Black eye #2

This time it's not mine, though; it's Braden's. A combination of hitting a piece of playground equipment (think a climbing wall and his eye hit one of the hand holds), and then Gavin clocked him pretty good the other night. It's finally starting to fade, but I wanted to get pictures before it completely disappeared.

36 quarts

That's how many bottles of peaches I got bottled. I did some on Friday before our ward campout, then the rest of them (almost) yesterday. I ran out of quart bottles, and was exhausted from doing peaches all afternoon, that Brandon decided for me that it was time to stop. So, we just put the rest in freezer bags and put them in the freezer. They'll be great for smoothies, I'm sure. We still also have about 30 on the trees that will be ripe within the next day or two. And this year was a slow, year, apparantely! Next year, maybe we'll have a whole lot more!

First Reactions Quiz

This is called "FIRST REACTIONS QUIZ". You have to type the 1st thing that comes to mind whenever you hear these things. You can't think and go back and change your answers.

Beer: Yuck!
McDonalds: Hmm . . .
Relationships: Glad I'm not searching for "the one" anymore
Purple: It's okay
Power Rangers: Ugh
Steroids: Um, okay. Why?
Cartoons: Bugs Bunny/Mickey Mouse/Donald Duck/the Chipmunks - I loved these growing up
Florida: Mom
Santa Claus: I love Santa Claus!!! Mwah!
Halloween: fall time, parties, yummy food, blankets drawn up around me as I read a good book
Alice in wonderland: It's kind of weird
Myspace: Nope
Clowns: Scary. I hate clowns
Marriage: Absolutely!!
Paris: Mmm. The Eiffel tower - I'd love to go there!
Blondes: Have more fun!
Brunettes: Um, I don't know
One night stands: I don't get it. Why?
Donald Trump: Don't really like him
Neverland: I'd love to go there to visit - but not to stay . And, I love Peter Pan. I'd love to fly.
Pixie: Tink
Vanilla ice cream: Sprinkles, chocolate, crushed graham cracker or cookies on top, and chocolate
Hooters: Never been - not sure I wanna go
High School Musical: It was just okay for me. Kind of cheesy
Pajamas: Mmmm! - I love me some jammies!
Woody: Toy Story - he's pretty funny.
Wet Socks: Ugh - cold.

Dallen

Dallen (or Dallin)

**UPDATE** Okay, they've named him Dallen (or Dallin - not sure on the spelling yet). Dallen Jay. He's adorable, and he and Anne Marie should be home by this afternoon! Yeah!

So, my sister had her baby yesterday afternoon, September 23rd, (her 5th). He was 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 20 1/4" long, and bald! (But, all of her kids have been baldy's!) 2 days late, but they're both doing well so far. They're still trying to decide on a name, though. The kids have one name in mind, and she and her husband have another two in mind. She's hoping that the more time she spends with him, the more one of them will "click." He's adorable, though, and I can hardly wait to hold him! Congrats, Anne Marie & Mike!

Peaches

So, a few days ago, our neighbors across the fence called and said that some of the peaches on their side were ripe and falling down. They had plenty, so could I please come get the rest? So, I did - a bucket and a box full of peaches. I have since picked at least a dozen more, and have SO many more to do. But, I have absolutely no time to do them this week. Literally. Every minute of my day is filled. If I could pick them today, I MIGHT be able to squeeze them in tomorrow, but it would be really tight. Plus, it's raining today, and I don't want to go stand in the cold rain on a slippery ladder picking peaches.

Here are some that are almost ripe. They're still a little green on one side, so they haven't been picked yet. But, one whole tree is almost ripe. I just hope they can hang on until next Monday!

Here are some on the other tree that we had to thin out. I just hope it doesn't get too cold before they ripen up and I'm able to pick them. We have a lot of peaches! And they're so good!

A Gavin funny

I've been debating whether or not to post this, but he's three, so I decided to. This was our conversation this morning. Enjoy!!

Says Gavin (whose hands are full):

"Mom can you scratch my bum?
No, not there! Right here.
Yeah, right there.
Ahh, thanks Mom."

Me (laughing): "You're welcome!!"

Him: "That was bery nice of you to scratch my bum!"

