Lost and Found

This might sound like a funny story, but at the time, it was not!!! This is our 1994 Chevy Pickup. This thing has been through a lot, but it is all ours, and we really do love it. Her name is Gretel (men always call their toys girls, so I gave it a girl name). Anyways, Gretel had a bit of a run in yesterday that we will never forget. Here is what happened:
Trevor and Shanna came down to help us cut up the wood that we got while camping. They brought their new to them, but very old pickup that they inherited from Grandpa Clayson. It decided to break down, so we told them to take our pickup home. They forgot their car keys in their pickup so Shanna had to drive Gretel to work - no big deal. The only problem was that she couldn't figure out how to get the key out, and Trevor wasn't answering his phone, so she left them in the pickup and went to work. She came back out a half an hour later, and Gretel was gone!! Now when you have that old of a pickup, you only carry liability on the thing, which is what we did, so we were really worried about that, but the good thing is it was found around 2:00 yesterday by a state trooper on the Indian reservation. The guys who took it was actually pulled over for speeding, but got arrested for stealing a car. Thankfully he left us two cases of beer and some cigarettes so we could celebrate Gretels return. I felt so bad for Trevor and Shanna all day because I knew they had to be stressing out! We are all just so grateful that it was found, and it doesn't seem to have any major damage. Who would want to steal a pickup (loaded with wood), that gets about 12 miles per gallon? I guess now we know.

Camping

Last weekend we took the kids camping for the first time. I'm not really sure how they knew so much about it, but Claire was so excited. She talked about a fire, roasting marshmallows, and sleeping in the tent. She could hardly wait to try that part. We went with our friends the Copelands, and then Chad's brother Trevor came along with is wife Shanna. They are hands down the favorite aunt and uncle (sorry everyone!), so the kids were thrilled that they were there. We roasted hot dogs on Friday night for dinner, and Owen was hysterical! He insisted on doing it himself, but would swing his stick around at random times, almost hitting you. The hot dog got bounced on the ground a few times, and then when Owen thought that it was done, he pulled it off the stick (thank goodness it was still cold), and told a big bite off the end with all the dirt (yummy!). He then handed it to his dad, who had a decoy (fully cooked, not dirty) hot dog ready. He was the same with the marshmallows except he was always waving them around when they were on fire so you could blow it out. He roasted at least 10 marshmallows and didn't eat any of them. At least he had fun!

Claire loved camping too! She enjoyed sleeping in the tent, and made me go in there quite a few times before she was actually ready for bed. On Saturday Shanna took them on a walk, and she came back with a ton of wild flowers. She then spent at least an hour arranging them, and picking more. She was very proud of her creation and held it all the way home, even while she was sleeping.

Chad spent all morning Saturday getting wood. We need it to heat our downstairs. We left about 2:00, and headed home. We had a good time, but it was time to go home. We all needed baths and a nap! I was just ready to not have to sit in a chair that was hard to get out of. Those camping chairs made me feel very pregnant!!!
I should have taken a before and after shot of this kid. By the time we left (after many attempts with a wet paper towel), he was still so dirty!! I guess that means he had lots of fun.
Claire was so ready to leave - all I heard all day was "when are we going to sleep in the tent?"
We've only used our tent once before, so everyone laughed when we got the instructions out!
Owen and Claire were so excited to sleep in the tent, and they actually slept quite well!
Ashlyn, Kylie and Kamri - it was so nice to have other kids around

Can we say scary!!!

Aunt Shanna and Uncle Trevor
Owen ready to catch butterflies
Owen, Chad and Uncle Trevor - they were trying to teach Owen a new way to wear his hat, but he wasn't buying it!

The Zoo

With the return of the warm weather, comes the return of our weekly trips to the zoo. Our zoo isn't that great, but they have a class once a week for the kids that is pretty good. The kids were excited to go, but once we got there, they were ready to go back home!! Who would have guessed?? We had a fun time anyways.

Swimming!

We have been waiting a long time to put our new swimming pool up. Claire was so excited when we bought it (a month ago), and she kept telling me that she couldn't wait for summer time so she could go swimming in it. I am happy to say that summer is finally here, and she can swim now.
Owen found the watering can, and wouldn't give it up
Claire just relaxing

Father's Day

I know I am very late with this blog, but I just haven't found any time lately to blog, so here goes. We had a nice Father's Day. Chad came home from his meetings and found two very excited kids. They could hardly wait to give him his presents. It was so funny. Claire helped me wrap them earlier, and then she decorated them with pictures of everyone in our family. She was very serious about her project.

I had to speak in church - let me just say that you shouldn't let a pregnant woman speak in church, especially on Father's Day. Even when I was trying to be funny, I would cry. It was ridiculous!! Oh well, maybe they won't ask me ever again!!!

