2+3 little boys= happiness and chaos

How to cook a turkey

2011-11-22T12:06:00.000-08:00

This is a few of the highlights from Hiett's kindergarten class's assignment. YOu know, most of them had the basic idea, wash, cook then eat. But a few of them added some interesting variations of the traditional cooking methods.

-Put the turkey in the microwave, put special things on it and cook it for 20 min

-First you wash the turkey, then cook it in the oven for 13 minutes, then get all the weevil worms out and chop its beak off. You should clean the dead worms out too. Then it's ready to eat.

-Put some recipe on the turkey. Put it in a pan. Cook it for six hours.

-First you need to shoot the turkey. Then you can cook it. Cut the turkey up and eat it.

-Put the turkey in the pan. Then squeeze the juice out with a red tube. Pour juice back on the turkey. Put it in the oven for 20 minutes. Then have a feast. Se sure to wear gloves.

And here is the best of them all written by HIett's friend Isaac- a fellow Oak Citian-
- Put the turkey in the oven and tie a rope to it. Then take it out and put an apple in its mouth. Put fruit around it. Take off the skin. LEt the turkey cool down. Put the turkey in the table and take out the bones and brain. then you can eat it.

You have got to hand it to the kids these days... thsi is going to make me smile all weekend long!

Mean Eyes Mrs. Potato Head

2010-07-19T16:20:00.001-07:00

As some of you may or may not know, my children are not perfect. They do not even attempt to pretend to be perfect sometimes. Although several people try to tell me that they are so cute and so well behaved, I merely smile and nod like I know what they are talking about. I assure you I do not. Granted, I do love them- very much- even when I am so frustrated, so I just figure I must be doing soemthing wrong if they behave for others and not for me. Here in lies my problem.....
I was recently called to the Primary- and not just any calling but to teach Hiett's class. I love Primary and all(ok- I don't really... those of you who really know me know that I cannot stand children and haven't the slightest clue what to do with them) but it is an ok thing. But I thought I learned my lesson in my last ward. DO NOT ACCEPT A CALLING WHERE YOUR OWN CHILDREN ARE CONCERNED!!!
So, anyway, I am sitting there on the front row in a newish ward where half of them are Hans' relatives and I am feeling slightly judged. Hiett is squirming around on my lap repeatedly saying loudly, "NO, mom!" then he falls off and collapses on the floor appearing like I had shoved him off. (no I did NOT). I pick him up and resolutely put him firmly back into my lap and half-Nelson him into a strong hold that might have been interpreted for a hug(I hope!). Just then I hear some scuffling behind me and Gabe's teacher is seperating him and his best friend Lafe. I had already reached back and swatted him once for talking and being ill mannered. Once he is situated away from ANY other children, I turn around and give Gabe my "I am still watching you- you better believe we will talk about this later- I am so embarrassed" look. Or in other words, it was a stink eye. Well, I notice his teacher smirking at me, and being too mortified to even make eye contact I ignored her. As we stood up to leave she tells me and I will try to quote what she said as close as possible. "I really like you Mrs. Potatoe Head mean eyes you put in to look at Gabe! They wiped out every bit of kindness out of your face! That was great."
And what, pray tell, do you say to that. I am glad that my glare was so effective, at least from the teacher's point for view. Gabe however, did not seem affected in the least. I learned something valuable from this. I need to reserve my mean-ness for when 1) when no body else is around, 2) when it is really worth getting upset over, and 3)when I can really say what I need to and explain what I need to say. I am vowing to put away my Mrs. Potato Head mean eyes. At least until next Sunday.....

2010-01-28T11:13:00.000-08:00

This last one is of our bedroom because I had to show off the quilt that Hans made me for CHristmas. He picked colors I would have and the kind of simple pattern that I would have picked out for myself too! He is amazing although I might be catching up to his skills in the sewing department. Last week I fianlly loaded my own bobbin and thread correctly for the first time ever!! HOw embarassing! Anyway- Tait has a tiny room that I have an "art" table set up in and then the older boys share a bedroom off the side of the kitchen. We have had the windows replaced and new doors are on the way. I think this will all work out quite well!! Wish us luck!

Big next few weeks

2009-12-16T19:42:00.000-08:00

I figured while I was waiting for my pumpkin bars to come out of the oven and the baby to go to sleep I could do something useful- besides packing nad cleaning because those are just no fun at all. Yep- packing- for those who missed the announcement on FB, me and the boys are moving up to Oak City the week after CHristmas in time for Gabe to start the next school "semester" on the 4th of January. Unfortunatley we didnot sell the house, but are giving it to the power plant for 90% of appraisal value-w hich meanas we will be taking a loss. I wish I could buck up and save us the money, but I am a little more concerned with the happiness of my children and selfishly my own mental health;) But before the packing and the goodbyes we get the celebrate Christmas in our beautiful home. We have only have one Christmas on our own before and I am excited to try our own traditions. I am thinking soup bowls on Christmas Eve for dinner, making Santa's treats( I found a recipe for eggnog cookies that I am sure Mrs. Santa will LOVE) and sledding up the canyon I am hoping. Of course the CHristmas story will be read and this year acted out with the little nativity I finally purchased. Christmas morning will be gifts- bunny hop included mom, sausage and cinnamon rolls with cocoa for breakfast and then for dinner a rosemary pork tenderloin. MMmmmm. I am so excited. Please tell me you didn't notice that my plans mainly revolve around the food. he he. I am an addict. Anyway- Even before the Christmas excitement we are so pumped up to travel to AZ to visit Steph and Brian and all of Hans' family. Steph is getting closer to her due date and I am so excited to see her preggers belly in person! We will leave on Friday and get home on Wednesday. I am trying to prepare the boys for the drive which really shouldn't be that bad since it is only 7 hours and nap time will take about an hour- maybe two if we are lucky.
Well, Merry Christmas to all!!! My timer went off so I am ready to finish up the night!

Halloween Pictures

2009-11-04T20:30:00.001-08:00

RECAP

2009-10-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

If I tried to catch up over the last three months this would be forever long- kind of like trying to catch up in your journal when you haven't written in a year- so I will just post what is happening in the here and now.... Not much.
We just got finished with Fall Break( or deer hunt as we southerners call it). Gabe kept asking when he could go back to school. I swear our life is not that boring, especially since Hans got to be here the whole time and we did some fun stuff. We have decided that the only reason we like living apart is that we vallue our time together so much more. When Hans is home we go and explore the area around us. This weekend we hiked in Snow Canyon- so beautiful. I never knew that I would someday not only appreciate desert beauty but love it. But only in the fall when it isn't too hot!:) And then we drove out to the old mining town of Frisco. I really liked seeing a bunch of old building and the huge charcoal kilns. I can't help but wonder how they survived out here in the middle of nowhere. The boys were a little disappointed though. I had told them it was a ghost town and they kept asking where the ghosts were- my mistake! We really jope to keep up this "spirit of exploration" when we start living together full time again.
Tait has learned all the baby tricks the past few weeks. All except walking that is and I sure hope that he won't do that any time soon. He even got his first tooth and is working on the next.
I'm excited to start attending a mini seminar once a week on the Love and Logic Principles of Parenting- maybe it will do me some good, helping me learn a little bit more patience.
Hans' job is going well. He is switching to Mondays off instead of Fridays this week for the next while. It will be different but not in a bad way. Gabe loves to come home from school and have Daddy here, and Hiett enjoys the alone time with Hans while Gabe is gone. And as long as he comes home, I am happy!
We are looking foward to a fun Halloween and hope you all enjoy the candy and festivities!

Well, since I haven't updated in a LONG time, here is a

2009-10-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

Eight years????

2009-08-23T20:07:00.000-07:00

I truly cannot believe that it has been only eight years since I met Hans. And yet it also seems like so much has happened but it happened too quickly and I still feel like I am only like 22 years old, at the most. But I guess I am just wishing since I just turned 27 and feel really old. I am just glad I have siblings and friends that will ALWAYS be WAAAAYYY older than me. Just joking guys.
My life has been blessed since I met Hans. We have struggled together but have been patient(or not so patient) but still made it through stuff and hard times. But we have never really had a trial(knock on wood) and I am so glad because I think we needed a few years to get really get together, to strengthen our relationship to face something extremely difficult. This past year has been the greatest lesson of all because we learned how much we really do need each other. Both of us are a little too independent and needed to realize that there is a reason for marriage and that we need to be humble enough to need and ask for help not only form each other but from the Lord. I am so thankful for the last 8 years with Hans and am so happy that I chose him and he chose me.

Enough squash everyone???

2009-07-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

Here's some recipes that can use up some of the veggies in your garden that we always seem to have too much of. These are a little different, but they are all REALLY good- well, I think so at least.... I hope you enjoy!

SQUASH CASSEROLE
Fry three lbs of squash and 2 sliced onions
stir in 11/2 cups of cheddar cheese,
1 cup mayo
3 beaten eggs
12 crushed saltine crackers
1 pkg ranch mix and
1 tsp salt
Mix 2 cups of drybread crumbs with 1/4 melted butter
Put squash mix in a greased casserole dish then top with the crumbs

STUFFED SUMMER SQUASH

6 Round squash
12 strips of bacon
1/2 onion
1 1/2 cups sfotbread crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Boil about 1" of water, place squash in it, cover nad boil for 10 minutes until skin is piercable. Fry bacon, t hen onion, then add innards of boiled squash. Stir in bread crumbs and cheese. LOead until overflowing. Place in baking dish, cover loosely with foil. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Zuchinni Pie
Fry 4 cups shredded zuchinni, 1/2 cup chopped onion in 1/2 cup margerine
Add: 2 t Parsley, 1/4 t garlic, 1/4 basil, 1/4 oregano fry for 10 minutes
Then add 1 lb, already cooked hamburger or sausage.
Mix 2 beaten eggs and 2 cups cheese and add to the rest of the mixture

Take 1 package of crescent rolls and piece together to form a crust in a pie pan. Coat crust liberally with mustard then pour mixture into the crust, sprinkle top with paremesan cheese. Bake at 350 for at least 20 minutes- but it should take around 40 minutes when the knife comes out clean. Cover at least the last ten minutes.

Still Standing

2009-07-07T19:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a poem that describes almost perfectly how I have felt since last September. I can't believe that it has been almost a year since Hans started his new job and we have started living apart. My hat goes off and my heart goes out to all military wives. At least I know where my husband is, what he is doing and that he will come home.
While my hat is going off- it goes off to all single parents especially my little sis who has been such a caring mom to her little girl while going through an ugly divorce- God bless her and her daughter, and my folks who have taken them in and have helped them survive this hard time.
I, of course, also tip my hat to all those in past or present military who have sacrificed not only their lives and time but sometimes minds and well-being for the benefit for every member of our nation and the countless of other people that our soliders have helped. God Bless America and our troops who are strong, courageous and committed for the betterment of this world. Sometimes I think that maybe our great nation might feel like this poem too, but thank heavens, "she" is still standing.
I am broken
lost
a part missing
pieces of myself away
alone, not lonely
and still standing

Faith bending
tried
Hollowed, hard
a tree swept by fire
my soul is stripped
but still standing

All spent
wasted
Falling out with fear
Destined like rain to fall
heart hurt and heavy
still standing

Time never passes
in wait
for the unexpected
until at last
clearing comes
I'm still standing

Finally in flight
soaring
Hope finds me
stars within grasp
now I stretch free
still standing

Hmmmmm.... Yeah

2009-06-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

WOW! How quickly I lose track of time! I'll just do a quick update for all you out there dying to hear news from the Lovell Family. I seriously will update with pictures and everything one day... soon... I hope. We have been spending a lot of time up in Delta since school got out so we can be with Hans a little bit more. We have played in the sun a lot, chased kitties and have been tending the garden up there. (The garden is a little smaller than we are used to but it still keeps me busy!) I have to be back in Parowan at least 1 day every 7 to water the lawn, the garden there and mow the grass. So really, I keep moving most the time. I relish the time that Tait eats because it means I get to sit down- which doesn't happen usually- ask Hans. People ask me al the time if it is so much harder having three kids. I honestly don't think so. Tait is what keeps my days going and somewhat happy. Who can look at a smiling little baby face without any teeth, or hear a loud baby coo, or even cuddle with a baby for a few minutes and not feel better about life? At first, since Tait was unexpected, I thought this would be so hard, and his joining our family, even at this hard time has been such a great blessing. I have come to look forward to times Hans and I spend together as well as the family time that I took for granted before. And so life continues- not always as we expect it too, but it turns out better than if we could have planned it. The dark clouds really are worth the silver lining!

