Feb 26th

Where does the month go? Time flies so fast.

Anyhow today I went to observe at two different schools... I'm checking out my choices for Carson's Kindergarten days that are soon approaching! I was going to express my feelings on the two but I am realizing it's kind of like politics...everyone has their opinion and my opinion may not match theirs. So why open an unnecessary can of worms? I don't need anymore enemies. I didn't want to cause waves or offend anyone so I figured I'd keep my feelings private and only share when asked! I was soooooo glad I went. I learned so much about each of the teachers and their teaching style and which would work best with Carson's personality. It was very informative. I think I have made my decision on which school but I want to check out two more schools. Hopefully I'll be able to do that next week.

I mopped the floor today...if you've seen my house you've seen theirs a lot to mop and sometimes I dread it because it kills my back but it desperately needed to be done. I got this new organic cleaner at Walgreen's several months ago because it said it was for all surfaces including stainless steel. I tried it on our stainless steel appliances and it didn't work at all. Then when I was about to start mopping I remembered I still had it and it said it was also for tile. I used it and it worked great! I would highly recommend it. It's called "Holy Cow" and the liquid is pink. That was my reason for posting today. I like to find products that work good and share them with others...if anyone cares :). I would post a picture of it but my precious 4 year old son totally broke our camera...(gurrrr). Hopefully I can get to Costco tomorrow and they can still replace it. How many times did I tell him not to play with it? Precious, Precious child.

Now it's time to get back to work. (Gurrr again) :)

A Perfect day for....

The Renaissance Festival!

After nine years of saying "we should go to the Renaissance Festival this year" we finally went! I've lived in AZ 22 of the last 27 years of my life and I always wanted to go so this year we did!
We took the boys and had a great time. Not to mention the weather was absolutely gorgeous at 67 degrees. Here are some of the activities we got to do.

The day started out with Carson and Boston becoming official "Knights" of the King. They even got a certificate to prove it!

Then we were off to watch a whipper...boy can he "crack that whip!" He was awesome.

Then it was time for a joust to the death!

We made time to stop and get a little treat...chocolate covered rice crispy treats on a stick...who could resist those?

While Boston enjoyed his treat Brandon and Carson got to go for a ride on a elephant!

Next it was time to witness the sword swallower! "Children do not try this at home!" He was amazing.

Time for a little stroll through the Dungeon Museum...Children close your eyes, inside these walls are torture chambers from the mid evil days! If only the punishments were the same today as they were in those days, there would probably be a lot less crime!

The boys and I went for a little ride on the pirate boat swings. Boston had the time of his life on this and said "wee" the entire time.

OK...so I had to stop for one of their famous Turkey legs...it was alright, even if it didn't taste the best there was enough meat on it to feed my family dinner!

After seeing all the swords and such Carson and Boston got their own shield and sword! Boy, I can't wait for those to be played with at home... I see lots of tears when these things are played with.

Our last stop was Brandon taking a "stab" at the ax throwing! (get it...stab--axes hee, hee)

Scary part his he did really well...I'll make sure not to be in his sight when he's angry and holding an ax at the same time! (luckily Brandon doesn't have a temper :))

These are just a few of the many activities we were able to see and do! There were many more fun activities to behold like palm reading, belly dancers, fortune telling, rock wall climbing, story telling and lots and lots of chests...very well endowed women who wore dresses that seemed to enhance everything they had. In today's times they would be been "dressed immodestly" as Carson says. I thought to myself100 times "Brandon, close your eyes, here comes another one." We had lots of fun and hopefully can make this a family tradition each year. Thank you Brandon for making the time to take us on a fun family date, we had tons of fun! I can't think of anything I'd rather want more than to spend time with my family.

Gratitude

While it's on my mind and after a busy week I want to list a few things I am grateful for...

