When the cats away the mice WILL play

The boys were eating lunch watching word world so I ran upstairs for just a bit...when I went to go check on them (because it seemed a little too quite...) this is what I found.  These 5 valentine sprinklers were up in a box up in the cupboard.  He climbed up and got them and then got a plastic knife to open them all.  I decided I could either get mad or get the camera since they had the biggest smiles on their faces... my little characters. I am sure Ben was the instigator but Landon had no quams about joining in.  They still had pink fingers and mouths even AFTER their bath! :)  Never a dull moment around here.

look mommy
This is how I found them
what mommy its yummy...

I love to go to Grandpa's house

A couple weeks ago (right after we got back from our 3 wk Utah trip)we were driving in the car and out of the blue Ben started singing.  This is quite a familiar scene, however the more I listened the more I realized he was making up his own song AND he was rhyming it.  I was a little taken back and had to start laughing. The more we listened we realized he was not only rhyming but he was also making sense!  I had to call up my dad and have him sing it to him.  He hasn't  sung it in a while so he had forgotten it a little when we recorded it today, and of course he felt it would be more entertaining if he acted silly. :)

Here are the original words in case you couldn't understand (with Landon in the back ground expressing his obsession with cars crashing... it is a little hard to hear..)

I love to go to grandpa's house cause grandpa always reads to me

before he reads he knows he needs his glasses on so he can see

where ever may my glasses be grandpa always reads to me

we look in drawers, behind closed doors, we look in closets shelves and floors cause grandpa always reads to me

The part that totally cracks me up is that it is true grandpa Jake has to go get his reading glasses to read Ben stories :)  Thanks dad for the inspiration behind Ben's first composition.  Our boys just adore you!

Ok in my defense I tried for more than an hour to get the video (that is suppose to go with this entry) to upload.... still working on it sorry so for now a picture of Ben with Grandpa. If any one that has a mac knows how to upload a picture to blogger I would love to know the trick...:)

New Hair cut

So I know this is not the best pictures but here ya go Erika like I promised... I will try to get you a better picture soon...

A small glimpse of the last 3 months...

I know it has been forever since I last updated our blog...We have had so many fun adventures in the past 3 months!  In October we went to Oceanside, San Diego, Disneyland, Sea World, and of course the beach!  We had a great time with my cousin Lisa (who lives near San Diego) and her husband Darcy and little girl Parker. Ben and Parker got along like best buds!  They saw the star wars show at Disneyland and Ben insisted on needing a light saver and ended up as a Jedi knight (obi won) for Halloween.  Landon was Yoda.  Landon has been talking a TON these day and he quickly picked up on how to say 'twik o tweet' :) November the boys and I headed to Utah for a couple week and then in December we all went out to Utah for Christmas for 3 weeks!  The cold and snow wasn't so great but it was great seeing family and friends. We are happy to be back in Cali enjoying the nice weather!

Meagan and the boys get along so perfect! They absolutely adore each other!

Ben was picking his nose right before and as soon as I told him to stop picking his nose OF COURSE Landon had to be just like brother. He has such a personality :)
does this look like a face of someone having fun in the snow???
it appears little California boy has taken after his mom...It tooks us over  1/2 hr to get ready and we were outside for maybe 10 min. The wind started blowing and it was SO COLD! 

Landon decided to start his own fashion trend... He insists and wearing underwear like brother (of course they have to been McQueen) and so half the time he makes me put them on over his diaper under his pants, however this day was the exception....funny kid :) Look at him thinking he is just the man

All Ben wanted from Santa was 'crashing cars' and he thought that is what Landon wanted as well. They absolutely loved their cars because they do crash and then you hit a button and they are fixed like magic.  They have started getting a long like best buds these days. I love it!
Grandpa Jake played horsie while the boys rode him and had a great time wrestling with the boys.  Ben's newest phrase during this time some how became 'i'm gonna take you down' as he would tackle me over.  Poor gramps isn't acting in this picture Ben really DID pull his ears. Sorry dad...
riding grandpa the horse
on the way back from Utah in November the pilot had the boys come into his cock pit and 'fly the plane.  Their leather jackets get them all kinds of in's.  The stuart also had him come back and make his own drink of sprite!  It helped that we were in the very last seat on the plane...
obi won focusing on his 'attack'
cutest little yoda ever!  
these dimples... 
already taking after mom..
Ben and Parker playing in the waves. They could have stayed there all day. They had such a blast!

