Traditions, traditions!

We have lots of Christmas traditions, but I wanted to write down a few I heard of this year that I would love to do--at least some day...
The night the Christmas tree is put up and decorated, my friend and her family all sleep "under the tree". Isn't that fun? I would probably sneak up to my bed, but the kids could stay on the floor.
An international dinner--each person brings some traditional food from another country. So cool! (I would love to celebrate Three Kings Day/Epiphany on January 6th, but it is my husband's birthday, so we never do. But that has some fun traditions--cake with a toy hidden inside... etc.)
A gingerbread decorating contest between siblings and their families. It could get soooo fun and so competitive--but in a good way, right?
Exchanging white elephant gifts as a family--funny things. On that same note, I hear of people who go to "ugliest Christmas sweater" parties. Now that could be fun.
Anybody else has something really fun?

Jon Schmidt Concert

We "bribed" Weston into practicing his piano by promising him tickets to the Jon Schmidt concert (we listen to his CD's often). Well, he delivered, so I took him today (nice, nice gift). It is such a fun concert.


I took the photo from Steve Nelson's website (the cellist) --http://www.stevensharpnelson.com/
I knew Steve back in my single days, and it was fun to introduce Weston to "the funny guy". Their concert is really funny. It was a LONG concert, but Weston did such a good job of sitting and listening and laughing. The music is so much fun to listen to, and if you want to hear a great song, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfH2BY5pdLw

Thanks Weston for practicing so that we could go to that concert together. Now, continue practicing so that you can play like Jon!!

Santa and some elves...

The kids wanted to dress up for Christmas like Santa and an elf and I found them like this... So stylish. But awfully cute! I am adding the other pic (of me sitting on "Santa's" lap --Brennan is trying to pull me off...) just so ya'll can see my BELLY! Only seven more weeks!We went to see Santa last week (at Cabela's thanks to friends advice) and it was great. He was a great Santa--very engaging and sweet. They took free pictures of the kids and let us take our own photos, too. We waited for maybe an hour, but it was worth it. The kids liked to look at all the "stuffed animals" in the room anyway, so it was a fun trip.

Weston's second book report

Can you tell which book it is? Bad Kitty (a very fun book if you haven't already read it, you should). He drew and cut out a bunch a "scenes"--the kitty ripped up the bed and curtains, he wrote on the wall, paw prints on the wall and a ripped up couch, and dishes being pushed off the counter. What a creative boy (with a helpful creative mom...)

Yearly Photos

We took photos of the boys. Trying to save money, and use our fun camera. Worked out okay... it was just hard to get the boys to cooperate!

We've also been getting ready for Christmas. We have decorated the house, made a gingerbread house, I think we have three different "count downs" going on, music constantly playing, pictures of Santa and reindeer being made, Secret Santa stuff, friends Christmas cards up to show off pics, waiting for neighbor gifts (so I won't make my own treats and eat them...), reading Christmas stories, and even a visit to Santa! Let the fun CONTINUE!!! We'll have photos of the visit to santa and more coming up!

Thanksgiving Festivities

My sister Heidi came down with her kids for Thanksgiving. They came a week before and we did lots of playing! Heidi and I went shopping and found her some DARLING boots (I am really jealous!). We took the kids to Costco (eek--what a trip. Two mom, six kids and on a Saturday!!! What were we thinking?). We took a trip down to the Children's museum and the kids loved it. Another day we went to the aquarium. So much for taking it easy. We were all over the place having tons of fun! So worth it. It was great for the cousins to play together and meet my newest nephew. He was SOOOO good. He hardly makes a sound and just sits there calm and sweet! Heidi and I had lots of fun talking about Brown memories and oddities--a subject that never gets boring...

We baked and cooked all evening on Wednesday and all day Thursday. Scott made the turkey and gravy (way to go hon!), Heidi made mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. I made jumbleberry pie and the rolls. It was a great feast and we had LOTS of leftovers.

Because Weston has been off track, I wanted the kids to do crafts to prepare for Thanksgiving. I had lots in mind, but instead only got these cute "Turkey Nut Cups" done (they took three days...). But, aren't they darling? Made of egg cartons--I took the idea from familyfun.com.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I am so grateful for ... all the normal stuff. :)

Turkey Cake

Anyone ever had a turkey cake before? Yesterday Aidan brought home a note from preschool asking for us to bring a dessert for today's "feast", but I did not have time to make anything or go to the store. But, we had the body of the frog cake (see other post) left over, so I just made some "brown" frosting and covered the green. I already had laminated "feathers", so I just made some feet and a turkey head and laminated them and stuck them in the cake. Voila!

