"Tell me 'Bout the Good Ol' Days"

Nov. 12: Grandpas

Today is Derek's Grandpas birthday. He is a very special man. He is a Stake Patriarch, a retired teacher, extremely intelligent and loving, a most generous man, and tells the best stories. He is also the greatest advocate for taking a photo and video history of the family. And he is really handsome. These things and many others, help make up one incredible man. I am so glad that me and my children have the blessing of knowing him and being loved by him. I am thankful for Grandpas.

Grandma and Grandpa Rogers with Bostyn

Just What I Needed

Nov. 11: Soup and Homemade Bread

I didn't feel so hot all day. At one point, I was wrapped up in a blanket cocoon for nearly 3 straight hours. Lucky for me, yesterday was a holiday and I didn't have preschool or daycare. My kids were forced to tear open a box of cereal that was left on the counter from breakfast when they got hungry. That box of cereal is now all over my carpet. At the last minute I pulled myself together and went to our ward enrichment night for crafts, soup and homemade french bread. That minestrone and bread really it the spot. I swear it has healing powers. I'm so glad I dragged myself there. I am thankful for soup and homemade bread.

Thanksgiving Dessert

Nov. 10: Memories


I opened up a box of Nilla Wafers today. On the side panel, I noticed their recipe for banana pudding with Nilla Wafers. Skylar made that very pudding every year for our family feast on Thanksgiving. It's always the most popular dessert, even above all the pies. If you've never tried it, do! I don't know if someone will take over making the banana pudding or not, but we will miss him more than the dessert. It makes me happy that a box of cookies can remind me of my brother. I am grateful for memories.

The Perks of Work

Nov. 9: The Perks of Work


Everyone's job comes with "perks". My favorite perk with my job is that my kids get free daycare...by me :). My favorite from Derek's is that we have unlimited access to fun miniature-mobiles. My kids think they are the luckiest in the world when we take them for a ride on the golf cars. I am thankful for the perks of work.

The Daily Grind

Nov. 8: Work that Provides


Derek has a job. He always has and I pray he always will. I know not everyone in this world is so fortunate. We aren't millionaires...yet :), but he is able and willing to work hard. I teach and take care of kids 12 hours a day. It tests my patience at times, but patience I have. We often find ourselves complaining about work, but we always remember how lucky we are to have jobs to complain about. I am thankful for the blessing of work.

Splish Splash

Nov. 7: Baths


I bathe my children a lot. Maybe too much. Like multiple times a day. Cannon is a really messy eater and it's easier than trying to get sticky messes out of every crevice with just a wet rag. I love the way my kids smell after a bath and how it calms them temporarily. I love that both my kids have always loved to bathe and never fight me on it. When Bostyn was an infant, she was horribly colic. I remember standing at the kitchen sink holding the sprayer over her for an hour at a time. It was the only thing that would calm her down. Those baths helped me cling to my sanity. I am thankful for baths.

I'll Tip My Hat to That

Nov 6: Hats


My kids love hats. Bostyn has always thought they were awesome, proof here and in a lot of other pictures on this very blog. Cannon won't leave them on for too long , but thinks he is pretty cool when wearing one. I think so too. I got to capture this cute minute while they played on the porch. Today, I am thankful for hats :)

Date Night

Nov 5: Baby Sitters

Derek, Bostyn and I, along with some friends and their 3 year old daughter, went to the Dollar Theater to see 'Toy Story 3' in 3D. Cannon can't sit still or be quiet through a movie for anything. Yes, I have tried. Lucky for us there are girls out there willing to give up their Friday nights to hang out with our wild child. It was so fun to watch Bostyn enjoy a fun movie and get excited when she recognized the characters. Taking her on a special date was just as fun for us as it was for her. I am thankful for baby sitters.

ZZZzzzz

Nov 4: Nap Time

As I type this, there are 6 sleeping children in my home. They are spread out in every room, so getting chores done doesn't really happen, but it is quiet. My batteries are recharging. I am thankful for napping children.

Movie Madness

Nov. 3: Netflix


We don't have TV. I mean we have a TV, but no form of cable or satellite. We are living on a tight budget and TV is not high on our priority list. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good show like anyone else, just not enough to pay for it. (Besides, you can watch any episode of any show you want online.) It actually works out great. My kids don't learn naughty things from disturbing cartoons and since they don't see commercials, I don't have to listen to them beg me for the latest and greatest toys. Any who, the whole family enjoys watching movies, so for $9.00 a month we get all the movie watching we want. They come in the mail, and stream live onto my TV via the computer. I am thankful for Netflix.

