The Shelley's

Jaxon's Beauty Parlor

2012-02-03T17:03:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from a year ago, but I came across them today, and I couldn't believe I hadn't posted them sooner! My niece, Kendra had gotten a beauty salon kit for her birthday, and her cousin (and my nephew), Jaxon, was so excited to try it out...by doing Kendra's hair and makeup of course!

Applying lipstick.

Brushing her hair.

Still brushing while Kendra gives herself a haircut.

And still brushing. It helps to stick out your tongue (talk about concentration).

See, you're glad I shared them, too, right? Are they not the two cutest little redheads? Side note: While they are cousins, they like to refer to themselves as twins. Oh my heck...more cuteness! :)

Blame it on the Crack

2011-03-30T13:34:00.001-06:00

Last night David & I put the kids to bed, and Luke said (in his sweetest voice), "Mama fweep wiff me a minute, peeeeeeas." I couldn't say no. Sweet moments can be rare for my two year old, and when he wants to "nuggo," well that's just what we do. I snuggled up to my Lukey, and Lance got Daddy by default (there is only one of me after all).

Daddy hopped in Lance's bed, and Lance started yelling at him & kicking him. Fighting, crying, & screaming are all normal when Daddy's around since he takes great pleasure in tormenting the boys by trying to mess with the way they do things. For instance, you might think the world was coming to end (at least in our house) when Daddy switches the sippy cup lids so they don't match the cup, but Daddy thinks it's hilarious. And when Mommy just wants peace & quiet at the end of the day, Daddy incites a riot by insisting Lance wear pajamas that are clearly Luke's. Lance's attempts at correction are met by Daddy playing dumb. World War III ensues, and Daddy laughs...and laughs...and laughs. Daddy's favorite way to make Luke go berserk is to pretend he's beating Mommy up. Luke will start to cry and then try to save his beloved Mama by beating up Daddy. And another way to bring on the wrath of Lance...try to sleep in the crack of his bed (you know, between the wall and the mattress). This is what happened last night.

David jumped in the crack & then laughed while Lance went crazy. After he assured Lance he wasn't after the prime sleeping spot, he says to Lance, "When I was little and kids would ask me how I ran so fast, I would tell them it was because I slept in the crack." I got a serious case of the giggles when I heard that. And then he said, "And you know what? I really did believe it." More laughing. "No Rachel. I mean it. I told the kids, and then this other kid who ran even faster than me said that he slept in the crack, too!" Then it must be true. ;) I'm not sure, but I think David still believes that sleeping in the crack made him fast. At least he was little when he thought that one up.

I remember in high school there was this Japanese foreign exchange student who ran track. He was pretty fast, and he told everyone that it was because he ate bananas. And he was dead serious. We all thought it was really funny, but I bet there was one or two runners who downed the bananas before a big race (just in case). I didn't actually try out the theory. But now that I think of it...I definitely should have tested it. Couldn't have hurt. Might have helped.

The banana idea came from a high school senior. The crack concept came from a little kid. Okay, I don't really know how little. But at least David had back up on his theory. I mean, there was that other fast runner who, coincidentally, slept in the crack, too.

My Personal Trainer

2011-01-25T10:08:00.003-07:00

I have the best husband ever! No, please don't argue. He really is the best.

So, I've been trying to lose weight. The first week I worked my butt off (except it's still there). I also gave up my coke :( and chocolate--for the most part. David asked if he could be my trainer, and I said yes. But poor guy...I won't do a thing he says. I'm just difficult like that. And what did I have to show for that first week of pain & sadness (over having no coke or chocolate)? A whopping two pounds. I know it's something, but I was still disappointed. Of course my honey knows how to cheer me up and says to me, "Lookin' good." Then checking out my backside he says, "You must have lost those three pounds from your butt." Go ahead laugh (jerks--you don't know, maybe he's right--now I can't stop laughing). But the thing is, I love him all the more for saying such a ridiculous thing. Especially because he said three pounds when I only lost two! Be still my heart. :)

Naughty or Nice?

2010-12-24T11:19:00.004-07:00

After Lance & Luke told Santa what they wanted for Christmas, Santa asked Lance what he was getting his brother for Christmas. Lance thought for a second & replied, "Hmmmm....to be nice to my brudder." Definitely nice.

Luke is two. All two year olds are naughty by default. I think that makes them exempt from "the list." They get presents just because they are cute. Cute apparently negates naughty.

As for Daddy...

I've convinced the boys that Daddy is naughty & Santa is bringing him a lump of coal. :) I asked the boys if they wanted to help wrap a present for Daddy. Lance told me Daddy wasn't getting any presents, just coal. And as much as I like the idea, what if Santa actually brings presents for David? I can't have the boys thinking Santa brings presents to naughty boys (what will I hold over their heads all through the month of December?). Daddy better be awful nice today! He's got a lot of ground to make up. What's that? What makes David naughty, you ask? Let's see...

"Wow Luke!! Those are some thick thighs! Just like Mama's." REALLY DAVID??? Haven't we already gone over this--this exact statement??? No wife, and I mean NO wife, would let her husband live after a comment like that!! Definitely naughty. I don't care if it's the truth. Naughty.
"You look really nice, Rachel." Hmmmm, doing better. "Except for your hair." I think the second statement cancels the first. Naughty.
When I pulled out the Christmas ornaments this year, I found tiny round holes in some of the balls. I was baffled. But wait! Do you remember a post about David & his BB gun? And how I found out he had been shooting it INSIDE the apartment? Mystery solved. Naughty.
Then there were the wooden TV trays that looked like they had been stabbed with a knife a few times. But it wasn't knives. It was from ninja stars that had been thrown in the apartment. I don't think David gets the whole indoor vs. outdoor activity thing. Although I'm pretty sure ninja stars shouldn't be thrown anywhere. Unless you're a ninja. David isn't one. Naughty.
Then there are the numerous toys broken by Daddy (because he was doing something he shouldn't), and all the times he has thought it was funny to make the boys cry. And about a gazillion other naughty things.

I guess he has done one or two nice things this year. I still think David making the nice list is a long shot. He probably thinks the same of me--I won't go into details. :) But I know Santa really well. I think I'm good.

**Christmas Update**

Santa apparently thought David was good. But somehow the BB gun made it's way out Christmas morning. And I found a BB embedded in the wall of the sitting room. Don't worry. David assures me he will paint over it.

Finally!!!!

2010-12-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

Of course I'm late on this....I always am. Lance turned four last month!! He had been asking every day since August if it was his birthday yet. And a month after his birthday he is still singing Happy Birthday to Lance. :)

Lance opening presents on his actual birthday. And the banana in the picture...David wrapped it. He thought it was hilarious.

Luke was thrilled to be able to open a present, too.

His birthday party. Blowing out the candles on the pink birthday cake. Pink cake, pink frosting. Lance picked it. I figured the iron man action figures on it counteracted the pink. ;)

I didn't get pictures of most of the party, but I'm pretty sure Lance had lots of fun. I had my very own party organizer (thank you, Lynette!!) who made sure the party was everything a little boy could want. I love you, Lancey!! And stop growing up!

Halloween Party

2010-11-16T15:43:00.000-07:00

These are pictures from my nieces Halloween birthday party. I know you'll all be wondering how I got my hubby to dress up so ridiculously. The answer...~~he's a sucker~~ he'll do anything for his boys. My little clown, Lance, wanted to be just that--a clown.

The Sideshow Shelley's. I made all our costumes. Notice David's pants hanging out of his costume? I outlawed them for trick-or-treating. But I didn't get pictures on Halloween. :(

Me, my mom, and my sisters.

My mom & dad. I don't think my dad had ever dressed up for Halloween before. And he's wearing tights!!! :) We told her to make him walk the plank if he acted up.

The Wild (and wicked) Whitts. They looked awesome!

And Dustin looked absolutely CRAZY!

Cruella & her crew, the Rowdy Robertsons. Cruella (who threw a fantastic party) is holding the birthday dalmatian. Mrs. DeVille also made all of these costumes.

Bibbity Bobbity Boo...the Schofieldians!

Kenderella in her awesome dress (which I helped make 'cause I am awesome, too *wink*).

Pumpkin Carving

2010-11-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

I really dread carving pumpkins. I usually get stuck gutting the pumpkins while David carves out ~~ridiculous~~ ~~hideous~~ interesting faces. This year was no exception. I cleaned out pumpkins the whole time while David destroyed the pumpkins. I didn't take pictures of the finished products because, well, they were ugly. And not in the "I tried my best" kind of way...they were really, really ugly. I almost didn't put them out on the porch. But since the neighbors carved pumpkins with us, they knew whose handiwork was on display. The highlight of the pumpkin carving festivities...David, his sawzall, and his pumpkin mask.

Boys and their toys. He really did use a sawzall to carve the pumpkins. And I about had a heart attack.

This little hilarious stunt lasted for. ev. er. The neighbors laughed a lot, and I rolled my eyes a lot.

Oh, and the pumpkin...actually ended up on the porch. After trick-or-treating & seeing all the pumpkins in the neighborhood, I can safely say that we had the ugliest pumpkins right in front of our house. :)

Next year, David won't be invited to our pumpkin carving party. Unless he comes as the entertainment.

My 2 Year Old

2010-11-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

The Incredible Luke turned 2 this summer!

Aunt Julie made the cute cake.

Woody helped Luke blow out the candle.

Opening presents

I sent David for a superhero kind of pinata...this is what he brought home.

These are the capes I made for the guests.

If you can't tell, this one is Hulk's fist. I drew all the applique's for the capes, and I'm no artist.

I added ruffles to the girlie capes. :) And the Ben 10 cape was a special request.

He's my rough-and-tumble boy. He's always a superhero. Anything in his hands becomes a gun, sword, or weapon of some sort. He's noisy & dirty. He destroys all in his path. And yet, he is my cuddly, huggy, kissy boy. He brings so much love, laughter, and joy into our home. I am so grateful that this little boy was sent to our family & that I get to be his mommy. I love you, my Lukey!!

Kisses!!

2010-01-14T13:46:00.005-07:00

This is my favorite little pucker face! And below him is another cute little pucker face. Can you tell they're related? Pucker faces, curly hair, and all. :) It's his cousin Brylen who is only a couple months younger than Luke. Now anybody wanna kiss?

And I hope this Daily Dose of David has you laughing as hard as I was when it happened! It was probably a month ago when I crashed into bed exhausted & David fell asleep instantly & was snoring. Loudly!! I knew there was no way I was going to be able to sleep. But because he had just gone to sleep, I knew that if I pushed him to roll over or shook him, he was going to yell at me for waking him up (and for pushing or shaking him). So I reached over & rubbed his back. I was thinking that maybe he was awake just enough that when I rubbed his back he would move & stop snoring. And that's when I heard, "That was really nice." Huh? And before I could reply he said, "No, I mean it. That was really nice of you." Huh? some more. And the kicker? "What dealership do you work for? Toyota?" And as I began giggling...more snoring. But who cares about the snoring when you're laughing so hard you're sure you're going to wake up the husband & the kids!

As Promised

2009-12-09T11:56:00.003-07:00

Quite a while ago I promised my mom a new Daily Dose of David. But I thought I should make good on my promise. It's the least I could do after all she does for me. And then maybe I'll get my butt in gear & catch up on 4 months of back-blogging! This is a start, at least.

David: Hey Rachel! How do you spell your name?
Me: What do you mean how do I spell my name? How long have we been married, and you can't spell my name?!!
David: I'm just having a brain fart, and I can't remember how to spell it.
Me: Well, I'm not helping you 'cause you should know how to spell my name by now!
David: I just need to know if it's "ael" or "eal."
Me: .............It's neither, David.
David: Huh?

What's that, Mom? You want another? David was bathing the boys while I was chatting on the phone with my mom. This is what she heard.

David: Rachel, I need your help.
Me: Just a minute. I'm on the phone.
David: Hurry, I need your help NOW!
Me (stomping into the bathroom): WHAT? I'm busy! What do you need?!
David (pointing to the alphabet stuck to the walls above the bathtub): I'm trying to teach the boys the alphabet & counting, but they aren't paying attention!
Me: ..............*rolling eyes, walking away*

Happy Birthmonth to You

2009-08-19T13:47:00.004-06:00

This butt turned 29 today. It celebrates not only it's birthday, but also it's birthmonth. That would be a month long celebration of the month of it's birth.

And this is the face that belongs to the butt that celebrates all month and deserves the Happiest of all Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to a wonderful, talented, funny, creative, kind, generous, beautiful, and all-around amazing sister!!! May you get absolutely everything you wish for. And may you be 29 forever. Who am I kidding? I can't wait until you're 30. :)

Fair Fun

2009-06-09T14:57:00.006-06:00

This weekend we were happy to see a little fair setting up with lots of kiddie rides. We missed it last year, and I was really excited to be able to take Lance this year. I couldn't wait to watch his little face & see his reaction to the rides. And I was definitely not disappointed.

He loved all the rides. Except for maybe Dizzy Dragons, and it was David's fault that Lance didn't like that one. David rode with him & spun the dragon so fast that poor Lance laid down on the bench & waited for the ride to end (which surprisingly didn't stop David from continuing to spin). All the other rides were big hits with the little roller coaster being his favorite. He smiled & woo hoo-ed more than he ever has. And he cried his little eyes out when he couldn't ride the big "fweens" with Daddy. He tried with all his might to climb the barrier to get on the swings.

I just carried Luke from ride to ride to watch Lance (and sometimes Daddy). It was super windy, and Luke was pretty fussy the whole time. He perked right up, though when we ate hot dogs & candy apples. Which we ate extremely fast because Lance was itchin' to get on some more rides. And for two days after the fair, the crook of my arm was stiff & sore from carrying around my lump of Luke--he's a big boy!

Lance rode all the rides a couple times before we carried him away kicking & screaming. I'm sure he would have ridden rides & played & danced until they kicked us out, but Mom & Dad & Luke were all tired. I did manage to get a few pictures, and we all had lots of fun. But none so much as Lance.

My two big boys riding their buckin' broncs.

Cars--it's a boy thing, & it starts young. :)

The slides were another favorite.

Engineer like Grandpa.

It looks like he's mid-woo hoo here.

My biggest boy needed help getting buckled into his "fween."

There, all safe.

Awwwww, How Sweet!

2009-06-09T11:56:00.003-06:00

This is one of those posts that David thinks is completely lame. And yet, I'm going to share it anyway. It was a rare moment of blatant sweetness from my hubby, so how could I not share it.

The heart was hand-crafted with love out of an apple.

Right before he presented me with this wonderful sandwich of love :) he told me I was hot and said something very nice about my boo-tay. Don't remember what he said. Doesn't matter. All that matters is that it was nice. Don't get me wrong, I have a wonderful husband. But this kind of display of affection? Not to mention he made me a sandwich! And no ladies...he wasn't buttering me up. I had to clear that up before my sisters wrote completely inappropriate comments about my husbands good intentions.

Our One Warm(ish) Day

2009-06-06T23:15:00.005-06:00

We have had weeks of clouds, thunderstorms, rain, & wind. For the most part, the temperature stays in the 50's & 60's. It's really my kind of weather, since I hate the heat (and the heat will be here soon enough). But it's not great for taking the boys out to play. And the forecast shows nothing but them same in the near future. I'm sharing some pics that were taken a while ago. They were taken on a rare sunny day where the temp was in the 70's. We made the most of the day with some fishing on the little lake behind our apartment and a swim in the pool that is literally steps outside our back door. Oh, and a little play time at the playground right next to the lake. Talk about convenient. I love where we live. Let me clear that up. I love the location of our apartment. :) See that tiny speck? That's David & Lance in the tiny raft.

