Poor man's Roaring Springs

Yesterday at church, Celeste said that her and Jen wanted to go to Settlers Park and let the kids run around in the splash pad since it's been so hot. So at 10:30 we loaded up and heading to park and met up with a bunch of other gals and kids from the ward. The water turned on a couple of minutes later, and every single kid that was playing on the equipment was in the water! Dax and Abby both went running for it, and the moment Abby got close enough she stopped. I don't think she got more than a few drops on her. Dax was a little more brave, and definatly more brave if i would hold him and help him reach the water. But what a great time. Ab had fun swinging with Maddie Kiehl and eating lunch with Sarah. I also ran into Sandy and Pat Clayton! Totally fun seeing their kids and catching up with her. We are going to get together next week. So I took my camera, but never got it out. It was hot and exhasting watching out for the kids.
Abby has been asking to go to Roaring Springs and I told her if she earned and saved 500 tickets that we would go. But after today, I'm not paying 20 plus dollars for her to NOT want to play in the water. So for now, we'll stick with the poor man's version :)

Swan Falls

I asked JB about going out there a few months ago, and he said that we should wait until the spring or summer when there is water in the river. So Monday he mentions that him and Wayne are going to BIKE out there for a workout. Oh No You Di-int! Take your buddy out there before we go!! So last night we made the 20 minute, beautiful drive out there. It was totally fun! The dam isn't really much to look at, but the canyon, and plateau, and water! There was a nice big grassy area with picnic tables and huge trees. We went right to the water first and tried to skip some rocks and splash around. Dax wanted to just walk right in. Of course. Then Ab found a stick that instantly was a wand, and it was "Alacazam" this and that. A round of Hide-and-seek and ring around the rosies and we were good. We walked around and then drove around and looked at the rest of the place. More east to the boat launch, and more west to where the "good fishing" was. JB said that is where Cory comes to paintball. It was a good spot with HUGE rocks to hide behind. It would be fun to take out hiking shoes and explore. Ab kept asking how we were going to get out. The rock walls were tall :) A place I'd definitely want to go back to. Have a nice picnic and play in the water.

"It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting." -The Alchemist

gotta go!

We had dinner at the Chandlers with the Rumseys tonight. There were 6 boys and Abby. She had a blast. All the kids ate really good, and then either were playing outside or upstairs. Dax and Jed hung around with us. Dax was so great. And Ab was being a great friend. So we start playing Scum, and the kids are in the backyard. We were inbetween rounds and I look out and see Abby's naked bum and a wet pant leg. She had pulled down her panties and pants and went potty in the yard!!! We had done this quite a few times on the road trip down to Reno, and we did it the other night in our yard, but to see her pulling up her pants after peeing in their grass was a little embarassing! But, at least she took the time to stop and do it instead of just peeing in her pants :) I borrowed some shorts and went and helped her change. "Hey, mom!", she says when she sees me come out to the back yard. "I went potty in the grass." Yup Ab. I know. She didn't even mind the wet pant leg, she was having so much fun. Funny coming from a girl that gets a drop of water on her shirt and needs to change...

what was i thinking?

We've been talking about moving the kids into the same room. They did pretty good in Reno, and well, I guess I got a rearranging bug yesterday because I moved Dax in with Abby. She was way excited about it, and we got it done in time to have a test run at nap time. It went pretty well, but last night was no good. I think he was just not sure where he was, and it didn't smell the same or something. He woke up 3 times and 2 of them, I don't think Ab woke up. The 3rd time she was telling the he needed a bottle and a new diaper :) good instincs. Today's nap was good, and tonight didn't take as long to get him down. We'll see how the next 10 hours go...

Now heading outside for the moon rise

Garden adventures

June 16, 2008. So, we decided to transplant all the window plants to a spot in the backyard that Rocky came and tilled up for us. It's out there by the well pump. From the seeds that we planted on Earth Day, we ended up with a zuchinni, cantalope, mini pumpkins, tomatos, and beans that were growing beans on them! That's when you know it's time to plant outside :) So JB got an irrigation system started and Ab helped me plant a row of corn, and a few packets of flowers that got strewn about. She had a great time using the hose, and Dax was in dirt heaven. At one point the mud just got too much for him.

