The Yeates Family

Dropped off the Planet...

2011-04-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

And landed here...

This strange place with snow, freeways that look like this...

And trees everywhere...

It's official. I've dug my way out of the boxes, we're pretty much settled,
and this Vegas girl is now a Washington resident.

Sink or swim. There's no turning back now.
New place - new blog.

Growing on Martin Road

All Grown Up

2010-11-16T15:47:00.000-08:00

We got here so fast! Blink and I've got a kid old enough to have a sleepover! Jackson & Jayce are best little buddies and when they had two days out of school, we had to take advantage of it!

Here's what I learned is essential in a sleepover.
* 2 ecstatic 5 year olds
* Happy Meals (with Mega Mind toys)
* 3 Red Boxed Movies all chosen by 5 year olds
* A gigantic box of superhero costumes to dress up in
* 3 types of ice cream
* Dozen doughnuts for breakfast
* Staying up late (10:30 is late for 5 year olds)
* Every toy car lined up down the hallway
* Early morning cartoons
* Naps the next day (for boys & mom!!)

I was amazed. I was all ready for the fight to get these crazy boys in bed, and at 10:30 when their movie was over, they ran upstairs without being asked, got cleaned up, changed into jammies, and were brushing their teeth. What 5 year olds do that?

All night I heard these two funny boys saying "Can you believe it!?!?! We're having our first sleep over!"

We read three stories.
* A story about a dog who throws parties when his owners leave
(I think it might have given the boys ideas, good thing they're not old enough to stay home by themselves yet)
* A story about jungle animals who have a slumber party
(Pretty fitting, 5 year olds are just about as crazy as Jungle Animals)
* A story about a frog that learns to swim with lots of silly words that the boys laughed every time we said them.

I didn't realize that making funny faces and having your pictures taken was part of the sleep over schedule. We spent 20 minutes taking pictures and wanting to see their faces in the camera.

(More bribery for dating later on huh?)

I was nervous after bedtime we'd have some fears, worries or homesickness but Jayce was a champ! I heard quiet laughing for about 10 minutes and then not another sound until the TV clicked on the next morning to Playhouse Disney! G'night Boys!!!

Impeccable Timing

2010-11-15T23:51:00.000-08:00

Grandma Mickie must have a secret magical power of foretelling the future. Or she knows the chaos that is our house a little too well! A package showed up the Thursday before Halloween, and the boys were beyond excited to find new jammies among the candy & treats. Owen immediately started pulling his shirt trying to get it off to wear his new jammies and the older boys raced to see who could get their new favorites on fastest.

What Grandma didn't know is she was also saving me from Halloween meltdowns later that night. In between Kindergarten Halloween Party and the Trunk or Treat the same night Jackson put his Transformer's body suit behind a cabinet. Then couldn't remember where it was. Combined with the fact that Carter had already lost the pants to his Pirate costume, we were only 1 out of 3 in the costume department. So we went to the Trunk or Treat in matching Halloween Pajamas. And the fact that the Pumpkin faces glow in the dark is "the awesomest" to quote Jackson.

Jackson insisted he be photographed with his witch. This was from Grandma Kathy. At 5 years old, stuffed animals aren't always the biggest draw anymore, but for some reason the witch is now a permanent part of Jackson's entourage.

Carter as usual lately is not helping in the smiling for pictures department, so here we have the Three Year Old lesson in smiling. #1 Make funny mouth faces. (while looking incredibly amused with yourself with your eyes) #2 Smile adorably but turn at incredibly weird angles. #3 Do exactly as mom asks you but do it looking away from the camera.

All Lit Up

2010-11-14T23:07:00.000-08:00

The only thing that makes pumpkin carving better for little boys .... fire!

2010-11-14T23:01:00.000-08:00

We're so good at this 3 boys in a picture thing. Only shot taken. Guess who's nap was missed by carving pumpkins?

All the pumpkins - can you find the little hiders who were told to get out of the picture?

What we lack in creative faces, we sure made up for in fun. The boys designed days in advance their pumpkins, Jackson wanted a happy pumpkin with half square half triangle teeth. Carter wanted a scary pumpkin with all triangles (large and small all triangles). Since Owen ran around the whole time, and only wanted to lift the pumpkin over and over, and we were tired of carving triangles, he got the round pumpkin face. The white one was drawn and designed without help by Jackson, carved painstakingly along very particular lines by a very patient Dad. Sure was fun, and the best part this year, we discovered the joy of carving pumpkins outside. Pumpkin goo cleans up amazingly easy with a hose!

3 Crazy Pumpkin Carvers

2010-11-13T22:24:00.000-08:00

This was as close as Owen got to carving, then he ran around taking all the pieces from other pumpkins and hiding them around the yard.

Carter & Jackson each carved two pumpkins. The big pumpkins dad bought and the little ones they got from the pumpkin patch. Carter wanted all triangles. (And yes, it's better to carve pumpkins without a shirt...)

(Or without pants... )

Jackson's Ghost pumpkin. He drew the face completely by himself. Daddy carved it (and it took a really long time!) The white pumpkin was so weird! It smelled like a cucumber, and the inside of it felt exactly like a cantaloupe. Jackson was beyond proud of his creation.

So need proof I'm really behind?

2010-11-12T23:19:00.000-08:00

It was a pretty fun first slip & slide ride. Carter & Jackson are signing up for next year's slip and slide x-games. Owen excels in the more subtle run through and scream aspect of the event.

Sadly the NYC nephews were not convinced that it was worth the effort.

What is also not worth the effort? Apparently running to the bathroom...

Oh, innocent boys. You better be nice or these are going in your wedding slideshows...

The Real Use of Tablecloths

2010-11-11T23:10:00.000-08:00

Where's Owen!?!?

There he is!

Where's Owen!?!

There he is!

Where's Owen!?!?

Peek - A - Boo!

(I'm fighting a losing battle in our house. I say tablecloths stay on the table. Yep, it's not happening.)

Notice a theme here?

2010-11-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

Every picture I take a get his weird neck pose...
Thanks Carter. I really needed 400 pictures of your neck. Gotta love three year olds... They're so weird!

Final Score: Mom 3 Boys 10... Fail.

2010-11-09T22:26:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the candids are just as cute, but really is it too much to ask that all three of them look and smile at the same time?
* Carter 3 years * Owen 18 months * Jackson 5 1/2 years *
And the hunt continues.

Kindergarten Rocks!!!

2010-08-30T23:49:00.000-07:00

Most of this is an excerpt from the letter I emailed my brother Kevin (on a mission in Paraguay) Sunday night telling about all we've done to get Jackson ready for his first day of Kindergarten...

I've hung up all the new clothes, written his name on his backpack. There are new shoes waiting to be worn. Filled out the kindergarten info sheets.

We've toured the school, found Jackson's classroom. Seen where his desk, cubby, and the kindergarten playground are. We've found where his class lines up, where we drop him off, and where we pick him up. Rode up and down the elevator just for fun.

He's had a haircut and a blessing tonight. Had special first day of school ice cream trip. The camera battery is charging.

He can write his name. He knows the letters in the alphabet, and most of their sounds. He only wants to study Science.

He can spell a few words, and read a few more.

I still feel like I haven't done enough to get him ready.

I know I'm ridiculous, I know that he's less than a block away, and he'll be gone for only 3 hours. All I can say is wait until its your child. I never thought this would go so fast.

Jackson started to cry tonight. He tries to be a big kid, knows he's supposed to be tough, but he's very sensitive. He wrapped his arms around my neck, curled up in a ball in my lap, and told me that he was going to miss me the most out of anyone. He seems to sense this means that everything is changing. I think he knows it’s a good thing, but I also think he understands that things will be different from now on.

When tucking them into bed Carter started to cry.

(There's been lots of crying at our house this week).

He said "and then we drive away? I don't want to leave Jackson.

I don't want to drive away!"

The walk to his classroom was longer than I anticipated (and not just because of the crazy parking). He looks so small under that empty backpack.

The whole way over he squeezed my hand tight. Telling me he loved me every few minutes. I don’t know if this was to reassure me, or himself. I think it worked for both of us.

Of course Daddy was much more composed, and

fulfilled his most important requirements of the morning.

Posing with the Brand New Kindergartener for the much needed token Father/Son picture...

and holding mom after Jackson walked through the classroom door.

(But 1,000,000 points for mom since she didn't cry until after Jackson was out of sight.) Jackson hugged us, walked in without turning back, and it was done. All that worry and preparation done.

Jackson loves his friends. He's got a great group of friends from our ward. Jayce, Alexa, Taira, Austin, Logan, Indy, Norah, Lily, Ellie, (I'm sure I've missed at least one...) I love Jackson's friends. They are a group of great kids, and probably more comfort to mom than Jackson, goes into Kindergarten with at least a few really great friends.

