We're home

Well, our week in Oregon was great! We had a wonderful time. The kids all were sick, but we made it through. I will post pics and details soon!

Daeson's eye dr visit

Sunday Tevan was whipping around a piece of paper and Daeson's eye got a paper cut. We told him to tough it out and that it would feel better soon. This morning at about 10 we got a phone call from Daeson saying his eye hurt and he needed to go to the Dr. So Troy grabbed him and went. He has an abrasion on his eyeball and has special eyedrops. He has to wear really nifty sunglasses, I'm glad he is a little boy and doesn't care what he looks like! They are quite "cool". But he should be better in a few days. We then have to take him in for a more thorough visit since his eye chart test came back 20/40! He's so young to have bad eyes! I think its from all the video games! Haha. Troy will disagree with me on that! But he is healing and he was happy he got out of school!

Day number two, Astoria, Oregon

Our first stop in Astori, OR was the Columbia River Maritime Museum. This was a neat place to visit. There were lots of replicas, fishing and coast guard stories, and things to do and see.



Troy backpacked Kaebryn most of the time. She seemed to like it and Troy didn't seem to mind.



This was inside some kind of Navy vessel. This was one of the boys favorites...and when I say boys, it includes Brandon and Troy!!



Troy's cousin, Brandon, is next to a missile...or atleast that is what I think it is!



The boys loved having their pictures taken! They thought it was pretty neat to be next to something waaaay bigger than they.



Troy and Kaebryn loved the museum. This is a missile launcher, I think.



Daeson thought all the replicas were pretty neat. He enjoyed them a lot.



This is a boat wheel,Daeson pretended he was in a storm at sea.



Brandon and D, not sure what that is next to them.



This is an operating Coast Guard boat. Those in the coast guard risk their lives to save many!



This is a view of Astori from the dock. We went into Columbia for a tour. It was tight quarters, but very neat.



This was in front of a propeller. We were waiting for the Riverfront Trolley.



The cream colored house with dark trim and the covered porch on the top row was the house where the Goonies was filmed.



This is the school where Kindergarten Cop was filmed. Our trolley guide was very knowledgeable. He knew what we wanted to see :)



The boys loved the trolley. We all did. When we arrived at the edge of Astoria, we stood up and flipped our seats so we could see the other direction. It was fun to see the amazed faces when the

trolley turned itself around

.

Oregon or bust...our first family vacation

This is our first real family vacation. Troy and I have been on trips for work and little jaunts here and there, but never a vacation. So we left on Friday, March 23, 2012 and headed to Oregon. We first stopped in Pocatello to get my hair cut and then once more in Massacre Rocks to get Tevan. He was at my parent's house for the last three weeks. We then continued on our way. We made little stops here and there, but drove through the night, arriving in Beaverton, OR at 5 am on Saturday, March 24.

The kids were wide awake and so excited, so I stayed awake with them while Troy slept. Brandon, our cousin, works nights, so he needed some more shut-eye as well. After about an hour or two of trying to keep the kids quiet, I decided to venture out on my own. I used the GPS in my cell phone and drove to Sonic for breakfast and then a park for the kids to play. It was windy and chilly, so Kaebryn fussed after her nap. I was a little annoyed...okay, a lot annoyed, but we managed. I found our way back to Brandon's and Brandon woke up. We then woke Troy up and we got ready to venture out in the Portland area.

We went to Fry's...of course! Troy was in heaven! Then we ventured over to a mall, walked around, went to the Lego store, then to the Cheesecake Factory. It was sooo yummy! Tevan and Daeson fell asleep on the bench long before their food arrived, so we got it to go. We headed back to Bran's, got kids ready for bed, fed the boys, and watched one of Troy's favorites, The Simpson's. Then to bed we went. Kb slept in her carseat next to me on the couch, Troy on the blow-up and the boys in a papasan chair in the living room. The next morning, March 25, we got up, ate waffles...thanks, Bran...and headed to Astoria.