Happy Day!

This year, Father's Day felt like it snuck up on me. Wasn't it just Christmas? And it seemes like JB's birthday was yesterday. It's just been crazy around here. But I got the picture done on time. I LOVE how it turned out, and it was totally fun to look at last years 3 week old Dax and two year old Ab with her short hair. I'm pretty sure I saw a tear from JB :) It was a fun day of making cookies and playing "Tag you're it".

BUNKO BABY!

We hosted a couples bunko night on Friday. I borrowed tables and chairs from everybody, and made a million phone calls to get enough people here, and it was AWESOME!!! It's going to be a regular thing, every 2nd Friday. I'm way excited, and JB had a good time, and I got to know some people better. It was our first offical non-related babysitter experience. I called Heather Hamblin from down the street, and she watched them at her house. I took them down there in the wagon with drinks and snacks and toys. Heather called at 8:45 saying Dax had been crying for 15 minutes after he ate everything in site and drink 2 bottles. :) I left the party and went and picked both of them up. He stopped crying the second I held him. Mama's boy! Ab had a great time playing with Janae's little girl Liberty. Ab is only a couple months older. So, all in all, at good fun night. Can't wait until July! I think that I'll try out another babysitter between now and then, so he gets used to other people :)

My blessings, my favorites, my memories

So I was looking around the blogging world during nap time instead of making dinner, and read Lacey's (Hulbert) blog, and her 100 list. I remembered Whit doing one, and so in my dip on the roller coaster of emotions that is my day, I challenged myself to complete the list. :) Here goes!

1. I love to laugh - JB and the kids help me with that everyday

2. I like my new short hair. It makes me feel sassy

3. Music totally changes my mood

4. I'm definitely a list maker

5. I like watching Abby work on a project

6. I'd rather be outside

7. I miss massage, but there is a time and season for everything

8. Jeramiah is my best friend. I love him like a fat kids loves cake

9. I really do love being a mom

10. I rewrite my grocery list everytime, so that it goes in order of the way I go through the store.

11. I do NOT do scary movies

12. I love doing sewing projects. I'm getting better at making time to do them. Plus I'm totally a fabric junkie

13. I like Dave Matthews Band, John Mayor, Michael Buble, Jack Johnson...

14. We have not used a babysitter that isn't family. Ever. And Ab just turned 3!

15. I can't wait to go camping!!

16. I want to be better organized

17. I love the rain

18. My favorite candy bar is 100 Grand

19. I love squatting down with my arms open and watching Dax run towards me with arms open too. And then having him pat by back while we hug.

20. My favorite thing that Ab says is "I lub you too mom"

21. I think the last time I wore nail polish was at our wedding

22. I played the alto saxophone from 5th grade until 12th. 8 years. I can still play "Mary had a little lamb"

23. I've really enjoyed the Book Club cluster group

24. I can't wait to get our garden going

25. I wouldn't mind moving out of state for a while. I think it would be fun to "go and visit family" more.

26. If my husband took the kids on a vacation for a week, leaving me at home, I think that I would sleep the entire time.