1. Cousins that my boys love to play with
2. A van big enough to carry the boys and our bikes at the same time.
3. A dependable vehicle, I know that at anytime I can walk outside and leave knowing my car will get me to where I need to go. I know that if there was ever an emergency and I needed to go somewhere my van would be reliable.
4. Good health...it's no fun being sick.
5. Staying at home with the boys...I really wouldn't want it any other way.
6. A zoo pass...it's a great activity.
7. A supportive husband.
8. The fact that my boys have yet to wake up since Brandon started teaching seminary in our home a few weeks ago. They need their sleep and the Lord has blessed me by keeping them from waking up.
9. Good friends to run with in the morning. I didn't go today and I really missed it.
10. Brandon's willingness to serve in the church and serve his own family all the time without complaining. He helped me fold and put away four loads of laundry tonight & I know he was very tired.
11. The Doctrine and Covenants... I'm reading how the Lord gave strict commands to people and those that followed the counsel were blessed and those that received direct commandments from the Lord and were promised blessings if they followed chose not to follow and suffered greatly. I'm thankful I can learn from their mistakes and hopefully avoid personal suffering knowing that the Lord keeps his promises.
12. A comfortable bed to sleep in.

This week

Warning long post....

Monday two of my sisters, my mom and I all went to the Temple and to lunch while the husbands watched the kids at our home... the play room has still not recovered. Thank goodness Dustin was here though and has a liking for clean homes. I'm afraid what it would have been like with 7 kids and him not here to keep things in semi-order. It was a very nice time with my mom and sisters! Thanks ladies for the good laughs at lunch. Julie, we'll have to do it again when your in town. When it was time for the Binghams to go home my nephew Captin didn't want to so he got to stay! And for those of you wondering...yes "Captin" is his real name...it's on the birth certificate!

Tuesday I took the boys and Captin to the zoo. We tried something new and took our bikes, not the best day to take our bikes because when I pulled up I counted 22 buses in the parking lot! I'm almost positive 3/4 of Phoenix schools were at the zoo that day. Talk about a work out! I was impressed with Carson he did really well on his bike up and down the hills and all though he came close a few times he never actually ran over anybody!
That evening Brandon played t-ball with the boys out back and they had a lot of fun. That night Brandon left for a basketball game(which his team won by the way!) and while he was gone the boys had a free-for-all when it came to jumping on the couch. (I hope Brandon doesn't read this post.) It kept them entertained for a long time and they had a blast pretending to fly!
It was fun having Captin here...he was so easy and I think he enjoyed doing "boy stuff" since all he has is sisters.

Wednesday my friend Stephanie came over and I actually did a craft... I know shocking! I did this "family" thing about 18 months ago at a super Saturday and after having it on top of brownish cabinets and in front of a brownish wall I decided it needed color. So I redid the paper on it and I really liked the way it turned out!

Before...

After!

It was fun having Stephanie over and getting something accomplished at the same time! The kids had fun playing. That night Brandon had a "Suns Night" out our house with some friends and they watched Shaq play with the Suns for the first time. Boston officially learned how to climb out of his crib and I think now he is ready to sleep on the bunk beds with his brother! Taking down the crib will add much more space to their room!

Thursday Carson went to school and Brandon had an appointment in Surprise so he took Captin home. We were very sad to see him go. Brandon also took Boston with him and Jennifer watched Boston while Brandon was at his appointment. I was able to clean all three bathrooms, dust and vacuum and start a load of laundry before I left to pick up Carson. After school I took Carson out for a lunch date and then we picked up a "calming book" for him. This book is a note pad that he can write in or draw pictures of his feelings when he gets upset. He's had tantrums the last week or so like a two year old would have... I'm hoping he'll do this tactic instead of loosing control when he gets mad. We had a good time together. Later that afternoon I took the boys to the park to play t-ball, they did really well. Then we headed off to Costco with Brandon to get groceries and then on the way home we dropped him off at the church for Bishopric training. On the way home I started feeling sick and by the time I got home unloaded the groceries bathed the boys read scriptures with them and did the bedtime routine it took all I had to get myself to bed. I did a first in about 9+ years... I went to bed without washing my face! I NEVER do that. Usually I can't sleep unless I wash my face but I felt so sick I needed to lay down or dinner was gonna come back up. And mom I know what you're thinking...no, this does not mean I am pregnant yet.

