"Pregnant Brain"

I was on the phone with my niece in California the other day. She was asking me about some recipe of mine and my brain wasn't working right. In a off the wall comment I said "sorry I have pregnant brain!" We hung up and a few minutes later she called right back. What do you mean you have pregnant brain? Are you pregnant?
So I guess the news is out!!!

I Am Pregnant!!

Sorry for all of you who are reading this and would have rather been told with a phone call....I still love you I am just too busy sleeping! HeeeHeeeee

I am just about 2 month along and the baby should be due in early August. Everything is going well and I am not sick or anything just extremely tired!!!

The boys are very excited and yes we are all openly hoping for a girl but will still love a boy if he comes along.

Reading Picture Books

Every morning when I take Ammon to school Brandon used to cry and be so sad. One of the ways we cheered him up was to have Jeff read him one of his favorite books while I went. Well now it is a part of our everyday routine. We have also added it at 6pm when Jeff gets home from work (if I am still making diner and I need the boys out of my hair). It has really helped Brandon to embrace "reading". He loves books now. He has some that are his favorites and will ask to have them read over and over and over again. Here are the top three:

3. There's an Alligator Under my bed by Mercer Mayer

2. 10 Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle

1. Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car by Eileen Christelow

Sandpaper Letters

I have worked in a Montessori preschool before and I just love the Montessori style of teaching. If you ever look up the cool tools they have http://www.alisonsmontessori.com/ you would love it.

I bought these sandpaper letters for my preschoolers. You rub your finger over them and add another sense into learning the letters. Unfortunately Brandon just wanted to take them in and out of the box. Oh well ...baby steps ...I guess.

The next thing I want from the site are the world and country hard puzzle maps!! They are amazing!!

Holiday Cards

Jeff's mom always sends the boys really cool cards in the mail every Holiday. The boys love getting something addressed to them and love playing with them too. I know there have been sometimes when we did not say thank you .....so here is a shout out to Gram.....
"thank you for always sending us holiday cards we love them!" Love ~ Ammon and Brandon

P.S. Thanks to A.J. for the cards as well!!!!!

The Joy of Music

I really think music is magic. It sooths my crazy mind when nothing else can.

I love when Jeff will sit down and play his favorite song Pachabel Cannon. He has it memorized. If you heard him play it you would think he completely knew how to play the piano but he just has memorized a few songs. In fact he tricked me into thinking he was a piano player when we were dating. Anyways....thanks for letting me take this picture of you Jeff. I love you.

Cookies

I hadn't eaten sugar treats for 8 days. Then I was asked to make cookies for two different activities and who can make cookies without eating one bite of cookie dough? Especially when your three year old is downing it.

"Curse you Cookies!"

So maybe a better expectation for the holidays would be one sugar day a week. I'll have to think about it.

Brandon's Big Boy Bed

For a long time Brandon has been sneaking out of his toddler bed and climbing into bed with Ammon each night. We moved his bed in Ammon's room but no change. Ammon did not like this very much. He was being kicked and squished. Jeff's parents had a bed they were not using so they brought it up for Brandon to use. Thanks Gram and Papa!

Big Helpers

After Brandon's first nap in his new bed.

Halloween Festivities

Here is the rundown on an entire week of festivities.

• School carnival: The boys loved the petting zoo and the HUGE blown up slide and obstacle course. They could have done it all night.
• Three class parties
• Trick or Treating at Jeff's work
• Trick or Treating Halloween night: Jeff's parents came for Halloween night. I especially loved watching Jeff's mom as her face lit up watching the boys trick or treat door to door.

Walking to school carnival

The boys absolutely loved their costumes this year! They wanted them the minute they saw them at costco two months ago. I loved the comments we got at all the activities we went to. Like "Oh we're safe now, S.W.A.T. is here" or "They ran that way! Go get them!"

I just love how happy the boys were this year. Every past Halloween we have been trying to get Ammon to have fun but he would cry because of all the walking, or tiredness, etc. This year he was pulling us along.!!!

It's official Ammon's Growing Up

Ammon has finally lost his first tooth. It has been loose for almost a month now. He did not like mom trying to pull it out every night when he brushed his teeth. He was scared because he thought it would hurt really bad, but was happy it came out by its self when he was eating Halloween candy. So it's official Ammon is now a big boy. Hee Hee.

