My kids lately...

As you know Andrew has been working on using the potty. He has been doing GREAT! One thing that is hard to master though is pulling up his underwear and pants! This is what happened one time and he was running around all silly with his shorts like this for almost the entire morning! (Yes yes, I know he has horrible bedhead)

Ashley loves to play with those toys I have dangled from the sides of this bassinet. It is kind of nice to have an area downstairs that protects her from Andrew!

Not quite sure what happened here. Derick took these. I think Andrew had some chocolate icecream at scouts with Derick. He looks like a big sticky mess to me!

Here is Ashley in the bumbo chair. She likes it sometimes, other times she hates it. Here she is getting tired of sitting up so she is slouching really bad!

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Camping...kind of.

Derick has really been wanting to take Andrew camping. Myself, on the other hand, am fine not taking him! He just likes to wander and get into things. He has picked up hot BBQ briquettes twice before and been burned and who knows what would get him curious around water. Our fathers and sons activity was cancelled because of the weather, so Derick set up the tent in the backyard for them to campout in. Seems like something we used to do when we were little! I remember sleeping out on the trampoline and getting eaten alive by mosquitoes! SO at about 9:30 pm they went out there to bed. I took some pictures, tucked Andrew in and made sure he was warm enough then came inside. I started scrapbooking on the computer and watched a movie. At about 11:45 pm I hear Andrew crying and them coming in the back door. What was wrong? Andrew wouldn't fall asleep! This whole time he had been awake out there! They came in, Andrew so sad and SO tired. Poor Derick! All he wanted was a fun father and son campout! Maybe better luck next time.

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Little Cousins!

I know this is from a while ago, but I thought this was cute! During Andrew and Ada's sports classes, Kara and I had to keep track and keep the little ones happy! Here are some pictures of Seth and Ashley and a group picture of the kids from the class.



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See is SOO stinkin' cute!

Hope some of these made you smile!!

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Square Foot Garden

This is new to Derick and I, but we wanted to give it a shot! Here are some step by step pictures of putting together our garden! Our sister in law, Cami, told us about this Square Foot gardening, so we looked it up online, read a little and gave it a go!

Derick put this together in no time at all. Next was time to seal it up. I brushed it with boiled linseed oil. We learned online this would protect the wood from rotting and also give it a little color!

Next step, attaching a weed barrier. This is a really really thick plastic we doubled up and stapled to the bottom.

Now we needed to fill it with a good soil. If you go to the Square Foot Gardening website, they have a "recipe" for perfect soil.

Next up, marking off each sqaurefoot. We drilled screws in at each foot then ran nylon rope up and down and all around to mark each off.

Lastly, it is time to plant! We went to Cook's and stocked up on the veggies and herbs we wanted. Here they are!

Now we are just watching them grow like crazy! Our tomatoes, corn and lettuce are huge! I LOVE the smell of the basil! Derick asks everyday if we can harvest yet! Patience, patience! I will get some pictures of their growth and post them soon!

Ashley had so much fun riding around in the wagon at Cook's. Andrew on the other hand was all ove r the place with his own wagon.

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Tuesday Trivia!

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Becky used to compete in a sport from 1st grade until Junior High. She traveled all over Alaska and in the lower 48. She also won a couple of Gold medals, a bunch of Silvers & Bronzes. What sport was it?

ANSWER: Jump Rope! I started in elementary school. Some of my siblings did it too. We traveled all over, competed, did shows, were on tv, the whole works! I need to dig up a picture for you all! Let me tell you, those uniforms were cute! Here is a picture from when I first started and was so little!!

WRONG, YET CREATIVE: Hot dog eating, log rolling, sled dog racing, igloo making, and swimming.

NEW QUESTION: During highschool Derick competed in a sport and placed in a national competition in Vail, CO. What was the sport and what did he place?

**Click HERE to learn how to play!**

Oh Andrew...

Grandpa Wesley, this one is for you! He asked me to do this to him! Doesn't it remind you of when he did this to me....

Andrew did this to me one time when I fell asleep on the couch. I was pregnant and not feeling well. Funny kid. It cracks me up that he wanted the same thing done to him like 7 months later!

Going...Going...Gone!