The Verdict: I thought I’d hear rave reviews of recess and story time, (which there were) but Jackson surprised me when asked what his favorite part of Kindergarten was. His second most favorite was that his friends from our

ward, in other kindergarten classes were at his same recess.

His most favorite part was getting his purple. The behavior system is color coded. Every one starts green, and for bad behavior then goes yellow (warning) and finally red. But for being really good you can get a PURPLE. I've never heard a boy more excited for something Purple.

He talked about it all afternoon.

He’s got a wonderful teacher (Miss Fiscus), and he’s so excited to be in her class. She told me after school that the whole class did so well, the first day went great, and she thought Jackson was such a cute boy. Said he was sweet, helpful and kind to the other kids. Those few words and the smile on his face when he told me about his purple, made every worry worth it.

I know this will be great for him, but even so I'm still just a little bit heartbroken, and I love to see him run smiling to me when his day is done.

I missed him. (and so did Jackson's two little buddies)

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the carter creeps tonight...

2010-06-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

Observation area = made to let you watch college kids with i-pods in their ears, cleaning dinosaur bones, fossils and replicas. In toddler time that last 2.5 minutes. Then the observation ledge becomes superman's practice launch pad. But where is Carter?

Carter our aboriginal child, in his native environment.

Everyone takes a turn being eaten

2010-06-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

Owen the fearless baby, decided that he would improve his standing in the

herd of Yeates boys by courageously sticking his head in the dinosaurs mouth.

And totally won even more points by living to tell the tale. Well babble

about the tale... probably losing points for only knowing two words at

the time. No and This. As in, "No, don't eat this." I'm sure that's what

he was saying.

Not to be outdone by a baby, Jackson risked his head while Carter raised the

standards by trying to annoy the Dino into eating his brother...

Good thing Dinosaurs and Toddlers never lived in the same era.

There wouldn't have been as many chubby little fingers leaving sticky

proof of their existence on every surface.

I'm pretty sure a Dinosaur's favorite food is toddlers.

Anyone else like to mess with their kids?

2010-06-23T16:28:00.000-07:00

"Oh, good job Carter, you can do it. You could totally lift that."

"Oh, maybe not. Try the littler one."

"This one?"

"Yep. Definitely that one."

" Good job Carter. I think you lifted it up just a little. Those are so heavy! "

Mission accomplished. More kiddo energy used up.

Translation

2010-06-22T22:18:00.000-07:00

BYU Museum of Paleontology Translation = Really cool small Dino Museum
Lots of dinosaurs, fossils and bones to touch & see. Big enough to keep kids entertained, small
enough to still be entertained it by the end.

Translating Carter =

You want me to stand where? Here? Are you sure? This thing has teeth, a head.. I better keep watching it. Take it quick. Yeah, mom's pictures aren't worth the anxiety.

Jackson's Translation =

How does this thing work? The bigger I smile, the faster she'll be done taking pictures.

Carter didn't do so hot with the head, end. The tail seems safer to me.

Bart & Owen Translation = Too young & too smart to not cooperate in the picture taking.
Good job boys.

Cougar Stadium

2010-06-22T16:23:00.000-07:00

Obligatory BYU picture. Brainwashing starts young. It's also a very vigorous program.

* Blue hair dye - done. * BYU shirts in all appropriate sizes - accomplished. * Pretending to be BYU cheerleaders and run BYU flag around stadium - finished (much to Bart's dismay.) * BYU Lavell Edwards Stadium picture - check.

Next step - matching BYU tattoos and piercings. (Oh, wait... dang honor code.)

McKee Ranch

2010-06-21T04:19:00.000-07:00

Jackson & Jayce (like most things they do) only fed horses at the same time. Never by themselves (although older, they were a tad nervous) and there is safety in numbers. To me just seems like more little finger snacks for Mr. Horsey, (but I'm a nice mom and didn't tell them that...)

Owen was the most nervous, but when even the smallest donkey is still like 6 times your size, I don't blame him. He wouldn't feed the animals, we gave him crackers to feed the goat, and instead we ended up feeding the Owen. No touching either. We're in the stand and stare phase of petting zoos.

Two other favorite attractions don't eat anything other than kiddo energy (my favorite kind of fuel source.) Tire swing taken to a new level when it looks like a horse, but its not tied in a secure spot, so when the kid tips over, the horse continues to lean forward until it dumps them on the ground. This farm is true to life, horses will buck you off if you annoy them, real horses or the tire variety. No wussy horse riders here. And this lovely kid powered 'wheel of fortune'. You win if you don't a) slide off the end and fall off, b) get run over by a child (most of the time Carter) trying to push it faster! faster! faster! or c) throw up. Luckily all my kids won that day. (We're always winners around here, oh, wait. That may be whiners. Yeah, that's probably it. Anyone have a cure for the 5 year old whining disease?)

Meet the "Vegas Farm"

2010-06-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

Down the street from our community is a "Farm." There are animals, a barn, dirt, cowboys and hay. It does not however have anything growing. We're really good at growing weeds in Vegas. That's about it. A friend of ours scheduled a few visits to the farm to pet the animals. Carter dove right in. This is a Clydesdale horse named Sir Richard (If you can't read the spray paint, that's how we decorate in Vegas. Just tag it in spray paint...) I'm pretty sure Carter fed him at least 10 carrots but found out that if you stand next to Sir Richard without carrots he'll lick you until you give him another carrot.

This little piggy (or big piggy) saw carrots, but this little piggy got none when Carter moved on to feed the donkey who lives next door. Carter is such a tease.

This pony was a mama pony, very calm and docile with the kiddos, probably because she knows all too well, (as do I) what it feels like to be petted all day by two year olds. It's like being pecked to death by a chicken. I'm just glad I'm not bridled and forced to let toddlers "love" me all day. (I get to escape during nap time...)

What did we all do before Craigslist?

2010-06-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

Oh, yeah. Paid full price for everything. Dumb.

So Grandma hit the jackpot (not literally, we're still glad mom hasn't turned into the a little old lady sitting at a video poker machine) and found an amazing playhouse in great condition. And what's better than a grandma with a huge playhouse? A grandma that realizes that even more fun than playing in the playhouse, is putting the playhouse together! Boy heaven, they got to build their own house.

Carter & Owen were charged with cleaning the kitchen (Carter is the cook in our house, and I almost bought this exact kitchen from Sam's club at Christmas for Carter, and the people that had it gave it to us for Free!) Many paper towels, cleaners, rags & a hose lately (with help from Great Grandma Johnson & myself) it was finally clean. All to be taken into the house and covered in sand.

After Daddy, Grandpa & Uncle Hyrum put it together (with lots of very good help from the boys) the men cleared out (actually all fell asleep on the couch or recliners) and let the little men get started on the interior.

Grandma took the boys shopping where they got food, dishes & utensils for their kitchen, as well as a broom and even fake flowers to plant in the flower boxes (which hasn't happened yet, they just get buried and dug up in the dirt over and over). This was a big surprise for our NY cousins (Hudson & Sawyer), so they worked really hard on making their little house a home. 10 minutes later it was covered in dirt.

In this family, Jackson is the Dad (big surprise), Carter is the son & the cook and Owen doesn't do anything the boys tell him to do and opens and shuts the door over and over again. A little dysfunctional but it works.

Oh dear, I'm in trouble.

2010-06-16T10:03:00.000-07:00

Besides the fact that this was only a few weeks after getting his cast off, as his mom I probably should hate this new talent. Jackson has surprised us many times with his break dancing. He is actually quite good. He doesn't have any fear. In front of people in a restaurant on stage while a guy played guitar or in grandma's living room doesn't matter. We still haven't figured out where this came from, but the boy is getting quite adventurous. I think I secretly love it.

Someone please remind me that I once thought this was cute when he's 17, has long hair, skater clothes (or whatever is in style then), and will probably have had more broken bones in the meantime...

The many faces of Willard

2010-06-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, so his name isn't Willard. That's just what Uncle Bart has taken to calling him. (Kind of like the year Erin only called Bart Bartholemew...we'll see how long this lasts. Poor kid. Messed up from birth).

Okay, so I realize its pretty much one face he's giving me, but I know in that one face he's saying "I love Aunt Kellie..." especially #2 & #5 definitely. He's infatuated with me.

Okay maybe I'm just infatuated with him.

One tired Horse

2010-06-14T10:08:00.000-07:00

"I'm a pretty pony, clickety clack..." If you're at Grandma's house for longer than an hour you'll learn all the words to this lovely song. And if there is more than one grandson around... concerned yourself warned. Because they ALL have to have multiple turns. You're going to get to know this song VERY well.

