boicefamily

Pinewood Derby

2012-01-26T22:14:00.002-07:00

So I feel like I hit a huge milestone as a mom tonight. It was my first pinewood derby. Of course we didn't start working on the car until tuesday...and I went and picked up some paint today for it. We are the ultimate slackers.

Oh Henry...why is your face always messy.

This is how my boys look at all times. Our primary meets right here in the gym and this is what my boys are doing every week as I clean up.

Oliver...what a good boy. You can tell how inwardly nervous he is in this picture. (he's just like his momma like that)

Racing

Here he is watching his car race.

So serious.

His is the black truck coming in last place. He actually didn't do too bad and came in second almost every single time.

Hens

Me doing what I do best.

He got the nitro ninja award.

Weird that we didn't get one picture of the actual truck.

I just remedied that and took a couple quick pictures of it with photo booth. Not too shabby for throwing it together last minute. Cortney just told me "next year I am pulling out all the stops". We will see. We have a family in our ward with 3 boys and they have never not gotten 1st place. This was their last year and the dad of that family told Cortney some of his secrets. Huh...we will see.

Oliver thought it was awesome (although he did say it needed to be sanded better and painted again...hahaa)

So TWICE now I have found random computer t-shirts in our laundry. Cortney and I both have NO IDEA whose shirts they are. It is blowing my mind. Either one of us is having an affair with a super nerdy computer person...or some one is sneaking into our house and doing their laundry.

Is this your shirt???

Weird right?

A blessing and a name

2012-01-23T00:34:00.000-07:00

Bright and early this morning we blessed our little

Theodore Bunker Boice

Our church starts at 9:00 and we can barely make it there on time when we don't have a blessing to get ready for. We woke up at 7:00 and surprisingly enough made it to the church before it started.

From Cortney's family we had Bob, Roberta, Cameron, Leah and Tyler. It was so nice of them to come down and they really had to brave some horrible weather. Then they turned around and drove right back home. Hard core huh? (we saw them for a couple of minutes and then they were back on the road)

From my family we had Jason and KaeLynn's Family, Justin and Angelique's Family, Joey and Cali's family, Isaac and Linh, and then my Mom and Dad and Grandma Jones.

Cortney gave a beautiful blessing.

After sacrament I had to teach Sharing time and everyone else in my family had to teach too so we all separated and did our duty. My mom stayed in primary with me which was fun.

I had Cortney snap a couple of pictures after church of the special guy. He wore Tyson's blessing outfit because mine was still too big. It is a funny little outfit and we can't help but call him Chappy or Pip when he wears it. (oliver also wore this outfit.)

huh?

I just wanted a picture of the three of us but Henry has been feeling really left out today.

He just started kinda smiling on Tuesday.

What a cute little profile (his not mine :))

Poor Henry. All day he has been saying to me "hold you." Don't worry...I held him. I held him all morning.

He loves to hold baby Theo.

kisses

Theo started crying and Henry was telling him SHHHHH...

I love Theo's face in this one.

Cortney's going for the prophet of old look.

Henry was going crazy cause he wanted to hold Theo. I love how Cortney is with our kids. He is the best dad. Seriously. I asked Oliver today if he thought dad was scary when he got them in trouble. He said "yeah, but you are scarier." No kidding.

Two old fashioned men.

After everyone got home from church we met at Cali and Joe's for a little dinner. It was nice to all get together and our kids love it with all their hearts when we are together as a family. I love that they love their cousins...they always get along too. Well...except for the two year olds.

Brook and Stella.

I spend a lot of my time doing just this. Theo takes a long time to drink a baba. 30 minutes at least. When I nursed it was 10 minutes at a time max...so this seems long to me.

Cali and Dad working in the kitchen. (LIKE ALWAYS)

Have I mentioned Cali is PREGGERS. Yup. She is pretty darn sick right now and still working in the kitchen. I am pretty sure it is okay to mention it on here because she told her young women today...if not...oops the cat's out of the bag.

6 kids. Yikes.

She is due in July.

Ty watching football.

Noni.

Yup still feeding the baby.

We just started yesterday trying out the Dr. Brown bottle. So far it hasn't really changed how much he spits up.

Look at that cute little hand. (i lost my thumb nail the week Theo was born, it's finally coming back in)

Eliza

Jack

Rob

It has been so nice having my parents back. (they leave again on Wednesday. It went TOO FAST. They head to Mexico for a month and then on to Arizona.)

Tyson and Zac.

It was a nice day. I am glad everything is over (this weekend I had a breakfast for all my teachers here at my house...5 people showed...then I had the blessing and dinner, sharing time, and rob had a talk.) I am EXHAUSTED.

Thanks to all of our family that came. We love having your support!

shock to the heart

2012-01-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

So I called the cardiologist yesterday to schedule Theo's appointment. They said they couldn't get me in until feb 7th. I told them my doctor wanted me to come in sooner. They called my doctor and then called me back and scheduled for me to come in this morning at 8:30. My doctor was concerned that the murmur wasn't a "normal" sounding murmur and wanted them to see me right away. Especially since he hadn't heard the murmur before. They said that the appointment would last 3 hours so to come prepared for that. It was pretty scary going in I am not gonna lie. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew I would be able to handle it. No way this baby was healed to have serious heart problems.

My mom came with me for a little bit of the appointment (they had a lunch in salt lake today). It was nice having her there.

First they hooked him up to an EKG. Everything looked good. He hated when they took off the stickers.

After the EKG he had and echocardiogram. Which was basically an ultrasound of the heart. It lasted over one hour. Little Theo was good and slept most of the time.

They have to hold still to get the images they need. I was amazed at how good he was.

After a LONG nerve wracking 3 hours the doctor came in and told me his heart looked normal. NORMAL. Hallelujah. He does have a small hole in his heart but it is common for a baby his age to have that and it will most likely close on its own.

Theo is seriously amazing. He passes EVERY test with flying colors. I swear he is going to be a prophet someday. Cali says he will probably get a 1600 on his SAT's. hahaha. What a good baby. I was so relieved.

Theo 2 months

2012-01-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

Length 21inches 2.62 percentile
Weight 8.33 lbs 2.25 percentile
Head Circumference 14.7 inches 7.22 percentile

I can't believe how big he has gotten.

They heard a heart murmur this time around so we will have an appointment with the cardiologist sometime in the next week or so.

I don't feel like it is anything big.

He is so cute...and exhausted from getting his shots.

baby it's cold outside

2012-01-14T19:23:00.002-07:00

here we are all ready to go to the grocery store. NEVER mind that henry has no shoes on. I have no idea where his are.

Poor baby really has a lot of baby acne right now. He needs a little proactive.

Yup. I have 4 boys (and I have to bathe them all tonight...YICK). And yes rob is eating a pepperoni stick.

sitting in my room

2012-01-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

I have been sitting around in my house a LOT since Theo was born. It gets pretty boring but for some reason I can't face getting everyone ready to go and run an errand. I don't think there has ever been a time in my life where I have spent this much time in.

Rob and Henry love their Christmas pajamas. Rob thinks they are so comfy that he has worn them almost every single day since he got them. He puts them on the second he gets home from school. Every couple of days I throw them in the laundry. It is kinda becoming a problem. He REALLY wanted to wear them to the airport when my parents came...but I told him no.

Henry wants to wear them too but his pi's get dirty much faster than Rob's. This day he was freaking out because his were dirty so we had to find other pants he could wear with them.

I love it when my kids are getting along.

I love how Henry is looking at Rob in this picture. He was talking to him about the movie.

My little guy all dressed up in a big boy outfit. (size newborn) I got my 0-3 month clothes out today and they still DROWN him. It is amazing. He looks HUGE to me.

He is 7 weeks old now and spitting up like CRAZY. I have tried everything (even the gripe water in the bottle trick Melissa) and nothing is working. All my babies spit up so it isn't anything new but STILL I would like for once to not have to carry 30 burp rags with me. I always tell people they will need a lot of baby blankets. But then it turns out they don't. I always need a lot because my babies are spitting up on them. Hmmmmphh. He is still pretty awesome though and is sleeping really good. I even had him sleep 7 hours straight once this week...which is very exciting for me. I can't wait to get a little more sleep around here.

I can't help but think he looks just like this guy from Charlie and the Chocolate factory. (it was playing while I was in the hospital)

It's the best day EVER.

2012-01-12T11:59:00.001-07:00

Tuesday my parents got home from a two year mission for our church. They were the Presidents for the Missionary Training Center in Madrid, Spain. We all loaded up to meet them at the airport. Justin was out of town on business and Mike and Allie are in school in Idaho, but Sam drove over from Oregon (leaving Kyle home to work). We missed those that weren't here but I was excited for Sam to be here because she wasn't here when they got home from their last mission. I love seeing missionaries come home. There were tons getting home that night and I was crying before my mom and dad even got there.

Cali made all of the signs. I thought this one was hilarious "Hi, I'm Theo" It floated around from kid to kid throughout the night.

My parents have 19 grandkids.

Yup, here I am already starting to cry. I was so happy.

Me, Cali, Jason, Grace.

Pure happiness Abby and Eliza.

My beautiful niece brooklyn. She is turning 13 soon!

sisters

Grandma and Vicki.

Isaac and Linh were waiting in the wrong terminal and BARELY made it over when they realized the other terminal looked pretty empty.

I look crazy in this picture and it is out of focus (cortney was chasing hens and saw that they were coming so he just turned his camera and shot)...but I love how happy we all look. Especially Isaac.

grandkids.

owen

so glad to have my daddy back.

I love this picture. My mom and her sister vicki, and her mom. They have a real special thing I tell yah. I know my mom was real homesick for them.

Fiona and Joe

Dad and Angelique and Marion.

Dad with the sign KaeLynn's kids made.

I love how happy dad and Jason look.

Dad and Rob. I hope Rob can turn out like my dad someday.

I hear my dad could be hard sometimes as a kid. Hahaa.

Tyson and Grandma.

Grace and Linh.

Sup.

We headed back to Cali's house for appetizers and desserts. We sat around and talked until past 10. The kids ran wild. Us grown ups just tried to soak in our parents.

It feels good to have them home. They left to Peru in 2007 and it is so nice to have them HOME HOME....not just waiting to go on another mission. I am grateful for their example.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Nephi 3:7

Christmas...again.

2012-01-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

I stole a bunch of photos from my Mom in law's blog. So here is another christmas eve post.

I love all these pictures because you can see Theo floating around the room.

Shade, Carter, Heather (holding theo), and cooper.

Uncle Griff

Morgan and Griff.

Grandma ALice.

Carter would have held Theo the whole night. I love the way Theo is looking at him. So sweet. I love that Carter.

Me and an out of focus henry. That kid would not hold still. He was crazy that night.

Ahhh...look at these lovebirds.

Bob listening to an AMAZING song Griffin wrote (and sung)

These two...I tell you. Two peas in a very loud pod. They are BFF's as Rob likes to say.

Just in case you haven't gotten enough of Cortney's beard yet.

I know I haven't. hahaa

Santa called the kids. They made it on the nice list. Hurray!

This is how I have been feeling lately. Pretty darn tired.

It was a great night.

MY PARENTS GET HOME TONIGHT. HOLLA.

Theo 6 weeks old

2012-01-03T20:41:00.001-07:00

We got home from Rexburg with a nice little package sitting on our doorstep. My sister's sister in law (haha) and one of my BFF's sent me a box full of onsies and sleepers that her little Marcus had grown out of. It made me so happy. It was especially nice because Theo had just that day grown out of most of his preemie clothes and I didn't have a lot for him to wear. Also because he was covered in spit up from the long car ride home, we had no clean clothes, so I just opened the package and dressed him right then in new nice clean clothes. How nice is that??

Thanks Emily and Jared (and marcus of course)...we love you guys.

Cali told me about your surgery...we are all praying for you here.

I weighed Theo on sunday here on my scale and it said he was 6.8 lbs. The little bugger keeps on growing and growing. He is doing great and sleeps most of the day and night. He has started spitting up like crazy just like all my other babies (DRAT). I had hoped he would be an exception to that rule. Oh well.

We just sit around the house and do laundry (lots of spit up equals lots of laundry) and watch shows. Today was beautiful out and we were able to walk to pick the kids up from school. All of the kids liked being able to get out and move. I must say though, I have really been enjoying all of the sitting around and relaxing with my two little babies. I am pretty blessed.

Rob broke a molar while we were in Rexburg. (a week after getting one pulled) Today Cortney took him in to the dentist and was pretty embarrassed by Rob freaking out. They are having us bring him in on Monday after we have given him some Valium...haha...the joys of parenting.

Thats all just a little update.

Christmas

2012-01-01T21:36:00.001-07:00

I don't know how it happened...but we managed to get almost NO pictures from our Christmas trip. It totally annoys me.

