funny school pictures

The schools around here do spring pictures.  I never order them because it is just another 20 bucks for pictures I don't need.  Of course I always forget it is picture day too.  I have too much on my mind to think about things like picture day.  Haha  The funny thing is they have them pose with a ladder or something.  My kids think the background is so awesome.  They sent home proofs with the order form.  I had to scan them in because they are so awesome...

 Oliver is trying to grow his hair out...I think it is because he wants to look like justin bieber but he won't admit that.  It looks crazy in this picture.  

I will say since then Cortney took all 3 of my kids to the beauty collage to get hair cuts.  UNFORTUNATELY Oliver came back looking exactly the same, except the girl kinda thinned it out so it is more floppy.  OYE.  He told me today he would get it cut.  It has been driving me nuts.  ( I actually think seeing his hair in pictures is what made him decide to cut it.  haha)

These pictures of Rob made me so happy it was almost worth spending 20 bucks on.  I love his half smile.  AND he wears this sweatsuit NON stop.  Every second.  I only let him wear it twice a week to school but he comes home and immediately puts it on after school.  ALSO he wants to sleep in it at night too...coat and all.  

In fact...he is wearing it in bed right now...I am going to go and snap a picture...

Boom. 

Can you believe that?  I wash the thing at least 3 times a week.  Oh well...I guess I don't care if he wears it every second.  Pick your battles right.  I really need to go pick up a couple more in other colors so he will have more options.  The weird part is he has other pants that are just like that but he doesn't think they are as comfy.  He is crazy. 

Sick

We are sick around here. First I started with the stomach flu, then sure enough cort was up throwing up in the night. We are both trying to lay around in bed but we have all these little kids that have other things in mind. Other things like closing and opening a tupperware a million times, because he wants to put his muffin in there and can't open it to take a bite on his own. Remember how awesome the BYU game was last night? Biggest comeback in NCAA tournament history. I haven't seen joe smile that big in years. Theo slept soundly on my lap through all the hollering. What a game.

This week...

We have been working around here on our house like crazy.  But amidst all of that we have managed to have a pretty dang good life.  

Sunday was so beautiful, after a little after church nap we HAD to take a walk.  (one of our favorite sunday activities). It was still a little chilly for baby so he got bundled up in this cutest reindeer outfit.  

 Cortney was throwing a diaper at the door when I shot this picture.  Haha. 

 Theodore hasn't been big enough to ride in the stroller yet, this was his first time.  He loved it.  WHAT A CUTIE?  Am I right?  He is such a good baby.  One of my easiest by far.  Today he woke up from the night (well he had a baba at 8:30) at 1:15 p.m.  He loves sleeping.  I think he has to try so hard to grow that he is exhausted.  

He is such a smiley baby too.  

I have said it before, Henry doesn't eat anything.  He eats nuggets for dinner, and sometimes lunch, and sometimes breakfast.  Lately he has been trying, and LIKING new foods.  It is making me so happy.  He now will eat pizza toast (which is just a piece of toast, but he thinks its Pizza), noodles, oranges, apples, bananas (he loves bananas and the first time he would try them he ate 3), pizza and corn dogs.  He will not TRY anything.  Even dessert.  

The other night we had some fresh broccoli to dip in ranch.  It is one of Robbie's favorite foods.  I couldn't believe when Henry tried it, and liked it. 

 I swear this kid looks like no one is taking care of him.  He is always in pajamas, and always has a dirty face. 

 His body didn't know what was going on....it had never had veggies before.  Hahaa. 

I know it might seem that we don't have any other kids besides Henry, it is just that is the kid I am with all day.

Here he is riding on Oliver's skateboard (once again dirty face, and comfy clothes...as he likes to call them).

 I had to include this because Oliver colored his skate with crayons...the kid is an artist I tell you.  2nd grade.  He is going to be a graphic designer someday (or he would love it if he could design skate clothes....hahaa)

We put the boys in a room together and made the other bedroom an office for Cortney.  It is working out really nice and it actually stays pretty quiet for him.  Although he has two child locks on the outside of his door so Henry can't bother him every  second.

