Date Night!

Chad and I haven't been on a date in a long time. Yes I know it is sad, but paying for a babysitter, and for that fact trying to find one isn't always easy. Plus when you add in dinner, and an activity, it can get very pricey. OK we are cheap. This year for Valentine's Day Chad decided that he would take me to the Colbie Caillat concert, which was a few weeks after Valentine's Day. I was so excited that he would go - I love her, but I really don't think that he could have cared that much. Since I work in the ticket office, and the manager is my next door neighbor, he saved us some great seats. We got 5th row on the isle, which was almost eye level with the stage - Thanks Darik! We had a great time, and the concert was great. As we were waiting for her to come on I looked up in the balcony and I said to Chad, "that looks like Jeanna," his sister. She must have saw us at the same time, and realized we were there. It was fun to see her, and I'm glad she came because I totally forgot my camera, so she was nice enough to snap a few pictures for us. The funniest part of the whole night was the guy sitting across from us. He was there with his wife, but you could tell that he wanted to be somewhere else. I seriously don't think the guy moved the whole time, or smiled. Then at the end when everyone was clapping and waiting for her to come on again, he seriously sat there and plugged his ears - so funny. Just imagine a later 40 year old man plugging his ears. Chad and I had a great time watching him. We had a wonderful date night, and I can't wait to do it again, maybe in 6 more months!

We love the Turgooses!

We were so happy to have the Turgooses visit us. As always the kids were so excited, but this time since I knew that they wouldn't be here until late, I told my kids that they wouldn't be here until the morning. That way they got a good nights sleep in - I am getting smarter! The kids had a great time playing and learning how much each other has changed. Owen was a little sad that Bryson doesn't like trains that much anymore, but would much rather be playing football. He also had a hard time understanding that Carter would have loved to play trains with him. Claire was just thrilled to have them here, so I don't think it affected her that much. As always, we can't wait for their next visit.

Go Amber!

This past weekend we were happy to have Grandma and Grandpa Farmer and Aunt Amber visit us. Amber was on her way to a big scholarship chance at BYU-I. We are happy to say that she will be attending there next year, although we don't know when, and can't wait to have her closer. Maybe that means Grandma will visit more! It is always so much fun for the kids to have them visit, and it always means good food for all of us. We had a great family dinner on Friday night, and then dad and Chad proceeded to play the Wii for quite awhile. Owen was so excited to play with Grandpa, but couldn't beat him, which is amazing because Owen is an expert bowler! The next morning we all headed to Rexburg, except the husbands who stayed with the kids, and Claire did get to come. We went in and watched Amber's audition, and she did great!! Claire has been trying to hit all the high notes like Amber for the last couple of weeks - she isn't as good, but it's a good start! Hopefully she will hear back soon! As always we love having them visit, and can't wait for them to come back again soon!

Time for a Camping Trip!

We have had this tent up downstairs for forever. The kids finally decided they wanted to play with it. They seriously dragged it upstairs and we set it up in their room. They were very proud of themselves, and made a bed in it. They informed me that they were going to be sleeping in it that night. Chad didn't think it was a great idea, but I told him it really didn't hurt anything, as long as they went to sleep. So after telling them they couldn't get up, or fight or they would be in their beds we closed the door, and left them alone. This is what I found a few minutes later. I really can't believe that they would be that comfortable, but they loved it.

Skiing

Our Young Men and Young Women's group decided to plan another skiing party this year. This year we opened it up to the ward. Along with another ward we rented the local ski hill for the night, provided dinner, and free ski rentals - seriously you can't beat that! So, we decided since we wouldn't be out anything that we would take the kids. Claire was not excited about the idea at all while Owen thought it would be a lot of fun. The night before we got our skiis, and Claire was excited to have pink skis with butterflies, but wasn't going to go skiing. Go figure. The next evening we were off to the hill. Owen happily put his skiis on, but only made it a little ways, while Claire after much crying put the skis on, and was a master!! Our friend from the ward taught her, and she loved it. She tells me how fast she went, and how she beat her dad. I was really nervous about her going on the ski lift, but she said that was her favorite part. Chad and his brother Trevor brought Claire in after a little while because she had to use the restroom. She decided she was hungry so Chad thought that he would go take a few runs without her. She took one bite of sandwich, heard they were leaving, and was up as fast as she could to go back out. Owen sat inside with me for the most part. I finally talked him into going back out, and Brother Jensen gave him a lesson. He was actually doing quite well, but he wanted me to be with him. I wish I could have been, but I didn't think my balance would be that specatular! So he took one and a half runs, and then came back, but he was doing quite well. By the end of the night Claire was zooming down the hill, and had figured out how to turn. I think we will be visiting the ski hill again quite soon.

