Our new rule/goal

Today I implemented a new rule in our house, which prompted Dylan to cry for 25 minutes. Our new rule/goal is that we must eat a piece of fruit or a vegetable before eating a "snack".

We had this snack box which had yummy things in (this is not the candy stash). Dylan was able to open the cupboard where the snacks were and would constantly eat them. He is totally a grazer.

Well, this morning I informed everyone of the new rule, which also applies to me. Dylan listened and then went to get a snack. I told him that he had to eat a fruit or a vegetable first. He cried and cried and cried. Finally he decided that he would eat a banana and then get a snack. However, I distracted him and he just ended up eating the banana. All day it has worked!! We've eaten celery, bananas, and pears.

Since they are quite willing to eat a fruit or veggie to get what they want it should work nicely. I am quite excited!

Merry Christmas!

I'm just getting started!

Look at the lovely bows I've made for little Hannah! I am so excited! I'm just getting started too!! This doesn't include all the ones on headbands that I have too. Plus, I had to show you my zebra bow that I just made because it's stinking cute. Thanks for letting me share my excitement with you!

Cute dress

My friend Errin sent me this cute little dress (for Hannah). I made a super cute little satin rosette headband to go with it. Since I don't have anything else to post about, enjoy!

Today's Project

Just tilt your head to the side to look at these. :-)




If our pillows look familiar it is because we made these a few months ago for Aunt Amy. However, I wanted to make an owl pillow for Hannah's room and the boys didn't want to be left out. Sooooo, today we made lovely owl pillows. The boys picked out their fabric and button eyes (as well as positioning), and stuffed them. They really like them (so do I).

Yesterday's Activity

I need to do activities to keep my children entertained and me sane. Yesterday we made my most favorite holiday treat: Holly Berry Cookies. I used Total cereal instead of corn flakes (to justify the quantity that I normally eat). Sadly, they were yummy, but since I'm pregnant they just didn't taste that great (because junk doesn't sound so good). The boys enjoyed them though, although Dylan picked all the red hots off of his. I love traditions.

Things RARELY go how I plan them...

Since 1999 I have been hoping and praying for a daughter. I have had 5 previous pregnancies and they were all boys. Well, after we had Riley Levi and Dylan started praying for a baby sister, as did Matt and I. (Matt probably more so just to make me happy). Well, Heavenly Father answers prayers. This is our last one and then we're done. I could only have one more baby anyhow due to the multiple c-sections and how thin my uterus is. So I had a discussion with Heavenly Father, laid it all out, and explained that if it was His will, we really needed a little girl in our family.
Enjoy the below pictures! Just in case she grows a penis in the next couple of months I'll keep you posted. Until then, meet Hannah. (Yes, another Hannah).

You just wait and see.

That's all I have to say about that.

Rigged???

Levi, Mommy, and Dylan were playing UNO (Dylan's favorite game). We were busting up laughing because Dylan got 6 change the color cards in his first hand. Guess who won the game??? Dylan did!!

Disneyland

After Thanksgiving we went to Disneyland since Matt and I had free passes. Uncle Isaac and Grandpa Budd came with us. It was a lovely time had by all. I (Shannon) didn't really get to do anything, as I am pregnant and someone had to hold Riley. However, it was a blessing having Isaac there to entertain Levi. Budd, Matt, and Dylan went over to California Adventure because there was a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show and Dylan is obsessed. I thought we all had a great day! Thanks so much to Budd and Isaac for your help and companionship!!

Just a new post

Well, do you see my collection of girl shoes? There are 41 pairs from size 1-5. My friend gave them all to me because we just know I'll have a girl baby. (I'll let you all know for sure on January 12th).
Poor Dylan got a head wound. That's an ice pack on him. Riley was trying to smile for the camera. Welcome to a glimpse of our world. Happy day!

Completely Irrational

Children are not rational in the middle of the night. Dylan was half awake last night and couldn't make up his mind about his blankets being on or off, his jammies staying on or off, which car he needed, whether he wanted a drink or not, etc... It was a long hour and half. Then Levi woke up. Seriously? Boys!! I need sleep!!

I get another ultrasound tomorrow! Yippee! My uterus measures 3 weeks ahead of my baby's gestational age. I'm guessing it's just because it knows what to do since it's done it so many times, so it expands... We'll see. I sure do like ultrasounds!

Matt has been super busy with work, callings, referreeing (is that a word?)

I actually did a scrapbook page yesterday and that was exciting! (The boys were at a birthday party).

Now I have books to read to small children. Happy day!

Music

Riley has started dancing to music now. He is so cute spinning around and bouncing up and down. He just loves it!

A Happy Anniversary

Yesterday we had a fabulous anniversary. Our dear friends, Becky and Gideon, so kindly watched our children for us ALL DAY while we went to San Francisco. (Thank you!!) It was so nice just being together and not having to worry about little people. We got in a ton of exercise with all our walking. We went to the Golden Gate bridge and actually walked on it! We also went to Ghiradelli Square and got chocolate (how could we not??). We went to Fisherman's Wharf and even toured an actually cargo ship with guns and stuff that was used in WWII. It was a pretty cool day. It was so peaceful and relaxing. It was just wonderful!

