Garbage

Rafe can always be found on Monday's, garbage day, on the couch looking out the window to watch the garbage truck and even the recycle truck go up and down our street and then the street down across from our house. A little boy's dream. He'll be the first to tell me if the truck made the empty can fall over or not. And if he's in another room and hears the truck, he'll come running to the window to see it.

I appreciate how Jax and now Creed usually always bring our cans from the street back up to the house. And then they always do Mary's (old lady across the street) cans too.

Changing topics...

And after watching "baby Rafe" - home movies of his 1st b-day. Rafe said he wanted it to be his birthday. I told him it would be in less than a month. Then I said, " I don't want you to turn 4". He said matter-of-factly, "Too bad, I will".

Four sounds so much older than three. I don't want my baby to be four yet!

Russian Night

Not because we really love Russia right now but, for the past several years we have a "Russian" dinner night. It started a few years ago, because there happened to be 4-5 people in our ward who all served their missions in Russia (like Greg) or near and knew the language and loved the food and our friends hosted and started it. We "outgrew" their place so now we have it at our house. It's fun and the food ain't too bad. Of course everyone always brings and prepares their favorite "good" food. There's always Plov (yummy rice/chicken dish), Borscht (yummy beat soup) we always do Pelmeni with Smetana (like a homemade sausage ravioli and Russian sour cream) and lots of other things, breads, desserts sometimes - but they all say Russian desserts suck and aren't good anyways. 

I love how on the annual dinner Greg hangs his Russian flag from his mission, which is actually the old Soviet flag because he's that old. Ha ha - we are always teasing him. And he on occasion he has to say "it wasn't like that when I was there." But it's fun hearing them talk about the horrible living conditions, their nasty water, mission rules, things they'd see or eat or not allowed to eat. And boy have I learned a lot. I also appreciate that Jax loves it and is learning it too. He remembers who brought what food from the year before and he knew what Borscht was. A little culture is good for everyone. In the picture you see some of us, the Mildon's and Hall's. Good company and surprisingly good food. I would write something Russian, but that's a joke. I don't even think I could get my computer to type out anything in that difficult language. Good job to Greg for keeping up his Russian over the years.

Things

 Things I want to remember about now...

I took Bodie and Rafe both back to the Dr. because they both have not "beat" their infections. Bodie's thumb was swelling again, and he bit his toe, so that was also infected. He'd had a fever and was not himself. And Rafe's red bumps were back (strep), so they both were on round 2 of antibiotics. Ugh. Crossing our fingers that they both heal up.

Melaluca. Miracle oil # 2  I tell ya. For me, it has cleared up some blotches, pimples I've had for months, my adult acne and monthly break outs are pretty much gone. And for the younger 2 boys it has helped with their Molluscum Contagiosum (viral skin infection, causes all these little bumps on their arm pit and torso) and they are looking much better.

Rafe was able to fall asleep in church a few weeks ago... And the other half of the bench I'm sure provided entertainment for everyone around us. Kids and afternoons trying to hold still and be quiet just don't work very well. Why can't they keep their hands off each other and do things quietly during church? One day...

And we have Rafe's blonde hair back again after Greg chopped his hair short finally. Yeah!

Rafe saying, "not just yet" for when he's letting me know something. Or how proud he is about being able to use and scroll around with the remote to the TV. Or how he calls the cereal Honey Bunches of Oats, "Hunchy Hunchy n Boats".
 
And how Rafe literally jumps around all day. I call him my jumping bean. If he's watching something, he's jumping. When he's playing, he jumps. If he's asking for something or waiting, he jumps, jumps, jumps.

We all love playing games with Rafe. He has his own silly rules and we all laugh at how he "tries" to play. Candyland and Chutes & Ladders & Slides (as he calls it) will never be the same.

Bodie and Rafe love to play "I Spy with my little Eye" together. It never gets old for them.

I love how smart Creed is. For playing piano he moves along in the piano book quickly while we wait for Jax to catch up. He is speedy in his timed math and is one of the top in his class, he always gets 100 percent on his spelling tests, he's a good reader and is trading books with Jax.

Now if we can just get Creed to sit, listen, and stop talking in class, it would sure make his teachers happy. He is a good kid, they love him in class but often have to remind him to stay on task.

I love finding random pictures on my phone that Rafe has taken.

The movie Hitari! You know, with John Wayne. It's the best. I made Greg watch it and then the boys started watching it and LOVED it, they kept asking to watch more. It's a long one and we'd only watch a bit at a time. What boy wouldn't love to watch Rhino's and Monkey's in Africa be captured. They loved, loved, loved the baby elephants too.

