Finally got these little squirts to the cabin this past weekend.  Pretty chaotic, but oh so fun.  Luckily the weather let up for us a little so we could go explore.

Might have been the #1 activity of the weekend, at least for Hadley.  Note to self, bring carrots next trip. This could have entertained them for hours!

Got me one of these...

Figured I probably shouldn't be toting Liam on my regular bike as I used to, so Ryan has taken over that while I leisurely ride this and feel a bit more comfortable.  I borrowed a neighbors so we could take a trip over to the snow cone shack and that night we picked up one for me.  Excited for more family bike outings.

These two just constantly make me smile.  Yes, there are moments of frustration, but then there are those moments that I just relish in the joy of being their Mom.

Liam has a mind of his own.  Lately it is his way or the highway (a trait I am not happy to pass down).  I love the couple of hours I get to spend with him two days a week while Isaac is at school.  He is all boy, picking up toy guns and going around making shooting noises.  Yesterday he had a toy sword and as he swung at things he would say "Hi-Ya!" He finds these tiny little balls in the backyard (I think they go to some toy gun) and holds on to them for days.  He wakes up with them still in his palm.  I don't know how he doesn't lose them.  I don't see a baby in him much anymore, except he still has the baby fat that I just love.  I will be sad when that goes away and he turns in to a scrawny little boy.

Isaac is such a sweetheart.  Yes, he still sneaks into my bed EVERY night and sleeps with us.  He has to make sure Daddy is asleep though and I am usually passed out too.  I will ask him why he keeps coming in to my bed and he replies with "Because I just love you so much".  Hopefully this changes when the boys share a room.  Which they are beyond excited for.

I am quite the grumpy pregnant woman right now.  Proud to say that I am FINALLY feeling better though and have been for about a month.  Hallelujah!  I thought the day would never come.  When other ladies announce they are pregnant I sympathize and ask how they are feeling. Most have said it hasn't been to bad.  Then I think I was a weakling, but when I was asked that, there was no denying I was practically dying.  I couldn't even fake that I was fine.  It was just brutal.  My dentist would have been proud.  I would floss until my gums bled an a daily basis and brush like 5 times a day to try and rid that nasty taste in my mouth.  Colgate whitening really does work!  I saw a brighter smile in just a week ;).  Even when I was sick, it still didn't stop me from eating and gaining the necessary weight.  I think at my 8 week appt I put on 10 lbs!  Ha ha, off to a great start.  No complaints here, when else can you have an excuse to eat crappy and be lazy.  I will take full advantage of that.  I have got the eating down, but I have been keeping up on running.  Call me crazy, but I signed up for the Salt Lake half.  I actually feel great while I run surprisingly, and this big belly doesn't get in the way.  Although lately, my legs feel like they are getting the workout of a lifetime because of this extra weight.  It is so fun feeling this little squirt move all the time.  Love the second trimester.  Not too big and still pretty comfortable.  We had the ultrasound a few weeks ago and brought the boys.  They eventually enjoyed it especially when the baby waved at them.  We walked out of there still not knowing the gender.  Although I do have the ultrasound video and it can be quite tempting some days.  I will stay strong though.  I am sure it is a boy, but this pregnancy is so very different than the other two.  That isn't saying much though.

Ryan is doing well.  He is getting anxious to get out and fish which he hasn't done in a while.  Been very busy with work and then I put him to work as soon as he gets home.  His birthday is next week so I am sure he will fit in a fishing day soon.  He recently went to Mexico with his Dad to fly hot air balloons.  The day he was headed home my Mom called to ask me what part of Mexico he was in and not to be alarmed but there was an earthquake.  Of course I was alarmed and of course I couldn't get a hold of him.  He got home later than expected because he WAS caught in some of the aftershock of the quake and his flight was delayed. All is well though and he had a great time.

Anxiously looking forward to warmer weather as all of us are.  This time of year just makes me happy!

The Cabin

Spent the New Year at the cabin this year, I think we have done that for a few years.  Did Ryan and I stay up until midnight?  Yeah right!!  I can barely stay up past 9:00 PM these days.  I think I did make it until 11:30 PM.  Then woke up again at 3:00 AM to Isaac spewing throw up all over me.  Red throw up might I add.  Too much licorice I guess.

