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!

Very busy!

People have been giving me a hard time for not posting in a week, so I'm trying to play catch up now. I have been so busy with starting the new kickboxing job and trying to start the new business that I just haven't been able to take any more time away from my family to blog too. But last night I dreamt about vinyl letters kickboxing, so I knew it was time for a break today! Stay posted though because the website and new business is almost ready for the "grand unveiling!" I will keep you all posted. Here are a few pictures of Carter and Olivia (the girl I babysit for) hamming it up for the camera while Ty and Keith finished decorating my cake.

This boy loves cake!

Carter hasn't met a cake he didn't like. We had to cut a piece of this cake for him before we sang happy birthday because he was so excited to try it! He even shared a piece with his cousin, Samantha.

My Birthday

I had to post some pictures to show how my three boys pampered me on my birthday last Thursday. Keith had asked me if I wanted to go out to eat on my birthday or hang out with the boys. I said either sounded great, just not together. (my boys and restaurants do not mix!) So, Keith cooked me a DELICIOUS meaal of teriyaki salmon and grilled shrimp for dinner at home! It was better than any restaurant--I was quite impressed! The boys had also secretly made me a cake the night before while I was at class. So cute to watch them decorate it together before dinner!

Our families came over for cake after dinner.
Carter had fun hanging out with the cousins.

Disney

Had to post this quick story--too cute not to share.

We are planning a return trip to Disney for this May with Keith's brother's family, Keith's parents, my parents and my sister and her husband. Needless to say, Ty is beyond excited. We were there two years ago in May and he still remembers every detail. He especially remembers when Donald Duck meet him at the front gate and personally escorted him by hand through the park to Mickey Mouses house and straight to the front of the line to meet Mickey and friends (a case of being in the right place at the right time).

The other day Ty told me he was packed for Disney. He showed me his Mickey Mouse bag and in it was: a Disney book to read to Mickey, a picture of him with his cousins to show Mickey, and a few other odds and ends. Then he told me that I might have to carry it for him though so he could hold Donald's hand. It was so cute! I just hope he's not too disappointed if he doesn't get the VIP treatment again!

Our Week

Here are a few shots from our latest trip to the Rainforest. We went Thursday with our neighbors for playgroup. The boys loved seeing all the animals again and enjoyed every minute with their friends. It is so fun to see them interact with others their age. Even Carter is getting in on the fun. He and his little girlfriend, Kaley, loved watching the monkeys together.

It's been a big week for me: I taught my first kickboxing class Friday (thanks Ty for all the practice!), started my photography classes (loved it! Can't wait to learn more and start practicing) and now I'm working on starting my own business. I'll keep everyone updated. I'm working on the website and all the details right now. The machine should be here sometime this week (Keith surprised me again and upgraded to a different brand and bigger size!).

Just in case that wasn't enough for me to do, I found this challenge on a friend's blog and thought I'd accept. Hoping that some of you photography hobbiest will take it too.
26 pictures:

Take a picture of somthing of something to reprsent each of these:

1. Shopping 2. Water 3. Authority 4. Communication 5. Lines 6. Organized 7. Fluffy 8. Parts 9. Connection 10. Numbers 11. New Beginnings 12. Shapes 13. On the Road 14. Celebrate 15. Money 16. Relaxation 17. Love 18. Illuminate 19. Just for Fun 20. Fashion 21. Local 22. Nature 23. Solitude 24. Believe 25. Used 26. Happy

Good luck!

I can't wait...

Okay, so I might possibly have the best husband ever! Not only did he watch the kids last night so I could start my photography classes (more on that to come later) but he surprised me with an early birthday present--a 25" vinyl cutter!!! I am so pumped! I have been wanting one of these forever (I was just hoping for a small 12-15" desk top version)! I can't wait for it to get here. Stay tuned for new projects (I'm thinking a new mini business). I'll keep you posted!

Five things you don't know about me

So for the last two weeks I've been totally bugged that no one has been posting on their blogs. I love to read blogs--especially of friends I don't see often. Then I realized that for some reason after the new year I needed to hit refresh on all the blogspot blogs. I have been reading all night just to catch up:)

So I was really excited when I realized I had been "tagged" by Angie. Her challenge to me was to post five things you don't know about me. I think this is going to be harder than I thought, but here goes...

1. I'm deathly afraid of tornadoes. (some of you might know this) Ever since Mark Koonz (a local weather man) came to our elementary school in fifth grade to talk to us about the weather I have been terrified of them. I stay in the basement during bad storms and I wake up at night to check the radar if it is storming.

