Our summer Vacation Part I

We had a great summer vacation this year. In the beginning it kinda started off slow, winter lasted forever! Knowing that this could be our last summer vacation here in Oregon we wanted to make sure did all the things we usually do and then save the others for later. Then, Brian could join us for some new things. He was extremely busy this summer with boards, residency applications and getting ready to leave for Fort Worth and Mesa.
So we went to Oaks Park, Berry picking and the Oregon Zoo. All these things were fun, but our favorite thing we did this year was go to California and spend a month with our Grandparents. They boys got to enjoy some wonderful Grandparent time and the Grandparents got to spend some time being Grandparents. Something both sides needed very much.
So, here are some pictures of our trip to California.




Rest stop pictures.
Somewhere in Oregon.

Some where in California



These goats were well fed. I just
hope weeds are on their diet.

We decided to take 3 days to get to my folks house. It usually only takes less then a 1 1/2 days. But, whose counting? So we stopped by the raisin factory and took a picture in front of the Raisin lady. It was fun and the boys got to run around. (my boys are the best they did so well on this trip).

This boys is Awesome!

I can't believe that Jason is nine years old. (Well, tomorrow but I have no time tomorrow to blog so one day early is okay). I just have to say that is child is so awesome. I just love him so much. It's not easy being a child to a medical student soon to be a medical doctor. With Brian always being gone and having to study this child has not complained once.And this is from the time we started this adventure. He is such a good example to me. He works so hard. I thought I would highlight a few of his accomplishments he has had this year.

• He made his first Pinewood Derby car. And raced it and actually won a few of his rounds. (His the Spiderman blue and red car)
• Jason started scouts and loves it. He has earned his Bobcat and tomorrow will be getting his wolf. (scouts is the best program the church has for these boys) I am so glad he loves so much.
  
• He learned how to play basketball
• He is learning how to roller skate which is an adventure in itself.
• Jason is such a good friend to others around him and to his younger brothers. Which is not easy especially when they want what he has. Or they destroy his wonderful lego creations. He just tells me, "Mom, I am going to make it bigger and better."
• Just a few weeks ago we purchased a trampoline, (let me just the best outside toy ever) Jason just loves it.
  
• Jason had the best teachers this year. They have totally embraced his love for reading and have pushed him to read more. He got the highest score on the reading part of the OAKS test in the Third Grade. I am so proud of him. We are currently working on our Multiplications and with some pushing he is getting them. Now we get to enjoy division what joy!
  
• We made through our braces with out losing our retainer. Not once! We also graduated from wearing glasses, without him breaking them. I wish we could say without them being broken, but with two little brothers that was impossible.
  
• Together we learned how to grow some citrus plants. It has been fun watching them grow, well at least stay live. We grew two lemon, two lime, a orange and a tangerine. We have plans to take them down to California this summer so our grandparents can watch them until, we are done. We will then pick them up after Brian is done with school. It stinks that the company won't send them to California. Oh well we will just take them there ourselves.
  
• Lastly, Jason has just grown so much. Nine years ago he weighed in at 2 lbs. 7 oz. now he is 70 pounds more and thriving.
  

I am so thankful that I have been able to see our Jason grow so much. I love him and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for him. I know that he will continue to grow and learn.

Tulip Festival

It has been a while since I lasted wrote anything on this blog. We have done a ton since it would seem way overwhelming to sit here and write for an hour. I have decided to break them up into different parts.
So, on Mother's day weekend we went to the Tulip Festival in Woodburn. We have wanted to go there for a while now. So, Brian took a break from studying and we went. It was perfect they were having half off day for the weekend. So instead of costing us 10 bucks it was only 5. I wish the weather had been warmer. But oh well. I am just glad we went. Tulips remind me of my Grandmother Hope. She always had such beautiful red and white tulips in her yard.
The boys had fun playing in the little park area that they have there. Here are some pictures:

Jason on the little tractor.
Gavin was so excited to climb up to the top. But when it came
to going down it was a totally different story.What a cute little dutch couple
What cute flowers!
And some more!

Oh, there's the real ones
A hottie amongst some beautiful
flowers.


My favorite. Thanks, Jason.

Some for the road. Even though there
are signs all over the place saying "don't pick the flowers". Too bad the boys can't read.

Eating Out does not have to be bad

This morning was a super busy morning. I can actually say I am glad Gavin woke me up at 5:30. I have been feeling so horrible that last few weeks. A couple of weeks ago I went in to see the Doctor for a sinus infection. Well, two weeks later and after some wonderful drugs, I am still feel gross. So, this morning I decided I should go back and see the doctor. Since we live an hour away I had to call early. Mondays are a horrible day to try to get into the doctors. Anyway I got in and it turns out I have allergies. Which is not a huge surprise to me. Because I always get them. The surprise was that we had to wait for about an hour to see the doctor. During our wait Gavin decided to have big poo. And being the prepared person I am I left the wipes in the car. So thank goodness for tp and water.
So, after our lovely trip to the doctor. Taking two active boys to the doctor is an adventure thank goodness our Dr. has some pretty cool toys to play with. We got to go and wait at Walgreen's for another half hour. By this time the little granola bars that I had in my bag were gone and the boys were starving. ( I should mention they are boys and they are always hungry). But, it was 12ish and one granola bar was just not enough. ( I was super prepared.)
Since we were at the Oregon city Walgreen's, I decided since they has not caused too much trouble at either places (only running up and down the rows screaming, playing chase and fighting only a couple of times at MD's). I decided that they deserved a little treat. So, we went to McDonald's. Not only could they have lunch, but they could run around and play at the play-place. For our boys going to McDonald's is a real treat, we only go there like a couple times a year. Anyways, I ordered my usual the Fruit Yogurt Parfait, and the boys got what I always get them chicken nuggets, apple slices and water. As I was looking around at the other kids and what they were eating, Happy Meals. At first I felt bad for my kids, they had no cool toy to play with, and they had to share their nuggets. Then, as I watched the boys play I realized a couple of things. First those Happy Meals are too expensive and my boys would lose or destroy the little toy after a day. And Second that eating out does not have to be bad for. I decided that I was going to use this as a learning tool for my boys. On they way home Matthew and I talked about how important it is too make good choices when we go out to eat, or when we eat in general. N0w, I know chicken nuggets are not the healthiest things to eat, but they are sure a lot better then other things. ( Gavin was in Nap land, one of the reasons we stopped to eat, I knew he would fall asleep before we got home). I hope that I can teach my boys to eat healthy and that eating is about control and learning to control ones habits. I am not trying to judge the other parents it was just an eye opener for me.

