Bobcat

On Thursday Oliver was awarded with his Bobcat award for scouts.  In turn I got my first Cub Scout Pin...with many more to come I am sure.  

(thanks Hansen's for the great picture!)

The blue and gold was a great night although we had to leave early because Cortney was having a work crisis of some sort. (he got 9 calls in the first hour we were there)

We are really proud of Oliver and the good choices he makes.  He is doing so good in school and really helps out around the house so much.  Especially with his little brothers. 

Forever ago my friend Tami commented on here (i think it was Tami) that she staggers her boys bed times.  We decided to give it a try since the boys would talk every night until 10, and I would have a sore throat every night from trying to bring the smack down on them...hahaa.  Rob goes in bed somewhere from 7-7:30 and Oliver does homework.  It literally takes rob 10 minutes to fall asleep and then Oliver goes in around 8:00.  It has changed our life.  It is such a dream, no yelling, no stressed out mom, two sleeping boys.  I LOVE IT.  I can't believe it works, and every night Cortney and I look at each other in amazement that it is actually working.  

Life changer. 

The millers have been in town for their Son-in-laws funeral.  Cali and I watched the kiddos yesterday so they wouldn't be stressed doing all the stuff they have to do.  It was crazy but mostly just because together Cali and I have 9 kids.  It makes it so hard to help people when you have so many of your own.  It went great though and it was fun to get to see our miller nieces and nephews (Bailey and Brook included). 

I took a couple of pictures during a quiet time. 

 Henry and Fi, not fighting.  (rare...luckily we have been through this before and know by the time they are 5 they won't fight anymore...well hardly)

 We had 14 kids for a lot of the day.  :)

Luckily my dad came through and saved the day with a pizza for dinner.  It REALLY did save us. 

Theo Laughing

I couldn't resist posting this.

Catchup

My sister Sam's family suffered a terrible loss this valentine's day.  Her brother in law CJ was killed in a tragic accident.  We have been so sad here.  I have been praying non-stop for them.

I haven't really known how to go back to regular life.

We are still doing a lot of the same stuff around here.  Hanging out at the house and pretty much just being together.  There has never been a time of my life when I have been this home bound.  It is nice and weird at the same time.

Last week was Cali's birthday.  We last minute decided to go with them to the BYU game because Justin and Angelique had tickets they weren't going to use.  (thanks guys!!)

 Theo's first BYU game.  

We had so much fun.  We were playing pepperdine and won by a lot but it was still really fun.  I LOVE BYU.  I love being down there so much. 

This is a horrible picture but the game was so loud we put socks over his ears and then a hat, for a little sound protection.  He would still get startled with every loud announcement. 

After the game we went with the Emig's and the Burke's to La Jolla. It was delicious.   Cali's getting old.  Haha. 

We did nothing for valentine's day.  We mostly just sat around holding each other.  Shocked and saddened for the Miller's.

The 15th was Tyler's birthday.  We had him and Cameron over for dinner and dessert it was nice to see them...and the food was delish.

 I only had one candle in the house.  (I have a real hard time making birthdays a big deal...haha)

My kids were so happy to have their uncles over.  I was feeling pretty out numbered.  7 rowdy stinky boys, and me...boo.  :)

You can see there in the background we have some extra furniture in the kitchen.  Our friends Sherry and Jory had an old table they weren't using that was broken.  So they gave it to us and this weekend we fixed it and painted it.  It is going to be awesome.  I will post pictures.  Later.

 Theo 11 weeks.  

 We have had this HORRIBLE disgusting red couch FOREVER.  I hate it.  I tried my best to wash the cushions and such but there is no helping this bad boy.  Finally I talked Cortney into letting me get a new couch (pictures coming too...hahaa).  We found one for a STEAL of a deal and brought it home.  Happy birthday, Valentine's day and Mother's day to me.  We put our red couch outside on the street with a free sign and it still took 2 WHOLE DAYS for some one to take it.  Usually the crap we put outside for free is gone in 20 minutes max.  That will tell you how bad this couch was. 

The boys were so so sad to see it go. 

cute. 

Lately on fridays Celeste has been coming with her kids over to Cali's.  I am obsessed with it.  It has been so long since we have all really hung out and all feels right in the world again to be having more Merrell in my life.  Usually it is just a couple of hours but we have been doing it for probably 6 weeks now.  Feels permanent.  :)  Even though it has been forever since our kids have been together, it is like they were never apart.  They love each other like they were cousins.  

