Monday, October 31, 2011

Carving...

A few days later, we finally got around to carving them. Ben rented Sponge Bob Square pants-Halloween, and we watched that while we carved. Sponge bob is not my favorite, but I thought it wouldn't hurt just this once. :)
Taylor was only allowed to color on her pumpkin, which made her happy since she loves to draw!
A very concentrated Tucker...
Ben being Ben...


Love that cute face...
Taylor was very excited about her pumpkin. I loved it! :)


Sunday, October 30, 2011

Halloween Prep...

We do love to celebrate holiday's around here. Halloween is no exception. Here are some things we've been doing this month to get ready for the big holiday! :)
Making a gingerbread haunted house...
Decorating the mantle...
and the rest of the house...

Ben's mom sent us the awesome haunted house to put together. I love it! We had so much fun putting it together. We will for sure be keeping it for next year! :)
Tucker wanted to make all of his classmates little treats for Halloween. I decided it would be simple, so we put a tissue over a lollipop, tied it tight and Tucker drew on a scary face to make lollipop ghosts. :)
They turned out super cute!
And of course Tucker had so add some Halloween to his bedroom. I don't know where we got these lights, but they are his now! :) (during one of our daily dance parties that happen on Tuckers bed.)

Saturday, October 29, 2011

The Pumpkin Patch...

This year has been a little different from years past. We didn't make it out to greenbluff, even once. We usually go multiple times during this fall season. I just wasn't having it energy wise, or desire wise, to make a trip. And the Agurkis' didn't come into town this year for our annual Halloween bash. I almost gave up completely on getting out to a pumpkin patch, when the heavens opened and Dave, Ben's boss, invited us over to his house to pick out pumpkins in their awesome patch. They had so many great pumpkins! I was so grateful that our kids didn't have to miss out on getting their own pumpkins this year.
I love this picture of both boys with their hands in their pockets. I swear, Tucker is such a little mini-me of Ben sometimes.
All of us...


My mom was in town for a few days, she had gone to Las Vegas to visit my brother and flew in and out of Spokane. So, on her way home, she stayed for a few days. The kids were, of course, thrilled to have grandma here for a few days.

I'm so glad we still got the pumpkin patch experience this year, it just wouldn't be Halloween without it!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Visiting cousins...

Allen and his family came a few weekends ago. The kids had fun with their cousins.
These two finally are at an age where they had fun together. Their favorite thing to do was to jump in Taylor's crib.
And of course, bath time had to be together...
After bath time these girls were having so much fun together, but of course, as soon as I went and got the camera they both looked pissed. :)
After dinner Uncle Ben made the boys like the best dessert ever! Every type of sweet thing we had in the house went into those bowls- the boys loved it!
We went to the children's museum and they happened to be face painting that day. Keyton had a super hero mask.
Tucker had a dragon face.
Here are some more pictures of our time with cousins & with grandma...
At Mobius, when the boys got their faces painted:

And putting on a magic show at Mobius:
The girls were there playing together as well...
Love this cute girl...
We met up with Tuckers good friend Ella, and her mom (my good friend, Laura) to play with at Mobius. Here are the boys with Ella...
{just like his dad, Tucker has to ruin almost every picture.}
And some more after bath time pictures of the girls...

What a fun filled, packed weekend! :)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Pre-school pictures...

A few months ago I ordered this professional photo scanner on-line. I got it in hopes of scanning all of our old (non-digital) photos into our computer. I was so excited when I finally got it. My mom and dad had both given me some old family photos to scan. But then things got busy, and the task seemed a little daunting, I kept on putting it off and off. Well, I finally got the scanner out to scan in Tuckers pre-school pictures from this year. The pictures turned out SO cute! But I am so bummed that the scanner-SUCKS!
Here are the super cute/horribly scanned pictures:

Tuckers class: Teacher Barbara, Araliegh, Tucker, Garret, Mason, Kara, Harley, Teacher Kimbo. 2nd row: Kennedy, Monty, Maggie, Cassie, Milo. Front row: Anna, Owen, Bowen, Ty, Hunter & Drew.
I am so glad he is in a class with so many of his good buddies. He truly loves going to school and I love that!
I just might have to return this scanner though! poo!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

baby update...

