Marathon Eater

Grady has a few quirks, one of them being his eating habits.  Grady marathon eats in the morning...as in at least four different breakfasts.  And here it is at 10:15 am and he's eaten two large bowls of yogurt and a large helping of corn chips.  That's after he ate two pieces of toast, a granola bar and some cereal earlier this morning.  

Most of the time I'm completely annoyed with his demand for more food.  I'm just trying to get the kitchen clean...is that so much to ask for?

But today, I had a thought.  When Colby was two, he wouldn't eat.  He was skinny and tiny and I worried every day that he wasn't getting enough calories.  One nasty cold landed him in the hospital and I swear it was related to his malnourishment.  Trust me...doctors say a child won't starve themselves but I know different.  Yes. They Will.  No matter what I tried, Colby refused to eat.  

So my feelings today about Grady's eating habits have changed from annoyance to gratitude.  Eat up Grady.  Eat up!

Weekend Getaway

My sister Jolyn's oldest daughter Sadie was baptized yesterday along with Jolyn's newborn baby Cole being blessed.  Our family left early yesterday morning, sans Andrew because he had a ski club thing, and drove 6 1/2 hours to Kennewick Washington.

We were joined by almost all the Walker family along with almost all of the Smith family to see both the baptism and blessing.  It was such a fun, spiritual, family filled 24 hrs.

The stake center where the baptism was held was right next to the Columbia River Washington temple.  We attempted a family picture in front of the temple.   We tried...but Carter looked like he needed to use the facilities and Saylor was well, herself.  What do I expect from us?  

Crazy is as crazy does.   

 The craziness continued as we tried to get pictures of cousins.

This is the best I have.

This is the best one I have of the entire Walker family.

I really, really hope someone else in my family has a better picture.  

These two held still for the camera.

Thanks Jared and Steve!

Saylor and her hair fluffies.

I call the next four pictures, "The evolution of Pain."

Just look close and you will see why.

 Big brothers are a pain in the you know what.

Grady showed his true colors and made most pictures impossible.

This is the only one I have of him where he isn't squirming to get away or crying.  The crying ones will go in his wedding video for sure!

The cool ones.

Future missionary pose I'm sure.

Sadie and her girl cousins close to her age on both the Smith and Walker side.

The temple does indeed give you power....

and lots of it!

Thank you Jolyn and Dan for letting us stay in your home and for sharing your special family day with our crazy crew.  We love your family!

Sunday Pictures

My phone camera will not work with Picasa which is my preferred way of importing pictures to my computer...hence why there have been no pictures on the blog.  (Or any writing on the blog for that matter.)   To remedy this situation, I pulled out the camera this afternoon before church to test out the light from our big windows.  I was pretty pleased and I'm excited to play with my camera again.

In the 5 minutes I had to take the following pictures before we would have (I was) been late for church,  I got a few fun shots.  I may have raised my voice and had sweaty armpits by the time its was done...but I got shots none the less.

In no particular order:

Saylor Kate

I'm trying to get my beautiful girl to smile without looking a bit drugged.

Open those eyes sista!

The dynamic two youngest.

They are home together every morning before Saylor goes to school and most of the time, they play great.  The 10% of time that they fight is a little maddening. 

I love catching honest laughing faces.  Thanks Colby for pulling goofy looks behind me.

Showing some true colors.

 Grady was next.

Trying to get a two-year-old to sit still is ridiculously hard, so only one shot turned out not blurry.

 But I caught one of his worried face.

My oldest.

He was a sport and actually smiled for pictures.  

Love him...and often have to catch my breath when I think how soon he will be graduating from high school and going on a mission.  

There is a joke around here and with his friends about Andrew's Asian eyes.  They show up with genuine smiles.  Here they are for all to enjoy. 

As a baby, strangers would ask me if his dad was Asian.  Nope...just white. 

(Maybe those eyes can qualify for diversity and get him into college.  wink wink.)

My handsome, getting older much too quickly, Carter Dean.