Ecuador needs help

My other-mother, Peggy, and my brother-in-law, Kaden, just returned from Ecuador. They went to help in the orphanages. If you would like more information, the link below should direct you. However, I have no idea how to make the link click-able. So just copy and paste like I do! It is a wonderful opportunity to serve.

Orphanage Support Services Organization (OSSO)
www.orphanagesupport.org/

Where has the time gone!?

I figured it was time for an update, just some things I want to be sure get recorded. Tevan has been gone to my parent's house for a couple of weeks now. We will pick him up Friday. He has had a lot of fun, and the little stinker hardly talks to us now. He watches cartoons, helps Grandma, goes to the movies, plays Grandpa's IPad, does chores with Grandpa, and plays toys. What a life. My mom is a really good cook, so he gets to do all of that AND eat her delicious food. We miss him, but as Daeson puts it, we don't miss his fits. When he is done talking to us, he says, "Talk to you later, Bye!" and then hangs up... regardless if we are done talking to him.

Daeson has spring break coming up and so does Troy. We are traveling to the wonderful Oregon coast. It is whale watching week, and we are so excited for this. I am a little anxious for Kaebryn to be in the car all that time, but we will survive I think. We cannot wait.

I have five cakes this week, two for Relief Society, two for my neighbor's kids, and one for my father in law. I hope they all turn out like I imagine. One is going to be a challenge, but the others should be fun.

Kaebryn is army crawling and getting into everything. If she can see it, it is no longer safe. She bites now...and it is not fun. We are trying to get her to stop, but I don't think she will until her top two teeth finish coming in. That makes four teeth for her. She eats everything. She loves to have attention and she loves to look at herself in the mirror. She is so different from the boys. Not that I enjoy girls over boys, they are just different.

Peggy and Kaden just got back from Ecuador. They went for 10 days to work in the orphanages. They loved it and had a great time. What a neat opportunity! Peggy said they are always looking for volunteers, so if you feel like going to Ecuador, I am sure I can get some information for you! What great acts of service! I am grateful they were so willing to go, and even more grateful they are home safely.

I am free from the chains of physical therapy! Dr. Huntsman gave me the okay to get back to normal last Monday. Wednesday was my final day of PT. I am still doin a home program, but atleast I don't go three times each week. I started running last Wednesday and ran Thursday, Friday and today. I also do the stationary bike. I am enjoying being back to normal for the most part. I have lost six pounds since Friday. I want to keep losing so I can enjoy the swimming pools at the hotels in Oregon. However, eating 1000 calories each day is not fun. I skip the icecream and the other treat type foods, but I did allow myself to have some popcorn last night...at only 30 calories a bag, I figured a cup wouldn't hurt!

We saw The Lorax St. Patricks's Day. Very cute and I give it two thumbs up. We took Kaebryn, my nephew, Jaxon, my brother, Jesse, and Adam and Kayla went and treated Daeson. Thank you so much for a fun afternoon! It was super fun. I made a traditional Irish Lamb stew this day...I do not recommend it. Trying the lamb was fun, and it wasn't too bad, but the stew itself wasn't very good. I now know why I previously didn't own majoram spice. I was sorely disappointed.

Well, I'm off to get ready for the day. I sneaked downstairs for a few minutes. Happy Spring!

She's 9 months!!

I cannot believe Kaebryn is already nine months. She is such a happy girl. I love her so much. The things Kaebryn loves:

Food. Anything that has texture, no baby food and very few bottles.
Sesame Street. She will watch Cookie Monster very i intensely.
Me. She lights up when she sees me.
Army crawling. She gets everywhere she wants.
Mischief. She is into everything!!!
Screeching. She screeches so loudly when she feels like it.
Balls. She has a great aim, too. She and I play catch.
Strings. She loves to whip them around.
Giggling. And it is so cute!
Neck kisses. She has a really fat neck and she loves to have it kissed.
Waving. She waves at everything.
Spitting/raspberries. She is doing this always.
Shoes. She will find a pair and suck on them.
Bright colored objects. Anything shiny or colorful attracts her attention.
Mimicking. She copies everyone.
Love. She is a lovey girl!
Staying up late. Boy, I tell you, some nights it is L-A-T-E!