Well, this has been something that I've wanted to write about but was unsure how I would go about doing it. People have been wanting to know how the pregnancy has been going and for those who haven't heard, last week I had a miscarriage. I was 13 weeks pregnant, so I had to go in and have a D&C. Let me back up. This pregnancy has been a little different from the beginning. (I apologize for the wordy post, but this is for my own benefit and records, here!) :) Anyway, I took the pregnancy test mid-August. When it was positive we were obviously, so excited. I knew that we had conceived sometime late July and that based on my last period (at the end of June) I was somewhere around a month and half pregnant. I made my first appointment with the OB at the end of August and when I went in, they estimated me around 9 weeks pregnant and gave me a due date of April 2nd. They also scheduled me for the ultrasound for the down syndrome testing that they do between 11-13 weeks for the middle of September. I went in then, three weeks later, to be about 11 1/2 weeks pregnant or so. When they did the ultrasound, everything looked good, but the baby was only measuring 8 1/2 weeks. I had no idea why we were so off! But they didn't seem to think anything of it, so I didn't either. And gave me a new due date of April 21st. They somehow could never schedule my ultrasounds and appointments at the same time, so I went in at the end of September ( 2 weeks later) for my monthly appointment. We heard the baby's heartbeat on the little doppler machine and everything sounded good. I was about 10 1/2 weeks. My new appointment for the ultrasound was scheduled the beginning of October. I totally spaced the appointment! :) and they couldn't get me in for another week and a half. My new appointment was for Wed. the 19th of October. I showed up for the appointment at 9:15, what I thought was the time, and they told me my appointment had been at 8:15! Oops! :) But they had to get me in the next day, because they have to do it before 13 weeks and the next day I was going to be 13 weeks. So....that is how I ended up getting an Ultrasound on Thursday the 20th. I went in and had Taylor with me, I was actually surprised at how big the baby seemed for only being 13 weeks! I don't know why, it was just a lot bigger than I expected. She looked around and measured a few things. And I noticed right away that there was no heart beating, or blood pumping. I've had enough Ultrasounds to know that that you can usually see that. But I didn't know if maybe she hadn't turned on a button or something (I don't know exactly how those machines work!) :) She finally, after a few minutes looked at me and said, 'this might be a little shocking but I don't see a heartbeat!' My heart dropped and the tears immediately began to flow. It was just such a shock to hear! I called Ben and he came right over. They had the Dr. come in to talk to us about what happens next. The Dr. suggested I go to the hospital as soon as I wanted to to get a D&C procedure done. There were a lot of tears and questions, but I was so grateful that Ben was there, and it was really good to have Taylor there too, the little love of our lives right now, to remind us that there is a reason and a plan for everything. Almost immediately after the initial shock of it all, I felt so at peace and OK with everything. I never questioned why or was angry. And I only say that because I guess I am just so lucky to have been taught from so little that there is a plan, and Heavenly Fathers ways are higher than our ways, and when I needed that knowledge and peace the most, it was at the very core of me! The rest of the day is a blur, there was, of course, a lot of sadness. But a midst it all there has been so much peace and happiness in our home, it's been a blessing! I went in the next morning for the D&C. My wonderful friend Emily watched our kids all morning so Ben could be with me. I was so nervous, I had never been to the hospital before except to deliver Tucker & Taylor. I had never been put under before! So I was glad to have Ben there with me! But it all went well and smoothly! I literally fell asleep just as the doors to the operating room were opening and woke up 45 minutes later in the recovery room! It was heavenly! :) The whole process went so smoothly, it made it a lot easier to recover both physically and emotionally! So here I am a week later, and I am feeling so good! It has been almost crazy how good I feel about the whole situation. I have no doubt in my mind that everything is going to be ok! My OB Dr., Dr. Brown is wonderful! (Seriously, me and all my friends who go to him all joke that we are in love with him-he's in his late 50's- :)) He is amazing, he gave me some great words of encouragement when I met with him after the ultrasound. He told me that since I have had two healthy pregnancy's that this isn't something I should worry about, or feel guilty about. One in every four pregnancy's ends in miscarriage and it is something that just happens. And that most likely, after I give my body a few months to recover, when we try again, I will be able to have another healthy pregnancy. So that has been totally helping me get through this. If this had been my first pregnancy or if I had been having a hard time conceiving in the past, then maybe my attitude would be different, and it would have been a lot harder to handle. But I feel so blessed! This whole experience has made me even more grateful and in love with the two babies we do have! It has made me realize (once again) what a miracle life is, and bring life into this world is! And I am OK! I have two healthy, beautiful, smart children whom I adore, and even if that is all we ever have, I would be complete! I feel so complete and at ease right now! I think that the hardest part has been having to tell people, they are usually unsure or awkward about how to make me feel better, which is totally normal and understandable, I would do the same thing. But I just try and tell people that we are OK, our family is strong, our faith is strong, and we know that there is a plan, and we are at peace with everything. I have moments of sadness still, but they are few and far between. I am mostly overcome with joy and love for the life I have and the beautiful children and family I have. And thank you so much to everyone for your thoughts and prayers, I am sure 100% that they have helped! :) We are so blessed to have so many wonderful family and friends in our lives! THANK YOU!
These two have definitely been my saving grace this past week:
{how can you not just love these squishy faces???} :)