Our little Four Eyes!

Earlier this month Gavin was diagnosed with Accommodative Esotropia. Which in lame terms, " lazy eye". So, our Dr. told us that he would need glasses. This was not a shock to me I had done research before we went in for our visit. I just knew that something was wrong and we needed to get it looked at.
So, for a couple of weeks before our visit I went glasses shopping. Can I just tell everyone that looking for durable glasses for a two year old is nearly impossible. We looked at Costco and Walmart (they are the cheapest) with no luck. But, we found some that I hope will work, at least for a while.
He looks so cute with his little glasses on. His eyes aren't perfect with them on, but I hope they will get there. If not, then he will be patched, which is no big deal. I am just so happy that now he can finally see. He is very Farsighted. In fact he is actually willing to do some art projects with us now, before he wouldn't I just thought it wasn't his thing. But, now with his glasses he wants color and paint with Matthew. It helps that he can actually see what he is doing. After we left Dr. Boch's his first little sentence was, "Mom I can see". Which is major, becuase Gavin does not talk a whole lot. He is just do dang cute.

A proud Mom Moment

Today as I watched my 8 year old wait for the bus, I had a "Proud Mom" moment. We live at the corner of our street and the bus picks up the kids across the street from our house. My son and I have talked about running down the end of the street and back with his little friend. Well today as I was looking out our window just checking on him and wondering where the stink-en bus was (it was almost 15 minutes late). I saw my little guy explain to his friend that he could not go down the street. His little friend kept trying to get him to go and for the first time I saw my boy stay firm to what we have taught him. It made me proud that he did this on his own (meaning not looking back to our house and checking if I was in looking on him).
And I had a thought, this is one of the reasons why we send our kiddos to school. The time that they are away from us at school is the time when they can truly put in use what we have taught them. And isn't this is why they/we came to earth to be tested and to prove to ourselves. It is not easy, but it is worth it! This also gives them a chance to be little missionaries. Hunter (the little boy) is taking the missionary discussions and is planning on getting baptized as soon as him mom will let him. (side note: he has the best Grandma she reminds me so much of my Grandma. I look up to her so much. She is so AWESOME) Even though I don't agree with everything that is taught in schools these days. When I don't agree I have no problem telling my son and teaching him a better way. I do love the fact that my child is getting a chance to be tested and learn. And when he needs help I will always be there for him.
I don't believe that learning starts when kids get on the bus and stops at the bus stop. I am so thankful for these little moments that I get to cherish.

Wow it has been a while

I have decided that I need to update my blog since it has been forever. I/We have been so busy. If I am not doing something for the kids, cleaning the house, or working on my calling I am helping Brian look at Residency programs. Yes that is right the time has come for us to start looking at where we would like to spend the next 3-4 years after he is done in June of 2012. I am not going to promise that I will blog all the time, but I would like to keep up with it more.
Well this is just going to be a quick entry since I am making cookies, and working on the Relief Society Monthly meeting for tomorrow. Back in September I was called to be the Meeting Coordinator for our ward. That means I am responsible along with my committee members to help plan activities for all the RS in our ward. At first I thought it would not be too bad, but after our first activity I have realized it is a lot hard and more time consuming then one would think.
Brian has entered the last half part of his 3rd year of medical school. And boy is it starting off with a bang. Surgery is so crazy I can't believe it. I am so glad he just has two weeks left.
Jason, is working hard at getting his Wolf badge for scouts. I am so glad he is enjoying scouts. We just finished reading our first official 4th grade book called "Gooseberry Park". It was a great book and we both enjoyed a lot. We are not working on reading Tom Sawyer he seems to like it as well. I love the fact that he loves to read.
Matthew is finally liking Preschool. He took a while to get used to things and being away from good old "Mom". He is working hard on writing his name, it is just those darn "e"s that are giving him problems. But, his teacher told me today that he is far above the other students in his class, that made feel good that all this hard work is paying off. Matthew is also learning how to swallow whole pills. The makers of Pepcid AC chewable have some issues they have to work out so we were forced to teach him. He is doing well due to the fact that I just put them in some yogurt and down it goes.
Our dear sweet Gavin turned 2 in October. He has increased his vocabulary a lot. I can't believe how much he is grown. He loves playing Legos with the older boys. It is fun to watch him and his brothers play. We are working on sharing, it is not his strength but we are a work in progress. He is going to nursery and loves it. At first it was hard for him to be without Matthew, but after a couple of times he was happy. He has also
I truly love being a SAHM and watching these beautiful children of God grow up. At times is stressful, crazy, and sometimes down right tiring, but it is so worth it. Yes we have had to give up some luxuries in life so I can be with them, but I would not trade it for anything.