November 11, 2012

November 11, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

Monday M was off work, and B-man was home from school.  It was so nice to have such a relaxing day together.  We did some work around the house, and just had a quiet day.  In the afternoon we delivered some coats and blankets to a drop off spot.  Our stake was helping in a multi stake effort to send items needed to victims of Sandy.  It was encouraging to see how much can be gathered in a very short amount of time.  We also went to the library.  The boys were all excited to go pick out their own books.  J declared that he wanted a "airplane book and a shark book."  He was thrilled that we found both.  We then headed home for dinner and FHE. 

Tuesday was election day.  We were all excited about it.  B-man was off of school again and we decided to go do something fun.  I ran to the grocery store, then we went to vote.  No long lines for us.  Then we drove to a little museum not very far away that we had never been to.  It is a farm museum, and has lots of information on Loudoun county and its farming roots.  M knows someone that works at the museum and she gave us free passes to get in.  All the boys loved some horses that you can climb onto and pretend to be riding.  After the museum we treated the kids to lunch at Costco before heading home for naps.  B-man had piano lessons that day, and is doing great.   M had interviews at the church and while B-man was at piano, and then after we ran around in the gym while he got his meetings in.  I need to do that more often when it is too cold outside.  That evening M went to a friend's house to watch and celebrate as Virginia voted for Romney.  Except it didn't really work out that way.  He came home before the media could call it either way, and we were disappointed (a huge understatement) when we woke up  in the morning.

Wednesday B-man was back at school and we were back to the usual routine.  That morning I had a friend over with her kids so we could catch up and the kids could play.  J and RM were both very territorial, so apparently we need to have more people over. 

Thursday I took the same friend to the airport.  Of course J was super excited for an excuse to go to the airport, and I was grateful that RM stayed awake until we got home so he could nap.  The rest of the day was really quiet.

Friday M was home.  Everyone is excited when M doesn't have to work.  B-man was very excited for his Veteran's day assembly at school and wore his Cub Scout uniform.  It was very cute how excited he was.  He loves military anything right now.  We had a busy morning.  I ran to the grocery store and then we went to take the little boys to a bounce house.  They had earned free passes from a clean check-up at the dentist.  We had to make them promise not to tell B-man...  So far so good.  RM is fearless and will climb up any slide to go down.  They both also loved a little train that you sit in and get pushed in a circle.  After they expended a bunch of energy the "free play" time was up and we stopped at a nursery on the way home.  We have some big plans for our yard, we are getting very close to being able to install some new trees at our house.  Small trees that will hopefully grow quickly...  We also stopped at Costco so M could get almonds for a coworker.  He is his office's almond supplier.  We then went home and had a relaxing afternoon, enjoying the slightly warmer temperatures.  That night we had pizza for our family party and then watched "Rango" as a family.  All the boys loved it, and no one was crying because they were scared, so it was a success.

Saturday I forced to be a productive day.  We had temperatures in the sixties and work that had to be done on the house and the yard.  I started off going to garage sales.  I hit one garage sale with a ridiculous amount of stuff and super cheap prices.  I got 25 articles of clothing (including a Timex watch for B-man), brand new Heely shoes, a Wii fit, and a brand new skateboard for $11.  It was awesome!  Seriously such a blessing.  Then I ran home to meet M at B-man's swimming lesson so he could have his goggles.  I took the little boys home with me, but J was NOT happy about that.  He wanted to be with his dad.  While J decided to be happy I started cutting the holly in our front yard.  It is big and beautiful but needed to be shortened a little to be more in scale.  I think M was shocked when he drove up and saw me with the big hedger electric tool working.  B-man actually helped quite a bit too.  I think he likes using power tools.  I gave M the job to prepare our front door trim to be painted, so he was sanding and caulking so we can paint on Monday.  I also spray painted our house numbers and door bell so they will hopefully look fresh and updated.  I love spray paint.  I also trimmed the roses and finished the weeding in the garden beds.  I was so grateful to have some warmer weather to get the jobs done!  That night we had pancakes and bacon for dinner, and then we enjoyed a calm evening.  I think the boys were tired from all their playing outside all day.  That night M and I watched a few "X-Files" before going to bed.

