THE BENCH FAMILY

Christmas 2011

2012-01-08T19:26:00.001-08:00

We were here in Layton for Christmas this year so after our Christmas eve feast of Ham, cheesy spuds, and homemade rolls we opened the one Christmas Eve present and then Santa and Mrs. Clause came and finished things up. Things were a little different this year with Christmas being on Sunday, we got the kids up, fed and dressed for church. We then let them open one present and we headed to church and finished the rest when we got home. Both Marley and Garrick had pretty specific lists and both got what they wanted which made things really easy for Santa. Garrick didn't want to take off his Captain America Jammies for days (we finally conned him into letting us wash them). Marley decided she needed to be Rapunzel to open presents and Grady was more into climbing on presents than opening them. I didn't get a picture but Grandma and Grandpa Gatherum came and opened presents and had brunch with us. Overall it was a great Christmas.

The annual jammies.

Year ONE

2012-01-08T18:53:00.001-08:00

Our baby turned 1 a couple of weeks ago. It has gone so fast. We had a little party with the Grandparents. He didn't like his cake and he didn't love opening presents, but he was a ham for the Grandparents.

He says "dis" (this) and loves crawling. He loves going down the stairs and playing repeat with Marley. He thinks he is as big as his siblings and has recently taken to climbing. He likes to be heard and has a great set of lungs. He had a rough go just before his birthday, after a round of antibiotics (which wiped out the good stuff in his stomach) for an ear infection we found out he had c-dificile (which is the bad stuff most people have in their stomachs but is repressed by the good stuff). But is good now and actually is eating better than he ever has. I was thinking the other day how fast things go and how much you can love someone. But I do, our boy is wonderful and we are very blessed.

Happy Christmas

2011-12-13T13:06:00.001-08:00

Another Year is almost gone. We hope your's is great.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T09:15:00.000-07:00

I did it again, home-made costumes. Three was a little more stressful than the usual two. But I did it and they look good and got done in time. Garrick and Grady's I made my own pattern. Grady's I just used a hoodie and sweat pants from Walmart and made all the spikes and stuff from felt. Garrick's I winged it and used some of his clothes as a template, the only thing I wish is that I had gotten fabric with a little bit of stretch, most of his fabric was remnants so I only paid about $1 a yard. He loves it and I think it turned out great.
Marley's I used a Simplicity pattern and wanted to kill it. It will be a long time before I sew with a pattern again, it was much more difficult than I had originally anticipated and I about ripped it to shreds. I should have used cotton or even velvet instead of organza and satin, (both of which are really hard to sew). I wouldn't have been able to do it without my mom. She is really the best!! I went over 3 different times and she helped me sew for hours. I really love that lady. Rapunzel is beautiful and Moo is happy.

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III (How to Train A Dragon)

Rapunzel (Who right now is very afraid of SNAKES.) She didn't believe me that all Grandpa's snakes have gone to bed for the winter.

A very not Toothless the Dragon.

The cousins at Grandma's Halloween Party. My mom is so sweet and put together a fun time. Thanks Gram.

She's a Beaut

2011-10-25T20:32:00.000-07:00

Isn't she a beaut. This is the bike Carl bought for me for my birthday. I love it! We bought a trailer so the kids and I ride our bikes to school every morning. I feel so cool riding down the street I'd ride it everywhere if I could. Thanks babe.

A Little Wiser

2011-10-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

I had a birthday recently and I definitely don't feel older. I don't think I'm looking it either. What do you think?

One thing I do feel is wiser.

(In case you didn't know I have a mini-me around. Isn't she adorable in my glasses.)

Say Hello to my little Friend

2011-09-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

Meet Webby Spinderweb, Garrick named it the other day. A St. Andrew's Cross spider that lives in our window well. I am both fascinated and freaked out by this guy and can't bring myself to kill it. It isn't poisonous so I guess it stays.

Well. . .

2011-09-14T13:18:00.001-07:00

I hosted my baby sister's baby shower yesterday and as people talked I realized that I really don't remember things as well as I should. I feel bad, I don't remember Marley's first word or when she got her first tooth. I guess I should write those kinds of things down, huh? Speaking of which, in the midst of prep for this party Marley was excited about the party and asked if Aunt Chann's "baby was going to come out and blow out candles." To Marley every party is a birthday party.

Since I have no other way to say it, this is what we've been up to.

This beaut was $12 on KSL, it took me forever to sand (it was disgusting), I then primed it, 3 coats later it was ready for paint. Three paint coats later it was way too white, so I did a glazing technique on it. I think it is perfect and with the exception of what to put above it, the corner of the hall makes me smile and I often find myself staring at it (kind of like people do when they walk past glass or mirrors and they try to look like they aren't looking at themselves but they really are.)

This pic makes me laugh because little Marley is 3 and Grady is 9 months and they are almost the same size. But we spend a lot of time in our jammies, I don't know how Mom's find time to shower and get ready and have 3 kids. Anyway I haven't figured it out yet and if you see me in a hat 2-3 times a week you know why.

Isn't that a sweet face. Besides the fact that the little man still won't eat solids at any regular juncture, he is so cute and sweet. He was 8 months old in this pic, what a chunk. He's a roller and can't get enough of me, the kid is glued to my hip 70% of the day, which seems sweet sometimes but most of the time my arm and hip just hurt. But who could honestly resist that cute kid.

This was the big day. Garrick's first day of Kindergarten. He loves it and even asked Mrs. Graham on the first day if she was the best teacher ever, because someone at church told him she was. Like a normal kid he loves recess and show and tell. My favorite thing Garrick has done lately which has nothing to do with school was. . . We were at IKEA and waiting in line for free kids meals and we had already shopped and he was tired. He asked why we were standing there. I told him "We are all in line waiting to eat." (something like that) I looked around for a minute and looked back at him and he was crying. I asked what was wrong. "I don't want to eat LIMES they don't taste good." The mother in me hugged him and explained that we were in a line. The lover of Junie B. Jones in me Laughed so hard.
What are you up to?

Really

2011-08-18T13:19:00.001-07:00

As I have not updated our blog in nearly a month I thought I'd let you in on a little secret. Our life is not exciting! (I know that is a complete and utter shock to all of you.) I am a stay at home mom beginning tomorrow officially (since that is when all the Weber County teachers head back and I do not), which means most of my day is spent refereeing and housekeeping and the occasional (don't tell Carl) bookfest; this is where I read the book I am reading at every possible moment (when I am not feeding or refereeing) and then when Carl calls and says he is on his way I do a quick clean. Isn't that amazing. I know NO, not really. But that is our life.

So with that in mind this is what we've been doing this month.

The kids both did swimming lessons for 2 weeks and then we went to Uncle Kev's and swam in their pool. It has been a great month and if Garrick asks one more time, in his unbridled excitement, if he starts school tomorrow I think I might actually drop him off.

Summer

2011-07-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

Can you believe the summer is going by so fast. We have had a crazy June and July. I think we have been home maybe 2 weekends since Grady's surgery. We ended June with Marley's 3rd birthday. She wanted everything pink including her bike and her cake. We got her a Strider bike (without pedals to help her learn balance). We'll see if it works. We spent the 4th with Carl's parents, parade in Mt. Pleasant, a bbq with some of their friends and then a lot of time up on the mountain. Our kids would rather be at Grandma Lynda's than at home. Garrick asks everyday what day it is because he is so excited to start Kindergarten, which is super funny. Grady is 7 months and besides the fact that he refuses to roll he is doing everything and you wouldn't know he had surgery. So needless to say our summer is going just like they do fun and fast and mostly in Fairview.

CRAZY

2011-06-23T19:16:00.000-07:00

I woke up Saturday, June 11 about 5 am, Grady was fussy, which is pretty normal so I put his binki back in and went back to sleep. He didn't settle down so I finally went and picked him up. I could tell he was uncomfortable but didn't know what to do, I tried to feed him and he didn't want anything to do with eating. I got him to calm down but thought maybe he just wasn't feeling good. He finally ate really good at noon and since Mar was asleep and Garrick and Carl were at Grandpa's we laid down and went to sleep. He woke up about 45 min later and threw up all over the bed and everything. Needless to say that was the first of many puking sessions over the next twenty four hours with my cute boy. Carl came home Saturday night and we both figured Grady (who had spent the day sleeping anywhere I put him down and throwing up most everything he ate) had the flu.
Saturday night was a really long night I think we slept 1 hour all night. Carl headed to Church the next morning and the kids and I stayed home. Grady wasn't feeling any better so I asked Carl to see if someone would come and help give him a blessing. Our great friend Wade came and helped Carl. A couple hours later Carl and I both looked at Grady and realized that he didn't have the 24 hour flu and that we needed to talk to a Dr. I took him to the clinic and it turned out (after another puking session) that he was dehydrated and we needed to go up to McKay Dee and get him rehydrated. I promised the Doc that I would drive straight there, so I drove home and got Carl and the kids. My mom had already agreed to watch the kids and planned to meet us just off the freeway in Roy.
When we stopped I could smell that Grady'd pooped. I thought I'll hurry and change him, that was until I saw his diaper. It was bloody. (That was when I really started to freak out.) I told Carl to hurry. We went pretty fast, dropped the kids off and headed to the Hospital.
We had been pre-admitted so we went straight to peds and the great nurses and doctor saw us and had an IV going within probably 20 minutes. They took the diaper and the doc talked to us about what she thought it might be. Because of the diaper she ordered an x-ray and a ultrasound. I thought this doc was amazing she was very personal and took time to talk with us even though she was just finishing her shift. She could tell how freaked out I was and was really nice, before we went down to get the stuff done she pulled us aside and said, "I'm just going to warn you now so that you are prepped when you come back, if it is what I think it is, you can't be treated here and you'll have to go to Primary Childrens."
Yep, within another 1/2 hour we were on our way to Primary's, in an ambulance. Grady had Intussusception, it is a condition where the bowel slips inside itself causing a blockage. We were supposed to be pre-admitted to Primary's but they stopped us and had us go to the ER, where we waited and waited and waited and found out the kid in the triage next to us had been bitten by a rattle snake 2 times. We were lucky our friends Wade and Erin came and waited with us, I think we would have gone crazy without them (they are the best they stayed until 2:30am when we were settled in our room). After about 1 1/2-2 hours later they took us in to try Plan A: and air enema that would blow the bowel out of itself. Poor kid had a taped behind and I held his arms above his head so they could get him to hold still. Didn't work. Plan B: The surgeon was right there and he was really great told us they were prepping the OR and that he would be taking part of his bowel and his appendix while he was at it. (this is what he looked like right after surgery, really sad)
He was in surgery by 11:30 and we ended up in our room by 2ish. I don't think I've ever been that tired or worried ever. It was so sad to hear him fuss while he was drugged up and he didn't even know I was there. They took 7-8 inches of his small intestine and they took us up to the room. We had great nurses including our friend Laura Hoover, which was great, not only because she is a great nurse but also because she asked questions we didn't think to ask. It was also nice to catch up a little we hadn't talked in a long time. (Thanks Laura) They didn't let him eat at all until Wednesday and they had to make sure that he would keep everything down and also that he would poop. We found out that the Intussusception was caused by a Meckel's Diverticulum (thanks to Laura). It is a condition he has had from birth that is a little bulge in the intestine that can cause a weakness and in this case caused it to slip inside itself. He should be fine from here on out. But it was a rough go in the thick of it. It was a long week and we are really glad that he is okay and that we are home.

(This was the view I had of him most of the week.)

