Early Mothers Day

Lucky 7

So I pulled out the old 8mm of Spencer's birth and I can't believe that it was 7 years ago we had so much trouble getting this kid here healthy and safe. After pre-term labor, Intra-Uterine Growth restriction, months of bed rest, bi-weekly NST's, bi-monthly ultrasounds, being admitted to the hospital for longer than I ever care to be ever again, an amniocentesis, an induction, heart rate issues, emergency c-section, 2 week stay at the NICU, and a few subsequent surgeries for him and you can imagine why I thought that pregnancy would never end. But here we are all this time later with the greatest little 7 year old I could ever have hoped for. My Spencer is one of the sweetest boys you will ever meet, he is genuinely a good kid, always trying to make good choices, and do what's right. He is such a protective parent to his brother and sister, if they have the slightest chance of getting hurt he is going to prevent it at all costs. He is incredibly smart, does not like to get in trouble, and always wants to make everyone happy and be everyone's friend. He has the biggest most tender heart you can possibly imagine and he uses it for good everyday. My Spencer is really such an amazing kid and Im so grateful the Lord saw fit to make me his mom, I really dont deserve him. 

Happy Birthday Spencer boy. 

Go Go Gadget Book!

Have you seen this thing? I must have it! Its called the Kindle 2, it is a book reader that uses Sprints 3G network to download books right in the palm of your hand, no service fee's, no wifi needed and 230,000 books plus magazines and newspapers. I know, if only they paid me for such advertising. Darren came home the other day telling me about a few patients who come in with these things and after looking into it I was sold. He has no one to blame but himself. Its true that my iphone can do something similar but I've found the books are limited and the screen is so small. Also, my favorite feature of this thing, if you for some reason have to stop reading but you are at a critical point in the story, you can have it start reading to you. What?!? I know! Are any of you as sold as I am? Well, Im thinking early birthday, maybe Mothers Day, or is it customary to give someone a St. Patricks Day gift? If not, it should be, I already know what I want. The Inspector could only be so lucky for such a gadget. 

(JJ, you know you want one....)

Huggies free is the way to be

Would you look at me....2 posts in 3 days, sometimes I amaze even myself. But this post will not be a travelog like most of my others, I really should branch out. This post is a Im-taking-the-plunge-and-keeping-myself-accountable-to-all-of-you post. I have officially purchased my last pack of diapers and my first pack of pretty pink princess underwear. There are blankets covering every inch of carpet in the house, and Im trying to confine Riley to whatever room is closest to the bathroom. I have fully accepted that nothing else will get done this weekend as we do our 20 min off 5 on routine, but lets hope this is a success and it will not be a weekend wasted. It may be wishful thinking that we get any progress done over the weekend, but can I say potty training my boys was an absolute dream. From beginning to end the process was one week, one week and we were RELATIVELY accident free (not totally because what kid ever is) but none the less, they were great. That, and I have never in my 2 kids potty trained ever purchased a pack of "pull ups". Like I said these boys were fantastic. So are there any of you out there who have potty trained both boys and girls and can give me any hopes that this girl will be as easy as my boys? Or am I in for the long haul and have my work cut out for me? 

The crazy thing is that when you have a 7 and a 5 year old and no newborn to remind you how little babies can be, a 2 year old still seems so young. But its time, Im ready, hopefully she's ready and seriously is there anything cuter than a tiny 2 year old butt in little pink underwear, I ask you?

Like a kid loves candy and fresh snow

I hesitated admitting to all you Utahans out there reading my blog (the two of you) that we were in town this month, because the odds are we didn't get a chance to see you this trip. But there is really no need to take it personal, it was a short trip much of which was spent in Park City, Darren had a conference up there to get his CME's, so we joined him for some fun in the snow. We spent the first day with my parents in Salem for some foosball, ping pong, sledding, and fort building. The ping pong win goes to me, but as you can clearly see by the pictures Dad wins the sledding match. Maybe even two points for this one.

Spencer and Mason had their first go at skiing that weekend as well. By the end of the day they were pro's thanks to their own personal ski instructor Dad. 

And just like that, they all out ski me.

After a day of skiing they were ready to try some of the ski jumps at the Olympic Park, or maybe just some bobsledding. Not a bad looking team, right? Vancouver 2010 here we come.

We got in some practice with the torch running too. 

Although Im not sure if Riley's holding the torch or its holding her?