P.S. If I look a little chunky in my pictures it is because I am almost 12 weeks pregnant. My body tends to expand the day I find out, especially since it's the 6th pregnancy. Due in May (it'll be a girl)....just sayin'.

It's Raining

I suppose I should update this blog. I've been up since 3am (clocks said 2am due to the time change). I feel more and more like my Mom who never sleeps.
I'm letting my kids eat cookies. I think they are on their 3rd or 4th each. At least they are oatmeal raisin, so that makes it okay, right?? I loved it when Mom let us eat cookies for breakfast because they were "oatmeal", or even rice krispy treats. Yum!

I had a hot date with my husband last night. We went to the Temple and out to dinner. It was quite lovely. I do enjoy him so. We're coming up on 4 years of marriage! Whoo Hoo!!

Here's an update on the kiddos: Levi has had lots of friends over lately. His teacher has marvelous things to say about him. He's still a fantastic cuddler. Levi is also learning to read and doing a great job!

Dylan is my trusty side kick. He loves to play games, his favorite being UNO. He's really good at it. As an added bonus he is learning his colors and numbers. Yay!

Riley runs to the door when Daddy comes home and always gives him a big hug. He's still quite Smiley, and a delight. When I'm putting him to bed at night he pats my back while I pat his! It's so cute!!! He's also the only one to sleep through the night.

That's us. Happy day!

Carving Pumpkins

Last Monday (for FHE) we carved our pumpkins. All the boys were eager to play with the knives, but only Mommy and Daddy did, although Levi did get one try.
Riley especially liked the feel of the pumpkin guts.

Pizza Party

If you were having a pizza party and knew that 20 adults and 30 kids were going to be there, how many large pizzas would you order?? Really, I'd like to know. Thank you.

Blank post?

Apparently my last post was blank? So sad. I hope this one isn't, although I don't have anything to say.

Before I had kids, especially little boys...

I'm copying Aunt Hannah's post idea (thanks Hannah).
Before I had kids, especially little boys:

I figured I'd have tons of little girls (like 8 of them) to dress up, thankfully I don't. I wouldn't trade my boys for anyone or anything.
I was pretty selfish and focused on me because, let's face it, the world revolved around me.
I didn't worry so much about commercials on television. They are horrible now!
I didn't know what monster trucks were.
I fit into my skinny size 4 jeans. Now... Ha!!!
I would take the time to make a healthy salad.
I didn't have to sweep the floor 3 times a day and vacuum constantly.
I wondered why everyone said I talked too much as a kid... I couldn't have been that bad. (I TOTALLY get it now!)
I had no idea how fascinated I would be over simple things.
I stayed away from dirt, mud, bugs, flea infested kitty cats, spiders, etc. Now, I still try to avoid all of those as much as possible.
I imagined they'd be so obedient and sit quietly at church. How do people manage to train their kids to do that??
I wore nylons, solid black or white, and high heels. Now I have to make sure I'm completely covered and wearing fast shoes, and something to hide the goobers they're going to track all over me.

The list could go on and on. You get the idea. My little boys are a true delight and I am so very glad that I am their Mama. They are funny little boys who need lots of love, and I will happily give it to them. Matt's super fabulous too, so we'll count him also! Love you boys!

So pretty!!!

Yesterday Matt put me in charge of getting the boys ready for church. I doubt he'll have me do that again. Isn't Dylan pretty????

Aunt Jane came to visit! She lives in Japan with her Marine husband. She brought her sweet daughter, Samantha. She is a very good friend and aunt!! She's always fun to play with!

Updates please

I'll update my blog soon.. really. In the meantime, maybe Isaac and Amy could update theirs. :-) And Jeanette, and Karen, and anyone else that needs too... I just don't want to list everyone... there are so many! Okay, that's all.

It's been a busy day

I can't see what order my pictures are in, so I'll just summarize and hope the pictures correspond with what we've been doing.
Today (Saturday) Matt went paintballing with the guys. I needed a diversion and some form of entertainment to save my sanity whilst he was gone. Soooooo... we invited over a bunch of friends (10 total showed up) and had a massive play date in shifts. There were 3 groups: 8-9:30, 10-11:30 (that actually went until 12:45), and 1-2:30pm. Wa-la! The day was solved. I like things like this because I have to have constant stuff to do so that no one gets bored (I think that stems from being a teacher.... you can't give the kids a second or they'll take over). We colored very large halloween pictures, decorated cookies, colored robots with googly eyes, jumped on the trampoline, played on the swingset and slide, built a marble run, played spaceship, trains, and whatever else was in the bedrooms and livingroom. Oh ya, we also did bubbles and had music on during it all. We also ate watermelon and had lunch (for that middle group). It was a fabulous day and my children are exhausted and in bed. Sweet!

Soccer season is almost over. I hope we are playing Caro, Carson, Tanner, and Isabelle's team this week or next. (They are our friends). Levi is pretty good and he has thoroughly enjoyed it. Dylan has too. He always dresses up in cleats and shorts and takes his soccer ball so Daddy can play soccer with him. It's a great family bonding activity.

Oh, did you see the picture of Dylan asleep at the table? He was eating dinner, and the next minute he was asleep. Hilarious!
Anyhow, that's our life right now. I did just have my dear friend Jane visit, but I'll post about that when Matt gets my pictures off my phone. (Thanks Matt!).
Happy day everyone!