COLETON!

Poor Coleton didn't get a nap today. Too much excitement getting a hamster. so while I was making dinner he asked to listen to "Buffalo Soldier" by Bob Marley. He loves this song. Well I looked over and said Coleton but the poor little guy was fast asleep with the speaker to his ear. I had to take a picture and smile!

welcome PooPoo Nibbles

We have a new pet. A hamster who Coleton named poopoo and Remington named Nibbles. We call "IT" Nibbles. We are not sure if it is a boy or girl but there is only 1 so we should be fine. I have been saying NO to a pet and was ambushed this morning by my boys telling me that dad promised them a hamster. I guess it will be good to help teach Remington some responsibility. Hopefully it doesn't get loose

Its just not going away. GrRrRrRr

So most of you know my drama with the CRAZY STALKER LADY! Here is the short version. I met her through her son who was in Remington's 1st grade class. She called and asked if Remington would like to play with her son Joshua (I should have said NO!!!! )
I don't particularly like how Remington is when he is with Joshua and there were some other things that happened and some things were said that were disturbing involving blood and death. We told her that Remington couldn't play with Joshua for 1 month. She started calling for play dates after 1 week.
If I don't answer the phone when she calls she shows up at my house asking why I didn't answer the phone. She comes to Maceys to find me when I am working and 1 time when I just shopping.
She called yesterday and said that Joshua was in tears because Remington wasn't able to play. NOT MY PROBLEM!
{Although it is turning into my problem.}
She also demanded that before Remington runs off with other friends that he and Joshua play together. I don't really do well with being demanded to do things and I tend to want to rebel.

So how do I end things?

My brother in law suggested violence. hahahaha!!! Very funny Dave!

Ryan says its my problem because he already ended things however she is still around. So obviously he didn't. I have been hoping it will just all go away but that is not happening. So this is what I have come up with. After much thought and prayer.

I am going to tell her that Joshua is a good kid but, Remington cannot play with him anymore because the two of them are just not a good combination.

So that is where I am at. I am done with feeling like I have to hide or being relived when they go on vacation. I am done with the drama and the attitude. I am praying that they are in separate classes next year (maybe they will find a new family to terrorize). If not Mr Liddard and I will be having a chat :)

Wish me luck and hope that she doesn't go anymore crazy physco on me!

Is Santa real?

So I thought that maybe I could get another year in before the question of Santa Clause's authenticity came about, however I got it TODAY.

I was folding clothes today when Remington came in and said
"Mom I don't know if I believe in Santa or the Easter Bunny"
"Why is that?"
"I don't know I just don't think that they are real"
"Oh really?"

At this point I try to change the subject. I remember when I found out that Santa wasn't real and that it was my mom and dad and I was heart broken. However much to my dismay I got asked...

"Mom did you and Dad buy the WII?"

Yes Santa did bring a WII for Christmas 7 months ago! In my head I am thinking I can't lie to him He is going to find out sooner or later and I would rather him find out from me than from friends at school.

"Yes" I sigh
"I knew it!!!"
"OK now you have to keep it a secret"
"WHY?"
"Because your brothers don't know and it is fun to believe"
"Why can't I tell Coleton"
"Remington they need to believe like you did and it will be fun to see their reactions when we visit Santa at the North Pole on the Polar Express"

We have made this a tradition I guess. There is a train called the Heber Creeper that at Christmas time is called the polar express and you go for a train ride and the ELVES read the polar express and serve hot chocolate and cookies. You see Santa out the window when you get to the North Pole and then he gets on the train visits all the cars and gives every child a bell. Mrs clause also comes and visits the cars and hands out her cookie recipe. It really is a lot of fun and magical.

Remington was looking confused at a little weary I told him
"DO NOT TELL YOUR BROTHERS"
I am not sure how he will do in the secret keeping department so....
I will have to revisit this subject as Christmas gets closer. Who would have thought I would have this conversation with my son in the middle of July.

OVERLOOKED

Well I have been thinking lately that I don't have a PASSION for really anything. I think I need a change. So I have been thinking what would I like to do, what would I like to study, what "do I want to be when i grow up".
Well I am stil pondering these questions and haven't come up with much EXCEPT....
I have been reading a friends blog and she is doing a weekly photo challenge. Last week the theme was BLUE and she posted the results of the pictures that were taken and it was really fun to see all the creative things that they all came up with.
So this week her theme is OVERLOOKED and so I am thinking that I will look at things around me and see what I can come up with and join this little group.
It may turn to a passion it may not, but it is at least something to get my brain going and my intrests flowing.
I will post what I come up with.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!!

here is a list (in no particular order) of the reasons that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this time of year.

1- BBQ's
2- DUTCH OVEN COOKING (yummy)
3- swimming
4- parades
5- hot air balloon festival in Provo
6- Red, White, & Blue what a great combination!
7- Family
8- fireworks
9- late nights
10- warm days and almost cool nights
11- FREEDOM!!!
12- blankets scattering on lawns
13- happy people young and old
14- Flags waving
15- watermelon
16- firetrucks
17- sparklers
18- fun
19- corn on the cob
20- pops, fizzes & screeches!!

