Tubes for Clay

Some of you know how much Clay has been suffering with ear infections lately. Since the middle of April he has been battling a nasty infection over and over again. He has been on the strongest antibiotic for most of these past two months, and even that doesn't help much. He is normally such a happy baby, but this has put a little damper on his sweet personality. Last Thursday was finally the day for him to get tubes in his ears. He has been happier since, but still a little fussy at night. I have talked to the doctor's office and they are confident that it would not be his ears. Maybe teething? Or, they say, it takes a little bit to get used to the change in hearing, etc. Anyway, here are some cute pictures of our little patient...

His new accessory with every bath...

Mystery Spots

Clay developed strange red bumps all over his arms and legs. After talking to doctors a few times, we figured it must have been a reaction to his immunizations from a few days earlier - probably the chicken pox vaccine. Every day since then they have progressivly gotten better.

Spencer ended up with a fever and spent half the day sleeping. Well, guess what he had the next day? Red spots all over his arms and legs. They were almost like blisters, but didn't itch him. (The pictures don't do these spots justice)

And, by this time, he was out playing like normal. Since there were so many and they were so strange looking, I called the doctor about them. She was stumped and said that he should probably be seen. Of course it was Saturday and we were at Grandma's (we had a campout the night before). So, off to Urgent Care in Longmont. Diagnosis: ??? "Not sure, but since they don't seem to bother him, just let them be. Unless they get worse, infected or his fever comes back." Can't wait to get the bill for that one! Spencer's spots are also getting better with every day. Koby got the fever and stayed in bed most of the day, but never ended up with spots. If it was chicken pox, I would actually be glad. I trust them getting them younger more than I trust the immunizations. Koby has had both vaccines, and Spencer has just had one of his.

Just Add Water

My mom always said it was that easy for our family. My own little family is proving to be the same. We had a perfect day at the lake last weekend. Our good friends, the Jacobs have a membership to a private lake and were nice enough to invite us for Friday night and Saturday. It was so great. The lake is actually about 5 minutes from Brandon's parents, so Clay and I hung out for a while on Friday, then went to a nice soft bed for the night. We showed up again Saturday morning and parked it for the day. Clay was able to take a great nap in the camper and enjoyed boat rides and sand. Koby and Spencer played hard all day with lots of other little boys. They loved the boat and both had great tube rides. They also each tried out water skiing! Spencer skiied his first try, but never actually stood up all the way! Koby gave it one try and that was enough. Maybe next time? Koby was a dare devil on the tube and Spencer wanted mom by his side. Brandon also skiied three times and did awesome - way to go, babe! I LOVE my family at the beach (any water, sand area), we are so made for it. While I was gone, the boys were outside packing the car and this is what I came home to...Spencer was trying on his life jacket (with his underwear) The other two didn't look any better, sorry to our neighbors!

Brandon looks good...
Spencer getting ready to ski...
Nice form!

Yea for DADS!

I am thankful for dads. My own dad, my boy's dad, Brandon's dad and Grandpas! Yesterday was a day to really remind us of how great dads are! I was able to think about what my dad means to me. I have always been careful to listen to any advice my dad has for me. And I take it more seriously as I get older (and wiser?). Even though I have children of my own, my dad is still my dad and I love that that relationship doesn't ever go away. It just changes and grows. So, thanks dad, for being so involved and caring so much about our little family!

Brandon is an incredibly involved dad. I love that. When he is around he does as much or more than I do for the boys. I have seen dads that are not so caring, patient or involved with their children and I recognize how great B really is! Happy Father's Day (a day late) to all the great dads out there!

10 Years!

Yes, 10 years ago Brandon and I were sealed in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. June 11, 1998. Normally anniversaries come and go and I don't put too much thought into it. But, this year I have been thinking a lot about our wedding, the beginning of our marriage, the last ten years, today, and the future. I guess since it is kind of a milestone anniversary.

Brandon assured me that he wasn't ready to trade me in for a new wife after ten years. I won't be too sappy, but I have a lot of faults and imperfections and I feel that Brandon truly helps me out in those areas. We really do balance each other out pretty well. He reminds me too relax and just have fun. He puts up with a lot of my complaining, picky ways. But, secretly he loves it! That's what I tell myself anyway - and him! I can't forget to say Happy Anniversary to my mom and dad (we were married on their 21st anniversary - was that mean of us, or nice?) And Happy Anniversary to my sister, Kim and her husband John (they were married the day after our anniversaries - she had to have her own day!) One more, Happy Anniversary to my brother Timothy and his wife Shelbie on June 10th. Enjoy some pictures of a younger us...

