just for the picture.

Now, on winning the lottery... ok, I don't buy lottery tickets, but Stephen was so funny about this, it was as exciting to him as, well...winning the lottery for us adults.

We got a bunch of Disney stickers in the mail...and Pluto got stuck to my sock as the boys flung stickers all over my house. I pretended to scream that Pluto was biting my toes while I was eating lunch. Stephen says, "Pluto is a funny name!" So, I went on into telling Stephen that Pluto the dog was named after a planet and about the solar system. Starting at Mercury and naming planets right on down to Pluto. He wanted me to draw a picture. (I put Skyler down for a nap as I wondered how to explain it to him in 4 year old language.) I grabbed a napkin since we were sitting at the table. I drew the Sun, and Earth and our moon. I told him little bits about each planet as I added it to our "Treasure Map". Mercury is too hot for people, plants and animals to live, and Pluto is too cold...you know..that kind of discussion.

Stephen then asks: "Where do I live?"
Me: "Earth"
Stephen: "That's nice, I like it here. Where does Skyler Live?"
Me: "He lives on Earth too."
Stephen: Grinning, he says, "That makes me happy, I like to live with Skyler, where do you live Mommy?"
Me: "I live on Earth too."
Stephen: "Nice! Does Daddy live here too?"
Me: "Yes, and Cody too."
Stephen: "Nice! What about my Cousins? They are my best friends."
Me: "We all live on Earth together!"
Stephen is jumping up and down by now grinning, "I love all the people that live on Earth, they are my best friends!" He got a little frown now... "I will miss everyone who doesn't live on Earth." Me: "Who are you concerned about?"
Stephen: "I miss Grandma and Grandpa, and what about Aunt Terri, and Uncle Dan? I miss my best friend Bella."
Me: "They all live on Earth too!"
Stephen was so excited he ran around the house shouting and hugging me and Cody going on for an hour about how much he loved everyone, and was glad you all live on Earth with him. (He also wanted to wake Skyler up from his nap to tell him he was happy to have him on Earth with him.)
He still tells me from time to time that he is glad I don't live on Pluto.

Here are the boys with their Christmas babies, (just before the real hair cut happened.)

(And yes, that is Stephen's elephant wearing clothes...imagine my surprise when I was woken up the day after Christmas to find Elephant wearing a shirt, shorts, underwear, and Stephen begging for socks...oh, he is so my child. I'm sure I did something like this growing up.)

More Birthday partying

2009-01-25T20:27:00.000-08:00

I had a great birthday, Stephen asked if I would have a monster cake. I said I hadn't thought much about my cake (Wolf usually buys one so I don't have to make it. So, sweet Stephen said I would have a monster cake with big eyes. (Like his alligator) So, anyone scared of monsters shouldn't look at the picture below...

Stephen went shopping with Grandma, and got some fun things for me... Thank you Grandma! A Family Home Evening Chart with picture frames, a Bear, and a bag of pear scented bath salt, lotion and soap.

I got a book from my sister, "Heart in the Right Place" What I have read so far is really good. I plan to really get going on reading it when I finish the Amelia Peabody mystery "The Falcon at the Portal" 'cause I really need to get it back to the library. Thank you Laura!

And among the other items I got for my birthday, Wolf gave me... can anyone guess? Yes, a Kick boxing class, and bag gloves! I am really excited, class starts end of Feb. I had actually been looking for a class to take. (And left the page of times the kickboxing classes are taught up on the computer...not at all a hint.)

Cody had his 4 month appointment on Monday... He is 13 pounds... Go big boy!!! 10 more pounds and you will catch up to your big brother! Oh, and he thinks he wants to get some teeth now. He is growing up so fast!

Stephen had his 4 year appointment too. He is 38 pounds... He is getting sooooo big! His new declaration is, I am big now, I can cook! He even tries to chase me out of the kitchen, and to get me to call him Remy and says the movie "Ratatouille" taught him to cook.

I know I had something else to write in this post...but this will have to be it for now. I told Wolf I would get up and clear the snow off the car for him at 1:30 am...eeekkk!

