Valentine's Day x 2

We were able to celebrate Valentine's Day TWICE this year! On Saturday, February 14, Aaron took me out to dinner at Macaroni Grill. We got all dressed up, and he gave me a pearl necklace he had gotten at the gem show in Tucson. It goes perfectly with my little black dress I got from Down East Basics. After dinner we went back home and watched Meet Me in St. Louis and had mint chocolate chip ice cream and thin mint girl scout cookies. Our neighbors watched our kids at their house - we had watched their's the night before. It was nice that we were able to watch a movie at home without the kids around.

THEN, on Saturday, February 21, our ward had an adult Valentine's day party. We brought our kids over to our neighbor's house (a different one this time!), and had a babysitter watch the kids over there. Katie was asleep by 7:30, so she only had her for 1 hour. The other kids played together.

Our ward had a fancy dinner with a chocolate fountain for dessert. I loved the chocolate dipped strawberries! Yum!

We all shook up the dance floor afterwards. Aaron and I haven't danced much since he hurt his hand a couple years ago while we chaperoned a youth dance. He tore a bunch of tendons and ligaments that time and had to have surgery. His hand is a lot better now, and he is in better shape then back then, so we went to town! It was so fun dancing with him again. We realized that we need lessons in west coast (or is it east coast?) swing. We're pretty good at country swing though! And we've got the Texas two step down. I didn't even mess up my footing when he twirled me around - most of the time at least!

Next time I'll wear a less swishy dress or get some black shorts to go underneath. I'm afraid I flashed everyone most of the time! I tried to hold down the skirt when I twirled around too fast, but I'm really not sure how effective that was! It was such a fun time. I hope they do something like that again sometime! Wish I'd taken some pictures too. Oh, well.

Playing In The Leaves

Anson and Katie played in the leaves at Grandma's house in January. Grandma Margaret and Grandpa Larry took Rebecca and her cousin Lily to the zoo for Lily's 7th birthday. Anson liked throwing the leaves around and jumping into them.


Katie, on the other hand, didn't like being in the leaves so much. She was pretty much crying whenever I put her in the leaves. She was ok with touching them herself with her hands or just watching though.




We wish it would cool down again - at least a little! Its been pretty hot around here lately. Our ward started an exercise class yesterday. I went and had a great time! My abs and legs are definitely feeling it today! Thanks Glenna (the teacher in our ward)! I'm excited for it again tomorrow!


In other exciting news, I've been teaching Rebecca and 2 of the kids from her old preschool class reading, writing and math the last 2 weeks. Rebecca's teacher had to take care of some personal health issues, so she had to discontinue preschool for the rest of the year.


Rebecca and Hayley are both cruising through the 1st workbook and books in Hooked on Phonics. They're really good at the -at, -an, and -ap words so far. Tomorrow we're working on -ag words. Ethan is making sure he knows his sounds. He is pretty good at reading the -at words. Practice makes Perfect!


We're working on forming our letters by starting at 2 on the clock and going up and around the clock. Anyone that went to Franklin will know exactly what I'm talking about! We've also done "p" and "q" which is where Miss Kristen left off with the kids.


In math, we're working on addition and patterns. We use counters (like little teddy bear counters) so far to do the math facts. I have done both story problems and shown them cards with a math problem (like 3+4=) on it for them to solve. We've done clapping patterns (like clap, pat knees, pat floor, clap, pat knees, pat floor, etc.), and formed patterns out of blocks. We're really good at ab patterns.

Lemon Tart Book Contest

Anne Bradshaw is having a contest for a new book release, Lemon Tart, written by Josi Kilpack, on her blog, "Not Entirely British."

Lemon Tart is the first book in the new Sadie Hoffmiller culinary mystery series.

Here is the link to the website for more details: http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2009/02/contest-for-signed-copy-of-lemon-tart.html

Valentine Nails

I was lucky enough to get my nails done REALLY fancy for Valentine's Day. Aaron's friend Angie invited me to her house to paint my nails the Tuesday before Valentine's Day. I was really surprised at how she did it. First she painted my nails pink. Then she added the white stripe on the side. The really interesting part was how she did the hearts. The white hearts on the pink polish were made by putting the white polish on a little plate that had the hearts engraved on it. Then she took a special stamper and transfered the hearts to my nails. I had never seen anything like it before! She did the same thing with the pink heart on the white stripe too. She even added on glitter to the little hearts. I have definitely never had my nails so fancy before! It was really fun.