Here's David & Luke. He took the boys out one at a time. And didn't get much fishing in at all. He spent most of his time with Lance trying to keep him from jumping into the lake. And Luke is just so grabby that there was no way to keep the fishing pole from him. But I think they all had fun.

While David & Lance were out on the lake, I thought I would lay out a blanket for me & Luke & I could read. But as I've already mentioned, Luke is so stinkin' grabby. There would be no reading for me, but we enjoyed the sunny day relaxing on the grass. And funny enough, Luke hates grass as much as his big brother did. Put him on a blanket in the grass, and he's goin' nowhere.

Later we took the boys to the pool. David wanted to see how well the life jackets worked (just to be certain). Lance loved "fweening" in the pool with his life jacket, but Luke just kind of lay there unmoving. He was very unimpressed by his personal floatation device. His face in the next picture shows just what he thought. And if you can't tell...he's showing me his irritation (working up to mad). Lance, on the other hand, crawled aboard the S.S.Daddy because that's what dad's are for.

And can you tell from the pool pictures that our rare moment of sunshine had already passed by the time we were at the pool? But I'll take what I can get. :)

Corrections...

2009-06-04T11:37:00.005-06:00

...to my last post as per David.

Last night David started reading over my shoulder as I finished up my post. He NEVER reads my blog. Has no clue what I blog about. He's not even interested. But last night when he caught a glimpse of his name, he decided he should know what I was writing about him. This brought about some discussions about what he thinks I should not blog about. I've taken his thoughts into consideration & decided to make a couple corrections.

In my last post, I mentioned a little scuffle over who got the TV remote. This made David's jaw drop open & eyes pop out of their sockets. Apparently, he thinks this would give people the idea that we watch TV. His exact words, "Now everyone is going to think we watch TV! We are not TV watchers! That makes it sound like all we do is sit around & watch TV! Oh, the horror!" Okay, he didn't say 'oh, the horror,' but he was dramatic enough that he might as well have said it. So to correct my previous error, *ahem* we would,um...never take advantage of the free cable (even though this is the only time since we were married that we have had TV), and we certainly would never, um...waste our precious time on watching TV. Nope, not us. Never. We were only fighting for the remote because, um...we were. That's all. Oh, and I should add that we, um...NEVER EVER sit on the couch. Who would do such a thing?! Yeah, in our spare time in the evenings before bed, we like to, um...do calisthenics & stuff. And I guess I should clarify that I, um...never sit down at the computer to blog. No, I would never do that. In fact, I, um...run in place while I type. Yeah, sure, that's what I do.

As for David at a spa? I don't know what I was thinking. He would never go to a girly spa. He's way too macho & masculine for that. Silly me. He would, um...never go to a spa for a relaxing massage, and, um...never sit around in a robe afterward in a room with a bunch of women all lying around on chaise loungers, some sleeping, some chatting, all drinking expensive bottled water. Why, even as I type that, it sounds way to, um...girly for David. Besides, even if he were to do that, he probably would have been so relaxed that he would drool on the sandaled foot of the masseuse. And that would be way too embarrassing. He would NEVER do that.

Whew! I feel so much better having cleared that up. ;)

Memorial Weekend - What a Dinger!

2009-06-03T22:29:00.008-06:00

It's 10:30 pm, all the boys are sleeping, and have been for a couple hours. I should be sleeping, but instead I'm sitting at the computer enjoying absolute silence. Ahhhhhhhh, it's wonderful. So what better way to spend my oh so quiet time than blogging?

I have so many things to blog that I'll probably never catch up, but I guess I can start with our Memorial Day weekend. It was pretty much fishing, fishing, & more fishing. David can't wait to camp every weekend, but since it's still too cold to camp here, it's fishing every weekend--and some days after he gets off work. Lance runs to the door when Daddy gets home & starts getting his shoes on, all the while saying, "Go fissing. Get pole. 'Mon Daddy."

It has rained every day here for about 3 weeks, and Memorial weekend was no exception. But that did not keep my avid fishermen from enjoying a few days at the lake. The first day, I stayed home with Luke who had a fever & let the two big boys ;) go alone. It poured that day, and David put out a tarp. The two of them laid under it & waited for the bells on their poles to jingle. They would run to reel in their catches, throw them back in the lake, and run back to their shelter. Lance caught his first fish. He was extremely excited to reel it in, but would absolutely not touch it.

The next day, I made David take me with them. We drove about an hour & a half to a lake we'd never been to...only to find out there wasn't a place where you could fish from the shore. David tried to fish, but with no success. But we had fun roasting hot dogs & marshmallows. Lance played in the dirt, pretended to eat marshmallows--taking bites & spitting them on the ground, and tried to feed Luke rocks. I really only turned my back for half a second when I heard, "Here Wukey, eat wock!" I turned around to see Lance trying to shove a rock in Luke's mouth. It was a good thing Luke refused to open his mouth. Usually he eats anything in front of him.

The highlight of the day? Why that would be when I backed the van into the truck! Oopsie. And all because I was throwing a fit (which was David's fault). It was muddy, cold, windy, & rainy, and we drove an hour and a half to a lake where we couldn't even fish (David's fault). He made us take two vehicles because it's squishy in the truck, & he didn't want to go in the van (David's fault). And he picked a dumb camp site where the vehicles were parked super close to each other (David's fault). Being the mature adult that I am, I told David that he picked a dumb place, I was cold, & I was taking Luke home. Got in the van, and....David's fault. You can clearly see who's fault it was, right? Of course, I'll just let him keep thinking it's my fault. ;) Check out that dent! It actually looks much worse than the pictures show. It's a real dinger. And after all that? I had a really great time with my three boys in the cold & mud.

I know this is a really long post, but I've had some requests for a Daily Dose of David. Apparently I'm not the only one entertained by my ridiculous hubby. So what shall I share tonight? How about his nifty new neck brace?

He had a kinked neck for 3 days. He walked around as if he was seriously wounded. He got out of helping with much of anything because he claimed to be in great pain. He used ice packs. He took hot showers. He did stretches. He even went to a spa for a deep tissue massage. And when none of that helped--and when I refused to buy him a neck brace (come on! it's only a kinked neck! we've all had them & lived to tell about it! without neck braces! big baby! whaaa whaaa!), he used the handy dandy rolled up towel tied around the neck trick. And behold, a miracle. Where he could hardly move before, he was now able to jump off the couch & wrestle me for the remote! Can I get a hallelujah? :)

Just Some Pics

2009-05-30T12:21:00.000-06:00

I've got plenty to blog, but how about some pictures of a couple cuties until I get around to a new post? :)
I can't believe my little Lukey is 9 months! Time goes by so fast, and babies don't stay babies for long.
Lance & his "kickies." Give him a sheet of stickers & he's happy for a long time.

Best buds! These two love to play with each other. Their favorite game is when Lance runs out of Luke's sight & Luke crawls to find him. Then they both laugh hysterically. And the game continues.

One of the few sunny days we've had since moving here. I'm really wishing for some more.

Oh, look he's sharing with Daddy. The picture I didn't get was Luke screaming when David took a bite of his licorice.

But as long as he doesn't have to share....happy baby!

Thursday Thirteen - Edition "S"

2009-05-14T18:03:00.006-06:00

1. Shelley - You know what's really funny? I didn't think of this one, until I was completely done with my list!

2. Scatter-brained - This is why I almost didn't think of my last name for this week's Thursday Thirteen.

3. Sweet - All of my teeth are sweet teeth. You know when people say something is too sweet? I've never experienced that. Really, I haven't.

4. Sleep - What I LOVE but haven't gotten enough of since having Mr. Lukey (I think he HATES sleep).

5. Strange - Definition of strange: David Shelley :)

6. Sonic - Where I like to go to get my two favorite things--coke & chocolate. A chocolate coke to be exact. It's the drink that makes my crazy days better.

7. Silly - Definition of silly: Lance Shelley. This boy doesn't know what serious is. But he seriously makes me smile.

8. Second - I'm the second child of six.

9. Smart - What I am constantly trying to tell my hubby that I am. His world would be a whole lot better if he realized just how smart I am.....and if he just did what I said. He could also refer to last week's Thursday Thirteen (I'm always RIGHT!).

10. Shit - It happens!

11. Superficial - I hate superficiality. Yes, it's a word. I know that because I'm so smart. See number 9. :)

12. Snugglebug Bowtique - I know I've posted this link before, but if you haven't checked it out, you definitely need to. It's my sister's website. She makes the cutest hair bows. I've looked at lots of other sites selling hair bows & headbands, and I really do think hers are the cutest. snugglebugbowtique.com

13. Stephanee - Last but certainly not least is my sister-in-law, Steph. She is so sweet & so fun to be around. She's pretty much awesome!

To join the Thursday Thirteen fun, click the button below.

Thursday Thirteen - Edition "R"

2009-05-07T02:07:00.006-06:00

Okay, so I've missed a bunch of weeks of the Thursday Thirteen, but there's no way I could catch up with so many letters. I'll just continue with today's letter. Here goes!

1. Rachel - My name. A.K.A. Rachie (or Rachie Poo), Rachel Ann, Ratchet, or Rawhaw. I have no idea how my little sis came up with that last one.

2. Russell - My Dad & little bro's name.

3. Rowdy - What my 3 boys are. Yes, that includes David. He's the rowdiest.

4. Renting - I can't wait until we're done moving around & don't have to rent anymore!

5. Raft - We just bought a small raft for fishing on the tiny lake right behind our apartment. I can't wait for nice weather to try it out.

6. Rex - My parents' crazy, three-legged dog. I know it sounds sad. But having only 3 legs does not slow him down one bit.

7. Read - I LOVE to read. It is so easy for me to get lost in a book. I can tune anything out to read, and usually end up staying up most of the night when I start reading. Just wish I had more time to read.

8. Real - What mine are. But after nursing babies, I wouldn't mind if they were fake one day. ;)

9. Rich - You probably think I'm going to say what I wish I was. But I don't wish that. Having no debt would be wonderful, but I don't need anything more than what I already have. I'm incredibly happy being wife & mommy. I'm already rich.

10. Right - What I always am. Hahahaha!!! No, but seriously.....

11. Reload - My siblings & I used to fight over who got to help Dad reload shotgun shells.

12. Rebel - What I'm not. Nor have I ever been one. That would be my husband's department. Me, I'm the goody-two-shoes. I don't know how to be bad. :)

13. Rugrats - I love my little guys more than anything. They are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'll take them just the way they are--even if they are rugrats.

If you want to join in the Thursday Thirteen fun, click the button below & head on over to Izzy 'N Emmy to sign up.

Potty Training...Sucks!

2009-05-06T14:53:00.003-06:00

I'm sooooo tired of changing a gazillion diapers every day. We've tried potty training Lance, who will be 2 1/2 in just a couple days. He can hold it for HOURS (no kidding). We'll put him on the potty all day long, sometimes every 5 minutes. And wouldn't you know it...he pees in his underwear the second he's off the potty. This happens over & over & over. I get frustrated & go back to diapers for a couple days because I'm all worn out & tired of the fight. Go ahead & judge me. I know I shouldn't go backwards & go back to diapers, but whatever--what's done is done. I was pretty happy that we've never had a poopy underwear accident. Which is why I got brave & just said no more diapers.

Which brings me to yesterday. I'm really tired of Lance taking off his own diapers. I always freak out thinking that he could be taking off a poopy one & we'd have a big mess. So...I decided to just put up with the accidents & tantrums & just say no more diapers. We were accident free at about 10 am (but still no pee in the potty). I put Lance in the bathtub and ran to get Luke to bathe him as well. I was gone for mere seconds when I hear, "Mommmmy!" And then because I didn't respond quickly enough, "Wayshel!" Yes, he called me by my first name--little stinker! I rapidly return to the bathroom to find him standing in the tub and.....ewwwwww.....a couple floaters......so gross.....yes, poop in the bathtub. And Lance says to me, "Peed on da gwound." No son, Mom would actually be okay with pee on the ground. This is definitely not pee on the ground!

It took me a while to clean up the mess, re-bathe Lance, and disinfect the tub & every toy in it. While I was cleaning, Lance peed his pants. He brought me new underwear, we got him changed & everything cleaned up, and we both plopped down at the table--Lance for a snack, me for a break. Seconds, and I do mean seconds, later, he said, "Uh oh," and I followed his gaze to the chair where he was now squatting over a puddle. I crossed my fingers & silently pleaded, "Please let it be water, please..." nope, it was pee. I half sighed, half growled and resisted the urge to scream. By now I was praying that Lance would get tired very soon, so that I can put a diaper on him & put him down for a nap. I know, not the best move. Maybe Lance has a strategy. Maybe he knows he can wear me down if he has enough accidents. He had one more accident--on the suede couch--before nap time. And then I had a blissful 2 accident free hours while both boys slept.

I'll spare you the afternoon accident details and just jump forward to this morning when I got out of bed because Luke was awake & crying. Let me just say that I had no idea Lance was awake & up & about already. But as I walk down the hall to the boys' room, lo & behold there is a little toddler walking back into his bedroom. With sweat pants on his head and a bare butt. Where did this kid come from? I laughed for about half a second until I realized that his little naked bottom meant he had taken his diaper off. Hmmmm....and what was that I smelled? Oh yes, if you guessed poopy diaper you were right. He had taken his poopy diaper off & was in the process of finding some underwear & pants. And he must have been sidetracked by his own hilarity with his pants on his head and all.

Okay, now I am definitely POSITIVE that it is time! I have been trying not to make potty training an unpleasant experience for him, but whatever...that is all out the window now. Now all I'm thinking is that this kid better learn to use the potty soon!! And wouldn't you know it he pooped in his pants right away. So being the mean mom that I am, I made him sit on the little potty for about half an hour--him screaming the whole time. I knew he was holding it, and I also knew that his crying might distract him. And it worked!!! He was distracted enough that he began peeing. On me! But I was so darned excited that I didn't even care. I helped him aim, and we were both so pleased with the pee in the potty.

There was much clapping & dancing & hugging! And treats! He can have whatever he wants. I know I'm going a bit over board, but again...whatever. I am so thrilled that he peed in the potty. And now he's waking up from his nap, so we get to start all over again. Oh, the joys of potty training.

Moving

2009-04-09T13:49:00.003-06:00

We're almost done packing, & we'll be moving this weekend. I'm so sick of packing moving that I'm ready to either sell everything or throw it all away! At least this move will be to a fully furnished apartment (since it's a short stay), so there will be no moving in or out--hooray! And moving stuff into a storage unit much easier. Goodbye computer (for just a bit), and hello, Vail...again. Ugh!! Have I ever mentioned how much I do NOT like Vail and how it is the one place neither of us wanted to ever go back to again? Oh, well. I'm officially making a giant effort to find reasons to like it this time. Wish me luck. :)

Thursday Thirteen - Edition "M"

2009-04-02T05:38:00.011-06:00

1. Mommy - I love being Mommy more than anything!

2. Melissa - My wonderful & talented sister (who is as awesome as Lynette--from the "L" list). Check out her SUPER cute hair bows at the Snugglebug Bowtique (www.snugglebugbowtique.com).

