Halloween Really Happened

Even though I am just now getting to posting the pictures!

Don't be fooled by the apparent domesticity represented in my boys' costumes.  They were both D.I. purchases.  So even though someone spent hours slaving away on that dragon costume, it wasn't me.  It makes me feel a little warm and fuzzy inside.

I was so excited that our Skellie costumes were successful--we even had a couple strangers stop us and take our picture.  Again, I wish I could take credit--the idea was straight from one of my favorite blogs, Make it and Love it.  But hey, they didn't have to know that, right?

The One Where I Include Pictures

Be prepared folks.  My formerly picture-challenged blog is about to become pictureful.

One time, we went to Cornbellies!!

 

 I think probably the boys' favorite part was all of the wooden toys to play on.  These structures were incredibly ingenious!  They were for sale after the season, but alas, Daddy didn't want a wooden semi-truck in our back yard--even if it had a slide!!

Gregory also thought the bounce houses were pretty AWESOME!!!  We stopped here first, and he jumped right in.  Isaac took a while to warm up, so I held him outside and we watched Gregory have a blast.  Finally Isaac peeled himself off of me and decided to go play too. But that's not him in the background.  Getting two kids to hold still for the same picture when there's bouncing to be done?  Ain't happening.

The cow train was also a big hit with both of the boys.  We saw it while we were walking in and the boys weren't leaving until they got to ride in it! Don't be fooled by Gregory's nonplussed face--he is stoked and a half!

 They were really excited to try these horsie swings too...but as you can see from Gregory's face, they seemed to be built for bigger kids.  "I'm about to fall off Mommy...take the picture fast..."

 

 I love the look on Gregory's face here.  So many things to do, so little time!!!  What to choose next?!?

Both boys were intrigued by the picture cutouts, but it was a bit difficult to explain how they worked.  Now that they can see the pictures, I'm sure they will be even more excited about them next time!

This picture illustrates perfectly how Daddy was feeling.  We got to Thanksgiving Point and were walking in when Mike mentioned, "I feel so sick."  Probably he should have mentioned this before we paid the entrance fee...  It got so bad that about ten minutes into the bouncy house, he left to try to sleep it off in the car.  He felt a lot better after he threw up, poor dear!  A couple hours later, he came to find us and got to play a little bit, but he obviously wasn't feeling 100%.  Sorry babe!!

Other favorites were the animatronic show (Isaac especially liked to watch them sing), the kiddie cornmaze, and jumping on the giant trampoline pillows.  It was so funny to watch Gregory try to get to the top of the kid pillow--he got really good by the end!

Officially

Well Hello!

Pretty sure it's time for an update!  Life has been happening so quickly I forget to write things down.  Whew.

Isaac:
Eats his pizza upside down. ?  I don't know where he got this--none of the rest of us do it, but he always holds it by the crust, cheese-and-toppings side down.

Mr. INDEPENDENT. Good heavens--NEVER try to help him do anything or there will be a meltdown!

When I tell him sorry, i.e. for bumping him, he says, "yeah, your bad." Apparently I tell him, "my bad, sorry" too much!

He has the Book of Mormon all figured out: he refuses to start his nightly verse without saying, "And it came to pass."

I adore how much he loves to tidy things up.  He remembers to do it before I ask.  Obviously, he got that from his father...

Gregory:
Just started preschool again and he LOVES it.  He misses Miss Bev and Miss Andee though.

Loooooves learning Spanish from Dora.  It's a good thing I took some Spanish in High School so I can answer some of his questions.  I guess we'll have to send our questions to Elder Zach in L.A. now!  Everyone in the family has been assigned a character in either Dora or Diego.  I used to be Isa, but I've been informed that I now get to be Mami.  Yay!  Upgraded from an Iguana.  Pretty sure Daddy's still the Big Red Chicken though :P  and Zach will always be Swiper.

One of Gregory's favorite activities is looking at the "world where we live."  This means looking at a map.  He likes to figure out where we live in relation to people that we know.  He especially loves looking at Washington--and asking when we are going to visit Lauren and Kirby next.

Gregory is getting another chance to have his little bookshelf (it got taken out after one of his pre-gluten free rages) and a desk lamp back in his bedroom.  He's really starting to get the concept of consequences, and he seems to understand that if he tears things apart again he will not have so many privileges.

