IT's A BOY!! .... AGAIN!!!

at least we're 80 % sure. The cord was running through the legs as well, but we think there was 1 good shot that said boy:)

Alright so we officially announced our pregnancy to our families with this doctored Christmas card picture and a little jingle set to the tune of Jingle Bells.

Jingle Bells, what is that smell
which one of you broke my eggs
Clean up the floor, just to clean it some more
Can't we get away

Had a good week, started to think
Maybe we should have one more
Now it's too late, to re-con-sid-er-ate
What did we bargain for

Now we're thinking pink
We hope they're not all gone
Dang those Bellamy's
For Taking all of thom

The baby's due in June
Hope that's not to soon
Got to build the boys another room
Before our house goes BOOM

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jingle jar, is that your car?
rolling down the hill
Holy spit, we've gotta catch it
Cuz it's Mason at the wheel

They were all surprised and it turned out to be a really fun way to tell them we were expecting.

Dreading the night!!

Alright, so we are experiencing Croup for the first time and let me tell you ... it's pretty scarry when your child can't breathe. I opted not to take him in today and see how it went and he was the best child ever today!! (not that I want him to be sick, but it's nice when they don't have the same energy level sometimes) however, tonight is the night ... the dr. told me that if we have another bad night he has to be seen tomorrow. So here's to tonight!!

so Spencer's cousin turned me on to this awesome deal!! I bought this whole bedding set for 10.98
here's how

http://www.seventhavenue.com/Sale/Bed-and-Bath/Quilts--Comforters/Dinoland-Kids-Bed-Set.pro?fpi=51212&catCd=DQ
or you can get to it from backatheranch.blogspot.com
ok so you go on and add 1 to your cart
then you click continue shopping
then you search for cookie sticks and order the 2.99 ones
Alright ... now you go to your cart and in the Promo Code part you enter sa20 and hit apply promo
so your total should now be like .98 cents
then you check out and with shipping it comes to like 10.98
YAY for good deals!!

Stung by a bee!!
so on Wednesday afternoon I had ventured outside after editing photo's only to stand too close to a beehive:-( so I felt something on my head and I swatted and it was a bee stuck in my hair. I of course started running (this has always been successful in the past) and my friend Lori yelled that I had like 3 bees following me, so of course I ran faster. Well when I thought I had lost them I started swatting like a crazy woman at my hair to make sure the bee was gone. Well, it wasn't and for the first time in 28 years I was stung (on my brain stem) by a bee. And let me tell you ... I will be avoiding being stung again for another 28 years!!!!
I almost forgot the most important part of my story. I got my revenge that night ... spencer (my knight in shining armor, yes I forgive you for your wuss comments) went around to two different bee's nests that we had discovered and KILLED all of them ... there were like 50 bees at each hive laying dead on the ground. AND THAT'S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU STING KORIE!!

recipe book

one of my neighbors has organized her recipe's all in a three ring binder using divided clear plastic overs. Now, I've been looking for years for a way to store all my recipes, but still be able to add new ones at the same time, so I've created my own recipe cards I thought I'd share.

Where did the summer go?

Spencer's birthday was pretty good this year, the big 34:) we took the kids to the dinosaur museum down at Thanksgiving point and then my mom watched them so we could have a date night, just the two of us. We both felt young again that night. we went miniature golfing and to dinner and then we got our pictures taken in one of the dumb color booths. It was really really fun!! However, it didn't end there. the next night we had his family birthday party with the Bellamy's at the park and then went to our friends "The Kols" to play games ... I believe I won all three games that night (Eat that Jason) and we just finished off his birthday fun by going to see a movie that came out this weekend that he really wanted to see "Surrogate" which despite critic reviews we both really really loved!! I gave spencer a bunch of Aeropostale clothing (as seen below) ... hit a huge sale and their shirts actually come down long enough to cover spencer's long torso (I'd be interested in other stores that have longer shirts as well) and then I gave him a really nice desk, I'll have to take a picture of his current one that we got when we were first married at the DI, let's just say it was time for a new one!!

my parents

We went on our annual "Briggs/Staten" camp out up to the Redman campground up Big Cottonwood canynon. It is the most beautiful camp site, but how on earth did we manage to hit the only cold weekend in August on our once a year camp out? we could see our breath the entire time we were there and woke up to ice water and frost. But, it was still quite fun. The boys spent time gathering rocks to throw in the water and "hemorroids" for the fire. Mason found a toy tiger that our friends had brought and carried it around everywhere. Both of them had a blast feeding the "pockets" except Ethan got a little frustrated with Mason because he'd point and make noise anytime a "pocket" came near. :) We played cards and ate bad food ... what a weekend ... it will be fun to go again ... um next year (I need a year between these camp outs to recover) lol

Little Stinker!!

