Myrup Family News

Birthday, Christmas, Vegetables, and everything in between!

2012-01-06T10:02:00.008-07:00

Okay so much has happened since I've given blogging a thought! I already uploaded the pictures, now it's all about documenting what's going on in the pictures.

We've finally taken updated pictures..it's been TOO long.

-Brandon doesn't have one because he got a school picture purchased this year.

Now some silly things...This is what Marie looks like after eating an OREO cookie.

-Yup it's EVERYWHERE!! Even up her nose!

Of course she's still a princess every time she gets!

It's been so long since I've taken this picture that I can't even remember what she's wearing. But it's at least a 2 dresses, 2 dress up dresses then a dress on top! That day I didn't care, as many layers as she wanted, I helped her put on.
She wanted to see her squished nose-and so I took a picture..such a weirdo.

This is how Marie likes to get her hair wet in the bath. Hey the bottom line is she actually LIKES getting her hair wet now!
On day she just couldn't keep her eyes open..poor thing. Sleeping while kneeling on a couch sitting up!

Tyler has had a birthday! He is now 5 years old! This year he wanted a dog cake, so I coped out this year like I did when Brandon wanted a Dinosaur cake and just did a picture on the cake.

-Of course it's Tyler so it HAS to have those candy letters on it!
-He blew out the candles too quick to get a picture!
At school they gave him a birthday crown! He was so proud, and even let Marie try it on and get a picture!
-Here he is with his Thanksgiving crown thing and his birthday crown. At least I got a good smile out of him!

It was forever after his actual birthday that we finally had his party at the Gymnastics place. He loved it, there was a small turn out-but it was Dec. 17th! But it was a ton of fun-and I only got a cake picture, no pics of Eric throwing the kids in the pit this time!--but it happened! Oh and I made another dog cake, different dog this time..with a Santa hat!

This is out Elf Jack. He comes and visits us starting Dec 1st-and stays until Christmas Eve. The kids LOVE finding him each morning!

This is Marie showing us how much she LOVE her vegetables! I'm not kidding Broccoli is her very favorite vegetable and would eat it daily if I cooked it for her! Brandon likes it a lot too..but not Tyler..I've got 1 that doesn't really like any vegetable except pickles..and really do those count??

On Christmas Morning-there was excitement in the air, and all worked out-even though we did Santa then church then the rest of the presents. I made life a little more complicated that I needed too-since I hauled this HUGE gift down for Brandon-it was going to be from Santa, but I decided he'd figure out HUGE box in van on the way down, HUGE box from Santa on the way home-so to keep the spirit of Santa alive I decided the gift was just from Mom and Dad to the family..but I wish I would have decided that before hauling the big thing down and back..but oh well!

-Plus there was a HUGE mix up at Best Buy to make sure we got a keyboard on time..anyway--we'll just forget about all the stress and enjoy it!

All Marie wanted for Christmas was RED FLOWERS so Santa made sure he brought those!

Oh yeah 1 more thing I should blog about. This Christmas Eve Tyler was sick, throw up sick..but was surprisingly okay on Christmas Day, that's when Eric had some stool issues, Monday evening our family flew to Florida to visit my side of the family-that's when the rest of us got sick. Meanwhile the Myrup's are sick -back in Utah..good grief--crazy, crazy sickness!

So skip this if you don't want detailed info of our throwing up. At the airport, Eric took Marie to change her diaper and when he gets back I'm leaning over the garbage can..luckily nothing came out-but still..obviously NOT feeling well. On the first flight (which was to LA, I know crazy) I threw up when they said we could get the dvd player out, and when they told us to put the dvd player away..so I wasn't sure if it was a pregnancy thing since it was the exact same altitude. Then after the plane lands, but while it's still taxiing to the gate Marie throws up.
At the airport it's 11pm our time or something, so we're all tired. Marie sleeps on Eric's lap while I make a run for the ladies room. The boys sleep on the floor. I see another family that are throwing up-and they are on our flight..as we're standing in line to get on the plane Tyler throws up. They almost didn't let us get on a flight-they said that if he's sick on the plane they'll have to turn the plane around..we say, no he's fine and we got on board.
This flight is about 4 hours I think..Tyler and Marie sleep the entire time. Me and Brandon-we throw up the entire time. I had it easy because I'd sleep-do my business then go back to sleep..poor Eric had Brandon and didn't know when it was going to happen. All but the first landed in a bag, and the first was on Eric's hand and on an airplane blanket that we chucked-so it could have been worse.
Who knows how many people got sick because of us.
When we get the FL-Brandon only throws up once more in the rental car-in a bag..and then when we get there the throw up is done..thank goodness! However I have diarrhea pretty much the whole time I'm there...which caused me not to have the best time of my life, but we still had fun.

I think the boys' favorite part was the pool at the rental house..they were in it every day!

Brandon wanted me to get a picture of his head in the water..he's so proud!

Here we are at the zoo..it was fun-but I literally pooped my pants and I felt like my water had broke-just uncontrollable oozing, is never a good feeling!

It was so good to see my sister and her family-it had been 2 years. And a year since we've seen my Grandmother..it as so so nice to be altogether again! And thanks to Lisa she did all the cooking..and was exceptional!
Aunt Leah her Grand Daughter Kylee, Aunt Jennifer and Big Brandon surprised the kids and came down for a day-since that was the day Lisa's family and Grandma got sick with whatever we had, we just stayed at the house--but when that part of the family is there, you will always have fun! And we did, it was really really nice to see them-and be all together!

Jokes and life

2011-11-17T11:26:00.002-07:00

This is just a weird post-odds and ins of Myrup life. The first picture is Tyler and Marie I am not kidding I believe it was 30 something degrees outside..but Tyler wanted to have a real tea party. We always just pretend in Marie's set, I told him if he went outside and he jumped at the idea. So they are freezing their booties off..but they had a good time because they wanted to stay out there forever..but then Brandon called from school and he had an accident..and we had to get him. During computer I guess they have 11 minute timed tests, so he tried to hold it, but couldn't--poor guy.

Apparently when we did the fall carnival at Brandon's school-Tyler really wanted a rocket ship that was one of the activities we didn't do, because at the time he didn't tell us. So I looked online to see how I could make him something cool-and this is what I came up with. I used a piece of pvc pipe from our tee pee..wrap the paper around it, tape it, tape on paper tip..then they launch them by blowing hot air throw the PVC pipe..it's great until the tip is so worn out it's not air tight anymore. But I felt like a cool Mom that day.

Yesterday we celebrated Tyler's birthday at school. Because his falls during Thanksgiving week and we get the ENTIRE week off..why-please let me know..and tomorrow they are doing a Thanksgiving Day party at school. The school gave him this crow, a paper with his favorites and things he thinks are yucky. When the teacher was asking him-they asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up..this is what he says "work at Papa John's Pizza" Lately he's been asking me for an RV, I tell him when he's a teenager he's going to need a job to save money and when he has enough money he can buy his own. And how he'll lock the door so girls can't come in..and how he's going to work at Papa John's to save his money..the teachers surely had a laugh at that one..and the thing is we don't hardly buy pizza except Little Caesars..so I must have told him I worked there and he remembered.

Then Marie wanted a picture and Tyler told her to wear his crown..so sweet!

My parents mostly have wanted to see the work Eric has done in the garage, and I thought this is the perfect way to post a video. SO here it is..it looks sloppy because since we already have snow here, we just put as much stuff around the walls as we can so we can park 1 vehicle in the garage, and when Eric works on it he has to move the stuff every time. Poor guy-but I really want some garage space! That's why we bought a house with a 2 car garage! But when we moved in there was nothing-bare wood. He himself has put in insulation, sheet rock, taped and puttied-over the seems, sanded the excess, put some special rounded corner thing on the window, and primed the garage. On the ceiling and the first wall to the left were already finished with the house..he attempted to putty some of that falling tape off-but you know didn't really want to because it was added work-so the crappiest parts were already crappily done before we moved in. We don't really care what it looks like, Eric just wants it SEALED and that's the most important to him! I'm proud and I really want the shelving in and a functioning garage-but holy cow it has taken a LOT of time. He's had a co-worker help him a few times which is nice..but it's been 6 day weeks for a few months-he works out there after work and most of the day Saturday -but ALWAYS takes a break during BYU games..and I'm ready for the project to be over!!!

Also lately there's been a lot of joke telling, mostly Tyler and they NEVER make sense, so the past couple of days-Marie's been in on it too. I have NO clue what she's saying. But on the second joke in the video she says How something I say How, then she says because...something I don't know what-but when she says because I think it's so cute. Oh and she's got on a dress like ALWAYS..she mostly sleeps in dresses now too-she puts her pajamas on then wants a dress on top-never a dress up dress..just a cotton dress-but still that girl!
So today she's got a shirt to make the dress modest, a church dress that's 18 months-so too small, with Cinderella on top, then a cardigan that's PINK over that..plus white dress up princess shoes!

And Tyler's in the background, poor guy has a fever and has been laying there since 5:50am!

Every Time

2011-11-02T15:31:00.007-06:00

Okay I'm going to start my post with something to let you know how much of a weirdo I am...about 1 month ago I bought a new scent for my fabric softener. It's Great Value, and it's a NEW scent, and it's called Original Clean. Every time I do laundry it sort of bugs me, it's an oxy moron to me, it's Original Clean, but it's a new scent..I don't know-it just bugs me I guess..it's weird.

Well it's November, it hasn't snowed since that one time early October, however this morning it was 16*, holy cow...I tell Brandon when he's getting ready to head out the door, it's freezing you better wear your coat..but in reality it's below freezing!

I'll post some pictures of our latest adventures...

Okay for starters-Marie always wears the crown she won in Halloween Bingo, almost always it's upside down, but she lives in that thing, and her Cinderella dress!

The kids got a Gingerbread Christmas Cookies book from the library, so we made pirate cookies..with a peg leg and all!

Tyler was in Fall Soccer this year, he LOVED it! There were a few days of cold windy weather..but he did really great and got quite a few goals!

On to Pumpkins, we carved them Monday before Halloween..and I think after 1 night you could see the wear and tare the whether was doing to them..but they made it.
Yes my boys are crazy..they didn't want to touch the guts, so they wore gloves! Me and Marie made pretend doughnuts from refrigerator biscuits (which the middle was raw on most of them, obviously I don't fry enough) and this year we toasted Pumpkin seeds and they were a real hit.

Thanks Eric for doing all the work! Usually I help a little bit, but this year I just hung out! Tyler's is on top, he used a picture from a book we have Spookiest Halloween Ever..he new weeks before carving what he wanted his to look like. Marie's is in the middle-Eric asked her if she wanted Happy, Sad or Mad..she said sad-so that's what she got! Then Brandon wanted Happy..so there was our little clan, thanks to Grandma and Grand Dad for giving us the pumpkins!!

THE BIG DAY! HALLOWEEN!!!

This is what Brandon looked like when he left for school..he didn't know what he wanted to be for a LONG time. He thought he wanted to be a zombie but Thursday night before Halloween we went to his school's Fall Carnival and waited in line for about 40 minutes to go to the Haunted House..I went and did other little games with Marie..but I guess there were LOTS of Zombies and it was scary for the boys, Brandon did okay for the actual haunted house, but couldn't get to sleep that night..so he decided he didn't want to scare himself..so I came up with this idea..I spent about 4 hours hot gluing this fabric to some old pants and a shirt Saturday, feeling like I completely neglected my family. Eric was in the garage working (he's got ALL the sanding done for the garage walls!!! However still has to wipe down the walls and ceiling, and prime..then do the shelves..but he's been working super hard and I'm proud of him. For now I cleared 1 car space in the garage that I let him park in since I don't need to be out until 9am) Okay so back to costume..when he got home from school, I guess the pants were heavy with the fabric and he had to pull them up all day and was crabby, and I had to beg him to wear it to Eric's work for the Trick or Treating there..it seemed like he Never wanted to put it on..but a friend of mine that went to the school Halloween parade said he was sort of bragging at school that nobody had a costume like his..so that made me feel a little better, since I neglected the children most of Saturday afternoon to make it!

Now I'll always have a mummy costume..with a grass stain from Recess!

Tyler was a vampire by day and a Dragon by night, because it was windy that night and he refused to wear a jacket or coat under his cape..I don't understand why-it's not like it would be in the way!
This is him, in his Preschool parade!

Then they gathered and sang a few songs, I only got the Christmas song because it was first, then my battery was low, but they sang a squirrel song and a Halloween song.

Marie was a princess by day, or course and then at night she was a princess for the first 10 houses, then got cold and finally put on her coat and this cute lady bug..or course her dress is hanging out (and amazing, it was Snow White, not Cinderella!) However after putting this on, she just sat in the stroller while the boys went around. Halloween is Month end, so Eric came home earlier than normal but still after we got back from Trick or Treating, but in our neighborhood-it was fine taking the kids out by myself.
After we were all done..I made Brandon put the top of his Costume back on because I was a retard and forgot to get a picture of the three of them together!
And that is all the fun we had! Hope you all had fun too!

Lovely October

2011-10-13T15:11:00.003-06:00

We had a good time at Grandma and Grand Dad's for Conference. We were able to spend some time with Great Grandma and Great Grand Dad. Alan and Eric helped paint on Saturday, and the boys helped pick up scraped paint off the ground-they thought it was a lot of fun. It was good to see them!

We played Halloween Bingo during the priesthood session..always fun! Marie and Tyler LOVE to play it..and we still have a few edible prizes. Tyler finally picked the funny glasses and has had a really great time with them! The secret decoder wrist watch from Savers is still the all time favorite prize!

Then on October 6th what did we get??? I'm sure you can see-SNOW! Unbelievable, thank heavens it melted by Saturday afternoon and hasn't come back since. However Tyler had soccer on Saturday and even though the snow was gone, it was NIPPY! It was good snowman snow, but I wasn't even excited to get the bins out and all their snow stuff out and on, so I certainly wasn't going to help build. We decided to go to Leo's Place and have some dinner and indoor fun.