Birthdays and Kindergarten

2009-05-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

Can I honestly believe how old I am. Wow. I just got done registering Gabe for Kindergarten. I have a kid entering the public school system. Craziness. He was so brave for his evaluation and had no porblem answering all the teachers questions, I am so proud of him for not being scared. And then, a few weeks ago, Hiett turned three. Another crazy event to make me realize that time passes so quickly. And.... Tait is now two months old. It doesn't seem like it has been that long, but it in some ways it seems like he has always been here. Insane I know.
Anyway, for Hiett's birthday he wanted to go on a picnic and a hike and then the say after we had a friend party for him, themed after pirates. We had so much fun and only a few minor gliches which really are so funny now. The glitch was mainly the dog eating the birthday cake 15 minutes before the party started. Luckily, my dad and mom were here and my dad ran into Cedar to buy an already made cake that we just stuffed the pirate stuff into. I was so mad... but I didn't cry. And then when we went on oour hike, we didn't realize how steep a climb it was and almost lost a child here or there- I was crazy enough to let Tait come too. Hans carried him while I corraled the boys up and down the mountain. But we had so much fun, and I am so glad that we are still a complete family, and will be fore eternity no matter what happens!

The Outage is Almost OVER!

2009-04-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

I cannot wait to have my husband at home again! Neither can the boys. It seems they say all to often, "mommy, I don't like you. I want Daddy to come home." Ouch, but I can't say I blame them. A sleep depraved single mother of three(and a menustrating dog) who has to constantly keep the house clean tends to be a little grumpy sometimes. Not that I was alone the whole month. For Easter we went to Delta for a week and I had the gracious help of my mother in law during the day and HAns at night time. We even went on a date and to a movie with the boys! And then, right after I came home so Gabe could go to school, my sweet dad used some time off to come down and help my out. It was so nice just to have him here and to have the boys spend time with their grandpa. I told him he must be a good luck charm because we have "shown" the house two times since he left and they are both seriously contemplating buying it!!! YIpee! Well, I guess we will wait to celebrate(and mourn) until the offers are in writing! But it should be an exciting week!

Finally more pictures!

2009-03-31T15:55:00.001-07:00

Home again, home again, jiggety jig

2009-03-24T16:20:00.000-07:00

We have been home for a few days now and life is pretty tame. I am so fortunate to have had my parents and sister come and stay with the boys while I was in the hospital so Hans could be with me and Tait. I don't think they quite knew what they were getting into, but bless them anyhow. The boys had a lot of fun with them. But now it's just mom and dad and life returns to normal. Hans took off this whole week to help me out and has been great. He has forced me to nap, has done all the dishes, dusted, swept and mopped even! He plays with the boys so I can nurse without witnesses and has been just been a great hubby and father. I am so lucky and blessed to be with my boys, all of them!

The Little one is finally here

2009-03-20T16:25:00.001-07:00

Today at 11:29 our little bundle of joy arrived. We were as suprised as almost everyone else that it was a little boy. And this one doesn't look like any of my brothers yet, which is a good thing. He was 6 lbs 14 oz and 20 inches long. About the same as the others. I have do give Shellie a hard time because she made it look so easy. 3 pushes and done. Amazing!! Now on to the battle of getting one of our children to eat. Seeing Hiett you can tell that it doesn't ever get any easier in our house. Here are some picures of Tait William Lovell and his proud brothers and parents. Who are all glad that he has made it here health and his mom is doing great also.

A first for everything. . .

2009-03-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

Just a little note to all of the fellow women out there. Most of you might be jealous because I don't really look pregnant and my labors are relatively short and as painless as they could be, ( I think), and I haven't had ANY stretch marks. That is, until this week. Yes, yes, it was bound to happen. My third child, I guess I should count my blessings. And well, I was going to post a picture, but honestly, who wants to see that!? To be perfectly honest, it isn't bad at all. In fact it is kinda funny. It's the kind of stretch mark that I will have a hard time hiding and not because I wear bikinis either. You see, this stretch mark is on my achilles tendon of my left foot! You thought I was joking about the swelling and water retention didn't you! My ankles get huge, I never thought they would get large enough to make their own stretch marks, but hey, it could be worse! JUst thought I would share and hopefully make you smile. By the way- SEVEN MORE DAYS!!!!!!

Buddies

2009-03-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

I am so glad that my boys have reached this stage in life right now. The other day, after the boys had spent a morning playing Captain Hook and Peter Pan( we made swords out of paper and lots of masking tape), the whole morning had gone smoothly. There were no fights. I wouldn't say it was quiet- they WERE after all playing pirates- but they were playing TOGETHER. And then the crowning moment of the whole day, Hiett scooted his chair over next to Gabe and said, "Can I sit next by my buddy, Mom?" Seating arrangments be hanged! Whooohoo! And, yes, I guess it does get better... halfway through the meal, Hiett leans over, rests his head on Gabe's shoulder and Gabe automatically slings his left arm around Hiett's neck and keeps eating calmly, like this has happened a thousand times before. I sat there, quite stunned, and thouroughly enjoying every second of watching my children be not only brothers but friends, adn not just friends but "buddies". I truly sat there for I don't know how long until Hiett suggested that I take a picture of him and Gabe. What a great idea- things like this have got to be recorded- you never know how long it is going to last. But miraculously, this buddy thing continued all that day and into the night. I walked back into my room to findmy bed stacked with baskets and large toys and books and animals and articles of clothing. Gabe expained that they had made my bed into the school bus and that he was the driver taking Hiett to school. Then it would be Hiett's turn to drive. I'm not sure what school bus they have ever seen that was laden with all sorts of miscellaneous objects, but once again, they were playing TOGETHER and even cleaned up cheerfully. It was a wonderful day. I love my boys, they remind me of the goodness of kind words and working together and really of the greatness of love.

I can't believe it!

2009-02-28T13:09:00.000-08:00

Wow. I went in for my 36 week appointment yesterday. Holy Cow. I am hyperventilating as I think of that number. Ok, not really. I don't get keyed up over too much. But whoa. Four weeks until my due date. And actually even less until the baby is born. We have an induction planned for the 20th of March, so Hans will for sure be there. I have babies really fast and we figured by the time I would realize I was truly in labor and on the way to the hospital, Hans may not be able to get to Cedar quick enough from Delta to see his baby being born. The doctor was all too accomidating. He would rather monitor the baby from the beginning of labor anyway due to the 2 vessel cord that may cause extra stress. So. Anyway. We have three weeks. THREE WEEKS. 21 DAYS!!!! I found a project, though, to keep me busy for the next while. I have to somehow figure out how to get the baby to move from the breech position into the correct head down position. The doctor gave me a paper explaining exercises. I laughed my head off. It talked a lot about mental imaging and then, of all things, laying on top of an inclined ironing board with my head at the bottom. I understand the thought process of gravity working to move the baby, but man. I just don't know if it is simple as that. The doc said they can manually move it, (FUN !!!) But that would more than likely cause labor to happen three weeks too early, so we decided to see if we can will the baby to move into proper position by itself by the 20th and if not, then I won't be induced but having a C-section! So much to take in. And I really don't know why I am sharing this all with you weeks before it is to happen, just so you aren't surprised I guess. Life is exciting. Hiett keeps praying that "his baby will come out today" in his prayers. I am so glad he is anxious and excited, but hope his words don't prove prophetic!

2009-02-23T20:28:00.001-08:00

We actually were up in Delta this weekend to do Chelse's Bridal shower, but we had the additional perks of seeing the snow geese, which are pretty cool to see land in droves and fly in HUGE flocks. WE also got to visit the Nye Family Dairy and the boys got sucked on by the babies. They thought it was great. Well, Gabe did say it was disgusting at one point, but handed his hand back to the young heifer anyway. Hans and the boys helped(?) chop down some trees in the back of Will and Julie's house while we were off showering Chelse' with kitchen gifts and lingerie. It was a fun, very full weekend full of lots of excitement! Here's some pictures of our fun.

Snow Goose Weekend

2009-02-23T20:27:00.001-08:00

2009-02-18T20:55:00.001-08:00

Darius Rucker More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

SWELL. . .

2009-02-17T11:26:00.000-08:00

I had nearly forgotten the pain and ugliness of swollen appendages. As you know, my legs, my ankles in particulr, are not my favorite part of my body. Even when my body is not carrying a child, they seem extremely strange when compared to the rest of my body. I think of myself as a slender person. But if you were only to see my legs you would think they belonged to a much heavier person. As Hans' brother said once, soon after I met him, "You know, they say that you can tell how heavy a person is going to be by the size of their ankles." Lovely. And that is on a normal day! BUt when I am pregnant, well, let me clarify. When I was pregnant with Gabe from about 5 months on, my legs were HUGE! And now recently with this baby they have started to suddenly expand again! I can barely fit into my Sunday shoes. Speaking of which, if I ever get pregnant again remind me to buy floor length dresses so nobody at church can see my Sister Segar ankles and calves. Oh, and it doesn't stop there! My hands are puffy too, but not near as bad as me lower extremities. The boys love it. They grab my ankles and hold on tight for a minute and when they let go. . . . there are their handprints! tada! And they can do it over and over again. My legs may be ugly, but they are a great source for child entertainment!

