A family Saturday

It seems like it has been awhile since we were just able to hang out as a family so today we took advantage. We had a lazy morning and then headed downtown to the Farmer's market. We have a pretty big Basque population here in Boise and so there is a city block downtown that is dedicated to Basque shops, museums and restaurants. Mark loves to go to the restaurant because Spain, where he served his mission, is full of Basque people. Because of that he ate a lot of Basque food on his mission. Well today they had a huge pot of paella they were making outside on this huge circle grill thing. Mark was so excited! It was beautiful, but unfortunately we didn't have our camera but here is a picture online that looks very similar. Of course we had to get some and the kids really enjoyed it, especially Sam, he ate it up! It was a good time.

1st day of Preschool

Rex started Preschool! I can hardly believe he is old enough. I actually could have waited until next year to start him since he won't be in Kindergarten until 2010, but he is almost 4 and was so excited to go to school, so he will do 2 years of Preschool. I was able to get him into the school that I have heard so much about since moving here and so far I am really impressed. He has a super cute teacher who seems really nice and he is comfortable with already. The room is set up really cute, they even have a pet beta fish, which Rex was pretty excited about. He seemed a little bit nervous about me leaving him there this week but when I went and dropped him off he started playing and barely noticed that I left. It was the same thing when I came and picked him up like, "oh hey mom". As we were walking out he asked if we could come back to school later. I wish buddy! He will be going 2 days a week, Tuesday and Thursday, from 9-12. I am excited for him and also excited to spend some one on one time with Sammy. His favorite thing about school was painting a picture. He also has been practicing his name and had to write it on a picture he colored. I'll show a picture of that below. Here are pictures of his first day.
In front of the house, ready to go

The school in the background, he wouldn't look up because of the sun

Being silly

In front of the pet beta with his 2 favorite toys

Just had to add this one because it is cute

Writing his name. The letters are a bit out of order, but at least they are all there!

Sam had his 18 month well check today. He is looking great, around 50% for both height and weight, and a 90% head. My boys have such big heads. The nurse was super impressed with his talking skills after he pointed out all the vehicles on a puzzle. There was a bus, car, truck, boat, airplane and helicopter. Yes, my 18 month old can say helicopter!! He enjoyed the visit until he had his one immunization that I would allow them to do (we do a delayed schedule). He wasn't so fond of the nurse after that. Luckily the sucker afterward made it all better! He is such a big boy, here are some pics of him.
Making a silly face

Riding in the car

Zoo

Mark went on a mens camping/fishing trip with friends from work this weekend so the boys and I were on our own. I typically am able to deal with the demands of single parenthood when I plan lots of activities so I wear the boys out and they sleep well. Friday night we spent some time at the mall and the grocery store and then Saturday we got up and headed to the zoo. We had a great time at the zoo, both my boys just love animals. Although Rex did notice that our little Boise zoo isn't quite as large as the LA zoo we went to in May! They are actually working on a Africa exhibit so next year it should be even better. Our highlights were the penguins who were actively swimming, the HUGE tiger who was pacing right past the window, the meerkats and the Gibbon monkeys who were playing and goofing around. We got lunch at the end and as we were getting ready to eat, this huge goose came and started begging for food. I am usually pretty wary of geese because they can be pretty mean but this one was actually really friendly and gave some pretty good begging eyes. It kept Rex thoroughly entertained.

Saturday night I decided to get a babysitter and go out with my friend VeAnne. We got some frozen yogurt, did a little shopping and went to a movie. There weren't any good movies playing so we saw House Bunny. Sometimes a bit inappropriate but pretty funny all the same. It was nice to have a little break. Unfortunately Sam is going through a pretty clingy, mom stage and so he is a bit of a pain for the babysitters since he whines for mommy half the time. Hopefully he will grow out of it, yet at the same time it's kind of sweet that he likes me so much.
Sunday I got up, got ready and the boys and I went to church on our own. Not an experience I care to repeat. Good thing we were in the very back row and that the exit was a quick step away. But thank goodness for Primary and nursery. Sam is officially 18 months tomorrow!! WOW, time flies! At this age with Rex I had just gotten pregnant. Let me just say, that ain't happenin any time soon!!!

Robot

Rex was watching Curious George this morning and Curious George made a robot. So Rex wanted to make a robot. I decided I would be a cool mom and help him make a robot. So I googled "how to make a cardboard robot" and came up with some ideas. We found a bunch of different size boxes and covered them with blue wrapping paper. Then we put it together with hot glue. This is the result.

WARNING: Cute, nakey babies

My brother called on Wednesday and let us know he was going to make a trip up to Twin Falls to see my mom and suggested we come over and visit also. Who could resist that offer? We don't get to see my brother, Jessica and little nephew Jack often enough so Friday we packed up and went over for a night. My boys love Grandma's house and with Uncle Ben, Aunt Jessica and cousin Jack it's even better! We had lots of fun playing and eating and playing some more. We did lots of slip and slide and we of course had to stop by Grandma's work to look at all the snakes. Uncle Ben decided to be brave and take a couple out of their boxes. A "friendly" little Rosy Boa decided to attack! Luckily he was little so Ben barely felt it but he sure threw that snake back in quickly! I was reminded of a Jeff Corwin episode. Hmmmmm, possibly a future career for Ben there. Here are some pictures of our slip and slide fun. We decided to let the little ones go commando since we were in the backyard so I blurred out their privates, thanks Photoshop! There is nothing like watching 2 naked babies running around, makes me wish I was 1 again....