We were able to do lots of things on my list and maybe when my little monsters are older we will do more.
We went swimming & had a BBQ at Ryan's parents house and fearless Coleton and little fish Remington didn't want to get out of the water.
We also went to my mom's for a dutch oven dinner and fireworks!
We had a great day and the boys were exhausted by the end. Poor little Coleton didn't make it through the fireworks he feel asleep and all the loud bangs didn't even faze him. Gage did great although he seemed bored by the end of the fireworks.

Adventures in Swimming.

Well today I got a call from my sister in law Erin inviting me to go to the Payson pool and go swimming. I thought how fun yeah I am game. OK so I was a little nervous about taking my wild bunch by myself but I thought at least Erin and Lindsay (my other sister in law) will be there. So when Gage woke up from his nap I fed him, gathered our stuff and we headed to the pool. The boys were so excited. We got there and found our group and the kids hit the water.

The Payson pool is so fun there is a lazy river and splash pads and a very fun water attraction that dumps water when the bucket is full. There is slides for little kids and big kids. Lots of ways to stay cool and enjoy the summer. I had just bought Remington and Coleton these water skateboards the day before and so they brought theirs along. We hadn't been there very long when some kid came up and asked Remington if he could borrow it then took it and ran. Remington didn't seem to mind so I let it go although I was bugged. Remington wanted to go in the lazy river so I went over with him. we went around a few times and saw the kid with Remington's "skateboard". He and another friend were taking turns and when Remington tried to get it they weren't really letting him have it. However Remington decided he wanted to go on the big water slide. So he went up and I watched him come down he did awesome! I went back to check on Coleton and mentioned to Erin and Lindsay about the kid who had taken the "skateboard" and they are awesome and went and got it back(I would have done it myself eventually). They are so much more assertive than I am and I love them for it. I wish I was more like that sometimes. i think that I am getting more assertive being a parent that whole "mother bear thing".

I think Coleton started to get tired of playing in the little kid area or maybe it was that Remington and his cousins left him but he was restless and wandering. I was watching him and saw him start to go a little to far for comfort so I asked Erin to keep and eye on Gage and I followed Coleton. I caught up to him as He was heading toward a deeper end of the pool and right before I could grab him he ran and JUMPED into the water. There was a lifeguard who immediately jumped in after him and pulled him out. I said thank you and started to leave but was informed that we needed to go fill out a report. FABULOUS!! That would be my little dare devil. It wasn't bad they got his name, our address, phone number and I had to sign it.

So when it was time to leave (yeah there is more) we gathered the kids and Remington started throwing a HUGE fit. Out of no where WOW I don't know where it came from except that he said he was hungry. Needless to say he won't be playing the Wii or watching cartoons for the next week.

At least the boys are worn out and should sleep good tonight. Erin will probably think twice before calling me to swim again, but Gage was good and no trouble except that he cried every time I left him.

AHHHHH So much drama for a little trip to the pool. Not that it surprises me.

YELLOWSTONE!

We had a fun family vacation to Yellowstone. When I say family I mean family. My mom, & 2 sisters Rachel and Sarah. Along with Ryan's Parents, brother Chase and his sister Erin her hubby and their 2 kids, Ryan's brother David came up from Idaho Falls with his girlfriend Carrie. We had quite a big group. We cooked a dinner consisting of steaks, baked potatoes, and stir fried veggies. We laughed and visited and enjoyed each others company.
We had rented a cabin in Island Park and it was perfect. It fit everyone nicely, was comfortable and close to the gate at West Yellowstone. We spent 2 days in the park and I wish it was longer. It was cold and rainy but very beautiful. It was a great way to enjoy the beauty of the earth and what God created for us. We visited Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, Fire hole falls. We saw some wild life. Mostly Bison but unfortunetly NO bears or Moose. I was a little disappointed with that but what can you do? We were close to seeing a bear. There was a traffic jam and a couple of rangers cars. When we got close we asked what was going on and they said a bear was down but had wandered up into the trees. So close yet so far.
Coleton LOVED the bison and talked about them all the time. He kept saying he wated to see more buffalo. Remington just wanted to play in the hot tube at the cabin and Gage just wanted to be in his own bed at home. He was a great little alarm clock and woke everyone up at 5:45 am. Its a good thing he is so cute and little so everyone forgave him quickly.
We had a great time and it was nice to get away. Especially with Sarah and Chase as they are both leaving on missions for the LDS church. Sarah will be gone for a year and a half and Chase will be gone for two years. It was a great way to spend a little time with them and create a few memories. My boys are really going to miss both of them VERY much.
On the way home we stopped by Mesa Falls. It was beautiful and amazing. I felt bad that we were driving on Fathers Day, not so fun for Ryan. The boys were troopers and for the most part pretty good concidering all the time we spent in the car. I loved getting away but it is always nice to come home.

FIRST BIRTHDAY!!