Macadamia Encrusted Halibut and Velvet Elk

2009-02-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

Happy 7th Anniversary to US!!! It was Han's turn to plan our anniversary this year, and I must say it was one of the best. We took off for a few hours to St. George and just enjoyed being together alone! There was silence in the car for the first few miles until Glenn Beck mysteriously appeared from Hans' Ipod. So we spent the rest of the ride talking about the atrocities of mankind and the ridiculous things that some people think. It really was funny. As much as I complain about Glenn Beck, I do quite like his sense of humor. Anyway. We went and visited our brother and sister in law which we rarely see( which is strange since we only live an hour away) ant it was fun to get to talk and get to know their kids without ours there. I actaully felt like an aunt! We then went shopping for much needed new car seats. Hiett is a major escape artist and keeps getting out of the one he had, plus he really was getting too big for it, so he got a new one. And then we bought a new infant carrier for our new addition. We topped off the shopping expedition by going to Sportsmans and looking at a new short barreled shotgun. The salesman was strange, but knew his stuff. It's amazing what people will say when you tell them you want to buy a gun for self defense. Like how which gun inflicts more damage or pain and what actaully kills a person( not the bullet or bleeding but the reprecussions of the impact- in case you wanted to know- I didn't but I thought I would share.) And their language completely changes- this kid swore like a sailor! The ammo shelves were EMPTY- it was strange. I guess Obama didn't realize that we would just buy a ton of ammo and stockpile it with our food storage.:)
Oh, but then came dinner! #1 There is nothing better than having dinner made for you. It doesn't matter if it is McDonalds or fine dining. No time spent, no clean up, no worry about menu or shopping, just enjoy and then pay. #2 A dinner without me constantly reminding Hiett that his food is on his plate to eat and to chew and swallow each bite bribing(or threatening- depending on my mood) to finish all of his food, is a rare treat. #3 This restuarant we went to, The Gun Barrel, has an excellent variety of some unsual stuff. Everything is prepared in house, even the desserts. Most of the food like a normal steakhouse. A few salads, a little chicken and then the seafood and steak. But then come the wild game. Elk and Buffalo among others. We got some "firebranded shrimp". They were wrapped in bacon, grilled and then smothered in a a sweet peach barbeque sause. Oh my. That's all I could say. Next time I am ordering three orders of those instead of an entree. Then I ordered the HAlibut and HAns got his Velvet Elk medallions, which are the tenderloin- remarkabley tender adn juicy. These babies swam in a tangy brown sauce that was flavored with leeks and sun dried tomatoes. It was fabulous. YOu all know that I love food- any food- but our 7th anniversary will go down in history, chalked up to one of the best eating experiances that I have had. Thank you Hans, for putting up with me for 7 whole years so we could share a delicious, memorable meal together. I love you sweetness!

170-174 in two weeks! How does that happen?

2009-02-03T21:35:00.000-08:00

Wow. When I stepped on the scale this week at the doctor I was amazed. I don't even want to know where all that poundage is residing. I'm pretty sure it is not all "baby". I'm really not complaining just truly floored that my body could gain four pounds in such a short length of time! With my first two pregnancies I had comtest with myself to see if I could truly gain the 40 pounds that the doctor said I should. Sure enough, it is great what you mind can do when you work hard enough at something. HE he he. This time I was only supposed to gain 30 and that will be taken up in three weeks if I keep going at this rate.
The timing of this weight gain is odd considering I finally started to be alittle more active. The weather has been good adn we've been outside more. And then there is Gabe. He has decided he is the fitness expert at our home. He loves, and I mean LOVES the "Biggest Loser". He asks constantly if this or that food is healthy( as we are eating Ramen Noodles, Cheetos and kiwi- like we did today for lunch). And he is also loving to tell people right now if they are fat and need to exercise. Lovely. Gabe wakes up and plans out the day now usually involving at least two activities that he calls exercise. I know I should take this and run with it. Well, and he usually does if I won't. If I don't exercise witih him outside he runs up and down the hall with the dog for a good 15 minutes so his "heart is beating fast". He asked me last week if I were going on the "Biggest Loser" when I got fat. I told him I had no intention of getting overweight and he dared look at me like he didn't believe me. Well, after this trip to the doctor I can't say I blame him.
Since I mentioned the doctor I might as well update everyone. We are- what am I saying we for- I am 32 weeks along and the baby seems to still be growing well(it had better be getting fat- 4 pounds in two weeks I hope that its getting SOME of that!) And we are still excited to have a surprise baby! I am so proud that I haven't caved in and just asked the tech at one of our many ultrasounds, I'm proud of HAns too for not just saying "Yes- I DO want to know now!" Life is full of surprises and this will be great one no matter what we get!

The wonders of Mylathion

2009-01-21T19:02:00.000-08:00

Our dog has been suffering from a sever case of ear mites. Well, maybe we have been suffering more than her. Her ears reek like something has died inside of them and she constantly scratches them and shakes her head. Hans calls it the helicopter. It has gotten so bad that it wakes me up at least once an hour and it has got to stop! So we browsed the internet and it said that the medicene that you can buy for mites which we have tried unsucessfully, contains bug killers like Sevin and others like that. So lucky for Tonks, and us, we had a bottle of Mylathion in the garage. I firmly believe in home remedies when the store bought stuff doesn't so anything. We diluted the stuff put it in a spray bottle and she recieves treatment once a day. It seems to be improving. She even seems happier- she walks with a spring in her step, but she does try to run away whenever I approach he because she thinks I am getting ready to spray her bugs. So, yea for stuff you find in the garage you can use on household pets!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2009-01-20T21:07:00.000-08:00

OK. So I probably won't change even the template- but I am planning a major overhaul of our blog in the next week. You know, new pictures, new lists new THINGS, so you can all quit being bored with our blog. Hans is creating his own politically charged blog and I WILL be hurt if he recieves more comments on his than on this one. Just joking. I think my sweet husband got tired of me complaining about not knowing anything that was going on in anybody's life- Katijo didn't even know I was pregnant! - so he went out this last weekend and bought me a laptop. Which makes me laugh- because we have no money- but I guess my sanity at having some sort of connection to the world is worth the price we paid. And truthfully we were planning on getting one with our tax return. Enough- I have to go to bed while the house is asleep; I never know how long it will last! See you soon!!!

Can I tell you what I just did?

2009-01-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

My mother in law asked me to make pie crusts. NO big deal, I've made them before and am ususally pretty good in the kitchen anyway. But when I went to check on them a few seconds ago, they had shrunk. Not just a little bit. A whole bit. Like the sides that I scrunched with my fingers were down on the base of the pie pan. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN??? Wow. Anyway- that isn't really why I am blogging, I just thought it was a great opener.

Life has been, well, busy. The holidays were fun. Hans got the days after Christmas and New Years off, so we had some even longer weekends to spend together as a family. We spent lots of time sledding, laughing and building snowmen. I hope I don't teach our kids bad habits, but I throw snowballs at them and laugh my head off when I actually get them. It doens't happen too often. We were able to spend Christmas with all of Hans' family(with the exception of a brother-in-law who is over, er, under sea right now with the NAvy) We had a lot of fun with a Fiesta themed Christmas Eve party which included the selling and bartering of Mexican souvinors from my in-laws trip to Puetro Villarta. We all laughed and ate and opened WAAYY too many presents. It is always fun to spend the holidays with family. For New Years, we went to a party with friends and laughed some more. We are so thankful for the friends that we have and that they still include us even though we are gone and soon to be goner.(I know that isn't a word- more gone, is that right?)

I would get more pictures on here but I am pretty hopeless with this computer so I leave the pictures up to Hans. You can get mad at him all you want. I better get my shrunken pies out of the oven and try to fill them, with something!

Fun Holidays

2009-01-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

I will let Shell talk about the holidays when she is here this weekend. This is a picture of a snow man that the boys and I built a few weeks ago. Gabe was so excited to have Frosty in our yard. He even said in a prayer "Please bless that when people see my Frosty and his hat that they might remember that he was a live one day." Hiett on the other hand just kept taking bites out of him. I guess he tasted good. It was a fun day.

Some pictures of the last few weeks

2008-12-04T20:10:00.000-08:00

I have no clue how I got a underline under this but sorry. I don't know how to put captions under each picture. the first one is our christmas picture. Typical Hiett smile. Second is how we got out tree home on top of our rental car. Third is of Gabe and Grandpa Downs playing in the leaves during our stay up there over Thanksgiving. Gabe was so excited to go up there and race grandpa on his bike and Gabe won. He is pretty speedy. 4th is of some hats that mom and dad got at Puerto Vallarta and the pants that mom made for them while we were in Hawaii. I like them but the boys say that they are pokey. Tightness might have something to do with it since they only wear baggy pants and shorts. And the last one is of us at Daniel and Jennys watching the Y get stomped. Coutisy of Max Hall. How on earth do you go from a Hiesman canidate to throwing 5 picks and a fumble in one game?? I don't know but he figured it out. But at least BYU will stand a fighting chance in their bowl game and not get annialated like Utah will by an SEC or Big 12 team. Til next time,.

2008-11-16T16:36:00.000-08:00

My mom

2008-11-16T16:03:00.000-08:00

For those you who don't know my mom, you should. It is her birthday today, and even though I have forgotten her birthday in years past, I made it up to her this year, right mom? A card, a phone call and a blog! YOu lucky thing. No, actually, it is me who is lucky. For years, my mother was my best friend(sorry, Hans kicked you out of your spot). I could call her at any time during college days and moan on her shoulder or laugh uproariously with her for hours, and I still can given the opportunity. There are so many late night talks and much needed phone calls even now that I have with my mom. She is my support and really truly the crying shoulder that seems to understand when I just want to talk and when she just needs to nod and cry with me. There are things that only she knows about me, (thank goodness), and probably some things that she knows about me that I don't even know myself yet. I am thankful for her love and her influence in my life and in the life of my family. From things as crazy as not going to bed until the dishes are done(and rinsing them separately, before washing them) to hanging in there and always having hope when some situations seem too far gone and trying to understand more than what is readily available. Thank you mom, for being exactly who you are, who you have been and for the one you are becoming I love you-

2008-11-16T15:49:00.001-08:00

He he he he. I thought that HAns' story was hilarious, and all of you should rest easy knowing I would never let anyone shoot my dog. We are up in Delta again this weekend. HAns' folks went to Puerta Viarta??? for a week so we came up to spend some extra time with HAns. The boys had have fun riding their bikes down the long dirt roads, adn Tonks loves running through the fields. Gabe swears he can keep up with her, but seeing as he gets up to about 8 miles an hour and Tonks maintains a steady 20 miles an hour, I guess he can dream. We clocked them using the Mule ( a glorified 4 wheeler with a tiny bed on it). I've been, well, still cooking and cleaning and watching boys, but it seems easier at somebody else's house for some reason. The boys have so much fun with their dad. I really am just not too much fun and they get bored with me, but they are stuck with me, and somehow love me anyway. Hans invited a couple for work out for dinner last night. Can I tell you how unthrilled I was? I AM NOT ready to make new friends- I don't want new ones, I like my old ones and that's that. I am sure I can still travel to Cedar for a girls' night now and then and have a couples party every JUly fourth with my croonies from Cedar- I am not giving up on the wonderful people that I have found and loved for the last 6 years. Anyway, they were a nice couple, but as usual,it takes people a while to get to know my sense of humor and I managed to dump the homemade pizza halfway out of the pan- sloshing pizza sauce all over the table settings and the floor- mushrooms went flying. Argh. And no one even laughed. YOU GUYS would have laughed. I felt terrible the rest of the night. To top it off I played the worst game of ROOK in my life, perhaps even the history of the game. But the saving grace of the night was after they left, HAns and I stayed up and watched Redneck weddings on CMT. I haven't laughed that hard in a while. Oh my goodness! Are people really like that? Anyway, I needed a good laugh and that show did it for me. Thank goodness for strange people who make shows out of other strange people doing strange stuff.

KIDS!!

2008-11-10T19:31:00.000-08:00

Early yesterday morning Gabe and Hiett came into our bedroom, as is customary, to color and drink hot cocoa. While they were in there the dog did something that made Shellie yell at her and call here a "Mutt" After she said that this is the conversation that ensued. (WARNING: I was being facetious)

Shellie: We should name our next dog Mutt.

Gabe: Our next dog?

Hans: Ya sometimes Dr. Remington or Winchester get to my dogs. (my dogs got into the chickens a lot when we were kids, hence their common early demise due to a firearm)

Gabe: (after a minute of contemplation) What do they do?