How Jax is still working on his slight lisp with the "S" sound in Speech at school, Creed sometimes sounds like he's British, Bodie is still in speech to help with his annunciation and so we can understand what the heck he is saying, and Rafe sometimes sounds like he's from Brooklyn or Boston or somewhere. What is up with them?!

what else...

How Jax will only wear "skinny" jeans.

Creed still hasn't learned how to tie his own shoes. -He just never unties them.

Jax going up and helping Bodie recite the scripture in primary instead of me or a leader helping him.

When Bodie says his prayers he always says "bless the angels". He started doing that after my dad passed away. 

How the world ends when I ask Jax or Creed to load the dish washer. I'm trying to teach them to do it my way. There are a lot of things I need to start teaching my children instead of me just doing it all, ya know.

Creed telling me and started crying how another kid at school tricked him into saying the "F" word and how bad and mad and sad he felt. We cheered him up and made him ok.

I love going skiing with the boys. Bodie learning and doing well. I'm sure tiring for Greg but he is glad to do it. (me, Bodie, Creed, and Jax a few weeks ago)

Driving home this past Tuesday from dropping Bodie off at school and seeing this blizzard approaching our neighborhood. -then 30min. later driving home again from dropping off Rafe at school as the storm hit. And I love having a 4wheel drive that can get me around in weather like this, passing cars on the side of the road. Phew.

I love this picture. Blurry, yes. But so fun. This family of mine is so great. Sure there is lots of fighting, yelling, disobeying, and certainly rowdy boys. But also, hugging, wrestling, helping, laughing, and bonding.

Bodie

This Bodie boy I tell ya! Today he had his Children's Dance Theater program at school. His kindergarten class did some moves for us. And they even had the parents go and join them at the end. He had a great time.

Greg and I have often been wondering where our extremely shy boy has gone? His shyness is no more I tell ya. There are moments, sure, but the kid is not the same little boy. I tell Greg that he's a mini-Greg. He is a goof ball. He volunteers for things, he likes to have fun and be silly - in front of people. His laugh is outrageous. He has totally come out of his shell. Gone are the days of clingy-ness, refusing to leave me to go into school, or primary, or someone else's car. He is a brave one now.

I am amazed with Bodie. Finally he is reading better and better. He's further along than I thought he'd be this year in school. We just had his parent/teacher conference and he really is doing so great. He's come a long way since September. I figured it would be an option to keep "the door open" on us holding him back another year so he will be the oldest in his grade instead of the youngest. But he has improved by leaps and bounds. A part of me wishes I knew we'd wait another year for 1st grade. But now I don't know, and have a feeling he will not wait and move right into the 1st grade this fall.

With some things, he definitely needs improvement and needs to learn and grow. But all his scores have increased, his teacher is surprised and happy as well with what he's doing now.  He is really bright. He's just so young for kindergarten, that's all. We were impressed when he played the game "Memory" and remembered everyone, unlike the rest of us. I was proud and didn't realize he could do that. Great memory. And he can give his older brothers some strong competition in video games.

Greg says we have underestimated him. I suppose I have to agree. I do just want whats best for him. I worry too much. And he is always on my mind. Always observing in his class, comparing to his peers, talking with Greg about my fears and observations with Bodie. There are still areas that truly concern me. I just want to know what the decision is and know it is right. It stresses me out. And I want to remember our thoughts and feelings about Bodie and school and his age. Then I can compare it to when he graduates from high school. Ha!

Love Long weekend

Valentine's this year took up the whole weekend. The boys didn't have school on Fri. the 13th, so they had school V-day parties on Thursday. I was able to help do games in Bodie's class, and then run down the hill to help for Creed's class party. Bodie came with me and loved it! Rafe was at his own preschool party.
 Little kids and games = noise and chaos.
Then on my way out of the school I peeked in to say hi to Jax during his class party. And his was so quiet and mellow. The parents were standing around talking while the kids did their thing. Gosh I guess being an "old" 4th grader the kids sure are well behaved. Maybe next year I'll volunteer for his class. :) - I really am so glad I am able to be in their classes and helping and having fun with them. It was fun to get to see and know Creed's class, there are so many I don't know yet. And I am in Bodie's class every week so I know them all pretty well.

 Jax was proud of the ipod phone thing we made for his box, Creed wanted a different one but we had no time and no ideas and it didn't happen so he used his same Minecraft one again. And Bodie was delighted to take Jax's old box w/ some Ninjago taped on. When I was younger I never would have used the same box more than once, but my boys use the same one year after year. It's kinda nice. Although, they are starting to fall apart. But they still hold all the valentine's and candy so that's all that matters.