Old things and new

Before - sorry it's not a very good or close picture!

After -I'll get a better picture another day

Another after . . .

Our Impala . . .

Another shot of the Impala - can you guess what's coming???

Our new van!!! Yea!

After a long time searching, we found our van for the right price! :)

An '07 Hyundai Entourage

Inside - it's SO comfortable! It even has heated seats!

Update on my broken nose

So, I went to the Dr. this morning, and he examined it, and said everything looks fine. It is cracked, but it will heal on it's own. If it is crooked, it's only by a millimeter, he said, so there's no point in going in and trying to reset it because he couldn't get it any better than it is. He said that very rarely do they see a septum as straight as mine. Yea, I guess!

So, everything's fine. It's still really sore and hard to blow my nose, but that's normal and should last for another week or so. :) Thanks for all the comments and the love!

And, Jen, I TOTALLY understand "Christmas Party" and kissing 12 million people during the Christmas season! I think only a Hi-Liter could!

Ever had a broken nose??

So, yesterday morning, Gavin wanted to come cuddle with me in bed. So, I pulled him up onto my chest and put the blankets back over us. Just then, he lifted his head to readjust his position, then brought it down *SMACK* onto my nose. I heard it crack!! Ouch! I didn't have a runny, bloody nose, but everytime I blew my nose yesterday, it was bloody.

So, I did some research on the computer and it turns out that I do have a broken nose. (They consider any kind of crack to be broken.) So, it's swollen (although, it's more swollen today than yesterday), and under my eyes are slightly black. I look like I haven't slept in a week. But, there is very little bruising on my nose. In fact, if you don't know where to look for it, you can't see it. It's also slightly crooked, and there's a bump where his head hit my nose.

So, Brandon called the Dr. for me to set up an appointment, and they said that until it's no longer swollen, they can't do anything. So, I have an appointment with an ENT on Monday morning where they'll take a look at it and see if they need to reset it or anything. And, for those of you out there that have ever wondered what it feels like to have a broken nose, let me just say this: IT HURTS!!!

Six of my (many) quirks

The Rules
1 - Link the person(s) who tagged you (I'm really not sure what this means - how do I link the person who tagged me??)
2 - Mention the rules on your blog
3 - Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4 - Tag 6 fellow bloggers

I got tagged by Melanie!

1 ~ I hate it when all of the light switches are not the same way - i.e. if one is turned up, and another is down. It drives me nuts (and drives Brandon nuts that I'm that way.)
2 ~ I have to sleep with our closet doors and our bedroom door closed. I have seriously awakened in the middle of the night before because something felt "wrong" and they were opened. Something about my childhood and closet doors . . . I don't know. I also have to have it absolutely dark. I have trained myself to have my clock in there, but that's the ONLY light I can stand at night in my bedroom.
3 ~ When I get really tired, I get REALLY silly! Honestly. Just ask Brandon. On second thought, don't . . . he probably has some weird stories about me!
4 ~ I have counted all of the stair steps at our house - inside and out - so that I know how many more steps until the bottom. I know which foot to start on so I always start and end the same. I even have my parents stairs, my sisters stairs, and my in-laws stairs memorized!! Kind of weird.
5 ~ I'm terrified of lightning/thunder storms if I'm by myself. Again, a childhood thing. Let's just say that I remember the holes in our yard from where the lightning struck, and the *BOOM* of the thunder afterwards. Yikes!
6 ~ I love to bake. Not cook, necessarily, although sometimes I love to do that, too. But, mainly bake. I bet I make the best sourdough chocolate chip cinnamon rolls that you've ever tasted. Brandon and my mom think so. So do my boys. And, well, so do I!

I tag Valeri, April, Jen, Kristen, Jill (both of you), & Tami

Sly - aka Snake killer

Sly (doesn't he just look sly?? His name definitely fits.)

So, we had really bad snake problems this spring - Brandon flung at least 2 dozen over the back fence, and there were probably more that we didn't see or get. So, we were hoping when we got the kittens, they would be able to kill the snakes and mice and other little things that seem to plague home owners.