3. Movies - We watch tons of movies. When we've seen every good one, we move onto the lame ones. :)

4. Move - We're getting ready to move...again. This will be the 5th move since we've been married (only 3 1/2 years).

5. Melinda - My sister-in-law who Lance referred to as Aunt Dewey (mixed her up with Aunt Julie) all weekend. He even brought her shoes to her & put them on her feet when it was time for us to leave so he could take her home with us.

6. Matrix - Thought I hated these movies until I watched them with David. Love 'em!

7. Morning - I am not a morning person. Morning shouldn't start until 8 am...or 9. If I got up sooner, I would end up with everything done by noon. And then what am I supposed to do for the rest of the day?!!! ;)

8. Mint - I'm eating Junior Mints right now. Mmmmmm.

9. Melon - I hate any type of melon. That includes cantaloupe & watermelon. Yuck!

10. Milford - Tiny little town where I grew up, & I still call it home.

11. Mummy - Lance loves to put "mummy" in his piggy bank, & I'm told it doesn't grow on trees.

12. Milk - We drink a LOT of the stuff--about 6 gallons a week (is that a lot? haha).

13. Mind - I'm losing mind...or I've already lost it...don't know which...what is it we were talking about?

If you want to join in the Thursday Thirteen fun, head over to Izzy 'N Emmy & sign up. Just click on the button below.

Gettin' Their Cute On!!

2009-03-30T16:20:00.000-06:00

Are you ready for pictures of some seriously cute, silly, hungry, and jewelry & hat wearing boys? What's that...it's exactly what you've been looking for? ;)

Check out my boys sportin' some Smart Mom teething bling. Lance loves them & is constantly telling me, "I neeeeee a" (said very dramatically, with need being very drawn out and with head thrown back for effect). Yes, folks, he needs it. He says that quite frequently. Apparently, he "needs" many, many, many things. Luke is our resident Moose. He is now 7 months, eats truck loads of food (or so it seems), and can crawl forward on his belly. It's actually more of a slither, but effective nonetheless. Where Lance was a lazy lump of baby content to loll about, Luke is just the opposite--constantly moving & never in one place for more than a few seconds. That baby gets around!! While he does know how to slither, he finds it far faster to roll at super sonic speeds. Talk about steam roller. Outta the way, here comes Luke!

Lance has an obsession with hots. Anything that can go on his head is a "hot." And Mom & Dad & Luke all must wear hots, too. And like Mr. Roger's shoes, Lance changes his hats frequently throughout the day. Like the pink cowboy hat? Well, it's not a cowboy hat at all. It's a cowgirl hat, and it's for my little niece Neeley who desperately needs one. Check out her pony riding get-up on my sister Melissa's site, rowdyrobertsons.blogspot.com, and you'll see why. Lance had to try it out (and wear it in the store...and around town). Ever stylish is the viking hat (courtesy cousin Jase & Aunt Nett). But my favorite is the empty 12 pack soda container hat. Oh, you hadn't heard of that one? It's a new trend--the latest. :)

Another obsession of my firstborn is mummy. He loves to find "mummy" and carry it in his pocket. He then tries to spend it at any little vending machine he sees. Mommy & Daddy tell him to save it for his dino bank, and he puts it back into his pocket until we can get home. When he later rediscovers the mummy in his pocket, he rushes upstairs to make a deposit. And what is better than cold, hard cash (or coins)? Why, cold, hard coins between your toes, of course. We don't know where he got this, but we always find him with his shoes & socks off and putting coins between his toes. Funny kid! I finally got my jumperoo out of storage in Utah, and wouldn't you know it? Luke loves it! He began jumping right away. I guess he just wasn't a fan of the doorway Johnny Jump Up. He used to fall asleep in the doorway jumper after he exhausted himself from all that hanging and twisting ;) but now he falls asleep in the jumperoo after actually jumping. Either way...works for me.

Thursday Thirteen - Edition "L"

2009-03-26T15:21:00.011-06:00

Yesterday I asked David what day of the week it was. He told me it was Tuesday. Of course I believed him, so imagine my surprise when I saw bloggers posting their Thursday Thirteen. Really??? Is it Thursday??? It really was a great surprise for me--it was like skipping a whole day in the week. ;) I threw together my list, and here it is.

1. Lance - My handsome and happy son.

2. Luke - My handsome and happy son. :)

3. Love - I love numbers 1 & 2 so much that sometimes I wonder how I can contain all of it.

4. Lotion - Babies & toddlers that have been bathed & lotioned smell so completely wonderful.

5. Laughter - It really is the best medicine. So, I guess David is my medicine. ;)

6. Lemon Bars - Just the thought of them makes my mouth water.

7. Lie - I HATE lies. Do not lie to me. It is so absolutely horrible to find out you've been lied to. I won't even twist the truth or omit things just because I think "it doesn't matter." If it honestly doesn't matter, just say it! With me you get truth & nothing but the truth "so help me God."

8. Lasagna - What I'm making for dinner tonight.

9. Licorice - The favorite treat of all 3 of my boys--and it must be Red Vines.

10. Limeade - I love cherry limeades--or just regular old limeades--in the summer.

11. Lasik - I do not need lasik eye surgery because I have perfect vision (although my eyesight isn't as "keen" as my hubby's--Thursday Thirteen "K").

12. Lint - I love to clean the lint trap in my dryer. Okay, I've always loved to do this. I have no idea why. Weird, I know. But I'm sure there are other lovers of lint trap cleaning out there.

13. Lynette - One of my sisters. I'll bet she thought I forgot all about her (even though we've talked 3 times on the phone today). She's so much fun--the life of the party, and she's so super smart. She's pretty much awesome.

If you want to join in the Thursday Thirteen fun, visit Izzy 'n Emmy's page (click the button below) and sign up.

Mom 4 Life

2009-03-25T14:53:00.016-06:00

***WARNING: Extremely long post with my own rave reviews of some great products. Read at your own risk. May lead to shopping--if not shopping, then it will definitely lead to eye strain. ;)

If you're a mom that loves finding new & genius products for yourself & little ones, you definitely need to check out this site. Go to mom4life.com and prepare to spend some time browsing all the mom-invented products. That's right--all the products are invented by moms who had brilliant ideas to make motherhood easier. You've probably seen plenty of the products on other sites, but this is one-stop-shopping. I've also priced things on other sites, and all the prices on Mom4Life are the same or better than what I've found elsewhere. What's better than that? Well, free shipping, of course!! You get free shipping on all orders shipped in the U.S. (no minimums). And yet another perk to shopping on this site is returning customers get a 5% discount on their orders. I know, I know. That may not seem like much, but since you're already getting products at great prices (go ahead & check other sites to compare) and free shipping on everything, another 5% off is 5% better. :) And there are plenty of organic & earth friendly items for you greenies. Go check out the site for maternity, birth, nursing, feeding, diapering, & baby wearing products...along with clothing, playing, sleeping, bathing, & safety products.

I absolutely LOVE this site!!! Here a few of the things I've ordered from the site.

The Dwink Box will keep little hands from squeezing juice boxes & pouches because we all know that no matter how many times we warn our kiddies, they can't help but squeeze (and make messes for mom).

This is teething jewelry by Smart Mom. It's made of a teething material just like your baby's favorite teethers. But you get to wear it--no more looking for teething toys or picking them up off of dirty floors in public places. "What's that baby? You need something to chew on? Well, lucky for me I'm wearing my teething jewelry." :) I have the necklace & bangle in coral, and Luke loves them. So does Lance. Watch for my next post for pictures of how much my boys love my new jewelry.

One of my favorite finds is the Babeebrite Hands Free Mobile Light Source by Mommy Bee Happy (what a mouth full). Luke is such a light sleeper, and when is awakened in the night, he thinks it's time to be up for good. I have a tiny lamp with a very low watt bulb which was way too bright for Luke. We tried night lights--again, way too bright. The hallway and bathroom lights also wake him up...fully. Then I found the Babeebrite. It is bright enough that I am able to change diapers & breastfeed, but dim enough that it doesn't wake my night owl. This has really been my saving grace at night. Some cool features: 7 minute automatic shut off (so I can fall asleep with it on), an adjustable arm to direct the light, & a clip on the back of it so I can wear it & have both hands free. I now clip it to me as soon as I put the boys to bed, so that I have a light when I check on my sleeping babes or when I get ready for bed (since Luke's crib is in our room). Then when I go to bed, I put it on my nightstand so that it is easily accessible for our nighttime wakings (great for finding pacifiers in the dark). I also love it for our long car trips. I use it instead of the dome light to find things in my purse or the diaper bag. Can you tell I really love this little light?!! I have always used the very thin disposable diaper sacks that have handles to tie (like a grocery sack) because I don't really want to run stinky diapers outside to the dumpster 10 or 12 times a day (and that was before I had Luke!). We even used them to bag diapers before putting them in a diaper pail because we've yet to find a diaper pail that is completely odor free. Here is a great solution to this very stinky problem. Diaper Baggies. While they aren't completely odorless, they are tons better than the other bags. They are made of a thicker plastic and have zipper closure. And they are great for when you're out & about & need a place to put soiled or wet clothing. Mom4Life carries the largest selection of BabyLegs (in a gazillion colors & styles) that I have seen on any site. If you don't know about baby leg warmers :) go check them out. I love them for protecting soft skin when baby starts to crawl and legs get rug burn. If you're wondering, they aren't just for girls. Yes, Luke wears them, and his fat legs are so adorable in them.This next one is my newest acquisition. I'm really excited to use the OnTray. I used to carry little snack containers for Lance when we were out shopping and try to hold onto the container and lid while pushing the cart & shopping. I spilled numerous snacks while trying to do this. And Lance's little hands were always grabbing & knocking stuff out of my hands. Enter OnTray, the tray with the sliding lid that attaches to the cart handle (you can even attach the lid to the bottom of the tray). And it's still small enough for the diaper bag or purse.

Now onto some really genius ideas that I wish I new of sooner. I don't own either of these products but wish I had. First is the Shower Hug by Belmama and Cherub.I really wish I knew of this when I first started nursing Luke and showering was unbelievably painful--you know, from the harsh shower spray on ultra tender nipples. Instead I just did what everyone does...try to dodge the shower while showering. And another brilliant idea that I wish I knew of sooner is the Babykeeper by Mommysentials. This product solves the problem of what to do with baby while trying to use a public restroom. On my 10 hour trips to visit family I always dreaded taking bathroom breaks & would hold it for as long as possible because it was such a hassle to take Lance (before he was walking) into a restroom with me. I mean, how in the world do you hold a baby in one arm while trying to undo & pull down pants? Then hold baby on lap while peeing (myself not baby in case that isn't clear). And finally hold baby in one arm again while trying to pull pants back up (this is the hardest part). And washing hands? I still have no idea how to do that in a dirty restroom while holding a baby. I guess mom's don't wash. ;)

This last one is on my wish list. It's the ShadyBaby stroller parasol. It clips onto a stroller & blocks the sun from any direction. And there are a bunch of cute colors & patterns. Although very cute, I don't want the pink polka dot one.But maybe this one. Or this one.Okay, so there are TONS of other products, but I can only fit so much in a single post. And anyway, those of you that read until the end are probably ready to rest your eyes. Whew! Now go check out mom4life.com!

Thursday Thirteen - Edition "K"

2009-03-19T11:43:00.009-06:00

I've not wanted to blog lately (or even comment on blogs--although I'm still reading). I'm really behind in posts, and I thought I would rejoin the blogging world. But I still don't feel like putting forth much effort--this is the best I can do for today. I missed a few weeks of this, but here's my Thursday Thirteen (you can join in the fun by clicking on the button at the bottom of the post).

1. Keen - David is constantly telling me how he has "keen eyesight." I don't know why, but it always makes me laugh (but he really does have excellent eyesight).

2. Katie Jean - My long lost BFF. We lost touch, & I didn't know where she was or how to find her. Seven years later...I found her on facebook and discovered that she lives about 30 minutes away from me!! I'm so happy to have her close by, and am going to miss her terribly when we move again (yes a move is imminent).

3. Kryptonite - My kryptonite is chocolate. I'm powerless in it's presence.

4. Kath & Kim - I LOVE this TV show. I think it's hilarious (David enjoys watching with me, too).

5. Karaoke Revolution - There is absolutely no way I would ever sing karaoke in public--let me emphasize NO WAY. But this is such a fun game, and I love to sing me some tunes with the rest of my party animal family. :)

6. Kitchen Aid - I got my mixer for Christmas this year, and I love it. Beats the heck out of mixing everything by hand--especially kneading bread by hand.

7. Kids - I love my kids. They are the loves of my life, and they bring me absolute joy.

8. Kool Aid - This would be my dad's kryptonite. He's a Kool Aid Kid (really he's a Kool Aid freak--and so is my sister, Lynette).

9. Kindness - This is something that is sorely lacking in our world today.

10. Kit-Kat - I want one so bad right now. Darn you, Chocolate, and your sweet but evil creamy rich smoothness!! *shaking fist in air*

11. Knitting - Something I want to learn how to do--knit.

12. Knees - I hate my knees. I think they are ugly, and I don't even like to wear shorts because of them. All skirts and shorts or capris of any kind must fall below my hideously huge knees. :)

13. Kiss - I love kisses from my boys--all of my boys (my biggest boy included).

Pay it Forward

2009-02-19T18:08:00.005-07:00

I won, and you can too! Pay it forward!

The Rules...
1. Be one of the first three bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which entitles you to a handmade item from me.

2. Winners, you must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway.

3. The gift that you send to your friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It's the Spirit and the thought that counts!

4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love!

If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Start your own Pay It Forward game/link/chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same!

*Leave a comment even if you're not one of the top three, and who knows...maybe you'll get something anyway. (This part is not really part of the game. If you play, you don't have to add it--the stuff in red. I just thought it's how I would play.)

Thursday Thirteen, Edition "G"

2009-02-19T03:45:00.006-07:00

1. Grandmas & Grandpas - Who else is going to spoil my kids rotten?

2. Garnet - My birthstone.

3. Giggles - I love the sound of my boys laughing.

4. Google - How else would we find out everything we've ever wanted to know--and then some?

5. Green & Grass - I love when the snow finally melts & everything is green again.

6. General - One of my dad's nicknames for my mom (The General).

7. Gardens - There is nothing like vegetables right out of the garden. I also love really colorful flower gardens.

8. Games - I love getting together with family or friends & playing games.

9. Gambling - I am not a gambler. I hate losing any money at all. I always think of what things I could spend my money on rather than losing it. (alright, i have been known to get crazy on a nickle machine)

10. Gears of War - A video game that David loves. I finally gave in and played it with him--I really liked it, too.

11. Golf - I've only been golfing a couple times, but I love it (even though I'm horrible).

12. Gremlin - Apparently our apartment is gremlin infested because David blames everything on them--"it must have been a gremlin."

13. Glad - Don't get mad, get Glad! :)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2009-02-15T22:57:00.002-07:00

Dear Mom,

Today, I thought about you often & hoped your birthday was everything you wanted it to be. I wished so much that I could have been there to tell you Happy Birthday & share in the birthday festivities. I thought I could at least try to tell you how much you mean to me (if words can even express).

You are such an amazing mom. In the last few days I've needed a bit of encouragement, & I definitely got that from you & so much more. Thanks for the wonderful advice & uplifting & loving words. I hope I can be the kind of mother that you are--loving, fun, kind, patient, giving, a great example, a mountain of support & encouragement, tough when necessary, and an awesome hugger (this is just as important as anything for a mother).

