Sweet Cheeks

(Miss M at the Mars Boo Bash double-fisted these packages around with her the entire time)

See that cute left cheek Miss M is showing off? It must just be so yummy. Today she was bitten AGAIN in her Nursery class - by the SAME girl as before. Only, this time it was on her cheek instead of her arm. Seriously?

I even covered her up today - tights on legs, sweater with long sleeve shirt and high collar.

I guess she needs to go in a snow suit and hat now. That is if I can even get her to go back to that room. I'm doubtful.

Looks like at least a few more months of hall-wandering for us ladies during church.

Neither of my kids have been biters so I am at a total loss on this one. Any suggestions on how to deal?? Maybe just turn her into a Cullen already?! :)

So Neglectful

I've got more pictures to download than I know what to do with.

I've got plenty to write about - more than I have time for.

I am feeling way way behind - more than I should when it's only December 4th.

Can I have more time? Ok, thanks.

A few things to note:

• I love preschoolers. Mr. A goes 3 days a week. And, every single day, he comes home with multiple answers to - "How was school today, Mr. A?"
• "It was good, Mom. Rachel didn't steal my toy today."
• "It was good, Mom! But, Mom! Rachel took my toy! And she take Michael's toy too. Mom, she was a naughty girl and didn't get a sticker."
• "Oh! Good! Mom, Owen was the line leader today. I was not the line leader because I not bring the snack. And, Mom, Mara was in trouble because she not get out Owen's way."
• Every.Single.Day.

• I love Nursery class at church. Miss M finally hit the magic 18 months mark where she can officially spend her time during church playing, singing songs, and eating snacks with others her age, instead of leading me up and down the hallways.
• I'm not sure, however, that Miss M will go back to Nursery. Her first Sunday - she was bit on her arm by a little girl not much older than her. This bite drew blood. That night in the bathtub her arm was so red with the mouth outline still there. Poor thing!

Just have to mention how very thankful we are for our Thanksgiving holiday. The time away from reality was delightful. If only we could have taken more naps!

Done

Mr. A -Mom, I'm all done with my spaghetti.
(said with a defiant humph)

Me - "Why? You still have half a plate full."

Mr. A - But, Mom, my spaghetti is being so naughty. I not like it anymore.

When you try and try and try to get spin your fork and wind up your spaghetti and it doesn't stay on, that really is downright naughty.

Freeze Frame

I had one of those moments today where I hoped the world would stand still for just one minute and time wouldn't go on anymore.

It's been baseball-crazed around here as of late. If you didn't know, the local town team was playing in this kind-of-a-big-deal sequence of games - the World Series. So, we've walked around like zombies while we hang on every pitch thrown into the wee hours of the morning. And, thanks to the kindness of almost perfect strangers, DH and I even got to attend one of those games. And we hung on almost every pitch. Until the wee hours of that morning.

Mr. A has even gotten in on the action. "Mom, are the Phillies playing tonight?" he asks me every night. "Mom, I want to watch the Phillies," he tells me every morning.

Fast forward to the gorgeous day we have outside today. We went to the park. The one with lots of play equipment for toddlers and big kids alike. The one where the swings are set up on the hill where you can see the fall beauties for miles and miles around. The one that has a baseball diamond next to the swings. (see where i'm going with this?)

After a few minutes on the swings...
DH: "Mr. A, come with me."
Mr. A: "Where we going, Dad?"
DH: "Just follow me."

Out they walked onto the baseball diamond. The one with no bats and no balls and no bases. Just dirt and grass and a pitcher's mound. And DH proceeded to show Mr. A how to play baseball - with imaginary bats and imaginary balls and imaginary bases. It was so simple. And so sweet.

After some coaching from and practice with his dad, Mr. A even hit an imaginary home run. And he ran the bases. First. Second. Ooops. Forgot to tag the base. Second. Third. And then home. He touched the plate (unlike Ryan Howard-who got credit anyway).

"Mom!!!" he yelled to me while I pushed Miss M on the swings. "I did it! I hit a homerun!"

Miss M wanted to go too. And so Mr. A hit another home run. And he touched all the bases this time. And guess who chased him all the way around? His little sister who wants nothing more than to be just like her big brother. And do what he's doing. And run where he's running. And swing where he's swinging. We all cheered when she touched homeplate.