(This is what Grady looked like when we left, he had people wrapped around his finger)
I should give a shout out to a few people: My parents are amazing and kept our kids for the entire week and they loved it. Carl's mom was great to come and let us get some stuff done at home and sit with us on Monday. My sister Annita brought us food a few times and she also come to sit with Grady too. The great dr's and nurses (Laura you really are great, we loved Catherine too). Wade and Erin for coming and helping us keep our sanity during the surgery. Thanks everybody.

Boulder Mountain

2011-06-18T20:01:00.000-07:00

So we went camping, we made a big plan with my parents, took 4-wheelers, we packed 80 times more stuff than we actually used. We had a great time. We camped at the Rosebud Campground near Lower Bowns because we didn't have to pack the wheelers up to go anywhere. We went on a bunch of rides, the first to the lake, which was a longer ride than we expected but turned out to be fun. Garrick had big plans to catch a fish, it was so windy and sandy, we didn't end up staying long but the kids loved it and Carl liked riding in the dunes. We took walks along Pleasant Creek and picked flowers to put in Marley's hair and found walking sticks and rocks. Garrick spent most of his time glued to one of my parents. My mom would walk his pace so he loved hiking with her and my dad would tell him about all of the plants and answer his 101 questions. Marley is such a girl and kind of did her own thing and loved to have Carl carry her in the Kelty pack. The trip seemed like it went too fast for me, I ended up with a blocked duct and Mastitis so Saturday was a wash, Carl and I ended up driving to Bicknell to the clinic. I missed both of the kids catching their first fish. My dad made Garrick a willow pole and he honestly dipped the pole in and out came the fish, apparently he was in seventh heaven. I was feeling a ton better by Sunday and so we ended up hiking Hickman Bridge and Calf Creek Falls. Calf Creek Falls is so pretty, but the hike is 6 miles round trip. It was a lot longer than we expected and we had a head wind on the way back. I have to give Garrick props, he walked all but like 3/4 of a mile of the way. Grady was such a trooper the whole time, he rode in our Ergo Baby pack (worth every penny we spent on it) he slept and looked around and even nursed good in a lot of random places, a park in Fruita and at Calf Creek Falls. I love that kid he was so good. Those winds we encountered at Calf Creek were micro-bursts and there were trees knocked down all over and our tent was almost down, so we headed home a day early. The kids cried and still ask to go back Boulder Mountain. That made it worth all of the work. I have such sweet kids and was glad that my parents were able to come along.

Grady was super hot when we go to Hickman Bridge, so we stripped him down and cooled him off.
If you look at the bottom of the picture you can see my dad doing what my dad has always done, taking pictures of plants

Garrick thought it was so cool that they crossed this log to walk on the other side of the river. My Dad loves that Garrick is so interested in plants.

ICKY

2011-06-18T19:39:00.000-07:00

Icky officially graduated from The Red Apple Preschool. We are super proud of him. He is reading and already has big dreams (as we've mentioned before) of being a Rocket Scientist. He LOVED school, Miss Tonya, and his friends. He gained so much confidence and did so well at his graduation. He had two parts and every time it was his part he would tap the mike and then blow in it, then say his part, we were cracking up. He messed up a little on the second part but was really funny and he had the whole audience laughing. He was a whole head taller than the other kid he shared the parts with so he would crouch down so they could both talk into the mike. I could hear him singing on each song and I only caught him picking his nose once (is it just my kid? It is like an addiction, he does it even more when we tell him to stop.) He teared up when Miss Tonya talked about the year. He is so excited about Kindergarten and makes Marley so anxious to get started with school.

He was so cute, and I can't believe how big he is. For a 5 year old he is in the 91% for weight and the 96% for height. I don't notice it until he is around other kids his age.

Ick at his year end party.

Marley got to come to his party as well. I really hate blow up toys they freak me out. They had tons of fun but I was so worried about them the whole time.

Bitter Sweet

2011-05-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

So after 3 years attending Roy High, followed by a break to get my degree, then 6 years teaching at Roy; I'm done. I have 3 days left to teach and I will be taking a break to be a stay at home Mom. A lot of people have questioned why I've stayed so long when I have kids who need caring for. The answer is simple, I LOVE Teaching and I LOVE ROY HIGH. I never imagined that I would return to Roy after I graduated with my degree, but I am ever so grateful I found the opportunity to. I've been able to work with all those teachers who inspired me and make lasting friendships with so many great people. I also have taught some of my friends siblings along with a lot of other great kids. Teaching is not always been a thankless job for me, I have had students tell me they hated history until they had my class. I have had students tell me that they love the way I teach even if they still don't like history.

Long story short; I am excited to be home with my kids and not have to get 3 kids ready and out the door before 7 am. But I am sad to be leaving the other great kids I've been able to teach over the years. I'm sad to be leaving something that I have truly loved doing.

Is it SPRING YET!!

2011-04-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

(How cute are they, Grady was 4 months this day)

We have been working so furiously on our basement and taking care of 3 kids this winter that we haven't made the trip to Carl's parents much. Now for most of you this may not seem like a big deal, but to my cute man it is torture. See to Carl, Layton is the big city and he drives in traffic all week to and from work so he would probably love it if we went to his parents every weekend. I also have spent a ton of time holed up because of the new baby and the weather and was dying to be able to be out of my house. So two weeks ago we drove to his parents house and hoped for the best, the last time we went down it snowed. This weekend turned out great. My cute kids spent the entire day playing with their cousins, climbing mountains of dirt, and just thoroughly enjoying themselves. They even got a little sun burned (I am a horrible mother).

A couple of exciting events happened while we were there, the first was that Grandma Bench somehow conned Marley out of sucking her thumb with fingernail polish (I once tried this and it didn't work). Thank you Grandma!! The second was when I tried to climb on Scooter (the horse) with Marley on the back patio. Well somehow after I got on Scoot got spooked, rared up, lost her footing on the cement and began slipping. I call it our rodeo. Carl and his Dad were yelling for me to get off but I had to grab Marley. Well, luckily for Marley and I Scooter's back end ended up so close to the ground that I was able to grab Marley and literally step off a 5+ foot tall horse. We were both shaken up but after I told Marley that Scooter was just scared and fell and the insistence of Carl's Mom and Becky, we got back on. Marley is one tough cookie.
Don't you just want to squeeze this cute boy's cheeks?
Before the Rodeo.
Here is Garrick on his pile of dirt. The tub was literally full of dirt after we bathed him.

BIG Day

2011-04-10T10:40:00.001-07:00

So Garrick had a big day a little over a week ago. He wanted a black birthday so we started with black waffles for breakfast, we also made a cake with black frosting (he wanted the whole cake black but Carl and I didn't think we'd be able to eat it). He wants to be a Rocket Scientist, thanks to Doc and Flint Lockwood, so the big hit was his Lab Coat and the Experiment kit. It was such a fun day I just can't believe how fast he is growing up, I registered him for Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago.

I'm so proud of him, he is a really good reader and loves school, he is really cute with Marley and Grady. My life is like a musical, between he and Marley there is always someone singing, and the songs are usually about what they are doing. He never has grown out of the question phase, everyday is a game of 180 questions (180 seems to be his favorite number). He has such a great imagination and he is such a tender kid, our home and visiting teachers are really cute and getting used to our kids asking for hugs and kisses. I think my favorite is that he'll come up to me out of the blue and give me a hug and tell me he loves me (he does this to everyone) I love it.

These were disgusting. I don't know why but they tasted different to me.

Not only does he love black but he loves spiders too, so we did a web too. He thinks Charlotte's Web is great.

This is what happens when you put too much food coloring in the frosting. Marley and Grandpa were having such a good time. Marley wanted to wear black in honor of his black birthday, she is such a girl.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG G!!

March

2011-03-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

March has been a crazy month. Between going back to work and working on finishing the basement, we have been really busy. But I've made sure to take a little time to enjoy the family.

Grady is getting to be such a chunker and a trooper, overcoming RSV without any hospital visits. He is fun kid and is starting to smile and giggle at us. I also think he may catch up to Garrick in size, love it.

I've been having flash backs to my childhood lately and during one of the flashes I remembered making these fun bird feeders. I was hoping to lure spring out of hiding so the kids and I made peanut butter pine cone bird feeders. (I've yet to witness any birds partake.) And despite Garrick's initial unwillingness to think it might be fun, he loved it.

We also have a couple of birthdays this month. Carl had a great one, the kids and I got him a tub of Cappuccino Jelly Belly's. We splurged on him this year. We loved the cake and blowing out candles. Happy Birthday babe.

5 Days

2011-02-24T10:18:00.000-08:00

I feel like a crazy person, but I am headed back to work in five days. I already feel overwhelmed. However I'm feeling a little like the little engine that could, I think I can. It works out to be 30 days over 3 months so I think I'll survive despite the chaos that may take over my life. It is heartening that my kids LOVE Ms. Jill's house and that my sweet Mom will get to snuggle Grady a couple of days a week.

It is disheartening that I will miss things like this,

I'm Partial

2011-02-13T17:15:00.000-08:00

I know I am partial but isn't he super cute.

Month One

2011-01-25T10:06:00.001-08:00

We have gotten through the first month. The kids have been great. I am not saying we haven't all had our moments but overall we are doing really good. Garrick and Marley and love Grady so much that they often smother him especially when I am feeding him. The hardest thing has been being stuck in the house. (Cold+asthmatic kids+inversion= too much time in the house) Ironically though we haven't gone hardly anywhere we've all been sick more than we've been for a long time, which has been even less fun. Grady is such a cute baby, his hair got so crazy that we've even cut it already. He is getting chunky looks a lot like Garrick did, with their chubby cheeks. I figure the first month has to be the hardest so it should be all down hill from here Right?

After we all gave Grady a bath and got him all dressed.

These are his after and before (respectively) hair cut pics. I don't know if you can tell but he had about 1 1/2 inches on top, I finally caved and he and everyone else got haircuts on Saturday.

Grady's swing became their space ship while I was busy feeding the baby. I am lucky they have imaginations because we haven't had to watch TV 24/7.

EIGHT days

2010-12-29T15:00:00.000-08:00

GRADY Worth

Here is our new sweet boy. He is 8 days old and amazing. Icky and Mar love him so much as do Carl and I. I hope your Christmas was as good as ours was.

Have a great new year.

Oh the lies. . .

2010-11-28T08:16:00.000-08:00

I know I am a horrible parent, but really I didn't know what else to do. But let me tell the story.

The kids and I went to my parents a couple of weeks ago. We waited until my Dad would be home because my Mom kept saying how much he has been missing the kids. So we got there and they played outside with Grandpa for hours, I know because I watched from the warmth of the house. They did take a break for dinner and I told the kids it was time to go, they never want to leave Grandma's house is so much more fun than ours. Just as we start getting our stuff together Garrick says, "We forgot to make a nest." So Grandpa gets a paper bag, cuts it small and goes out in the dark with Garrick and Marley to make a nest. He comes back with the bag full of twigs and stinky cut grass and proceeds to put a couple of duck eggs in it. (I know what you're thinking, duck eggs, he has a friend who has egg laying ducks. He and my mom have been eating them.) He then tells me that the shells are really thick and they will be harder for Garrick to break.

On the way home I decide to break the news that the eggs aren't going to hatch. Needless to say Garrick is upset he knows they are going to hatch and is yelling at me. I even started to try to explain the difference between a fertilized egg and an unfertilized egg. Carl looked at me and said, "Are you really having the birds and bees talk with our 4 year old?" I guess I kind of did. Well, nothing worked Icky was mad, so I cut a deal. I said, "Okay Garrick if these eggs are going to hatch they will in a couple of days, if they hatch you are right and I was wrong so lets wait a couple days and see what happens." He agrees and I successfully smoothed over a knock-down-drag-out with my boy.

