September

 September was a fun month for our family we . . .

Celebrated Tim's birthday.  Tim, Lewis, and myself went to Boise to watch the Boise/BYU game.  It wasn't a very good game but we still had a lot of fun on the trip; the drive, eating out, game, staying in the hotel, breakfast, and shopping.   After Boise we stopped in Tri-cities.  My mom brought my kids over to Dougs house that day and we stayed the night so Tim could run his first half marathon.  I have never known Tim to run so it was fun to watch him.  He did awesome and I learned he doesn't run because he is not in shape like me.  He has just always chosen a different form of exercise.

 Evan turned 2!  Carter and Lilly decorated his cake with Bubbie aka Grandma.  We had a fun party with my parents and Uncle Bob and Aunt Kimee.  Evan has developed quite the personality.  He is such a silly boy but doesn't like a a lot of attention brought to him.  If we don't make a big deal of what hes doing he is so funny.  I wish I could get his acts on movie it always makes us laugh.

 Enjoyed Lewis.  I really can't describe how much we all love having Lewis here to watch and hold.

 Participated in Mitchell's day.  We all wore yellow and went to a local park to plant plants in honor or our buddy Mitchell who passed away due to cancer a couple weeks prior.  We still think about him daily and how good of a example he was; always happy and friendly.  Lilly says almost daily "I miss Mitchell, hes my buddy because he was sooo nice to me."

 Went to the fair with cousins and Aunt Christine.  It was so nice to have Christine visit.  She helped me with my kids so much and that week and just spent time with me chatting.  Christine I can't wait to meet your little boy in March!

 We inherited my parents old hottub and our grass has grown enough to play on.  Oh it is sooo nice to have grass.

 Over there is our future garden.  I have never grown a garden.  Help and advice would be appreciated.

 I diyed it for Lilly's headboard.  A $20 garage sale headboard, foam, batting, fabric I already had in my stash, and an hour later and Lilly's bedroom is looking more complete.

School time

Carter started kindergarten last week.  He has been loving every minute of it.  When I came to pick him up the first day, he was so excited he told me "Mom, that was soooo much fun.  I can't believe it. It was soo fun and I didn't learn anything."  Hopefully the no learning part changes soon.  On the second day he told me "Mom, I made a new friend!  I don't know her name but she has wrinkles"  I thought this was odd and continued to listen to him tell me about his new friend and I soon realized he meant freckles.  I took him to his back to school bbq that night, met his new friend, watched him dance to the music or as he says "practicing to be a rock star" and watched him play at all the new playgrounds.  I love seeing him excited about school, but am still trying to have some of the same feelings as I try to get the clan dressed and out the door by 8:30.

Lilly is adjusting to having Carter gone for a couple hrs.  And  it doesn't hurt having a little baby to snuggle.

And this is Evan.  He got a fat lip today and felt better once Tim gave him permission to shoot him.

Carters Bday

For Carters 5th birthday we went to Great Wolf Lodge. The kids loved it. My parents and Doug and Carries family came, which made it heaven for my kids to have their cousins/best friends there. I was surprised how much they enjoyed it. It was loud and crowded and water dumping or shooting up all over the place. But they didn't bat an eye going down the big water slides or standing under gallons of water. There was a kiddie area with little slides, than 2 larger slides that anyone could go on, than 2 really big slides you go down on tubes that my kids were too short for, a pool with basketball hoops and a leap pad course, and a wave pool. Carter has just started seeing how long he can stay under water. He would put on his goggles, plug his nose and kick around the packed pool while i would try to direct him away from hitting people. Overall it was fun but exhausting.

Christmas 2011

I know Christmas was forever ago, but I realized I never posted any pics. So for my own record here are a few pics of Christmas 2011. We loved every minute of it.

Snow finally came late January and the kids couldn't get enough.

Just say No

My children manipulate me.

Exhibit A Evan 16 months-When he wants something we either get the angry child with full out screaming or the sweet child who tries hugs and smiles to get his way. Either way its hard to say no to a baby.

Exhibit B Lilly 3- "But . . . mom .... mom ... i just .... just .... want to ... mom ... mom ... please... please.... I said please... see I'm being nice"

"Mommy please hold me I'm hurting I can't do it I'm hurting, please."

"But apples make me throw up I need candy to make me feel better. Only candy won't make me throw up."

"But I'm a big girl and can do it all by myself, you said I'm not a baby and I need to try to do it by myself". Of course this explanation comes when wanting to put on makeup or cook and not feeding herself.

Exhibit C Carter 4(almost 5)-"Mom do you want me to be happy?" "Then say yes"

"Hold on mom I need to say a prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, Please Tell mommy to say yes. Mommy you need to listen to Jesus now because he is telling you to say yes."

"Mom do you want me to cry? If you don't say yes I'm going to cry."

"This arm is full of dinner. This arm needs dessert."

And of course when its time to clean up my leg is broken, when its time to eat dinner I'm so full, and when it's time to go to bed I'm hungry, I have to go to the bathroom, or I just can't sleep.

Halloween 2011

Here is Peter Pan, Peter pans shadow, tinkerbell, a pirate, and Michael for Halloween.

Newest additions

Here is the dining room. I started to paint the chairs white and got half done. The other half can wait.

I found some barstools. The kids love them but I think I will continue to look for something with a back.

I have hung a few things. Painted that dresser and we got our rug!

TV and fireplace are running.

I have to show off the bench I made. I didn't just upholster it, I MAde it. After hours of experimenting and starting over, its strong.

And finally after many months of waiting we finally got carpet on the stairs.