Here are a couple more pictures of the birthday festivities.

Conversations with an Alligator

2009-01-06T22:01:00.001-08:00

...I just want you to know that I am still laughing...

Stephen is such a cute boy. He turned 4 yesterday. First when I said "Happy Birthday" to him yesterday morning, he was confused. (How could the day he had been talking about for 6 months finally be here? He has been planning his birthday cake since June.) He asked me how he got to be 4, and I told him he was born 4 years ago, and woke up this morning, that's how it happens, you turn 1, then 2, then 3, and then 4, and the number goes up each year. He said, "Well, turning 4 was easy then!"
His birthday shouldn't have been a surprize however. He knew I took Skyler out shopping for birthday gifts on Monday. He also commented on the things I bought to make his alligator cake, and cheered when I baked the cake Monday night.
Stephen began begging that I let him decorate his cake right after breakfast. (Skyler would not have been good to have around while decorating however, so we planned to decorate the cake while Skyler had his afternoon nap.)

...By this point you are wondering why this post is called,

"Conversation with an Alligator"

if it is about Stephen's birthday cake...

As I said, I am sure, in a previous post, Stephen is a funny boy. He asked me if his alligator (he says "Diagator") was real. I said it was a real cake. He wanted to know if it would become a real diagator. I said it wouldn't come to life. He wanted to know why...well hun, it's a cake. He quickly told the cake that he would love him anyway.

...We frosted the body first...

...Then added legs...

"Mom, are you sure it is an diagator? 'cause it kind of looks like a car." (At this point it was a cake baked in a loaf pan, and 2 cupcakes cut in half for legs...all frosted green.) Hummm...makes me think it would be an awesome car by the way.

...Then we added the head...

And low and behold...before we even got it frosted, he started to speak!

(Squeaky voiced Stephen) "Hello, Happy Birthday! I am your diagator!"

(Stephen's normal voice) "I love diagators!"

(Squeaky voice) "Don't eat me."

(Normal voice) "Mom, I don't know if a diagator cake would be good to eat."

(Squeaky voice) "I want to go play."

(Normal voice) "My mom has to put your tail on first."

(Squeaky voice) "I don't want you to eat me. I just want to play."

...Let just say that

this conversation with the alligator continued...

(Normal voice) "What is your name?"

(Squeaky voice) "You can call me Tasty the Diagator"

...Until they were very good friends

...And perhaps is continuing on even now as this cake is eaten...

We now present to you Tasty the Alligator, and the amazing Birthday Boy Stephen.

We hope that you had a wonderful Birthday Stephen!!! We love you!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-30T10:24:00.000-08:00

We hope that you all had a Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful time celebrating the savior's birth.

Stephen continually asks if we can make Jesus a birthday cake.

We hope you have a great New Years too!

We are loving the snow! I love how our street has big trees that collect the snow. We live in a winter wonderland.

Stephen cleared our front steps with nothing less than the windshield scraper...how luck we are to have such a helpful boy.

In the mist of a huge storm, Skyler still got a special Christmas delivery from Grandpa. Evan and Toni delivered his new bed. He sure loves his big boy bed. He loves being a big boy, and used the potty this morning.

Christmas morning my big pile of boys turned into a big pile of supermen.

Stephen enjoyed painting his new truck.

Cody loves his new car from Grandpa... (Skyler puts it on his lap and plays with it.)

Mailed to Guam

2008-12-30T09:53:00.000-08:00

My Mom and Dad entered the MTC yesterday...and Stephen has been praying that they get to Guam safe ever since...then he had an idea.

Stephen and Skyler wanted to be mailed to Guam, to make sure Grandma and Grandpa made it there safe. When I walked into the living room, I heard a voice from a box left over from Christmas. "Don't throw us in the garbage, mail us to Guam." Of course, they had packed coats, Stephen's elephant, Skyler's brown bear, and Cody's polar bear. And Stephen was going as Superman.

Isn't this a fun picture... soup for lunch after Grandma and Grandpa spoke in church.

At Grandma and Grandpa's Farwell lunch, Mattie celebrated her first birthday! What a cutie!

