Little Turkeys

This last Thanksgiving we were very excited to have Teresa and Vance and their family come out to Bend. Winter is tricky in Bend-as it is most places with possible snow-and the timing was actually when one of the biggest storms of the winter season hit. Teresa and Vance seemed bound and determined to get to us through the storm but ended up stopping in Burns after driving at the incredible speed of 20 mph. We were so happy to see them when they arrived. The kids all took to each other immediately. It was fun to have so many cousins that could get a long so well. It was pretty dang cold when they were here that venturing out was bundling up to go sledding outside and we strolled around old mill one of the days. I sure was thankful because I felt like we had an amazing feast with the help of Teresa and Vance who both know their way around the kitchen. 

I have always really enjoyed their company. They are very easy people to be around. I was thankful to have the good conversations, the laughs, and company of some of the people we love. 

Christmas '15 in Utah

 Looking back on all these pictures I realized that this Christmas was really great. I feel like we packed a lot in the time that we were there. We made it to the temple square lights equipped with light shaping glasses, we did an elf scavenger hunt (not pictured), I announced that # 4 is coming into our family -which I realize this will be the first I talk about that and I am now ahem 23 weeks. Oops. And we had a really cute Christmas program with the kid dressed in all the parts. Josh and Brynn as Mary and Joseph couldn't have been more perfect! Haha they took their roles very seriously and sweetly.

A lot of the little details I am missing- a good reason to keep up on these things. We rode the tracks downtown to see the lights. We were such a crowd! I know we always are..but it was a different scene walking altogether getting on and off tracks and then down the streets of Salt Lake with all the kids; some in strollers, some walking a long casually, or crying. I felt like it went smoothly as long as we didn't lose anyone. And we didn't lose anyone so it went well. The kids seemed really excited to see the temple and the lights. Sam and I- mostly Sam's idea- we brought down these glasses that transformed any and all lights into little Christmas objects. There was gingerbread men, angels, candy canes.. things like that and the kids loved those. They liked trading with each other until they had seen each shape. There were some breakdowns with some of the littles. They took turns though it seemed. When one would stop that was cue for the next one to step up to that plate. It really was beautiful to be back. It had been a long time since we have been the temple square lights. I don't think we had ever taken the boys.

the anti climatic announcement shirt

 Like I mentioned... I intended to write more with this pregnancy simple because it is planned to be our last. So, I will say this...I found out I was pregnant on November 15th. I was very surprised and very excited. The first thing Sam said to me when he got home that day was: "You better start wearing pink shoes or something." To send more girl vibes. I decided very early on that I was not going to find out what we are having. Aside from the very lame self diagnosing based on wives tales I have stuck with that and despite some pressure from family and friends including Sam. I am very emotional and very moody. I would dare say fairly unpleasant this pregnancy. Hopefully that will change. I am getting more and more excited because I can feel the little one and I really am trying to really enjoy it reminding myself this is my last time doing this.

First day getting into town

 I will mention the fact that a lot of us got sick this trip which was the low. I got sick Christmas Eve which unfortunately made me feel like I was having labor contractions, Whitney got sick Christmas day and same with Kaj and it was pretty horrendous. It seemed like a 24 hour thing but it took everything out of you. I will mention this only because my sister Megan is wanting to be a doula that I realized that both times I have started have contractions early in labor with Josh at 28 weeks and then this last time at 11 weeks Megan was there. And she really is so sweet and caring, I also know that I get very needy and grateful when I am in pain like that. She started a bath for me, let me know when it was ready, she covered me with blankets, and I felt very cared for by her..so I think she will be good.

Cutest Mary and Joseph

We had really good Christmas and the cousins had a lot of fun together. I was really happy that we ended up making the trip down. It is a crazy time because we far outnumbered by the kids but I know everyone loves everyone and understands. It makes it a lot easier to have a good time that way.  It is also fun to see how big the kids have all gotten and how easily they play now. Merry Christmas!

