Thanks Erica!

Okay I HAD to post this one too.

Your Pirate Name Is...

Dirty Wicked Wilma

What's Your Pirate Name?

I would have NEVER guessed this. I love quizzes!

You Are Sheryl Crow!

Down to earth with tons of creative energy When you talk, everyone can relate to you "Life springs eternal On a gaudy neon street Not that I care at all"

Who's Your Inner Rock Chick?

Okay I expected this to be a lot younger. I don't know why but I just never thought I lived very healthy.

You Will Die at Age 85

Congratulations! You take good care of yourself. You're poised to live a long, healthy life.

What Age Will You Die?

D-Land and Jill

We went to D-Land again. But this time is was a "Farewell Trip" for Kevin. Jill, Katie, Kevin & Colleen went earlier (about 2:30) and then we (including Bryan) got there about 4:30, then Mom, Mike & Brian Durr got there before 6 (I think). While standing in line for Peter Pan, Jill & Katie spot our cousin, Travis, and his new wife walking by. So we chatted a little with him after we got off Peter Pan and met his MIL and 2 SIL (I think, they were pretty young). We did the usuals, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise. Then we ate at the yummy Mexican food place in Frontier Land. Mom & Katie left after we ate, Mom had to work today. We went on Buzz, of course, and I thought I had a pretty good score until I asked Bryan what he got and then the Durr boys said what they got- it is really ridiculous. Then we checked out the Nemo line- an hour wait, sorry we'll wait. We went over to Matterhorn and the line was moving pretty fast and the boys were tall enough to go BUT BigA didn't want to. Jill volunteered to take the boys on Casey Jr while we went on Matterhorn. When we got off, they still hadn't gone on the ride (potty break for BigA was needed), so Jill told us to go on Thunder Mtn Railroad. But then they were done on the train and we were still in line so she took them on the boat ride- the one where you go through the whale's mouth. Jill is the BEST! I haven't been on those 2 rides in a LONG time. Thanks Jill, I owe you!!! (I am mostly posting this so we remember so when Jill wants to do grown-up things, I will be more than willing to help out). Oh, yeah BigA talked about the Jill stuff the whole way home, "I go on a train ride, it was weally fun. I go on a boat, it was weally fun too. I had coc-it milk, it was weally good." He repeated himself over and over. He also talked about everybody that was there and how we needed to go see Papa (I think that is a hint Papa).

Jill holding LittleA and BigA's hand as they are getting of the "boat ride"

After they passed through the gate, LittleA was trying to escape- "No Photos Please!"

Dessert

The boys ate dinner and it wasn't bread (or any form of bread), cheeseburger, quesadilla, pizza- that is what LittleA eats. LittleA actually fed himself (well, with a little help from Bryan) with a fork. But eating dessert was a different story. He obviously did not use a utensil. He had 2 pieces of cake and finished off BigA's piece as well. We hope that the eating of dinner (willingly) continues. The boys don't like raspberries very much, well fresh ones anyway, so Bryan & I had them on our pieces and they just had whipped topping, which was BigA's favorite part.

Babies? and Pajamas

Babies?
With all of the visitors we had on Friday night, we had our air mattresses blown up and the couch occupied and BigA's bed occupied. Saturday I only took down one air mattress but moved the boys back into their room. LittleA slept on the air mattress, I got a little teary-eyed thinking my baby isn't a baby anymore and I really have to start thinking about getting him a "big boy" bed.
But a little before 3am, I hear crying, scared crying. LittleA is standing next to the air mattress, crying (and waking up his brother). I pick him up and cradle my "little" baby. I try to lie him back down on the air mattress but when I leave the room, he cries/screams again. So then I try his bed. I try to leave again. He cries again. Then I move his bed into my room and lie him in there. He seemed content with this arrangement. I find out later, LittleA got into bed with us but when BigA woke up in their room alone wanted to join the party but Bryan moved them both into their room.