Good luck on your mission Grandma and Grandpa!!! We will miss you!

I wonder if those boys have enough room for me in that box...

The Saga Continues

2008-11-26T08:29:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately it seems like when the momma, and the dadda, are at the end of their energy...something else happens.

That something else happens to be...
*Skyler broke daddy's camera...the nice one used for daddy's photography...
*Stomach flu... (Stephen and Skyler)...yes, this reminds me a lot of last Christmas, and cleaning carpets the week before quests all showed up for Christmas eve.
*Daddy spilled gas/oil mix all over himself at work, 1/2 my house smells like gas fumes, the other 1/2 smells like puke.
*Skyler's diarrhea is back...oh joy!
*Cody has decided that sleeping isn't so fun anymore. And would like 150% attention, and snuggle time.
*My mother-in-law's car was hit and run at our house while she was babysitting our kids Saturday night.

Well, that is our week so far...we will see how tomorrow goes...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Kids, Fun, Poop, and Dr Visits

2008-11-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a week we have had!

First, I would like to say I think I have the most insane pile of boys ever assembled. That would be Stephen, Skyler and Cody.

I think that the Pediatric clinic should just give me a job, I am there so often.

Stephen- he is a lot of help around the house, really... but he also won't just let Sky have all the fun. if Sky is making a mess, by all means he must join in. (As long as Sky was doing it first it saves him from being in trouble...right?) "But Skyler was doing it first!" Is something I hear a lot of. Stephen is the type of kid that when he is sent to his room for time out-he sometime cleans his room, makes his bed, and when he comes out he is proud of what he accomplished without me asking and wants me to come see his clean room. Or he comes out demanding that I apologize for sending him to time out. (*Cough...me? Sorry?, I don't think so.) He loves to help me out a lot. He loves taking care of Cody, and Skyler. He loves hugs and kisses. He really is a sweetie. He is very smart, he loves the ABC's, counting, shapes and colors. He claims that his job is teaching Sky and Cody to talk, and to teach Cody to walk.

Skyler- He has had a cold for a few weeks now... and last week we took him to the doctor for a bit of pink eye. (It seriously looked like a black eye, it was so swollen shut.) We have him well recovered from that, with no one else in the family getting it. (Stephen and Skyler cleaned my house with antibacterial wipes.) Now, Skyler loves to remove his clothes. He has also learned that when his diaper is wet, or stinky, it is uncomfortable so he takes it off. Unfortunately the last few nights his pj's and diaper have disappeared and he has wet his bed before I can get in there and get him dressed again before I go to bed. And unfortunately we have had poop spread everywhere. (Stephen was very concerned, I had to tell Stephen about his poop messes to help him understand that he did this type of thing too.)

Cody- he has had a bit of colic at night, then to make matters worse, immunizations yesterday. Even the slightest touch to his poor little legs send him into a screaming frenzy.) I can't believe he is 2 months old already. Oh, and can you believe it, he is 10 pounds 11 ounces. That puts him in the 75% for weight, and he is 90% for height. (He is getting so chubby and cute.) Cody also has had a cold that mostly was effecting his eyes, so we took him to the doctor for that last week as well.

At any rate, Cody finally slept for about 6 1/2 hours last night!!!) Yawn, why do I still feel so tired? And where has my voice gone? Yep, the cold has accepted me as it's next victim. Alright, I guess I better go clean my house while 2/3 of my cute guys are sleeping.

Cody's Blessing Day!

2008-11-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

We would like to thank our family and friends for attending Cody's blessing. It was a wonderful day. We loved spending time with you.

Halloween Fun!

2008-11-03T11:15:00.001-08:00

The boys and I were all pirates (Stephen chose what we would all be for Halloween.) Daddy was Death as always, but he did go to work as a pirate. (Now, the moment Jill has been awaiting is now here)...introducing the big pile of Priates!!!

Now for...Pirates in Action!!!

Skyler Trick or treating with Uncle Mike

Stephen Trick or Treating with Lindsey

and Cody having a nice nap.

Pirate brothers...How cute.

