Be Prepared...

...For a super cute photo of my youngest at the end of this post.

Mason at 16 months:

*Takes a tissue and 'blows' his nose, all by himself.

*He's a left foot tap dancing fool.

*Loves the vaccum, whenever I get it out, he runs around in circles squealing with delight.

*Still not a word out of this kids mouth.

*Give a cheesy grin just to make me smile.

*Runs to the bathroom everytime he hears the bath water start.

*Loves to push things, the grocery cart, the broom, the vaccum...

*Folds his arms to pray.

*Wants to feed himself, completely. Will often reject food that is offered to him by me, but give him his own fork or spoon, and suddenly, it's the most delicious item he's ever encountered.

*Punches the punching bag in our garage.

*Cleans up spills.

*Digs the dirt out of my plant (see post here about this poor things past woes) with silverware he snatches out of the dishwasher at every opportunity.

*Everytime Ethan gets off the computer, he runs as fast as his little legs will carry him to try to beat Ethan back to it so he can 'play' computer games.

*Woofs everytime he sees a dog.

*Leads the music during sacrament meeting, and raises his hand in sustaining or thanks.

*Try's to summersault when Ethan does.

*Takes his pitching stance: two hands on the ball, held over his right shoulder, crouches down, wait for it, wait for it, wait for it..... release!

*Plays polo with his plastic golf club and any ball he can find.

*Sings in the Kazoo.

*Sticks his tongue out when he likes the taste of something and wants more.

*Boxes with Adam and Ethan while wearing the oven mits as boxing gloves (Adam and Ethan have their own boxing gloves).

*Holds a popsicle on the popsicle itself, rather than sparing himself the freezer burn by holding the stick, in fact, can't figure out how to eat the darned thing if he is holding the stick.

*Loves to catch a beat.

*Tries desperately to entertain us at all times (succeeds most of the time).

*Gives kisses.

*Rides anything that resembles a bicycle.

*Does his darndest to figure out how to make those legs of his jump.

*Climbs, climbs, climbs.

*Has a vendetta against the number and letter magnets on the fridge, they must all come off, no matter the cost.

*'Washes' his hair.

If you don't love this kid, there is something not quite right in the attic.

Camping Trip

We went camping over the weekend with our friends the Eagar's the Halterman's. It was so nice to get the heck out of the valley and up into the cool mountain air. The boys had a blast! It was Mason's first trip, and Ethan's first trip with friends invovled. They both had an amazing time. It was Ethan's fantasy come true, being able to play with kids all day long -- from the moment he woke up until the second he went to sleep. And Mason loved playing in the dirt and following the big kids around, of course consumption of dirt was a huge priority for him and unfortunately most of my pictures don't do the dirt goatee any justice.

I had fun visiting with Deirdre and Kendra and was so glad to be amongst trees. And aside from the mosquitoes, it was a better than average camping trip. I hope that they had as much fun as we did and will be willing to go back with us sometime.

Here are the pics:

Here is Ethan in the hamock

Mason eating something random off the ground

Ethan took this picture of his friend Jack

Poor Gavin was eaten alive by the mosquitoes, the white on his forhead is Calamine lotion

This is the fire pit that the kids built, and there are two paths leading up to it. Quite the engineering feat

First Day of School

Ethan had his first day of Pre-K on Friday, I didn't get to post then, Friday was a super crazy day. But here are the pics of what he looked like his first day of public school:

Mosiah 2:17

"...When ye are in the service of your yellow beans..."
I think Ethan has seen a few too many Veggie Tales movies.


For the real text go here.

$1.46!

On Tuesday night we had a girls night out with some of my friends from the ward: Kendra, Emily, Natalie, Kenise, Monica and I went to the Cheesecake Factory. Is it shameful for me to admit that this is the 4th time I've been to that restaurant since July 28? We had a delightful evening and ate yummy food. If any of you missed it, you should be sad you did. It was a hoot!
After the restaurant Kendra, Kenise, Monica and I went to Sprouts to get some cheap (but good) produce. I got a whole seedless watermelon for $1.46!
I LOVE SPROUTS!
Now, how to get them to our little section of paradise here in Laveen?....

Compliment and a Mystery

Ethan came out of my bathroom and said, 'Mom, I really like your stripped toilet paper!'
(We have a different brand in our bathroom than he has in his). He's so flattering.

We have a case to a DVD from the library, and I've been scouring the house to find the DVD, it is no where to be found. I looked at my account on line, and it is not listed that I have it checked out.
This truly is a mystery...

Nine Years Baby!

Look at how young and svelte we were!
I love this man, I've been the happiest I've ever been since I've known him.
I'm not at all a sappy romantic, but he is, and I love him for that.
He is my happiness.
There is no one in the world I would rather be with.
He is handsome, funny, smart, talented, patient, kind, hard working, generous, levelheaded, confident, and a righteous priesthood holder.
He is a better father than I am a mother. A devoted son, and faithful brother.
He helps me with my faults, praises my strengths, and balances my weaknesses.
We have always been blessed in our marriage, we rarely fight, are best friends, and united in our desire to raise children that are righteous unto the Lord.
He is an amazing provider, even on days when he doesn't feel his best, he goes to work and blesses this home by supporting us financially. He makes it possible for me to stay home with our children, and cheerfully sacrifices the things he would like to have financially which are not in reach at this time so that I can do the work that we both know I was meant to do.
He honors my station as a mother, and stands beside me in the rearing of our boys. He never makes me feel like I am 'just a stay at home mom', his sons are too important to him to ever condescend my role in their lives.
He serves the Lord contently. There has never been a time when he has not put the Lord first. He knows that our home will be blessed by giving his all to the Lord's work. He is a completely devoted servant to our Savior.
There is nothing that I dreamed for as a little girl that I did not find in Adam. What else can I say? He's the best!

My Book Review Page

I'm always in the market for a new good book, but I find that they can be hard to just pick off the shelves as you're browsing through the library, and I thought there might be others out there who would be interested in seeing what others have read an liked, and thus maybe get some recommendations.
I've started a book review blog. The link is on the right side of the page. Right now it only has 2 books listed. I've finished both of those this last week. I'll add to it as I read more books. Up next: The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith.
If there is a book you've read recently, that you liked, leave me a comment and I'll put it on my list of books to read.
I know, I know, everyone is going to write back that I have to read the last Twilight book, and I fully intend too... once I can get my hands on one without having to buy it. So, when one of you finishes, I would love to borrow it, if you're willing to send it my way...

Pineapple, Pink Eye, and the New Guy

Mason is in love with Pineapple:

For some reason Ethan named this tiger Pineapple. We bought him at the Rainforest Cafe and Mason adores him! He sleeps with it, carries it around, rubs noses with it, talks to it, hugs it, kisses it. It's pretty cute.

Both of my boys have had pink eye the last couple of days, it is a nasty, nasty bug, I can't wait for it to be done

I started babysitting a new little boy on Friday. His name is Grant, and he's great. He is almost two years old and is a very solid kid. He has a little bit of separation anxiety from his mom, but he gets better every day. The other little boy that I'm supposed to be watching is Hunter, and his dad drives a grader, right now there is not work for him to do, so he's staying home with Hunter until a work site calls him. Ethan misses him, we're hoping he comes back soon.