The Little Bankers

For Christmas, my in-laws opened savings accounts for the boys. We have also had piggy banks for the boys since they were born, so we decided to take the money in their piggy banks and deposit it in the bank. Riley was really upset becuase he wanted to keep all his money, so we compromised. Riley could keep $5 to go and buy a magnifying glass since he has been wanting one for sometime. That did the trick and off to the bank we went. They each got a turn handing the woman behind the desk their money and and we went and got our magnifying glass. It was a good day and now Riley is proud to say that he is saving money for his mission. He says he is going to South Carolina (origin unknown) and is hoping to bring me or Dusty with him...if only.

Riley was still upset about going to the bank.

Lady Bug Quilt

Um...need I say more! Love this quilt! It turned out way better than I thought it would!

I have been thinking...

I have been thinking today.

Actually, I have been thinking about this for a while now, but I am really happy.

I have a pretty good life.

I really love my husband.

I enjoy my children and am so grateful to be a stay-at-home mom.

I have a great neighborhood and ward.

I have good family and friends.

This isn't to say that my life is perfect.

I struggle with my shortcomings, I sometimes complain about life's situations, and I am not always grateful for what I have.

But, I look at my life and I am really okay with it. I can handle my life.

I really, really love my life! I am so happy right now, and I am truly content with my life.

I know I am probably cursing myself by declaring this...something awful is bound to happen...but today, I am happy.

My Dragonfly Quilt

I love making quilts! About 5 yrs ago, a friend and I bought a pattern for an adorable baby quilt with dragon flies and lady bugs. I decided to try and make one and this is the result...the cutest quilt ever! I still have to put a border around the white eyelet so that it will be a crib size quilt but I am totally in love with it! I love the colors, I love the fact that the baby that ends up with this blanket can play with the wings since they aren't completely attached, and I love how easy yet time consuming it was. There are a few finishing touches to make like antenna and tacking the heads down and of course quilting it but all in all...it was a fun project. (The lady bug quilt is next on my agenda...pics coming soon!)

Sledding!!!!

Today we went sledding. It is literally one of the funnest thing I have ever done. My kids love it and we have a great time out on the hill.

"The Great White Hunters"

After Christmas we went up and spent some time with Dusty's family. We spend two days in Idaho Falls and four days in Pegram. We went out every morning and fed the cows with a team of horses and a sleigh. The first day we went out, Riley got a little frostbite on his cheeks but it is pretty fun going out on the sleigh. The last day we were there it was -20 degrees and they still went out and fed but stayed in the tractor the whole time. We also played with cousins, played games, and relaxed the days away.

Carter after playing outside for a few minutes.

Riley wanted to go with Dad and chase the deer...what a sad face.

One night, we decided to go out and go rabbit hunting. Rabbits eat the hay...and that ain't good. Dusty's dad kept calling the boys "the great white hunters" because they had their toy rifles and were ready to go kill something. They both fell asleep in the car while searching for rabbits and we didn't really find any that night but...oh well!

This is the quilt I made for my sister and brother-in-law. The symbols around the quilt are family brands. This was really fun to make and luckily they love it.

Christmas

We had a quiet Christmas at our house. Neither of the kids slept well but I woke the boys up anyway at 7:30 to open their presents. Dusty made the boys a life-size barn...okay it is only 5 ft X 3ft but it is huge and really cool looking. Christmas really is so much fun with little kids and it was a really fun day. Hope you all had a great holiday season.

D is for Dinosaur

For school the other day we went to the dinosaur museum at BYU. We brought the neighbors along with us and the kids had so much fun! The museum was really cool and it is totally free which is a huge plus.

Riley thought this was a snake but it is really a shell. They had lots of things that the kids could touch which is really cool.

This was a common expression from Carter throughout the day.

Outside the museum

C is for Cow

We learned about cows the other day. Cows have four stomachs and eat grass and hay. We already know lots about them so the lesson was rather "relaxed". We did make these awesome cow masks and I even made one for myself. Riley's favorite color is yellow...hence, the yellow cow and Carter went for the more "traditional" look. This was really fun and Riley "scared" Dusty when he came home from work by standing at the door with his mask on. I need to get more prepared for school though...trying to get things ready with the boys trying to help doesn't work out well especially since we had such a rough day that day. (By that I mean constant fighting, crying, and time outs)

They aren't wearing pants because we had been outside and they were soaking wet. I can't bring myself to go through two pairs of pants in one day...

This is the best group portrait using the timer on my camera.

