Ask and you shall receive

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!

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

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

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.

poor henners

My baby is sick. Henry...that is. The last two sundays we have taken him to the instacare. Last week he had two ear infections, so he went on 5 days of antibiotic. He seemed better but this morning he woke up and just would say non stop "ouchie, ouchie." He hasn't been eating and was burning up. Cortney took him to instacare this time and said he cried uncontrollably the whole time. He had a SUPER high fever when he got there. Scary high. They gave him some tylenol and Henry cried and dry heaved a bunch so they brought in a barf bowl and some balloon animals. I was glad it was Cortney and not me. Hahaa. Baby still had ear infections and white pustules on the back of his throat. So they prescribed 10 more days of antibiotic. Which he gags on and cries so hard every time he has to take it. only 18 more doses to go. HAHA. I feel so bad for him. It makes me so sad. He has been sick for a month. Hopefully now he will get better.

He needs a haircut SO bad. While he is sick and sweaty it is like a lions mane all the time. A rats nest.

He is such a good boy...even when he is sick he is so good. I just hope now he can start to get better.

OremFest

I really didn't think I would make it to Orem fest this year. First I was pretty sick, second Cali was out of town. We have NEVER missed Oremfest. Ever. My neighbor Sarah was going to go with her kids and I decided to go along. I was feeling pretty good and the weather was awesome. We went right over after having free lunch at the elementary school (holla). Unfortunately we got there an hour before anything opened up. We had some ice cream and played on the play ground while we waited for everything to open. Joey showed up at the same time so our kids got to feel like we were following our traditions. It was a great time we had close parking, no lines and good weather.

I wasn't going to let Henry go on any rides what a waste of tickets. But I let him go on this car ride then it was game over. He was kicking screaming and arching his body to go on every ride he saw. Sometimes I forget that he isn't a baby anymore. He loved the rides SO much. Here he is with our neighbor Ellie. She is almost two years older than him but he weighs more. :)

So happy.

It was nearly impossible to get pictures of this with my phone so these will have to do. Rob, CC and GG in the boats.

Hens and Oli. Henry rang the bell and had his hands in the water the whole time.

That little head poking out in the at the top is Oliver. This was the first year my kids went on the ferris wheel they loved it.

Rob, Oli, Brooklyn, Kempton, and Ellie.

We love having such great neighbors.

Kempton, Rob, and Jack...on the ferris wheel.

I really didn't want to go to the parade but I couldn't stop myself from going. It was our first time without the emigs. Boo Hoo. It ended up being a lovely evening. Some of the best weather I have seen (it is almost always raining at the parade). Our big boys went and stood on the road and Henry Cortney and I had a great time on the blanket. Everything is so much easier with one kid.

It looks pretty horrible in this picture, but Henry was just crying because I made him pose for the picture. He was actually so cute the whole time, waving at cars and dancing.

I hate this picture of me, but a firefighter came off the fire truck with that hat and walked straight over to Henry. Henry was so proud. He wore that hat for days and would cry if anyone (rob) tried to touch it.

All in all I was so glad we went. Afterwards we headed over to skippers and then headed home to see the fireworks from our drive way. (I couldn't help but remember last year at this time Cortney was REALLY hurt from his car accident and I was at the parade by myself...I think it just started hitting me then a year later, just how close I was to losing him. Yikes)

catching up...Rob makes it through preschool!

So now that I am feeling better I am going to go back and try to catch up on all the stuff I missed. This feels like a life time ago...but oh well I want it in our book someday. Here goes...

The night before Rob's graduation he spent throwing up. Violently all night long. By morning he was on empty and really wanted to go to his graduation. The thought of him missing it broke my heart so we got dressed and headed over. I should mention...since I sicker than a dog during this Cortney took care of all kids that were throwing up. Thankfully.

When we got in it was very apparent that Rob still wasn't feeling good. The kids all performed Rockin' Robin for us and he came and sat down next to me. He did however do all the actions and sang all the songs right next to me.

In this picture he really looks sick...and look just how sick I look in all of these. Yikes.

It hurts just to think of how sick I was.

Him performing one of his songs.

Each of the kids were given an award. Rob got the award for being a "wonderful writer". Which makes us so proud.

Here he is with his teachers Ms. Sherry and Ms. Tammie. They were awesome and worked so well with Rob. We see them around sometimes and he is always so happy to see them.

I couldn't help but get teary eyed during the whole thing. Even with him just sitting right next to me. (I blame my pregnancy hormones) He has changed so much this year and is really growing up. He has learned so much and is starting to make better choices all the time. The end of the school year always makes me so sad and we both were really sad to say goodbye to his teachers. I can't believe he will be going into kindergarten in a month. Yikes. My little Divo is all grown up. I sure love the boy.

My future rock climber

Henry is OBSESSED with buttons right now. When we were in rexburg at the Boice's he discovered their doorbell and would maneuver himself up to posh the button. Always causing all four dogs to go crazy....every time. The window where he is putting his foot has a ledge that is almost nonexistent...he did it until his toenails were bleeding. Now that is dedication. Please also note how cute he is when he looks at Cort and says "button".

Untitled from ashley boice on Vimeo.

Boo

I am having a really bad day today. There is nothing like videos of Henry to get me out of a funk...

Untitled from ashley boice on Vimeo.

p.s. I love how he is saying I want a bite in the beginning.

This is us getting Ice Cream at Sherm's in Roseburg Oregon.

Cortney insisted that Henry didn't need his own ice cream, that we could share. Thus my delicious peppermint ice cream became his. I got maybe two more bites after he got it from me. Of course he wanted nothing to do with Cortney's cup of ice cream.

Baby Boy #4

I finally have a scanner around here so I am able to load these bad boys up..

I seriously saw his privates the first second she put the ultrasound wand on my tummy. Sheesh.

Look at that cute leg, belly, and arm.

Profile. This baby was moving around like crazy. We couldn't get any good pictures because he wouldn't hold still. My meds make it so there is a heightened risk of cleft lip but the little boy wouldn't let us get a look at his mouth. Boo.

This one is his belly and head and then his arm up by his face.

All day I have been holding Henry and loving him. How could I not be excited to have another guy just like him. And I have decided that I am sure I will be soul mates with Robbie's wife anyways because if she likes him she will love me. Hahaha....so maybe they will take me in.

I can't believe it

So I have a million and one blog posts to catch up on but before that...today was my ultrasound.

We are having another boy.

I am pretty sad that I will die an old lady in a nursing home with no daughter to take care of me (my grandma insists that a girl shouldn't have to live with her mother in law). I asked Grace if she would take care of me and she just looked awkwardly in the other direction. Jack told me later he would take care of me and he is going to be a doctor, he also said he would see me for free.

But, I am pretty happy that Henry will have a little friend to run around with.

Cali took me to Sushi to help me get over the shock (I went with baby safe sushi), which helped.

Now that I have had some time to sit with it, I feel like this is just what I do, back to business as usual.

I would put some pictures but I couldn't find our laptop so I could use the scanner. She did say he has big ears, yeah that runs in our families.

I am so grateful of course to be a mother...and to get to be a mother again. It was so great to see the little guy moving around. What can I say I love boys, always have.