C H R I S T M A S 2009

We spent the 19-23 in Utah celebrating Christmas a little early.

Smedley Christmas highlights: dinner at Grandma Meier's . taking the Frontrunner to SLC and spending the day at the Gateway: shopping, California Kitchen Pizza, A Christmas Carol with FOUR huge buckets of popcorn . the lights at Temple Square . the presents that never ended - Mom handed presents out to each of us at random times throughout our trip (stuff we all loved!) . salmon for dinner, just because Landon loves it . footrubs and silly songs at bedtime from Grandma . Dominos with Grandpa . Coloring with Jared and Stephanie (not the kids :) ) . playing Harry Potter (or something) with Alina

Perigo Christmas highlights: Pork Tenderloin - Sharlene's specialty . cousin gift exchange . going through TONS of baby clothes hand me downs . all the cousins building a fort together in the basement . playing christmas songs with chimes . great Christmas presents from Gary and Sharlene . inheriting a snowmobile . watching a few home movies . breakfast - waffles, eggs, bacon - another specialty . playing Go Fish with Grandma and playing again with Grandpa . a four hour nap for the youngest boy . talking and talking . Landon and Jantz playing with their presents

Cameron was on call starting Christmas Eve so we came home and gave ourselves a nice little quiet Christmas. We had so much fun in Utah we were worn out and we all came home with *BAD* colds. (Of course Cameron and I have it the worst, in fact I went to bed after we opened presents on Christmas morning and pretty much haven't been out since... I think I'm on the mend, though)

Christmas Eve was nice. We HAD to have our traditional crab dinner. The kids loved it. Landon forgot that crab does not taste like salmon, but once he got passed that he said it was the best thing to eat, "ever". Isaac wanted to open his own crab leg too so we cut it open for him and he chewed the "chicken" out of it.

We frosted cookies for santa. Read Luke 2. Watched the Nativity movie. Gave the kids their P.J.'s. Tucked them in and wrapped the rest of the presents.

Christmas morning was quiet and fun. We opened presents, ate breakfast, and played around. Landon and Austin took their stash to their rooms so Isaac wouldn't bother them, Cameron hung out with Isaac building the Playmobile set he got, and I went back to bed. We spent the rest of the day playing Wii, watching movies, and playing with the toys the kids got. We talked about going to Boise to dinner or a movie or both but no one really felt that great so I mustered up enough energy to cook a turkey and potatoes (that was it: just turkey, potatoes, and a can of green beans - not the best Christmas dinner but at least it was something - well, actually I did make a chocolate oreo pie too; does that make up for a lame dinner?)

Anyway, the kids were happy and that is what it is all about.

'Twas the Week Before Christmas

... and it was BUSY!

There were presents to finish, wrap, and pack for Utah

There was wrestling practice to go to

There was a birthday to celebrate

There were wrestling matches to attend

And...babysitting to do...doctors appointments to go to...30 cupcakes to make for Landon's class...a Christmas party to attend at the neighbors...a funeral for a 5 year old in our ward (and the 2 pans of cheesy potatoes I was asked to bring)...dinner to cook for a family who just had a baby...laundry and packing for our early Christmas celebration in Utah...a preschool party to go to (and bring food for). Really, I had no idea it was possible to squeeze so much into one week...

{Birthday} ShOuT-OuT

My Intentions were good, really good. And I've been able to follow through with most of them. BUT this post (you know the one ~ a great picture and "31 reasons I'm glad you were born") is just not gonna happen today. I've been hit with a wave of exhaustion (blood work from Tuesday confirmed anemia) that is undeniably taking over my body for the moment. My bed (or the couch, while I "watch" Scooby Doo with Austin) is calling my name. So before I surrender:

Happy 31st Birthday, Cameron! I love you. We love you. Best Dad, husband, friend... Have a WoNDerFUl day, you deserve it.

Whatchya thinkin'

I'm just wondering what he's thinking when he does things like this:

Yesterday we're sitting in sacrament meeting. The congregation is pretty much silent while a ward member is singing a beautiful Christmas song at the pulpit.

