Early Christmas Present

Our microwave has been making some pretty strange noises. Over the past year, the noises have been getting louder and louder. Then, it tripped the breaker. Twice. If the fear of radioactive food wasn't enough, then maybe worrying about the house burning down did it, because we finally got a new microwave.



I am pretty excited, it's real nice (real nice said like cousin Eddie). I like it a lot! It was a big pain to install this. The over the range fan that we had was hard wired in, which we didn't know until we took it out. That meant that this microwave could not just be plugged in to an outlet. Brian had to wire an outlet in and hide it in the upper cabinet. So thanks Brian for spending your day off working on the house!

This thing has a lot of room inside. I can't really imagine a time when a small microwave won't cut it, but with three boys it is quite possible I get there before I know it. So the exra large space inside is good. It also makes a cute beeping noise, way better than the old loud one. But the best thing about this microwave? Since it is above the stove, I get to reclaim a corner of my kitchen.



I covet space in my little house, and so this is a great perk. Brian says it is just one more corner to fill up with paper and junk, but I am going to try to keep it clean and nice. Anyway, early Christmas here at our house.

Halloween

So many people just love the newborn baby phase and all that comes with it. They talk about how they just hold their babies all day and when they get older, they miss it. I love my newborns and love holding them and marveling at how perfectly formed they are. I have that overwhelming sense of gratitude. But, I have to say, having older kids is better! This is so much fun! Halloween, basketball games, having friends over, talking with them! Love this phase.

Each year Kyle's school does a little parade, where all the kids march through the school and parents come to ooh and aah over their cute little ones. That is just what we did. It was so fun! Each kid had great unique costumes.



Kyle was Annakin Skywalker. I am telling you, he still doesn't quite look like himself. He looks a little tired from that virus he has last week. It sure took its toll on him. But other than being tired, he felt great and we had a good time!

Then there is Annakin's trusted companion! R2D2!







Ever since I saw this costume, I have been looking forward to Dallin wearing it. I knew that Blake and Kyle were doing Star Wars so I had to follow suit and am so glad I did.
Getting these pictures was a bit of a struggle. It consisted of me looking ridiculous on my knees in the muddy grass making wierd faces/noises at Dallin to get him to make eye contact and smile. This represents over an hour of work, but finally!



He probably just gave in and smiled for me so I would finally leave him alone. :) Dallin totally figured out trick or treating within the first 2 houses. He would go grab himself a piece of candy and run off with it in his little fist. He was great!



On our way to trick or treat! "Mom, can we go yet?" and finally the answer was "Yes! Let's go!"

Oh Blake you handsome kid!



It's Bobba Fett! He even has the gun!





Thanks for coming Gma Bonnie. It is now a tradition to have you here! The boys loved that you came. Dallin especially. I told him earlier in the day, "Grandma will be here." He stopped, and looked right at me, and looked at the door. He understood and got excited! He loves you too!



Wish my pictures turned out better but I just have to accept that, with older kids, they don't always want to stand for long periods of time while I take picture after picture. After all, it's more important that we actually experience Halloween rather than just keep taking pictures, right?

Anyway, as a kid myself, I didn't ever like Halloween. But now that we do dressing up, and actually trick or treating, I love it! And I love my three little Star Wars boys. Happy Halloween!

Discovering Pumpkins

Dallin, you are so precious! I love you.

Pumpkins Finally!

Halloween is only a few days away and we finally got our pumpkins picked out.


Poor Kyle has been so sick! It took so much out of him, but he is finally better and I am happy to see him smile.


Blake picked this cute little baby one for Dallin. We got another that could actually be carved too.


Dallin pretty much wanted to just run around...


He sampled some of the pumpkins but they don't taste good. :)


Dallin was pretty mad at this point that he couldn't just run off. So this is the best picture I got. It is not too bad considering.






Finished products! I made a kitty for Dallin, he loved it! He kept pointing at it squealing happily and saying "di-tee! mow!" Pretty fun. They all turned out cute.
Happy Halloween!

Love the Chunk

Cute little baby legs!

18 months old! Cutie pie. My little chunky monkey.

I wanted to wait until evening to take some cute pictures of the baby, but he fell down and hurt himself. :( His little mouth is a little swollen so no real great pictures yet. But I was able to get some on his actual 18 month bday before he fell down...





When his mouth heals up I will take some more pictures and post them later.

Love you Dallin!

Project

We decided to redo the playroom, or the closet under the stairs.

Before:




I have been letting the kids just color on the walls in there which has been really fun. But they are out of fresh drawing space, so we repainted.


All of the toys got dumped into the dining room. I was feeling a little overwhelmed at this point. There are too many toys in this house. 2 whole garbage bags full are going to DI. Also, one big box went to the garage to rotate out for a while.


Before all that was laid down on the floor was a really thin fabric-like material. So we got some carpet pad and remnant to put down. So much nicer and softer for the kids.


Handy Brian and the helpers.


All done! Wow, what a difference the carpet especially has made. The kids play in here more. The goal now is to keep it more organized. We can do that, right?

Out with the Old and In with the New

Goodbye Honda Odyssey...



Hello Dodge Caravan!



Lower miles and newer, I think I like it better even though it doesn't have as many extras as the Honda.

It was kinda funny how I ended up selling the Odyssey. I had posted it on KSL just sort of last minute. Then one day later, someone called me and said "Looks like you just sold your van, we are heading to Logan to buy it." They had not even test drove it! I was so unprepared; I was without a vehicle for a couple of days. I had another van in mind to buy, but looked at it and it did not feel right. It was filthy inside and the outside was pretty beat up. Also the couple selling it were a little shady. Anyway, this one came up and we felt good about it. So I sold mine on a Thursday, and bought this one on a Monday. It worked out just right.

Breakfast at the Schwab's

Dallin can get his own cereal now....


Good for my cholesterol? Hmmm, sounds good.

Guess I'll have me some more.

USU Homecoming Parade

Looks like it is officially a tradition. For 4 years now I have gone to the USU homecoming parade with my friend Heather and her kids. It is great to see Heather. She is awesome. I used to see her most every day when we worked together. I also used to babysit Rachel so it is fun to get caught up and see how much she has grown.

Cute little cheerleader. Go Aggies!


It is a good parade to go to, the kids actually get candy rather than just stand out in the heat for no reason (like the Pioneer Day Parade).


Waiting patiently.


Oh! A lollipop!


This is Dallin last year, I put him in Rachel's stroller.

This year I didn't expect it to be so cold, so I borrowed Rachel's sweater. Guess this is part of the tradition now too, to have Dallin in something girly.


Anyway it was fun to see the kids get so excited over tootsie rolls and smarties. Dallin was just taking it all in. His expression when the band passed was a little concerned but he didn't cry. And of course he liked the candy too.