Pinkies

2010-06-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

For some reason whenever the men in our family wear pink, they wear it in multiples. There must be safety in numbers. They say its not planned. I'd be even more worried if it was.

Bart & Hyrum (maybe with a little prodding from their wives) showed Easter spirit in their baby pink shirts, but no one has to prod Hyrum for the silly faces... he graces us with those all on his own.

(only one of the reasons Hyrum is so loved by my little crazies)

Foiled again...

2010-06-12T11:07:00.000-07:00

Easter. Easy holiday right. Easter Bunny. Baskets. Got it right? Wrong. "The Easter Bunny" brought all kinds of goodies this year, thinking what fun things they would be for FAMILY ACTIVITIES.

1. Shovels. For helping in planting a family garden, flower pots or digging in the sand at Grandmas. Especially when they come from the dollar section at Target. Real Metal. Awesome. Real use? Sword fighting & eating. Thanks Owen. (That's right, not the bigger boys, who came up with sword fighting. The ONE YEAR OLD!) Too bad he's still trying to eat the shovels and now they're not shiny & new.

2. Kites. I'm sure the Easter Bunny was picturing a breezy afternoon picnic and kite flying adventure. Real use? 100 feet (times three) of string, tied from every surface in the house. It took me 45 minutes to undo a knot (since kids can't tie knots right?) that tied my elliptical machine, the satelite wires & a miriad of toys together in the playroom. Should have seen this one coming, the Easter bunny has brought kites the last three years with no luck. Usually though they just get broken before/or while attempting use. The kites never made it off the ground because after tripping and catching my legs everytime I entered a room, I took scissors to the situation...

3. Basketball hoop. Boys & Daddy game right? Soft balls, door hoop. Grand ole' time. Real use? Hey Carter! Hold this in front of your face... (anyone see where this one is going?)

Standard Easter basket rummaging. Run & attack seems to be the way to go. But after looking at these pictures I wonder. Does anyone else have children that strip or change their clothes in the middle of the night? Jackson is the stripper. (We're lucky he's got shorts on in these pictures). Carter is Mr. Presto Change-o. Almost every night he goes to be in pajams, wakes up in clothes. His clothes, Jackson's clothes, even once in Owen's clothes. We're astounded & amazed.

Can you see the resemblance? (And, yes, Bart is going to love that I posted this picture.)

Oh the joy of Easter Egg Hunts

2010-06-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

Owen caught on to the Easter Egg Hunt idea much quicker than Jackson or Carter did at his age, but he has two veteran hunting brothers to follow after. But the best part was about half way through when Daddy opened that pink little egg for him and he realized it had candy inside. That was the last egg Owen picked up. From then on he sat, ate gummy worms and chocolate, and left the hard egg hunting to the big boys (who brought him back more candy...) Smart kid. No work, all the rewards. Cute sure works for this boy.

Notice anything? No face shots of Carter. It's very hard to talk a two year old into looking at the camera when things like chocolate are on the line. Camera ranks right above toothbrushes to Carter (brushing this kid's teeth is not fun), and chocolate ranks right below breathing. A few days after Easter, Carter came downstairs from Grandpa's theater (where all the candy is) and yelled enthusiastically to Uncle Ryan "Ryan! I'm full! I'm full of CHOCOLATE!!!"

Jackson is an interesting creature. He has two motives during an egg hunt. Candy & confetti. He has conned Grandma into buying confetti eggs the last two years (although she might rethink that one after this year's egg hunt). You smash these eggs on someone's head, leaving confetti all over. Poor Owen was ambushed. Then Daddy. Grandma was almost knocked unconscious. Jackson is quick, silent and he hits hard! Takes egg hunts to a whole new level when you have to decide if bending down for that egg is worth the headache you might get from the 4 year old egg assassin.

All a bunch of Nerds

2010-06-10T00:18:00.000-07:00

The Easter Bunny left the kids a trail from their bedroom to their easter baskets. We had to lock the boys door to keep inquisitive, little, naughty hands from a repeat of last year. After a little taunting from Daddy under the door, the race was on. Luckily the smart bunny left a basket to put all the nerds in.

Even Owen was totally in on it. Although once he got two (one for each hand, which I'm pretty sure is baby rule #1) he was more into shaking them, and wouldn't contribute them to big boys' stash (I wouldn't either). Smart baby Schmowen. (That's the most normal nickname the kid has, he's already done for.)

(and yes, Easter was in April. It is June. I'm ignoring that fact.)

I'm in Trouble...

2010-04-27T21:59:00.000-07:00

There are lots of things I should be blogging about birthdays, baby showers, a whole month of crazy kid antics
(how its a month I don't know... I swear I blogged like 2 days ago right? It always seems like two days ago.)

But instead I'm going to let my friend Tara do it for me. Click Here.

At least I really like my daughter in law. She tells me every Sunday that I have really cute shoes, she knows how to score points and obviously has good taste in boys and shoes at 4 years old!
(She likes older boys, Jackson is now 5, as of yesterday.)

This is why we aren't supposed to get rain in Vegas...

2010-03-22T00:04:00.000-07:00

Carter is cold but at least his swimsuit choice kept him fairly dry... (and he's ticked about it apparently.)

Jackson learned that just because you put on Spiderman water shoes you are not dressed for rain... At least he was warm while soaked right?

My kids own no rain clothes. I don't buy them. No cute rain coats, yellow floppy rain hats or animal face galoshes. When you get 4 inches of rain a year that adds up to 0.01095 inches of rain a day. So basically my kids could spit out the window of the car (which I never let them do, but we're just saying they could) and that would be the rainfall for Las Vegas for the week. But when the world decides to go crazy, earthquakes in Haiti & Chile, and over 3 inches of rain in Las Vegas in one week (and more coming), it's almost enough for me to want to go buy them.

I'm pretty sure the way the world will end in Las Vegas will be a huge flood. Like all the rain we should have gotten from forever till now in one big shot. Isn't that ironic? Don't ya think? I hate that song.

Are we sure we understand what Rain is??

2010-03-22T00:03:00.000-07:00

I probably should have my children checked. If not the children, maybe myself. I guess I took for granted that my children understood the concept of rain. Apparently I never explained it well enough. When the boys wanted to go play in the rain, I consented and told them to go put on rain clothes (meaning pretty much any clothes because my kids are in a constant state of stripping 90% of the time). Carter came out wearing . . .

Note: This one piece swimsuit wonder has never been worn in the act of actual swimming.

Jackson took a more season appropriate choice as it is February but I'm not sure February at 60 degrees really counts as February.

The next hour was spent running up and down this three foot hill in the back yard. (Jackson is wearing Spiderman water shoes... I'm just considering it a success that they both have shoes on).

And dancing on top of the picnic table in the rain. Although table dancing wasn's a life skill on my list of things to teach my children (guess they're over achievers), at least they had fun right.

That'll teach him....

2010-03-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

So this morning at 7:30, I'm barely conscious and Carter has already locked Jackson outside in the backyard. Now most days in Las Vegas this would be no cause for concern. February= eh. we're usually around 60 degrees on most days. Well today, much colder. Especially at 7:30am. Carter so proud of his newest trick, comes upstairs to tell me proudly what he has now done to Jackson (I was getting dressed. Wow, 7:30 and dressed. Fantastic). I run downstairs and let Jackson in the door. Which yes, it was cold. But he was only out there for a few minutes. He was beside himself. According to Jackson he had been out there forever and our Vegas backyard had turned to frozen tundra. (well he didn't say tundra, but he's only 4 so we'll forgive this time). Now part of me, yes I feel bad. I made Jackson hot chocolate. But part of me, laughs.

** Update. This was written the last week of February. In the last two weeks, all of us have been locked out of the house by Carter. He even locked himself in the house with the rest of our entire family in the garage. This trick is no longer that funny.

Glue Gun Suicide

2010-03-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

It has died. The stereotypical Thermogrip blue glue gun, that I've had forever has finally died. I have the fancy new cold heat ones, or the cordless battery pack one, but they just don't work the same as the old faithful one. And now it has finally imploded. It was a fitting death as it melted and filled the inside with hot glue and in doing so melted the inside of the gun. Suicide.

I should be at least happy that it went in such a burning way, as I've got many scars and burns from this little guy. The biggest and most recent a gigantic blister on my wrist that happened when I set it down on my own hand, while paying to much attention to my kids and not enough attention to my glue gun. It felt jealous apparently. Good mom (I guess?) Bad crafter.

Anyone have a glue gun that you love? I've only seen cheap white ones, and I don't trust them. (yep, trust. Me and my glue gun are in a relationship.)

The Syrup Massacre

2010-02-28T23:52:00.000-08:00

My children are trying to kill me. They almost succeeded. I came downstairs after putting laundry away and saw Carter standing at the bottom of the stairs. I screamed.