Today has been a good day so far.  Sacrament meeting went really well.  Primary was okay.  The kids were squirrely!  I hope they still like me...  Hopefully M will be home earlier today, and we will have a fun dinner on the grill to enjoy this nice weather!

We love you all!

The C Crew

B-man's Baptism

A few weeks ago B-man got baptized.  It was a simple low key service, and a low key day.  We were so happy that we had some family that were able to come out for the occasion. It really helped it seem like a party.  B-man was so excited about the day, but he was trying to keep his cool about it.  During the service he sat with his dad on the front row.  We were in the chapel and there was one other little girl getting baptized.  B-man was answering all the questions and was really paying attention.  After the ordinance, he gave his dad the sweetest hug in the water before leaving.

Here we are with our entire group.  It's not nearly as big as it could have been, but we feel so grateful to have had as many people there as we did.

Grandma and Grandpa, E, R, RM, M, B-man, Q, J, and T

We caught this cute little moment with Grandpa leaving the building.

November 4th, 2012

November 4, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

It's NOVEMBER! How is that even possible.  I can't imagine it.  Monday school was cancelled because of hurricane Sandy.  M was one of the few unlucky government employees that had to still go into work.  The weather was rainy, but not too windy in the morning so I took the kids and ran to the grocery store one last time before the storm.  The rest of the day was pretty relaxed.  B-man's good friend in our neighborhood came and spent most of the day with us.  Once the wind really started picking up his mom wanted him home.  The kids were pretty oblivious to the storm, but as the day went on the storm got much more intense.  That night for FHE we talked about the story of Jesus calming the seas with his disciples.  The wind and rain were very intense, so the kids really got the lesson.  That night I put the kids to bed.  I ran fans/humidifiers for the boys to try and break up the sound of the wind on the house.  B-man took slightly longer to fall asleep, but he once he was asleep he really slept fine.  M drove home during the worst of the storm.  I was so grateful that he had been transferred to a different office in case the power went out in the afternoon when things were quieter.  His second spot was much closer to use, and on big clear roads.  He made it home early because of that.  We then checked on the boys and went to bed.  I was in bed for about five minutes with earplugs when I realized I would never fall asleep.  So I hopped out of bed and slept in the guest room.  It is on the opposite side of the house and much quieter.  I fell asleep fast and went right to bed.  M had no trouble sleeping in our very loud bedroom.

Tuesday morning things were much calmer.  Once the boys woke up I immediately went and checked a few problem areas to see if we had lost any siding.  Everything had held together and we never lost power!   I was so grateful.  We did lose a few shingles and will need a little work on the roof, but we feel grateful that it wasn't worse.  Once again B-man was out of school, and M had to go to work.  The day was much calmer, although cold and wet.  B-man played with his friend again for most of the day.  I took the little boys outside for a few minutes to burn off some energy, but it was too cold to stay out for long.  I was a little grateful when J tripped in a puddle and got wet so I could take him in for a hot shower.  That afternoon I took B-man to piano. 

Wednesday the sun was shining.  B-man had an hour delay to school.  M didn't have to work, and it was nice to have him home for the day.  We ran a few errands, and mostly just enjoyed a relaxing afternoon.  Because of the storm and M' work schedule we never carved our pumpkins, so as soon as B-man got home from school we had a little carving party on our kitchen floor.  The boys did so great this year, they all helped clean out their pumpkins, and B-man designed and almost cut out all of his.  That's a lot of progress for him.  Everyone had a great time.  We then ate an early dinner and changed into our costumes.  While we were waiting to trick-or-treat we video chatted with some family.  The boys especially liked seeing Uncle Scott in the operating room with all his gear on.  We had originally intended to all stay together for the trick-or-treating.  But since B-man (and his friend) are so much faster, it didn't last that long.  I passed out candy at home, and M walked with the little boys and a friend, while B-man walked with his friend and his, mother.  The boys came home excited about their "haul."  We video chatted some more, they each indulged in a few candies, and then it was bed time.  RM loved trick-or-treating and really would not let go of the candy that people were giving him.  That can cause problems fast since their hands are so little... but he made it work.  That night M and I watched old episodes of "X-Files" to keep our Halloween mood.