After he went to bed I didn't want to put the eggs and the nest in the fridge so I decided to put them out on the back porch since it was cold I figured the eggs wouldn't get gross yet. I didn't know it would be really windy that night. Next morning when I went out back to check on things the nest was gone and the poor eggs were lying on the patio cracked (not broken just cracked). I scooped them up as quickly as I could and carried them quietly to the garbage. I then crossed my fingers and waited for the questions.

He finally asked about the eggs later that afternoon. Oh the lies, I told him they had hatched and flown away. He then asked about the nest (which I still have not found) I told him they took it with them so they would have somewhere to sleep. He decided they hadn't gone far and asked with tears and sobs if we could go look for them. Oh the lies, I then said that they had flown to Oregon (our favorite vacation spot) because ducks love Oregon and that we could see them next time we went. He was completely satisfied and we have had a great story to tell ever since. But oh the lies a parent will tell to appease their beautiful child.

This Girl

2010-11-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

This girl of ours is so cute.

Example:

Me, "Marley does Jesus love you?" Marley, "Yeah, he licks me all the time."

Garrick, "Can you reach it?" Marley, "I can't reach it I don't have wings."

Me, "Mar do you love the new baby?" Marley, "Yes, I have a purple one and a princess in my belly button. Baby loves his princess."

She has forced me to put a necklace and bracelet on her all week. She told me today that she is a princess. I love this girl and I worry for my boys, because she thinks she is the boss.

Halloween

2010-11-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

This October was filled with fun. It all started when Garrick (and Marley and I) went on his first Pre-school field trip to Black Island Farms, he thought it was amazing. It was fun to see how much he likes his teacher, he didn't let Mrs. Tonya out of his sight. It was also nice because Marley and I got in for free, yeah field trips! A couple of weeks later we went to a little party with Leah, Lindsey, Laura, and their kids. We had a good time (with the exception of Marley peeing outside) and it was fun to catch up the the ladies while the kids played. The kids decorated cookies and broke open a pinata, my kids didn't quite know what to think, but had a good time anyway.

Friday night our ward did a trunk-or-treat, which Garrick loves, he got to hang out with his friend Aiden a little and of course they love the candy. Then on Saturday we went to Grandma Gatherum's house to hang out with the cousins and have our favorite Chicken Corn Cowder, thanks MOM, then came home for pumpkin carving and Trick-or-Treating, I lucked out this year and Garrick was done after only a cul-de-sac (thank you rain). Carl was gone all day Saturday helping his brother pour cement and so we turned our light out on the porch at about 9 and I passed out on the couch thanks to a 32 week pregnancy and my pre-existing narcolepsy. Needless to say I was not extremely sad to see Halloween go, however I am extremely proud again of my home-made costumes, the kids really loved them. Now its Christmas right (at least that is the holiday I saw when I went to the store today).

The Greatest Show on Earth

2010-10-10T20:29:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I noticed that the circus was in town. Carl was headed out of town and so I decided to take the kids to Salt Lake to the show. I remember going to a circus when I was a kid, but it was in Roy and I remember everybody being mad or disappointed or something. I was a little nervous to say the least. I am so glad that we went. The kids loved it and I loved it. They sang the whole time and moved quickly from one feature to the next so it kept our (the kids)attention. We had a ton of fun.
Garrick loved the cotton candy and the popcorn. He loved the elephants and it was his favorite part. He was just himself and he watched without saying too much.

We all loved the elephants. The kids were asking the whole time when the elephants were coming. It was the highlight of the show.

Marley was amazing, which she really is for a 2 year old. She sat on her chair almost the whole time and wore big girl under pants and kept them dry the whole time. She thought the animals were great and because the elephants were Garrick's favorite, they were hers too.
The tigers were really cool and I didn't feel like the trainers were cruel.

We ended the excursion by going to the Gateway for some lunch and to hang out at the splash pad for a few minutes. I love my kids, they are so great to take places. I honestly feel like I do a lot with them because I trust them when we go out. It may not have really been the "Greatest Show on Earth" but it was really good.

Change is in the Air

2010-09-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

(The sunset on our last night in Hawaii.)

I guess change is inevitable and here is ours.

Marley is getting so big and she thinks she is as big as her brother. She is growing up. She is pretty close to being potty trained, she only wears a pull-up night. I've been so impressed by how quickly she caught on to the whole concept and I love that after I tell her I'm proud of her for going that she says "I'm so proud too." So there she is on Garrick's first day of school thinking she is 4 too.

Garrick has always been big but now he is definitely getting older and too smart. I don't think he knew what to think of his first day but he gave me a cute thumbs up. He had a great time, his favorite was the crafts. I didn't cry and neither did he, until he thought I hadn't come to pick him up. I'm proud of what a great boy he is, and I'm looking forward to see him learn.

And last, if you haven't seen me, #3 is on his way. I'm due at the end of December. Pregnancy is really easy for me so things are pretty good. Garrick wants to name him Garrick and so Marley wants another Marley. Crazy as it may be here we go. The only down side is a Christmas baby, which is not really what we were planning, but it will be an exciting holiday.

It is a good thing that I like change because here it is.

Life

2010-08-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

So as life gets busier and busier and I blog less and less, I thought I'd take a moment while I still have one before school starts back up and life becomes, well, more busy.

Garrick: a quandry.
He is hilarious and frustrating. While I sit here watching them play in the pool, and he tries to make the boat his Dad made him float, he is asking Jesus to make his boat float, since neither Carl or I can. This is hilarious, what is frustrating is the hours he spends talking about the boat he wants to make and how I need to make it for him. (We are talking about a full size paddle boat that I can whip out of thin air, after we've made a trip to Home Depot of course.) He is also all of the sudden interested in all sorts of animals; what they eat and how to catch them. On the way home from Carl's parents when we thought he would be passed out he was asking us what every animal he could think of ate and then he asked us about chipmunks. He said he wanted to catch a chipmunk and we explained that it would bite him because it would think he was trying to hurt him because wild animals don't know we are nice, to which he replied; "I kiss wild animals."

Needless to say he is constantly keeping us on our toes and surprising us with how much he remembers and how bright he is.

Marley: a busy-body.

I spent 30 of Garrick's 40 minute swimming lessons consoling her because she didn't get to get in the pool. She is into whatever Garrick is into and talks a mile a minute. She doesn't let you ignore her and will say your name until you reply. She knows exactly what she wants and is trying to get it at all costs. She eats all my ripe tomatoes and some green ones. She is getting to be such a big girl. Her favorite things to say are "Right now." and "I need a snack." (Which she says the minute you get her out of bed.) I love that she'll play in her crib and give me a couple of minutes to wake up before she wants out, which is why we haven't given her a toddler bed yet.

The super belated 2.

2010-07-18T20:49:00.001-07:00

Well the girl turned two a few weeks ago, which was really fun. The kids played in the pool in the morning which, tuckered little Mar right out, and she fell asleep during lunch. While they were in the pool I got her #2 shirt painted. (I love this new birthday tradition, the kids seem to like it too.)

We didn't have a big party but we had my parents over for dinner and presents. Marley only had eyes for grandpa, which Grandpa loves. She changed her outfit about 4 times (everytime she opened a new dress she wanted it on). She got a little pink kitchen and Garrick gave her a Tinker Bell doll.
We love our baby girl (which is what she says she still is). She is sassy and keeps up with Garrick even though he is twice her size, and after careful observation we've figured out that she does most of the teasing. She is as shy in public as Garrick is friendly and can't get enough of her mimis (blankets) and her thumb. She is so much fun. We love you baby girl.

9

2010-06-24T13:10:00.001-07:00

Carl and I celebrated our 9th anniversary earlier this week. We had a low key day, Carl went to work and the kids and I hung out with aunt Chann, then we went to see the A-Team (which was a lot better movie than I thought it was going to be) and ate at Iggy's. We did a super low key anniversary because we are going to Hawaii at the end of July, yeah! We are having a great run we have a great home, great jobs, and two amazing kids, what more could you ask for. Carl is such a great dad and husband and I married my best friend, which makes life that much easier. I love you babe!

The Coast

2010-06-09T14:56:00.000-07:00

We're at the Oregon Coast with the Gatherum's again this year. After a switch of houses, from a hole with a gas leak and potato bugs crawling everywhere to a $2.2 million gorgeous home, and a bunch of rain we are having a great time. This is one of our favorite places to visit.

Here are the kids at the Fish Hatchery in the Columbia River Gorge. Garrick ran away from the sturgeon, he said, referring to the fish, "He could eat me whole."

Marley thought she was so big hiking up Latourell Falls, she wouldn't let me hold her hands and kept putting them behind her back so I couldn't grab them. It was hilarious.

Marley loves the sand and didn't want much to do with the water.

Garrick loved running from the waves he was so funny and kept getting more and more brave, those waves are stronger than they look.

What kids pick up

2010-04-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

It is really interesting what kids pick up from each other. We have begun introducing Marley to the 'potty' a little bit. By introducing I mean, we leave the door open when Garrick goes and we ask her if she wants to go. What has come from this is not what we expected. The past few weeks before we put Mar in the tub we ask her if she needs to go. The problem isn't that she won't try it is how she tries. She lifts up the seat stands up and arches her back and puts her belly over the rim of the seat and if I try to sit her down she gets upset. So until today that is all it has been Marley pretending to go potty. Tonight at bath time we did the same drill except, while I turned to check to bath water, she actually pottied. All the way down her legs. Needless to say I hope we can get her to sit next time, and we may start shutting the door when Garrick goes..

ICK Man

2010-04-08T09:07:00.001-07:00

Our not-so-little Icky turned 4 last week. It was a much awaited birthday since we picked out his present the month before. We just hung out as a family and had our friends Wade and Erin over for cake.

O In the cute 4 shirt I made. Which didn't turn out perfect but he LOVES it. We couldn't get it off him for 2 days.

The goods. Check out his awesome blue bike. This balloon was HUGE.

Carl got trick candles and Garrick just wanted to keep blowing.

This is where they've been riding for the past week, thanks to mother nature who forgot how much I love spring and gave us a flashback to winter.

I can't believe how quickly he is growing. We love you bud.

Amazing

2010-03-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

I know you all think that your husbands are amazing. But, really?! Carl is AMAZING. This shed went up in our backyard in a matter of probably a month if you cut out the few (winter months) in which he wasn't able to work. I am talking cement, building, hardy board, and painting. All of which he did by hand. Yep, this is not a kit. He borrowed the plans from some website, which was advertising kits, did his own measurements and built the whole thing (with a little help from siblings, parents, and neighbors). I am telling you my man is amazing, a little crazy (he roofed in the snow, and put up hardy board in the pouring rain) and obsessive (I can't tell you how many nights in the freezing cold he said, "I'll be in in a minute"), but amazing. You can see the progress below.

In all honesty he is such a great husband and father and person in general. I don't know of anything in his life that he doesn't do wholeheartedly. He takes pride in his work and does an amazing job. I love you babe!!

Update

2010-03-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

The past few months we've had a few changes at our house, not bad changes, but changes none-the-less.

I was released from my calling in the Young Women's, which I'd been in for 3 years!! It has been a bit of a relief, but weird, to not have anything to do on Tuesday nights. I also have become obsessed with craft blogs, my newest favorite is Knock-Off-Wood. This lady looks at Pottery Barn furniture and makes a knock-off plan which you can get at her site for free. They look so good. I am planning to build a Cameron Shelf.