Chocolate syrup and strawberry syrup mixed together make blood. They also give mom a heart attack and more gray hair. (we don't need any more help in this department.)

Notice the slash mark across his chin/neck. Style points for the realistic blood spray across the shirt.

(and yes it took every ounce of control I had after grabbing my "bleeding" child and realizing it smelled like strawberry, not to kill him and instead take his picture.)

Guilty by Association

2010-02-28T22:56:00.000-08:00

Guess who was thrilled to be apart of his first major disaster.

I'm pretty sure its a sign of deep affection to stand over your brother with chocolate syrup and drizzle it all over their head. Glad you love your brother Carter. Thanks for including him. Wouldn't want Owen to feel left out.

Bubble Beard Boys

2010-02-23T23:46:00.000-08:00

Once Owen was rescued, I let the boys put bubble bath in and turn the jets on in the tub. This was the convincing decision that moving to this house would be a good thing. Wasn't going for it until he found out there was a jet tub. Then he was sold.

One feature I didn't realize came with a jet tub, was that the jets are positional. Found out the wrong way that if they boys point all the jets up, they can squirt their mom standing across the bathroom and soak the entire tile floor in 3.7 seconds.
(And to turn it off you have to run into the line of fire. Sopping wet. )

3 monkeys in a tub

2010-02-23T23:45:00.000-08:00

What am I in for? What are you two planning?
This look is my favorite....

Owen 's Big Boy Bath

2010-02-23T23:43:00.000-08:00

This was the first time I chanced it. I subjected my baby to a big boy bath with his brothers. We've avoided this because as most moms know, bath time can turn into a typhoon very quickly (love that they boys bathroom has doors on the tub, so at least the disaster is contained in there. In my tub, not so much.)

Owen has always liked bath time, but bath time with his brothers is now a big favorite.

Spaghettios are Evil

2010-02-20T23:28:00.000-08:00

Who knew a $.70 can housed so much pure evil. . .

Jackson & Carter saw Spaghettios in the store and begged for them. I thought well I wouldn't chose to eat them, but if the boys want them, will eat them and they cost $.70, then whatever. Wrong.

This little chin stayed red for 3 days. Evil.

The Apple Boys

2010-02-19T23:26:00.000-08:00

Carter is a rabid apple consumer. (He also gets no attention whatsoever, as evidenced by his demanding pictures of him while I was taking pictures of Owen.) We had boxes of apples in our garage brought down by Grandpa Carl (our favorite apple farmer), and Carter couldn't have been more thrilled. Multiple times a day he was in the garage, sneaking apples out of our boxes. We would catch him hiding eating apples as quickly as possible. We found half eaten apples in his bed, hidden in toy boxes and one even in his laundry hamper when washing his clothes.

Taking an apple away from Carter is a cardinal offense. He does not share. With one exception.

Sweet 'lil Owen is the only one who can sneak an apple away from Carter and get away with it. (I don't blame him though, I give this kid anything he wants too...)

Primary 2010

2010-02-18T23:25:00.000-08:00

Jackson has graduated (do you graduate in Primary?) from being a Sunbeam. He is now a big kid. The last week or so of Primary in 2009 the nursery kids who would soon be Sunbeams got to visit Primary. Jackson was beside himself that he was now one of the big kids, and that there were littler kids than him.

The first Sunday of the year, Owen & Carter were both sick, so we were home. Jackson got to go alone with Dad, sit on the stand, and take his backpack with a few small treats and activities to help him stay quiet. He later ratted out his dad, and told me that Dad let him play games on his iphone during Sacrament meeting instead of coloring or reading books. Busted. Bart. Busted.

Our Little Cream Puff Likes Cream Puffs.

2010-02-17T22:29:00.000-08:00

And we like him...

We interupt this program with a broken arm...

2010-02-12T16:09:00.000-08:00

The Injured

The Accomplice

The Innocent...

(Just because he's cute, and because he keeps me from going insane.)

The Aftermath

2010-02-12T14:24:00.000-08:00

Jackson spent the rest of the day pretty much out. Other than requests for cookies (he'd wake up, ask for a cookie, eat it, then go back to sleep), and giving him medicine, he didn't feel up to much. He whimpered in his sleep, and woke up all night from the pain. But after day 1 post-op he was dramatically better.

The only good part of this broken arm business was the 4+ hour nap we got out of the boy who never naps...

Day 2 - Post-op he begged to go to playgroup (so we chanced it, went and he had a great time). It was his Valentine Party, and he had already missed his preschool Party, so I felt bad. I'm a sucker. I can't say no to this little face, especially with the cast making the little gimp look even more pathetic. Those playgroup Valentine treats and those that were brought home for him from his preschool have helped make this sore little guy smile.

Jackson and I realized this week, what amazing friends we have. Jackson's friends brought him treats, letters/card with completely kid written wishes of healing, and even a new toy motorcycle to play with (genius choice, he drives it up and down his cast, and rarely goes anywhere without it). He got a Teddy Bear from Grandma and Grandpa Johnson (as well as letting him borrow the hot pink official cast elevating pillow) and is actively awaiting the care package that was mailed immediately from Washington with well wishes from Grandma & Grandpa Yeates.

I realize that I'm extremely blessed. I have a broken kid who will be fixed. He won't have major problems from this moment of stupidity. I have health insurance. That paid some (not much, his broken arm cost us more than Jackson's delivery) of the cost, and Dr.'s who knew and could fix what was wrong with my child.

I have friends that called, prayed for us, brought dinners, offered to take my kids, offered to come clean my bathroom if that would help, bailed me out and took care of the playgroup Valentine party I was supposed to plan (that I was going to put together on Monday/Tuesday, when I was all of a sudden dealing with surgery those days).

I have family who besides calling & praying, texted me continually to keep my mind occupied while Jacks was in surgery, who took Owen & Carter without question and kept them occupied for almost two days straight. Who cleaned up a Super Bowl party, when I couldn't do it.

We are blessed.

The Fix - Surgery & 2 metal pins

2010-02-12T14:19:00.000-08:00

None of us were happy about this. Jackson was splinted up for the night and scheduled for surgery the next morning. He slept much better. I did not. He also didn't want pictures taken, or his stuffed animal (they told us to bring) named Skittles.

Surgery means two metal pins put through his elbow to hold the bone back in its original place, so that as it heals, he'll have the correct alignment. Oh, and did I mention this is a little bit like Frankenstein? The pins stick out the back of his arm. Yuck. Underneath his cast, but out his arm. They are going to take the pins out when they take the cast off (double yuck.)

Jackson did fantastic in surgery. They took him back in his huge hospital chair. He had cherry flavored anesthetic, and as soon as we were in the triage area decided to Skittles with him. When he gets scared he gets very quiet, and shrinks down into his chair, or into the background. The Dr.s' told us he did everything they asked him to do, but wouldn't talk or acknowledge them. (Illustrated in 4th picture, he spent most of the day like that.)

Jackson woke up very upset. The nurses told us the first thing he said was "Where is my mom?" We walked in just as they were sitting him up and he was opening his eyes. He was very disoriented and kept crying that he couldn't see. He was really upset he couldn't see. (He could see, he just couldn't focus on anything). It took us about 45 minutes to get him calmed down, get his pain under control, and make sure he wasn't nauseous from the anesthetic.

Even with the effects of the drugs, Jackson was still Jackson. He's always worried about everyone else. He would go from crying from pain, to absolutely lucid, telling the nurse he had to go home and take care of his two little brothers. Crying about not being able to see, to telling the nurse about his favorite game on daddy's iphone (which came in very handy this day) or his favorite activity at preschool. The nurse told us that most kids they have to hold down, they flail, try to hit or swing at people, and are very confused about where they are. Jackson woke up very easily (minus crying from pain), and adjusted fairly quickly to where he was and what was happening.

"That's a lot of swelling, we've got a problem."

2010-02-12T14:16:00.000-08:00

Here's the story. . .

Apparently the Super Bowl, family, food and little boys are a bad idea. I told the boys on the way home from church that we were having a Super Bowl Party. We had my parents, my sister & her family over to watch the game (or in my case the commercials), and eat football food. Pizza, wings, dippy stuff, chips, salsa & guacamole. Pretty standard. I told the boys their job was to put all the pillows back on the couch (their activity for the morning before church was to take them all off, and make a fort). So I started on food, the boys while cleaning started attacking each other like Sumo's. (You know, hold pillows run into each other stomach first...). Bart and I told them to quit it, someone was going to hurt. (Famous Last Words). One more run at each other, and Jackson bounced off the couch, fell on the floor and Carter landed on top of him. (This is what Grandma & Grandpa walked into...)

The Result

On the Left is his small arm (his right arm) On the right is his broken arm (his left arm) you can see the swelling protruding off the side.