He really Really REALLY wants the baby in Mommy's tummy to be a sister (sneaky announcement!!!).  Whenever we warn him that it might be a boy, he decides that we'd better have two then. I warn him that his Mommy may not last very well if she has to take care of two babies at once, but it hasn't made much difference yet.

Mike:
Is incredibly stressed at work.  It seems like this latest release has been strung out for FOREVER and will never be done.  Hopefully we can weather the next couple of weeks until everything settles down!

Decided the other day that he wanted to see if he could run a half marathon.  He's been running in the mornings, and will regularly run a 10k.  But he just got up one Saturday morning, went to the park, and ran 13.1 miles.  You know, just to see what would happen.  He won!

He's kicking the sprinkling system's patooshie, which keeps insisting on trying to break and kill our grass.  Mike is teaching himself how to fix it, however, and has been victorious every time!

Me:
I'm finally NOT sick every single day.  Yaaay for the 2nd Trimester!  16 weeks seems so small compared to 40, but we'll make it...right?

I bought Lauren's old camera--so I'm hoping I'll feed you a lot more pictures.  My camera broke several months ago...but that can't really be my excuse, because even when it worked I was bad at taking and posting pictures.  Hrm.

I feel like I'm starting to keep my head above water with homemaking.  Who knew someone could be so bad at taking care of kids AND keeping a house clean?  I've had three really good days of cleaning and bonding IN A ROW!  Usually I'll have one good cleaning day (where I feel awake and energetic enough to get stuff done and actually HAVE FUN doing it) a month--yeah, it's hormonal. I'm starting to feel like there is hope for me...but the belly is getting bigger, and bending will be harder soon!


Thanks for listening!  Have a great day!!!

Happy Father's Day!

Yay, we love our Daddy around here.  We are super excited to give him a day that's all his own.  I'm going to try to make him breakfast (which is sort of hard because he doesn't like eating breakfast), and let him sleep in, and shower him with gifts...from the dollars store (lol).  It should be good times.

I also wanted to share a card with you that I made in my card club.  I needed to make a quickie--I didn't have hours to spend cutting, gluing, and accessorizing this month.  I got the idea from this blog, who mentions this card from Tiny Prints.  I LOVED the mustaches, but didn't like the "Happy Father's Day" so I drew my own mustaches and re-designed it Adriane-style.  After I printed my card onto white cardstock (you'll get two per page), I tied a little red bow tie and glued it on underneath "Happy Father's Day."  Voila, easy, quick, and fabulously mustache-y.  Which I keep trying to spell British style due to my obsession with the fabulously moustached Hercule Poirot.  Or perhaps that's just incredibly incorrect.  I'll need Meagan to give a nod of approval or shake of disdain, since I'm too lazy to go look it up.

Spelling impaired or not, here is a link to download my card if you would like to use it for the fathers in your life: http://www.4shared.com/photo/OquUtpER/June11_Card--Moustache.html

Blood is Thicker

I've always heard that you shouldn't buy couches with a million cushions on it--at least if messes bother you.

We just got one.  Not for real though--we are "storing" one for Mike's brother Jordan and his cute wife Carly.  Really that means we had a big empty living room and they felt sorry for us.  But it works out for all of us.  Although after today, Carly and Jordan may decide to store it somewhere else...

It only took a few hours for the cushions to be piled high and built into forts of all kinds.  Jumped on, thrown, and stacked in front of anything I need to get to.  That was yesterday.  Today took a bit of a downturn though.  This morning Mike helped Gregory build a FABULOUS fort using a chair, the basketball hoop, Gregory's covers, and of course, CUSHIONS.  It was fun.  Until Gregory fell and smacked his head on the basketball hoop.  I heard the screaming and came running, expecting Mommy kisses to stop the crying quick--until I saw the blood.

Luckily there wasn't a lot, and it stopped quickly.  But there it was all over Jordan and Carly's couch cushion...

Did I mention the couch is white?  Or...that it used to be?

Luckily I have a stain remover list in my laundry room, and it said I could use dish soap to get it out (I learned later that one's own saliva does wonders to get one's own blood out of things--I should have had Gregory spitting).  The blood came out pretty well, which makes this incident hardly blog worthy.