Icky is getting too smart for his own good, I asked him a question in the car the other day. Given it was a repeat, but he didn't answer the first time. His response was, "I told you that five minutes ago Mom." Also after getting after him for squeezing Marley's arm (which she hates) he said, "I didn't hurt him very bad." (every boy is a him as is every girl, I now find myself mixing the two up sometimes) He'll be four soon and I have found a couple of pre-schools I'm interested in sending him to and I'm getting a little heart sick that my boy is big enough for school.

Marley's personality is really starting to come out. She is so sweet, she shyly smiles at strangers and says cute things like "lub oo daddy" and "pease" and "ta tu". But I am learning that she doesn't like to be crossed or told 'no'. She hits and yells 'no' when her diaper is being changed (which she hates, by the way). She already knows how to run away when I'm trying to get her to do something. Marley knows how to get her brother in trouble, he'll come close to her and not touch her, she will yell and scream so I think he's done something and when I ask what has happened she'll say "Gayick hit." I really try not to laugh. But it is funny.

Carl hasn't changed much, he is a teacher in the elders quorem now, a break from primary. He is learning that the kids want him as much as me, every morning they ask for him then tell me I'm lying when I say he's at work. Marley runs after him and says "daddy, cawal," (Daddy, Carl)he loves this. Garrick wants to be his right hand man for fix-it jobs and Mario Cart Wii. He also keeps asking if Carl is getting old. He is such a great Dad.

Isn't a married-with-kids life fun.

WINTER Fun

2010-02-05T20:25:00.000-08:00

We've been enjoying the winter months this year with some traditional and nontraditional activities.
Once there was a snow man. . . small, small, small.

Dashing down through the snow. . .
with Josh and Erin and the Petersons

and behind the four-wheeler at the Benchs.

It's a bird, its a plane, its. . .

super Garrickand super Marley.

I looked out the window and what did I see. . .
THE SUN!!

And finally going on a bear hunt. . .

DOWNSTAIRS. Our first official camp-IN.

The kids have been great, but have felt a little couped up. So any chance we get we try something to entertain them, even if it is a lot of work, we do it. We took a Front-Runner ride up to Union Station in Ogden, which is always great. They both loved sledding both down the hills and behind the four-wheelers. (We also rode horses that day but I didn't get any picks, Marley loved the "phishes" and wanted more rides.) I took them to story time at the library, which happened to be on SuperHero day. And the sun was out the other day, so I let them play in the empty flowerbeds in the sun, in they yard. Marley actually fell onto her head while her feet were still under her, she was stuck, it was hilarious, and yes I helped her up. Finally Garrick has been begging to go camping, the camp-IN was the next best thing. (We are really glad we have a big finished room in the basement.)

Hope you are having as much fun as we are.

Marley

2010-01-05T20:49:00.001-08:00

I rarely talk about Marley, but she is wonderful!! She is a true girl, she has the
ability to locate at least one, if not several pairs of shoes at any given time and wants to be wearing them. She will go and get a comb if Carl is laying on the floor. She is Getting so big too. She talks a ton. Her favorite words are puppy, plate, treat, Garrick (which she says quite well), Daddy, Mom, mimi (blankey), cheese (she is my daughter), PaPa (grandpa, to everyone who looks a little older), and of course "no". She is learning sorry and about any other word she hears someone say. She said "Have that," to me the other day when she wanted something. She is learning to play with Garrick and wats to be doing any and everything he is doing. She also stands her ground and like my boy, when given the fight or flight situation, she fights. She loves her mimi and her thumb and she is a bit of a mama's girl (okay, a lot of a mama's girl). She is more shy than Garrick but just as sweet. I am adjusting, she was only in the 25th percentile for her weight at her last appointment. I just think my little opposites are so cute.

Ah, the joy of

2010-01-05T20:31:00.000-08:00

ambition that doesn't come to fruition. My wonderful count down to Christmas lasted all of 3 days, you can see I am not a habitual person. So without further adieu here is the countdown to Christmas 2009.
#7 Putting up the Christmas tree, a little early this year. But it was snowing so it added to the ambiance.
#6 The very random lights in Layton. It was also freezing.
#5
A family picture by our favorite place during the winter. This was on our Christmas Card.
#4

Here is my little singer and his back-up. They are singing his favorite song from the Polar Express. They are getting so they play so well together. Marley is also getting so that she worships the ground Garrick walks on.

#3
I don't have any pics for this one, but it is cute none-the-less. We went (a little late) to pick out the presents for the Arkansas Bench cousins and Garrick really shocked me. I thought he would throw a fit because I wasn't buying him toys, but he was wonderful. He actually begged me for the better part of an hour to go and see Tanner in Arkansas, he didn't care that he was in school or that the drive would take hours. He really wanted to visit his cousins and give them their presents. It reminded me of when they left in August and he broke down bawling because they were gone and he didn't say good bye. He has a very tender heart.
#2
That my son would honestly be happy if Santa only brought him a Polar Express and a Yo-Yo. And as corny as it seems that we are so blessed this Christmas to have what we have. It hit me more this year than others that we are truly a very happy, blessed family
#1
When we do Christmas Eve in Layton we don't do big family things. So as a little family we had a nice dinner, opened pajamas and Up, and read the Christmas story out of the bible, a short version anyway. We then stayed up way too late and watched Up. Towards the end I looked over thinking Garrick had put something in his mouth, he hadn't he was crying. We all went to bed, and nestled all "snug in our beds." Merry (belated) Christmas.

#8

2009-12-18T20:08:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately since Marley can't talk well and doesn't really know what is going on most of the things I'll post about will be about Garrick.

The new Elders Quorum came over to visit with the family the other day. Garrick went up to each one of and whispered a 'secret' in their ear. Two of them got a 'Polar Express" and the other got a 'Rudolf'. Now if you know kids you know they don't know how to properly tell a secret. So he did his extra breathy secrets in their ears. He loved the attention and the Elders Quorum laughed and were really good sports about it.

#9

2009-12-17T15:55:00.000-08:00

After weeks of begging for us to put up the Christmas tree, I caved and told Garrick that if he took a nap after church the week before Thanksgiving we would put up the tree. I brought up the tree and put it in the middle of the family room. I came back to find both Garrick and Marley on top of the box.

We got the tree up and Garrick disappeared. We heard grunting. He had hauled the lodge-pole tree from his room to decorate.

I love my kids.

Count Down to Christmas #10

2009-12-16T12:07:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd post something each day to count down to Christmas. I always think I'll remember, but I usually don't so hopefully this will be a great reminder of the Christmas 2009.

Not the first memory of the season, but definitely one of the funniest.

Garrick and Marley got to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. I got them off his lap and he reached in his bag and gave Garrick a book. Icky looked up at him and said, "Where's my yo-yo?"

I just assumed that he knew that Santa would bring it to him on Christmas. But to Garrick, Christmas is everyday.

More Sleep

2009-12-13T19:16:00.001-08:00

This is my poor baby pooped at Thanksgiving. I've been meaning to post it for a while. It is just so darn cute. Happy Holidays.

Carl. . . the builder.

2009-11-23T18:34:00.001-08:00

Carl poured some cement a couple of weeks ago with the plan to build a shed over the winter. Well, the winter came really quickly. He build the rafters in the basement the week before last, then he built the walls in the garage last week.

We put up the walls on Thursday. Andrew came on friday and helped Carl put up the rafters and the plywood on the walls. Icky, Marley, and Tucker had a good time playing. Marley loved Tu-ter.

My Dad and Andrew came back on Saturday and finished up putting the plywood on the roof and got it all tarred in.

There is still a lot of work to be done but Carl has done a great job, and he couldn't have done it without Andrew and my Dad. Thanks so much. Sooner than later we'll have a place to put all our stuff.

OCTober

2009-11-12T06:50:00.000-08:00

October was full of fall fun. It began with my birthday, on which the kids were sick so we only took a little four-wheeler ride up Farmington Canyon. Four people on one four-wheeler was a bit of a joke and the ride only lasted about 15 minutes. (It was freezing that day.)

Then Carl and I took a trip to Seattle to spend the weekend with my brother Josh and his wife Erin. It was really good to visit, we've always been really close to Josh and we had a great time. (We carved some great pumpkins and ate; pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread and a ton of great cheese.)
Carl and I at the top of the space needle, which was cool, thanks Josh-head. Josh and Carl Rockin out at the EMP museum.Josh at Pike Market, Garrick always says that the crabs pinch him in Seattle, so we took this pic.

Then of course Halloween, the kids loved Trunk-or-Treating and Trick-or-Treating. Their Peter and Tink costumes turned out really cute, I made them both from patterns I made, I'm pretty proud. Marley figured out really quick that if you say treat they give you treats and she had her bucket in one hand and a piece of candy in the other at all times.Garrick sword fighting with his friend Aiden, he was a knight and his sister was a princess, they were very cute. Trick or Treating with Tucker at Grandma's.

Loathing

2009-11-06T05:49:00.000-08:00

I have a ton to post about from October, a Seattle trip, yard projects, and of course Halloween. But for the time I will post another priceless moment brought to you by our little Icky. Garrick loves music and singing and always has. He walks around humming the "Mosters vs. Aliens" song. (the piano song the president plays for the robot) So I was excited when I discovered Pandora has a Disney station and we listen to it on my iPhone all the time (in lieu of tv, it is great). Well the other day the Loathing song from Wicked came on and I was singing, and having a good time. Garrick piped in and asked what "loaving" was, and what the song was about. So I told him. Now he walks around singing "Loaving, unadulterated loaving." He'll tell you it means you don't like anybody. He never forgets a thing, I love it.

H1N1

2009-10-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

No! (I just want to reassure everyone that we don't have it, yet.) I went with my sister Annita yesterday to get our little one's H1N1 shots. The Davis Convention Center was a joke that wasn't funny, so Annita looked up another place. We drove to Salt Lake, since I had the day off I figured no biggy. I tried not to tell Icky that he was getting a shot, but I finally did. He didn't care until the nurse was ready to take us back. I am holding Marley, who has no clue what is going on, and dragging Garrick, who is already crying and saying he doesn't want a shot. We get to the room and he freaks out. I have to shut the door and the nurse finally says that we should give Marley hers first. She cried for a minute and then I put her down and she was fine. I then wrestle (literally) Garrick's pants down, and pin him to the table. He cries and screams and fights and we are done. But. . . he continues to cry and won't let me put him down. So I walk out of the office carrying my 40 lb 3 year old, hysterically crying, and holding my 1 year old's hand. It was a pain but hilarious. I was just really glad that Annita and Tony were around to give a helping hand. And yes my 3 year old is suddenly a wimp.

Maybe Fall

2009-10-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

I love all things fall, not as much this year as in years past since we did a little detour to winter for a couple of days, but I love fall. I have had new additions to my fall agenda since I've been married and then again when we had kids. Carl hunts in the fall and it is a little harder to get out in the great outdoors as much. But it is still great. I love wearing jackets and letting the sun warm me instead of the air. I love raking leaves and getting the garden winterized. DO not get me wrong, this is not an anticipation for winter just a great fall. So here is to my favorite season of the year!!

We haven't been super busy this fall but we've had a good time. We went on a play date to Layton park with my friend Heidi and her kids who are the same exact ages as Icky and Mo.

Marley got some new shoes. Which she wanted to wear EVERYWHERE!!

The kids were excited to get the Halloween stuff out. My cute Bucketheads.

And of course we spent last weekend watching Conference.

Lets Get Together . . .