Halloween '15

Halloween was a fun night. We went with the Langhaim's and another family from their ward. It is always a joy to be with the Langhaim's. They are our family away from home. Our boys love their kids and Greg and Sara, and it is very nice because they are all nice to each other and get a long so well. 

I have to say though the little sock monkey Zig and Rowan are two peas in a pod. They are so funny to watch together. There is 6 month difference between the 2 boys and it is not as if they have spent most of their time together talking. They follow each other around and both find things they are curious about: turning the light switch on and off, dancing on the table, things of that nature, and laugh and look at each other. I get a kick out of them every time they are together. 

The trick or treating itself was pretty standard. We went around the Langhaim's neighborhood where a lot of members our old ward live so we see familiar faces which is nice. The boys last about 1 hour tops. Josh was having so much fun this year he had an extra skip in his step at all the candy he was gathering. But, Kaj had hit his max a little before Josh and wanted to go home which surprised me to hear considering I heard a lot about trick or treating and the candy gathering every day prior to Halloween. But, the timing was good because Rowan was also hitting hit breaking point. When Rowan is done usually means the family is done. 

 I had a cute Iron man, ninja, and pretty sure the cutest little pirate on the planet this year. Oh... Rowan. I am thankful to spend the different holidays with good friends.

Reunited and it Feels so Good

At the airport first picture all back together

 This was a wonderful miracle that took place that we were able to gather 6 busy women from across the nation to get together for a girls vacation in Sunny Las Vegas in October. It was brought up on a group voxing feed and honestly I wasn't too optimistic at first. With busy spouses and lots of kids between us I just wasn't sure...though my hopes were high, of course. As dates started being thrown out I quickly realized this is serious. And this could seriously happen. As the girls started booking their flight and talking to Sam about dates I told him that I could just go from Friday to Sunday, "well I didn't think you could get work off." I explained. To which he replied, "For you..of course." It was on! ( and what a nice man might I add) 

It felt much needed and so wonderful to be all together. It was a trip full of laughter, tears, deep conversations, potty jokes, and of course the strip, swimming, and exploring. These women..they are my heart. They lift me up so much, and being around them once again made me feel enlightened and uplifted, and inspired. I wish that we all lived close together for those selfish reasons. Ha! They are truly the salt of the earth kind of women. We kicked off the vacation by getting double flipped off by the angriest of food employees ever. It created some awkwardness and hilarity wrapped up nicely. 

We went to the strip one night and ate at fancy Italian restaurant where I am pretty certain each waiter was Italian, it might be a requirement? Or they fake the Italian accent very well. We walked pretty much the entire strip of Vegas to eat at Serendipity- a dessert restaurant which was delicious. Sum up that part of the vacation: we ate good food. The strip is odd. It always has been odd, but I looked at some of the people on the strip and felt somewhat sad for these women who were dressed in the skimpiest of the skimps and with really huge high heels and thought: I know your feet hurt. My feet hurt without heels so I know your feet really hurt- all to get used by some dude who doesn't care about you. Not worth it, honey.

fancy Italian restaurant

We enjoyed swimming at the hotel for any down time we played water volleyball which is perfect for this group. We went to the Red Rock area in Vegas which I had no idea was there, and it was so fun to break up our trip with some hiking and exploring red rock. I love this kind of thing, and it was liberating just going and not worry about my kids falling off anything. The last night we went go cart racing. It was a lot of fun, a different experience only because you put on a lot of stinky gear before going. It fun to race each other. I don't remember who won? Kim? Maybe Katie?

It was sad to say goodbye just not knowing when the next time we would be altogether again. All I know is that after some of us going years without seeing each other we were all comfortable and happy to be together. I honestly don't know how I am even so lucky as to be a part of this group of women- I admit I thought that many times. Somehow I am. We hope that we can plan a trip again. Our hopes were every other year. Possibly as couples one trip. If we could make this happen once I believe it can happy again. Cheers!