Being a mother myself now, I am starting to realize all of the time, energy, & love you put into raising us. You sacrificed so much of yourself for your kids. I'm also beginning to understand now how much you've loved us & how much you've worried about us--and continue to do so. I can't imagine what we've put you through at times. You definitely deserve awesome rewards for all that you've given of yourself & all that you've taught us. [Maybe part of that reward is cute grand kids. ;)]

You are everything I hope to become. And I hope you've had an amazing birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!

Love,
Rachel

Bowling Fun

2009-02-13T12:33:00.006-07:00

These pics were from a few weekends ago, & I'm just getting around to blogging them. Since Lance hates the snow, & we have tons of it, we've been trying to find fun indoor things to do with him. He even hates snow on the bottom of his shoes! There isn't much to do here, but swimming & bowling have been hits (what kid doesn't like either of those things). Lance insisted on carrying his own ball. What is it about boys & needing to prove they can carry heavy things? ;) There were many tears shed because he had to wait his turn. We're mean parents, & we wanted our turns, too. He would roll the ball down the ramp & immediately turn around to get another ball. I'm not sure he ever saw the ball hit the pins, but he clapped every time--maybe for successfully getting the ball to the top of the ramp (without dropping it). This is how Lukey passed the time bowling--slobbering & smiling. And just a side note: Happy 6 months (today) to my baby. Afterward, David & Lance hit the arcade for some racing. And for those of you who know David, this Daily Dose is for you. My family & I like to play a game with David. We give him the line of a well known children's or Christmas song, and he has to fill in the blank--just one word. He never EVER gets it right. He can't remember the words to songs. And I mean any song. Even if he's heard it a million times, the words he sings are different every time. Okay, every once in a while he sings a line or two right (and completely shocks me). But mostly, it's a new song every time. And let me tell you...there are some pretty interesting ones. I laugh my butt off at some of them. Just yesterday this is what I heard him singing. "The farmer and the Joe, the farmer and the Joe, hi ho the dairy-o, the farmer and the Joe." If you're a bit like David & don't know what he's attempting to sing, it's his very own rendition of 'The Farmer in the Dell.'

Thursday Thirteen, Edition "F"

2009-02-12T03:40:00.006-07:00

1. Father - David is such a wonderful daddy.

2. Family - It's what it's all about.

3. Farkle - Such a fun & fantastic game (got a couple more F's in there).

4. Free - David's motto: If it's free, it's for me.

5. Fabric - I love to sew & quilt, and I LOVE to shop for fabric.

6. Fall - It's my favorite time of the year.

7. Fish - Of the Swedish variety--yum!

8. Friday - Today is David's Friday...Hooray!!

9. Fart - All I'm gonna say is MEN STINK!

10. Friends - It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

11. Fun - Who doesn't like to have it?

12. Flipper - Everyone's favorite dolphin. :)

13. Forever - What our family is.

*This is just an extra one for my mom who will be Fifty and Fabulous in February (in just a couple days)!!

All Tuckered Out

2009-02-10T01:30:00.001-07:00

But from what?Don't let these pictures fool you. He didn't jump once! He still just hangs in the jumper kind of twisting a bit. He hung there for about 10 minutes while I did some cleaning. And then he fell asleep. Here I was, thinking that if only he would jump, he might tire himself out. But he obviously didn't need physical activity. Just the thought of jumping wore him out.

And here's my favorite Daily Dose of David yet! I was cleaning up Lance's toys one day & discovered some tiny BB's in the carpet. I wondered where they could have come from. But as I went about my day, other things occupied my mind, & I forgot all about the little BB's. A couple days later I hear David say to Lance, "Get all your little people for Daddy, so I can line them up." I looked over to David & Lance placing the (fisher price) little people in a straight line on the hood of the power wheel. David then says, "Wait here while I get the gun." WHAT??? Of course the faint memory of tiny BB's in the carpet now flashes through my mind. Yes, David had lined up the little people & helped Lance shoot them off of the power wheel...in the house. I, being the boss of course ;) told the boys that there would be no firing squad tonight. And disappointed Daddy asked, "Why?" I gave my best because I'm the mom and I said so answer--with the matching look. And David asks again, "Why?" Now I'm wondering if there's an echo in the house, or maybe he just can't hear me. Slower this time, "Because...I...said...so." This is when David informs me that he needs an actual reason that he can't shoot his gun in the house and that "because I said so" is not a reason. You've got to be KIDDING me!! And do you know what I came up with? A whole lot of nothing. Scrambling for a reason, I tell him that I don't want to pick BB's out of the carpet. He tells me he'll pick up every one of them. I try telling him it isn't safe, & he tells me it's okay because he only pumps the pellet gun once. My mind is racing for a reason that will satisfy David, and this time it lands upon the trusty "you'll shoot your eye out" reason. I tell him that it isn't safe & what if by some weird accident Lance takes a BB to the eye (I know, I know, lame...give me a break, I don't think fast under pressure)? David says (he really said this), "That's why I make Lance wear a helmet." Of course he would have thought of everything!

Here is Lance in his eye protecting, safety "helmet."

Pleeeeease will somebody give me a suitable reason that David cannot shoot his pellet gun in the house?! I'm pretty sure it's just not okay. But someone--and I won't mention names *wink*--has taught my husband that you should tell your kids WHY you said no or won't let them do something...that you should EXPLAIN your reason. Apparently, David believes the rule applies to husbands. I still say that sometimes "because I said so" is a sufficient reason (when it comes from Mom). Kids are so much easier than husbands. :)

Thursday Thirteen, Edition "E"

2009-02-05T14:24:00.009-07:00

1. Eat - I love to--that's no surprise. It's also how Lance tells me when he's hungry. He says "eat, food."

2. Escargot - Never tried, probably never will.

3. Eyes - I love my boys' baby blues.

4. Established - The Shelley Family was established 2005.

5. Estrogen - I'm so glad I'm a girl. :)

6. Easy - Everything should be.

7. Envelopes - I hate to lick them.

8. English - The only language I know.

9. Energy - What my husband and boys have too much of. What I wish I had more of.

10. Elmo - Lance loves him!

11. Earwig - Super creepy little bugs. I HATE them!

12. Embrace - I love to hug. I think moms give the best hugs.

13. End - Of my list!

Pictures for the Grandmas

2009-02-02T17:19:00.006-07:00

I've not really wanted to blog lately (I still enjoy reading other blogs). But my mom told me to get some pictures posted, so this is my blogging effort for today--or a while, who knows.

This is one of Lance's favorite things to do..."fight." That's what he yells after he puts on the Hulk hands and right before he beans me or David in the head. Then after we fall to the ground he yells, "Hulk Mash!" (The hands say Hulk Smash.) He even puts the hands on Luke, which he thinks is downright hilarious.

Remember in my last post when I said Lance never wants to take his boots off, & I would probably be the mom who lets him wear swim shorts & boots? Well, Daddy let him first. They've been swimming a few times lately, & one time Lance absolutely did not want to take off his boots. David had to let him walk out to the pool--in his swim shorts & boots. He was fine taking them off once he saw the pool. I don't have a picture of the shorts & snow boots, but here are a couple of Daddy & Lance in the pool.

This picture is of Luke the "Lump" who doesn't jump. :) He just sort of hangs in his jumper--like a lump. He doesn't even usually hold his head up in it. No matter what I do, I can't get him to bounce even a teeny bit. I think he knows he might wear himself out and actually have to sleep. This would destroy his plans of staying awake ALL the time.

But as you can see, he certainly is a happy little guy. He's always smiling & laughing. Everything amuses him. Oh, I mean, everything amuses him when he's getting all the attention. This one does not like to be without attention for more than a few seconds. It's a good think that Lance loves to play with "Wukey."

And who's missed the Daily Dose of David? We were watching Duck Tales with Lance. David was just as entranced as Lance was (he loves his cartoons). Scrooge McDuck and Huey, Dewey, & Luey were all captured in the ocean by some frogmen--and they found the lost city of Atlantis. Then they use some "fizzy" stuff to lift the lost city out of the ocean, and I hear David snort & say, "Yeah, right!" Because he obviously didn't believe in the power of the fizzy drink. Apparently he could believe that frogmen exist, but getting the lost city out of the ocean? Whatever...like that could happen. I had to say, "Honey, it's a cartoon...."

*This scenario happens every time we watch cartoons with Lance. I hear "yeah right" quite often. And I continue to remind him that it's a cartoon, & therefore, anything can happen.

Sexy Boops

2009-01-22T01:16:00.003-07:00

No, that's not a typo in the title. It's referring to my little model in the sexy red snow boots. He wants to wear them every day. First thing in the morning he comes downstairs and says, "boops." I don't mind him wearing them all the time (I'll probably be the mom who lets him wear swim shorts with snow boots), but I did finally hide them because I got tired of him taking shoes on and off all day long. This is what I hear nonstop: boops, soos, boops, soos, boops, soos (boots & shoes). He can take them off, but then he needs help putting on the other ones. The Mr. Rogers routine was driving me batty.

These pictures are of Lance trying to look at the back of his Elmo undies. He was like a puppy chasing his tail. And I especially love those chunky little legs! :)

Here's a Daily Dose of David for ya. David: Lance gets his thick thighs from you, Rachel. Now I'm aware that my thighs are not slender. In fact I am very aware that they are thick, but couldn't that just be something that is never talked about? I wouldn't mind him saying that Lance has my eyes or chin or something, but my "thick" thighs? Of course we know where he gets his thighs, but do we have to say it out loud? What was my response when he made this statement? First, I laughed out of shock that he just commented on the size of my thighs, and then I called him some names that I can't repeat on my blog--except jerk, I did call him that. :) And then David says, "What? It's the truth." I'm wondering if he is unbelievably brave or just exceptionally stupid. Okay, in all honesty, I'm really not offended by David's statements. Actually, David informed me afterward that he is happy that Lance got my thighs. Um, I had a good laugh & left it at that. As for my big jerk of a husband....I still love him and the crazy things he says & does.

For My Sisters, My Best Friends Forever

2009-01-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time...

There were four little girls. These little girls were all really close in age. They grew up in a small town doing small town things. Everyone in town knew who the girls were, but few could keep them straight. Who was who? This was because the girls looked so much alike--because they were sisters.

While the girls were young, they did not always appear to be friends. There were fist fights, yelling, name calling, & tears, boy were there tears. Their house was overflowing with drama & fangs (their dad said that girls grew fangs at age 12--he was right). They fought over clothes, tore skirts off one another in church, tattled on each other, and tortured one another just for the fun of it. If one even wore a scrunchie in her hair that belonged to another sister a fight would ensue (or the scrunchie would be ripped from the thieving sister's hair). They threw things at each other & even broke the possessions of another sister when they felt revenge was warranted.

The older sisters told tall tales about invisible elevators & trap doors that led to other secret rooms. They shared these outlandish stories with the younger sisters to make them feel left out because the younger ones, of course, couldn't see or go into the secret rooms. The youngest sister was fed the most pitiful stories of all. She was told that all her teeth were going to fall out "like grandpa's" and that she was going to die because she got (food) dye on her finger.

Now you may assume that these sisters were only worst enemies. But you'd be very wrong. As small girls, the sisters always had playmates. They made messes together, wore matching clothes, got into trouble together, and shared most everything they had. As they grew, they became a united front. If one sister was heartbroken, the rest of them also felt her pain. When one sister accomplished something great, they all shared her excitement. And if you had the misfortune to cross one sister, you would soon find out what sisterhood meant to these girls. You didn't mess with one unless you wanted to fight them all.

The girls grew up & one by one left home. They were never far from each other & at different times a couple of them would live together sharing more fights & fun times. They enjoyed getting together to laugh & play & talk about everything--together they could solve the problems of the world.

Then one by one they were married & began having children, growing their own little families. Still they continued to talk often, visit whenever possible, & share in the everyday battles & triumphs of each other's lives. And they rejoiced together in the joys of motherhood. They still argued occasionally & gave their opinions too freely because they knew that they would always be forgiven for any offense given.

Many other friends have come & gone, but never have they known friendship like the kind they enjoy as sisters. Now there are still many tears shed--but not from fighting. They are tears cried because of the many miles that separate these sisters. Tears cried because they miss each other more than they could have ever imagined in their little girl hearts & minds. And each and every one of them dreams of the day that they can once again live close together to share in all of the joys and miseries of life because that is what sisters are for.

The End

P.S. These girls were blessed with another sister when their brother got married. She is not a sister-in-law to them, but a real and true sister, and they love their new youngest sister as much as they would had she been born their into their family.

Hide the Baby...Again

2009-01-15T20:56:00.007-07:00

David asked me a couple days ago if I thought Luke was big enough. Big enough for what? Big enough to go in the cupboard, duh! And then Daddy tried it out right away. Yep, he's big enough. I hope this satisfies David's curiosity. I really thought he had gotten his fill of baby hiding when Lance was a baby.This is Lance "finding" Luke. Lance thought this was the most hilarious game of hide-and-seek ever!Here are a couple pictures I had posted of the "original" hidden baby--Lance. And for those of you who aren't familiar with Hide the Baby or would like to read about the invention of the game ;) cli ck here.

Twinners

2009-01-14T15:12:00.006-07:00

Of course I'm completely biased, but I think these two are super cute. I had to share a picture of them in their matching "shammies" (as Lance calls them). Notice they are holding hands? Lance absolutely loves it when Luke grabs his hand. They've become best buds. Lance, who still speaks mostly gibberish, likes to baby talk to Luke. He gets right in his face & says, "Bobby, bobby, whas oo doin?" Which translates to baby, baby what you doing? Then there's a whole string of gibberish (in baby talk voice) that nobody can understand--David thinks Lance is speaking Alien. And now when one brother is laughing it makes the other brother laugh--which in turn makes Mom & Dad laugh. Lance also likes to sit right next to Luke and help him play with toys, and he is constantly rubbing Luke's cheek & forehead & kissing him. I think someone can't wait for his brother to be big enough to really play with. They are both growing way too fast for Mommy. Slow down already, boys! Mama sure loves you both.
And how about a Daily Dose of David? Daddy dressed Lance (what a helper), and Lance came downstairs wearing this....
No they are not capris. They are Luke's jeans--size 6-12 month. When I told David the pants look a bit small, he said, "I thought they looked short." He's very astute. I asked David why Lance was even wearing them, and he replied, "He brought them to me. I thought he knew which dresser drawer was his." Yeah, and when you discovered they were half a foot too short, was it too much trouble to take them off & put on a pair that fit? Oh, and the pants were actually buttoned up.

Christmas

2009-01-09T15:40:00.000-07:00

We traveled to Utah for Christmas & were able to see most of our family members. I won't say I'm a bad mother because I didn't get any pictures of Christmas morning. I'll just admit to being a bit preoccupied with watching Lance & his cousin Kendra open presents. They didn't understand a thing about Santa, but they both were pretty excited to discover presents left by Santa & open more presents.

The next day Grandpa got the four-wheeler out to pull the kids in the big sled. This was the most fun Lance has ever had in the snow. He still doesn't want to touch it or even walk in it, but the sled kept him out of it & seemed to be a big hit.