After church we headed to Chad's parents house. Not only were we celebrating Father's Day, but 3 birthdays too. It was Chads dad's birthday the day before, Jeanna's the next day, and mine that same week. We had a lot of fun, and the kids were very happy to see that grandpa had fixed his swing. I love that thing!! We got to finally enjoy the warm weather, and spend some time outside. Happy late Father's day to all you men out there.

Claire with her pretty present for dad
The kids loved helping their dad.

All the kids got a chance to blow the candles out too!
Grandpa with his new toys
Watch out!!!

Our Week in Review

This was our first full week home without having preschool, and it was great - except for the weather. Chad would ask me what I was going to do each day, but I can promise you that there is plenty to do around here. Monday was spent grocery shopping and doing laundry from our trip. It is amazing what you can run out of when you don't go grocery shopping for awhile. We also started swimming lessons that evening. Luckily they are inside, or we wouldn't be going. Owen and I go to the mommy and me class, while Claire goes to her swimming class. My good friend Debra is in the class with her son Carter and then her son Bryson is in Claire's class, so it has been great. Claire can hardly wait to show me that she can swim each day after her class - she is getting really good at floating on her back. The hardest part about our class is that it is every night at 6:30 for two weeks, so we have to rush through dinner, and hope that we don't freeze after class.
Owen, Bryson and Claire
On Wednesday morning Chad's brother Brad and his wife Jessica welcomed their second daughter Brecklyn into the world. We still haven't had a chance to meet her, but will try again soon. The kids have had nastly colds and now I have one, so it is best if we wait until we are feeling better.
Brad and Jessica with Baby Brecklyn
I also had my 26 week checkup with the midwife, and everything looks good. This pregnancy has been hard because I have just been so very uncomfortable (like right now I have heartburn!!). They told me at my very first appointment that the 3rd pregnancy is hard, but I didn't believe them - I believe them now. Plus, this baby moves all the time. It pokes me, or kicks (really hard), and even wakes me up at night. I'm afraid it is going to keep me busy when it comes! I honestly didn't even know how far along I was until I went to the doctor - I just figure the baby will come when it is ready.

Besides everything else, we have been spending time at the park, going on walks, and enjoying our time together. I am watching my cute neice Lilly for her mom because her babysitter wouldn't do it through the summer, but she is practically one of my own, so she is great! Chad and Owen went to a Father and Sons campout on Friday night, so Claire and I had a great time. I sent the camera, but did not get any pictures. Now we are just waiting for warm weather so we can break out the new swimming pool, and enjoy being outside without a sweater.

Grandpa's Invention

When we visited Chad's parents yesterday, grandpa pulled out his newest invention. He has some great ideas, and I tell him he should sell some of them. This is an invention that every parent can get behind - an automatic swing. It was so great. He is still working out the bugs, but he took a part from a pivot (I'm pretty sure), added a few parts and a motor, and he came up with this swing. The kids loved it until it started to go to fast. He plans on making it so it can have 4 swings, and will only require one adult to run - what a great idea!! Owen had a great time, but it might take some coaxing to get Claire back in it. Maybe if her dad isn't in charge of the speed! Great idea grandpa! Owen told me this morning that grandpa's swing is "cool!"



Working out the bugs
Grandpa is just testing it out!
Guess who broke it??

Happy Birthday Grandma Clayson

Yesterday was Grandma Clayson's birthday, so we headed to her house for a little party. Not everyone could come, but we were happy to be able to go. We had a great time having dinner, and partaking of Trevor and Shana's special cake. It was very impressive!! Claire and Owen always love to visit their grandparents. They were a little sad that it was so cold because they couldn't enjoy their great yard as much as they would like to. Happy Birthday Grandma!
Claire could hardly wait to give Grandma her balloons that Claire picked out!
Chad and Owen
Grandpa and Claire
Great Grandma Clayson and Grandma
Trevor and Shana
Hey Jeanna - do we need to call the fire department?
Grandma got a little bit of help blowing out the candles.
Trevor and his famous cake!

Brainwashed

I have to admit that I am very excited for the new Costco they are building here in Pocatello. We drive by the new sight all the time, and Owen loves to see the tractors hard at work. I always tell him that is where Costco will be. Yesterday Owen told someone that "the tractors are at Costco." Oops, I think I should have made that a little clearer. He might be very mad when he finds out that Costco doesn't really sell tractors. Today we were driving home from dinner at Craigo's with a friend (the boys are off at the father and son camp out), and Claire said, "look mom, the tractors aren't building Costco right now." At least one of them understands!

There is a first time for everything!

I can hardly believe it, so I have to tell everyone. It is 8:42 and both my kids are still in bed asleep, not my bed, but their own. This has never happened!!! My kids get up early (like 6:30), so this is a miracle. I should take more advantage of it, but I watched a little T.V., picked up my room and started the laundry. I'm afraid to do to much because I don't want to wake them up. They have been so tired lately, and I can't get either of them to take a nap (it is driving me insane!). Here's to hoping that they wake up happy and ready for a day of being inside (thank you wonderful weather!).