This is the bill we got from Honda last week. A few months ago Brandon stuck something in the driver side door keyhole..apparently I wasn't unlocking the van fast enough that day when we were loading up to go somewhere. So he put what I thought was a zip tie in the keyhole. I was a dummy and tried to pull it out, but the keyhole never worked after that. Since our minivan only has 1 keyhole that made me a little nervous, I started not locking the van at night-in case the battery died, how would we get in the van? I called several lock smiths but since it's a fat weird key, there was nothing they could do, I had to go to Honda and pay a whopping $167 for them to fish this out..and 5 hours! I didn't wait for the van, but it was hard figuring out dropping off and picking up with an alternate vehicle being a truck that only holds 3 people.

This is Brandon on the tub..he was telling me all about snorkeling, how long Grandma and Grandpa's snorkel thing was-apparently it's longer than I told him they are. Then he tested snorkeling out in our very own tub, with a tiny straw to breath out of!

GO BRANDON!

You know it's Fall When...

2011-09-22T13:28:00.004-06:00

You find THIS at the STORE...and it was CHEAP!!

Yes it caused much temptation, which I couldn't resist and I went over my food budget, but since we bought it yesterday and it's half gone..I think it was well worth it-plus it was $1.50!! I just really, really wish I had some home-made soft pretzels to go with it..but I know I won't. Maybe I'll splurge and at least go to Pretzel time..again causing more budget bursting.

This month, I did something all you fabulous Mom's probably have been doing for years..but just in case you aren't I'll share. This Month I planned my menu-18 dinners. I took 1 huge $203 shopping trip to get all the items needed for these meals. Plus some frozen berries for some smoothies..and garbage bags..but anyway. I took 1 Friday about 5 hours to pre-cook all my beef meals, for the chicken I just divided it as needed-either shredded, or chopped for crock pot or left whole for chicken cor don blue (sp?). Then dinner has been such a breeze! On really chaotic days I just pull an already made dinner out of the freezer, other days I do a bit more prepping with the chicken. The best part for me is the fact that I don't have to figure out what I'm having, I have a list, and my choice is one of those options-and no matter what I pick, I have ALL the ingredients for it. Before I'd finally decide on something-then realize I didn't have sour cream or something like that, and I'd have to either; re-decide on what we'd have, go to the store, or cop out and make nothing. Just having the menu pre-determined has been fabulous! And I can't even remember that long day of neglecting Marie..it's so worth it now!

Plus we've been able to stay on our budget..okay okay, I realize it's still September and I already let you know I went over my budget but our budget for this month is $300 less than we've been spending, so compared to that, I'm doing awesome!

-Here's Tyler with his entire rock family he painted one day. He told me all their names, then got confused and named them something else..but the names aren't important, he's so proud and they sit on his dresser!

-This is Marie being as cute as normal.
-This is my splurge at Wal-Mart when I got the cider it was only $1.27 and couldn't say no to that sad face, she'd already asked for SOOOO many other items that were WAY more expensive, so I gave in. Reminds me of Gnomeo and Juliet!

Tell the world

2011-09-15T11:15:00.004-06:00

Well I think it's time to tell the whole world that we're expecting and due March 31st. Whether this is a girl or boy it will be our last. And I'm happy I'll have my 4, I went do the doctor a couple of weeks ago and it's confirmed I'm only carrying one-thank Heavens!
I don't feel any different other than hunger, haven't gained any weight yet, and I can't tell by looking at my belly.

However because of my stroke last year I get to wake up each morning to this:

Every morning it's the first little prick into my skin I think I hate, but in reality it's the stinging as it goes in..but each morning it's still hard to do the first prick. It reminds me of nursing Brandon-in the very beginning, he preferred 1 side until it was raw and cracked. I knew my baby needed to eat but the first latch hurt like crazy and it was bloody each time..yes it passed in about 6-7 weeks..where as this won't pass until the baby is here..I know it's all worth it..but I feel like in one way it's payback..Payback for no stretch marks and no morning sickness for 3 children. I know I can do it!

But onto other things-This week Brandon wanted a carrot for a snack after school..the thought of a LONG carrot sounded so good..and we're loving Looney Toons lately "What's up Doc?"--so he really enjoyed it!

And here is what the rest of us looked like before we got ready this morning:
Tyler was doing this thing with one of Marie's hair bands..I thought it looked like a goatee (is that what I mean to spell?)

Marie-just wanted to have her picture taken-I didn't but then she wanted to take a picture of me..

no more spiders!

2011-09-12T10:36:00.003-06:00

For a little while we were killing 1 spider every other day or so..so I dug out our 2 bottles of house spray, home protection-and of coarse I sprayed it! I looked and it didn't say anything about expecting women..and Eric will NEVER do it--so I did it and since then we've been spider free! Well Tyler killed one last week outside on our front steps, and he was SO proud. Eric believes it has NOTHING to do with the home protection-but since I've sprayed I haven't seen them. That's enough for me!

Also Marie and Tyler have been staying busy-always using their imaginations..that's good! It started out with chairs on the couch for a tunnel, then they got on the chairs and decided to ride a horse!

Tyler got some homework from preschool this weekend, they want him to start writing his name in lowercase, he knows all his uppercase but no lower case..it was VERY hard for him to even trace the letters they wrote for him. Also I guess when they asked his last name he didn't know it, nor his address, nor my phone number..I trained Brandon to know all these things but not for Tyler in preschool..so I tried to cram some info into his brain this weekend.

On Friday I weeded, because I didn't want to do it on Saturday..and the weeds on the side of the house were outrageous! Marie decided to try them on. Cute green wig!

This is the SUPER cute dress I got for Marie from some lady on Craigslist this week..for $3..SCORE

However I didn't have bows that match, we compromised on the pink butterfly clips..I'll have to get some bows..but I was so happy it's gorgeous and it's modest!

School

2011-09-06T09:36:00.005-06:00

Last week my Dad was telling me how I need to blog important things like the first day of school, and I know I should but it's been so easy to just not blog and be a slacker..but I'll try and do better.

Thus far Brandon enjoys his class, he's only been 3 days. He's already decided hot lunch is better than bringing his own. Eric believes $1.95 is a great deal, cheaper than making your own..I'm not so sure. But we'll see how often Brandon wants to do hot lunch..then we'll see. Last week he went on Monday then threw up all night, right after a street ice cream social..I thought we were going to get everybody sick-but thankfully we didn't! The first time he threw up, he was so sad he couldn't go to school the following day. Me too!

The bus stop is across the street and 3 houses down, so I just send him by himself and he knows everybody at the stop so that's fun. Thus far everything is good.

Tyler goes to preschool 3 days a week. I was recommended to this preschool and had higher hopes than I've seen, but he's only been there 2 times and I'm sure it'll be fine. It just seems like it's the teacher's way or the high way..but there's no snack it's 9am-11:30 and Tyler's not really a breakfast person and he says he wasn't bored..so that's for sure something!

Marie is a girly girl just like always, she's talking a LOT more. On her play phone when I ask her who she's talking to 99 percent of the time it's Uncle Brett! So cute. But she's still into shoes and jewelry and dress up..just like a girl should.

The other thing I have on this camera is this summer, I was brave and went around the block with some neighbor kids on a costume parade, it was hot in all these black costumes, but the kids had a blast and they even threw out jolly ranchers to other kids.

-Tyler's a Ninja, Pyper's Batman, Ali's a Ninja, Brandon's Tootsie Roll, and Marie is Cinderella.

Circus

2011-06-21T22:21:00.006-06:00

Since I'm on a blogging marathon tonight, I might as well post about us going to the circus today! Eric's in Mexico-so I thought I'd do it on my own and it really wasn't bad. It was a lot of fun-I didn't put them to bed on time and I got a little cranky-but the circus part was fun..but a fortune!

I guess this circus comes to IF each year, it's to support Shriners Hospital for Children. The clowns made balloons in whatever you wanted, we got a butterfly, dog and sword. I think all by the sword have popped but it was fun.

Brandon got to ride on an elephant! It was a whapping $10 but I thought it was a once in a lifetime thing, so I forked it out. Tyler and Marie went on pony rides which were $6 not much better. But we had a great time! The kids were so good-it was a lot of fun!

-This is when we first saw the elephant and I decided children wouldn't fall off.
Brandon's not on this ride-it's just a close up of the elephant.
There he is!

These next pictures are from my fabulous photographer Brandon..the pony ride, the never stopped it, when it was Marie's turn they said I had to be by her, which is fine but the ponies kept going-so what can you do?
-Marie LOVED it, but could only afford 1 ride...

-Tyler holding his dog balloon
-Marie with her butterfly
-Brandon's holding a sword, but I guess I cut it out of the pic...oops!

-The boys thought this guy was cool...
-This was Tyler's favorite clown-(of course, looks like a cowboy) Sagebrush Sam!

-This is Marie's tongue, either from a jolly rancher or cotton candy-but it was so red and cute!

Of course by the end Tyler and Marie's balloons had popped so we went back to the clowns to get more..they were free except donation-so the cheapest thing there!

-Here we are ready to head home!
-Okay make sure you read all the posts I did today and you can find me in another few months....

Marie is 2!

2011-06-21T22:08:00.002-06:00

HERE SHE IS-THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!!

May 28th Marie turned 2..and I'm such a slacker I failed to write anything about it. Of course she can't voice her own opinion, so I did a slacker cake-but it looks girly.

Of course out of all the presents she got, all she wants to do is wear the sunglasses Grandma Myrup got her, play with the red phone Grandma Myrup gave her and cook food in the microwave-guess who got that for her--you're right. Looks like Grandma knows what a girl wants! She plays with other things, but those are her favorites!

Here's some pictures of her special day. I know I never posted more pics from Brandon's birthday-but I'm too late now..so oh well.

This is just random Myrup fun-
-scroll down-there's pics of the house and more..

THE HOUSE

2011-06-21T20:30:00.007-06:00

I'm sure some of you are dying to see our new house. I know I took pics and videos of it, but can't find them-so I took a few just now. So you don't get a pic of the front of the house-sorry. But we love it here! The street has SOOO many kids out playing during the day, it's crazy. It's really great, and to think they'll just be growing up together-they'll always be friends, is just such a great thought.

Going on the tour:

This is the front room, and you're coming in the front door. I personally DON'T like the couch like this, I feel like it's not very welcoming when people come-they have to go around the couch then sit down, but we're "trying it out" And the ugly tv stand is really my sewing table filling in for now. Oh yeah, the couch on the right is part of the "set" I bought for my new living room-however the couch that we had before the one on the left doesn't fit down our stair well, so I don't get my couch set I wanted after all..oh well.

The front room is to the left of the picture-to the right is the entrance from the garage. This is the dining/kitchen area. I can get to the backyard from a sliding door-which is awesome! The kitchen isn't huge, but there's a flat top stove--yeah!, a cupboard for my cookie sheets and a corner pantry that's big enough for me to put ALL my food, what used to be in my basement before (because right now there aren't any shelves in the garage or basement for my food)

Here's the awesome swing set-just like public playgrounds, it's the bomb!..really nice I can even swing when I want-it's not going anywhere!

The kids are sleeping so you don't get to see their rooms-wait I found a pic of Marie's (just have to look in the June folder-dah!)

but one room was already blue and the other was pink, so we left that-and put the boys in the tinier room..and bunked their beds. Their room is pretty small, but the toys are all downstairs so it works out fine.

This is the hall bath, we did NOT pick the paint, we haven't done any paint, in fact the old owner's filled in their holes in the walls and we haven't even done paint touch ups yet..whatever-we're lazy.

Brandon HATES this bathroom, it's too girly with the flower shower curtain (that was nicely left for us) so he always goes downstairs..whatever.

This is the master, it's a good size. On either side of the bed there are reading light sconces. However the old owners had a queen bed not full..so we have to reach a little to turn off the lights-but it's one of the things we liked about the house.

There's a master bathroom (according to House Hunters it's not very MASTER but compared to 1 bathroom in the whole house-we're happy)too, so that's nice-we get our own non-peed on toilet!

When you go down the stairs and turn left, this is half of the family room. I personally believe when we have a house full of teenagers this will be a room..but we'll see what happens.

This is the other half of the downstairs family room. Just our office right now..and it's a big open space to play freeze tag and such.

This is the downstairs bedroom, it's our playroom and I hope to be the guest room if I can convince Eric a guest bed is a necessity.
Downstairs there is also a bathroom I didn't take a pic of and the laundry room.

Hope you enjoyed a taste of our home.
Keep scrolling down I did another post today as well.

Busy, busy

2011-06-21T20:21:00.005-06:00

Here they are...growing up...

I feel like warm weather is FINALLY here..this week anyway.
I'll post some pics so some of you can see how much we've grown and then hopefully I'll do a few more posts tonight...

Just before the end of school we went to FAME night at Brandon's school. There was a promised magician that wasn't there and face painting was advertised as free..which wasn't but we bought it and the painter was a perfectionist! But they were good pictures!

-I think I stood in line for these face paintings the entire time..but oh well they loved them.

We're having a little bit of fun in our nice shade trees we don't have anymore, now that we've moved.

Look how long Marie's hair has grown, when it's wet it's half way down her back-just crazy!

-and DON'T TOUCH her bows!

This is Brandon being a silly goose!

We put Brandon in Track and Field club this year, he loves the meets..the practices he doesn't-but that's a part of life..he got silver metal in his age group which is 4-8 year old kids.

-there's his medal. He hopes to get a gold medal before the season is through. He got ribbons in long jump and high jump. Go Brandon.

Spring still isnt' here!

2011-04-26T15:41:00.004-06:00

It snowed today, not sticking..but still snow flakes-come on! This is just ridiculous! We were going to go to the zoo today, with Tyler's Joy Preschool class..well that didn't happen-the animals probably wouldn't even be out in this below 40 weather..it's horrible! Because of the weather we really haven't been up to much, I'm sick of winter-I've run out of things to do..it's just terrible!

The Easter bunny came, and the kids got a good sugar high before church Sunday, Tyler keeps asking for an egg hunt, but that just didn't happen-except for when we did it at Grandma's during the Priesthood session! We did dye eggs yesterday, for FHE-it wasn't too exciting for them, the best part was that I had them wear rubber gloves and they felt so cool! I know that's pathetic, Tyler dyed all his either orange or blue, so creative! But it's the thought that counts, I know.