October Weekend with Mor Mor an Pappy

Playing catch up to a busy October. It was definitely a fun filled month. We had visitors...Mor mor and Pappy! It is always so fun to have visitors but it is special when both my mom and dad can come together. It just is. We made the classic count down leading up to their arrival. They arrived on a Thursday afternoon and we decided it would be very fun to surprise Kaj at school and pick him early. We interrupted quite a lot, and Mrs. Steele who is already intimidating waved everyone in but that was about it. He was very surprised and it was pretty cute to see him give them big hugs. It was a relaxing Thursday spent with good food-the new Chipotle in town- and enjoyable conversation.

Friday we excused Kaj from school and were shooting for going to the Fruit Loop up at Mount Hood, but with a late start we decided to go to the Blue Pool hike instead. We had done the hike before when Rowan was not quite a year. It's a 2 mile each way hike so kindof a lot for little legs especially the littlest of the legs..Rowan's who insisted on walking a lot more of it than we expected. We forced him into the jogger and continued. We finally were getting near the end and we passed some bikers who said we were about 10 minutes out. So close! But with Rowan getting more and more difficult  Sam turned around to start the trek back, and a couple minutes later my mom realized she had left her phone in the jogger we ditched to the side of the trail and turned around, and my dad and I with just Kaj and Josh soldiered on. Approximately two seconds after soldiering Kaj had his pants around his ankles ready to drop numero dos right on the trail and luckily held it long enough to be in a more secluded place to take care of that. I started walking a few steps but seconds after that Josh started crying because he needed to go to the bathroom but refused to go outside so as I was talking to him when I realized my dad was trying to clean off the bottom of Kaj's shoe who had accidentally stepped in his own poops. My dad and I looked at each other threw up the white flags simultaneously and turned around. That was the dramatics of the hike but really we enjoyed beautiful scenery to this very cool hike.

Little Rowan steps

looks like he about to start a punch dance

Saturday morning we decided to go to Sisters for the Fall festival and then hit the pumpkin patch afterward. Another full day and fun day. We checked out the stands and the fall festival. It was nice because we got there early and it wasn't very crowded in the beginning. Sisters is a neat little town. Like a Park City meets...country living?? It is just fun. 

We then went straight to the pumpkin patch at the DD Ranch which we had not been to before. At first I thought, "really?" But it didn't take long to realize the boys were going to love every second of it. Right away they had a huge sandbox full of toys and slides and teeter totters and then we went to the maze and play area and this way so much fun. The boys could have spent hours upon hours just in that part. My dad said: "this looks like Farmer John just woke up and put this together." Which actually sums it up nicely. We had to laugh looking around because nothing was up to code or regulation because there was no code or regulation. I say this in a refreshing way. The kids could climb up on bails of hay, go down a slide that could easily tip over, and go up a ladder that literally led to nothing. Just a ladder against a fence. That is it. Haha. It was so much fun.

The last thing we did was have the boys take a pony ride. I had to make this point that ponies at this year's ranch a lot better than last. The ponies last year looked so sad and like they were going to kill over any minute I recall feeling really bad for the ponies, and this year they went on an actual ride up and back down a path. I felt like this was noteworthy. The ponies were so much happier.

2014 pony

2015 pony

It was a really enjoyable weekend and loved the time we all spent together. It made me miss my parents and miss the opportunity to have my kids see their grandparents often. Of course, I have to look for the bright side and it is that we get good quality time when we have visits like this which I will always cherish. 

