Spring Time Are You Finally Here?

I am loving this weather! Upper 70's two days in a row--we are getting spoiled! I don't even care that I'm not getting anything done in the house, it is so nice spending the days outside. It's nice to see the neighborhood come alive and just relax with friends outside. I make the kids stay outside all day (not that I'm really twisting their arms) because I know that since we live in Cleveland, we are bound to have some crappy weather again before it turns for good. Carter is absolutely loving the new found freedom of the outdoors! He discovered the sandbox the other day and hasn't left it. He doesn't want to get in it (the beach will be interesting this year), but loves raking it.

Monday I watched my friend Julie's two little kids, Allison and Ben. Ben is just 4 months old--so fun to have a little baby in the house again. Carter was obsessed with him!!! He would not leave his side. Wherever I put Ben, Carter was right there next to him. He loved to just watch him and always made sure he had a binki in his mouth. I was surprised he wasn't jeleous, just curious. The morning went really good and I was actually feeling pretting confident that I could tackle another baby in the house (Keith is cheering, I'm sure) but then I tried to take them all outside. That's when my confidence shattered. Both the older kids wanted to be pushed on the swings, Carter and Allison both wanted to be in the baby swing, Ben needed a bottle.... I needed about 10 more arms. The hardest is that Carter is quite independent yet. I guess will be waiting a little longer.

Ben Kweller - Penny On The Train Track

Sorry guys, couldn't resist--this is hilarious. Thanks Jimmy for the good laugh! This is so going to be one of us when we are old!

Birthday Bonanza and St. Patty's Day

Had a great weekend--full of birthday parties and the color green. Thursday was Cole's Superman birthday party for play group. The children had a ton of fun (as usual). Next, Friday night was Bailey's Tinker Bell birthday (again, from playgroup). So much fun. Keith ended up coming over (it was next door) and hanging out, it was nice to visit with all the neighbors--looking forward to warmer weather so we can all come out of hibernation!

Saturday was errands, haircuts and of course, St. Patty's Day. A little leprechan rang our doorbell today. He ran away before we could answer, but he left two little gifts for Ty and Carter (Spiderman figures and gold chocolate coins of course). The boys LOVED it! That afternoon was another party at Cole's house. This one was for family friends and was a ton of fun! They had a magician come for the kids (he was pretty funny for the adults too!). We stayed as long as we could before Carter couldn't saty awake any longer. We had a great time. Here are a few pics from the day.

We found these two in Ty's room reading to eachother:

Opening the Leprechan gifts.

Bedroom Photos

Had to share these cute photos from Saturday--I just ordered them to go in big 12x12 frames for my room. Too cute!

Keeping Busy

Keeping busy this week, as usual. Saturday night Keith's parents took us to Delmonico's Steak House for Keith's birthday dinner (a little belated, due to my busy schedule). It was delicious! Then Sunday was Keith's birthday brunch with Gammy at the club. Not a good week for the diet, but delicious!

Monday Ty was off school and bored so we invited Zachary over. We attempted the park, but it was not as warm as predicted, so we didn't last long. Later Baily and Olivia came over to play too. Ty is totally into friend mode lately and always wants someone over. He's getting to the age that they play really well together too. I love to sit back and just watch and listen. Their imaginations crack me up. The latest is building forts and playing Power Rangers. Our lesson for Family Home Evening (FHE) that night was on prayer and Ty was so cute--he said we need to pray for medicine. Stephanie came over tonight to bust out some scrapbook pages and some boards for the open house--can't wait for next week! Still getting ready.

Tuesday was beautiful, almost 70 degrees. So much to do, but I couldn't waste a beautiful day inside. We spent the entire day outside: at the park, at the neighbors, at Zachary's. I'm totally ready for spring/summer now! It was so nice to get out of the house! Carter loves the freedom of the outdoors. Not going to be easy keeping him in when it gets cold again this week. So much fun, I can't believe I didn't take any pictures!

Yesterday was more kickboxing, school and photography class. Today is Little Gym, Cole's birthday party, still more kickboxing and snow--ugh! Hopefully I'll have pictures to post next time.

Rainforest--Again!

My attempts at some macro photography. Had our "macro" class yesterday in my photography class, so now I need to go back and use what I learned. Someday...


Last Saturday Keith and I were feeling bad for leaving the boys with babysitters three days in a row (not that they cared. Saturday Ty kept asking when we were leaving so he could play with Maggie), so we spent the morning/afternoon with them at the rainforest. Always a good time at the Rainforest! Carter loves all the animals, but mostly he just loves doing what Ty is doing. They were so cute together! Without all his friends with him, Ty paid extra attention to his brother and Carter soaked it up! These two are so great together. Every morning when Ty wakes up, Carter runs to him with a big hug and kiss! So cute! I love how he looks up to his big brother. And my favorite is when Ty tells me "how cute" something is that Carter does. Ty still keeps asking for another baby. The other night in his prayers he was thankful for hospitals where we can go get the babies from Heavenly Father! This age is too cute! I love these boys!