Until dinner time.  I started preparing a fabulous spread (a.k.a. microwaving hamburger patties.  Don't judge).  The boys were playing happily together--which is so fun to watch!  Interestingly, the other half of the basketball set--the ball--which is small and soft, incidentally, is what caused additional bloodshed.  Apparently, Gregory had thrown it to Isaac, but hit him in the perfect spot to cause a nosebleed.  When I heard Gregory yell, "Mommy! Now Isaac is blooding all over the couch," I thought it must have been a colossal joke. 

It wasn't.

Two more cushions weren't white anymore...

Suffice it to say that dinner was later than expected. 

Not sure what kind of a family bleeds on a borrowed couch TWICE in one day, but we have officially become that kind.  I will understand if no one else ever lends us anything again.

Holy Cow--He's TWO!

That's right friends, my Isaac is officially two years old.  I'm not sure how we managed to keep two whole children alive this many years, but we did!  Yay us!

My Isaac is so much fun---more so every day.  I love it when he sings primary songs.  His favorites are "I Am A Child Of God," "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus," and "I Love to See the Temple." He also loves to sing the ABC song, and to count.  One of my very favorites is when he says "I Love YOU!!!!"  I love to watch him play.  He can focus so much longer than...some of my other kids ;).  He loves legos and books and putting things away.

I love you Isaac bug!

Farewell to the Marriot Center

And it's not just me waving goodbye.  I have the strange feeling that everyone should join me.  If tradition holds, the building's a goner--since most of the buildings I grew to love at BYU have been destroyed.

T Hall of Deseret Towers, where I had my first taste of college and gained the freshman (never mind, you don't want to know how much weight I actually gained...love you Morris Center) is now only a happy memory.  You can't tell that there ever was a room 311 where Meagan and I nearly never slept.  There's only a lovely green lawn.

The KMB.  How do I begin to describe the way I feel about that sprawling, ancient, fabulous building?  With thespians in one side, computer geeks (and who knows what other outcasts got their offices in there) in the other, generously sprinkled with large spiders, bugs the color of Annie's hair, and perhaps some mice scattered generously throughout.  Oh, that I had found the courage to discover where those multitudes of trap doors led--or followed the janitors into the basement just once.  My favorite part was how far away the bathrooms were--perfect for my first pregnancy: I was always waddling across the building with my heels and growing belly, trying to not wet my pants or lose my lunch before I got there.  With all of it's defects, there's a true nostalgia for that building, which once again has become a grassy field.  So many friends, fun, and good times.

All right, that's only two buildings I loved that have been wiped off the face of the earth.  But I really DID love them.  The only other building I really got attached to is brand new--and GORGEOUS.  I do love the JFSB as well, but since BYU just spent millions rebuilding that one, it is probably safe. 

Which leaves the Marriot.  Basketball games with CRAZY Bobberts, devotionals and forums, my first date with Mike, parking in that lot every day my senior year, and now TWO graduations (I may have forgotten to mention that I FINALLY finished my last class Independent Study style.  Only four years for one class...it was starting to feel like NEVER, so I'm pretty proud).  That building and I have a lot of history.

It would be sad to have another monument to my college years felled to the earth. 

Although, after sitting through commencement with my knees crammed into the chair in front of me, the sacrifice loses some of its sting.

It just blowed up...

This one time, my life BLEW UP.  Really, that's the only way I can describe it.

I'm not sure exactly when it started.  Maybe it was sitting in a little room in the Stake Offices hearing that Mike was being called to be Stake Men's Sports Specialist.  As this meant he'd be released from Elder's Quorum Secretary, we thought maybe we'd get more time together (everyone laugh manically since you know that this occurred sometime in February, which meant BASKETBALL SEASON).

We briefly talked about my calling: Primary chorister and pianist (not at the same time, silly).  I distinctly remember saying, "and I don't want to be moved please.  EVER."  I also distinctly remember the LOOK that President Stratton gave me.  The Spirit was either speaking to him or to me.

I was called to be Relief Society Secretary one and a half weeks later.

Okay.  When you've finished laughing and rolling on the floor ('cause that's about what I was doing when the Bishop asked me to accept that calling), I can continue. 

Maybe I should just say that being a secretary doesn't come easily for me.  Punctuality...organization...generally clear thinking...NOT ME.