Daddy Pirate...ooohhhh, nice!

That is Momma Pirate and the boys...imagine, for just a moment...photoshopping Daddy pirate in to our picture. I tried, it was a decent attempt, but I will have daddy do it, he is much better at it than me. (Look for that one in an up coming post.)

Our big pile of pumpkins...too bad our lights went out, and we didn't get a picture of them all lit up.

Tons of Pictures

2008-11-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

I must say, we got some cute pictures this last month or so...soooo, I will share some. (Yes Jill, the long awaited pictures of Halloween will be posted today too.) We did so many things, and, yes, finally got the batteries in our camera recharged for another go at pictures. Yippie!!!

While Grandma Zaugg was visiting us while Cody was in the hospital, she cut Skyler's hair.

Skyler's First Hair Cut... Such cute curly hair, I was in love with it...but he is 2 now, so the curls had to go. And he instantly looked all grown up. Apparently he thought he was grown up enough to shave.

Skyler's first time shaving. Stephen gets a hair cut too.

Cute hair cut by the way guys... you both are handsome!

Stephen likes to shave too.

We went to Grandpa and Grandma's house for a corn party. We had a lot of fun!

Stephen carefully shucks the corn...worried about a little thing called worms.

Skyler likes to help too. He was running the corn to the cooler, what big helpers these boys are.

We love Halloween, we love pumpkins, we love costumes, we love trick or treating too.

We got to choose pumpkins at Aunt Laura's house. So fun! (Especially playing with cousins at the same time.)

We enjoyed carving pumpkins at our house and at Aunt Laura's house. Pumpkin guts are soooo fun. Stephen at least enjoyed them, Skyler would poke them, but not so interested in much else.

Happy Due Date Cody!

2008-10-20T10:48:00.001-07:00

Oh my, It is OCTOBER 20th already! We are celebrating Cody's due date today! (He is getting so big!) It seems a little strange that he is already 1 month and 2 days old. We are so happy to have him, and his big brothers and parents adore him! He is such a sweetie.

Sweet Brothers!

2008-10-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

The big pile of boys just keeps getting bigger at our house!
And I love it!!! They are the sweetest little guys.

First Skyler wanted to sit in Cody's chair...then wanted to hold Cody, then Stephen wanted to sit on Skyler's lap too. The two of them giggled and poked Cody til I made Cody sit in his chair alone.

Stephen and Skyler were excellent and patient big brothers, they got to visit the NICU, but always eagerly asked if Cody could come home yet.

Cody got to come home earlier than planned!!! It was a nice Sunday afternoon surprise for us all. Cody is doing well...(The Neonatologist actually looked him over Sunday afternoon and said, "Why is he still here? Would you be offended if I kicked you out of the hospital?") Well of course not, we are thrilled to be home. This is his going home outfit!!!

Cody in his carseat and ready to head out of the hospital.

Stephen the big brother's loves his "Baby Toady".

Skyler love's his brother too! ("Want to hold Cody?" is almost always an instant tantrum stopper.)

Sharing Ice Cream and a movie with Cody...ok, not so much the ice cream.
Stephen lined up the car seats so they could all be together.

We had a visit from Aunt Toni yesterday, she brought over baby Porter. Porter is 2 weeks older than Cody. They had a bit of a cat nap date.

48 Hour Hospital Stay???

2008-09-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

I came to the hospital to spend a 12 hour stay with Cody...Thank you everyone for helping out with Stephen and Skyler. What was supposed to be 12 hours suddenly exploded into 24 hours. (I had to run home to pack a suitcase.) Then last night right before bed time, I found out they wanted me to extend that to 48 hours. EEEKKKK!!!! So here I am in the middle of it all.

The good news is that they took Cody's feeding tube out...so he is 100% nursing, no more Gavage feedings. And he gets released on Monday morning instead of Tuesday!!! Getting him home is what is going to make this trip to the hospital, and being away from my big pile of boys for so long all worth it in the end.

Oh Cody, You can't read yet, but it makes me happy to know you will be home tomorrow. I am happy you are doing so well, keep up the good work! You are such a cutie, and we are excited that you have joined our family.

