Coming soon

Our Christmas was great! Pictures are coming soon, along with a blog telling the adventures of our trip. In the meantime, Bo and I celebrated our SIXTH wedding anniversary. WOW.

6 years. Amazing. I can't believe it's been that long, yet at the same time, it seems like we've been together forever. Ha.

I love you Bo!!!!

Wish Us Luck!

It's going to be a LLLLOOOONNNNGGGG Day.

Our flight to Washington takes off at 2 pm and we don't get to Spokane until 7:30 pm their time, which is 9:30 our time. Oh man. That's a whole lot of traveling. Not to mention the hour TO the airport and then an hour and half to go to Moses Lake from Spokane.

This trip would be better IF WE HAD A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP!!

Last night Meg woke up at 1:30 and 2:30. Stinker. THEN our friends' van that we're watching (which was in our garage UNLOCKED ( the van, not the garage)) alarm went off at 4:30 am. I turned it off only to hop in bed and hear it go off AGAIN. So Bo and I went and disconnected it's battery. And let me just tell you that that alarm is LOUD.

So Bo and I haven't had much sleep and the kids most likely won't get their naps.

So please, WISH US LUCK!!

Whole lotta nothin'

(Who needs to go the park!!)

Nothing much is going on here. We are just chillin' like a villain waiting to go home to Washington for Christmas! We go on Wednesday and will be there until the 5th of January. YAY!

We are getting the house clean and last minute shopping done, which really isn't all that interesting, hence no blogging. Our day to day conversations consist of telling Carter over and over again how many weeks, now days, till we head to Grandpa and Grandma's. Grandpa being my dad, Grandma being Bo's mom. haha.

We did go see the Princess and the Frog on Friday with some friends. I liked it, but it was a lot darker (evil) than I thought it would be. Still, you gotta love the classic drawing with the music, old school Disney.

On another bright note, Bo is off of school for 4 weeks! That's right, FOUR WEEKS!! Yeah baby. And can I say how fun it is, and I know this is mean, to threaten Carter with calling Santa when he misbehaves?? HAHAAA. Seriously lovin' that threat. Whatever works friends, whatever works.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

My Buddy and Me

Man I love these kiddos!! They have been really getting along lately. They play with each other, watch TV together, laugh together, chase each other, and as you can see in the pictures, they love to just sit down and talk together.

I think my favorite time of day is the evening time. Almost every evening you can see these two running around chasing each other and laughing their heads off. They think they are so funny, and if you ask Bo and me, we'd agree.

Festival of Lights 2009

Like we do every year around this time, we went to the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens. This year was great because they had all their lights back up, just like it was pre-Hurricane Ike. Last year it was kinda pathetic, with the course and lights only being half the size.

We started the night out by going out to eat. That will NOT be happening again!! Meg was a nightmare!!! She would not sit still and insisted on looking over the sides at other people and throwing chips in between the seats.

After dinner we went and got a hot chocolate and then headed over to see the lights. When it was all said and done and we were driving home, Bo and I started asking Carter what his favorite thing was. I thought for sure he would say the pirate boat. His response??? He said his favorite part was going home. !!! Ha! Crazy kid. He really liked the lights, so maybe he just didn't get the question? Kids are funny.

You can't see them very well, but in the bottom left corner are Bo and Carter.

Christmas gift?

Meg found an old purse of mine, and like a true girl, swung it over her shoulder and strutted around the house. I think I might have an idea on what to get her this year. . .

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Not to be outdone in the picture department, Carter insisted I take a picture of him too. I taught him his moves.

Thanksgiving 2009

Our Thanksgiving was GREAT!! We had it had my house with a couple of friends and my cousin Jackie and her family, including her mom.

We had yummy food, good desserts, and great conversations. Lets not forget the Rock Band either. haha.

There were only 4 kids total, so the chaos was at a minimum.

