Here are the pictures...

I don't have "before" pictures, but it was just white, before. I painted the chairs this summer and then ran out of motivation. (Yes, it's true...we only have three chairs.) Doesn't it look great!?

Busy Weekend!

I was trying to put some pictures on here but blogger isn't letting me. Big surprise. I guess they'll have to wait. On Thursday, I finally finished my dining room table! It looks SO good! (Those were the pictures. I'll try to post them later.) I thought I should take advantage of the few nice days we were having, since I was needing to take the table outside to paint it. Plus it helped that my Aunt Wanda offered to come over and help me! And, since we were taking advantage of the beautiful weather, when we were done with the table, we took Wanda's convertible to go pick Gavin up from school! I wish I had thought to take the camera with me! The smiles on the boys' faces were priceless! They had so much fun! Friday night I went to a women's thing-a-madoo with Kim at her church. Saturday I scrapbooked all day with my mom and two of her friends. Saturday night, Zach, Kim and all their boys met us at skate night. Then, Kim and I (and the baby) went shopping at the Super Mall. Between the two of us and the baby and MANY shopping bags and NO STROLLER...we got quite the workout! We must have been a sight! Ha! It was a needed shopping trip, for real. Gavin has out grown all of his jeans. Sunday, of course, was church and the Super Bowl, which we went to Andrew and Rosanna's to watch. So, it has been a fun filled few days, but now I need a nap!

Blogging now!

Ok, FINE! I will blog! I make no promises to be exciting, though. Let's see...well, I ran a mile today! Yippee! I've been going over to Kim's house two or three times a week, for a while now, to use her treadmill. This week I increased my running time and pace so I did a 13 minute mile. I'm on the treadmill for a half hour, though, regardless. I just walk before and after I run. Kim found a marathon in Oregon that she wants to do and it just so happens to coincide (I don't think I've ever actually written that word before!?) with the time we want to go on vacation to Wyoming. Here's the cool part, we could go down there with them for a day, to cheer her on, "on the way" to Wyoming AND...they have a KIDS triathalon (sp?) that all of the boys can do together! They start out by going down a water slide into a pool that they "splash" through, then they ride their bikes for a mile or two, then they run for a 1/4 mile! And they all get t-shirts and medals when they finish! Gavin is so excited! He said, "I want you to sign me up right now!" It's not a done deal, yet, but we're going to look into it. Lets' see, what else? Gavin is doing great in school, of course. (As is Trevor.) He just got his progress report and he is doing "outstanding" in everything. He was even chosen to be an "alternate" for the spelling bee in Seattle, tomorrow! Which, means that he doesn't actually get to go unless someone else can't make it, but he still has to practice all of the words! Ha! It's a good thing he enjoys it! We are very proud of him! This doesn't have anything to do with anything, but Gavin asked me the other day if we are going to celebrate his 7 and half year old birthday on February 4th! I told him we could do that, but not to expect any presents! Ha! Well, Evey, I think you're pestering paid off! (And you too, Dave!) You were right, I have more to talk about than I think! I'll try not to wait eleven days next time!

Slacker!

I am just stopping by to say that I will blog later! Ha ha! I know I have been slacking and I have no good excuse! I don't have anything exciting to report, but if you'll stay tuned, I will post some basketball pictures, shortly! (Yes, the boys started their basketball season a few weeks ago! Yea!) TTFN!

My Baby Lost His First Tooth!

Trevor lost his first tooth, today! He is so excited! He is almost exactly the same age Gavin was when he lost his first tooth. (I'm not sure why I waited until after he ate cheetoes and red Gatorade, to take the picture. Good job, Me. Oh well. At least it's documented.) Ummm...I think the Tooth Fairy might need to run to the bank! Happy Tooth, Trevor!

Kodak Moment...

When I came across this scene, I just had to capture it on film! My boys...sitting still...next to each other...NOT fighting! Hallelujah! It warms a mother's heart! "Pay no attention to the cat behind the curtain!"

Book Review

We just finished reading Searching For God Knows What, by Donald Miller, for book club. (Thanks, Gina!) I LOVED it! His candor and bold honesty (is that redundant?) may be a little uncomfortable for some, but I found it to be quite refreshing. I would challenge you to give it a whirl. You may be pleasantly surprised. I look forward to reading one of his other popular books, Blue Like Jazz. (When I'm finished with the other three books I'm in the middle of!) I hear it's a little more controversial, but I say, bring it on!

