Nakey Boy Launching Pad

After the boys bath, if I don't get the towel fast enough to grab them, they do their nightly ritual of the "nakey boy run". Obviously I couldn't grab one in time. Evidence of Luke's take off.

My Classes

I have been taking some classes for adults. The latest was a bread making class. How cool is this?

BYU/Utah Game

The game was WAY too late...and from this picture, probably at a boring point.

Science Museum

Luke's favorite are the water crayons. As you can tell. 

Notice its up in his hair? He learned that from me rubbing a sunscreen stick on him this summer. It's caused a doomed fate for any gluestick or chapstick he gets his hands on.

The gymnastic area is great for getting out energy, but you may notice the little girl. She had wet pants. I'm not sure what from but it was pretty suspicious. And to think she was playing all over those mats with wet pants. eww.

State Fair

I realized I didn't get any pictures at the state fair except these. Which is sad not only because I missed Gideons face when the horse whinnied right into it, but it's probably our last state fair in this state.

However, as we waited to get in, I remembered a tip from a cop that when you go to crowded places with kids, its a good idea to take pictures of your kids so if they get lost, you can show the police exactly what they look like and what they are wearing.

While Tristan's Gone

This is what we do.

We draw road maps on the sidewalk.

I make dinner...this was AWESOME!! Dutch oven beef patties with potatoes and onions.

(I usually don't like posted pictures of food, it always makes me SO hungry. But at least its not 

as bad as unexpected injury photos on Facebook. "Yes, thank you. I love close ups of your cut/broken bone/scrape/bruise before and after you got stitches/a cast/etc."

We go to the zoo. This pictures is great at depicting the boys attitudes about thrill-seeking.

We ride the musical carousel.

We feed ducks and geese at the park. Or in Luke's case, he carries around one particular flake (yes, we fed them the Total cereal flakes that had been sitting in our cupboard for months) rubbing it in dirt, crushing it and sneaking bites if I can't get it away first.

Deciphering

You know how you need to verify that you are a human sometimes and you have to type the 2 words you see? I saw "orderax" and.....a lightning bolt. Luckily "7" worked. Geez, it's like indexing...only I usually don't feel as good after; just a bit annoyed.

What I Love About This State

Every day at 5pm on my favorite station they play the Oklahoma theme song. And the crowd sings it at all sporting events.

Wish These Were In Style

Remember my blog about fashion? Well, this will just hammer the last nail in the coffin. I want these to be fashionably acceptable.

I don't like to carry around anything, yet there is so much to carry around!! I don't like purses; they have to be carried around. And I like everything to be convenient. I like it to all be on the outside where I can grab it easily...no digging for keys, or wallet, or chapstick.


I think a fanny pack would do the trick. ;)

I Don't Want to Forget...

Today Gideon came out with a seashell up to his ear and said, "Mommy, I can hear Daddy at work!"

Being a Mom is The Best Hardest Job

We have had a lot of emotions in our home in the past months. Happy, angry, sad...you name it. The boys are 2 years apart. I thought it would be perfect, but I didn't consider that they would be at very difficult stages at the same time. Luke tries to communicate and just can't, so he is frustrated, so I get frustrated because of all the whining. Gideon thinks he's the boss and tries so hard to be independent, when some times, perhaps most times, he just can't be. And he is certainly not the boss, to his disdain. Oh, and he's the older brother...so there is a LOT of teasing and tormenting. I feel like all I do is referee their playing. And if I separate them, they immediately begin looking for each other because they want to play. Then the teasing starts again. *sigh*
I'm so tired of telling Gideon to stop teasing. It seems no form of discipline is working for him right now. And the worst?!! When he gets in trouble and just wants a hug so he knows he's loved. Then I feel rather rotten.
And after all this, when they go down for bed, I miss them! Maybe that's because I know I won't see them until morning. ;)

My Fashion Sense

I have never really been fashionable. I like to look nice, but I have stepped out probably too many times in clothes that I just mowed the lawn in, or whatever I was working on. I think mostly I just hate changing more than once a day, and I like clothes that have many functions. I even exercise in my pajamas sometimes. :-/

Anyways, so I've been trying to find some new clothes that are more in style. But every time I start looking, I always end up on the Target website looking at these....

Baseball Tees

And print tees.

For me fashionably there is no hope. But I sure am comfortable!

Oh yeah...and I'll most likely be sporting one of these...

Only it will look more like this.

Put it all together and Voila!

This is what I clean the bathroom in!

