Twilight

After months of waiting, I went and saw the Twilight movie at 12:50 this morning. Boy am I tired right now. Mike shows no sympathy for me. I went with a bunch of my friends from work and my old neighborhood I used to live in. I was only able to snag the above picture, but I wish I would have gotten the entire group. Anyway, we started off the night meeting everyone and having a potluck. Then, half of the group went to the midnight showing and then we set off for the 12:50 showtime. Well worth waiting the extra 50 minutes because we had assigned seats.

I really tried to have low expectations for the movie because the book was so good, but I thought the movie was a little cheesy. I laughed the entire time, but I am not sure if they were trying to be funny or not. I think I was laughing because I knew what they were trying to portray and it wasn't coming across right. Overall, it was ok. They can never make the movies as good as the books. There is simply too much detail. No one in my movie group really liked the movie, but talking to people today I found that a lot of people loved it. Maybe I shouldn't have seen it so late. Maybe I was in a weird mood or something. I am going to try and get Mike to see it with me and maybe give it another chance. Mike has yet to hear my plan however.

Happy 4th Birthday Landen!

Landen is finally 4! He has been talking about turning 4 for months. Even though Landen is so little, he has seemed older than 3 to me. He is always hanging out with Gage and Zach and kept up with what they were doing.

Since Landen is Mr. Sociable, I had to throw him a birthday party and invite some of his friends. I thought I kept it small, but everyone showed up and it wasn't quite so small. I also had to do a party on a budget, so I had to get a little creative with some of the games.

Landen is still obssessed with cars, but for some reason he picked out transformer invitations. For Landen, this didn't necessarily mean he wanted a transformer party. Gage would have had to have everything match with the theme, but Landen could have cared less. I asked him if he wanted a transformer cake, and he said no. He wanted to pick a cake out of the cake book so I could make it. He picked a bear for some reason. I am still trying to figure that one out. I asked him if he wanted a transformer pinata, he said he wanted a Thomas the Train one (we opted to skip the pinata in the end). Landen is certainly one of a kind.

We started out by coloring transformer pictures for the boys and princess pics for the girls. As you can see this activity didn't last long. It took about 30 seconds to scribble and these are the last two cuties finishing up.

I wanted to play some sort of game where we popped balloons, but Landen absolutely hates the sound of popping balloons. One accidentally did pop and this picture is Landen running away from the noise. Instead, I played Landen's favorite song from Alvin and the Chipmunks and the kids were "supposed" to try and keep their balloons in the air for the entire song. Maybe 12 kids in my living room running around watching their balloons wasn't the best idea. Glad nobody got hurt.

Next, onto pin the mask on the transformer. What a rip off! Look how small that poster is! Zach was the proud winner of this game. He did admit however that he could see through his blindfold.

I thought musical chairs would be a hit. Not so much. I didn't foresee the fact that most 3 and 4 year olds don't know how to play this game. I also didn't look ahead to what might happen when those same 3 and 4 year olds didn't get a chair and they were "out." I thought the first kid out was going to cry. I made a big deal about how he got to push the button on and off on the radio. Kids like to push buttons right?

Gage was the winner of this game. It might have been due to the fact that he was the oldest player and he had played this game before. He had a strategy in mind from the get go.

Ok, flashback to the 80s. My sister Brandy remembered playing a game at our parties where we stood on a chair and dropped clothespins into a jar. Remember, I'm on a party budget. I wasn't able to use clothespins so we dropped crayons instead. I thought this game was going to be lame, but the kids actually had a blast. It was so hard to do. I let them lean over the chairs as far as they could and they still weren't able to get many crayons in. I think the winner only got 3 out 5. Gage was the tallest, therefore leaned over the farthest and I want to say he only got 1.

Next, I let the kids decorate cupcakes. Thankfully, it was a nice day and we were able to do this outside. That would have been quite the mess if we hadn't.

Since Landen started preschool, he always talks about the boy with the cowboy boots and how he had to get some just like it for his birthday. Mike and Landen went down to Reams where he picked them out. He had to open them before the party so he could wear them that day. He looked so cute!

We then opened presents. I coached Landen prior to the party about how he was to say thank you and that he like the present no matter what. He was so cute and rehearsed for me saying, "Mommy, I will say thank you, I luv it." And he actually did a pretty good job of doing just that.

Blowing out the candles on the Bear Cake.

I made Landen pose with his Bear Cake before the party so I wouldn't forget to get a picture.

So I scheduled the party from 1-3pm and after all of the games, decorating and eating cupcakes, and opening the presents, it was only 2pm! I had an hour left with 12 rowdy kids! Again, thankfully it was nice outside and they played great for the last hour. Thanks to everyone who came and who helped! Landen had a great time.

