HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

More Halloween photos to follow... maybe tomorrow!

Pumpkin Pickin'

We finally made it to the pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins last week. It was freezing cold! Lauren fell while running through the pumpkins. If you click on the picture you can see Lauren's face when she fell... she was so sad but darling anyway. She was kinda mad at me because when she fell, I ran over and took her picture before I helped her up... how MEAN!

Halloween fun!

We made it to the scarecrow festival for the first time ever last Friday. It was fun until the end. I took the kids and Kim and Jenni also took their kids. Let's just say that I will never go back. Here's how it went. First, we got there and learned that it was super expensive to get in. Once we got inside the kids jumped on the bounce houses and loved it. Then we went through the little haunted house and that was fun too. Gracie was leading the way and she didn't get scared once... she apparently isn't afraid of the dark or the boogie monster. So then, we were getting hungry so we went to get food. Gracie got a $5 slice of pizza and before we made it to the table to eat, it was on the floor. So back I go to BUY another one (I tried to brush it off but NO WAY, she was not going to eat the one that fell on the ground.) Next, we went to get in line to do some of the "free" attractions and the lines were so long we ran out of time. We made it to the face painting tent and the girls got their faces painted... that was cute but of course more $$. I know it all goes to charity but come on people... I could have went to Lagoon for what I spent there. Last, we decided to let the girls go to the "fishing pond" and get a prize before we called it a day. Gracie went first. What a nightmare... she didn't like the little purple monkey that she got and she threw a complete tantrum. It was awful, I had to literally drag her out to the parking lot with tears and face paint running down her face and all over her clothes. She was soooo naughty. I don't know if I have ever been that mad at her. To say the least, she was grounded for the rest of the day. I guess this is Karma for my COSTCO experience!

Jake is 29!

Happy Birthday to my HUBBY!

Jake doesn't read my blog so I am not going to get all mushy here... that comes later. I just wanted to wish my man a Happy Birthday and Let the world know that I LOVE HIM and I am PROUD of him.

Jake, you are the best ever! (just in case you ever do read this)

It's Official... He's Crawling!

I was SO right when I said Garrett would be crawling within the week!

How funny is his face in every single photo? It cracks me up how proud he is of himself. He is so happy that he can finally MOVE on his own.

It is so cute, he does this push up thing and he finally figured out how to pull one knee in front of the other instead of dragging his body behind him while doing the army crawl. He falls and that is cute too.

Gracie didn't crawl until well into her 7th month and here my wild boy (who can't sit still) is going at it before he hit the 7 month mark. What a kid! I swear that kid wants to be 2 already... he has more energy and determination than I have ever seen in a baby... he wears me out!

Here is a quick update on the not sleeping situation.... I have tried to let him "cry it out" and it doesn't work with him. He will cry for 2 hours and as soon as I go into his room and give him a binki, he goes to sleep. AMAZING! Plus, I can't handle it... the crying is pure torture for me. I think I am destined to get up with him every night.... hopefully he grows out of this phase (what if isn't a phase?... AHH!) sometime before he starts school. Oh yeah, I figured out the eating thing too. He is too busy to eat! He can't sit still and focus on food long enough to eat even 3 bites. Who said boys were easier than girls? I think not.

hOLY hALLOWEEN!

oK, fIRST A LITTLE pREVIEW OF gRACIE'S hALLOWEEN pAST! aND tHEN tHE aNSWER tO tHIS jOKE....

How come ghosts can't have Babies?

my cute mom told me this joke last year and I loved it....

Gracie's 1st Halloween. She was a cute little "Pooh"

Halloween 2005... our little kitten!

2006: I bought her the cutest little fairy costume but NO, she had to be Sponge Bob.

2007: Witch Gracie

BECAUSE THEY HAVE HOLLOW WEENIES!

Ha Ha Ha

Time to Baby Proof!

Garrett can army crawl! What a funny kid. He is determined to outgrow babyhood very fast. He has just started to get up on all fours and rock or get up on his toes and then he falls and just army crawls. It is pretty entertaining. Just put something a few feet in front of him and he will find a way to get to it. My guess is that he will be really crawling in a week or so. Oh yeah, and everything he gets a hold of goes straight to his mouth... except his baby food. The kid does not like to eat. It is weird. He loves a bottle, but he will only take a few bites of the good stuff and he is done. I guess he has one less of his mommy's traits. He is also doing this screaming thing. Not a sad or unhappy scream but a "somebody please pay attention to me" scream. It's cute... sometimes.

Lastly, my baby boy is still not sleeping through the night. In fact, it's getting worse. He is gettting up at least twice a night and sometimes more. GRRR! Can somebody please help me with this problem? At this point, I am open to any suggestions. I NEED SLEEP!

Who knew Trees Could be so exciting?

WE HAVE TREES! Finally!

This very well could be considered a perfect day. The sun was shining, it was so warm outside we didn't need jackets or shoes for that matter. Jake planted 4 October Glory Red Maples in my yard and I couldn't be happier. Who knew that trees and dirt and grass would be the highlight of my new house.

I was so excited for the trees. I went outside and measured and placed the them in the perfect spots exactly 16 feet apart. I asked Gracie to go get Jake to dig the holes and as he walked out he said something like this, "that is not where they are going, right? Aren't you going to plant them where the sprinklers are?" Needless to say, they were planted just where I had placed them.

Jake wasn't happy as he was digging the holes in the very rocky Herriman soil. I kept telling him how excited I was and made the mistake of asking him why he wasn't happy about the trees. I guess the fun part is not in the planting. I am sure he will LOVE and appreciate them in spring when they are in bloom.