In the middle of the song Isaac stands up on the bench, turns around and yells, "MOVE THAT BUS! MOVE THAT BUS!" Then he starts blowing kisses at the people sitting behind us....

{and in case you're wondering, No. We really don't watch Extreme Home Makeover that often.}

Keeping Focus

The Stockings are Hung...

The Halls Are Decked...lots of our ornaments look like this: two or three on one branch, all at a 2 and 5 year old eye level

The Snow Has Fallen {and the boys could not be happier about it} We Remember the True Spirit of the Holiday... I was surprised when Austin asked me about our Nativity. He didn't know who the wiseman were. He forgot why we have three pretty boxes out (to remember gold, frankincense, and myrrh). He asked why there were sheep and why Jesus is laying in hay. We've had lots of reviews of the Christmas Story.

And to give us some more Christmas perspective we spent Saturday buying these:

We donated to a family, through the Dental Squadron, that can't afford Christmas. We gave the kids an option to use some of their allowance to help us buy a present for each of the five family members. We told the kids they had to pay their tithing and put 30% in savings and they could choose how much of the rest they would donate. Landon said he would donate 30 cents (30 cents is a lot to him since he only had 2.00 left after tithing and savings).

We went through Kohls looking for gifts. The boys were in charge of finding something for the 6 year old boy in the family. Of course, they found the Star Wars action figures. Landon begged and begged for one for himself. I told him if it was that cool the boy we were shopping for would probably love it.
L: "But I want it, Mom."
M: "Think about it Landon. If you could only have one present for Christmas and you got this wouldn't you be happy?"
L: "Yeah."
M: "Imagine that boy. This might be his only present. Wouldn't you love to give him something that would make him so happy?"
L: "yeah." and then a few minutes after we checked out (with the coveted Star Wars guy), "Mom can I give you 50 cents instead of 30?"

lesson sinking in

and another lesson sinking in (we answered more of Austin's questions like, "if Heavenly Father is Jesus' dad and Mary is Jesus' Mom, whose Joseph?)

Our church put on a Creche for the community this past weekend. I'd never even heard of a creche before. It means "nativity" in french. Each room of the church was FULL of nativities; nearly 800 nativities in all. The two day long event was organized into musical presentations from LDS church members and other community churches. Most Christian churches (including two Baptist churches) in Mountain Home participated with chior or instrumental presentations. About 1400 people from around Mountain Home came to listen to the chiors and see the nativities. It was beautiful and reverent and the spirit was STRONG. I spent two days helping set up and decorate and Cameron spent 5 hours cleaning it all up. It was a great community event and a great way to remember the focus of the season.

We still have our "Gratitude Attititude" Turkey up too. The kids are actually thinking about it. They are saying things like, "Look how I'm showing grattitude." "Mom, what can I do to show grattitude today?" It makes me happy.

And just because I couldn't say it better myself, and this is EXACTLY what I'm hoping to accomplish with my Turkey, here's a quote I found while preparing my Young Women's church lesson for Sunday:

"What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following in His footsteps. It was said of Him that He 'went about doing good'. As we do likewise, the Christmas spirit will be ours." ~Thomas S. Monson (president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

A Conversation

Austin came home with a Christmas Wish List he made at school. It had pictures of the normal: Legos, DS, Wii games. And also BIG {litterally} things that I had NO idea he was thinking about: a ping-pong table, a fooseball table, and an air hockey table.

His wish list prmpted this discussion:

Mom: Wow, Aust that's a lot of stuff. I'm not sure Santa's going to be able to bring all of that.

Austin: yes he is. I'm being good and he can bring me whatever I want. And now that I made my list he knows what I want because he knows everything.

M: Well, Santa usually only brings one toy for each kid. Maybe he'll bring you one of the Wii games.

A: Mom, Santa knows everything. He'll bring me everything.

M: I'm not sure. I think Santa's trying to cut back this year because there are so many kids and the elves are having trouble keeping up. Which one do you REALLY want to ask for; the Wii games? The Legos?

A: The PING PONG TABLE. I LOVE it! I know Santa will bring it.