Rebecca wanted her nails done too, and Angie was gracious enough to do her's as well. Rebecca loves butterflies, so of course she HAD to have those!

The really nice thing was that Angie's mom Paula was kind enough to watch ALL 3 kids while Angie painted my nails. Paula doesn't speak any english, and my kids don't speak spanish, but she sure must have done something right. My kids did NOT want to leave afterwards! I'm sure the cookies and juice helped! Angie has a 2 year old just younger than Anson, so they had a ball. Anson loves his toys. He has lots of trains and buzz lightyear, woody, and other toy story stuff. I'm hoping they'll want to do it again sometime soon? We sure had a great time!

My 1/2 Marathon Man

Aaron ran in his first 1/2 marathon on Saturday, February 7. My mom was kind enough to watch Becca and Anson, and we took Katie with us. We went up to Sedona on Friday afternoon and checked into our hotel. While we waited for a table at a pizza restaurant, Aaron went and registered for the race. He got back not long after we were seated. It was good pizza, and the 2 ladies at the table next to us were kind enough to remind us that Katie's birthday was the next day, so we got a free brownie sundae! Thanks Katie!

We woke up early Saturday morning (6:15), got dressed, and ate breakfast at the hotel. We parked at the high school across the street from the starting line. There weren't any places left, but we parked over by the service entrance. We figured there wasn't much chance of it being used that day!

The full marathon started first, so we watched everyone take off. Then the 1/2 marathon runners gathered in front of the starting line about 5 minutes later. They did a little loop around, and Katie and I saw Aaron come towards us a little while later. He had started with sweat pants on, but when he saw us he decided it was too hot. He had on his shorts underneath just for this purpose, so he took off the pants and we took them back with us.

We took a nap at the hotel while we waited for 10:15 to come around. Katie gave me a little trouble going to sleep, but fell asleep in the end. I woke up right at 10:15 and had to hurry down to the finish line (which was the same as the start). We got in position for pictures about 5 minutes before Aaron came running in. Thank goodness I woke up and came when I did!

The time posted in the picture is the marathon time. Aaron started about 5 minutes later, plus he was at the back of the crowd, plus he stopped to take off his sweat pants. So I'm thinking his time would have been about 2 1/2 hours.

Aaron finishing the race and our little Birthday Girl!

#4

So people are telling me I'm either brave or crazy. That's right folks, we're expecting #4! I think "it" is due sometime in September.

My guess is that the earliest I am due is September 8, and the latest is probably September 18. So I'm somewhere between 10 weeks and 2 days along and 11 weeks and 5 days. I usually go to the Dr. around 12 weeks, so I better make that appointment soon!

I wouldn't even bother going to a Dr. for even longer if I didn't want to know so badly what we are having. My pregnancies have all been so easy and good so far. We're hoping for a boy to even things out, but we'll definitely take what comes!

I'm really glad we're almost past the "morning sickness" stuff. I've felt more nauceous than I have with any of the others. Its been almost constant throughout the day. Nothing sounds good, but once I'm eating that is the only time I don't feel nauceous! Its really weird.

I should have bought or made some ginger snaps or something long ago. That actually sounds really good. Maybe I'll make some tomorrow. Hmmmm.

No pictures - and a very frustrating experience

So I have a lot of stuff to blog about - Aaron's Birthday, Katie's 1st Birthday, Aaron's 1/2 Marathon, getting my nails done really fancy for Valentine's Day, etc. - and I haven't posted anything because I'm too lazy to download my pictures! I'm such a putz.

Anyway, the really annoying thing going on in my life is dealing with Compass Bank and our Gap Insurance company. When our car was totalled in November, our Insurance company, Allstate, paid their portion of the $ right away to Compass Bank.

It took a little while, but the Gap Insurance company sent the paperwork to fill out while Aaron was gone on his trip to Central America. As soon as he got home, I asked him to sign the form and fax it to Compass Bank (they were supposed to fill it out and send it back to the Insurance Co.). He ended up faxing it right back to the Gap Insurance, which we didn't find out until close to the end of January!

