Randomly Cute Kids

In an effort to get all caught up on pictures so I can post about our Spring Break I'm doing this big hodge podge post of pictures.  Enjoy.

Whenever I take the wee ones to visit Daddy at work, inevitably one (or both) of them finds and models Dad's hat and glasses... I don't what it is about little ones in sun glasses, but that is just one picture that I never tire of. :)

Bryant had a musical program at the end of February.  They did 3 or 4 of the 3rd grade classes together and they were sandwiched in there tight!  I thought I was doing well to get there early enough for a seat, but opted for the back since my littles were along for the ride... Now, where's Waldo... er, I mean Bryant?

Check the far left second row from the top, if you need help spotting him.

 When Ethan was in Chicago I had to do some house stuff which included running around town and filing out some paperwork at city offices... I spotted a donut shop along the way to one such office and decided we would stop and get a treat.  The kids were thrilled (and I enjoyed it too!)!

See what I mean?! Sunglasses on kids are the best.

One Monday, Eliza had her lovely curls from the day before and the day was perfect for climbing trees... I just couldn't resist all the beauty that ensued and had to get my camera.

For FHE that same night Levi was in charge of our lesson and decided that we should make a poster telling the story of Lehi's family crossing the waters to get to the Promised Land.  I took a picture so we can send it to The Friend.  Ethan said he always thought it would be super cool to get a picture in there, so we'll see if we did good enough. :)

Fun with static.

Our treat for FHE that night was super yummy and really easy!  And it was beautiful to boot! Bryant is actually the one who made it.  Evidence of its beauty and yumminess...

If you're interested in making your own, I posted the recipe on my food blog.

I found Eliza and Bolton playing in here one day after the Blue and Gold Banquet, they had an almost deflated balloon and were having a grand ol' time.

I just thought this picture was hilarious.  Bolton was working on eating an Oreo and his front tooth totally looked like it was blacked out... not to mention the awesome bow tie that Eliza found and put on him.

And finally, my cupcakes... our Relief Society had a cupcake throwdown for our March activity.  I made some super moist and flavorful raspberry cupcakes.  They were really pretty and I was proud of them.  Here are the tiny ones all lined up and ready to go.  I made 18 big ones too, they were in my carrier all ready to go, but I was trying to get the house all cleaned up and ready for a showing (I actually got called mid-cupcake baking for a showing that afternoon.  Had just enough time to get them baked, got another call for a showing that evening... so I had to feed my family and frost the cupcakes and clean that all up before the evening showing... and Ethan was gone to a meeting).  

So, I leave the kitchen for 30 seconds to pick up some toys and blankets (seriously kids?!?!?) and come back to find my cupcakes...

 Thankfully, the ones on the cookie sheet were untouched.  Bolton had grabbed my carrier (when did he get so tall?!) and they were all in one end of it. I took the picture after I straightened them out.  Then I let out a great big scream, got the kids in the car and headed out.  I actually didn't get dinner made, but my friend who I was picking up for the activity took pity on us and fed us leftovers at her house.  My cupcakes ended up winning Best Presentation.  Kind of ironic. :)  The recipe for these is also on my food blog.

Phew! DONE!  Hope you enjoyed the catch up!

Blue and Gold

We got to attend our first Blue and Gold Banquet last month!  Bryant was excited that the scouts were asked to decorate their own cake for  a contest.  He chose to base his cake on some of his favorite books, The 39 Clues.  I kind of helped him sketch it, but he did most of the work on his own.

Doesn't he look pleased with his good work?  He didn't win, but he didn't seem to mind one bit.

I was flying solo that night since Ethan was in Chicago, luckily they had genius centerpieces that kept my kids happy and busy... bowls of popcorn with balloons going up.

I had my hands full, so I didn't really get any good pictures, but figured I'd let them all have a chance to shine with these less than awesome pics! :)

Ah, Bluegrass

For those of you who aren't friends with Ethan on Facebook, just thought I'd let you know we found out he matched in the Bluegrass State!  Kentucky here we come!

We are super excited! It is going to be such a great adventure!

Wanna Buy a House?