27. I was Seminary Vice Pres my senior year in high school

28. I'm reading the Book of Mormon again for a ward challenge

29. I love water. Rain, ocean, rivers, ponds, baths, showers, pools...

30. I like to vacuum

31. My favorite color is turquoise

32. I like to bake

33. I haven't ridden my bike since we moved in 2 years ago :(

34. I love going for walks. Once the kids are older, I've got big plans for hikes.

35. I don't wear any jewelry except my wedding and promise ring

36. I like doing puzzles

37. I have a very handsome husband

38. I love watching Dax discover new things

39. I don't like the tantrums

40. My favorite ice cream is Mint Chocolate Chip from Albertsons

41. I love that I proposed first

42. I would like to learn to play the guitar

43. I love playing at the park with the kids

44. Ab looks a lot like me now

45. I like making things with my hands

46. I like when me and Ab are "us girls"

47. I like watching movies up stairs with family and friends, and snuggling with JB

48. I like to have a schedule

49. I like writing things in my planner :)

50. I still have my first doll. Polly

51. I don't like doing the dishes

52. I grew my bangs out the summer after my junior year, so that i could play in the rain with out messing up my "do"

53. I loved being prego

54. I'm glad that I have my sisters

55. I like to wear the color red

56. I like to be on time, if not early. I do not like being late

57. I love containers. Baskets, cups, boxes, buckets, trays, bottles, jars.... yeah

58. I like to drive. ROAD TRIP coming our way

59. I like sunrises

60. My favorite show is The Office

61. I would love to take a cruise as a couple before taking one with the kids

62. I love that JB built this house

63. I wake up to either Ab tapping me, or Dax letting me know he's ready to get out of the crib

64. I love photographs, photography

65. I main pair of shoes are my flip flops

66. When I was growing up, we ate popcorn almost every night

67. I like seeing Ab wearing something I made

68. I like the smell of chlorine

69. I like the way the lawn looks after being mowed, and love JB for doing it

70. I love amusement parks!!!!

71. I like making thank you cards

72. The Kuna library probably isn't the closest, but they know who we are there-and I like that

73. I sleep on my stomach

74. If I dyed my hair, it would be red ish

75. I check my e-mail way too many times a day

76. I like playing board games

77. I saved the card from the first bouquet of flowers JB sent me

78. We celebrate Valentines day in May

79. I liked Math in school

80. My favorite "Abby" movie is Meet the Robinsons

81. I like going geocaching

82. I spend many a late night watching movies on Netflicks

83. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church is a little crazy with 2 kids, but Ab loves nursery

84. I like picnics

85. I collect journals :) I just like the fresh pages and possibilites.

86. I enjoy hard work

87. My favorite book is Waiting for Birdy. It was the first book I related to as a mom

88. My favorite number is 22

89. For a couple of years now, I've wanted to move back to Nampa

90. I am very proud of my husband

91. I love listening to the rain - playing in it is even better

92. Kite flying is a must activity Feb- April

93. My favorite quote lately is "Life's not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain"

94. I'm surprised at how blonde I can be sometimes

95. I like that I've come from a big extended family. I love all my in-law family too

96. I like making bread and cookies

97. I love when I get the spring cleaning bug, and through out all the stuff i've been pack-ratting

98. I cry ... a lot

99. I love campfires

100. I love my family. Here's to our journey together Jeramiah, Abby and Dax. you have my heart

what's in a name?

Ab has a little pink plastic case that came with one of her dolls that she was using today to hold bandaids. It has a picture of a bear on the top and says "BABY WIPES". This afternoon she brings it over and says, "Look mom! This has my name on it! See?, there's an A - B - B - and Y!" Right you are Abby.

I'll huff and I'll puff !

Scott and Celeste Smith were loading up their packed house, getting ready for the move tomorrow, so Sarah came to play for the afternoon. I'm pretty sure those girls played with everything in the house! They started out drawing and putting stickers all over, to fort building - eating a snack inside and playing "Three little pigs" where I was the big bad wolf. :) then they played around with the cars, driving around the house to the "dentist, grocery store, and gas station" while I made lunch. It was mac and cheese and Sarah was telling me she doesn't like mac and cheese. "Only my mom's that she makes". But after a couple of minutes of watching Ab scarf her's down, she digged right in. They headed outside to jump on the trampoline with their baby dolls, and a couple of bouncy balls. Dax was having a great time on the porch swing, so the girls wanted to join him. It was pretty cute. They kept kissing him on the cheeks. They came inside and played with the tunnel and did tetter totter on the blue swing and then went to Ab's room for dress up. Every so often during the afternoon, one or the other would come say to me, "We're good friends." It was fun having them get along so well. It was getting past nap time for Dax so I laid him down, and came out to find Scott had already loaded Sarah up. It was a pretty fantastic play date. I look forward to doing it again.

tut, tut, looks like rain

This is some great March weather we are having. Lots of rain and evening storms with thunder, lightning, and the occasional hail downpour. But,wait! It's the end of MAY!! Here's Dax standing on the chalk table eating a carrot and watching the rain come down. He liked when I opened the window after it calmed down a bit.