Four Things

I was tagged today by Angie, so here goes...

Four jobs I've had:
1. lifeguard
2. server at Tony Roma's and Cabin Club
3. program coordinator for American Cancer Society
4. kickboxing instructor
(I left out the really fun ones like: Sportsmart, Jamba Juice (or was it Zuka Juice?), Westlake Senior Center and Mainstreet Cafe)

Four movies I could watch over and over:
1. Dirty Dancing
2. Can't By Me Love
3. Grease
4. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
(All oldies but goodies!)

Four places I have lived:
1. North Olmsted, Ohio
2. Rexburg, Idaho
3. Provo, Utah
4. North Ridgeville, Ohio

Four television shows I watch (just four?):
1. Desperate Housewives
2. American Idol (yes, I admit it)
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. Brothers & Sisters
(What about Friends and Seinfeld reruns?)

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Jamaica
2. Carribean Cruise
3. Outerbanks
4. Florida

Four websites I visit daily:
1. Yahoo mail
2. blogger
3. All my friends blogs
4. two peas--not daily, but often

Four of my favorite foods (again, just four?)
1. Mashed potatoes
2. Chocolate covered strawberries
3. Chocolate eclairs
4. Aunt beth cake
(Incase you couldn't tell--I love sweets!)

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. In Utah with Kecia and the new baby
2. On vacation--anywhere warm!
3. That's all I got, I'm happy being here with my family.

Four people I tag:
1. "These are the Daze"
2. Kelly
3. Amy
4. Stephanie

The Many Faces of Ty Guy

After Ty posed with his blocks, he was still in the mood to ham it up for the camera. This doesn't happen very often, so since Carter was asleep I decided to ignore the desperate need for Ty's hair to be cut, and started to snap away with my willing subject. I would give him an adjective and then he would make that face. For an impromtu shoot, I think they turned out pretty cute!

Mad...

Happy...

Cute...

Happy smile...

Sneaky...
Thinking...

Still thinking...
Silly...
Worried...
Surprised....

"Disney World"

I feel like I haven't taken many pictures in awhile, so yesterday when Ty was building with his blocks I decided to snap a few of him--I wasn't allowed to take any until he was done with his creation, then he was more than happy to pose for the camera! This boy is going to be my architect. He loves to build and create (and is really good at it too!) He calls this creation "Disney World." Lately every creation (with blocks, crayons, play dough) is Disney World. Think someone is excited for our trip?

Keith

Sunday evening I had our families and a few friends over to celebrate Keith's birthday. Cafe Rio was delicious, if I do say so myself. I love that recipe!

Anyways, Keith and some of his family were crying about Keith never being on the blog, so I decided that these would be perfect pictures to "pay tribute" to my husband. I walked out of the bathroom yesterday to find this: Keith in my jeans! It was hysterical--I couldn't stop laughing. (Later I cried because he was able to pull them up a little too far. Yes, I'm thinking about going on Weight Watchers with him now!). That's Keith for you though, always doing something silly! Thanks for the good laugh!

Saturday and Sick!

Well, whatever Ty had last Saturday night has made it to me. Yep, I spent last night on the bathroom floor, puking up my Smoky Bones (Keith and I went there last night for date night). Not my idea of fun, but today it was back to business as usual. We had a primary activity at church this morning. Ty was so cute, as soon as he woke up this morning he had to "pack" his scriptures for the activity. He carried them around all day with such pride. After the activity we stayed to watch Keith's girls play. The smoked the other team!

Tonight Keith and I are off to Velvet Dog for a surprise birthday party for a friend (I'm pretty sure she doesn't read this, so I don't think I just spoiled the surprise). Tomorrow is Cafe Rio for Keith's birthday (party #2 with the fam)--can't wait! Yum!

Lately, each time Ty and Carter are sitting together Ty asks me to take a picture of them. So cute, except that everytime I try Carter tries to escape! One day soon I'm going to actually take the time to "photo shoot" the two cuties together. I'll have to make sure I have plenty of food to bribe the little fat guy!

Sophie's Party

I was cleaning off my memory card and had completely forgotten about these pictures. They are from Sophie's birthday party last week. It was the day my camera battery was dying, so the pictures aren't that great, but you get the idea. Yes, my boys were the only boys at a pure princess party, but they didn't seem to mind a bit! Stephanie atleast got them blue crowns instead of pink tierras! Carter was content with the bunch of balloons. Thanks for the fun time Stephanie, you out did yourself again!

Love this one!

Our week so far...

So, in my attempt to keep up to date, here is a recap of the week so far...

Sunday: Ty was sick again (he woke up in the middle of the night covered in throw up) so he and Keith stayed home from church to recoup. Carter and I did the church thing alone.