I already told about Greg's Friday marathon Halo day that he did. And Friday night Greg and I went to a "Prom" party at our friends house. It was fun. We got to dress up in prom attire. Ha! I wish I had a fun prom dress to wear, it was some black dress I wore to a x-mas party or something when I was younger.  Then Saturday was nice, we hung out and relaxed. Greg brought me flowers, the boys rode bikes, then we had Chinese for dinner and watched some movies! 
I have to mention our last 2 days of watching the classic movie "Clue". For x-mas we got the game of Clue and recently played w/ the older boys while the younger 2 helped and watched. And Netflix has Clue right now, so we watched it on Sat. morning. Then the boys put it on again in the afternoon. Then Sunday they skipped through the highlights of their favorite parts. Bodie started singing "I am a Singing Telegram" in church today. We hushed him quickly. :) And I snapped a picture of everyone today in my family. They came over for Sunday dinner and got sucked into watching Clue. All lined up on the couch laughing and enjoying it. We all just love that movie. What a hoot. At the same time though, I guess the whole idea of all the murders going on is a bad thing to show kids. And my boys mentioned how they don't like all the cleavage. But it is still a good classic!

Now to enjoy President's Day tomorrow! The older boys have a winter scout camp for the day. Too bad there's no snow. It's great having long weekends.

So far

 A few weeks ago we had this little boy up at the Canyon's doing their locals special ski school. I know Bodie was kinda nervous leading up to it. He had millions of questions of what it was going to be like and what he'd do. But Greg said he seemed ok and in the end, had a great time. He loved the magic carpet up the mountain, the lift, his teacher, and the lunch they provided. He felt like such a "big boy" doing all of that and having his whole day all on his own. We did take him with us to Alta a Saturday before so he'd be used to the boots, ski's, and going down the mountain. Always a good thing to be familiar with something before "doing it".

Next up -  poor Rafe had a cough, that wouldn't go away, so we finally took him in to the Dr. to get him on a steroid. (Which totally helped -btw) and it turns out he had fluid in his ear, and strep - but not strep throat. Some form of it that's only symptom is a rash of red little bumps and itch like crazy. He'd had some itchy going on for 3-4 weeks. We thought it might be some bad eczema or something. So with Anti-biotics, steroid, and much needed sleep he's finally on the mend. But, not before turning into a demon. Sorry to say it, but it's true. He has been a little nightmare. It's so strange. In fact when I took this picture of him taking a nap, it was after his 10th time in time out and he truly hadn't been happy or smiled once all day. Total grump! He was mad when he fell asleep. I'm just glad he got a little more rest. His cough had been keeping him up.

Oh, and Bodie had to also get an anti-biotic for his staff infection on his thumb. Yep, from biting his nails too short and being in his mouth, yadda, yadda. It was swollen for a couple weeks, had a blister type thing and then when his nail started to fall off, we finally took him into the Dr. Ugh.

The boys have a super long weekend, again. And have the day off of school today and Monday. So Greg decided to take the day off too. But not to be "with" us, but to play Halo 4. He had Spencer come up at the crack of dawn for the day as well and it's 4pm and they are still at it. They used to play marathon Halo together years ago, so they are doing it again for "old times sake".  Grown men sluffing work to play some video games, I guess they're just some big kids at heart?

I am just glad they are down stairs so I have the upstairs to myself. :)

Twelve

Our 12 year Wedding Anniversary! Happy day to us. A dozen years has gone by since these 2 young-ins met and fell in love. This is us just weeks before we got married. Celebrating my 25th B-day. Look at that youthful skin. Ha!

Then our special day came when we began our lives together. Look at me looking at my husband... Happy, twitterpated, and so in love as we're about to kiss.

A quick memory from my wedding day, since that's what I do on my Anniversary posts. I remember we were trying to come up with an idea for the next pose with our photographer and Greg lifted me up and held me on his shoulder like he did back when he was a cheerleader. And so he snapped a few pics. I was worried I'd fall or rip my dress or something. he he.

Life can be crazy and windy, like in this picture. And it can be calm and endearing. There is no one I'd rather spend eternity with. 

Greg, I love you for like ever!

January Boys

 January is finally almost over. Greg will tell you that "the month NEVER ends". It does seem to be going on forever! We've gone skiing a few times, started a new semester of school, I had another birthday and am sad that I have to say I'm not in my mid-thirties anymore :( , I've had several girls night out type parties to keep me busy. Greg has been a good sport. Greg took Jax ice fishing w/ his family, we've been relaxing and going to Jax's Jr. Jazz games...

