Chalkboard Drawings

Bryan was a little surprised when he saw Big A's drawings when he came home from work one day. Big A was so proud of them- so of course we had to take photos.

Lil A had to get in on the photo shoot. His drawing is to his right, he likes "searcles and searcles."

Big A drew these a couple days after the first set. I know he told me one of them was Daddy and I think the rest of them are Lil A, Big A and me.

Visitors

Bryan's mom came down on Wednesday to spend a few days with us. Thursday we went to lunch with Bryan and a "quick" trip to Target. Friday we went to the Discovery Science Center, where Bryan, his Dad and Beebe & Con met us. Saturday we went shopping and to lunch- it was really nice to go shopping and to have Papa Brown entertain the boys and to have Bryan's mom help encourage Bryan just to get the mirror. It was also great to have help with putting up a mirror and putting together a bunk bed (because if Nanny & Papa Brown weren't here, I would have been helping) and being able to go to run a fast errand and coming home to the boys being bathed and in jammies all ready for bed (that was probably my favorite thing).

It was good to have them here for a few days before I have the baby because I could translate for the boys and when I have the baby, it won't be so hard to understand what the boys want/need.

Growing Up

Lil A has been growing up so much in the last little while.
He sat on the potty! He refuses to do it again but he did it! A month ago, he would have screamed and arched his back if he even thought he was going near it for himself. Big A keeps telling him "I will help you. I will hold you." He is such a great older brother.
Lil A is also eating different foods (different from bread and cheese). He LOVES meat and has started eating vegetables and fruit besides bananas, apples and grapes. Baby carrots are a favorite but he will eat green beans, peas, and corn if he knows there is dessert after.

I know as soon as I have the baby he will seem even more grown up and Big A will be even older (I am having a hard time realizing that I am going to have THREE kids and one of them is four years old!).

Really?

You Are a Red Crayon

Your world is colored with bright, vivid, wild colors. You have a deep, complex personality - and you are always expressing something about yourself. Bold and dominant, you are a natural leader. You have an energy that is intense... and sometimes overwhelming. Your reaction to everything tends to be strong. You are the master of love-hate relationships. Your color wheel opposite is green. Green people are way too mellow to understand what drives your energy.

What Color Crayon Are You?

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Photos by Big A

Big A took these photos around his birthday (yes a month ago) and I thought they needed to be remembered (well the ones with Lil A, the ones with me can be erased just because I am pregnant).
They are both growing up so much. And I know they are only going to seem more grown up as soon as I have the baby. *I will let everyone know when that happens but I have to go to Disneyland tomorrow and it would be nice to go to one more Enrichment on Thursday- I know, I know I cannot decide when I have the baby but I like to think that I can.

Conference Breakfast

It is a tradition with my family to have Crepes for Sunday Conference Breakfast. As kids, we LOVED it because it was dessert for breakfast. Matt still insists that is what we have and the rest of us don't complain at all. Lil A is not a fan even though his had marshmallows, chocolate chips and chocolate syrup (and then whipped cream). Big A loved it- the chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, marshmallows and strawberries. This was Ryan's first experience so it was fun to see what he chose, his first one had the little sausages inside but once he saw what the rest of us were doing he decided to eat the sausages separately. Lil A in the background of one of the photos is getting more "poons." They are really into getting their own forks and spoons and sometimes several times during a meal (or even just a snack) they need a different one- very frustrating as the parent and we remind every time now that if it is dirty it needs to go into the sink, NOT back in the drawer.
Later that night (after our yummy dinner of smoked Tri-tip and fresh rolls), Brian brought over Rock Band and Dad & Bryan, Mom, Jill & I played Pinochele and my boys rocked out with a microphone and speaker (set up by Uncle Mike- so the older kids could play Rock Band without help), singing "I Am A Child of God" and "Popcorn Popping." Overall it was a fabulous weekend, I wish more weekends were like that.

Fishing and a Camp Out

Bryan and my dad took the boys fishing for their first time on Conference Saturday. They had a great time. They didn't catch any fish but whenever they would cast out, they would think they "had a fish" and would reel it back in only to find no fish. They had snacks and McDonald's on the way home (so how could it have been a bad trip). They both have asked several times since then "are we fishing tomorrow?" I think they would enjoy anything that involved Dad and Papa, snacks and McDonald's.

