In the days after Christmas. . .

We got right to work! Our house has need a good interior coat of paint since we've been back from NY, well except the downstairs that is, because Gordon and Grandpa painted that already. But, the rest of it was really starting to look a little, well, like it needed paint. So, on Thursday we painted the whole interior upstairs hallway, and Friday we did our bedroom. It looks so nice and fresh! We changed the color in our bedroom from brown to green and I'm loving it.

Taping off the 6 doorways in the hallway. (that's a lot of doors!!!)

Gordon balancing precariously on the "scaffolding"


All Pretty and White again!

A little child labor in the bedroom. . . so helpful!

And, the finished product. . . beautiful!

We've also had the chance to put together some of the "assembly required" Christmas toys, like this solar system. It's very fun and the boys have had a great day gazing at the planets. Thanks Grammy and Grampy!

Christmas Time Fun

We had such a wonderful Christmas here, with Grammy and Grampy (my parents) up from California. We made sugar cookies, put our feet up, and waited for Santa most of the time. It was so much fun, and the boys were really caught up in the excitement of it all. I love having little children at Christmas time. Their excitement can't help but wear into you. Here are some fun photos. . . A special little nativity my parents brought me from Berlin
Chandler appreciates my new dustbuster!
Grampy Gifts
The little Nativity and a cheesy boy
Gordon's new "system"

Look at all those magic tree house books!
Trying out Chandler's new bed, his most favorite gift!
Well, maybe except for Elmo . . .

Merry Christmas!

We've been so busy with Grammy and Grampy I've been silent for quite a while! More updates after Christmas probably. . . Merry Christmas to all of you and may your celebration bring much happiness!!!

Time Flies

9 Years!

That's how long Gordon and I have been married today! I love you so much honey, so. . .

Time must be passing because we're starting to look really young in these photos. It's funny how I think of it that way. I don't look older now, I just look younger then. Hummm. . . probably some false thinking there. Looking forward to the next 9 . . . I love you.

On a side note, Happy Birthday Grandma Ann! and Happy 38th anniversary to my own parents as well! It's fun to share this day with all of you!

Speed Racers

Here are some funny photos for you. As I mentioned before Gordon went snowboarding on Friday night so all the ski equipment came down out of the storage. The boys got their helmets out and spent the next day and a half playing race car drivers, fighter pilots, and anything else they could think of that went fast enough to need a helmet. It was pretty fun! Chandler looked particularly silly in the helmets! That's a big noggin for a little boy!

Chandler, spelled M-O-N-K-E-Y

Leave it to Chandler to find a new way to drive me NUTS! He learned to climb the ladder to the bunk bed the other day, so I promptly removed it. (because he also jumped off) He scares me to death. That was last Sunday. Yesterday, the boys came running downstairs yelling "Chandler Alert!" and I ran up to find him on top of the bunk again. "How did you get up there?" So I let him down and he showed me just how he got up there. Here is a demonstration. . .


So, now we have put the ladder back onto the bunk bed, as I think it's probably safer than having him go over the edge like this. I'm going to have to keep that door locked for months!!!

Zoo Lights

Gordon has been out almost every night this week, due to work, YM, and tonight snowboarding with the boy scouts. Fun for him! Not so much for us though. Tonight, we just had to get out, so I took the boys over to the Oregon Zoo to see the "zoo lights!" We've never been to this before, and it was kind of funny. Tons of lights, and I think we only spotted 4 animals. But, we rode the steam train, saw beautiful lights, and the kids loved it! Chandler was particularly smitten with the train ride. It was very fun! And, it got us out of the house, wore out the kids (and me) and was very Christmassy!

On the Train. . .

A view from the train

In the Elephant House, one of the few places we spotted some wildlife!

I think Chandler could have stood here and watched the elephants for an hour!

Riding a Hippo

Belly-Be-Bulging

I have officially entered the 3rd trimester, at 28 weeks, or aprox. 6 1/2 months along (and FINALLY remembered to take a photo of the growing tummy). That means only 12 more weeks until we meet our daughter! Which seems like a really long and a really short time, all at once. Short when I think of having two babies again - and all the things to be done before then, long when I think of the 12 more weeks of hip popping, waddling, and this child probably at least quadrupling it's size!

Snowball Fight!!!

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJab

Puppy Love?

I was not expecting this in the first grade. I mean, I know Ethan is a very handsome little boy and all, but really! He was telling us the other day that there is a girl (Rasheen) that wants to kiss him on the playground! She makes kissy noises and chases him around and he runs away. I'm sure he runs pretty fast, too, as he professes to HATE ALL KISSING. If I forget and accidentally kiss him goodnight, boy do I hear about it!

And then. . .

This came home doodled on the back of his homework earlier this week!

Ethan Lovs Brooklene!!! Ethan loves Brooklyn! What the heck! So, we were nonchalantly asking him about it, and he was explaining that he does indeed love Brooklyn, and it is in his plans to marry her. Well, really, he said he'd decide for sure later, but that's the plan for now. It was very cute, as he was not in the least embarrassed by this at all! Gordon asked him if he loves her like he loves peaches and chocolate, or loves her romantically. And the answer? "Romantically." Ah, puppy love. . . At least he chose a good little girl, that I actually like! :)Here she is farthest to the right. . . Pretty cute! Check out the little stud muffin with all those bathing beauties at his last birthday party. . .