We were shopping at Winco today, and I bought some carrots. D was getting restless so I gave him one to crunch on, and he carried it around for the rest of the day rubbing it into his gums.

Here's Ab playing Memory. She likes finding all the princesses and then animals. I think she knows the names of all the characters, and there are a LOT of cards. For a while there she was making her bed before she came out of her room, and as soon as she saw me she wanted to get dressed. Now, she'll stay in her jammies as long as I let her - bottoms optional :)

explain it to daddy

It stormed yesterday evening while we were driving to grandmas for a BBQ and some swimming. Ab asked why it was raining.
JB: To give the trees and grass a drink
Ab: What?!
JB: The rain is a drink for the grass and trees so they can grow
Ab: No Dad! They can't drink!
JB: Why not?
Ab: They don't have mouths!!!

Dax had a birthday, shout hooray!

Well, our little guy survived his big sister and made it to his first birthday!! We had a fun day doing usual stuff and then after dinner, Dax opened his presents. There are a lot of pics so I made a slide show. We got him a little pool, mom got him some shoes, and dad helped me get him a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe car. It took him about an hour, but then he was climbing in and out on his own. It's funny when he goes to the side that doesn't have the door, and he'll reach across and pull himself in. He's only figured out how to go backwards, so when he runs into something and can't go anymore, he'll just get out. It's been a ... a... a hard thing for Ab. She wants the car, because, well what 3 ear old wouldn't want there own car?! Started to think that I should have gotten 2 :) But it's getting better. Sometimes the turns they take are shorter than others, but we'll get there. We brought Abby's bike in from the garage so that she could ride around on that while Dax rode in the car, but she's still not haveing any part in that bike since the crash. I'm thinking that I need to get her an actual trike. She'll ride the ones in the stores, but she thinks that her bike is too big and it's scary. I can understand. Anyways, then last night we had the family over for cake and ice cream. Dax had been in a needy mood all day, taking weird naps and he had not slept too good the night before. I couldn't really get him to eat anything, and was a little worried about having so many people over. But as soon as they came, he was his happy little self. I cut off a square of the chocolate cake and badly frosted it, sprinkling sugar on it in the shape of a D. Striped him down to his diaper and sat him in his chair while everyone sang. I got the tray in place with the cake and lit candle on it, and he grabbed the flame- but didn't get hurt. I helped him blow out the candle and he started to fuss. He didn't really get into it until I gave him a spoon!! HA!! It was pretty cute. It was a lot of cake, and he ate a good chunk of it. Then we opened presents, and headed outside to play with the sprinkler Aunt Julie gave him. He stayed back laughing at it while Molls and AJ ran through. Of course Ab was keeping her distance. Then we just hung out and the kids played in the fountain. Everyone headed home. We came inside and Ab says, "I like parties!" Me too Ab. Me too.

Here's some stats on the little guy:

-getting better at eating solids. likes green beans, crackers, hot dogs, cereal, puffs, BREAD CRUST, ham, beans, chips. not a fan of fruits.
-loves the bottle. likes the sippy cup
-champ at walking, climbing, and rocking on the blue horse
-says "dada" and "mama" and sometimes something that sounds like "hi"
-loves to give Ab hugs, and open mouth kisses
-would probably love to become a fish so he could always be in the water
-has been wearing 12 month clothing for the past 5 months
-likes being outside, rain or shine
-still no more hair than he was born with
-likes to read books with big sister