Jax loves his team this year. It's competitive and he has awesome coaches that teach and he is friends with half the boys. It's fun. I get frustrated, I loved basketball growing up and was a pretty ok player I think and I try and "instruct" him as to what to do better and he doesn't do it. Imagine that? ha ha. I always am telling him, he's the "tallest on the team, he should be there to get rebounds" but he doesn't. He is learning and loves it so it makes me happy. He loves being the tallest so he can always do the tip off.

Creed has been loving scouts and got his 1st official main badge, the Bobcat. He is pinning the mothers pin to the bottom of my shirt. We completed that the night before. :)

And Jax got to go with his friends and dads to a real Jazz game and moved down to lower bowl and motioned the Jazz Bear to come, so he came. (he's pictured w/ Liam and Gavin) He was on cloud nine when he got home way late on a school night and told me all about it. And we've been doing his science project. It was all his idea to get white flowers and put them in colored water and watch them change. He and Gavin documented everyday and did their project together. Phew, it is done.

Um what else...

I said this before, and I still can't believe my baby is in primary at church. Rafe in the Sunbeam class! It's so weird not going to the nursery, like ever. Things are changing after so many years. The next phase of life is certainly here. 

I loved my babies and miss them so much. I saw this picture of Bodie the other day and saved it on my phone. It's from Feb. 5, 2011. Right before Rafe was born. Bodie was riding with Jax in Bumper Cars and Bodie stands up and is trying to get out? Or something? What is he doing? I love his chubby cheeks and gosh he is so cute! Too bad it's a little blurry. 

NYE 2014

We were trying to figure out what to do on NYEve. And we did know it will be the first year we'll have our kids stay up til midnight with us (the older boys at least). We ended up going with our friends and neighbors to have a fun little game night and dance party. It went by quickly and the dance party was going strong and the older boys certainly didn't want to leave. But it was 11pm and Rafe was crying he was so tired and he didn't like the lights and loud music. He and Bodie have never been up so late. So we took off and went home and put them right to bed.

Jax and Creed stayed up and we watched the ball drop in Time Sq. with the millions and then toasted with some Sparkling Cider and called it a night.

Here are some of them busting some moves in the fun dance lights.

Happy 2015! The next morning Bodie was asking what we did and I had Creed tell him. Creed said "mommy and daddy smooched at mid-night". And Jax swiped a kiss on the cheek to Creed. Fun times. Let's hope 2015 is a great year. Here's to anew!

Sledding & life

I have such great memories sledding while I was growing up. Always such a fun time. Sadly my boys only go like once or twice a season. We live on a mountain side, you'd think there would be hills around to sled on? But, there is not. We make an outting and drive to the local Jr. High for a good hill. The day after Christmas after our fresh snow we all went. Rafe was so excited to use his new sled. We also went with Greg's family on New Years Day again.

A lot of nothing going on after Christmas. The whole break was low key and we stayed home most of the time. It was kinda nice, but then I got a little cabin fever. And way too much video games going on. On the 30th our power went out for over 6 hours or something. It was 12 degrees outside. So we had our fire place going to keep warm. And I read a whole book to the boys. One of Jax's he got for Christmas. "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing". I loved that when I was younger, so we all read it. And our house is full of little brothers to each other, so everyone enjoyed and related to Fudge. And we played games. Rafe is scared of "Operation" and the buzzing. Boy the new version of that game is not as fun and challenging as the original. A few game nights, a lot of chocolate, and some good family time is has been happening.

Today at church I was so emotional. I even wanted to bear my testimony, but Greg was home sick and I was truly wrestling the boys during Sacrament meeting so it didn't happen. We had a wonderful lesson in RS about the gift of the Grace of God. It made me think a lot about my mom and her last few months and years with my dad. So that brought emotions. And then sending my last baby to the Sunbeam class in primary. No more nursery. That is just crazy! I went to peek in a bit to see him and visit. And that brought emotions. Just a lot of little things touched me today. 

So my testimony... is being so grateful for the gospel. So simple, yet so strong. I am truly amazed at the power of prayer. And fasting. I have seen so many, many times my prayers being answered. I am so glad I can rely on my Heavenly Father and have faith. I love my children, my husband and our families. I know, Heavenly Father, my Savior, our living prophet, the Holy Ghost are all true and real. I know it, I live it, I love it! I really like that saying. 

Now how does that tie into sledding? I don't know. Slow down and enjoy the ride of life. Ha!