David being pulled in the sled with Emma, Gauge, Lance, and Kendra

Lance riding on the back of the four wheeler in what my dad calls the "Queen" seat

Brother-in-law Nick, David, & brother Russell doing "guy" things (brother-in-law Dustin, and my dad were helping also but not pictured--seriously, how many guys does it take to fix Old Blue?)

We didn't get to spend much time with David's parents, but we did get to see them, & I actually took some pictures of our "second" Christmas morning at their house. Lance had tons of fun playing with Grandma & Grandpa & Aunt Julie and being the center of attention--something he really enjoys.

Grandma with Lance and Luke

Lance opening presents with Grandma, Aunt Julie, and Grandpa

Goofball Lance--I wonder where he gets it? Hint: Daddy

Aunt Julie with Luke

Grandma with Luke

And here's a pretty good Daily Dose of David. So I was talking to David about my dad & his job (my daddy drives trains--choo choo!), and somehow the conversation got around to fuel for trains. Maybe I just assume that everybody know this (but pretty much everybody knows *eyeroll*), trains run on gasoline--diesel, in fact. When this fact comes out in the conversation, David breaks in with, "I thought trains ran on coal." I just sat there blinking, waiting for the joke. It didn't come, and David says, "No, seriously. I thought that is what your brother did for the railroad--shovel coal into the engine." More blinking. More waiting. Still no joke. And then came the laughter (my own laughter). David also had a good laugh after I told him that it's been a while since anyone had to shovel coal into the engine of a train. Now all I can imagine is my brother in overalls shoveling coal. This image still brings about giggling fits. (My brother, by the way, also drives the choo choo.)

Scary Snow

2008-12-24T01:58:00.011-07:00

Lance isn't afraid of many things. He's a pretty tough & fearless little boy, but the few things that he is afraid of are kind of silly. For instance, what is so terrible & frightening about bubble bath? Or that ever terrifying green stuff on the ground called grass (I think he's finally conquered that one)? And then there is...snow. It's white, it's fluffy, it's soft (unless frozen), and yet it is some of the scariest stuff there is. Just ask Lance.

After the first snow, we couldn't even get him to walk down the sidewalk in an inch of snow. He kept holding his hands up to us to be carried. When we insisted that he walk, he went back inside the house & got his trike. Clever little guy. He rode it down the sidewalk, through the horrifying snow, to the van. His feet never touched snow. The next day he did the same thing. We've been wondering how we'll ever get him outside to play this winter. He loves to get bundled up, and he even wears his snow boots around the house all day long. But he refuses to touch that darn snow--he definitely won't be making snow angels any time soon.

I guess I'll keep bundling him up & taking him outside (without the trike), and maybe one day he'll actually have fun. Until then, he'll just have to enjoy his winter attire...indoors?

He played inside for quite a while, refusing to take off his coat, hat, or boots.

We did finally get him to play outside (on the cleared sidewalks).

Those are some mighty cold cheeks--proof that he was actually outside. :)

Another one? How lucky that we get not one, but two Daily Doses in one day! This is David talking about his sister, Julie, who has lived in Virginia for over 3 years now. I do feel a little better now. Apparently I'm not the only one he doesn't listen to.

David (sounding incredulous): Rachel, did you know Julie lives in Virginia?

Rachel: Yes, i knew that. She has lived there for quite a while. Why?

David: I thought she lived in Alabama.

Look How Big

2008-12-24T01:45:00.005-07:00

My baby is getting too big too fast. He's 4 months old, & I have no idea where the last 4 months went! He is still the happiest & smiliest little thing, and I just can't squeeze him enough. It's a good thing he likes to be squeezed because he gets it all day long--from Mom & big brother. He still doesn't do much more than sit & slobber, but he does have a knack for making us all happy.

This is our little moose. :)

Here's your DAILY DOSE of DAVID. Luke got his first spanking at 4 months. At least that's what David says. We all know what that means--it's probably not true, but David does aim to entertain. I had left Luke with David who was sitting on the bed eating dinner & playing video games (he told me not to tell anyone he plays video games, so shhhhh, don't tell). According to David, Luke looked directly at him, rolled off the pillow he had been propped up with, smiled at Daddy, & intentionally stuck his foot right in the plate of food. So David spanked him. Hmmmm...I'm preeeetty sure Luke did no such thing. He he. For those of you that are worried that this might be true, rest assured that David would never do this. He's a big softy when it comes to his boys. He's also full of crap. :)

M is for....

2008-12-17T16:48:00.012-07:00

Top Ten Wednesday - Letter M

Game time!!!! I thought that this might be fun to play. All you have to do is make a list of ten of your favorite things. But there is a little catch. Everything on the list has to start with a specific letter of the Alphabet. That letter is randomly assigned by the blogger who you are playing with!

I was assigned the letter M by Alicia at Two B's and Me.

Marriage - It certainly has it's ups and downs, but I still love being married to my crazy man.

Motherhood - I love every part of being Mommy. It is what I wanted more than anything, & I believe it is the most important job a woman can have.

Making Memories - I love every memory from family outings, kiddie milestones, family get-togethers, friends, holidays, and silly every day things.

Money - Of course it is a necessity, but it's also fun to spend shopping!

Music - I love music & singing along with music & watching my son dance to any music that is playing.

Mint M&M's - One of those wonderfully delicious candies that I eat as much as I can before the holidays are over & I can't find them anymore.

Milk - I love, love, love milk. I have to have it with every meal & every dessert.

Mail - Who doesn't like to get mail?

Math - I know, I'm weird. But I really love Math. In high school I could have been happy doing math all day long. I'm a math dummy now (since I have no need for algebra, trig, & calculus on a daily basis), but I'm pretty sure I still love it.

Merry Christmas - I love so many things about this time of year, & I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Let me know if you want to play, & I'll assign you a letter.

Things to Smile About

2008-12-17T00:04:00.009-07:00

We've all had 'em--crazy days that feel as if you don't stop but still get nothing accomplished. Then Daddy comes home, & you shout HOORAY because reinforcements have arrived. And then....you want to choke Daddy & send him back to work because he only adds to the chaos. In fact, what were you thinking? That daddy was going to make things a little better? help wrangle the toddler & bounce the attention demanding baby? But really all he has done is torture the kids so they fuss (because he thinks its hilarious), knocked a hole in the wall while wrestling with the toddler, melted plastic to the ceramic stove top & to a cookie sheet, & spilled a large cup of pepsi on the carpet. Yet, in spite of it all there are so many things to be grateful for & to laugh at, & so many reasons why we love the little people we call our babies & the tornado we call Daddy. Here are a few examples of the things that make me smile.

Today while I was sweeping the kitchen floor, some toddler (I won't name names) repeatedly ran through the pile of dirt & crumbs & junk. After he tracked the pile all over the floor several times, I finally gave him the frustrated mother tone & told him to get out of the kitchen. His reaction was to scowl, point his little finger at me, & say, "You a pankin'?" Interpretation: you want a spankin'? I wonder where he could have possibly picked that up?

Here's a picture of the same little stinker trying to escape. He couldn't find his shoes, but that didn't stop him. He decided Mom's shoes would work fine.

Of course what sleeping baby doesn't make us smile? After a long & hectic day of chasing the toddler & feeling as if you have a baby constantly stuck to you (which in fact you do), you put the little ones in their beds. Then after you're sure they're asleep, you tiptoe into their room to check on them & watch them sleeping peacefully (and then you realize that one of them is only pretending to be asleep). You're reminded of how precious & perfect & innocent they are, and you are so filled with love that you wonder how you can possibly contain it?

Last but certainly not least is Daddy. Even though he may drive you absolutely bonkers, he does make life more interesting, & he certainly makes you laugh. Especially when he is heading out the door & tells you he's going to the gym. You ask him what he's doing with the toddler's sippy cup. He says he's taking it to the gym. Huh? You wonder if you've heard him right & ask why he's taking it to the gym. He says he needed a cup with a lid for his gatorade. So that's A Daily Dose of David (our very own Daddy). And yes, he did take a purple sippy cup full of gatorade to the gym--that's my macho man!

The Jokester Strikes Again

2008-11-24T22:12:00.005-07:00

I don't know why anything even takes me by surprise anymore. You'd think I would hardly bat an eye at David's daily pestering, pranks, & jokes. But silly me, I just keep falling right into his traps. It's just so dang hard when he "swears" he's serious or gives no indication at all that he's joking only to inform me later that he was just joking (and by later, I mean days or weeks later).

Tonight the big jerk about gave me a heart attack.

David & I both went upstairs to get Lance ready for bed, & we left Luke in his car seat on the couch. (Yes I know, not the smartest thing to do, but we did it, & now I'm confessing for the sake of a story.) Luke started fussing, so I went back downstairs to get him. I walked behind the couch into the kitchen for a quick second (not looking at the fussing baby), but when I came back, I saw the car seat tipped over on the couch with no baby in it. Talk about a moment of panic. I couldn't see Luke, so I ran around the couch knowing he must have fallen onto the floor--only to find this.....

Does it seem a bit strange that he would have fallen right onto a cushy blanket (which was draped over a boppy pillow)? Of course this prank reeked of David, and I breathed a big sigh of relief. So I took Luke upstairs where David was already waiting for me to tell him about Luke falling out of the car seat & off the couch & trying not to laugh. I didn't say a word. And David pretended he was laughing over something else--no doubt cracking himself up. It wasn't until much later that I confessed my initial feeling of horror when I saw the overturned car seat & no baby. And we both had a good laugh.

Upstaged

2008-11-22T10:34:00.006-07:00

I make really good forts. Lance & I love our forts--with flashlights (he has a flashlight fetish). We use the couch, the dining room chairs, any nearby piece of furniture, & every blanket in the house to make the biggest fort possible. The goal is to make the fort take up every bit of space in the living room (so the only way to get through the living room is to crawl through the fort). My mom taught us how to make forts. It's like an ancient art passed down from generation to generation. All of you mothers know what I'm talking about. :) I love that I can do this with Lance & that he is so excited with our forts. And then David has to go and outdo me with this....
Hmmmmm, that is a bit simpler. Now that Daddy's fort has replaced mine as the best--Lance really did love this--Mommy will have to stick to kissing owies better. I do that way better than Daddy anyway.

And now a Daily Dose of David. David recently informed me that Christmas was his favorite holiday. I laughed because as far as I know, Scrooge doesn't like any holiday. I reminded him that he doesn't like to give gifts (that means spending money), he doesn't like Christmas trees or Christmas lights, & he hates snow. He responded with, "I love Christmas music, & I love receiving gifts." And to prove his point he began singing Jingle Bells. Way to have the Christmas spirit, David. I should have known.

"Emmo"

2008-11-13T00:56:00.016-07:00

Lately Elmo (or as Lance says, Emmo) has been hauled around, thrown around, beaten, & loved all day long every day. Lance has had this Elmo (thank you, Grandma Holm) for almost 2 years, & I don't know how he has withstood the abuse. He is loved very much, but he is also thrown off of everything. I hear little crashes all over the house from morning to night. Upon inspection I find it was just Elmo--again. Today I found him in the high chair, in the power wheel, on the tricycle, & in the baby swing. He also sits at the table for dinner & on the couch to watch TV. But I don't like it when he messes with the computer. It's a good thing he gets many, many hugs & kisses from his buddy, or I don't think he'd hang around for long. :)

And just because he cracks me up, here's a Daily Dose of David.

"Is dinner ready, Homebody?"

"The boys need diaper changes. That's your job, Caretaker."

"That's not my job. You're the housemaker.

When taxes were done this year, David found out that my occupation was "homemaker." For some reason he hadn't heard this before?! Anyway, he found it hilarious & continues to call me by my occupational title--at least that's what he thinks. He is horrible, horrible, horrible at remembering names. This is no exception. Housebreaker & homeworker are two more of my titles, as given by my hubby.

Happy Birthday Lance!

2008-11-09T23:15:00.006-07:00

My baby turned 2 today! I can't believe how fast time has flown by. Kids grow up so fast, and while I enjoy all the new things Lance is learning & doing, I also am sad to see some other things disappear. But one thing will never change, & that is how much I love being a mom--how much I love being Lance's mom.

I love his little blond head & blues eyes. I love the way he needs to dance whenever he hears music. I love his constant jabbering. I love the way he rubs my cheek ever so softly & then kisses me when he thinks I'm sleeping (and sometimes when we're wide awake, & he is just lovey). I love that he is the most gentle big brother & that he piles his toys on Luke while he plays next to him--so that they are playing "together." I can't get enough of his hugs & kisses, his smiles & laughter. I can't look at him enough or squeeze him enough. He is such a happy little boy, & I marvel everyday that my Heavenly Father sent him to me.

I love you so much, Lance. Happy Birthday, Baby!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Arctic Cat (Power Wheels) was all David. We had never talked about getting one of these--never. I'm too cheap, and David is cheaper. I just think they are way too expensive. So you can imagine my surprise when David calls me & says, "I know what I want to get Lance for his birthday." My response, "No." I know...I'm a meanie, but I just thought it was way too much, & Lance loves so many things that I thought we could surely find something (or a bunch of somethings that would still cost less than the Power Wheels) else. We talked about it for a minute, & I thought the matter was settled. So imagine even more surprise for me when I walk into Toys R Us to find David & Lance still in the Power Wheel isle getting info on a few models.

Lance was trying out everything--sitting in every car, jeep, 4-wheeler, & suv. He had no idea that they actually did anything other than just sit, & he was happy with that. See how easy he would have been to please (and for a much better price)? He didn't need great entertainment, just a place to sit. :) But David was sooooo excited about getting a Power Wheel for him that he had made up his mind from the beginning.

We had already made the purchase when David remembered that Lance can't even steer his trike. This caused Daddy much stress, & he asked me why I hadn't reminded him of this little fact before we checked out. To which I asked, "Do You EVER listen to me?" I distinctly remember sharing this tidbit with him while in the store. Not only does Lance not know how to steer, it turns out he cannot brake either. But boy, did he ever have a wonderfully fun day.

I heard "Woo hoo--wooooo" all day long. He's a maniac in the Arctic Cat! And his amazement at discovering that it actually drove....well, it was priceless. Daddy got an A+ from his boy on this present. And I think it's pretty cute, myself.

The rest of the day was really uneventful (compared to the Power Wheel). After church we went outside to try it out. Then we had cake--well, Mom had cake. Lance just licked off the candles, & David doesn't even like cake (weirdo). Then we went out again for some more driving. Lance is a great little driver--as long as he never has to turn or stop. :)

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

2008-11-09T22:30:00.000-07:00

Lance is a lucky boy to share a birthday with his Grandpa (who he adores, of course). We just wanted to tell him Happy Birthday. We all miss you (Lance misses you the most) & love you. Hope you had a wonderful day. Happy Birthday!!

Grandpa & Lance

Grandpa & Luke

The Ninja & the Ghost

2008-11-01T21:23:00.001-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

On Halloween we did some pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, & lots of candy eating. I had never carved pumpkins before, & I found it wasn't fun, & I was horrible at it. David tried to get Lance to help, but he hated to touch the pumpkin guts. He did love them once they were done & had lights inside them. Oh, and he enjoyed pulling the teeth of David's pumpkin--funny kid.