Friday we took it easy because I didn't feel real well. I slept in until 7am then got Carson ready for school. After I picked him up I took the boys to the park and there were a couple of other people there for them to play with. Then I put Boston down and I slept for about 2 hours...like I said I wasn't feeling well but it felt so good to sleep solid for those two hours! Then this afternoon we pulled out one of Boston's toys he got for his birthday. The Play-Doh Fun Factory. It was actually fun! The three of us played with for about an hour and used our imagination to create all different sorts of things.

Yes...I think Boston is eating it...oops!
Then as I was fixing dinner tonight I looked over and Boston was eating the entire loaf of bread. I still have no idea how he got it off the counter and out of the bag. Thanks Heidi for the bread it was delicious! He must have been very hungry.
Now it is way past my bedtime!

Sundays...

I love when the boys get dressed on Sunday morning because they always look so handsome. I always want to take a picture of them before we leave for church but we seem to run out of time. So last Sunday I took pictures after church. The boys were a little tired and weren't cooperating but I snapped a few anyway. On this first one Carson's face shows how excited he was!

I love the boys wearing white shirts and ties!

I can't sleep

Once again it's late and I have to be up in 5 hours for church and I can't sleep.
Yesterday we ended up going to dinner with four other couples and then went to our stakes adult "sweetheart dance" Dinner was really good and we enjoyed the company. I always like dancing when I get a chance...no crazy moves last night just a few slow songs :)

Today we decided to venture out to the Casa Grande outlet mall to find basketball shoes for Brandon. (he needs some badly). We told the boys this was a super fun mall and we would have a fun family day. Where we ever wrong. It was NOT worth the 1hr + drive, half the stores were empty and it wasn't even a mall it was an old run down strip type mall...no food & no fun. We thought it would be like the outlets at Anthem but it wasn't. I would never recommend it. Then when we got home Brandon did some work in the office. I took the boys to the park and while we were there we heard a noise a few streets over and saw a bunch of black smoke. We quickly hopped on our bikes and followed the smoke to find a house that had caught on fire in the garage. Boston was more than thrilled to see the "woo woo" - aka firetruck - and when the ordeal was over the boys walked away with fireman hats. No one was hurt but it seemed that anyone who lived on that street was outside trying to get a peek at what was going on. Thank goodness Carson can ride fast on his bike because we were chasing that fire truck trying to see where it was headed. That was our fun for the day.

Today...

Today was a good day...we always love the rain. I have had energy coming out my ears... it all started after my morning run. I came home and got Carson ready for school then sent him off then I went to two of our properties and pulled all the weeds then came home and pulled weeds at our house then vacuumed out the van all by 9:30am. When Carson came home we went to the park and ate lunch there and played. It was really quite fun having just the three of us at the park. We chased each other all over and played train on the slide. When we came home Boston went right down for a nap so that's always nice. Brandon went and got the mail today and much to our surprise there was a package for the boys from Marmie (My Mom). Carson was so excited to open it and wanted to take a picture of all his and Bostons goodies!

Thanks so much mom the boys always love candy and gum!

Now I have to finally shower for the day...we might have a date tonight, key word is MIGHT!

Our Valentines Day

Well I hope everyone had a very happy Valentines Day. One might ask how we celebrated...well Brandon celebrated by working, doing his drop-offs to clients to tell them thank you for the referrals he receives and showed a prospective client homes last night. He left at 10:30 am and got home at about 8:15 last night. But we don't need a certain day to celebrate Valentines Day...for everyday is Valentines Day at our house!! I celebrated by rocking a sick boy, playing outside with Boston, washing sheets and finishing laundry, grocery shopping and watching a friends kids so she could help out at her son's school party. Also, my visiting teacher dropped off a bag full of heart-shaped cookies and M&M's. Thank you Aika, loved it!

This is Carson's gift to his family...he made it at school. We love it Buster boy, thank you!

If any of you know me you know I like to keep things simple. However I do admire those that are creative and go to all sorts of extremes to celebrate holidays, however, my talents reside in other places. I enjoy reading and seeing pictures of others blogs and their creative cards, notes, presents, decorations, blah, blah, blah for this day of love...like I said my talents lay somewhere else...(i'm still trying to figure out where :) ) This was my present to Brandon...a card telling him how much I love him and I made the boys favorite desert...Oreo ice cream cake! Happy Valentines Day to all three of my boys..I love you.