I really kind of like that they have each other to cheer on. Miss M claps for Mr. A when he hits his homerun and Mr. A claps and screams for Miss M when she runs the bases and into her daddy's arms and up into the air.

You two - I hope you'll cheer each other on forever - in whatever you're doing. Love you both.

Been Lately?

Maybe I'm just out of it, but I went here tonight and felt like I was having a totally different shopping experience than I had previously! The shopping carts are sleek and new. The merchandising seemed more organized and less cluttered. The product offerings seemed cuter. We even have a significantly expanded food section now (complete with potatoes, salads, apples, limes, oranges, etc) and we don't even have a Super Center! The checkout lady even "gifted" me with a very snazzy reusable tote (I need to be better about reusing them, though, and not forgetting them hanging in my garage). Way to step it up, Tarjhay!

post note: i still think it's awesome when a married man shopping solo proudly carries his basket to the checkout lane with the large maxipads package perched squarely on top. that's confidence for ya.

Crying for Help

I reunited with my bed on Saturday. Is there anything better than your own bed?

Mr. A reunited with his bunk beds on Saturday. Should I be concerned that, after we had put him down for his nap, we found him reading a story on the top bunk? (mind you, there is no ladder on the bed and pre-Seattle that worked)

Miss M reunited with her crib on Saturday. Does anyone know why a baby would cry like she was being royally tortured when she was put in said crib?

I thought maybe she missed her pack n' play and her walk-in closet (her "room" for 3 months). So, I put up our pack n' play and put her to sleep in that on Sunday afternoon. No dice. More screaming. If she could speak the words she would have said, "You are the meanest people I know. How dare you leave me all alone in this spacious setting."

Back in her crib, a few naps/sleeps/days of her crying herself to sleep ensued (she hasn't done that in over a year now) and we are all back to normal. Kind of.

For some reason they have both decided that I should just not sleep tonight. So, I haven't bothered to try. I guess they're making up for lost time. They're both usually really good sleepers. Mr. A has been up 5 times already (at least that's when I stopped counting) for unknown reasons (asking to sleep with me in my bed - sorry) and Miss M, I think, is cutting teeth and now she knows it (whereas with the other teeth she has slept right through it). One round of Tylenol, one round of teething tablets and a diaper change, a round of rubbing back/stomach/head, and hopefully we will now all settle in.

No more crying for help. Remember, kids? Unlike you two, I quite like my bed, so I just might not hear it.

A funny

While driving over Lake Washington tonight on our way into downtown Seattle to have dinner at A. Kimmy's house, Mr. A alerts us all:

"Hey, look! There's the football station!"

Or stadium.

And, while watching the float plane approach the lake:

"Mom, that plane is going to land! On the water! (a few seconds go by) Oh, no, it's not. It doesn't have enough surfboards on it."

Moral to all you float pilots: make sure you have plenty of surfboards to land that puppy on the lake. good luck.

Game On!

From my dear friend, Scott Porter (see picture of him in post about Business School reunion)...I purchased a copy of this and we are LOVING it! Try it out!

Subject: It's official: Let the games begin!

Party games have never been this hilarious! My brother Bryce, Brent Peterson and I have been working on developing a party game this past year and it is finally on the market! Sedarahc—the game of reverse charades! Some of you have already played it and know how outrageously fun it is.

It’s an absolute riot with family, work teams or groups of friends practically anywhere and perfect as a holiday gift. You can purchase it now at the BYU Bookstore or you can get our friend’s discount for $5 off at http://www.facebook.com/l/c3d01;www.Sedarahc.com/friends. Feel free to share the discount page with any of your friends or family too. I’m anxious to hear your feedback. (I hope that those that have played games with me before will smile when they read rule #5) :)

Please join our facebook fan club for updates and future promos at: http://www.facebook.com/sedarahc

Thanks!

Scott

So, put it on your list! Stock up for the holidays! Go play, play, play!!!

Sailing - kind of

(I wish I could tell you what is wrong with my camera - smudges maybe?? It bugs. wish my big one weren't so big to lug around. Contradiction, I know.)

