When the Cats away

The MICE Play- Preston left Friday afternoon to take the scouts snowboarding and will be back late tonight. So this is a recap of what our Friday night entailed. After Nathan's basketball practice we headed off to Panda Express for dinner. We got some fortune cookies that were the most appropriate ones I think I have ever seen.
Nathans-Participation in sports may lead to a lucrative career. I am keeping this for when he is big in the NBA. ANother one of Nathan's (he loves fortune cookies)- An attractive visitor will bring joy to your home. Aunt Sherri had come to hang out with us that night so we think it applied to her.
Taylor also had 2 fortunes. You are going to have a very comfortable life. ( I was jealous of this one) You are soon going to be the center of attention. To this I say soon she pretty much always tries to be the star of the show. The other side note is I had just recently told Sherri that I feel like wherever I go my kids and I are the focus point and that I feel all eyes on me. I think it may be there super blonde hair that is not quite the norm to see.
My fortune said Romance and Travel are in my future. (or something like that) Preston and I are planning a trip to Hawaii later this year to celebrate our 10th anniversary 1 year late since Natalie was born soon before our 10th anniversary.
We finished our night by going to Chandler Mall. We shopped for shoes at Payless (splurging I know :-) Then I got my wedding ring cleaned and inspected. We went to the Lego store and pet store and looked around. The kids played in the play area. Bought some Cheesecake to go and ended the night with a 3 minute massage in the massage chairs (Thanks you Aunt Sherri). Nathan thought it was pretty cool but Taylor wasn't a big fan. Then we went home to enjoy our Cheesecake and Sherri and I played a few games of Racko.
It was a fun night but we will all be glad to have Preston home. So the mice can play with the Cat.

Taylor in the Zone

This picture cracks me up every time I see it. It is from last summer but since my camera is getting repair I am using old stuff. We went shooting guns in the mountains and Taylor was wearing the ear muffs to protect her ears from the loud shots. She was in the back of the car and nowhere near the guns but was insistent on wearing the ear muffs. It is naptime for her so she is completely zoning out. Not the most flattering picture of her but funny nonetheless. This could be a good one to show future dates or maybe on a wedding video montage. ;-)

Happy Birthday Little Brother

Today is my younger Brother Steven's 28th birthday. This is a picture of Steven and his wife Christina and their two boys Thomas and Henry fishing at a family reunion in Greer Az that we had this past summer. Steven lives in Provo UT with his family and goes to BYU (but us ASU Devils don't hold that against him). We usually see him 2 or 3 times a year, I wish it was more often. He may be younger then me but is an example to me and someone I look up to. He is a very hard worker and succeeds in almost anything he does. I have a lot of fun memories of Steven from when we were growing up. I remember one year for Christmas we got Sock Em Boppers. (they were like inflatable boxing gloves) We would play fight and completely crack up in the process. I also remember times we would both get sent to our room and we would lay on the ground in the doorway and hang our heads out in the hallway and talk so that we were still technically in our rooms. I actually enjoyed spending time with him and was not embarrassed to have my little Brother tagging along (most of the time) The night before I got married I remember Steven sitting at the foot of my bed while I packed we talked. It was like our last time to chat while living under the same roof. Alot has occurred in both our lives since that night 10 years ago but I still cherish our little chats. I love you Steven and Happy Birthday.

Making Do

Okay my camera is on the fritz and therefore I cannot take any new pictures. But since I have a blogger addiction and hate to not have updated posts I am going to post random pictures off my computer from before my blog started. So here we go.

This is Taylor and Natalie taken I think when Natalie was about 2 months old. Taylor's face is so typical she is one goofy little girl. And Natalie's expression is kind of like here we go again. Taylor loves Natalie SOOOOO much, almost too much actually. Taylor has her 2nd cold of the season and therefore Natalie has her 2nd cold of the season. No matter how much I ask Taylor to keep her distance when she is sick she just can't control herself. She always wants to hold,kiss hug or just touch Natalie in some way. To be honest it frustrates me but I try to be understanding. I went to the Doctor for Natalie again today and she has another ear infection and slight bronchitis. It is sad, hopefully this will help her have a strong immune system later.