This last Friday, we started off the day with a SISTER's lunch at KaeLynn's.  Kae Lynn, Cali and I all have February birthday's and we decided to do something about it.  Kae made to die for chicken bacon artichoke pizza, salad and raspberry cheesecake.  Linh said she has never seen me eat so much. HAHAA.  I was starving.  It was great to sit around and talk and we had I think 8 kids there that aren't in school yet.  (which sounded pretty loud.)   

Because I was at Kae's during nap time Henry wouldn't go down (we are having some major nap time struggles right now).  He was a wreck the rest of the day.  When we were at Cali's he was being awfully quiet...and I knew he was up to no good when Carolina came to get us.  

He said "look mom it's snowing".   You have to look at the pantry door...yup that is flour all the way up there.  We was thawing it everywhere. 

Naughty baby. 

Just another video of Henry and Theo because...yah know they're my best friends.  :)

Smiling

So today Theodore started smiling...and squealing.  He loves it when I make the motor boat sound with my lips...you know what I am talking about??  As I was feeding him I noticed he was wearing the same outfit as Henry was in this picture....

 Henry and Cortney late November 2009 Henry was around 6 weeks old.

I couldn't resist re-enacting the picture. 

Theo and Cortney tonight.  Theo will be 11 weeks on tuesday. Theo's face is definitely chunkier but their bodies are about the same.  I think they look a lot a like in real life,  but not so much in these pictures.  Henry always had that surprised look and has a little more of a pig nose...or should I say upturned nose. hahaa.

Either way, I can't wait for this baby to chunk up a little more and become more like a person.  Not a person person...but funner....you know??

Supah Bowl

We had another annual super bowl party this year and it was a smashing success, if I do say so. We had insane amounts of food and a good time was had.  

Linh took some pictures from the night (thankfully or I wouldn't have a one)

Henry has Bronchitis right now.  He likes to be right by me when he is sick. 

Some of the ladies hanging out.

Me Henry and my friend Sherry. 

Cousin Angie and her daughter Q. 

The hostesses (??)

Sisters (and Joe)

Cort and his BFF Jory, and Lincoln. 

Birthday girls Jen and Cali. 

Gotta LOVE Henry. 

Cali, Me and Karen. 

I really love the super bowl but am so glad it is over.  I made 8 appetizers/desserts.  It was a lot of work.  I was exhausted. 

Last Saturday Cortney got a phone call from our Stake Presidency saying they wanted to meet with us the next day.  UH-OH.  Cortney and I wondered all day what that could mean.  Turns out Cortney was called as the Financial Clerk for the ward.  Hahaa.  We were both relieved we were't being asked to speak in ward Conference.  :)  With the new calling we both took turns being at the church from 9 in the morning to 3 p.m.  Church, then Cort had to work on inputing tithing, the ward council for me, then Cort was back to the church to input the fast offerings.  We waved at each other from the driveway.  I think it will be a great calling for him.  I am just grateful for a husband who is fully willing to serve where needed.  (oh and I am grateful they weren't calling us to something else :)   I will REALLY miss seeing him in Primary though.  

Oh by the way.  Theo has slept 8 hours straight without feedings for the last 2 weeks.  Yup.  9 weeks old and sleeping through the night...it's how we roll.  My life is pretty awesome. 

My life be like...

So I snapped a couple little videos with my phone the other day as Henry, Theo and I laid in bed watching Incredibles (currently the movie of the month...we watch it almost everyday).  This is what having a new baby (and a 2 year old baby) looks like.  Messy bed.  2 year old without clothes on (or wearing the same thing for a week).  Bottles everywhere.  It's a mess.  Seriously.  It also has some pretty sweet moments like this too though.  Since Cali is sick pregnant and I have this new guy, I haven't gotten out much.  The bishopric came by last week and I think it was the first time Henry saw other people in a week.  He was acting like a crazy person, showing off so bad.  I have only seen Cali once this week.  Luckily I had visiting teaching and a visit from Linh to give me a little adult conversation.



Also...my neck is out this week. Bad neck...bad times. I don't know why this happens to me. I am deciding today to start getting better (haaahh). I have to. I don't want to sound like I am complaining about my life. I love it. Really, I wouldn't want it any other way.