On the 23rd we had Brandon's birthday party! It was the first Saturday that we could do it since his birthday..this year I know we'll have a party for Tyler there-they had so much fun. It was at a Gymnastics place and Eric said it was the first time he's had fun at a birthday party..and he did have fun, even though he was the only guy-but he was throwing the kids around, and really getting his exercise! I hung out and talked with the other mom's and tried to get a couple pictures. It was worth the 100 bucks though, for sure!-they decorated the room for me, I just had to go upstairs and pretend I did it all! And they did the plates, napkins, cups, utensils and the goody bags, it was a very stress free birthday party!

Okay I think that's all I have to update..now here's some pictures.
Oh just as a calendar type journal
This month Marie has started saying her own prayer, it's so dang cute..half the time she says it even though it's not her turn, but when it's her turn she repeats everything so you can actually understand it.
Tyler did a talent at the ward talent show-this was a while ago in March I believe-but he got on the stage and did some cool dance moves for about 2 minutes, he totally rocked it out! I was so proud of him!
Brandon's been doing really well with reading and school, he's got some attitude in the morning about going-but learns so much and it sounds like he has a good time! Oh yeah and he's invented a new sandwich, which I'll explain from the pic.

Well Marie's on my lap and this isn't working out so pics of the party will be coming soon...

-Brandon did this when he was her age..oh how it all comes back..

-Daddy finally got around to making Tyler a Jet out of Brandon's leftover kid wood. Tyler didn't want Brandon in the pic!

-just some fun with Daddy.

-Crazy Mommy!-there's a pic I'll post of Marie wearing these too..pic to come..

-Show us the moves!

-Brandon with his birthday crown from school.

-Wow-everybody's happy!

-Here's Brandon's invention, Bread then cheese, then peanut butter, then bread then 3 slices of ham on top! He says it's do die for!! I've never tried it!

Is spring here?

2011-03-16T14:40:00.006-06:00

Well here in Idaho Falls, it's still kind of cold and this week it's totally rainy-but it's RAIN and not snow! Almost all the snow is melted and that's super exciting. It's warm enough for the kids, even Marie, but not warm enough for me to want to be outside all day--and I can't wait for us to move so I can send Marie out back and I don't have to worry about her and going in the road!

Here's just some pics that I've taken since my last post...

-Tyler went to the Fire Station for preschool and this is him hefting the ax.

-Stylin' the boots!

-Marie just discovered she fits into her baby stroller

-Clown Girl! I believe she was licking her ketchup off her plate..such a nice example from Tyler..but she looks like a clown!

-One thing Marie will do, is smile and say cheese for pics!

-Unfortunately she likes to put these gloves on..good thing I put them away for the winter.

-Okay so the lighting could be WAY better, but this is some of the cute stuff Marie's doing!

WOW

2011-01-17T10:00:00.005-07:00

Another post-I can't believe it!
We finally got Brandon's Real Construction set out that he got for Christmas. It looked too complicated for me so we had some Daddy/Brandon time and he made a tank..that took a little more Daddy help than Brandon wanted and it was more time consuming than he thought-so he got board, hardly plays with it yet is VERY protective of it!

-Tyler pretending he did some of the work...

Also they've been into goggles lately. Not just in the tub but they are spy glasses and they've done all sorts of imagination stuff with them, seeing x rays and just had a lot of fun playing this game together!

-Brandon however wasn't excited about a picture.

And Marie with her CHEESE!

Blue Beauty

2011-01-11T14:07:00.004-07:00

So if you add a Black in front of my title followed by and..that's my new nick name. Since my stroke I have to take a big aspirin and Bruises have been tough..but yesterday I took a spill on the icy snowy road-just from the car to inside and it's as bad as it's ever been! Just a few minutes after there was this HUGE bump-then later it turned dark purple. It's still bumpy today and well it's just rough.

Since I've been in the slacker club..I thought I'd put some pics of the kids on here.

We had a fabulous Christmas-seeing my brother at my parents house the week before Christmas, then spending Christmas Eve and Christmas with Mom and Dad Myrup. However Kaden was born Christmas Eve so it was hard without Grandma. The kids kept asking when she was coming back and it wasn't as vacation-y..since I did the entertaining and not Grandma. But if I had a baby I'd want Grandma there too! The boys made some pretty cute Gingerbread houses though...

-Thanks for the houses and candy Grandma!

Oh yeah and I made stuffing from scratch for the first time on Christmas day-far far from Linda's yummy stuffing..but it was okay. Alan did a great job with the rest of the meal and Christmas day was a lot of fun!

The rest of the pics are us just messing around. Marie is the only one that likes to get her picture taken these days..and she even says CHEESE it's awesome. Since Christmas all she wants to do is push her baby around in a stroller, feed her, wear dress up clothes and shoes and sunglasses and make cute pictures!

-We got this little couch from a friend Kenzie that was getting rid of it--holy cow the kids have such a BLAST on it, I can hardly remember life without it!

Oh yeah and before I get to the super cute pictures I'd just like to say. Marie is in the stage where she has to do things by herself. She has to take her coat off, she tries to put her own shes on-but usually resorts to help. But she's already such a girl! She has to pick out the pair of shoes she's going to wear, if I put a bow in her hair she doesn't want she rips it out-but if she picks it she leaves it alone-it's just crazy! In this picture she has a bow and is wearing a headband..but that's how she wanted it..and I honestly don't care what she wears...

Aww..super cute!

We're Alive

2010-11-22T13:16:00.005-07:00

We're alive, however I feel like we're starting to get snowed in and it's not even Thanksgiving yet! It's crazy..it's not really that bad, but because there is no school this week-the road is hardly driven on and all you see is snow, snow snow!! Brandon had a fun time today-Tyler and Marie, not so much-but oh well, the Hot Chocolate was good.

What have we been up to? Not really sure-nothing too exciting, but I'll post some pics from Halloween and stuff.

Oh Tyler turned 4 yesterday, he had a fun birthday-LOVED all his presents--and tomorrow we're having cake and ice cream with friends..so that's going to be a blast!

Marie was a bee, so stinkin' cute!-we borrowed it from Callie our old neighbor, she was so cute and ate almost all her candy before we went home..

Luckily I found this Power Rangers costume I believe 2 days before Halloween-it finally suited Tyler.
Brandon's been this Ninja, I think this is the 3rd year in a row! It was definitely too small this year, so he'll have to be something else next year.

I was a referee this year, I volunteered in Brandon's class that day-so I thought I should be something, and that was easy. For a week afterward Tyler still dressed up each day and the boys asked about Trick or Treating..Brandon still has a TON of candy left-that I think Daddy will eventually take care of.

Even Marie likes to dress up daily!

First Snow-2010

Snow FUN!

This is just because I don't ever post pics of me..

The boys put clothes pins on their fingers one day, I think it was sort of like wolverine..but regardless they had a blast!

This is Tyler's mouth after eating some blueberries!

It's hard getting a good pic with 3 kids..

These are my 2 little fish, wrapped in blanket with 1 tail at the end..we're being creative to entertain while Brandon's at school.

GHOST!-

The kids had a lot of fun with Marie like this, and she loved it!

Fun Stuff

2010-09-30T09:01:00.005-06:00

Oh so cute! They were really hugging each other!!

Well it's been a long time-but less than a month..so that's got to count for something!

I had my surgery on the 10th of this month and everything went well. It was an out patient procedure and after 12 hours of being there I was able to go home. It was a great experience my Dad stayed with me pretty much the entire time and we got to chat and it was just really nice to spend that time with him and to talk.

I couldn't lift Marie for the first few days after wards and that was the HARDEST thing. Not onto the couch, couldn't get her out of bed in the morning, put her in her crib for naps NOTHING-it was rough. But called the doctor on Monday and the nurse said I could lift her..so that was nice! By the time my parents left the following Friday I was feeling good, and I feel myself again-I'm all better! Since my recovery we've been doing some fun things, enjoying the last lick of warmth here in Idaho Falls before it goes COLD, COLD, COLD! Saturday there was a community day-and the zoo was free..plus bouncy houses, crafts and tons of free stuff. That was fun. We've been freezing our yogurts and eating them like Popsicles, Marie enjoys wearing a cape almost as much as Tyler..it's so funny. I don't know there's an update-and here's some cute pics of how we look..and how we're growing.

This is Brandon with his new friend Joey Sale. They are in the same Kindergarten class, but they actually live in our ward now-so it has just been really fun for Brandon!

I wanted to show Brandon how much he really looked like Batman.

This is our neighbor Bianca-the boys have really enjoyed playing with her this summer.

Tyler at the zoo..he's smiling..and his eyes are open!

The front of the zoo-they were excited to go in!

This is our group at the community fest-

\
Marie enjoying a frozen yogurt..

Cape Marie!

SCHOOL!

2010-09-01T12:07:00.006-06:00

School has started and Brandon LOVES it! I like it too, it's been fun to have 1 gone, 1 napping and only 1 to play with-even though I've let him play Nintendo part of the time, and that's been great too!

He's got the same teacher as our neighbor Bianca had last year, and Brandon was happy to hear it was the same! There's this boy in his class that used to be in our ward and is moving back-so Brandon has already made a friend. I keep telling him it's okay to have more than 1 friend, but we'll see how he does.

I guess today the gingerbread man brought them cookies and they chased after it. And got to eat some-and found some crumbs, Brandon's not sure if the teacher was lying or not-because the crumbs were fake! That's what he told me about today!! I'm so glad he loves it-I wish he were gone longer!

This is a pic of last night-I couldn't resist I could get them all in 1 shot!

Marie just hangin' out, yup she LOVES the binky!

This is a random video I wanted to share...

This is a video to show you what a rain storm does for us on our street!

This is Brandon trying to be like his Dad. He puts this orange thing in his ear-and pretends he's playing his game with his friends!

Update

2010-08-26T13:48:00.003-06:00

Fist off-I went and got that test at the hospital and I do have a hole in my heart. It wasn't a PFO like they thought-it's just my heart having a hole and working extra hard..so I'm going to get it fixed-and as fast as I can, because the sooner I do so the sooner we can have another child..which I would have liked to have been expecting this month-but life does go on.

Then I thought I've been lacking in some pictures. Marie especially has changed, she's walking everywhere and her hair is growing like weeds-and it's just a lot of fun to do now..so I thought I'd share some random shots.

-Marie was super cute at church on Sunday with her pony tails but she wouldn't look at the camera--good thing Brandon loves getting his picture taken!

-This is the first time I've been able to put all the hair in the back into her pig tails..but it fell out-it's too curly-but I was fun to do!

-This summer we've bobbed for apple quite a few times..the boys LOVE it! Marie likes apples and apple cores too!

-Here's some or my new bows I got. I found a wonderful gal on craigslist that makes them for me-for cheap! It's awesome! Way easier to get them cheap than do it all myself.

Well this is how boring I'm going to be this time! Have a fabulous day!

Airshow and other important facts

2010-08-19T07:55:00.002-06:00

Saturdy July 24th we went to see the Blue Angels at the air show. We have gone once before so we purposefully only went about an hour before the real show started. We all LOVED it-it was just as amazing as last time..but getting on the shuttle to get to our car..that's a WHOLE different story-the air show ended about 3pm and we didn't get home until after 6 pm. It was HORRIBLE.Looking back now-I only remember that it was a fun activity-but at the time it was hectic and I wish we would have had more water and some food!

Here's a pic of the Angels they said they are about 18 inches away from each other..crazy!

This is the MOTHER ship-it's HUGE..but of course couldn't do as cool of things.

Tyler in a helicopter-but he didn't want to smile-and the sticker on his forehead is some political thing, he thought would keep him from getting sun burned!

This is Brandon's very first BUS ride. The shuttle from the parking lot to the airport was on a bus-and he was VERY happy about that!

On to other news. I saw the cardiologist on Tuesday and things are becoming a reality. I'm getting a test done this Tuesday to take a closer look to see the size of the hole and see if it's a possibility to get it fixed. So we're going to get that done-then go from there.

Grandma was right!

2010-08-13T08:58:00.007-06:00

Okay-I don't know why it's underlined and I don't care! The pics are all messed up and some haven't turned-and I don't care-this is more than I thought I would do..I'm so behind! But we're all alive!

We went to my Grandmother in Michigan and that was a BLAST-of course how could it not be. However she warned me how one little poke with Asprin and you've got a bruise-yeah I'm living that! Sometimes my legs look like something horrible has happened and I can't even explain it! Every day wear and tear doesn't work with Asprin I've learned. I ate a Klondike bar almost every night there-and when I got home I was about 7 pounds lighter! I'm certainly NOT complaining!!

We had some good times with Dad and Grandma's friends Walley and Doris..the first time I've really connected with them-it was really fun (they didn't let me get a pic of them though)!Some nice guy at Walley and Doris' pool let us use his goggles-they were HUGE but Brandon had a good time with them!

Ice cream...for dinner! YUMMY!--it was a back up plan on the first swim day..
The tractor at the petting farm-they all loved it! Brandon learned that pigs don't sweat. We've had some fun with him telling people that and Tyler making up his own facts.

cThe hay ride!

uBrandon was sweaty one day and learned that he could stick a penny on his forehead...it's MAGIC!

o
The kids and I took an overnight trip to Twin Falls! It was a ton of fun, they got to see friends and I got to see friends..it was a lot of fun-and really not too far, just over 2 hours-that's do-able. Sorry for anybody that reads this that I didn't see-it's hard to see everybody!

We've got ourselves another water girl like Abbie! It's so fun!

Oh yeah among all this-Eric got his eyes done-he can SEE. It was only painful a few hours afterwords and he took a nap..when he woke up he could see and he felt good!

This is a cute pic of Tyler!

While I was in Twin I bought a bike trailer from a guy on craigslist and it's not a cool one that's a trailer and stroller like I hoped..but Marie loves it! I still yearn to go on a ride with the WHOLE family..but someday we'll get Eric on board--for now it's a lot of fun..our 2 times we've gone.

Well I've got more-like the airshow maybe I'll be posting that soon...

Walking..

2010-07-13T16:27:00.002-06:00

Well here's a short update with a video..Marie's started to walk just a little bit. And maybe a few pics..nope now the kids are in-another time!

For those of you who may not have heard...

