Who's Napping?... NOBODY.... and First Day of School!

(This is my 2nd attempt at this post- FYI- I hate computers!!) Well, the boys have done it. Last Thursday they learned to climb out of their cribs. I.... am at a loss for words actually. They are not napping, and that is.... Horrible for all of us. I have locked them in their room for a fair amount of time- they NEED to nap! One day I did find Andrew asleep under his crib, and another day Zach fell asleep on the mattresses we took out of their crib. That was after he had assaulted Andrew- when I went in to get him he had bite marks on his face, hands, arms, legs, etc. Poor guy. We are seriously considering investing in some crib tents. My sanity is worth 200$- isn't it?

And... here are some pics from the first day of school. Jessie started 3rd grade this year. Her teacher is Mrs. Cox. She went to a new school, and didn't have any friends in her class, it was nerve racking (and enough tears to make your eyes swell a bit)- but... she has done very well. We decided to have her try to ride the bus the first day instead of me take her and it worked well. Within a few days of school her teacher called to tell me what an amazing girl she is. She said Jessie is responsible, and has integrity, and that we should be proud. WE ARE!!! She also chose Jessie to represent their class in the youth 2000 group. (I'm thinking it is similar to a student council type group). Jessie agreed! She has come a long way!!!

Tyler is in 1st grade this year. His teacher is Mrs. Miller. The first bit was Rough! Tyler is active, and sitting still for a whole day... not fun! But... he is getting more used to it. He enjoys recess (playing b-ball) and is making new friends. His handwriting is improving- even though he hates writing in his journal each day. And he has had school lunch a couple of times (pizza- of course). Oh yes, and his reading is coming right along. I miss the kids, but we are trying to get into a routine. Although the moment they get home- the infamous ???? "Can we play?" Is usually the first thing out of their mouth- Who doesn't love to play?

Catching up is never easy to do!!

I always think of what I am going to blog about, and then think... but I have to recap- chronologically.... what a pain- that is why my scrapbooks never get done either. So... I will post a few pictures of our summer- give a small rundown- then post more later, and more later, and then... maybe I will get caught up. This summer we had lots of fun. We went south for about a week right at the beginning (just me and the kids), we went to various parks, we went swimming a few times (the kids were hoping for more, and I wanted to, but... never got past the idea of taking the twins by myself), we had visits from family (always a GREAT time!!!), Jessie and Tyler did swimming lessons and improved so much- they both went off the diving boards at the aquatic center (Jessie even did the high dive- and made me do it once too- yes, I screamed the whole way). Let's see... we went to Hanna a couple of times, the kids did the reading program at the library, spent many hours playing outside, Grandma Oxborrow came to visit, Tyler had his first birthday party (a whole story in itself)- turned 6, we went to Hyrum Dam and Bear Lake, etc. etc. All in all, I thought it was a good summer. I like to do things and unfortunately my kids got that same "Drive" button in them- it is always on Go. But... we had fun, and made some good memories- hopefully!

Chicken Pox???

Nope!!! Last week my sister and her daughter came to visit. The kids definately take after me and Love having family around- thanks for coming guys!! But... the last night they stayed, the kids decided to sleep on the trampoline ( which I must add that cousins have quite the influence or my kids are just growing up- I was shocked that Jessie would be willing to sleep out there without an adult- ). I thought a few times that I should spray them with bug repellent, but... let the thought go. OOPS!!! The next morning they each came in covered with tiny red dots- like someone had taken a marker to them. Tyler's face, ears, arms were covered. The next day they were swollen almost like mosquito bites. I have no idea what it was, but we did get some cream from the dr to help. It did get them out of church- we decided other parents might be a little upset- at least until they heard the story. It is a week later and the bites are fading nicely. When asked if they will sleep outside again.... what do you think they said.... YES!

* Jessie is going to be thrilled that I posted this picture of her- I am starting every once in a while to see signs of caring what others think-- it's too bad.

Love/ HATE situation

One of the things I have loved about my home this year is the raspberry bush that is at the back of our garden. I can usually go out every few days and pick 2-3 cups full. It reminds me of going to bear lake and picking them when we were young, and sneaking a few into our mouths, so that mom could make raspberry jam. Yummy!! The kids waver with their love of the fruit, but the boys enjoyed picking some.

The kids were enjoying time in the yard- sprinkler/trampoline/pool with their friends when Jessie yells the word that strikes fear in every fiber of my being. "Snake". I have always had a phobia- Always!! Before we moved in (I noted the big field behind, and am not sure I was aware of the canal- can't imagine I was- but I was 7 mos pregnant with twins- anyway) I remember asking if they ever saw snakes. No was the answer. Unfortunately within a month or two of moving in- their lie was unmasked. It has been the undoing of my love of having a home of my own. It is pathetic I know- but... it causes such anxiety in me.... I can't even explain it. I pray 1st for the horrible things to stay away, and 2nd to ... I don't even know what to pray for. I try to do things to keep them away, but... So on this day, I called my mother- fearing that I was having a panic attack- then cried- then looked out to see the kids (good thing we had a brave neighbor here) holding the horrible thing- they even named it Flicky. Yeah!! Don't get me wrong, I am thankful that they were able to do this and that they may, God willing, not have my intense fear, BUT.... it changes nothing for me. As many of the things that I enjoy about this house- this trumps them all. And so.... in the future (due to this wonderful economy)... probably way into the future- I will call somewhere else home. Unless the snakes decided to call somewhere else home first. Let's all pray for that to happen sooner rather than later!

Random photos

Yummy!! Dad washed the car, and the boys..... helped- .... and then got thirsty????

Great neighbors in our ward hosted a party the last day of school- Jessie did the dunk tank, Tyler threw the ball.

It has been a long time since I posted- I am creatively challenged- and to put it out there for everyone to see is hard for me- but... when you have such cute kids- you want to share a little. And I must add- I love my kids. They are so challenging, but... they are soooo amazing, and I love them with all my heart- so much that it hurts. I love the time I have with them- and wish I cherished every moment more- even when I have locks on every door and drawer possible, and I vacuum my floor more than once a day, and I sweep up broken bowls, cups, etc. (This is easy for me to say at the moment- they are asleep- but.... none the less. It is true!)

Hanna!!! 4th of July!!!

We absolutely Love this place. It is quiet, relaxing, beautiful- we love being with family and the memories we create here. And we are so thankful for the freedoms we enjoy!

Grandpa came through with a box of fireworks for the kids to enjoy. I just love the look on Justin's (nephew) face.

The swing has found a new home. YEAH!!! It brings back so many memories-

I had to add this picture because it is one of the only pictures I can remember of Andrew actually smiling at the camera. He is impossible to photograph.

One of the favorite activities for the kids is riding the 4 wheelers. Their love of the activity starts VERY young. Jessie learned to drive one of them this year so she could take one passenger along with her- nice for everyone!

Rough Spectator Sport???

The first game of the soccer season- Andrew is climbing into a camp chair to watch his big brother, but the camp chair falls over, and he cries the rest of the game. We knew he was hurt, but didn't see any signs of bruising or swelling, so... A few days later he has his 18month check up and the dr does an x-ray. He fractured both bones in his right arm, and had to wear a hard splint for 3 weeks. He wasn't too happy about it, and we rewrapped it many times, but once the long sleeve shirt was on- he endured. And now, it is all over. Yeah!!!