Unfortunately I did not take any pictures. I was too busy playing the hostess. I might have to steal some from Jackie. So to tide you over, I've included two wonderful pictures of the kids with my parents' turkey. No they did not eat it for Thanksgiving, at least last I checked they didn't. I can't make guarantees for Christmas though. . . .

Turkey Time!

I just took our turkey out of the freezer and put it in the fridge! We're getting ready for Thanksgiving!!!!!! (I'm pretty excited, can you tell?)

On a side note, I had lent a friend my nursing cover, and it was just returned the other day. Carter discovered that it makes a pretty sweet cape, so he put it on and ran around the house yesterday yelling "Superman!!"

Dinner Conversation

Here's a conversation we had a dinner tonight:

Carter: "When I grow up I'm gonna be a Doctor."

Bo: "First you have to learn how to go stinkies in the toilet."

Carter: "Okay, I'm gonna go stinkies and THEN I'm gonna grow up."

Sounds like a plan to me!!

New Moon

How excited are YOU that New Moon comes out at MIDNIGHT??!?!?!!!!

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In case you can't tell, I AM in the way excited category.

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I will NOT be going to the midnight showing this year. Instead, a group of my friends and I are going tomorrow afternoon (when we hope most of the teenagers will still be gone) and then we are going out to eat.

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Can we say P.A.R.T.Y!!!!!!!!!

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I am so ready for a Girls Night Out!

Young Womens

So last night was our Young Women in Excellence night. We have been working on it for WEEKS. All this week I was busy getting last minute things together, and then on Wednesday I got super sick and was unable to go. OF COURSE. I was soooo upset. I knew my girls had been working really hard on their projects, and I wanted to be there so bad to not only see them, but to tell my YW how PROUD of them I was, and how much I loved them.
Later that night, after YW in Excellence, I heard a knock on my door. In walked most of my YW with their projects. Oh it just made me so happy and really loved. They each showed me their beautiful projects, and relayed the whole night for me, so that I could know how it went. How awesome are my girls?????
I really love my Young Women. Yes, I will admit that at times I struggle, but I love these girls so much and have really enjoyed the opportunity to get closer to them and to have so much fun with them. It makes me happy that they want to hang out with me and can't wait to tell me whatever exciting things have happened to them. I love that they know that they can come to me for comfort too.
It really was such a joy to see them last night and to have come over so I could personally tell them how proud of them I was. I feel so blessed to be their leader. They really made my year!


*Special thanks to Laura and Kristin, my counselors. They have always been such a great help. On Wednesday they completely took over my share of duties, and were such a blessing to me. I love you guys!

Mosquitos

Bo and the kiddos went outside yesterday to play. They were outside MAYBE 10 minutes. MAYBE. They came back in covered with mosquitos.

It's the middle of November people, and we are STILL being attacked by those little (little--HA!) buggers. It is so incredibly frustrating. My kids beg every day to go outside, and they can't. Bug spray doesn't help at all.

One of the reasons we moved into the house we are in is because of the yard. What good is a yard if the kids can never play in it????????? I counted at least 19--NINETEEN!! bites on Meg this morning! Oh I am soooooooo frustrated. I can't wait to leave Galveston.

YUM

For Christmas last year, Bo gave me the assorted Ghirardelli squares. They were sooo good. One of the flavors was the Peppermint Bark. OH BABY. Delish. So good!!!

I have been looking forward ALL YEAR for them to come back on the shelves. They are finally here!!! We have already bought TWO packages. I'm telling you, if you haven't tried them yet, GO GET SOME. So so yummy.

Thankful

I know this is early. Actually it's not a Thanksgiving post, hopefully one of those will come later.

I just wanted to say how grateful I am for my friends, family, and most importantly, my husband.

Thank you all for being there for me and loving me. Thanks for your support and friendship. I think I have the best friends and family a girl could ask for.

THANKS!!!

