Carson's New Hobby

This weekend Carson got to go to a couple of birthday parties. At one of the parties, he got to go rock climbing and LOVED it! At first he was a little nervous, but once he got the hang of it, he couldn't get enough. We found out that the Legacy center only charges $3 for an hour of climbing. I just love finding inexpensive things we can do that will also wear the kids out. :)



I had to include a couple of random things that I don't want to forget.



Wyatt was talking to my parents on the phone and he kept saying, "Na Na me Wy Wy" (Translation: Carson's mean to Wyatt). The joy of having an older sibling! Just wait, Wyatt, I have stories to share with you. Aunt Teresa would give me the "tickle toture" and tickle me until I peed my pants. Not just once either, but several times.

Carson informed me during dinner last night that, "We're mans; we like to laugh when we fart." Oh, the joy of boys!

There are no words...

I am not documenting this to make anyone ill, but it does make for an interesting story.

Last night, I went down to the basement to get something. I heard that too familiar sound (lately) of squeak squeak. I, of course, started screaming to Ryan that there was another mouse/vole. Thank gosh it was in the window well and not inside! I went over to the window and the little creature (to put it nicely) was scratching at the window and squeaking at me.

Ryan grabbed his shovel, flashlight, and rubber gloves and went down the widow well. Upon further investigation, there were actually three mice/voles in the window well, but the one that was squeaking at me was the only one alive. It had eaten half of its friends/relatives. One's head was gone and the other half of the body. By this time, the live one was climbing up the screen. Carson and I are watching Ryan in amazement. You can imagine what the shovel came in handy for next. Then Ryan yelled for me to bring more poison to him. I told Carson to watch Wyatt and I would be right back.

I got outside to help my man at as much distance as I could. He spread out the poison and we searched the other window wells to make sure there weren't more, then headed back into the garage. We came into the garage and the boys were out there. They had put their boots on over their footy pajamas and each of them had a hammer in hand. They were ready to help! It was so cute and so funny at the same time. I can say that I am so grateful for my house-full of boys to protect their wimpy mom who HATES mice, spiders, bees, and many other pests we find.

It Starts Young

These pictures don't really go with the post, but I had to take a picture of the boys when they were clean, had their hair done, and looked cute so I have proof it occasionally happens. We got home from stake conference and ate lunch. I went to put Wyatt down for a nap and this is how the rest went down.

Me: "Wyatt, tell Carson 'bye'."

Wyatt: "Bye, bye, poo he."

(I believe the translation is "Bye, bye, Poop Head")

Can't you just feel the love?

Growing

I did something I don't usually do because it frightens the beejeevies out of me and that is attend stake conference by myself with the boys. We are barely able to survive one hour of sacrament meeting with the usual screaming, fighting, punching, crying, and making several trips to the potty AND that's just Ryan. Don't get me started on the kids. ;)

When we first moved out here, SS was one stake. We saw it split into two and today, now into three stakes. It's awesome to see the growth and change. It was amazing how they did it today. Pretty much everyone one in SS had a combined stake conference. They broadcast it to 10 buildings then made the change. We are now back in our original stake and ward from when we first moved out here after being in two different wards and four stakes (although we moved once) in only five years.

To survive the first hour, the kids downed a few packages of fruit snacks. By the second hour, they were on such a sugar high, that on our second trip out to the potty, I ended up letting them run laps around the church. Note to self: take non-sugary snacks for the kids next time so other peeps don't think your kids need Ritalin.

Nurse B

Today, the boys and I went up to take care of my mom. She had surgery yesterday and wasn't feeling well. I was also informed by my dad to make sure she didn't do anything. I took it upon myself to answer all incoming phone calls and request folks come do things for them like bring food, clean house, return tools, and other odds and ends I could think of. I can't imagine what the people's hair will look like after she takes a whole three days off to recover. ;)

Here the boys are "entertaining" grandma. They just wouldn't leave her alone to let her sleep. It must be because she is so cool. With the boys "entertaining" I was able to clean, make dinner, and do some laundry for them. I hope that we were more of a help than a burden. We hope she has a speedy recovery!

RWR

Everyday I get the joy of driving on RWR. I can't wait until the construction is DONE. I think I have the best luck because every flagger likes to turn their sign as soon as I come along. They are never paying attention, and always smoking or eating. And if I see one more flagger playing air guitar with his sign, I think I will give him a black eye.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Carson got to celebrate St. Patty's day at Aunt Teresa's preschool today. He loved it and kept talking about his party. He is becoming such a great helper and is starting to sound out words and read a bit. Teacher T, you rock!
I tried to be festive, but all we did was make some sugar cookies. I did send green sour cream with Ryan to put on his dinner. I am sure that made his dinner look very appetizing!

Let the Biking Begin!

Yesterday we went on our first bike ride this year. Wyatt loves riding in his "heat" behind his dad. Carson rode his bike and did great. We just rode three miles and Carson only cried the last mile or so. Poor thing was pooped out. He came home and napped almost four hours! We are going to have to figure something else out if Ry and I want to get some exercise instead of going for a leisurely stroll. It was fun, and I hope we get out a lot this year!

Aren't Grandma's Great?

Today is Grandma Nita's birthday! We called this morning and sang to her. I asked Carson what he loves about his grandma and he said, "I love the things she makes for me and when she plays soccer table with me." I asked Wyatt what he loves about grandma and he said, "Papa!" (He can't say grandma, so he calls them both Papa.)

I am so blessed to have such a sweet mother-in-law. She has always been so kind and accepting of me, even from the first time she met me (and called me Bethany, but that's a whole other story). We love you and hope you had a great day!