Happy Birthday Brennan

My baby is two! I can't believe how time flies. He is growing up way too fast (how cliche). We had a "frog" birthday for him, which really just consisted of a Frog Cake. He is always singing the Happy Birthday song, but he sings it more like "Hoppy Birthday". I think the cake turned out pretty cute.All day we kept telling him happy birthday and he would reply, "No Hoppy!" He just didn't understand what a day it was for him. But then when we all gathered round for the cake and presents, he got a bit more excited. He couldn't figure out why we were all looking at him and singing, but he enjoyed it! We got him more Lego Quatro blocks (if you have never heard of them it is because they don't sell them anymore!!! They are the largest size of Legos. We bought our first set five or so years ago, and then they stopped making them, so we have had to buy them on ebay--I think we have about 200 or so now. The kids love them and play with them for HOURS.) We also got him a bunch of "Chuck and Friends" cars and some books and Mr. Potato Head stuff. He got a phone from Omi and Opa which he has hardly stopped carrying around with him, and a Chuck and Friends Fire Station from Grandma and Grandpa.

Weston and Aidan also picked out some candy presents for him. I think by the end of the day he was glad it was his birthday!

He is a great kid. He still loves to play with the pots and pans. He loves to do anything his brothers are doing and copy them in everything they do. He loves to sit and look at books, his favorite show is Word World, and he is great!

Statistics:

Height: 33.5 inches

Weight: 25.3 pounds

Cuteness: out of this world!

We love you Brennan, you make us smile every day!!!

Sometimes ideas are not good ideas...

We had lots of extra eggs, and I had a craving of something with pickles. I didn't have a lot of time to make a dinner, so I decided to make egg salad sandwiches.
I was met with complaints from everyone (okay, Scott didn't complain, but he wasn't looking too happy, either). Brennan made the funniest gross face after licking his finger off, and Aidan, while he was saying the prayer said, "Ew something stinks". Weston covered his face with his shirt and moved to the other end of the table. No one touched the sanwiches. I couldn't help but laugh. I didn't make anyone eat them. Unfortunately, I ate mine. Now I am sitting here with a belly ache. And the house stinks like hard boiled eggs. Yuck.

October 2009 --Part 2 (Halloween)

October 2009 --Part 1

I need to load some photos onto this blog! Here is stuff we have been up to in October.

Here is Weston dressed exactly like his daddy. He has always liked to dress just like Scott (sometimes it gets hard to do, so a little frustrating...). But they look so handsome together. And in RED for the Utes! (I don't know why that is underlined, and I can't get it off. Sometimes this blogger thing does wierd stuff...) Weston has really been into football lately. He and his friends play it every recess and he comes home talking about teams I know nothing about. He loves to watch the Ute games with his dad, and he is trying to not say mean things about BYU... We are working on Scott not teaching the kids that... Hard stuff. :) Weston is also taking piano lessons from a neighbor and doing super great. I am so impressed with how quickly he picks up on it all. He doesn't really complain too much about practicing either (though, he is still young and still has time...). The bribing helps. He earned three donuts--with sprinkles-- for practicing every day in October. If he practices every day through November he gets to go to the Jon Schmidt concert! What fun!

We visited a local pumpkin patch and tried to get some fun photos of the kids. Cheeser.

Brennan is still "cooking" all the time. He is getting really difficult to find birthday and christmas present ideas. I can't just buy him pots and pans! But he is so funny about it all. He also likes to play with cars and blocks with his brothers. He thinks he is big. I think he is small. Come a few months I will think he is HUGE (a new baby always makes the old baby not a baby any more)!

This is Aidan visiting the pumpkin patch with his preschool (they are not pictured...) on the COLDEST day of the year so far. It was freeeeeezing! But they all had a good time.