I love you, I'm proud of you, I hope someday to be as brave as you.

The unstoppable Colby Virge.

I've noticed lately that you are curious about everything.  You want to know how everything works and why.  You are always coming up with new ideas and inventions in your head.

You, my son...are going to be an amazing adult.

 We then tried out a few GQ poses.

Andrew just looks bored.  haha

Saylor wasn't going for GQ, just really comfortable.

This is, however, a VERY Dixon face.

She is Dixon Dixon Dixon.

Finally, we tried a group shot.

Grady was less than thrilled.

I'll take what I can get.

Happy Sunday.

favorite

My most favorite room in my home (other than the pantry, kitchen, laundry room and bathtub- yes, my bathtub counts as its own room) is my office.  It doubles as a piano room and has a secret door that leads to a closet housing all our movies, photo albums, printer and such.  It currently also houses boxes and boxes of pictures that need to be hung on our empty walls...but getting those out would require effort.  I'm giving myself until summer to hang pictures.  But back to my office and why it's my favorite.

The office has a 6x7 foot window which sits 18 inches off the floor and covers the majority of the front wall.  This room is bathed in natural light.  It's actually the only room on the main floor that gets direct sunlight other than the tiny bit of sunlight in the evening that streams into the dining room.   This will change in the summer as our house is tipped at a 45 angle on our lot.  We will get more sunlight into the back of the house come long summer days and their endless sunsets.  

It's cold in February and the light that streams into my office from the low winter sun is my favorite. I often sit in the office to eat lunch just for the warmth.  I even laid on the warm carpet like a cat last Sunday morning.  I rolled up my sleeves and pjs bottoms trying to absorb some vitamin D.   Its either this or a tanning booth.  (Winter Blues get me every time.)

I love this window and its enormity.  My builder teased me a bit mocking my huge window and called it straight out of the 70's.  So what if it's huge?  So what if I can't afford to put a blind on it? S o what if it's going to be a massive pain to wash?  So what if the entire neighborhood can see right into my house?  I love love love it.   ...and I promise, no one will ever catch me walking around naked in this room.

We are alive

It's been a month since I journaled anything- an entire month.  I've written down snippets of our life faithfully for eight years, and now I've gone a whole month.  There are really two things to blame...or maybe three.
1.  Instagram is murdering my blog.  It's just too blasted easy.
2.  My computer won't upload my pictures from my phone as easy as it used to so I've given up.  It          might be time to get out the big camera and lose the phone camera.
3.  The Move.
4.  Because there are really four reasons.  We are sick.  Croup, fevers, sore throats, body aches and          strep.  It hasn't been pretty and I'm feeling bad for my sick children.  We all have ample access to        soap and clean water, so I feel bad this virus has spread like wildfire through our family.


Other mute points from our life at 1074 Cobble Creek Rd...

First of all, it's so wonderful to live on Cobble Creek Rd again.  Its gives me joy.  We are the first house at the end of our culdesac and therefore are living in dirt land, but I could give a hoot.   We love it here.  I love my home.  I love my big kitchen.  I love that all four bedrooms are upstairs together.  I love the smell of new paint and carpet.  I love my tiled shower (I hate wiping it down, but its worth it to keep it clean).  I love my double oven.  I love my big windows.  I love that we are less than 5 minutes from our schools, Steve's work and our church.  (We are actually about 1 minute or less from our church.)  I love that one of my best friends bought the lot next to me.  This is an awesome place to live.  Three cheers for being home.

Steve is busy.  This month was our month to clean his office.  This is a twice weekly job and takes 1-2 hours depending on how many helping hands are there.  With the virus of 2016 making its way through our house, Steve has been on his own- poor man.  He has also been sick and was down for almost four days.  Add sickness and office cleaning to his crazy full work schedule and church calling...I feel like I never see him.  For instance, he is taking the deacons camping tonight.  He had a YM's activity on both Tuesday and Wednesday this week.   Husband?  What husband.  (all reality- I'm grateful I have a husband who is willing to serve and puts his church calling high on the priority list.  I wouldn't have it any other way as I know obedience brings blessings.  His service is blessing our family.  Our children are learning from example.  It's a really wonderful thing.  I just miss Steve at times.)

