Daddy Strikes Again

Hyrum's first tooth came out tonight with a little help from his daddy and some dental floss. He was so happy and proud of himself after it was all over. He was quite a bit more apprehensive than Harker was, saying repeatedly, "I can't relax, I can't relax!" He just turned five last month so that makes him almost a year younger than when Harker lost his first tooth. Actually, Hyrum got his first tooth at four months and Harker was 10 months when his first came in. I wonder if that has anything to do with it? Anyway, my favorite part of the evening was overhearing the conversation the boys had after I put them in bed. They had a lengthy debate over the going rate of teeth. Hyrum kept insisting he would get at least a dollar while Harker informed him that your first one only brings change, "About fifty cents..if your lucky." I am interested to see how well Hyrum sleeps tonight. He hasn't slept well the past couple of Christmas Eves, not because he was excited, but because he was freaked out about the idea of someone coming in our house while we were asleep!

Do Not Enter!

We have had a lot of remodeling going on here in the last month and a half or so. We have a new kitchen sink, kitchen floor, counter tops, outlets, garbage disposal, furnace, front door, back door, bathroom floor, bathroom sink and vanity, roof, gutters, and soon... new front steps. All of this work has meant having all kinds of men in and out of the house constantly. The cigarette smoke, dust, invasion of privacy, and interrupted naps have been well tolerated in exchange for such a welcome upgrade. The boys loved having to move the dinner table to the living room for a while and thought it was cool to eat and watch TV at the same time. Natalie hated the days of the constant thunderstorms (the roof days) and I must say having ladders outside my second story bedroom window was kind of creepy. Today Hyrum and I watched in awe as they tore up our front walk and steps. It was "pretty cool" as Hyrum said.

Harker's Boat

Harker had a special homework assignment over the weekend. He was to enlist his parents and "junk" from around the house to make a boat. His first grade class will be having a race on Friday and he is/was so excited!

Back When

I took Natalie to the park a couple of weeks ago to swing and she would have nothing to do with it. I chalked it up to her having just woken up from her nap and being in a bad mood. Nope. I have tried again several times since then and she screams and wales her legs around so I can not even sit her down. She used to love swinging but the winter break has changed her. What gives? Who knows, but I still ask her every time we go to the park if she wants to swing. I love to hear her little voice boom a resounding, "NO!"

What's A Who

Hyrum got some birthday money recently and he decided he wanted to take the family to the movies. We were all happy to benefit from his generosity so we ventured out today to see Horton Hears A Who. It was really good and we had a great time.

Thanks Utah!

Dad came up to get Aunt Audrey today. It was bittersweet because he did not get to stay, he would not even come in for a minute. He would not give his firstborn daughter a hug. Dad made another trip to Utah where he again got some nasty bug which makes you do all that stomach sickness related stuff and robs you of visiting with your very pregnant daughter by the chance you might still be contagious and provoke preterm labor or just plan make her life miserable (thanks for the love dad!).

Ouch!

Monday night Natalie decided to take a nose dive off our bed. She was reaching for Brad but he didn't see her and walked away just as she was off balance. She hit pretty hard on her face and got a good rug burn. She didn't bleed but now she has a pretty good scab on her cheek. After I took this picture I showed it to her and she said, "Yuck- Boo Boo!" She was too funny when she was looking in the mirror and was trying to touch it by looking at her reflection. She tried for several minutes but never made it close enough to feel the scab. Good thing, I am always trying to get the boys to leave their scabs alone, they have some sort of fascination with picking them and then they take forever to heal!

Nothing says love like a funnel cake and a trellis!

I love my husband! Today he made me two things that scream his love for me. He made a trellis for my cucumber plants and a yummy funnel cake (yes, this is a picture of the actual funnel cake!) to satisfy a craving of mine. I am so lucky to have such a talented man!

Just a few pictures mom!

Harker asked if he could borrow the camera and take a few pictures. This was my favorite. OK, not really, my favorite was a picture he took of Hyrum sitting on the toilet. Hyrum was doing his business and hiding his face with a piece of toilet paper. This was my favorite of the ones I could actually post.

Aunt Audrey's Puzzle

Hyrum was totally in awe of Aunt Audrey's puzzle making abilities. He would find excuses to go to the basement to ogle over her progress. He was amazed to find out yesterday that she had completed her masterpiece.

Barbie Peace

Natalie has been especially needy this morning. Brad is at work on this cold, wet Saturday and I have made several attempts to hide in bed and watch TV. Natalie has other plans for me. They include her whining and me holding her. I asked the boys if they would play "dolls" with her knowing this would give me at least 20 minutes of peace. I was expecting negative reactions from both but Harker actually said yes. What a good boy! Well, after just five minutes Hyrum packed up his DS and joined them in the fun. I thought it was too cute so I had to get the camera and capture the moment. Well, 25 minutes later, I am blogging about it while Natalie has returned to my side to whine while both the boys are still in her room playing with the Barbies. They are making them fall off dressers and fight each other but they did dress them first in matching outfits!

Conference was Sweet!

Nothing like conference and a Fun Dip!

A Day in Drexel

Grandma, Dad, and Aunt Audrey went up to Drexel last weekend. We were asked to bring the truck and help move stuff out of the Hotel Uncle Raymond. As you can imagine, I was no help at all. Poor Brad did the brunt of it. Brad was the manual laborer, dad the voice of reason to his mother, and grandma was the master/ director of ceremonies.

The kids had fun exploring, and I happily patronized the local church's bag sale.
Natalie loved driving the truck and Aunt Audrey kept busy picking up the trash around both houses.

Subdivision Garage Sales!

Ok, everyone knows that I love garage sales and next to the church sales where everything is 50 cents, the next best thing is the subdivision sale. You get more bang for your gas buck, you can actually bust out the stroller and hit several on the same block, kids are usually selling treats and people who would not otherwise have a garage sale are taking advantage of the free publicity (ie cheaper prices and lots more kid stuff to be found). Anywho, I hit my first subdivision sale of the season and boy was it great. I will not bore you with the details of all my purchases, although I would love too! I will however share my most beloved purchase of the morning. I found a blue Bumbo! I have wanted one for a long time but would never allow myself to spend the $40- $50. Anyway, I have seen several pink ones lately at sales but they still wanted $30- $35 for them. Today I found a blue one in perfect shape for $10. Yeah! The best part is I know I can use it and get all my money back and more at the consignment sale.

Missy Mu

Natalie is such a sweet little girl. Today Harker twisted his ankle just before Brad brought the kids to the hospital to meet me after my ob appointment. We were to switch cars so he could go on to scouts and not be late. When he arrived Harker was still crying and in a lot of pain. When we got home I got everyone out of the car and went to unlock the door. After I set some things inside the door I turned around to see Harker trying to get from the car to the sidewalk. Natalie went over to him and reached out her little arm to help. Harker then proceeded to accept her aid and the next scene was one of Natalie on the ground crying. Her 28 pound body just could not support his weight. I guess in the middle of the pain Harker was willing to accept any kind of help, even from his 20 month old sister. As I went to help my Missy Mu up, I couldn't help but smile to think of her innate goodness. I must say that Hyrum did hold the door open for his brother without being asked but he did call him "slower than a turtle" while he was doing it.