Father's Day

Oh what to get Dad's for Father's Day??? The men who have everything. We peeked into Lids at the mall to see if a hat caught my eye. (We ended up sending Grandpa a Fox Racing hat). The boys both put on some Diamondbacks hats and I knew Aunt Aubrey and Grandma would be proud. :)

Grandpa "Dog" got a Chillow. Yes, a Chillow. Have you seen the infomercials yet? Travis and I saw one together and we started making fun of it, just long enough for me to decide I actually wanted one. :) Well, this Grandpa seems to like knick knacks and As Seen on TV type things, so we decided this might work.

Seriously, how old will he be before he stops these crazed poses?! His personality cracks us up.

At the last minute, I offered to substitute teach the Relief Society class on Father's Day. The lesson just happened to be about the doing the will of the Father. Well, how perfect is that?! So, I just had to put together a hand out. It was out of my control. It was too perfect a theme to not have a handout. :)

So it was a late night that Saturday, making a pile of candy filled "ties".

I made cinnamon rolls on Saturday, but didn't bake them until Sunday morning. We took a pan to the bishop's house too, then came home to eat ours, only to find the middle ones still doughy. :/ Awesome. I love giving away doughy cinnamon rolls.

After church, Trav made me go take a nap. I had been up til 1am, then woke up at 6:30am and was beat. Who makes their wife go take a nap on their day? This awesome guy right here.

He got some bottles of BBQ sauce that the boys brought home from preschool. We also got him some very cliche {Dad} gifts.. a BBQ grill set and a tie. :)

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have Travis as my kids' dad. 

The boys agree.

Some of my doings...

In the life of Stephanie....

I finally got pretty close to the Panda Express chow mein! Woohoo!! I've only tried half a dozen times. Sigh. Each resulting in gross noodles and a destroyed kitchen. So here's the trick folks! Lots of recipes say to get vermicelli noodles. Try to find actual chow mein noodles instead. Then, after cooking them, let them dry on the counter for at least at hour (I'm going to try overnight next time.) Letting them dry first means you won't get mushy, wet chow mein. Good luck!

I also got a little craving for homemade bread. I couldn't even tell you the last time I made bread. Sooo glad they turned out! It's so frustrating to waste that much time on something that doesn't taste good. I was enjoying sandwiches for the rest of the week!

I finally got to reading this book my mom recommended. Well, most of it. There is a 2 week, no fructose diet that the author suggests doing (followed by a low fructose lifestyle afterward.) Basically, you can eat from a selective list of vegetable, grains and meats. No sugar and no fruit. I have never craved watermelon or strawberries like I did that first week! I am truly a sugar addict. I only lasted until the second Tues. and then I caved and ate some fruit. But I lasted 11 days without sugar or dessert. Which, come to think of it, is pretty sad. People go on "sugar diets" for much, much longer. I'm going to go ahead and blame pregnancy for this one, even though I know the results would have been much the same, sans baby. I can see the benefits that would come from really sticking to a low fructose/sugar diet. I'm just not sure what it would take to get me to stay with it. Alas, this will have to be labeled another diet {fail}.

I have been searching for almost a year for horizontal striped curtains for Collin's room. Man, curtains are expensive! Well, I finally found a shower curtain from West Elm that worked perfectly! I just cut it and hemmed it and added some tabs on the back to hang it from. For $40, I was a happy girl!

Ever waited 7 years to change your vacuum cleaner's HEPA filter??

Sick. 

The dirt was just caked on.

With so much going on before baby girl's arrival, I have basically done nothing to prepare. But the last time we were in AZ, we brought home a really cute cradle that Travis's grandpa made years and years ago. It had a bumper pad in it that looked like it had seen better times. So I sewed some new covers for it. I like the fabric so much, I think I'll do her room in these colors.

Someday. :)

A friend of mine, just had her first boy, so I tried to replicate a soft, little blanket that both Collin and Weston have loved. My sewing skills are most lacking. Hopefully, it will be the thought that counts.

Last Friday night I went to a Relief Society retreat in Bloomfield, about 1/2 hour away. The idea was to stay and camp, but I wasn't feeling too cozy about sleeping in a tent and getting up 3x to go pee. Since I was only staying for the evening, I also drove up an older lady and 2 other women from the ward that wanted to go home that night too. Once we got there, I looked around and realized I was the youngest one by at least 10 years. But it was fun! We had some "survivor" activities to complete as teams. We ate dinner and had a PJ fashion show that I was the MC for. Being at activities like this remind me how important it is to not limit your circle of friends. I have really come to love some of these "older" ladies in my ward. They are funny and creative and have great stories and advice. They might be old enough to be my mom or even grandma, but it really doesn't matter! I would almost chose to spend time with them over girls my own age. Yay for Relief Society and the way it brings us all together!

    

May and June

If you follow me on Instagram, I realize that my blog is pretty repetitive. Sorry 'bout that! I'm just excited to get all caught up. I don't know how much I'll be able to blog over the next couple of months, so this may be it for a while. 