Aaaaaand Mike was at basketball two nights a week and several hours on Saturdays for basketball.
Aaaaaand another night for volleyball and another couple hours on Saturdays for that as well.

Then there's my firstborn.  Really, it's not for nothing that he is known to Mike's coworkers as Attila the Son.  He's smart, and he is good at HAVOC.  "When it comes to havoc, nobody wreaks like me!!!!"  He was also starting to scare me.  Something about the animal look in his eyes and the snarl on his face when he got angry...and STAYED angry.  So, we went to a psychologist (Dr. Richards, for those of you who know him) and had a little talk. The first thing he mentioned was that we should try going off of gluten.

and a little bell went off in my head that said, "YEP."

For those of you who aren't acquainted with "going off gluten," I can explain it in two words: STOP EATING EVERYTHING YOU LOVE.  Pizza? Donuts? Cereal? Bread? Pasta? CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES made by your mother-in-law?  All out.  Every dinner that you have been stocking up for using your hard earned coupons (anyone want a storage room full of gluten)?  Sorry, you are going to have to START OVER.

So, kinda, I've been going a little bit crazy.  But the awesome part is: Gregory feels SO much better.  He's a different child.  I wish gluten worked for the "terrible two's" though.  Isaac is becoming a handful (it never ENDS)!  I feel way better too.  Remarkably so.  Always listen to your mother, because she's just about always right (she's been telling me to try going off gluten for years).  And even though most weeks right now are CARAZY (did I mention I spent ALL DAY at visiting teaching conferences?) we're doing pretty well.  Although I feel like I'm going on a super fast treadmill and I might fall off if I step wrong.

But hey.  I've always wanted to get better at running.

Fun, Fun, FUN.

Dear my friends,
Once upon a time, my cousin married a super awesome girl.  I like her lots, and would love to be like her when I grow up.  She has a blog, which I read, and guess what I found on it the other day?

"I promise to send something hand-made to the first five people who leave a comment here. You must in turn post this on your blog and send something that YOU make to the first five people that comment on your blog! The rules are the item has to be HANDMADE by YOU and sent sometime in 2011! How fun it that!"

So.  I commented.  Because this cousin of mine (okay, by marriage, but I claim her, okay?) is ALWAYS up to cute things, and I can't wait to see what she makes for me!!  I even decided it was worth trying to decide what to make for YOU dear readers!  Because deciding is the hardest part.  The making is fun.

I may have cheated, since I probably have all of two people reading this, but I hereby solemnly swear to make something for the first five people who comment here.  Comment at your own risk, since you never know what you will receive. ;)

Love,
Me.

Innocent Face

Once upon a time, around Christmas, Mike had a crazy dream.  He doesn't usually remember any of his dreams, but this one was a chestnut.  He found himself in the middle of an Agatha Christie murder mystery.  Can you guess who the oh-so-creepy villain of the piece was?  Yep, yours truly.  So naturally he woke up and was a little disturbed to find a murderess right next to him in bed. 

Luckily I rolled over and mumbled, "the best part about Christmas is giving..."  which probably creeped him out even more.  Why can't I be more original when I sleep talk?

Tale of a tail...

One of my favorite things about Preschool is that I get to share the daily giggles of my existence with an "expert."  For instance, when my child walked into preschool today with a belt twice his size only through half the loops of his pants, most people would think I was insane.  I'm positive that the teacher understood that Gregory had figured out how to give himself a tail.  Rather than try to appear like a completely normal family and risk missing preschool altogether because of a tantrum, I did not try to dissuade him from appearing in public with said tail.  We just happily walked to preschool with a belt flapping behind us.  All I heard from Miss Bev at the end of school was, "I see he's wearing Daddy's belt today!  What a big boy!"

Of course, the belt was "fixed" and wound twice around his waist through his belt loops--maybe the tail idea didn't translate.  Maybe they think I'm insane after all.

The Home is...

the great laboratory of love.  There the raw chemicals of selfishness and greed are melded in the crucible of cooperation to yield compassionate concern and love one for another.
~Russell M. Nelson

WEWT!