Andrew is fun.  The best part of this last month was helping him make a Valentine card for a certain girl who I have promised not to name.  (He name rhymes with Midnee.  Sorry Andrew, I couldn't help myself.)   This nameless girl has been swimming with Andrew this year but is from Declo.  Long distance mutual admiration is a good thing I think.  Andrew and I made a cute Valentine heart out of construction paper and I took a picture of him holding the heart while wearing his Sunday best.(from the waist up...I think there were sweats from the waist down.)  He messaged her the picture Valentines Day morning.  Cute stuff.  Andrew is having a great semester school work wise and I'm proud of his hard work.  I was also proud of him getting up this Wednesday morning around 4:45 am to go to the temple with his teachers quorum.   He's a great kid.  I promised him that he could have friends over this Saturday night and that I would make scones.  Our new house is going to reek like grease.  I must really love this boy.

Carter has been sick all week and has missed four days of school.  He has watched endless movies and Netflix episodes of Clone Wars.  I'm sure his brain is rotting.  Another adventure this week was the ginormous holes in the back of him mouth caused by the new bar on his braces.  I took him to Steve's office Monday morning and Steve cleaned debris (gag) out of the sores.  Poor poor Carter. We got him taken back to the ortho (Hurray for Uncle Spencer) and they bent the protruding bars back and gave Carter mounds of wax.  Today I think he finally feels "normal" again.   I'm glad I didn't pay to have Carter and Colby swim this month.  It would have been money flushed.

Colby is sick too.  He woke up with 101 fever and croup.  He told me he couldn't breathe all night.  Uh...Colby...if you can't breathe, wake up your parents!!  I gave him a dose of Saylor's albuterol and some ibuprofen and he is feeling better.   After his fever came down and his spirits raised, he made a huge RC car track upstairs with the left over vinyl from our house.  He surrounded it with my couch pillows to keep any rouge cars safe during crashes and his having a great time.  His only problem is his 6-year-old sister walking all over his track.  I'm a little tired of hearing them fight with one another.

Saylor was sick last week with a fever and ear infection.  I spent $25 for the doctor to confirm it was an ear infection and then tell me they don't give out RX for ear infections anymore.  Next time I'm going to call the doctor before I pay money.   We had to switch insurance plans this  year and we are paying WAY more out of pocket than last year in addition to higher premiums.  I can't afford to waste money on lame doctor visits anymore.   She has recovered from her ear infection, but I'm watching her close to see if she comes down with the crazy virus the boys have.   He teacher has been sick all week and Saylor told me today she is tired of not having her teacher there...in a huge Saylor type huff.  Really, this cold season if affecting everyone!  I also had a moment of clarity yesterday as I went through and organized Saylor's toys that she is truly spoiled rotten.  She has more toys and dolls than is even remotely necessary.  He and Grady share a room and their closet is full of girly dress ups, dolls, figurines and stuffed animals.  One day he is going to realize he is getting a raw deal.

Grady will be three next month and I swear he is going on 16.  He's feisty that one.  The other day he came down finger pointed in an aggressive stance and shouted, "I'm going to kill you Mom!"   It seems to me that he is watching too many episodes of Clone Wars with his brothers.  He is in a tantrum throwing stage at the moment and I spend much of my day dragging his darling fanny to his room until he can stop crying and talk to me.  I don't give in much...but he is slow to understand my consistency.   He currently has a little rash around him mouth that I'm sure is directly related to his "gi-gi" use at night and at nap time.  I'm washing those things and his face often, but I think the "gi-gi needs to go.  Heaven help me.  If this boy wasn't so blasted cute, his hide would be in trouble.   His vocabulary is growing every day and his use of phrases such as "Of Course!" crack me up.  He asks to go to the store almost daily and insists we shop at target.   Hopefully, he's getting used to the disappointment.  I don't love going to the store.