Fourth of July Fun

We had a lot of fun over the 4th and 24 of july. On the 4th we went and saw the kaysville parade. Ethan had a really fun time and was very dedicated to waving so they would throw him some candy. I'm not exactly sure why he wanted their candy when I'd brought so much of our own:) Mason was a little brighter on that front and sat and ate pretty much every ounce of candy he could get his hands on. Ethan's favorite part were the planes that flew over head and the fire trucks. My least favorite part were the Oxen that slowly and stinkily trotted down the street. On the 24th we went and saw fireworks at Meuller park, just Ethan and I went with Grandma and Grandpa Bellamy and some of the Wayment girls. Ethan really really loved looking up and kept yelling his excitement. He would say "Grandma ... the fireworks say boom boom" I did however hear him tell his stuffed puppy not to be afraid, that fireworks weren't scary:) on the way back to our car from the park Ethan had to go the bathroom (he had already gone in the 3 stores we'd gone to that day, so I was not really happy that he was telling me he had to go again) Well, everyone was still out in their front yard from watching the fireworks so I didn't feel as if he could just go on their lawn. Anyway ... I had this brilliant idea to teach him to go in a cup. well, the night ended with me trying to get out of the car with this cup of pee and spilling it all over myself and the car... grrr!!
All in all though, what a great July:)

Up in the tree like a bird

When Ethan as 2/12 we were out visiting my parents and he came in and we knew he wanted something so we tried to get him to use his words and tell us what he wanted and then we all tried to figure out what he'd just said, I think it was something like "Da dan want up tree like bird" well, since that day Spencer has been putting my boys up in trees like the birds and they love it. I think it's cute too, unless the tree in question is too high (which has happened more than I'd like to think about)

TOO BIG!!

Wow! Mason is growing up so fast!!
I've been working with Ethan on his letter sounds and reading and Mason has decided that he needs to work on them too. so every time I ask Ethan to pronounce a word Mason will come over and start pointing to the page saying a phh or bhh or fff, he thinks he is soooooo funny and will laugh uproariously at himself:)

Moving?

http://utahrealestate.com/899761
http://utahrealestate.com/876966

So house projects may be on hold until we decide if we're moving or not :-( and :)
we walked through both of these on Friday and I fell in love with #1 and Spencer really liked #2
It's such a hard decision ... we love our neighborhood sooooooooooooo much and it's so hard taking a chance on a new one when I feel we've found the perfect one here, however, we've outgrown our house by 1 child already and I can't imagine where we'd put a third if and when we decide we're ready for that 3rd.
HARD DECISIONS TO COME

so, I've been going crazy with design ideas for my home. I think I've figured out what I'm going to do with my crazy small bathroom. I'm going to utilize some useless space above my tub with this shelving idea in the white picture and then the other two bathroom pictures show what I want to do in regards to adding beadboard.
Also the first picture is what I want to do for my boys room, but instead of the fish theme I'm going to do a trains, planes and automobile theme and maybe have the white silhouette on the walls be clouds or planes havent decided. What do you think? also, do you like the recess lighting over the tub in the white bathroom pic?

OUT OF SHAPE

So I went hiking with the Young Womens yesterday up a Canyon just above Ogden HS. Well, lets just say, losing weight and being a lot more active did not prepare me for this HIKE!!

Lessons learned:
1. Need to hike and exercise more
2. Need to eat better before I do something like this again
3. Need to know my limits
4. I also learned a lesson in humility - I never knew how embarrassed the people in the rear of the hike got or how overwhelming those feelings of inadequacy could be. And what a sacrifice my YW leaders and bishopbric members and parents made (if they weren't in the best hiking shape) to go on these hikes with me. thank you

8 YEARS (WARNING ... SAPPY LONG POST)

Yesterday was our 8 yr anniversary ... WOW, doesn't feel that long at all. Doesn't time fly by ... well, the things I've most enjoyed in our 8 yrs together
- those first years when we went on vacations and went to theme parks and rode all the rides. Spent money on movies and eating out (maybe, i wish we saved more) WE HAD SO MUCH FREEDOM AND FUN!!
- after year 4 we had our most special experience of all, having Ethan. We had tried for over a year to get pregnant with him and it was such an awesome experience when I secretly took another test, many of you know that I'd had blood work done, I'd taken 3 home tests and 1 hospital test and all were negative (VERY STRESSFUL) and even though all these tests were negative I knew something was wrong with my body, so I went and picked up another home test, feeling stupid and not wanting to tell spencer because I knew it would be negative and when I saw the line turn pink I knew I was just imagining it, but then we were pregnant ... against the odds of 100% accurate blood test. Spencer was so supportive and wonderful while we were going through the stress of not being able to conceive and while we went through the stress of pregnancy and after when we had a crazy baby who didn't want to sleep. I couldn't have stayed sane if I hadn't had such a wonderful husband and father to my baby.
- Then after year 6 we had our next most special experience of having our second baby, Mason. This time I'd convinced Spencer that we needed to start trying earlier than we ultimately wanted to because I knew it would take us another year or maybe more, but ALAS ... the first month we tried to have a baby ... we did!! (Spencer was a little sad we didn't get to try a little longer:)) and once again Spencer was that amazing husband that everyone wishes they had ... helping me with every emotion (like when I found out I was having another boy ... crying about it and backing into another car as we left the ultrasound) and the strain of just being pregnant and this time the Lord surprised us with a baby who loved to sleep. (THANK YOU) and by the way, I am so grateful now that I had two boys together that can play and have an extra special bond ... especially with no boy cousins either of their ages. The Lord really sees things more clearly than I do ... I just saw all the clothes I'd purchased for my baby girl and wanted to be done having kids altogether because I hate pregnancy so bad, but the Lord had another plan for us. (wow this has gotten spiritual :) deal with it!!)

