Laying off the Halloween Candy

I told Willie the milk for the baby was in the fridge for while I was gone. Imagine the look on his face when he saw this: It was totally CLASSIC. He was a little confused for a split second and then just laughed. I'm just having a hard time keeping my paws off the boys' Halloween candy (ESPECIALLY the chocolate)!

New Calling...New Blog

(These pictures are from a Time Out for Learning enrichment we had once.)

After having served for two-and-a-half years in the church calling formerly known as enrichment leader, I've been released. I got a little teary-eyed going through all of my past handouts and meeting agendas. It's been good times for sure.

BUT now I'm very excited to be working as the food storage/emergency preparedness gal! This means I'll have some pressure to get my own family prepared. Just the motivation I need, I think.

Anyway, I've started a new blog, Save and Store, with tips for saving money and being prepared. Check it out HERE if you're interested and please help me out with any ideas you've come across!

Happy Halloween!

Yee Haw! It's Halloween time once again...This year we had Sheriff Jacob and Wrangler Joshua.Then there was Buckaroo Nathan.And last (but certainly not least) our littlest cowpoke, Peter.They were quite the posse!It has been fun to have my brother working up here. The boys LOVE Uncle Jason. Jason even dressed up in his cowboy gear and went with Willie to take the three older boys trick-or-treating. They went with Kai and Xavier from across the street, too.They came back with a LOAD of candy. Which they attempted to devour as fast as possible!They were sugared up in no time at all! Willie took the three boys to a scary house that was done by a family in our ward. It turns out our rugged cowboys aren't as tough as they claim to be. They came home crying (literally) with tails of horror. I'm hoping no long-term damage was done.

Peter and I stayed home and passed out the candy with my friend Jenny. By the end of the night our littlest cowboy was sure tuckered out!

Hope y'all had a safe and fun Halloween!

Life is good...

and no, Peter isn't wearing a straight jacket.

Happy Fall!

Uncle Grant and Aunt Pam called to say they had pumpkins in the garden that were ready for picking! It was a very good thing since our pumpkins didn't grow AT ALL this year.

They each got to select their pumpkin and Uncle Grant cut it off the vine. Doesn't Jake look pleased?Josh had a hard time lifting his. I couldn't believe how big these pumpkins were for being home grown! Nathan needed help to carry his pumpkin. He loves his pumpkin and checks on it every day.Thanks Uncle Grant and Aunt Pam for being pumpkin lifesavers!Peter got a pumpkin too. Just his size!

Can't Get Enough of You BABY

Peter has his own fan club here on the home front, with Joshua being the biggest groupie.Josh loves to be about two inches from Peter's face and talk to him in a teeny, tiny baby voice. He was thrilled when Peter opened his eyes today and looked at him and listened.Nothing will make your "baby" instantly grow like bringing home another baby. (Nathan was pretending to sleep on his blanket...)When did Nathan get so big?!Brotherly love is a wonderful thing!

He's Here!!

We are thrilled to welcome our newest addition to the family! Willie and I were up early this morning. I needed to be at the hospital at 6:00 a.m. for my induction. One last pregnant picture before we headed off!I got all checked in and things went pretty fast. My doctor broke my water at 9:00 a.m., I got my epidural at 11:00 a.m., and Peter Makanaakua Kahumoku was born at 12:29 p.m.He's a big boy, weighing in at 9 pounds 10 ounces! (Boy, am I glad I got that epidural!)He is 21 inches long.And his head is 14 and 3/4. Did I mention I'm very fond of epidurals?Peter likes to suck on his fingers and has big hands... And big feet.Needless to say it was love at first sight for mom. See him trying to peek at me?Dad is just a little proud. I love how he wore his "Dad's Team" hat for the occasion.Peter got his first "bath" and was looking mighty fine. He had to get ready for his first visitors. Jenny and Sonia came to see the new baby boy.And then the real test to pass...the big brothers came to see their new little brother.They took a little peek at the baby's toes.Josh was smitten and was the first to hold "Petey" and his little "Stinky Pete."When I asked Nathan if he wanted to hold his baby brother, he said, "No, I scared of him." I assured him that Peter was just a baby and he bravely gave it a go.Jacob has never been fond of babies. He claims, "They're boring." He was more concerned with what kind of channels I got on my hospital TV. I didn't push it since he's been fighting a cold.Peter has had a busy first day and is quite a sleepy head right now. We are so happy to have him join our family! (And I'm so glad he's finally here!)