Randomness

On the Saturday after New Years Preston's Aunt and Uncle Host a party called the Butler Bolt. They have different races; running, bicycling, skooters etc. They have done it for 10 years but this is the first year we have actually gone. This is Nathan (red shirt) getting instructions as to where the race will take place with the other kids competing in his age group.

This is Nathan (on the left) running the home stretch.

Nathan with his cousins after they received their medals for the race.

On the last day of Christmas break Nathan wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese for his LAST day to play. (you would think it was the end of the world, not just the end of the break by the way he carried on) Anyhow my Mom went with me and the kids. This is Nathan and Taylor playing ski ball with Grandma.

Nathan at the park during break. We went three days in a row. I just couldn't pass up the 70 degree weather. This is at the bottom of a hill at the park that my kids love to ride down.

This is our new nephew/cousin James that was born on Sunday Jan 11th and Preston's sister Joycelyn.

Taylor's CRAZY hair after her bath. I hung the pink towel behind her so you can actually see her fine/ light hair.

I think I have finally caught up on all the pictures I took with intention of posting on the blog. This is the 4th post in 2 days but I finally did it.

NBA here we come.

Nathan had his first basketball game last Saturday. He is participating in the Wham Slam program through the city. We thought we would start him early since he more than likely is going to be tall. It is his first year and so far enjoys it and is starting to get the hang of the whole defense/offense concept. They don't keep score because it is very basic. Nathan did score a basket during the game. NBA here we come.

Our little Natalie is growing up

Our sweet little Natalie is growing up. I have to start out by saying I absolutely love this picture of her. (although I am not sure what Taylor is trying to do, I assume she is attempting to lick Natalies head) A couple of nights ago we set up the crib in Taylor's room and rearranged furniture so the girls now share a room. Natalie had been sleeping in a cradle in our room but has now graduated to a big baby crib. It was a bitter sweet moment. Also about a week ago Natalie rolled over for the first time and I actually got to see her do it. (I missed the other two kiddos first time) She is getting used to being on her stomach and can tolerate it for a while until she whines for us to flip her back over, then she rolls again about a minute later. We go through this chain of events often throughout the day. Natalie is also on the verge of full out laughing. She squeals with delight, but not quite a laugh yet. She sure is a joy to have around and is so tolerant and easy going. We love her to pieces

Happy Birthday Taylor

Taylor January 12, 2006




Taylor's First Birthday Jan 12 2007 Taylor's 2nd Birthday


Enjoying her new bike January 12,2009

Taylor turned 3 yesterday. But if you ask how old she is the answer if Pee. She had a fun filled day. We ate pancakes for breakfast. (Her favorite breakfast meal) Preston made her pancakes in the shape of a Mommy cow and a Baby Cow per Taylor's request. Then Taylor had her 3 year check up she is now 26 pounds (3%) and 36 1/2 inches tall. (40%) She is quite the petite little thing. She got 2 stickers since it was her birthday. (one Thomas the Train and one Strawberry Shortcake) Then I took her to Mcdonalds for a happy meal. Then Taylor pretty much played by herself (I had a ton of work to do) Then after picking Nathan up from school we went to pick up her cake. Taylor had a Dora the Explorer cake this year. That evening most of her Aunts and Uncles, some cousins and 1 set of Grandparents came over for Hot Dogs (another favorite of Taylors) and cake and ice-cream. Taylor received some fun toys from family like a coloring book, barbie, book doll and barettes. From us she got a new bike that she loves, a helmet and a bell for her bike. She had a great day and loved all the attention. Our little girl is growing up. We sure love her. She is quite the character and she knows it. She makes us laugh quite often and gives the tightest hugs, especially for someone of her size.

And it came to pass........