Way too smart

No, the trampoline wasn't there to begin with. Megan really wanted to play with the computer, but she couldn't reach. What did she do? She dragged the trampoline over to use as a step. WAAAY too smart. She's only 14 months old!!! Look out world. Look out me.

Day Light Savings

Yes, I know it's now Thursday, and the time has been changed for 4 days. That being said, I'm still not a fan. Nope. My kids are waking up between 6 and 6:30. Not. cool. Not cool at all. It's too bright in the morning!!!!!! It wouldn't matter how late I kept them up either, the next morning rolls around and they are up at 6, 6:30.

As Carter and I like to say, " GRRRRRRRR."

I remember loving that "extra" hour of sleep. Yeah that doesn't happen anymore. It's an hour less of sleep. And I need my sleep. Oh how I need my sleep. Just ask my sister Libby, she's had plenty of experience seeing my angry face after waking me up in the morning when we were kids. My own children are now seeing my reaction. Does it change them? NOPE.

They've got a lot to learn.

Halloween night

Halloween night was great!!! We had a couple friends over with kids around Carter's age, and off we went to trick-or-treat around our little neighborhood. I'd say about half of the houses had people there, waiting for little trick-or-treaters to come. Not bad for the kids!! About half way through the neighborhood though, most of the kids were getting tired of walking, along with probably ALL of the parents. hahaa.
After the trick-or-treating we headed back to our house and just let the kids play/watch Hocus Pocus, while us adults ate snacks that everyone brought, along with our kids candy, of course!! It was a fun evening spent with GREAT friends. What would life be without friends??? I am a person that NEEDS friends, and I'm lucky to have so many good ones.
The highlights of the night were the three boys, Milo, Brampton, and Carter. They were so funny. They totally ran into someone's house instead of waiting to have them come to the door. I about died from laughing. They also climbed onto some guys swing bench in his yard, without asking of course. They were fun to watch.
Bo and I are GLAD that holiday is over. While we love Halloween, lets be honest, Halloween is just a holiday that is a stepping stone to the GOOD ones!! We can't wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas. All that good food. . . yes, my mind is always on food. haha. Can you blame me? So now comes the Christmas music and Thanksgiving crafts!! Bring it on!

I'm copying one of Carter's dance moves.
Left to right: Meg the Penguin, Jamie the Ladybug, Ben the Elephant , Carter the Superman, Brampton the Dragon, Milo Optimus Prime the Transformer, and Cardston the Monkey.

Carter and Milo, too impatient to wait for the rest of us.

The three boys on the stranger's bench!

Carter checking his loot! Everytime he'd come to me and show me what he got.

The extent to Bo's and my creativity toward Halloween costumes for ourselves. Orange and black shirts.

And it begins.

So last night we started off the Halloween weekend with some trick or treating and a carnival that one of the colleges on the island (Texas A&M- Galveston) hosted. It started at 7, so Bo was a little hesitant to take the kiddos, seeing as it was their bedtimes, I convinced him we should go, so away we went!!

It started off with trick or treating in the dorms, and then we moved on to the Gym to where the carnival was, complete with a bouncy house, which Carter bounced in for like a half hour. It was a ton of fun. I was way shocked. I thought the kids would come away with a little candy, but MAN, they came away with each of their buckets FULL. W.O.W. And it's only Thursday night. Now if I run out of treats for the trick or treaters on Saturday, I know where to get my spare. . . haha.

Megan stole the show. She was D.A.R.L.I.N.G. in her penguin costume. People kept taking her picture. Carter? Well he wanted to be Superman for Halloween, but last night? Noooooo. He had to be a pirate. So a pirate he was, matey, and a whole lot of treasure he found. Arrr.