This was our first date...

HOT burner+glass pan=

OOPS! Sunday was kind of a hectic day. So, I got rolls going in the morning, Brandon helped peel and cut potatoes during church (different sick story), and I finished them up, plus ham later. We just needed a veggie. So, while the ham was finishing up in the oven, I set the pans of potatoes and rolls on the stove and started the green beans. All the boys were outside, so I decided to sit with them while dinner was finishing up. A few minutes late we heard a loud bang from inside. I was afraid that Spencer had gone in (he was in the backyard) and pulled something down. It took a few seconds to register what had happened...I turned the wrong burner on. Of course it was on high and the pan of rolls was sitting on it. The glass pan exploded into thousand of tiny pieces. There was not a piece of glass bigger than a marble. It was scattered throughout my whole kitchen - floor, counter, sink, everywhere. Even some on the carpet. I was so glad that nobody was in the house when it happened. Meanwhile, the rolls sat right on the burner with no glass between and caught fire. I called Brandon in and grabbed Clay from him. I sat back telling him what to do (which he didn't do any of). I handed him a picture of water, which he didn't use. He sat there fanning it with a towel. Really. He fanned the dry flames with a towel. That wasn't working. I told him to get the rolls off the stove, pour the water on, something. So, he grabbed the rolls with a towel and threw them to the ground, still on fire! Now, we have a kitchen that looks like this...(This is after I swept most of the glass together)

There is two big burns (now cleverly covered by a too-small rug), plus a lot of small ones that were made by hot, shattered glass in the explosion.

It took me a good 30 minutes to sweep and swiffer. Then Brandon another 30 minutes to clean every little corner of the counter. Then me another 30 to swiffer again and wipe down the whole floor. Dinner, of course, was ruined. Except for the ham - it was safely in the oven. Everything else had glass in it (or was on fire!)

Weekend Happenings with my boys

Last week we had rain for probably 24 hours straight with a few bouts of some great downpours. I love Summer rain. We let the boys go crazy for a good 30-45 minutes until we all got too cold.

Brandon was a fun dad and uncle Thursday night and hosted a sleepover with the boys and their cousins (minus Blake, who we missed). I did hair, so he was in charge of the whole thing. Clay was excited to be involved. Everyone wanted to sleep next to each other, so this is what we ended up with. Notice how cute Clay is and how he just fits right in!
Friday the fun continued when a dump truck delivered a huge pile of dirt. Koby and Spencer were great helpers and literally spent the whole day outside with Brandon hauling all the dirt back to the garden.
That night we went over to Relay for Life and hung out for a bit. The boys got cotton candy, bounced in a bounce house, bouncy slide, and the cutest of all was them dancing to a band. Clay LOVED it, especially when Koby and Spencer ran circles around him as he danced. It was so much fun to watch them. Saturday we all went to the temple for a Primary activity. I went in and did some work while Brandon stayed out with the boys. He said it was fun and the boys had a good time. A lot crammed into one post, but I guess I got behind after that weekend!

They grow up so fast

I guess I can't complain too much about how fast my kids grow up. Our baby birdies were come and gone within two weeks. Maybe I am silly, but that mama bird was an example to me. The day before Mother's Day I realized that she would not move from her nest. We went out to check stuff out and she would sit so still, and no matter how close we got, she was not budging. (We tried not to totally scare her and be big meanies) Before, if we got too close, she would fly to the fence and wait for us to leave. So, I figured those eggs must have been gettting close to hatching. On Mother's Day we got our first look at the little babies. They were amazing. Notice how cute they all lay together, one neck over and tucked under the one beneath it. So sweet. We had almost two weeks of these babies in our backyard. I could look from my bedroom window and see if the mom was in the nest or not. If I noticed that she was gone, I would grab my camera and run out. Well, I wouldn't even get close to the nest and there she would be with another bird (dad?) squacking like crazy and flying right over my head. The would swoop down and I would be very scared. So, I for sure wasn't crazy enough to climb up and snap a shot in those circumstances. I am glad they were so loving and protective of their babies. The other bird would normally be on the top of the house sort of on lookout while the mom went for worms. I was especially worried about them through the tornado, but they were fine. I was really hoping to be around when the babies left, but we missed it. One day our nest was empty. Maybe they will return to reuse the nest?

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