Boys being boys weekend...

(please note the long drool string- he just cut 2 molars and another tooth on the bottom, you know, for good measure...)

We had a pretty mellow weekend around here and I was super glad. Sometimes I wonder about the world of boys I live in. My boys are boy boys, dirt, bikes, quads and all things dirty. They are rowdy and rough with each other, a trend I dare say will only get worse as they get older. It has been interesting to see Berkley and how he is coming into his own and defending himself more. He is finally starting to talk. Braden was a big talker by this age and Berk has his words, but is possessive of them. He says "this" and "that" and is pointing with one finger and that gets him where he needs to go. He has started this "No" gesture that is a little brattier than a regular head nod, you also get a shoulder shrug and a look too. Gotta love it. He loves to be outside ("oow-side") and loves to swing, but he is really happiest when he is watching, more marveling really, at his big brother riding his bike, quad or motor-scooter. It's hilarious to watch. He is mesmerized... He wants to touch the wheels, and stands right in the way when Braden is coming or going. Thankfully, Braden generally, will avoid him and keep going. My biggest gripe with him right now is his grunting to indicate what he wants instead of calling it by name, which he knows, but won't use generally. Any tips? I am trying to avoid giving him anything unless he says please "pees" or ask for it by name, which is why he learned a new word this weekend..."nem nems" (M&M's)... my house is a chocolaty mess.

We had a fun family lunch date at CPK which was both yummy and fun. The boys are at a great age and will actually behave pretty well in restaurants . As long as they have something to eat they are GooD! SHOCK!


Rusty got his 'Braden time' in on Saturday with his Uncle Todd, brother Ryan, two cousins Cass & Maryn and his grandpa Bopy, when they all headed to the Motorcross, that was in town this weekend.

In the Pit before the main event

The view from their seats, Braden is wearing his Quad riding shirt (he wanted me to let ya'll know)

He really liked the races and thought it was pretty cool to see "little big kids" (8 yr olds) racing. The night was tarnished only because he dropped his new camera from Christmas into the section below him and it is lost and gone forever... He is still grieving it. Poor kid, it's like he doesn't have 50 other things to play with. But bless his heart.

The only other eventful thing to report is Berkley's first big fall. Not off his trike, or the tramp or out of the car. Nothing as exciting, he just fell walking, and went literally, FLAT on his Face... the bruise on his nose is proof. My only question is, Can a 1 yr old break their nose? Cause if so, this looks iffy.

Back to School...

Thankfully I am not driven in the scholarly way. While I did well in college, I just didn't love it and having my Associates Degree in General Studies suits me just fine. One day maybe, I will think about, thinking about the possibility of going back to school, but for now I am content just being the wife of a student.

Yes sir, after finishing a double major at the end of 2005, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Managent and Marketing...as well as a near perfect GPA--(Overachiever) Rusty has been accepted into the MBA program at University of Phoenix. I am really proud he decided to go back and I know it was in his long term plans, so why not do it now? He should finish up next year sometime, unless he goes crazy and tries to do it in under a year, pleaselet's hope not. I guess he just didn't think he could handle all that relaxing on the cruise unless he was really stressed out before it! He starts classes next week and I will lose him forever to his computer at night. Congrats, sweetie the boys and I are so proud and I know you will do fantastic! Oh, and no pressure on the straight A's this time...

None at all...

I love getting gifts...

Well, I love getting gifts. Braden likes to call them prizes. Rusty calls them "hand over the credit card" and Berk doesn't really care- unless it is round and bounces. But, I especially love when I get a gift and the occasion has nothing to do with me...
We got our passport ready and our shopping shoes on, 'cause we're going to

the Mediterranean!

Rusty's parents Russ & Cindi try to take us on a big family vacation every other year or so in addition to our annual Powell trips. In the past we have been to Disneyworld for Christmas and most recently we went to Hawaii. (Ok, so the day before I ended up not going, bags packed and everything...funny story about being 5 weeks pregers with Berk and so stinkin sick my Mom had to stay with me for the whole week cause I couldn't get up the stairs without help...) Anyhow. We always have a great time. This last week on Dec 29th they celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Kelcie graduated last year and hasn't taken her senior trip yet and once the ball got rolling not only were Kelcie, Russ & Cindi going, but Ryan, Jill's Family, us and our Nana & Bopy.