We left for Rexburg Thursday afternoon. Tyler came with us, which was nice. I got to sit in the back of the van and snooze my whole way there. Usually I try to talk to Cortney and keep him awake but being so far back I got to nap a little. There is something to be said for sleeping in the car...I tell you.

That night Whitney and Schueyler and their kids, Heather and cooper, and Griffin and Katrina were all there. Along with grandma Alice. It was great to catch up with everyone...I hadn't seen most of them since last Christmas!!

The saddest part of this trip was that there was NO SNOW. I don't know if that has ever happened in all of my years spending Christmas in Rexburg. My kids were definitely disappointed.

I need to mention the first night we were there Oliver threw up ALL over the place in the middle of the night. I couldn't believe that we were brining the flu to Christmas. Luckily he was the only one that was sick in that way while we were there. Roberta, Cameron and I all had pretty nasty colds...but we managed not to spread it further than that.

Most of the time we were in Rexburg we spent just hanging out at the house. I only left for Christmas eve dinner and church....oh I did go get diapers once. Cortney managed to take the boys to do some fun stuff but me and Theo and Henry were house bound.

Saturday morning Shawn took the boys out for some ice fishing. I stole this one picture of Rob and Tyler from Ty's facebook. I wish I had more. The kids had the best time. I think they would love for this to be the new Christmas Eve tradition.

Rob managed to catch the biggest fish of the day. He was pretty proud. (he was also so scared that the ice was going to break and he was going to fall through)

Oliver also caught a couple of big fish. They loved it.

That night we headed over to Grandma Alice's for Christmas Eve dinner. Cameron had made it into town at this point. I also stole these pictures from Ty's blog. I will have to wait for Roberta to post before I can get any other pictures. Dinner was delicious and it was great to sit around and talk with everyone.

Ty and Theo.

I realized that I have so few pictures of Cortney, some people might not realize how hot he is right now. This picture is out of focus because I was laughing so hard and they were too close for my lens. Griffin and Cort....being charlie's angels I guess.

While we were at dinner Griffin showed us some of his music. He is one talented boy I tell you what. What would it be like to be so good at something??

We got home and put on our pajamas. The kids LOVED that we all matched. I loved it too... I didn't love how UNFLATTERING the mom pajamas were. They were bad. Real bad.

I then tried to read Jest fore Christmas for my kids but they just didn't get it. I realized that I didn't know what one word of that poem meant until I was older...and by then I loved it. So now that will be the same for my kids. I missed my mom reading it, but I guess I am the mom now.

We set out some delish cookies for Santa and got the boys in bed. They slept good the whole night and didn't wake up until after 8:30. Hallelujah! All of the adults were grateful for that.

I love this picture because Cameron and Rob have the EXACT SAME hair in this picture. Plus look at sleepy Bob. I got Rob a Guinness book of world records. One of their FAVORITE gifts.

I think Henry was the funnest. I love this age.

Opening madness.

Oliver asked mostly for clothes this year. WEIRD.

My grandma Jones always gets us hickory farms. YUM.

I made my mom in law and grandma in law calendars. They turned out really cute.

Look at that double chin...(on theo, not on me...haha) That boy is growing like a weed. Today I weighed him at home and he weighs a little under 7 lbs.

Now if that isn't happiness I don't know what is.

We then headed to church. The ward had an awesome french horn number with a chello and violins, I loved it.

After church we just hung out and waited for the rest of the family to get there for brunch...which was actually linner (get it lunch and dinner combined) haha. We had our traditional egg casseroles. Yum.

All in all it was a great holiday. Henry wouldn't stay in his bed, and my kids were stressing me out but was great to be with family.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-29T23:34:00.000-07:00

We just got back from Christmas in Rexburg. We had a great time.

We actually took a picture all together Christmas morning. Yes we all had matching pj's and yes...Cortney's are the footsie kind that zip up. He looked awesome.

I have tons to post but only 6 minutes of battery left on my computer...and at least 6 hours of laundry to do. I will post...soon.

P.S. Have I mentioned my parents are coming home from their mission in 12 days?? Can't wait.

My man

2011-12-20T23:18:00.000-07:00

Today is Cortney's 35th birthday. It started off on a bad foot when Henry and Rob were sick throwing up in the night. Then Theo was having some gas issues (for the first time ever). When morning came around we were both pretty tired. In the afternoon Cortney watched the kids so I could go and get some last minute Christmas stuff. Poor guy It had to have been the worst birthday ever. He did go play racquetball tonight but came home to a major clogged drain in the kitchen (which he is still working on...and still all sweaty from playing racquetball, but he can't shower until it is done). Poor guy. Luckily I had a birthday dinner/survivor night on Sunday for him. Tomorrow we are going to try again. Maybe go out to dinner or something like that. I feel so bad for him having a birthday so close to Christmas. He got some new glasses for his birthday...he has been needing them FOREVER but we could never afford them. We are both excited for them to come, it will be nice for him to be able to take his contacts out when his eyes are tired. The man has a huge beard right now. HUGE. What can I say? I am grateful everyday for the man Cortney is. He is so kind, and loves me no matter what. Happy birthday babe.

spreading a little Christmas cheer

2011-12-18T10:26:00.001-07:00

Carolina video recorded this little gem the other day. I almost had a heart attack when I watched it because...those of you that know Rob know that he isn't one to perform a song...let alone a song with actions. I love it.

due

2011-12-14T10:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my due date. Instead I have now had Theo 22 days (and it is still hard for me to call him Theo...for some reason he is Henry to me...just like Henry was Rob forever). I always miss being pregnant. I think really I am always just sad that the exciting part is over. There really is nothing quite as exciting as delivering a baby...it is as good as it gets for a mom.

Today Theo gets circumcised. He hasn't been big enough for the procedure. I have NEVER been to a kids circumcision and now today I have to take all my kids (minus Oli) with me to get it done. That sounds pretty horrible.

This week around here

2011-12-11T13:26:00.001-07:00

We have been really trying hard to really celebrate the Christmas season. To make Christmas more about traditions and family and less about presents and electronics. It has been a little hard since I don't leave the house and we can't really go anywhere outside all together. We took the kids to see the lights 2 mondays ago (the lights at riverwoods) Cortney and the kids walked around and I stayed in the car with theo. It took about 15 minutes before the kids got in trouble and we had to leave. (Cortney never gets them in trouble so they must have been being REALLY bad). This week we made gingerbread men for family night. Can you see my gingerbread man holding a cute little baby??? how adorable is that??

Mom and Theo, Cortney, Oliver, Rob and Henry. I did something that is hard for me a didn't tell my kids one time how to decorate theirs. I did however have to make Cortney re do his since all he put on his was chest hair and armpit hair.

We watched Elf on Wednesday and then on friday we got a sausage stick and cheese and crackers and watched The Christmas Story (originally we had wanted to watch Griswalds Christmas Vacation...but Cortney and I had totally forgotten how inappropriate it is for kids. hahaa We turned it off after Clark flips the other car off but before he talks to the lady at the lingerie counter...it has been years since either of us had seen it)

Theo has these preemie gowns that are the cutest things i have ever seen. Every time he wears them I can't get over how adorable they are.

I took a picture of him next to the preemie gown and then next to a normal newborn sized gown from the same comapany...so you can get an idea of how small the gowns/Theo is.

I think he is going to have dark brown eyes like Rob.

Henry has been doing a lot of this lately. We all stayed home from church (stake conference) today because we all as a group aren't feeling too hot. Boo.

On the plus side. Oliver's eye is looking almost all the way better.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year. I absolutely love this time. I wish now it would just snow.

p.e.

2011-12-09T12:42:00.001-07:00

I have been so good since Theo has been born. I haven't taken him anywhere. I haven't left the house. I NEVER do this when I have babies. I always am taking them all over the place. I have been trying so hard this time to avoid RSV. All of my other babies have had it. Not this time.

However....my other kids, I can't keep them away from germs though.

Oliver woke up this morning with a NASTY case of pink eye. I wanted to die. I hate pink eye. It is the worst. He has an appointment this afternoon...I want the strongest medicine possible.

Henry also had a fever last night.

Theo is officially off limits to all the kids. Luckily...he and I spend a lot of time downstairs by ourselves. And you wouldn't believe how much this little guy sleeps. I don't know if it is because he is so little and he just needs to spend all his time growing...or if he is just a good sleeper. He is ALWAYS sleeping. I have to wake him up almost every single time that we feed him. After eating he goes straight to sleep. So it won't be that hard to keep him away from the other kids.

Henry watches TANGLED as much as he possibly can. He absolutely loves it. I think it is so cute...and am actually quite in love with the movie myself.

Ahhh yeah

2011-12-06T00:40:00.001-07:00

My baby Theo is a superstar! In the past 7 days he has gained 10 oz. Which is tons, by the way. He now weighs 4 lbs 15 oz. So close to 5 lbs! It makes me feel good because all I do is sit in my house and feed him. At least it is working. He is now almost drinking 2 oz at each feeding. When we left the hospital he was only drinking 1/3 of an ounce, which is about 2 teaspoons. What a good boy!The dr said I didn't need to come back until his 2 month appointment. I was in shock. Everyday this baby amazes me.

taking pictures of a preemie is hard...

2011-12-03T21:26:00.001-07:00

like really really hard. Not that Theo is really a preemie...but he is small. For some reason too...our babies NEVER will sleep through a photo shoot. This was a lot of work. We had to heat the house real warm too...because he isn't supposed to be out and about with no clothes on. Cortney and I were sweating. We did manage to get some cute pictures regardless of how hard it was to get them. All three of us were exhausted when we were done.

I was trying to rub his forehead so his worry lines would go away. Haha. I love how small he looks next to my tiny hand.

Worried baby.

He smiles all the time. Not real smiling but when he is sleeping he is always making this happy face. I absolutely adore it.

We should have put more of a contrasting color under him...but I wanted to show how small he is with this leaf.

I gave him a little break and he went right to sleep.

Oliver is such an artist. He dreams of getting something in the friend. This is a picture of him getting baptized.

Henry is going through a stage right now where he won't wear clothes. He takes them off and throws a MAJOR tantrum if we get him dressed.

Love this foot sticking out at the bottom.

A beautiful blanket my aunt Gail made when I had Oliver. One of my favorite things.

Theo's onsie says little brother.

Look at this chubby guy jump. He loves that he got his clothes off. To get the clothes back on I had to say, Don't you want to go get a doughnut? Luckily he forgot about the doughnut later.

He looks just like his mama when he has this look on his face.

"boys rule" I had to get a quick shot of him in this outfit. When I saw it I knew I had to have it with my 4 boys now...this is my new motto. Isn't it just adorable??

Look at that bum. (this baby does not want to be on his tummy. AT ALL.

I had to include these because you can really tell how small he is when there is someone else in the picture.

prayer works

2011-11-30T09:37:00.001-07:00

his shirt says "mommy loves me"...I sure do.

That is my finger there up by his armpit...he is so small.

I have been wanting to post all week...and have had so many thoughts and feelings that I wanted to write down. Somehow I didn't though.

This has been a hard year for us. Starting with Cortney getting hit by a car...till now. I think the hardest we have ever had. Throughout the tough times though, we have pulled together and become even better friends. Even through all the stress we have been happy. Everyday. We realize how blessed we are. Just the opportunity to be pregnant again was a wonderful thing. I would always think to myself on especially hard days, a lot of people would do anything to be pregnant...be grateful. And I was.

I bonded earlier than usual with the baby in my tummy, I just really loved him from the beginning. When I found out something wrong, and had to start monitoring his every movement, I really came to cherish every single roll and stretch that he did. Every hiccup was a sign that he was still alive and well. I won't lie...the last 4 weeks have been some of the most stressful ever, it was really hard. But I would lie in bed and hold my tummy he would move and I would be calm.

When I was getting ready to push Theo out, I started crying. I didn't know if I was ready, I was scared. Overwhelmed. It was the moment of truth and I just wanted everything to be okay. You can see my relief in the pictures after he was born. He had made it alive, he was crying and breathing, and he was that baby that I already loved. He was here. It was such an emotional day.

I looked at him and he looked normal. (I don't know what I was looking for, but he looked just like my other kids) They cleaned him up and left him in my room for the rest of the day. I was in shock. Where were the tubes?? Why wasn't he whisked away when he was born like I thought. I had prepared myself for the worst and hadn't prepared myself for the fact that I might just have him with me like it was no thing.

I have said before that I wasn't nursing this time. I went back and forth on it, but in the end decided it would be best for both of us if I were healthy. It was so different giving the baby a bottle in the hospital. I won't lie though, I liked it. I miss nursing so much. And my hormones have been CRAZY. But when you have a tinsy tiny baby, it is nice to know they are getting milk. I can count the ounces. I like that.

