"Playin'" around

Once again this is a post that belongs back in July of last year but oh well it was a fun memory that I would like to remember.

Two summers ago Brett was in a melodrama for the city, watching him in the play reminded me of my high school days when I was in plays and I decided I wanted to do that again.  So when try-outs were announced in June I decided to go.  I assumed the director would take one look at my very pregnant belly and laugh me out the door, yet do to the fact that there were only 4 people who showed up for try-outs, including me and Brett, I was welcomed with open arms, pregnant belly and all.  I played the part of Henrietta Grinch, the towns hotel proprietress, and felt it was my duty to look down my nose and scorn the rest of the town.

Brett, of course, played the villain, Tom Bugaboo (if I hadn't been so pregnant it would have been fun to play opposite him as the towns' dance hall girl).  It was also fun to have Josh Simmons, our brother-in-law in the play as well.  He and Brett were brothers in the play, Brett was loud and obnoxious and Josh was a little slow.  Between the two of them I think they stole the show.

It really was a lot of fun.  A few people asked the director if I was supposed to look pregnant and she laughed and said "She is pregnant."  It was a little crazy working out babysitters with all the rehearsals and things, but all in all it was awesome and I hope to be able to do it again.

The Story of the Three Little Cars

(I meant to publish this last June, however my card reader was having issues and all the pictures got deleted.  But better late than never:))

Once upon a time there was a family of 4, a mommy, a daddy, and 2 little boys.  The mommy drove a beautiful silver Buick Century.  She loved her car however when she found out she was going to have a baby she said to the daddy "This car is too small."  So they saved their money and drove down to Utah to look at vans.  The first one they test drove was too expensive, the second they test drove had too many miles, the third one they drove was a burgundy Chrysler Town and Country and it was just right (in fact it was so nice, had more features then the mommy knew how to use).  So the mommy and daddy decided to get the van and they drove home saying "Now everything is just right."

Then a few weeks before Memorial day Grandpa called and talked to the mommy and daddy about a "new" car for the daddy.  The mommy and daddy talked it over and the daddy looked at the car he was currently driving and said "This car is too 'old'".  So the family when back down to Utah to get a 1958 Volkswagen Bug from Grandpa.  The oldest boy said, "Daddy, your new car is a funny car."  But the daddy just smiled and said "No it is just right."

The mommy's grandpa this car new in 1958, and it has been in the family ever since.

So now the mommy had a car that was just right and the daddy had a car that was just right, but what about the 2 little boys?  Well 2 years ago the boys great grandpa gave them a go cart.  It was an old go cart that the mommy drove and played on when she was a little girl.  So the daddy decided to make it look better.  So he took off the engine and he cleaned the frame and painted the frame blue and black, painted the steering wheel, then he added a seat for the mommy or daddy to sit on, and he added carpet for the kids to put their feet on, and then added padding for on the bumper (just in case we hit something).  The boys looked at their newly refurbished go cart and then said "It is just right!"

This picture was taken before the daddy started refurbishing the boys car.  (Current picture of refurbished go cart will be posted when weather permits.)

My amazing resident artist

         

Each year a group of kids from each state and territory is asked to design a Christmas tree ornament for the National tree and State tree in Washington DC.  This year the Idaho Falls Youth Council was chosen and they asked Brett to design and spear head the project.  It was fun for me to sit and bounce ideas with him and then watch him create these amazing ideas.  Many of the designs are based off of the different symbols of Idaho such as the white pine, Syringa, Mountain Bluebird, Cutthroat Trout, baked potato, and the Star Garnet.  He also incorporated some of the fun things to do in Idaho such as skiing and white water rafting as well as the beauties and history of Idaho like the Tetons, farming, and Chief Joseph.  He made 30 ornaments which were encased in a 5 inch plastic ball.  15 of the ornaments had 4.5 inch mirrors that he had the students etch different scenes on, the other 15 were wooden boxes that had different shapes cut out of and then he placed a watercolor picture scene inside the cut out shape.  He had each of the wooden boxes and mirrors suspended in the center of the ball, they were absolutely beautiful.