Check-up

Today was Wyatt's 2-year check up. He is in the 5th percentile for weight and height. His head circumference is 94%. His head is still large, but at least it shows up on the chart! He hasn't grown a bit since his 18 month visit and has lost a little bit of weight. Poor little guy probably looks like a lollipop. He did awesome though and the doctor was amazed at how good he is. He said he only has one 2-year-old a year come in potty trained and it is rarely a boy. So good job Wyatt!!!

I decided to look up on this website http://www.babycenter.com/child-height-predictor?intcmp=Nav_Global_calandcalc_heightpredict to see what it predicts Wyatt and Carson's height by the time they turn 18. According to the website, Carson will be 5'10'' and Wyatt will be 5'5''. It looks like Wy Wy will always be the little brother! Who knows if it will be correct, but it might be fun to look back and see.

Cake

I made an Elmo cake for Wyatt's birthday. The boys got into the black frosting. D-lish!

I had to get a picture of Wyatt blowing out his candles. It was so cute! He huffs and puffs until he finally blows it out. (Kind of like Lamaze breathing...)

I think Elmo turned out pretty cute other than I used a ton of red food coloring, but the frosting still stayed pink. Ryan came in when I was finishing up and was quite surprised. I don't know why??? It was a fun little cake to make, and it feels so good when something turns out like you hope.

Mom

Happy Birthday Mom! We all got together yesterday and had dinner and cake and ice cream for my Mom and Wyatt's birthdays. You can just tell how much we all love her!
I made the cakes for the festivities. We had mom's favorite German Chocolate and an Elmo cake for Wyatt. We had a great time together! I have such a great mom. Here is a little about her.

She loves to play the piano and is very good too! She always told us that if one of us could play better than her that she would buy us a piano. I really wish I would have practiced more!

She is so supportive! I will never forget the times when she has helped me after having a new baby. She always knows just what I need, and I end up bawling after she leaves. (Those lovely baby blues!) She loves her family and frequently has us all together so we will stay close.

She is so much fun to be around. Everyone who knows Joan, loves Joan. She works so hard and always wants to please everyone. She is always helping others and thinking about someone in need. She loves to host family reunions and volunteers for everything. (It seems!)

She always looks perfect. I had to stick this picture on because it is the only one I have of her with her hair not done. Three years ago she went to Disneyland with us and I snapped this picture as she was coming out of the bathroom. She was so helpful with Carson and we had a blast!

My mom is such an example to me. I love it when she calls and we get to laugh and chat. I know she is there for me whenever I need her. I am so grateful to her and love her so much! I hope you had a great birthday, Mom!

Embarrassing Moments

This morning I had ward council. I got ready and arrived at 7:35. I walked in the bishop's office and someone said, "I bet Britney thinks she is on time." I was so confused and thinking they started early. I was only my usual 5 minutes late. Then they told me it was the daylight savings time change. I asked them if they were serious and they all laughed at me. I got comments the entire time how they were glad I showed up. I must say I can now add this to one of my embarrassing moments list. Now there is something I should post!

Happy 2nd Birthday Wyatt!

I can't believe you are two! You are such a happy boy and bring so much love into our home. I love you so much, and I am so grateful to be your mom.

Two years ago March 5, 2007, to be exact, we were supposed to be at the hospital at 6:00 am for a scheduled c-section. I couldn't get your dad to hurry and we were running late as usual. I got in the car, pulled out of the driveway for a fast get-away and waited. He finally came running out and we were on our way to welcome you into our world. I was speeding down the road because I was NOT going to wait one more day. I couldn't wait to hold you! We finally arrived at the hospital, and I ran (yes, ran 39 weeks pregnant!) into the hospital.

At 6:55 am, you were born weighing 7lbs 2 oz. and 18 1/2 inches long. You were a beautiful baby. I felt so overwhelmed that Heavenly Father trusted me with you. You were so perfect.

We all loved you right away. You had a lot of dark brown hair and those sweet cheeks and dimples that are irresistible to kiss!

You love to play with Carson. You think you are as big as everyone else and nothing slows you down. We took you to Farm Country today to celebrate as a family. You put on your boots and we took you for a pony ride.
Carson loved it and was almost able to get on and off by himself.

You looked a little nervous, but we think you had fun.

Dad, Carson, and Wyatt.

Then we went to get ice cream cones. Your absolute favorite right now!


By request, I had to put this picture on. Sometimes it is a fight to get those boots off so you can go to bed.

Some of the things I don't want to forget about you at this age:

• Everything is yellow according to you
• You love your bink and think that we all want to share it with you
• You LOVE your grandma's and grandpa's and Crystal and Ry (If I want you to do something, I tell you Crystal and Ry do that and you do it right away.)
• You love to be held and give kisses
• You sing to yourself a lot
• You have a tender heart, but you do fight back when Carson isn't being nice to you
• You love to be rocked and sang to
• You like to get in the car and go
• You throw your food after you are finished eating (It wouldn't be a bad thing if you grew out of this soon.)
• When you have to use a public bathroom, you look at the toilet and say, "Yuck".
• Everyone tells us how much they love your big brown eyes
• You love Elmo!
• You are so funny when you growl and when you say "Ta Da" after you do something.

Happy Birthday Wy Wy! We love you! We hope you have a great day and wonderful year to come as you continue to learn and grow. You make our home a happy place and we are so grateful for you.

Potty Update

I thought this was so cute today.

Wyatt is doing pretty well. I hope he keeps it up!

Voles

This is a picture of a part of what stinkin' voles have done to our yard. They have been living under the snow and eating up our yard. It makes me so sick!!!

This is a vole that had a craving for peanut butter and chocolate chips. We have hired a company to come lay poison all over the yard, set out snap traps of our own, and I almost got a cat yesterday. We went to the Humane Society and got shot down. They wouldn't let us adopt a cat because we put on the questionnaire that they would be living outside. It sure has put me in a foul mood.