Too Cool for School

The other day I bought the boys small backpacks to take on our upcoming vacation. You can tell just from the picture that the backpack makes Hank feel cool. I don't blame him...how could you not feel cool wearing a stylin' red choo-choo train backpack?? Oh Ya!

Un-Mormon

I feel a little un-Mormon admitting this: tonight was the first time I've ever served Jell-o at dinner. The kids' reactions were mixed.
Max was amused with his Jell-o, but didn't find it good enough to eat. At first he just poked at it with his fingers a little but then he got really enthusiastic and full on started smacking it with his spoon.

Hank, my normally picky eater, actually really liked it! Next time, if I'm really feeling Mormon-y, I'll try floating weird fruit in the Jell-o and topping it with mass amounts of whipped cream! Mmm!

Mr. Romance

If you know anything about Aaron, you know that romance is NOT his middle name. 363 days out of the year, Aaron wins the "Husband of the Year" award for knocking himself out trying to make me happy by following my orders and doing exactly what I ask him to do. The other two days, my birthday and Valentine's Day, he struggles. If I don't plan the event, tell him where and when to make reservations, and leave him an explicit gift list, it doesn't happen. Its become a joke between us that a few days before Valentine's Day, Aaron will ask me if I want him to buy me flowers or not. Come on! Doesn't that totally negate the whole point?? This year Aaron and I had a nice date together--no over-the-top romantic suprises, but, even better, an evening enjoying the company of my very best friend, whom I love completely. Aaron, I love you. Thank you for always making me happy.
Note to self: no more self-taken close up shots, please.

fingerprints

Somebody needs to fire the maid because she stinks at cleaning those grimy fingerprints off the glass door. I've heard that when my children are all grown, its these fingerprints that I will miss the most....so, I took a picture to remember them....and then washed my window clean.

Ya Think?

The boys were needing some outdoor time today, so we grabbed our shovels and headed to the backyard for some old fashioned mud-pie making. Hank says, "Mom, I really like mud."

About Time

I tried to get the boys to cooperate for a quick picture this morning....this is the best I could do:

Robyn's Visit

I haven't been doing a very good job at taking pictures lately, so I really spaced on documenting all our fun when Robyn came to visit. Hank really had fun playing with his cousin, Macie, and Macie was a good sport about letting Hank boss her around. Max kind of thought it was funny to crawl around after Hailey and be the "big kid" for a change.

One of the fun things we did while Robyn was here was to take the kids to the bouncy house. Max has a hard enough time with his balance as it is, so he was kind of annoyed to be constantly getting knocked over. Hank was a pro and I got a workout trying to keep up with him.

It was fun having Robyn and her girls in town--we could get used to it! Next time we'll have to come visit!

Sickies

Sorry no pictures for this post--trust me, you wouldn't want any. Ironically, Friday morning I had just thought to myself, "wow, we've really been really lucky this winter to have fought off the cold and flu." Spoke too soon. Moments later I woke Max up to find that he was one sick little baby. First poor Max got sick, then came Hank, and yesterday I had the dreaded stomach flu, too. I will spare the gruesome details, but let it suffice to say that I lost 6lbs yesterday! Eww. The only reason I would ever want to document this nasty weekend full of sickness, is that my experience gave me a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for many things:

- I love my little boys to peices and it is agonizing to see them be so miserable. Next time they are bouncing off the walls with energy, I will try to say a prayer of thanks for their health and vitality.

- Even though I was forced to perform certain duties that I firmly believe fall outside of my job description, I am so grateful to be a mother and wouldn't change it for anything. Even at the low points, I am convinced that motherhood is a privilege and a sacred calling.

- I never appreciate the health of my own body until I am sick and wretched. What an obvious but often ignored blessing to simply enjoy good health. I feel so fortunate to have a healthy, able, working body. May I never take that for granted again.

- Being able to carry life within my own body is an incredible gift. I'm fortunate to have such easy pregnancies, so I often take for granted how precious and vulnerable the growing little baby inside of me is. It is undescribable to feel little kicks against my tummy and to make out small body parts in motion. I am thankful for this special time that I have to nuture and bond with my unborn little baby and I want to savor this short, sweet experience.

- The power of the priesthood is truly miraculous. When I felt that I couldn't take one more minute of the ickiness, Aaron called a priesthood bearing neighbor and together they gave me a blessing of comfort and healing. As stated in the blessing, I felt a significant improvement within minutes. I am so grateful to have a worthy priesthood holder lead our family.

- Not exaggerating (ok, just a little), I probably would have given in and died if Aaron had not taken such good care of me and the boys. I feel so thankful to have such a selfless husband who ALWAYS takes care of me and who loves me for better, and in this case definately for worse.

The Name Game

For the life of me, I don't know why Aaron and I are having such a hard time choosing a name for our baby boy. One thing is for sure, its not because we're not searching. If there is a name out there, we've thought of it. With only 2 months to go until the big arrival, I'm beginning to worry that we might not find a name at all -- we'll just call him "baby" and clap and whistle to get his attention. Ahhh! Here is a non-comprehensive list of names that, at some point or other, have received consideration:

Drew
Landon
Benson
Benjamin
Benton
Bentley
Bennett
Beckett
Duke
Gus
August
Anderson
Jonas
Palmer
Tucker
Turner
Parker
Drake
Edison
Willis
Wallace
Emmett
Amos
Porter
Tres
Tresyn
Otis
Brandon
Jenson
Dallin
Ezekial
Miles
Garrett
Grayson
Gunnar
Dexter
Coleman
Sullivan


I could go on and on.....I know we'll look back on this list and laugh; some of the names have been serious and others are just plain ridiculous, but we're desperate here! Now is your chance: give us your input! All names will be considered! Leave us a comment and tell us your favorite:)