When we got married, Derick's aunt and uncle gave us these 2 basket chairs. They were used, but still in perfect condition. We called them basket chairs, but I think their official name is a papasan chair. Anyway, they were our furniture for the past 6 years! We finally got new couches and got rid of the chairs. We gave one away and listed the other on KSL. Most of these chairs out there are the single ones, but we had a double one. These things brand new online were up to $600!! So we list it on KSL for $100 and within two days got TONS of calls on it. I guess that is a steal! The poor kid who we ended up selling it to had a Camry that he was trying to fit it into. I guess it was hanging halfway out his trunk when he left and he had a half hour drive on the freeway to get home! Oh well, it was gone, we had a lot more room in our family room and we also had $100 (a $50 bill, a BUNCH of ones and a TON of quarters). We took some pictures enjoying the chair one last time before it was gone!

Tagged by Diana

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
Finishing sophomore year of high school, umm I can't really remember! I started working formal jobs after junior year, but worked for a temp agency during this summer.

2. Five things on your to do list today-
-Wash kids bedding
-Dream about taking a nap
-Potty training Andrew
-Weed flower beds
-Stare at my new garden and watch it grow!

3. Five snacks you enjoy
-Alpha Bits 100 Calorie Pack
-Ice cold water, but without the ice
-Dried mangoes from Costco
-Chocolate chip cookies, mmmmm...
-Apples (gala) and peanut butter

4. What would you do if you suddenly became a millionaire?
Set aside some for the kids schooling, pay off car, get Derick a better truck, buy my own plane so I can fly to Alaska whenever I please, hire a cook, and my list really could go on and on!

5. Three bad habits-
-Hangnails, I can't leave them alone!
-Kissing my kids WAY too much on their faces, not very sanitary, I know.
-Staying up WAY too late.

6. Five places you have lived-
-New Jersey
-Utah
-Georgia
-Alaska
-Someday in Michele's gazebo.... (just kidding)

7. Five jobs you have had-
-Dimond 9
-Old Navy
-Realtor/Administrator
-Substitute Teacher
-Mom

8. Five things people don't know about you-
-I HAVE to have a drink of cold water right before I go to bed. After I have brushed my teeth, but before I lay down.
-Obsessive over symmetry.
-I am scared of an epidural or any needle really.
-I could make a batch of chocolate chip cookies, eat all of them, and not even feel bad about it!
-I used to try to make retainers out of gum when I was little. I would form it, then leave it on my bedpost to try to harden. When I would put it back in my mouth in the morning it would get soft again. I think I just really wanted braces so that afterwards I could have a retainer.

Ok, I guess now I will tag Amy, Carla, Trachelle and Michele!!!

Tuesday Trivia!

REAL ANSWER: Blindside, Max Power, Leach Ate, Kid Icarus & All Things Considered. Who knows how many other names we came up with in between, but these are the ones that stuck for those guys! They didn't just come from anywhere, if you get a chance, ask Derick sometime what they all mean or where they got them from! If you want to listen to some of their songs, click HERE.

WRONG, YET CREATIVE: Tutti-Frutti and the Tu Tu's, Octo-Pie, Le Leche, Sunshine Kids Factory, Guns & Derick's. (I always wanted that one too Valerie!)

QUESTION: Becky used to compete in a sport from 1st grade until Junior High. She travelled all over Alaska and in the lower 48. She also won a couple of Gold medals, a bunch of Silvers & Bronzes. What sport was it? (Siblings-hold your tongue or make something up)

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TO: Derick, Grandpa Wesley & Grandpa...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

DERICK-
Even though you got your present a few months ago, I hope you still have a good day! I can't tell you how great of a dad you are! It must mean something when the first thing Andrew says when he wakes up is "Where is dad?" and that Ashley stares at your every move when you are near her! I am so grateful to have such a wonderful husband that loves our children so much! I know you would rather be playing with them then going to work...but we are thankful to you for providing for us! We love you!

GRANDPA WESLEY-
I know this picture was taken after you had flown on a red eye all night, but it was the only one I had on Derick's laptop! We are sorry we couldn't spend Father's Day with you, but we wished we could have! Andrew always loves to do "Piggies like Grandpa Wesley," with me. I HAVE to do it the way you do, wee wee home said quietly, this little Dori and Nemo, then do each arm, leg and his nose! We are so grateful that you got to come and meet Ashley and be here for her blessing. These kids have a great, loving set of grandparents they don't get to see very much, but they know you are there! Thank you for your love and support and concern for our family!


