Christmas 2009

It sure was different being in Houston for Christmas. There are still lots of trees with green leaves on them and flowers in full bloom. We had a huge thunderstorm early, early Christmas Eve morning. Patch hid under the bed from all the lightning and thunder.

Unfortunately, Zane was still sick and didn't fully enjoy the experience.



About noon-ish, Tucker started fading and spent the rest of the day on the couch with a fever. He decided not to eat or drink anything and it went unnoticed by me and Andy (oops!). He got dehydrated and threw up the next morning. Once he got hydrated, he recovered slowly. Derek thankfully never got the fever and remained somewhat healthy. Even Andy and I had a cold and cough this holiday. We are hoping to ring in the New Year healthy and without contention (sick kids can still fight with each other).

GI Joe and Army stuff was a hit this year! YO JOE!



The aftermath:



Here was a greatly debated item that I lost on:




The Nerf Gun. Santa thought the boys would just love them. I argued that yes, they would, but I would not. I would spend all of my time finding lost darts, telling them "Don't shoot your brother" and trying to dodge improperly aimed darts. The things a parent sacrifices for their children. Santa won. They love them. No one has shot their eye out yet, but stay tuned . . .

Zane is TWO!!!

Our little "Bubba" is growing up!




Unfortunately, he has been quite sick the past few days and was still feverish when it was time to open presents.



I gave him some Tylenol and he perked up around dinnertime and cake time. Today, he is doing better, but still irritable and needs a great deal of snuggling and holding.

He got a new bike and LOVES it! Since he was sick and it was rainy, the bike is an inside bike for now and he just zips and zooms around the downstairs. Funny story about our other big wheel bike that we had for Tucker: I accidentally backed over it in the car when we lived in Bayfield. (Maybe I shouldn't have admitted that!) It was of course my fault because I put it behind the car in a hurry thinking I would move it later. We know the ending to that little story. But the happy ending is Zane's joy at having a big wheel bike. (Sorry to Tucker for the hours he missed out pedaling away on a big wheel).



This is supposed to be Lightning McQueen. No, I did not purchase it, I made it myself! Hard to believe, I know, but whatever you think it looks like, Zane knew it was his favorite race car and it tasted GREAT!



Happy Birthday Zane!

Gingerbread Huts

Tis the season for lopsided, candy-covered, graham-cracker creations.

Poor Derek's roof just wouldn't stay up.



This is a picture of Derek's finished product (he took the picture):



Tucker only used M&Ms since that was the only candy I bought that he would eat! Don't worry, he still had an adequate amount of sugar on there!



Here is an extreme close-up of Tucker's house (Tucker took this one):



Zane was sick and sleeping at the time. Poor kid missed out on the snowstorm a few a weeks ago AND gingerbread houses because of a nap. I don't put him down then on purpose either (not really, anyway).

Snow in Houston?

LET IT SNOW! Houstonians absolutely FREAKED OUT! It was on the news for quite a while that it might happen and people were stock piling things like wood, space heaters, insulation for their pipes, and even sweaters for their dogs. We were laughing at all of this. So Friday, the snow came and it was BEAUTIFUL. Perfect for building a snowman and throwing snowballs. Andy made all his employees go out and play in it and I pulled the boys out of school early to do the same. I know, I know, it sounds silly, but how long until they see snow again? We had a grand time and played snowball baseball and all of that sort of thing. Then we came in and drank hot chocolate (that was lukewarm because that's how Tucker likes it) and watched a Christmas movie. It actually felt like December that day.

About 10:30 that night, our heater decided it was just too cold and quit completely. The coldest night in decades in Houston and our heater is busted! That's what we get for laughing at these poor innocent people in a snowstorm.



I went to Walmart and to get a small space heater and as I pulled up, I saw a woman who needed help. Her windsheild was thickly coated in ice and snow and she was trying to get it off with her umbrella. I found my scraper in my trunk and came over to her aid. I asked if I could help her and she said she was about to go fill a bottle of water to pour over her windsheild. I quickly stopped her and scraped off her car in less than two minutes. She was SO grateful! I advised her to use a credit card in the unlikely event that this would happen again. I just hope that if I am doing something stupid to prepare for a hurricane or something, that some Houstonian will help me out.

Our heater couldn't be repaired until Monday morning, but we snuggled up together and were just fine. We learned to not laugh at others and that flannel sheets really can be used in Houston. (To think I almost gave them to my sister!)

Sinter Klaas

My mother immigrated from Holland when she was five. Growing up, we celebrated the arrival of Sinter Klaas. You put your shoe out and Sinter Klaas comes on his horse and leaves a small toy and candy. Anyway, I celebrate with my children just like my mom did with us (including the yummy food). My boys know all about it since we have shared it with their school classes.