Boy how my kids love the cabin, every morning this week Isaac woke up and asked what day it was.  Friday couldn't get here fast enough.  What kid wouldn't love it when you can stay up late, watch movies, eat junk food (hence the red throw up at 3 AM), 4 wheelin'.  

Happy Anniversary! 8 Years and counting...

Lately

Once again, my lack of posts comes from me being too lazy to get the photos off my computer.  So no photos this round.  Life is great. Isaac started preschool last month. Boy how he loves it, and it is just adorable.  I have started threatening missing preschool if he doesn't listen.  That won't last long.  He is also in soccer with some of the neighbor boys, so darling.  He surprisingly does better than I expected!

As for Liam, still a little stinker.  Quite the feisty one, you wouldn't know it unless you were around him a ton.  He is pretty shy around strangers (sorry bud).  People keep asking if he ever talks, and boy does he!  Now that Isaac is in school it has been so fun just hanging out with him.  I recently got called as a nursery leader so I get to spend lots of time with the kid.  He is so different when he is not around his brother and really is a sweet little boy.  But he does love his brother and follows him around every where.  They play so cute together when they want to.

Then there is boring me.  I started watching a friends kids a few days a week for the month.  And will randomly watch another friend's little girl every now and then.  Today I had all 5!  Had to load them in the car to take Isaac to school today.  I texted Ryan and let him know that there was still room for one more :).  Last week we went to the library and people thought I had two sets of twins.  It has been fun having all these rugrats running around.  Keeps my kids entertained, now that the pool is no longer an option these days.  Loving this weather though, not looking forward to the 6 months of winter we have.  Here is to a long fall!

We just got back from visiting my sister in Vegas.  I braved the trip with just me and the kids while Ry lived the bachelor life.  Luckily things did get done around the house while we were gone.

And my goal for 12 halfs this year is almost complete!  2 more to go, will be done by Oct 15!!  As much as I love running, it will be nice to be done.  I am sure I will continue it, just not sign up for so many at a time.  The only annoying part is not being able to go do something on a whim because I have a race that weekend.  Ryan will be glad to have some Saturdays back to go fishing.

Surprise!

We had a surprise visit from these guys and kept busy every day this week!

Days of 47 parade.

Fireworks at Cottonwood Heights

Bike rides in the park

Of course we had to hit the pool!

A visit to the "jumpy place". Jump Around Utah, a must do!! So fun and not as far as Kangaroo Zoo, slightly more pricey though, but worth it.

Family BBQ's

And I finally got to meet this little squirt before he was 6 months old.

Meet Elliot James Delaney. I could hold him all day.

Weekend Cap

While Ryan spent the weekend doing this...

Liam and I spent the weekend like this...

3 day intense potty training began Friday morning. I had everything planned out and ready and realized Friday morning that I really should have planned for Isaac to be busy doing things instead of cooped up with us. Last minute I pawned Isaac off with Aunts/cousins, friends houses, and Grandma (A big thanks to them!). Made it much easier to focus on just Liam, although I sure did miss my Isaac.

I don't tell you this because I think I am amazing and can potty train my kids by 22 months. I tell you this because I am officially a true believer in the 3 day process. Anybody can do this, it just takes A LOT (can't stress that enough) of patience and focus!! I thought I was just lucky with Isaac and really worried that I would struggle with Liam, but Liam has been SO much easier during these 3 days than Isaac ever was. I loathe changing diapers and feel so bad that they sit in their urine and feces often. Liam has had some bad diaper rashes lately, so this will put an end to that! This time I didn't use the portable potty, so gross to clean that up. I would just turn him around on the toilet and let him sit that way. Plus I figure it will get him used to normal toilets when we aren't home.

Day 1: The most difficult. He peed his pants most of the morning. Woke up from his nap dry though, then after his nap he realized what he was supposed to do and could hold his bladder. He wouldn't tell me he had to pee, but I could see it in his face and would rush to the bathroom with only a little pee in his undies. So he figured it out by day 1. As for #2, again, you could see it in his face and as soon as I scooped him up and rushed to the bathroom he would scream, but boy was he clenching those cheeks! So funny.

Day 2: Woke up dry!! But then didn't go potty until about 11:00 AM!! Wow, who can hold a morning pee that long. Well he sure did and boy did he have to go. He still wasn't too excited about sitting on the toilet, would whine most of the time. But I knew he had to go and just made him stay (even though that is against the book, oops!) That happened 3-4 times the rest of the day. Still the same issue with #2, but at least he held it as best he could. I was always too late with Isaac, NOT fun cleaning that up!