Well, we just had our first scramble through the house to get everything cleaned up for a showing!  Want to see what they saw?  I'm totally flippin pretty stressed about this whole thing.  So unless you see something that is terrible, I don't think I can handle criticism.  A friend recently shared pics of her house (which is basically perfect!) and asked for feedback... I'm not really looking for suggestions, I'm barely staying afloat in the sanity boat as it is. :)

The exterior still needs some work, but I recently painted the door and removed the storm door, a big improvement.

Upon entering you see under the stairs and the living room with the super tall fireplace brick wall.

 

To your right is this breakfast bar, open to the kitchen.

As you walk past the breakfast bar you go through the dining room...

And into the kitchen.

When in the living room, to your left is a hallway.  The kids rooms are on either end of the hallway.  This is Eliza, Jonas, and Bolton's room.  It is slightly improved from this picture. :)  Bryant and Levi's room is kind of a mirror image of this one with butter color walls.  So just pretend you've seen it and its awesome. 

In between the kids' room in the middle of the hallway is the bathroom we demolished last February.

Heading back into the living room if you walk past the piano (the wall with the Temple picture above), you'll find the master bedroom.  This is a terrible picture, sorry.  I do love this room and may have to take a new photo or two just so you can see it. There's a nice newly updated bathroom in there as well, remember when I did that plumbing all by myself?  That's the one. I'll see if I can get some photos of that as well.

The view from our bedroom door... 

...leads you upstairs to a nice, big loft.

There is a great space behind the sofa where I usually have my "sewing area" but have some kids' toys for now.

 
This is our great backyard with the newly build railing by my wonderful husband.  It improves the look back there immensely!!!

And finally, as you walk out the front door this is the view that greets you!  The duck pond. We have the best view in the neighborhood, besides maybe the owner. :)

Thanks for visiting!  Send some buyers our way! :) Or just wish us luck and offer a prayer that our sanity boat doesn't sink!  And that the next time we have a showing we have more than 20 minutes notice!

Getting Ready...

I never want to buy a house again... not until we are ready to set down and roots and stay!  Getting our house ready to sell has been SO stressful!  On President's Day I decided I'd had enough of the interior and decided to help out outside.  It was so much more fun than scrubbing base boards, let me tell you!

We were trying to pull all the mistletoe out of our trees.  Apparently, it kills trees. :(  So we had to get rid of as much of it as we could reach.  All those yellow green leafy things are mistletoe.

This little guy loves ladders.  He is not the least bit afraid to climb up, up, up!  It makes for one nervous mom and dad!

Another fun venture was yanking up the old disgusting carpet upstairs.

Pulling out the staples wasn't quite as fun...

But Bryant loved that he got to stay up late and help out.  He's such a great helper.

The house is up on the market... I'll probably share pictures soon.  I'd post a link to the listing, but am afraid it might attract the wrong crowd. I'd rather not share my home address on the blog, you know?  Anyhow, now we wait for the people to come fall in love with it... pray for us!

I feel pretty!

I'm sure taking a picture of her after she got into the lip gloss was the wrong choice, but sometimes you have to laugh instead of yell.

Because sometimes...

... you just need a hazmat suit.

Ethan is a team leader for a decon team (or something like that) at work.  He brought his suit home one night to repair the mask and thought it would be fun to go into the kids rooms at bedtime to scare them.  They all got a big kick out of it and delayed bedtime by a good 30 minutes.  Yep, he's pretty much the best dad ever.

2/12/2012

A quick snapshot into our Sunday afternoon on February 12, 2012 (we also called my brother to wish him a happy birthday, but photos just don't do a phone call justice. :)

Nothing like a big brother to slug you in the face and give you a bloody nose.

She quickly forgave him and was more than happy that he wanted to brave the snow with her!

How many pictures of kids in shorts shoveling (or sweeping) the snow do you think there are out there?  I know there are plenty in the Woody family alone... those crazy boys.

 Poor baby, had to settle for playing in the tub rather than the snow.  I think he was OK with the arrangement.

The two big boys decided it was time to man up and play in the snow for a few minutes too...

Poor Bolton (if you took any history classes from Ms. Keim just imagine her saying Poor Poland! I always think of that when I say it!).  Stuck inside while everyone else got to play!  Luckily, they didin't last too long outside. We are in trouble when this kid learns to really open doors!