This year, we had our little celebration and then got the boys ready for bed. They put out their shoes and helped Zane put out his shoe. Then Derek decided it would be good to leave a carrot in each of their shoes for Sinter Klaas' horse. So they got out the baby carrots and put one in each of their shoes. Derek chomped on some and declared that "I am such a fan of carrots!"

The boys went to bed except for Zane who had taken a long nap. Andy and I were watching TV while Zane played. We heard this crunch and looked over at Zane who was eating the carrots out of the stinky shoes! YUCK! I guess he decided to be a fan of carrots too!

Thanksgiving Time

This year, Andy's parents flew down to see us! The excitement was almost more than the boys could handle! So, Thanksgiving morning comes and my mother-in-law and Derek start making pies, my father-in-law starts chopping celery and onions, I am cleaning up breakfast with Zane and Tucker, and Andy went to play football with some guys at our church. Andy comes home while I am getting dressed and collapses on the bed and tells me he pulled his hamstring. It was REALLY BAD!!! He couldn't even put his socks on by himself! I went to the store and bought Bengay and Advil and all that stuff and for the rest of the day (and really the rest of the weekend) He painfully sat or laid on the couch! He could hardly even sit down to Thanksgiving dinner without a pillow under his leg and a tight look in his face. He got the interception, though!




The meal was wonderful and almost the whole family helped, which made it even more special. Tucker helped make a yummy chocolate pie and Derek helped Nana with all sorts of things! Everything tasted great. That night, there was a tree lighting at a large shopping complex in Houston with music and fireworks, so we went down there to see it. Andy had to stay home, but watched a movie and stretched out. I can honestly say I have never seen fireworks on Thanksgiving, but it was cool!

Later that weekend, we ventured to Brazos State Park that has trails and campgrounds and WILD ALLIGATORS! We saw three of them and no one was harmed.



Tucker actually got very scared before we got there, but we told him that all he needed to do was outrun Daddy and he would be fine! The alligator would eat Dad (since he was the slowest mover due to the hamstring injury) and Tucker could run to safety. Once Tucker found a few large sticks for him and his brothers to defend themselves, he was totally fine.



It was cool and totally different than the mountain west State Parks in Utah and Colorado!

We were so glad Nana and Grandpa could come over! Despite sickness and injury, we had a great time and can't wait to see them again!

First Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Back in mid-November, we were sitting in church when Derek came to me and asked what was in his mouth. I looked and there was a big tooth coming in on the bottom and his baby teeth were still there - and not the least bit wiggly! I knew this might create a problem eventually, with no room for all those teeth, so we went to the dentist. He pulled out the bottom two teeth and Derek didn't put up a fuss at all! He actually happily came with me and willingly laid down on the chair. I can't say I personally would have acted the same way, but I think the "happy gas" might have had something to do with it. . . Anyway, the tooth fairy came and it was all just so magical at five o'clock in the morning. My awareness at that time of day was honestly not at the same level as Derek's, but it was fun to share that small and magical moment with him.

What a brother!

Derek keeps kicking his football over the fence, but gets really nervous to knock on the doot to retrieve it. We have helped him the first few times so that we all get to know each other, but now I think he can do it alone. Earlier this week, Derek kicked it over again and didn't want to go ask the neighbor. Tucker usually tags along and willingly knocks on the door and gets it for Derek. I thought Derek could show some independence and told him he had to do it himself. Derek wasn't budging and neither was I. Tucker went and got another ball and went outside to play. Two seconds later, he comes back smiling and told me he threw his ball over the fence! Imagine that, the same fence! I looked at him and told him to go with Derek to retrieve the balls. And of course Tucker did all the knocking and talking. I guess they really do like each other!

Halloween Happiness

Our little pumpkins! They really enjoyed carving pumpkins this year. The first year we did it with Derek, it was a mess and he cried the whole time! This time: no tears and three marvelous pumpkins!


Derek was Darth Vader. His buddy was a Clone Trooper, so they were so very excited to trick-or-treat together. He had a blast and is still tired from staying up so late and the blessed time change.



Tucker was a blue Power Ranger and Zane was a basketball player. I wanted to make them really cute costumes, but there wasn't time and I have been consumed by my house! Zane was really very happy as a basketball player anyway.



Zane's first trick-or-treat house. Tucker showed him the ropes. Derek was at a party with some friends, so Tucker and Zane went around the cul-de-sac before Zane turned in and then Tucker went again with Derek and their friends after they got back from the party. Needless to say, Tucker's bucket got mighty full!