Today we went to the park. Something you rarely get to do in Idaho in March. I put her in the baby swing and she laughed for a minute, then started to fuss. It was a little chilly, so then we went to the van and let Daeson finish playing. We went to Sizzler for a school fundraiser and she had some yummy food. I think her 9 month birthday was pretty great.

Dislocated knee

I have always been the most graceful person in the world, and probably always will be...but if you know me, this does not sound at all like the truth. The truth is, I am not graceful at all. I have broken my arm, my leg, my thumb, cracked my chin open, had many sprained ankles, cut hands, fingers and feet, and have even had a metal spear rammed at my head leaving a huge gash that needed a visit to the ER. I thought I was in the clear...I hadn't needed stitches since Tevan was a year old.

However, Friday,February 3, 2012 I was texting my brother, Justin, climbing into bed and my knee cap slid right off. I screamed for Troy (twice), he was in the living room watching Netflix and obviously didn't hear the alarm in my voice. It was 11:30pm, only 10:30 pm my parent's time so we called my dad. Luckily my knee cap returned to it's normal position and I didn't have to get it set. My fabulous friend, Kara, is a nurse for an orthopedic doctor and came down to assess the situation. I went into shock, but settled down and came to reason. I decided to not go to the ER. I took four Ibuprofen and got some sleep. If you know me at all, you know that I am anti-medicine for the most part. For me to take 4 IB, I was in a lot of pain! The next morning Troy got me crutches so I could get around. He had a huge computer job to do in Rexburg and had to go. He took the kids to his Mom and Dad's house for the day. Thank you soooo much for watching them, Richard and Peggy!!

Monday, the 6th, after a LOOONG weekend on crutches, I went to the Doctor. He told me that I indeed dislocated it and needed a brace and physical therapy. Within the next couple days I ditched the cruthces and just used the brace. The following Monday, the 13th, I started physical therapy and that is where we are. I have been two full weeks and today is the start of the third week. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I go for an hour of therapy. Sheesh, all because I cannot get into bed! I am relived to know my insurance covered the xray and the visit, but the stinking brace is 500 bucks. I cannot believe how much it was. But, I am glad it keeps everything in place. Next time I get a brace, I am going to check around first. I am not sure what the physical therapy is running, I hope it isn't too bad!

I can finally bend it to 60 degrees without it hurting too bad. I wear an ace bandage at night because the brace is so bulky. This morning I am trying to let my leg get some air. It gets so tired of being bandaged up and wrapped tight. I just have to be careful what I do!

Happy 6th Birthday, Mieley!

My niece, Mieley, turned 6! Yay for her! I called her the other day and asked what kind of things she likes. These were her answers: Color: Green. TV show: Pink Panther. Things to do: Hike, swim, draw. What she wanted: Roller skates. Kind of cake: sprinkle.

So, having said all of that, the boys and I decided to surprised her with a Pink Panther sprinkle cake. She was surprised and I think she loved it!! The best part? The Pink Panthers were edible!

Valentine's Day

The newspaper interviewed the first graders about Valenitne's Day...here is what they had to say and published in the paper:

Interviewer: What is Valentine's Day?
Daeson: It's a day all about love.
Interviewer: Do you love anyone?
Daeson: I have 32 girlfriends. They like me and I like them. Sometimes I just go walking by and they go "Oh, he's hot".
Interviewer: Does your mom know you're a ladies man?
Daeson: I keep it top secret. She just doesn't want me to have girlfriends.
Interviewer: Will you give the girls you love a Valentine's Day gift?
Daeson: Some cards will say 'I like you.' I like my friends, they're like my pals abd they've always been by my side, so I'm going to give them a present so they will kind of be by my side.