"Wait! Wait! Let Me Give a Kiss To You!"

This is what we hear being yelled very morning before I take Ammon to School and before Jeff leaves for work. If by some chance you leave without your kisses and hugs Brandon will be so distraught and in tears. I just had to share that this crazy monster does have a very sensitive side.

Going Sugar Crazy!!

I just had to post how crazy I have been going on sugar. It just seems like EVERYDAY something sugary is layed before me tempting my will. I feel like crap (since I have no willpower). So I have decided it's gonna be all or nothing. Last December I went 4 weeks without sugary sweets and I was dying but very pleased in the end. I decided five minutes ago, as I was frosting and sprinkling more Halloween cookies, that I will not have sugary sweets until after new years!!!! Wish me luck.

Cherished Time with Dad

Jeff's parents are cleaning out their house and found his old robotics toys. We took them and for months they sat in our closet. But finally last Sunday I encouraged Jeff to pull them out while I had a primary meeting. The boys had a BLAST building and playing them with Jeff.

Maybe they both inherited his engineering genes?

Painting Fun

There are a few hours each day when Brandon and I have some time together before Ammon comes home from school. I have seen a different side of Brandon during these hours. He now loves me to read stories and do crafts which he never showed interest in last year. I cherish this individual time I get with my kids. I Love You Brandon!

Chores

Isn't it so great when you kids get old enough to "help" with chores?

It's Fall Y'all

Here in Texas Fall and Spring are my favorite times of year. There are some days when the weather reminds me of California and it is just blissful to be outside.

With the nice weather Ammon has been able to practice enough so that he can now ride his big bike. He has Hypotonia (low muscle tone) that makes it difficult to push hard enough to ride bikes. Great Job Ammon!!!

Brandon refuses to use a helmet and it drives me crazy.

Coupons!!!!!

I just love coupons!! I have discovered you can buy them on ebay and have a larger quantity to get more of specific things you want. Really you are buying people time to cut them out because it is illegal to buy coupons etc.

Whatever all I know is I got a 138$ bill down to 48$ at kroger today!!! I bought 20 (8pack)Juicey Juice box drinks and 13 boxes of Kashi cereal. The juice boxes came out to be around 18 cents a box! And boy we will sure use them now that Ammon is taking lunch to school.

Our Little Visitors

Saturday we did lots of yard work. There was a rabbit stuck in our netting we used over the vegetable garden in the spring, so we let it out and chased it away. Well latter while pulling the weeds out I saw fur and then I dig deeper and discovered 4 baby rabbits! We called animal control and they told us to put them back and that the mother would move them that night, but she didn't. We think she still comes to feed them but leaves during the day. They were only one week old but now they have opened their eyes and are moving all over the place.

The boys were so excited and wanted to keep them as pets. We will just keep them until they get big enough to hop out of the garden and take care of themselves. Probably in a month or so. Everyday after school we go out and "play" with them. Hee Hee

Camera Suggestions??

My eight year old digital camera is on its death bed. I have't even looked into it yet but does anyone have any suggestions of digital cameras they just love? I probably don't want to spend more than 300$ I have a kodak easy share right now and I have loved it but I kinda want a more high quality one...we will see.

Quality Time with Dad

The other day Ammon asked if I was going anywhere that night. (alot of the time I have a meeting or play on a soccer/tennis team or go to enrichment etc.) I replied that I wasn't and asked him why he was asking. He said "I want to watch dad play warcraft". I immediately went and told Jeff and we both started laughing!

Ammon Turns 6 Years Old

Ammon is now six years old. I feel bad because his actual birthday was not much of a celebration. We had planned on some family time and Ammon and I were going to make some cupcakes that day, but Brandon had his first real asthma attack and we spent all afternoon at the doctors office.

Ammon was so sweet when I explained that Brandon had to go to the Dr. Ammon said "yes, okay, of course if Brandon is sick we should do that so he can get better" There was no sadness at all. Ammon truly is such a giving, understanding and caring person!

After the Dr. we met Jeff at Red Lobster and Ammon got to pet the lobsters. Since we didn't have time to make cupcakes we bought some donuts and after opening his presents of new legos Ammon didn't even want to eat any.