I really can't believe Landen is 4. He has grown up so much since he started preschool and has become a much more obediant child. We have had a lot less outbursts and tantrums. He is learning a lot at school and he continues to be best buds with his "Gager." He has started to get slightly better with Tanner and will occasionally share cars with him. Landen's favorite thing to do is simply play with his hotwheels. He loves watching Scooby Doo, Dora, Max and Ruby or anything Gage is watching. He takes after me and my sweet tooth. We have shared many spoonfuls of cookie dough together after Gage has been long gone after just one scoop. He loves his Daddy and wrestling with him. He still has his Blue Blankie and insists on taking it most places we go.

I love ya buddy! Stay tuned for Landen's doctor appointment and his growth chart results. I can't wait to see how much he's grown. I think he's had a growth spurt! We'll see!

Primary Program

This past Sunday was our ward's annual Primary Program. Both Gage and Landen had speaking parts. We had been practicing their lines for weeks and they each had it memorized to perfection. Gage and Landen attended a rehearsal on Saturday and got to say their lines into the microphone to prepare them for Sunday. They were so excited on Sunday to finally perform. When the Sunbeams' turn came, Landen chickened out. I think it was because the boy before him refused so Landen of course thought he didn't have to do it either. Oh well. He sung his little heart out with the rest of them. Gage did his line perfectly. I love watching Gage sing. He really gets into the music, but it doesn't look like he ever knows the words very well. He just opens and closes his mouth really big.

I am so proud of both my boys and the great job they did!

To Be In Kindergarten

Today I was able to volunteer in Gage's kindergarten class. I put myself down to be a substitute volunteer. I wish I could volunteer each week, but they don't like you to bring your other children and it would be hard to find a babysitter each week. I was so excited this week when they called and my sister in law Jamie was kind enough to agree to watch Tanner and Landen.

I was only there for like 45 minutes, but it was quite an eye opener. I don't think I could ever be a teacher. I actually wanted to be a teacher a few different times in my life and even met with the counselors to see what classes to take. I'm glad I went a different route. I really don't know how they learn to read in kindergarten when they are there for such a short time during the day and there are 22 children all demanding the teacher's attention.

Fortunately, Gage has an awesome kindergarten teacher named Ms. Morton. I think she does a great job and I am so glad I lied Gage's way right into her class. That's a whole different story. Gage originally got another teacher and Ms. Morton is the best so I had to pull out all the stops to get her.

Anyway, back to volunteering. Gage was so excited to see me and he pointed me out to all the kids who sit on his table the second I arrived. It was really fun to see Gage in his element. He is really enjoying school and has made a lot of friends. I helped with the "centers" as they call it. Then I had to call each child to the back of the room and get them a new book to take home that night. I had to first ask them about the book they were returning. I got some interesting answers to say the least and a few that had obviously not even read the book.

I had so much fun today and I'm glad Gage enjoys me going to his school. I have to treasure these moments because I am sure during his teenage years he might not be so fond of me. Hopefully not though. I am going to work hard at always having a really good relationship with my kids as I did with my parents.

Good News Bad News

Yesterday, I went and saw the other orthopedic surgeon. Bad news is I need surgery again. Good news is I only need my knee scoped to remove some cartilage. I will be on crutches for only a few days and off work for two weeks. This doctor was so much more positive then the one who did my original surgery. Don't get me wrong, I think my original surgeon is an excellent doctor and did everything right (although I don't understand why I need another scope but whatever). This new doc just said that I am too young to stop playing soccer and there is no reason why my knee should be this tender/painful when it has been over a year after the original surgery.

Those ortho docs are ruthless though. When he was examining my knee, he kept pushing on the inner part where I had pain. I would be gripping the table and screaming out and he would say, "Wow, that's really tender isn't it?" And then he would keep doing it! He just had to make sure I guess. We get a lot of ortho surgeries where I work, and I have a greater appreciation for what those kids go through. We also get a lot of kids who are what we call "frequent flyers" and have had multiple surgeries. This will be my third surgery in less then a year and a half. I am going through nothing what some of those kids have, but it will certainly help me put myself in their shoes.

The visit was kinda awkward in a way because this 2nd surgeon is good friends with my original doc and they actually work together sometimes and consult with one another on various cases. He said he would be happy and consult on my case and let my original doc do the scope or he would be happy to do it himself. Regardless, he said I should operate as soon as possible because it wasn't healthy for my knee to be swelled up like it is. I can't believe I played soccer on it as long as I did. I am scheduled to go under the knife Dec 5th and I have elected to let the 2nd surgeon do the scope. I really liked his aggressive, positive attitude. I hope I have made the right decision and I can just move on after this.

On a side note, I have always had a goal of running a marathon. It originally was to run one before I turn 30 which is this next August. I asked the ortho doc if a marathon was in my future. He said the only people built to run marathons were the Kenyans and that I should run a half and call it good.