"Keegan"
Interviewer: What does love feel like?
Keegan: It actually feels pretty good. You actually feel something in your heart that makes you feel good.

Good job, Keegan. Well said.

"Jordyn"
Interviewer: What does it mean to be in love?
Jordyn: Uh...a hug?
Interviewer: Dou you love anyone?
Jordyn: Well, a boy in my class loves me. I like him but I don't love him. Love means that you love-love them.

Guess who she is talking about? Yup, Daeson.

"Isabelle"
Interviewer: Do you love anyone?
Isabelle: There's two. I'm going to make them some cards, like five or six.
Interviewer: What does it feel like to love someone?
Isabelle: It feels awkward because I have to sneak up on them and it's hard because they always notice.
Interviewer: Why do you love them?
Isabelle: They are hilarious and funny. I just love them.

Once again, one of the boys mentioned is Daeson.

This was so funny! His teacher said the interview was longer and the reporter had a hard time keeping a straight face. Daeson thinks he loves everyone, but atleast he mentioned that I don't condone it!

Some of the girls he "loves"...Jordyn, Rachel (who allegedly 'broke-up' with him at church on Sunday), Isabelle, Tayla(from Kindergarten), Ashtyn (from kindergarten), Avery, Abby H (from Kindergarten), Aubrey (from kindergarten), and Sherlyn...he will have to finish the list for me!

*so I asked him and he said he doesn't know all their names. I think 32 is a little far fetched! LOL

Our little adventure

We have been cutting back on eating out lately, trying to trim the unnecessary bills out. But, we decided to let the kids pick where we went to eat...and they of course pickedd Chuck-a-Rama. Troy had shrimp, so he was okay with it. The boys love it and Kaebryn loved it, too. Thanks for not making me cook, Troy!

Busy as bees

It's only Tuesday and we feel like we are ready for the weekend! Sunday we went to church, Troy spoke in sacrament meeting on scouting (he holds a calling on the scout committee) and did a great job. My friend was sick, so we took Brady to church with us. Troy was a bit annoyed, I think, but I made him leave the stand to take Kaebryn out for me. Whew! We ran t Rexburg for a yummy dinner with the Grover's and the boys stayed over night. Troy, Kaebryn and I came home and Kb was up until 11:30 or so. We left early Monday morning to go to Rexburg for a funeral. Our friend, and our best man at our wedding, Brian's dad died unexpectedly of a heart attack. It was a lovely service and I sat there aching for Brian and his family. Don was only 58. He was in great shape and a big outdoorsman and mountain man.

After the funeral we ran to pick up the boys from Grovers. We stopped in Rigby to grab a burger from Wendy's and rushed to physical therapy. While I was there, Troy took the kids and ran to Rigby to drop some computers off. He picked me up, we ran to the accountant's office and did our taxes. The boys were pretty good, so we stopped at Geraldine's to get a yummy cinnamon roll. MMMM! Troy had study group last night with Robin. She has a little girl, Avery. and the boys love to play. Robin bought pizza last night and was here until 9:45ish. I finally crashed about 10:30.

Today I had to be at the dentist bright and early. Kaebryn and I were up at 6 and the rest of the family at 7. Troy took Daeson to school and then went to study group. I took Tevan and Kaebryn to the dentist with me to get my crown. We then ran to Sam's to get formula and milk...and some other things. Can you really go to Sam's and just get what you went for?? We then came home and got laundry done and some other things. Troy got home, picked up Daeson and he surprised us with a trip out to eat. Besides our dollar burgers at Wendy's we haven't been out. The boys chose Chuck-A-Rama of course and the loved it. Troy and I thought it was okay. He ate a lot of shrimp...it was tasty and I don't like shrimp! They had a marmalade/horseradish sauce for it. The kids got bathed, and we actually had time for a story or two. Kb went to sleep early, about 7:30. The boys took a little longer, especially Tevan. Every night with him.