Hans: They are really bad dog doctors.

Gabe: (again after a minute of contemplation) Where do they live?

Shellie: (now chuckling) In the closet.

Gabe gave up on questions after this. I hope it doesn't click in the future. I promise I won't shoot Shellie's dog. I got rid of the chickens so that isn't going to be a issue.

Halloween

2008-11-05T19:05:00.000-08:00

Halloween was great. We all dressed a pirates. Yes I am a pirate not a hispanic drug dealer. Gabe and Hiett had so much fun getting all the candy they could. They made quite the haul. The ward put on a trunk or treat so we didn't have to walk the boys to death to get them their sugar high that would last a week. I remember when I was a kid we had to work for our candy. We would drive into Delta and walk all over town to get some candy. I think it was a calorie offset thing.

2008-10-29T08:45:00.001-07:00

Ahhhhhh! WHat has he done to my fun little laughable page!!!! I am apologizing in behalf to all those offended due to the political statements, although I must agree that Biden IS a bonehead, regardless. I thought Hans was only joking when he said he would make politically charged blogs. Oh, that boy! So, anyway! How is everybody????
We are doing really quite well. No hilarious stories or video footage for you sick people out here who like to laugh at others misfortunes. Just joking. The videos were really funny. The occasion for ME blogging instead of HAns is that is was his birthday yesterday and we decided to drive up to Delta after Gabe got out of school and surprise him. HAns is now 29- sooooo old. I just couldn't stand that I wouldn't be there for his birthday- I guess I really am in love aren't I? We made his favorite butter rum cake- the boys stuffed it with 29 candles and we traveled up. It was so great, we put big bows on our heads and yelled HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Even though HAns probably guessed we were there because of the obnoxious dog barking in the back of the corrals, he acted surprised and the boys were so thrilled to see their dad in the middle of the work week, the trick will be getting them to leave. HAns' mom was in on it and I asked her t make his favorite lasagna because I cannot, for the life of me, gete my lasagna to be like hers, and it is soo good. So he was dually surprised for his birthday. The boys will be sad to leave their dad(and their grandma) But I might lure them away with promises of Halloween fun things.
The boys are so excited for HAlloween this year. Gabe has been "planning" his costume, and I mean drawing up plans for his costume for the last month and a half. We finally decided on pirates though- a whole family of them- Arrrr matey. For our primary activity we are having a trunk or treat and I am forcing Hans to dress up with me and the boys. He will be one hot pirate! And I will say this. I may never do homemade costumes again. I got as far as sewing one pirate vests and then gave up. I am not good with a needle!
And yes! We are having a baby! Please forget any previous comments I may have made about not having any more children because I must have been wrong. We are so excited for this new little one. The boys will talk to my belly every night before bed. Well, yell, at my belly would be a better word. They want to make sure that the baby can hear them. And Gabe always says, " I bet she is saying goodnight brothers!" And HIett fondly pats my getting bigger belly and smiles at it. Yes, Gabe is firmly convinced he is getting a sister, funny but I wonder if they do really remember things that we don't. We will be thrilled either way- I don't quite know what to do with a girl, but I am sure it couldn't be toooo different.
LAstly- I am so sorry that I haven't been able to check on everybody's blogs and keep up with your lives. I miss knowing what is going on with you all more than you can know- how silly. I wonder why I just don't call. Hmmm. What a novel idea. Anyway, I need to get going. Thank you all for still reading our blog even though it isn't as entertaining anymore. He he- sorry sweetie, I love you!

NEW MUNCHKIN COMING IN SPRING OF '09

2008-10-21T16:53:00.001-07:00

We are very pleased to announce that we are expecting another tike on the 27th of March 2009. All assumtions are that it is a girl and will be named Sunny Sunflower Lovell. (according to Gabe thanks to Mom.) We are both very thrilled and are hoping and praying that we will sell the house by then. The outage at the plant, which consists of 6-12 hr days for an entire month begins on or about the 1st of April. What a year of change.

3 days and no debilitating injuries "yet"

2008-10-05T00:39:00.000-07:00

These are some funny videos that we have got in the last few days. The first one is where I tried to knock my front teeth out again.
And the second -- Somewhere along the line Shellie thought she was Jane of the Jungle. She has always wanted to swing from a vine across a ravine. She thought she would start small. Thank goodness and if you look close her feet never even left the ground. Next time she needs to shake the vine a little harder. Being the concerned husband I am I made sure I got it all on film. I knew she was good when she was laughing and clapping. Just like when she wrecked my scooter.

Shellie shooting for the hospital Almost there/

2008-10-05T00:35:00.001-07:00

September '08 The month to remember.

2008-09-29T18:52:00.000-07:00

Oh the season of change. Shellie packed the computer up last week when she went all Parade home on me, in order to sell the house. If it works great. It does look a lot better now than it did before thanks to Shell and Bonnie fixing it up. But any way blog-land is stuck with me until we sell the house so pray that we sell soon.

I started my new employment on the 15th of September. What a change! From almost the top to grunt in a heart beat. I am a laborer at the Power Plant in Delta. It is a coal fired power plant and no my lungs aren't destroyed yet Mr. Joseph Biden but that is another discussion for another day. We make 1900 MW of electricity for L.A.. When you watch UCLA or USC play at the Rose Bowl or the Colosseum chances are that is our power shedding light on the field. I am amazed at how much it takes to make power. The one thing that I will take away from these first few weeks is how complex it seams to be. There is a little more to it than start a fire, make some steam, spin a fan presto you have electrons. When I ask my Dad questions about some aspects of it (he is one of my bosses dependent on the day) he loses me quite quickly.

I push a broom or spray water most of the day, hence it is exponentially less stressful that my previous job. I loved working at Imperial and the people there are 1st class. Some days I do miss it but when 5:30 rolls around. I am done. No more worry. Brooms and hoses won't call you with problems they need help with after work. I can come home and relax. I better say I come to my parents home and relax. I have relapsed into calling this home and it has made Shell quite mad a few times so I will correct myself now. I am living here and Shell and the Boys are in Parowan. I work 4-10's and go home on the weekends to be with my wife and little ones. It has been a little harder than expected but we will survive. It will be excellent in the end.

Besides that we are headed to HAWAII on Wednesday. We are so excited to be going. Thanks so much to Mom and Dad for watching the boys and our mutt for the week we are gone. Hopefully they don't wear out their welcome. So next time I will post some pictures from Oahu.

P.S. GO BYU Don't fold like a lawn chair

Just a new note

2008-08-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

We had fun this morning with some "paintchalk" that Hiett got for his birthday. It's wet like paint but then it dries like chalk so it just will wash off! The boys had so much fun! I think they actually had more fun finding the red fire ants and "coloring" them, but it was a great activity for the morning. It got a little out of control when Hiett started after the dog. She was game, but I didn't care for blue chalk footprints all over the furniture which she thinks she owns. Tonight we get to go to St. George and watch Hans play ball for one of the last times with his team there. He will miss his ball, probably more than he will miss me, once he starts his new job! We will miss is too, a little but. It is fun to play on the playground, watch dad and eat snowcones.

OK, so I might have lied in the last entry. We might be leaving Parowan earlier than we thought, because I finally figured out. . . why prolong the inevitable? So after a few more fix ups around the house and some adjustments in the landscaping we will probably put the house on the market. Sorry to everybody! I really do wish we could be here forever, but I think me and my boys will miss Hans too much to live apart for too long.

To settle all of the rumors. . . .

2008-08-20T17:26:00.000-07:00

Wow. Where to start. Well, most of you already know that Hans took the test out at the power plant in Delta, a place called IPSC, where his dad has worked for years. The tests were in September and we found out he passed them a few weeks later, he was excited then, but nothing compared to how excited he is now. Once you pass the tests, which are available about every two years, you are eligible for hire. The catch was that you could be hired the next week, the next month, the next year- or still not at all. So, as Hans puts it, we were in the "waiting place"(like in Oh, the PLaces You'll Go). Then, Friday the 1st of August, we were standing in Wal-Mart, shopping for a family reunion, and IPSC called to ask for an interview. Well, if you get an interview with these people, it pretty much means that you are in. They have only not hired one guy that they interviewed and even then they hired him the next time around. So Hans was ecstatic. I mean going crazy jumping up and down, pumping his fist in the air crazy and smiling like I haven't seen him smile in a long, LONG time. His interview on the 15th went well, and they let him know today that he will begin his employment on the 15th of September. As good as an opportunity as this job is, along with it comes some very hard consequences. Probably the worst one, was telling Hans' employer, Dean that he was going to quit. Dean and Geri have been like grandparents to us and have pretty much given us the life that we have. We could have never have been where we are know without them. I cry every time I think of leaving such a great work relationship that has meant so much to us. I pray that they truly understand how much we love them and have appreciated all that they have done for us. It will likewise be hard to leave our other work friends that we have grown close to, we will miss the Tyler and Danielle and Mike and his family, Dan and Jenny, of course, Kim and Sharisa(but they won't really be rid of us- seeing as how we are related) and all of the guys out back. That job has been a great experience and we were fortunate to have met some of the greatest people on this earth. A few of the other hard consequences are not really going to be dealt with at the moment because we aren't moving right now. Hans will be working 4 10s so he will be home three days of the week. When I get fed up with being a single mom for more than half the week, then I will move to the Delta area. So, as of right now, no, we are not moving so don't get write us off quite yet! But yes! Congratulations to Hans on his new job! We are excited to make this next step into the unknown, kind of????

Just a little about us. . .