Steve and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary on the 12th.  We wanted to attend the temple, but Steve's nasty cough kept us from going.  We went out to dinner at Cafe Rio and were anxious to leave as the family sitting way to close to us had kids that were coughing their heads off.   If I had wanted to listen to sick children I would have stayed home.  We then went to Down East Home because I like to look at furniture.   There is a gray very retro style couch/loveseat/armchair combo that Steve and I have both been eyeing.  Its really fun, but is missing many of the buttons on the cushions.  Each piece is still marked over $500 which I think is WAY too much for furniture that looks used.  Add that to the fact that the set has sat on the floor for over four months.   I went to the manager (sometimes I get really brave streaks that I can't explain) and told her I was willing to pay $650 for all three pieces and that I didn't think something that was missing so many buttons was worth more.  She took my name and number and told me she would call the guy in charge in Utah. Yeah...needless to say, I haven't heard back.  One day my ridiculous expectations will pay off, but that night wasn't my day.   If the couch is still there in another month, I'm going to try again.

I'm struggling with the cold weather and I've noticed my mood and energy level is directly proportional to sunlight.  It's been cloudy, wind and cold for days here.  I'm resisting the urge to crawl into my bed every day and ignore the world.  We are supposed to have sunshine next week...and I'm really looking forward to it.    I was tempted to go to a tanning bed this week just to get some vitamin D.   Last winter I was in Hawaii for a week and the sun helped me get through the rest of the winter. I need to win the lottery so I can go there every year for my sanity sake.

Stuff

Saylor has the stomach flu today.  I spent today sitting at home ignoring any and all responsibility...except for cleaning the bathrooms.  When one has stomach flu in the house, the bathrooms get cleaned.   It feels weird because I haven't left the house today other than taking my kids to school.  My mom picked the boys up from school so I could stay home on puke duty.   In the past 6 months I've had a daily (ok...three times daily) driving by my house routine and its been over 24 hours since I've walked through it.  I'm going through withdrawals.  Staying home all day isn't my normal.

This journal must be going through withdrawals too as I haven't posted in two weeks.  Part of this is due to my drive by the house obsession, and part of this is because my computer no longer lets me upload pictures through Picasa.  I know have to take up to three extra steps to get pictures off my phone and I find it really annoying.  And why post when there are not pictures?  And why post when I'm addicted to Instagram?  Oh the reasons I'm not writing....

So yeah, I'm behind.  Here is an update.

Steve:  Steve is still super dad/super husband/super dentist all rolled into one.  I really appreciate him and I'm sure I don't tell him enough.  He even hasn't complained about living with my parents for the past almost 7 months.  Steve is pretty great.  He called moving into the new house "the impending doom" the other day.  I know he's excited about living there, but like me, isn't excited about the process of moving there.  Oh the humanity.   Other things keeping Steve busy:  working on old Land Cruisers, 12 year old scouts, keeping me sane.

Andrew:  Ski team started again and Andrew skis every Saturday for the next 8 weeks.  Lucky Duck.  He loves skiing almost as much as swimming.  Andrew is also very busy with school.  He is keeping very wonderful grades, with only one class giving him slight grief - Math.  He often misses swim practice because he's staying after school to get extra help and retake tests.  I'm proud of his resolve to do his best, even if it requires extra work.  Andrew plays almost every weekend and we've found that he is happy and we are happy if Andrew has someplace to go Friday and/or Saturday night.   Andrew's also happy if I don't tease him about the cute girls in his life.  (I'm not happy when I can't.)
There is one cute girl who lives in Minico that I teased him most of the first semester.  I think he might have moved on with his "crush" so teasing him isn't so fun anymore.  Yesterday Andrew asked if he could attend a few of the basketball games this girl would be playing here in town against Twin Falls and Canyon Ridge.  It gave me a glimmer of hope that my teasing could commence again.   Poor Andrew...I hope I don't permanently scar him.   Oh, and before I forget, it must be said that Andrew officially uses more hair product than me.  The hairspray cloud is intense at times.  ...and he wants to grow a man-bun.  Wow.  Steve and I said "You bet...it just must be shaved off before you start blessing the sacrament this summer."  We'll see how long it lasts.

