What a Great Man

One of my favorite General Conference talks this last October was Elder Wirthlins talk about learning to laugh, seeking for the eternities, and the rule of compensation. He stated "The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." I really enjoyed this talk and am sad to see Elder Wirthlin pass away, but I know he is with his wife in a grand place. May his family be blessed.

I Know a Few Languages

The other day when I was on the phone with my mom, my wonderful son JT was driving me crazy. I'm sure I'm not the only mom that this happens to, but every time I get on the phone my children either suddenly need me or they want to make loud noises to annoy me. Well, JT comes over and turns this loud toy on right by my other ear. I got annoyed and said "Don't do that." It was then that I realized that all I had been saying all afternoon is "Don't do that", "Stop that," "No," or "Not now." I proceeded to tell my mom that this is the only language I know anymore. My son who was listening pipes in-- "Mom, you know a little bit of Spanish. Tell me if you know what I'm saying. I want some agua." My mom and I were laughing so hard. Even if I was annoyed --he sure makes me laugh at times.

Our Recent Purchase

So heres our most recent purchase--well, besides a home and all the other stuff that goes with that. My boys got to watch our new piano delivered to our home yesterday. They were so excited and played their own little songs. I'm finding out that I'm going to need some furniture in that room very soon-so the sound doesn't echo so much.

Annual Turkey Bowl

Heres another turkey bowl and we only came away with a few minor injuries. Donovan smashed his ring finger and could barely get his ring off a few hours later. The poor thing had to use my lotion to get it off (I think that was the worst part) Actually, it was all black and blue and slightly swollen. No fun without some pain

Our New House

Here's the new house my boys inherited with our new home. They love it of course and so do I. Because for a few more warm days they can go outside and play and not get too bored.

Fun Halloween Lunch

These were fun. My boys made these hotdogs wrapped in rhodes roll dough. We took a rhodes roll for each hot dog and let it thaw and then the kids rolled it into a long snake and wrapped it around the hot dog. We stuck a stick in the hotdog and cooked for 20-30 minutes. Nate couldn't quite get the idea of the long snake. So he decided the real way to make this lunch, was to just put individual pieces around the hot dog. It did turn out and he loved it just the same.

Pumpkin Carving

Heres the mess and all the fun that my boys just love.

Our little Princess

While we were at my nephews birthday party my little nieces decided to dress Nate up as a princess. For some reason he doesn't look that happy.

Pumpkin Picking Time

Last week we went to the pumpkin patch or Engh nursery. This has kind of become a tradition every year now- thanks to Grandma Brunner. I think we will still be coming to Sandy every year even though we will soon be in South Jordan. They have a bunch of fun things for the kids. They have a pirate ship, a hay maze, and a lot of picture spots. The kids love going in their halloween costumes. This year JT is batman, Nate is Tiger, Donovan is Donovan and I am the prego.

Prince Charming- Naughty or Nice

So tonight I was playing some Disney songs on the piano with my boys. After playing "Some day my prince will come." I asked JT if thats how he's going to be to his wife someday--blow a kiss or two. He said "What do you mean? Prince Charming is mean." Ohhh, that's right. My sons don't watch much of Cindrella, but they have watched Shrek 1, Shrek 2, and Shrek 3. I guess I will have to teach them how to be a nice prince--especially since they will be getting a little sister.

Our All American Girl

Yes that's right. The ultrasound shocked us today and told us we are having a girl. We are so excited and JT will finally get his little sister he has wanted. She is due February 20th. New little girl, soon to be new home. Yikes, we might need some donations.

JT Starts Piano Lessons

JT started piano lessons this month and he is enjoying it so far. I, on the other hand, am wondering what I was thinking. First grade is different than kindergarten. There is too much to do. All I do now is help JT practice piano, do homework with JT, and run JT to and from soccer, school, and piano lessons, and whatever else. Oh, thats right, I'm a mom. That's what moms do.

