To Van or Not to Van Part 2

Well, the decision has been made, and we actually got a van. Yes crazy! I have been looking at them online, and there are plenty to choose from in Utah, but one that I really liked was here in Pocatello. So, I kept watching it, and last week they dropped the price again. So, we went in and test drove it, and after a few days of negotiations, we bought it on Thursday. We ended up with a 2004 Honda Odyssey. It was so fun to watch Claire try to find her new car when we picked her up at our friends house after we bought it. She loves it because she can just pull the handle and the door closes. It is wonderful to have something that they can both get into, and I only have to buckle Owen. I'm not sure if Chad is fully converted, but he doesn't seem to mind it. (Sorry there is no picture. Chad told me I had to take one with someone in it, and that was going to be me, and at the time I had on P.J.'s and was ready for bed - not happening!!) I'll post one soon.

Weekend Fun!

We had a fun weekend. We are so happy that the weather is getting better. Although they say it is going to snow again on Wednesday - it will practically be May by then. Oh well, we will enjoy this weather, and work on our tans!
HARD AT WORK!
Owen loves to dig, and it doesn't matter where. He was helping Chad clean up the leftover wood chips from our tree. What a great helper!
CLOTHING PROBLEMS!
Claire loves trying on my shoes, but she decided that her dad's boots looked much better. She was so funny to watch walking around in them.

I asked Chad to get Owen's shirt on for church, and he came out in this one. His way to small shirt, it made me laugh so hard. I just heard Chad yell, "Is this shirt the right size?" I guess I better go through Owen's closet and put the things that don't fit away.
LITTLE BAKERS
We made a cake for dessert on Sunday to have at Aunt Heather's house. They both did their fair share of help. Owen loves to hold the mixer to make the frosting, and taste test of course, and Claire got to put the sprinkles on.

Owen helped make the frosting

Putting on the sprinkles - we had plenty!

Big Boy Bed

Well, with baby number 3 on the way, we decided that it is time to get Owen used to a bed. I did not want to give up the crib for him. He has been a hard kid for us to get to sleep so I was very worried about taking away the one thing that keeps him in bed - bars. We tried to make it as fun as possible when we brought his bed in. Everyone was involved, and Claire was so excited for him. Then he helped me make the bed, clean his room, and we were ready for day one. Lets just say that day one went ok, but days 2-4 weren't so hot. I love my time after the kids go to bed, and I didn't get that because Owen wouldn't go to bed or take a nap. UGHH.. On the 3rd day I brought up the portable crib, and set it up. He ended up hating it, but taking a nap in it anyways. Finally, Chad was home for bed time, and with his magic touch, Owen now loves his bed. Chad says that he hates to think that he learned anything from the Super Nanny, but we just have to sit in his room for about 2 minutes by the door, and he is fine. It is so great. He is getting so big, and hopefully will be ready for the move into Claire's room and bunk beds by the time the baby comes. I'm still struggling with putting a boy in a purple room, but it is temporary. Thanks again George and Debra for letting us borrow your toddler bed - your great!

Owen was so excited when Chad brought the bed into his room.


Ready for bed!

Fun at Aunt Shanna and Uncle Trevor's House

Last Friday night, (I know I'm behind but I didn't want to forget this), we headed to Chad's brother Trevor and Shanna's house to help them move in their new piano (jealous!!!). We had a great dinner of tacos, and dessert, and then they tell us we are going outside to have smores and hot dogs. I know I am pregnant, but I eat every couple of hours, not every 20 minutes!! But, it was all so yummy and the kids loved the smores. They played so great together and had a fun time. The best part was that it wasn't freezing outside so it was nice to be out there. Thanks so much for the fun time Trev and Shan, and thanks Jess for the pictures.

Owen likes food, what else can we say??

We had Lilly so her mom and dad could go to the temple, and she loved the smores, and for the first time really loved her Uncle Chad.

Claire cooking (burning) her first marshmallow.

Do you think all the kids love their Aunt Shanna and Uncle Trevor??

Trevor might need some new sticks!

Aunt Shanna and her hot dog.

The kids all resting after their long night of playing.

Tree Day!

I can honesty say that I have never like the front of my house - can we say 70's. They really liked big pine trees back them and I don't really like them at all. So, since the government is being so nice and sending us a economic stimulus check soon, we decided it is time to redo the front yard. So the day officially known as tree day in our house was yesterday. It might be a male thing, but I have never seen so many men as excited as they were yesterday. Chad and our neighbor across the street Darik were going to take down this tree. Well word got around at church, so Darik (the Elders Quorum President), made it a service project. It was so nice to have so much help, but very hard for Chad to accept. We had enough pick-ups that everyone only had to take one load to the dump. I am so happy that the tree is gone. Next thing is to get rid of the stump, kill the grass, fix the sprinklers, make flower beds, and plant things that are from this century, oh yah and get rid of the green carpet - nice huh! (Sorry for all you pine tree lovers, but I think they are great for Christmas!) Now if I could only get new siding and a new rock wall - one day!
Before
Cutting the tree - we were across the streets at our friends house, so the pictures are kinda far away, but we weren't about to stay in the house during this project.
At last - I have wanted this tree gone since we moved in!
The remains
Dave and Owen on the stump
Let the work begin!