Ahhh, Trevor....

Trevor came into the kitchen while I was cooking, tonight...and no, he wasn't confused by the sight of it! Ha! ...He said, "What are we having for dinner?" I said, "Chicken Stir Fry. Do you want a carrot?" He said, "No. I don't want to carry it."

Let it Snow...

...AGAIN!!!! Another snow day! Gavin says he's just going to go to school this summer.

Kim, Laura, and JessicaOn Saturday, a bunch of us went to the dance competition at a local High School. Kim is the varsity Hip-Hop coach (did I get that right, Kim?), so we wanted to go see "her girls" dance and see the choreography she's been working so hard on! I must say, her dance was the best one! Good job, Kim!

Cousins

My aunt just moved out here from Denver. Her son and granddaughter drove out here with her and the last of her stuff this past week. So, we got to have a quick little visit with my cousin and his daughter before they flew back home. (Wow! That was hard to get out! Does anyone know what my cousin's daughter is to me or my boys? Second cousin? First cousin once removed? I have no idea.) At any rate, here is a picture of Trevor, Yasmine and Gavin. (Yasmine is 8.)

Hot Cocoa!

Warming up after a couple hours of playing in the snow!

Another Snow Day!

My Turn...

Well, Laura and Jessica (and I think even Yvonne) did this and it looked like fun. So, I thought I'd give it a try! Enjoy! 100 Things About Me 1. I was born and raised in Wyoming. 2. I am not, nor have I ever been, a cowgirl. 3. I made money going to college because I got so many scholarships. 4. I only went to college for a year. 5. I turned down a four year, full ride scholarship to Whitworth College. 6. My major was vocal music performance. 7. I can sing, but most people don't know it. 8. I once sang at Lincoln Center in New York City. 9. I mostly used to sing classical music and mostly in Italian and Latin. 10. I hate to be the center of attention. 11. When I am, I will turn bright red. 12. I'm a planner and a scheduler. 13. I am not spontaneous. (Although I'm working on it.) 14. A sudden change of plans stresses me out. 15. I love Jesus! 16. I was anorexic and bulemic for 8 years. 17. The Lord healed me completely! 18. My dad still tries to force feed me. 19. I'm 32 years old. 20. I've been a stay at home mom for seven and a half years. 21. There's nothing I'd rather be doing. 22. I have two sons. 23. I've been married for nine and a half years. 24. My husband is amazing! 25. I will go out in public without make up. 26. I love to laugh! 27. I love to make other people laugh! 28. I like to write and paint. (Even if it's water colors with my kids!) 29. I appreciate art in ANY form. 30. I hate to talk on the phone. 31. I love email and instant messenger. 32. I love to swim and be in the water in general. 33. I take a lot of baths. 34. I like to read in the bath. 35. I drink a lot of water. 36. I will sometimes drink powerade in the middle of the night. 37. I never sleep through the night. 38. I drink two cups of coffee for breakfast every morning. 39. I am obsessed with making sure my house smells good. 40. I can't stand (fake) floral scents. 41. I love fresh flowers...and the smell of them! Go figure! 42. I can cook. 43. I don't like to cook. 44. I don't have a favorite color. 45. My least favorite color is orange. 46. My oldest son is color blind. 47. My feet grew a half a shoe size with each pregnancy. 48. I used to be really into Smurfs when I was little. 49. I still have all of my Smurf figurines. 50. I caught my mom trying to sell them at a garage sale. 51. I don't care for ice cream (or cake, for that matter). 52. I don't snack, except for late at night. 53. I once had a surprise birthday party at a rest stop. 54. I hate road trips. 55. I want to go to Vegas...once. 56. I want to go to Hawaii and Europe. 57. I look forward to taking my family to Disney Land! 58. My family is very important to me! 59. I am very protective of my children! 60. My eyes are green/blue. 61. I can't see without my glasses or contacts. 62. I prefer to wear contacts. 63. I have a lot of great friends! 64. I am thankful everyday for all of the blessings in my life! 65. I am a very positive person. 66. I can find the good in pretty much any situation. 67. I have a hypo-allergenic cat named "Smudge". 68. She's my baby girl. (We don't plan to have any more children.) 69. I hate commercials featuring animated boogers or fungus! Yuck! 70. I had braces when I was younger. 71. I was a cheerleader in high school. 72. I also played volleyball and ran track. 73. I try to be into sports because my family is so into sports. 74. I like to play tennis. 75. I don't keep score. 76. I like to bowl. (I do keep score!) 77. I love photographs. 78. I love to take pictures...especially of my kids. 79. I enjoy the theater. 80. I hate to be cold. 81. I keep my house warm and toasty! 82. I wish I was better at retaining information. 83. I have to write everything down or I'll forget it. 84. I'm a list maker. 85. I'm not a risk taker. 86. I crack myself up often. 87. I enjoy a posh hotel. 88. I recently learned where the word "posh" came from. 89. I enjoy learning bits of seemingly useless information. 90. I have no opinion on designer knock-offs! Ha! (That one's for Laura and Jess!) 91. I write "Ha!" a lot. 92. I'm a perfectionist. 93. I don't drink, smoke, swear, or watch rated R movies. (Unless they're edited for T.V.) 94. I love to play games. 95. I was once a medical professional. 96. I hated school, even though I was good at it. 97. I have a brother and a sister. 98. I'm geographically challenged. 99. I find psychology fascinating. (Learning what makes people "tick".) 100. Poor customer service REALLY bothers me! (Actually, disrespect in general.) 101. I lose count easily. So, there you have it! Have a great weekend!