Of course the first time Grandma and Papa called from Michigan--he had to play all--yes all, of his new songs. Hope it wasn't too boring for our missionaries.

A Little Millcreek Picnic with the Fam

A couple weeks ago we relaxed with my family in Millcreek Canyon. JT and Nate love the mountains--so they were lovin it. My family all brought up their own little home made hobo dinners and Donovan and I walk in with our KFC. We gobble our dinner down and then watch and smell the aroma from their home made dinners-wishing we had somehow made time to make one too. Next time. The kids got to roast marshmallows and eat smores. Yum! So did I.

You're How Old?

Donovan had his 35th birthday this month. We went up to Snowbird and ate dinner at the Sunflower and took a ride up on the tram. It was a fun date. I recommend it. We both had never been on the tram before. I'm not much of a skiier anymore--plus I would ski at Alta anyways. The pictures don't do it justice, but the sunset was gorgeous. Just a tad windy when we got to the top, but gorgeous. We could see the Great Salt Lake and Heber Valley. And we got there right when the sun was going down. Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Fun Labor Day Weekend

My sister Jen planned a cool cabin trip to Bear Lake this last weekend. We had so much fun. Who knew a family this size could have so much fun and laugh so hard. Most of us were not familiar with Bear Lake including myself. I've just heard how cold and blue the water is, but that it's a beautiful place. And that it is.

Here is a picture of JT and I in the Minnetonka Cave. Wow, that thing is long, dark, and cold.

Here is a picture of "Jong E Fong Fong" and "Jong Tong" outside the cave. Thanks to Taylor we learned a new language this weekend and got in a good laugh.

And here is a picture of my hubby and my two sweet boys who had a blast. Maybe they didn't get enough sleep and ate way too many treats, and were just a tad awnry by the last day. But I know they had fun with their cousins in the mountains playing at the lake. They got the best of both worlds. And by the way, on the way home I did hear a "Thanks Mom and Dad for taking me to Bear Lake."

Bear Lake

Here are some Bear Lake pictures of the boys. I think they had fun.

Can I have a "Pickle" with that "Sand"wich???

Nate somehow kept getting sand in his mouth and in his eyes. As soon as I would clean him up and wipe out his mouth, he would come back again with sand in his face. Maybe he was hungry.

Oops! Blaine got his van stuck in the sand. Thank goodness someone kind enough on the beach lent the boys a shovel. Soon he was on his way. Of course my sister couldn't even look at the van stuck in the sand. She stayed down by the water and contemplated the punishment her husband was going to receive. Actually, she's not like that at all. I'm glad the van is running.

JT Starts First Grade

Last week JT started his first day of first grade. His teacher is Mrs. Prescott. And can I just say she seems like a pretty awesome teacher. She is so cute with the kids and very attentive to JT. This picture was taken at the end of school. Wow, he's in school for the whole day. Nate and I are by ourselves now.

Let The Games Begin

Wow what a show Bejing put on tonight. I was impressed by all the small details each person put into the show. My favorite story of the 9 year old boy that walked with the Chinese athletes. For those that missed the opening ceremonies. This 9 year old boy was a hero in that 20 of his 30 classmates died in the earthquake, and he was one of ten that made it out of the rubble. When he escaped the rubble--he went back in to try and rescue two of his classmates. When asked why he went back in to help his classmates, he said "I had to, I was the hall monitor, it was my responsibility." Stories like this remind me why we should be like unto a child. What a touching story.

Bedtime Stories

I try to read to my children at night. Well, this particular night Nate put his ears--I guess so he could listen really well. I thought it is was cute.

24th of July

On the 24th of July we ended up going to Cottonwood Heights. I must say it was fun. We will probably be there next year. They had all sorts of things. At least 10 bounce houses, face painting, pie throwing, dunking booth, food, free watermelon and great fireworks. And it wasn't nearly as crowded as Liberty Park is. The first picture shows JT on top of an army hummer. The next picture is Nate on a "vroom, vroom" Although I'm not sure he was sure of the cop next to him. He loves bikes--of any kind. But especially "vroom vrooms." The last is both of them sliding down a bounce house. They love those. Hope your 24th was a good one too.