Gifts

After rereading President Monson's October General Conference talk Brett and I decided it would be fun to, as a family, look back at out lives and see the blessings or "gifts" that we had been given.  Especially with it being the Christmas season and with so much focus on the commercialism, we wanted to help James and Mark focus a little more on what Christ had given them.  So for one week  I cut a square out of paper and made it look like a present, then each day we would say one gift or blessing that we had received from Heavenly Father, that gift was then put under our Christmas tree.  These are some of the gifts we are greatful for:

Santa, noses, work, knowledgeable doctors, Mommy and Daddy, IPad, music, talents, Jesus, eyes, grandmas and grandpas, pizza, bed, good neighbors, friends, prophets, family, temple.

I am greatful for a living prophet who challenges us to look back and see all that we have been given it has helped me realize how many wonderful things I receive each and every day.  I am greatful for the past Christmas season and for all the amazing things my family was blessed with last year.  Looking back upon last year I can see that my Father in Heaven is truly mindful and aware of our family, and that knowledge gives me hope and peace.

See how they grow

Seven weeks ago Andrew was a 7 pound 1 ounce adorable baby boy, who instantly wrapped Brett and I around his little finger.  He still is that adorable baby boy , however he isn't 7'1 any more... 

See how he's grown!  A little over 12 pounds and just as sweet as ever.

Introducing Andrew Brett

(Due to issues with our card reader this post is later than it should be as well as all of the pictures in it I took off of my mother-in-laws blog.  Hopefully soon we will fix the problems with the card reader and I will be able to post more pics of Andrew as well as of the rest of the family)

 This is my dear, sweet, little Andrew.  He was born on September 13th at 12:03 pm, and we are so happy he is here.  Andrew weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz, and was 19 1/2 inches long, and he has lots of dark hair.  Like my other babies I was induced with Andrew, but unlike my other babies he was only 39 weeks along rather than 40-41.  I had been experiencing quite a few contractions and some were really getting painful.  On September 11th I called Brett at 7:00 and told him the contractions were  about 5 minutes apart and he needed to get home.  We went to the hospital, they hooked me up to all the monitors, and sure enough I my contractions were 5 minutes apart.  I was dilated to a 4 and they said that if I progressed I would be able to stay if not I would have to labor a little more at home.  An hour and a half went by and no change, I got sent home (do you know how disheartening it is to think you are going to be having a baby and then you're told go home, big bummer!).  I had an appointment the next day and the Dr. said if I wanted I could be induced the next day.  Brett and I agreed and then went home to prepare.  The labor really wasn't that bad, there was one frustrating moment when after an hour and a half of pitocin they checked me and I was still at a 4, but then they gave me the epidural and within 30 minutes I was at a 7.  I invited my mom and mother-in-law to be there for the birth with Brett and I and we were laughing and having a great time.  The nurse however was telling me to stop laughing because the Dr. had not yet gotten there and I was laughing the baby out.  When the Dr. did finally get there I pushed once and our little Andrew was here.  During those first few minutes and during his bath he let us know that he has a great set of lungs yet ever since then it has been rare that I have heard him cry, he is such a good baby.

Brett enjoying time with Baby Andrew, he is such a great daddy!

My turn!!!  You may notice my fingernails are nicely done, that was my moment of vanity with Andrew, before he was born I decided that I would get some press on nails and have pretty hands before I had him.  If you could see my toes you will see that they are painted as well.

Paper chain of preparation and fun!

On Sunday the 17th of June I had an epiphany, James was sick so I stayed home from church with him.  As I was home with James I began to think of all the things I needed and wanted to do before this third little baby came.  That was when inspiration struck!!!  I decided to make a paper chain with 98 links, each link representing a day until the little monkey was born (actually that puts me 2 days late, but Mark's first Primary program is the 23rd and I can't miss it, neither can Brett because he is the chorister, I just hope this little guy cooperates).  Some of the things I have on my chain are buy diapers, a new baby outfit, make a Christmas stocking, prepare the baby's room, make some freezer meals, pack my bag, and paint my toes (obviously those last two are towards the end, and yes painting my toes is a necessity).  Those things are things I feel I want or need to do before he comes.  Some of my fun chain links are paint rocks with Markie, read books, go to the zoo, 9 temple trips, 9 dates, finger paint with sweet and condensed milk, finger paint with shaving cream.  Basically I wanted to spend lots of time with my boys.

 The chain, not the best picture because of the light behind it but you get the general gist.

Painting rocks with Markie.  This was the first link on the chain.  He had been asking to paint rocks for a couple of days.  I don't know where he got the idea to paint rocks but we really had a great time.