M: umm... (feeling a bit panicked now - Austin is NOT backing down from this!) I'm pretty sure Santa knows we don't have room for a ping pong table.

A: Yeah, Mom we can just move the kitchen table and put it there.

M: I don't think so, Dude.

A: Okay, well he'll bring it to me anyway and let me save it until we get a house with a basement like in Colorado.

M: A ping pong table won't fit in the sleigh so he's not going to be able to bring you one.

A: Mom! (as in DUH!) The sleigh is as big as the world. Plus Santa is magic. I know he'll bring me one.

M: Okay, lets let Santa decide what he thinks you'll like best and bring that.

A: How can I give him my list?

M: We can put it under the tree and the elves will pick it up while you're sleeping.

A: No Mom, I want to bring it to him and ask him if he can make me a ping pong table.

M: (ready to END this conversation) okay, fine we're going to Boise for a few more Christmas presents tomorrow so you can take it to him if he's there. (hoping we will accidently "forget" the list and the DANG ping pong table!)

Didn't forget the list. Didn't forget the ping pong table. Gave it to Santa and Santa looked at it and memorized it. He only looked at one side - the side with the Legos, marble track, and Wii games. Phew! Austin was satisfied with that. Santa is chosing one thing from the side of the list he memorized. And I'm breathing a sigh of relief that I don't have to blow Santa's cover. But it leaves me wondering if maybe I should. Landon's already pretty much over Santa (he wouldn't even talk to him) but Austin is still so awestruck by him. Luckily, Santa's on my side. No ping pong table at this house. And Austin can have at least one more year of Santa Magic Bliss.

We're Counting...

It Begins... Austin brought home a countdown chain that he made at school today. The first thing Landon wanted to do after school is eat his "chocolate for the day". Gearing up for Christmas is fun for the kids but crazy for the mom.

Grandma Perigo sent each of the kids an advent calander. They are thrilled about getting a candy a day. Sadly, for Austin, I wasn't on the ball and I haven't exchanged his chocolates (milk and peanuts) for allergenic-free candy. So he was a little bummed he didn't get to eat his candy today. We made snickerdoodles to make up for it. Gotta get to the store tomorrow - I'll just add that to my list. I only have 23 more days to get it all done! I'm just wondering, why is my list getting longer?! {and how come the hair GLUE I use for Landon's hair doesn't last through the school day anymore?}

Grattitude A T T I T U D E

Yesterday was a day of contemplation. It was a day of pondering and prayer. There are many people I know right now in need of extra help. I spent the day with a prayer in my heart for:

*my brother - he had a medical school interview and I really wanted it to go well for him

*my husband - he's trying to get a moon-lighting job. The extra income would help our family SO much because regardless of what the recruiters tell you, the Air Force pays by rank. Not by how many years you went to school, what your job is, or how hard you work. And although he went through ROTC and 4 years of dental school as a 1st lutinent, none of those years added to his rank so we are still at the very bottom of the "officer totem pole"

*my dearest friend here in Mountain Home who may be having a miscarriage.

*a sweet newborn baby, born with a severe heart defect and whose family I love, that had open heart surgery TWICE yesterday

*and another wonderful family from our 1400 court days at the UofU. Their 5 year old son is fighting for his life right now with stage IV Neuroblastoma Cancer.

Most of these people live far away so I made phone calls and emails and texts to let them know I was thinking of them. I focused my energy on my own little family and the gratitude I have in my heart. And I picked up the kids from school and took a Cheesecake to my friend, because what else can you do? Pray and bring food.

When Landon saw me bring in the Cheescake to someone else he threw a fit. A real, fist flying, tears falling, fit. I couldn't believe it. My OLDEST, ALMOST 8 YEAR OLD child was crying because I was giving someone else a cheescake and none of it was for him. I felt like I had failed as a mom. I haven't taught him that service is one of the true joys in life? I haven't taught him that giving is better than recieving because it not only makes you happy but someone else? I haven't taught him empathy? Something HAS to be done about this.