Snowman Snow!!

So we finally got snowman snow!! It snowed all day during church, so when we got home it was time to play! This time Chad took the kids out and played/shoveled the sidewalks. They had so much fun. Owen loves to help his dad shovel although the shovel is about as big as him. After they finished their work they got busy on a snowman. Claire was very excited, and Owen was ingenious enough to get our hats from New Year's Eve for the snowman. It actually worked quite well. Grant and I enjoyed watching the activity from inside. Grant was happy to eat his snacks and sit on the stool while they worked. Sadly it warmed up the next day and our snowman fell apart, but it was sure fun having him around for a few days.

Sunday night ritual

Every Sunday night we make popcorn and watch America's Funniest Home Videos. It has become our weekly tradition, and everyone loves it. Grant runs when he sees the popcorn popper coming out, and obviously the other kids love seeing it too. We make a huge bowl of popcorn, then head on downstairs for the show. I don't think the kids enjoy the show as much as the adults do, but they laugh anyways. Luckily there are plenty of animal videos to keep them happy. So now whenever the kids want popcorn they ask me if funny videos is on.

Pink Medicine

Update: Not only did the kids enjoy the pink stuff, but I was given a dose myself, in tablet form. The kids were very excited to see that the pills were indeed pink, and they made mommy feel better. Now we are all healthy, and hopefully sick free till next year!

Last week the beginning of the pink medicine in my fridge started. Claire was the first one to cry with an earache, so off to the quick care we went. She cried the whole time thinking that they were going to put a shot in her ear - who ever told her that? So 2 lovely pink bottles of medicine were placed in my fridge. Next Grant was very grumpy, and since we had a doctors appointment scheduled for yesterday, Chad and I just decided to wait. Well, I should have taken him sooner because when the doctor was checking his ear, he informed me that his ear drum had burst (that makes a mom feel good!). So check, another bottle of the lovely pink medicine enters my fridge. That brings me to today. Owen goes to my sister's house after preschool, and today he apparently just sat on the couch, and didn't play at all. When I got there he started crying and telling me that his ear hurt. So once again off to the quick care, and this time not only do we have an ear infection, but also strep throat. That is a first. So check - 2 more bottles of the pink medicine are in my fridge. Guess what we had for dinner. And to top it all off, Chad and I are sure that we have been given a gift from our children - their colds and sickness. Hopefully it doesn't turn into more, and with all the pink medicine, we will all be better by the weekend. Thankfully the other kids are already medicated that they won't be getting strep throat - now we just have to deal with runny noses, and remembering to give the pink medicine that is so prevelant in our fridge.

Pinewood Derby

The Elders Quorum has decided that it isn't fair that the Boy Scouts are the only ones who get to make a Pinewood derby car, so they hosted their own Pinewood derby. Chad was in charge, but your would have thought that all of them were about 8 again. The men had so much fun. Chad worked on his car for almost a week. I was pretty sure he was going to sand all the wood off, but it looked pretty good. He did have a problem with the wheel, and by the end of the night between the little boys fighting over who gets to bring it back, and dropping it on the floor a few times, the front wheel came off. Needless to say it didn't bring home any trophies - maybe next year!! The kids had a great time, and loved watching all the cars, and playing with their friends. It was not the funnest task keeping Grant off the track, but I think he enjoyed himself. So if you ever want to feel like a kid again, just go and get a Pinewood Derby car - that should do the trick.

Sledding

We were all very excited to see snow one Saturday morning. I really wanted the kids to get to make a snowman, but the snow was not snowman making snow type, so instead we just went outside for some fun. We got all suited up (which is not easy for me as nothing fits right now!), and we threw a lot of snowballs, then headed out back to our small, but personal sledding hill. The kids had a great time. I even tried to bring Grant out for awhile, but he did not think it was so great. Chad loved that he got to stay inside and work on his projects, while I froze. Uusually I stay inside, but I decided it was my turn. It was a fun way to start off our Saturday morning.

My Sweet Owen

So the other day I decided no big deal, I will just take the boys with me to my doctors appointment. That was not the best idea! Owen was great, but Grant was nothing close to stellar. Plus it didn't help that my usually quick office was running slow. That is one of the many reasons that I love my midwives. Anyways, we listened to the babies heartbeat, and came home. Owen was sitting eating his lunch and he got very serious and he said, "Mom, they didn't take out our baby girl that Jesus sent us." Seriously how cute!! Claire has obviously convinced him that it is a girl, and I have been trying to tell them that we will take whatever Heavenly Father sends us. Apparently he took both our comments to heart. I did quickly assure him that he would not be there when they "took" the baby out, which I think made him a little relieved. I am so grateful to have kids that are so excited for another brother or sister, it makes my life much easier!