Susan got back to me--she gets the same discounts on the newspaper as Amy does.  So I would love to set up a class here at my house sometime!  Would after Christmas work the best?  Unless you guys want to hurry it up quick like :D  Maybe the 28th, or 30th?  Will you all be around then?  Let me know what works and we'll get something started.  I'm still going to go to Amy's class on the 16th--Carly, if you're to busy next week, let me know, and Meagan, if you are too tired--not like you're moving across the world or anything ;).  We can do the smaller party later if you want.  I can't wait!

Savvy News

All right.  The first two people that talked to me were Meagan Brady and Carly.  Here's the deal though.  Amy says there's a waiting list for the class.  I wrote a post on the forum about getting on it for you Meagan Meyer (and anyone else that wants to come).  If that doesn't work out, there are also other ladies on the site that do free classes as well.  I've written to my favorite to ask her if she gets the same killer deals on the paper that Amy does--if so, I will totally host a class and we will PARTAY.  I don't want to deprive anyone of their couponing kick.  I will keep you guys updated!

Exciting News

My dear friends:
I got a link to this in my e-mail today--http://forum.savvyshopperdeals.com/showthread.php?t=23664
Amy the Savvy Shopper is having a coupon class.

Sounds mega exciting right?  Oh...joy...a COUPON class?

It's not just any coupon class though, she's going to GIVEAWAY A TON OF STUFF.  She normally gives away a bunch of stuff at her classes.  This time she says she's doing a Christmas giveaway and going crazy with it.  That got ME excited to go, and I've already been!

I know several of you have said you want to get together and learn how to do Amy's system--everyone who can come on the 16th should come!  I'll come too, we'll have a girl's night, and go out for treats after.  And of course, we will revel in all of the free stuff we will get.

There's another reason to go.  Amy gets the best subscription deals for the Daily Herald, and sometimes the Deseret News too.  She hints in her forum posts that there is something exciting relating to that--I'm guessing an awesome deal on the newspaper!  Hmm...maybe she'll let me get seven copies?  Lol...  so if you've been wanting to sign up (and you don't have to start with five if you don't want to!) This class is the place to do it.  I didn't know about the dealz she could give, so I signed up just from her website--21.something a month.  Now I pay 18.something (22 I think?) a month, and it sounds like it COULD go even lower at this class!  18 a month is totally worth it to save 79% on my shopping trips!

So, if you even think you might want to come, DO.  Amy is HILARIOUS and very entertaining.  Plus we'll get to hang out and get free stuff, and get amazing deals on the newspaper, and I'm thinking ice cream after?  Or maybe that new Chocolat place on S. State in Orem?  Somewhere awesome.

Call me, write a comment, facebook me, do SOMETHING, click on the link at the top of the post and sign up, and we will PLAY and LEARN and have fun.

Edit:  I just signed up and reserved 3 spots.  So two of you are already reserved!  Hurry and contact me so we can get enough spots for everyone (I could only do 3)!  Did I mention it was free free free?  

Yipidee Doo Dah

YIPEEEE!!!  It was a fun shopping trip, I tell you what!  I'm still geeking out over the excitement.  It's really not ME that's awesome though (in negation to those who have commented in such manner).  It's Amy the Savvy Shopper, who puts these lists together.  I just looked off of a list she made of awesome deals, decided what I would use in my family, grabbed my coupons and went shopping.

I had to brave Linda's line, of course.  Fate would not have it any other way.  If you ever go shopping at Orem Smith's early in the morning, try to avoid her line.  Especially if you have coupons.  She's reduced me to near tears before.  Lauren can bear witness.  But since I was expecting the absence of all enthusiasm, or replies to my enthusiasm, it went all right.

Speaking of Lauren, remember how she says things so much better than I do?  Check out her post here to see her version of my crazy-makes-no-sense explanation of couponing.  Much more concise and readable, don't you think? 

My Best Shopping Trip YET!!

I know, it's been a long time--and I was doing so well there for a little while!

But I'm back to tell you more of my couponing adventures!!!

8 Krusteaz Cookie Mixes
7 Bounty Paper Towels
8 muffin mixes
4 Ziploc Boxes of Gallon Freezer Bags
6 Dawn Dish Soap (Hand Renewal!!!)
2 Pouches Idahoan Potatoes
6 Renuzit air fresheners
2 boxes Ronzoni Pasta
8 cans of evaporated milk
6 boxes of kleenex (with LOTION!!!)
1 bottle of cream of tartar
1 can Campbell's Soup
2 containers of Clorox Bleach
7 Toothbrushes
1 chapstick
7 Toblerone bars (yummmm)
1 half pint of half and half
1 gallon milk
1 bag clementines
4 boxes green giant frozen vegetables
2 bags frozen steamer veggies
6 banquet freezer pies
2 bags of chex mix (brings back freshman year, every time ;)

That's what I got.  A whole back-of-my-outback full of groceries.  Can YOU guess how much I paid for it?