Carter:  Carter is growing and his crazy blood sugar numbers are proof.  He is SO 12.  12 year olds are loud and moody.  The ups and downs emotionally are whiplash in nature.  I've lived through a 12 year old before, so I know it is just a phase.  Oh Carter Carter Carter.   Carter is getting fantastic grades and flips out if he gets a B on a test. (I was the same way, so I get it.)  I never have to ask Carter about his homework as he is totally self sufficient and responsible.  I love how Carter takes his priesthood responsibility so seriously and I love watching him pass the sacrament.  He's growing up and getting more and more handsome.  I might die when his voice actually drops.  Even though 12 is hard, I'm not looking forward to him getting any older.  He's loud and sweet all at the same time.  He also hasn't discovered girls yet...yet.  Heaven help me when he does.  Carter has discovered money and is as I type shoveling three inches of snow off my parents driveway and sidewalks for $7.  Carter is a very hard worker...especially when money is involved.  I don't pay for cleaning bathrooms, so he obviously doesn't love doing that.

Colby:  This boy is crazy cute these days.  His grades are through the roof, he's a pleasure to be around, and the only things he gives me grief about are violin practice and toilet cleaning.  Love him.
He recently got nominated to run for student council in his class and to participate in the school wide council.  He has to have a speech ready on Tuesday to give to his class on why he would be the best candidate.   I would love for him to win, but then I would have to take him to school early every Wednesday for his council meetings.  Shoot me.   At his last swim meet, Colby killed it.  He's going to be really fast in high school if he keeps it up.   Maybe he's so fast because he's tiny with practically hollow bones.  Light weight boats are faster right???   Colby's best friend right now is named Carter and he outweighs Colby probably 4 times.  This Carter is not only tall, but big.   They look pretty funny together but are both the sweetest 9 year olds you could ever meet.  It will be a fun friendship to follow.

Saylor:  My six year old is growing fast and yesterday when I looked at her curled up on the couch I couldn't believe how long she is getting.  Saylor loves school and is getting better at reading all the time.  Her lunch of choice right now is always peanut butter sandwiches and fruit.  Her favorite friend to have over is Max Heider.  Saylor is as girly as they come, but she plays with rough and tumble Max happily.   Her favorite toys (at the moment...this could change every minute) are her Beanie Boo stuffed animals.  She currently make a bed for them out of a cardboard box and they sleep in a big pile in this box on the floor next to her bed.   She recently threw a fit about having her own room and has demanded to share with Grady so she could have a bunk bed.  These two have done great sharing a room at my parents house, so we are going to continue with them sharing at the new house.  Saylor has already called which cubbies in the window seat are hers.   She wants to share...but is territorial.  Saylor loves to sing and dance, wants to wear make up, and LOVES clothes.  She is sassy, loving and fun all at the same time.

Grady:  The tyrannical threes are coming up quick and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared.  Grady is showing much more personality and will these days.   He's oodles of fun and happiness when he wants to be, but loves to be a show off and demands to be the center of attention.   His vocabulary has EXPLODED and Grady can say anything and everything.  We haven't started potty training yet, mostly because my mom has asked us not to while living at her house.  Funny.  I have purchased multiple pairs of undies for Sir Grady, but he will have nothing to do with them.   Grady loves to eat candy and chocolate chips and usually demands at least four different items for breakfast...or any other meal for that matter.   He will want toast, then oatmeal, then eggs, then cereal.  It's maddening.   But his favorite food is yogurt.  He would eat it all day everyday if I let him.   Grady now will go into nursery without complaint, still takes a good nap every afternoon, and loves the bathtub more than anything.  He is also becoming a tease.  Steve and I are surprised often by his sense of humor.  I often wonder if Grady will be my wild child.  He's spunky that one.