Because of this "day of love" I decided to work on a list of 101 things I love. I'll publish as soon as I'm done.

Arizona Splash Pads is open for business!

Last summer we had a company build a splash pad in our backyard. It was the best thing for summer fun. The kids were able to cool off...no danger because there is no standing water and it's much cheaper than a pool! Because of the ingenious idea my brother-in-law who is a licensed contractor has started a business doing the same thing. He'll be building them of even better quality than the one we got. Tell him I sent you and get the family discount! Check out the link to the left for more info or click on this: Arizona Splash Pads

Feb 12th

Today started off with a good brisk walk at 5:30am with a friend then Brandon and I headed out to the Temple for the 10am session, the place was packed. When we came home Carson and Boston had some friends over and I completed the bills/bank work for the month(I'm not sure if there's anything that stresses me out more than the bills...yet, I'm so thankful Brandon has an income. We are very blessed). At 5pm when the last friend left the boys were very worn out. Boston fell asleep on the couch and Carson fell asleep while sitting at the table eating dinner! I woke Boston up so he could eat, big mistake. He cried all through dinner and then some. Then I woke Carson up to put on some pajamas, another big mistake. He cried for about 20 minutes straight. So from about 5:30 - 7pm I had at least one crying kid and somethimes two crying kids. Then at 6:45 Brandon walks out of the office, changes clothes and heads off to bishopric meeting. I think he was happy to leave tonight because both kids were crying when he came out of the office. Yikes...long night. Althoug, it was kind of nice because the kids were in bed and asleep by 7:15pm and I was able to get some work done for Brandon I had been putting off. Now I have to practice the piano...lessons tomorrow. I feel like they always come so fast and I'm never quite ready!

Boston's Birthday Party

Before anymore time passes here are some pictures from Bostons family birthday party. We combined his birthday with his cousin Saige who was turning one so we had lots of cousins to celebrate with...and lots of noise!

These are pictures of Boston opening some of his presents. He received a great set of books from Aunt Jeaniece.
This is a fun parachute thing I found at Costco.

Here's Boston with his Curious George Monkey from Ashlynn. He absolutely loved it. He kept hugging and kissing it!

We can't forget the cake and ice cream!

I can't believe my little boy is two!

These are a few of my favorite things...

The wait is finally over. Saturday I made it to Runner's Den and had them fit me for the right shoe. Yes, it really made a difference in my run today. I went out with two friends in the morning for a 3 mile run and felt so good when we were done that I came home got my ipod and went out for another two miles by myself. I should have bought good shoes long ago. No back ache today!These shoes are my new favorite thing!

As long as I'm on the topic of "My favorite things" I thought I would share some of my favorite things around the house. This first picture is our family definition on the wall in our family room. This is one of my most favorite things because it describes our family values.

My piano...playing it is very therapeutic and I feel it really makes our house a home.

Yes, our garbage can. $35 dollars at Costco. I now empty the garbage twice a week instead of everyday. I love the dang thing! It's the simple things that make life sweet.

Who doesn't love fresh flowers on a dinning room table? Our neighbors brought them over last night when they came for dinner. What a nice treat.

What are your favorite things around your house?

Well, today has been a VERY DIFFICULT day. I realize that I probably need to limit myself to only having two children. Maybe if and when I get some emotional work done than I will be better prepared for more children. Mom can you help?

Prescott

We went to Prescott yesterday to visit my sister Jeaniece. Right as we were about to leave I asked Brandon if he wanted to go with us and he said sure...the benefits of working for yourself. Although once we got there all Brandon did was work the entire time so I'm not sure why he came? Maybe to get out of the house. Anyhow it was a fun trip...we went to story time at the mall yesterday and ate lunch with my niece at school today. Jeaniece and I walked/ran about a total of 10 miles while I was there so I burned a few calories over the past 24 hours...that can never hurt :). We both wouldn't mind moving up there some day...just so expensive! Thanks Jeaniece for the wonderful hospitality, we always love coming up.