The trick-or-treating was a bit more fun. Lance was a ninja--or as he says, a "nawsha." And Luke was a ghost. Okay, so we didn't plan on taking Luke door to door, so he just got a little onesie with a ghost face, but he's cute anyway. :) I had to bribe Lance with a sucker just to get him to sit still for a few pictures. But this meant he had a sucker in his mouth for every picture. Oh well, at least he held still & didn't push Luke off his lap. After pictures Lance threw his hat on the ground & gave his trick-or-treat basket to his dad. David had to carry it the rest of the night (unless he needed to peer inside & grab an occasional treat). Our ninja didn't really get the whole door to door thing. He mostly ran up & down the sidewalks following all the other kids. In fact, if he couldn't see any kids or adults at the door or on the porch of a house, he didn't even want to approach it. The good news is he really wore himself out running up & down sidewalks and back & forth between houses following kids.

On the way home from trick-or-treating we spotted some "Rexburg Heroes." I'm so disappointed that I didn't get a picture--I actually drove around the block to find them for a picture, but they disappeared. It was three college guys dressed in tight shirts, tights, sneakers, capes, masks, & over the top of the tights...tighty whiteys. Two of them were wearing ski masks--you know the kind that cover the whole head & face. And one of them had a leopard print scarf tied around his eyes for a mask. They stood on the curve, hands on hips & chests puffed out, occasionally giving a parade wave. Talk about hilarious.

I also didn't get pictures of the ward costume party. It was a couple nights ago, & Lance once again had a ball following the big kids around. One kid was playing with Lance, & then when he turned his back, Lance gave him a bear hug from behind--what a nice boy. And my favorite was the cupcake walk: all the kids walking in a circle while music played, Lance in the middle of the circle dancing. Who needs cupcakes when you can dance?

I'm Such a Dork

2008-10-30T12:23:00.004-06:00

I know, I know. David told me I'm a dork for even taking this picture, but it just made me laugh so hard! I am the queen of kitchen messes & disasters, as anyone in my family can attest to. This one is a very, very small, hardly worth noting, everyone makes these, kind of mess--I've done so much worse with a microwave (even set one on fire). But I happened to look over at it just as the lid popped off the container & spaghettio's exploded (I didn't think the lid was on tight). This alone was enough to give me a little chuckle, but then I ran over to open the microwave--to stop it--and out popped a meatball. It really just shot out of the microwave & landed "plop" on the stove top. Like microwave poop. :) This really made me laugh & laugh! I know, I'm a dork. Come on, didn't it make you laugh just a little?

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-26T13:01:00.020-06:00

Yesterday we went to Idaho Falls to take Lance to a pumpkin patch there. Getting there was quite an adventure. We searched for it for a while, had to stop for lunch, & then searched some more. We were about to give up & go home when David finally started listening to me. He's worse than a kid--he can apparently answer my questions all the while not paying attention to anything I'm actually saying. The one thing I knew about the location of the patch is that it is across the street from the camels. So when we first started looking for it I asked David, "Do you know where the camels are?" David's response, "What?! What are you talking about? What camels?" (imagine a very exasperated, loud, frustrated tone) :) Much, much later I tell David that the patch is on Rollandet, & he says, "I know where that road is. It's where the camels are." And he was serious--he really knew about that road & the camels--we drove right to them. I wanted to choke him. In his defense he says, "I didn't know which camels you were talking about." Oh, you thought I meant the other camels. As if they are all over the place.

We did make it to the pumpkin patch, & we all had fun. There was a cute little hay bale maze for little kids. Lance liked it, but didn't get far before he was confused. He finally found a low spot & crawled over it & out of the maze. Mostly he spent his time running around & throwing pumpkins. Lance didn't really care that we got a couple pumpkins, but maybe he'll like them carved & lit up. Or...he'll just like throwing them. Such a boy--run around, throw things, make some noise, & get dirty.

Here he is running all over the patch.

After some confustion in the maze, Lance sat down for a little break before breaking out.

Lance & Daddy in the maze.

If you look closely, you can see Lance in the maze (center of photo).

Oh, and here is the camel. It's actually a small zoo, & we're going back to visit next week. :)

Today David asked, "Do you think a camels hump is like a whale's fin, & they flop over in captivity?" I asked, "Do you know what a camel's hump is for?" David answered, "To ride on." I laughed & laughed. But he was serious. More laughter.

P.S. The hump stores fat (not water), and it droops over when food is scarce & the fat is used--we looked it up.

Whose Handiwork?

2008-10-25T19:51:00.003-06:00

I walked into Lance's room one day looking for Luke. I was pretty sure I had seen David go in with Luke & come out empty handed. When I didn't find him I asked David where he was. David said he was in Lance's room. I found him in Lance's big box (the one for coloring & stickering). David walked into the room just then (obviously staged) & says, "Oh, he must have crawled into the box." Uh-huh.

A while later David brings Luke down to give him to me, & this is what I saw:
David said, "It was a Lance attack." Again, uh-huh. What David doesn't know is that I am quite the sleuth, & I possess awesome detective skills. So judging from the perfect sticker spacing and the fact that there are no stickers on his eyes or nostrils (which are Lance's favorite stickering places), I would say this is the work of a daddy who really amuses himself. :) Uh-huh.

Nutmeg & Tears

2008-10-25T01:10:00.007-06:00

Why is it that as soon as you start nursing a baby that the toddler slips out of sight? Well, to get into all the forbidden cupboards, drawers, & closets of course. So what has my little stinker been up to lately? Just a little mess makin'.

My little mischief maker came to me while I was nursing Luke, to give me his dirty socks. He does hate to be dirty--I guess his socks are no exception. When he was dropping off his soiled laundry, I noticed he was covered with something brown & powdery. Hmmmm, what could he possibly have gotten into? I put Luke down to follow Lance into the kitchen (he actually beckoned me to follow him as if to show me some big accomplishment). What I found was that Lance had shaken an entire bottle of nutmeg onto the floor, rubbed it around, & trampled through it tracking it everywhere. At least he took off his socks before tracking it through the living room carpet. What a...good...boy?

When I walked in & saw this I said, "Stay right there while Mama gets the camera." Doesn't he look so happy (probably pretty proud of himself) in the first picture. But then for some reason his little heart got completely broken. I wasn't upset & didn't say anything except telling him to stand there so I could get a picture, and he just started bawling. It was so sad--and it made his poor heartless mother laugh. Which in turn made him cry harder.

If you look closely you can see real tears along with some smudged nutmeg. :)

Well, after a bit of hugging & consoling, we got the tears under control & I stripped him down to clean him up before hauling him to the bathtub. I put him up on the kitchen counter, & before I could even blink he began peeing...right onto the stove top. I reacted with, "No, no, no,no," which I may have said about ten times. That seemed to stop him midstream, & I ran him to the bathroom to put him on the toilet. After about 15 minutes of toilet inactivity, I admitted defeat & took him upstairs to the bathtub.

Once he was all cleaned up, I let him run into my room & climb onto my bed while I got his clothes. That took about 15 seconds, & I got to my bedroom about 2 seconds too late. I found him sitting in a big wet spot on my bed. I guess he finally finished peeing. Arghhhhhh! I still hadn't cleaned up the kitchen (nutmeg on the floor, pee on the stove), & now I had to wash & change bedding. Oh yeah, & finish nursing the crying baby in the living room.

But after cleaning up & taking care of Lance & Luke we all got a nice, long, very much needed nap! :)

THE END (of the messes that day)

Already Running & Talking

2008-10-22T00:13:00.007-06:00

Can you believe it? Luke is barely two months old, & already he's running & talking. He's like a baby genius. He must take after his highly intelligent Mama (wink). Since I knew you wouldn't believe it, I took some pictures for proof. I know, I know--you wonder why he can run but can't hold the phone by himself...and my my, what big feet he has. :)

This is actually how I found Luke one day while Daddy was watching him. I'm sure David was getting quite a kick out of this. Leaving him sitting on the couch by himself watching television in giant shoes, waiting for Mom to find him. Kind of like putting him in the closet & waiting for me to come down the stairs & ask, "Where's Luke?" Just so he can casually (while studying at the table) say, "He's in the closet," and watch for my reaction when I actually find Luke in the closet. I know he was really hoping I would hear baby crying coming from the closet, but Luke was a good baby just waiting to be discovered.

And Luke on the cell phone, well that was just Lance helping him talk on the phone. Lance was jabbering away (who knows what he was saying) on Daddy's phone, & out of the blue he put the phone to Luke's ear & said, "Hewo?" He then carried on a phone conversation for Luke. What a good big brother.

The Swing

2008-10-21T23:07:00.007-06:00

I have tried & tried to keep Lance out of the swing, but he refuses to accept the fact that the swing belongs to baby brother Luke. He climbs in & gets it swinging so that the legs are coming off the ground & thumping back down on the floor with each back & forth motion. The now squeaky, off-kilter swing may not last much longer, but it provides much needed quiet time for mom. Proof of this is seen in the pictures below.

He actually swung himself to sleep. Then he really made himself comfortable & settled in for a nap.

This is Lance "fixing" the swing. He was so proud to show me the part he succeeded in pulling off. No tools were necessary for the removal, but the key to Mom's car might have been helpful (it unlocks & fixes
everything--at least that's what he thinks).

Picture Tag

2008-10-21T02:00:00.000-06:00

I saw this tag a while ago, & thought it was cute. You just search for images for your answers (google or yahoo), and pick a picture from one of the first 4 pages.

My first name

My middle name

My last name

My age

Place I'd like to visit (Venice, Italy)

My grandma's names

Where I grew up

My first job

Pet I've owned (for a day)

Nickname of my best friend

Favorite food --CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE,CHOCOLATE

Favorite color

Where I live now

6 Quirks

2008-10-21T01:20:00.002-06:00

Here's how this works..

List 6 quirks about you..

Tag 6 people..

Tell who tagged you.. JULIE

1. I hate anybody to do my laundry--anybody! I do it better than anyone, so I don't want anyone to touch it. :) I'm very particular. I get this from my mom, so she's the exception (she is the laundry queen after all).

2. I also really hate the toilet lid left up. I have this fear that things are going to fall into the toilet...ew gross. And I don't know what I'm willing to retrieve (depending on what can be flushed). In our last couple apartments the medicine cabinet was above the toilet making me panic whenever the toilet lid was up.

3. I love doing tedious things. I can do the same thing over & over all day long. And once I get going on something I hate to be interrupted.

4. I am almost always in my pajamas until the afternoon (although I'm trying to change that now--without much luck). I really prefer to run all errands in the evening & do my shopping at night (like 10 pm). So you can imagine how annoyed I am when I have to make it to the post office before 5 pm--or any other place for that matter.

5. I keep my phone on vibrate or silent almost all the time. I really hate to hear it ring. Not that I don't want to answer it, I just hate ringing phones.

6. I try to never let my knees show in public. I haven't owned shorts in a really long time because I don't like my knees--they're big & ugly. I'm so glad to have capris in the summer.

I can't tag just 6 people because I want to read about all of your little quirks, so if you're reading this...tag, you're it!

4th Picture Tag

2008-10-13T13:28:00.003-06:00

Here's how the game works: post the 4th picture from the 4th folder in your pictures. Way easy. This was taken in Wyoming last summer. David & a couple other guys were supposed to be working. This is what they were doing instead. Hard at work, huh?

My Sweetie-Petie Pumpkin Pie

2008-10-12T22:51:00.002-06:00

My Pumpkin (but he wasn't for sell). :) He's obsessed with Halloween displays.Another shopping trip--and the last one Lance will go on for a while. First he chose a cart (the one I chose was not the right one). Then we put our groceries in it. And finally Mama ended up pushing it around because the original little shopper threw a tantrum & left it unattended. I couldn't get him to push it again.His bed was in our room for a couple days while we had company. I was nursing Luke on my bed & watched as Lance tossed & turned & fussed (while asleep). Finally he just got out of bed & then laid on the floor to sleep. He's never done this before, but I thought it was too cute.

Dave Dirt

2008-10-12T22:45:00.010-06:00

David would kill me if he knew I posted these pictures! He recently told me that I could no longer blog about him (I should try to not even mention him), & I could definitely not post pictures of him. I said, "whatever!" He's the entertainment on my blog. And anyway, I was definitely not passing up this opportunity to post these fabulous pictures. I told him he couldn't delete them because I wanted to show them to his grandma (and everyone else--he he). He said to tell her it was him getting extensions for Luke's blessing. We were laughing so hard while taking them. He saw the pictures & said he looked like Joe Dirt, but even without the extensions I've been calling him Hobo Dave. What a sexy man I'm married to. :)
Oh, baby! Woo Woo!

If you were wondering why he was even wearing these...He found a pile of hair in our apartment & was appalled. The pile turned out to be his sisters extensions. Just for fun she decided to put them in his hair, & I thought it was so sexy that I had to take some pictures. :) Okay, I couldn't stop laughing because he looked so ridiculous. And rest assured, he does not wear his hair like this--EVER. Good thing, too, because I'd hate for anything to distract from the scraggly facial hair. :) :)

Luke's Blessing Day

2008-10-12T22:35:00.007-06:00

Our happy Luke was blessed today. It was such a special day, and we had such a great time with family. David's parents and sister came for the weekend. His grandma & one of his aunts also came, but left without me getting any pictures. Lance was in heaven with all the attention, & Luke was such a good baby since he was held the entire time. We enjoyed the wonderful company & were very sad to see everyone leave. As you can see, Luke was not very happy with the picture taking. :)

"Kckl, Kckl, Kckl"

2008-10-09T23:20:00.005-06:00

This is Lance tickling Luke's toes--saying tickle, tickle (but it sounds like a mouth full of k's). He's so soft, his fingers almost don't touch Luke at all. Lance is constantly kissing, tickling, & patting Luke. My favorite is when he uses the back of his hand to gently rub Luke's cheek. It's just too cute, & it makes me so happy to see. We also have baby wrestling. This is where Daddy attacks Lance with Luke sending Lance into a giggling fit. He thinks it's hilarious (he also thinks it's funny when Luke burps). He's such a good big brother. I've never once had to worry that he's hurting the baby or being too rough. Luke is showered with kisses & loves by his big brother constantly. :)

Here's Luke doing what he does best--just sitting & smiling.

I Can Do It By Myself!

2008-10-09T22:51:00.008-06:00

Just like pushing the grocery cart at the store, Lance needs to push baby Luke in the stroller--all by himself. (I get yelled at if I even try to help steer it.) I had Luke in the stroller in the kitchen one day while I was making dinner (I know weird, but it worked), & Lance took it & started pushing it. I thought maybe he was just going to push him around inside the house & thought it was so cute. But Lance was a man on a mission. He pushed it right up to the front door, & then tried to open the door. He was ready to take Luke for a walk. :) We had a bit of a fit when he realized he wasn't actually going to be able to take Luke outside. I took Luke back into the kitchen, & Lance once again pushed him to the front door. He was very persistent in trying to get the stroller out the door, but alas, the mean mother foiled his plan. :(

Lance pushing the stroller off the sidewalk & into the neighbor's truck (but he's doing it by himself!).

Sleepless in Rexburg

2008-10-07T01:22:00.003-06:00

When I had Lance I bragged to everyone about what a wonderful sleeper he was. He slept through the night from day one. He took nice long naps (usually more than one a day), he went to bed early & easily, & woke up in the late morning. Now I have this new little one who is always VERY awake. He doesn't sleep more than a couple hours at a time (which isn't abnormal--I'm just not used to it). And he thinks that he should stay up until 2 or 3 am...and needs company while he's awake. To top it off, Lance now thinks that he doesn't need to sleep--ever. We can't keep him in bed, he won't sleep in his bed or ours, & he screams like he is really hurt when we put him to bed. This screaming lasts for-ev-er! He kept us up until 4 am a couple nights ago & then woke up at 7:30 & wouldn't take a nap that day. I keep thinking he'll get tired enough to finally sleep. Who knows--maybe all the sleep he's gotten in the past two years is enough to hold him over for the next couple years. Tonight he finally went to bed around 12:30 am. So I was thinking I was actually getting to go to bed early..................and here I sit bouncing baby Luke on my lap & blogging. Guess he doesn't know that mama needs sleep!