2010-06-20T20:46:00.003-06:00

I had a stroke on Thursday June 17th. I woke up about 6am with the kids, normal day-everything was fine. We ate breakfast-I went to the bathroom..and then came the symptoms..about 7:40am or so..My symptoms were drooling (just 1 thin drool-but it took me a few seconds to figure out what as going on), I could feel my tongue was numb and Eric said it was the left side of my face, my left hand wasn't responding like normal and I felt a little light headed but thought I as just dehydrated. I was able to tell Eric I had just eaten Breakfast and he thought I was having an allergic reaction--but when we went in to the Urgent Care center they informed us, based on my symptoms I need tests that they don't offer there. That they are going to notify the ER that we're coming in and that I'll most likely need a CAT-Scan.

Eric and the kids spent about 2.5 hours in the waiting room-bless their hearts..so nice-I was so out of it-time meant NOTHING to me, all the drugs I was getting. I got an MRI, CAT-Scan,EKG and an ultrasound for my heart.

Apparently I've got an open valve between the left and right part of my heart that supposedly about 20% of the people that live in the United States have-it's supposed to be open in the whom but seal after birth. This opening is called a PFO..so at just the exact wrong moment a blood clot went through the valve and into my brain. The chances are crazy you know something like 1 in a million.

At this point I'm still waiting blood work to see if my blood most likely caused the clot on its own or if it's more likely a side effect of my birth control. I think they'll never know what really happened--the good thing is I'm better because Eric rushed me in-I was treated and don't have any affects of the stroke.

Also if I do get the valve fixed-it's not major open heart surgery it's a much simpler 1 day in, same day out procedure-but at this point we don't know if we'll get it sealed or not.

My cholesterol is okay for a regular person, but because I've had a stroke it's now considered high-so I'm currently on meds for that..hopefully down the road I'll be able to change my diet and not take medication for it-but again not something I'm going to deal with at this time. I've got to take an Asprin a day-to thin my blood as well. I have to check in with the doctor in the next few days-and at that point I'll hear the blood results and all that.

Right now there is no immediate concerns. I'm happy to be home and healthy!
I'm very, very grateful for family and friends to help us in this time of need! Everybody has been wonderful and there's much more giving and service coming which is so wonderful-I don't have the words to express how I feel and the love I have felt--thanks to all--even if it's thoughts and prayers I am very grateful--
Love to all!

Awesome time

2010-06-10T13:05:00.002-06:00

Well we're having a ball here with my parents. Everyday we're doing something but not over doing it-it's just been good. My parents have taken the boys to swim while I stay home with Marie it's a pretty good life!

My parents have done all the home improvement jobs I've wanted -it's just been great. Eric could do a lot of these things but he's working a lot and not high priority for him-but for me..so it's nice that stuff is getting done!

Yesterday we went on a way cool hike-it was sort of scary..for a little while I had Marie in the backpack (Jessica M..I haven't told you but I got a new one for $20 so I don't know-we'll talk about that later)..so there were a few parts in the beginning of real rock climbing and it was a bit scary I thought she was going to tip out-of course she was probably far from doing so, but she was crying my my ear and that certainly wasn't helping. But the rest of the trip was fun-Tyler scraped his knee a couple of times but we found a cave and there were lots of cracks to jump over the boys thought it was great-but of course we didn't have any phones with cameras or a real camera-so you guys don't get to see..sorry.

Also Marie can fold her arms on demand..that's fun! Still not walking yet..oh well.

TOTAL BUMMER

2010-05-26T09:47:00.002-06:00

Last weekend was the Father and Son's camp out..of course I stressed about it all day-it takes a lot for me to make sure the boys have layers, that they'll be warm enough-getting all the winter totes of clothes out, see what they can wear that sort of thing. I was cranky and had NO time to play with the kids, I was just doing my own thing. Then I forgot I needed to get a cooler ready some smore stuff, snacks and drinks--so I think that was the WORST shopping trip with 3 children that I can remember! At the end the boys were in the big part of the cart-putting their hands around each others' necks and chocking each other..I was completely embarrassed. I don't even know where they learned that-and I'd never seen it before.

I was looking forward to watching The Lovely Bones..Eric heard it was dumb and didn't want to see it-I still wanted to see it even if it was dumb (have to say a bit dumb and not what I expected), and I was also looking forward to sleeping in! Marie sleeps in about 2 hours longer than the boys! So..the boys leave, Marie goes down for the night, I start the movie about 7pm..at about 7:40 Eric calls and can't find where any of our Stake is. So I make a few phone calls-figure out where they're at and I learn that because there was supposed to be bad weather it had been canceled the night before but we never heard. So the boys came back home-none of them had had dinner, and they camped in the back yard. But I had to pause my movie when they got home, help put food away-luckily our neighbors have a portable fire pit so that was a life saver!

Needless to say I ended up smelling like smoke and took a shower before I could continue my movie and by 2am everybody was inside because the boys were restless or cold. But Brandon keeps asking when they can sleep in the back yard again-and the boys were out hunting the yard for more firewood I believe around 7:30am for another fire! So I guess they had an okay time..but my evening was interrupted and I didn't get to sleep in! So total bummer!

On a better note, Looking forward to seeing the Myrup's, my Parents are coming soon, and I signed the boys up for swim lessons-so that's exciting!

And Eric is trying to decide what date he wants to get his eyes fixed-he's going to do la-sic (who knows if that's the right word?) eye surgery! I'm excited for him!

And I'm dying for the weather to get warm! Hello it's almost June-where is the summer??

Tootsie Roll and Date

2010-05-07T09:18:00.004-06:00

I didn't get a picture, because honestly I don't want to remember-but yesterday we wake up and there is SNOW on the ground! Are you kidding May 6th..good grief I'd like the nice, warm spring weather..anytime now!! There were a few days a couple of weeks ago of wonderful weather and Marie still has rosie cheeks from that..it's a memory I'd like to re-live if the sun would come out and the wind wold stop!
It was Eric's birthday big 32! We went out and thanks to my friend Mandie and her husband we had a date..I think it's the first date since we've lived here and it's been almost 6 months. We went to Eric's company Christmas Party..and that's it. So it was wonderful and of course the boys had a BLAST! They had so much fun they said they didn't because they didn't want to leave. Thanks Mandie and Mark!

This morning Eric opened his presents and we've yet to eat cake and ice cream..but we will tonight-so it's a laid back birthday I suppose. But I think Brandon is more excited than the rest of us..we have to get the decorations out, we have to hide and surprise with Happy Birthday..he's the most excited about cake and ice cream-so it's fun just for the kids!
I wanted to post about our Tootsie Roll costume. A while back at DI we were looking through the costumes and found a Tootsie Roll costume..Brandon tried it on and it seemed kind of tight but really loved it and for $3 what the heck-I think we've already got our money's worth. So I get home and take the tag off and it says infant 3-6 months. So I guess it's supposed to be a little sack thing..oh well-the boys still like it-but it's funny to see them in it, knowing it's supposed to be a little baby sack!

Then I wanted to add this pic--lately Tyler wants to put mousse in his hair and make it spiky-which it doesn't really spike so good since it hasn't for over 3 years. Then one day I put the comb in his hair and told him to go look int he mirror and he said "looks just like Uncle Brett"--but I think he was saying it in a good way-because his hair actually spiked! But it's funny since he said it with a comb in his hair!--don't worry Brett, your still his favorite Uncle!

Creative?

2010-05-04T09:16:00.005-06:00

CUTE FAMILY PIC, TOO BAD I'M MISSING..BUT EVERYBODY IS LOOKING!!!

Tyler keeps asking me if I'll put Marie in 3 ponies. And I'm not sure how to do that-it's not like she has endless hair, so today I tried to be creative and this is what I did.

And I actually got some pictures of the boys-not being silly!

And one of Marie & Daddy-she does have another pig tail--it's just hidden. Oh and this is Eric's current hair dew, apparently the gal cutting it couldn't get it as short as Eric wants in the front, so he said just go ahead and buzz it. At first-I hated it! But now he enjoys not having to do his hair and it's growing on me-so we'll see what happens in the future.

What was I thinking?

2010-04-30T10:25:00.003-06:00

I guess I forgot how Idaho weather works--I swapped the kids clothes for warmer ones, got the pool out-and now it's cold and Wednesday it even did the hail of snowballs again..good grief! Where did all the warm weather go? People think I'm crazy because the boys still wear shorts..but they pick their own clothes out and we're mostly inside anyway!

Here's just some pics of Marie-guess she's the only one I get the camera out for anymore!

This is Brandon jamming on the guitar to some song after a movie-I can't think of what movie it was, but it was so cute we had to get it on film. He didn't know we were filming at first-so it's no show..it's just what he was doing. Super cute!

I went to Tuesday Morning yesterday for the first time-what an adventure-boy have I been missing out all this time! Awesome store! And the Roberts Arts and Crafts are going out of business here-so I got a couple scores there at 65% off..that was nice! I'm excited to scrapbook on Saturday!

Nothin' Much

2010-04-22T12:52:00.004-06:00

Well there's really not a whole lot going on in Idaho Falls right now. There's been quite a few beautiful days and me and the kids are all sunburned..so that's nice. But today is a rainy day-started yesterday afternoon and it continues-so it's hard to be back inside-but life goes on.

One day Brandon wanted me to get a picture of him climbing the tree. Before his birthday he got pretty high-but a branch stabbed him and it was a pretty bad owie--so I'm glad he's climbing again!

Since Brandon's birthday he's been big on dragons. So he's got 3 that he plays with a lot.

There was a day that Brandon could finally fly his kite!

We got everybody in the swimming pool-even Marie on Saturday. The boys got cold quick-but Marie loved it for a LONG time, way past her nap time she was out there splashing away. Our neighbor has a big pool I guess almost 3 feet deep, so the boys will have a BLAST in that this summer!

-I tell them to say cheese and this is what I get-pathetic!

Marie's growing more and more each day. This is the first time she's really eaten with a utensil by herself. I was so proud of her-and then after I took this I noticed she did spill a bit down her seat--so now I put it in a dish and she really does do great! Yeah, one more thing she can do by herself while I finish making dinner!

Today we found some good scores at DI. We found these Hulk fists that Brandon wants-for $2, we have a bowling ball but no pins and we found some of those, I got a wonder tee long sleeved shirt-at least I can wear that a few more times in this city this year!, oh 2 play shot guns-the boys are going crazy, and a kid watch that actually tells time. Which reminds me-I think I saw a commercial that a place had watches as their kids meal toys right now? Does anybody know where?? Burger King? 1 just isn't cutting it-they usually wear Uncle Brett's old digital watch and Eric's -neither have batteries but they pretend they're some powerful guy with them..but 1 with real time, is a total hit!

Birthday Cake

2010-04-09T10:10:00.004-06:00

Brandon is 5 years old! We didn't really do too much yesterday, had Little Caesar's Pizza for dinner-he loves it..and we had some friends over for cake and ice cream. Plus he got to stay up almost 2 hours past his bedtime-so I think he had a good time.

I love the dino dig cake that I made-I think it looks great! Of course I got the idea online-but the bones were more time consuming than I thought, I now really appreciate the magical wonder of cookie cutters!
When we got done-Brandon told me it was perfect. That makes it all worth it!!

-Brandon and Tyler helped putting the dirt on the cake, and putting the rocks around the edge, they did a good job! Here we are being a little silly!

-Tyler enjoyed eating the rest of the frosting from the container- (Yes I actually bought icing this year, I shocked myself too)

-Maybe someday I'll get into the birthday spirit-I spent $2 at the Dollar Tree for decorations and bought a few balloons, that's it. But Brandon was happy.

-Here's the birthday song!

Earlier in the day Tyler and I went on an adventure-basically getting the bad guys..so here's Tyler all geared up!

-And here's Marie..she's ready to attack! We had to buy our sword, shield and I had to give him money for him to buy his binoculars..it's fun playing store-so cute.

Here's the Easter Egg pics I was too lazy to post last time. Thank you Michelle!

Going back to March

2010-04-09T09:29:00.003-06:00

Before I post about Brandon's birthday there are a few things we did in March that I'd like to blog about.
-First up-March 26, 2010 I thought it was hailing but it was snowing snowballs instead of snowflakes..the boys had a great time-it was just weird.

Also does anybody else have pets at their house? We play fetch A LOT. They like to hook leashes on and go for walks, it's crazy-but usually we don't have 2 pets at a time. They do these long licks, to pretend kiss-it's just crazy.

-Okay I think everything else I blogged about.

The cold photo

2010-04-08T16:18:00.001-06:00

Amanda just posted this on Facebook-so thought I'd post it as well!
I'll see if I can't get a bigger one.

Fun weekend

2010-04-07T10:26:00.003-06:00

Well it was LOTS of fun seeing family from Florida. Esther, Steve and Amanda--too bad they don't live closer I could become really close with Amanda..but it was fun while it lasted. It snowed on April 1st, it snowed on Easter-and it snowed again yesterday..come on it's APRIL!

This past weekend we went down to Utah. It was fun-Grandma took on 4 children to color Easter eggs. I was running errands then, but Brandon and Tyler were proud of their disgusting, stinky eggs! That's what they called them any way. Michelle emailed me pics-but I'm too lazy to get them and upload them here-it was fun.

While down there we also celebrated Brandon's birthday-even though he's going to have a couple friends over tomorrow to eat his dinosaur bone cake. But it's always fun to celebrate with family.

-This is Brandon yesterday I sat down with him to put together his dinosaur-model thing-it really wasn't too rough, but wish Eric were home more to do some of these things with him.

Since my computer is wacked out-I can't see my videos before I upload them-I believe this is Marie..she gets SOO excited when it's bath time, as soon as she hears the waters-so I wanted to document it.

I think there was more I wanted to say-but who knows what. When Esther posts our picture on facebook I'll get it-it was so cold and windy-but we got us together..that's what counts I guess.

Okay my computer is being nutso-I can't see my curser and it's driving me nuts! It was a fun few days-and looking forward to having fun on Brandon's birthday.

Oh Marie can climb stairs now-not down but up, and that's fun-except I think she's going to fall down -but hasn't yet. The boys are indulging in their Easter candy-and I don't know what you're talking about Jessica M..those are the most annoying toys Grandma has ever given us!

I there are o

Maybe there were some things

2010-03-24T08:50:00.003-06:00

Okay so today I did get my camera card out-and there are some things worth blogging.

Since my computer has been modified-I'm not able to view my videos before hand. So I'm not going to post a video but wanted to let you all know that Brandon is being so creative I guess-he wants to fly is new kite SOOO bad that the past couple days he's been doing it with NO wind. He just puts the string out about 5 feet and runs back and forth on the sidewalk, and he has a lot of fun too--it's so cute to watch!