Pajamas
Every time we go to Target and I check the clearance racks for clothes for them, which is why they have about 20 shirts (I am not exaggerating either, I might even be under-estimating), we pass by the Thomas pajamas. They always ask for "Pamas the Train" and "Choo-choo." I always say "NO." They are regularly $13 each! But this time we were with Bryan and he had the boys in the cart and I wandered quickly through the clearance racks and saw pajamas on clearance. I saw some cute surf board ones that our nephew has and I just thought they were so cute (but the boys have SO many pajamas right now- it is a little ridiculous) but I got them in 5T (2 pairs for $8- how could I pass that up). Then I saw the Thomas ones. By then, Bryan had already checked out. I kept the pajamas hidden behind my back in case Bryan said 'no way, they have tons of pajamas' but he said it was up to me. That was all I needed to hear. They were 50% off and as you can see they were SO EXCITED to get their "Pamas the Train" pajamas- okay really after we buckled them into their seats, I showed them and BigA was really excited, they held them the whole way home. I just wish I had had my camera then.

Dreaming & Delaying

I have been feeling like I need to "decorate" the boys room. But then I always convince myself to "wait until we have a house because I will want to redecorate then and they don't care so why do I." But I have found a lamp that I LOVE but I think my friend Deena can make it. I also found these posters -the theme of their room will be vintage baseball. But I did find this Growth Chart but don't really want to spend that much on a growth chart, anybody have a suggestion?
Thanks to Ann's comment, I found this poster that I really want. Now I just have to decide what size and what wall. Ann remember there is a long wall opposite the one set of closets.

Dream

I want to do navy bedspreads with red accents and Heather found fabulous vintage baseball fabric that I want made into curtains. But the curtains will definitely have to wait until we have a house because I don't know the dimensions of our future windows. I want bunk beds but am putting that off until we have a house too. But I don't know how long I can wait on that, Little A climbs out of his bed and sleeps on the floor in front of the fan, unless he is exhausted.
Isn't that great! He is just like his momma, I don't like to be hot when I am sleeping either.

D-Land and Cell phone

We went to Disneyland after Bryan came home from work and after we ate dinner. We met Jill, Kevin & Brian, Nathan, and Wendy. It was pretty crowded but we went on rides during Fantasmic and the Fireworks. Big A got a pass and was very excited to show it off to everyone. I forgot the camera at home so I took this photo with my phone while we were waiting in line for the elevator. Now Big A keeps asking when we are going back. "We going to Didneyland tomorrow."

Since I downloaded the photos from my phone to the computer I thought I would post other photos too. The photos with Ann are from when the came and went to the beach with us. Sally is from our family reunion in Zion's. The shopping cart is from when Beebe & fam went to Sam's with us before she watched the boys (so I could go to Texas- THANKS again). The Nielsen boys and my nieces are from my visit to Texas.

What I Really Want For Christmas?

The boys watched Polar Express (one of their favorite movies: trains, Christmas, trains) before church today. As Santa came on the screen,
Big A: Santa, I see Santa!
Karin: That is Santa! What do you want for Christmas this year?
Big A looking away from me toward the screen, mumbles something
Karin: What?
Big A looking at me: UM... a house! (smiling very big)
It is interesting to hear the thing my child really wants, or maybe it is because that is what he hears his parents talk about.

For Memory

Notice the lizard on his shirt. Bryan caught it and put it on him and he didn't quite know what to do with it. Both boys touched it while Bryan held it - huge step for Big A.

I feel I need to jot this down so I do not forget.

Little A was throwing a HUGE tantrum because he would not eat dinner and wanted candy. Bryan was on the phone with Dave. I tried to help him eat his dinner but he cried and carried on. So I ignored him, which usually works, but he did not let up. Then I decided it was well past bedtime and tried to get him ready for bed. Before I could take his clothes off, he was arching his back and screaming. Bryan by then had gotten off the phone and began to assist me (which means he takes over and I assist him). He got the diaper on but Little A still cried and cried, there was no consoling him. He is usually very consolable, this is my kid that needs everyone to give him a hug when he has his feelings hurt. Bryan put him in his bed with just a diaper on so he could cool off. After about 10 minutes, I went in and held my arms out to him, even though he was still screaming. I picked up my little baby and just held him. I don't know why he was so upset but I knew the only thing I could do (after some time) was to just hold him and let him know he was loved. We came out just in time for him to have his jammies put on while Bryan read books to Big A. I have always known Little A was like me but last night I realized how much he is like me. I need to remind myself that he needs to be treated the same as me: give me space, let me cry and let me know you still love me even though I can be a turd.