So I quickly faxed it to the right number. I called frequently, and could never get through. I waited on the line for 3 hours one day! It would automatically cut me off after 1 hour, so I kept calling back. Finally I was able to leave a message and the next day someone called me back.

She assured me she would put the form on the desk of the person to fill it out and make sure it was done. So 5 days later when I call back - nothing has been done! It finally got filled out and sent in at the end of last week.

But the didn't send a copy of the check for the maintenance plan refund (I asked them to do that too)! So I called again today, and they said that they have the funds, but the electronic copy of the check has not been entered yet, so they can't send that. I was PRETTY UPSET to say the least! He said he would send what he had though, so hopefully the Gap Insurance company will accept that.

You would think the bank would like to get their $ or something! In the meantime, I have to keep paying so my credit doesn't get destroyed! They contact the credit bureau after a payment is 30 days late. I'm REALLY hoping this gets resolved before the beginning of March so I don't have to pay for February for a car that I don't even have!!!

OK. Enough venting for today. Have a nice day!

Neices and Nephews are Wonderful!

This is Lily. She is my oldest neice and she just turned 7 years old. She is in first grade and probably the best reader ever (surely not partial because she's my niece?!?). She read out of the scriptures to us during the middle of January, and you would seriously think that she must be at least 9 or 10 years old with her fluency. She didn't really trip up, have to sound out much, and it was so fluid! She loves to read and she loves anything pink or purple (I think she still does at least!). She likes to have fun and be in the middle of the action. She always has a story to tell. She also collects beanie babies. We're so glad she's our neice!

This is Emma. She is the next oldest neice. She is also Lily's sister. Emma was born just under a month after I married Aaron. So she is the first neice I remember being born. Emma started crawling really early. Like 4 months I think. Emma is very caring and a pleasure to be around. She gets along really well with Rebecca. I think she gets along with almost any other kid too. Emma also loves pink and purple and I'm sure she will be a great reader like her sister in the not too distant future. She plays the piano, and even makes up her own songs on occassion. Emma is helpful and sweet. We're so glad she is our neice!

This is Tate. He is my first nephew. He was born 1 month and 1 day after Rebecca. Tate is quite adventuresome and likes to learn new things. I think one of his favorite subjects is and will continue to be Science. He loves to know about things and how things work. Tate is also a flirt. He is always telling girls (even Aunts!) that they are pretty. He wants to know who he is going to marry now, and really can't wait until he is older. Its going to be a long 18 years for him! Tate is good at crafts and I hear he is good at the Wii too. We are so glad he is our nephew!

This is Alana. She is my first neice on my side of the family. She is 4 1/2 months younger than Rebecca. Alana has a beautiful singing voice. She recorded a song with her dad on a cd for my mom for Christmas. It was the song from Polar Express. She did a great job! Alana likes princesses and dressing up. She has beautiful naturally curly hair which she just recently cut short. She loves her new brother Brigham and makes sure he always has toys (at least when I am around!). Alana can sometimes be feisty, and sometimes just darn cute and lovable. We are so glad Alana is our neice!

This is Peter. He is 5 months older than Anson. Peter is a boy after Anson's own heart. Peter LOVES superheroes, and tools, and cars, and ... you get the idea. He is a BOY. Peter is really cute when you ask him a question and he answers "yeah!". He kind of dips the word and it starts low and goes up then down again. Not sure if that makes sense, but if you hear it you will know what I am talking about. It is so cute! Peter was brave enough to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" at our Christmas program. He and Anson are best friends. We are so glad Peter is our nephew!

This is Brigham. He is actually almost 1 now, but I don't seem to have any recent pictures! I better bring my camera with me next time and snap a few! Brigham is 3 days older than Katie. He was an early crawler and walker. He was crawling at just before 6 months and walking at 9 months (I think). Brigham is good natured and seems to just take things in stride. He hurt his face pretty bad when I was at his house, and he barely cried at all! He was over it so quick. We are so glad he is our nephew!

This is Benjamin. He is just less than 1 month younger than Katie. Benjamin is already walking too. Benjamin also seems pretty good natured. He just started drinking from a bottle and seems to be doing pretty good. We are so glad Benjamin is our nephew!