The next morning Theo had a brain ultrasound, so they could get a more detailed look at what we were dealing with. My nurse came back to me afterwards with the baby and showed me the radiologists report. I just saw it for one split second, but there were the words...written by a doctor...Normal brain ultrasound. Theo's brain looked normal to the radiologist. Even the tech told the nurse that he didn't see a real difference in size in the left and right cerebellum.

I saw Theo's brain in probably 8 different ultrasounds in utero. With 3 different doctors all finding the same results.

My baby was healed.

When the nurse showed me the papers...I didn't believe it. I didn't understand. How could that be possible? I asked the doctor the next morning as he did rounds...he said the brain looked just fine.

I told Cortney the morning we left to the hospital to have Theo, "Well Cort, we either believe in all of this fasting and praying or we don't...and we do." We knew that morning when we left that things were going to go just as they were supposed to go.

I was so overwhelmed by the amount of people we had praying for us. My little nieces and nephews were fasting for us. Oliver fasted for us. Cousins, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, parents, friends, neighbors, ward members, grandparents. I could feel the prayers, and support I really could. And you know what...it worked.

All last month I taught sharing time and the lessons were about Prayer, with the last 2 weeks centered around "Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers". As I struggled through that time of unknowing it was such a blessing to be teaching these basic gospel principles to the children.

"Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." 3 Nephi 14:7

I just kept remembering this scripture and telling the kids that if they ask it shall be given them. I knew the same applied to me.

I am so grateful for the reminder of the little simple things. Thankful for the opportunity to have the faith of a little child, and just believe.

While we were in the hospital we learned a little more about the CMV virus that I had tested positive for (I won't lie I was freaking out). Turns out I didn't test positive with the virus, but I tested positive for antibodies that mean I have had the virus at some point in my life. This would only be dangerous for Theo if I got the virus while I was pregnant with him. So we talked to our doctor, who talked to the infectious diseases doctor, and they decided to have Theo tested for the virus. If he had it, it can cause all kinds of birth defects, from mental retardation to hearing loss. Not only that but he would be a carrier of the disease and wouldn't be able to be around pregnant women. Everyone everywhere is pregnant. I needed to know if he had this or not. I didn't want to be passing it on. They took FOUR samples of pee. Spilling the first one and losing the second. They even had to place a catheter to get it. Poor baby. I got the results back yesterday for that test. It said NOT DETECTED.

I felt like I could finally blog about his health. Here he was totally normal just small. The things I am dealing with are just the preemie kind of things you deal with. Even then he is doing so much better then most 4 lb babies out there. The kids a SUPERSTAR I am telling you.

I took him to the doctor on monday, everything looked great. He weighed in at 4 lbs 5 oz. Still down an ounce from his birth weight but up from when he was released at 4 lbs 3 oz. He is eating good. He is peeing good. The only thing they are worried about now is his body temperature is low. I went in again on Tuesday and it was even lower. The nurse in the office said she hardly ever sees a baby that small out of the hospital. We feel more than lucky here.

PHEWWW that is a lot of reading to get to the end of this.

For now I am just staying in my house. No store, no fun, just me and the boys inside waiting around. Waiting for Theo to get bigger and not be so fragile.

My ward has totally been taking care of me with meals. I feel so humbled and blessed. I also feel loved.

It has been such an emotional roller coaster. I can't believe he is here. He is amazing.

A miracle...that is for sure. Prayer works. I am so grateful for yours.

The big day part 2

2011-11-24T20:52:00.001-07:00

UPDATE...Theo is now home. He came home yesterday. It was quite the surprise since they said it could be anywhere from 2-7 days. I was pretty scared to bring him home but now that he is here I am remembering that I can do this. I totally got this. Haha.

Here are some more pictures of the big day.

My first look at him.

If that isn't his mom's scowl I don't know what is.

First baba.

My nurses Lindsay and Debbie....LOVED them.

My kids came to visit a little after he was born. Our first family picture.

Henry isn't too thrilled about this whole thing.

boice boys

Cute huh??

Grandma, Cali and Joe came by for a visit.

Then Linh (yeah I look pretty tired at this point I think it was around 10 pm).

Jason and KaeLynn came next.

This is my night nurse Vicki, I had her both nights and actually had her with my last baby too. I loved her, and was pretty sad to say goodbye to her.

Home

2011-11-24T19:34:00.001-07:00

I came home tonight. Little Theo has to stay for a little while. He needs to be eating better and getting bigger instead of smaller before he can come home. I am so grateful for WONDERFUL nurses who really took care of both of us so well. I really felt loved by them. And was sad to say goodbye. I am also more than grateful to have him be in a hospital that is one minute away. It will make going there for feedings way easier. I feel really good about having him stay in the hospital. Way less scary then me taking care of him alone. I know they will do what is best for him. This has been such a roller coaster ride of emotions, everyday I have been having highs and lows. Mostly I am feeling anxious (I always feel pretty emotional for a couple of days after having a baby). Health wise, we are still waiting for a couple of test result to come in (poor baby had to have a catheter tonight)...then I will update more about his health. He sure is cute!

My Mother in law Roberta was here watching the kids and was a huge help. She left this morning, we are so grateful for her.

Theo's new feeding tube. (and cute hat)

Theo Part 1

2011-11-23T16:35:00.001-07:00

I know people have been anxiously awaiting some news/pictures of baby Theo. There are so many awesome and amazing pictures from the birth I didn't even know how to narrow it down further than this so get ready for a massive picture overload. I will post pictures first and then at the end...kinda the birth story.

We checked in at 6:30. I had to get some pictures of how small my tummy was. CRAZY.

For some reason it won't let me center this but Cali got here at 10:30...that was really calming for me.

My lunch that I couldn't eat...so Cortney ate it. It looked delicious. I was so hungry.

Staring wistfully at the food.

We would watch all of the updates and contractions on the monitor.

This was my first delivery where I was sick. Here I am looking sick. I threw up a couple of times...that was different.

Trying to look happier.

Feeling sick again. I would feel nauseous when my contractions would come...then for a minute or so I would feel better.

I had tons of medicine going in me. Penicillin, steroids, saline, and pitocin.

This is when I started to feel like I was needing to push.

Yup...the baby was almost out already.

Getting ready to push. I pushed for one contraction. 3 times in about 40 seconds.

Push...

Out he came...

I felt so relieved once he was out...

My mother in law Roberta came and watched the delivery. She took tons of these awesome pictures.

Crying baby. Such a good sound. It looks loud but it sure wasn't.

This is super gross...but i had to include it because my placenta is REALLY small. Cortney always takes a picture of it and mine last time was at least twice the size of this one. It could be the cause of Theo not growing in utero. My placenta from henry took up more than half of that bucket.

Chaos and stitches.

Tiny baby.

Look how small that preemie diaper is on him!

Here are some notes Cali took throughout the day.

Checked in at 6:30
Strep test positive, virus (cmv) antibodies present (I couldn't believe I was positive for the strep test...arghhh...the cmv could be nothing or it could be something...it means at some point in my life I had cmv...the baby is getting tested for it now. It could be serious if I got it while pregnant.)
Epidural at 9:05
Broke your water at 10:00
Cali comes at 10:30
Feeling nausea at 12:00
Checked at 12:35, at a 2 cm 70%, -1
checked at 2:15, 2 1/2cm, 80%
At 2:20 the baby was "being naughty" (heartrate decelerations with contractions) came in and flipped her to her left side, checked again and was a 3 cm.
At 2:50 dilated to a 4cm, 90% effaced, zero station. put fluid through cath in the contraction monitor to buffer the cord (amniotic infusion)
3:21 threw up
3:40 dilated to a 6. The amniotic infusion really worked.
4:00 feeling a lot of pressure, nurse came to check, fully dilated and crowning!
4:16 Theodore born, 4 lb 6 oz 18 inches long apgar, 8/9

couple of stitches , small placenta.
cord wrapped around neck

It was a stressful day with lots of highs and lows. So far Theo is passing every test with flying colors.

I feel like he is my miracle baby. He is doing so good. I will update more soon. (the internet is so slow here)

New Little Dude

2011-11-22T22:48:00.001-07:00

Meet Theodore Bunker Boice
4lbs. 6 oz. 18 inches long
So far he is breathing well, and we have been with him for the past 6 hours in our room. He isn't hooked up to any tubes or anything.

He was officially born at 4:16 PM. Both Ash and the baby are doing great. Ash did super awesome, she is such a strong girl.

I will post some pics tomorrow sometime.

We are so blessed, thank you for the prayers. Crank up the volume so you can hear him talking.

Untitled from ashley boice on Vimeo.

Are we tired of this yet?

2011-11-18T16:00:00.001-07:00

So yesterday I had my dr appointment. I have been meaning to post but i have been spending my time resting.

I met with the perinatologist. Everything looks the same. The baby weighs in at a little over 4 pounds. (that seems so tiny too me...especially with all the HEAVY rowdy brothers this baby will have waiting at home for him.) my fluid looked good too...I think it was at 9 cm.

So I am scheduled to have the baby Tuesday morning. I am thrilled to have one more weekend to get things ready for the baby. I am not so thrilled to be in the hospital for thanksgiving. The doctor told me to lay on my side and drink lots of water so I have been taking it easy. I am so tired anyways. I keep thinking...there is no way my stomach is big enough to be delivering right now. It scares me a little.

I feel very excited to meet this little guy. My doctors seem to believe that it could take years before we know what is even wrong with him so I am just trying to treat the whole thing like all my other babies. Sorry I didn't post sooner. I just was too tired. Sorry for the typos I did this on my iPad.

some of the ultrasound on thursday...

yay...at least we know this little guy has 5 toes on one side. :)

More profile pics...he is still head down. He has his hand right up to his mouth...same as the other pictures.

They comfirmed the fact that theo was indeed still a boy. Haha...wouldn't that be a shock if that had gotten that wrong.

I just wanna say...I can feel your prayers and they are working...so far everything has turned out just how I wanted. Things I didnt even know I could hope for have come to pass. I have been so blessed. Thanks guys.

Today's appointment

2011-11-14T19:37:00.001-07:00

So today I met with my regular doctor. Angelique watched the kids...and I was gone a LONG time. I was really grateful for her. Seriously. Cali came along because they give me so much information at every appointment it is too much for me to remember by myself. First I saw the doctor. I tried to get some answers out of him but he needed me to get my ultrasound and non stress test first. They measured my amniotic fluid and the tech told me it was measuring a 10. I felt good about that being up from my last appointment. Then he gave me the best news evah....my baby FLIPPED. I couldn't believe it. The perinatologist had told me that the baby flipping would be HIGHLY unlikely because my fluid was on the lower side. Even my Dr. couldn't believe it. I was thrilled.

Then it was over to be monitored. The baby looked really good again. Then Doctor Baxter came in had a seat and we talked for a little bit. He said he talked to the doctor down at Utah Valley and she said that I could deliver here at my hospital...Instead of down there. YAY! I really want to have my baby at Orem. It is across the street from my house and I really love that place. Plus I want to be delivered by my doctor. All of my babies have been born there.

So I have an appointment on thursday at Utah Valley...if my fluid goes down to a 5 then I will deliver that day. (NO C-SECTION!! YAY!) But I can still deliver at my hospital with my doctor. If my fluid stays above a 5 then I am scheduled to be induced on Tuesday at 6:30 am.

So if everything goes as planned the baby's birthday will be 11/22/11 (the day I turn 37 weeks). I feel really relieved to know what is happening. I am so happy to have him flipped. I CAN'T believe he flipped. I knew this weekend I was feeling him move SO much more than i had before. It must be because he is bum up now.

That's pretty sad

2011-11-13T12:42:00.001-07:00

Today...Cortney wore some flannel pajama pants. He hardly ever wears pj's. Hardly ever. Christmas morning...and then a couple of random times throughout the winter.

Henry said to Cortney this morning when he saw him in the flannel pants..."mommy's Pants??" While tugging on Cort's pj's. SAD. But hilarious.

Hens

2011-11-12T22:19:00.001-07:00

Henry has been sick this week.

He says "hold you" all the time when he wants us to hold him.

I have been just laying with him and holding him and taking in every second with him as my baby. I feel really sad for him that he is about to get his world rocked. I have been really really trying to savor every minute with him. It honestly makes me cry to think he won't be my littlest one any more. I have really loved having him as my baby...I feel really grateful that I got to have him. I really have been obsessed with him.

As we laid in bed yesterday I talked to him about him getting to be a big brother. He kept laughing and repeating what I said but who knows what that little guy can understand. I told him "you can help me get diapers." to which he responded "diapers?". Haha.

He says THEO so adorably.

And just because a post is pretty boring without pictures...so photobooth pictures we took on thursday...