Day 3: And here we are on the last day. Woke up dry again this morning. Did his morning potty around 9:30 AM and a couple more times since then. Still a bit timid on the toilet. And doesn't actually say he needs to go, but will look at me when he has to, luckily I know the sign now. And holds it until we get there. He is napping now and we will continue the day at home, hopefully he continues on this path!

I didn't think I would say this, but I will actually look forward to these 3 days with my future kids (or kid). I had so much fun just hanging out with Liam and spending time with just me and him. Not worrying about laundry, housework or anything else.

Now I just need to be daring and venture out of the house, always locating the nearest potty wherever we go! That is going to be a whole other learning experience for him, but I refuse to go back to diapers and am determined to make this work! Wish us luck!!

Summer so far

Can't even put into words my excitement for this weather.

So far we have...

hit the pool a few times

eaten LOTS of popsicles

roasted smores in the backyard

AND my favorite so far, FINALLY scored a playset from KSL (an early b-day present for the boys). Do you know how fast these things go?!?!? There have been 5 other ones that posted in the last couple of weeks that I wanted but they sold within 20 minutes or less. I couldn't sit on the computer all day hoping one would post. We did find a swingset kit on KSL and snagged that right away, so we were planning on building one ourselves. But then just yesterday, I was randomly checking KSL and saw that this had only been posted for 24 minutes. I knew it had probably sold but I texted the girl anyway. She said it hadn't sold yet and I said GREAT!! WE WILL PICK IT UP TONIGHT!!! Man, I can't peel these kids away from it, and the neighbors finally come over to our house :).

Can't wait for movies in the park, drive ins, concerts, camping, hiking, the list is never ending.

HAPPY SUMMER

(P.S. if you are interested in purchasing the swingset kit it is pretty sweet. All you need to purchase is the lumber and the manual tells you exactly what to do. Comes with all the hardware and swings. You could make it quite elaborate. Let me know before I post it back on KSL)

Today

Nothing new to report.  Just had to be one of the many complaining about this weather.  I have been so excited for the pools to open because we practically live there in the summers.  I love going the first week they are open because nobody is there.  All the older kids are still in school this week so it is so nice to practically have the pool to ourselves.  Doesn't look like that will be happening for us this week.  Isaac keeps asking me "Mom, what should we do this summer?" Well, we are going to do a bunch of swimming when the weather gets warm.  But then the other day he said he wanted to build a snowman.  Poor kid won't know how to differentiate the seasons if Mother Nature doesn't straighten up!

April

Spring Break with Delaney's

We could barely keep up, we did something everyday they were here. Parks, swimming pool, Zoo, Children's Museum, Kangaroo Zoo, movie night.

Never leave children unattended with a big bowl of popcorn. They sure loved cleaning it up though.

Why we haven't hit up Cottonwood Heights indoor pool more often this year? I don't know why, but oh so fun!

One decent day of sun spent at the Zoo, still pretty cold though!

The Ultimate CutDown

Ordered a clipper/trimmer and it came in the mail a couple of days ago.

I was too excited to wait for someone with more experience to monitor me so Liam was my first victim. Off to the bathroom we went and away I buzzed. Here he is before...(showing me his eyes.)

...and the after. This wasn't his hairdo yesterday though, originally I had buzzed the sides and left it long up top, then I just needed my sister to teach me how to trim the top. Ry said he looked like Hitler, I couldn't wait any longer so I just buzzed it all. It will grow back and I will get it right next time!

More chopping. The neighborhood spring clean up is this weekend so we decided to cut down some trees in the front yard. Really wish I would have gotten a before pic. Now hopefully our grass will grow without those darn pine needles!

EASTER

Easter Brunch at Gardner Village, it is gonna have to be a yearly tradition.

SPRING, PLEASE COME

Man, warmer weather can't get here fast enough! Playing outside is just a must for these boys, but it is still quite muddy out there.

Moab

Just got back from a weekend in Moab with just us girlies. So much fun! A bit windy, but it didn't stop us from finishing. Thanks to Jackie (and spectators) for the photos. Who forgets a camera on a girls trip!!