Aidan loves preschool and is reading and writing all over the place. He got to visit the fire station, too this month and loved it. He is getting bigger and funnier. He loves to laugh at himself and the funny things he says. He is still taking tumbling and is getting stronger. I don't think he necessarily loves going, but every time he comes home happy. And it really does help him. So he is going to have to keep on trucking! He can't wait for Christmas (and for some reason Easter and Valentine's day--I think it is the candy he is excited for).

Here is Brennan LOVING the snow that we had a few weeks ago.

The boys are so confused as why it is gone already and warm (we even went to the park!)--I think they think winter is over.

And here begin our Halloween festivities:

The boys wrapped Aidan up in toilet paper and called him the mummy of King Tut --though for some reason they kept saying King Kentucky--did they get that from some show I don't know about? They love dressing up in their costumes as often as possible, too.

We set out Halloween decor, including our little skeleton who sits on our porch each October. Weston is showing off the "spiders" we made from some spiky things Scott found beside the river (I remember making them as kids with my mom).

We have also painted wooden pumpkins, made ghosts of all kinds, carved pumpkins and drawn or created every imaginable monster/Halloween ghoul or character. I think it has been a fun month of crafts.

I'm in love!

I am wanting some winter boots for Christmas and I stumbled across these:
Born Tawny Boots.... ahhh. So gorgeous. I absolutely LOVE them. The greatest thing (I am being completely sarcastic here) is that they are only 200$. Only. Hmmmm. I don't think I'll be getting them.

And even more food...

I found an amazing recipe (from my neighbor Mary) for rolls that ROCKS! I can make the whole batch in under an hour from start to finish! Some people have asked for it, so I am just going to post it.

1 3/4 cup lukewarm water
3/8 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 tbsp yeast (I use the quick rise)
mix these together and let rise for 10 minutes.

Add:
2 eggs
1/2 tbsp salt
mix and then gradually add
5 3/4 cup flour (I use 2 cups white and the rest whole wheat)

Make rolls as desired (I do crescent) and let rise for 10 minutes. That is it!

Depending on how you make the rolls determines the temperature and time. If it is individual rolls (like crescent) then a higher temperature shorter time (425 for 10-12 min). You can use this to make cinnamon rolls (more like 350 for 20-25 min--just check them). It can also be used for pizza dough, etc. SOOO easy. I made them for a big family dinner a few weeks ago, but when I got to my mother in laws realized I might not have enough (it made 25 or so rolls), so I quickly whipped together another batch in time for our dinner! Awesome!

Adventures with government run health care

Well, it is a big debate of whether or not to get the swine flu vaccine. Scott and I have discussed it at length, and prayed about it, and decided it wouldn't hurt to get it. Because I am pregnant, I feel a bit stressed about pre-term labor (and dying, etc...) and I don't want the kids to get it and give it to me (or get sick themselves)! Since I can only get the shot (not the mist), yesterday was the first day the shot would be available to me. So we packed up the kids at 6:30 in the morning, hoping to be near the front of the line at the Health Department to get the shots. Explanation: Salt Lake County received 7,000 vaccines and split them between four sites. This site had 1, 750 shots available. I knew that lots of people would be there, and I figured the vaccine wouldn't last long, but I was not expecting what we experienced.

For some reason, the health department thought it would be good to start it at 7 am. Big mistake. Tons of people standing out in the cold to get a shot so they wouldn't get sick, just to get sick from standing in the cold.... Thank goodness it wasn't raining. Though I am sure some people got rained on CAUSE THEY GOT THERE AT 10 pm THE NIGHT BEFORE!!!! People spent the night in line!!!!! What??? By the time we got there at 6:45 am, there were police in the streets directing traffic, a line that started at the health department building, winding around a little set up they had, then circled around the parking lot, out around Wendy's, down a sidewalk and back into another parking lot, circling that entire (huge) parking lot, looping back out to the sidewalk (we made it to this area), down it, and then turned down the street and went down it as far as the eye could see. THOUSANDS of people!!!! And I am sure many saw the amount and turned around and left. We stood in line talking with the others around us about it all--no one sure of how many people there were, how many vaccines, how fast the line would move, whether we should stay or not.