My thoughts turned to the Brite Series my mom had my brother and I listen to as kids. I still remember a few of the books on tape: Courage, Cleanliness, Honesty, Gratitude Attitude. I wished for those tapes. I planned a Family Home Evening lesson on not just being grateful, but showing our gratitude through our attitude and actions. We read the story of the 10 lepers from the New Testament and talked about how showing our gratitude brings us even more blessings and makes our lives more full.

We talked about ways we can show our gratitude for having brothers: giving in instead of fighting, letting the other one chose where he wants to sit at dinner time, helping the other one clean his room, asking before taking a toy....

We talked about ways to show gratitude for our parents: obeying, not crying when you can't do exactly what you want when you want to, talking nicely to them...

And we talked about ways to show gratitude for the blessings God has given us: following the commandments, saying thank you in our prayers, serving others...

Then we made this:This turkey has things we're grateful for written on his feathers. But his tummy (a jar) is empty. As I catch the kids doing thoughtful things, like being a good sport during a game, instead of quiting because you're losing, or doing a little act of service, we will write them down and put them in the turkey's tummy. The plan is to fill up the jar before Christmas and use it as a segway from Thanksgiving to Christmas: Celebrating Christ's birth and life and the blessings that have come from that by showing him our Grattitude Attitude.

My hope is that our family will be a little more unified as we focus on serving eachother. And that the kids will think of others a little more often. And, next time I bring someone a cheescake maybe I'll get a response more like, "That looks good. I hope they'll like it as much as I would."

{D A R T H} Yes. As in Vader

It's his new theme song.

I heard it when I went looking for him and found that he had dragged the step stool from the downstairs bathroom into Landon's room. His mission: to disassemble each of the *19* "extra-special" Lego creations Landon has displayed on top of his dresser.

I heard it again when I found him dumping the cereal boxes all over the pantry floor, one by one.

And again. He came into my bathroom with some Star Wars "guys" he had pilfered out of Landon's closet. He was humming the tune while he slowly took them apart, leaving a helmet here and a leg there.

In fact he's singing it now; he's supposed to be sleeping, but I can hear the song, and I can hear some toy he managed to sneak into his crib. Or did he somehow get it out of the basket of toys near his crib? Either way. It's almost 10:00pm, he's not sleeping, he's playing with a toy, and he's singing Darth Vader's anthem.

This is how he's happiest. The first thing he does when he wakes up is put on his "football dose". Then when no one's looking he sneaks into Austin's room for a pair of socks (they're easier to pull on over pajamas, I guess). He doesn't eat breakfast with the other two kids because he's noramlly still asleep. So lots of days he gets a Nutrigrain bar in the car on the way to drop off Austin at preschool; the reason for his messy face. If I'm lucky I can coax him out of his football gear, socks, and jammies long enough to change his diaper and put real clothes on him - as long as he can put the socks and costume back on over his clothes. Then the "Darth" really comes out in him and the chaos starts.

Here's a video of him singing his song. It doesn't quite do it justice because, well, he's performing. He's really much better at singing this song when he thinks no one's looking and he's doing something naughty, like squeezing the toothpaste all over the bathroom floor.

home S T R E T C H

third trimester...countdown begins...braxton hicks...excited...anxious...can't get enough done - nesting has taken over like never before...stretch marks for the first time (thought I was lucky enough not to experience that one)...ice cream and herbal tea...another 3 pounds went on the scale this month...hoping the holidays will make time move faster...waiting...waiting...can't sleep...loving the acrobatics this baby can do...can't find clothes to fit...another ultrasound with the answer we've been waiting for...

Time To...

I really love this time of year. A season for reflecting on our blessings and the things we're most thankful for... the perfect way to get ready to celebrate the birth of Christ during Christmas.

I've been working on my "picture of the day" album and decided to post a few of our families recent happenings. Most of my POTD's lately have been of us just hanging out in our family room. We haven't been doing a whole lot "fun and exciting" things. That's what I love about taking a picture every day. It's just us doing what we do. And that is first on my list of "T H A N K F U L' S" Here's the rest {in no particular order...}

• spending this Thanksgiving in Utah - the first Thanksgiving in 5 years be with our families.
• amoxocilin and fioricet - two drugs that I am very very grateful for right now - thanks to the amoxocilin my sinus infection is on the mend and I can function again. As for the fioricet - it's a migraine killer. Pregnancy has taught me that migraines are NOT just a headache. Thank goodness for medicine that is safe for babies in utero too.
  