BABY NEWS

At my doctor's appointment yesterday I was diagnosed with permanent pregnancy.

Okay, so not really. But that's what it felt like when she said, "Well, you're almost at a three."

ALMOST?

Almost a three sounds like a two to me, which is where I was a week ago. Talk about disappointing...

So, I'm scheduled to be induced Monday morning if nothing happens over the weekend. Wish me luck, I've got to get back to my jump roping!

In My Pretty Garden...

the veggies are growing!Lettuce and cabbage!Cucumbers!

The boys who picked the cucumbers!Carrots!Peas!Cherry tomatoes!Potatoes!

We've also grown (but not photographed) strawberries, cantelope, onions, corn, green beans, parsley, basil, and thyme. See the stool sunk into the dirt? That's my pregnant-mama weeding stool!

We also didn't grow watermelons, pumpkins, and peppers. Not quite sure what happened there because last year we didn't have any problems. Maybe I got them in too late.

New to the garden this year...Roses!Beautiful, sweet-smelling roses. I have to cut the flowers to appreciate them, or I guess I could lie down on the ground to get a whiff...the plants are still quite small!

I never thought I would find gardening exciting. I always thought of it as a grandma hobby. BUT I'm hooked and the boys love it almost as much as I do.

Summertime Boy

Nathan is a summertime boy. He would stay outside and play all day if I'd let him. He loves to "lawn mower like Dad." He loves to dig in the dirt with his trucks and tractors. He loves to play outside for hours just exploring and throwing rocks. This day while he was digging, a little fly landed on his arm. He ran over to show me ...and he was quite intrigued with watching the bug crawl on him. Then suddenly he didn't like it so much. The end.

School Days

Back to school we've gone. Jacob has been enjoying FIRST grade since July. First day picture with the brothers!Waiting in line for his class to go in. He has team teachers so there are lots of students!

His teachers are pretty tough, I have to admit! (I just don't admit it to him...) He took his first spelling test last week. After lots of practice, boy was he ready. I just knew he'd get them all correct!

Well, he did spell all the words right but he accidentally wrote one of the words with a capital letter, so it was marked incorrect. Seriously, rough.

I wanted to go in and argue for him the difference between spelling mistakes and grammar errors and point out that this was, in fact, a spelling test. But I just took a deep breath and smiled and gave him a huge hug for doing so well.One of the many great things about Jake is that he is one determined little fella and he truly strives to do his best. If only we could get his fingers working faster! (His excuse for not always being able to complete his assignments in the given time...) Jacob is rising to their high expectations and I can't wait to see all that he learns this year.

Just so you know...

STILL pregnant.

I know I'm due Sunday but still...I'm thinking tonight I'll go jogging, jump rope, stand on my head, drink castor oil, jump on the trampoline, drive on a bumpy road, and eat spicy food. Anything I'm forgetting?

ADDITIONS:
*Thanks to Nat Lud for reminding me of, in her own words, "it".

Good Times Fishing

Willie and the boys LOVE to go fishing. This time Will took some video and a few pictures of their adventure.

I enjoyed a quiet afternoon to myself (and typed) and only called Willie once to remind him to watch the boys and not to let them drown.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

*Willie wants everyone to know that every fish caught is a different fish. (The boys weren't all reeling the same one in over and over...)

"One of the fish was given away, one of the fish died, and we caught and released 16 more...all within a matter of a short period of time. There were a lot of fishermen around that packed up and went home when we were on our third fish within a few minutes." -quote taken from the proud fishing father himself.

The boys are so lucky to have such a cool dad. I can hardly watch this video without screaming to get out of the filthy water. Willie is way more fun than I am. It surely must be because of him we are being sent sons...what better man to raise a boy? Fish On!

He's Here!

No, not our baby boy...but my sister's! (Who by the way was due after me...)

Welcome to the world baby Ryan Truman Burr!

So arriving six weeks early, baby boy weighed in at almost 6 pounds (5 lbs. 14.8 oz.) and he's 19 inches long. Cynthia's been on bed rest for the last month or so, and I'm sure she'll post the whole story once she's at home and settled.Baby and Mama are doing well...and now I get to wait five more weeks for my turn. Seeing these pictures makes me so excited!