Scott took Brennan and went to the HUGE McDonalds line (of course--man they made BANK that day!) and got a few things for breakfast. But, around the time he was starting back, a police man standing near Wendy's started telling everyone that anyone from that point on should just leave, they wouldn't have enough for them. That meant us. I hung on with a few as the line shorted DRAMATICALLY. But, met up with Scott, so we decided to go home. We got in the car (which happened to be in that parking lot) loaded up the kids, and we were about the last car to leave. As we approached the lot exit, I saw a health department worker counting the line. I jumped out and asked her about it--She counted me and I was number 1500ish. That meant if we stood in line, we could get it! I feel terrible for all those people turned away who should have stayed. (Dumb policeman--though he was probably just doing as he was told). (Though, I must also say, that had he not turned all those away, we would not have gotten it anyway, we were too far behind in the line). So, Scott and I talked about it again. What if we weren't actually that close? We knew people were "holding places" for others (just like we did--I stood in line while he stayed in the car with the kids....) So was standing in line worth it?

We decided to do it. I had brought the laptop and kids shows (Ch-ch-ch-chip and Dale Rescue Rangers!). The kids sat in the car and watched (what a life saver) and Scott and I took turns standing in line. As we got closer they did more counts and FIVE people in front of us they said "this is the cut off--at this point for sure you will get it, but from here out maybe yes, maybe no". Arghh--would it all be worth it? YES! By 10:15 we were near the building, and we got our shots and were out by 11:00. Yes, it was early, yes, it was crazy, and yes we stood in line for hours, but it was actually kind of fun. I know, wierd. But, the kids weren't freaking out (well, Brennan fell and hit his head and cried for a long time...) but they were happy. The people around us were fun to talk to and it was good family time together. And I do feel a bit better now that I and the kids have the shot.

We celebrated (plus it was a huge bribe) at McDonalds after (they even had free ice cream cone coupons from the health department) with a disgusting burger or two and then went home to relax.

There is such big talk about YOU MUST GET THIS vaccine, but then there isn't a lot of supply. Frustrating! People are scared of this, so how can we be normal people yet stay healthy? Besides standing in line for HOURS, if we can, get the shot, but then we need to wash hands lots. I hear that rinsing out the nose with salt water is really good and taking lots of Vitamin D. Anything else?
Well, good luck to you all out there--may we all be healthy and happy!

Food

Since I am on the subject of food, I thought I'd share this cool thing I found that you can do with zuchinni. It might be too late for ya'll, but if you have zuchinni sitting around... I took the cheese slicer and sliced off long pieces of the zuchinni and then took the pizza slicer and cut them into long skinny pieces--so they look (as close as you can get) like spaghetti noodles. Then, when I make spaghetti, I put some of those in with the pasta as it cooks, cover it with the sauce to eat it, and the kids don't really know! There is a recipe on allrecipes that uses the "zuchinni pasta" with a white alfredo. I am excited to try that!

Some good food

I love the site www.allrecipes.com and I get most of my recipes from there. Tonight I had lots of green peppers so I looked up some recipes and found this: Yummy Honey Chicken Kabobs! SOOOO easy and delicious.
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup honey
2/3 cup soy sauce
1/2 tsp black pepper
garlic salt
Whisk together these ingredients and put half in a bag with 8 chicken breasts cut up into nice chunks. Set aside 1/4 cup or so for brushing the chicken for later. Put the rest of it in a bag with cut up onions, green peppers, and pineapple chunks (and anything else you want). Marinate it all day. Skewer and cook kabobs however you like to cook kabobs, brushing them with marinade frequently. ENJOY!

Then, if you want a delicious dessert, use this recipe (from Jenny E--thanks!)
Samoas Bars
Cookie Base:
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
First, make the crust. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter, until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Working at a low speed, gradually beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly. Pour crumbly dough into prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until base is set and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack before topping.
Topping:
3 cups shredded coconut
12-oz good-quality chewy caramels (I used one 14 oz. package of the Kraft brand)
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons milk
10 oz. dark or semisweet chocolate
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spread coconut evenly on baking sheet and toast 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until coconut is golden. Cool on baking sheet, stirring occasionally. Set aside.Unwrap the caramels and place in a large microwave-safe bowl with milk and salt. Cook on 1-2 minutes, stopping to stir a few times to help the caramel melt. When smooth, fold in toasted coconut with a spatula. Put dollops of the topping all over the shortbread base. Using the spatula, spread topping into an even layer. Let topping set until cooled. When cooled, cut into 30 bars with a large knife or a pizza cutter.
Once bars are cut, melt chocolate in a small bowl. Heat on high in the microwave in 45 second intervals, stirring thoroughly to prevent scorching. Dip the base of each bar into the chocolate and place on a clean piece of parchment or wax paper. Transfer all remaining chocolate (or melt a bit of additional chocolate, if necessary) into a piping bag or a ziploc bag with the corner snipped off and drizzle bars with chocolate to finish. Alternately, you can omit the step to dip the base of the brownie in chocolate and simply drizzle the melted chocolate on the top of the bars (you won't need the full 10 oz. if you choose this step). Let chocolate set completely before storing in an airtight container. Makes 30 bar cookies.