(Sorry for the embarrassing photo of these two nerds below, you know who you are)

Note to self: DO NOT apply 3/4 of this to your back without trying an area first.

We even had it in us to hike Delicate Arch the last day.

This is what we do when Mom is too tired after a late night with the girls...

(forgive me for my annoying voice)

Love that Liam raises his hand and says "me". This lasted for a good 45 minutes.

Burn

Here is my conversation with the checker at the grocery store today...

Girl: "Those your boys?"

Me: "Yes."

Girl: "How old are they?"

Me: "3 and 1."

Girl: "Sounds like me, I have a 2 year old and a 4 month old. We are probably the same age too."

Me: "28?" (after I did some math)

Girl: "Oh no, you are way older than me!"

OUCH!!!

Me: "How much older?"

Girl: " 7 years."

Me: "Oh" Well she knows her math well. Now check my groceries!

Now I know why the older you get, the more timid women are to tell their age. Looks like I will begin lying about my age now.

TMM (Total Money Makeover-Dave Ramsey style)

I read this book for book club and am obsessed! Ryan calls it my newfound religion. I am Dave's #1 fan! It is about getting out of debt and living debt free for the rest of your life (including your mortgage!! Who does that?!) I almost don't want to share this secret with anyone, but it is not a secret, it is common sense and discipline. I wish I would have found this 5-7 years ago when Ryan and I got married. Time goes by too quickly, I am sure we could have changed our financial future drastically in that time. I feel that I have always been smart with money, I can't stand being in debt, this book was just a wake up call on how to be better and plan for your future. I actually already followed a lot of his concepts, just out of order which would have gotten me nowhere and realized what areas I needed to work on and sacrifice some things to get there.

I was also obsessed when I heard about Grocery Smarts and so excited to cut my grocery bill in half every month, that wore off so this might too. Since it is fresh on my mind, I am super excited about it, but ask me again in a month and see if that changes. If anything, you will learn something from it and hopefully spend your money wisely. This is a MUST READ, it is an eye opener and very motivating.

Frumpy

This is day three of being a frumpy family. My kids have come down with some kind of virus. Today Isaac was going to the bathroom and throwing up on the floor at the same time. Fun. That is why I haven't bothered to get myself ready in three days.

I completed the St. George Half this past weekend. Beat last years time which made me happy. This will be the race time to beat from here on out. It was mostly a flat course. Sadly, it was a bit more challenging than what I am used to since I seem to only run downhill races lately. The weather was awesome. It got up to 60 degrees on Saturday! Really didn't want to come home. Next race in Moab.

Ryan is busy busy with work as always. His work is doing a "Biggest Loser" competition and he has impressed me with how well he has kept up on it. Our Sportsmall membership is finally getting some good use. He had a hard time eating some soup I made for dinner the other night because he could feel the cream/fat go into his body. Whatever, it was just a lame excuse to tell me it wasn't good. If he wins, they give him travel vouchers to where ever he pleases. I am sure it will be some type of fishing trip. Hoping he does well!

I enrolled Isaac in preschool for next fall and fall of 2012, so he is set until kindergarten! I didn't think you had to do this that far in advance, but apparently if you want the good programs/teachers you do! Very excited for him to experience it.

Liam is quite the terd these days. He is constantly telling you no and saying everything is "mine" if you take it away. But the moment he smiles, it melts your heart and you give him whatever he wants. He is getting pretty daring these days. I caught him sitting on the kitchen table one afternoon. Yup, he climbed up the chair and onto the table. Little stinker!

Getting anxious for warmer weather! Cant' wait to go for morning walks to the park, SWIMMING, and just plain ol' being outside! We are definitely getting cabin fever around here.

Mistrial

Today at Jury Duty, they released us at 9:45 AM due to a mistrial. I had put my life on hold this week to get through this trial and now I don't know what to do with myself, guess I better start sorting laundry and get back to my routine. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience, oddly enough. They kept saying that most jurors selected say that the experience was very rewarding and happy they did it. I would agree. Yes, it is VERY inconvenient putting your life on hold (luckily I didn't get selected for the 6 week trial that some other jurors in our waiting area were there for). I learned a lot and got to meet some new people. Small world, one of the gals grew up close to me and we went to the same elementary (a year older) and knew lots of the same people. We had great conversations about The Bachelor and "do you know..." along with many other topics. Come to find out she lives close to me now and we have seen each other at the Sand library for story time in the past. It is interesting because you are put in a room with 8 other strangers and the one thing that connects you, you are not supposed to discuss. Can I just tell you how hard that is! So it was a bummer being dismissed today, I was really looking forward to Friday and getting all these thoughts off my chest.