Monday: No school--president's day. The boys and I spent the day at the Carlisle Reservation with Ty's friend, Cole, his baby brother, Ethan, and mom Ashley. It was so fun. They have a room set up with tunnels, slides, a place to dig for dinosaur bones, and even a tree house. The boys had a blast!
That night for family home evening we learned about Helaman (from the Book of Mormon) and the strippling warriers. My mom had brought the boys home action figures from her visit to Idaho and the boys were eager to learn the stories behind the figures. Ty was so cute, in his prayer that night he thanked Heavenly Father that he could learn about "helium." Too cute!

Tuesday: Tuesday is cleaning day at our house. A.k.a: mom cleans and the boys destroy the rooms I'm not cleaning. Actually, the boys love to wash the walls with wipes and vacuum, so it's not a total disaster. Keith was in Pittsburgh late, so I took the boys to the mall in the afternoon to play on their playground and shop for Keith's birthday. Later I had activity days at church. These girls are adorable (8-12 years old), but sometimes after leaving the "drama" of the night, I'm grateful for boys, so much less drama!

Wednesday: Keith's birthday. After kickboxing Ty finally had his Valentine's party at school. He was so excited to hand out his Spiderman valentine's that he had addressed. He was even more excited when he brought home his bag full of treats from his friends. It was also "chapel" day at his school which means all the parents come for the last 1/2 hour and the children perform the songs they learned for the month in the chapel. Ty is such a performer, it cracks me up.
We went home to make lasagna and german chocolate cake for Keith. Keith opened his presents (tent and camping gear) and then I was off to my photography class and Keith took the boys to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate (this has become a tradition that the kids look forward to on Keith's birthday) No pictures from the day, my camera's battery died right before cake!

Well, that's the week so far. Camera's battery is charged now, so I'm hoping to post pictures soon.

blogger addict and slacker

I've totally been slacking on the blogging. I have one hour, between 6 am and 7 am to get all my computer time in before the boys wake up. Lately I can't seem to fit everything in to that time slot. First it was getting the website up and running that was keeping me busy and now, lately I end up spending my whole time reading other people's blogs. I have a list of friends' blogs that I check daily and then lately I find myself reading the blogs that they are linked to. Yes, I'm reading blogs of people I don't know, but I've always been a "people watcher," there is something satisfying to me about knowing about other people's lives. The cool part is that through checking their friends blogs, I have actually found blogs of old college friends that I have lost contact with. It has been really fun!
So, this is my attempt to stay more up to date on my blogging (it's so disappointing to go to a friend's blog that hasn't been updated in weeks) and also my call to all of you non-bloggers to create a blog (hint hint: Kecia (when life is less hectic), Karolyn, Tanna....) Happy blogging!

Snowed In

Well, Valentine's Day came and went with no school party for Ty. We have been snowed in for over two days now--everything is closed. The snow drifts are incredible. Keith sent just emailed me this picture from work today:

Ty didn't seem to mind too much. He was thrilled when Keith came home to play in the snow with him. Those two are best buds. Together, they built an "igloo" in one of the snow drifts, Ty thought it was the greatest. Later that night Keith and I dared the roads for a very much needed dinner out for Valentine's. It turned out to be a great Valentine's afterall.

(Quick cute Ty story: When he woke up this morning to find his Spiderman Valentine candy from me he was so happy. He hugged me and then said he wished he had a special Valentine for me. I told him it was okay, that he was my Valentine. Later he surprised me by picking out one of the cookies we made and decorated it special for me with sprinkles. It was the best Valentine I've ever received!)

Happy Valentine's Day

We spent the day getting ready for Valentine's Day. Ty picked out Spiderman valentines for his school party (of course!) and even wore his Spiderman costume to get "in the spirit" while he signed the cards. This boy cracks me up! Later that day we baked and decorated heart cookies for his dad and cousins. Check out the concentration, he's such a perfectionist.

I'm In Business

Well, one good thing came from all this cold... I had some time to get the website up and running and officially open for business. My machine has arrived and I have been having fun playing with it. Check out my website at www. simplysaidwalldecor.com. I'll add a link to the side (if I figure it out). I'm so excited to start. I've already had my first order and Stephanie and I are getting busy on projects for our first craft show. Let me know if you need anything...

Be Careful What You Wish For

Be careful for what you wish for. The first half of our winter this year was so mild that I found myself wishing for snow (crazy, I know). It was almost mid January, and the boys had yet to play in the snow. Well, I soon got my wish. Ty and I were able to play in the snow for a while last Wednesday after school while Carter napped. Ty had a blast! I had to bribe him to come in an hour and a half later when I thought my fingers were going to fall off! Now this week it's been too cold to leave the house. School has been cancelled for the last two days due to the extremely cold temperatures. We got our snow, now I'm ready for that mild winter to come back!