Today I met up with my Aunt Peggy, cousins Courtney, Kylie, and Brad. We laughed and talked (and ate) for a couple of hours. Honestly it was just what I needed. I haven't just relaxed in a long time. It was Heaven. Plus I got out of my sweatpants which was an event in and of itself. It is nice to get pretty once in a while. :)

update...kinda

2011-11-10T14:22:00.001-07:00

So I have been going in two times a week for AFI (amniotic Fluid index) which is done by ultrasound...and non stress tests. In the AFI they do just as it sounds check my amniotic fluid...in the non stress they are just monitoring the babies heartbeat...and making sure he has natural accelerations in his heartbeat. I think I have had like 10 ultrasounds this pregnancy.

Today I met with another perinatologist, everything still is looking the same. My amniotic fluid went down from 13 cm last week to 8 cm this week. She said that when I go in to be monitored next week on Thursday I need to be prepared for them to tell me that I am having a c section that day. The baby is still breech and most likely won't turn now that the fluid is going down. And because he has problems they wouldn't try to flip him.

While we were having the ultrasound she was trying to get a doppler reading on the umbilical cord but he kept putting his hand in front of it. His hand looked all the way normal, and he was moving it in and out of a fist. It honestly moved me to tears. I don't really know why but it just looked like a good hand.

Then they got this really cute profile picture of him....

I added in some labels because I know some people can't read these things at all. LOOK at how puffed out his lips are. Hahaa. And look at that adorable squished little nose. Every single time I have seen a picture of him (which is quite a few times now) He has had both hands over his face. It is amazing to me that he is a full little person, and that he will be here in a week.

I felt pretty good about the appointment. I have been having a little bit of a hard week this week. Cali is gone. Enough said. hahaa.

I think it is hard for me to have everything not go as planned.

It is really hard for me to not be able to plan. But I honestly don't know one thing that is going to happen. It seems like too many things are out of my control. :)

Hopefully I can blog soon about our new house (well this house just with construction finished)...things are still a wreck around here (which doesn't help me feel settled)...but as soon as I get everything cleaned and put back in order I will post.

I feel way better.

2011-11-03T14:45:00.000-06:00

So this morning I met with my regular OB. Cali and Cortney went with me and I think he really put us at ease.

He said that I can hope for a totally normal baby...something I didn't even think was a possibility at my appointment with the specialist. He explained that that is the perinatologists job. To give you all the bad news and that is just how they have to talk. He said it could be a number of things and that it might be born with some disabilities some worse then others some better then others, but that it could also be nothing.

He said that I WILL be having the baby at 36 or 37 weeks. That gives me 12-19 more days. YIKES that is soon.

He said that because the rest of the baby looks so good, he is really optimistic. He said usually there are more things wrong if the baby has something really wrong.

He said that the baby is measuring small 29-31 weeks instead of 34.5, so even with out the underdeveloped cerebellum they would be delivering him early.

He said I might still be able to have the baby at my regular hospital delivered by him (he said we will know more monday the 14th)

I then went over to get an ultrasound and a non stress test. He came in and talked to me again and said both tests looked just how they wanted.

Then it was over for blood work (they were looking to see if I maybe got some certain type of virus that could cause birth defects).

It was a long exhausting time at the doctor (and always goes over into lunch time so I AM STARVING).

I feel so hopeful. I feel way more relaxed.

I am still preparing myself for all scenarios but I am not letting fear get the best of me.

I haven't been sleeping too well though...I can't stop waiting to feel the baby move.

I can really feel your prayers and I appreciate them so much. Yesterday and today have really been amazing for me.

Sometimes you forget that so many people love you. :)

I have more ultrasounds and non stress tests next week. Monday and Thursday.

Then another doctors appointment on Monday the 14th and I think that is when they will tell me when I am having this baby. I was so worried about having a December baby...I guess that isn't one of my worries any more.

Thanks everyone!

p.s. I put our router in a bag of rice overnight and it works now!!! How awesome is that??

Also...we have no running water over here. I guess we gotta get that fixed pretty soon. :)

my hens is no longer a baby

2011-11-02T23:28:00.001-06:00

This morning I realized I was spending way more time styling Henry's hair then I was my own (which isn't much these days). It had to go.

Doesn't my tile look pretty. I love it.

I thought a 4 would be way longer. It isn't.

This picture is so out of focus but Henry started doing a glaring face this week. He does it all the time.

Doesn't he look grown up? He looks so much more chubby too. Haha.

It seems we have a little less time then we first thought to get the house done before the baby comes. YIKES! Tonight Jory came over to see what we had going on behind the faux tiles in our bathroom. It is pretty much a mess.

The kitchen all done.

Well mostly.

The people that fixed this house up just glued up the fake tile over old tile.

Then we did have a little flood (the faucet blew off and hit cortney in the chest...I did some pretty quick thinking and diverted most of the water into the tub but man water is destructive) that ruined our wireless router. So now I can't check my email in my bed. I have been spending a lot of time in my bed lately. This is really going to put a damper on that.

Dr appointment tomorrow at 10:15. This time Cali and Cortney are both coming with me.
kick counts not as good today. It took over an hour both times to get 10 "movements" not even good kicks. He is probably as exhausted as I am.

I am really ready to get back to normal life. But so glad to get some of this stuff done that has been driving us crazy for years.

What I believe...

2011-11-02T11:42:00.000-06:00

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

In suffering we may be nearer to God than we have ever been in our entire life. That knowledge can turn every situation into a would-be temple. Regarding our earthly journey, the Lord has promised: "I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left. My Spirit shall be in your hearts and mine angels round about you to bear you up." That is an everlasting declaration of God's love and care for us. Including and perhaps especially in times of trouble.

Joey and Cortney gave me a blessing last night, Joey doing the talking, because...this was all a little too new for Cortney to do much talking. But Joey told me that I would have "legions" of angels around me helping me through this. I know this is true.

Also. I cut off Henry's hair. I couldn't help but think "what did I just do?" after the first cut. Pictures will come later.

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow with my regular doctor. I think I will feel better after that.

Thank you so much for your kind words. I am always amazed at the worlds of difference it makes for me. Thank you.

I need your prayers

2011-11-01T22:31:00.000-06:00

So today's ultrasound didn't go quite as I'd planned. First I went all alone because I really thought it was going to be no big deal. The ultrasound tech measured everything and then went to get the doctor.

While I was waiting for the doctor...I started to tear up because I loved that little baby face I saw on the monitor so much. I had a feeling something wasn't quite right.

The perinatologist came in and looked at the baby. Sure enough the tummy is measuring small. But then she said that the right cerebellum is bigger then the left side. I am not really sure what is going on but I know that she is having me come in twice a week for non stress tests and ultrasounds. She also told me that I shouldn't plan on making it to 37 weeks and that I should prepare myself for a c-section. Then she sent me to another room to have a steroid shot to help the baby's lungs incase it is born early. Then to another room to be monitored.

She said that the baby could have problems once he is born and that he will have to have a head ultrasound right when he is born. She also was concerned about getting him here alive and well. She said we could do an amniocentesis to check for genetic disorders but that it will probably be just as fast as waiting for him to get here to test him.

I feel really confused and scared.

I am also trying to have faith that Heavenly Father has a plan for our family.

This is where you guys come in. Tomorrow, I am having my friends and family fast for me and baby Theodore. I know fasting is the worst but I know that it works. Please remember us in your prayers too.

Because I was alone I was just trying to understand all of the things the doctor told me. I didn't ask the questions I should have...so hopefully as the week progresses I will know more.

They did say the heart looked great, my fluid looked great, and that the umbilical cord looked great, she also mentioned that his muscle tone and arms and legs and spine looked great. So I am taking all of those plusses as good things.

They are having me do kick counts twice a day...tonight it only took 11 minutes to get 10 great kicks from Theo. I felt that he was trying to tell me everything was going to be okay. :)

I just want to say...I love you all. Friends and family really are amazing. I don't know what I would do without you all.

We have been SO busy

2011-11-01T12:05:00.003-06:00

We have been going crazy non stop over here. Remember how I decided to paint the front room...well one thing led to another and...

Now we have a pile of crap sitting out on our back "porch".

Our very good friend Jory (lets face it by this point the man is family...we practically lived together this last week. I honestly think I saw him more than my own kids...hahaa) does tile and said he would help us tile some of the parts of our house.

We pulled out the carpet in our hallway and entryway. Removed the flooring (and added new subflooring) in the bathroom.

Added a new vanity (we got the whole vanity for 70 bucks...it was a display at home depot)

Entryway. So happy to be done with traffic patterns.

Kitchen.

The tile is all done now. It looks AMAZING. We got the big tile for 32 cents a square foot. It was 75 percent off.

It was crazy hard work (mostly for Jory)...we went days without toilets and showers. I love it. I owe Jory (and Sherry...his wife) my life.

We still have lots to do (we have more tiles to do the shower surround)...but it was a great start. Wow. What a difference it makes.

There was a million layers of old flooring in our kitchen. They stunk so bad. YUCK!

Oh also amidst all of this I was in charge of the ward Halloween party/dinner. I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Yesterday was halloween. Duh. Yesterday morning I went in for my 34 week ultrasound/appointment. The baby's tummy is measuring small, off the charts small. So I have to go meet with a perinatologist today. That is a little stressful.

Plus the baby doesn't move much, so the doctor wanted me to head over to labor and delivery. I headed over to be monitored, and had to call Cali to go and get my kids ready for their Halloween parade. I really didn't have time for that but...we got it all done and taken care of. I don't know what I would do without her. The baby was just fine. Then I went and got more bloodwork done and made it to the parade just in time. Pheeeww. Rob said he kept saying in his heart "please let her be here" Hahaa.

My baby is breech right now and since he doesn't move (AT ALL) I think he won't turn on his own. My kids have never been head up before. Never. Anyways.

Halloween night was pretty fun. We had tons of kids and tons of candy. All in all a good time.

We decided to NOT buy costumes this year and pulled two mickey costumes out of our costume reserve.

Fiona

Grace turned 5 on sunday and got a bike.

Zombie Jack and Fiona.

Yup...Rob was a ghost yet again. Scary faces.

Hens was a dressed as a fancy mickey. in a tuxedo.

ME at 34 weeks.

Tyson was a BYU fan.

Cute

Oliver was a football player.

Look at all these kids. There were tons. it was crazy.

I am so happy.

2011-10-25T17:26:00.002-06:00

I have been wanting to journal everyday but I am too lazy.

Henry had his tongue cut and his tubes put in on October 13th. We had to be at the surgery center at 6:30 a.m. Cali took my kids over night so that was REALLY helpful. It was really nice to not have to wake my kids up and then take them over to her house. Especially since it was still dark out when we left the house.

He had to fast...but since he hardly eats a thing it wasn't much of a problem. I on the other hand wasn't feeling too good. It was too early for my pregnant tummy.

It was his birthday. Poor baby.

These are all blurry phone pictures but they are all we have. They took Henry away to surgery in a wagon. It is kind of a bad feeling to see your kid wheeled away. He was so cute all morning. Poor little thing didn't know what was coming.

The nurse carried him back in kicking and screaming when the surgery was over. I couldn't believe how strong he was. He is just like me when he is hurt. He doesn't want anyone near him. He just wanted to be left alone. Unfortunately that wasn't an option. We asked him if he wanted to go home...he said yeah, and we left. He was much happier after that.

I can't remember if I wrote this already or not but both ears were so infected they exploded when the doctor cut into them. Gross.

His doctor said he would probably feel better after the surgery then he did before. She was right.

He healed so well. It really was no big deal. He is such a good baby.

This last week was fall break for the kids. Since we are broke...we decided to stay home for the vacation. I knew the kids would drive me crazy if we just stayed home so I talked Cali into going to the church history museum in Salt Lake.

It was awesome.

The have a kids section with all sorts of awesome displays for the kids to play with. Add in some Senior missionary couples taking care of everything and it is pretty awesome.

Noni

They had an awesome kitchen set up...and then a poster talking about having missionaries over for dinner. The kids loved it.

Here we are in front of the museum by a little log cabin.

We then walked over to temple square. We went in the old tabernacle and listened to them tune the organ or something. The kids thought it was AWESOME. Then we went over to the visitors center to see the statue of Christ.

our kids minus the babies. Henry kept pointing to the planet earth and saying "ball" when we left he said "bu bye ball"

The kids thought the echo in the room was awesome.

By this point the babies had had enough. But the big kids REALLY wanted to see the conference center. So we headed over and instead of doing the whole tour the people there just let us show the kids the inside of the meeting hall. Even the babies thought the meeting hall was amazing. It really is though.

In front of the conference center.

It was such a great day. I couldn't believe we had never taken them before. Our kids loved every part...not just the kids part of the museum but also the history part. It really reminded me of when I was little because I went to a lot of church museums. :)

It is a must do if you live around here.

In other news...my love language is ACTS OF SERVICE.

I love when someone does the dishes for me. I love when the house is clean. LOVE IT.

I have been nesting so bad but I can't get as much done as I would like because I have Henry to take care of all the time. With all of these pregnancy hormones in me a messy house was making me feel like no one cared about me. I know this isn't true but I couldn't help it.