Here I am, a grouchy, frustrated mama--cleaning the house when I want to be sleeping, & then I find Lance's shoes filled with his crayons. It made me smile. :)

Identity Theft

2008-10-03T17:17:00.002-06:00

Lance loves to play with the cards in my wallet. He takes them out, puts them back in, takes them out, puts them back in. I usually keep my wallet out of his reach, but he found it, & this is what I found. And I wish you could tell (but you can't in this picture), but he has a cell phone in his pocket. I'm thinking he's a little young for cell phones & credit cards. :)

Happy & Handsome

2008-10-03T02:24:00.004-06:00

Here are more pictures of my handsome little guys. Luke doesn't do much--eat, sleep, cry, poop...and smile. He has been such an alert baby--we actually see his eyes most of the time. And he doesn't really like to sleep much (unlike Lance who always slept & we didn't see his eyes open until about 4 months). But if he sees or hears anyone close by he's smiling.

This is our big little guy shopping. (He's not happy because Daddy made him stop for a second.) Most of the other kids who are pushing their little carts are walking calmly by their parents. Not my busy boy--he's running madly through the store throwing things into his cart & plowing it into everyone (not on purpose, he just can't pay attention to everything). He tries to fill his cart with toys & candy--they learn quickly. He puts things in the cart, & David follows him around & empties it so that Lance can fill it again. I saw them in the produce, & while David was getting apples (with his back to Lance), Lance was rapidly--and I do mean rapidly, lest someone try to stop him--filling the cart with limes. He had a couple dozen in the cart before David noticed. :)

And this is the new favorite toy. Of course the motor isn't strong enough to actually make the swing work with such a big baby in it, but he's big enough to swing himself. I've tried to keep him out of it, but my efforts are in vain.

Stickers & Crayons

2008-09-25T10:52:00.011-06:00

This is the only place that Lance will play alone--in his box. He usually plays in whatever room I am in. This means that he follows me room to room carrying his toys with him. He makes multiple trips bringing toys from one room to another (even if I'm in a room for a few seconds) only to have to once more transport them to another room. He even hopped in the shower with me one day. He was so quiet that I didn't know he was in the shower until I turned around, & there he was...fully clothed. :) This was my solution--stickers & crayons in his big box.

If you make the pictures bigger, you can see that I drew some pictures (trees, flowers, clouds--that sort of thing) while playing with Lance. Then Daddy added some of his own artwork. I've added one of his pictures at the bottom. Check out his bulging muscles, Lance's blue eyes, Luke already crawling, and me--so fit & svelte! Well okay, a stick figure, but I'm happy he didn't try to draw hips, thighs, & all! :)

I've Got the Internet Again!!

2008-09-22T00:36:00.001-06:00

I promised my mom I would blog. So here I am (at almost 2 am) finishing a blog I started earlier. Maybe one day I'll get better at time management, & I'll do some quality time blogging--just the computer & me. :)

The Three Amigos

This is the awesome Aunt Melinda & her new little buddy

Luke after his bath...which he loves!
Lance isn't trying to eat his brother, but he just gave him a big kiss & this is what it looks like after a big "muah."
Lance is always ready to head out the door & just run...good thing he's wearing his running suit (from the above mentioned awesome aunt--who buys him such cute things).

CHECK IT OUT!

2008-09-15T12:15:00.001-06:00

This is an awesome site for hair bows and baby stuff, and they make great gifts. My very talented sister (Melissa Robertson) makes these bows and the rest of us "Holm" gals will be adding baby blankets, bibs, burp cloths, and custom baby items. Check it out, and spread the word!

Smiley Baby

2008-08-25T23:32:00.000-06:00

I had to share this picture of my very happy little Luke (@ 11 days old). He is always wide eyed & smiling. He's been a smiler from day one--and nothing anybody says could convince me that it's from gas.

Medusa

2008-08-21T14:28:00.000-06:00

This morning Lance woke up really early, & since my mom was sleeping on the living room couch I decided to put Lance in the room with me & Luke & just let him play without waking anyone else. He was into everything & being a turkey, so I tried to put him in bed with me which just made him scream. Then this scary thing came into the room to help me out...

It seems my mom fell asleep with wet hair--although how it ended up like this? I got quite a laugh & thought I'd bring some laughter to your day, too. :)

Baby Luke's Arrival

2008-08-20T22:46:00.001-06:00

I'm finally getting around to blogging the wonderful arrival of Luke Garrett Shelley. It's been so great to have this little one here finally--9 months is forever when you're pregnant. Lance is such a cute big brother. Luke gets so many hugs & kisses from him, & Lance is so gentle with his tiny baby brother.

As my sister already said, we welcomed Luke into the world last Wednesday. I had gone into the hospital for a blood pressure check & some tests (on the insistence of my mom & sisters), & was admitted when the tests showed I had pre-eclampsia. The doc said we could either do a c-section or start inducing labor, but he said an induction wasn't favorable. I hadn't wanted another c-section, so I didn't like this news. David wasn't with me, & I was pretty emotional about the whole thing, but David's mom helped me decide that a c-section really was the best choice. David wasn't able to come down until Friday, & we were told the c-section would happen immediately. David's mom was with me & she suited up for the fun. I have such a wonderful mother-in-law--and doesn't she look wonderful in her scrubs?

David's mom, Grandma Ruth Ann

Of course I bawled like a baby when I heard Luke cry for the first time. And I couldn't wait for David to get here, so he could share the excitement. But his arrival was delayed because he needed to find us a place to live in Rexburg before he came to see us (all rentals were going fast since the college students were getting back to town). It was so great for all of us when Daddy finally got here & met Luke for the first time. I'll never get tired of watching David with his boys. He's such a wonderful daddy.

I am so extremely blessed with two beautiful boys & a wonderfully amazing husband. My parents & sisters & David's parents are taking such great care of me, & I'm thankful for that. But I can't wait to get to Rexburg & be with David.

My dad, Grandpa Russell

My mom, Grandma DeAnn

Just some pics

2008-08-20T22:04:00.002-06:00

This is King Lance in his chariot. Every time we're at Grandma & Grandpa's house, Lance finds all "his" balls & puts them in "his" wheelbarrow. He then makes Grandma & Grandpa take turns pushing him around the yard.

Lance has had lots of fun with cousin Kendra for the past 2 weeks. They've been great buddies & partners in crime. Lance has been teaching Kendra how to drive cars all over the walls & make lots of noise. Kendra is teaching him how to crawl. So he follows her around on his hands & knees. What a good pupil he is.

Lance loved spending time with Daddy the past two weekends (and Mommy loved it too). He was his dad's shadow--like always.

This is Lance holding Kendra. She wasn't too thrilled about being held, but he thought he was so big.

IT'S A BOY!

2008-08-14T15:27:00.000-06:00

Last night, 8/13/08, around 8:30 pm Luke (?) Shelley was welcomed into the world by Mommy & Grandma Ruthann. He weighed in at 8 lbs 11 oz and 21 inches long. He's truly beautiful with dark hair and a little darker skin than Lance but looks just like his big bro! Rachel & baby are doing great and Luke is patiently waiting to meet his Daddy.

BTW - this is her designated blogger, Crystal, again. I had the pleasure of staying the night with her last night and it was so exciting. David is driving down right now and the anticipation is killing him. Lance of course is thrilled. When he first seen little Luke his behavior changed instantly from a busy rambunctious boy to a gentle and protective big brother.

We all are so thankful that he is finally here and that he's healthy. Congratulations!!

Since Kelli is doing it...

2008-08-12T20:42:00.000-06:00

Anyone who wants to play...This is Fun!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember--it can be funny, weird, awkward, random, etc.!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Not Yet

2008-08-11T00:50:00.000-06:00

So I'm still prego! I saw my doc Wednesday & was informed that we would wait another week (which would be my due date) to decide if I would be induced. Talk about hopes being shattered. David was on his way home to see us & be here for the delivery. But I was so glad to be able to see him anyway. And I guess this way we got to spend all of our time with him outside of the hospital.

Lance was beyond happy to see & play with his daddy. He was David's shadow, & Daddy was so happy to be with his boy. It was so hard to watch David leave today, & Lance had a hard time going to sleep since Daddy was suddenly gone again. I'm so ready to have a baby & be able to go be with my hubby again. At least now the separation will be shorter until we see him again.

And maybe we'll have a baby sometime this week or I'll be induced on Friday. Just maybe...if only...please, please, please.

Dots for Dinner

2008-08-05T23:01:00.000-06:00

Tonight my gourmet mother cooked up some Dots for dinner. I really don't love dots (but they are candy & we all know I can't pass on candy), but my mom insisted I try one after she warmed it in the microwave. Yes, you're reading this right--microwaved Dots. She put them in the microwave to soften them, but of course then we had hot Dots...gross. I didn't like them any better after she cooked them. But she liked the liquid centers after microwaving them for too long. Now we know how to make Gushers. :)

Just about time

2008-08-03T18:24:00.000-06:00

This is me trying to suck in & look thinner. Is it working? :) I'm now 2 weeks away from my due date. And it looks like the docs going to start me on Friday (if nothing happens between now & then).

David gets to come see us on Wednesday or Thursday. Yippeeeee!!! Lance & I have missed him terribly--it's been over 5 weeks since we've seen him. But Lance loves to talk to his daddy on the phone. He'll talk for as long as we'll let him, & he yells at me if I try to take the phone back. Today when I told him to tell Daddy goodbye & give me the phone, he said "bye bye" & then hung it up. Then he yelled at me for making him say goodbye. What a stinker.

Talk about some big fat feet! My mom calls me Shrek--how nice. But since these pictures were taken my mother-in-law took pity on my "Shrek" feet & gave me a pedicure--so now at least my toenails are pretty. I'm going to brag now & say that my mother-in-law is better than yours. :)

Surprise...

2008-07-18T21:58:00.000-06:00

...it's me! Just a quick post & update. I finally have access to the internet at my mom's house, but there just never seems like time for blogging. :(

We had to move out of our apartment in Colorado at the end of June, so me & Lance have moved to my parents house (isn't family wonderful?), & David is staying at a friend's house in Avon until his job is finished--hopefully at the end of next week. Then David is on to Rexburg, Idaho while I stick around Utah to deliver little Luke (yes, that will be his name--I'm not afraid of name stealers).

I'm 36 weeks along, & we don't know when we'll have a place in Rexburg, so we decided that I should stay put until the baby is born. I'm missing David terribly, & he's missing Lance even more. Hopefully we'll get to see him next weekend before he goes to Idaho.

Lance & I are having lots of fun with the grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, & cousins. It's wonderful to be around family again. I do have some pictures to post, so I'll try to do that soon. But now a nice soft bed is beckoning me--oh, how I do not miss the air mattress.

The Real Deal

2008-04-16T18:47:00.000-06:00

It's actually me...posting quickly from the library. I just wanted to thank my DB for doing some posting for me. She's doing a fab job, don't you think?

Lance is getting so big of course. And that means he has his own ideas about what he's going to do all the time. He woke up one morning & brought me his arm floaties. I tried to put them away & he fussed until I blew them up & let him wear them. Most mornings he brings me his shoes right away & needs to wear them all day. Then if he thinks its time to go outside he brings me his hat. If I don't get the hint, he stands at the front door pounding on it to get out. He is also such a cool dude & wears his sunglasses everywhere--even inside the house & when watching TV (I guess it reduces tv glare). He is just a funny kid & Daddy's shadow. He follows David from room to room & does everything that Daddy does. We came home from runny errands one day, & Lance walked from room to room calling for DaDa. He even checked in our bed & under David's pillow to see if Daddy was hiding from him.

As for David, he's like having a second child--a very big child who does not mind. It is David's routine to get Lance ready for bed. Of course this means that Lance always goes to bed late because Daddy always needs "just 10 more minutes" to play with his boy. His 10 minutes turns into an hour, & when Mama tells Daddy that it is time to put Lance to bed, Daddy says, "Don't boss me. You're not my mother." And all the while Lance has been playing on his own because he's tired of having to play Daddy's way, & David has been playing with Lance's toys all by himself. Don't get me wrong...I'm glad David plays well by himself. :) What a big kid he is.

I saw that the DB has said we'll be moving to Rexburg. Hooray! I can't wait. I only hope that it's soon. I can't wait to have a couch to sit on (I'm sure I've mentioned that before). We took Lance for a walk a couple days ago, & we walked through a big lodge so David could play at the arcade (I said no arcade, he about cried). But it gave me time to just sit on one of the many couches there. I can see we'll have to go there more often. :) Hopefully I'll have my computer soon & can once again join the blogging world. Until then...toodles.

2008-04-16T18:10:00.000-06:00

You Are Belle!

Intelligent and kind. Your beauty goes much further than your apperance. Also, you make judgements of people based on their personality and not their looks. Attaining all the knowledge that you can is one of your major goals in life, but you are also a person who can make things happen.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

HELLO AGAIN

2008-04-12T22:47:00.000-06:00

DB HERE! JUST WANTED TO SHARE THIS ADORABLE PICTURE OF LITTLE LANCE. I GUESS HE FOUND THESE & INSISTED ON WEARING THEM. ISN'T HE GETTING SO BIG? I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM AGAIN & CAN'T WAIT FOR LANCE TO BE A BIG BROTHER. HE LOVES HIS BABY COUSINS SO I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW CUTE HE'LL BE WITH HIS VERY OWN. I'LL TRY TO POST MORE OFTEN BUT UNTIL THEN....HAVE A FABULOUS DAY:-)

It's A Boy

2008-03-31T21:25:00.000-06:00

So I just got off the phone with my sister Rachel & we decided that I would be her DB (designated blogger) and update her blog once in awhile. DB kind of sounds like she's too drunk to blog but I assure you that she's given that lifestyle up when she entered into the second trimester of her pregnany. Sure hope that doesn't affect baby Achilles motor skills. Just kidding, they're no longer naming him that. After careful thought & consideration David let go of his dream to have a Greek Warrior for a son & is trying to come up with a more sensible name (and can I just say, thank you heavenly father). She said that I could tell what name they came up with but I'm not going to because there are always baby name stealers out there & I hate that worse than, I don't know, the name Achilles. Anyway - she seems happy & maybe that's because she sees an end to living in Avon. They'll be moving to Rexburg, Idaho at the end of May and hopefully they'll like it better. I think that's about everything we discussed besides my exciting life which you can read about on my blog http://www.schofieldians.blogspot.com/ - it's like I'm using Rachel to promote my blog. Why would I do that? I have no idea, not like it does me any good or bad for that matter. Now I'm just rambling. Hope you enjoyed it. Until next time my fellow Shelley Fans!!

Lance just loved his baby cousin Kendra. He just couldn't give her enough hugs & kisses while they were here. It was so cute & made me a little nervous. I have this fear that one of the toddlers are going to poke her eyes out. I know, it's weird but it could happen right?