It's been a tease of warmness here-last week there really were a couple of NICE days. The temperature now is probably in the high 40's to low 50's but the boys still want to be outside all the time..which is nice. But Marie likes to be with them too-and that's hard to be a lazy Mom then..but I do go out with Marie sometimes. Brandon wants to go on picnics a lot, he gathers a few items to eat and heads out there with a blanket-Tyler follows and Marie if I let her. So that's been kind of fun.

One day the boys were outside and me and Marie were inside-I'm doing laundry and such. When I look out-to check on them I see 4 police cars right in front of my house! The good news was the police weren't in my yard or in my house..I didn't know where they were--so that was sort of good. They went to a house around the corner-so I guess it was a sneek thing-they wanted to park away from where they were going..but still it was a shock when I went to check on the boys and there were that many cars!

There's 2 cars-then my driveway then 2 cars..crazy!

So 1 day-this girl that lives on our street brought a popcicle to our neighbor but not to anybody else. Brandon was hurt by that and he wanted a popcicle. We didn't have any but we made a shake a few days before and froze it-so I stuck a stick in that and made my own popcicle-and Brandon said it was the coolest popcicle in the WORLD! That cheered him up..and it was a good quick fix. LOOK AT THAT SMILE!!!

Boring-update

2010-03-23T10:46:00.003-06:00

Well this is a boring post-because there's no pics..mostly because I'm lazy- and I can't really think of taking pictures the last few days.

Brandon and Tyler both love the dentist-they have a tv on the celing and they get a prize-that's all that needs to be said. Tyler had NO cavities!! yeah. Brandon had 1 little one-they gave him some laughing gas and they just drilled away and he didn't care-so we were glad that we didn't have to get shots!

As soon as I've bucked down and decided I'm under NO cercomstace feeding Marie at night-we're having some waking up issues and I've been lazy..you know what I'm going to say-as soon as I decide to do the hard stuff..yep more teeth! Good grief. I didn't know it until this morning and I had her cry it out last night-she survived and still loves me today-so I think we're okay.

Eric is officially the Elders Quorum Secratary-the calling we wanted the most right now..we had to meet with the Stake of course and all sorts of callings were going through our head like Executive Secratary-again..and I just wasn't prepared for that-but would have done it if asked of him..but we're very glad!

My parents got their mission call to Sydney Australia! The will leave in July..it's sad to think about-but I'm happy for them.

We found out that our computer is so old it can't handle Windows 7 operating system..and we've had some computer issues..but yesterday the kids didn't get to play on the computer and we just had a BLAST together-we need to do that more often! I'm not sure what Eric got back on this computer-but it's working and that's wonderful!

Well the kids all came down-so I best be going. Hope you all are well!!

Marie-

2010-03-14T18:50:00.003-06:00

This is the video I couldn't post the other day of Marie in the bath-and her sticking her tongue out!

-a couple times on the video for instance when I say "there it is" I think I totally sound like my sister Lisa! Crazy..because I don't think we really sound that much alike.
--Make sure you check out the post below..that was my real post update-I remembered after wards that I wanted to upload this video.

Indoor Fun

2010-03-14T18:31:00.003-06:00

Well the past couple weeks we did some lame stuff to keep us busy. First up, Brandon's been bugging me to get the bubbles out. I'm not sure where they are-I think they're frozen in the garage someplace. So I knew where the wands were, so we got those out and they had fun as always--this time they did some for Marie!

Many days Brandon just wants to cook something. He tells me what's on his mind, or gets a few items out on the counter..usually fruit and Milk--so I whipped up a shake and it actually tasted GOOD. Usually they're okay, you know the kids like them but they're not so great. But it was good and there was half an apple including the skin in it! Brandon thought it needed another apple--so it was totally his idea to put the apply on the rim! I thought it was clever and we drizzled a little bit of honey on the top for looks too.

Apparently the other day I was chatting with a friend for a few minutes, at her house and I guess Brandon was making a dinosaur robot thing out of paper..and he was sad that he couldn't finish--I didn't even know he was having such fun until he kept asking me to go back..so we made one the other day-it took LOTS of tape because he had to tape all this extra stuff on like shields, a mega gun, super long nails, a hat and a tale-that stood up when the paper was flat on the table..after ALL this work we took pics and he just threw it away! Maybe he wasn't happy--I'd have to say I got a bit tired of all the tape I thought he was wasting-then I really wasn't happy when he threw it out, but whatever--it lasted a while and it was fun I guess.

So the thing in the middle is the tail-it's so straight up you can't even really see it.

Marie giggles when you hold her hands and she sort of walks..we tried to get that on video--but she's smart, she knows what the Camera is! So sorry you don't get to see it.

Last Monday is was WONDERFUL here-we went around a block a couple of times on various modes of transportation, then found sticks for our campfire, played frisbee it was really awesome-but the rest of the week got colder and colder..and last night it snowed and was still on the ground in the morning. The snow is gone now-but it's just annoying we're SOOO ready for it to be warm!

Nothing much

2010-03-09T10:53:00.005-07:00

I can't say too much has been happening. But since it's been a while I thought I better put some pics or video or something on here. Eric has been really busy-not as bad as the last week of February but still not home during dinner on week nights..that is really hard for me. Dinner is sort of a blah-Marie's cranky, I'm lucky if I eat anything and we're happy if we all sit at the same time..it's pathetic. I guess I need to just get used to Eric being gone-but it's just so hard for me.

I've been called as the 1st counselor in the Primary Presidency. So that's sort of exciting-I've never had a primary calling before-not really excited about teaching sharing time, but I'm sure it'll be no problem in no time! I have a bunch of kids' names I've got to get to know! Eric doesn't have 1 yet but the Elders Quorum presidency will be released soon and he's wondering about that..but only time will tell.

Marie is standing up on everything, she's got enough hair that I can put it in a little pony-or up with a bow..so it's more and more fun. Sunday it totally sounded like she said Brandon's name-probably not but it's cool to hear anyway! And she can get around-I really need to put the gate up for the stairs, there's been a couple close calls..but there's 1 step down then around the corner are the real stairs--so that's why I've been so lazy because I think she's cry after #1.

This pic I took-and meant to cut me off-I wanted you to see the cute bow pony type thing.

This one's not so hot of me--but I'm rarely in them, Brandon took it, and since I'm not in too many pics-I thought I'd put it in.

When you have a girl in the middle of boy toys-this is what happens!

-I had a movie to put on-how Marie can stick out her tongue on demand..but it won't load.--it's super cute though..maybe another time!

Tyler's no closer to potty training, he was doing pretty good in February-but we're back to diapers now. Honestly with Marie and her attitude I'm not too into the idea anyway..diapers are easier until they're a pro at going..so we'll see this summer.

-This is Tyler being creative-the ribbon around his head was him trying to be a TMNT!

Brandon is looking forward to his birthday big time! Whenever he sees a commercial on tv for a game or toy he wants it! And he wants an Alien cake..I think I'll just copy yours Jessica Myrup! That's the only one he's seen-so I'm guessing that's what he's expecting!

Brandon's pics are usually with Marie-sort of sad, but that means he really LOVES being a big brother!

I've been informed

2010-02-23T11:43:00.002-07:00

Today at lunch I was informed by Brandon "Mom-do you know that there are going to be three girls and three boys? Me, Tyler and Daddy we're boys and you're going to have 1 more girl so there will be 3 girls and 3 boys!"

And he talked about when Marie's older we need another xbox controller so that she can play too-and how there's going to be 5 people--I informed him that the xbox can only have 4 players and he said "it's okay Mom, we'll get another screen" Good grief--yeah we're going through breaking an xbox addiction!..boy I can't wait to get out of this house!! We sure have tantrums over here!

This is NOT an announcement I just thought it was cute. Just something totally out of the blue..but I hope someday it's true.

2 from Christmas vacation that I liked-quotes:
"Dude it's just ground beef" -Luke
"They are men but they are smaller than children" or something like that the umpa lumpa's from Charlie and the Chocolate factory.

Strange

2010-02-22T08:56:00.003-07:00

Are we getting people sick? Friday afternoon one of my scrapbook girls and her daughter came to play for a few hours-she calls me Saturday to inform me that he daughter threw up the night before-and hoped we didn't get it. Saturday morning we go to clean the church--there is one other family there and I talk to their Mom on Sunday and her 2 oldest threw up that night...weird. She says that her children didn't go anywhere that week-so she wasn't sure how she got it. I told her about our other friend--but my children haven't got sick-well no signs anyway. Plus it seems too soon that they are sick the night after seeing us..but it's just too crazy it happened twice.

I hope there will be NO throwing up here anytime soon! But just weird.

Friday I attempted to put Marie's hair in a pony tail. Eric says I can't really call it a pony tail because it's so small-but I still think it's cute.

And for all you ladies out there with girls-I never understood how a childs hair can be so funky after a pony tail...I thought it was just laziness or multiple days of the same dew. I didn't realize after just a few hours how funky their hair was!

Good thing I had a girl so I can understand the craziness of girls hair! But it's still fun!!

Teething, Crawling, Standing and Scrapbooking!

2010-02-17T13:15:00.004-07:00

Marie has been the most busy lately. She cut some teeth a couple of weeks ago-and I think they are still bugging her..no fun! She won't let me get a picture-which is bugging me-but Eric and I haven't tried to get it together-because it seems sadly he's not home much. Marie's been a pretty good sleeper-lately she's been sleeping through the night and that's wonderful!

Last week she did the army crawl-and got into things like this:

I know-doesn't look comfortable-but she never minded. However on Monday when I got her from her nap she was standing in her crib! So look at what she was doing this morning...

And she just looks super proud! Check out that smile!!

Here's a shot at how long her hair is getting.,plus she just LOVES the tub. Usually the boys are with her-but I think she went before them this time.

Okay I know her hair isn't too long, but long for her!

This is some of the fun the boys have been up to-Daddy's the jungle gym/donkey or something--not sure-but they had a real BLAST with this activity!

Eric's been working MANY, MANY hours still-and I haven't really adjusted yet..but try not to have a bad attitude about it. Some day's one or both of the boys are playing in the basement-so he just says goodbye to them, and sometimes he doesn't get home until they are in bed..it's rough. Mostly on me I think-but whatever. He really helps on the weekends and lets me get away as much as I want!

As for me-I'm closer to my scrapbook friends than anybody else I think. One of them has a 3 year old boy-but it's hard to get together because his Mom works at a high school so that limits when we can get together..but it's still nice to have a friend the same age. We've had a couple dinners and it's been fun getting to know people. Plus I've really enjoyed starting Marie's scrapbook. I still do the boys-but there's just something fun about pink and purple!

I meet with scrapbooking once a week--and looking forward to my RS game night! So there are some exciting things to get me out of this house!!

Oh we've invented this game-called rotten egg-which is basically freeze tag in the living room--the person that's it first is the last one to get dressed, or get their pajamas on-I like it because the area isn't that big so you don't get too tired-but it's just been a good game for us in this COLD weather.

This is all for now-hope you're all enjoying your lives! We still don't have any callings-but I'm perfectly fine with that..I enjoy meeting more people in the ward and just feeling free! I've dedicated myself to reading my scriptures the minute I put the kids to bed and it's the first time in a LONG time I feel like I'm really learning and I'm excited about it!

Frozen Peas

2010-02-04T11:08:00.001-07:00

You know life is good when your little one can eat and LOVE frozen peas. It's the perfect feed yourself item-that's cheap and healthy! Totally LOVE this stage!

Tonight I'm going to attempt to do Lasagna in the crock pot-I'll let you know how it goes.

And for the longest time I've wanted to put my 2 cents on the Bounce Dryer bar--I LOVE IT! It lasts pretty much the time frame it says it does, my undies are a big static-y because they're dry silk..but I don't feel it while wearing them-just see it while folding. It's a very much invited step to skip in laundry!

2010-02-01T09:11:00.007-07:00

Brandon really loves being the big brother-and loves to spend time with Marie!

I know it's been a while..so much has happened in Marie's life since I've wrote. She is now mobile-not on her knees but scooting, and she gets wherever she wants to go..I'm going to have to put a gate on the stairs very soon. She waves and claps, says dada this stage is just super fun!

As for the boys-Tyler says he's tired when it's time to go to Primary but has been staying and is happy at the end..so that's good. Brandon's decided White is no longer his favorite color and cries when it's time to get dressed for church-oh no not this again..but we videoed yesterday--so you can all enjoy the fun!

-If the videos don't work-try a different day..last time they didn't work the day I posted them-but after they did.

My Mom gave us a cape at Christmas-which was really loved by Tyler-but most recently Brandon has started playing some Nightcaster game that Eric played on the xbox-he's teaching himself-but Brandon wears the cape now because it looks like the guy-so our house is just full of super heroes!

Marie's hair is getting longer-so I can put a barrette in it-I'm just so proud-I don't have to deal with head bands anymore..she can get those! I have a cute video of her waving-but it won't load..maybe another time.

One day I asked Brandon to pose-and this is what he did-he called it his anger look and wanted me to post it.

something

2010-01-20T14:56:00.006-07:00

Well tomorrow is the first time I'm going to the Idaho Falls Newcomers group and I'm excited about that--I'm going to do some bunco..I loved it in Twin Falls..we'll see how this is. However I thought it was going to be in the PM so I've been stressing over getting somebody to watch the kids..I'm splitting them up as normal, but I think it should be okay.--until this morning I was going to take Marie and wasn't very excited because it was right during nap time..but I got it figured out..thank goodness. So we'll see if $12 a year and activities during the day is worth it..but hopefully I'll meet some great people!

We've been doing play dough, getting out the new baby toys (you know all our toys that are about 6 month age..I've been getting them out and the boys are in love with them all over again). Making those indoor snowmen from Make and Takes. Marie is still not mobile. She takes 1 crawl step-and falls on her belly..but one day she'll get it. She eats baby food really well--

We had the missionaries over last night and he was amazed that she just was ready for each bite and ate it with no problems. Her favorite is Ham & Pineapple with rice..sounds GROSS if you ask me..but whatever. They were the Spanish speaking missionaries..it was fun to have them over-Eric got to speak some Spanish..even though he gets to do that at a daily basis at work now..but it was good. And good to have an excuse to get the house clean! Not that we're slobs..but it's just good to have company over.