Caught Offguard

Today was a naughty day for a certain 3-year-old. After much tormenting of his younger brother, the final straw was when he poked Luke in the eye with a toy screwdriver.
Me: "Gideon!! If you EVER do that again, you will get a spank on your bare bottom!"
Gideon (with a puzzled grin): "Mommy! (pause)...I'm not a bear!"
Case closed. He has outwitted his mother.

Oklahoma Weather

Here's the latest we've experienced due to Oklahoma weather. 

Wind storm

Over the last 5 years:

Hail Storm #1 (that's Tristan's huge paw) 

This was 2 years ago. We got a new roof.

Three months ago we had another storm. Again...a new roof.

Record breaking heat and drought for the past 2 years.

Notice the buckled gutter. 

"Popcorn Clouds"; these are on the tail end of a tornado producing storm that blew through.

Tristan unknowingly drove right through it...more like was blown through and survived it!

Electric storms and lightning strikes. The thunder out here is like a bomb blast.

And my personal favorite, the ice storm. 

Nothing like hearing cracking all through the night and wondering if a branch is about to come through your roof. It was like lumberjacks were working throughout the neighborhood for 2 days straight.

The Letter "L"

Homemade lemonade.

Apparently,...

...some little boy thinks small white pebbles aren't filling enough.

A piece of bread ought to do the trick.

These boys...

...are best friends!

Our Birthdays

Mine and Tristan's birthday are just 2 days apart. We should just split a cake, but really, why not have a sugar overload?

I'm so Glad When Daddy Comes Home!

I need to get a video of the boys when Tristan pulls up. The boys run and jump on the couch to watch him walk to the front door; the whole while yelling, "Daddy, Daddy!" and "Dada! Dada!"

It's pretty awesome. 

My Gideon Boy

Gideon is my best buddy! We have a grand 'ol time most days and he's getting so smart and learning to help me out so much. What would I ever do without him?!

 He collects rocks on our walks and paints them. I have quite the collections of colorful landscaping just outside the kitchen door.

 This is heaven for this boy. If there is a truck to be seen, he wants to see it and hear it and touch it.

 He's been learning the alphabet and drew this "T" all on his own. 

 We make animals of the letters we've learned.

 During "K" week we made a kite and it flew! (I was shocked.)

Staying up late to watch the BYU game! 

As Gideon Likes to Call Him, "The Lukinator!"

Boy I love this kid! He is almost always smiling. (I think that has to do with the fact that he's almost always eating too!) It just makes me want to squeeze his little cheeks; I almost can't contain myself...you have no idea.

 This is his favorite at the park. Expect to stand here the whole time.

Ummm...yum. I was hoping to get a good spray-to-the-face shot. (evil chuckle) 

See these crocs? He is OBSESSED with them. Did you know when you mix sweaty little feet and crocs it smells like vinegar? Disgusting and true. Anyways, he will search the house until he finds these shoes. The only guaranteed time they are off is when he's bathing (to his disappointment) and sleeping (another disappointment).  

Lukey, I love the way you talk to me in gibberish like you are really telling me something, (I'm sure, in fact, you are). And how you mimic your bother and me and daddy. You are hilarious and cute as can be!

Is Heaven in the Vacuum?

Today I had G vacuum up a dead moth. He asked if the moth was going to heaven.
Me: "Yes."
G: "In the vacuum?"
I think I may need to clarify some things to him.

All Those Random Pictures I Found

This boy loves to move, and move, and move.

Spending some time at the park.

First taste of lemon! Surprisingly he wanted more!!

If only I could be on a real one.....

Ahhhhh! That's more like it. I've never seen a bigger grin! (That came after the ride. This picture was the hesitant before picture.)

Learning to pedal

My baby blue eyes

I think the look on his face says it all. Perhaps I should be worried!

Nightly walks down our street 

(or neighbors front lawns, whatever.)

How third hour at church usually ends.

Me: Please don't take the lid off the food coloring and you can hold it.

G: Okay

(2 minutes later)

Me: Did you take the lid off and eat some?

G: No!

\

Happy early birthday boys!

"L, I've never seen a cupcake inhaled before."

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Maybe I've already posted this. I'm kind of too lazy to check right now, but it's one of my favorites!

Painting easter eggs. In L's case, I think he heard "eat" instead of "paint"

Superhero playgroup party!!

Flying G's Easter kite.

Trying to catch it...

Almost....

JUST missed the tail!!

Good morning sleepyhead. How was your nap?

And how did it get back there?!

Our most frequented channel during tornado season.

Have I posted this? It's funny.

Wow...pretty lame update, but it's up, and I am caught up. Now to bed!