Another busy Saturday tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to pick up a new pair of running shoes. Good ones this time, I'm tired of cheaper ones that wear out after the first 50 miles. I need ones that will last several months so I stop having backaches after a run. There's possibly a 1/2 marathon I might run in the next few months so hopefully I can find good shoes for that. Any recommendations?

P.S. I'm not sure if my dignity is back yet...you do have to admit though my sister was clever:) I hope people can understand my families sense of humor :)!

The Real Truth (Read the previous post to understand)

So my sister was here today and while I was taking care of business in the bathroom she decided to write the six random things about me... I was asking her what I should write...not to write it for me. After figuring out she got my email and password and wrote on my blog I was a little frightened. I read what she wrote and really couldn't stop laughing. I was about to erase it but by then she had already called my other sister and they both told me I should leave it up there. SO, now that I am stripped of any pride I ever had and everyone knows my secrets I will tell the real truth on the six previous facts...

#1. We were all in Junior High at one point or time right? You're still trying to fit in.
#2. I've eaten a lot of bran and wheat this week.
#3. I wouldn't call them control issues...but I also will not let my kids ride without car seats (except to school) other than that no buts about it.
#4. I do get tan on my own. Yes, I have visited a tanning salon before...but in the summer I really do get tan on my own.
#5. I don't have the fear... however I did tell Carson a FAKE story just to kill time one day waiting for him to finish on the toilet and well, to make a long story short... by the end of the story all the children in the neighborhood were swimming in poop from a over-flown toilet. Needless to say the child WILL NOT flush the toilet anymore because he's freaked out. I've learned he believes almost anything I say. The thing he doesn't believe is that the story was FAKE! Go figure.
#6. Who doesn't have an imagination? Can't you tell from #5 I do? Flooded toilets, Suns Cheerleader...We all have dreams, right?

Like I said now that my pride is gone, I tag Julie, Jennifer & Felicia

Tag I'm it.....

I have been tagged and i have to come up with six randoms facts about myself before i can write on my blog again.... so ...
#1- I went through a phase in 8th grade that I cannot discuss on my blog.
#2- I have pooped three times a day for the last three days.
#3- I have some control issues with children not being in their car seats at ALL times.
#4- I like to tell people that i am "naturally" tan (but really i go to a tanning salon).
#5- I have a deep rooted fear of the toilet over flowing every time i flush it (and have passed this fear onto my children.)
#6- Sometimes I like to pretend I am a Phoenix Suns Cheerleader (I'm not too bad, if I do say so myself!!!)
Now I have been tagged so the rest of you can LEAVE ME ALONE!!! :)

The end of a long few days

Well yesterday I picked up two of my nephews while my sister-in-law was moving and my youngest sister and brother- in-laws also wanted to come over for the weekend. They all left tonight. As much as I love them I am thankful to be back to having two kids and I am thankful to not be moving. As fun as it is to be in a new house I like sticking to my old one just so I don't have to move.

Today Brandon and I took the 6 kids to the Laveen Parade. The kids seemed to all have a really good time. We sat right where the parade started so we got bombarded with candy...literally more candy than we got a Halloween. yuck. I can't find my camera anywhere so I have no pictures. I need to find that thing. After the parade we took the kids over to a park in the same area of the parade and spent about 2 hours playing around and Brandon flew his plane. We also took the kids to the neighborhood park on Friday evening so I feel like I now have house full of sand. yuck again. I was impressed to see Mayor Phil Gordon as part of the parade. He seems to be a good mayor. Boston loved seeing the police cars and the tractors at the parade and Carson was most impressed that the Laveen school principle was there and handed him a water bottle. He told me he knows the principle because at Christmas time his preschool class got to go in his office and sing him songs. He called him the "school boss."

Also today my sister Jennifer ran her first 1/2 marathon. I called to see how it went but she has yet to call me back so I'll have to check up tomorrow.

We taped President Hinckley's funeral services. Hopefully we'll get chance to watch that tomorrow night.

Now I have to get back to finishing primary stuff. I only have the agenda left and one part of the game so it shouldn't take to long. I'm still trying to get used to having everything ready on Saturday night because of early church. I do love having an early meeting time though!