Really--these are great! I wish I had leftovers. Happy eating!

What is for sale... well for free...

That's right--Bananas and Bread. The poor boys are so bored they asked me if they could "sell" something, and I said no. So, they just played outside, til they came up with their own plan. I could smell something ... so I went down to investigate. Weston had made some toast and cut it into pieces and cut up a banana. Then he made a sign, "free bananas and bread". They set up a table and chairs and sat out on our sidewalk in the cold air and tried to "give away" these yummy treats! No luck, unfortunately.

For real this time... (going private)

So, I really am going to go private. I know I said I would earlier, and never did, but now I really am going to! So, if you didn't before (here is the link from before--to check if you put your name in the comments...) http://dawlings.blogspot.com/2008/11/dang-it.html

Just leave me your email/name, etc. I probably won't do this til the end of October, though.

Although my children are gorgeous... and I want to show them off to the whole world--I would rather people not use my photos for their use. Understandably, you would all like to take the photos and print them and put them up all over your house, blog, etc, but if you have the inkling to do that, could you just ask me first...? Thanks.

More Reverence Cards

Hey, I am able to buy more of those "reverence cards" for a good price. I am only going to order the Jesus the Christ cards (Unless many of you want one other type of card)--I already have four going to other people, so I will have four available for those of you who are interested in ordering some. Here is the link to my previous post about them so you can view them.

http://dawlings.blogspot.com/2009/04/for-sale-reverence-cards.html


(I had them for sale for $6.50 each before because I was ordering so many--I just have to raise the price to $7.00 each because I am only ordering a few) Just let me know by October 18th. I'll order them then so we can have them in plenty of time for Christmas.

Life's update

Now that Weston is in school all day and Aidan has started preschool and tumbling, my life slows down, right? Not.

Though with the contractions, I really can't do much, so I guess life has slowed in a certain way. I have some girls that come help out with the house two times a week, and that really helps! Since I can't vacuum, etc, they can do that and at least keep the house semi decent. I have tried to get myself some "sitting" projects. I've started Christmas shopping--well, just looking online for good deals, etc. And I found my baby girl bedding (30% off!!!), so I am accomplishing things. I have a great friend, Jenny, who helps me shop sometimes and I got the greatest deal last week!! Two child stuffed armchairs--normally 80$, but for 40$!!! They go perfect with my little library. Speaking of library, I have been reading quite a bit, and I'd like to read the new Dan Brown. Has anyone read it, and is it any good?

I have also been doing lots of primary stuff. We had the program two weeks ago, and it went really well (thanks to an amazing president and 1st counselor and secretaries... I just sat and didn't do anything...) I did do sharing time last week and I'll do it again today. I am excited to do todays. All about modern day prophets and general conference. I really hope they remember it and learn from it--I am going to bring in a ladder and stand up high on it like a "watchman" on a tower... Don't you think that would make an impression?

Weston: W has been growing up way too fast. He is really into football right now--of course with the Utes playing, and dad encouraging him... He went to a Utes game last night and although bored most of the time, he said he loved it. His reading is coming along great and he is loving school. He has some really good friends, and I think now that the newness of the beginning of school has calmed down, so have the chasing of the girls during recess!!! I can't blame the girls--he is cute. But I just don't want it to be girls chasing him every time! He is a sweet wonderful boy. He is so excited for Elise and writes notes for her, too. He will be an excellent and sweet brother for her. He is PURE in every sense of the word. I love him!