caught in action
my little cheezer! Landon LOVE to say 'cheese' to the camera
his first reaction to the cold water... his face totally makes me laugh
at Sea World
Disneyland

Vote Yes on Prop 8

This video really hit home with me since this is such a big issue we are facing here in California right now. So many people see Prop 8 as 'taking away peoples civil rights' yet what about our rights as parents. If prop 8 doesn't pass we loose our rights as parents to have a say in what is taught to our children beginning at KINDERGARTEN! please let me know if the link doesn't work... I can't figure out how to put he video on directly... sorry

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1155394344/bctid1822459319

decorating cookies

Ben and I decided to decorate cookies while Landon was taking his nap. Here is how our conversation went.

Ben: we need to count them first
Mom: ok when we are done counting we will put the frosting on

We start decorating the cookies. He is so meticulous. He had to put the smartie on bottom and the M&M directly on top of it. I didn't help at all and went to take a picture at the end but my batteries needed to be recharged...
One time he put the M&M backwords so the letter wasn't showing

Ben: oh no mom its backwords we have to fix it. Here mom clean off his back he is so sad.
Mom:ok,( as I wipe off the frosting)
Ben: he is crying mom you forgot his side and belly oh he is sooooo sad

every time we would use frosting to stick the candy on he would say
Ben: mom you need to put more butter on it
Mom: Ben its frosting not butter
Ben: I told ya its frosting mom
This was repeated quite often.

As he would get a little bit on his finger
Ben: oh no i need to lick this little bit off

He didn't get a drop of frosting on his clothes nor did he have anything over top covering him (remember he is 3!) and every candy was placed with utmost care as to not get any extra frosting on it that made it look 'messy'
It was a fun time. He makes me laugh how particular he is....so don't know where he gets it from... :)

'BATTLE ZONE'

Fernando has deemed a new nickname for Landon. He now calls him 'battle zone' I prefer klutso :) No j/k This kid is crazy I tell ya. He is trying to learn how to run and catch up with big brother... and has been bonking his head A LOT lately. This is the latest. He tripped and fell into the side of the half ajar door. There was a lot of blood all over his face and it scared me but luckily it wasn't deep enough for stitches and the swelling went down. I took the picture today so it looks a lot better than it did on Saturday... He screamed for about 10 min and then decided he was fine and wanted to go run and play again. A couple days before he fell and hit his left side of his forehead our chest and cut it and the SAME DAY ran smack dab into our screen tv. I am starting to think he needs glasses or something... Here are some pictures for you.

notice the nice bruise line all the way across the right face
black eye, luckily no stitches were necessary he got lucky this time...

Where did my baby go??

Landon turned 17 months today Aug 12th! He is looking less like my baby and more like a toddler every day.  He is saying quite a few words and has developed quite the funny personality.  We just love this little guy!
Who ever invented these shopping carts were must have been a mom. :)  My boys doing what they love best DRIVING!  Their obsession with anything with wheels.. now Landon is even saying 'deis' when ever he sees a diesel.

SHOUT OUT TO MIKE ETHINGTON

My really good friend Mike Ethington just released his first cd and it is nothing short of AMAZING! I am so proud of him and so excited for him!! Way to go Mike I knew you would do it! He is one of most talent musicians I have ever met! Mike sang and played the piano at my mission farwell. He is not only a incredibly talents musican but an amazing person. This cd has been a long time coming and a lot of obstacles got in the way, one of which being him loosing his dad to an auto immune disease. His dad was a member of the tabernacle choir. They sang at his funeral.
I just purchased my copy and can't wait until it arrives! It is free shipping! In my opinion every one would do well to own their own copy to have an listen to in those quite moments as the spirit testifies to you through his beautifully inspired notes. At the least you have to listen to the recordings on this link and read the BELIEVE section as he explains how his album got its name. I am truly inspired and brought to tears by the beauty of his music. Thank you Mike for sharing your talent with the world. May you all enjoy it as much as I have and know I will continue to. Mike is someone who truly changes your life for the better no matter who you are. Love your guts man!!

here is the link

http://ldspianohymns.com/
If it doesn't work go to www.michaelethington.com and you can hear it there

Dallas Texas

My amazing husband watched the boys for a WHOLE week while I went to Dallas TX for a Mary Kay Seminar.  The Seminar was amazing and fueled my desire and drive to become a director this year even more!  I got to fly out a few days early and spend some time w/ my good friend Tracy and her boys.  We had such a great time. Thanks Tracy so much for letting me stay with you guys! I just love that girl!!