2008-08-12T13:45:00.001-07:00

I got to looking at the calendar and realized that it has been almost seven years exactly since Hans and I met. So I thought I would share with you a few of the detail and memories of our life together.
We met on my 19th birthday at Snow College. Well, I guess we had met before- Hans says- but I don't recall actually ever talking to him- just yelling across the basketball court at him. He was reffing basketball and I was the intramural staff scorekeeper and none of the refs ever said who fouled who and it bugged me so I yelled at ALL of the refs. And I never even knew his name, just noticed that one of the refs had REALLY white legs and insisted on wearing black socks with his basketball shorts. ( DOn't ask me why he couldn't remember black socks for our reception since he was so fond on them!) So, we met. Hans lived with a way fun apartment full of guys just two doors down. When I first met them all I thought his roommate Jory was by far the cutest- he was a cowboy from Nephi, so I guess we are even because Hans actually asked my roommate out first. I don't blame him, she was a lot more fun, and funnier than me. But then he came to his senses and realized it was me who he wanted to pursue.
I've really got to give it to Hans for trying for me. We had gotten together with his apartment one night and were all talking about the kind of people we were physicallly attracted to. So I listed my requirements along with all the other girls- #1 and most important- he HAD to be taller than me, #2 Dark brown hair and brown eyes, #3 It would help if he had a larger than average nose( don't ask me- I have no idea why). Of course, this was before Hans had even ever asked me out, and yet he still did after that, crazy boy. He must have known something that I didn't. And then he did ask me out, kind of; and then I kind of turned him down, cuz I didn't realize it was a date and broke his heart. But then I asked him to take me out the next week after my roommate had told me what a jerk I had been. I did have to keep telling myself not to think about how short he was and just to have fun, and you know what? I did have fun. I had the time of my life.
And then things went really quickly. We went on hundreds of walks, a few drives, one or two movies. I went on a vacation with my mom and dad and little sister for Harvest Holiday and realized I had fallen in love when all I talked about was Hans. ANYTHING anybody said, I could think of something that reminded me of something Hans said or did, or what he would think of the comment. We got engaged over Thanksgiving Break and were sealed in the Manti Temple on February 8th 2002. Hans surprised me with a Honeymoon to Reno, Nevada to go Snowboarding at Tahoe, which I loved every minute of, except for the car mueseum which was slightly(terribly) boring. That was my first time snowboarding and I absolutely loved it.
We lived in my 2nd grade school teacher's vacation home in Sterling and drove into school and work each day. We paid an awesome $200 a month rent, which was awesome and really good because being full time students we didn't make much more than that. My favorite vacation with Hans happened while we lived in Sterling. We took the fourwheelers that were included in the rent and drove up a nearby canyon and camped under the stars. We woke up and drove all over the whole mountain. We did a ceremonious burning of the Sociology book which was Hans' most hated class ever and caught a lizard together. I love lizards, I try to catch them whenever I see them. It was so simple, it was so fun and it was so filled with just us.
After we graduated from Snow we moved to Cedar City with a prayer in our hearts. We knew nobody, had no jobs and were hoping for kindness. Hans only had to look for a job a few days, and Dean at Imperial hired him on the spot, no real interview or anything. And we have been so blessed ever since by that association with Dean and his family. I got a job soon after at a office supply place working with some fun and the hightlight was that my job offered insurance. School started in the fall and HAns I both attended SUU. Graduating college had always been a dream of mine and I wasn't about to give it up just because I got married. I found my second love- art and began to seriuosly major in that. HAns jumped around between pre-dental, business and biology before settling on Biology with a Botany emphasis and Ag minor.
After two years of marriage we were blessed with a baby to add to out little family.
Gabe HAnsen was born July 25th, 2004. He was and is still a sweet baby that is sometimes moody. BUt is generally a giving caring little soul who is quite sensitive and intelligent. I continued my schooling, as did HAns, although we were dependent on only Hans' income from then on. Then when Gabe was about twenty months only, Hiett Scott entered our family, just days after HAns graduated from SUU. Hiett makes everybody laugh and never, NEVER quits moving. I quit my schooling with only about 18 credits left for my minor of Geology beacause the lab hours were so long and it required a TON of work that I felt would infringe on my being a mother of two. So HAns continues working, I continue at home and we live the "American Dream" pretty much. We even have a puppy dog and a house with a lawn! Most days I seriously wake up and wonder what else I could possible ask for. I have been so blessed and I thank my Father every single day for the blessings of love and health that he has given me and my family.

2008-08-04T16:24:00.000-07:00

We were able to go up with Julie and Will for the Miller family reunion. We hadn't been for six years so it was good to see everyone again and actulaly truly remember who most of them were. This is Julie's side of the family. I actually didn't take many pictures of the extended family but pictures of the fun activities that we were able to participate in. Of course at a lake you MUST swim and fish! We had a lot of fun, more because the boys were there than anything. Thank goodness that Hans' folks are very understanding people. My little family got some stomach virus while up there and we weren't bery great company- downright disgusting at times, but we made it and all had a great time in the sun and water.

Miller Family Reunion

2008-08-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

2008-07-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

2008-07-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

Since the beginning of our day was so eventful, we decided to finish off with a flair! Parowan has a pioneer type celebration every year at the church park, everyone in Parowan, Paragonah and Summit are invited. Last year they had a Nauvoo theme, and this year they reconstructed Parowan Fort out of the large hay bales. INside they had a blacksmith, a cooper, a rug loom, animals -including calves to feed, homemade vanilla ice cream, and my favorite- a lady spinning yarn out of her dogs hair. No joke. Siberian Husky and Australian Shephard. She had made some very pretty dog fur hats, but it cracked me up- who IS this lady? What an idea! Waste not- want not. There was dinner avaliable and potluck cake for dessert. And there were hay rides with "Parowans old timers" giving tour like information about the houses and areas of PArowan as you rode through. I love the feeling of people celebrating their heritage like ALL of Parowan did last night. We missed the square dancing because the boys wanted to go to the park. We went and got some of Maverick's yogurt. I didn't know that my Maverick had the yogurt machine! So it was a pleasant discovery but probably one my thighs and butt could have done without. So we were a sticky mess watching out kids play at the park as the thunder clouds continue to roll over our heads as they have all week. And once again, yesterday I was reminded how blessed and lucky we are to have been able to live in this beuatiful city. I love it here.

Fourth fun time with family and friends!

2008-07-08T14:37:00.000-07:00

I am so proud

2008-07-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

Gabe gave his first prayer in Primary! I'm sure it won't be remembered by anybody but me, but I absolutely loved it. He said his prayer all by "meself" as he says. Gabe was so excited to use the microphone and wasn't scared a bit! I remember being terrified of doing stuff in Primary! He did so good! And this week he learned how to ride his bike without training wheels! Again, I am impressed. He loves it. He crashes still and we help him get going, but once he starts, he goes until he tips over. We got some video, but once again, I am computer illiterate and need step by step instructions on how to post a video. And then, we hiked with the scouts, all the way to the "P" on the mountain and he was such a trooper, he hiked the WHOLE time. Hiett came too. He rode on Hans shoulders on the way up, but walked the majority of the way back. We had a great time and I am glad I've got some little hikers in the family. It's times like these that I am so happy and proud to be a mom!

My chicken coop hates me....

2008-06-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

OK, all I really want to know is how I can go through building a whole house without sustaining an injury and have had THREE while building the chicken coop. Well, injury is a strong word but I am hurting like the dickens. They were all pretty much my own fault due to my inert capability to be clumsy, off balance and in the wrong place at the wrong time. A few weeks ago we were starting to shingle the roof and I somehow stepped on a nail that was protruding from a 2x4(which by the way, I have measured and they aren't 2" x4" and that bothers me, why not call it what it is???) The nail went through my industrial strength Croc, and about 3/8" into the sole of my foot. That wasn't so bad. I was due for a tetnus shot anyway. Got that taken care of.
Just last week, I wasn't even working on the coop, merely walking out the door and stepped in the tines of a metal work rake and the danged handle swung up and hit me in the head! DON'T LAUGH AT ME!! That smarted and for a minute the world was a bit fuzzy. It had hit me right above the temple- how does it get that much force from moving a foot? What really makes this story funny though, is that the same thing had happened to Hans back in Cedar. I think it was fall, we were trying to get the yard cleaned up and had to give up early on account of two "helping" little boys, so Hans was frustrated anyway. We walked by the crabapple tree in front where the devious rake was hiding among the low lying limbs, and I had turned my head to check where Hiett was behind me when there was a dull thud. At that precise moment I coughed(oblivious to the fact that my poor hubby had been sideswiped by a 50 mile an hour rake handle) and Hans thought I was laughing at his misfortune. He yelled- the only time he has EVER yelled at me our entire marriage- DON'T YOU LAUGH AT ME! I, surprised, said that I hadn't and asked what happened. And then, once he had told me- I did laugh. Poor thing. His rake had hit him right on the ear, and his ear swelled and bruised like a beggar. Now I know his pain, and I would have yelled at him too, if he would have dared laugh at me. Luckly nobody saw my clumsy error of stepping in the wrong spot.
Unfortunatley, there were witnesses to last night's accident. I was working on siding the wall of the coop that faces the road, Hans was up on the roof finishing the shingles and the ladder was innocently propped against the wall where it should have been. We didn't take into account out crazy gray mutt winding and twining her rope in and around the bottom of the ladder. Two teenage boys walked past and Tonks(who has recently begun a "Watchdog of the Year" campaign) starts growling and barking to alert us on the intruders. Suddenly she lunged to try to get to the boys and lovely... she took the bottom of the ladder with her. The other end of the ladder fell directly onto my head before I could move. Can I say ow. My head still hurts this morning. I'm glad for the politeness of the two boys that at least held in laughter until they had gotten out of earshot. So. Now you all have proof, as if you needed it, that I am one clumsy, unlucky person when it comes to chicken coops.

Fathers

2008-06-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

I thought that I would just write a little bit about the important fathers in my life. Of course, my dad. I love my dad- everything about him, really. He's the strong and silent, helpful and ever-giving sort of guy. He doesn't talk too much, but when he does it is really worth listening to. Through the years he has been a primary force in shaping who I have become and I will be eternally grateful for that. He is my greatest honest art critic, but never is critical of anything else really. He has always been patient with me and my inquisitiveness and stubborness- which is at times not easy, I am sure. I have always tried to live my life to make my dad proud and I hope that I am a credit to the life that he has lived.
I am also very grateful for the father in law that I have been blessed with. Will is also very strong and giving- though not quite as quiet as my dad is. He has always been there to support us and help us out, whether it is watching the kids with Julie, or siding the house, or just coming to visit/or letting us barge in to visit whenever we want. I am thankful that he has molded Hans into the strong character that he is. Speaking of Hans...
I am so, so grateful for my husband. He has made a part of my life happen that could not have been without him- not only meaning wife and mother- but knowing him has given me the opportunity to struggle and love deeper than I ever thought that I would be capable of. He helped me find and identify parts of myself that I honestly didn't know existed- and he probably doesn't realize it. As much as I have trouble being a mother, I am indeed thankful for the chance that I have to be in a partnership with Hans and with God in raising Gabe and Hiett. Hans is the full support behind me- although he did have a hard time adjusting when I cut my hair- and then when I colored it too. :) He is strong and fully believes in the opinions that he has which is a strength to me. Hans is dedicated and loyal and giving, yet he knows how to take time for himself- which is an example I need to follow more. He has given our family all that he has, he sacrifices dreams of a career in his field so that we can have the security of a home and good lifestyle. Hans plays with the kids which is so important in teaching them certain aspects of life. HE tends to find patience when I find that mine has completely depleted throughout the course of the day. He is such a good daddy and the boys love him so much. I am grateful that he has chosen to have such an active role in their lives and in raising them. Thank you Hans, for making my life full and teaching me how to truly love. I love you always-

P.S. Sorry Mom and Julie- I just realized I didn't do this for you guys on Mother's Day- I was too busy being pampered and just enjoying the day!

Deer Haven- Thank goodness for friends!!!

2008-06-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

Hey! I'm back!

2008-06-09T15:04:00.001-07:00

As much fun as I had in Texas with my brother and his kids, I sure am glad to be home! I could not believe how much I missed my kids while I was gone! ( And HAns- for that matter) Of course, now that I've been home for a few days-we are back in our regular routine and I am about ready for another break. How does that happen so quickly? And I am finding myself missing those sweet little boys back in good ol' Texas. I had so much fun actually getting to know them and play with them. I think it was more of a hassle for Jared to have me there, but too bad for him, I loved going down there and visiting him too. It was nice to just play and talk and swim without having the responsibility that I feel at home with my own kids. But I learned while I was down there, that I can have the same amount of fun and irresponsibility with my kids as I did with Colten and Cannon! It finally clicked. Anyway, we had good times together and I am already trying to figure out when I can go again, but this time I will bring my family with me! Um, the pictures are up there, I messed up while I was posting.