Yesterday it was a bit warmer, but I think it's been snowing all day today--not sticking but still..good grief. Brandon is so excited for his Birthday--I've told him it's when it's warmer out so he gets disappointed when it's snowing because he knows it's not his birthday yet. I'm not even sure why he wants his birthday-there's no toys he's dying for or anything. He is in LOVE with Logan's birthday cake he got! He keeps asking how many more nights until his birthday--poor guy! We did have a "birthday cake" for him yesterday. He wanted to blow out candles, but I said -it's nobody's birthday but we've enjoyed the cake.

Tyler keeps talking about how much fun it is at his friends' house and how they have this, or he saw that..good imagination I guess..always thinking of a happier place-but he's deffinately making it up by now--he doesn't have any friends here yet.

Oh yeah-we got a coconut at the store yesterday..Brandon was SOOO excited to open it and get the milk out. I told him it was up to Daddy when he got home..so he tried it--didn't care for the coconut itself..it was too hard. But the milk even though his face didn't look so hot he said he liked it and that we couldn't throw away the rest of it. So that was sort of fun.

One Day Brandon wanted to help at dinner time, he put everything on the table that we needed..I was so proud of him-and he as so happy! That night Daddy didn't come home until the kids were in bed..but he saw that there was a place for him at the table..it was just so sweet.

-here's his table.

Just some more cute things-Eric took Marie for a piggy back ride--she loved it!

Marie in the coat Grandma got for free--it is a bit too big..but who knows..it's cute!

This was Marie ready for church Sunday-so cute!

Here's a proud Mommy-the first barrette that fit into Marie's hair!!!

All is well

2010-01-11T08:55:00.003-07:00

I feel like I should blog because it's been a LONG time. However there's not much to blog about. We had a wonderful Christmas had a blast with both sides of the family and I'm not sure I'm really happy to be home--since the kids seem to keep getting sick and I feel like I'm punished to stay inside and be bored all day.

I enjoy church-because I get to meet people, and I enjoy that-I'd like my family to be healthy so we can get out-and at least play at an indoor playland!

Yesterday Eric and I got to give our talks-I'm glad that's over with and we wont' have to do that for a while. It was a good topic-making righteous new years resolutions. In our ward we have an assisted living place and so when you speak you speak there at 10am then at the regular ward at 1pm. So that was a very interesting and long day for the kids.

Well I feel like this is a gripe blog post-so I'm done. Here are some cute pics of the fam!

-of course I got her standing--but it was fun, and Brandon took the picture!

Indoor FUN!

2009-12-14T09:33:00.003-07:00

Okay well I've been wanting to post this for quite some time I think we did this the beginning of December. We were thinking of new activities we could do as a group (Me, Brandon & Tyler). Brandon said we could do hopscotch and he really wanted to do it outside..but I didn't even want to be out there long enough to draw the thing with chalk. So I got my roll of newspaper and made one inside..we had a lot of fun but-it ripped easily..oh well.

Okay I'm not sure how these videos are going to look..I loaded them first because it takes a while-so this is Marie eating. I think it's WAY cute that she opens up and sticks her tongue out when she's ready..she's a good eater!

On to other updates:
-Eric finally feels better! Thank heavens, he did go to the doctor on Friday and got an antibiotic..not sure if that did it or just time, but who cares he's him again!
-Brandon got his stitches out, everything looks good--however Eric has giving him his pink eye..so we're dealing with that now.
-Tyler isn't very excited about the potty anymore..boo!
-Marie is down to crying about 45 minutes at night and 30 minutes during the day for naps! Yeah! Hopefully I don't spoil her too much at Christmas..I don't want to do this all over again. The first night of over 2 hours was just over whelming!
-I'm in desperate need of a hair cut, but will get one before Christmas. I successfully found a youth babysitter for the boys and an adult babysitter for Marie so Eric and I can get out this week! I'm very excited about that..I just didn't know if Marie would cry the whole time so I thought if I split them up it would be better. But this is a hard job when you live in a new town and you don't know ANYBODY.

Here's a pic of the stitches.

Ready For Hurdles!

2009-12-11T14:34:00.004-07:00

When Eric saw that Marie was sitting like this he made the comment that she was ready for hurdles! So I thought I'd share it with everyone. She sits like this to reach further without falling down-I think..but who knows maybe hurdles are in her future.

I just wanted to share my obsession!

Yep! This is it. Almost every single day I want a baked red potato-that of course I cook in the microwave. Cheese a bit of sour cream and TONS of broccoli!! I can eat a regular like 14oz. pkg of broccoli in like 4 meals..it's insane! SOOO good and only about 5 minutes to make it. I'm not sure what the deal is, it's just tasting really really good to me!

One other thing that really bugs me...

This is NOT what your dishes are supposed to look like when they come out of the dishwasher. I thought at first that we needed some Jet-Dry..I bought it-put it in but either it's full or something is wrong with the thing because it was over flowing and wouldn't let me put any in. So does anybody know what to do? It's just gross..we are renting but we already have had a problem since we moved in and I just don't want to be the annoying dumb renters where everything must be perfect or something-I'd just rather figure it out than contact them..but I don't know what to do.

What a Sunday!

2009-12-07T09:04:00.003-07:00

Okay-Eric's been in and out feeling good and horrible for about 2.5 weeks. Which is VERY unusual because normally the rest of us gets colds and stuff and he gets NOTHING. Plus he's starting a new job--this has been just lovely.

So yesterday I knew Eric wasn't feeling good-I'm okay-I got myself fired up to go to church alone with 3 kids. We're all ready to go-it's about 10 minutes until we need to get in the car and I decide to go move the truck out of the driveway- (we've got a single width drive)...right when I go to open the door Brandon starts wailing..Eric says I'll take care of it-go ahead. When I get back in Eric is holding Brandon, his hand over his forehead and there is blood dripping! I guess Brandon shut himself in their room and was keeping Tyler out-who knows, maybe Tyler hurt him-we're not sure..but Brandon wouldn't come upstairs so Eric goes down-opens the door and the doorknob whacks him in face-just above the eyebrow and gives him this huge gash! Instead of church me and Brandon go find an insta care place-and get some stitches.

Brandon had to get 3 stitches..he was super brave he kept his eyes open the whole time, basically saw everything..he got a shot and anyway he did a great job!

When we get back-Tyler's taking a nap, something he hasn't done for a very, very long time..and Marie is crying. Eric is asking me what we can use to clean the carpet-Marie had a total BLOW OUT! So Eric had a great time while we were away.

I hurry and change and get Marie dressed again and we rush off to Sacrament Meeting-because in our ward it's last (normally I'm crabby about this, but worked out this time) Of course it was the week we're welcomed into the ward-at least half of us were there!

So that was our wonderful Sunday. Oh yeah and technically we have insurance but of course we haven't received our cards yet..the place was nice-and said I could bring it in when I had it--but just scary..I mean I don't want to have to pay more than the co-pay!

Sorry no pics of the cut-too much going on for that..and Brandon doesn't want to take his band-aid off to even look at the stitches today-so maybe later we'll see..if there's anything to see.

We do still exhist!

2009-12-03T10:41:00.003-07:00

Our new house!

So I know it's been FOREVER since you've heard from me. A couple people have emailed me directly and even writing a tiny note back has seem like a big ordeal. So no promises to do really good keeping up..I'll put in some effort...

I finally have some pics of our house.

This is the open kitchen dining area-not spic and span but for that you'd never get a picture! The kitchen isn't huge but it feels big because it's so open. Our dining table that's been in our basement in it's box for over a year is finally being used!! Yeah!! There is TONS of cupboard space which is wonderful-even behind the chairs on this side of the table there are drawers and cupboards.

This is the living room that's upstairs. Downstairs there's only 2 not very comfortable chairs to sit on-so I spend as much time upstairs and I can.

As for other things-Tyler had a wonderful birthday-didn't get too many awesome pics-he's always looking down but it was fun and he got those sugar letters on his cake and that was all he needed really--well all he needed was to eat the extra's out of the package!

Thanksgiving was really wonderful. We had the opportunity to head down to Utah for the entire weekend and that was just awesome. It was hard to leave, but we're already looking forward to going down for Christmas!

The boys look forward to the finding the numbers on the chocolate advent calendar-countdown for Christmas. They never forget and so far remember what number they need to find for each day.

Marie hasn't slept through the night since way back-and she got sick, before Eric was out of town. It's depressing-since I bet Grayson already sleeps through the night-just because Jessica's kids are good and they sleep like that early! We've tried baby food a couple of times-but I only get an open mouth about 2 times and that's it. She can already eat cheerios and I think I'm just going to start grinding our food and giving it to her-maybe that will work better! I can't believe how fast they grow up!

Well all I can hardly think about these days is seeing family for Christmas, getting the boys an alarm clock so they stay in their room until at least 6am, and getting my hair cut. So those are the thoughts of a mother of three who just moved!

Here are some random pics from the past little while--no good ones of Marie..better get going on those!

I thought this was so silly-I can't believe these even stay on him!

Tyler being blackout..these are replacement slats to blinds that I kept in our house-but he thought this was so fun, they are taped to his head. It hurt each time we took them off-but kept wanting it again and again!

This is a crown that Marie's friend Jasmine made for her! She looks so cute in it!

Another dress up outfit-this is what Tyler lives for, to dress up!

Big Day!

2009-11-13T19:51:00.003-07:00

Well moving day has arrived. It was a challenge getting the rental truck and trailor home, then unhitching the trailer and backing the truck into our drive way..holy cow! I'm glad we don't have to do that again.

Marie definitely knows something is up, and is dying for some attention! I'm really looking forward to when Grandma will be with us next week--she can give Marie some attention. Every single time we put Marie down she whales..it's sad but I've got things to do-and I didn't think she'd like being dropped off and me leaving her-if she's crying just when I put her down. It's been good to have Eric here so we can tag team but holy cow..after we move she better settle down or I'll go crazy!!

So the truck was smaller than Eric thought it was going to be-not in actual size but in what his brain pictured it would be and what it really is. So -he's talking about if everything doesn't fit..and how there's more boxes than he thought we'd have..so we'll see how loading goes. I still think it's okay if the fridge doesn't make it, however I have a feeling it's going on pretty close to first--so whatever.

This whole thing is exciting yet stressful-but happy that it'll all be over soon, or at least I'll be unpacking instead of packing everything up!

All has fallen in place

2009-11-08T10:49:00.003-07:00

Everything has fallen into place! As far as we know everything is moving smoothly with our house-and the closing date may be moved up to the 17-18th.

Thursday we went up to Idaho Falls as a family to look for housing. We totally fell in love with a house-that wasn't supposed to be available until December 1st. However everything has worked out for us to move in the 16th-Eric's first day. I'm stressed-because it's going to be a stressful week next week-unpacking and Eric starting his new job..but it was a blessing in a way because I got a few more days here in Twin Falls. I'm excited about moving on-but it's still sad in a way.

Of course I remembered the camera on this trip-but did we remember to take any pictures...NO! But there will be plenty soon-since we'll be there next week. It has 3 bedrooms, 1 bath and a family room and living room. It's an open floor plan and TONS of cupboard space--totally excited about that!

The boys had coughs last week-this week I've got a cold-runny and stuffy nose at the same time..hoping I'm on the upturn of it.

Today Eric and I both get to go to Sunday School because Eric hasn't been released from his primary position-but he's been replaced..so it's an exciting Sunday it's been a LONG time since we've been able to spend Sunday School with each other!

This is life-enjoy it!

Leaves and Halloween!

2009-11-02T15:48:00.005-07:00

Okay-Halloween was fun..of course the Ward Trunk or Treat Eric was out of town for..so that's why he's not in any of the pictures. Poor Marie got left out-she fell asleep so she stayed inside where it was warm and slept in peace. Brandon really wanted me to dress up-so I did the easy spider and was pretty proud since I did it the afternoon before the activity. I think we all had a great time.

This is how Marie wore it for the most part-but still too cute!

Today-Eric wanted to rake the remaining leaves-so he raked the ENTIRE yard into 1 pile! I'm lazy I'd never do that-so it's this huge pile! HUGE..and we've already bagged over 10 bags without this pile..yes part of me is okay parting with the leaf raking! The boys thought I was taking pictures-and started making funny faces-before they realized it was a video!

Tomorrow we are swimming as a family-Brandon didn't really want to finish swim lessons this time-he said they were boring-so Daddy told him if he finished we go swimming as a family. So we are all very excited for that!

Hopefully by the end of the week we'll know where we're going to live! So -we've got some fun things in store for us.

5 Months

2009-10-28T13:13:00.006-06:00

Today Marie is 5 MONTHS - I totally can't believe she's that old already..it's just crazy. She's almost a half of a year old-NO WAY!!

Here she is-her practically naked 5 month picture..chunky but not too chunky!

So what have we been up to while Eric's away..not a whole lot of anything that's for sure. It's exciting to think I only have 3 more days/nights to do it all by myself-but I think because of that time's going tic-toc-tic-toc really SLOWLY!!

Here's an example of what has happened while Eric's away-one day Tyler asked if he could eat sprinkles and I must have been worn out-because I let him have some..look at this face..

One day there was 1 empty paper towel roll and we were all fighting over it, it was a Transformer weapon. So I made some more and then nobody wanted the paper towel roll-they both wanted home made ones. Tyler got hours and hour of fun out of these. We raked leaves, let them play in them..then put them in bags--Tyler used his Transformer guns as hands and did the leaves..it was so funny. It wasn't freezing yet-and Marie actually hung out in her bouncy chair for a while while we worked-it was nice.

Here's just some cute pictures of Marie-and the family-because she's 5 months old and this post is for her.
-She LOVES bath time, we'll get it on video when there's more than just 2 hands.
-She LOVES diaper changing time, always has--I think she knows it's one on one time..she's happy hangin' in her diaper but when it's time to get dressed she gets grumpy.
-We haven't kept up on the bottle, I've been told twice now she hasn't been interested..but she already eats those melt away gerber cereal type things-so she can get some food without me!
-She doesn't always have to nurse to fall asleep and I totally DIG that!
-I know there's other things..but I don't have all the time in the world-it is the middle of the day.

I LOVE that she enjoys grabbing her toes-I think it's just precious! Neither of the boys did it, and I just LOVE it.