Last night Jory was over here chatting and I told him how bad I wanted the house painted. (that was at 10 pm mind you). He said..."lets do it right now". I jumped on that one and broke out the paint. He stayed and helped us and the three of us painted our front room. We finished a little before 1 am. It was AWESOME. All day today I have been sitting on my couch with the biggest smile on my face. I can't get over how happy it makes me feel to have it done. Seriously.

Thats all.

good ole days

2011-10-19T15:12:00.000-06:00

So today I am cleaning out the storage room...just trying to get ready for the baby that is coming in 7 weeks!

I came across the first picture ever taken of Cortney and I together. My roommate and BFF Amber snuck the camera out to get a picture of us. It was totally planned. hahaa. I only have this one copy and it was just randomly sitting in a box of ammo. So I thought I would scan it and at least preserve it on here. I love it.

We first met October 21st 13 years ago. Man time sure flies.

FHE

2011-10-18T23:45:00.001-06:00

We decided last minute to go "hiking" up the canyon with the Emig's for Family night this week. Cali and I both scrambled to throw together a picnic dinner, and we met up the canyon for some good ole fashioned family fun.

Cali, Grandma and I stayed back while the husbands took the kids on a short hike. The canyon was filled with beautiful colors and it was pretty chilly out so it really felt like fall.

As you will be able to tell by these pictures there was definitely no moms around. Haha.

Yeah this is a picture of the three oldest boys crossing a river on a log. No big deal.

I would have for sure been freaking out if I had been there.

Here Henry wants to try too...of course.

There are lots of pictures of Joe and the kids...absolutely non of Rob though. I don't know how that happened. He must have not been holding still enough.

If you look behind Jack you can kinda see Rob's head. Haha.

Grace, Jack, Rob, Oliver, Tyson, Carolina.

My friend Kelly (Nicole's sister) brought me over some little boy baby clothes the other day. This vintage jacket that Henry is wearing was one of the things she brought over. How sweet was that of her??

Cute huh?

I had to put this one in because Grace looks like some sort of Scandinavian goddess.

Joe and his girls.

More Hens. Cortney was trying to get a cute picture of Henry in the coat but that light was low and the baby wouldn't stop moving.

The four boys...Notice Rob between Oli and Ty laying on the ground some how.

Emigs. Looking blond and beautiful.

Oli.

Yup...definitely no moms anywhere in sight.

Henry Running to us.

Grandma with a tarheels hat on and a open face bologna sandwich. She loves those things. She loves to say..."it's nice being queen".

I love this picture of us. Even though my STOMACH looks enormous.

We had Hot chocolate and apple juice along with our picnic. It was freezing but fun. I love FHE when we get out and do something.

All of the sudden

2011-10-16T19:05:00.000-06:00

All of the sudden my clothes don't fit. I was thinking maternity clothes were such a waste...and then pow...no clothes fit me.

I can't help but change into pj's the second I get home. (read...I wear pj's all day then) Cortney said he had to document just how bad it has gotten, Friday night when we were at Winco.

32 weeks pregnant

The worst part was I was wearing kinda dressy shoes. Yikes. And yes...that is a South Campus sweatshirt. Why isn't this fashionable??

the party

2011-10-16T11:44:00.002-06:00

I use the term "party" very loosely. Haha.

We had decided we would have a gabba gabba birthday but because we NEVER EVER plan anything in advance and because there isn't any gabba birthday stuff at any party store around it was more like a gabba watching party. (longest sentence evah)

We had some of the babies favorites for dinner. Pizza, Tator tots and grapes. Henry ate more then he has in his whole life. Whenever he sees Fiona eat it makes him eat too. Grapes are a brand new thing he eats. I couldn't be happier.

Just a funny picture of the both of the babies eating.

We played the game "wiggle wiggle wiggle stop, hold still" from Yo gabba. The babies were so happy. Plus the older kids thought it was pretty funny too.

Gotta love Joe.

Henry and Jack getting their hug on.

Next up a very jumbled version of duck duck goose. The babies were still a little young for that game.

We also played ring around the rosies and an animal game where they have to pretend to be whatever animal I say. You wouldn't think it would be fun, but our kids always love it. I made it one day when Cali and I were trying to lay in bed with tons of little babies around. (a long time ago)

Present time.

Presents from grandma.

Henry loved all of his presents.

Nona too.

Henry got this helicopter and the blades actually move. Although his arms aren't quite long enough and they just him them in the face with every pass. He still loves it.

Cupcakes that we thought looked pretty close to Yo Gabba Gabba.

A bad picture of them blowing out the candles. They both knew how to blow...it was cute.

Of course my picky eater didn't even taste his cupcake. Crazy kid. He doesn't even know what he is missing...but I figured I shouldn't make him taste it on his birthday. haha.

If you weren't invited PLEASE, don't be offended. No one was invited. We just had all of the kids which is more people then should ever be there. It was chaotic and loud. But the babies loved it.

Henry got:

A ball toy from Mom and Dad (me duh)

A helicopter from Grandma Connie and Grandpa Doug

A Jeep Safari Little people from Grandma Berta and Grandpa Bob

A Tool set from Grandma Jones

and a Mr Potato Head from our neighbor Sarah.

It is crazy how many toys that is and we only gave him 1.

Happy Birthday Hens and Noni.

2 years old.

2011-10-13T17:54:00.001-06:00

Three birthdays...I can't believe how fast time flies.

I am going to do this post in parts...mainly because I want to get some pictures up for the grandparents...oh plus Cali hasn't seen them yet either.

First though, Henry's surgery went great. The doctor said his ears were so full of puss they practically exploded when she sliced into them. So glad he is finally getting tubes. The sad part is he was so happy yesterday ear infections and all. We went in at 7 and were out of there by 8:30. His tongue is bothering him quite a bit...but he has still been pretty happy.

Now on to the babies. We decided last minute to take some pictures of them. Honestly we were outside 10 minutes before it got dark but it is always worth the effort. The babies were harder to photograph this year because they are way more opinionated. I can't believe how much they have grown from last year.

This is the face Noni makes when you say smile.

I love fiona's dramatics in this picture. We had a lot of issues trying to get them in the chairs they wanted. Plus she wanted Cortney's rattle that he uses to get kids attention.

There we go, they were finally happy with the chair arrangement.

hugs...

kisses.

ring around the rosies.

Cheese!

They were fascinated by this caterpillar they found. It almost put an end to the photo shoot.

Can you see it there in Fi's hands. Cali has them all over their yard.

We had to recreate this picture from last year. Henry was much more willing this time around. I couldn't believe how much they have changed. I feel like they look the same. Fiona's hair is so long...and really so is Henry's. He looks a lot less chubby too now.

Henry started bucking her like a wild bronco. It was hilarious. All of the adults were laughing so hard.

Fiona thought it was fun for a while.

I couldn't resist these of her falling off. She really wasn't crying the whole time. I think it is just a girl thing. (I guess I will never know for myself...haha)

Cali and Fiona Calista. (Cali and I didn't really get ready that day...just a disclaimer)

The four of us. For traditions sake.

Who knows what we are doing here...but I love Cali and they way my eyes are bugging out.

Love Fiona in this picture.

This is what they really wanted to be doing...not taking pictures. It really is a lot to ask of two two year olds. It is always a pain to take pictures but I am so glad we did.

Busy

2011-10-12T23:40:00.001-06:00

I have been meaning to post forever, but I don't have a computer at home right now...and typing on my iPad stinks. Today we celebrated Henry and fiona's birthday...it was hectic and fun.Tomorrow, Henry's actual birthday he will be having surgery to put tubes in his ears and have his tongue tie clipped. She said they had to take a wedge out. Poor baby. I know it is no big deal but it still makes me sad for him. Sad for me. I have been going crazy around here. I have lots to post about (wonderful weekend away with my girl cousins).Hopefully tomorrow won't be too sad. :)

Conference

2011-10-02T13:03:00.002-06:00

I love conference. It is one of my favorite things all year. It does however get a little harder when you have a really small house...and three really wild boys. Yesterday I put the two big boys downstairs with a movie while we watched...which helped big time. Having them watch it with us this morning was torture. In fact I am still not wound down from it. It started out good...

We had cinnamon rolls and sausage with chocolate milk and Orange juice.

After eating Henry was just crying or hitting or trying to get us to go outside for the rest of the entire time. I just kept turning the volume up louder and louder.

I did snap this picture of Henry during the opening prayer. He loves to pray. We sometimes have to say 3 prayers during dinner. He stops everyone if anyone stops folding their arms at any point during the prayer. He also loves to say his prayers before bed...and will even stop throwing a tantrum to be reverent to say his prayers. Cute boy.

Yesterday's conference was awesome. I made some yummy food (I may have eaten a whole bag of fried hash browns all by myself throughout the day yesterday. YIKES...I opted not to make them today because I knew I would be the only one eating them), and then for the first time we sent the boys away and didn't try to make them watch it. It was really nice and relaxing. Henry stayed and watched it with us but he was pretty cute.

Here he is hiding in some of Cortney's hunting clothes.

Cortney bought these rediculous sunglasses for me a couple of years ago...I love them though because I don't like any sun getting in my eyes and with these it is impossible. Henry looks even more ridiculous then me. Haha. He sure loves his dad.

After the first session we went to ikea because we were running low on cups. We got the two older boys into the play place right away and then Cortney and I and Henry had a lovely time walking around. (Rob did get everyone kicked out of the balls in the play place...that kid)

We made it back right in time for the afternoon session and it was just what I needed.

I can't believe there is going to be Provo temple. So exciting. I really love the gospel.

Sandbox

2011-09-26T18:40:00.001-06:00

The other day I had to have Cortney run get the camera because this is what I found Henry outside doing.

A poor man's sand box. Hahaa. Our house doesn't have gutters so when it rains the water goes into our flower beds and collects in a pool right where Henry is sitting. Then...it dries and makes this fun dirt pile.

Dirty baby always getting into trouble. You may see a lot of plastic cups in this post. On Saturday one of Rob's chores was to pick up cups and plates from outside...there were something like 10. What?

Oliver is getting so good at skating. He is obsessed. He told me the other day he was a "skater" and I kinda didn't like it. I don't want him defining himself so soon in life.

Look at how high off the ground he is. I could never in a million years imagine doing something like this.

Oh plus look at Henry, he has escaped. He loves escaping.

Showing Henry the ropes.

I love to sit on my front steps. I do every evening. The weather right now is amazing.

Plus it needs to be noted that I am wearing a skirt that I have worn since I was pregnant with Oliver.

Proof that I have been wearing this skirt for so long. This is a picture of me jumping on the tramp when I was pregnant with Oliver in 2003. I wasn't really jumping...I jumped for the picture. This was my due date. I was trying to get him to come out. Such a horrible picture of me. Hard to believe I was 23 in that picture. This picture was taken with ACTUAL FILM...not digital. Hahaa. I think it is really funny.

While we were outside Henry got out of the fence. And was knocking on our neighbor's front door. I sent Oliver over to get him. Having older kids really rules. I love how much Oliver helps me out. Rob is a big help too. It is so nice.

I love Oliver's happy face in this picture. Henry DID NOT want Oliver to bring him home...so I sent over the big guns. And by big guns I mean, not me.

Henry was fighting as hard as he could to not get carried back to the house. I had to include a million photos of his little break down. They make me laugh so hard. All week I kept looking at these on Cortney's camera and it would make me so happy. What a little diva.

Notice the cups in the background...they are like easter eggs. I love Cortney's face because you can tell he is being so sweet and nice to Henry. Saying soothing words. Henry could care less. I also love these pictures because it really shows how big HENRY is. Where did my baby go??

I sure love this boy.

And this one too.

Rob and our neighbor Kempton riding off into the sunset together.

Rob doing some tricks.

It is so hard getting our kids in bed when it is so wonderful in the evenings. It really is the best time to be sitting around outside.

Tonight Cortney took our two older boys to the School roller skating night. We have always all gone...but I think Henry would be a nightmare. He is getting to old to sit in the stroller the whole night, yet not big enough to skate on his own. He was so sad when they left. Luckily it isn't something Barney can't solve. He loves Barney. It is his bedtime in 20 minutes...I start to countdown right at six. I love 7 p.m. bedtimes. :)

p.s. My legs are sore from all the running around I had to do IN HIGH HEELS for the primary program...yikes...can I really be that out of shape? I haven't worn heels really since I was called to be president. We don't have a primary room so we meet in the gym with hard wood floors...I can't wear shoes that are too loud or uncomfy.

I'm on top of the world.

2011-09-25T22:44:00.006-06:00

Today was the primary program. I am so glad it is over. Honestly.

It turned out great...at least considering I have NO experience with this kind of thing and absolutely no clue what I am doing. About 6 weeks ago someone from the bishopric said to me "you know the primary program is coming up next month, right?"..."um NO I DIDN'T, thanks for the heads up." hahah.