This summer we are taking a 15 day trip (a 12 day cruise) throughout the Mediteranian! I have never been on a cruise, or out of the US (Mexico doesn't count). Nor have I ever been super fond of the 18 or so hour plane ride that will get me there (22 coming back). Most of our Christmas gifts were cruise oriented. That's why Braden got the IPod, I got a new camera and Rusty got this nifty thing to weigh the luggage! I am so excited! We are forgoing our annual Rasmussen trip to our condo at Snowbird and our annual long Lake Powell trip in order to save up the vacation time were gonna need!

I am so excited. I will be super curious to see how Berk does, he will be 18 months or so when we go. Braden loves flying. he slept the entire 6 hours to Oahu and then some. He is old enough to listen to music, watch the movies or sleep. Berk is gonna need some kid ambien! At least we are gonna have lots of hands to help us. Jill's hubby Bill served his mission in Italy so we can get the insiders scoop there. And we hear if you speak Spanish (Rusty & Russ) they can understand you in most places. So, here's where we are going...

Venice, Italy
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Santorini, Greece
Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Athens, Greece
Naples/Capri, Italy
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Rome, Italy
Florence, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Nice (Villefranche), France
Nice, France
Barcelona, Spain

I Know, couldn't you just die??? I never ever though I would go to Europe. I have serious flying issues but I have gotten more comfortable now that I have kids to distract me and of course the lovely prozac/dramamine effect helps too... But now I am excited at the idea. We will only be at each place a day or so, so it is a good peek into where we would like to go back and spend more time later(and without the kids). I would love to go to England someday with my parents. My Dad served his mission there and even brought a VW Bug home on the boat with him. Yes, I said boat, he is pretty old after all! Teasing Dad. So I can't wait for this adventure to start. I am already making lists and storing away things to take.

So, all you cruise pro's, what do I need to take, not need (hairdryer?) and does anyone know if they sell diapers on board(that question keeps me up at night)?!? I will hopefully have lots of fun stamps in my passport when we get back, as well as thousands of photos to remember this trip of a lifetime!
Happy Anniversary Noni & Pops!

Christmas 2007

So much has happened in the last few days, as you can tell from the lack of posting, and they say a picture is worth a thousand words... so here is the Christmas week in review...
Christmas Eve:

• Presents from Santa at Rusty's work
• Last minute preparations
• Dinner and program at the Beck's (Braden was the best shepard ever)
• Waiting and waiting for Santa

Christmas Day Highlights:

• Braden's favorite gifts...Quad and gear from Santa, IPod Shuffle, camera
• Berkely's favorite gifts...Trike from Santa, ball popper and a mazillionbillion balls
• Rusty's favorite gifts...Leather jacket, new phones for our house, and a Fossil watch
• Caryn's favorite gifts...New digital camera, a Body Bugg, and Ipod speakers
• Breakfast buffet at Beck's
  
• Pancakes with my fam at Rhonda's house
• Matching Candy Cane striped pj's
  
  
  And since then and other holiday things...

• Riding quads in the desert
• Berkley feeling better, finally- what 1 yr old gets Mono?!?!
  
• playing Wii
• Seeing friends and playing Wii
• After Christmas Sales!!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

And the winner is...

Shock, shock, Rusty pulled off his third straight win in our family weight loss competition. He and his dad Russ were fighting it out pound for pound, point for point and it was so close, only 5 pounds separated them! In total Rusty lost 43 pounds and has spent the last few days trying to put some back on! Good job to Jill & Ryan who tied for third, and then me (11 pounds), Cindi and Bill. So, that means we have a new...

Wii at our house! Hurray! We also got a few games for Christmas and some more controllers, and we have been having a blast. Braden is ridiculously good at bowling, that kid can get three strikes in a row without trying. This is a big moment for me personally, because I have never, ever owned a Nintendo before. I know. Heck, my parents didn't even have cable till 2 years ago!

But, the best surprise came the day after the weigh in, on Christmas Day.. After all the gifts were opened Russ and Cindi brought out a few more boxes...