The other day I went in to find him watching the iTunes screen...you know the one that looks like electricity or flying or something like that....The boys were mesmerized.

 (cortney mentioned to me that, that jacket is the only thing he is ever wearing on my blog...hahaa...poor boy needs some new clothes.)

Side note...do you see the wood carving on the wall??  Well that is the tree of life stila,  we got to see it in Mexico and is pretty awesome.  This one on his wall was HAND CARVED, by his grandpa BOB ward in 1983.  We found it in his grandma's garage and knew we had to have it.  I love that Cortney has something his grandpa made (the are so much, and look so much alike). 

 All of Cortney's post it notes.  He is so organized.  

(Cortney and his friends are starting a fly fishing company that sells reels and rods...it will be called blue halo and is starting up sometime in the next couple of months...and Cortney loves him some stickers)

 Nothing makes me love this man more than a picture like this.  What a good dad. 

Poor Theo...in the constant state of spit-up.  He lives his life in barf.  

tired

We have been so busy around here.  This week we painted the office, the boys room and the kitchen.  Plus we re-stained our kitchen cabinets and are putting in our new counter tops.  We have redone almost every room in our house and it looks awesome.  As soon as we are done I will post pictures of all the changes.  I love it. 

Not only have we been working our little fingers to the bone but Cortney's work is really starting to pick up.  He has been working so much.  

The other day during dinner Cortney fell asleep right there at the table.  I was laughing so hard I had to take a picture. 

He fell asleep with his phone up to his nose like this, it was so funny.  Oh and doesn't he look exactly like tobias funke here???  

Poor guy so tired. 

Another reason we are so tired is, although Theo is sleeping 12 hours straight without waking up, Henry is really giving us a lot of trouble with his sleeping.  Last night Henry came in our room at 2 terrified, I couldn't get him to calm down so I let him lay with me until 3 then he came in again at 6.  He climbs out of his crib breaks a child lock off the door and wanders the house.  It is horrible.  I don't know why it works this way but there is always one kid that isn't sleeping good.  I am working on getting him to stay in bed, but it is exhausting in the meanwhile.  (I am hoping that it is because he is sick.)

Bahhh...I keep feeling bad for not posting, I have so much I want to post about but...not enough time at an actual computer.  I guess it comes along with having a new baby.  (he's getting so big.)

Bobcat

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

(thanks Hansen's for the great picture!)

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

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

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

Life changer. 

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

I took a couple of pictures during a quiet time. 

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

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

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

Theo Laughing

I couldn't resist posting this.

Catchup

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

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

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

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

 Theo's first BYU game.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Theo 11 weeks.  

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

The boys were so so sad to see it go. 

cute. 

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

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

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

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

Naughty baby. 

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

Smiling

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

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

I couldn't resist re-enacting the picture. 

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

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

Supah Bowl

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

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

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

Some of the ladies hanging out.

Me Henry and my friend Sherry. 

Cousin Angie and her daughter Q. 

The hostesses (??)

Sisters (and Joe)

Cort and his BFF Jory, and Lincoln. 

Birthday girls Jen and Cali. 

Gotta LOVE Henry. 

Cali, Me and Karen. 

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

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

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

My life be like...

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



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

That's a lot of Hair.

So Cortney shaved his beard last night.  I am pretty sure the end result is WAY worse but I have a feeling it won't be around for very long.   Here is a progression of pictures Cort took with his computer last night. 

 It was getting pretty out of Control. 

Can you believe how long it was.  

This is how he left it.  Worse right??

Rob told me a couple of days ago that I should break up with Cortney because of his beard.  I know the kid doesn't know what that would entail but I thought it was funny that Rob didn't like it.  I actually like Cortney with some beard, just not that much beard.  He looks like he has such a small head now.  

I am one lucky lady?