Last weekend we tagged along on a beautiful sailing ride to check out the sunset and the lights of Seattle. My brother-in-law's father took us out on his gorgeous boat. It was a beautiful evening with just one small glitch - not ONE lick of wind. So, we motored out to the bay, he put up the sail for a minute, took it back down, we marveled at the beautiful sights, and motored back. Thank you, Larry!

Miss M checking out the sunset

Pretty spectacular

DH and Mr. A - big helpers, as you can tell

Dusk

Mr. A finally got to go down and check out the "cubby" of the boat

Quoting and Thinking

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.The fact is, most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old-time rail journey–delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." - Jenkins Lloyd Jones

I've liked this quote for a long time. President Hinckley cited it often too. He had good reasons to. I especially appreciate the part about the occasional beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. As our time here in the Northwest winds down, I feel so grateful to have had more than our fair share of beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. It has been one spectacular ride.

We have all learned a lot. My Miss M learned to walk here. Heck, she's mastered running too. My Mr. A learned about making friends on the playground with perfect strangers. He also learned about family and about being grateful for his family. He learned about boundaries and listening. Miss M learned about teeth breaking through (those darn molars!) and the first steps in the communication process - grunting and pointing. The two of them learned how much fun they can have together. They learned how to laugh at each other and with each other.

I learned that when life slows down around me, I can easily slow down too. I can even still get stuff done! I learned that family is a whole lot of fun to have 2 miles away. I was reminded that there are great people all over the country. I learned that my DH's happiness is contagious. I even learned about the kindness of Seattle strangers when we paid face value for every "Wicked" ticket I scapled on the corner 30 minutes before the performance (all 4 of them - can you believe that? - never in NYC). I learned that my priorities in life are pretty much right on.

10 more days of this great rail journey. And we truly do thank the Lord for the ride. He knew what we needed and when we needed it. He's pretty good like that! :)

Business School - 5 years later

If you've known me long enough you know that I talk about my "Defining Moments" in my life quite a bit. Going back to business school ranks up there at the top of my Defining Moments list. I made some dear, dear friends and learned a whole bunch in the process. A few weeks ago, several of us got back together to reminisce, laugh, remember, and rejoice in all that we'd done in the 5 years since we graduated! Where did the time go?

My dear girlfriends - there weren't that many of us, so we had to stick together!

Know any great single gals? These two are on the market (and we like them a lot!)

Some of the crew that came out for the picnic the day after the dinner (I forgot to take my camera out for the dinner, so if you're reading this and you have pictures, please send them to me!)

While in P-town, I got to see my lil' bro. Isn't he cute?! We also took in a pathetic BYU vs. FSU football game. But, the company couldn't be beat.

These 3 dear friends all celebrate birthdays within a month of each other. So, I did what any good, efficient friend would do - I took them all out to the Sweet Tooth Fairy for a 6 cupcake sampler and a bottle of milk. Happy Birthday to all 3 of you. I am so very happy you were each born. Loved being with you.

Celebrating

I'm super late in posting these, but DH and I celebrated 9 years with a most delicious breakfast at the delightful Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie Falls. So yummy!

You gotta check it out if you're out here!

Only in Philly-delphia

Mr. A and I were talking the other night about what will happen when we go back to Philadelphia (he calls it Philly-delphia...cute). I asked him what he missed about it.

"Ummm, Wii Fit.....and Xbox....and Jesus."

"Jesus? Really? Jesus is in Seattle too."

"No, Mom. Jesus only in Philly-delphia."

Just in case you were wondering...