Playing at Grandma's

Let me start off by saying that my kids are still coming down from their sugar high. My dad has a sucker jar, and in order to get a sucker the kids have to give him a hug and a kiss. Lets just say that I had to put a stop to the sucker jar. He was giving the suckers after breakfast, before nap or bed. He was finally only allowed to give them one in the afternoon, but that was hard for him. On Saturday when we left, they each left with one - go figure!!!

We had a great time visiting my mom. I didn't realize how tired I was until I got there, and had a nap every day. It was so nice to have someone to watch the kids so I could do that. I have been having a ton of braxton hicks contractions, but once I slowed down a bit they stopped. We didn't really do a lot, which was great. We did go to Lewiston one day so mom could get her carpel tunnel surgery done. She can't lift anything now, and has trouble doing basic things, so I was glad that I could be there and help. We always have so much fun when we are together.

Amber is still in school, and with all her extracurricular activities, we hardly saw her, but she is excited to be the Junior class president next year, and I know she will do a great job!

Claire had a blast playing with her cousin Brittany. She even managed to get up enough courage to walk to Brittany's house - it isn't that far. Brittany also had her 5th birthday party while we were there, and Claire had a great time. They had a manicure party, so Claire has some beautiful bright blue nails right now.

Owen just loved being there, and had a great time. He missed his dad (who went home with Uncle Aaron on Monday so they could go back to work), but loved talking to him each night.

We all had a great time, but as they say "there is no place like home." On Saturday it was time to head back home, and endure the long ride. We brought back Heather and Lilly, so with 3 kids (even with 2), we had to stop quite a few times, but we made it. I can honestly say that I never want to watch, or hear another Dora movie, ever!! The kids were excited to see their dad, and now we are trying to get things back in order. Thanks for the great time mom and dad, we can't wait to visit you again!
My cousins are all grown up and apparently that had a million ponies when they were younger. My grandma found them and sent them up to my mom. She gave half to Brittany and saved the other half for Claire. She was so happy to get them, and she carried them everywhere. The first day she took them to Brittany's and they played with them for hours.
Owen quickly decided that he now likes 4-wheelers, and would request a ride first thing in the morning on our last few days. He didn't really take the answer no very well. Thankfully my dad, Amber and a few others stepped in to give him some rides. I think he could have rode a 4-wheeler all day long!
For Owen's birthday, his grandpa and grandma gave his this bubble gun. I had to limit the number of times he could refill it in a day (thanks for the extra bubble mom - good idea!). He also got a new lightning McQueen hat, which he wore everywhere and Lightning McQeen jammies which he requested every night.
Claire learned all about Twister, and loved playing it. She didn't quite understand the left, right, hand, leg thing, but she understood the color concept and would just move from color to color. It didn't matter, she had fun!

Milking the Cow

Owen figured out very quickly that there were lots of animals at Grandpa and Grandma's house. One night we even missed dinner so he could watch Cody milk the cow. He thought it was great at first, but Cody got a new milking machine that makes noise, so Owen decided that he was scared. Once it was all done, he was very excited about the whole thing and even went out the next night without me with his Uncle Roy to milk the cow. He is a farm boy at heart!
Cody and Owen milking the cow
Cutie Parker
Brittany

Banana

Let me just say that my sister-in-law is amazing!!! She milks a cow 2 times a day, takes care of 5 kids and is still nursing one. I don't think I could do it!! Their milk cow just had a calf, and the kids have named her Banana, but they call her Nana for short. Owen loved seeing the calf, and we had to go up to the calving barn at least once a day to visit Nana. It was fine until he stepped into a fresh pile of manure and rubbed it onto my leg - not my fondest memory. He loved see the baby cow and talks about it all the time.
Bladen and Brittany were swinging from this rope the whole time we were feeding Nana. They are busy kids!

Memorial Day Weekend

First of all, I have to say that I love the van. It was so great to travel in. The kids loved it. After some good nap time, we made it to Boise and stopped for dinner. We seriously stayed at Burger King for an hour because they were having so much fun on the toys. Claire actually went to the very top for the first time on any toy like this. She was so proud of herself! I'm glad to see that she is getting brave.
Claire coming down the "Big Slide."
Owen and the little slide. He was so mad that he couldn't climb to the top, but he just wasn't big enough.
After dinner we popped in a few movies, and made it to White Bird, with no problems. I am so grateful that the kids were good!

Saturday was filled with birthday madness, and then Sunday and Monday everyone was still there, so we played some games, and just visited. It has been a long time since everyone has been together, so it was nice to see them all.

Travis, Jarom, Bladen and Creecore - these three boys loved Travis's hair, and on his last day there, he helped them put enough gel in their hair to service a beauty salon for a month - but, they loved it!!