• F a m i l y N i g h t - I feel like I am ALWAYS trying to beat the clock: Running errands before school pick up or getting something done before I have to feed the kids (again!). Especially after 3:00 it's a non-stop whirlwind of after-school snacks, homework, dinner, dishes, baths, teeth brushing, and on and on... To fit family night in I try to simplify dinner, even if that means paper plates, on Mondays and focus on a nice, relaxed evening - instead of a rushed one. Our FHE lessons are simple (a scripture story from the gospel art kit and a prayer) and our activities are simple (usually a game). That's why I love Family Night. It's a no-stress night to hang out and forget about the clock for a little while and focus on just being together.
• herbal tea - the perfect way to end the night


• books - the world just isn't right if I don't have a good book to read at night
  
• Landon's "talented and gifted" program and our own at-home incentive programs. I don't know if he really is "GIFTED". He's very very smart. And he's definitely in need of more challenging work than his second grade class is getting. He's been having a bit of a struggle lately because when he finishes his work before the other kids he gets stuck with another worksheet. His mind wonders a lot during class because he "gets" the concepts quicker than a lot of the kids, and then he starts singing to himself or tapping on his desk. So, he's been getting in trouble and,the perfectionist that he is, can't stand to be in trouble. And he shows it by crying, and I get a phone call and it's just been a crazy cycle. FINALLY, a spot opened up in a science based TandG program that isn't just more worksheets and homework. The kids actually get to apply the math and science knowledge they're learning. Once a week Landon gets his "reward" for doing extra homework by getting to go. Along with that, we've implemented some incentive programs at home for good behavior at school that really seem to be working. He hasn't had his name on the board in two and half weeks ( a huge accomplishment, since it was almost daily a month ago). The crying has gotten better, thanks to some parenting techniques I've picked up. And, although he has a bad "cry day" here and there it's really been improving. I'm VERY thankful for this one. {here's the "rubber band car" he made in his special science class}


• getting organized. I finally have my house ALMOST how I want it - as far as organization goes. (decorating, on the other hand...)I have plans for what's not done yet. I feel so much better about it.


• socks, blocks, gloves, old Halloween costumes, and toy cars - I am thankful for the time these things give me. Besides the occasional help with putting something on and a quick, "yep, you did build a big tower!" I can get dishes done, clothes folded, or other 20-30 minute chores done, relatively interruption free. AND, when Austin's at preschool (as in not bothering him!), Zac can pretty much keep himself entertained with just these things the whole two hours so I can usually get a lot done those mornings.
• Mother's intuition. I just had a feeling I needed to get Austin's allergies checked again. I'm glad I did. Of course his peanut allergy is VERY severe but it's escalated to ALL nuts and some legumes, including peas and lentils. Worse, though, is that his M I L K allergy is BACK. Over the past couple months he's been complaining of stomach-aches and his skin is pretty much ALWAYS broken out, also he started drooling again (caused by swelling in the throat). Now we know why. He also has allergies to enviromental things like cats and mold but the worst one is dust. I'm on orders to dust our house twice a week and vacuum at least every other day. So far we don't have to take him off eggs again, so baking will still be easier than before but I am having a hard time finding dairy replacements at the grocery stores here in Mtn. Home...
  


• which brings me to the next one - Boise. Although, I really hate the 45 minute drive to get there (and the other 45 minutes it takes to get home) I'm glad it's there. The places I like to shop best are there plus there are health food stores there that will make it easier for me to feed Austin. This is our POTD on the day he got his allergy test - 30 "pokes" in all.