It was snowing no less than 96 hours ago and today it felt like summer again. What a nice surprise. As much as I love fall, I am not looking forward to the snow.

(Click on the image to enlarge)

Tag, you're it!

Seven Random Facts about me!!

1. I am addicted to blogging and blog stalking.
2. I bite my fingernails. YUCK!
3. I love to mow the lawn, pull weeds and work in the yard. (I currently only have 1/2 of a yard, with no trees or shrubs... how sad :-( Actually, today Jake is planting the first 4 trees and I am soooo excited.)
4. I cannot survive the day without a cup of coffee in the morning.
5. I have had my appendix out, bladder repair surgery, and my tubes tied.
6. I have a dead animal hanging in my house and my husband thinks it's home decor.
7. I have owned and lived in 4 houses and moved 7 times since I have been married.

I tag...... Elise Lane

Teeth!

Tooth #2 has arrived. Bottom right showed up yesterday. You wouldn't even know he was teething. No drool, no fever, no crankiness. Yay! My little guy is growing up too fast!

*Forest Fairies*

Forest Fairies are real... we know, we felt their magic!

Have you ever heard of Forest Fairies? I hadn't until our last camping trip. Who knew that their magic was so real? Not me.... until now!

As night fell upon us up high up in the mountains, Natalie gathered all the children together. She told them all to get a flashlight for the Forest Fairies had come. Once all the children had flashlights and a sack for goodies the tale began.

The forest fairies had left Natalie (Jake's Great Aunt) a note earlier in the day. All the children at our camp were good kids so the fairies came and left great things for them. Natalie led the way, she carried a lantern and each time that she would set her lantern down, the kids were to shine their flashlights up into the trees to catch a glimpse of the Fairies. They were everywhere. We heard them flying through the trees and they led us to places where treats were left. The children were mesmerized. Actually, I think that everyone was mesmerized, it was a beautiful thing.

As we started walking through the forest, listening for the fairies, we saw glimmers through the trees and each time this happened there were treats left for each of the children. This went on for a long time. The kids were so into it... they were very quiet throughout the entire adventure. It was magical! Thank you Forest Fairies, we hope you come back again.

Natalie with the kids gathered around for the tale of the Forest Fairies.

This was taken just before the magical adventure began!
Notice the flashlights.

Pictures, Pictures, Wonderful Pictures!

We had our kids pictures taken on Aug. 29th and they turned out fabulous... If you need a good photographer, click here.

Feeling Fat not PHAT!

So, apparently I am FAT!

The other day as Jake was getting dressed and as he was putting on an old pair of jeans he said something to the tune of "I am too fat for these jeans"

Gracie looked at me and said "Mom, you are fatter than dad!" Jake and I looked at each other and of course laughed. How could you not laugh? Kids are so honest.

So later that day, I was changing my shirt while sitting on the couch. Stomach rolls hanging over my pants and once again Gracie said, "Mom, you are too fat for that shirt!"

Thank you Gracie for your honesty! I guess I can't use the "I just had a baby" excuse any longer. Off to the gym to get a membership I go.

Home Decor?

This is Ernie the Elk. Jake thinks that this is the way to decorate our home. I beg to differ. Dead animals do not, I repeat, do not belong in the home!

As you can see, I have lost this battle. Here is the proof! Ernie is currently hanging on the wall in my office. I see his wide open mouth every time I walk down my hall. It is slightly disgusting, but I know how much Jake loves to hunt and this is his trophy so I will suffer in silence.

Now, let's talk about decorating. Here is my plan... Ernie will have a beautiful array of color at Christmas time when I hang lights from his antlers and a mistletoe from his mouth. I have not yet decided what he will be for halloween and New Years... Watch out. If Ernie is going to be a part of our home, I am sure going to make him feel welcome.

Twenty NINE!!!

Yesterday was my last birthday of my twenties... UGH! I spent the whole day with my kids, husband, friends and family and I didn't even leave the house. It was so nice to just relax and enjoy the day! We made the best dinner... Tri-tip, ceasar salad, corn, au gratin potatoes, shrimp pasta (thanks Rena) and a delicious dessert of Birthday Cake (thanks mom), brownies (thanks Jenni) and ice cream! YUMMY! The perfect end to the perfect day! Thank you all for celebrating with us! (We missed you Kim)

Action Shot! Here I am blowing out my Candles. Talk about Ugly!

I actually thought that I may feel sad about twenty nine... but I feel just fine. I am super happy to be "growing up". I have finally gotten past the whole gift thing and just want to spend time with the people I love. I didn't even want anything from Jake (which is surprising to me... I usually look forward to seeing what he will surprise me with) But this year was different.

On Wednesday, we went to dinner at Bonsai just me, Jake, and the kids. Gracie loved it! Her favorite part was the onion volcano!

Surgery Day...

Garrett had surgery on Friday. Click here for more info . He did great. I was the one that was scared. How terrifying to hand your little baby off to complete strangers. I am so grateful that he is such a tough little guy. Looking at him now, you wouldn't even know that he just went through that. He doesn't seem to be in any pain. Yay! The surgery lasted two hours... here are some before and after photos! ENJOY! (the biggest pic is after, the small ones are before)

Teeth... or should I say tooth

Garrett got his first tooth today. I just noticed it popping through on the bottom left. Wow, yesterday there was nothing but gums and today.... a tooth. Oh Happy Day!