Thursday was a normal day.  B-man had a full day of school, we ran some errands.  One of which was to pick up a large world map that we had framed with some metal behind it so that the map is magnetized and we can mark where we (or M) have been.  It was such a long story finding a shop that would finally do it for us, but when we finally found the right one they did a great job and were very professional.  We had a little lunch date at home and then that night M went to mutual.

Friday M was back at work.  I had lost my voice.  I hate losing my voice but I am grateful that I don't feel more sick.  That night for our family party we used some free things and went to McDonald's.  Then we came home and watched "Tangled."   I had never seen it before, and thought it was very fun.

Saturday was a busy day.  M had to work again.  He dropped off B-man at the church to help in the Scouting For Food activity.  I met him at the church and brought him home.  We had just enough time for him to clean his bathroom and practice his piano before we left for swimming lessons.  It was his first one in a long time, and he surprised me with how well he listened and how hard he was trying.  Not that he doesn't normally listen, just sometimes he is very much a boy and is in his own world.  After the lesson we ran to the grocery store and then home.  I had totally forgotten about a person coming to look at an item on Craigslist.  Thankfully she was patient and came back when I wasn't home!  The rest of the day I tried to work a little in the yard.  I have a lot of flower bushes that need to be trimmed for winter, but I hate to do it while they are still producing flowers.  Any day now they will be dead, because although we haven't had a hard freeze yet, the weather is super cold.  That afternoon we went to the surprise party of a family across the street.  It was the husband's birthday.  The kids all had a great time, and after almost two hours the little boys decided they had had enough and wanted to go home.  B-man stayed a little longer while I helped the boys warm up and then get ready for bed.  I worked on my lesson for Primary.

Today has been a good day so far.  M has to work all day, the first time in six months with his job that he hasn't been able to find someone to cover his shift.  We were grateful it was on a fast Sunday, so he at least wasn't missing a bunch of meetings.  Primary was an adventure with no voice, but I made it through.  We are home now and planning on a very simple dinner.  (I'm thinking scrambled eggs...)

We love you all!

The C Crew

Halloween

Here are the boys dressed up for Halloween.  This year was great.  The boys all loved their costumes and I didn't have to buy one thing.  It was all arranged from what we already had.  I love iet when that happens.

Right before trick-or-treating with a friend.

Not sure what B-man is doing in these shots.

A happy fireman.

B-man vampire with his friend from the 'hood.

Carving Pumpkins

It's never too late for pictures of Halloween right?  The boys loved carving pumpkins.  For the first year ever they all helped to clean out the pumpkins.  B-man also designed and carved all of his.

The set-up.

M loves to carve pumpkins.

He was trying so hard to carve that pumpkin.

B-man very focused on his knife usage.

The finished pumpkins.

October 28th, 2012

October 28, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

Here's what I remember from two weeks ago:

Monday:  B-man invited his friend Sam over at the last minute for FHE.  M and I were impressed but also thrown for a loop.  We ended up talking about Daniel in the lion's den.  I also challenged M, me, and B-man to try and get one hundred days of consecutive scripture reading.  I think I have had to start over the most...

Tuesday: Piano for B-man.

Robert enjoying an after nap snack with Dad.

Wednesday:  Watched a friend's child in the morning while she trained for a marathon.   Book Club for me that night.  We talked about "I Am Legend."  I recommend it if you haven't read it.  I was surprised by how much I liked it.

