Drawing names for Christmas

I know, where did the year go? We are thinking about Christmas already, just in case you can't remember or maybe I forgot to tell you, here are the names drawn for both families for Christmas:

Robinson Family-

Shelby has KateLynn

Austin has Devin

KateLynn has Isaac

Devin has Baby Girl

Isaac has Baby Boy

BrookLynn has Parker

Layton has BrookLynn

Parker has Shelby

Baby Girl has Austin

Baby Boy has Layton

And each couple is still getting a gift for the other two couples

Sagers Family-

Sally has Ashley

Lance has Devin

Layton has Tanner

Parker has Sidney

Ashley has Kim

Devin has Shannon

Sidney has Layton

Tanner has Cooper

Shannon has Rio

Darrell has Sally

Cooper has Parker

Kim has Darrell

Rio has Lance

Okay everyone, better get crakin' only 12 weeks until Christmas!!!

Cutest kids EVER!!!

So.. I have to say that I definitely have the cutest boys ever! We had their pics done on Friday. As I said before my good friend, and our usual photographer Jamie is gone to live in Arizona :( but we had such a good experience with Amanda Peterson, the boys really liked her and did surprisingly well. Here is a little taste of the shoot.

Turkey Anyone?

There is a great big (herd?,flock?,gaggle?,) anyway, a big group of turkeys that are across the street from our house frequently. Layton loves to watch them. I don't think you can see them all in this picture but there are more than 20. Looks like we're set for Thanksgiving :)

Apple Creek Farms

Apple Creek Farms had a big fundraiser, Lance was working on the farm during the days activities but we did make it to the dinner. It was a really yummy dinner and they had lots for the kids to do. Layton went on a Hayride with Lance and Shelby.

And on this big tractor pulled "horse", with saddles and everything.



during the dinner, Layton found his little friend Logan. They played together all night, in this picture he was just being silly (looks like he has his dads sense of humor)


We had a really fun night and Layton cried when we left. Parker had been sleeping a lot during the day and seemed to have a little fever. But he was still very cheerful, then as we were getting ready t o leave he started throwing up everywhere. Not little baby spit up, actually major throwing up. And by then he for sure had a fever. That is why we left in such a hurry and interrupted Layton's fun. Parker is doing a little better now, he still has a fever and is on Tylenol. He doesn't have a big appetite, but hasn't thrown up anymore. Rotovirus is going around really badly here and I am sure that is what he has. My 7 month old niece actually was in the hospital with it a few days ago. Lets hope that's not where we end up with Parker.

Mommy "Flowers"

This is my first mommy "flower".

It is always so cute when kids pick so-called "flowers" for their moms. Who teaches them to do it? It must just be instinct. Today Layton brought me this leaf and said "Flower for Mommy" isn't that just the sweetest? I can't wait for many more mommy flowers.

Messy

I gave Parker a teething cookie to keep him entertained while I was on the phone yesterday. I was standing next to him the whole time but I didn't realize how dirty he was until I hung up. Needless to say, we changed his clothes :)

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!!!!!!!

Hooray for us!!! I broke my promise to myself about never taking Layton to story time again and we went today, with Parker even. and... It went great. The theme was apples and that is something that Layton really likes so maybe that helped. We came in quietly, he picked an apple mat to sit on. When the teacher asked if anyone wanted to come and choose a paper apple he raised his hand, and she picked him. He told me about halfway through that he would be right back, and I saw him in the hall getting a drink from the drinking fountain but a minuet later he came back and finished listening to the story. The story was "Ten Apples Up On Top" by Dr. Seuss. So they made a hat with ten apples on it for the craft. He very carefully put glue on all his apples and then stuck them to his hat all by himself.

Then, he said he was ready to go, and he asked for my hand and we calmly walked out of the library. He asked to stay and play awhile with the kids outside.

Then told me he was "hungy" and wanted some chicken nuggets, so we came home. Had lunch. And now he is having a nap.

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Parker was really great the whole time, and is napping now also.

I feel like I have to admit that I did bribe Layton with a sucker, and told him he could have it if he would sit quietly and listen to the story, but I don't care. I don't feel even a little bad about that. :)

The "fruits" of our labor

On Saturday my mom and I canned peaches all day, and we are planning on doing another round today with the peaches that were too green last Saturday. Hard work, but I love to have peaches for the rest of the year!

Okay, Okay Spiky it is...

So, I am closing the vote early because spiky hair obviously won by a landslide :) but in defense of the fauxhawk. It looks very cute in person and just doesn't translate well into pictures, which is good to know because pictures are what we are going for here, right.

Construction

There is some road construction going on that Layton can see from our front window, several times a day he gets up on his toy cupboard and points to all the different machines and tells me what each one is. Some times I have to just take his word for it because he knows the equipment better than I do. He really knows each one by its correct name. He can also hear it and every time something backs up he tells me "HONK, HONK" I guess this is what happens with Lance for a daddy.

Parkers Hair?