Tanner is 15 months

I can't believe Tanner is already 15 months old! It has gone by so fast. Tanner is such a busy toddler. As you can see from the picture above, he is into everything. Tanner goes from cupboard to cupboard taking things out and tossing them onto the floor. He is constantly going up and down the stairs and climbing on anything he can find from the laundry basket to the dining room table. I seriously can't keep up with him! It is really cute to see him actually starting to play with Gage and Landen. Tanner definitely holds his own when he's with his brothers. He loves to play with cars, balls, and is just starting to watch Elmo. The Elmo part may have a little to do with the fact that I pull out the Elmo movie everyday and try and get him excited about it. I just want him watching at least one episode so I can get ready in the mornings and know he isn't going to be falling off furniture. He has yet to make it past watching 5 minutes though. Tanner still eats a lot of baby food. I keep trying to get him to eat what we eat, but he isn't quite the fan yet. Oh well.

I am so grateful that he is part of our family and look forward to everyday with him.

At Tanner's 15 month checkup he weighed 21.8lbs which is the 20th percentile. He was 31 inches long which is the 50th percentile and his head was in the whopping 5th percentile. He got 3 shots which didn't seem to bother him as much as being weighed did. He hates to sit on the scale. Tanner isn't really talking yet. He does plently of jabbering in his baby language. The doc says he is a little behind, but the fact that he can understand what we say is positive. I will have to try and work on it.

This is a video of Tanner being crazy. He loves to stand on his ride along toy and jump off. He thinks he is pretty neat!

Happy Halloween!!!

For the past couple of Halloweens, we have gone to our friend Heidi's mom's house for a Halloween party. She makes the best soup and rolls and her house is decorated really cute for Halloween. Afterwards, we trick-or-treat around the neighborhood. We always have so much fun!

We first had to trick-or-treat Nana and Papa's house. Tanner was a frog this time. He was three different things for each of our three different parties. I'm not sure why.

Here's Landen, Ava, Zach, and Gage. Tanner had a cold so he stayed behind with my mom.

I don't ever remember getting pulled around to go trick-or-treating. It was probably a good thing because we ended up getting rained on a little bit.

Ava and Landen are so cute together. They used to fight a ton but they have got a long really well the last couple of times we have hung out.

It's always trouble when the two of them get together!

Halloween Square Dance Party

My grandparents are awesome square dancers. They have even won some medals at the Utah Summer Games. Well, their square dancing group put on a little Halloween Party last Thursday. The kids had so much fun! Gage and Landen didn't want to be the Ninja or the race car driver for this party for some reason. They wanted to wear costumes from their dress up trunk. Never mind I spent good money on their Ninja and race car driver costumes. Whatever!

Here's some of the great grand kids posing with my grandparents.

Gage is a policeman, Landen is a cowboy, and Tanner is supposed to be a pirate.

We tried to learn a few square dancing moves. Tried is the key word here.

I had two partners so it was kind of difficult to dance. My grandpa tried to help but we'll never be professionals. We had fun anyway.

Landen was all business. Gage is always so silly!

My mom really got into the chicken dance.

Afterwards, we stopped by my grandma Liz's house to show her the kid's costumes. My kids don't do well in small places. My grandma lives in an apartment. In just 5 minutes, Tanner had torn off all of the refrigerator magnets, thrown some figurines (luckily they didn't break) and puked all over her couch. We felt our visit was over after all that. It's always nice to see grandma though.

Landen's Halloween Program

Today was Landen's preschool Halloween program. Usually, the programs are held at the library because there are 45 kids in his class. For Gage's programs, I was always really stressed out the morning of because I was worried about getting a good seat. I would make Mike go like 1/2 hour early and save the front row. We got some glares from other parents, but hey there were no rules about getting there early. Anyway, because of the early voting this year the school wasn't able to book the library. So, they divided the class into 3 groups and each group had their own program at the school. I loved it. I got to sit in the front row and actually see and hear my child sing.

Landen has been really excited about his program. He has been singing the Halloween songs around the house for weeks now. He was also excited to introduce us to his two favorite girlfriends. Thankfully, they both ended up in his group.

We are so thankful that our family is so supportive. Landen had a great cheering section!

Tanner thought Landen did great. It's fun to imagine that one day it will be him up there performing.

Here's the group.

I love watching little kids do actions to the songs.

Landen was a little off on some of the actions as you can see, but at least he did them. I loved being able to actually hear him singing.

After they program, they got the bags they had made at school and did a little trick-or-treating.

The princess on the left is Kate and the bumblebee on the right is Presley. These are Landen's favorite "girlfriends." It was so fun to see Landen in his element. He is so social. He said hi to everyone when they came and told me each of the kids' names. I wonder sometimes how he knows everyone. What does he do during the 2 1/2 hours he is at school besides chat with his friends?

Neighborhood Trunk or Treat

Last night, we went to our neighborhood Trunk or Treat. This is the first ward we have been in that has done one. They are really fun. We had soup and donuts first and then went outside and flipped open the trunks. The kids made out with a ton of candy. The weather was perfect. We didn't even have to wear jackets!

We brought the Hoovers along to join in the fun!

Tanner was a 70s disco dude. He didn't try to pull of his awesome hair. He just kept itching his head.

Landen was a race car driver. He really enjoyed the donuts.

Here's Gage demonstrating his Ninja moves.

Peyton was Ben 10 and Bailey was a 3 eyed monster. Aren't they cute?

How precious!