Whoa BABY!

My boys were whisked away by Nannie and Grandpa to enjoy a week at the Larson Family Reunion. I have very mixed feeling right now as I sit here kid-less. I am SO grateful for the free time and a VERY nice break before the baby comes, however I miss those sweet faces and wish I was there myself. Yesterday before they left I couldn't even look at those boys without crying. I'm not sure why it's so hard, but I think it might be because I'm at home and they are the ones gone this time. I KNOW they are having a blast and probably won't even miss Jordan and I one bit. They are camping in the mountains for heaven's sake - a little boy's dream! Thanks mom and dad - please don't get me wrong for being sad - I couldn't ask for a better break and I KNOW how much of a sacrifice you're making for me. My boys love you and I'm sure are having so much fun!!

My list of things to do keeps getting longer, and my time to spend relaxing just keeps getting shorter. Jordan and I were able to go see a movie last night without worrying about a babysitter. I took the car to get the oil changed today, caught up on organizing a bunch of stuff, and getting more things ready for the baby to come. I REALLY want my house clean, but just don't want to do it. I'm sure before I know it I'll be on my knees scrubbing toilets because that nesting phase is sure to set in.

Other than that, we're just anxiously awaiting this baby to arrive, but hoping it's after the boys get home. I don't really hold my breath anymore because both of my boys were overdue. Dallin one week and Bryce one day. My next appointment is tomorrow. So far my appointments have been pretty typical with nothing going on below. I've not had any signs of labor, just the regular braxton hicks. Here I am at 38 weeks and 5 days - no kids, footloose and fancy free.

Independence Day

Our 4th of July turned out to be pretty uneventful, but relaxing! Since we couldn't travel (with a baby so close) we didn't really make any plans. I think we sat around trying to think of something fun to do most of the day. I'm glad we've got kids that are easy to please. We ended up just hanging out together. Later my parents (who were the only family in town) came over for a BBQ and we all met up with Jarom and Mel (my cuz) to watch the Schnepf Farms fireworks show. And what's fireworks without cold treats like ice cream sandwiches and drumsticks? It was fun for everyone, but I think next year I'm determined to be somewhere a little cooler.
My pictures are out of order - I'm having trouble dragging them where I want them.

Fighting with sticks while dad BBQ's

Dallin's new smile face (can't wait until that stage is over)

One way to make mom smile....

I had to show off my cute little 4 year old's work of art!! I asked Dallin to get me a towel out of the dryer and before I knew it he had removed all the towels from the dryer had them on my bed and was folding them himself! This is a picture of the finished product. He didn't stop until he was finished folding all of them. Not bad for a 4 year old! And, you better bet he got a lot of praise for that one! We love you Dallin!

Full Tub

How many kids is that?? 6!?! We sure love that Grandma has a nice big tub to stick all those stinky kids in at once.

Mini Surprise Shower

My family threw me a Mini Surprise Shower on Saturday. I also heard someone call it, "It's Not A Girl, It's a Boy Shower". Ha ha!! It was so nice of them to feel like little Jake needed a few things of his own. I'm kind of a meanie when it comes to spoiling my kids. If they don't need it, I don't get it.


Head Count (around the table): Sister Niki, Sister Amy (with Hadley), Mom Rhonda, Me, Cousin Melanie (with Lydi), Cousin-in-law Mary, Aunt Alice, Sister-in-law Tara, Mom-in-law Arleen


The surprise went over REALLY well, because I had no idea! Jordan answered the phone on Saturday morning around 10:30am and said that Bro. Executive Secretary wanted to know if we could meet with Bishop at the church at 12:00. Jordan was calling our home phone with his cell phone. At one point Dallin pushed a button and hung up. The phone rang right back and Jordan picks it up and says, "Oh sorry about that." It was all so smooth that I'm starting to worry about what a good liar I have on my hands. Anyway, we even chatted about how he didn't think they would release us as sunbeam leaders and maybe he wanted to talk about a ward split or something else. He told me that Bro. Executive Secretary said that we should come as we are and not get dressed up. This was his plan to get me to not wear a dress but to be ready. Well, that didn't work too well because I did not get ready at all! I thought that since I was doing chores around the house, the bishop would understand. I threw my hair in a pony, no make-up, and put on jeans and a t-shirt. Everyone is lucky I didn't keep on my husband's b-ball shorts and jammie shirt. So, at 11:55 I called TJ to see if we could drop off the boys for a few minutes while we went to the church. He acted strange but agreed. I got the boys in the car and was sitting out there waiting for Jordan to come out. He was taking FOREVER!! Come to find out later he was calling my mom and sisters to say, "hurry and get over here she is waiting in the car". I saw the girls walking up from the rear-view mirror and I thought, "oh no, they want to go shopping and I can't go". They tried to pull me out of the car and I told them, "no, I can't go anywhere I'm dropping the boys with TJ and going to see the Bishop". They were like, "no you're not, you're coming with us". It took me a minute to get it. It was clear that I was shocked and embarrassed to not be wearing any make-up when something was planned for me. Oh well, everyone there loves me and knows what I look like without make-up anyway.

So, they took me to Costa-Vida for lunch. YUM!! We had fun visiting and opening presents. I now have some really cute things for little Jake. Thank you everyone for a very fun surprise!!

Happy Father's Day Jordan!