Camp Out
Last night, Bryan had a camp out for his calling. He decided he would take Big A and then I wouldn't have both boys all night by myself. I was still a little nervous about it because I have NEVER stayed the night by myself with the kids (I have also had a sibling or parent- it has never been just me and a child/children). Lil A was okay when we were talking about it but as they were loading their things in the car, he started to take his pillow and blanket out to the car too- so Bryan had him put them on our bed for "the slumber party with Mom." He was okay with that and even with the kisses good-bye but as soon as they headed to the car, the tears started. As a parent, I did not one child to miss out on something fun but also knew that it was a big deal for Bryan to even take one kid (who is only 4 years old). So Lil A and I did some laundry (I am serious about them LOVING to help with it) and then headed to Target (where we met our friends). After a somewhat quick trip to Target, we went to In-N-Out for dinner. Then Lil A and I went to Wal-Mart to return something for Bryan and he got to look and touch every toy he wanted. Then we came home to watch 2 shows while laying in Mom's bed. Having one kid was really easy but I normally don't think that- Lil A LOVES his brother and was concerned about him missing out on the fun things he was doing.
I had a pretty rough time sleeping (but honestly, I am almost 37 weeks what do we expect) but then at around 3 am my cell phone rang. It was Big A crying. He wanted to come home and sleep in his bed. I tried to calm him down but that is hard to do when we are in the same place and he is half asleep (he really is my child). He woke up because he had to go to the bathroom but then kept telling Bryan that his ears hurt, he wanted to go to the doctor (so they would leave and he could sleep in his own bed). After that, I really had a hard time falling back asleep. I was woken up by a telemarketer and decided to call to see how the campers were doing (around 9am). They were having a great time but I found out when they came home that Big A woke up again about 5am- so a nap was necessary this afternoon.
I would definitely do that again but I don't know if Bryan would.

brownies!

What is interesting about these photos is that Bryan did the batter on the eyebrow and on his lower left cheek. "trying to wipe some off his face (with a spoon) and he looked down". I think they like the batter more than actual brownies. The boys love to help with the baking and cooking- just ask Ga, Big A can get the little ladder out at her house all by himself.

**I think we are going to make brownies again tonight (especially if Bryan takes Big A on his camp out).

Big Helper

I realize this photo is a little risque but it is the only photo that I had to document that Big A changed Lil A's diaper while I made bagels. He wanted to change a poopy diaper later that day but I had him unload the dryer instead. Just for documentation purposes, both boys are interested in helping with the laundry. I start the washer , put the soap in and they load the dirty clothes in. But I think their favorite part of laundry is putting the wet clothes into the dryer. What am I going to do when they are not interested in helping?
Here is another day when Big A changed another diaper. He really likes doing it. He wants to help with the poopy diapers but I think we will have to wait until he is 5. I commented to my mom that he is what I imagine Beebe being like- she changed my CLOTH diapers when she was 5 years old.

Big A's Birthday AGAIN

Some presents for Big A were left at Ga's house, so he got to open them this past weekend when we were there. So I think we celebrated his birthday for a week and a half- I hope we don't have to do this for Lil A too. He LOVES the gifts he got from Conrad (Aunt Beebe & Uncle Tyler) and from Papa Cy & Grandma Nielson . And we all loved the drawings on the present from Con (we decided Aunt Beebe had a good time drawing too). Thanks to everyone for making Big A's day (week & a half) fabulous.

I LOVE Brown

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Brown

You're brown, a credible, stable color that's reminiscent of fine wood, rich leather, and wistful melancholy. Most likely, you're a logical, practical person ruled more by your head than your heart. With your inquisitive mind and insatiable curiosity, you're probably a great problem solver. And you always gather all of the facts before coming to a timely, informed decision. Easily intrigued, you're constantly finding new ways to challenge your mind, whether it's by reading the newspaper, playing a trivia game, or composing a piece of music. Brown is an impartial, neutral color, which means you tend to see the difference between fact and opinion easily and are open to many points of view. Trustworthy and steady, you really are a brown at heart.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=colorogt&c=50652

Big A's 4th Birthday

These photos are from Big A's birthday celebration on the actual day. He got to pick breakfast (bagels), lunch (PB, Jelly & Honey) and dinner (Olive pizza). We also went to the park and met one of his friends there. He said he wanted to have his birthday every day.

These photos are from his birthday party. I realize there are a lot of just the boys and no one else really- so I will list everyone that came. Papa Brown, Ga & Papa, Jill, Mike, Katie & Ryan, and Matt. The boys were taken to the park 3 times! And I think everyone agrees that this was the best BBQ of Bryan's- pulled pork. Jill was domestic and prepared a fruit salad and Mom brought homemade bread to bake and strawberries (Big A's favorite). We also had potato salad and, of course, Rainbow Cake. It was a lot of fun and the boys LOVED having everyone at their house again.