As a juror you are treated with royalty! The bailiff learned our favorite drinks and made sure they were available for us during our breaks, the court stands up for you as you enter the room (which is quite embarrassing having all eyes on you), and they are constantly thanking you for your service. My poor kids, they were anxious to see where we were going each morning since it was somewhere new each day. Thanks to family for helping me out! I am thankful I don't have to be out the door that early every morning with young ones, it is a lot of work!

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! Although I am excused now for 2 years :), but when I see that pink paper in the mail again, I won't groan as much as I have in the past and neither should you ;)

Lately

Today, my kids woke up and diarrhea'd themselves silly. Spent the morning cleaning that up, it is amazing what you can tolerate once you are a mother. I am sure it will make its rounds with all of us. Looking forward to getting sick, but hoping very much so that I don't as today I realized that I have a half marathon in a little over 3 weeks! I wanted to take a month off after the turkey trot, but it has been well over that and I am so unprepared this time. I should be up to 10 miles this week, only gotten to 4.5, wish me luck.

I received the dreaded pink paper to be called for jury duty, I reluctantly called in and registered hoping that it would be as it always has been, you call in every morning for a few days to see if they need you and they don't. Well this time I surpassed that and received an official summons letter to go to the trial. Yippee! Not at all, I blame my Grandmother for making me register when I was 18. This is the 3rd or 4th time that I have been called! I plan to be prejudice in the interview, maybe they won't call me again. "If they are mexican, GUILTY." It better be a good one.

Liam is walking! Happened the week of Christmas, doesn't prefer it quite yet, but thinks it is so funny when he does. Hallelujah!

Christmas was great, yada yada. It is so much fun with the kiddos, but oh so much work. I now see why my mother was kind of a grinch growing up ;).

Candy and puppy dogs

While standing in line at Franklin Covey yesterday, I came across a sign that said something to the effect of...

"We give candy and puppy dogs to unattended children."

At first I thought how nice of them, then I realized the meaning. I noticed both my kids were running amok around the store. I quickly grabbed Liam and yelled at Isaac to come stand by me. I continued to wait my turn in line, with only one cashier there helping a gentlemen that couldn't make a decision on a darn wallet. As I am frantically trying to control my kids, Liam screaming to get down, Isaac thinking it is funny to run away from me, I was losing my patience. I finally gave up and was willing to welcome a new puppy into the family. I got a good laugh out of that, they must not have kids.

lOvE these boys...

Isaac has figured out the self timer and takes photos of himself now.

Liam is quite the spitfire these days. Watch out if he is mad...head butts you when you least expect it, pulls your hair, claws you! 2 months ago I never would have thought he would come to this. Still as cute as ever!

LeAvEs

The leaves are never ending in our backyard. Round 1 of raking. The rain/snow today won't help with round 2.

12 in 12

Running is quite the fad these days and I will be the first to admit I am a follower. Not that it is a bad thing, it is good to see so many people taking care of themselves. Running a half marathon is nothing because so many of us do it these days. I personally have achieved some of my goals that I never expected to do through running and I plan to stick to it. So far this year I have run 7 half marathons and a couple 10K/5K's and have set my personal best and continue to do better each time! For those of you that know me well know that I am not an athlete nor do I like sports. I only went to my sisters college soccer games if there was food involved :). My sister is actually the one that inspired me to do this when we ran our first full marathon over 4 years ago. Never again will I do that, but have stuck to halfs ever since. I can find the time to train for them and not feel too guilty if I miss 2, 3, sometimes 4 days of training. Plus it is something I can do with my kids if I feel like a really good workout. I love when someone gets involved in running, I could talk their ear off. I don't think of myself as a competitive person and I bask in someone else's glory if they exceeded their goal even if it is better than mine :). With all this said, I have a plan for 2011. I am going to try and run one half marathon a month or more. By voicing it, it will force me to achieve this goal. They will be mostly local races since there are still so many I haven't run around town and some repeats that I have enjoyed so much. Man, I should write a book about this, ha ha.

P.S. I am taking sponsors :)