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know that New Year's was a week and a half ago. What can I say...I'm a bloggin' slacker. (It sounds like I'm swearing, doesn't it?) Better late than never, I say! We had Zach and Kim and their boys and Kim's mom over for New Year's Eve. We had a blast! Kim and I made Boboli pizza's for dinner and we stayed up till 1:30 am playing Phase Ten and Battle of the Sexes!

As you can see, with that many people in our house, we had to eat in shifts! We forgot about the last pizza in the oven! It was so loud, we didn't hear the timer go off!Gavin only made it till 10:30! Trevor crashed right after the toast at Midnight!Justice, Cami and Jafeth lasted the whole time! (Sloan went to sleep in Trevor's bed at 11:00.) Thanks for a fun time, guys! We sure started the year off right...Celebrating with great friends! Happy New Year!

Cuties!

"Whoopee! A Zeppelin!"

(A Christmas Story) I'm not even sure what this present was, but Gavin was obviously excited about it! (This was Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa's house.)

Recycling...

Those of you with kids know how hard it is to get the new toys out of their boxes! I got up the other morning to discover that Gavin had actually gotten one of his new toys out of it's box, and made Christmas ornaments out of the wires! Clever.

Me and B...

T'was the Night Before Christmas...

...At the in-laws' house.

Our traditional family picture in front of their tree.Linda and John Paul and Alicia (Bryan's sister and her husband) Gavin and Trevor (with his new ornament)

Notice the sweaters didn't last long!

Christmas Cookies

Good News

Gavin swallowed a Lego last night! He was using his teeth to separate a couple of pieces that were stuck together. (I'm sure he's seen Dad do that on many occasions. There won't be any more of that!) I called the doctor's office today and talked to the nurse. The "good news" (besides the obvious; that he's ok!) is that she doesn't think it's necessary to search for the missing piece! (IE: to make sure that it passes!) Bryan and I are very relieved! Ha ha!

A Christmas Funny...

Yesterday, the boys were looking at the Christmas cards we've received so far. Gavin picked one up and read it: "NOEL". Then, Trevor picked up a different card and said, "No 'L' on this one, either!" Ha ha!

T'is the Season...

...For Christmas Concerts! Trevor had his concert on Monday and Gavin's was on Friday. Aren't they handsome!? Gavin loves to wear a suit and tie! He wanted to look like a "sports caster" or a "basketball coach"! Ha! Trevor's Concert Shania and Gavin

It's all Fun and Games...

If you know my boys, you know they play hard! So, after dinner the other night, instead of something calm, like Candy Land or Legos, they decided to play dodge ball. Yes, in the house. (Sports in the house is a common occurrence.) Then they made up a new game...Trying to hit the paper cup off of each others' head with the ball! They had no fear of a ball flying at their faces! It was hilarious! I had to try to capture it...

The Last of the Santa Train Pictures

Gavin, Trevor, Arielle and BaileyCute old conductor guy leading us in Christmas carols,

on the train! (Where's Trevor?) Me and Marnie Sawyer

Santa

Santa was much jollier than he looks in the pictures!

(As was Gavin!)