Monday, October 17, 2011

Owen...

I found this picture of Tucker and his good buddy, Owen. From Cole's birthday party at Jump & Bounce in September. I love these boys and their faces in this picture are priceless! :)

Monday, October 10, 2011

Mourning the Summer...

I found a few pictures that I somehow have overlooked from summer. It made me mourn our summer weather a little. I do love love love the fall weather, so it was only temporary, but I do miss just being outside. This was a weekly occurrence at our house all summer long. Ben put Taylor in this pack once while I was gone, and after that she would not let him mow the lawn without her!
Eating outside is also a regular occurrence during the summer that I am missing! Here we are on a picnic at a little park down the street.
Strawberry smile...
Of course, feats of strength had to happen. Tucker & Ben racing...
Taylor can't let Tucker do anything without getting in on the action...
The kids absolute favorite thing to do is play with their dad...
And if Ben does something,
Then you know Tucker's gotta try...
I do love me the nice summer evening weather and I do love me some time with my little family.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

While Tucker's gone...

I am enjoying Tucker being in school a lot more than I thought I would. It is so nice to have some time with just Taylor, and get things done sans Tucker! (as much I love him!) :) I was a little nervous for morning class at first. I've self diagnosed myself with developing OCD over these past few years, and really just enjoy my mornings to clean up my house, get ready at my leisure and then leave when ever all that is done. I was nervous about a)either not getting everything done before we leave in the morning or b) just getting behind on everything at the house and living in a pig sty. Luckily, neither one of those things have happened. We get out in the mornings, (Tucker has always been on time) and I am still able to keep up with my house work and I haven't had a melt down! :) It is actually nice getting out in the mornings and getting things done and then having the afternoon at home to take naps, and clean and organize and get stuff done etc... I've really enjoyed this new schedule we've created. I think I can get used to it! :) It is also nice on days I don't have to go out and get things done, to just come home with Taylor and have some one on one time with her. She has never had that (well not often) and I think it's been really good for her, and me! :)
While Tucker is gone, and even when he is home, Taylor can be found jumping on his bed. It is her favorite place. She goes straight to his room and starts bouncing. She is a funny little thing.
Love the face, Taylor! :)
Tucker brings home a new project every day. Here is one I had to send back so that it could be sent home to all the kids parents' to see.
Each of them drew a page about their family! I was just glad we were hugging! :)
Tucker still loves school. He got the show and tell bag this week, he decided to bring a paper UFO that his cousin made for him in Alabama this summer and a puzzle that my mom gave him of the world that was personalized to our family (it says, 'Tucker's World' on it and all of our names are on it somewhere!) :) He is excited for his turn to bring the snack swan home next week, we haven't had it yet and he is already talking about it! :) And hopefully we get Bunker bear soon, too! Bunker bear is the bear that someone gets to take home every night and you have to keep a journal about your adventures with Bunker bear. Tucker is really looking forward to his turn with Bunker bear! :)