Please notice the length of the receipt--it's about a foot shorter than I am :D

Want a Good Laugh?

My sister Lauren introduced me to a blog called Catalog Living.  It's about the man and the woman, Gary and Elaine, who live in all of those perfect house catalog pictures we see.  Mostly it's a chance to poke fun of the silliness in those perfect houses.  I adore it and I laughed really hard at a lot of these posts!  Take your time and read a bunch--it took me a bit to get past the tee hee hees and into the HAR HAR HAR!s. 

This is one of my very favorites:

Use your big boy furniture…

Gary, we got the desk and Medieval Torture Chair you wanted, so why do you still insist on reading on the floor?  Now, where’s that beige book I came in here for?


It's made me step back and giggle at some of the designs I used to take too seriously.  Who really has an entire collection of beige books anyways?

Prodigies Both

Gregory has been surprising me lately with phrases coming out of his mouth that are distinctly more grown up than he is.  Every once in a while he will turn to me, put his hand on my face tenderly (assuming that my face is within reach), and refer to me as "my darling."  If I try to reciprocate, however, he says, "I'm not your darling!!! I'm just Gregory!"

He's started Preschool.  !?!  Yeah.  Exactly.  Not really sure how he managed to live to the ripe old age of three, but there you have it.  Ever since preschool started, I've noticed an increase in social skills.  He told me yesterday, "I want to put a blanket on top [of that tower you are building around me].   Let me know when you are finished Mommy."  Okay sweetheart.  I'll just let you know.  I was delighted to hear the word "October" issuing from the living room while I was making dinner.  I know he didn't learn that one from me--I just try to keep the kid alive.   Preschool is a beautiful thing.  And when I pick him up and he says, "I sure missed you while I was at preschool Mommy.  Did you miss me?"  That's even beautiful-er.

The drama side of Gregory is winning out over his shy side a little more now.  He'll actually finish singing a song out loud sometimes.  Instead of starting out to sing loud and strong (think Adriane-ish behavior), and then slowing and quieting to a stop as his reserved self (think Mike-ish) realized what was going on.  The poor thing has polar opposites vying for control inside!  But lately (preschool may be helping this one out too) he's been actually having lots of fun singing.  He LOVES the Phineas and Ferb songs (of course), and a slew of primary action songs like "The Eensy Weensy Spider" and "The Wise Man Built His House Upon a Rock."  I have a 75% chance of not getting SHUT DOWN when I start singing too.  This is up from a 10% chance, so I'm liking life a lot more lately.

Isaac...well, he's learning to be a handful.  He's a climber, for one thing.  Gregory always liked to play things safe--maybe we should have named Isaac after my Dad too (I love you Daddy ;).  I had to pull my youngest off of the toilet tank the other day.  I know, what neglectful parenting.  Let me just say that he's fast.  All it takes is the blink of an eye and a second of turned back.

Isaac loves SHOES!  Shoes mean freedom.  But since he's figured out how to open the front door, he's not picky about being shod before leaving the house.  I realized he was gone the other day while I was finishing my toilette (read: I was not fully clothed and Gregory had let Isaac escape from the basement where I keep them caged).  There was too much sun coming through my door for it to be closed.  By the time I finished getting my clothes on and got outside, he was all the way to the mailbox.  Which is a really long way when you remember that it usually takes him a good three minutes to work his way down the two cement steps of our porch.  When I'm watching him, that is.  After having a heart attack (almost), I resolved to keep the deadbolt locked at ALL TIMES.

So, you know, I'm just trying to keep up here.  Now that we aren't as sick (we spent basically the entire month of September sick.  When I wasn't in bed in utter misery, I was cleaning up the result of my children's misery.  NOT FUN) I might have a better chance of staying ahead of the game.  RIGHT.  Okay, being realistic, two steps behind isn't all that bad, right?  :D