My Pretty Princesses

Claire loves to have Owen dress up in a dress and dance with her. He usually tells her no, but the other day I guess he couldn't resist. It was so funny. He actually wore the dress for a couple of hours, but he doesn't fight like Claire to take it off. They turned music on the computer and went to town. It is so funny to watch, and a great way to keep them entertained for 20 minutes.
Dancing queens

Our Little Fireman

I am lucky enough this year to have a parent who is a fireman. He came in and talked with the kids about firemen and their jobs. Then he put on his whole outfit so they would know what a fireman would look life if he was coming to rescue them. Claire did not like his outfit, but I was surprised at how well most of the other kids did. She did however like the hat and stickers that he gave them all. It was a fun day.
Here is the Cinderella dress again - I cannot get her to take it off for anything! Any suggestions besides losing it forever???

Lilly

I just downloaded my pictures, and found these great pictures of when my niece Lilly was here for 10 days. It was so nice to have her spend so much time with the kids. She was really good except when Chad came home - but by then she was just tired. I'm glad her parents had fun in Hawaii - thanks for the bowl I love it!!

Owen and Lilly being the neighborhood watch.

Claire was sure that Lilly wanted to be a princess too.

Make-up Mayham

I really don't think that I have to say anymore - except I think I need some new eye shadow - I believe she used it all to make a unibrow. Lets just say it was very hard to get off.

Ear Infection Number 2

OK, so I know I haven't put any pictures up lately, but with the kids sick, we really haven't taken any. Here is the good news. I now have both kids on an antibiotic (different kinds of course), so that is fun. Yesterday Claire just started crying and told me her ear hurt. Once I got her to calm down, and rocked her to sleep (you know there is something wrong when you can rock a 4 year old to sleep), I called the doctor, and we were on our way for yet another visit. She was really good once the doctor came in (I was so proud of her), and she told him which ear hurt, and sure enough we have another double ear infection. Funny thing is, beside the crying in the afternoon, she has been as happy as can be since we went to the doctor. She has played with Owen, eaten well, and been a generally happy girl. She is just very happy that the medicine is pink although Owen thinks he should get that kind too. I hope we are over the runny noses, and ear aches, because spring has to be coming soon!

I have to share this too - Claire got out a notebook yesterday, and told me she was going to write how "all her dreams can come true." So Cinderella and cute!

5 Weeks

So 5 weeks could mean many things to everyone, but to me it means freedom!! Yes, that sounds crazy, but I am so looking forward to things to come in 5 weeks. Since I knew that the preschool wouldn't start off full the first year, I decided to watch one kid to make extra money. Well, then I get a begging phone call from another mom I know, and now I'm up to 2 kids. Then someone from my ward is looking and is desperate, and since I can't say no (it is a fault that I am working on), I now have 3 extra kids. They really are pretty good boys, but they are boys and I don't have toys for 4 year old boys. That has been a challenge. But, in 5 weeks, I am done. Preschool is over, and I won't be babysitting anymore. I get a whole 3 months of freedom. Plus, there is the bonus that preschool registration has been going well, so I won't be watching any kids but my own next year - YEAHHHHHHHHH!!! Every day I wake up and I just think that in 5 weeks I get a nice vacation at my moms for a week, where she can take care of me, and the kids can play outside all day long without any worries. Then after that it means picnics at the park, going to the zoo and library, and just being a mom to my kids until school starts again. So I am sure these will be the longest 5 weeks I've ever lived through, but just remember each Friday I am celebrating and looking forward to Monday when another week can start, and end so I can have some hard earned freedom.

Runny Noses, Ear Infections and Snow!

Well, the weather hasn't improved. We had snow yesterday and this morning a little bit. Although I did send the kids outside for a good hour because I needed a break and I had to get some cleaning done.

The past few days both Claire and Owen have had runny noses. I just hate runny noses. They never look clean no matter how much you wipe, and it's like chasing down a mad dog every time you get a kleenex out. Yesterday Owen was very whiny, cuddly, and he wouldn't eat (all of these are not like Owen). After my last experience of him being sick and having to hold him for 4 days straight, I made an appointment and we went to the doctor. Once again he has a double ear infection and a sore throat. Poor kid. The doctor told us to give him two doses of antibiotic last night, but he was still grumpy today. I think it is all finally working because he ate some lunch, and is now playing downstairs - thank you!!! I know we all get spring colds, but I'm afraid these are winter colds and the spring ones are yet to come. Lets just all hope for good warmer weather - it might help keep me sane.

By the way Tania - have you had your ultrasound??? I keep wondering.

Grumpy!!

I am going to admit it - I am grumpy!!! I am so sick of winter weather, and being stuck inside with 5 kids. We all need to get out! I am ready to pull weeds, rake something, and plant things. Isn't it time already? Today it is snowing again. Yes snowing! When will it stop. They keep saying that it is going to be nice this weekend, but I can only hold my breath. I'm sure all these kids hope that it gets nice soon because they are being taken care of by one of the seven dwarfs, and not the nicest one. And, let me top it off for all of you. Claire was in my bathroom, found my hidden scissors in my jewelry box, and cut her hair again. UGHH!!! I thought she had learned her lesson, but I guess not. She didn't get that much cut, but I am so angry at her. At least she didn't cut off the hair that was covering the bald spot!!!