Week of Loneliness

2008-06-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

It has been a pretty lonely week without Shell. When she left she asked me if I was going to do a post while she was gone. I really like this blog thing quite a bit. It is fun to check up on what everyone else is up to and what my cousins kids are looking like so I will recognize them the next time I see them.
Shell has been gone this week. She went to Texas to help with her brother Jared with his kids while his wife is in the hospital anxiously awaiting the arrival of their twins. I am so glad that she was able to go and see Jared and his family. I know she has wanted to do that for a long time.
My mom has the kids in Delta and has had them all this week. Thank you so much for watching them. It has been a huge help and I hope they really were good and you aren't making stuff up. While they're there they got to go to the Stock Show. My dad is on the Stock Show board so they had to go even though they didn't have any kids showing for the first time in more than almost twenty years. But I don't know which was more stressful for him, having animals to show or parents to ref? Anyway the boys had a awesome time. I got this picture of Gabe on my cell phone. Hiett was there too but he wouldn't look at me. All I got was a shot of the back of his head.

When I got home to the semi empty house. (I have the dog) I set to work on the yard. Under a down spout in the front I made a creek bed thing for the water to go down. I did try and consult her on where and how she wanted the rocks and she said "I don't care suprise me." I told her the last time that I used that phrase I got my lovely green bean green walls in the dining, kitchen and living room and she better be sure and like it no matter what. I don't want her moving my rocks like she moved her dads when she was younger.
Shell wanted some grass for the boys to play on so I made her decide where she wanted it. I got the sod on Friday and we had a good crew to put it in. Jake, Brett, David, Daniel and Kim all came out and helped put it down. I am grateful for the extra help. The lady was crazy thinking that 2200 square feet of sod would take one man 5 hours to put down. We did it in 2 1/2 with 4 of us. I over estimated and ordered about 400 feet of extra sod got put about everywhere around the house. Good thing I didn't round up 10% like they suggest. So all we can do is wait for that water bill and see how much of it we will let die because we can't afford it. This is a picture of the front from the driveway.

It was a lot of work but thanks again to those who came and helped. It made life a lot easier. I am grateful to have those like you around us to help us.
Thankfully Shellie will be back on Wednesday, so I can start eating balanced meals again. I don't think that Oreos, Ice Cream, Chips and pop will be the main staples anymore. I will also sleep a little better knowing that there will be others in the house and not jump at every sound thinking someone broke in. This dog won't protect me. I didn't think I would miss the kids waking up all the time. Shellie kicking me or nudging me to go and get Hiett. Listening to Gabe say "Me slept good last night, I want to watch a car show or play games." I just think of that song by Trace Atkins "Your going to miss this". Things that seem like such a nucience seem to be the things I miss and it has only been a week. What will it be like when it is gone forever? I will be glad to have my wife and kids home.
Sorry if my post isn't as good as Shell's. She'll be back soon.

HIETT TURNED TWO!!!!

2008-05-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

I learned so much!

2008-05-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

I have had so much fun this last week! My sweet mother in law got tickets to Women's Conferance for me and my two sister in laws and volunteered to watch the kids. Who wouldn't take up an offer like that? We left Wednesday night and managed to get htere early enough to have dinner with my Mom who was also attending Women's Conferance and MElissa who drove down to relive memories and specialty drinks at Los Hermanos. We were lucky enough to get to stay with Grandpa's first wife's sister, Aunt Ada; who is the sweetest, nicest lady I have ever met and makes me so excited to meet the Grandma that none of us have met. Bright and early we braved the "big city" traffic and barely made it on time to the first session. Sheri Dew talked about influence then we walked and got lost before we made it to the following classes; Early Motherhood, After Much Tribulation the Lord Did Hear My Cries, and Merry Hearts MAke a Cheerful Countenance. We handpicked the classes that we wanted to attend and learned so much. I jokingly told Will, "If you aren't careful, those meetings could change your life!" HOw true that is too! I'm sure that we would have learned from any class we walked into, they were all so good. We opted to skip the closing session because we had heard from a reliable source that he was boring. whoops. INstead we went to the BYU Creamery and got ice cream and went on a shopping spree, justified by our trip up north and incentives given to us by Julie to Bath and Bodyworks and a scrapbooking store. We finished the night by eating at Mimi's and chatting and deeply discussing things that will never leave that dining room- I hope. The next morning was a bit warmer. We listened to Julie Beck speak and then didn't make it to our first class about uncluttering, but we were first in line for my Anger Management class- sure, laugh all of you who don't really know me. Which was an excellent class that helped me realize why and how and the importance of secure relationships. We then walked back up to the MArriot Center to listen to a talk about Equality in Marriage- it was really good too, and then the crowning glory! The closing speaker was President Monson! Just to be in the same room is enlightening. I loved hearing the women start singing, "We Thank THee oh God For a PRophet" occulpa, it was so tender and beautiful. ANd it is always a blessing to be told by a man how wonderful and great women are as a whole and it gives us a lot to live up to as well. Then we went back to real life, and the spiritual mood lasted about 24 hours, but I still learned a lot and have set better goals for myself. I am so glad I had this opportunity, and thanks again to my mother in law who always seems to know when I need a break. THanks Julie!

I can't believe I forgot my camera!!!!!

2008-04-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

This Saturday we had such a great time! And I forgot my camera. For those who we haven't told, we have signed Gabe(and Hiett) up for a new charter school that is getting built in Enoch. WE are so completely thrilled with the teachers, the Montessori type cirriculum, the uniforms and with the fact here is no cafeteria food. Every kid will bring a home lunch- cool huh? Anyway. In order for the school to function the way that the directors envisioned it, much volunteer work is needed. Ok, it is required. If you don't pull your weight, your kids are kicked out. But I kinda like that, it means you HAVE to be involved with your childrens' school and have more invested in it. Anyway- back to the story. The school was having a fundraising awareness type fair that we signed up to volunteer in. It was a pretty cold four hours, the wind was gusting like it usually does in Spring in Cedar City, but it was fun. The highlight, by far, was watching Gabe playing on the inflateables. They had a huge billowy slide that was two or three stories high, a bouncy room, which HIett loved too. And the crowning glory of inflateables- the Velcro Wall. HIett was too little, but Gabe absolutely loved it! They flung him up three times, the last being upside down! His only complaint was that the sun was in his eyes. I was laughing my head off and wishing I was right up there next to him. We ate goodies, played a few games and just enjoyed spending a few hours together. Then we came home, finished the chicken coop to the stage where we could move the chickens out of the garage and into their new home! Yippee, no more chicken smell in my garage! We had such a fun day together, it was a good reminder of just how much fun being a parent can be.

Couples Night

2008-04-23T09:21:00.001-07:00

What a weekend!

2008-04-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

My folks and sister Melissa and adorable niece Brynlee, came down for a quick little visit last weekend. And I mean quick. They got here Thursday night really late and were gone by 6:00 on Friday night since I had the Relay for Life that night. But just becasue it was short didn't mean that it wasn't fun! Anytime we get together it is fun and we mainly just sit and visit. The boys were so excited to see little Brynlee. Hiett especially enjoyed playing with her, and of course playing with Grandpa and Grandma. He had them all laughing with his saying the word, "sausages". Gabe loves it when people visit and tells stories and plays with everyone and tells them what to do. I don't realize that he is bossy until people come over. Well, he is his mother's child! We had a great time, and wish that the visit could have lasted the whole weekend.
Than we moved on to the Relay for Life, not quite as exciting, but a really cool experiance nonetheless. It was so cool to watch the survivors lap seranaded by a bagpipe band playing Amazing Grace, and the caregivers lap that followed. Then it was time for us all to join in. Since there were several members of my team there that hour, I decided to get some errands and cleaning done and then go back later when we needed someone on the track. I walked from 8:30 to about quarter to 12:00. I was planning on staying until 2:00 but me strange knee started to seize up on me and I could barely move, so I had to stop. It was great being involved with something like this.
To top off the weekend I was set apart as the second counselor in the Primary on Sunday! What are they thinking? We will see how this ends up, I may get an early release.

Busy weeks

2008-04-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

Don't ask me what exactly I have been doing to make me so busy- but I have been going, going, going for the past while. We have been loving the warmer springish weather. We fly the kites a lot- ok, well Gabe flies them a lot. We only bought the cheapy ones, but he loves it. The look of joy on a kids face when the wind suddenly picks up the kite and it soars, is so priceless. I love kites for that reason alone. When the wind isn't blowing too much and creating a dirt devil in the side yard- sorry for that neighbors- we have been trying to get the coop finished so our laying ladies can have a little more room. OUr finished product should look spectactular- we had siding left over( um, like I ordered eight too many boxes with 200 square feet in each box- I shouldn't calculate things like that) so it should look like a very nice shed- it even has a window and a door. Thanks to Hans we got a smokin' deal on those. The boys love the chicks. They go out to see the "babies" several times a day. I'm so sad though, they are getting so ugly. All of their real feathers are coming in so they aren't little and fluffy anymore.
Thanks to all those who responded to my Relay for Life fundraiser. We are doing the night long walk this Friday night through Saturday morning. We hope for better weather than last year, right girls?

Relay For Life

2008-04-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

I am excited this month is the Relay for Life. My friend, Lisa, is on the commitee for Cedar City's Relay for Life and she also is our team captain. We all have a great time working together to try to raise funds for cancer research. Each year the commitee lines the track with luminaries in memory or in honor of those who have had cancer- either survivors or those who lost their battle. As we walk the track and see the names of our loved ones and friends along with countless other names, we can feel the sense of urgency to find a cure for this horrible disease. Our team is hosting a huge yard sale/bake sale with all proceeds going to the cause. Lisa has also put together a 5k run/walk that will take place on the morning of the 19th if you know of anybody who is interested. I'm not sure what the entrance fee is, but last year we had great sucess with this 5k and so much fun. If you would like to contribute to this huge fundraising event call me and let me know. YOu can purchase a luminaria bag which I can decorate with the name of a loved one and bring it to the track with me to be honored with the rest who have battteles with this terrible disease.

The odds are in my favor!!!

2008-04-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

We now have WAAAAYYY more girls in the family than boys. OUr chicks arrived a few days ago, and if we assume correctly, at least 10 of the 12 are girls. Hans came home with them from Cal-Ranch. Six Barred Rock and six Phode Island Reds. They are cute little things! The boys absolutely love them and ask several times a day to see the baby birds. Hiett thinks they are turkeys- but he thinks all birds but ducks are turkeys. We'll work on that. We are looking forward to this whole chick farming experience.

One exciting night

2008-03-28T08:45:00.001-07:00

We started off easy, with a dinner of chili and cornbread and then the excitement started. At 6:00 we had our first pack meeting with the scouts. Hans and I are the new Weeblos leaders. I know NOTHING about scouts and the customs, traditions, process, ANYTHING and HAns swears he can't remember much seeing as how that was 15-20 years ago. So we are in a pretty pickle. Anyway. When the old leaders gave us the books and name lists and stuff on Tuesday, they casually told us we were in charge of a skit on Thursday night. Lovely. Not only did we not have any idea of who any of our boys were, but we were supposed to get them to do a skit for us!? To my surprise, our two boys that showed up were more than willing to help and seem like very sweet, well behaved nine year olds; which surprised me because I didn't think there was such a thing. But we learned a little bit here and there and truthfully, I am a little excited, I think this will be fun.
So then Hans took the boys home and I went to a prepardness class. Um, I wouldn't call it that really. IT was more like a scare you to death- you better get prepared class. It was so horrifying! I learned a little bit but got scared a whole lot. MAybe that's a good thing so I will get spurred into action. I arrive home and ask where Gabe was and HAns said he was in the spare room watching his movie and to check his puncture wound. I was not prepared for what I saw. Gabe's bandaid on his forehead was still oozing blood everywhere, up in his hair even. So I tear off the bandaid and there truly is a hole in my son's head! I about freaked. It was a little hole, but it was sill bleeding two hours after it had happened! I guess he had somehow slipped off the bed and into the leg of the church table and hence the deep hole in his poor little head. I rebandaged him and put that elasticy turnicat stuff and wound it around his head to apply more pressure so the bleeding would stop and so I could not worry as much. We've only had scrapes and bruises at our house, so this was major trauma(ok- there was only trauma on my part).

