Romantic Getaway

Well, the kids cooperated, kind of (basically we just took them sick), so Mark and I were able to go to Sun Valley this weekend. It was beautiful, amazing, relaxing and oh so needed. THANKS MOM! We stayed at a cute Bed and Breakfast in Hailey called the Inn at Ellsworth Estate.
Mark in front of the Inn
Me pointing to our room on the third floor in the back
Our room, the Basque room
It was nice because it felt like we were staying in a home rather than a hotel. Saturday we just relaxed, went to a yummy dinner, drove around and did some site seeing and saw a movie at the Hailey cinemas. It was such beautiful weather, high 70's all weekend. Sunday we woke up and had an awesome 3 course meal at the B&B and made some friends with the other guests. We met a great couple from Mountain Home and ended up chatting with them for an hour and a half. It was nice to not have a schedule. Then we decided to have church on the river. (don't be mad parents!) We went fishing, something we don't typically do on Sunday but it was so beautiful and relaxing and I even read some scriptures while we were out there! I caught the first fish!!! YAY!!! But I am not competitive at all! Actually I was feeling pretty cool until Mark caught one that was bigger than my previous two put together. He was happy after that!
Posing in front of the scenery
getting ready to fish. Sexy waders, huh?!
Contemplating my fishing moves
Mark getting prepared
The first fish!!
Mark's whopper
My hot fisherman
After fishing we took a nap and then got showered and dressed and headed up to Sun Valley. Most things were closed since it was a Sunday evening, but it was nice to walk around and enjoy the scenery. Seriously this time of year up there is gorgeous and there is hardly any tourists. After eating we drove around and looked at some of the MASSIVE homes and saw a mom and baby moose walking through a neighborhood. So cool! We had a great time and I think this is a tradition we will keep every year.
Don't attack swan!
Ok, it's nice!

Re-decorating?

I usually have this decoration here.

Today I noticed it had been moved here.

A future decorator maybe?


p.s. Now Sam has been sick. Going to the Dr. this afternoon. Hopefully it is just a quick virus and Mark and I can still go tomorrow!!!

Spiders.....EEK!

Besides having strep in his bum, Rex has also caught some viral crap, so he is coughing and runny nose and a bit feverish for 2 days! Let's just hope Sam doesn't get it and Rex gets better so Mark and I can go on the getaway weekend we planned to Sun Valley this weekend.
To avoid Rex watching TV all day, but relaxing nonetheless, I decided to make spiders with him for Halloween. They turned out super cute. Aren't they scary?!

Scary spiders!!


Nakey Rex, happy with his creations


Sam ate and made a mess as usual!

Update

Good news: I called RC Willey and they are going to send me a new door to the entertainment center for free!!
Bad news: 6-8 weeks for delivery

Good news: Rex's bum is healing nicely and is no longer bothering him
Bad news: He watched TV all day, except for the 3 hours he was at Preschool

Good news: Sam's cute
Bad news: He doesn't like mommy taking pictures of his cute crying face

Good news: He get's over it quickly

A day in the life...

This morning started off bright and early with Rex in my room stating that he wanted pancakes and that his bum hurts. Good morning to me! He then proceeded to spend the next hour rubbing his bum and screaming that it hurt. Alright, after some Desitin and some homemade waffles, it was calm again. Mommy called the Dr. and at 9:20 we were off.
The Dr. said it was one of three things. Strep of the bum (yes you can get strep there), pinworms (lovely...) or eczema. The Dr. was pretty sure it was strep and they could do a test but the Desitin would probably affect the test so we might as well just treat for that. So then we were off to the drugstore to get an antibiotic, Hydrocortisone cream and a belated birthday card for my Dad. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!
After we got home, Rex got some nice cream rubbed on his bum (the things we do as moms) and decided to get in his Spiderman suit. Later, as he was attempting to sing his ABC's to me, Sam decided he needed to sing too. This made Rex quite mad and this was their conversation:
Rex- A,B,C,D,E
Sam- A,B,C,D
Rex- QUIET SAM, I am trying to sing!
Sam- A,B,C,D
Rex- Sam I want to sing my song!!!!!
Sam- A,B,C,D
Rex- Sam, it's my turn, BE QUIET!!
Of course I had to grab my camera to capture this.
Sam singing and swaying his head back and forth

Rex mad and pouting behind the couch, turning away from me as I attempt a picture

Later, a happy Spiderman

Wait, what was that, Spiderman is so fast I barely saw him!