So, this afternoon, Brandon & I sat down to eat lunch. I went outside to call Gavin in, and there was Sly, in the boys snow sled, sitting triumphantly over a snake. We weren't sure if Sly had killed the snake because we didn't see it happen, but Brandon went and picked it up to fling it over the fence, and there were scratch marks on its neck! And, now that I think about it, I'm not sure a snake could have crawled up and over into the sled, so Sly must have caught it and dragged it there. Yeah for Sly!!!

And, a couple of weeks ago, Lady caught a bird and proudly brought it to my feet as I was hanging clothes. Not the best gift I've ever been given, but it makes me happy to know that my cats are hunters.

Here are some pic's of my "babies" (although Brandon calls them adolescents, now. They probably are.) And, they're wrestling on my bed - one of their favorite places to sleep. Mine too!

Lady eyeing the camera

Sly - What?? What???

Oh, he's got her in a headlock!! 1, 2, 3 - Sly wins!!!

Painting the entryway

So, while the three boys were "installing" my clothes line (see previous post), my mom, my niece Rachel, and I were painting our entryway. It was all the same color - blah. The walls, the linoleum floor, the wall down the stairway . . . all of it was tan. It just felt dreary. So, when I found out my parents were coming up, I asked my mom to help me paint our entryway.

Brandon & I got the paint, and got it all taped off so that when Mom & Rachel came we could just start painting. I love the color, but it's a LOT brighter than our front room and doesn't really "flow." So, we will be re-doing it soon, in more of a dark sage color so that it will match the couch in our living room.

But, we had a blast doing it! It was so fun to have my mom and Rachel up there to help! I just wish my sister would have been able to come, but, I'll have to settle for next time, maybe!

My mom painting

Rachel painting around the light switches -
she's so intent, but did such a good job!

Thanks Rachel!

My dad

Me, painting around the kitchen entry

I love my daddy!!

Newest toy

While I was growing up, I remember my mom hanging clothes out on the clothes line, and as I grew up (literally) and was tall enough to hang clothes, I grew to love that "chore." So, when we bought our house, I told Brandon that I wanted a clothes line.

So, my sweet "Papa Bear" (yes, that's really what I call my dad) made me a clothes line. He took measurements, then built it, then he and mom drove up here and Brandon, my brother Kent, & my dad "installed" it. I LOVE it! I've had it for a few weeks now, and it's been great. I can sort the clothes as I go, so I hang all of the boys stuff together, then mine and Brandon's. It's easy to fold, 'cause it's crisp and doesn't get wrinkly. And there's just something about the smell of clothes that are sun dried. Mmm. Yummy!

Thanks again, Mom & Dad! We appreciate all you do for us,

and love you so much!

Camping on the deck

Scott, Braden & Gavin "camping out"

Brandon had an AWESOME idea to let the boys sleep out on the deck - I just don't know why we didn't think of it earlier. So, on the 29th of August, we set up a "tent" by hooking up a tarp to various places on our deck. We put some blankets down for padding, they got dressed in sweats and sweatshirts, brought their sleeping bags out, and had a "campout." They thought it was great fun, and we'll have to remember to do it earlier next summer!

All three boys asleep

Gavin sleeping (don't worry - I was worried about him waking up and wandering, so we brought him inside once he was asleep)

Braden sound asleep

Scott all wrapped up to keep his head warm

Gavin's new room!!

Well, it's not really new, but it feels new. Brandon & I painted the trim on Saturday, then on Monday, I tackled the walls. It took me all day, and I was exhausted when I was done, but it looks great! Now for a few pictures on the wall, and to hem up his curtains!

One room done, a bunch more to go.

He's so excited for his new room!!

Are you my Mom?

Here's a conversation that I had with Gavin this morning:

"Mom, are you Dad?
"No."
"Mom, are you Mom?"
"Yes."
"Good."

Back to school

Scott & Braden went back to school on Wednesday (the 20th) and are very excited for school. We got to go meet their teachers the night before and find their desks and supplies. Braden has the same teacher that Scott did last year, and he's got about six or seven friends in his class, either from our ward, or from his class last year. He's stoked, and (so far) still looks forward to school.