Here's a brief outline of what our summer holds:

*A weekend trip to Utah! Woot woot! The Shaws are going to be in Salt Lake for a wedding, so we're making the trek up there to see them. Collin and Gavin haven't seen each other in a year, but still constantly talk about each other. It will be so fun to finally have our families together again! It will also be great to see Christopher and Jael and a couple of other friends I haven't seen in years. 

*Two weeks after that we move. Haven't packed a dang thing. 

*The day after we move we are meeting Travis's family in Greer to spend the week at some cabins.

*The day that after Greer we are spending a night on the Mogollon Rim with my extended family who always gets together to go camping in the summer.

*A week after that we'll be driving to San Diego to spend a week on the beach with my family!

*A week after that, Travis's brother, Trevor, is getting married in Mesa.

*Two weeks after that, our baby is due.

*Maybe two weeks after that we'll have another wedding to go to. The jury is still out on that one, though! ;)

Somewhere in there I'll need to unpack our house and get nesting done for sweet, baby girl to come! I'm starting to wonder if we're biting off more than we can chew. 

One day at a time.

 

Some random happenings of May and June....

I had to document the finale of The Office! We have been watching this show for at least 6 years. The last season wasn't that great, but the last few episodes were really good. It's the end of an era! Wipe a tear. We will miss Jim, Pam and Dwight.

Back in May, we made a little trip to Gallup so that Collin could interview at a preschool. I thought it was a little ridiculous that we had to do this. I have no idea what they were looking for. The Shaheens invited us to stay the night so we didn't have to wake up so early to make the appt. on Saturday morning. Collin did great at the interview (it's sad to see kids his age that don't even know their colors!), but come to find out a few weeks later, that he wasn't accepted! Neither was the Shaheen's girl, Lilly. But they were only 2 of 5 that weren't accepted. So weird. I have no idea what that place was looking for. Another strike against Gallup! :(

This was just Weston eating his ginormous slice of pizza from Sam's club for dinner on the drive to Gallup. I think it was bigger than he was!

After the interview, we had a picnic in the park with the Shaheens. In the parking lot, we found this little gem. Bug. 

It was a little funny thought to watch Megan and Bron argue about what to do with it. Megan wanted to call the cops and Bron wanted to get a baby wipe and throw it away. They both felt pretty strongly about their plan. It was pretty funny.

Jeffy graduated from high school! He is one, cute kid. I have always looked up to him. He has a tender heart and kind personality. But he also loves his dirt bike and living life on the edge. I think prayer ensured that he lived to see the day of his graduation! :) I was pretty darn sad that I missed it. A big thanks to Marcie for calling me to Facetime right before his name was called out to get his diploma! I love modern technology!

For the past few Saturdays, we have been going to the pool as a family. Can I just say that this is what life is all about!! I LOOOOVE laying in the sun and watching the kids play in the pool. Soaking in the sun is so therapeutic. Indoor pools are for the birds. You need the sun to make swimming complete. And Collin is getting to be a pretty good swimmer. In fact, we have yet to go to the pool without other kids or teenagers commenting on what a good swimmer Collin is. This might also just be because we live in New Mexico and none of the Indians seem to know how to swim. ;)

For Memorial Day, Travis worked. Boo! Since when do dentists work on holidays?! Since he doesn't leave until 8:30am though, we made it to the stake breakfast. Then when he got home that night, we headed to the bishop's house. He had some family and a few others over for a BBQ and swimming. I made this berry, cheesecake tart and it hardly even gotten eaten. What the heck, people?! How do you pick store bought food over something that took 3 hours to bake??

I don't remember much about this, except that Collin said to me, "Mom, take a picture of me!" And he proceeded to strike this pose, then ask, "Mom, did I look super cool?"

These freckles.

Be still my heart. 

Nothing quite gets me like a good sprinklings of freckles!

Travis was playing hide and seek with the boys. I was in the kitchen when I heard Travis counting then stop and start to laugh. He called me over to see where Weston picked to hide. :) Just keep your eyes closed kid. No one will ever see you!

Just enjoying some post dinner pop-cycles. When I saw them out the window it struck me as a moment in time. 

And they just happened to match their shirts.

In June, our ward had their Father's and Son's outing. I wasn't expecting Travis to take Weston. My dad's rule was always that the kid had to be potty trained to qualify. But Trav didn't want to leave him behind, so it was a trip of 3! The boys couldn't have been more excited. When I realized I was going to have a whole night and day to myself, I think my heart stopped. I can't remember the last time I spent a significant amount of time alone. It was almost too exciting to comprehend! 

I started off the night tripping out in Travis's car. No back up camera, blind spot lights on the mirrors or beeps to let you know you're getting close to something. I felt I was driving a moving accident, haha! The things you get used to and suddenly can't live without...

I started out with some shopping... of course. TJ Maxx and then the mall. I ran into 4 other women in my ward that were out shopping too! The men would have been wise to sneak out their wives' credit cards before leaving! Then I got some take out at Si Senor and Aspen Leaf Yogurt and pigged out on the couch while watching 10 Years and Couples Retreat. Saturday brought hours of blogging and time at the pool! Ahhh, laying out with a book. Does it get any better?! Sadly, I fried my thighs and paid dearly for my hours of uninterrupted sun time. It was all worth it.

