Here is the funny story

Right after I finished the last post I hear Braden and Tanner go into the bathroom.  Then Braden shouts out "Tanner just drank out of the toilet."  According to Braden he put his lips to the water.  Not sure if he really touched the water or why Braden did not stop him but none the less that is gross.  Good thing Braden cleaned the bathroom on Friday.

Life Goes On...

Life seems to go really fast when I see that it has been 2 months since the last post.  I was going to at least post something monthly this year.

The biggest news comes from Brian's corner of the world.  At the end of January he was asked to be 2nd counselor in the bishopric.  He was a little nervous but he has really stepped up to the task.  He has only nodded off briefly on the stand once. The final test is will be next Sunday when he has to conduct in Sacrament meeting for the first time.  I am not worried.  He is a natural when presenting and his testimony is strong and always comes out eloquently.

His other news came this past week.  He was asked to move from his corporate position at work to be president of the Utah division of Woodside Homes.  Again he is nervous but he is excited about this assignment.  I know he will knock it out of the park.  He is so talented and dedicated that he does well at everything he does.

I wish I had some funny stories.  I am sure there were some funny moments but nothing comes to mind.  I even downloaded pictures to try to jog my memory.  I guess they have been pushed out of my mind because I have felt a little overwhelmed lately, from my own doing.  Might be time to step back and try to re-prioritize.

At the end of January the kids were off-track so we did a couple of fun excursions.  We made a trip to the Provo City Center Temple open house.  We visited the ice castles in Midway.  They were cool but it was definitely freezing even with proper gear.  We met up with Emily at Ogden's Treehouse Museum.

Kelsey played volleyball and took ski lessons while off-track. Macy just finished up the last of her 3 cheer competitions.  I guess she is going to tryout for a competitive team next year. Brian took Macy, Kelsey and Braden up skiing twice.  They all seem to enjoy it.  Braden doesn't really last a full day yet so he might not get another trip this year.

Tanner found his bike from last year.  He decided to bring it in the house and prefers to ride it in here despite the nice weather and a fenced in backyard.  He has continued his antics.  He dumped a full bottle of shampoo in the tub for the bubbles.  He has continued to color on the walls with pen, crayons and pencils.  One pen drawing was so big and deep that the magic eraser wasn't working.  Brian had to paint over it this weekend.  He also thinks he is big enough to walk to school by himself.  One morning I heard the front door open.  I didn't rush to check on him because he usually digs in my front flower beds.  When I went to see and bring him back inside, he was gone.  I looked all around the house, in the house in the window wells and at the neighbor's house.  Nowhere.  I grabbed my cell and started to make my way to the busy street.  On my way my cell phone rang.  It was my neighbor that worked at the elementary school.  She informed me that Tanner was in the office at school.  I guess he had heard all the kids at recess and made a beeline for them.  Braden was at recess and found him.  He had walked the whole way barefoot and threw a tantrum when I brought him home.  The next day he told me he was going to go to school.  I told him no and watched him very closely that day.

 Tanner as a box troll.  Kelsey's creative idea.  She made a box for herself and Tanner.

 

As for me I spent our tax refund on new patio furniture.  The gas fire pit and the jumbo umbrella are not out yet.  But below is a picture of my new table. We lounged on it today in the beautiful sunshine. I got my vegetable garden ready and planted my peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots and onions.  I just looked and some are starting to sprout.  I hope to get raspberry plants in soon.  Brian and I spent a Saturday finishing up my front yard project.  I weeded everything, put Preen down and then we spread mulch over everything.  Hopefully the mulch is thick enough.  I have a few plants I need to buy and plant to finish the front and replace a couple from last fall that didn't make it.  If you can't tell I am excited for the nice weather.

 These are the kids Valentine boxes from this year.

Kelsey's - Sniffle's cage

Macy's - Valentine monster

Braden's - Monster sack he made in school

I just  got after all the kids.  Macy and Kelsey were sent to their rooms.  Tanner was pushing me to the edge a bit so I was a little rough with him.  He says with a hint of anger "I not a jerk.  I not a jerk."  I respond, "no you are not a jerk."  Then he proceeds to say "Kelsey a jerk.  Macy a jerk.  Braden a jerk."

By the way, I didn't call him a jerk.  I think one of the older kids called Tanner a jerk or each other a jerk or they called me a jerk because they were mad.