Our Cody

2008-09-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

I am home from the hospital, and hopefully Cody will come home soon too. Here is a picture! The newest news is that he is being taken off the IV's. Good job Cody, you will be home soon I am sure!

Baby Cody

2008-09-20T20:45:00.000-07:00

Surprise surprise...another baby deciding to come early. (Ok, I thought he would come early...just not this early.) Baby Cody is 4 1/2 weeks early. A little scary, but he is doing great! He had trouble breathing at first, but is breathing fine now. He took up residence pretty quickly in the NICU, and by morning was moved to the NICU B nursery for baby's getting ready to go home as soon as they gain weight. His bed is right next to where his big brother was.

I didn't want another c-section, but hey...I don't know that it was avoidable...the doctor said we had our choice, but when water breaks you have a time limit. You could say that 7 or so hours in the hospital with no contractions of considerable size, and no dialating was wasting that time away. He said even if I did start having contractions, to go from dialated to a 1, 50% effaced, and no station (he was too far up to be able to have one I am guessing) was going to be a long labor when it finally started. They said inducing labor would increase the chance of a utrus rupture. (We decided to not wait til 1 the next afternoon to have a c-section.)

Anyway, we are doing well, and hope to get out of here soon.

Love you all, and take care!

~Sherry

Gotta get out of this house!!!

2008-09-16T07:48:00.001-07:00

I was going crazy, I had to get out of the house. I couldn't stand it any longer...so I planned a picnic...then had to change the day 'cause wolf wasn't feeling well. So, anyway...Saturday we went on our picnic! It was "fun" to try to sit on the ground to eat. It was "fun" to try to chase kids. (Thankgoodness Wolf was there to help out! My guys and I really had a blast.) Did you know that Skyler can crawl faster than I can walk. (Sadly it is true. Wolf was chasing Stephen, and Sky ran in the other direction. He ran a bit, then tried to give me a sporting chance by crawling.) Of course, Skyler realized I wasn't keeping up, and came to pull me. (My sweet little tug boat.) Oh, but it was so nice to not be stuck in the house another moment!

I came to the conclusion that I have the sweetest and snuggliest "big pile of boys" anyone could ever ask for. They take good care of me and my big swollen ankles. Here are some cute pictures of us having our grand day out. I love Neilson's Grove Park. The problem is that it is really huge, I think walking 1/2 way across it is the farthest I have walked in months. Wolf had to drive around it to pick me and the boys up at the other parking lot...I never would have made it walking back to the car.

Skyler's birthday party pictures

2008-09-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

My big Birthday boy is 2 years old!!! He weighs in at 22 pounds now!!! Wahoo Skyler, you've come a long way Baby! (ok, not so much a baby now...)

Skyler is already 2?

2008-09-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

What happened to time? Did it go crazy or something...my itsy bitzy little guy grew up seemingly overnight, and suddenly is 2. We had a great big party for him last night. Oh, he seemed to have had a blast. His big brother Stephen, I must say was proud to present the cake to everyone we have met the last several days. "Can you come to our house to see my baby's birthday cake?" (The birthday cake I hadn't even made yet...)

Stephen chose the theme for Skyler's birthday party. It seems to have been fun for everyone. Not everyone know's who Lumpy the Heffalump is though. I think we did fine introducing him. We made a Heffalump craft while everyone was arriving, played pin the tail on the heffalump, and then played bingo...ate cake and then Skyler opened gifts. (Which he loves, thank you everyone.)

Now, I think I will sleep all day today!

Me Blogging?

2008-09-03T08:33:00.000-07:00

What is the world coming to? Me making a blog? I've actually been considering it for a year. (Back then it would have been named "Midnight Madness" or "Midnight Mommy" or some-such discription of my being up all night.) Thankgoodness those nights are over...or are they? Ok, I am back to being up quite a bit during the night, but for a completely different reason.

Alright, I am jumping in to this now, figuring out how to do this, and my "big pile of boys" are going to help me. (Stephen has proclaimed his brother and him as well as the new brother soon to come as the "big pile of boys". )