Everyone got Wii's! We all worked super hard to change how and what and how much we are eating as well as being more active. They were so proud of all of us that they couldn't let the rest go unrewarded. (Don't worry, Rusty got a few extra games and accessories to make it fair). Needless to say the couches have been moved out and we have been Wii'ng till the wee (hah- hah) hours of the morning. Since most of us didn't meet our goal weights yet, we are gonna extend the contest till this summer when we go on our trip! (More to come on that in another post...)

Trouble city...

So I guess Berk is getting even with me for posting such a nice post about him. The last few nights he has woken up at 4 am and cried until Rusty gave in and gave him a bottle. He is cutting his molars, so we are giving him a little pass. But the most disturbing habit he has assumed lately is that of home decorator! I have the pleasure of redecorating the lower section of our tree every evening, and three or four time during the day. He loves to rearrange the Little People Nativity (any holiday decor in his reach is fair game, in his defense...) we have out and move any rugs we have from their proper place. But I have decided he must not like the finish on our wood floors, because nearly every day he tries to cover every square inch with food. I sweep up cup fulls at a time. I know, give him less, but he eats and eats and when he is done he dumps his tray before I can blink! I love this kid and his querks. Thankfully, Braden has assumed my obsessive qualities and generally follows behind him rehanging ornaments, putting bows back on packages and un-tipping beaded trees. Last year Braden was the decor culprit. He loves to organize things, and each day I would have to stop him from getting the gifts out from the tree. He would put them in piles by wrapping paper and then put them bck under. He just didn't get my vision for a nicely arranged gift pile! Huh! THis year he hasn't done that tho, yeah...

I love Christmas, but I am kinda ready to have my house back to normal...

(The final weigh in for our competition is tomorrow at 3, so I will be sure to let you know how we all did!)

All I Really Wanted for Christmas...

I already got!

Berkley is FINALLY sleeping! Yeah! After he got his ear tubes we made the decision to let him cry it out. It has been a rough couple of weeks for him, but an answer to prayers for me. The first week or two he was waking up just as often as always and crying for up to 2 hours before falling asleep out of boredom. The next week was better, he was waking up two or three times a night but crying less and for a shorter time. Now, it has been over a month and he is going to bed at 8pm and generally waking only once, if at all, crying only for a few minutes before sleeping again until 7am or so when he takes a bottle. On my happy good days, he goes right back to sleep with the bottle and gets up for the day about 9.

I am not gonna say it was easy on any of us. Rusty woke up each time Berk cried, and so did Braden a lot of the time. I got some good use out of my IPod and a little Enya to make it through the really rough nights. There is just something in me that makes me die a little when my baby is screaming and I know all he wants is me! AGH!

He is napping longer in the day too. Although he now hates his crib for naps, so my bedroom floor is doing the job these days. Also, he is trying so hard to cut his top 12 month molars, so I attribute any daytime crankiness to that.

I can hardly believe Christmas is in less than a week. I have so much wrapping to do! Oh, and Rusty, just cause I said I got what I really wanted doesn't mean I would be less than thrilled for any of the other things on my list... hint hint hint...

The other important date this week is the end of our family's weight loss competition on Christmas Eve. Everyone has done really well, avoiding the abundance of sugar and yummy fattening food all around. But, Rusty, Russ and Jill are fighting till the end to see who is gonna end up with the Wii and the glory of being the winner. Rusty has lost nearly 40 pounds, so when you see him, PLEASE FEED HIM! Really I am jealous that I have only lost 10 in the 2 months or so we have been doing it. I swear he has such will power, I am going to continue to work at my goal until our trip this summer- that's a little more realistic of a timeline for me.

Enjoy the rest of the madness! And until my next post--

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

And Breathe...

Last week could not have been over fast enough. I love the holidays, but what I hate is all the extra commotion that comes with it. Everyday last week I had at least three things on my calendar that were must do's or must go to's. I felt like my plate was so full, I was gonna have leftovers for a month!

Everything from dental cleanings for three of us, to taking the snack to preschool, to assembling and tagging 30 crystal beaded bookmarks for the YW's Christmas gifts. But, the one I am most grateful is over with...singing in church. Oh, don't forget the fun things on the calendar like the work holiday party- (an hour and a half away), or the progressive dinner -(I skipped and was so mad about) and of course, the true highlight of the week, Bunco at my house. Weekends are for relaxing, right??? Not mine, Saturday my brother & his wife went through the Temple (congrats), plus breakfast with Santa (our in-laws had to take the kids) and putting new light fixtures on the front of the house (thank you very much Smith family for giving us this brilliant idea...), sewing new drapes and a trip to Old Navy. Sadly, there really were about twenty other things I had to do this week too, but, now that the madness is over I feel like I can breathe again. Ok, after I finish this mountain of laundry I can breathe again, hmmmm I love the smell of clean, hot clothes... This week has to be better, right???!