• Ben and Jerry Ice Cream - it's not just the pregnancy eating. It saved us the other night! I made the most HORRIBLE dinner ever. I don't know what happened but none of us could eat it. I pulled out some canned peaches for nutrition's sake and then we made banana splits with my favorite new flavor of Ben and Jerry's - Cheesecake Brownie. Landon said at least three times, "this is the BEST dinner ever!!" Seriously? Of course ice cream for dinner is the best! (I know I look tired!! I'm tankful for sleep too - hopefully, I'll sleep a little better after this baby is OUT - well, at least eventually)
• candy to bribe the girls in my Young Women's (church) class - it's really the best way to get them to participate.

• And speaking of church - Landon wrote his own part for the primary program last Sunday. SO cute. He asked Cameron where the Word of Wisdom is located in the scriptures, picked out a verse, and talked about it. All on his own. It was a little out of sync with the program but it worked. And he was proud of himself and so were Cameron and I.
  


• Isaac kisses. He loves giving kisses. When he sees me in the morning I get somthered with 'em. He also kisses his favorite things - even the toothpaste (he LOVES toothpaste).
  
• Potty talk - never thought I'd say it but right now I am thankful for potty talk. Usually, I try to put a stop to it. Maybe that's why this worked so well. I've been working with Austin on his reading and the "sounding it out" thing just wasn't sinking in. Finally, I decided to write down potty words: fart, poo, toot, bum, pee. I told him if he could read the word it would make him really happy and I promised him a good laugh. Well, he took me up on it and instead of just guessing what the words were he actually sounded them out. Each time he read a word he laughed hysterically and said, "good one, Mom!" Now, he's more interested in learning to read and he's actually trying. I'm guessing a month or so and he'll be reading his first book on his own.

H A L L O W E E N 2009

A week of fun...FUN...fun

class parties, church party, trunk or treat, halloween lunch with friends, halloween officer social with WAY too much food {especially strawberry flavored marshmallows...remember when Isaac ate that W H O L E bag of marshmallows...}, parent teacher conferences, trick or treating, costumes everyday - and hot gluing ninja stars back on a mask that didn't even get worn, and sewing back together a football helmet that got worn W A Y too much, candy, candy, candy

Just before Trick Or Treating Isaac hit his temple onthe tailgate of Cameron's truck. A quick trip to Walmart for butterfly bandages and he was as good as new. You wouldn't believe how many people thought it was part of his costume. It really did add to the "tough football player" look.

got these pictures before the "tailgate incident"!

couldn't resist this picture - looks like he's visualizing the win before the game...

Land-o was SO happy to wear his CLONE TROOPER costume. He did his own hair about three times to make sure no hair would show when his helmet was on.

Austin had a bit of a rough day - he COULD NOT wait for the trick-or-treating to begin and had a hard time channeling his energy... I got ONE picture before he was off and running again. The lighting is off but at least he looks cute! Aust chose his costume based on the cool "light up feature". He's been telling everyone that will listen that his costume lights up. He also LOVES his ninja "battle damage".

25 weeks

When you count time in weeks it's easy to see how fast it goes... and how slow. I can't believe all that's happened in the last 25 weeks. It's gone by so fast. Yet, when I think about having 15 weeks of pregnancy left it still seems so far away.

It's not just the weeks ticking by that remind me I'm growing a baby - I gained {11 pounds} in {three} weeks! I haven't had much of an appetite up until that point -it's definitely come back, and with a vengance, too. In one week I went from wearing my normal clothes to fitting into NOTHING. Litterally. All my old maternity clothes are summer. But I was trying to hold out on buying maternity until the winter clothes came out. Plus, I've been harboring a secret hope that my low waisted pre-preg. jeans would see me through to the end - well, that's not gonna happen!

And on top of that I was waiting for a difinitive prognosis of placenta previa, that they suspected at my last ultrasound - why by a new wardrobe if I'll just be on bed rest, anyway?

I went in Friday for my appointment and the ultrasound was an answer to prayer - NO placenta previa. It's still close to my cervix but far away enough that I'm not at risk for hemmorage and as long baby is head down by delivery time I can have a normal delivery.