The shirt says it all-she couldn't be cuter!

Tyler's pushing forward with potty training-so that's wonderful..we're NO WHERE when it comes to poop..but if you have a treat he's totally there! And most mornings he's dry-so that's a triumph already..even though we still wear diapers to bed.

Brandon unfortunately has some sort of horrible cough. I hope in 2 days it winds down and I won't feel about going to the ward trunk or treat...I NEED to get out of the house..I NEED to go--so hopefully we're all healthy.

No news on the house, we're waiting for the appraisal at this point. I think all is going to go okay.
Eric starts his new job on the 16th..super crazy..I traveled up to Idaho Falls Monday to search for a place-came up empty handed...but there's still some time before we've got to get up there.

I suppose...

2009-10-20T07:38:00.003-06:00

I should tell all that Eric and I have decided to take a job in Idaho Falls!! I have to admit I was very not so certain about this choice before we got the offer--but perks such as no nights/weekends or holidays can weigh fairly heavy-considering where we've been for the past 4 years. I'm not going into huge detail on my public blog-but just thought I'd let you guys know.

As far as our house-we did pretty much all that they requested from the inspection- so I'm fairly sure it'll be okay. We just have to go through the appraisal make sure it's worth what we sold it for and we'll be out of here by the end of November.

We're not sure when we're starting the new job, but for sure before the end of the year-and hope to sort of work it out so we don't have to look for temp housing here. It's crazy the end of October is almost here and the end of November is close behind..it's so exciting yet crazy it's all coming so fast!

If you haven't read my sneak peek Halloween make sure you enjoy those pictures!

Sneek Peek Halloween and more...

2009-10-19T10:41:00.005-06:00

HALLOWEEN SNEEK PEEK-AREN'T THEY SUPER CUTE!!!

We've got Batman and Catbaby! I keep putting this on Marie so she'll still want to wear it when it's time..I couldn't pass up this picture even though Marie wasn't in her whole outfit!

We carved our one family pumpkin before Eric left-I should say Eric did it. Tyler decided he just wanted to draw on his pumpkin so that's why we just did one. It was fun-and went fairly quick. We got our pumpkins from our nice friend Leanne again-it's so nice to not have to go buy them anymore!

My Mom sent these very cute scrapbooks for the boys-well and Marie but she doesn't enjoy them as much. Brandon opens his to the picture of him with Aunt Leah's dog Rocco--and says Rocco I miss you. It's super cute-I love it, haven't got a video of it yet though.

On Saturday while I was at the temple the boys picked leaves and colored them, Brandon thought this was totally awesome! He wanted to make sure we could see the color on the leaves!

These are a couple pictures of inventive toys I gave Marie yesterday-a basket and a hanger-she did really really well with them. Thanks Marie for being so entertained for me!

Here's Tyler showing off his muscles-I thought he was a cool dude.

Then just some cute pictures...

Marie was super cute in this church dress yesterday!

WHAT??

2009-10-05T09:33:00.004-06:00

We were at Grandma's for the weekend and when we get back there's SNOW on the ground. Holy cow! Guess it's time to turn the sprinklers off! The boys had a fun time running around in it before we made them put their pajama's on. I took a video but it's really dark and grainy-but they had a wonderful time. Tyler played in it this morning.

The boys also opened their Halloween box from Grandma this morning-as soon as everybody was up..holy cow they LOVE everything in there. They're both wearing what was in there-and just LOVE everything. Brandon thought the pumpkin sucker should have been a bingo prize he loved it so much!

However the back yard-our neighbor's trees like fell into our yard. See in the below picture..where the fence is to the left of the tree-follow that down and that's how much tree is in our yard. That's just great-we're trying to sell our house and we got big hunks of lots of tree in our YARD.

So this is what's going on here--Tyler really wants to wear underwear like a BIG boy-but it's slow going..we'll see how it goes.

Below's a pictures of Marie being happy and helping me with the laundry!

Ladies Night---and kids

2009-10-01T13:07:00.003-06:00

I called my friend Jana to see if I could raid her bow collection so Marie would have more than one bow to wear this weekend--and she mentioned we should give it a go ourselves. She made this cute flower bow-it's just darling. So I had to post it. It's a good likable size. I made a couple littler ones-maybe you'll see them later in pictures.

It was fun to getogether..but Marie was cranky almost the whole time-so we should have gotten together when the children were sleeping..but oh well it was still fun. Thanks Jana!

Not a single person has come to look at our house-so that's depressing. There may be a job opening with a friend of Eric's that's in Idaho Falls..so we're not sure about that-and I guess there are more jobs available in OK, they informed us today--so we're keeping our options open, and we'll let you know if we're given any offers.

Bows

2009-09-30T07:17:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I decided Marie's 4 months and I really need to get some bows in her hair. So I broke down and bought some. They are expensive like $3-$5. This one still looks BIG to me, but I'm trying to branch out. I requested some smaller ones be made..so there may be more coming-but I thought I'd share my new adventure.

Beef Stew

2009-09-29T10:19:00.002-06:00

The original plan was to make a pot roast or stew-and with left over meat make shredded beef enchiladas. It didn't work out so well-this stew was really really good and really easy that we gobbled almost all of it up! I'm still sad about me enchiladas-but I'll get over it.

So this is a crock pot recipe and let me say I'll NEVER make beef stew on the stove again-this tasted great! I had some red potatoes a neighbor gave us out of their garden-I didn't even peel them and it was great.

2 pounds stew meat cut in 1 inch chunks
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf-I didn't have-I added 1 T. white vinegar instead
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 onion, chopped (I just put some dried minced onion in)
1 1/2 cups beef broth
3 potatoes, diced
4 carrots, sliced
1 stalk celery, chopped

Place meat in slow cooker. In small bowl mix together flour, salt and pepper; pour over meat and stir to coat meat with flour mixture. Stir together the broth, garlic, bay leaf or vinegar, paprika Worcestershire sauce, and onion. Pour over meat-add the veggies.

Cover and cook on low-10-12 hours or high-4-6 hours.
I had to thicken with corn starch-but it was yummy!

I hope you guys can enjoy it too. I liked that you didnt' have to baby the meat and seer it first and all that-just drop it in and enjoy later!

Stuff

2009-09-26T20:49:00.002-06:00

Yesterday Eric didn't hear anything-but I guess the OK guys are done, so that's not so great. At this point we don't see moving with the current company-but we're still applying for any positions within the company that are available. We're just looking everywhere-but he's got until Jan plus severance so there's still some time.

Daniel is visiting us, and it's been really fun to catch up. When we are together we're like siblings and it's just a lot of fun-we really need to see each other more often. Thankfully he was able to find some of our kitchen tile and bring it up--we cracked one of our tiles thought we had extra-but didn't and couldn't find the tile anywhere..Eric even drove to Pocatello to find it-but it wasn't there. So that was fabulous-the boys were working on getting the grout out and clearing the rain gutters.

During spare time Daniel jumped on our neighbors trampoline with Brandon and Tyler. They had a blast and he can do flips and they LOVED watching that. So today was a pretty fabulous day-plus I got to go to the broadcast without kids--YEAH!

Children's Festival

2009-09-24T20:09:00.003-06:00

Wednesday night was the local colleges' Children's Festival. We were only there an hour but we were able to make and fly kites, stand in line to hit a pinata but of course there were too many kids-but we got to eat the candy; paint a mask and race in the 3 legged race. The boys had so much fun!

Here's the boys learning how to make a kite.

The kites were nice because I can't say it was really that windy and yet they really got them in the air-so they were perfect! Too bad Brandon broke his today at our house..but it was probably 1 whole hour of fun, and it was FREE.

Here's just a beautiful picture of how I look holding Marie.

Here's the boys ready to run the race-I didn't think Brandon and Tyler as a pair would be good. So it was Tyler and myself and Brandon and Eric. However I was wearing Marie-so what were we doing the 5 legged race?? It was okay because I knew Tyler wouldn't be able to go very fast. I told Tyler which leg to step with and he did a great job, we just weren't as fast as the others. Eric said that Brandon just hopped the whole time-kept the leg tied to Eric in the air!

Here's the boys this morning checking out their masks. They painted them last night-but they weren't dry. They had fun for a little while wearing them and pretending they were skeletons. For once Tyler was scaring Brandon-usually it's the other way around!

This is just a picture of Marie-it was a bit chilly in the morning when we took Brandon to preschool and she just looked so cute..and she's getting so big! And she was actually smiling while the camera was out.

Over Due

2009-09-23T09:31:00.002-06:00

Last Friday when Brandon came home from preschool, he got a sucker for doing his homework. Somehow he had 2 suckers, he gave 1 to Tyler-it was a dum-dum and Brandon's was one of those suckers that you're not suppose to choke on-you'll see in the movie. Anyway-Tyler opened his sucker and said he didn't like it. Tyler was crying-but I didn't have any suckers..and he threw his in the trash.

Then Brandon says "I know." I say "What?" He says "We can share!!." So this is what they did-it was really, really cute-such a wonderful brother! Brandon didn't let him hold it..but they did share licks-it was just wonderful. Way to go Brandon!

I was going to do a blog about what we've all learned and have done this year, but I can't really think of much-so I thought I'd just share a couple of things.

Marie has found her toes, she just loves to hang out on her back and play with those toes. With the boys I'd try to put them in their hands-then quickly take a picture-I always thought it was cute when babies did this, and now mine finally does!

She's no longer a finger or thumb girl-we've got her on the binky really good..may be a bad sign because she wakes up 2 times a night and thinks it's morning at 5:45 when it's black outside--I don't get my children..oh well.

However about a month ago Marie did sleep in until 9:30am..neither of the boys has EVER done that before-so that was a milestone, but it was just one day!

Tyler knows how to give thumbs up, this was hard for Brandon-so even Brandon's really proud Tyler can do it. Tyler can say a blessing on the food all by himself, always the same prayer-but it's still nice to not have to help. He tells us when he's poopy sometimes-so maybe potty training is coming along.

Brandon-is still in LOVE with dinosaurs. Whenever we go to the dollar store he still almost always wants a dinosaur..it's just crazy! He loves preschool-doesn't really care for homework, but it's just 1 page once a week. Brandon is starting to wipe his own bum-his desire not mine and it's working out wonderfully!

As for me I can think of 1 thing-I haven't bought anything from door-to-door salesmen this year! Go Kerry, Go Kerry! So that's exciting-it's a goal of mine.

I'm not sure what to put for Eric, he's done lots of things around the house..been losing lots of weight-so he's enjoyed that.

Update

2009-09-14T15:16:00.002-06:00

I thought I'd better update..My blog isn't private yet-so I'm not going to go into detail. However Thursday we found out that in roughly 3 months Eric will no longer have a job. There may be opportunity to move with the company to Oklahoma, we'll find out about that this week I guess.

Whether we move there or try and find another job in Utah-or near there, we will be selling our house--and that's stressful in this market. And something I'm not really looking forward to but already taking the steps to get it up a soon as possible.

Our friend Daniel is coming to visit in a couple of weeks and I'm already looking forward to putting him to work! I'm also just excited for his visit.

That's all-just wanted to let you know the not so great part of life right now..but who knows maybe Heavenly Father has some great plan for us, but we have to start here..

So many things

2009-09-13T09:27:00.006-06:00

Okay-so I haven't posted for a while. Last Monday we went to the fair, it was really fun-the boys got to ride rides for about 5 hours..it's a money sucker but we had fun..of course I didn't bring my camera-I'm going to have to store my camera where my driver's license is or something--Eric had his phone but I haven't even looked to see what the pics look like..I'll just let you know it was really tiring but fun!

I put Marie in the jumperoo for the first time a few weeks ago, the boys have WAY more fun with it than she does-but I think she'll really start liking it. The bouncy chair she totally LOVES, she puts her legs up all funny and then kicks the toys it's just so cute to watch.

The boys have been DYING to spend their chore money so we took a trip to the dollar store and Brandon found a magic trick--3 cups and the balls that appear. Eric taught him pretty good-I keep asking him if I can take a video of his show-to post on here but he says not now, or tomorrow and just never does it. But when he first learned how to do it he just gleamed-it was really fun to see.

Last week the children were SUPER cute! Marie's wearing the dress that Nana got for her..but she doesn't know it-I saw it at Pennies..so I swapped a couple things. THANK YOU. She just looks SUPER SUPER cute, oh I just can't get enough. Then we got a pic of all three-sorry I'm too lame I didn't get the red eyes out.

This week Brandon started Preschool he LOVES it. I don't care for the fact that I have to put everybody in the car, get everybody out-just to take Brandon to the door-and pick him up the same way-but I know it's all worth it. And I'm going to start carpooling soon so that will be awesome. He didn't really have much to talk about, except they sing some different ABCs with clapping and was very excited to show me what was in his backpack..but here he is with a HUGE grin!-showing us his name tag.

Okay just a couple more pics because this is how I share my life..this one Brandon put a bag over his head--Tyler said that he looked like Iron Man-I thought that was creative!

Marie has slept through the night for the pat 5 nights! Holy cow that's awesome-sort of sad in a way because she used to sleep in until about 8-9 but now she just wakes up around 7 with the boys..but I can't have EVERYTHING I want can I..she sleeps through the night and I can't complain! Here's Marie--look how strong she's getting! No movement but can really hold her self up and look at toys and what not on her belly!

This is a cute movie of Marie-too bad I'm talking when she's trying to talk. But she's wearing this cute outfit that my Aunt's got for her-she's almost too big for it now..but it's just cuter than I thought it was going to be-and she just looks cute..so I had to share.

2009-09-02T15:36:00.003-06:00

Okay-so here's the video I wanted to share before..Tyler ALWAYS says Marie like this..sometimes it's annoying-but it's his own thing I guess.

I realized today that I never posted a picture of our new couch-so without further postponing-here it is!

So each end pops out as a recliner..see how big it is-

This is how tall it is compared to our other couch-the one that I needed a push to help me up when I was pregnant..now I totally LOVE the couch it's so cushy you don't even need throw pillows!

Today we picked peaches and plums. It was fun-only $0.59/lb. We thought that was a good deal-there were plenty the boys could reach but they'd just pick whatever and they weren't all ripe-so it wasn't really as exciting as I thought it would be and of course I didn't remember the camera..so oh well-but you can imagine us doing it. Too bad we just washed the van since we had to drive down about 3 miles of gravel and dirt roads, but we'll survive!