The kids were reverent. They all got up and did their parts. They sang the songs pretty loud. The teachers were all there and did exactly what they were supposed to do. Rob and Oli had their parts memorized...along with a lot of the other kids. We even had a bunch of kids show up that hadn't come during the practices. It was great. I was so proud of them.

There is something about having it all done and over with that makes me feel like a million bucks. Cortney said now that it is over I don't have anything to stress about until the baby comes (10 more weeks by the way). Which is totally true. Well I guess I am in charge of a nativity and a halloween party in between. I hate having things I am in charge of. I was really worrying about this program.

Being in the primary is totally out of my comfort zone. I am really starting to come around to it though. :)

Cali took Henry during church, so I wouldn't have to deal with him trying to go up and sit by Cortney the whole time. It was a life saver.

After church, Cameron and Leah came up for dinner. It was great to see them too.

Then one of my teachers brought this by tonight. A sketch she made of me today. Totally, exactly what my dress looked like...and what I look like in it. I thought it was the sweetest thing. She is one of my good friends (although 8 years younger then me and single) and moving soon...we are going to miss her so much. She has been Rob's primary teacher for 2 years. That alone makes her an angel. She also taught Oliver when he was 4. She is amazing. The scan doesn't do it justice. I wish you could see how awesome it really looks. I did notice I look kinda stressed. Hahaa. She is good.

Now for some random pictures I have taken lately (and since I took them most are out of focus....oh well)

The other morning I woke up and walked into the kitchen to this sight. My three boys sitting on a blanket eating pumpkin scones. So cute.

These pumpkin scones are seriously the bomb. Do people say that anymore, I really don't think so...but they are. Truly. I got the recipe a couple of years ago from a cooking blog and Cali and I are OBSESSED. Even Cortney who doesn't like pumpkin all that much thinks they are one of the best things ever. And so good for breakfast.

My new oven that makes all the scones possible. (they smell so good cooking)

I sat the babies up in a chair the other day to take their picture. I would have never guessed that they would both be blond, and fair. But they really look like they could be twins. More than Kate and Owen ever did.

They love each other and only fight occasionally (right now they are fighting over this ugly ratty naked barbie whose legs light up...they both love her). He always says "hey Noni" and she says "Hey Henry" right back. They kiss and hug all the time.

Noni (short for Fiona) always has her hair in her eyes. It doesn't matter how many times a day Cali puts it in a pony tail it just falls right out. The girl has slickery hair just like me.

2 little trouble makers. I can't believe they are going to be 2 soon.

I pushed her hair out of her eyes for her. What a sweet pair. (she is a little taller then him)

Here is the scone recipe. You can find it all over the internet and is supposed to be a copy cat recipe of Starbuck's scone. Everyone does a double glaze but I found that it only needs the spiced one. It really cuts down the time it takes to make it and you can't tell the difference at all.

Amazing to die for Pumpkin Scones from My Baking Addiction:

Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Scones
adapted from: recipezaar

Ingredients
Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
7 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
6 tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
3 tablespoons half-and-half
1 tsp vanilla paste
1 large egg
1/2 cup mini cinnamon chips (Made by Hersey's I found them here in Utah at Ridley's on orem center street...they don't say mini on the bag I don't believe, they are such a delicious addition.)

Spiced Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch ginger
1 pinch ground cloves

Directions
to make the scones
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices in a large bowl. Using a pastry knife, fork, or food processor, cut butter into the dry ingredients until mixture is crumbly and no chunks of butter are obvious. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin, half and half, vanilla paste and egg. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix in mini cinnamon chips. Form the dough into a ball.
4. Pat out dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into an 8-inch circle and about 1 inch thick. Use a large knife or a pizza cutter to slice the dough into 8 equal triangular portions. Place on prepared baking sheet. (I just make it into a rectangle and then with a pizza cutter cut 16 smaller squares...i find it cooks more evenly when it is cut smaller)
5. Bake for 14–16 minutes. Scones should begin to turn light brown. Place on wire rack to cool. ( I always cook for 12 minutes so watch them...you just want them light brown)

to make the plain glaze (I TOTALLY SKIP THIS STEP)
-Mix the powdered sugar and 2 tbsp milk together until smooth.
-When scones are cool, use a brush to paint plain glaze over the top of each scone.

as the plain glaze firms up, make the spiced glaze
-Combine the ingredient for the spiced icing together. Drizzle this thicker icing over each scone and allow the icing to dry before serving (at least 1 hour). A squirt bottle works great for this, or you can drizzle with a whisk. (INSTEAD OF DRIZZLING THIS GLAZE I PAINT IT ON WITH A PASTRY BRUSH LIKE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO THE PLAIN GLAZE...IT MAY NEED A LITTLE MORE MILK ADDED...YOU WANT IT TO PAINT ON PRETTY EASY...oh AND YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GET ALL SIDES BUT THE BOTTOM WITH THE FROSTING. YUM)

Honestly you might die when you taste how good these are. You are welcome.

I linked to the Original recipes if you want to see what they had to say about them.

The little things

2011-09-14T00:21:00.002-06:00

Cortney brought home a new oven tonight. New to us that is. I am ecstatic. I made the kids some chicken nuggets real quick tonight and I was so happy. They were so crisp and hot...imagine that. I feel so grateful. Grateful to have so much. We got it off ksl for 100 bucks and it is way nicer than our old oven...plus it cooks food. It is a miracle.

We went as long as we could without one but my pregnant body is demanding pumpkin scones. Also the change in the weather makes me want to bake. I love this time of year. It makes me so happy.

26 (and a half) weeks

2011-09-09T00:34:00.003-06:00

Today I had a doctors appointment. I forgot I wasn't supposed to eat sugar because it was time for my glucose test and for breakfast I had a rice krispy treat and a couple of fruit snacks. I don't usually eat so unhealthy but this morning I was in a rush to get Oliver out the door and myself read on top of that. Whoops. The nurses said I wouldn't probably pass the glucose test so to come back another day. It made me so sad that Cali isn't pregnant because a 1 hour glucose test is way funner with your sister sitting beside you.

I could have sworn I was 28 weeks but I am only 26 and a half. So far I am having heart burn like crazy, and I can't breathe at all...Cortney said it might be because I am not in shape. Hahaa. I really think it has to do more with the heartburn. I am so tired too. Last time I was pregnant I nested like crazy the whole time. This time I want everything clean and spotless I just want someone else to do it. The baby is really active. He has just started to get the hic-cups and the other day he woke me up in the night for the first time. He never moves when Cortney tries to feel him move, and when I get up in the night to go to the bathroom he totally wakes up.

I always hate having only one bathroom when I am pregnant because I have to trek up stairs in the night multiple times. I have decided however, as I cleaned the tub yesterday, that cleaning one tub while you are pregnant is more than enough. It is just so hard to lean over my tummy and impossible for me to kneel down with my bad knees. So maybe one bathroom isn't so bad after all. I don't know how I would clean any more tubs than what I have now.

So we took some more pictures tonight...I decided to wear the same shirt and also have another one of my kids looking pretty trashy in the background...so we could stick with a theme. Haaha.

I love that Rob is pulling a huge chunk of bubble gum out of his mouth. Little does he know it is sugar free. :)

As Cort was taking my picture our lovely neighbors rode by on their bikes. We stopped and chatted for a while.

Cute hens, and Cort. He doesn't leave Cortney's side when he is home. He LOVES him.

I can't resist how cute he looks in these so there are a lot of Henry.

I don't know what we are doing in this picture but it is funny. Rob with no shirt, Me leaning over the fence like a weirdo, Henry in size 5 shorts (poor kid...his hand-me downs aren't as nice as they once were...haha...and to think I have to dress one more boy in these clothes. The shirt he is wearing and the shorts were Tyson and Jacks before they were ours. YIKES.) Oliver showing our neighbors an old biking wound. Funny picture.

Henry is a mountain goat. He climbs things all day long. Today at the grocery store he got out of the car cart and silently climbed a huge flour display. All while I was looking at chocolate chips. He is crazy.

I know I have my eyes closed in this picture, but I know some day I won't have kids climbing all over me and I will miss it. I know that day I will love this picture.

And in case you didn't get enough one last adorable picture of Henry.

We talked outside with our neighbors until I remembered I was burning dinner inside. Oops. We had partially burned sausage with our eggs and toast (remember still no oven...I have to be pretty creative) but I thought it was still delicious. And well worth it, to have wonderful conversations outside in beautiful weather. (here is to 12.5 more weeks until this baby comes...can't wait)

Labor Day

2011-09-07T22:00:00.005-06:00

I need to post more...but I have lost all desire. I hate that I am not posting more because I love more than anything going back and knowing what we did on a specific day in 2007. I hate that I have fallen so far behind. Sam told me I need to post more. I agree. But I can't seem to get the get up and go to do anything. Anything.

On Labor day we decided that instead of sitting around the house wishing for something to do we would plan something and go do it. Ha a novel idea. It is hard here because going out on a holiday guarantees that you will spend your holiday with every other single kid in the state. We decided it was still better than sitting home.

So we decided we would take the kids to bridal veil falls. It has been FOREVER since we have stopped there. It has been so long they don't even remember the last time we went. I knew that the kids would finally be old enough to climb up to the middle part of the fall. It amazes me as our kids get older that they can actually do stuff. Rob was pretty freaked out as we got to the bottom and decided he didn't want to do it. Ha. That kid. We convinced him he would love it, and that it wasn't dangerous and he decided he would go. Henry and I stayed and walked around in the grassy area of the park. He also threw about a million rocks into the river. I thought it would take a lot longer but the boys were up and back really fast. They had a great time. Of course we don't have pictures of their climb but we have some from the park.

Henry had the time of his life. He loves his brothers and loves running wild. He falls down so much it is amazing. Cortney probably caught 15 blurry pictures of different falls that Henry had.

What a big boy...he was smiling so big the whole time.

It amazes me to watch what good friends Oliver and Hens are. They play together everyday. I hope Henry always loves him...even when he thinks he is just his OLD fogey brother that doesn't know anything.

Love

You can just see the adoration on that little boys face.

Rob was in his element. He loves exploring outdoors. He was running up and down the little streams. Oh...and he lost another bottom tooth.

more smiles.

I am always doing funny things with my mouth. Maybe it is because it is never still. haha. Cortney said before he took this picture..."do you want me to take the back pack so you don't look so geeky?" Haha. I told him I was way beyond caring about being cool.

Henry throwing rocks. (me at 26 weeks) I am in the awkward stage of pregnancy where no maternity clothes fit and where my regular clothes are starting to get uncomfy. (I have NO BUM when I am pregnant and all pants just fall right off of me. It is crazy. I don't know where my bum goes...but I guess it is from being so sick for so long.)

I decided to take Henry's pants and shoes off and let him get in the river. I thought he would love it.

in...

Nope too cold mom...

and out.

Oli looking cute.

In this picture Henry climbed up by me so he could get on my back so I could take him somewhere. I was refusing and he was getting mad. Haha. Funny baby loves to get on my "back, back".

We had a lovely picnic in the park (until a dog ate Henry's whole lunch...grrr...dog owners who don't put their dogs on leashes drive me crazy...especially since the park was filled with a million people.). It was a great day. It felt nice to actually go and do something. Afterwards Henry and I were exhausted...so we came home and napped. All in all a great labor day.

Kindergarten

2011-09-01T09:33:00.006-06:00

I can't believe I left you all for a whole week having to look at what was lodged inside our toilet. Sorry about that.

Rob started kindergarten on Tuesday. HALLELUJAH. He was really excited. He ended up getting the same teacher that Oliver had for kinder, so he was really happy about that. She really is so cute and nice, she should be a good fit for Rob.

He wasn't nervous at all just excited. We decided to put him in afternoon kinder. I wasn't sure how I felt about that, but then the first day came and sure enough he was still sleeping at 9:15. He is just a late riser....and so grouchy too. I think it will be way better for him in the afternoon. All it means for me is that he has to come with me to run my errands. Boo. Oh well though, maybe it will keep him from being too mean at school.

Cortney was out of town the first day and I thought he had the camera with him...so I had to take pictures with my phone. Turns out Cortney didn't have the camera. haha.

Rob didn't want his head shaved this year.

What a cutie.

He all of the sudden is super picky about what he wears. But not in a what's cool kinda way. He just wants it to be super comfy. He doesn't like pants that are long (read he wants to wear highwaters), shorts that are too long, they itch his legs, or shirts that are too big. It has been a real chore finding something he will wear to school. (2 days in) He also is real particular about socks. It is crazy.

Henry spent the whole day saying "where's bob?"

I took him to school lunch before the school day. He loves school lunch.

Oliver and Rob after school together. Oliver has been coming home grumpy. I think it is just that he is tired...and not used to the schedule.