Sam, slamming the door in my face

The hiding spot

CAUGHT!

Minutes later I hear a CRASH, and in going to investigate find this,


My beautiful entertainment center door, snapped off by a Spiderman running full force through the house. So not happy about that one, although it is my fault for not closing the door. Please RC Willey, replace it for free.
The good news:
Rex had a playdate at the Dinger's and I had an hour and a half of silence and relaxation while Sam napped. THANKS PAIGE!!
I made Mint Chocolate Brownies.
Rex didn't watch TV all day
I checked with a flashlight in the dark after Rex went to sleep and no worms in the bum to be found! YAY!
Let's see what tomorrow brings.

Grandma!!!!

We had a busy weekend this weekend! The fun started with a girl's night on Friday, which is always fun! Then Saturday I had a Young Women's activity. My mom also came Saturday to spend the day with us and to attend a friend's wedding. So we did lunch, shopping and playing, everything we could in 5 hours! Rex tagged along and for all his patience got a Transformers blanket that is so soft and cuddly. Actually the reason he got it is a funny story. We went into Maurices to look at their jewelry. Well why we were looking at the jewelry, Rex found a sweater that he was adament that I try on and buy. So I tried it on for kicks, even though I wasn't too fond of it. And of course, I still didn't like it on and wasn't about to pay $30 for a shirt I don't like. But Rex was insisting that I buy it! He was rubbing it against his face and arms and would not let go of the stupid thing! So to finally get him out of the store without the ugly sweater, Grandma promised to buy him a cozy blanket at Target. We found a Transformers one and he has barely stopped touching it all weekend!

Sam using a potato head hat as a substitute binky! That kids OBSESSED!

After my mom left I got together with some girlfriends and did a little "marriage" shopping, that was a blast! Then Sunday has been filled with church, meetings, and a special Young Womens fireside. It was great, the Young Womens General President, Elaine Dalton was in Boise so she spoke to all the Young Women. It was held at the church right next to the temple and it was PACKED!!! The entire chapel, gym and stage were filled as well as most of the rooms, and the foyer and halls. There weren't enough chairs so we were packed on the floor! I sat on an end table in the foyer. She was amazed and said she sees this type of turnout in places like South America, but never in the U.S. Made me really proud of Boise, and it was an EXCELLENT fireside! Now I am exhausted!! Good night!
Rex dancing in excitement while Grandma was here

Sam always imitating his older brother

A connection

I am sitting here at almost midnight, glued to my computer. I frequently check up on how Stephanie Nielson, who is a Phoenix woman who was involved in a small plane crash with her husband and was burned on over 80% of her body, is doing on her sisters blog, found here.
I was reading through posts and she referenced another mother who is struggling right now. A woman in the Seattle area contracted a yucky infection while pregnant that caused all sorts of problems with names I don't understand and can not pronounce. Bottom line is because of this infection she has lost both of her lower legs, her left hand, her right ring finger and is blind. How easily life can change. I was captivated by this story that I was reading on a blog her husband started to keep the family updated. You can read it here.

I then browsed on over to Stephanie's blog, which is being updated by her sister with Stephanie's old posts. I wasn't a reader of her blog before her accident, so to me every post is new and helps me get to know this strong woman a bit better. I have always been captivated by her story, but tonight I am captivated by her spirit and strength. As many of you know I am a huge natural birthing fanatic, and had an amazing experience with Sam's delivery. Often when I tell people they think I am crazy and just don't understand why I would put myself through the experience without medication and how on earth I could have enjoyed it. Stephanie understands. As I read this post from when she had her last child, I feel a connection to a complete stranger. Someone else gets it. Someone else understands how I feel. Someone else can relate. I love it when that happens. To read her post,Click here

Another video of Sam

Sam was so cute yesterday. I was getting him ready for a nap and he decided to use a very effective stall technique. He said, "poo, potty" While pointing to the bathroom. Well obviously I can't pass up the opportunity to possibly poo on the potty so I took him in there and sat him down. I had to take video of him because he was being so cute. He has learned the cuter he is, the longer the stall before nap! Needless to say he never pooped, but it was a fun experience!