2009-09-12T14:03:00.000-07:00

(Andrew, Kerry, Blancas & Paige, Dan & Laura, Curt & Jodi, Carl & Megann, and Bobby & Mechelle)

(Andrew, Kerry, Blancas, Dan, Curt, Carl, and Bobby)

On Labor Day we had a get together with a group of our friends. We, Carl and I, are transplants to this group. They consist mostly of my brother's friends from high school. I remember in high school thinking that they were always making fun of me. I was the awkward sophomore and they were the mighty seniors. Well, they went on missions, to college, and got married and so did I. They started inviting us to their get togethers when we moved up from Ephraim, and they just keep inviting us. Everyone who knows this group knows two things; that they have for the most part continued to stay close, and that the organizers are Curt and Jodi.

So, when Curt and Jodi announced that they were moving to Indiana, we were all very sad and shocked. Most everyone talked of how the group wouldn't do as many get togethers since Curt and Jodi always planned. Carl and I were particularly bummed since we would hang out with them twice a month or more, and they were always around when we needed them. They came to the hospital to see our babies, they helped us with carpet, with the yard, and needless to say we've really missed them. Of course they come into town to bless Kara, their new baby, for the first time in months; and they planned a get together. They asked us to host since they don't have a house here anymore and we agreed.

We had a great time. We played volleyball at the park near our house, ate a lot of good food, played the washer game, and caught up. We really have missed Curt and Jodi, along with everyone else since we haven't gotten together since they moved. Thanks guys for adopting the little sis and her farmer man, we love you guys.

(The kids, minus Blancas and Paiges' since they are a little old for ring around the rosie.)
(Bobby and Kara, who are both very cute. I didn't want to leave you out Bobby)

10 Year Reunion

2009-09-03T16:07:00.001-07:00

This last weekend we had our Roy High Class of 1999 Reunion. We really had a great time and it was really good to see everyone. With that in mind I am really glad it is over. After a year of tracking people down and planning I am burned out and am glad that since the reunion I haven't dreamt of high school once. Thanks so much to those who came; but especially, to the Officers, Lesley, Lana, Dan, and Lindsey, they really were a life saver and put a ton of effort into making sure this whole thing was a success. Carl was also a trooper and took money at alumni night and was my IT guy for the dinner at the Timbermine. Yeah!! I don't have to worry about this again for another 9 years, oh the mistakes of youth. I thought it would be cool to be an officer, and it was until a year ago. Love you guys.

Listening

2009-08-25T10:36:00.001-07:00

We've really been talking to Garrick a lot about listening and doing what we ask. I double check that he understands what we're asking of him but that doesn't mean it always happens. This last weekend we went with Carl down on the mountain to go hunting, Icky has been so excited about it. So we went down and stayed in the trailer while Carl was hunting. We stayed in the trailer Thursday night and Friday night and were headed to Carl's parents Saturday.

While we were up there we decided to go to Electric Lake, since we bought the property Icky has wanted to go throw rocks in it. Saturday we packed our stuff and a lunch since we were coming off the mountain and stopped at the lake. Garrick had a ball throwing rocks and trying to skip them, and Marley loved the dirt. We were headed to go eat our lunch at the car when I decided to go to the boat ramp and wash their hands off. I thought to myself that I should just wash them at the car, but reasoned out of it and went to wash their hands. When hands were washed they started splashing. Again, I thought I should just go to the car, but reasoned that they were just going to splash for a minute. I told both of the kids that they could play as long as they stayed on the cement. After a few minutes Marley kept trying to go deeper, and they both ventured off the ramp a step or two. I kept Marley on the ramp and didn't let her go, but I gave Icky a little more freedom. Well Icky stepped off again and lost his balance, I told him to come back to the ramp and to come towards me. He tripped and fell, when he reached down to push himself up he couldn't reach and kicked off with his legs further into the lake. He did that again and I could tell that if he got his feet down he could reach but he had panicked. I headed into the water as he kicked off one more time. With Marley dangling from my left hand I reached down and grabbed Garrick by the collar of his shirt. I got out and was wet up past mid-thigh. I don't know what I would have done because right about where his head was the water had started getting really dark and deep. I was shaking and I will never forget the terror in his eyes as I reached for him in the water.

I talked to him about how he needed to listen to me and do what I say. As I thought about it later I feel even worse because I didn't listen. Two times I ignored promptings to get out of the situation. It was a real eye opener to me about how well I listen and how important my kids are to me. If my back had been turned I really could have lost him that day in the lake and it breaks my heart. I am truly blessed to have such great and beautiful kids, I love you Garrick.

Door

2009-08-11T06:32:00.000-07:00

This happened to Garrick yesterday on our way to swimming lessons. He was watching a girl on the eliptical (he told Carl she was cute, so we're in trouble already). And smacked right into the bar between the double doors. I tried really hard not to laugh, but it was pretty funny. I love you Icky.

What kind of parent are you?

2009-08-05T06:52:00.000-07:00

Garrick is a bit of a klutz, and he definitely gets it from me. He hurts himself when he is running around all the time. He'll land funny and hurt his foot. Well at Carl's parents over the 24th he was playing with his cousins and smacked his foot on a couch or the coffee table or something and hurt it. He has been limping on it for a whole week and we figured it was bruised. Then Monday he was running around and fell, started crying and wouldn't put any weight on his foot. We decided we should figure out what was going on so we took him to the after hours clinic. They took an x-ray and his foot is fractured. So my little man is running around in a splint now and then maybe a cast for 4-6 weeks. Funny thing is when he wanted a sucker at the Dr. office he ran right over and asked. So he isn't too bad but we did feel bad that we didn't get him in sooner. (He is pretending to be sad here.)
He keeps telling me that it is all better and that I can take the splint off. Fun.

Fun in the Sun

2009-08-05T06:41:00.000-07:00

If any of you know us very well you know that many a weekend is spent with Carl's parents in Fairview. The 24th of July is the big holiday and it is fun because in a small town there is always a lot to do. Also Carl's brother comes in to town so we all get together. We had a great time with the family, but for Garrick the highlights were the parades. He got to ride in the kids parade on his trike and the horse parade with his dad. (Carl and Garrick in the horse parade on Lucky, yes Garrick has a cape and a wand)
(Marley LOVED the horse parade.)

We also went to the pool a couple of times last week, once with a couple of my sisters and once with some friends. We had a great time. I finally am doing something with Marley's hair and it turns out pretty cute, Thanks AMY!!

Tricks

2009-07-19T21:13:00.001-07:00

Marley is getting so big. Here are a couple of her new tricks.

She started being brave and taking more than one or two steps on Friday. Yeah!!

Marley is mastering the both up and down on the stairs and while she was practicing during our power outage today she was shakin' it. She loves to shake it whenever there is music, but today on the stairs it was hilarious and I missed the best one, no camera in reach.

Here is #1(as he started calling himself today) trying to get some attention away from #2. He doesn't quite have the rhythm that Marley has, but he is cute none the less.

Family Reunion

2009-07-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

The annual Evans'(my mom's family) family reunion was a week ago and the highlight was the 'wiggle car.' I think they are called plasma cars but regardless of what they were called they are definitely the best part. We go to Daniels Canyon and the campground has a huge hill. Now usually the little kids are crusing down the hill on their bikes and the adults are freaking out because it isn't safe. This year a couple of my cousins brought their wiggle cars and my family being the rebels that we are go on them and we raced them down the hill. I think they are supposed to be just for kids, and my cousins weren't happy, but they didn't put them away so. . .
Garrick and my cousin Conrad, his new best friend. Conrad always brings cool contraptions that shoot things into the air. Icky loved it.
If you look close it is Garrick and Carl racing Kevin and Carter. My boys won.
Kevin, Carl, and Andrew racing down the hill. I think Kevin won.

Pictures

2009-07-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

I took the kids to Target to get their pictures done. They turned out pretty cute considering I was outnumbered and they were crazy.

Camping, 1, swimming, and the 4th

2009-07-06T08:07:00.000-07:00

We have had a busy couple of weeks but they've been great.

First, since we have a 4-wheeler, we had to test it out. Weekend before last we went up to the Gatherum family property at Causey and stayed the night. Camping in a tent was a little rough on us but we had a great time. Garrick is such a boy and his favorite part was throwing rocks in the streams. Marley was terrified of Jade (the dog) she kept popping up when Marley least expected it. I felt bad but it was hilarious.

Marley's first birthday was last week and we had such a good day. We did some shopping, and then the kids played in the sprinklers in the back yard, Marley loved the mud. My parents came over for dinner, presents, and cake. Garrick liked opening presents and Marley loved to watch him, he now has a hard time understanding why they aren't his. She loved her cake and crushed it into tiny bits. Happy Birthday Baby!!

We were going to go swimming on Marley's birthday but I didn't have anyone to go with me so we went on Wednesday when Aunt Chann could come. Thanks Chann for helping out. We had such a good time. Both the kids loved the water and the slides. Icky remembered to blow out when he went under the water, which was great considering he hasn't had lessons for 2 years. We had a hard time getting him out of the water and are definitely planning another pool trip soon.

The 4th we went down to Carl's parents. We had such a good time. We helped his neice watched his sister's 6 kids for them (it was a great reminder why we aren't in a rush for more than we have)they were good though, we'd do it again. We did a lot of 4 wheeling, hanging out with the family and the parade. Carl also helped heard some sheep on the mountain, we met them at the top and Garrick and I got to help for a little while. We don't use the horses enough. Marley finally started using a sippy cup, let the weaning begin!! She also started taking a few steps, yeah for toddling. We're having a great summer.

ONE

2009-07-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my little Marley earlier this week. She is one already and I can't believe it. She is so sweet and she adores her brother and her dad. Her favorite thing to say is "Hi Dad." She's not walking yet but she'll get there. WE LOVE YOU!!! Pictures of the glorious day will soon follow.

Week 1, Year 9

2009-06-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

First of all Happy Anniversary to my man. We have officially been married 8 years and so we are starting our 9th. It has been a great run and I love him so much. We celebrated our anniversary last weekend because that is when we could get a sitter, thanks mom. We did a stay-cation. We slept at home and just hung out and saw movies and ate out. It was great. It is funny because that is what we usually end up doing most anniversaries, we're best friends though and it is nice to re-connect. On our anniversary Carl went and picked up his new favorite toy, nope not me or the Murano any more, welcome. . .

The kids, okay only Garrick really, were excited that it was finally not raining so I brought out the pool. We'd done it once earlier in the year and they both loved splashing and being splashed. Marley didn't like being splashed as much this time but we all got a little wet and had a good time. Oh, and I love the new swimming suits they have for kids, my pasty white Icky doesn't run near the risk of getting burned in his nice rash guard.

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to wish Carl, Ralph and my Dad a happy father's day. I'm a day late and sure that I'm a dollar short but we love them so much. Thanks for all you do for us!! WE LOVE YOU! (Sorry Ralph, couldn't find a picure of you.) The first pic is of our lazy sunday, Carl and Icky sleeping on the floor, the middle is at the Ocurrh Mountain Temple, and the third is my Dad and Icky with their twinner hats.)

Gatherum Zoo Trip

2009-06-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday was the annual Gatherum Zoo Trip. I have only gone with my brother Kev the past couple of years, but this year we invited pretty much everyone and were sad that Tucker and Jacob couldn't come. I love my siblings and their kids. My neices Brittany and Kaitlyn took Garrick everywhere, held his hand, picked up his massiveness. They are wonderful. We had a great time. The highlights were when the orange little monkeys were chasing Kate's bear, and of course the train. It took, me, Lori and Kevin to get Icky off the train, he wasn't done yet. Thanks Everyone!!

Weeks, days, hours.

2009-06-04T20:43:00.000-07:00

Couple of quick stories for all those who may or may not care.