JT's Surprise

This summer JT took a summer class called Bright Ideas put on by Alpine School District and BYU students. At the end of the class they did a program for parents. When it was time for JT's class to perform I couldn't find JT. I thought he had gone to the bathroom and was going to miss his class performance. They started singing a song that goes to the tune of "pop goes the weasel." All of the sudden JT pops out of the box at the end of the song. Oh, there he is. Little stinker.

Garbage Anyone???

Wow! This is disgusting. Why would anyone do that? Oh, that's right, it's a practical joke. No one really wants to eat garbage.

This book is for every child

JT got this book for his birthday yesterday from my mom. It is the cutest book. Every child young and old should have this book. Of course, like my sister Jen, I couldn't read it without crying. I've only read it 3-4 times since last night.

He's how old???

So he turned six yesterday. And I know it was six years ago I held my baby for the first time wondering what next. This love I felt from the first minute of life has only grown. And the most precious and cutest things come out of this little mouth. I think God puts those words there--for us mothers who need it most.

Jungle Jims

Wow! That was easy. Take your child to Jungle Jims which was all his idea. They provide the pizza, drinks, and cake. And of course all the fun your child can ever dream of. No real planning on my part. I just sit back and relax--or chase my two year old around.

Someone turned 2

Nate turned two and we all went to Red Robin to celebrate. It was also my brothers birthday. I think he is a little older than two now. ha, ha
Nate's cake was a construction site. He had diggers, dumptrucks and cranes. Thanks Dad!
This present from Grandma and Papa was almost as big as him.. It was a bubble lawnmower.

One of his favorites was his long needed dyson vacuum. Hopefully he won't keep getting into mom's vacuum anymore.

Times Are A Changin

Today I picked JT up from kindergarten for the last time. I watched as all of the kids gave high fives to Mrs. Bond. After JT started walking towards me, then he ran back to Mrs. Bond to give her a hug. Okay, tear jerker for me. As I drove away, I realized how fast this year went, and how fast JT is growing up. I know it's not the last time I will have a kindergartener, but I'm realizing that time is going quickly. I hope that I am doing my best as a parent to teach him before it's too late.

JT's Prayer

So tonight when I was putting JT to bed, he made me promise that I wouldn't laugh at his prayer. I'm thinking, that's an easy promise. And why would I laugh at his prayer. That would be inappropriate and rude. Well, during the prayer he blessed that he could go to Sweet Tomatoes for lunch tomorrow. He said his prayer so quietly that I could barely hear him. So, during the prayer I'm thinking did he just say Sweet Tomatoes? After I figured out what he had said (of course after the prayer) I broke my promise and started laughing hysterically. Whoops! I just think it's funny that he would be thinking about lunch and Sweet Tomatoes in his prayers. Silly guy.

Can I have some Elmo please???

Nate learned two more words today-one of which my sister will love hearing. He's been saying "Elmo" this last weekend and I just figured out what he's trying to say. This morning when I asked him what he wanted for breakfast he started saying "Elmo" and getting really excited and ran to the pantry and pulled out the oatmeal. Oatmeal = Elmo. (My sister hates oatmeal by the way) And then I asked him if he wanted an orange and he said apple. Cool. My son is not going to be mute and we will eventually understand him.

Mother's Day B-Ball

All the guys playing basketball at Mom's house. Of course, Donovan had the most rebounds. Did you see air Jordan or I mean air Josh.

Are you hungry???

I'm not sure if Nate was hungry or just proving a point. But here he is eating his flip flop and really stressing his brother out because "he might get sick."

Ready, Set, Blast Off...

Okay, so this picture isn't that great to see the people underneath. But wow, these rockets are huge. I couldn't even get the whole thing in the picture.