15 Whole Months

I haven't documented too much about my Miss M's milestones as of late. She is a funny one. And, we love her. Now that we've got that out of the way, let me brief you on all the things Miss M likes to do...
- drink her morning bottle of milk over a 1/2 hour while she plays with all sorts of things (toys, Blackberries, cell phones, shoes, etc)
- shake her head "no" and when told to say "yes, mommy" instead she nods her head two times and then goes back to shaking it
- Walk everywhere
- Run away from you if she knows you're coming after her with that knowing giggle trailing behind her
- Sleep with her binkie and her blankie (the one her Auntie Lexy made her when she was born - it's still her favorite)
- Play at the park and endlessly climb UP and DOWN the stairs to the slide (there are 4 of them) without actually going down the slide
- Eat mushrooms, yogurt, pasta, peaches, grapes, blueberries, hot dogs, pretzels, apple jacks, broccoli, fruit leather, graham crackers, marshmallows, cheese, oatmeal, eggs (with mushrooms in them only), pancakes, and watermelon
- Drink Danimals yogurt drinks from her sippy cup
- Go to the refrigerator as soon as someone has opened it and pull something out that she'd like to eat
- Say "eat" in sign, except she just puts her hand over her mouth repeatedly to tell you she'd like to eat (like at least 2 times an hour - the girl is one hungry chica!)
- Take showers and sit on the shower floor filling cups with water and putting balls in the cups. Endless entertainment.
- Play with her big brother, Mr. A. They're becoming pretty good little buddies and Mr. A looks out for her a whole bunch.
- Give many, many open-mouthed kisses when asked for just one. She thinks it's a pretty fun game.

Miss M pretty much rocks, in case you were wondering!!! We're slightly smitten!

I love my blue ball

Happy face

Her cousin and his friend thought they should play with the ball instead - she wasn't so impressed

Mugging with her dad

The Island Tour

(Note: I should have uploaded all these pictures as separate posts, but too late...sorry for so many).
On Labor Day we went on a grand tour - 1 15-passenger van, 2 ferry rides, 3 islands, and many meals throughout the day. We went from Edmunds to Port Gamble on the ferry, drove over to Poulsbo (pronounced Paul-sbo for you non-locals), hit the best ice cream shop on Bainbridge Island, and ferried it back over to Seattle. It was a lovely day with wondeful company, tasty treats, and plenty to see!

2 bugs contained - no overboard passengers, thanks

Miss M so happy in her element -the outdoors (she brings me her shoes every morning as soon as she wakes up)

Mr. A taking shelter from the wind

Our attempt at a family shot - we took 6 and this was the best we got

At a state park in Port Gamble w/great playground equipment and rock throwing "beach"

Miss M trying not to fall - those rocks aren't so stable

Pondering the future of the rock - in my mouth or throw away?

The Swanky Six - on the top of Big Rock on Poulsbo Island

Cute Poulsbo (it is the black licorice capital of the US - my favorite - and has a delectable bakery with cinnamon volcanoes - a lot like cinnamon rolls but inverted with a big cream cheese frosting pool - yum)

We went out on a boat ride in Poulsbo and these seals were just frolicking in the marina

Look who came to visit for the weekend! T, K & G - we miss you already!

2 peas in a pod - DH and his DB (devoted brother)

Miss M checking it all out - one observant little gal, she is!

S & Mr. A playing some annoying table cup swap game they created

Miss M was a bit sleepy - no 2nd nap by 3:30 pm = give me my binky and blankie, thank you very much

And the red cherry on top of our day? Lola Fely's Filipino feast that awaited the cranky, tired Island-hoppers. Thank you, thank you!! There is nothing like Pansit and Lumpia to make you feel warm and fuzzy all over.

Parks, Parks, and More Parks

The great outdoors does not disappoint here. There are more awesome parks in the town we're living in than there are in the city of Omaha probably (no offense, Nebraska-ites)! It's quite impressive, actually. We love spending time in all of them but have taken a particular liking to the one Mr. A lovingly calls "Net Park." All sorts of nets and rocks to climb all over.

Mr. A and my cousin's son, R, climbing up the big rock!

"I did it all by myself, Mom!"

Slobbery pretzel stick anyone?

It Continues

Tonight I asked Mr. A what story he would like me to read to him.

"The Boo-la-la-la-ga-ga Story" (he's in that phase where he makes up words, ya know?)

I don't know that one. Why don't you pick another one.

"I want a love story."

A love story?

"Ya, the love story, Mom. You know, like Taylor Swift?"

Big smile. Aaaah - THAT love story. Sounds good.

ps - we had a great labor day weekend with family - more to come with pics, etc - but we went out on a few boats/ferries yesterday and mr. a asked if Taylor Swift was going to be on them. Seriously??