Derek and Tucker had to "sort" their candy. That was always so fun! Tucker gave Andy all the ones he didn't like. His favorites are the Reeses and the Tootsie Rolls. Derek likes the nerds and all the gummy things that are shaped like body parts. He even got a long finger-looking sucker.


Zane looks older here. His favorite kind are the suckers. He rarely finishes them, so I wrap them back up until the next time. We are going to find out how many licks Zane can take on the tootsie pop before getting to the center. He doesn't know that there is chocolate patiently waiting for him there!

Happy 30th Andy!

It took two packages of candles for this BIG celebration!



We had a G.I. Joe kind of theme with the first season of "G.I. Joe" on DVD (a childhood favorite of Andy's and Tucker choose the pink gift bag for it) and . . .



a "Tank" cake. My cakes aren't beautiful, but even Derek and Tucker knew what it was without me telling them. That's pretty good for me! I tried to make the frosting brown with green swirls, but the green swirls turned out very, very faint.



The boys and Andy thoroughly enjoyed both.



The celebration was a little late due to our fabulous trip to Utah, but I think he understood. (Zane is thinking: Does anyone else think it's hot in here?)



HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY! I love you!

Utah Trip

We just returned from a GREAT and very memorable trip to Utah! Andy had a big national conference in Salt Lake for work and of course the boys and I tagged along. This was their first plane ride and they loved it! They are still playing "airport" with their bikes and chalk lines on the driveway.

We stayed downtown for the first part of the week just across from Temple Square. It was great to be so close to the temple and we got a great mountain view from our window. The boys loved walking around temple square and learning about all the stuff there.

Tucker loved all the statues and Zane was scared to death of them, so that was interesting to accommodate. They really wanted to see the Conference Center, but we were running late to meet my mom and sister, so we thought we would come back later. Unfortunately, later it was closed for "event preparation." They never got to see it.

We also got to play with lots of cousins! We met Merrill & Jen and had a picnic at a really cool park. They loved playing with their three boys and one girl. Lightsabers and football were amoung the favorite activities!


We also had a sleep over at Mitzi's house.

She was very brave and let us come and stash the kids in the basement. They had a GLORIOUS time with each other and would still be playing if we let them! Zane and Ruby (their dog) were buddies and just loved each other.


Zane and just about any dog love each other.

We didn't get to see much of Kathy's kids because one of them was recovering from the dreaded swine flu. She is totally fine now and we saw them later. Julie also was absent because she lives in Idaho and couldn't make the trip. She was sorely missed!



Grandparent time was essential! My parents took the boys overnight so Andy & I could have a date night. We had dinner at the Garden restaurant above the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and saw the Tabernacle Choir rehearse. It was a much needed break! Then Andy's parents drove over from Colorado met up with us. We went to Thanksgiving Point to a festival there and spent most of our time at the Rocket Launch. It was a pretty cool thing. They also took the boys overnight for us to give us a break. It makes us REALLY want to live closer to grandparents!


Andy's Grandma came up from St. George to see us too. She had never met Tucker or Zane, so it was great to spend time with her and hear about all the memories she has.

My family had a big Halloween party on Saturday night that was so much fun! I think everyone wants it to be a new family tradition. I couldn't agree more, just worried about the airfare!

I wish I could have seen some friends while we were out there, but the schedule turned out to be too tight! I ran into my dear friend Madeline at Gardner Village and it was SO good to catch up! I wish her all the best. I also wish I could have gone in the mountains because I dearly miss them! The colors were so beautiful there! Maybe some of the Houston leaves will change. I guess we'll find out!



Thank goodness for good memories and happy children!

My Sons

Update on the clan:

Derek: Loves soccer, not quite sold on first grade (especially when recess is cancelled due to slight rainfall), future economist (knows the difference between a "good" and a "service") and loves playing with his new friends on our street.


Derek is in the red shorts behind the kid in the gray shirt. He scored a goal with this kick!

Tucker: Loves soccer as well, loves preschool with a devoted passion (recess is either outside or in the gym if it is raining), speaks metaphorically (the scab on his arm was "melting away like a popsicle"), and loves playing with his new friends on our street and running after Derek and his friends.


Tucker making a goal in practice. The green socks are SO Tucker!

Zane: Doesn't really love sitting around while his big brothers play soccer seemingly endlessly, loves having time with mom all by himself while they are at school though, is not fond of his high chair but loves eating like a big boy at the table, loves playing baseball with whoever will throw the ball at him, and uses psychological powers to gain control over other people via dirty looks or slanty eyes, or other wildly expressive facial movements.


Zane at one of our long soccer Saturdays. Tucker took the picture.

