Idaho visit

We went to Idaho for a few days because Daddy had work in the area and we just stayed with the grandparents. The boys mostly played with their grandparents iPads the whole time we were there. I did get them to do other things while we were there. 

THing 2 was pretending to sleep with his eyes open, so Thing 1 was showing him that you have to close your eyes to be pretending to sleep.

Thing 1 was able to go to school with Grandma while she did Gifted and Talented in her school district. Thing 1 was so excited to attend!

Thing 2 stayed at the house with me and while I was getting ready, this is what he was doing. 

He is just so stinkin' cute!

Fort

A few weeks ago it snowed eight inches within 24 hours and we had a ton of fun! As you can see here, Thing 1 is up to nothing but mischief!

Thing 2 had a hard time walking because the snow was so deep. 

Thing 1 was so excited to make a snow angel! He had been begging the day before to go out and play while it was dumping snow. 

Daddy was sitting in the fort that Thing 1 and I were building.

To get Daddy to try and move, I'll bet you can't guess what Thing 1 was attempting.

Mwa ha ha ha!

This is Thing 1's and my result from our hard work. We uncovered so much grass and unfortunately more than that. It was taller than Thing 1 in the end.

Thing 2 was helping us to pack the snow together. 

Thing 1 loved the tunnel we built. 

We loved the snow that we had we're excited for more when it hits us!

Nice Weather

The Monday after we got to the Salt Lake Valley there was a nasty windstorm that reminded me of when I lived in Washington surrounded by fields (There are fields just one block over). There was dirt and dust everywhere! I used the broom to sweep off our bikes because it wouldn't merely blow off. It rained on Tuesday and was chilly for the next two days. And then.... it snowed! I went running that morning and came back covered in show. I was wearing all black and looked like a snowman. It didn't feel too cold until I was doing my cool down walk but I started running again because I was wet. 

This is what it looked like when we woke up. 

This was later that day. Thing 1 really wanted to go play in the snow, but there wasn't any on the ground. He just rode is bike and stuck his tongue out for snowflakes. 

The next week on the other hand was gorgeous! The boys and I went outside and played at the playgrounds. Our pool looks like it is still open in our apartment complex. Don't worry it's heated. The hot tub is open year round, so I'm wondering when they'll close down the pool.

This was four days later. We were playing outside in the nice warm weather and enjoying the t-shirts in the shade. Playing on the playground Thing 1 calls the "Number 2 Playground" of the three in our complex. 

Thing 2 loves climbing up this latter and sliding down the big spiral slide.

He is fearless! And was up and down I don't know how many times!

We also went for ride around the playground in Thing 2's Cozy Coupe and on Thing 1's bike. 

I think this is going to help me with the move. Having a little bit shorter winter and a warmer winter so that we can grow watermelons during the summer! We'll see how we manage the hot summers next year!

Now that we are settled(?), here's Halloween!

I think we have adjusted much better to living in the Salt Lake Valley than we expected. All of the moving boxes have been removed from our humble apartment and there is space to move around. I personally am finding that there are many more things to do than I expected. I was worried about going stir-crazy in the small apartment, but we're doing pretty well. Our little Things are in a bunk bed and love it, at least for the most part. Thing 1 was definitely excited about being on the top bunk, and Thing 2 seems to like his big bed. He does pretty well staying in it for the most part, but there are times we have to go put him back in bed. Daddy is super excited that we are finally living with him, and that we are all together. 

A few weeks before we moved, the boys and I carved pumpkins. Thing 1 has never really been all that fond of this activity for the fact that he hates scooping out the pumpkin guts. Thing 2 loved pulling out the seeds and the slime though! It was so funny to watch the different reactions on their faces!

This is really how Thing 1 looked during most of the scooping. 

Thing 2 dug right in and was even trying to get his face in to see what he was grabbing. 

Thing 1 was a ghost last year and decided that he wanted to wear his same costume this year. I was totally fine with that! Not having a costume leftover from Thing 1 for Thing 2 at this size we started coming up with ideas. Thing 1 settled this dilemma after I asked what he thought his little brother should be, "I want Thing 2 to be a ghost too!" So without question, I knew exactly what I had to do. 

Here are our little "Boos"

Thing 1 particularly loved his "Ooooo" noise he got to make. 

Thing 2's face is a a look of "Uh-oh"

It took Thing 2 a little bit to figure out how to open his Trick or Treat bag so that he could receive candy.

Once he figured it out, he kept it open almost the whole time he walked. 

Then decided that he would rather ride, eat his candy, and have someone push the stroller up to the door. 

Thing 1 was sure excited about his caramel Twix!

The group of kids we had the opportunity to go Trick or Treating with included my cousin's older two children and two of their friends. They all had so much fun together!

I should have been a Carpenter

I have found a few things out about myself that have truly made me happy (besides my happy little Things) during these last two difficult months without Daddy. Building things out of wood and refinishing wood furniture. I feel good working with my hands and it doesn't help that I love the smell of wood. Here is a piece of a set we got at a garage sale that I was able to refinish.

There was a coffee table and two end tables that came with the set. They are the same styles before and after a well.

Before

Birthdays!

Daddy and the boys birthdays are 12 days apart. For Daddy's birthday we had immediate family over for a dinner and had his favorite cheesecake for dessert. He was able to open a few presents that the boys and I gave him. For adults we just keep it simple. Especially because Daddy doesn't want a real big deal made. On the other hand.......

It's a little different for the boys. They get to choose what cake they're having, and a few other things. We have a family party of cake and ice cream and they get to open presents. I was very excited about making and designing what Thing 1 wanted for their birthday cake. Thing 2 doesn't really care, he just likes the same thing as his big brother. Until they're not okay with it, we're just going to celebrate their birthdays together. Why you ask? They're three years and one day apart. They like celebrating at the same time for now. 

Yes they're names were on the cake, but you also know that I have renamed them here on the blog. I was pretty excited about their cake. No, it's not perfect, but it doesn't matter because it's going to be eaten, and the boys were so excited about it.

While I was working on the finishing touches of the cake Thing 1 and Daddy took a well deserved nap.

While we were singing to the birthday boys.

Thing 2 was so excited to blow out his candles that Daddy had to hold him back so as not to steal Thing 1's thunder.

My little 5 year old! I can't believe it's been that long!

Thing 2's turn! He was kicking and happy about it. No, surprisingly enough the string of spit didn't land on the cake, it landed on the table.

The boys and a cousin playing with a toy for Thing 2's birthday. 

 Of course Thing 1 preferred to be on top of the car.

 

Happy Birthday my little Things! I guess you're not too little anymore though!