Rob said his first day was great. He did however say later he had to sit by himself because he was "fainting" a lot. Hahaa. Oh boy. I just hope he can be good. I know he is so smart...that isn't the issue for me...I know he will learn...I just pray he can be good.

One thing I have noticed is he is way worse in the fall when it is allergy season. He takes zyrtec (costco generic kind) and I think it makes him act crazy. Has anyone encountered things like that before??? I am going to try him on claratin today. We will see.

Now I have some random cell phone pictures I wanted to post.

My grandma Jones has been living with Cali since December. It is so fun to have her here but she is gone in Arizona right now for some Dr. appointments. We sure miss her. Henry (and of course my other boys) loves her so much. He loves to go sit by her in her chair.

Henry at Justin's house with some sweet shades and a tank suit.

We made a trip to the dinosaur museum for one of the 2 dollar tuesdays. We went an hour before closing time and didn't have to deal with crowds too much. It was really fun to get out as a family.

Horrible pictures but the only proof we were there. Henry loved the place. He ran from exhibit to exhibit.

Cali and I have been waiting ages for a cereal sale (our kids eat LOTS of cereal)...finally there was one. This is just Cali's stuff. With my stuff too we could barely fit ourselves in the car. I had to hold a bunch of groceries on my lap. It was CRAZY.

That is all.

finally I can flush again

2011-08-24T09:24:00.002-06:00

I like to post news worth events on here and let me tell you this is one of them. About a month ago Rob frantically called me into the bathroom. Henry had flushed a floss pack (i don't know what you call them) down the toilet and the string was coming out of the hole inside the toilet. We pulled the floss out hoping to get the plastic case it comes in too...but no such luck. I stuck my arm down as far as it would go and even tried a hanger. NO LUCK. Henry's absolute favorite place to play in the house is hands down the bathroom. He isn't even allowed in there. But that never stops him. Anyways, this one was the worst. After some google-ing and then after Cortney and I tried to snake it out...I knew that the toilet would have to come out. Unfortunately that didn't happen for almost a month.

The toilet wasn't affecting Cortney too much so it just wasn't on his list of things to take care of right away. We have had tons of stuff going on and you know how it is...

In the meantime I was plunging the toilet a million times a day. The boys were starting to stop flushing for fear of flooding. And Henry was flooding the bathroom every time he could sneak in there. Even with just water in there, if he flushed it enough times and fast enough the toilet would overflow.

WHAT A MESS. I was fit to be tied. I was so annoyed.

Have I mentioned before we only have one bathroom....Yeah it was pretty bad.

So on Saturday, Cortney decided to make my life A LOT easier and fixed the toilet for me. Yay.

Gross right?? Sure enough this little bad boy was lodged right near the base of the toilet.

So nice to have a boy that knows how to fix things.

After we got the toilet fixed and put back together...I just flushed and flushed. Every time I flush I am so happy. TMI. Maybe. But man it has really made my month.

Working plumbing...good thing.

2nd grade

2011-08-24T00:12:00.002-06:00

Today Oliver started the second grade. I couldn't sleep last night because I was so nervous for him. I just know that feeling of being in a new class. Being worried and nervous. Ohh being a parent is so hard sometimes, because you know exactly what your kids are going through and life is hard...you know??

Cortney gave Oliver a blessing and then Henry got up in the chair he wanted his turn too... (yes his face is covered in cheetos from the night before....haha) Oh my little Henry...sure is growing up.

Rob lost his first tooth last week. Cute.

Henry really looks grown up standing here in between the two boys. Cute cute.

Almost time to go.

I had to take this picture of him once we got to the school. Look at that face. Doesn't it look scared. Poor baby. Oh it hurts my heart.

look at that....a picture of total and utter discomfort. It kills me how nervous this boy gets...I was just the same. I love him so much.

It was crazy having him gone all day. Henry kept saying "where's Oli?" all day long. When I went to go pick the boy up he said that no one in his class liked him...but he was just trying to play a joke on me. haha real funny. He had a good time. He doesn't like sitting indian style on the carpet....he says it hurts his legs so bad. Maybe he will reconsider wearing skinny jeans every day. He also said his teacher was bossy. Almost as bossy as me....hahaha. I like that. Keep him in line. I LOVE SCHOOL. It makes me so happy to have my kids learning new things. I love it.

Mike and Allies wedding...otherwise known as 42 hours of driving

2011-08-21T21:51:00.008-06:00

In the end of June we packed up our car for our "summer vacation". We realized that Tyler and Nicole were going to be in Rexburg for the 4th and we hadn't seen Bob and Roberta and the gang since Christmas, so we decided to head up to Rexburg first. Wow long sentence. I Love love Rexburg in the summer. There is hardly anything better. Cool days, cold nights...beautiful farm land. I love it. Plus Bob and Roberta have all sorts of time off, so we always get to see them lots. I think it is my kids favorite place to be. They love it there. Honestly, the trip was so long ago I've forgotten what we even did but I will try to remember. I mean if you don't journal it...you don't get credit for it later right?? We have no pictures from our time in Rexburg, of course.

We spent most of our time hanging out, the boys got to play with Kelson, Carson and Cooper a ton which really made the trip so fun. Nicole and I had some wonderful girl bonding time doing things like hanging out at Walmart and D.I. Nicole cut my hair too...which made my trip.

All the fun was kinda cut short when Tyler crashed really badly mountain biking and was pretty seriously hurt. It was scary. Luckily nothing keeps that man down and he didn't break anything.

Sunday (July 3rd) we loaded up the car at around 8 a.m. and got on the road to Roseburg, Oregon to visit Sam and Kyle before the wedding. Wow. What a crazy long day of driving that was. I have never had such a long day since I have had kids. We were all going crazy. My two older boys were perfect angels sleeping and resting the whole day. Henry was pretty sad on and off and slept maybe an hour or two the whole time.

Here is Henry strapped in while I went to the bathroom. I couldn't resist how cute he was. (wal-mart bathroom getting treats)

The drive took us 16 hours!! We stopped in Bend (where we used to live) around dinner time and had a slice from our favorite pizza place. We took the kids down by the river and ate it there. It was beautiful and reminded us why we wanted to live there so bad. We ended up pulling into Roseburg around 1 in the morning. We were TIRED.

Here we are in Bend. Cortney and I really loved our time there. If only we had some family that lived there, oh and a great job that would have helped too.

Oh and yes, I am wearing sweats...I wasn't out of place there at all though...there were all sorts of people out and about this day.

My boys are such good travelers.

The next day was the 4th of July. Justin and Angelique were also at sam's and we spent the day at a park on the Umpqua river. It is beautiful there. Really. At the park Kyle noticed a line for food so we got in it and had some free BBQ. It was really funny. The kids all got in the river and found shells, crabs, and fish.

Then we went back and had a delish BBQ, and lit some fire works.

Me and my boys.

I had forgotten how cute Henry's long hair was. (I cut it shortly after we got back) He was made to live in Oregon. The humidity made his hair BEAUTIFUL. Perfectly curly always. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. Here in utah it is just a frizzy lions mane.

Henry would act scared when the fireworks would start and come running to me saying..."B, B, B." Who knows what that means.

After a couple of fun days hanging out in Roseburg, we loaded up and headed to the wedding in Portland. I'm not going to lie...I was just starting to feel better and it was a pretty stressful trip having my kids with me. Weddings just aren't that kid friendly. But...we made it through (barely).

We met my parents at Costco in Portland. It was great seeing them after 18 months of them being gone. My kids were over the moon about seeing them. It really was one of the best parts of the trip for them.

We later went to the hotel and got ready to go to the endowment session. Angelique, the angel that she is said she would watch my kids for me while we went. That means she had 5 kids in a hotel room for 3 hours. YIKES. I appreciated that so much...and honestly a trip to the temple was just what I needed in my life. It really made me feel a lot calmer. Afterwards we dropped Oli and Rob off to sleep the night with my parents (our hotel only had 1 double bed)...and we went with the rest of the adults to applebee's (the only open past 10) we had a great time sitting and talking with the adults.

My kids absolutely loved sleeping the night with my parents. It was by far one of their highlights. (all of the parts they thought were the best were the parts that didn't include Cortney and I...hahaa)

The next morning we were up early for the wedding...it was the fastest wedding ceremony I have ever been too. Awesome.

You can see my little baby bump here. (the dress really made my belly show)

(I had to steal tons of pictures from all my family we took none)

Mike and Allie.

sisters

the earl girls

the earl side of the family

Funny side note...they had said "the boys are supposed to wear khaki's"...meaning the little boys...Cortney thought that meant him. He was pretty ticked that I got that one wrong. HAHA.

The had a beautiful reception (but cold) and afterwards...the best part...Linh took my two older boys with her to Moses Lake. It was awesome. Two nights in a row we just had Henry. And the car drive was also great because I just had one baby to worry about. I couldn't believe how nice of Linh that was. Let's just say everyone could tell how stressed out I was, and were trying to help. haha.

The next morning it was up early and over to Moses Lake. We pulled straight into my grandma's house and dad had 25 pizza's delivered there and tons of our friends were waiting. I of course wasn't wearing makeup and hadn't showered...so that was fun. I don't know why I would let all of our people see me that way but I just didn't care.

Cortney playing some game.

Me and Cali talking with some of our best ladies. Cynthia and Shelly. I love these two. Both are like mothers to me.

Mom and dad talking with more of our people.

Cortney and I stayed at Amber and Sean Jenk's house. I love them with all of myself. It was so fun. I didn't want to leave and probably would have stayed another week if I didn't have doctors appointments. Boo. We LOVE them. They honestly are some of our best friends in the world...more like family.

The reception was at Becky's that night. It was gorgeous. Henry kept trying to jump in the lake though so more stress for Cortney. He held that kid the whole trip. THE WHOLE TRIP.

All in all it was a great trip. We drove a total of 42 hours. (after about 30 hours we bought a YO GABBA GABBA dvd and our trip changed drastically...Henry was WAY better).

Sam asked Rob if he was going to get married in the temple and he said..."Nah, too far of a drive." Haha...once I told him he could get married in the temple 5 minutes from our house he was back on board. Funny boy.

It feels so good to have that post over with. Pheeewww.

Oliver's baptism

2011-08-16T22:04:00.006-06:00

I just re read this and noticed i used the word awesome like 300 times. Oh well, it was awesome...i am not going to change it.

Before I start my post on Oliver's baptism, I need to post this random picture of my boys sleeping. Oliver always sneaks into Rob's room at night. This specific night we found them really cozy-ing up. Don't mind the pillow with bloody nose stains on it...these things happen.

I have wanted to post about Oliver's baptism since the day it happened. It started out with me being more stressed then I have ever been in my life. Hahaa. I have been told I am dramatic (WhAT?) but this was real. We have been having a stressful life around here lately and I have been on a roller coster of emotions. Plus, stress really amplifies when you are pregnant. Like really.

Friday, Cali and I spent the day getting all of the food ready for the luncheon. Beyond that I was stressed but I still had to act like everything was okay and get everything ready. Cali kept telling me I needed to get over my problems quick so I could have a good baptism day.

Saturday morning I woke up bright and early so I could have everyone ready without having to rush at all. I didn't want to have the spirit driven out of our home by me yelling at everyone to hurry up (hey it happens...). It was amazing. The whole day was so awesome. All of my worldly worries and problems vanished for a full 24 hours . VANISHED. We all got bathed and ready with no conflict. We made it to the church early, everything went smooth. My stake does all of its baptisms at the same time, with each ward in a different room, and then we take turns with the font. So that was pretty hectic. I found my father-in-law waiting in the room with the spanish branch's baptism. haha. He wondered why he didn't recognize anyone.

We started with Cali giving the opening prayer. (Tyson had to come straight from football camp and then return after so he was in full pads it was awesome) Then my neighbor Sarah did a spotlight on Oliver (she is in the primary pres), after that the kids all sang "scripture power" it was awesome. Even Henry and Fiona went up there. Henry just stood there perfectly still looking awkwardly to the side. They sang really loud and I was really proud. My kids HATE to perform and I couldn't believe they did it. I am all about putting them out of their comfort zones as much as possible. Then Linh gave an awesome talk on baptism. She did a great job. Oliver really wanted her to be the one speaking. Then it was time to get baptized but it wasn't our turn so I did my talk on the Holy Ghost. Then we went and Cortney baptized Oliver. I was so proud of Oliver...his spikey hair barely went under. Haha. Then the confirmation. He was surrounded by so many uncles and a grandpa. It was awesome to see him surrounded by so many good men. Grandpa Bob finished it off with the closing prayer.

It was an amazing experience.

I think that is about as good as it gets for a mom. Totally makes it all feel worth it.

People there...

Shawn and Kandee with Shade, Morgan, Leah, and Aspen

Cameron with Leah

Bob and Roberta

Cindy (Roberta's Cousin...whom I adore...they look just like sisters I imagine they are just that close too) and her daughter Christine.