I need some help

I painted one of my dining table chairs yesterday and I think it turned out pretty good. Here is a before and after.
BEFORE

AFTER

Now here is the part that I need help with. I am going to recover the seats because they are gross black vinyl. I picked up this sample of fabric I like. What do you think? Does it look too formal for a family table? Do you like the fabric?

I am trying to somewhat match the colors in my family room because they are connected and I am going to paint their shared wall a similar color as the orange pillows, here are the colors.

Good Friday

Peaches and date night, what could be better right? Well, I guess if someone else had made the peaches, it's a tedious project!

Mark and I got out and went to Joe's Crab Shack and sat outside next to the river. It took me an eternity to eat my bucket o'crab, but it was ok because Mark was scoping out fishing spots. We also made an appearance at the Hyde Park Street Festival. Wow, I didn't know these types of people lived in Boise, I felt like I was at Woodstock, or Warped Tour.
Last but not least I can't not discuss Rex and his "antics" at the Primary Program practice this morning. His good friend Isaac decided to unbutton his shirt and parade his chest to everyone watching, so of course Rex had to follow. Not that bad right, since his friend started it. Well, it got better. When his teacher tried to help him button up his shirt again, he proceeded to uncover his nipple and stick it in her face!! :0 She was laughing so hard, he kept doing it! I can't imagine what the ward thinks goes on in our home....

Uncle Ben

This is way too funny, I had to share. I was sitting at the computer doing my daily people.com reading and Sammy was sitting on my lap, enjoying the pictures. I came across this photo of Lindsey Lohan and her "girlfriend" Samantha Ronson. Sammy loudly proclaims, "Unc Ben!" LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!! So what do you think? Is there a similarity?

Uncle Ben

Samantha Ronson and Lindsey Lohan

My funny Rex

Rex is so funny lately. He always says the funniest things so I decided to write down a few, since I can't remember something from one day to the next. Today we were driving and it was really windy. We were kind of rocking out to some music and suddenly from the backseat, Rex says, "Mom! The trees are dancing to the music!" I thought that was pretty clever! :) Then we were at Costco and he was drinking some rootbeer. He said, "the rootbeer is draining all the way from my mouth to my pee-pee!" That got a laugh out loud from me! There are a million more but of course I can't think of them right now. He is a funny boy with a sharp mind though. Here he is in his Spiderman costume.

Corn, corn and more corn

I am always in awe of the Mormon women who know how to do everything and are so prepared. They can, they freeze, they stock up, the make yummy and wonderful concoctions of food and know how to preserve it. I am not one of those women, but I want to be. So once or twice a year we do some sort of project that helps me feel talented and prepared, even if just for a day! The last two years we have teamed up with our friends, the Amadors and made freezer corn. VeAnne's dad has a friend who has a field of corn and he lets them go pick as much as the want for FREE!! So Pete and VeAnne picked a truckload of corn and then about 1:00 on Friday, dumped it in our garage. The next 9-10 hours were spent working. We shucked, we desilked, we decobbed, we cooked and we put in bags. In the end we counted almost 700 ears of corn!!! No wonder it took us all freaking day! Out of that 700 ears of corn, we got 64 bags of freezer corn! It is so good, it is mixed with butter, sugar and salt and just melts in your mouth. The men did the cutting and cooking this year, making a royal mess of my kitchen I might add! And VeAnne and I literally spent almost the entire time getting those annoying, little silky hairs off the corn, such a tedious job! We listened to lots of good music and even got the portable DVD player out in the garage and watched Moulin Rouge why we worked. We had lots of neighbors come by to see what we were doing and even conned a few into helping. All in all, it was a LOT of work but felt good to get so much yummy corn prepared for hardly any money. If we keep having all these medical bills, we may just be living off the corn!

Truck o'corn

VeAnne desilking

Pete shucking

Me in the Corn fort

Sammy dancing to the music

Mark looking oh so happy after 6 hours of cutting corn

In the kitchen that looks like it threw up corn!