Tomorrow I go to the school at 10, have visiting teachers at 11:30 and then physical therapy at 1. Troy has study group and then the rest of the week just as busy. I am tired tonight...I still have two batches of laundry to do. Maybe they can wait?

I used to laugh when people would say that time goes by faster the older you get. It does. It goes by so quickly. It seems just yesterday I was playing with Daeson as a baby, then Tevan. Now the boys are so grown up and turning into little people. Sigh... and Kaebryn, already 8 months old and learning so much. I want to pause life for a little while and soak it all in.

Job hunting, again!

Troy is overwhelmed with school as I have previously mentioned. So, I am biting the bullet and applying for work. I just submitted my application to WinCo to work from 8pm to 2am. I am hoping something comes of it as they are a great company to work for. It will be a busy schedule, but atleast I will be home with my babies and I can work while they are sleeping :)...or I hope they are sleeping. If I do not hear back, I will keep searching. I applied to substitute teach, but Troy's schedule does not work with that. We will see how it goes!

Lincoln Logs

I have always loved Lincoln Logs. I could play with hours. I don't love Legos or Tinkertoys, but give me a bucket of Lincoln Logs! Tevan loves to play with me while Kaebryn is napping. So we decided to take on a project of a little town. I love them and my kids love that I will play with them!

Here is a history of Lincoln Logs pulled from ideafinder.com


In the 1910s, American builders were busy on construction sites in the city and in the playroom. Introduced just after Tinkertoys and the Erector Set, Lincoln Logs were yet another construction toy to make it big during the decade. John Lloyd Wright, son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, brought out the line of sturdy, interlocking logs in 1916. Wright claimed that the foundation of Tokyo’s earthquake-proof Imperial Hotel, which he saw while it was under construction, inspired the shape of his logs.
Lincoln Logs turned out to be a toymaker’s dream.

The original sets were an instant success, and after World War II, sales of Lincoln Logs got another boost from the baby boom. The sets were popular among postwar parents because they were more sophisticated than plain building blocks but still challenged children’s powers of concentration and eye-hand coordination. Ironically, Lincoln Logs—long a favorite of proponents of educational toys—were among the first toys to be promoted on a television show, 1953’s Pioneer Playhouse. The ads targeted affluent parents, who were most likely to own a television set and to buy educational toys. Sometimes a toy that has had a previous life returns to catch the eyes of children at just the right moment in history.

Sweetie Pie

These are from today. She is so cute! I had to take some pics before we put her helmet back on. She is still adjusting to it again. Tevan wanted a cool picture, too!

Photo update

If you scroll down, you will find some precious pictures of my children! I finally got some loaded.

Cabin fever

Hot tub time! The kids went in the hot tub with Gramma Blue and Uncle Adam! They had a blast. Daeson kept getting out and running in the snow. Then he got back in the hot tub to warm up. Holy cow, he's crazy! I tried getting Ryker in the picture of all of them, but he didn't want to...he was in there, too. Uncle Adam kept dunking the boys, and they both threw up when they got out...poor kids! The price you pay for fun!

Pajama rama!

Last year and this year I made all the grandkids pajamas for the cabin! This year, due to my leg, I had a hard time sewing. I got them all cut out, and my friend Becky came over and surged them all for me. Then I hemmed them all up and got them washed. I made the shirt numbers with my Cricut and some flocked t-shirt vinyl. The kids all loved it, and I had a great time making them! Even baby Marshal, due in March, got a shirt! I was glad they all fit and it turned out!

Rock-a-bye-baby

Or should I say jump-a-bye-baby? Troy watched Kaebryn for me while Tevan and I went out with some friends. She fell asleep in the jumperoo, the phone rang and she woke up and started jumping. Then she fell back asleep. Troy said it was so funny!