Jason and KaeLynn with Brooklyn, Zac, Eliza and Abby (stella in k's tummy)

Cali and Joe with Tyson, Jack, Carolina, Grace, and Fiona

Justin and Angelique with Dougie and Marion

Isaac and Linh

Allie and Mike

Grandma Jones

Jed and Sarah with kempton, Brooklyn, Ellie and Emmett (friends and neighbors)

Heidi (friend and neighbor and she conducted...so nice)

Holly (friend and in our ward 38 weeks pregnant and played the piano almost the whole time...what a trooper)

Bishop Shelly

We didn't take any good pictures the whole day. NO group pictures. Bahhh. I stole some from Linh's blog.

Henry watching Melmo waiting for it to start.

Oliver Cortney...with Cortney. What a great moment. (i love cort's tan line on his toes) Oliver was not thrilled about what he had to wear. Haha.

It seems like only yesterday he was in my tummy.

Afterwards Cali and Joey graciously hosted a luncheon for us. I could have never fed this many people at my house. The food....if I do say so was really good. Not that I ate much.

I know this doesn't look appetizing but we had pulled pork sandwiches and baked beans.

Linh made her amazing avocado egg rolls. AH MAZE ING

I went with quick and easy sides...remember I don't have an oven that works. It was all delish.

Aspen....I am obsessed with this girl. Too bad we don't live closer. Shawn and Kandee came all the way from Idaho. I was so happy they came.

joe zone

Me with Hens...he is by my side ALL THE TIME.

pretty morgan and a lot of the boice's.

I love his cookie on the chair next to him. That boy would live off cookies if he could.

I had to include this picture because here is KaeLynn, She delivered Baby stella 48 hours after this was taken. Awesome.

We had assorted ice cream novelties for dessert. (here I am passing them out)

Brooklyn with Marion...both adorable.

Cali and I. Cali worked so hard keeping the food stocked and everything set out. I couldn't of done it without her.

My Earl sister's (minus sam..booo) Angelique, Linh, Cali, Me, KaeLynn.

Ike and Linh with Oliver (yeah he had to change right out of his clothes).

Afterwards we took a little nap. :) Then we headed up to Cameron's house in Salt Lake. All the kids went swimming while the adults talked poolside (cali watched Henry for me. yay!). We ate pizza for dinner and just had the most perfect night. Then home to Cam's for a little ice cream and some more conversation. It was the PERFECT day.

It doesn't get any better than that. It really doesn't.

The next day was back to reality...but I was so grateful for the wonderful break from stress that I was given. I am also so grateful for Oliver and the great choices he makes. I really love my little family.

Ultrasound 22 weeks (last week)

2011-08-16T21:36:00.002-06:00

baby post...sorry for the boringness. Feel free to skip.

This is our little guy last week at an ultrasound follow-up. They were worried there wasn't enough fluid around the brain...um...hello.

Everything in the brain looked great at this one...thank goodness.

Every time I go to an appointment they give me something to worry about. I swear getting older and having kids is scary.

First I have an antibody M showing up in my blood work. This isn't that worrisome, though and is something like rh factor...something that the baby and I aren't compatible. The annoying part is I have to have blood work done once a month and I have to register at the hospital every single time.

Then they told me I needed another ultrasound so they could check on the brain. Which was this one and ended up being just fine.

This week she told me there is a bright spot on his heart otherwise known as a Echogenic intracardiac focus. Samantha's baby had something similar on her baby's bowel. Basically it could be nothing but it is also a soft marker for downs syndrom. Honestly I am not worried about it at all, but it is annoying to have her tell me these things and then have them turn out to be nothing. The doctor hasn't had me get any extra testing done so I am sure it is nothing.

The ultra sound tech always says things so nonchalantly too. Like "the fluid in the brain is borderline", like I am supposed to know what to do with that. Or, "there is a bright spot on the heart, which with other markers could mean a birth defect, but I don't see anything else", Or..."hey did you know you had a cyst on your right ovary?". Hahaa. Then after I leave I am like....did she say something was wrong with the brain??

We did get to see the little guys lip and he doesn't have a cleft lip (one of the side effects of my medications is a low occurrence of cleft lip). So I felt pretty good about that.

I have never had ANY problems in my other pregnancies.

I know this baby will turn out just as he is supposed to.

My little boys got to feel him kick for the first time this morning. Oliver about died. They can't wait.

21 weeks

2011-08-01T23:08:00.003-06:00

I can't believe I made it to where I am not sick anymore. I thought I never would. Honestly. I am feeling pretty great. I can totally feel the baby moving around like crazy. It makes me excited for the little guy to get here. I have never ever taken pictures of myself while I am pregnant. There is a chance this is my last one baby (still trying to decide)...and I thought I would like to chronicle my belly. I wish I would have done it last time because I was so skinny last time. Hahahaa. I have a feeling that isn't going to be the case this time because I am eating constantly. I am still not up to my pre-pregnancy weight (the ONLY benefit of laying sick in bed for the first 4 months of my pregnancies.)...but I really have been so hungry. :)

Here it is close up. 21 weeks.

And from far away with my trashy looking baby in the background. That is real life right there. My sick, pant-less (bad bad diaper problems...the antibiotic just goes right through him) baby eating a BAKU...which is what he calls popcicles. I love this guy...but he is trouble. Today he flooded Cali's kitchen. Don't tell Joey. Hahaa.

I don't think it is very likely that I will photograph myself very often but here we go at least I got it done once.

Ask and you shall receive

2011-07-30T12:41:00.003-06:00

Our oven is broken. So I have just been grilling all of our dinner, that or we have cold cereal (which I am crazy about right now). (even though it is summer it is amazing how much you need something to cook with other than the microwave, and grill)

It is annoying...because I want to make these...

The other day I was really craving blueberry zucchini bread with streusel on top. I mentioned this to my good friend and neighbor, and the next day what did appear on my doorstep?? Her daughter bringing me two delicious loafs of blueberry zucchini bread with streusel on top. How amazing is that?? AMAZING...let me tell you.

Oliver turns 8!

2011-07-26T22:07:00.007-06:00

Oliver turned 8 on the 24 of June. He and I both have loved going back on this blog and seeing what we did for every one of his birthday's. It is amazing what journaling does for your memory.

Oliver begged me to open his presents right when he woke up (same as last year). I obliged. I was so worried because this little guy asked for EVERYTHING. I mean it. He just wants so much. Jeans, pants, coats, socks, shoes, skate board, xbox 360, new bike...he wants the world. I didn't know how to give him all that. Luckily he understands that...and was really happy with what he actually got.

He got lots of flick trix

he got two "beast" hats from mom and dad.

From Grandma Aha Jones he got a tech deck and an AWESOME scripture marker.

This was the best part... Cortney found a 400 dollar Haro bike on KSL.com for only 80 bucks. He took it all the way apart cleaned everything, fixed everything, repainted it, and put it back together.

Oliver LOVES it.

nutragrain bars and dried fruit for my grown up little boy.

He also got 30 bucks from my parents (which he spent on clothes and flick trix). He loves money...haha.

From Cali and Joey and the kids he got a shawn white shirt and some candy.

He also got a package in the mail from grandma berta with SKATE 3 for the xbox360. I thought he was going to die. Seriously he had a heart attack. He couldn't believe it. Cali and Joey gave us their old xbox 360 that had the red ring of death and Cortney you tubed how to fix it and the next day we had a working xbox. Now we just need a controller (he keeps borrowing Tysons). It was one of his favorite presents for sure. Thanks GRANDMA. (we do have to keep the volume down because it is rated T for language. haha)

Still sick I went with store bought cream pie. Haha We had pie and root beer floats at Cali's for the party.

For the main part of the party Cortney borrowed laser tag guns from his friend that works at UVU. Then we waited for it to get dark and the boys went outside and ran around like crazy. It was loud and crazy and they came in exhausted at 11:00 p.m. They had a great time. And it was a nice FREE party. YAY.

He just had his interview for his baptism, and gets baptized August 6th. We are so proud of him, he is such a good kid. I have been so lucky having him as a first child. It really isn't fair. I never have to worry about that boy. He chooses the right (almost always) and helps me out so much...with Rob and with Henry. He is so happy to have another boy in our family. I love getting to be his mom, I feel really lucky that I get this little guy in our family. He is such a joy to us.

12 Lovely years

2011-07-26T21:06:00.005-06:00

I have so much to catch up on I feel overwhelmed.

June 19th Cortney and I had our 12th anniversary. I can't believe it has been so long. I was still feeling pretty sick, but starting to get better.

Justin and Angelique had hotel points for a free room that was going to expire on the 18th and they didn't have time to use them so they said we could have them. Not only that but they would also watch our kids for us. Um...yeah it didn't take long to convince me, I was totally on board for a little alone time. We hadn't been together overnight, without our kids since we went to Guatemala when Rob was 3. Yikes.

We decided to stay at the Waldorf Astoria in Park City. I had never really been to park city (only to the outlets like two times)...I know...weird. It was the perfect get away.

the lobby of the hotel...pretty right?

We headed up Thursday afternoon around 1:00. As we were leaving I was so stressed out the house was a mess and it was making me kinda mean. Hahaa. We took Oli and Rob over to Angelique's and then we took Henry over to Cali's, once the kids were dropped off it was amazing how fast my stress level went down. I was immediately relaxed. We had a wonderful drive up (so beautiful) and stopped at the mall to look around for wedding clothes (we didn't buy anything...). We then headed to the hotel, we had to do valet parking which was embarrassing because as I got out I noticed a diaper and rolled up little boy underwear right there in the front seat. Whoops. We cleaned the car out the next time we left the hotel...so we didn't have to feel so embarrassed. We were so impressed by the place...it is amazing. By far the nicest place I have stayed before. They gave us pretty water bottles while we checked in. haha. We made it to our room, got connected to the internet, and then I took a little snooze. It felt so nice to be napping and not hear my boys wrestling around and destroying the house at the same time.

the kitchenette.

chocolate covered strawberries for our anniversary.

me on my ipad. there was a nice fireplace and flat screen tv across from this couch.

view from our balcony.

When dinner time came around we weren't sure where to eat. I had hoped I would be feeling better so we could eat somewhere fancy but I wasn't so I didn't want to waste the money on food that wouldn't taste that great to me. Haha. So we headed to squatter's I knew it wasn't too expensive and I knew they had sweet potato fries, which sounded so good to me. Cortney got fish and chips and I got a pulled pork sandwhich (not as good as chubby's)...it was yummy and fun to eat together.

We then headed back and went swimming in the super heated pool. It was cold out probably 54 degrees...but the pool was probably 100 degrees. It is open all year round. The room had big down robes, so we wore those down and were the only ones in the pool. It was still pretty cold. haha. They have fires pits everywhere...so it was pretty fun.

Here is a horrible picture of us in our robes sitting on the couch after swimming. We watched TV which was heaven to me because it has been months since we've had cable. We watched a million house hunters. Hmmm. I love tv.

We tried to sleep in as long as we could but there were huge vaulted windows to show the beautiful mountains...but they let in tons of sunshine. We still slept way longer than we usually do with our kids around. It was awesome. Cortney went for a swim (of course) while I got ready. Then things went down hill because I started to need to eat something but there was nothing around and we didn't know where to go to eat and we were driving around and I was getting mean and about to throw up. I just wanted a Denny's hahaa. I was feeling like hasbrowns...skinny, greasy, crispy, salty hashbrowns. We finally found a bistro that was still serving breakfast, and that really helped everything. We then stopped at the vans outlet to get Oliver some birthday presents. (that boy) Then it was time to head home.

There is still no one I would rather spend my time with than Cortney. He is my perfect match. It was great even just to drive down the road with him. It really has been the best 12 years.

We got back and went right to pick the boys up. I was happy to sit those little guys after the get away.

You never know what your kids are going to do while you are gone. They had a great time. They thought Angelique made the best food ever...they have talked non stop about honey butter and tacos since then. Rob was obsessed with Marion. Of course who wouldn't be??

Oli Rob and Marion.

I was so grateful for Justin and Angelique and Cali (joe was gone) for watching the kids while I was gone. It is so hard to leave your kids...but so worth it.

you are kidding me

2011-07-26T00:01:00.003-06:00

How is it that I have been a parent for 8 years and am just now discovering acetaminophen (also known as Feverall but we bought generic) suppositories? TMI?? But Henry will not take medicine. He gags and gags and spits it out and cries every time. They aren't made by tylenol but are the same medicine...Cortney did have to ask the pharmacist because I was too embarrassed. We got home and used it and he thought it was no big deal. Of course I wouldn't use it on my big kids but if you have a toddler that wont take medicine, these are the bomb. Honestly I can see people wondering why in the world I would post this but I never knew such things existed. When you have a kid with 105 degree fever and he won't take medicine these really are lifesavers...and perfect for a kid that is throwing up non stop. Brilliant.