and here we are at year 8, when life has gotten a little easier for the moment. We had a wonderful day yesterday, we hired a babysitter from noon to 8 p.m. and we went to "the Proposal" (totally recommend it) and then to the Olive Garden and it felt like it did in those first couple years of our adventure, but so much better because we have the two most special things that our getting married has brought us .. money and prosperity ... lol ... you know I'm joking!! we don't have money:)

I just count my blessings everyday that the Lord allowed me to meet Spencer when I did and have this wonderful adventure with him!! I just taught a lesson in YW's and my object lesson was a pack of donuts I passed out .. the saying "Donut settle" marry the right man, at the right time, in the right place ... and I DID!! Spencer I love you and I'm so excited to see what the next 8 years of our lives will bring us (it better be a trip to Hawaii in two years) wink wink, nudge ... ok, a kick under the table and a glare!!

Neglected, I know!!

I've really been neglecting my blog lately, it's just that I've had a TON of photo's I've been editing!! but this last week Ethan was on a roll, I thought that he might be past his "cute conversations" phase, but he was full of it last week, maybe it's just that with us being inside more we had more time to talk

M: ooooohhhh, my back hurts (me just complaining to no one as i opened the fridge)
E: "Have to go poop?"
M: "No, I think I pulled a muscle, it just hurts"
E: "Oooohh (said like he's figured it all out) yur back got stung by a bee" (with a nod of his head)

he just got stung on his hand again, obviously my kids don't have the skills I do :) NEVER BEEN STUNG!!

Then the next day we were out watching the hail storm and all the sudden Ethan yells
"TOO MUCH ICE CUBES"

there was a lot more, but I'm not remembering it all right now ... just too cute!!

My ears can now turn off :)

It's been one of those days, you know, the days where you make up new punishments and escape to that little part in your brain if you can make it there before it gets too mushy. Well, that is how the switches on my ears were invented. Ethan had been whining all day long and I had had it, so when spencer got home I told Ethan that my ears were being turned off. I made an elaborate show of me turning off the switches in my ears, which caused Ethan to bawl and bawl because my ears couldn't hear him anymore. (thank heavens they couldn't) And now I have a way to show him that his whining can't effect me. So tonight (a couple hours since the ear switches were invented) this was the conversation:) lol

Ethan: "Mommy can I have a grink"
M: (loudly) "Ethan, Mommy's ears are turned off, you'll have to ask your Daddy"
Ethan: "Daddy ... Can you turn Mommy's ears back on so she can get me a grink?"

I know, totally cute huh!! my 3 boys ... can life be better?

As I said, a ton of fun in the tub ... On Teusday Ethan had his preschool farewell party so we blew up a ton of water balloons and carted them to the park for all the kids to play with. My kids really loved the prep work. These balloons were awesome, Mason could actually sit down on them and bounce up and down and we didnt lose a single one :)

Bath time has been so much fun this week. I allowed my kids to add multiple dyes today (Monday) and we actually came up with a really cool aqua green. I think it was red,yellow, and a couple blues and a couple more yellows

time again for pictures and I'm loving the ones I was able to take. Mason hit 18 months last Thursday and Ethan turned 4 yesterday. Makes me want to cry that my boys are growing up so fast, but I'm enjoying every minute of it (well, almost every minute)

Comprehensive review so far ... I consider myself kind of an expert now at stain removal and am willing to try anything that might speed up the process of treating literally everything that mason wears. I just tried shout advanced for little under a week and my review so far is ... it hasnt taken any of the stains out and I've had to retreat them with spray and wash (with resolve, the stick) now my friend Kara told me it works best if you leave it on for like a week, and I have to admit that I havent done that yet and am testing that now ... so we'll see.