P.S. Thanks to those of you who responded to my last post. I re-read my post and it sounds like a really lame threat so sorry if it came off really rude. I do appreciate the comments and I am glad that you guys read since I read your blogs too! Oh, and you don't really have to comment. I read all of your blogs and rarely comment myself. It is enough for me just knowing that someone reads this thing! Hope you are all having a great holiday season!

Just wondering...

Does anyone actually read my blog? I know that my mom does (thanks mom) but does anyone else? If you don't, that is fine but I don't want to waste my time updating this thing if nobody is reading it. So if you read these updates, please leave a comment because I am might stop blogging.

Riley wouldn't hold still for a picture.

Carter. He sat like this for a good 15 min while eating his donut...not sure what that is about.

B is for Bird

If I don't post this now, it will take me a week like the last one. School again today. The letter B. Riley did another worksheet and Carter drew a picture. Then we painted bird houses. This was an experience and now I know that we won't be painting again until we have some kind of apron or smock to protect our clothes and a mask for me. Anyway, despite the frustration on my part it was pretty fun and they are proud of their masterpieces.

The masterpieces drying. It might take a while. There was a lot of paint on there.

Carter painted my face. I know I look like a mess...don't judge.

And yes, Carter did try to eat the paint.

As a side note, after Riley ate a whole pint of peaches he told me that he was so full and if Carter pushes on him too hard he would throw up on him. At least he warned us...he didn't throw up. I just thought it was hilarious because he was so serious. It makes me laugh anyway!

A is for Airplane

The second day of preschool was fun but a little more tricky. We concentrated on the letter A. For lunch we had apples, animal crackers, and apple shaped grilled cheese sandwiches. We learned about airplanes...the various parts and made a craft out of gum, smarties, and lifesavers. Note to self: don't do candy craft projects with Carter around. Riley also practiced writing by copying lines that I made on a piece of paper. That was a bit challenging. He didn't want to do it and I almost lost my patience. I soon realized that he had never done anything like this before and so I sat down and worked with him until the "worksheet" was done. SUCCESS! He did well and was very proud of himself. So far, this has been a great experience...now I need to be more consistent.

First Day of Preschool

So, I have decided to start doing pre-school with Riley. Preschools around here are so expensive so we will be doing activities and things here at home. I am getting really excited to start because I think that he will love to learn about new things. Today, we learned about fall but we will be doing a letter theme each day. For example, for the letter A we will be learning about airplanes, make an airplane, and for the snack/lunch we will be eating apple shaped grilled cheese sandwiches with apples and animal crackers. (Maybe we will drive out the a small airport as well and look at the planes with our binoculars.) That just came to me. Anyway, here are pictures of our first day of preschool...Fall.

Home-made binoculars from toilet paper rolls.

Felt trees with leaves we gathered from outside glued on. This one is Carters.

This one is Riley's.

I thought this was kind of a cool picture.

We walked around the neighborhood looking and Fall things through the binoculars. They really enjoyed it.

It was a pretty fun day!

So, I have been feeling sorry for myself all day today. Dusty has been working a lot lately. It feels like I haven't seen him all month. While rushing around this morning to get to our primary program practice, Carter threw up on me. Riley doesn't like to listen to me; even on the simplest things. There is always too much to do around the house and money is tight.

But then I start thinking about the funny things that happen throughout the day.

Like when I was once again yelling at Riley for something, and I look over at Carter who is plugging his ears.

Or Riley telling me one of his dramatic stories.

Or Riley holding a pig race in the backyard with an armful of old grass clippings as his pig. All the while running after Carter yelling "Kiss the pig! Kiss the pig!"

Or Carter and all his funny facial expressions-I am pretty sure he only makes them to get out of trouble.

Or Dusty sending me a funny text about fat husbands and tough wives.

Or Dusty staying up and talking to me even though he is too tired to concentrate.

Or Riley asking if we could go to the store to get me some make-up because I didn't put any on that day and I apparently looked really bad.

Or Riley cheating on a game that he was already beating me at even though I wasn't trying to let him win.

Or Carter waking himself up just so he can stick his finger up my nose or make another one of his funny faces and talk to me.

Or Carter giving me multiple kisses before he goes to bed without even being asked.

Or Riley being so proud of himself for opening my car door.

Or Riley putting away his bath toys without being asked-and alway making sure I notice.

Or Dusty sending me a text saying that he misses us.

I think about all these things and suddenly life isn't so bad anymore.

When we went to Cornbelly's Riley discovered the water which was his favorite part. He was completely soaked except for a little spot on his back and in the picture he is trying to get his boot back on.

Playing on the cow train...Carter's favorite part. He has already figured out that if he doesn't want his picture taken he just has to hide. Gee! I wonder where he gets that from.