I LOVE EASTER

2008-03-24T08:15:00.001-07:00

Easter and THanksgiving are my personal favorite holidays. I'm not sure why THanksgiving, other than all the food and family which are always a good combination. Easter I love the traditions, the feeling of humility and love that we get to feel when we are constantly reminded of the Savior's life and death and ressurection. We have the simple Easter traditions right now, but I hope to expand the older then kids get. We color eggs of course. My mom made little sets of a dozen plastic eggs filled with small scriptures retelling the process of the Atonement and the ressurection, and tiny objects that related to each scrupiture. that the boys love doing. They learn while having fun- although I must say, they spent more time fighting about who got to open which egg than listening to the scriptures. We decided to skip the city egg hunt, becuase I didn't think it would be too fun watching kids fight over eggs and listen to screaming kids who didn't find anything. After we got through with the morning egg hunt in the living room, we went to work. Really. Hans finished the Master closet, since I finally got it stained and finished, he could put it together. And while he did that, I shoveled dirt. A lot of dirt. I'm proud to announce the callouses are back and I was able to shovel for four hours without a single blister! While we worked the kids loved to play in the dirt with their new buckets and shovels the Easter Bunny brought to them. Me and the boys got our first tans of the season, it was so sunny and warm and wonderful! Yet another reason to love Easter, it means good weather is coming to stay soon! We hope you all had a great Easter time!

Easter Extraveganza!

2008-03-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

St. Patrick's Day!

2008-03-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun GREEN day this year. We started off early with green pancakes which the boys loved. Gabe has really gotten into any holiday and thinks they are all factastic and it helps that he believes anything that we tell him. For example, his Grandma Lovell created a storybook about her and Grandpa catching a leprachaun which was so cute. Gabe fell in love with it. HE even brought it to school for his turn with the sharing bag. SInce reading that little story he had been wanting to hunt and catch a leprachaun just like Grandpa. So, after he got home from school on St. Patty's Day, leprachaun catching we went. As Gabe told me, "Left then right, into the forest." We drove up the canyon a little ways until the trees were a little thicker. I had brought along a few gold leprchaun coins to hide, so at least the boys could find SOMETHING, and dropped them out of my pocket as we wandered down the snowey trail. I bet people driving up the canyon were wondering what a mother and her two kids were doing walking 20 feet from the rode in 6 inches of snow, but hey, let them wonder! Gabe was disappointed that there were no leprachauns, he concluded that we had the wrong forest and said something about not having a rainbow, so at least he thought there were other reasons for not finding a little green elf man other than they don't exist. I love the way a child's mind thinks. We did however find the river. Gabe said that must be where the leprachaun takes tubs. Funny child. Hiett just came along for the ride I think, but he had fun finding his money too.
LAter than night after a stange meal of corned beef and cabbage we played pin the hat on the leprachaun where I discovered my children are born cheaters. Wonderful. Then we played a simplified BINGO or "LUCK" for our purposes with colors and the few numbers that Gabe knows. We took pictures of the fun we had, but I had forgotten to put the card back into the camera, whoops. We topped off the night with eating green frosted cupcakes. Does life get any better than this? I am so glad that my mom did such fun stuff for us every holiday and made all of them special in some way, because it really is so much more fun to do all sorts of silly stuff and make each little holiday a huge event. THanks mom. I'm sure my boys thank you too.

All settled in!

2008-03-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

We sat down the other night and ordered stuff for landscaping. I am so totally excited. Honestly. I love this time of year, the planning, the anticipation of seeing the first sprouts green up. I LOVE Spring! We ordered some native grass seed to replenish the parts of the property that had been run over with too many trucks and tractors. I also had Hans get high desert wildflowers to sprinkle at random over our dirt so that we will look like a meadow instead of a flood plain. I am excited to see how this will turn out. ANd of course we got our seeds for our garden so we can start our grow light this week probably! HOw much fun am I allowed to have?
We got to talk in church yesterday. Can I say exciting? Usually we have Kima nd SHarisa watch the boys while we do things like this, but they had something else planned so we toughed it out. WOW. All I can say is embarrassing. I might have a few new embarassing moments. I tried to help Gabe walk out of the Chapel at the beginning becasue he was not listening or behaving. My hand slipped, he lost his footing and fell into the wall with a loud crash and he starts wailing. I'm sure the congregation that couldn't see what had happened thought I had spanked him then and there. The people that could see probably thought that it looked like I threw him into the wall, becasue that is what it looked like. AHHHHH. They'll be calling child protective services on me. When we finally returned from that fiasco, everything went well until half way through HAns' talk, I heard a rather loud," Mom, I'm going pee!" I turn horrified as my kid is half way down the stairs. As I get up to go with him, he says again even louder where he is going. A few people chuckled, many more were grinning at him. I smiled too, rather weakly probably, and left with my children, with the idea of never coming back again. The ward was rather understanding and told me story after story of embarassing shildren moments that helped me feel better and maybe I will go back to church after all.

Our pup has arrived- meet Tonks

2008-02-22T07:56:00.000-08:00

Call us crazy, or stupid, one of the two, but either way we are a glutton for punishment. We thought about getting a puppy for a long time and then one of our favorite breeds that we are always watching for came along at a fantastic price so we decided to get a puppy a little sooner than we really anticipated. So, we have another Wiem, but this one is altogether sweet and quite calm compared to her uncle that it so happens was the other Wiem we owned a few years back, the infamous Dutch.
In reality she is my pup Hans gave her to me for a combined anniversary/Valentine's/get the house done present. so I named her Tonks, but her registered name will be Bell's Sweet Baby Girl. I know they have nothing in common, but hey, I liked both and I usually call her Baby Girl anyway. I wanted a girl to even out the odds a little bit, and they are generally smaller and a little less hyper in this breed. She is just really a cute puppy and I can say that at the moment because she is sleeping soundly in the recliner. But she already seems adjusted and is great with the kids. HIett follows her around yelling "puppy, puppy, puppy" in a higher than normal pitch, and Gabe is a such a good animal person. He pets her and brings her toys and also reprimands as is needed. We have suffered only one scratch and not a single bite yet! Of course it has only been three days.
So I have a pampered, slightly spoiled big dog who assumes she is a lap dog, but with those beautiful blue eyes who can resist?

What a weekend!

2008-02-11T12:36:00.000-08:00

We started the weekend off with a bang! Hans and I celebrated our SIXTH anniversary on Friday. Holy Cow. Growing up I had planned on barely being married at this point in my life, but here I am 25, married for 6 years and two kids to boot! Not to mention a house and soon a puppy to join our crew! We feel quite accomplished. A lot has happened since we first met in August of 2001 at Snow College; some good, some bad, a little stress, and a whole lot of happy.
Sharisa and Kim took the kids, not only for the eveningm but for the WHOLE night! Whoo hoo! We got a square 8 hours of sleep without any interuptions and it was wonderful! We ate out at Applebee's, thanks to my Aunt Karen, and then headed home for a night of games and questions about each other. It was my turn to plan what to do, so it was a little boring. But February is a little cold for a starlit bonfire up the mountain, so I had to improvise.
Saturday we woke up at a leisurely eight thirty and then drove into town to get the boys. We continued on to St. George for a day just spent with each other not worrying about building or packing or unpacking. And it was great! We went to a few pet stores to get stuff for the pup and to look at fish. Hans has a thing for fish. We ate lunch at a park and then played and played. OUr boys have absolutely no fear! Slides, strangers, ladders, whatevent he case may be, there is no apprehension or comprehension of what could happen to them. What trusting kids. We stopped by the temple just to look and walk around. Last, we stopped by Aaron and Brandy's for a visit with them and sweet Daxton. We are excited for them too! They are expecting another little bundle of joy. Our family just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I love it. The boys had a great time playing with their cousin, and as always we loved visiting. On Sunday it was my sister, Steph's birthday so I had an excuse to call and bug her. It is always so fun to call and chat with hera dn we always stay on the phone way too long- usually until my kids start screaming. HAppy Birthday Steph! Other than that, we went to church then just relaxed and Gabe watched his "Jesus movie", and I made a really gross stew with potato dumplings. YEECh. It was pretty bad. So we had brownies and ice cream to round up the perfect weekend!

THis is the last time I will talk about my house, I promise! But here is the grand tour for those who don't get to come and see

2008-02-11T12:27:00.000-08:00

We are moving in!

2008-01-26T21:41:00.000-08:00

THe house is completely done! Gabe has reconciled to the fact that he has brown carpet and is much happier now that there are toys and clothes scattered all over the floor. My folks and sister nad brother in law and their baby that is way to cute and chubby( I am jealous) and my aunt and uncle came to see the finished creation and help us move all of our stuff(which we had way too much of). It actaually only took three trailer loads. OUr friend JAke helped us out so much and added the much man power especially to get the new fridge where it needed to be. THank goodness I have no piano! We are planning on having a party sometime after we get settled to let everyone see where we have been the last four months. OUr internet nad phone wont' be hooked up at the new house for a week or so, becasue I kinda forgot that I needed to get hat taken care of. Whoops! So this will be the last blog for a while.
Some more exciting news- mY brother nad sister in law in Texas are going to have twins!!!! HOw crazy is that! I am so excited. I plan on goin down soon after that babies are born. IT's about time for a visit I think. And I promise I am not just coming to see the babies, Jared! Congratulations for you guys. LOve you.
Thank you all who helped us out so much and blessed us in so many ways- for my friends who watched the kids so I could work and continuely ask questions and are so sweet to be interested in our house. We are so thank ful for our dear family who have done so, so much for us, for our parents who are amazing and always give support and love and admiration of my too expensive of blinds and green walls. YOu are all wonderful, and friends you better watch out- game night at our house in a few weeks!

Finally!!!!

2008-01-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

OUr toilets are fully functioning! And not only do they work but they are a comfortable toilet. I know that sounds weird, but htere are some toilets out there that are plain not comfortable to sit on, and by golly, our are! It is so nice not to have to carry Gabe out to the freezing port a potty whenever he has to go( every 30 minutes I swear). This also means that our plumbing is completely done, our heating is finished and we are one step closer to moving in!
Gabe went back to school this week and loved it! He didn't cry at all and has been learning the ffffff letter that flies. He likes drawing on any piece of wood that he can get his hands on at the house. HE has perfected the A as long as it is upside down, and the H is great and he added the F yesterday to his letters that he can do without any help. We have had so much fun with him and his school.
HIett, well, HIett just loves to help. ANd he is so much happier when it is just hima nd mom while Gabe is at school. THey do play togehter all day, but the fighting goes down to a minimum when there is only one choild at home. ANd it is nice. I better get going. I have to put the rock on the bar today and then the interioir will be all but finished. Yipee!