Thursday:  I did my visiting teaching while helping set up some stuff for a mutual activity.  The woman I visit teach was in charge of the activity.  Then I raced to another sister's house before she had to go to work.  M was home, so I didn't have to take the boys.  That night we got a sitter and went to the opening dinner of the "Bishop's Retreat" put on by the Stake Presidency.  They had a delicious dinner and then President Gerard and his wife spoke to us.  The night went a little longer than planned, and the poor sitter and her mother both called us on the way home to see where we were.  I felt terrible!

Before the fence.

Friday: RM turned two!!  We didn't do much to celebrate that day except sing to him lots.   M was off to the Bishop's retreat.  I joined latter in the morning after dropping off the boys with a sweet friend.  I was able to stay for several hours, and have lunch with the collective men and women, then I bowed out a little early to get home for school and things.  M got home a little after we started dinner that night.  We had pizza for our family party and then watched a show.  I can't remember which one.

After the fence.

Saturday:  M was off early.  I had it all planned to go to some of the Bishop's meetings, but I decided to cancel at the last minute.  We were having a fence put in that day, and I wanted to be sure I was available for any questions about where things should go...  I did step out briefly to take B-man to diving.  It was fun to see how quickly the fence went up.  They did our house and our neighbors in one day.  Amazing!  The weather was pretty amazing given the impending storm, and we spent a lot of the afternoon outside.  I was planting bulbs (90!) and transplanting a hydrangea.  Then M straightened a tree we put in this spring and we staked it so it would be protected during the storm.  We get a lot of wind in the area.  We were so happy to straighten the tree by ourselves.  We almost paid to have someone do it.  Hopefully we didn't hurt the tree any...  That night we got a sitter and went to a Halloween party thrown by some friends.  For the first time ever it was not a costume party.  I think we all missed it.

Sunday:  Normal day.  We had a mother and daughter over for dinner that M home teaches.  We had roasted chicken breasts, quinoa salad, and broccoli.  That night after our guests had left we let RM open the rest of his "prizes."  He was thrilled, and so were the other boys.

We love you all!

The C Crew

UPDATE

Here is a quick update on the boys...  I know I should have pictures, but I don't. 

B-man

Turned 8!  We have really been dragging out his birthday.  In fact just today he got another birthday present from a friend.  He spent all weekend learning to fly his new remote control helicopter that he bought with birthday money from friends.  I think all men and boys should have one.  They are seriously fun, and watching his face while he concentrates so hard on controlling it is priceless.  Also he is taking a diving class at our city pool.  He has perfected a front dive, and now we are bribing him with candy for every time he tries a back dive off the board.  Mostly he just wants to do a cannon ball or a pencil dive.

J

Obsessed with going on an airplane.  If I kept track of how many times he asks me to literally take him to the airport so he can catch his airplane in a day, it would be more than 30 times.  That's a lot in one day, and he likes to pack his backpack and a little lunch box full of snacks for the flight.  It is so cute, but sometimes I wish he could just pretend to catch a flight.  Also he has recently decided that he loves frogs.  There are some that live on our deck, and he likes to go catch them, and carry them around with him.  I will not let them in the house, and I also am nervous the entire time that he is going to accidentally kill them.  He is only three after all.  Usually getting him back inside the house without the frogs is a bit of a struggle.  I am starting to wonder if we can count them as pets?  Just pets that live outside all the time.  Maybe we should name them.  J is also talking up a storm.  The other day we had this conversation...
J: Me like frogs.  Me love frogs.
Mom:  Did we find some frogs?  How many did we find?
J: Ummm 2.
Mom:  What color were the frogs?
J: Green!  And ummmm camouflage.

RM

Obsessed with being one of the big kids.  Not quite two, but wants to do what they are doing.  He's also talking up a storm and added "taco" to his word list.  He is by far our earliest talker, and says three to four word sentences all the time.  Also, he is perfecting his jump.  Tonight he was practicing jumping off the stairs in my bedroom.  The first was too easy so he stepped up to the second with J.  That boy loves a little danger...