(I'd look at his arm and think, its not that big, then I'd see the other arm, and realized how big it really was. His arm is 6 inches around, and with the swelling the hurt arm was 11 inches around. With his cast on his arm is 13.5 inches around).

Almost instantly there was a lot of swelling. Jackson wouldn't move it, let anyone touch him and cried for a half hour before we could get him calmed down. He refused (yelling, flailing refusing to be touched) to be taken to a Dr, or the hospital. So we got him settled, watched the game and he was mostly happy. My dad knows a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon and called him. He got us an appointment for the next day. Just for the record... no one sleeps when kid has a broken arm.We went and saw "Grandpa's Friend" we couldn't tell him it was a Dr, or he wouldn't go.

When the Dr. saw the swelling in the waiting room, he looked at me, said "that's a lot of swelling. We've got a problem."

After x-rays, we found out that there were two small fractures and two part that had broken off the main bone. But the biggest problem was that his humerus bone had been moved backwards between 35-40 degrees. This meant that if it healed this way, he would be able to move his arm 35-40 degrees over extending backwards (ewww...) and not be able to bend it all the way forward (like curling up a barbell).

Wear them out.

2010-02-05T22:40:00.000-08:00

The 6 boys are so much fun. The 6 boys are so much noise. The 6 boys have so much energy I think they might implode. A crater marking where Grandma's house was.

The Park is always a good diffuser. Wear them out. Or they will get you.

Didn't know something so cute could be so dangerous did you?

Wait until you're outnumbered, and they're plotting against you.

Apparently Owen lives in his high chair...

2010-02-03T22:18:00.000-08:00

This kid loves food.
(who wouldn't when Grandma gives you as many cream puffs as you want?)

This kid loves to rub the food all over himself.

And I love this smile.

(Partnered with the fact that he's a still captive and usually smiley, there are about 3 trillion pictures of Owen covered in various foods to come. Fair warning.)

Boy Love

2010-02-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

Means riding together.
Laughing together.

And smashing each other.

Nothing Changes. . .

2010-02-02T22:13:00.000-08:00

Jackson (4), Hudson (3) , Carter(2), Sawyer (2) , Owen (1) & Will (3mo).
6 boy cousins in 4 years.

Growing up I remember every time I saw my cousins it was like I'd seen them yesterday (even though it had been months, sometimes years). I love them. They are parts of my favorite family memories. I didn't have any my exact age, but I had a group just older and a group just younger. I still love to see them (and their own families now).

I'm so grateful for my nephews. So grateful that my kids have cousins their ages. So grateful that my sisters are such good moms. So grateful that they come visit (and make the sacrifice of time, money & sanity to do so).

So grateful that every time they see each other its like no time has passed.
(I miss them.)

Wow.... we're behind....

2010-02-01T22:10:00.000-08:00

The Pitts

(not what we think of them, we think they're fantastic)

Hyrum, Jenna & my newest favorite nephew - Will.i.am. He's hardcore cute. We got him two sock monkeys for Christmas. They were bigger than he was. (But not cuter...)

The Kings

Cameron, Sawyer (2 yrs old & not in the mood for pictures), Erin & Hudson (3 yrs old)

Traveled from the east, arrived Christmas Eve, brought presents of baby toys for Owen, clothes shopping fun for Kellie and went home with Tivo, blue ray player, bakers twine, yo gabba gabba cars & an immersion blender (among other things) Hudson called the other day and talked to me for a while telling me all about how he wants me to come see him in NYC, it made my week. I love these kids.

The Represented Johnson Men (Ryan & Grandpa/Dad/Stan)

(Missing Kevin - Paraguayan Christmas exceeded ours in fireworks,
but lacked in others, like Prime Rib... Sorry Elder Kevco)

Two of my very favorite people. So alike in so many ways, one of which is both being able to talk like Donald Duck...

(PS - project not neglect my blog is underway...)

Nothing would make this baby any sweeter. . .

2010-01-05T17:32:00.000-08:00

except if we slathered him in chocolate. . . (Oh, wait we already did that.)

The best part of Christmas lights at Ethel M's are the chocolate pennies (as my boys call them) Owen got his hands on two of them. . . and his face. . . and his clothes. . .

Family Pictures

2010-01-04T16:03:00.000-08:00

It takes a lot of work to get this many people in one picture, (and amazingly all three monkeys are looking...)

Bart's brother Scott and his fiance Kylie were in Wyoming and meeting us in Salt Lake for the Savior of the World show at the Conference Center. (It was wonderful by the way)

We had a 15 minute window where we could get everyone at temple square before we had to drive the boys to Bart's cousin in Centerville, then rush back to the show. We found parking, and while running to make the show, I snapped the heel of one of my boots.
(That would have been a picture worth posting I'm sure...)

Some of our favorite compadres (see those Spanish skills there...)
The Gledhills
minus one German speaking missionary

It's official!!

2010-01-03T17:06:00.000-08:00

This announcement is a little overdue...

Bart's brother Scott is engaged! To a great girl.
Kylie & Scott will be married April 10th in the Salt Lake City Temple.

And yes, now there is a Kellie Yeates and a Kylie Yeates.

I'm hereby putting Todd & Brett on notice, no Kerrie Yeates, Kallie Yeates, Kacie Yeates, Kassie Yeates, Katie Yeates, Korie Yeates etc. . . .

Happy Carter

2010-01-02T22:44:00.000-08:00

What a great only picture of Jackson huh? Gotta love those no picture phases.

Boy meets reindeer. Love at first sight. Hopefully he's the only one who illegally snuck up the hill and showed Santa's helpers his affection with kisses. Really don't want reindeer flu.

Carter also really loves candy canes, all candy canes and huge candy canes are AWESOME but he was heartbroken when he wasn't allowed to lick it (we draw the line after kissing reindeer).

Love this joyous kid. Santa knows that even at his naughtiest he's still a joy (well almost all the time).

Christmas Tree Setup by Boys

2010-01-02T00:16:00.000-08:00

When boys are in charge of setting up the Christmas tree it involves secret walkie talkie communications (on animal flashlights from Aunt Tanna), while hidden in the corner behind the tree.

Pulling tree branches and trying to climb into the tree,

and hiding covertly underneath.

Odd Family Pictures

2009-12-31T23:40:00.000-08:00

So we didn't take any real family pictures at Thanksgiving. We ended up with random shots of everyone, but mostly thanks to my boys for the strange additions to each picture.

Carter & Jackson are so cooperative in pictures. We love having them pose for pictures lately. Carter is constantly making weird faces in pictures, and Jackson either has no expression, or looks like he is being tortured.
(pretty much the definition of picture taking with kids. The question is who exactly is being tortured.)

Like usual Owen is just happy as can be. Especially when it involves food. (Notice how 90% of the pictures of Owen involve him eating, what he ate, or the mess he made while eating.)

The Winder Sisters... (who will love that I posted these pictures)
Tanna, Sherrill and Mickie

We had Thanksgiving in Lindon, UT at a banquet hall with the Winder/Gledhill families. It was a fun day, made better with friends, family, yummy food, movies, games and lots of treats.

Mashed Potato, Mashed Potato

2009-12-26T23:00:00.000-08:00

We learned very quickly that putting the baby next to the counter was not a great idea. Owen decided that he needed more mashed potatoes and that mom was not fast enough. Can you tell who couldn't have been more thrilled with himself??

Finally Fall. . .

2009-12-26T22:34:00.000-08:00

Our boys have missed out on fall, so when we went to Utah for Thanksgiving this year, they took advantage of any chance they had to play in the leaves. Even if the only leaves and climbing trees are outside Aunt Tanya & Uncle Jarod's house.

Even Owen got in on the fun. He didn't know what to do, but loved to sit in them, and be covered just like Carter and would raise his arms up, just like the big boys.

Baby Will

2009-12-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

This is my beautiful new nephew William. My sister Jenna & her husband Hyrum had their first baby boy November 20th.

Loving his Daddy at first sight.

Ever Have Leftover Dry Ice?

2009-12-04T17:45:00.000-08:00

We make Homemade Root Beer every year for Halloween. One reason because its yummy. Another reason because it takes Dry Ice. Dry Ice is fun. I'm a bit of pyro. I think somewhere in there dry ice is a part of that pyro part of me. So when I buy the dry ice, I "accidentally" buy a little bit more (or a lot more) than I need. This is something I got from my dad when I was little. Take a glass, a tupperware or other container. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap. Enough water to cover the dry ice. The dry ice fog turns to bubbles. The kids get to play in the foggy bubbles.

Bubbles are awesome. Bubbles that pop into smoke are amazing!

(Obviously don't let the kids touch the dry ice, I use a tall container so
they can't reach in as easily...)