Another week has come and is almost gone

2008-01-11T10:10:00.000-08:00

I can't believe time passes so fast. IT was so great this past week. We actually took a few breaks from the house and just hung out. ONe night we went to dinner with Kim and Sharisa, another night we just played around, and then one night I went to a movie wiht my friends and bawled the whole way through. YOu need a movie like that sometimes.
Gabe started his new school. HE had a really hard time with me leaving him there. I think this building a house stuff is hard on kids. Gabe told us last night that he didn't want to move into the new house. HE wants to take it apart and put it in the big garbage( I think he is talking about the roll off bin at the house site- It looks like a house could fit into it!) That made me sad. I thought they were still too young to really care about htis sort of thing, but I guess change is hard for everybody- young or old. But his new teachers were really great and they somehow managed to calm him down so he still loved his new school. HIs teacher, Mrs. Walker, is actually my friend Gena's mom, so we kind of know each other a bit and Gabe knows that Caleb's grandma is his teacher and he thinks that is pretty cool. Hiett is just a nut. And he will tell you so too. ANd then he will call you a nut. ALthough it all kinda runs together, more like, "no-uanut!" But he is such a cute rascal- and rascal is a good word for him. He's one of those kids who smiles at you when you are upset and you can't relaly stray mad for too long. Adolesence should be fun. :) Well, here's a few more pictures for those of you who care to see our progress. We are planning on moving in within the next two weeks! AHHHHHH!

OUR CHRISTMAS

2008-01-01T18:54:00.000-08:00

Our week of trim work

2008-01-01T18:22:00.001-08:00

OUr Christmas was wonderful! It is the first year that we stayed here at home instead of trafveling to one of our parents houses. IT was fun doing the whole Santa is coming, get treats and then actaully getting to stay up and be Santa. ( and eat the goodies!) The boys had a great time. Hiett kept stealing sips of Santa's eggnog right before we went to ben, it was so funny. Gabe kept insisting that he was going to show Santa his new Spider man pajames and was so sad when he said he can never see Santa. I htink Gabe was most exicted to open a little gift hat he got from his teachers at school. It was a snowman book that he loves. ANd hiett just loves his candy canes. Is this long enough?
This past while at the house we've been working on the trim. If I seem a little different to everybody I blame it on the fumes I inhaled way too much of while finishing the wood for the house trim. WOW. But the house does look nice I think and if I am not right in the head at least there is a good reason. Thank goodness that Hans had four days off plus the weekend so we were able to get a lot done. They said this part would take the longest and they weren't joking! We hope to move in before the end of JAnuary, a few weeks late, but not too bad. We hope everybody starts off an excellent New Year!

2007-12-18T09:59:00.001-08:00

Has it been that long????

2007-12-18T07:49:00.000-08:00

Wow. I haven't gotten on here forever! Sorry for that. I'm sure you are all anxiously awaiting new of our lives. Well, of course Christmas is huge right now. Gabe wants a "big, big tractor" from Santa and HIett couldn't care less about the whole thing. I already know what I am getting- A house. It should be pretty near completion around Christmas next week. And I got my painting framed which I am excited about. Ya know, the problem with being Santa is that there are no surprises anymore. Sad, sad. But I LOVE this CHristmas season; the music, the family and friends, the snow( hint hint weather man), and thinking a little bit more often about the Savior and his humble entrance into this cold world. But here are a ton of pictures to show the world what on earth we've been doing the last month.

OUr sincere apologies to any and all we have neglected

2007-11-20T21:08:00.000-08:00

OUr life has become completely absorbed by this little project called a house. We really have not dropped off the face of the earth, although it feels like it. I even forgot my mother's birthday! I am completely ashamed. It made me realize that if I could forget that then I probably not been the greatest friend, sister, daughter, acquiantance( or wife and mother for that matter) in the last few weeks. I am soooo sorry. We are gone a lot. I generally take the boys out there first thing in the morning ( when Gabe doesn't have school) and do whatever I can do until Hans gets there around 4:30 and then we come home at dark. So. I still love you all, please still be our friends when this is all over.
IT has been amazing seeing the help we get from people that Hans has worked with in the past. The quality has been amazing. I am am so thankful that Hans is a good people person and made good impressions on all these contractors so they would want to help us the way that Hans had helped them out when they were building. I am also grateful for friends that have helped teach us stuff, especially Vance and Jake Church. My dad loaned us all sorts of equipment and Hans' folks came down to help for a whole week to try to "dry us in". Kim has been out there almost as much as we have and we thank the Lord for him and all the others who have helped us out. Without you all our house would not be built. So, thank you.

Hey all you y'all out there!

2007-11-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

JUst for a heads up and information newflash and so you don't feel bad that you weren't invited; we are having a large scale roofing/siding party on this Saturday, the 10th of November. Any and all who want to come are invited, but please, do not feel obligated. Lunch and snacks will be provided. AND you can come walk through my little house. Kids are also invited. There is lots, LOTS of dirt to play in, tons of room and there will be plenty of adults there to keep a watchful eye. According to the weather there will also be Hot cocoa or gatorade served. IF you come please bring a hammer, we only have so many. We hope to see you there! It will be a blast!

I have a new, beautiful niece!

2007-11-05T07:21:00.000-08:00

Meet Brynlee. Liss and Drew had a surprise come on Saturday when they weren't expecting for another little while. But they sure are glad that she is here. Both mom and daughter, and dad I will add, are doing great. Of course Brynlee couldn't come while I was up last weekend, so we skipped stake conference to drive up north again to see the little darling. I like being able to go for a little drive now and again, and to be close enough to see family if we feel like going. I don't mean to rub it in, Steph and Jared. I am sure I held Brynlee enough for all of us in the few hours we were up there. Well, she sure is a cute addition to the family. This is way too much posting for me in such a short amount of time. Don't get used to it.

Cousins, friends and family!

2007-11-01T20:35:00.002-07:00

Here is a slide of all the sweet people that let me butt into their lives for a little while this past week. Watch out, maybe you are next! I had so much fun with them all. For those who don't know, Jennifer is my friend from high school who I roommed with at Snow and loved every minute of it. The other Jen is my oldest sister nad look a like. THose are her kids in the cousin picture. Riley is Kath's son and Kath is that gorgeus girl who has been my best friedn for 15 years now. Wow. She's put up woith me for that long? Liss is my adorable, younger pregnant sister who I laugh way too much with. And that great looking couple holding my kids in the last frame are my folks who I love very much.

2007-11-01T20:35:00.001-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2007-11-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

We had such a great time celebrating this year. We started early by going up to my mom's for the cousin party they have every year, and had a great time. The kids bobbed for apples, ate doughnuts on a string, had a bat pinata, and even went early trick or treating with some help of some favorite neighbors. When we got home from our little trip, it was really HAlloween. Gabe got to go to his preschool's halloween party where they all dressed up and painted pumpkins and danced around a witch cauldron. While Gabe was at school, Hiett and I went to the play group party which was fun too. For dinner Kim and Sharisa came over and had lumber jack fingers, gross jello and eyeball eggs. When it came time to trick or treat that night, Gabe didn't want to go, saying he had already done it at Grandma's, but we finally convinced him and we all had a great time. We are still trying to recover from a candy overload!

2007-11-01T20:14:00.001-07:00

Fall Fun with Friends

2007-10-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Fall!

2007-10-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! IT seems like the days are getting so much shorter and time passes so quickly. My boys are getting big and finding all sorts of mischief. We have had so much fun raking leaves this week. Alas, our bad news is that our two kittens, Tuna and MAck have diasappeared. So wierd! It is sad. Another cat decided to move in though and "ladycat" has no intention of leaving. She is a long haired calico and reminds me of Oscar, although not near as ornery. Gabe is continueing to love school and his friends and teachers there. He is finally getting a hang of colors and can count to ten and know his shapes. The most important thing is that he is learning to love school. It will make kindergarten so much easier in a few years. OUr house is starting to be framed this week. I have to order the siding and rock and stuff today. I hope the colors go together. AHHHHHH!

It is finally started!

2007-09-19T12:28:00.000-07:00

OUr house which has taken forever to get going is gaining serious momentum and we are getting more and more frightened. WEll, I am anyway. From the looks of it we should be getting the framing done by the end of October. We might actually get this house done by the time we are supposed to! Who would have thought! I love it, but inevitably, the time grows closer to say somewhat of a goodbye to our awesome ward and wonderful friends, and that makes me sad. Anyway. Here we go! Thanks you all for being excited with us in our adventure!

What a good few weeks it has been!

2007-09-11T12:16:00.001-07:00

Labor Day weekend was great. We drove up to Delta to spend the days with Will and Julie. Our real motive for going to Delta though, was so Hans could take the power plant test that they were having on the Tuesday directly following Labor Day; well, and for the BYU football game on Saturday that Hans loves to go to with his dad. After spending the weekend stressing about the test and talking non stop about the implications of passing the test, Hans finally went and took it. We only had to wait a few days for them to e-mail us with the news that Hans passed! We are so very excited and proud of Hans. Less than half of the about 200 hundred people who took the test on Tuesday passed. So now we wait, hopefully for at least six months, before they call for an interview and a position! Wish us luck!

Pitcures Finally!

2007-09-11T12:15:00.001-07:00

Off to SCHOOL!

2007-08-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

On the 28th of this month, Gabe attended his first day of preschool. We were all so excited. Even though we live only a mile or two from the Iron County Preschool where he is going, we signed him up to take the bus. He has watched kids getting off and on buses across the street for three years now, and he was anxious for his turn! But when it came down to actually getting onto the bus, he balked a little. It was the first time I had ever seen Gabe scared. So, of course, I snapped a picture and continued to shoo him further into the bus. What a mom! He was nervous but he didn't cry. As the bus rumbled down the street through, I started to tear up, which turned to full on tears as I noticed Hiett clinging to the screen door, wailing as he watched his buddy leave. But Hiett got over his sadness quickly when he realized that he had mom all to himself. When Gabe got home he was full of sharing and jabbering about Q and 1, so I figured those were the things that they had started out with in class that day. He has never shared so well before! What do they do in that school that I can't? Anyway, school is a huge hit at our house!

Our Camping Trip

2007-08-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

SO MUCH FUN!

2007-08-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

We had a great time camping. We traveled a good three hours to Barker's Campground NW of Escalante. It was well worth the drive, it was the most beautiful place I had ever been camping. The fishing was only mediocre, but we sure had a fun time together catching weeds and sticks. Gabe even snagged a pop can with the new fishing net that Grandma and Grandpa gave him for his birthday. Even though we had a lot of enpty casts, we still managed to fry a few trout. Bobby's boy Jacob had the most luck the first day with two fish. Bobby himself is quite the fisherman and he caught a few, as did Dad. I caught one ten incher the second day in our lovely borrowed float tube. Hans finally caught a fish after several hours of determined casting- and he still hates fishing I think.
The scenery was beautiful; Quakies and a few pine trees. It was so green you could barely see the dirt. We saw several deer who would walk right into our campsite along with some pine hens and heard a supposed bear that we never actaully saw. As usual with a Downs' family camping trip, it rained off and on with a few really great storms that drenched us. But with Dad's handy tarp coverings, the boys called it the "circus", we managed to keep mostly dry. We slept, we cooked, we ate too much, and we talked while we played a few games. Once again, we brought enough food to sustain us for at least two weeks, even if it would have been ding dongs and crackers, we would have lived. And I must admit, if I wouldn't have had help, seven year old Jacob would have beat me in Chess- I stink at strategy!
The only thing missing from the trip was half of our family, and we sure did miss them. We would have had double the laughter, twice the sugar high and even sweeter memories.