Scott, on the other hand, knows only one person in his class. The first day of school, though, he got a "Bear ticket." Basicially a little slip of paper that is put in a drawing for being a good "bear." (That's our mascot.) He saw a chair that needed to be put up on the desk and did it without his teacher asking him to, so he got his ticket. He was super excited!

Braden was SO ornery and exhausted Friday night, though - he has a BAD habit of staying up late talking, even though he's supposed to be going to sleep. So, when it comes time to get up in the morning - he has a hard time getting up. But, we made it through the week. The real test will be next week. And, just because I wrote that, I have a feeling I'm gonna' get zinged. HARD!!

Gavin's doing pretty well with the boys being in school. When we drop them off, he says, "It's just you and me, huh, Mom?" It's been an adjustment for me, too. Gavin constantly wants my attention, but he is more patient, because I can acknowledge him more readily. Still, by his nap time, I'm ready for a nap!

My two cute school boys: B - 1st grade, Scott - 2nd grade

Being silly

My three boys in front of the school library

waiting for the bell to ring

Scott in front of the school

B - just chillin'

~ My birthday surprise ~

So, Brandon told me that he had something planned for my birthday, but wouldn't give me any hints or anything. So, come 6:30 last night, I was really anxious to know what it was. Turns out, he re-enacted our first birthday date.

Nine years ago, he came to my apartment, handed me a rose, and then blindfolded me. He took me out to his boss's big farm truck, and then started driving. It was REALLY bumpy, and poor, blindfolded me could only hold on for dear life! We finally got to our destination, and he hopped into the back of the truck and was bumping around setting something up. He helped me get out of the truck, and took the blindfold off. We were up in the hills above Cache Valley (right above Hyde Park). We could see the whole valley - it was gorgeous! He had dinner set up on a little card table, complete with candles (not lit), and a CD player with soft music playing in the background. We ate dinner in the back of this farm truck with not another soul around! It was heaven!

Then, we danced. And for those of you that know my husband, you know he doesn't like to dance - but, we danced! Then, we cleaned up the table, and laid a blanket down in the back of the truck and watched the sun set. The only problem was, with the hard metal against the back of my head, I ended up with a migraine! So, he quickly took me home, took my shoes off, and tucked me into bed with some Ibuprofen.

This year, we took his truck instead, and there was no rose, but we drove up in the foothills above Hyde Park, listened to Keith Urban (my favorite!!), and had dinner from the same place as before. And, again, we danced!! We watched the sun set while we danced to Keith Urban, and just enjoyed the moment! Again, it was heaven!! And, this time - there was no migraine!

After that, we took the truck 4-wheeling! He wanted to see what his truck could do, so we went on some of the back roads up there. It was so much fun! We're going to take the boys with us soon! Maybe even tomorrow!

Thank you, Brandon, for a wonderful birthday! I love you!

Goodbye Blue

So, we sold Blue last night. These pictures are the boys reactions. So sad for them, yet really kind of funny for the parents!!

Happy Birthday to me!!

Okay, so my awesome hubby celebrated his 33rd birthday two weeks ago. Now it's my turn! I'm 27 today! Last year on my birthday, I cried myself to sleep the night before because: Brandon wasn't with me (he had accepted his new job in Logan and had to be up there to help with registration), my grandma had passed away two days before, I had to find a song for my grandma's funeral, and deal with her death, I was trying to pack up our duplex and get ready for our move, I was stressed because we didn't have a place to live, or any really promising leads, either, and, oh yeah, did I mention that Brandon wasn't with me?? It was the first time in the 9 years we've been together that I haven't at least seen him on my birthday. He did have flowers sent to me, though, and called me a couple of times during the day to tell me he loves me.

Since then, we've moved twice, but the last time was into our new home, and we love it! The boys are settled in their elementary school, and won't have to move again mid-year, or make new friends then lose them 'cause we have to move again, Brandon has a great job that he loves, I still get to be a stay-at-home mom, and I get to see Brandon today. Might seem like a little thing, but it's huge to me! There's nothing I want more on my birthday than to be with my hubby and kids. The boys are giving me their gifts this afternoon - one-on-one time spent playing the Wii with them (and Braden will even let me be player one!!!) :D I'm happy, and that's what I want on my birthday. :D

So, Happy Birthday to me! Here's to a great day, and a great year!