Halloween for the Little Ones

2009-12-04T06:36:00.000-08:00

Halloween parties are so fun. But the little kids are (preschool & younger) sometimes miss out on the festivities. They don't have a class party at school. So the next best thing is playgroup. And what better excuse to go a little bit overboard than a little kids' Halloween party? We decorated the gym, wore costumes, played fishing for eyeballs, chased balloon ghosts, had facepaint & glow sticks, watched Spookley the Square Pumpkin and ate yummy kid food.

The kids had a blast, thanks to all my friends who helped (especially those that helped clean up!!)

Powdered Sugar is the Best

2009-11-23T16:33:00.000-08:00

I haven't laughed this hard in a long time... the boys wanted to try the doughnut game, where you have to catch it in your mouth without using your hands. It was hilarious. You want a good time, string up a couple of these and watch your kids go at it.

Crashing Trunk or Treat

2009-11-22T16:19:00.000-08:00

Having two trunk or treats is awesome! Grandma & Grandpa's ward have games, food & face painting.

And the newest cool trick Jackson discovered this year- We're blaming Twilight. (He might have heard his mom mention vampires. But I don't qualify as a "Twi-Hard" or own a "Bite me Edward" shirt or anything... and the whole team Jacob/team Edward deal? Ummm... team Jacob? Read book 3 & 4? How are you still team Jacob?) Anyway - vampires. Great. Jackson is now a vampire Spider.

Candy + Preschoolers = Recipe for Disaster?

2009-11-20T17:12:00.000-08:00

At Jackson's preschool, the little kids get to go trick or treating to the office staff and high school classrooms.
Giving huge bags of candy to preschoolers is the only way that you could make preschool any better in Jackson's eyes. He has a few kids from our ward in his class, and for the most part has stuck pretty close to them. When I ask him what he did, it usually involves his besties. I ask if he's made any new friends and he says "No, I don't need new friends. I play with Lily." Or Logan, or Haylee, or Eli ...

Just a few weeks ago Jackson finally made his first new friend. I admire kids' abilities to make new friends.
I wish I always made friends as easily.

But these brothers just tug at my heart. Holding hands. Loving each other, even in front of "new friends". Carter didn't get candy. Carter didn't dress up. The highlight of his day, was following his best friend. Carter calls Jackson "my guy". I hear at least once a day "Daxson dis my guy." It breaks Carter's heart everyday we drop Jackson off at preschool. For Jackson's Halloween party Carter got to stay. This made his day. His week. And now he's even more heartbroken. Yes, he still misses his guy everyday but wants to go to preschool even more because he thinks His guy goes to preschool and has a Halloween party everyday.

"They just throw Candy at you?!?!?"

2009-11-16T15:29:00.000-08:00

Jackson's reaction to us telling him that we were going to the BYU homecoming parade. It was too good to be true that you just sat there and people throw free candy at you. We came home with an entire bag full of candy. Jackson's favorite part was the pirate ship from Pirate Island Pizza. Sadly my camera battery died by that time (and genius me forgot our charger in Las Vegas.) Carter only had eyes for the marching bands. Probably because they are the only thing louder than Carter himself. Owen sat in his big chair cuddled up with coats and smiling & clapping at everyone that paraded by.

Ever seen a scarier face on a child? I haven't. Good thing it rotates with this joyful one or I'd be too afraid to get out of bed in the morning.

Owen has no choice

2009-11-14T23:42:00.000-08:00

Jackson calls this the Owen ride. There is a catwalk from the master bedroom, to the rest of the upstairs in our house. Jackson put Owen on a blanket, and dragged (drug? drugged? that doesn't sound good) as fast as Jackson could run, up and down this catwalk. Owen loved it.

Jackson decided that as the older brother it is his job to teach Owen to run. Not walk run. I had to explain that Owen can't run until he can walk, and it's going to be a while before he can run. Jackson has regular practice sessions with Owen trying to teach Owen to walk. It's working. We're scared.

Two Year Old Buzz

2009-11-13T14:52:00.000-08:00

Buzz (he only answers to the name Buzz when wearing his costume) Loves his wings. Everyone else probably hated those wings by the end of the night. Every time Buzz turned around (which is a lot and very fast) he took out whoever or whatever was in his path.

When I asked Buzz to let me take a picture of him I got "To infinity & beyond" (the Left picture) and "Zoom!" the right picture. Both yelled at the top of his lungs.

The next 15 minutes of picture attempts were ~~Carter~~ Buzz running toward me and running away. So much for a simple picture. I realize its too much to ask for a space ranger to stand still. He is on constant patrol for the evil Zurg. We are all safer with Buzz on duty.

The Real Spiderman

2009-11-13T11:42:00.000-08:00

Although this was not the first costume idea Jackson came up with, it was the one that finally stuck. The first two he came up with were quite clever.

These are the lemurs from the Madagascar movies. The tall one with the crown is King Julian. Which I was informed would have been Jackson. The short squatty one is Maurice (this would have been Carter). Maurice is King Julian's adviser or lackey. And the small cute one is Mort (or Owen.) Mort is the adoring fan, the unwavering admirer. The best part for Jackson is that in the Madagascar movies (and the Penguins' TV show) is that Mort & Maurice are obsessed and devoted servants of King Julian.... Wishful thinking Jackson?

His second idea: Andy from Toy Story. Going along with Carter as Buzz Lightyear & Owen as Woody. But secretly I think the idea of owning Carter & Owen as toys was a fun one for Jackson.

But even though these were cute ideas Spiderman still came out the victor.

Then I found out why. Jackson thought if he had the costume, it came with the powers.
We had to discuss a few times that just because the suit came with "muscles" that it didn't make him super strong, and no spider webs would be shooting from his hands. It does have the power of attracting ridiculous amounts of candy, pumpkin flavored baked goods and hot chocolate.

Our Little Redhead Cowboy

2009-11-13T11:33:00.000-08:00

The hat & the boots didn't last very long. But that cute happy face is Owen's permanent accessory.
(He was Woody from Toy Story by the way...)

Gledhill Halloween Party

2009-11-13T11:23:00.000-08:00

Our inaugural Halloween Party (and one of our favorites every year). So fun to see all our family and enjoy everyone's fun costumes. For the first year Bart and I chickened out of dressing up. Next year we'll have to make up for it. I think I could have easily gone for the frazzled, unorganized mom... but we all see enough of that costume.

Pumpkin Patch Continued

2009-11-12T21:38:00.000-08:00

Spinning Bathtubs? Sound fun to anyone over the age of 8?

Even though our pumpkin patch is in the parking lot of a hotel, and not off in a picturesque field we look forward to it every year (sometime though there will be fun adventures had in a real pumpkin patch). Jackson & Carter started asking when we were going to go in June. We had such a fun day. The boys loved the carnival rides (which the older I get the more I hate those), and we had even more fun with our buddies from playgroup. Now to enjoy the next few months of peace until they start asking to go again...

Playgroup Pumpkin Patch

2009-11-12T21:36:00.000-08:00

Bouncy Slide - Voted favorite by Jackson

Jackson, Jayce, Carter & Alyssa
Attempts at getting all of them in pictures.
Notice the little two in the back off in wonderland vs. the annoyed 4 year olds giving patronizing smiles

New Ride - Pirate Boat
Voted Favorite by Carter

How to Excel at being a boy. . .

2009-11-11T20:51:00.000-08:00

Gilcrease Orchard Pumpkin Patch
Ward Playgroup - Oct 13th 2009

Find every rotten, gross and disgusting thing you can find, bring it to mom & make her take your picture.

Smother yourself in dirt. Lay in it. Revel in it. Extra points if you can do it while holding something rotten, gross or disgusting. Even more for scary bugs. Jackson, Jayce & Carter found a "fire bug". I don't know what a fire bug is, but they found a hole, said that the bug was in it. (Scary huh?) PS - bug was never found.

The innocent one . . . For now.
(Don't worry he's being taught very well)

Most of the playgroup... can you tell they had fun in the dirt?
When we got home Carter was one solid tan dirt color. Hair, skin, clothes, shoes, even eyelashes. Touching any of these kids blew clouds of dust. Guess that means playgroup was a success huh?

Don't set it down...

2009-11-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

Or you'll lose it to Owen. Carter found this out the hard way.
(And yes his hair is still blue -it was for 4 days, including for church...)

Think we're obsessed?

2009-11-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

Jackson wanted to dress Owen, so to protect Owen's life, I agreed to dress Owen wearing whatever Jackson picked out.
Bart would be proud.

Owen's first binky. Well since he was 2 days old. He doesn't understand binkies. He chews on them, kinda like a puppy chew toy. Carter and Jackson thought a baby should have a binky (although as babies' they acted like binkies would kill them). Owen was not impressed. Thumb still wins.