A couple of weeks ago while Carl and his buddy Bryce were working on the cement (no I did not mean to imply he did it himself). I was chatting with Bryce's wife and I noticed Icky fishing around in the neighbor's wood chips, I didn't think much of it because he likes to pick up bugs. He then proceeded to come and show us what he found. Much to my dismay my bug taming son had picked up a bee, yes a live bee. He had it by the middle section of it's body so it couldn't sting him. Don't know how he did it but I smooshed it, and informed him that a bee could hurt him.

A couple of days ago Icky started saying that there was a wasp, I saw one flying out by the deck and told him it was outside. He didn't believe me and kept saying it. I went over to him to show him the wasp flying outside when I noticed that there was one walking on our tile. (He was right I made sure to let him know that I was wrong.) Carl quickly smooshed it with a shoe and started toward the bathroom where he could flush it, when Garrick began freaking out. So, Carl took it outside, where, according to Garrick it's friends would help him feel better. He later prayed at dinner and at bed time that the wasp, with the help of his friends, would feel better.

A couple of hours ago while the kids and I were enjoying the outdoors, and Garrick was bringing me 'tato bugs, I noticed him chewing something. I looked at his mouth and then looked at his hand. In his hand was a dried up worm (from the rain), in his mouth was a bite of this dried up worm. After I told him to spit it out I asked him why he tried the worm, he said "I don't know." NICE. He'd asked me earlier if he could eat a 'worman' (from Backyardigans, you were right Laura, it is a cute show) I told him he probably shouldn't. I guess I should have said 'No.'

My little boy is definitely made of slime and snails and puppy dog tails. (I think that is how it goes, but I get the strange feeling I am quoting David Bowe in Labrynth instead of the poem.)

Cement

2009-05-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

My darling farmer of a husband loves projects, they keep him sane in the 'big' city. We've talked about putting in a RV pad since we moved in, and it is finally done. It was a multi step process (which I don't have pictures of) but Carl made sure everything was as perfect as he could get it. I can't count how many hours he spent trying to level the whole thing. I can tell you I am excited for it for a couple of reasons; the grass over there looked like crap all the time, and we were able to add an extra sprinkler line in the back for my garden. Garrick also now has somewhere to ride his trike, which he can finally ride himself. Doesn't it look nice!

The Kids

2009-05-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

It has been a while and I still don't feel like anything extremely exciting is going on so here is what is going on with the two most fun people at our house:

MARLEY:
Is so sweet and seems to be getting sweeter and with time. She lays on my shoulder if I'm talking to someone and they address her. She is a crawling maniac, but only to get somewhere where she can pull herself up and stand, walking is in the near future. She loves her dad. And Icky is her favorite person on the planet, she imitates him and everything. She sings and talks like crazy and she just started dancing (she has surprisingly good rhythm). Her hair is getting long and I think she would look cute if I could figure out what to do with it, the barrettes aren't working very well. (I'll take any suggestions, the piggies in the picture are cute but not all her hair fits.) She is also getting a little chunky, which is adorable.

GARRICK:
he is our little powerhouse. Still as big as ever but with more energy. He has been really cute and is learning to help around the house so that he can earn money for his next "Thomas" train character. He has three so far. He is getting better about interacting with Marley, since she adores him she'll follow him and they play follow the leader. He loves to get in her crib when she wakes up from naps and always wants me to take a picture. He still tells everyone that he watched the Polar Express even though we haven't since Christmas, and he sings the song and tells the story. He is way too smart for his good and remembers EVERYTHING! He also had his first dentist visit and loved it. He got a sliver today and I said if he didn't let me get it out I'd have to take him to the Dr. He replied by saying he wanted to go to the dentist.

CAPITOL Reef

2009-04-15T19:39:00.000-07:00

We aren't a big 'commercial' Easter family, so this year instead of traipsing off to far away lands (London and Paris last year), we went to Capitol Reef with Carl's family. I haven't been to the Reef in 20 years and it is a bit a of a blur, if you haven't been, go. It was so cool. I really forget how beautiful this great state is, people wouldn't be so cynical if they went. We had a couple days of amazing weather, which Garrick loved because what kid doesn't like (staining red) sand to dump on their head? And then the great Saturday snow storm, but all in all it worked out perfect. Camping with kids is definitely difficult, it was sure fun though. Garrick still asks whenever we get in the car if we "Can go hike?" and Marley cries every time I put her in the car seat for fear we'll be there for hours. We had a great time, and doesn't Garrick look like a character off of Space Balls with that helmet on?

Space Balls

Icky Birthday!

2009-03-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

Icky turned 3 today. It is completely unbelievable that he is that old. We had a great day he is getting too smart. Grandma Gatherum came and took him shopping for a birthday outfit, which he loved, though he really just wanted her to stay and play with his Hogwarts Express with him. After lunch I bribed him to nap with a present, a Thomas the Train blanket, and the promise of more gifts. Now anyone who knows him or keeps current on my blog knows his obsession with trains. The only thing he specifically asked for (multiple times) for his birthday was a Thomas that would run on his tracks. When he woke up from nap time that is all he asked about, he actually found the wrapped gifts and figured out which one was Thomas and until we let him open it he was impossible. He also got a couple of puzzles and a pair of cowboy boots for when we ride horses at Grandpa Benchs, which he actually put on and wore for a while. I made a cake with blue frosting, just like Thomas, and green writing on it. He could have cared less about the cake itself but only wanted the frosting. Carl said the cake was his and let him pretty much eat most of the frosting off the cake.

I can't believe how much I love my boy. He is getting so smart and is a charmer (except to Lindsey, who he always tries to kick out of our house). We are so incredibly blessed to have him in our lives.

My top 10 list of my favorite Garrick things
10. Tells people we watched the Polar Express when we haven't since Christmas.
9. His obsession with trains.
8. When he tells me to just say "What?" when he says my name.
7.How friendly he is, not at all afraid of strangers.
6.He says "I'm not handsome (or whatever you've just called him) I'm just Garrick."
5.When he gets his way when I didn't want him to because he schmoozed me.
4.When he makes Marley laugh
3.How much he loves people, it is amazing.
2.Look he gets on his face when he is excited, very dramatically surprised.
1.When he (uncoached) tells me he loves me

My Man is. . .30!!

2009-03-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Today is Carl's (and his twin, Scott's) 30th birthday! Yeah for the old men. Unfortunately in the real world we don't get our birthdays off so he was working. But I skipped out of teacher work day a little early and took the kids and we surprised him at work and took him to lunch. When he got home the birthday present that he got for himself came in the mail so we looked at that and hung out in Icky's room for a minute. Not the gun, the holster. But all of it is so he can "protect" us.

(The present. I obviously didn't pick it out.)

(Hangin with the kids)
Tonight he is going for his favorite treat a 90 minute massage at the Sego Lilly Spa (no he isn't girly, I just really, really suck at massages).

Carl is, along with the little ones, the best thing that ever happened to me. Thanks babe for everything. Here is the Top 10 things I love about Carl list,

10. He loves little kid snacks, he'll drink all of Icky's Capri Suns before Icky.
9. When he sings to musicals that I don't know the songs to.
8. He is really intense about his life and thinks everything through.
7. When he dances it is hilarious.
6. He has an opinion about what I wear and he wants me to look good.
5. How devoted he is to his family
4. When I am crying in a movie and I look over and he is too but hiding it.
3. He gets really excited about stuff that most people don't
2. The look he gets on his face when he sees the kids, he really loves them.
1. He loves me regardless.

Happy Birthday Babe!!! Oh, you too Scott!

Hope

2009-03-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to go out to my yard and find my crocuses up. They are one of my favorite flowers because they are the first to brave the chilly weather and bloom; in the long run meaning to me that the long FRIGID winter is finally over. No more long days spent inside waiting for it to warm up, no more bundling up to go outside just to continue to be cold. Yeah! for jacket weather, park visits, and yes, the end of long school year and the ever increasing disrespect from teenagers.

My kids

2009-03-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

I know everyone says all kids are different and mine are no different, black and white in some cases, eating is one of them, and very similar in others. I thought that Dr's lied when they said a baby knows when to stop eating because Garrick didn't he would just eat and eat. I rarely remember him spitting anything out. Then there is Marley, she is stubborn, when she is done she is done and don't try to change her mind. She also learned to blow bubbles with her mouth and spit, another thing Icky never did. So a lot of days getting her to open her mouth for food is difficult and other days getting her to keep food in her mouth is impossible. Here is little Marley and her eating habits. One area that mine are no different was getting teeth, they both would rub their gums with the bottom of their tonge and cross their eyes, very funny and very cute. Last, I am still amazed when I put the two of them together and whitness the difference in their sizes, he looks like a giant and so much different. But kids are kids and here they are.

PIANO

2009-02-25T19:45:00.000-08:00

So I have always wanted a piano in my house, not because I play well but because it makes it feel like home and I'd like our kids to play. I also want to learn to play better. So after some research and after finding the piano I wanted we splurged and got this great piano, which I was informed by Garrick is not mine but his. Anyway I am super excited so here it is with our little mistro at the keys.

Laughing Kids

2009-02-22T15:47:00.000-08:00

Marley loves Garrick and he makes her laugh better than anyone. Here is a video of the two of them. You can tell that Marley gets distracted, every once in a while she'll stare at the TV because some music has come on.

Tagged

2009-02-13T14:18:00.000-08:00

So I was tagged by Talease and I've done a similar tag not too long ago so I'll be brief...Rules: Write 6 random things about myself, link the person who tagged you & post the rules. Tag six people. Let them know they have been tagged.

**I am a horrible mother and teach my kids bad habits. Garrick and I always snack as we're cooking dinner resulting in. . .the ruined dinner. And I let Marley have licks of my popsicles, she's a little young but she loves them.

**My chin quivers. Mostly when my adrenaline is pumping, so when I'm nervous or playing sports, but the other day it started when Carl and I were playing catch with Garrick.? Its a mystery, not really. I inherited it from my Dad and both my kids have quiver chins, Garrick's does it more than Marley.

**I am not a great cleaner. For some reason I always forget to wipe the kitchen counters. It drives Carl nuts. For the record I do wipe them before I begin handling food.

**I am super proud of sticking out the whole breast feeding thing, mostly because I am paranoid that my kids are not eating enough. So I freak out because I can't tell how much Marley is eating. But she hasn't had more than the 10cc of formula that she had in the hospital. I am proud and have lost all the baby weight. (Sorry if I embarrased you Carl.)

**I have this new jewelry obsession. I don't really care if it is expensive or not I just want a whole bunch of it and look at it everywhere we go.

**I am addicted to internet window and non-window shopping. I love it. Shoe shopping is my favorite, Zappos is the best.

So I tag: Laura, Lindsey, Kimmy, Steph, Amy, and Jodi

LOVE

2009-01-28T08:56:00.002-08:00

Marley is almost 7 months but we finally got her pictures taken. She is such a sweet baby and we love her. She is growing too fast, and is immitating us now with the "ba, ba, ba," and Icky is the center of her universe they are so sweet together. I am very blessed to have been given such sweet wonderful kids. They are definately two of our best decisions

A PRESENT FOR UNCLE JOSH

2009-01-22T18:15:00.000-08:00

So today was my day off and unlike usual the kids and I mostly stayed home. (First I love to not be home, nor do I want to be at work so we do random errands, which exhaust me with two kids, but still I don't want to be home so. . . Second with the air quality and Garrick's asthma we've tried to stick home more even though for some reason I don't want to, perhaps the cleaning and nagging projects that I never get done.) Anyway Garrick was napping and my sweet Marleykins had had her milk and eaten her wonderful carrots, these two things almost always lead to the inevitable explosion. I got the poop tool box ready, wipes, pad, extra diaper, butt cream,etc. I quickly open the diaper to survey the damage. Now before you think I am nuts and need to be committed, NO I don't usually search the Marley poop for foreign objects, I usually close the sucker up so quick it doesn't know what hit it. Today I was slow on the uptake and a little face in the poop caught my eye. I looked as closely as I could, but the foreigner was being difficult and I needed a new tool, something I haven't ever used in examining feces, A Q-TIP. I pushed the face around, with the q-tip, and looked and found that it was folded. There was not just a face, but an entire boy holding a bear. As I examined it closer I discovered that it was not just any random piece of paper, it was a gift tag from the Gatherum Family Christmas Chaos party. The tag said, "TO: JOSH." The from was indecipherable but I knew Annita had Josh's name this year. SO Merry Christmas Josh, again but this gift is a little less desirable than the doggie prep stuff you really got. New mystery, has the tag been in little Marley's stomach from Christmas or did she find it at Grandma's on Wednesday while she was there! The life of a mom, examining poop, I am considering a job change to a CSI or something.