This picture cracks me up probably because Melissa and Linda STILL don't even know I took it.  I took this as I was getting dropped off at the airport. They flew out of a different airport.  The perfect ending to an incredible week some MUCH needed sleep!

being silly at the manufacture plant. It was a really cool tour!
blowing kisses Amy Clair, Holli Mahoney and I

While in Dallas (staying w/ Tracy) I got my hair cut and highlighted. The best part was it only cost me $35!!! compared to the $150+ I would pay here.  This was the 2nd day I had the hair cut (I cut off 6 1/2 inch) so I was still getting use to doing it.  You know me always spontaneous!

history in the making... this lady is Dalene White (the 1st Mary Kay beauty consultant EVER) She put this hat on my head. I earned a trip with my national area to go to her ranch in San Antonio for a weekend. We were suprised to find that SHE presented the winners of the trip. It is going to be so incredible. I can't wait!
Here is another Mary Kay legend Anne Sullivan. She was also one of the very first Mary Kay beauty consultants. I won a special party in my National Director, Julianne's suite and she was out guest speaker. It was so incredible to hear her speak. She is turning 90 in November! Thanks to faithfully using Mary Kay for  44 yrs she sure doesn't look it!I tell ya Julianne has the hooks ups when it comes to meeting incredible legends. We are so blessed! Julianne is to my right.

my roomies Melissa, Linda and I on awards night

okay I know it has been forever....so sorry....

It has really become a lot of fun lately with these two since they play so cute together now. Yes they know how to fight too....but moments like this make it all worth it. :) Ben is so funny he loves to speak for his brother to get what he wants...e

playing in the sandbox
Landon has turned into quite the daddy's boy
I love this pictures because it shows so much love and admiration

Fernando bought a wii and a wii fit while I was in Oregon... and well the boys have quite taken to it. This is them playing mario cart. Landon always 'thinks' he is playing Ben can't be fooled.

Landon strutting around
a typical day except this happened to be a Sunday right after church... I was getting Landon un dressed but his brother headed outside, and he went right after him
playing in the sand box

In my defense I have tried to post earlier than this but the pictures wouldn't up load and then I didn't want to take the time.... sorry but I will be better. So there ya have it some random pictures from the last 2 months...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIKA!!

I have to give a shout out to my best friend Erika since today is her birthday. It is so great that I get to be here in Oregon celebrating it with her. We are sad to have to leave each other again. :( The boys and I head back home tonight.

I feel so blessed to have Erika in my life. She is so amazing and extremely talented. If you are wondering where all those new cute candid shots on my side bar blog came from now you know. She is an incredible photographer, video augrapher and artist!!! just to name a few of her many talents...
Our friendship started 4 1/2 years ago but I truly believe it started long before then.

It all started when our husbands were in several of the same accounting classes together. We were both pregnant with our firsts and instantly bonded. Our friendship has just continued to blossom as we have shared in each others lives. We use to hang out all the time before we moved to seperate states but the distance hasn't altered our friendship we still talk on the phone almost daily and visit each other. It is fun and a little crazy when we get together because it is like having 2 sets of twins almost... our kids are 3 months and 2 months apart....oh and we hardly get any sleep because we stay up all night talking, laughing and bonding even more. Just the other night we stayed up doing facials and drinking virgin strawberry pina coladas, and pedicures. We laughed until we were crying. In respect for her I won't post our crazy fun pictures of our green masks. :) It just isn't every day you find someone you can totally be yourself with and who knows and understands you so perfectly! I couldn't t ask for a more loyal best friend
Everywhere we go people ask us if we are sisters. I am curious to hear what you think?? We are so a like in so many ways. I couldn't ask for a better best friend. Erika I love your guts and feel so blessed to have you in my life! I treasure the memories we've created and look forward to the many more memories to come. Thank you for ALWAYS being there for EVERYTHING. I hope you have the birthday that you so deserve.