The boys beat me home and I found Weston all tuckered out on the couch. 

Travis failed me on pictures though! 

Here is the one and only. 

They did some fishing at the lake they camped near in Colorado. Then they went into Durango to the fish hatchery and the boys got their own fishing poles! I guess Durango was having some special fishing day.

OK, this picture does not do this moment justice. Weston had wandered down the row and this little girl in the pew in front of him got a hold of his hand. He froze. He could tell he was being adored, but he is super shy and didn't know what to do. He didn't feel like he could remove his hand, so he held stock still and kept turning his head slowly to give us pensive glances. The look on his face just can't be described. After giggling I finally motioned to him that he could move and walk away. I think he was quite relieved.

Can't mow the lawn without pint sized helpers, can you?!

One Sunday afternoon, Collin had as much energy as... well... usual. He has been focused on the number "100" for a while now (he always says that's when we'll die), so we challenged him to run in 100 circles around the poles of our back porch. He was more than excited to take on the challenge. So we counted methodically as he raced 100 times around the porch. And whenever he passed right in front of us, he'd jump in the air and flash unknown gang symbols. A perfect evening.

For one FHE we acted out a Book of Mormon story. Collin was Ammon and Travis was King Lamoni. Weston was a servant. Weston would repeat every line that he was supposed to say and took it all very seriously. They were pretty darn cute.

A couple of weekends ago we went on a date to see Man of Steel. The problem with these theaters though, is that they either show the movie at 6 or 10pm. And 10pm just ain't happenin'. So we grabbed some quick take out and smuggled into the theater. Never eaten sushi in the movies before! It was a little complicated but we got the job done. :) Anything for a Mikasa Las Vegas roll.

Summer time with the boys

First day of preschool for Mr. Collin....

Last day of preschool!

He has had such a good year at Casa. I'm crazy sad he doesn't get to go here again next year.

He made a good friend named Nash. They are two peas in a pod, these two!

Well, after school was over, there was a two week break and then a summer program started at Casa that I signed BOTH boys up for. I knew that with packing and moving, I would need the time alone to get stuff done. Collin was so excited to have Weston go to "school" with him and Weston was equally thrilled. They walked hand in hand together inside on the first day. Adorable. Well, turns out that Weston is in a completely different room from Collin, but they still think it's pretty cool that they go to school together. It's on M, W, and F mornings from 9-12. The bad news... they have been going for 3 weeks already and I've yet to pack a single box! :/ There is just always so much to do! I certainly haven't had my feet up, reading a book while they're gone, but I can't seem to get on top of all my errands, cleaning and what not. Next week is go time for sure!

Some of other summer activities have included.....

Berg splash park!

T-Ball on Tues. and Thurs. mornings. 

This was for the whole month of June and Collin was crushed when I told him it was his last day this week. He loved it.

And Weston was my sweet onlooker/cheerleader!

The library does an amped up StoryTime every Monday at 2pm that we've been going to.

Our bishop's son, Jared, works there and they think it's fun to see him every week.

On Tuesdays, the library has crafts to go with the theme for the week. 

Last week it was bugs. They made all sorts of bug crafts and even tried a chocolate covered worm! Eesh. They put on the brakes when it came to trying the cricket coated in bacon and cheddar powder. But they got some ant candy for trying the worms. It was basically like eating a giant Jolly Rancher with ants in it. They couldn't wait to get home and eat the candy, but after about 10 happy minutes of sucking, Collin started wailing about ants in his mouth. He looked like he had been violated. I'm not sure what he was expecting, licking on ant candy.

The local theater offers free kid's movies on Tuesdays at three different times. We have attempted going twice and it's always a line wrapped around the building. Then it's 20 min. in line just to get popcorn. The boys LOVE it, but I'm over this nonsense. I'd rather just pay for my movie that deal with chaos and hordes of day care kids and hungry Indians buying $40 of food from the concessions. It gives me anxiety. So yesterday, we paid to see Monster's University and I was a much more calm Momma!

Weston had actually fallen asleep during this one!

Not to forget the Children's Museum! They just got a dentist's chair exhibit that Collin thinks is super cool.

Oh, and a giant Woody. This must be heaven.

Sometimes I think I should give myself props for being the best mom ever. Like the afternoon I filled and tied at least 50 water balloons for the munchkins to throw. We drew "Angry Birds" on the concrete and tried to catapult them onto the birds, essentially "erasing" them. The funny thing about water balloons... they don't pop on concrete! We had to throw them with all our strength to get them to pop. Otherwise, the grass did the trick.

Nakey is always best.

 I just wish I could issue an electric shock to Collin's hands every time they go south. Why can't little boys just leave the privates alone??!! Bah!

Oh and no worries folks. They watch plenty of TV. I try to do at least one fun thing a day with them, then after that, they are left to their own devices. I was amused one day when I realized they had zoned out faces, watching Dora. She must be magical. I probably could have left and ran errands and they wouldn't have even noticed I was gone. 

Yeah right, who am I kidding! I'm never left alone for more than 5 min.! :)