My Handsome Boy

2008-03-09T17:07:00.000-06:00

So Lance is 16 months, & I finally had his pictures done. My sister did these, & Lance was such a busy body, but I think they turned out really cute. And I love the ones where he's crying--we have a lot of those. :)

Just Some Pics

2008-03-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

Lance & the cousins at Halloween

My cute little elephant

Lance's 1st birthday--of course the wrapping paper was the most entertaining

My clean little boy did not want to get his hands dirty in the cake. Oh, how sad when Dad tried to get him to taste the cake.

Lance's biggest fears--grass, bubble bath, & snow. How horrible!

On Mommy's cell phone

Lance in the ball pit that Daddy created & cruisin' in the house on his four wheeler

Hooray! I'm blogging!!

2008-03-05T17:37:00.000-07:00

I feel so detached from the world when I can't blog. Okay, maybe just detached from wonderful family & friends. I love to hear what's going on with everyone & see lots of pictures, so I really miss having my computer & the internet. Right now I'm in Utah (for a couple weeks--without David) visiting our families, & my mom and sisters are insisting that I blog, blog, blog! I don't even know where to start. Pictures? News? Not that there's much to tell.

We're still in Colorado, & I'm hoping it won't be for much longer. I just don't really love where we are right now. And I am so tired of "camping." I can't wait to be in a place with all our furniture & things. I dream of sitting on my couch, eating at a real table, & sleeping in our wonderful bed.

Lance is so big & happy all the time. He is finally walking & beginning to say a few words. He is also very silly--like Daddy. He is David's little shadow. I love to watch them play. Daddy is such a sucker for his little boy.

So the big news is that we're expecting number two in August. Yippeee!! Of course I'm unbelievably excited. We don't know yet the gender of the baby, but I either need some suggestions for boy names, or I need you all to pray that we'll have a girl because David really wants to name this one Achilles if it's a boy. Yes...Achilles, as in greek god. And my wonderful husband is absolutely serious. Well, if he isn't serious, he's been keeping this up for too long. I've said absolutely no to Achilles & am searching desperately for other names David might agree to.

Okay, so now that I'm blogging (like my family is begging me to do) and now they are yelling at me to get off the computer & come visit. I guess there's no pleasing them. :) But I will be back to post some more pictures & stuff.

Little Update

2007-11-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we're living in Avon, Colorado--which is just a couple miles from Vail. David has been here for a month, & me and Lance have been here for 2 weeks. We think we'll only be here until the end of March, so we left all of our stuff in Storage. So unfortunately I'm living without my computer & the internet. (Right now I'm at the library.) We're sleeping on an air mattress--for 4 months. Lance is sleeping in his portable crib. And we eat at a card table. The only other things in the apartment are a TV (which we bought when we got here) and Lance's toys (that he got for his 1st birthday!). We're kind of "camping out." I also had to buy a couple pans & dishes, so we didn't have to eat out every day.

Anyway, you'll probably not hear from me very often, & I can't post any pictures. I'm pretty bummed about that because I have some really cute pictures of Lance's first Halloween--he was a cute little elephant--and his first birthday!! He wouldn't make a mess with the cake because he doesn't like his hands dirty. He actually cried when Daddy helped him put a finger in the cake. :) Well, I'm running out of time at the library computer, so I better scoot. I'll try to update more frequently--but no promises. :)

Rock Paper Scissors

2007-10-20T19:03:00.000-06:00

Last night David & I stayed up late watching movies. So of course we were both extremely tired when Lance woke up this morning. I had gotten up with him a couple times in the night (normally he sleeps through), & then I got up to give him a bottle this morning. Afterward I brought him to bed--just in case he wanted to sleep some more (a mother can dream, can't she?). He just rolled around & climbed all over David. He poked at his ears & eyes, bit his nose, pulled his hair, & climbed all over his head. With all this entertainment I couldn't sleep anyway. It was pretty funny. But finally Daddy had enough & suggested we play rock, paper, scissors to decide who would take Lance out of the room while the other slept in. I lost. David thinks this should be how we decide who gets up with Lance every weekend. I think not. He'll just have to take his turn like a big boy. :) I do have a great husband though, and later he let me take a nap while he watched Lance. When I woke up I found Lance in the laundry basket reading a book.

The Up-coming Move

2007-10-17T15:15:00.000-06:00

So we decided a couple weeks ago that we were going to move back to Vail. I knew a move was imminent, but I'm still so sad to leave Jackson. :( I love Jackson & the people here so much!! It has been such a wonderful place for us to be. I'm going to miss it a ton.

Anyway, we are excited to go back to Vail. It's such a beautiful place, & we really are 2 hours closer to home (that's for our family who wants us closer). David is going to work for a huge company doing commercial work--that he absolutely loves. He worked for this company when we got married & he liked his work so much more then. We don't know how long we'll be in Vail, & we'll probably move around with them a bit more. But we're kind of excited about that.

The move happens next Wednesday. I know--so soon! But David will be taking us down to Utah, & I will stay with my parents for a while until he finds us a place. So that's our moving news. And I better get packing. I hate the packing & cleaning part...yuck! There's so much more to move & clean this time.

Las Vegas

2007-10-16T14:36:00.000-06:00

It's good to be home--even if it's only for a week and a half. We left for Utah on Friday the 5th & just got back on Sunday (the 14th). We spent time with family & David & I spent 5 days in Vegas, woo hoo. We had so much fun, but home & my own bed is fabulous.

The day we left, we were trying to make it to a wedding & reception in Tooele, Utah. We got a late start, & then stopped about a gazillion times for Lance & David. So we missed both the wedding & reception. The trip should have been a little over 5 hours, but it took us 8 hours. Oh well, good intentions anyway. David's family all met at his grandparent's house, so we were able to see most everyone & visit a little. We had a great time just visiting, & Lance had fun playing with the kids.

We then drove to Milford where we stayed with my parents for a couple days. We left Lance with my Mom--I was sad. :( And on Monday we headed to Vegas!! We forgot our camera, so I have no pictures. We actually bought a disposable one, but then David used it to take pictures of the giant construction sites & all the cranes. I guess that's the plumber in him, or maybe it's just a guy thing.

We stayed at the Alexis Park Resort (not a casino) for free--we did that Tahiti Village presentation thing. Anyway, we walked around a bit, gambled a bit, ate a lot, & my favorite--we saw Phantom of the Opera. It's not the Phantom that travels all over the world performing. The Venetian has built a theatre just for Phantom (it is soooo cool), & they perform every day. Anyway, it was absolutely amazing. David & I both loved it. I wanted to get up on stage & sing, too.

We also made time to go to the Las Vegas temple. It was the first time David & I were able to go to the temple together since we first went in July, so it was probably the highlight of my trip. It was also where I realized I missed my baby boy sooooo much. I wanted to rush home to him right away. But David assured me he was doing wonderful with the grandmas, & reminded me that we don't get the opportunity often to go on any kind of vacation. It was so wonderful just spending time with David without any other responsibilities.

We finally left for Utah on Friday, & David & I were both so ready to see our boy. He had been sick the whole time we were gone (what a horrible mother I am) & he was so excited to see us--which was wonderful. He mostly wanted his dad which was okay with me. I'm getting all the time with him now anyway. Then of course we came home on Sunday. It's been so great to be home, but now it's time for packing since we're moving to Vail, Colorado. More to come.......

Help...I'm Stuck!!

2007-10-04T11:11:00.001-06:00

Along with playing under the table, Lance likes to crawl into small spaces. I think he likes the table because the chair legs make a small maze for him. Problem is, even though he can crawl in, doesn't mean he can crawl out. Today he got stuck crawling between two TV trays. No they aren't heavy, unmovable trays. But they do have a TV on top (David's cheap TV stands). And Lance was really stuck--mama to the rescue.

A couple weeks ago he got stuck between a wall & some chairs in our Sunday school class. We have a small class & usually sit in kind of a circle. Because it's small, Lance gets to crawl around on the floor (because everyone else says so). He crawled behind a row of chairs until he got wedged between the chair against the wall. He had gotten half his body past the chair & was lying on his side fighting like mad to get out. He eventually gave up & just lay there awaiting rescue. I was facing that side of the room, & so I could see what was happening. I was just wondering if I should ask a few people to stand & move their chairs to free my baby (a bit embarrassing..."could we please stop class, everyone stand & move your chairs, so I can get to the little guy that is lodged between the wall & the chairs"). But a nice older man took pity on the stuck little guy & stopped class for me. I guess I'll be limiting Lance's wanderings from now on. :)

Our Wild Weekend

2007-10-04T10:09:00.000-06:00

David's brother Mike & his wife Kelli came to visit us this last weekend. We were so happy to have them here, & we had a great time. I'm so sad that they couldn't stay longer--like forever. Lance just loves his Uncle Mike & Aunt Kelli. Although he did seem a bit afraid of Mike at first. But they were good pals once Uncle Mike gave the bawling Lance a cracker (see, everyone can be bought).

Mike & David spent the weekend hunting. They assured me that if they even saw an elk, they wouldn't come home empty handed. Lucky for the elk they didn't see anything. Kelli & I spent the weekend plotting how we could get our husbands to move to the same town, so we could live next to each other. We have yet to come up with a winning solution to this distance problem--but we're working on it.

So, are you wondering where the "wild" comes in. Okay there is no wild. I just wanted you all to be intrigued enough to read on. But we do miss Mike & Kelli already. :( And we are actually headed to Utah for a couple days, & then we're off to Vegas. But I can't guarantee any "wild" in that trip either. We'll have to count on my wild man to be crazy while I pretend I don't know him. :) I hope the grandmas are ready for our "wild" boy!

Greasy little lips. I wonder what greasy thing looked good enough to eat.

All Dressed Up

2007-09-24T18:12:00.000-06:00

Lance was looking so big wearing his little tie, & he didn't mess with it at all in church--he just wants to play with Dad's tie.

Can you tell that he doesn't want to wear this hood?

Lance's new favorite place to play--under the table. It's also his escape route when daddy is chasing him. And yes, he has baby cleavage.

Hunting

2007-09-24T17:51:00.000-06:00

David's been hunting, & we've been able to go with him a few times. Lance loves to sit between us in the truck (since the car seat has to be between us) & have our attention while we drive.

Here is Daddy & his little helper. David actually wanted us to hike with him, which was fine with me, but I tried to tell him there was no way I could keep our little jabber box quiet. Daddy didn't mind one bit, he just wanted us to hike with him. Lance made sure any animal within earshot heard him. :) It was no surprise that we didn't see anything, but we had a good time on our little hike (even in the rain).

Movie Buddies

2007-09-20T00:08:00.000-06:00

I had young women's tonight, & was getting myself & Lance ready to go when David came home. He announced he would be skipping the gym & watching Lance. I told him he didn't have to, but he insisted. Then he started quizzing me about when I would be coming home--because he wanted to take Lance to a movie. Awwww...how cute. They went to see a very lame movie, & they were the only ones in the theater. Apparently there wasn't anyone else who wanted to see this movie. But it was great because Lance could squeal & scream all he wanted. He continually grabbed David's popcorn & spilled it & threw it all over. He threw his treat container 3 rows in front of him & spilled it all over. He yelled when the movie was loud (I guess he needed to be louder). He squirmed all over the place. And because Lance was a wild boy & there was nobody else in the theater, they were able to run around & entertain themselves. David is such a great daddy. Lance came home exhausted, & I got a couple hours to go to young women's & do some shopping.

My Scaredy Cats

2007-09-14T20:08:00.000-06:00

I started to post this earlier today, but David read it over my shoulder & told me I couldn't post it because it made him sound wimpy. He's not here now, so I'm typing fast, and here's the disclaimer: my husband is not a wimp--not in the least. But, we are both afraid of bears. We've heard there are lots of bears around here, and although we have yet to see one (except in Yellowstone), & we know many people sleep out in tents here & survive to tell of their camping trips, we are still very afraid. That said, on with the story.

Last night David informed me that he would be going hunting at 4:30 in the morning. He would be hunting with a man whose camp was only accessible by a hiking/biking/horse trail. He would be biking in the dark for 5 miles to get to this camp. This sounded great, but I did point out a few obvious draw-backs. One, neither of us have a bike, & two, he hadn't liked this trail at dusk (ran down it afraid bears were following), so how would it be in complete darkness?! He solved the first problem when he ran into a neighbor & paid her ten bucks to "rent" her ten year old son's bike. And he assured me he would have a flashlight.

David did leave the house at 4:30 am, but I was extremely startled to hear the shower running at 7 am--until I remembered that killers don't usually break in to take showers (at least I've never heard of that). Apparently my big scaredy cat hadn't made it more than 500 yards up the trail when he decided to head back home. He then painted a very vivid picture of his morning expedition for me.

Imagine David in full camo with his face painted, 6'2" tall with his knees hitting the handle bars of his little bike. He has on his back a very full back pack, in one hand a giant mag flashlight (maybe he could beat the bears with it), & he had his bow & arrows hanging around his neck. No, there isn't a strap on his bow, it was just hanging by it's own strings--choking him. He's pedaling for all he's worth all the while keeping an eye out for vicious animals. When all of a sudden...he sees a pair of beady eyes ahead in the dark. And my very brave husband turned tail & pedaled even faster back down the trail.

In all his terror--looking over his shoulder for his predator--he spotted his deadly foe. Now, David's always bragging about his "keen" eyesight, & it was his very keen eyes that spotted a little tiny fox behind him. Whew! What a morning adventure. But I'm glad he survived it.

I got quite a kick out of this story--couldn't quit laughing. And I want to stress again, that my husband is not a wimp. It's just that he's so entertaining I just had to share his story. Here's also a picture of our little scaredy cat. He's been terrified of this big stability ball. He cries when he sees it, crawls away from it if it rolls near him, & clings to David if his daddy tries to get him to touch the big scary ball. Today was a milestone--he was actually okay with the ball for a couple minutes. But he's not a wimp either. :)

Camping Trip

2007-08-27T21:15:00.000-06:00

This is the one and only picture that David took of his & Lance's first Father-Son Camp out. I was really bummed that he didn't get more pictures, but apparently they had lots of fun. This picture is documenting the eating of Lance's favorite treat--licorice. And the only reason David remembered to take this picture is our bishop threatened to take a picture of dirty little Lance for blackmailing purposes. David decided to take the picture himself (before Lance got really dirty).

I was told by many people at church on Sunday that my wonderful husband took absolutely great care of our little happy boy. They slept in David's truck, & the concerned daddy had taken the top part of the cradle and put it in the back seat of his truck for Lance to sleep in. He also made sure that he wasn't too comfy so that he would be sure to wake up if it was cold. He turned the truck on every couple hours to warm it up for his baby boy--what a dad. David had packed for him & Lance, & from the amount of stuff he took, you would have thought it was a week long outing. But that's David--always prepared (or over-prepared).

When my two guys finally got home from their big outing, my exhausted little guy fell asleep immediately (before he even got a bath). He smelled of camp fire, sunscreen, & mosquito repellent, & he was dirty enough that I could tell he had a great time. He was the youngest camper--and I'm guessing also the cutest. :) They did some hiking, fishing, & lots of playing.

Lance, who usually just wants Daddy, was so excited to get home & see Mommy. I was absolutely thrilled. Because he sees me every day, I don't usually get the amount of excitement reserved for Dad. So I survived my first night without my baby. I would have even slept great except that I was freaked out by every noise I heard. I guess I'm used to having David here keeping all the boogie men away.