Another event that needs to be remembered:
Little A ate dinner! He took his spoon and ate Carrot Chowder all by himself! He tried cucumbers! He ate his carrot chowder with his bread (of course) and with a spoon! He ate croutons (of course) but he did it by himself. He also ate Macaroni and Cheese for lunch (he doesn't like noodles). I have to believe the past few nights of H**L were worth it for him choosing to eat dinner. Big A wanted in every photo and he wanted to be complemented on how well he was eating his dinner too. Little A is "crying" in one photo because he didn't want his dinner interrupted for photos.

my style

*I am going to post about the grandparents' birthday parties and family reunions as soon as I get the CD with photos from Ann & then more when I get photos from everybody else. I did not take my camera out once so I am relying on others (again) for my posting about what we have been up to.

I took a quiz on HGTV's website during nap time and here are my results. What is your style?
I really want to know. Em, I know you get bored at work and it really didn't take that long- it has taken me longer to post (and fix post) than it did to actually take the quiz.

What's Your Design Style?

Results

Ethnic Eclectic

Your style is a mix of bohemian chic and contemporary ethnic flair. Whether you travel extensively or shop locally, chances are good that your home is filled with a collection of interesting accessories. By contrast, a neutral color scheme and furniture with simple lines is the best backdrop to accentuate your most colorful pieces. To achieve this mix-and-match design style, look to nature. "The concern with the environment is playing a big role in interior design trends – from colors you find in nature, to high-end natural fibers in wall coverings, to exotic woods and stone being used throughout the home," says Denise Turner, an interior designer in Alta Loma, California. It's all about simple lines and natural materials as a backdrop for your collectables and artwork.

Design Tips for Ethnic Eclectic

Contemporary and chic accessories go with any style. Dress up family-friendly comfort in the dining room with a sophisticated Murano glass light fixture that's out of the reach of little hands. Or, make the master bedroom your grown-up retreat with soothing colors from the garden and a wooden platform bed with a trendy upholstered headboard.

Beach with Misty & family

We went to the beach today. Before we reached the beach, I decided we needed water, so we stopped at the Rite Aid on PCH. As we were walking toward the door, I hear someone say my name, I looked around and saw a white mini van- it was the Pankratz family and the Berry family. Briel loved the beach, Aunt Meggie was wonderful and stayed in the water with her for almost the whole time they were there. It was nice to be able to see Micah, who is just as smiley in person as he is on the blog, and to visit with Misty and her mom. They couldn't stay very long because they had a flight to catch but we stayed a couple more hours. The boys waited until the Pankratz/Berry party left before they got in the water and then it was a little bit of a challenge to get them out. (well Little A doesn't like to be in the water, he likes to throw wet sand and runs as soon as the water gets close to him) Uncle Matt showed up with a few of his friends, they were boogie boarding farther down the beach. But Matt was nice enough to entertain the boys as I started to load the car. On the way home, we stopped by Bryan's office and took him to In-N-Out. He was planning on staying at work until 9pm to tie things up before we head to Utah tomorrow.
Big A was very proud of getting the water all by himself. I have SEVERAL video clips but the others had many other kids in them.

3 Kids for 3 Days

Cousin D was here since Sunday night. We had big plans of going to the County Fair Monday night but as I was checking the directions to get there, I learned that it was CLOSED ON MONDAYS! So what are a fun aunt and uncle to do, we went to Chuck E Cheese instead! I forgot my camera at home so no photos from Monday. Oh, earlier on Monday we had excitement- we went to the Post Office, Target and the automatic car wash. Tuesday we had excitement too- another automatic car wash and a trip to CostCo. Today we tried to go to the County Fair again with Ga but after taking 30 minutes from freeway offramp and still not parked- we decided to try something else.


After Boomers (which is like Scandia), we went to Souplantation for dinner. Cousin D had a great time with a buffet, especially dessert. I am glad Cousin D got to spend a few days with us, I just hope he didn't get too bored. He stayed up late, got to play with some really cute kids, and watch some good movies: Nanny McPhee and How to Eat Fired Worms. I hope he will want to come for another visit soon or at least be excited when we see each other in 2 days. Thanks Cousin D for a fun 3 days!