While the Doc was checking things out with the placenta I couldn't resist asking, "as long as you're taking a look can you tell if it's a boy or girl this time?" The doctor got a GREAT shot between the legs - what he saw was.... umbilical cord!!! The cord was hanging down right over the all important "spot". At one point he thought he saw the makings of a "boy part" but when he turned on the sound it had a pulse so he knew that was part of the cord. So, bottom line - Doc saw NOTHING to say it is a boy but the cord made it impossible to say that was a girl. "The little "worm" could be hiding behind the cord or there isn't one and it's a girl," That's what he said to me.

Guess we are in for a surprise! I was a bit dissapointed feeling like I couldn't "prepare" without knowing the gender. But I've decided that the basics will do until we know. A couple girl outfits and a blanket and a couple boy outfits and a blanket - everything with tags; that's all we need for a while, right?!

Last night something a little special happened. During dinner the baby started going CRAZY. I had Austin come over (he seems the most interested in the baby so I called him over first) and feel the punches. Austin's face lit up and he was SO happy. He just wanted the baby to "punch" him all night long. Then Landon and Cameron came and joined the fun. We are just all so excited to have this baby come to our family we don't even really talk about weather it's a boy or a girl.

I know these next 15 weeks will fly by fast; so while I'm counting I'm going to enjoy the time! (....and try to curb my weight gain a little.... :) )

..because..

• conjunction
• definition - for the reason that; due to the fact that
• pronunciation by a two year old: be-pohz

EVERY meal with Isaac goes a little something like this:

"oh look. I did it. that was fun. hmm, it's empty? just like that?" Look how happy he is that he's dumped his bowl out... And not just on his high chair tray - rest assured that there is plenty of soup on the floor and the other chairs, and his cup of water (he refuses a "sippy-cup") has been dumped over the side and thrown across the kitchen

He looks up to see me looking at him, "there she goes again. on and on about not throwing my food. blah blah blah..."

"hurry. look cute so she doesn't get too mad this time."

Then, when I turn around to get a paper towel or washcloth or ... hose, I hear the unmistakeable sound of Zac's bowl being thrown across the kitchen to land somewhere near his cup. When I look back at him he gives me this look like, "who me?" or maybe it's more like, "whatchya gonna do about it?" I'm not sure....

3 meals and 2 snacks a day

7 days a week

Will this ever end?!

The other day when I asked him, "WHY do you think you always have to throw your food?" I wasn't expecting an answer. But I got one. He gave me his best innocent look and said,

"Be-Pohz". Well then, that explains it....

Family Night Fun and a Preschool Repeat

Cameron had Columbus Day off work and the weather was a lot warmer than it has been so we took advantage. The boys spent the day finishing the shelves in the garage - not only do they look awesome but they hold SO much - and I finished sorting through my winter and maternity clothes - and determined that I HAVE to go shopping :) - and did some laundry.

We had planned on heading to Boise afterwards but we got carried away in our work and ended up not finishing until almost 5:00. So we headed to Smokey's Pizza (the only good non-fast food resteraunt here - believe me, I'm not exaggerating) and then went to a corn maze and pumpkin patch out by Bruneau Sand Dunes. It was cute and inexpensive and we had a great time just hanging out together.

I loved how they all celebrated when they got to the top

We ran around in the hay and picked out pumpkins. Then we ran around in the hay some more. The older boys led the way while Isaac entertained us during the hour we spent in the corn maze (yes, I just said, "hour". Thank goodness it wasn't dark, seesh!) He made up songs {Oooby doo... dooby doo... laudy doo}, gave us a play by play of what we were seeing {coin, big coin, pop coin, coin, coin, pop coin}, told us what different animals say {before he says an animal sound he says, "what 'bout the hoise say" or "what 'bout the boid say"} and pretty much jabbered non-stop the whole time {"wuv oo Daddy. Daddy's bubby (buddy)...no Mommy's bubby...no Daddy's bubby... no Zaustin's bubby....no Nandon's bubby..."}

The next day we went back with Austin's preschool class. We left with a couple more pumpkins, a ride on the tractor, straw covering our coats and gloves and corn and wheat in the kids pockets and shoes. And holes in both kids' pants. Now that's the description of a boy's paradise...

Family Christmas Card Pictures