We made up for this lousy celebration by going to sea world that weekend. Ammon loved it! His favorite part was the dolphin show! He stood next to the glass after one show and the baby beluga pressed his face right up against Ammons!

Ammon's First Day of Kindergarten

Ammon now goes to kindergarten at Dodd Elementary. School starts at 7:25 (way to early in my opinion!). His teacher is Mrs. Kelly and he absolutely loves her.

On the first day of school Ammon was not nervous at all. He just gave Jeff ,Brandon, and I a hug and a kiss and went off to his seat.

When I picked him up after school he ran out to me gave me a big hug and said school was great with the biggest smile on his face!! When I asked for more detail he slapped both his hands on his cheeks and said "can we just go home first?" Do you think I got any details when we got home? Nope none...I guess my visions of sitting and talking and eating chocolate chip cookies will not be realized. Hee Hee

Life is Flying Bye

I just wanted to write a quick note to any of you who may have noticed I haven't blogged in a month. Ammon started kindergarten and I now teach preschool four days a week. Life is super busy but great! I will write in detail soon....I promise!

Horseback Riding

While in California I found out my HS Seminary teacher's husband got horses as a hobby for retirement. They were kind enough to let me and the boys come over and take a ride. Ammon was so happy and excited. I was very excited too since I have only been on a horse once since I almost died in a horse accident when I was nine. I really enjoyed it and think it would be fun to get Ammon ridding lessons or something. Brandon liked it alright but was done after just one go around the corale.

Thank you Brother Louis!!!

Knott's Berry Farm

As a kid I have very fond memories of theme parks. Especially Knott's. On random Saturdays my dad would wake up and say "Should we all go to Knott's today?" My brothers and I would be so excited and then he would say "ahhh maybe not" in his calm teasing voice. We went lots of times and now that I am a parent I know why. Seeing the smiles on your children's faces is priceless! I had such a great time watching Ammon and Brandon having fun.

Brandon's favorite ride was the log ride. He would say "I want to go on the boat again." I bought the picture from the first time went on it because the looks on all our faces was great! We went on log ride four times throughout the day. Luckily the log ride is my and my dad's favorite ride as well.

Flying an airplane

Brandon enjoying a Snoopy ice cream

Riding the Carousel.

Jeff had a lot of fun because Bryce, Michelle, and Analisa went with him on every crazy fast ride he wanted to go on!. I went on one and that was enough for me. Even though my parents were so tired we closed down the park. We were there from 11:30am to 10pm. The boys were so good and never once had a tantrum. I bet Brandon was the last surviving three year old with out a stroller in the entire park!

Reception Festivities

Here is my dad dancing! And not just dancing but fast dancing! This was a once and a lifetime photo!
Ammon couldn't get enough of the dancing and kept asking Wendy and Brandon to dance with him. He was so cute. I even got turns to dance with my boys (Jeff included).

Drew & Carrie

Chris & Randy

A Toast to the new couple!!!

Megan & Dan Sealed Together Forever

D&C 132:19 " And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them- Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection...and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths...it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world..."

My niece Megan got married to Dan Rowley on August 8th in the Reddlands temple. It was a blessing to be able to go and support her in this wonderful, exciting time. The Thursday before we attended the temple for Megan and Dan's endowments. It was so wonderful and peaceful to be there with Jeff, my mom, my sister Jen and her husband. It was also great to see that Dan has an active and supportive family too. Jeff and I even got to be the witness couple. I love that I get to hold his hand some of the time!

I was so grateful to be in attendance at the sealing because hearing the promised blessings of the marriage covenant strengthened my testimony. I was crying because I felt the spirit so strong. The sealer talked about the plan of salvation from beginning to end. It reassured me how much our Father in heaven loves each of us. His plan of happiness is to do just that give us happiness in this life and forever.

I am so proud of Megan that she has made righteous choices that have enabled her to go to the temple and enjoy these blessings that Heavenly Father offers us. I remember when she was just a little girl and would sing songs to me like "you got a friend in me" from toy story. It has given me a little glimpse at what it will feel like to see my own children sealed to their spouses in the temple. Thanks for your great example ......... Congratulations Meg!