My boys absolutely, completely, and utterly ADORE and LOVE their dad!! In fact, I know they would rather he be the stay at home mom because every moment together is full of work (the kind they like to do) and fun! I truly am blest as a mother to be married to a man as wonderful as Jordan. He loves to spend time with the boys and I often get a break whenever I need or want one. I can't think of a better example for my boys to learn from than him. He always TEACHES them and more importantly SHOWS them what is right. I've decided that he's the reason Heavenly Father wants to send our family so many boys. He is the best example of a strong and righteous priesthood holder and I couldn't ask for anything more for my boys. Thank you Jordan for being the wonderful father that you are!! WE LOVE YOU!!



Here is the yearly Father's Day collage I make for him - it's so fun to see our boys grow through these pictures.

Did it really happen??

I'm not sure Jordan really got his wisdom teeth taken out. I've not known ANYONE to handle it better than him. He didn't take one dose of pain killer, he's not swollen, he has no bruises and guess what he was doing less than 24 hours after his surgery??

TRENCHING the backyard!!

He went to the store to buy these so that dirt wouldn't get into his mouth.

Might as well take advantage of your time off work, right?? I'm so glad he's feeling better! I expected to be taking care of him all weekend and instead he'll be watching the boys today while trenching and I'll be out shopping! What a sweet husband I have!!

Wisdom Gone!

Once you have your wisdom teeth removed is it really true that you just get dumber? Because during the first hour I thought for sure that was the case! Ha ha....

Jordan was pretty out of it for a little while after his surgery to have his wisdom teeth removed this morning. He was talking like he was just a little slower than most. He asked about a million questions and with his mouth filled with gauze it sounded really funny! He's been resting all day and filling his tummy with pudding. I think the recovery is going really well so far. Even though I had explained to the boys that dad was going to be sick for a couple of days Dallin still kept asking me why dad needed help walking and why he was talking funny. He doesn't look too swollen or bruised so far. We'll see if that changes over the next couple of days.

The boys wanted to share their blankets to make him feel better.

Baby Room

Last weekend I was able to get the help of my mom and sister Niki all day Saturday! We completed the baby's room. I loved not spending a dime except on some red paint and letters for the name. I had everything else from the nursery we had with Dallin and Bryce. We had so much fun and I'm starting to feel prepared now. (Only 4 more weeks to go!) Thanks for your help girls!!

First stroke of paint

The red color looked really pink at first! I was a little scared, but after several coats it was just right.

The final product! All I need is quilt hangers to hang the quilt up on the wall.

Dallin and Bryce

These boys have been such little angels lately. It makes me really grateful to be a mom of boys and I think it's Heavenly Father's way of telling me that I CAN handle a house full of them. I've been busy either getting stuff ready for the baby or helping my parents at their house lately and there have been moments that I forget I even have the boys with me because they are playing so nicely together. Seriously, they have been such sweet hearts. I just wanted to put down a few funny things they have done lately that I've remembered.

• A couple of weeks ago we told Dallin that the baby was a boy and not a girl and we needed to think of a different name. We asked him what he thought we should name him and without any hesitation he said, "Um, how about Fyson." I'm not even sure how to spell that but we thought it was pretty funny that he made up a name all on his own. Even though we thought it was cute of him, we will not be naming our new baby that - just for the record!

• Anyone that knows Bryce knows that he has a pretty strong personality and can be pretty loud and likes to speak his mind. Whenever I am at the store lately he seems to think he needs to make a very loud comment at whoever we pass. Like, "Hey YOU!" or just "HEY!". Anything he says is not nice and quiet. He yells it in a not so nice tone. So, the other day we were standing in an aisle and I was looking at something on the shelf. We were right behind another lady pushing a cart, Bryce was in the front of the cart and Dallin decided he wanted to start pushing it and pushed the cart right into the lady's cart pretty hard. (Keep in mind, my boys are very boy and LOVE to CRASH their cars and other toys all the time). Even though Dallin didn't hit the cart on purpose, Bryce points at her and yells out really loud, "Yeah!!! WE GOT YOU LADY!" I was pretty embarrased. The lady didn't say anything, in fact she pretended like it didn't happen. I said sorry and told Bryce that wasn't nice and we shouldn't talk like that (of course, in a tone like my child has never been so rude before, where did that come from? - yeah right!).
• While feeding Bryce dinner I asked him if he wanted the rest of his slushy and he kept saying, "no, not that one". Then I got out the apple juice and poored it into the cup Aunt Niki was holding for him and he said, "Yeeaaah, that's what I'm talkin' about!" He's too funny and certainly knows what he wants!

I know these pictures aren't that great, but they show how big my Dallin is! Both my boys, especially Dallin are really hard workers. They are so quick to help when any outdoor work is getting done, especially in the dirt. The Jarmans (our neighbors) had a bunch of rock that needed to be moved to their back yard and all the neighbors pitched in to help out. As soon as Dallin saw this he grabbed a shovel and went right to work next to Jordan. His daddy sure has taught him well.

For being such great helpers lately they got to enjoy an ice cream cone from McDonald's.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

I just had my doctor's appointment and Dr. Beck did an ultrasound to confirm our confusion. I just wanted to hear it from his mouth before I could move forward, "I'm 100% positive, and there is no doubt about it that this is a BOY!"

I will cry no tears as I pack up the girl bedding to be returned and start pulling out my unlimited boy boxes. I have moved forward and we are ecstatic to have a house full of rowdy boys! I love my family of boys now, so why not just add to all the fun? Maybe someday I'll get my girl, maybe I won't; all I know is that Heavenly Father has a plan for our family and whatever it is will be what is best.

Only 6 more weeks until we get to bring this boy home - I've sure got a lot of work to do (but, not as much as I would have if I were having a girl)!

Auntie Tara

I just had to post these fun pictures of the boys playing with their Auntie Tara. They sure love her!!

And they're pooped!