Nelson Family Reunion

Poor Jake only had two weeks between kindergarten and first grade! Luckily he didn't know any different or care...but I only had two weeks to shove in an entire summer. We headed to Vegas. First item on our agenda was the Nelson family reunion, which means from Vegas we quickly headed to St. George.The boys had fun "surfing" and swimming. We LOVE the water.Nathan practiced his swimming skills. He's good at "swimming" to me under the water and kicking his little legs.Here are Jake and Jason (my brother), both looking mighty fine!Josh was excited to see his cousins. He loves babies! Here he is patting Hailey's (my sister Cynthia's daughter) cheeks. Another cousin-lover is Brooklyn (Cynthia's daughter). Judging from his smile, Nathan didn't seem to mind!The three pregnant girls of the family (Cynthia, me, and Leslie) were showered with gifts and games. It was fun to visit with the ladies of the family while the men watched the kids.Here are the granddaughters that were there with Grandma Nelson. It was so good to see everyone!

Preggy Post

This image pretty much sums up my pregnancy. NO makeup, wet hair, chilling in my swimming suit, and very happy as long as I have food. I have no shame to my game. (Thanks for this glamorous picture, Mom, I think I'll have it framed.)I've been keeping busy and cool this summer by teaching swimming lessons. I don't have great pictures of the swimming lessons because I was in the water too. But here are some my mom took when she came to visit.

Joshua is pulling me to safety from the side. Always remember, "Reach or throw, don't go!" The first time I asked him to help me he just stood up and reached out his hand. I yanked him right into the water. Notice how he's stable on his stomach this time? He's a quick learner.

I taught three two-week sessions with three classes each session at a friend's house. It was so fun and it felt so good to be in the water. Best of all...my boys can swim! Josh definitely got the best end of the deal. Nathan only got one session of lessons and Jacob only got three classes! (Blasted year-round school...)So now Joshua is the best swimmer of the three (much to Jake's dismay) and he is QUITE the fish. He can float. He can glide. And by golly, that boy can swim! I am so proud of him.

Handy Willie (CAN he build it...YES, he CAN!)

My husband isn't slow in building...I'm just slow in posting. The rolling can rack has been complete for months now and I LOVE it. I no longer have to pull out the older cans to add the new. It's so nice to have a handy hubby.

Here are some pictures and video of Nathan demonstrating just how simple putting the cans in and letting them roll can be. It's so easy to use, even a child can do it...kind of.


I'm still working on my food storage. It is surprisingly fun. (NEVER would I think those words would come from me.)

The Graduates

Isn't it funny how life just keeps going even if your blog doesn't?

One of the things we've been up to is graduations...

Joshua "graduated" from preschool! He sure made some good buddies and had lots of fun in our preschool co-op this year. Since Josh is still four, he'll be starting Kindergarten next year. Luckily, he doesn't seem to mind that all his pals are starting school without him. It makes sense to him that you have to be five to go to school...and he's not five yet. He and I are going to have a grand time together this year.Jacob "graduated" from Kindergarten. (Aren't those caps adorable?)As they came up to the stage one by one to get their certificates, the teacher asked them what they want to be when they grow up. My boy's answer was "A hero." It brought a tear to my eye, even though I know he literally wants to wear a cape and run around rescuing people. To me, he already is a hero.

(Jacob with his Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Isenberg.)

Love

Lest you think I'm not loved...

Today I got to go to Kindergarten for "Muffins with Mom!" Jacob showered me with gifts, hugs, kisses, and we shared a huge muffin together.

"I love you now!" was Jacob's reply when he saw I had posted his hate note. He wrote it in the heat of the moment...I'm sure. I know he loves me and I'll always love him no matter what.

Mother of the Year

We all know I'm no mother of the year. Check out this precious note I received yesterday from my firstborn son.We moms don't always get the praise we deserve but I love this quote my mom sent me today:

"Too frequently, women underestimate their influence for good. {Isn't that the truth?!}

Well could you follow the formula given by the Lord: 'Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God' (D&C 88:119)."

In such a house will be found happy, smiling children who have been taught, by precept and example, the truth. In a Latter-day Saint home, children are not simply tolerated, but welcomed; not commanded, but encouraged; not driven, but guided; not neglected, but loved."

Thomas S. Monson, "The Spirit of Relief Society," Ensign, May 1992, 101–2

Also in my inbox today was the most HILARIOUS email I've seen in awhile. THIS (you HAVE TO check it out) had me cracking up. If you're a mom...insert your name!

I'm glad to be a mom even without the media coverage and awards. I'll even take hate notes every now and then.