Birdhouse Love

We finally took Ryan to Home Depot's kid's building workshop last month. Officially Home Depot set the starting age at 5 to attend. Since he looks 5 we thought what the heck. I wish I would have brought him sooner since it's not a really organized "workshop" as I had been led to believe. I could never picture Ryan sitting still for a step by step workshop on anything! It's really a free for all--for starters it's FREE, each child receives a Home Depot project apron and you dive in with your kiddo and put together prefab little wooden projects. Ryan had a really good time. As you can tell he is in love with the bird house that he and Dad built--could not take his eyes off of it! He kept asking Brad the rest of the day "lets do another project together". Needless to say they mowed the lawn together, ran errands, etc. Brad said later that night he has never been so exhausted when he said such a willing helper at his disposal! WELCOME to my world! This made up for the comment he made earlier in the week--"Babe, I think what your problem is, is goal setting just set a goal (s) each day and then focus on them until you get them done." He has lots of good one liners. The ones while I'm in labor and just home from the hospital with a newborn are just as priceless.

Teething Teething go away!

Evan is a problem solver.....he snagged a turkey drumstick off the dinner table the other night while I was cleaning up from dinner. He was fussy all day and then like magic there was SILENCE! He sat in his highchair and gnawed on that turkey bone for a good hour. This made for a very easy dinner by the way. Throw frozen turkey legs in crock pot, season and forget about them. Make a salad at 6:00 and eat!

Easter 2009

Evan eating his new books



Easter morning the Siamese twins find their Easter baskets.
Evan is delighted! Ryan is mesmerized by yet another Thomas.....



Ryan dominated the egg hunt.

Dad and Ryan on Easter morning. Dad post call and tired

but still enjoying the sweetness of that morning. Our last

Easter in Klamath!

Evan finding the Cadbury eggs.

Mom confiscating the Cadbury eggs.... Evan sure can pitch a fit!

Love the balled fists and hyper flexed feet!

Evan "showing" his one egg to Ryan....

Ryan takes off with the egg.....

Evan trying to get his Easter egg back from Ryan.

I am powerless by those big blue eyes!

Missing the sunshine!

This time last year we were "wintering" in the Caribbean. It was wonderful! I'm so ready to be done with Klamath Falls and SNOW/COLD/WIND! Brandon was doing an elective rotation at the University. It was lots of fun to see the island again. Surprisingly NOTHING with the island itself had changed! However, the university had tons of new buildings and even a SUBWAY! The church has now established a presence there which was awesome to see. They have two chapels and have already outgrown them. It was really nice to attend church with "local" members and see missionaries tracting in the blazing heat! It was fun for Ryan to experience island life with us. He thoroughly enjoyed swimming everyday and living at the beach. This is a picture from our favorite beach. Ry was only 2 and half then....I thought he was so grown up. Poor kid, we always expect so much out of him because he has always been so verbal and intelligent. The other night I was on his case about something and Ryan looked up at me and said " jeez Mom I'm just a kid! ".

Trying to be a fun Mom....

What kid screams when you finally let them ride the train outside of the grocery store? Actually, Evan does this 24-7 now, unless I'm holding him....... He just went to the doctors for his nine month and SCREAMED the entire time. He did not need any immunizations--thankfully!


So...... my floors are dirty, laundry is piled up, the dishes sit until the end of the day (midnight) when Evan finally passes out in his swing. No such luck in the daytime, Ryan is just too LOUD. I keep the swing in the back bedroom in the daytime but Ryan always successfully wakes him up after about 5 minutes!

Thankfully I can still CRAM him into that swing! Fisher Price really out did themselves when they invented the Papasan cradle swing. I passed them up when I had Ryan because they are UGLY, it screams " I'm a huge plastic baby accessory". Now that I'm an "experienced" Mom I go for function. I love that these swings lay down so the baby can sleep comfortably while swinging. The weight limit goes up to 25lbs which we have now maxed, even at it's highest setting it now swings really SLOW. This swing plugs in,which is a huge plus, since we went through 4 Costco packs of D cells with Ryan! So if you need to get a swing for your baby--go for any of the Fisher Price Papasan or cradle swings. WELL worth the money and worth the eyesore in your living room.