1ST Day of Kindergarten

This sweet boy of mine has started Kindergarten. I have to say I never thought these days would have me more emotionally exhausted than the first 2 days of full day Kindgergarten. I wish I could report that he is having an easier time than me but I don't think that's quite true. He is doing ok. Maybe a little better, it is hard to say because I am not with him for most of it. I have been prepping Kaj for starting school for a while now. He is like the boy version of me as a child and needs the emotional prep time for change. The night before school Kaj received a father's blessing. He was so excited. Sam gave him a very sweet blessing. I know that Heavenly Father loves Kaj and is aware of his  questions and concerns. As soon as the blessings was over he turned around and said, "That was awesome!" The first day of school I stayed for a little bit. We were told we could stay from 9:00-10:30 and I had thought that meant we could stay in the classroom with the kids the whole time. After the first 15 minutes Kaj's teacher read the book, "Twas the Night Before Kindergartem," and after just a little gentle sobbing on my part the parents of kindergarteners were asked to go to stations where we met with the school nurse for power point presentation and then the principal whose actual name is Sunshine.. ? Really. We then went back to the classroom just as the kids were going to recess and talked with the teacher for a little bit. Kaj's teacher's name is Mrs. Steele. I had to leave so I get home so Sam could go back to work, and as I was turning to go out to recess to find Kaj to say goodbye lo and behold he was in the hallway with another teacher because he had been crying. Heart broken I started crying so I was no help in the situation no matter how much I tried to compose myself. This sweet teacher distracted him and walked with him down the hall. I am very grateful for this teacher who was with him.
My friend Sara and I were talking about our kids first days and she said that the teacher for Lola took an extra moment to get really excited about meeting Lola and Sara saw this and later told me, "How did she know? How did she know that Lola needed that?" I thought that was very sweet, and we discussed how tender mercies are real. When she later told her husband Greg he made the good point saying, "Maybe the tender mercy wasn't that Lola needed it but that you needed to see it." Touche. I am certainly thankful for both the tender mercy of this sweet teacher taking a sweet crying boy in the crowd of recess under her wing, but also that I was able to see and know he was cared for. Day 1. Hard. Day 2. When I picked up Kaj he smiled and seemed happy, but I noticed right away tear stains on his cheeks and he told me a possible number of times he cried. People keep advising me that it will take time. I believe that. I hope the time comes sooner than later that he can be happy for the whole day at school.

Summer Ending plus a little TMI

Summer is ending for us in Bend. It has been a good one. I regret not planning a camping trip for the family..but we filled it with other fun things. Sunday walks at the Shevlin Park, donuts in the morning, hikes, and played a lot with friends.

Kaj starts kindergarten on Thursday. And so it begins. He will be in school at least for the next 12 years. I am not going to know exactly where he is at all times in the day. I hope that he will talk to me about his day. I hope that he will make good friends. I hope that the smart boy I know will not be afraid to share the right answer. (I was always afraid to speak up with the answer to questions) It will be different in our home without him. Josh and Rowan will become closer buddies which is a good thing because as of right now the two of them butt heads quite a bit. 

My hopes for the new school year is not only for Kaj but also for me. Set new goals, and a new structure that I feel will actually strengthen our family. That seemingly pesky goal where I set an alarm and get up on the right side of the bed, read, pray, exercise, and implement a new chore chart for my kids. All doable- but for some reason the summer...

I wanted to also take some time to journal some funny things that I want written down so that when I make my blogs into books they will be included. One thing is whenever we pass any kind of construction my boys will say: "Look what the master builders are making!!" Master builders a reference from the Lego Movie, but is now the name of the profession according to my boys. How complimentary. Another thing that boys will say is "Ginger bat mans" I may have mentioned this before but it has not changed. Ginger bread man is ginger batman. It is so hilarious. 

Another funny story is when Josh walked into my bathroom needing something and I was just getting out of the shower, and just as I was closing the door he arrived asking for something to eat and then stopped mid sentence: "Whoa! Those are big cheerios!" Yeah..I am not sure. We were also down at Carters at the outlets and there is a Hanes store with mannequins of ladies in bras and Josh took notice and said, "Look those are big chestes like you." So, women if you ever need an ego boost regarding chestes 

 Josh can make you feel like the most bosomy woman around.Haha

I am excited for new changes. I think it will be refreshing. We also decided to do joy school instead of having Josh in preschool this year. With Kaj starting school it really made me just want him home. There is no need to rush. I am excited about this too. The women who are doing this with me are great women. We have field trips planning, and themes for learning. It is only once a week, and I will only have to teach at my house 4 times for the school year. So one day a week I will have only one child home. I know that isn't much but it will feel so strange to me. With all these new changes I feel like it's an optimal time to improve myself, and work on the things that will make me happier and create a happier home for my family.

Delish Donuts

Shevlin Park

Dakine Grindz Shaved Ice