2. If I could relive anytime in my life it would be college, Ricks and BYU. I loved that time in my life: my roommates, my friends, the "spirit of Ricks" (those of you that went there know what I'm talking about), our fun adventures.....I could go on and on. I'm so grateful for those experiences and sometimes wish I could go back, just for awhile.

3. I love my Tivo! I don't know how we lived without it. With two kids you can never watch what you want at the time it is on, so I Tivo everything: Oprah, the O.C., Grey's Anatomy, Extreme Home Makeover, D.H., American Idol, So you Think You Can Dance (can't wait for that to start again)....

4. When no one is looking I turn the music up loud and dance with my kids. I love to let loose with them! The best part is you can do whatever move you want and they think it's cool. I just hope my neighbors aren't watching.

5. I'm obessed with catalogs. I hardly ever buy anything from them, but I love to look at them. It doesn't matter if they are for clothes, home furniture, scrapbook, or for random things... I love them! Most exciting: the SkyMall magazine on the airplanes. Where else do you get a whole bunch of catalogs in one? A bad day always turns better when there is a catalog in the mailbox!

Okay, it is hard to think of five things others might not know about you. Now it's my turn to tag someone. I tag Stephanie and Meta.

Love these boys...

Just some fun shots from yesterday. Carter is obsessed lately with brushing his teeth. My mom got the boys step stools for Christmas and ever since I can't keep them out of the bathroom. If ever Carter disappears I know exactly where to find him! This time he was busted brushing with Ty's Spiderman toothbrush. Luckily Ty wasn't the one to find him.

Ty was our model as Keith and I experimented a little with our new bounce flash. I'm so excited to learn more about this camera and all our accessories. So much to learn! My parents (and my dear husband) surprised me today with photography classes for my birthday. I have been wanting to take these forever and am so pumped to finally learn how to use this great camera! My mom has even volunteered to watch the boys while I go so Keith can get a break too. I love my mom! I will keep you posted with my progress and assignments.

I had another day of kickboxing training today. Friday I teach my first class. Well, I will teach the first half of the class while "Master Smith" observes me and then he will teach the second half. Little nervous, but very excited. Ty's been a great class participant. He loves to kickbox with my while I practice my routine.

This weekend

This weekend wasn't all sad. We had a chance to meet with old friends and celebrate the upcoming birth of our good friends baby girl. The "Pink Pearls" hosted a co-ed surprise baby shower for Melanie and Bob Tomsik. Bob is one of our high school friends. He and his wife, our friend Melanie, are expecting their first child next month. It was fun to share this exciting time with them and see some friends we hadn't seen in awhile. Keith is especially excited to have a high school friend join him in parenthood!

Today was Ty's second week in Primary (Sunday school) at church. So stinkin cute! I love being a teacher in Primary so I can observe my big boy in action. Today the teacher told them stories of Prophets and they had to guess which one she was talking about. I was so proud when Ty piped up "Noah" when she told about the ark. He was so precious singing all of the Primary songs, occassionally glancing back at me to see let me know he was singing and knew the words. My heart was full and I was definitely a proud parent! Love that boy!

In loving memory of Virginia (Ginger) Bielozer

Keith's Aunt Ginger passed away suddenly this week. We were not prepared for her passing and miss her greatly! Her services were this week with her funeral on Friday.
Ginger was Keith's Dad's younger sister. Ginger never had children of her own but had "adopted" all of her nieces and nephews. She spoiled each of her ten nieces and nephews and six great niece and nephews. She went on vacation with them, took them to every Browns game, baked for them (the very best bread!), shopped with them and much more! I know Keith and his brothers and sisters and cousins hold a very special place in their hearts for Aunt Ginger, as do all of us who were married into her family. She was so kind and fun to be around. She was generous and a hard worker. I was personally touched at her services by all of the people whose lives Ginger had touched. I learned so much about this neat women. I told Keith I wish it didn't take a funeral to really learn all about a person and all the great things they do. Ginger will be missed very much by many people.

This week has made me grateful for many things! Namely: my family (both immediate and extended), the gospel and my knowledge that we will be together again with our loved ones (I'm grateful for the peace this has brought be this week), my friends, my health and the health of my family, and for the time we are given to be with our loved ones. It made me realize again how important the people in my life are and how important each day is that I have to spend with them.

Go Buckeyes!!

Thanks for the Buckeye package Whitney! Just in time for the big championship game tonight!