Family Obsession

Lovin' my little ones right now. Was feeling neglectful to not have taken their 3 yr and 1 yr pictures, but this little session melted that wistful feeling away like chocolate chips on a hot stove - pronto! Thank you, Lisa, for your magnificent time and talent. Go here to see more of her magic from the day the thunderstorm threatened to - but didn't even - ruin all our fun.

She's Coming

Mr. A summoned me last night after he'd been put to bed.
- What, Mr. A?
- Mom, I need to tell you something.
- Ok. And then you need to go to sleep.
-Ok. Mom, I just have to tell you that Taylor Swift is coming over tomorrow when I wake up. I just talk to her.
- Really?!! What time will she be here?
- About 7:00, Mom.
- Sounds good. Can't wait to see her.

Can you say, CRUSH?! He loves her songs and loves watching some of her videos on YouTube. Good thing it's pretty wholesome. Can't wait to have her in our home.

This is What It Felt Like

Saturday night as we were heading to bed I had a headache and thought I was dehydrated. Took 2 pain meds and went to sleep. Somewhere between sleep and wake I tossed and turned with this throbbing continuing. When my kids woke at 7 I took two more painkillers and begged to go back to sleep (informing my DH that I had a brain tumor). Pulled the pillow over my head/eyes/ears and got 2 more hours in.

Still with that dull ache, however, I got up, ate breakfast, got ready for church and went to church. (Hindsight is 20/20, I know. I should have stayed home) Sitting in the main meeting I could think of nothing but how my stomach was starting to church, my head was throbbing harder now, and WHY could my children NOT sit still (they ARE 3 and 1, you know). I was a mess. Left the meeting, vomited, sat on the couch and wished for no one to speak to me and for the meeting to end soon so that my mom (who was visiting) could drive me home and let me crawl in my bed.

We didn't even make it 1/2 way home before she had to pull over so that I could empty whatever was left in my stomach. I knew it was bad. That cycle continued every 1/2 hour (I have a terrible track record) as I laid in bed for the next 6 hours - somewhere between consciousness, pain, and the toilet.

DH called in for reinforcements. Thanks, Dr. Todd. He quickly determined that I was suffering from a migraine, prescribed some stuff to help my stomach settle down and told me to take another over-the-counter migraine med. I did. It all worked. I was woozy and sore for the next 2 days, but at least the throbbing was gone. I couldn't even bend down to pick something up because it felt like every blood drop in my body went on a full out sprint for my forehead.

I have NEVER had that before, don't wish it on anyone, and sincerely hope to never have it again. Yuck.

Lake of the Fish or Fish Lake - Really.

Freshly returned from a great week away from it all - cell service, TV, Internet, Blackberry, civilization, etc. We had a lot of fun with DH's extended family (all 105 of them!), as well as DH's immediate family (all grandkids present and accounted for!). Our kids were in heaven (Mr. A "fishing" off the back deck into the trees with his cousin buddies - Miss M digging/crawling/eating all dirt - she walked a bit, but not as much as hoped). I actually got about 100 pages into a book! Played games galore (how would YOU describe Jimmy Carter in one word? Celebrity brings out the best in all of us). Ate tasty treats. Celebrated all 17 cousins birthdays in one fell swoop. Even got family pics in at the end of the trip!

Our washing machine is now working overtime with some pretty dirty water but it was well worth it. Thanks to all for such a fun week. Next time just one request - same people - new locale??!! :) (with, say, some sand, warm water, and bike trails? hilton head, what?!)

Watching the crazy older kids "swim" in the 50* water in the lake (ps- how cute is Miss M's outfit? My s-i-l, Julie, MADE it...hi, talented!)

Ready for the fishing excursions - daily, sometimes twice daily - 1 Rainbow Trout caught by Mr. A - he did not like it at all - would not touch it or have anything to do with it

DH and his dad with their big catches!

Mr. A and his Uncle Matty

The crazy girl cousins who thought jumping in the water during our "cousins cruise" was a good idea - it was pretty hot, but that water was mighty frigid

Look what we do while we're on the pontoon boat!

Miss M soakin' it all in

Trying to get this girl to hold still is darn right next to impossible

Happiness is sunshine, smiles, and sippy cups

How cute are these two fishermen? Mr. A and his cousin, W, in their matching pirate shirts that their A. Julie made them - yes, talented.

That's all, folks. Come back again real soon.