GRANDPA-
Happy Father's Day to Derick's dad, known simply as Grandpa in our house! We hope you have a great day today. We are so thankful for all you do for us! Andrew loves to come to your house and play and work with you. We are so grateful to be close by to be able to spend time together. Thank you for your example to us and our kids.

Tuesday Trivia!

I have decided that once a week I am going to put up a trivia question about us. I think it will be funny to see what people think the answer(s) are! So, every week check back and give it a guess! The following week I will give the answer along with a new question! Think hard, be creative and good luck! Even if you have a make up an answer, do it!

QUESTION: Derick has enjoyed being in a band for some time now. He sings and plays the guitar. What have been some of the names of his band?

The Culprit!

The other night I took the cover off of Ashley's car seat to wash it. She spits up a lot, especially when she has a bubble while being buckled in. I took a hot soapy rag and washed the seat belts, base, and other areas that had dried spit on them. I put the cover in the washer and started washing the shade cover with soapy water. A couple minutes after I had finished Derick walked in and asked what smelled like fish. Fish? I knew something smelled funny, but I just thought it was the rag I was scrubbing with or something. I didn't think anything of it until I started smelling it too. What stunk? We went around smelling things in the room and couldn't figure it out. FINALLY Derick smelled the shade cover and about jumped backwards. It smelled horrible! He sprayed around it with Oust then I took a dryer sheet to it. I had just washed it! The next day after running errands the car started to smell like it too. I made Amy smell it to try to figure it out and she said it smelled like a wet dog! How in the world could this thing smell so bad?! I decided to find a way to detach it from the car seat, with a little force I got it free. After the cycle in the washer had finished I walked into the laundry room and the whole room smelled like it! Ahhhh! So I washed it again, this time with hot water and extra Oxyclean, it still smelled! Crossing my fingers that the third time would be a charm I washed it again. Yeah! It worked. After three cycles through the wash, lots of detergent, softener and Oxyclean it finally doesn't stink. WHAT IN THE WORLD COULD HAVE MADE IT LIKE THAT!!!

Thanks!

This picture is for Gramea and Aunt Emily. Thanks for the cute sweater! It is just perfect and I love love love the rick-rack on the neck and the color! Thanks Monica in my ward for the bows too! You can't see her pants, but they are some really cute ones from Kristy that she gave me at my shower. They are these cute embroidered khakis. I love girl clothes! Thank you for the gifts everyone!

YUM YUM YUM- Oreo Truffles

These are the yummiest, tastiest, most mouthwatering truffles ever! Thanks to Bakerella for posting this recipe! She also changes it up trying it with Nutter Butters and also mini cupcakes out of Red Velvet cake. Check out her website, she is really creative! Anyway, here is the recipe!

Oreo Truffles
Ingredients:
1 pkg Oreo cookies
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 pkg Almond Bark candy coating, vanilla
Crush all but seven cookies to a small crumb texture. (I used a potato masher in a bowl, but you can put them in a ziplock and pound them too) Bakerella crushes to a powder, but I like the texture better having a little chew inside! Mix in your cream cheese using a spoonula or spatula. Mix until all the cream cheese is stirred in. Roll into balls (approx 30). I like to use my Pampered Chef ice cream scoop then roll them. Place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Put the cookie sheet in the freezer or fridge while preparing your coating and crumbs. Crush the left over seven cookies to a fine powder. Melt your coating according to the package directions. Dip the chilled cookie balls and place back on the wax paper. After each one, sprinkle with the fine crumbs. Be sure to do it after each dip so they don't set up before you get to it! Let them set up and ENJOY! Hopefully there will be some left over when you are finished dipping the last one!

How do you teach volleyball to 3 year olds?

WITH BALLOONS!

I was wondering how in the world they were going to do this, but this worked out great! The only problem was keeping the kids off the net. Andrew kept leaning on it and the posts almost fell over on each side. Oh well. He has fun at the classes, which I am grateful for, but sometimes he wants to sit and watch, or run over to the gymnastics class in the other room. Next class is baseball. Can you just picture a bunch of kids running around with baseball bats????