The house:  It gets its own paragraph because it has sucked my energy more than any child these days.  As of today, we have two weeks until we close.  There is still much work to be done in these weeks that I pray gets finished.  Things still on the to do list:  exterior paint to be finished, carpet installed, electrical wrap ups (a few lights need to be centered and a few more need to be installed)  final pluming fixtures (the incorrect valves were placed at rough in and new Moen shower faucets had to be ordered instead of the Pfister ones I originally chose.), interior paint touch up and I'm sure many other things.  It's been so fun watching all my choices come together.  As always, there have been a few hangups, but for the most part, everything looks great.  We are excited to be in our own home...not necessarily excited to actually move.  Oh. So. Much. Work.  We are also excited to be back in our neighborhood.  It's the best.

Dixon Family Christmas

Our Christmas was awesome this year.  It was quiet with not a lot of fanfare.  We stayed home and just enjoyed doing practically nothing and I now think its a tradition we should keep.

We got ready late Christmas Eve and headed to the Dixon's house.

My mom snapped a picture before we left.  We checked out our picture and thought...what happened to Steve's hair.   Funny.  Also, Saylor demanded to wear her cute green (summer) shirt.  I think she is protesting the cold as am I!

As soon as we got to Steve's parents house I snapped a picture of my kids with their Dixon grandparents.  I'm lacking in these pictures.  Life always gets crazy and the most important pictures don't get taken.  I will treasure this picture...even if Grady is not cooperating.

I will also treasure this picture of Colby and his twin.

These two look so much alike, other than eye color.  I will be one lucky mother if Colby grows up to be as loving and wonderful as his Grandpa Dixon.

Christmas Eve selfie.

 After a delicious dinner at the Dixon's, we participated in the annual tradition of watching "The Gift" which of course is followed by "The Phone Call".  My kids are getting the same Christmas Eve that Steve grew up with.  It's perfect.

Then it was present time.

 Grandma and Grandpa didn't disappoint.

Andrew got cash and a metal shuttle model.

Carter received a magic kit.

Colby got a human body model book.

Saylor got Princess tin full of books and activities.

Grady got two trucks. 

My kids were spoiled!

After our Dixon festivities we headed home.  The stockings were hung, the reindeer food was left in the front yard, and we left treats for Santa!

Yes, Santa gets a Mountain Dew.

He likes it...trust me.

He came!  He came!

At 7am the kids came bounding into our room begging us to wake up.

That's of course after the 1am text we received telling us they had opened their stockings.

The rest of the photos are just proof that my kids got more presents than they probably deserved. 

Santa must REALLY love them.

Not sure what Santa was thinking as he got me a hand gun.

Uhhh.....

Oh and a dog.  

I must have been good this year.

I got a dog and a gun.

Every girl's dream right?  (cough cough)

 

Don't let this happy face fool you.  He opened up his new undies and promptly put them on the floor.  "Don't want these!"

Not long after 8 am, the massive lego building Star Wars Christmas event started. 

 We converted my parents house into a movie theatre and watched ALL SIX star wars movies.

We finished the last one around 11pm

I've never been lazier on Christmas day.  Even our food was lazy.  We put out sandwich stuff, chips and treats and pieced  all day.

We had a lego/star wars/junk food coma on our hands.

It was a wonderful holiday!

Some of my favorite things from the week before Christmas...

I discovered photo Christmas ornaments from Shutterfly.  Yeah...I'm in trouble.

I was able to help our bishopric put together food baskets for some of our ward members.  I think it was my favorite part of Christmas.

Our good friends the Seeley family brought us these perfect snowman cookies.

I loved them!

These were the only cookies I made this year.  

They turned out pretty cute.  I will have to remember this recipe for next year.

The weekend before Christmas, my parents had the missionaries over for dinner.  They were dynamic, friendly, grateful and such a blast to have in our home.  I hope my kids could feel from them how missionaries can be!