We had a fun day with cousins on Sunday for Nora's baby blessing. Mason managed to squeeze in his nap by sleeping on Spencer for an 1 1/2 hours :) Ethan didn't get a nap, which we paid for when we got home...

ok, I loaded these pictures wrong, let's just say it was a busy but very fun day!! My mom called on Teusday and wanted us to go to California on Wednesday and after some thoughtful consideration of the dangers (flying) and the new experiences I could give my child I decided to do it and we had a blast!! We went to this marine museum and got to pet just about everything... did you know sharks are really rough feeling? then we went to lunch where Ethan PASSED OUT!! and then for the coup de grat (I'm not sure that's right, but you get my meaning) we went to the beach and I have to say that hour and 1/2 made the whole trip worth it (turbulence and all) Ethan was a little nervous about the waves and water to begin with and by the end I was running after him afraid he'd be swept out to sea :) Thank you mom for suggesting this and thank you to my in laws and my wonderful neighbor for helping me out with Mason!! oh and to Brenda for convincing me that i wasnt being a bad mom for leaving Mason home:) The last picture needs to be labeled "Run Gromma Run"

Loved loved loved this!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z0h1NNk1Ik&feature=related

Organization help!!

ok, not too long ago I read a CK article about organizing your scrapbook embellishments by color ... so I took the jump and really like the results. I'm using a lot more embellishments because of this, well it's time to organize my patterned paper and I have hit a brick wall. I've always organized by manufacturer (because I buy multiple papers from lines I like to keep them together) well this is what I think ... tell me if you have any suggestions.
Since I scrapbook by month I've decided to organize by seasons and then manufacturer. so Spring (pastels) Summer (Brights/Primary) Fall (Muted) Winter (Cool colors / Holiday lines) I really like this idea, but I'm running into some issues 1. some papers are muted, but kind of spring themed ... where does it go?? and 2. there are so many different kinds of brights and muted and pastel etc. etc.
If I can get through this I think it could help me start using some of the millions of papers I've purchased.

In like a lamb out like a lion

The last 3 years I've been keeping track of March and I have to say that the old saying in WRONG!! For 3 years (that I know of) March has come in like a lamb (leading us to the slaughter by getting our hopes up that spring is here) only to maul us in the end with her lion ways :)

Did I say I was on a roll?? Because that turned out to be a lie!!

Ok, I'm on a roll now ... probably helps I've been sick for a week :) February templates are done and now I just have 3 more weeks to put together. Lots of work, still wishing I would have just bought the kit that no one received from creating keepsakes. lol

You guys have been nice not to mention how far behind I am on this :) well, now I'm only 4 wks behind instead of 5 ... wha whaaaa

Reality!!

So Yesterday (Monday) I decided I was ready for spring so I took down all my valentines stuff and decorated for Easter last night ... well, this is what I woke up to this morning. So much for the power of positive thinking!

s

HELP!!
Ok, I am trying to devise a way to keep my house clean and organized ... I heard one suggestion that Lori told me that the Teeples try to do. They set aside 10 minutes a night and pick up clutter throughout the house. I am willing to try that ... any more suggestions?

You have to know that we have been battling constipation with Ethan since he was born and it's been really really bad lately.

Ethan: "Have to get new one"
M: "What a new bum?"
Ethan: "Yeah, say bye hurt go away"
M: "Well, we'll have to work on that"

I feel so bad for him, but we're now trying Metamucil and he keeps asking for the special orange apple juice that I made for him this morning and even brought me an orange and the apple juice so I could make it for him again ... little does he know (I'm rubbing my hands together and laughing evily)

So today I was in the intersection waiting to turn left onto 200 N and had to wait for this car that ran the yellow light ... so by the time I got to turn our light had already turned red. Well, from the back seat Ethan pipes up "Red means stop silly"
Isnt three a wonderful age:)

Ok so I used a Bingo card template for preschool tomorrow ... I do have to say that she could have made that template a lot better. I basically had to do everything ... grrr
oh well, it still turned out cute and will still be fun

I got this cute template from the crafty chicks ... I think and then I created some paper that would match my kids outfits :) we're going to send this to Grandma's and Grandpa's today if it ever stops snowing. (hopefully they won't read my blog before they get it)

Isn't it amazing how much you can love your kids! They drive me crazy most of the time, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Ethan is saying the funniest things right now. His big thing lately is to let me know that I "hurt his deelings" we were in the car yesterday and I had had enough of his screaming and whining and so I let him know that I'd had enough (not in a nice way) and he said "Ethan have to call grandma and let her know that Mommy hurt my deelings, she laughed at me (he has somehow gotten yelling and laughing mixed up in his mind)" Mason is walking everywhere and is so proud of himself. It's so fun to see how much my two boys love each other. I just found this picture from last fall when we went down to Gardner Village with my mom and dad's family.

or there is this one, which is pretty cute too

I've narrowed mason's first year kits down to these ... what is your opinion (keep in mind he was a November baby so I think I want sort of a fall/winter color scheme)