When we got home that night I did what I always did growing up, I spread out all of Carter's candy and organized it, to show him what he got. Bo was so confused. He was wondering what I was doing and making fun of me. Seriously? Is my family the only family that came home and spread out the candy on the floor, organized it, and then bartered it?? That's what we did. I loved Milky Ways, but not Snickers. Golden was opposite. So we traded. 3 for 3. Sometimes we'd get good and barter 3 Nerds for one Reese's, or in Libby's case, we'd get 3 Reese's for one Nerds. hahahaa. Such fun. Nobody else did this? Bo's family apparently did not. huh. Sad. That is not going to be a repeat in MY house. There will be loot to be sorted and traded. haha.

Now we're off to our ward party and trunk- or - treat!!! And what Carter will be, well your guess is as good as ours.

Family Fun

So Bo and I took the kids to Chuck E Cheese yesterday as a surprise. We've been feeling the need for some family time, especially since Bo is going to be starting OB-GYN next week and will be BUSY for the next 8 weeks.

We had a great time. Carter was so surprised! He kept saying he was so happy. Loved it. Carter and Bo played racing game after racing game, threw footballs, and did practically everything. Meg? She was happy walking around with her cup and a couple of coins. She's in that stage where she likes to take things out of a bowl, or in this case cup, then put them back in, and then repeat process over and over and over and over and . . . you get the idea. I had a great time just watching them all, gathering the tickets, and playing the new game, Deal or No Deal. haha.

I love Family time!! Especially since it's MY FAMILY.

Bailey's Wedding

One of my Young Women, from a couple of years ago, was married last weekend in the Houston, TX Temple. The exciting thing about this wedding is that Bailey is a convert, and the ONLY one in her family. She is such an example to me and my YW. She is AMAZING. She is so strong in the church. She was baptized at around 16, and in the time she was baptized to the time she graduated H.S., she completed her Young Womanhood Recognition!!!! As I said, AMAZING. She completed it in 2 years, where I know it takes most of us the entire 6 years of being in YW, and that's with our Mom's encouragement, which she didn't have!!!!

Anyways, it was soooo fun seeing her get married. She looked gorgeous. It was also fun to see Briana, an old friend, and the former YW president of Galveston, Bailey's leader for most of the time she was in YW.

Awww

So Meg was running a high temp last night, so instead of taking her to story time today, I had her stay home with Bo, who had the day off.

As we were driving to story time, just Carter and me, Carter started asking where our little Meg was. I explained that she had to stay home, to which he said, "Aw, I miss Megan. She's my best friend."

How cute is that?????

Ferry Ride

Last week Bo had an hour and a half lunch break, so we thought we'd ride the ferry and spend some quality time with Dad.
The kids had a blast. I think this was Megan's first time on the ferry, sadly enough. I need to take more advantage of the free fun this town has to offer.
This was a great trip because there were SO MANY dolphins. I've never seen so many! Usually when we take a ferry ride, we see maybe 3 to 5, but this time they were EVERYWHERE. It was awesome. We even saw some jump completely out of the water, instead of just coming up for air or whatever it is they do. They were left and right, in front and back, we saw grey and black, etc.
So fun and cool.Thanks Dad for spending time with us. Your kiddos love every moment they get to spend with you!!! (so do I!)

Life can't be that bad

Carter told me that I was his best buddy yesterday.

Shoes, Pajamas, and COOL WEATHER!

Megan LOVES shoes. She knows what they mean. They mean freedom. They mean outside! All I have to do is pick one up and she will plop down on the floor and lift a foot up to me. Really.
She was carrying around about 6 shoes in her arms yesterday, but of course by the time I got the camera, she had dropped them all.

Carter and Meg were in DESPERATE need of new PJ's. Here they are showing off some of the new ones.

Let me out, let me out, LET ME OUT.

We had a little cool weather a few days back and so we let the kids outside to play. They had so much fun. They actually got to wear pants!! They only played for a little bit though, because even though it might've been cooler, the misquitos were still CRAZY.

When I went to Arlington to hang out with my friends, they couldn't believe we still had hot weather and misquitos. I easily proved them that it was still summer there, by showing them our bites. Meg had like 7 on one leg.