Finally Christmas

2009-01-11T16:41:00.000-08:00

We had a great holiday and I know that I am the last person on the planet to blog about it but here it is. We started out by heading down to Carl's parents on the 22nd. Garrick, Marley and I rode the Frontrunner down, Garrick kept asking if we were going to the north pole. Needless to say he threw a fit when we got off the train. On Christmas Eve we went to Carl's sister Andrea's house for some cousin presents and a story.
Afterwards Icky decided he was going to have a sleepover on an air matress with his cousins, Abby and Erin, they both went to sleep and he kept asking about Santa. It was cute that he was so excited.

He woke up at about 7:00 and once he saw his Hogwarts Express he didn't want anything to do with the other things we got for him. It took me an hour, literally to get him to unwrap even one gift. Meanwhile Marley was unwrapping and eating paper to her hearts content. She LOVED the paper. Christmas was great and Santa really scored with the Hogwarts Express. (Oh, and the ball and little teathing blanket I made. I'm very proud of my handi work.)
We headed back up for the Gatherum family Christmas party, which is always fun but a little chaotic. Uncle Kev is always playing with one of the little ones. Icky always loves when Uncle Josh is in town because they wrestle, but this time they made Marley cry, she thought Josh was hurting the little Ick.
Then back down to Fairview for sledding and New Years Eve, which was really fun but uneventful.

We had a great holiday, and now have learned that it will be wiser to save up for the wonderful day. Thanks fam, especially the kids, for making the holiday so fun.

Stinking Tickets

2008-12-16T09:28:00.000-08:00

Most of you would think that between my 5 month old and my 2 1/2 year old the one who would be waking me up multiple times a night would be my 5 month old. Oh no, Marley is a champ sleeper she would sleep 12 hours a night without so much as a peep, it is Garrick who is waking up. It started out as an endearing little thing he would do, but now it is the most annoying thing in my life right now. Our cute boy has always loved trains, when we showed him the Polar Express it went to a whole new level. We actually "lost" the movie for an entire year. (He never forgot about it and would ask at least once a month about it.) I made the mistake of buying the book this year, now everything is a ticket. Receipts, tithing slips, pieces of random paper, anything and everything he can get his hands on. This in and of itself is not the problem, the problem is that he wants them perfect and he wants to sleep with them. If they get wrinkled he needs them straightened and if we can't straighten them he freaks (can you say OCD). He is constantly asking where his tickets are and finding new ones. Here is where the problem is, he won't go to sleep without them (we've tried and he wakes up hysterical). So what happens is that he wakes up multiple times a night, if it is wrinkled at 1:00am then it needs fixed, if it is not where he can find it he is crying and we have to go find it, this happens at least 2 times every night (OCD). I loath those stinking tickets and would like to tear them up and throw them away, which I have done to the dismay of my bawling boy. I hate the tickets.

Tagged

2008-12-03T13:39:00.001-08:00

RULES
1. Post rules on your Blog.
2. Answer the six "8" items.
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment.

8 Favorite Shows:
1. Pushing Daisies
2. Heros
3. Chuck
4. Life
5. Eli Stone
6. Backyardigans (of Icky's shows anyway)
7. Gilmore Girls (re-runs)
8. Jon and Kate + 8

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Drove to and from work
2. Worked its great being a teacher
3. Went to Target
4. Went to Young Womens (second councelor)
5. Watched Eli Stone
6. Pretended my house was clean so I didn't have to clean it.
7. Stressed about stupid stuff
8. attempted to sleep

8 Things I Look Forward Too:
1. Every other day off.
2. Christmas Garrick is starting to get it.
3. Rome and Greece in April (its not too late you are all invited.)
4. Bed time with Garrick he loves to sing I am a Child of God, and Harry Potter look at the video, hilarious. SO CUTE.
5. The look on Marley's face when I rescue her from her crib.
6. Loosing the baby weight.
7. The first real snow.
8. Friday date night with Carl and some friends.

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Boccias de Italia they have the best calzones and alfredo
2. Goodwood
3. Applebees, not really a favorite but I've been craving their fajitas
4. Cafe Rio
5. This great greek place across the river from Notre Dame in Paris
6. If I could afford it I think the Melting Pot would be I'm good with anything smothered in cheese, especially if I am in controll over how much smothering is going on.
7. Fast Food: Chick fil A
8 . Ruby River

8 Things on my wish list:
1. A new denim skirt, very hard to find.
2. No more car payment.
3. Garrick to potty train himself
4. A good book to read (taking suggestions)
5. Another student teacher.
6. More patience with my boys
7. Someone to clean my house spotless every day for free (any takers)
8. Happiness, who doesn't want that.

8 People to Tag:
1. Amy
2. Steph
3. Kimmy
4. Leah? may have been already
5. Mandy
6. Mechelle
7. Jodi
8. Annita

Na, Na, Na, Na

2008-11-29T15:37:00.000-08:00

Garrick started walking around the house singing the other day and it took us a while to figure it out. Carl whistled the tune to Harry Potter, which Icky loves, and now he goes around the house singing it constantly. It is the cutest thing. He mostly sings that but at night he'll sing Twinkle, Twinkle as well as I am a child of God. It almost brings me to tears every night. He is getting so big and is definitely a singer like his mom. His other favorite thing to do is ask, "What's your name?" He asks me about 12 times a day, but asks just about everyone we run into. It is very endearing until you've been asked three times in under a minute then it gets a little tedious.

Halloween '08

2008-11-10T09:09:00.001-08:00

You all thought you were late sharing your Halloween stuff, well here is ours. Halloween is so fun, Garrick tried on his costume every day that week. Marley of course didn't care. We visited Grandpa up at Weber State, that is a tradition, Garrick loves it. When it came down to it Garrick didn't want anything to do with Trick-or-Treating until they started coming to our house. He had a great time and kept knocking and saying "come in" and when they opened their doors he would walk into their house. We let him stay up late and answer the door for the trick-or-treaters, he kept asking where Harry Potter was (we'd seen one earlier). We had a good day it is a lot more fun now that we have a kid who cares.

In a RUT!!

2008-10-22T11:16:00.001-07:00

I am in a cooking rut and need help. I keep making the same things over and over again because they are easy. I am enlisting all my blog friends help. If you have a great EASY recipe please comment. I am sick of chicken enchiladas, so is Carl (who is nice enough to tell me he likes them and that they get better on the 4th day), and Garrick loves me enough to chew and swallow anything I put in his mouth. I look forward to something new at least.

Fun Weekend

2008-10-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

My brother came in for the weekend so we got together with my family a couple of times. We had a really good time, Garrick loves Josh he chases him all over and they wrestle. The funniest thing was when we were at my Mom's house Garrick found this wig and put it on. He looked hilarious.

Marley doesn't do much but she got doted on a ton because she the is the newest baby in the family. I only got to hold her when she had to eat. This is the cute hat I got her at the Gap. It was finally cold enough for her to wear it.

Halloween Help

2008-10-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

I have been searching for costumes for the kids without much luck. What I have decided I want to do is have them coordinate; so I found a cute angel costume for Marley and then I'd have Garrick be the devil. I was trying to think of some other duos we could do with the two of them. If you can think of one, leave a comment.

Busy. . .but not.

2008-09-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

It seems like we have had a ton going on but nothing really significant to talk about so I thought I'd update on my cute kids.

Garrick is getting funny and breaking my heart, this morning when I woke him up and told him that we were going to Laura's he said, "I don't want to go to Wara's, I want to stay in the house. Alright, alright." He says "alright" after everything. He also is growing up really quickly. He came upstairs and asked for a snack, we got him some pretzels he walked downstairs with his cup of pretzels when he spilled them he carefully picked them up. After he finished them he came back upstairs and announced that he wanted a drink and proceeded to fill up his cup at the fridge. When he wants to play he tells me, "Put him down, right here." (Referring to Marley of course)

Marley is such a cutie and a great baby. (Don't ask me how I got so lucky.) She is sleeping through the night most nights, and the others she sleeps from about 10:00 pm to 3:00 am. She loves to talk I have been trying tirelessly to get this on tape, every time I bring out the video camera she clams up. She talks and laughs when you change her diaper, it is so cute. She definately has her Dad wrapped around her tiny finger, he brags incessantly about how good she is.

We're just lucky and living our boring life, but are of course overjoyed that our "shows" are back on. We love Heros and Chuck.

Two Months

2008-09-10T08:15:00.001-07:00

So Marley is just over two months she is growing well and is now in the 50% for everything. I got looking back at pictures of Garrick and can't believe how different they are. So here is a little look at the kids, you can tell me whether you think they look at all alike.

Marley at 2 months and Garrick at 2 months.

Garrick at the hospital and Marley at the hospital.

The New Edition to our Family

2008-08-05T13:04:00.001-07:00

This is the new edition to our family and my last post probably for a while. He stares you in the face everytime you walk in. I think Carl is almost as proud of this as he is Marley. We are batting around the idea of naming him Rex. This is Carl's 341 and 1/2 scoring bull elk that he has been waiting for longer than I was pregnant with Marley. Welcome to the family, even though he still creeps me out a little.

Marley's Blessing

2008-08-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

I know I have posted about 5 posts in the last week or so. I'll finish off with two more. We blessed Marley on Sunday the 27th because Carl's brother was in town. It was a great day and the blessing was beautiful, what I could hear of it since the mike went out and there were about 60 screaming kids. Anyway, I found this gorgeous dress online and we had most of our family. There were 26 kids the oldest is 16 and the youngest was Marley 4 weeks, and only I think 18 adults. Our families are getting huge. Anyway here are some cute pics of the day.

These are the Bench cousins that are all within a year of each other, Carson, Marley, Kade, and Paige.

July 24th: Pioneer Days

2008-08-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

So the big holiday down in Fairview, where Carl grew up, is Pioneer Days. The day after we got back we loaded our already packed gear and went to celebrate. It was fun as always, and Carl's brother was in town from Arkansas, so all the cousins were there it was good. Carl took Garrick to the parade, which he loved. He kept waving at all the Royalty on the floats it was super cute. He also really liked the band and the fire engines. I think he was the only one of the cousins who didn't insist on having his ears covered as they let off their sirens. He was a daddy's boy all weekend, and Carl even took him to the derby. We had a good time but were glad to finally come home.

He loved trying to get his cousins wet, they yelled and he would do it more. He got himself more than anyone else.

Just like dad.

Waving to he girls.

He did't understand the purpose of the umbrella.

Seattle

2008-07-28T14:22:00.001-07:00

Insane!!