Easter Fun

We had my parents and siblings (that live in the area) down for dinner. Bryan made a pork loin and red potatoes, my mom brought a relish tray and a salad and Jill brought bags and bags of chips. Dinner was yummy and I didn't do anything for it, which made it even better for me- oh, I helped with the cake. Jill even did the dishes when we were done with dinner- she really is my favorite.

After dinner we had an Easter Egg Hunt for the boys. They had a great time and we had a great time watching them get excited with each egg.

We even hid a "special egg" for Matt. Ryan had to show Matt how he got the egg up in the tree.

Matt got it!

Tidepools: March 17

Ga, Beebe, Ann and their kids came down (watched the boys while I went to a doctor's appointment) on Monday after Katie's wedding. We went to In-N-Out for a late lunch and then headed to the tidepools. I was a little worried about how much fun everyone would have but it seemed like everyone loved it. Pie and Tyler joined us when they were done working. Beebe & family left us for dinner with some Monsons and the rest of us headed to our house, kids quesadillas and adults got Chipotle (YUM!- even though the salad people didn't get their dressing). It was great to be able to have everyone here and not be on top of each other. Thanks for coming- I really do like having visitors.We were looking at little black fish and then most of us headed back to the beach (Ann and the older boys stayed and saw A LOT).

Lil A got caught in a wave and was rescued by Ga.

All the kids (minus Lil E who was probably rolling around in the sand- it was HILARIOUS, I wish there were photos of that).

There are more photos on Ann's blog and since I didn't even remember sunglasses, I didn't remember my camera.

March 14th

Big A and Big E between professional photos.

Big A with his "cheese" smile.

All the Grandkids. Lil A and Big E loved touching the heads of the kids in front of them.

I know there are tons of photos of the rest of the event but I sadly do not have them here with me. Maybe if someone with access to Dad's camera can post some- I will steal them and post them here.
It was a great day but a busy day and riding in the car for that long (trip to the temple and then to my parents' house) was a real strain on me but I was able to help the most anyone would let me. Hopefully I can get some photos from the reception because it was really nice.

*I think I might post Easter once the festivities are over, think relaxing thoughts for me so it can happen.

Finally, I am cool (well kind of)

I am so glad I checked Misty's blog tonight. This website has the easiest templates and they are FREE. My only compliant is that I prefer my side stuff on the left instead of the right. If anyone knows how to make that happen, I would LOVE it.

Also, I thought I should put somewhere that Lil A has been telling me "Cuddle." And when I respond with "You want to cuddle with me?" his response is "Yeah, cuddle. I am cold." What a cute little guy I have.

Another cute thing said here. I was trying on my temple dress to make sure it still fit in my current large condition and I asked Bryan if it was too tight. Big A responded (way before Bryan, I might add) "Gorgeous. It is beautiful." I hope he keeps saying stuff like this and then his wife (in 20+ years) will really appreciate me.

Shower and Nap

Lil A has been looking homeless since we moved in and the fact that they need haircuts does not help. We went to the park and the boys were FILTHY! So they got to have a shower and then "rest" on the couch. Less than 5 minutes on the couch and they were fast asleep. I took advantage of the opportunity and took a nap myself. Lil A ended up napping with me but he sounds like a seal (I think we can thank Lil E for that) so he can do almost anything he wants.

We are planning on going to the park again today (we went yesterday too and the above photos are from Tuesday). Still no haircuts, Wednesday is mutual for Bryan and last night Bryan got home after the boys were in bed but my fingers are crossed for haircuts tonight (really it has to be done, Katie's wedding in is a week). Maybe I will remember the camera when we go to the park in a little while.

Boxes

We have officially moved. We are in a house now, we can't get over how much more space the boys have and how quiet it is. The backyard is small but honestly, I don't need a huge backyard, we practically have a park in our backyard. The boys run from room to room and haven't got used to being here yet (especially in the middle of the night). I haven't got used to being here yet either, hopefully we can get organized in the next week or two (wishful thinking on my part since I still can't do much) and then get used to cooking- planning meals for Bryan to cook- again.
(Lil A just came up to me and asked "where Dad go?" I had him give me kiss for the answer. I love that kid)
I am including photos but no judging about the mess, I think photos add about 10 boxes. The pineapple is really in the front yard. I haven't taken photos at the park or the backyard, that will have to be another post.

Thank you to everyone who helped get our stuff in our house and to make it livable.

Really?

I guess I shouldn't be that surprised because she is the only mother on the show and I will take it as a compliment that I am most like her. I found this quiz because I was looking to see when new shows were starting, I am sad to report that it won't be until mid APRIL!