Aidan's plan is still to marry me. Or if I'm still unavailable, Grammy comes in a close second. If she's not available, then Ellie across the street is being considered. We'll see how it all works out!

Pole Climb

Yesterday, the boys found this steel closet pole in the back of a closet. At first they were playing "stick pull" but then moved onto more adventurous things! We were very impressed with how fast Ethan can shimmy up a pole! If we ever get stranded on a desert island, he would be a good helper to have around for picking coconuts!

This is as far as Aidan made it, but he had a good time trying!
Even Chandler got in on the Action, thanks to a little boost from Daddy's foot. . .

Tree Time!

We had such a fun day yesterday! The Oregon rains took a very short break for about 4 hours and turned to SNOW! It was so lovely to take the kids out in the snow and choose our tree with little flurries all around. It made the whole experience so exciting and magical! Here are some fun photos of the day. . .

On the Hayride to the Trees

Let's get to Choppin!

I'm a Helper!

The tree getting it's "SHAKE!"

The Magic Tree Bailer

Tree Sausage

Chandler spent the rest of the night saying "TREE!!!" and then trying to pull ornaments off. Oh, the joys of a baby at Christmas!

Hurray hurray for the Christmas Tree!

Disappointment!

Oh the disappointment! When we were newlyweds, we bought a set of "as is" slightly damaged couches at the RC Willey warehouse in Provo. They were only $300 for the set, and we figured we would just keep them until we had an actual income, and then dump them. Almost 9 years later. . .

We FINALLY have worn them out enough that we actually only have the love seat left, and it is falling apart. We decided to replace it! We ordered a new microfiber sectional for our bonus room, and were told it would be 3 to 5 weeks. I was delighted when it came in 2! But, after Gordon picked it up and drove it home from the store, I discovered they built it wrong. The main sofa is left facing, and the small love seat is right! So they have to start over!!! UGH! 3 to 5 more weeks. . . Oh the disappointment!!! My buns will have to wait a little longer to lounge in luxury!

A Dinnertime Success!

I mentioned a while back when I talked about breakfast that we had also tried a new approach to dinner, and I think it's finally fair to say, after 3 weeks, that we have a success on our hands! Our kids are eating more, complaining less, and behaving better (probably due to the fact that they actually have food in their tummies!)

I think I mentioned before that things were getting ridiculous. Complaints at every meal. "I don't like this" at every turn, unwilling to try things, being sent to their rooms hungry for getting too obnoxious about it. . . the list goes on and on. So what was it that worked for us?

Appetizers! Every night before dinner, we have our appetizers. I started with the "yuckier" veggies, slices of tomatoes, green peppers raw, things they don't like. But, we didn't put any other food on the table, only the appetizers. No more food would be served until they were all GONE and everyone had tried at least one of everything. And, amazingly enough, they started to eat them. Reluctantly at first, but now, they just know it's the drill. We have cucumber slices, carrots, pears, peas, bananas, whatever we have in the house that is fresh. I put out some salad dressings for dipping, which they previously turned up their noses at, but have discovered actually taste good! And the most amazing thing has happened! Not only are they eating their veggies without complaint now, but they are eating so much more dinner! (and lunch, and breakfast!) For the first time EVER we are running out of food at our meals, and I feel like I need to start fixing a little bit more. It is heaven. Especially because they seem happier! So Hurray for appetizers! My kids eat their veggies!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From my Little TURKEY!

Ethan has entertained me quite a bit the last few days with his requests for turkey costumes (which I refused to make out of fabric like he wanted, but helped him construct out of paper) and his silly turkey poetry, and even play-doh turkeys! I hope this holiday lives up to his expectations! Thanks Ethan, for entertaining me!

A Poetry Sample:

Turkey,

my sweet turkey,

gobble up your feathers,

all night long. . .

Also. . .

"Cooked Turkey"

You smell like a hamburger,

but you turkey!

The Super Slider

Chandler makes quick exit's down the stairs these days. He's definitely the fastest we've ever had!

Getting Ready

Well, I've been keeping myself very busy in the crafting department getting ready for the arrival of Miss Emilee Jane. (yes, that was pretty much a name announcement) Emilee is my middle name, Jane is my mother's, and we've always wanted to use it! Very fun. Anyway, I've finished the bumpers for her crib. I fell in LOVE with this fabric when I saw it (Michael Miller 'kids toille'), and I love the bumpers so much! I've been waiting for a sunny day to take photos of them because it's been so dark and rainy, but it's not looking like there is even one in the forecast, so, here are some kind of dark photos. There will be a quilt out of the same fabrics to follow. I LOVE it! (Yes, I am well aware I have three months left to wait!)

I know they must be cute, because Gordon is suddenly suggesting we paint the nursery green! An idea I am all for. He even suggested we could do frogs on Chandler's side, and this on Emilee's. I love it Gordon! Don't be too surprised when I come home with the paint hunny! :)

Here is one more sneak peek at some sunshine that's being cooked up for a little girl. . .