The Great Outdoors

Nov. 2: A Backyard

We finally have grass in our backyard and it seriously makes me tear up. There is nothing better than being able to send your kids on a great adventure in the safety of the backyard. They feel such a sense of freedom, as do I. I am thankful for my backyard.

{not my backyard...but close to it :)}

Month of Thanksgiving

I'm so excited it is November! I am sick of candy floating all over my house and am ready to dive into the Holiday Season. The "Month of Thanksgiving" has begun.

Nov. 1: Family

I am thankful for my sweet little family. They give everything I do meaning and purpose.

Happy Meal Anyone?

I saw this on a friend's blog and had to share. For all the gross details and the full article, go HERE.




I have been in "healthier food intake" mode lately. It began by accident and stuck. All we eat at my house are fruits, veggies, whole wheat bread, real cheese, healthy cereal, etc. I should be skinny by now...Oh wait, exercise...well it's a start!

My kids don't know what fast food is or that stores sell cookies and crackers and sugar cereals.

Bostyn isn't a picky eater anymore and sleeps way better at night. Her night terrors are almost non-existent. I have no idea if cutting sugar out of her diet is the reason, but it's the only thing I have changed. It's pretty great.

I feel better at the end of the day knowing that I filled my kids with real, natural food and not crappy crap.

I am the only one who's going to teach them good eating habits-now is the time.

That whole "Word of Wisdom" thing might be the right idea. :)

My kids won't be eating a Happy Meal while I'm around.

My Formal Living and Dining Room

Good bye fancy, unused room. Hello preschool /playroom! I miss my pretty, kids can't touch front room, but this one sure gets used more :)

A New Routine

Bostyn started preschool...only because I am the teacher :) This means she will get 3 years of preschool before she starts kindergarten. A little much? For sure.

I was worried about how she would do since I am one of the teachers and it is in our home, but she is doing fantastic! She really enjoys it! I love teaching too. Preschool is so fun. Doing full time daycare as well as teaching a preschool class might be the death of me, but I really enjoy being so busy. The TV never gets turned on and the kids have fun playing and doing activities all day. Bostyn even started taking a nap everyday again. A consistent schedule is a wonderful thing. I have 5-7 napping toddlers in my home at the same time, everyday. Imagine that for a moment...pretty awesome.

"Ring around the Rosie" while waiting for the parents.

Girls love dress up!

First day "mug shot"

Practicing Scissors

Snacks

PRESCHOOL!

I, along with a friend (who is a certified teacher!) am going to be teaching preschool at my house! I am very excited about it! If you or someone you know has a 2-4 year old, click HERE and get the details! Classes start the first week of September.

Quick Trip

We took a 1 and 2 year old to Disneyland...and survived! Derek and I had free Disneyland tickets from the "Give a Day, Get a Day" promotion. We decided it was now or never to use them since I was starting to work from home in a couple of days and Bostyn wouldn't be free come September. We had free airfare as well, so I think we spent a wopping $150 total on this trip. Not bad I say. It was a quick 24 hour trip. We lasted a whole 4 hours at Disneyland. We got there when it opened and rode as many kiddie rides as we could before the lines got too long. By noon, both kids were asleep and the place was packed so we called it good. Cannon loved the rides but hated waiting in line. Bostyn loved waving to all the princesses and meeting Mickey but hated the rides. We couldn't leave California without a pit stop at the beach. It was a really fun trip and the weather was PERFECT. One day in California is long enough for me though. I hate the traffic, the smell, and over all feeling of claustrophobia. I love my wide open AZ.

Happy Hero Day

Dad's are hero's. They are admired, loved, respected. Children want to become like them. In a child's eyes, dads are the strongest, bravest, smartest people around. I am so lucky that I have such heroes in my life.

My Dad is a rough and tough cowboy. A real one. He isn't afraid of anything and I have always felt so safe when he is around. Bostyn thinks he is the greatest thing ever and follows him around everywhere he goes. He is becoming quite the softy as he ages and I love it :)



Derek's dad is a a very sweet, kind, and gentle man. His selflessness is amazing. Derek looks up to him for so many reasons and my kids adore him.



I am so blessed that my kids have an amazing dad. He is very patient, very helpful, very involved. He spends so much time teaching our children. Both Cannon and Bostyn love him more than they love me...I am sure of it :).


Funny "Then and Now":

As I was typing this post, I came across this picture from when Bostyn was a couple weeks old and thought it would be cute to post:

After uploading it, I glanced over to the couch and saw this:

Some things may never change. Derek is obviously enjoying his father's Day.

Crazy Cannon- Birthday Pics

Cannon's daily antics:

I had to bring this inside so he would stop climbing on things he's not supposed to.

Yes, he burned his finger (just enough to scare him, not leave a mark). I see many ER trips in our future.