Blue Through & Through

2009-11-08T17:50:00.000-08:00

Every other year we go the BYU vs. UNLV game at Sam Boyd Stadium (Grandpa got us amazing tickets - 50 yard line 8 rows up). We've been to a BYU game at Cougar Stadium at least once every season. We watch every game through the football season. Our boys call BYU "our team". Jackson and Carter actually watch the entire game. Jackson is starting to understand the actual point and rules of football. Carter cheers for everything that happens. Ball thrown: Cheer. Ball kicked: Cheer. Incomplete: Cheer. Touchdown: Cheer. Fumble: Cheer. For the record: We killed UNLV. (And the boys love having blue hair.)

Are they going to make it? Yes! Touchdown!

Football is fun, but treats make it even better...

(Bleachers are really fun to be upside down on too... keeps two year olds busy.)

It's hard to be a BYU fan. We start out so well. We get attention and start trying to make our case for bigger and better competitors. Maybe a BCS bid. Then our guys sleep walk through the two biggest games of the year. Sometimes I think that if no one paid attention to us we'd have fantastic seasons, but as soon as we start getting noticed we lose it. At least there is always next season. Either way we are still Blue - Through & Through.

Daddy loves when I wear accessories

2009-10-18T22:47:00.000-07:00

Aren't I cute?

Mislead Fashion Sense?

2009-10-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

Should I be scared or worried that our 4 year old fits in 6-12 month overalls?

What happens when Halloween costumes are found? Very SCARY outfits.
PS- Fishnet Stockings were never worn, we're not that scary in real life.
(They were in a box of unopened clearance costume pieces Jackson found when we got out the decorations...)

I'd cover my head too Jacks. Good thinking.
Disregard the mess in the background, this was the day the Halloween decorations exploded
(as Bart affectionately calls it).
My kids emptied 5 huge tupperward boxes of decorations/costumes everywhere

At least they're inventive, Right?

2009-10-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

Jackson and Carter went into Owen's room after Owen woke up from a nap. They attached the bassinet portion of the portacrib to Owen's crib. Then lifted Owen onto it. I heard Owen laughing. Laughing until he saw me, then he started to cry when instead of rescuing him, I started to take pictures of his hammock.

Pretty ingenious, although when I informed the inventors that this had to come down, and Owen would not be sleeping in his new hammock bed, Jackson & Carter were heartbroken. (We're dramatic around here, we're heart broken about 45 times a day).

A little time with O-Face

2009-10-15T18:22:00.000-07:00

We've reached the dreaded day. Owen is mobile. (his mom cries everyday). He no longer sits nicely, smiling and playing with toys, he crawls under the desk and turns off my computer, he finds every microscopic piece of rubble (rubble because its a result of something disastrous Carter has done I assure you) on the carpet, he crawls under my bed and gets stuck... (the list is just beginning I'm sure)

Post bath (Snug as a bug in a towel...anybody? anybody?)

Guess we're not giving up the thumb so easily. (By the way, he only sucks the right thumb. If you hold that hand, he'll cry rather than suck the left one. At least we'll only have to cut one thumb off when he gets older.) I can't count the number of people that stop me in stores or at parks and comment on the little thumb sucker. I'm starting to think I'm going to be the sucker in this situation, when it comes time to make him quit sucking that adorable little thumb.

Are you afraid?

2009-10-14T23:20:00.000-07:00

I am. Nothing good comes of this mischievious face.

Dressing Up with Owen

2009-10-14T18:13:00.000-07:00

He's a very formal baby. Yep, suit is too big, but so cute...

Basketball Day. When you're the littlest you're at the mercy of your brothers. Carter & Jackson declared it to be basketball day. So they all wore jerseys. Owen wore one of Carters. Owen was the only one who would sit for pictures (and no, its not because he doesn't have a choice, its because he loves his mom the most, and wants to make her forever happy.)

I Miss you in a Tractor!

2009-10-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

Our Daddy has been working very long hours. We went to visit him at work one day and bring him dinner. Carter told Daddy "I miss you Daddy. I miss you.... in... a... tractor." Because what isn't better when its in a tractor? I miss you is great, but I miss you in a tractor is so much more meaningful. Carter also "loves us in a tractor." Carter is a little lovey bug. He says over and over all day long, "I wanna kiss you." (occasionally followed by "I wanna lick you.") His new favorite saying is "Let's kiss together." Which means kiss me too. Then without fail after you kiss him he says "Whoa, that was a close one." No idea why.

He's also taken to dressing up as Daddy, whenever Daddy's at work. This day, he refused to take off Bart's shirt, and wore it for almost the whole day. We even graced Smith's with this wonderful ensemble.
(Minuse the dress shoes, Carter was heartbroken he couldn't wear Daddy's shoes to the store.)

I am the star of my own Book!

2009-10-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

We were reading stories this morning, mostly Halloween books. A favorite one lately being Porkenstein. (Literary classic I assure you.) After a few books Jackson said he wanted to draw a book. So He told me what to write. He chose the Main Character, and the plot. I wrote it out exactly as he said. He even requested the front say By Jackson Eugene Yeates (I was just going to say by Jackson, but he realized you sound more important using you're full name). So here is our masterpiece.

Chapter Two

2009-10-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

I was told that the left side was Kellie's Parrot & the right side was a tree with a blue tree house.
(Apparently our house looks like a tree house? And Jackson really wants a parrot?)

"Daxson's Big Day"

2009-10-06T22:35:00.000-07:00

Must have the traditional school pictures
(at this point Jackson was already saying "Quit taking my pictures mom." Love that.)

I stood by more nervous than he was. Off he went, and couldn't have cared less if I had dropped him off on the curb and let him go in by himself. Or if I'd let him try and walk to school like he wanted (school is 15 minutes by car...)

Immediately off to explore...
Play house with Lily (friend from Sunbeams) - Check.
Story time - Check.
Song time - Check (Going on a bear hunt was the favorite)
Dress like construction guy - Check.
Computer time (drawing with the mouse, he made sure I knew the mouse looked like a pencil on
the screen) - Check.
Painting time (Including painting on his new clothes) - Check.
Playing outside with a parachute (which was AWESOME, I'm told) - check.

Carter was heartbroken that Jackson would leave him. These two are such buddies (and most of the time co-conspirators). When we started to leave Carter started to say over and over again. "Daxson no go. Daxson no leave." We ran a few errands, including grabbing milk from Sam's Club. Carter sits in the cart (which has places for two kids up front), and pats next to him and says over and over "Daxson sit here." We also had the same conversation every 10 minutes. "Time go get Daxson." No, Carter, not yet. Jackson is still at school. "No, time get Daxson."

Sometimes it's hard to be the little brother.

The day is finally here...

2009-10-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

We now have a kid in school. Preschool, I realize is not full fledged school, but its a huge jump for us. Jackson has been bouncing (literally) off the walls for days, and last night when I asked if he was excited about preschool tomorrow he said "I just feel like I'm gonna esplode (explode)." We had a prep night of haircuts, baths, new clothes, blessings & snuggle times with mom who's having a hard time letting her little boy be big.

I'm also having a mourning period for my morning schedule. Preschool means we have to be up, fed, dressed & at school (15 minutes away at least) by 9:15. Those in our ward last year who witnessed 9 am sacrament meeting, might remember how this does not work well for us.
3 days a week... I'm scared.

Carter & Jackson partners in crime.
(Pictures before we left for preschool)

Mom's vindication

2009-09-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

Four year olds pose for pictures like this.

Two year olds make great tools of Revenge

Being a punk? Won't Smile? Not paying attention, because the faces you're making at mom are SO FUNNY? Attack of the two year old brother.

Is it bad that sometimes I love when my kids pummel each other? Revenge is sweet.

Bike Riding is Serious Business

2009-09-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

Our neighborhood is across from a park, on days it was cooler in the morning (like only 97 degrees instead of 109) we rode bikes around the neighborhood (admiring all the Gold Chained, shirtless old men who stand outside all day, who look like they should be extras on the TV show Sopranos, and they all live in the same cul de sac) and then across to the best place ever. The Sand Park. (which no longer has any sand in it.)

About 4 times a day we have this conversation.
Carter: Mommy, guess what?!?
Mom: What Carter?
Carter: Going to the SAND PARK!
(Each word has to go up one octave.)
Mom: No Carter, Go to bed (or eat your food, or go play, or Brush your teeth etc.)

So when we do "Go to the SAND PARK!" we don't mess around. Have to wear our sunglasses for optimal Big Wheel Pedaling Coolness. Water bottle in specified holder (didn't know Big Wheels had one did you? Its also a rock holder in case you're wondering)

(Have to mention, do you see Owen smiling? He's never smiled when I take a random picture like that. Ha! And love my double stroller. Bought it from a friend, who after seeing me with a single stroller and three boys, which was very scary, let me tell you, asked if I wanted it, when she could have probably gotten more for it on Craigslist. THANK YOU!)