Life

2009-09-01T15:18:00.006-06:00

Well I can't say that I've really adjusted to regular life. Eric worked 1 week-and this week he closes. It's worked out so that he works about 6.5 hours each day for 6 days. It's nice because he's around more but the day just drags on for me. We have some fun things we wanted to do this week-but our last 2 days have been stuff around the house that we want to get done and we haven't done anything fun...well out of the ordinary fun. For instance this week there's the county fair, we hope to pick peaches, maybe bowl-we'll just have to see.

So here's some pictures of our fun times this past week.

Today was car wash day! The boys basically washed the van by themselves-I haven't looked to see how good it really is-but I know it's better than before..anything's better. And they had a blast!

Today Eric actually got to one of his projects he's been wanting to do since the beginning of the summer. Put boards under the fence so when you mow you don't lose the mower under the fence. Here's a pic-maybe you can understand better--it looks really nice.

So the one at the top by the wheel barrow is already done-and at the bottom you can see the whole at the bottom of the fence.

The other day Tyler got some toys out and insisted that I take a picture of him-I thought it was cute!

Marie is 3 months old-I just can't believe it! Here's her nothin' but diaper pic--I take one every month of my children's life until 1 year old..just to see how chunky they really are.

This is showing how strong she is-she's hanging over the arm of the couch-but she's totally holding herself up by herself..you go girl!

Okay there was going to be a video of how Tyler says Marie's name-but I guess that's a post or another time-Marie's crying and everybody's dying to spend their chore money at the dollar store!

Cute Marie

2009-08-27T07:55:00.004-06:00

Okay-I've got my Connecticut post written-I've just got to upload the pics, but since I'll be posting twice today I thought I'd throw in a quick post dedicated to Marie. Here's a couple cute pictures of her..she's SO cute!

She really likes to hang out in the stroller and watch what we're up to.

Yes I cut her head off-it's hard to capture the smile!

Connecticut

2009-08-26T21:09:00.010-06:00

We were expecting the weather in Connecticut to be a bit less HOT than Florida-but we were wrong, it was still in the 90's and humid. However there were lots of shady places and fun cool-off things for the boys to do.

In the morning the boys would go out with Grandpa and get the newspaper, then check the blackberries and find some new ones to pick. There were TONS of cool parks, Brandon really enjoyed hitting the balls hanging in the garage (you know that originally was so that you know how far to park the car into the garage)-so we started out with 1, made a second and had to keep putting new balls on-it was so much fun!

"The Beach"

Marie with Grandma!

They played in the pond, collected tad poles with their bug gear from Florida, rode the tractor-there was just loads and loads of things to do-it was such a blast..even though it was HOT. Oh and both boys LOVED a ride in the convertible.

Making cinnamon rolls! YUMMY!

I particularly enjoyed going to NYC. Not only was it fun but it was a fabulous time away from the boys. It was me, Eric, Marie and Mom-we did a tour on an open bus-and got to see many of the sites, went to the Statue of Liberty it was just really fun to see the big city again-and spend some time with the ones I love!

This is when NYC was still a bit cool..in the morning!

Proof we were there! Beautiful Skyline

Marie had enough of New York!

Mom captured this cute video of Marie yackin' away to Daddy!

Grandpa and the boys went to a petting zoo and some other really fun things-but we had both camera's in New York--so we just got to hear all the wonderful things they did..but they were asleep when I got home and they didn't even miss me!

The night before our flight we look at the Itinerary and it said that we had a 4 hour lay over in Cincinnati! I could NOT believe this-when I booked the tickets the layover was almost nothing and I was thinking we'd have to hurry to the next flight. So I was sort of sulking because I sort of feel that was my fault and we realized it too late. So we get to Cincinnati about 8:15 we check the tvs and it says there's a flight leaving at 8:30 so Eric jogs over there and asks if the flight is full-they say yes so we just have a very, very long breakfast, get a picture in front of Ronald (that's painted on the wall) and luckily there's a play place in the airport with a TV on that we hung out at-so it wasn't too bad.

However before finding the play place we're hanging out near our gate at a deserted area charging the DVD player. This gal asks me who we are-and she informs us that we had boarding passes to the 8:30am flight-they paged us like 4 times and she didn't say-but the probably gave our tickets away to standby. So it was heart breaking ALL over again that we could have made that flight and we didn't have to have this LONG lay over! It was sort of nice that it wasn't totally my fault-that I wasn't imagining things when I booked our tickets like 8 months ago-but it sucked all over again-reality that we had this LONG lay over! But we all survived!

Marie just seems like a whole new person now-seems like she's grown more than she should in the 2 weeks we were gone. She doesn't seem to mind the car seat as much now-she hardly cried the whole way back home-which was just incredible! She's more awake-wants to grab toys, really enjoys hangin' out watching the boys. So that's pretty fun.

Oh yeah-and Marie found her thumb on this trip..goodie...

The entire vacation was just a total blast. Marie's put quite a few sky miles in her short life time-but she was just as wonderful as the boys traveling-and I'm ready to do it all over again, and again, and again-I'm not ready for reality of Eric going to work, me shopping with 3 kids-the boys always wanting new toys and cooking and cleaning..but that's all part of life. Thank you Mom & Dad for such a wonderful vacation!

We're ALIVE!

2009-08-25T14:10:00.005-06:00

We're back and yes we're alive! I went to Mom's group today-it's nice to know we were missed and that we are loved..they were happy to have me back!

We had such a blast on vacation-before vacation we went camping-but sad to say I didn't have my camera so sorry no post about that..it was fun-I'm sort of glad it was only 1 night instead of 2..the sleeping bag seems sort of small when there's another person with you-and Marie's still small so I didn't want to move-I was constantly making sure she could breathe. Outside the sleeping bag it was a bit cold--so it was fun to be with family as always, but glad to be sleeping in a bed!

In Florida we were having so much fun it was sort of crazy trying to remember to take pictures! Aunt Leah's house is just SOOO much fun! The boys loved driving the golf cart, there were so many adventures, swimming in the pool. We went to the beach, and Universal, having a night without the kids- it was just such a blast!

So my pictures-I'm lazy I've got Marie and Tyler in here 'helping' so there's red eye in some-but at least you get a taste of fun..then my next post is going to be of our time in Connecticut..so keep checking out the blog.

The first day in Florida-we all went swimming, even Marie but did I get any actual pics of her in the water--NO but at least we can remember that it happened with this pic.

Here's the boys in the pool-they LOVED it! Brandon does pretty good by himself with arm floaties.

This is Brandon on a ride with Big Brandon (he's My cousin)

My and Tyler on the ride-this was the start of the day when we remembered we had a camera!

I'm the ONLY one at Universal with a camera and this is the ONLY Picture we got of everybody-and either the lens was dirty or foggy or something-I'm sad...

We went out to the beach one day-it was so fun.. the water was colder but the boys could go out pretty far and reach so that was fun.

Here's Aunt Leah and the boys with their bug kits-they came back with pretty cool things..and they were used a lot in Connecticut too.

Here's Aunt Leah the Baby HOG..but it was so nice to have her and a break from Marie for me!

Here's Uncle Ozzie's plane-the boys and Eric got to ride in it, Brandon sat up front and helped Ozzie fly it!

This is Rocco-Brandon LOVED him-played with him every single day-and wore him out! Sadly I think Rocco was ready for us to go home.

Thank you so much for the wonderful time-I'm ready to head out there again we really had the time of our lives! Thank you Leah, Ozzie, Peter, McKenzie, Jennifer and Brandon for everything you did for us to have an incredible time!

Magic Fest

2009-08-03T13:35:00.003-06:00

So this past weekend before the blessing was fun. It was MagicFest here in Twin Falls, something they are trying to make an annual event here. Friday afternoon and all day Saturday they had about 7 magicians at certain places down town doing free shows. Eric worked swing shift so Friday night it was me and the kids-but Brandon had SUCH a great time! It was really fun, his favorite was Kip Sherry-he did some floating money and made a handkerchief disappear-those were his favorite tricks.

He loved him so much-we went and saw him again for free Saturday morning as a family. We basically saw all of the same tricks-but Brandon loved it. Then Saturday night there was a magic show up on stage-and our wonderful neighbors took Brandon because there was NO way I was going to make it-with Eric working. I guess there was more awesome stuff. I'm super glad that he got to go and enjoy it.

Here's a picture of us with Brandon's favorite magician and they are holding their little magic trick-I'll try to teach it to Brandon for the camp out-so he can fool some of you guys!

Then I just thought I'd post a couple other pics (I know the font changed..oh well I don't want to fix it!) I absolutely LOVE this picture of everybody-Eric probably doesn't because he doesn't have a shirt on-but I don't care it's super cute!--he never reads the blog anyway so he won't know I posted it..

A picture of me holding Marie after I got her all ready for church yesterday.

And the boys the other day feeding Marie-Brandon really loves it, and then Tyler just needed a turn-but they're cute.

oops I guess I forgot to flip that one-

Finally

2009-08-02T22:44:00.002-06:00

Finally a picture with Marie in it..thanks to Linda we were able to capture a pretty good picture of our clan. (I put the pic in the margin).

Today we blessed Marie-every single thing that she wore was borrowed but she looked super cute. It was special but I don't have to save the dress to give her when she's got her own girls..so it worked out great for me.

It was totally fun having lots of family visiting. It was chaotic-doing last minute linner (you know a mix of lunch and dinner) prep and making room to fit everything on the tables, but it was SO much fun having friends and family to spend the afternoon with.

We missed Kevin & Jessica and their boys..too bad you couldn't make it-but it was sure nice not having to do any traveling!

It was a great, fun filled day-and Marie didn't even cry during her blessing--THANK YOU!

We did some other fun things this weekend-that I'll hopefully get around to posting about..but you'll have to check back later for that.

Happy Birthday-

2009-07-27T09:15:00.004-06:00

Happy Birthday To ME! This is the first year I can remember that Eric didn't ask me for a list..and I was thankful because I kept on forgetting my birthday was coming up-there are so many other things like Marie's blessing, camping and vacation I keep thinking about. He did a very awesome job without a list he got things that I've been wanting and it was wonderful he remembered! It's so fun with the boys, they went shopping with him-helped him wrap them, they delivered them to me-they were just super, super excited. Brandon showed me how cool my card was..it was just loads of fun.

I forgot that any birthday is very exciting to them though-I wasn't planning on having cake or ice cream, but they sure were. It was fun-the boys helped decorate the cake it was a very fun to spend some time as a family!

Because I didn't have a list-I was trying to think of something Saturday morning and Brandon and I saw a commercial for the Ice Age 3 game-it looked fun..I told him to tell Daddy as an idea..but oh boy Brandon was very, very excited for it and wouldn't let us forget-so we just got it to get it and Brandon does totally LOVE it. It's the perfect skill level for him-I highly recommend it.

Overall it was a fantastic birthday weekend!

Some pics of life..

2009-07-25T09:54:00.005-06:00

I realize I haven't posted many pictures since Marie's birth. Here's a few photos of the kids and family. Still no pics of my vacation-sorry I'm lazy.

This is what I'm talking about-what a good big brother!

That's Brandon's hand, he's doing all he can to get her to smile-and it worked.

Marie's got this thing she forms bubbles then they drool off her face..but cute.

Oh I love it when pictures like this turn out!

This is Brandon's picture-not perfect but good enough..look at the smile he captured!

This is one of the boys' favorite places, they take turns winding the mobile and I don't know-they just LOVE being in there..we're constantly cleaning feet!

Good News

2009-07-25T07:43:00.001-06:00

The good news is I FINALLY got around to spraying last night and I woke up to NO ants today..I'm very pleased with that! However as I was storing the unused spray I noticed I had some left over spray from 2 years ago..I guess I should look before going to the store. However it costs less than $10 so it's not totally horrible.

Today at 6:50am everybody was awake. I hope Marie doesn't start this horrible habit of waking early like the boys! I did sleep right after I put her down though I think by 9:30 I was out-so I did get plenty of sleep.

I want to post that Brandon is such a great big brother. When Marie's fussy and I can't get to her or we're in the store and she's crying in her car seat he just has to go over to her-say her name and she's automatically happy. He's the best person to get in front of her when we want a happy picture of her-it's awesome. Also he's quite the photographer, there's a great picture of Nana, Me and Marie that he took-maybe someday I'll get it scanned in..and he wants to take pictures of Marie every time I get the camera out-it's just sort of fun.

I think there was more I wanted to say--oh yeah Thursday night was Marie's first full nights sleep. Did do that last night-but it was cool Thursday she went to bed about 10:30pm (late) and slept until 7am..it was awesome. Last night was about 9pm to 3am but still a big chunk and I'm happy about that.

Okay crying baby-my call to get off..

I know, I know

2009-07-21T13:59:00.003-06:00

Okay so it's been a while since I've blogged. Number 1 I've been on vacation for pretty much this whole month-and believe it or not of all the things to forget I forgot my CAMERA. So there's not going to be any pictures of our vacation because their either on Grandma's camera in Orem, the pictures I developed that are downstairs but I don't want to hook up the scanner right now, or on the disposable camera that I keep forgetting to take to the photo place. So who knows if you'll ever see them...3 kids keep me pretty busy!

Marie takes a pretty long nap around noon or so but we go to the free lunch at the park, stay for a while and usually when I try to put her down after sleeping in the carrier for about 2 hours she doesn't want to. Plus it's already afternoon and there are other things I've got to get done like laundry, organizing and figuring out dinner. I really need to learn how to make the crock pot my friend-hopefully I'll get there soon.

Okay I started this yesterday Marie started crying, today she's not taking a long nap and she's probably going to interrupt again. I'm not going to post for a while because I can feel a cold coming on and I know I'll be hitting they hay fairly early for the next few days.

Karen Buxton...we have ants in our kitchen..after we see you we come back to that-I blame you~! Just teasing but I know that happened to you too--I finally bought some stuff for that but who knows when we'll get around to spraying that, even though the ants drive me crazy and I'm paranoid about everything-it's the energy that I don't have and it's not as much of an emergency for Eric..we'll see about that.

So this is my cheesy blog entry-sorry to all those that enjoy my regular blogging someday I'll get back to that...some day..