Aidan: This little kid is amazing. He is really doing well with letters, etc and always wants to spell and sound out words. The other day he read on the cereal box: mark, set, go. He'll be reading before Kindergarten! Although tumbling is lots of work, he is getting stronger every time! He is proud of his accomplishments and loves showing off during our "nightly talent show" (he does his tumbling and W does his piano--brennan does a little of both....). He asks questions about EVERYTHING and is constantly doing "surprises" for me. He cleaned up the entire toy room for me! He stills sings all the time, too. He is constantly making me smile and I just love him!

Brennan: Crazy kid. I thought the playing with my kitchen stuff was a phase. If it is a phase, it is not yet over! He LOVES to get out my pots, pans, spatulas, hot pads, oven mitts, and pretend food--usually just blocks (unless he can get his hands on real food...). And because I can't bend down over and over to pick things up, we usually have pots on the kitchen floor all day long... He is saying more words--shoe, sock, hat (he is really into choosing his own clothes--usually always pajamas), hot (whenever he "cooks" something), poo poo.... He is a funny, funny boy who thinks he is as grown up as everyone else. He always does what the big kids do, and is very demanding about it all--he is at a rather selfish stage. But, I love him--especially when he is smiling!

Scott is busy doing everything I can't. Poor guy. He is such a trooper. He never takes a break. I am so grateful he has a job that allows him to be home early, etc. And that he is more interested in being with the family, than with being at work!

No pics today--but I am sure as Halloween approaches we'll have some up. Happy fall to you all!

Arrrgh!

I've started contractions ALREADY!!! Everything is okay, it just means that I am going to be "lazy" for the next TWENTY weeks!!! Arrgh!!!

Last bit of summer fun

Well, somehow we were able to squeeze in even more summer fun those last few weeks. Thanksgiving Point has 2$ Tuesdays in August, so the last Tuesday of August I trooped over with the three kids and actually had a great time. We just wandered around the gardens and then played a bit in the Children's garden. I am glad we were able to go on a cheap day, although it really is nice and worth paying to go at least once.


My brother-in-law is married to a gorgeous Japanese girl--Yukie. I have been begging her to come over to hang out and I finally got her to come! She helped me make (okay, she made it all...) Tempura. SO GOOD! It was really fun to just be with her and then her husband came over and we all just sat around and talked all evening.

We were going to go camping with Scott's family over Labor Day weekend, but decided against it cause the weather didn't look so good. So instead we all went to the zoo on Saturday. Here is our attempt at a photo of all the cousins:

Didn't work out so well.

You can't see Brennan very well, but he is giving a cheesy smile, and the Tiger is behind him (and his cousin Hallie...) Weston just hanging around...
And Aidan sitting on the rhino's nose!

Then we had a family dinner on Sunday at his parents house and I made the spaghetti sauce. I think most people loved it--and dad had at least three helpings! It is a recipe from my sister-in-law Val. Since we have gathered our tomatoes from the garden, I have made a huge amount to freeze. If you are at all interested in the recipe, just let me know.... It is DELICIOUS!

Then on Monday we went to Lagoon. No photos, though we did take lots of video. The kids LOVED it. I am not an amusement park fan. Meaning, I have NO desire to go on any rides (though I admit, rattlesnake tube ride thing was lots of fun), but I love to see my kids having a great time! Aidan wasn't afraid of any ride and Weston was so brave to try scary things! Brennan was on both sides. Sometimes he liked it, sometimes he didn't. We did way too much walking, and way too much eating of JUNK food, but had a marvelous time.

Now I am really ready to stop playing around. Back to work and back to life!

Aidan starts preschool

Aidan started pre-school today! He is going to a local pre-school with his friend Eli. He goes three days a week, for two hours each day. He loved his first day and was so excited to go! He has a Lightning McQueen backpack. He can recognize his teachers house because "if there is a fish on her door, that is her house."

My little boy is sure growing up fast! He is well on his way to reading (thanks to Weston learning how, Aidan has somehow picked up on quite a bit!). He likes to try and spell words--he wrote me a note the other day: "I lv u" Pretty good, eh? He loves to color and draw, and although he doesn't sit as much with me when I read with Weston, he likes to look at books by himself. He is a good older brother to Brennan and is a very good helper around the house. He and Weston (and Brennan...) cleaned up the kitchen as a suprise for me the other night!

He has also started a tumbling class. Two times a week, an hour each time (at a great price from a great teacher!). I really feel that this will help strengthen his little muscles and make him more athletic. He is very excited and will have so much fun!