I RAN OUT OF GAS!!!!!!!!!!! Yes you read this correctly. One of my worst fears happened today, this is how it all went down. Okay I drive a gas guzzler of a vehicle and I try to not let it get below 1/4 of a tank. I noticed on Monday that I was getting low and needed to get gas. I planned on getting gas today but then when I was leaving the DR's office today I noticed the gage said I had a full tank. My heart went pitter patter thinking that Preston got me gas after mutual last night. I was very grateful. Then I ran to Target and when I was leaving the gage said I was on empty. I figured it was something to do with the way I was parked on a slope. (stupid I know but that was my thought) This afternoon I ran 2 more errands dry cleaners, and picking out Taylor's bday cake. Both times the gage would tell me something different. Full one time Empty the next. I then begin to wonder what is up with my gas gage. I tried to call Preston to clarify if he did indeed get me gas. He didn't answer his phone so I put it in the back of my mind and head off to get groceries. On the way home I cross through the intersection about 3/4 mile from my house and the car DIES. I coast as long as I can and pull to the side of the road and put my flashers on. Taylor is in the back saying "Mom GO! why are you stopping?" obviously she can tell something isn't right. I am extremely flustered. I call Preston again and he immediately tells me to hold on. I try to say quickly "Preston I am stalled in the middle of the road" He doesn't here me and puts the shop guy Johnny on the phone to take a message. So I tell Johnny that I am in the middle of the road. Preston calls back a couple minutes later and I confirm that he did not get gas and that I am probably out of gas. He comes quickly from the shop and brings me some gas. I then continue to Nathan's school to pick up carpool from running club, get gas and then go home. The whole stranded ordeal lasted about 12 minutes but seemed like 12 hours. Many were quite rude they would blare on their horn, not a single person offered to help. I just wanted to cry. It made me a nervous wreck to watch people come up behind me and wonder if they were going to slow down or stop in time. SCARY STUFF!!!!!!!!! The two positive sides of this story is that my girls were content in their car seats and safe I was fully expecting Natalie to get hungry and just start screaming. I am so grateful that we live sooo close to the lockshop so it wasn't long before my knight in shining armor rescued me.

My PLEASANT Surprise

Last Friday I was cleaning my kitchen and doing dishes when I realized how QUIET my house was. There are only 2 times that that usually occurs in our household, 1 all the kids are asleep or they are secretly doing something they shouldn't be. So I start my search through the house beginning in the kids bedrooms trying to brace myself for what I will discover. Well this is what I happily found. The above picture is of Natalie playing with the new playmat that she got from my mom for Christmas. She loves this thing. It will entertain her for hours. Taylor is asleep on the left side of our bed and Nathan was watching cartoons. I think my heart skipped a beat with happiness. Okay as a side note how in the world do I post and add pictures and place them where I want? I wanted to type my story first and then add the pictures I am soooo blog illiterate.

What were you doing?

NEW YEAR'S EVE. I was playing the Wii Santa brought us with Nathan and Preston and Taylor. Nathan beat me both games in bowling by 1 point each game. Then later when Taylor and Natalie were in bed and Preston and Nathan were watching a movie I was blogging. Finally I put our pictures from Christmas on my blog. I had to do it before the new year. It was a very low key evening. Nathan even stayed up until midnight and then we all went to bed shortly after. This was the only year other then 6 years ago when Preston and I were severely sick with the flu that we haven't celebrated New Years with at least one other couple. So I pose this question. Did anyone do any partying last night? I promise to not be offended if you had a raging party that we weren't invited to. I am just curious.

I am looking forward to 2009. I haven't officially written down my resolutions. I have been thinking about them and the main goal is to make life better for me and my family in every aspect: health, spiritual, emotional etc. 2008 was a big year with the purchase of the shop, birth of Natalie and some fun family vacations and many other things. To be honest I think 2009 will pale in comparison. But it will be an exciting year full of Natalie's first (word, steps, tooth, etc) and hopefully some exciting blog posts. Have a very Happy New Year everyone.