2008-07-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

So before I post numerous adorable pictures of my wonderful family I thought I'd nominate myself as the most insane person on the planet. Also realize this is coming from the exhausted fingers of the mother of a 40 lb two year old and a newborn. To begin not only did I volunteer for a surgery where they cut you open, pull a baby out, and proceed to show your husband all of you inerds. But I also listened to talk during the whole procedure that likened me to a cow, because they are talking about how they do the same procedure to a cow. Then just shy of two weeks later I set of in a car with my hooligans and my husband for a fabulous 12 hour ride to Seattle, for my brothers wedding. This week in Seattle was definately more work than play with a newborn. I am just lucky that we have such great kids and that 2 week olds only eat, sleep and poop. Then we arrived home on Marley's three week birthday and left the next day for Carl's parents for the 24th, which is the big holiday in Fairview. Then we arrived home a couple of days later to clean the house and prep for Marley's blessing. We did it early because Carl's brother was in town and he is only in town about once a year. I feel like I have been busier than any normal person should be, and I don't consider myself normal any parents shouldn't. To say the least I would recommend only the rest and relaxation of a new mothers home during the first month or so. Needless to say I and my wonderful husband are definately certifiably INSANE. I am glad to finally be home and able to relax.

MARLEY

2008-07-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

Well, we have our newest edition. Marley was born on Monday morning at 9:19 am she weighed 6 lbs 13 oz, and was 19 1/2 inches long. We had another c-section and everything went really smoothly. She is adorable and we are super excited. She has been so fun, she definately has a set of lungs but she is a great pretty mellow baby.
Garrick came and didn't want anything to do with me or the baby. We finally got him to kiss her, he kissed her two times the funny thing was second time he got her hair and he started spitting saying it was yucky. We have two great, cute kids. Yeah!!

Slurper

2008-06-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

I know two posts in one day but I am a bit lazy. Garrick is so cute eating soup. He loves the stuff. I have no idea where he learned to slurp out of his bowl but it is funny. And he always blames his 'burps' (which are completely fake) on other people.

7 YEARS!!

2008-06-24T14:00:00.001-07:00

Well, Carl and I officially made it 7 years. Sunday was our anniversary. It is amazing how fast time flies. We didn't do anything spectacular because we did go to Europe earlier this spring and we are headed to Seattle in a couple of weeks. He did take me to my favorite restaurante, Boccio's, and we went to see the Hulk (I know very romantic, it wasn't bad, I liked it).

We made it through school and a ton of moves along with that. We have gone through good times and bad. We have worked hard and have a great home and great jobs. We have been blessed with an amazing son and a healthy womb-baby. I love the man so much and he is such a great support to me. He is even nice enough to tell me I look good when I am as fat as I am right now. We are best friends and that makes life so much easier. So babe, I love you, here is to another year.

Hogle Zoo

2008-06-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

We went a trip to the zoo with my brother Kevin and three of his kids. We did this same thing last year and I thought I ought to get it in before little sister comes, we had a great time. Garrick liked the animals but could hardly wait to ride the train, I think he was disappointed every time Carter looked at the map and said, "we didn't see this yet." He was funny Brynn and Carter would be looking at an animal and he would be crawling around on the ground finding rocks or sticks to put in a pipe or a hole. He did like the giraffes and he also really liked the orangatangs, the baby was swinging all over while the parents slept, it was really cute. But, the best thing they did for us at the zoo was give me a ticket at the gate. Garrick held on to it all day saying it was his ticket for the train, when he finally did ride the train he didn't quite know what to do. I don't wonder about ADD with him because he can stay focused on trains all the time. We had a great time with Kev and the kids, thanks guys for taking us with you.

Here is his real ticket for the train. We had to let him keep it, he asked the zebras to punch his other ticket, like on Polar Express.

They were all drinking together. I thought it was funny

Paige, Kev and Garrick at the Giraffes, they all went outside.

A New House

2008-05-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, so not really a new house, but it sure feels like it. Carl and I, mostly Carl, have been working for weeks getting tile and baseboards done. We've painted bathrooms and our bedroom. We have been crazy busy for a very long time, and now we are done. On Friday the carpet guys came and we have new carpet, which Garrick says is very soft. We love it and finally feel like the house is our own and not someone elses. Now, if anyone wants to come and be my interior decorator, that would be appreciated, I really struggle with that. Thanks for all the help from the Widdisons and my brothers, pulling carpet padding staples isn't much fun. But we are done and just in time for Garrick and I to enjoy our summer off work, and get ready for the baby sister.

Cousins

2008-05-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

Landon and Scott came up to visit. Landon is only about 4 months older than Garrick so they have a lot of fun together. These are some fun pics of them racing. Garrick always says go after he starts running so Landon just ran behind him then would tackle him. I was laughing so hard. We had a great visit. Thanks for the help Scott.

Front Runner

2008-05-18T15:07:00.001-07:00

So I know it has been a long time since you could ride the front runner for free, but I am finally posting the pictures. Garrick loves trains and so we thought he would love riding. We had originally planned on riding all the way to Ogden and back, but this family came and sat by us and this lady was letting her kids do whatever they wanted. So we rode from the Layton station to the Clearfield station and back. He loved it and was "Wowing" the whole way.

Angel

2008-05-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

My son is an angel. Now how many people talk about their two year olds like that? I would say very few. It seems like finding a sitter ahs always just worked out for us, which has been really nice. But the last couple of weeks we have gotten in a bind, luckily my mom (who is wonderful) has bailed us out. This week we couldn't find any one to babysit Icky on Thursday. Because I wanted to save my days off for the fall in case I wanted to take some maternity the first couple of weeks of school, and it is the last full week of school, I took Garrick to work with me. I didn't have a lot planned and I knew my students would love it. I was just worried about getting exhausted and that he wouldn't behave. I was actually happy in the long run that I got to spend the day with him and although we were both tired by the end of the day, we had a great time. He was so cute, he talked to the students and chatted with people in the hall. I had a couple of meetings and he sat on the chair and was quiet and behaved. He played well during my classes. He was really funny too. He has this specific chair he sits in and someone during first period sat in his chair, he went up to her and began pushing her and telling her to "Get outa there." The whole class was laughing.

So we are at the end of the day and he didn't get a nap and we still have to go to the NHS closing social at the bowling alley. He was so good he cheered for the kids bowling and he rolled a couple of balls. He kept trying to pick the 15 pound balls up to roll down the lane. Then he just played in the arcade, by about 4:30 I could tell he had had it but we stayed until about 5:00. I put him in the car and we started home. He was quiet but I didn't worry about it. Just as I was pulling on the on ramp I looked back and he is fighting so hard to keep his eyes open. The lids were open but his eyes were rolling into the back of his head. I was laughing so hard, because I know he had to be really tired. So long story long. My boy was an angel for me and I miss him today at work, only a week left!!!

Pneumonia!!

2008-05-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

We had a bit of a scare last week. Garrick had been sick for a couple of weeks, he has had this insane runny nose which we thought was allergies. He had a rough night both Tuesday and Wednesday because he couldn't breath well, we thought he was just really congested. Thursday he started to cough, which is normal because he has asthma, so I didn't really worry. Then on Friday I was down at an assembly and one of the secretaries came to get me saying my Mom had called and it was about Garrick. I hurried to call and she said he was really struggling to breath, that he couldn't hardly breath at all. Needless to say I rushed out of school and we took him to the ER. They gave him some breathing treatments and took some x-rays and about 3 hours later they informed us that he had pneumonia in his left lung. They weren't really worried about him and the doctor said we needed to see the nurse and then they would release him, as long as we were comfortable taking him home. He had just zonked out when the nurse came in with some antibiotic and our discharge papers. She said she just had to check his vitals, his oxygen levels were low, so we spent another hour putting oxygen on him and waking him up to see if he could maintain normal oxygen if he was awake. I was really happy that he could and they let us go home. We were so scared and are really glad that he is doing okay now, which he is. Sick kids are really scary.

Around the House

2008-04-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

We have been really busy around the house lately. We are saving for carpet so what we decided to do is put tile in our master bath, the other upstairs bath, and a section in front of our sliding glass door. Carl is such a handy man that we started in our master bath which has up to this point had carpet (I know disgusting but we didn't have it done that way, the negative aspect of buying a previously owned home). So we worked and worked (mostly Carl) and he got the tile done and then we decided to paint. I thought yellow would be good, then we painted, the color I got looked florescent. Long story short we painted 4 coats of paint on many parts of our master bath. Here is a look at the pretty well finished project. Carl is so great to have around! Thanks, babe!

I thought I'd finally throw in a picture of my ever growing belly. I've got a couple of months to go and things are still really good. I crave sleep and fruits especially oranges and the end of the school year.

I couldn't help but throw this one in of Garrick riding his tractor. He is so funny, and his dad and Grandpa Bench are very proud of the farm boy he is becoming. What a cutie. Also thanks to some great advice (THANKS AMY!!) and some good tiring play he has been napping much better.

2008-04-24T10:57:00.001-07:00

A- Attached or single: Attached to the cutest boys.
B- Best Friend: Carl and Chann
C-Cake or Pie: I am horrible. I don't like either but today I would choose cake.
D- Day of Choice: Weekend days with my boys and the last day of school.
E- Essential Item (s): diaper, cell, earings.
F- Favorite Color: Yellow lately
G- Gummy Bears or Worms: Worms for sure.
H- Hometown: Roy, Utah
I- Indulgence(s): Clothes and Cheese
J- January or July: July because winter is getting really old by the time January rolls around.
K-Kids: Garrick 2 and womb baby 28 weeks.
L-Like or Love: Love
M- Marriage Date: June 22, 2001
N- Number of Siblings: 3 brothers, 3 sisters
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges, I crave them like crazy. I did with Icky too.
P- Phobias or Fears: I am clostrophobic mostly if I get stuck not really of small spaces. I am afraid of too many other things.
Q- Quote(s): Because I teach teenagers, "Attitude is everything, pick a good one."
R- Reason To Smile: Icky, Carl, and my Lunch Bunch at work
S- Season: Fall-I like when it finally cools down and my birthday is in the fall.
T- Tag Six: Jodi W. and all the others on my list, you know who you are.
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I have become a non-toucher. I really don't like people (students) touching or trying to hug me it really creeps me out. This is kind of a new thing for me.
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Oh I am for sure both. But I almost always eat both at dinner.
W- Worst Habit: Working on too many things at once so that I don't get any of them finished in a timely manner, Beanie for Carl, Blanked for Garrick, Pressed flower pictures for the baby's room, I could go on and on.
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds, one everymonth to look at the "Monkey" which is what Garrick thinks I am having.
Y- Your Favorite Food: CHEESE!! I could eat it all day I go through withdrawls if I don't get my fix. Icky is a cheese monster too.
Z: Zodiac: Taurus

To Nap or Not to Nap

2008-04-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

My wonderful darling boy is such a good kid, he eats good, he sleeps at night good, he listens pretty good, and he talks like a freakin' champ. But naps are the bane of my existence. He doesn't give my sitter any problems but he has been a pill for my mom and myself for sometime. This coupled with the switch to a toddler bed has made nap time frustrating to me and really funny to him. Even if he is dead tired he fights napping, I know this because I will pick him up and hold him for less than 5 minutes and he is out. It is almost like he is so tired but he can't get himself to sit still, because once he does he is out. Naps are also really important for him, he really needs his naps (okay truth be told maybe we both do), he becomes this crazy person without them as do I. Any of you wonderful toddler moms who has a trick, the advice would be more than welcome. So for me not nappping is not an option, but Garrick thinks it is funny to test me. Amy you were right I spoke a little too soon, but if naps are my only issue with my two year old I am so happy. Oh, naps and the ever growing baby in my womb, she and Garrick are really, I mean really hard to carry together.