It's a ...

baby!!! That is right folks, we are going to have a baby. Oh, you already knew that? What kind of baby you ask? Well, I can tell you now I know it isn't a monkey--although with Scott's looks and my personality, it very well could be a monkey!! It is a girl!!! (PS, my husband is really good looking, so a good looking monkey...)

Let me explain to some of you folks what this means to me, and my neighborhood. There is a circle behind me full of wonderful people. Somehow our family is "part" of the circle--we go to their circle parties, etc. We don't have many families with kids close by, and they are full of kids. In fact, of the six families there are FOURTEEN boys. And NO girls. Seriously. So if you add us, that is 17 boys and no girls. We have been waiting for someone to BREAK THE CURSE! And we've done it! My girl will be surrounded by boys, which will hopefully mean she is well protected from meanies.

Scott's parents have 11 grandchildren. Of those there are only 3 girls (and one of them is adopted). My parents have 13 grandchildren (one born yesterday! congrats Heidi), of those 4 are girls--one adopted and one married into the family. So not many "blood" girls in our family. I feel with the family, the neighborhood, and the fact that I already have three boys, that getting a girl is quite a nice gift!

I have already bought several clothes for girls--just kind of along the way. Each time I got pregnant, in hopes of it being a girl, I would buy a cute outfit. So, now I actually get to use them!!

And, now I can finally get rid of the boy nursery stuff and get girl stuff!!! I will being selling my stuff on KSL soon (let me know if you are interested in it--quilt, fitted sheet, bumper, valance, and diaper hanging thing). I also have a TON of boys clothes that I can finally get rid of!

Bring on the shopping!!!

I must say that I would have been fine if it was a boy. But I am excited that I will have a girl. And Scott is so excited! He will make a great father to a girl. The boys are very happy about all this also. Weston has been praying for her for a long time. The other boys aren't quite as into it all, but I think they will be happy once she comes.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell her name (it has been picked out for quite awhile):
ELISE MARIAH DAW


Welcome to our family, Elise!

Finally! The room is done!

I finally finished the toy bags for the toy room and can finally put up photos of the room! We updated the big room above the garage to make it organized and friendly. We sectioned into into three areas: toys, tv, and desk. Scott put wood flooring in the desk area (he did a great job), and we bought some desk and filing furniture from IKEA. It happened to fit the area PERFECTLY (it was hard to find stuff because of the height of the wall--the roof angle-- and the length of the wall). I think it looks great.Plus, we bought matching bookshelves for the little alcove area and so now we have a beautiful library. That is something I have always wanted--granted it isn't huge, but it holds a lot of kids books, and I think the book collection is coming along beautifully!

The TV area has the TV cabinet, which also hold all our DVDs, camera stuff, and photo albums. We bought a new couch, and I plan on making pillows for it... We'll just see if that ever happens.

Those two areas take a little over half the room. Then the rest is the toy area. Since it is above the garage, we cut holes in the walls and stuck (kitchen) cabinets (from IKEA) into the walls (we just bought the cabinet part, not the doors). Those were nailed into the studs very securely, and then we framed it with floorboard type stuff. I searched for months for baskets that would fit and finally found the perfect baskets at Target --I wove some brown ribbon around them to add a little extra (SIDE NOTE: my Target doesn't sell them anymore, and I would like to have one or two extras just in case... if you happen to be at target and see anything like these, please let me know. Blue, or blue and white, woven baskets.) Two of the baskets fit perfectly on one of the shelves. Then I got three bigger brown laundry baskets that fit on the bottom shelves. I am extremely happy with the end result.

We put up hooks along the walls and I made drawstring bags (thanks to my mother-in-law for the idea) out of old jeans and pants. It took forever, but I am so happy with them. I think they will be great. So now ALL of the toys are up off the floor and have a place to live. The only thing I don't have a basket/box/etc for is the bounce house, which I just roll up and stick under the window.

We also have the exercise machine off to one side so we can watch tv while exercising if we wish. I feel that there is now a place for everything (in that room). It is such a nice feeling!

Summer Fun

Here is a HUGE post to catch up on all of the many summer things we have done. Since Weston was out of school for only three weeks before starting again, we really tried to jam things into the break. And then he went "off track" just three weeks after starting, so we have tried to jam even more into the last little bit of summer. And I think we have done a good job of having fun!