Our usual photographer, and good friend Jamie has gone back to Arizona and left me in a lurch :) My boys are growing so fast and I need pictures taken. Anyway, sadly I am betraying Jamie and using another photographer for Parkers 6 month and Laytons 2 year pictures. But I have been being so weird and indecisive about how to do their hair and what they should wear. I may have a vote on outfits also but today is just Parkers hair. He will have a beanie on for some but I also want his hair done for a few so tell me which you like. You can vote over in the side bar.

fauxhawk

spiky

the poll closes on Monday and we will be on to a new decision to make :)

Earaches (& Headaches)

We have had a super busy couple of days. For about a week and a half the boys have both been very congested with lots of green boogies (gross, I know) But there weren't any other symptoms. Maybe a watery eye here and there so I thought that maybe it was allergies, which Layton gets often and I don't know yet about Parker.
Anyway, then on Sunday morning Layton woke up with a 102 degree fever, he has, of course been sick before but he has never been sick enough to act sick (like a normal person would) he never lays around or anything. He usually is still running around wild as can be and just having huge crying fits all the time.
But this time, he was sick, he pretty much just layed on the couch or on Lance all day long, he had a 4 hour nap and then a hour later had another hour and a half nap then an hour after that, he went to bed for the night.
In the middle of all of it I had to go to church (I am the primary chorister), Parker and I left in the afternoon for a few hours so that Layton and Lance could both have a peaceful nap. And then that evening I went to a two hour fireside that I thought would only be an hour. It was really good, but I was worried about Layton and how Lance was doing handling both of the boys.
I got home and Layton was still crying, still had a fever, and noting was helping. So Lance and my dad gave him a blessing and I sat around thinking that this is RIDICULOUS!
Where we used to live or any other NORMAL place I'm sure, there is clinic that is open until 10 pm every night. Including weekends. And of course a 24 hour pharmacy to go to after you got out of the doctor.
All we can do is go to the ER, so that's what we did. I understand this was not an emergency but there are no other options. So we went, they had to CALL the doctor from his HOUSE to come down. I heard the nurse saying on the phone "yep, just a fever and maybe an earache" I'm sure the doctor we really impressed with having to leave home for that.
Anyway, Layton did have an ear infection and they gave him some antibiotics right there at the hospital so I guess it was the right thing to do. He is feeling a little better now and is just doing his sick but running around crying thing for the last couple of days.
Sorry no pics, we been in too big of a frenzy.

Who's Who?

I was taking the kids on a walk and got out one of Layton's hats from when he was younger so Parker could wear it. We were sitting there and I looked over at Parker and he looked just like a picture I had of Layton in the same hat. So of course I had to take a picture and compare.

I get a lot of comments about how people think that the boys don't look anything alike. But, lately Parker is taking on more and more the look of Layton. Anyway, I thought this was interesting. There are key clues in each picture that give away who is who but if you just look look at the boys it is hard to tell.

Baby Shower

Today we threw a baby shower for my sister who is having twins. A girl and a boy and we are so excited for Suzie and Chris both. here are some pics of the party.

Opening gifts.

We had everyone help tie some quilts for the babies.

We made two big diaper cakes for decoration, and for Suzie to take home the diapers.

The big haul!!!!

We had a great turnout and Suzie and I both appreciate everyone coming so much!

Spiders

Eeewwww, I am still freaking out. This is the second HUGE spider that we have found in our backyard. The first was even bigger and not the same kind but I made Lance kill it as soon as I saw it. I wish I wouldn't have because we want to know what kind of spiders they are and if they are poisonous.

Okay, so today some neighbor girls were over and playing with Layton in the backyard and I turn around and see this monster-

on our HOUSE!!! I know, hold back the screams please. I wish I had something next to it to compare the size but with its legs spread out like that it is at least 5 inches across. I am not exaggerating. I don't know if it is because we live up in the foothills but I do know that our yard will be being sprayed with spider killer as soon as I find the phone number. The girls were grossed out too but wanted to show their families and to take it to school. So being the mother of the year that I am, I made them catch it themselves.

Let me know if you know what kind of spider it is.

Oh, and pray for us that we don't get eaten alive in a arachnophobia remake. :o

Simple Mom

AAAAHHHHH, (can't you just hear the angels?) I think the mother ship is calling me home. I found this website through a friends blog and I LOVE it! This woman is just the picture of a super mom. She just did a post called "Managing my Home With a Pen" it is the best. I was already doing a few of her suggestions but I especially love the daily dockets, chore chart, and her pear budget. And all of her stuff has free downloads. I have been trying hard to have more order and less chaos in my life and I really think that this is the solution. You really need to check out the Pear Budget, it is a 30 day free trial and then only $3 a month after that. If you are looking for a starter budget this one is GREAT. I put a simple mom link over on the sidebar. Just thought I would share the love, hope you all check it out and enjoy getting organized.

Story Time?

Well I know you've all been waiting with bated breath to hear about our story time experience today, so... We didn't go. I couldn't find a sitter for Parker and I made a vow after last week's fiasco that I would take Layton ALONE but Parker is having a very good nap in his crib right now and so Layton and I have had more than an hour of together time. That counts right?