We also got to celebrate my little baby's second birthday in Utah. How amazingly cute is she? I love this little girl so much, she is more fun that I could imagine, and keeps me laughing all day. She is a little chatter box these days and it is the cutest thing when you can figure out what she is saying. My personal favorite, when you tell her "no" to anything she gives you an "Oh man!", its hilarious and I end up giving her whatever she wants anyway. Mom's a sucker what can I say. But who wouldn't be for this sweet thing, she has such a personality and with two older brothers has learned how to fight for what she wants. And has also learned that she has all the men in this house wrapped around her finger tighter than most. They would do anything for her and she milks it for all its worth, (at least she's learning something from her mom). I love my little Riley girl, and it was fun to celebrate her birthday with some of my fam. Thanks guys!

Ok, and now, seriously, we are done with the vacations for a while. The kids have already missed too much school, Darren has missed too much work and I have missed too much bowling, and basketball. It was a sacrifice for all of us, but a fantastic trip to the old home state all the same. It was incredibly great to see those of you we did get to see, and the rest of you, sorry, next trip I promise. (or you could always come to Cali?!)

Uno Mas

Ok, maybe two. I had to share these pictures because this was one of the best things about our trip to Whistler.....

This is the view from the window of the living room in our suite. The lift on the right is to Whistler mountain, the one on the left is Blackcomb mountain. We were literally steps away, which was good because most of the time I was too tired after a long day to walk any farther. 

Out of the other window in the living room was this view of the village. We were steps away from that as well.  Lets just say this was the perfect location. 

This is the post that never ends

Well now, there are far too many things for me to cover over the last month and really the best I can do at this point is post pictures and if I feel so inclined caption them. Sorry there isn't more, but my excuses are useless.

The Family Christmas Pageant, after a fabulous Prime Rib, Salmon dinner. 

Who doesn't like a little angel with some color.

This wiseman is just happy to be here.

Mason: "If I smile for this, can we hurry and open presents?"

Apparently life for an Archangel like Gabriel is pretty tough, He had to take a second job as a painter. 

Now there's a legit smile out of Mason. Christmas Eve everyone gets to open a present from Grandma and Grandpa, the boys loved their race cars that night. 

Riley got a dog with a carrier that she loves, personally I think she's jealous of all that hair.

Christmas day was very low key and very fun. Everyone got spoiled, most of all me. I think I've fooled Darren into thinking I actually deserve it, either that or He is just too good to me. Probably the latter. Not that Im complaining mind you, its probably only a matter of time until he realizes Im really not worth it, so I'll enjoy it while I can.

On to New Years Eve......

Most years my least favorite holiday, this year it seems to be climbing the charts. We got together with some great friends, played games, ate food (me more than most), and rang in the new year with some serious laughs. Alcohol or not (don't worry there was not) when you keep me up that late at night you are sure to learn more about me than you really ever cared to.  Lets hope what happens in 2008 stays in 2008.

Few! Now on to 2009.

Surprise, surprise we've already made a trip to Disneyland this year. My parents came down for a weekend and we joined them for a day at the Happiest Place on Earth. The kids loved being down there with their Grandparents, it was a very fun day.

The following week we headed up to Seattle, where we were dropping the kids with Patty, on our way to meet Craig and Becky in Whistler for Craig's 60th Birthday weekend. Craig's always wanted to ski Whistler so for his 60th this year Becky decided to surprise him with a trip. He is a pretty hard core skier and she would rather not spend all of her day on the slopes stuck in the terrain park. So as Darren would be more than happy to spend all day in the terrain park or cruising the double black diamonds and you couldn't pay me enough to do more than a green run, together we were the perfect foursome. The guys went off and tried to kill themselves on jumps and ramps while we women cruised the easy runs again and again, just the way we like it. Our last day however we did decide to mix it up a bit, I really wanted to try some snowboarding so I had a lesson while Darren grabbed a board and headed out on his own. It was so much fun!! I loved snowboarding! Skiing is something that for me is a means to an end. I am at the top of the hill so I guess I'll have to get down somehow, better ski it to save time. Snowboarding however I might enjoy for the sake of enjoyment, just think. I am excited to try it again! Soon! 

And most of all how lucky were we that my sister was nice enough to take the kids? Isnt she the best?! Its possible that I will owe her for life or longer!

Wow, that really was the never ending blog post!! But for now, I'm done, and lets all hope I don't let life run away with me like that again.