(All of my pictures from July are frozen up for some reason, so we don't have pics to share... :( But there are some from our other activities.) We started it out by having lots of fun with grandparents and cousins on the 4th of July--fireworks, food and fun. Plus the boys went hiking with Scott's family and I didn't (I needed to just sit!). Then, the boys had a few nights of camping in the backyard, but we decided to really camp, so we took Scott's parents camper out for a few nights of camping in Wasatch Mtn State Park. It was a load of fun. Perfect weather. There was a little fishing pond that the kids could fish in (for free), so we fished a few times. We went to Jordanelle and swam and played in the sand. We went on a hike or two. Drove up to Soldiers something... can't remember the exact name. But it is a memorial for those who died in wars. We roasted marshmallows. I didn't keep our food cold enough so we went out to eat at a restaurant. We met mom and dad Daw for lunch one day and they hung out with us for awhile. It was just a fun weekend! The kids loved it, and although it wasn't necessarily comfortable or easy, it was well worth it for the fun that we had.

The boys took swimming lessons and did marvelous and Weston went to a Soccer Camp. We have great photos from that which, unfortunately, won't come up... He loved it though. Both the kids start soccer this week. (hey, that makes me a soccer mom!!!) And now during our first "off track" break, the boys are doing swimming lessons again, and loving it.

This a pic of Weston inside a "bean bag" I made (It doesn't have beans in it, instead that is where I store all of our stuffed animals... it is very nice!).

A little reservoir with a beach has opened up here in Herriman, so every week during summer break we went up there and spent HOURS playing in the sand. Brennan absolutely loved it. I loved it, too because it was very relaxing. The big boys wore their life jackets as they played in the water (just twoish feet deep or so) and Brennan didn't go near the water, just played in the sand.

I think somewhere in those three weeks we went downtown to the children's museum, too. That is a really fun museum. We only go when we get those great coupons -- 1/2 off. We also had a few lemonade stands and the kids earned some moolah and drank a lot of lemonade... and we played with lots of friends. Whew, what a summer!!!

With Weston off track, I decided to take the kids up to visit family in Idaho. The cousins all had lots of fun jumping on the trampoline and playing. All my boys were rather scared of their dog at first, but by the end loved her! I spent a lot of time with Hilary watching Discovery Health shows (wow... it is a good thing I don't get that channel, I'd be hooked), and reading books. I spent time with Heidi, who is "great with child", looking at LOTS of baby clothes--ohhh, ahhh. It was a quick trip, but fun.

We had a little party with Scott's High School friends. It was so relaxing and fun! They are such great people and I am glad he keeps in contact with them. I have gotten to be good friends with several of the women and love that we get together often. We talked for hours and the kids played. Our house got filled with lots of flies...

Since Scott and I attended the temple dedication on Friday morning, we didn't have anything to do on Sunday so we decided to go up to Park City on Saturday and stay in a hotel that night. It was another short trip, but fun filled! We went to Jordanelle (not as fun this time), and then to the Alpine Slide. We weren't sure if Weston would go or not, but after seeing Aidan go and have so much fun, he jumped aboard. (Later, he told me that was his favorite part)

We then played in the pool at the hotel and the kids had a blast!!! Brennan was so funny. He couldn't figure out the jumping off the side thing, so he basically walked off the edge--usually ending up face first in the water (into Scott's waiting arms of course...). Then he would sit on the side of the pool and just fall in. He loved it! Aidan was jumping in and completely submerging and Weston was showing off all the skills he learned at swimming lessons (he is especially good at gliding). Then we went out for Pizza at a fun and delicious restaurant. Which happened to be right across the street from the Family History place on the main street. We stopped in and found a few relatives. We ended the evening with ice cream and a movie at the hotel. The next day was Sunday, and we wanted to keep it holy so we went to Temple Square. We wanted to go to the church museum, but it was closed because of the temple dedication. So instead we walked all over temple square. Then we visited Grandma and Grandpa. We got home early enough to have a nice dinner and have a relaxing evening. It was a perfect trip because it felt like a long eventful trip. And now we are trying to settle down.

(Isn't Aidan just GORGEOUS in this photo?? I can't get enough of it!)

Well, there is our summer. I am sure we did more things, too. But that is the important stuff.