Cute Sam

Cute Jack

Rex and Sam sliding together

Sam going down backwards

Sam laying in the pool with mommy's shadow covering his cute bum. I kind of like the effect

Jack unhappily being pushed down the slide by daddy

LOVE Jacks pose in this one!

Rex contemplating his next slide...

Even Grandpa decided to try it fully clothed much to the delight of the kids!

LOVE those bums! Check out Jacks junk in the trunk!

Rex and Sam in a rare moment of peace

Jack does this funny thing where he lifts his mom or dads shirt and puts his face on their bare skin while sucking his thumb. It's super cute!

Uncle Ben, just one of the kids

Rex doing an awesome slide

Awwww, what a great dad

Sam peeking through mommy's legs

Father and Son, best friends

Sam getting a bath in the utility tub afterward

Mark and Ben also made sure to get some fishing in early Saturday morning and of course had to take the camera to record their MASSIVE fish. ::snicker, snicker::

Dentist

Rex and Sam had a dentist visit this morning. This was Rex's second time to the dentist, but Sam's first. Rex did really good and was able to get all of his teeth cleaned! Good job buddy! Sam was not into it at all and the dentist was basically just able to peek in his mouth. I had forgotten my camera the first time so I had to take pictures this time.

Sam in the chair

Rex in the chair

Rex taking a picture of the dental hygenist

Rex taking a picture of mommy and Sammy

I really need a girl someday...

otherwise this happens.



I have to share some cute stories about my boys, it has been too long. Rex is so fun and growing up so fast! He starts preschool this fall! I think he will do great, he is so social. We were at Costco the other day and there was a little girl around his age sitting next to us. (we were eating lunch) She was there with her daddy and Rex just couldn't resist making a new friend. He was making goofy faces and noises at her because that is his way of making friends. This was scaring her a bit so I told him to introduce himself and ask her name. So he did and her name was Josie. So I told him to ask her age. So this is what he says:
"What's your number?"
That is his way of asking what people's age is but at that moment it was so funny! Her dad was cracking up and complimented me on teaching him how to pick up girls so early.


Sam is so verbal it amazes me. He can mimic almost anything that is said. It doesn't always sound exactly right, but he gets close. His new thing is to say I love you which sounds more like, "i wa u". It melts my heart, so sweet. So our new thing is to say "No, I love you!" So he will say "i wa u" over and over again and when we say no, I love you he cracks up!
He also is quite proficient at "dank you" and says it anytime you give him something. It's so cute! I LOVE my boys!

My fisherman

Mark sent me these pics today and said I could post them to the blog! I was shocked because he rarely says 2 words about the blog and has never asked to be put on it! He went fishing with a buddy from work all day on Friday, I mean literally all day. He woke up at 4 a.m. and didn't get home until almost 10:00 at night, he is hardcore!
I was so surprised when he called a bunch of friends and organized a girls night for me, I thought what a sweet husband. Then I realized that he only did it so that I wouldn't whine to him about going fishing all day! I am glad he had fun though and I had a great time at my girls night so it is all good!
Here's the middle fork of the Boise.

He's pretty hot as a fisherman!!

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go to the Twin Falls temple open house. I thought it was next weekend that we had tickets but realized a few days ago that it was this weekend. I had a girls night planned for Friday night (thanks girls for the awesome, fun and stress relieving night! I LOVE you guys!) and Mark was going fishing all day Friday so we decided just to make it a day trip. We got there at around 11:30 and headed straight for the temple. I didn't plan it very well and didn't realize how busy it would be so unfortunately the kids were hungry and tired but they survived. Rex was really excited to go inside a temple since he has never been able to and Sam even said, "temble!!" as we walked up to it. It is a beautiful temple and it was so neat to experience that with the boys. It was especially fun to have my grandpa there since I know how excited he is to finally have a temple in his town. I am sure he will be there often. He is invited to the dedication and gets to sit in the Celestial Room with all the General Authorities, it can't get much better than that. I am so grateful for temples and for the gospel and the teachings. Mark was able to have a really special talk with Rex in the Celestial room about the afterlife and seeing Boykin again. I didn't get any pictures because cameras weren't allowed and by the time the tour was over the boys were fried and wouldn't have posed anyway. But here is a picture of the Twin Falls temple.

I did get some pictures at Grandma's house afterward though. We spent most of the day there and had a great time as always. My mom and I even got to go out and do a little shopping and we had an early birthday party for Dave. Happy Birthday today Dave!!


I have been meaning to blog about the new addition to our family but haven't had a chance. Rex, Sam and I went to the "fish store" the other day and picked up a beta fish. I decided a fish would be a good pet until we can get another dog, plus fish are super low maintenance. Rex picked him out and has been enthralled with him. Unfortunately he has been a little too interested in him and tried to give him a bath. Let's just say the bath resulted in hand soap being poured into the bowl. I wasn't home but Mark quickly took the fish out of the bowl and cleaned everything out. Apparently he was starting to go belly up and Mark had to revive him a bit. I think he is doing ok now, he looked pretty sick for awhile but is perking up and swimming around more. Hopefully he will survive and I won't be posting an obituary in the next couple of days! Poor fish.