5 months old

Parker was 5 months old yesterday. He is GROWING so fast. What a relief to see such a healthy chubby face looking back at me. I worry all the time about little skinny Layton, one less worry this time around :)

(tomorrow is story time again, wish me luck)

Arts in the Park

Every year there is a big art festival in town. They have a bunch of food booths, bounce houses for the kids, train rides, and different art booths set up. Last Saturday night we went for dinner and Layton had a lot of fun. Of course he had more fun playing BOO around a tree than doing any of the activities, but isn't that the way it goes?

I carried Parker in the snuggli, he even had fun and would squeal with delight at anyone who would look at him!

There was a bow and arrow demonstration that you could watch or even try to shoot them, but Layton just wanted to watch :)

Blogs I am following...

Hey, some of you I'm sure have noticed that I am following your blogs, it might not be new but I just noticed on your blogger dashboard when you first log in if you scroll down there is a spot that says: Blogs I am following, you enter in everyone's blog address and then when they update their blog it shows you. Anyway, it makes it so you don't have to check each blog individually. So it saves a lot of time. Just thought id give ya'll the heads up. I am loving it!!!

Cowboys

Every Friday, Lance goes riding on the mountain to check the cows. Layton loves these days and all day long he can't hardly wait for daddy to come home and take him on a "big ride"!

Can't you tell how much he loves it? He takes the reigns out of daddy's hands and wants to "drive" the horse.

Very Tired...

In leau of my breakdown yesterday I thought I would do a post about how sweet Layton actually is. Nap time is usually a bit of a struggle to get him to calm down and take a nap but the last two days in a row he has watched Mickey while I put Parker to sleep, then I normaly would put him down after. But I looked over and he was conked out, right on the couch. Which I guess is normal for other kids but NOT for Layton. So yeahhhh. See he really is very sweet. Just look at him!

AGGHH I am going to go crazy!

So the library has started a story hour for ages 1-5 on Wednesdays. Layton gets so bored during the day and I have really been wanting to have some one on one time with him so I thought this would be great. I couldn't find a sitter for Parker this morning, everyone I called said they would be at story hour! I could have taken him down for my SIL Nancy to watch him but by then it was too late.

So, In a major rush I am trying to get the kids and myself out the door looking decent, and as usual. As soon as Layton opened the door to go out to the car the STUPID cat ran in the house. Just so all of you that are saying "they wouldn't come in if you didn't let them in sometimes" I have NEVER NEVER NEVER let them in, they run in and I throw them out. But today I actually threw the cat out, I was so flustered and it running in the house was just the last straw, it flew about 20 feet and of course landed on its feet when it hit the ground, stupid cat!

Then we get to the library and Layton is nervous with so many people around but Parker was trying to go to sleep so I couldn't hold Layton, and then when Layton finally warms up to the crowd. Does he sit down and listen to the story? Oh, no he is running around trying to open the doors, getting drinks from the drinking fountain, running into the librarians office, the list goes on. And while he is doing this, Parker is spitting up all over and cranky because he got woken up from his nap. They probably weren't, but I felt like the other moms were looking at me thinking "why doesn't she make that little boy sit down?" So I give Parker to a friend and I am running around after Layton who is screaming and crying because he doesn't want to sit down. Then FINALLY the story was over and the kids were supposed to color a puppet and while my friend was still holding Parker, I did finally get Layton to sit down and color for a minuet.

But the peace was brief, I got Parker back and Layton was finished coloring so we got ready to go and Layton starts running and hiding in the isles of books, he is very fast and I was carrying the car seat with Parker in it and my big diaper bag. Trying to chase this little hooligan around. He found the kids area and went in to sit at the table and look at the books in there and HITS an adorable little girl. So I DRAG him out and into the car, while still carrying my big load.

Once in the car and watching Backyardigans we both settled down and I decided it would be a good time to go grocery shopping. I know, rookie mistake right? Well, actually the store went great. But when we got home he wanted to get on the counter to help me unload the bags and while I have my back turned putting things away he starts throwing everything off the counter, AAGGGHHHH. Then I got out the candy thermometer. I bought it at the store because last time my no bake cookies weren't quite set up. Presumably because they didn't get to the right temperature. I almost didn't buy it because it was shockingly pricey but I decided that I needed it (and also had a hankering for some no bake cookies). As soon as I took it out of the package Layton grabbed it and threw it, shattering it to pieces.

At this point I am no longer frustrated, mad, angry... I am broken, a sad pathetic mom just trying to unpack her groceries. I sat down on the floor and cried. I love Layton so much but I don't know how to handle him. It seems like all the other kids are sitting nicely listening to stories, coloring their pictures. What am I doing wrong? I don't know. Right know while both kids are asleep it doesn't seem so bad but in a few minuets they will wake up and the craziness will begin again. God give me strength. :)

Mighty Hunters

The dove hunt started today. So after a warm up round of golf, Lance and my dad went dove hunting. Layton went with and was very excited. He had a fun morning with daddy and papa and kept saying "eat, birds" they shot 6 in the first hour and called it a day. But after we cooked up the doves for lunch, Layton (or mom, or grandma) wouldn't eat any of it. :)