Well I am a little late but its official my baby is 1!! Sigh its hard to believe that he is 1 already. The year has flown by. He was born June 11th, 2008 he was born at 5:05 pm and weighed 8 lbs. He now weighs 23 lbs and is a happy little mommas boy! We had a little party for him at home on his birthday. Ryan worked and brought home a little cake which he loved! He ate the frosting first and then the cake. We had a family party on June 13th and had a BBQ and of course cake and ice cream. He was really not into the presents but loves the toys that he got. We got him a little water table to play with outside that I think his brothers enjoy more.
He isn't walking yet but is so close. He could do it if he wanted but why when he knows he can fuss and someone will pick him up and hand him to mom. Someday he will decide that walking is more fun.

last day of school & summer plans

Today was the last day of school. To top it off it was only a 1/2 day. I really don't understand why they do that but it's fun for the kids to play I guess. Remington came home covered with autographs on his arms. I guess they had free reign because he had his kindergarten teacher, a 2nd grader, and a girl who wrote her name and phone number on his arm. I think that he is a little young for girls numbers but he tells me that she wrote it not him. Really lets be honest nothing really academic got done the last week of school. The kids had a beach day where they played water games and then the sprinklers gpt turned on. They had a garage sale. The had earned "mustang bucks" which is fake money and then took unwanted items and sold them and bought other things also. We sent junk and he came home with more junk. the had a luau and bubble day and also a game day. WOW so much fun I wish I was a first grader again. However there was no celebrating for us since the 2 younger boys are sick again and Remington had to go to the doctor with me. We did go to Target after and I bought the 2 oldest light sabers. Coleton insisted on sleeping with his.
So now begins our summer. I am afraid that it is going to go by WAY to fast. Remington is taking tennis lessons, swimming lessons, & is in a reading club at school. I guess it will be worse when I have more than 1 child in lessons.
We are going to Yellowstone for a vacation and are sending off 2 missionaries. Gage is turning 1 in a couple of weeks and I am a little sad. Why do my babies have to grow up? Oh life is flying by. It will be christmas again before I know it. I was going to save up this year and not try to skimp on my budget. I better get going on that I still have a little bit of time.

strawberries

My little Gage LOVES his food. The other day I was feeding him strawberries and the kid couldn't get enough of them. He would scream at me if I didn't give them to him fast enough. It was hilarious. He was having a hard time picking them up and so being the very smart baby that he is he put his mouth on the table to pick them up that way. I was laughing so hard. here are a few pictures. enjoy!

Happy Mothers Day!

Yesterday was a very nice day if you ask me! My sweet husband got up with the kids and I got to sleep in. That does not happen very often. I even got breakfast in bed and a chance to relax in the tub uninterupted. My boys weren't fighting and I got to see my favorite mom's and mom's to be. I went for a walk with Remington and enjoyed the beautiful weather. I love this time of year and the chance to remember why it is good to be a mom and have a wonderful mother. I want to try and be more like my mom. She is an amazing woman and I love her!

Mushy Brain

So I really do have the funniest conversations with my kids. The other day I picked up Remington from a friends house. When I got there he said do I have to go we just started playing. They happened to have just started a video game. I said yes it was time to go. So we got in the car and he tells me that he really wanted to play that game because it is one that we don't have. I told him I was sorry and that playing to many video games and watching to much T.V. will rot your brain. What does rot your brain mean he asks me. I tell him it means that your brain will turn to mush and you won't be smart which is why I am telling you to go play outside. Then he proceeds to tell me that his brain gets mushy when he watches T.V. but it gets mushed back up when he goes outside to play. I just had to laugh!

On another note I am VERY excited for my sister Sarah She recieved her mission call and is going to serve in the Colorado Springs, Colorado mission. She Leaves on June 24, 2009 and will be gone for 18 months. She will miss Remington's baptism and birth of Caleb and Laura's baby. I know that it will be a great experience for her and I am excited for her. I am also kind of envious. I never served a mission. It never felt right maybe when I am older.

Dinner Conversations

Tonight at dinner I had a very funny conversation with Remington. He started by asking me if I had ever seen the "REAL" easter bunny.
"Yes I have"
"When mom?"
"When I was a kid and my family was living in Idaho. My mom called out 'I see the Easter bunny outside', We all ran and looked out the window and there jumping across our yard the Easter bunny".
"Was he big or little?"
"He was the size of a regular rabbit"
"Well then he wasn't the Easter bunny"
"Why?"
"Because mom the Easter bunny is big like you. Don't you remember watching the 'Santa Clause'?"
"Maybe he was in disguise"
"No mom. No one has ever seen the REAL Easter bunny"
"OK then". I guess I was wrong about that bunny as a kid.

Coleton was also on a role tonight too, like he is everyday! I was feeding Gage and I looked and he was on the table I asked him what he was doing and he said "I shake my body" and then started dancing. I told him to stop being a table dancer and get off. "NO" he says
"Coleton please get off the table."
"No mom"
"Coleton you are going to get hurt please get off"
"no you silly little beast" I just started to laugh. He got the silly little beast from a book we read. Oh the kid is smart. I love him.

my first day!

well Sarah this is for you! I did it and lets see if I can keep it up. I am typing one handed holding Gage because he is sick again, poor little guy. He has another ear infection and bronchitis. Coleton is sick too. I am really looking forward to spring and some warm weather.