Catching up on 2013 - November

I don't remember much of November, probably because Johnny was traveling and I was crazy. 

We got some good painting in!

I think this picture of breakfast looks as chaotic as it feels.

 This guy wasn't too thrilled with his 18 month check up (probably because he hadn't been seen since he was 6 months old and was a little behind on his immunizations...) 

 I painted a friends nursery.

 Date night to the Interfaith Christmas Concert at the Mormon Tabernacle and some walking around City Creek afterwards.

 Getting started on the boys Christmas present, a playroom, slide, and clubhouse under the stairs!

One Saturday morning I woke up and wanted to go to Colorado.  Johnny would be going out of town the next Monday and I didn't want to go through the routine of the week at home.  We loaded the car and headed to Johnny's moms house in Colorado Springs.  While there, I wanted to take some photo's of the boys on the Hanna Ranch, where Johnny's parents grew up. 

I got the outfits, Mary provided all hats and boots, and we made it there right as the sun was setting!  

Here are my favorites!

 When Johnny got back from his trip we headed to Denver for the evening to see Hanna Ranch, a documentary about the ranch and family.  It was such a well done film, and Johnny loved seeing all of the footage of his dad, aunts, uncles, and other family from when they were younger.

 We watched Drake in his first Thanksgiving program, complete with pilgrims and indians. 

Drake was a little nervous about school pictures, so we took a few practice shots before school.  Good thing Con didn't have pictures, I couldn't get his drag queen makeup off for days.

 Thanksgiving was at our house this year!  Too bad I didn't get a picture of the amazing food made by everyone, I'm still dreaming about it.  The highlight of the evening was this conversation from Bubba:

Bubba: "Mom, is he God?" pointing to my uncle Scott, eating pie with him.

Me: "No, that's uncle Scott."

Bubba:  "But he has a chin mustache."

Well that settles it then.

 Johnny had to make a ridiculous video for work that involved laying in the snow in 4 degree weather.  To prepare, he tried to get nice and warm in the hot tub.  His hair was white from the steam freezing!

Here's the video link, it's kind of painful to watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wPQ8v6cu3M

Catching up on 2013 - October

October started with the stomach flu.  It started with me and made it's way through each one of these guys. There was a straight week of waking up to a sick boy in the middle of the night.  All I have to say is THANK HEAVENS Johnny wasn't traveling this week. 

 Conrad was ready for snow, I obviously wasn't.  I still had the pool heated at 90 degrees.

 Con's date night consisted of edamame and Chuck e Cheeses, he's easy to please.

 One time I tried to rescue a cat by feeding it tuna every night.  Then I realized I was just trying to steal the neighbors cat.  Coolest fur I've ever seen.

 Cookies up the canyon to celebrate fall break!

This big boy turned six! How did I get so lucky?  He's an amazing big brother to his 3 (almost 4) brothers.  He has just enough attitude to stand for what he wants, but is as good as little boys come, and listens to his momma.  If I give him the option of having a friend over or cuddling with me and watching a movie, he picks me every time :) 

Play date with the neighborhood!  How awesome is it that these kids live within 30 seconds of our house?

 My little gentlemen. 

 Rental finished (mostly) and renters moved in!  A 90 year old elderly couple that keeps us entertained :)

 Halloween Elephant

 LOL

Preschool field trip to the pumpkin patch.  Banks "I hate you" face, wondering why he has to be strapped in to the stroller.  Con and Bubbs are such great friends, holding hands to get through the maze together.

 Drake and Peyton, the perfect little girl to have across the street.

For Halloween I was the Obamacare website, and Johnny was "#iheart" to be completed by whatever he was standing next to.  In my case, he didn't "heart" my website.

Could the boys be less excited about Halloween at Gardner's Village? I submit that they cannot.

Visiting great grandma for the annual Halloween parade.  

 Banks daily effort to escape this place.

Catching up on 2013 - September

On to September.

Perfect evening to watch a soccer practice.  I don't ever get tired of this these mountains!

We tried to have some extra practices in our backyard, but I think the concept was lost on them. 

And yes, they are still in their PJ's at 6pm.   

I wanted to take them out of soccer half way through the first half of their first season, but we stuck it out and found some pretty good bribes to get them to play.  How many years do I have to do this before I can say we gave it a fair shot?  At least they liked the halftime treats.

Look at the bee by his mouth!

Making progress on the rental!

Banks favorite part of the garden were the dropped tomatoes.  Also the rocks. Both favorites.

We tried to do an individual date night for each of the boys, starting with Drake. He got to pick the activity, and for some reason he wanted Temple Square and the roof of the Conference Center. After dinner we went up to see the Capitol and got ice cream. Such a sweet little guy!

 Banks was getting good on two feet, running away from me all the time.

 Con turned 3!  I love him in his little cape, and I think he looks just like Alvin from the chipmunks with his hat on.  This is the most tender little guy I've ever seen. He has the deepest belly laugh, the loudest cry, and crazy coordination.  And he's my only blonde! 

Date night watching the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with James Taylor. 

 I just want it documented for the kids that we did try and take them all out for dinner one time.  I gave up trying to teach table manners after the fourth water was spilled and Johnny taught them how to shoot spit wads. 

 I painted a magnetic chalkboard wall on a whim to try and get a good chore chart in order, and to practice our letters.  I quickly found that the only thing I taught them was that it's now ok to draw on the walls. 

 Johnny had a conference at the Stein Erickson in Park City.  I went up there for the two nights, and brought Bubba up the second night for his date. (Drake chose Temple Square, Bubba got a night away at the Stein...Drake was a little frustrated about that.)

The view was incredible, and the last thing we expected was snow in September!

 Swimming in the hot tub on the balcony, and Bubba in his business clothes the next day to go to a session of the conference to see his dadda.