But when you get to the SAND PARK! (has to be yelled everytime you say it), you have to park your bike correctly. (5 tries until he got it how he wanted it).

Grey Matter

2009-09-19T22:59:00.000-07:00

I am a GENIUS. Best idea I ever had. Grey hair middle of my part, front of my hair (yes, there are others, but this very front & center). So naturally I pull it out right?? Wrong.

Now it grew back and it sticks straight up. LOVERLY.

So what do I do now? Pull it again? Perpetuate the cycle? or Wait it out and have a weird thick hair sticking out of the top of my head?
(by the way, its getting dyed either way.)

Don't attempt this.
(I have grey hair so I'm now able to give sage advice right?)

Carter's new BFF

2009-09-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

Carter goes by monkey about 86% of the time. 2% of the time Daddy calls him Bear, 9% of the time he goes by Carter-man, and the remaining 3% of the time is a mixture of Carter, Stinker & Jackson-I mean-Owen-I mean- whoever you are. During a long, boring & tortureous shopping trip, Stinker (it was one of 3% nights) was having meltdowns in the cart. Hurrying we grabbed the last few things, one being glue and Carter grabbed the box. Gorilla Glue is Magic. Instantly the only word we heard for the next 20 minutes was
"Or-EEE-yah" (Which is crying toddler for Gorilla). So Bart starts trying to distract with the Or-EEE-yah. (Which a grown man gets lots of strange looks playing with glue & making Gorilla sounds in the middle of the grocery store). Have you ever tried to scan something a toddler is in love with? Not fun. So Bart tore off the flap of the box, and let Carter have his Or-EEE-ya. Well, come to find out in the process of getting weird looks, Bart named the Gorilla. Meet Jimmy the Gorilla. Fast forward almost 5 weeks, and we still have "Dimmy the Or-EEE=yah."

Sidenote: How does the destructo child who demolishes everything in his path, keep a cardboard tag immaculate? (That is his actual tag, not an image from the internet, I snuck it out of his room while he's taking a nap, if I don't get it back, he'll go all over the house looking for him...).

Our Daddy is BUSTED.

2009-09-07T13:05:00.000-07:00

So last night the boys are in bed, and I was cuddling Owen and Bart decided to take his life in his hands. He picks up Owen, and asks if it seems like to me Owen is a happier baby than Jackson & Carter were. Jackson cried quite a bit as a baby (from about 2-3pm in the afternoon, until 9-10pm at night, most days). Carter was pretty happy, and easy. Bart says "well Jackson & Carter each had times or days when they were inconsolable. Owen's never been inconsolable. " AHHHHH! Guess what we're doing today!?!?! Nothing. Because Owen has been so sad and crying for no reason! Curses!

Guess who thinks they're older than they are!?!?

2009-09-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

Carter keeps trying to potty train himself. He asks to go potty, and even wore underwear for part of a day. But his mom is not a masochist so potty training will be waiting for a while yet, like until he's 6.

Owen has decided he wants to be a big boy too. Too bad those little things called balance and coordination haven't caught up to him yet. We are going to be in trouble soon though. He's already scooting across the floor and rolling (now in full circles) to get where he wants to go. We now play "where's the baby" quite often, because he gets put down on the floor and then scoots under the table, behind the recliner, in between the entertainment center and the wall, and our favorite so far underneath the lion.

Carter REALLY likes to be clean.

2009-09-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

We've lost 4 bottles of soap to this little Mr. Clean. Two bottles of dish soap, and two bottles of hand soap. Maybe its to wash all the food out of his hair that he insists of rubbing in after each meal.

My favorite instance so far (as I'm pretty sure there will be more), was two Sunday's ago. Got boys dressed for church. Got myself dressed. Came back downstairs, just in time to load up and get to church - to find a picture similar to this.
He had dumped an entire bottle of hand soap all over his head, church clothes and the entire powder room bathroom floor.
Makes a great slip & slide in case anyone is wondering.
Strip Carter down, bathe, change his church clothes, change my clothes that are now covered in soapy water.
Needless to say, we were VERY late for church.

A Baby Boy ! And its not mine! Yay!

2009-09-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

While Erin was in town we decided to throw Jenna (my youngest sister) a baby shower.
You have to have yummy food.
(And Erin and I like to get carried away, we get it from our mom, we have a must throw parties gene, its really close to the you can't never have enough ribbon gene)

Its so fun to see friends we haven't seen in a while
(lots not pictured sorry guys, I don't know what I was taking pictures of, but turns out I missed a bunch of you!)
Some of my favorite people in the whole world.

Neighbors, who are the only neighbors I'm really going to count as real neighbors, the rest are fake neighbors
(or worse on the Home Owners Associate Board - we hate them).

Young Women Leaders
(there's something to say about people who knew you when you were a beehive and still love you.)

The World's Best Dance Teacher
(Who still might end up with some tapping boys of mine. We're working on Bart.)

Jenna's cutie friends who somewhere along the line decided they were old enough to get married and have kids. Weird.

Very cute baby gifts
(So cute, so little. Almost tempting enough to have another baby. That stroller is that cute. It almost got me. Almost. But alas, the supplying of Grandchildren is Jenna and Erin's job for the next few years. I bow out at 4 kids under 5 years old - and come on we all know it would be
4 BOYS under 5 years old. Insanity.)

And the usuals, banners, balloons, flowers, cakes, favors & games...
We played The Baby's Price is Right and those who don't have little kids anymore thanked their lucky stars that their kids grew up in the 80's and 90's when there wasn't as much baby gear to buy that costs so much. And those with little kids remembered why we never have any extra money to buy that cute baby gear anyway.
And those who don't have kids yet, realized they still want money and won't be having kids for quite a while!

It was lots of fun to throw a party for my little nephew, and hopefully through all the laughing and fun, he realized already that I'm his favorite aunt.
(It doesn't hurt that I'm the only one who lives here...I don't play fair.)

We Love Jenna (although she's still so cute and tiny pregnant we might start hating her), and can't wait for my little baby nephew (who is going to look just like his cutie daddy, and he'll probably be born with a 5 o'clock shadow) Can't November come any sooner?

Arrrgggh.... Captain Jack

2009-08-24T23:56:00.000-07:00

Avast ye, bilge sucking hornswagglers. Here be Captain Jacks, the meanest seadog that 'ere lived. Keep ye mind that there whisk, ere ye be keelhauled and hung from the yardarm.
Just be a warning. Know ye whar be a suitable hat for such a scoundrel as Captain Jack? Ye pillage a match to them ship shape tighty whities and Captain Jack just may be rewarding ye with a few dubloons from his bounty. Saavy?

Think we Learned very Much?

2009-08-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

Bart is determined to brainwash our children. Can you only imagine the car officianados they will be since they've been cleaning, changing oil, and doing maintenance on cars since they were TWO YEARS OLD? (I feel really bad for their wives.) Well, I don't think we learned very much, except how to turn a funnel into a trumpet (or a trunk-et as Carter calls it, and don't worry it was brand new, and he only got to "play" it before it was used. I don't think motor oil counts as Omega-3's. ) We ran around the car in circles. Hid a few of daddy's wrenches. Tried to take the jack down before we were supposed to, spilled oil on the carpet in our garage (yep, carpet. Another strange but wonderful trait of Bart Yeates) and ended it with helping pour new oil into mommy's car.

Now you see why most people take their cars to Jiffy Lube...

In the face? In the eye? Up the nose? That's a killer.

2009-08-24T22:27:00.000-07:00

So we're still working on the food deal. Shouldn't it get better the more we try it? Owen thinks rice cereal should go in his nose, and all over his forehead. We're all about excitement around here. None of this boring food in mouth business. Smear it all over your face. Grab at the spoon, and flip cereal everywhere. Then whack yourself and throw cereal on mom. He's learning the art of food skin care from Carter. Carter shampoos his hair with salad dressing, gives himself facials with marinara, and exfoliates with rice and broccoli. That baby soft skin? Natural? Nope. Rice cereal is great moisturizer.

(Two points for the title quote. What movie? Jackson's favorite movie quote...)

2009-08-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

Yeah, this sitting stuff is great. Don't know why they make such a big deal out of this. I've got this down. (Until I fall forward and face plant it.)

Guess who decided he wants food?

2009-08-24T21:50:00.000-07:00

Well the food was okay but the spoon was AWESOME.

Get Him.

2009-08-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

Isn't it a rule that the youngest uncle is always the most fun? Either that or gets the most beat up. One or the other.