Fun With Nephews

We've had some fun with some of our nephews lately.

I took my three older kids and Tara's two oldest to the library for a Harry Potter Party last week.  It was a fun time.  Although, we did have a LONG time to wait in LOTS of lines.  Good thing we were just at the small town library and not one of the big city ones.

First, all the kids got tickets for the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 3/4. 

We finally got to the platform (the entrance for the kids' section) and the kids were sorted into houses. 

Abby, Matt, and Brett were sorted into Ravenclaw. 

Emma was sorted into Hufflepuff. 

And Cody was sorted into Slytherin.

They each got some galleon coins to pay for their activities.  They made postcards for the Owl Post, created their own wands, attended a Potions Class, drank butterbeer, and had a Honeydukes treat. 

It was a fun day.

We also got to see Pete, Genica and Brayden this week. Millie was all up in Brayden's business over everything: "No, Braynen! My turn!" or "No, Braynen, my bee (blankie)!" or "Pe'er, (points at Brayden) Braynen!"

Of course, I think he liked pushing some of her buttons too. 

Finally, about five minutes before we left Mom and Dad's house to come home I got a picture to remember the three minutes the two of them got along:

We loved seeing them, even if Millie tattled on Brayden every five seconds.

Now we need to have some fun with our other nephews too!!

We have a backyard!!! And the boys get to play on grass!! I love it. Can you tell? They do too. Teagan loves to turn on the hose and make mud. What else does a 4 year old boy need? Maybe a tramp, but we'll get there someday.

We also got some guinea pigs last month. They are cute. A little loud sometimes when they see you and decide that they are hungry, but still cute. The brown ones name is WeeWee. I think. Teagan kinda named him. He got the name from the way that the guinea talks to us. It sounds like an alarm. You know, WeeWeeWeeWee. So his name is either WeeWee or Alarm. Trent likes to say his name is Al. So I guess it's just whatever comes out of your mouth.

The black ones name is Sneaker. Ty came up with this one. He says that he thought of it because he sneaks around. And he thinks of the shoe too. :)

Did I tell you that Pixie got lost? She was let outside to go potty and the backyard gate was open. I didn't notice that until I opened the door to let her back in a couple hours later. Oops. She had run off. We looked for her for days. But nothing. So now we are hoping that she's somewhere safe with someone that loves her. We miss her and Teagan brings her up sometimes. After we didn't have her for a while, that's why we got the guineas. They are a good substitution I think. The boys love them. They get to take them out in the backyard to eat the grass. It's their favorite activity. They'd stay out there all day if we let them.

Chore list

Yesterday morning I woke up to a clean house. It was wonderful. The boys had made a list and did all of their chores before going to Lowes. Later in the day I found the list and thought I'd share. Just imagine the *'s to be boxes with checks.

Things that Trenton and Teagan and Tyler did.
* Made beds
* Emptied the dishes
* Cleaned are rooms (but not Teagan)
* Got dressed (but not Teagan)
* Ate breakfast (but not Teagan)
* brushed teeth
* Organized bake yard (Teagan didn't help he only made it worst)
* Clean up downstairs (not Teagan) (mostly Tyler)
* Clean under table (Tyler did this)
* Clean table (Tyler and Trenton)
* Vacumed downstairs (only Tyler)
* Clean hallway (Tyler only)
* Sweep under Guinie pig cage (only Tyler)

As you can see, Tyler made the list. I even wrote it word for word. I wish I could've scanned it in since this doesn't do it justice. It makes it sound like Teagan is a terrible cleaner upper. Which, yes, sometimes he is. But I do have to say that usually Teagans room is the cleanest out of all three of them. And he cleans it all by himself. :) I love my little boys. And all of their quirks too.

Soccer Mom

I never wanted to be considered a "soccer mom". But this year all three of the boys are playing soccer. It's such a weird thought to me. And they are sooooo excited. Today I went to the store with Teagan and bought him some cleats and shin guards (he starts on Thurs.). When we got home and the boys were home from school, he went straight to them and told them that he just got new shoes. "With bumps on them!" Then we checked out the shin guards. As I was showing him how to put them on, Tyler was watching and decided to put his two cents in. I was telling Teagan that you put the shin guards on under the socks. Tyler was so sure that it's over. Man that kid doesn't budge. I had to google it. How sad is that? :) This is going to be a big change for us, especially with them all on different levels and teams. Maybe I will have to consider myself as a "soccer mom". Just for a little bit. :)

Happy 60th Anniversary!

Today is Gramma and Grampa's 60th anniversary.  Wow!  It's so incredible to have such great examples of marriage. 



Grampa and Gramma (with Emma) in 2001, after their 50th Anniversary celebration



We love you Gramma and Grampa!  Thank you for being such wonderful grandparents!

Potty Break

So for the last couple of months, any time I go running and my bladder jostles too much, I'm reminded of the 5k I ran with Peter in November.

In case you don't remember (or didn't know) we met up in Syracuse, UT, to run in a 5k that benefited the cause of my friend Tara and her project to build a playground for children with disabilities.  A great cause, and I got to run with my brother.  Made me happy.

But it wasn't too far into the race when I realized that I could happily take a potty break.  In fact, it was at about the 2k mark -- not even halfway.  But I just kept running and tried to ignore it.

A second or two later, Pete turns to me and says, "Do you think they'd care if I used that?"  He nodded toward a house we had just passed with a toilet as a lawn ornament in their flower bed.  I kind of laughed.  The guy running behind us said, "Even if you clog it, it would be okay.  That guy is a plumber."

We all three laughed and continued on our way, but when I'm out running and can use a break I'm reminded of the lawn toilet in the plumber's yard that Pete wanted to use.

Fun times.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year family! Welcome to 2011!