My favorite part about hosting Bunco is getting to buy all the cute gifts, table treats, and finding something yumm-o to make for the dinner!

Braden Beck, DDS???

Braden has had quite a week. My boys LoVe lOvE LOVE the outdoors. Even when it is freezing, raining, foggy or a combo of the three. Berk pounds on the doors and windows grunting 'ugh ugh ugh' until you let him out. While Braden will tell you it has been 'a week and a half' or 'an hour and a half' since he has gotten to ride his bike! Gasp! Oh no! We have had quite a bit of rain and the boys being indoor bound has nearly killed them (and me). Thankfully, we have had some better weather as the week progressed and he has gotten to ride his bike a ton. He is very proud that his big bikewithouttrainingwheels (as he says) has a new kick stand. He is in LOVE with that dang kick stand. Oh, the simple pleasures in life, it kinda makes me wonder why we have been going all over town looking for the perfect Christmas gift. (Ok, really I haven't set foot in a mall, thank heaven for amazon.com) But the biggest accomplishment this week was that Braden went to go see Dr Tyler for his teeth cleaning and he had NO SUGAR BUGS! This is the first time since we began our uber-fun dental journey with him he has gone 6 months without any cavities! As we were finishing the exam, he whispered in my ear, "I want to be a dentist like Dr. Tyler-tell him" so I did. And Dr. Tyler told Braden he could come work with him, so since I have horrible teeth, this is all sounding like a good plan. Oh, and Braden also told the Dr that his Daddy didn't have any sugar bugs either, but his Mommy had 5. Gee, thanks for that kid- even if it is the truth, it still kinda hurts...(Dang genetics!) So the whole family is set for 6 more months when we will again head to the dentist for our cleanings, even Berk gets to go next time. So BAMJ San Fran, we will expect a letter of recommendation to UoP in about 14 years or so, okay?
Oh, and in case you didn't believe me about the weird fog, here is proof!

What's for Dinner?

I hate that I am so busy this time of year that I have neglected my blog... So I thought I would make amends by sharing a great fundraising find. I serve in the Young Women's Presidency in our ward and our president has had this idea to do an old fashioned ward cookbook ever since we were called. We decided with the amount of work it would take, it would serve as both our annual fundraiser (that pays for girls camp and other fun things) and a ten hour value project for several of the young women. So, for all you out there in YW callings looking for ways to do a fun fundraiser, that takes a lot of work, but is totally rewarding check out this printing company. You enter the recipes online, pick your cover, font ect... totally personalized. You really could do this for a family reunion cookbook or just a way to get all the recipes you use all into one place. The site also has cookbooks for sale and a whole list of recipes you can try too!

We got the boxes (and boxes and boxes) of cookbooks in last month and we were impressed by the turnout the ward contributed to in submitting recipes. Our cookbook has over 400 recipes from main dishes to desserts. I have had so much fun having new things to make for dinner. I especially love that since it is alphabetized all the 'crock pot' things are one after another, and for me, those are perfect these crazy pre-holiday madness days! I haven't made the same thing twice yet, because there are so many I want to try, but I have marked the ones I L-O-V-E-D and want to add to my dinner menu. I think I will post some recipes on my blog from time to time. I know I have already told several of you about this book, and a few more of you are getting one for Christmas...so act surprised...

The moral of this blogging story is we overlooked a small print detail that let the company send (and charge) us for a certain % more books than we had preordered---so we have a few dozen left. They are $15 each and if you want to get one either leave a comment or email me and I will get you the details. I think everyone will love them, honestly who isn't always on the lookout for some good food, made by a non fancy super star chef? Cause I know I am... These are real recipes that anyone who isn't a whiz in the kitchen can make!

Number of time the word recipe shows up in this post 7.
(8 including the following sentence)
Number of times I spelled it wrong 7-
Gotta love spell check!