Baby Boy #4: yes, you read that right! A fourth boy is kicking and swishing around in my belly until sometime in early February. He is apparantly loving life in there. I imagine he will like soccer (his kicks are pronounced) and love to wrestle (his brothers like to wrestle me and so he gets wrestled in the process).

We now live in a house - HOORAY! Apartment living with all these boys and the dog was harder than I thought it would be. We got a great deal on our house, but that meant that it was VERY dirty and lots of things weren't properly maintained. We are working on it and enjoying having projects and stuff to plan for.

It is still HOT, but there have been some cooler days sprinkled into the mix, so here's hoping for those days to become more frequent so I don't end up with puffy hands and feet. Pregnancy in Houston is not for sissies!

Cruel Summer

Not really, but when you factor in the heat and humidity and "exceptional" drought we here in Houston are experiencing, it seems slightly cruel for our first summer here. Seriously! The heat index (which is like the wind chill factor for those of us used to cruel winters) gets up to 108 and higher! A few weeks ago Andy, Zane and I got a cold (how do you get a cold when it is so hot?) and all you had to do to decongest your nose was step outside for five or ten minutes. Pardon my vulgarity, but after the short time outside, the snot just poured out of Zane's nose! I am not kidding! Of course after five or ten minutes spent outside not in a swimming pool, you suffer heat exhaustion so then you must choose between being able to breathe or being cool.

Enough of that! We have had good times despite Mother Nature doing her job. We have been to the beach a few times and just love it! Galveston's beaches are not beautiful like Hawaii or Florida, but they are still fun! The boys loved jumping the waves and building sand castles. We saw jelly fish one time. That was interesting, but a little nerve wracking.


Tucker finally wins!


Zane enjoying the brown waters of the beach

We also went to Jedi Training camp. Yes, yes I know. The Jedi lived a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, but some of them are still around and taught an auditorium at the Space Center full of boys and their fathers (and us few lucky moms) the ways of the force. Each of them got a little blown up light saber so they also learned some fancy maneuvers.



We got to meet people like Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers, R2-D2, Boba Fett and my personal favorite: the Tough Lady. I don't know her name, but she is in some of the new movies and Derek and Tucker call her the Tough Lady. They even dress up like her by putting their pants on their head and waving around a light saber.


The Tough Lady

We also celebrated Derek and Tucker's birthdays. Derek is now six and Tucker is four. We had fun with them and can't believe our kids are actually growing up. Just think in five years how much our family will change! Crazy!


Derek as Anakin Skywalker


Tucker playing with his new Soccer Guys

Now we are getting ready to move to a house. We have lived in an apartment since we got here and lets just say we are very excited to be moving to a house. If Patch knew what awaited her (a yard and much easier access to take her for a walk) she would be in the car waiting. We still have until the end of this month, but who's counting?

Houston Zoo Trip

This picture is misleading. Tucker looks rather grumpy here, but in fact everyone had a great time! Yes, it was hot. Yes, it was sticky. Yes, we were drenched in sweat! Despite all of this, everyone enjoyed seeing all the animals. Tucker and Derek walked that whole zoo and still found energy for the playground at the end!



This orangutan was posing so perfectly for this picture. He just fit right into our family. Once we got up and someone else came for a picture, he turned his head and sauntered away.



Zane was ruthless at the petting zoo! We knew he loved cats and dogs, but he truly enjoyed the petting zoo more than any other exhibit! When he was in the stroller, he calmly looked at the exhibits and "oo"-ed and "aw"-ed at the proper intervals. When he got out though, he took a much more vocal and energetic response. He ran after a poor unsuspecting bird trying to "pet" it. Zane's way of petting involved arms outstretched, waving wildly back and forth with fists ready to grab a big handful of fur (or feathers in the bird's case). So, the petting zoo was perfect!
The only animals in the petting zoo were goats who were very calm and used to the turbulent kind of TLC young children provide. Zane was no exception. He was pleased as punch to have that kind of freedom and ability to run around petting every animal inside the fence. Only after Zane thrashed the goats around a bit did Derek and Tucker take a shy little pat.



Not only was the zoo cool, but our zoo experience was amazing. The animals were more active and visible than most other times I have seen them. Maybe it was the heat and humidity. Anyway, this is a cheetah that was pacing and came so close that Derek timidly backed away without realizing he was doing it! Below is a lioness. At the lion exhibit, you can walk to an underground tunnel to see them on a more "personal" level. There she was, right by the window! The male lion was there, but let's just say that he was in an awkward position that did not promote picture taking!






The aquarium was really neat. You could crawl through a tunnel to be "with" the fish. Zane and Tucker needed a lot of provoking to get through the tunnel. Good thing I didn't get stuck!




Thank you to the Houston Zoo for providing us with a fun and memorable afternoon!