With just one picture

I LOVE finding photos that I thought I had accidentally erased! I was going through all of the throngs of photos we have on the computer trying to organize and sort and came across this one of Ryan at 16 months. These photos had gotten stuck in with pictures of the Grants Pass rental. We always take pictures before we place a new tenet so we can have some sort of a reference point, in regards to damages and cleaning. Anyway, Ryan had a ball that day! "Helping" us install a new kitchen faucet, inspecting the insides of the dishwasher, navigating stairs for the first time etc. Funny how time flies! Just this one picture brought back so many memories. We had gotten back from NYC shortly after these pictures were taken. Brandon's medical school graduation was in NYC at the Lincoln Center. We didn't think Ryan would be able to sit through such a long ordeal and did not relish another long plane trip with him. (We had been to Hawaii just before that) So we left him with my In-Laws. I was a nervous wreck, that was the first time I had been separated from him. I was still nursing at the time so it was a crazy trip of running to graduation events and pumping on the go to keep up the milk supply. We managed to squeeze in a trip to Times Square and enjoy TEN dollar Cold Stone ice cream! (being the frugal people we are, we called that dinner) For some reason it was really important for me to bring Ryan back a "I heart NY" T-shirt..... Not just any T-shirt it had to be a "onesie". I have the hardest time watching my babies grow up! Maybe because they are such strapping kids and they start wearing a 2T at 12 months, they just grow too FAST! Anyway, I finally found a little shop that had what I was looking for, the shirt was only 24 months--but it was HUGE! Perfect.The next day we went to Conney island and ate a really sick "world famous Nathan's hot dog". We are still not sure what the hype is about,they cost like 6 bucks and taste horrible. (worse then a Dodger dog) Nobody beats Costco! Anyway, after throwing away the rest of our Nathan's we checked out the rides at Conney island. ALL of the rides look really old and scary, not safe at all. Most of them were being run by father time, not the most reassuring sight when you are contemplating a carnival ride. Then we saw the "Cyclone" it was either the worlds biggest or the world's oldest wooden roller coaster. I can't remember now. As soon as I clapped eyes on it I was wishing I had Ryan with me so I could bow out and not have to ride that death trap! Brandon LOVES roller coasters, he grew up in So. California and spent many summers at magic mountain and the like. I knew I was in trouble when Brad spied the Cyclone! Suffice it to say we purchased tickets and went through the gate. Father time shuffled over to strap us in and we were off. I'm permanently traumatized from that ride. I have NEVER been that scared before in my life! The bar that held us in our seats was loose and kept flying up even though we both had a death grip on it. The coaster felt very rickety. I just kept thinking this is how I'm going to die....and nobody knows what our wishes are in regards to our son! I had a serious panic attack high in the air on all of those hair pin tuns. The only thing that makes this experience okay is the fact that Brad has never wanted to go on another coaster! I think he was just as scared as me. Our ears always perk up when we hear Conney Island in the news--we are just waiting for them to say they had to tear that death trap down after some one was hurt or killed!

Nine Months

Happy nine months Evan! You now have more time out than in. We love your sweet cheerful disposition. Mommy loves all of your chubby rolls! You kind of learned to crawl on Sunday. Well, it's more of a slither. Like Ry Ry you have a lot of mass to move...... So you are content to roll from place to place or drag your belly and legs behind you. Mommy does NOT mind at all that you and Ry were slow crawlers.... you guys can tear up enough stuff just rolling! You have been such a nice addition to our family. Ryan LOVES you and wants to do everything with you -including wrestling..... Ryan was very interested in you when you were born. When you were three days old I had just finished nursing you and placed you in your pack N play. Ryan was playing trains in the family room near your pack N play. I went to the kitchen to refill my water jug.....just as I came around the corner Ryan comes around the corner with YOU in his arms! He had the biggest smile on his face he was so proud of himself...and said"look Mommy this is a really big baby". I almost died! I walked very slowly to Ryan and scooped you up and checked you all over to make sure you were okay. To Ryan's credit he had you cradled in his arms PERFECT, just liked we had practiced on this doll he named Caribou. I was gone maybe 15 seconds.....I never dreamed he would be able to get you out of the little bassinet potion of the play yard. I should have known better since Ry has always been so tall. In hindsight I should have grabbed the camera it was right by us on the counter. I would have liked to of captured the sweetness that Ryan showed toward you as he held you. I was just so worried about how he got you out of the play yard--I had visions of little boys carrying cats around the neck... Anyway, we all went to sit down on the couch and take a breather. I had kept my postpartum hormones in check before that. I started crying, bawling really. (I'm not a crier!) Ryan kept saying "I'm sorry Mommy, I just love him". I reassured him that I was not mad at him just scared for the baby. It was really hot that day too. We were waiting for the guy to come and fix the AC--so that made it worse. I'm always so hot after having a baby. Later after I had regained some composure I asked Ryan how he got you out of the play yard and he said "I pulled him by his feet"! I was still freaked until Daddy could come home and check you out. You were fine! It is now one of your brother's favorite stories to tell "Hey Mom do you remember that day I got the baby out and you just cried and cried?" Later that day as I held you I Thanked Heavenly Father for sending you almost a month early. You were so tiny, If you had been heavier maybe Ryan would have dropped you? You continue to delight us with you personality and we are grateful for your spirit and cute chubby thighs!

Worth a shot!

A Friend just sent this to me:

Think your little firecracker has the personality it takes to win the Live with Regis and Kelly Beautiful Baby Search? Prove it! Pull out the camera and get your little top model ready, because this year's contest starts the week of January 12, 2009 -- your baby could appear on the cover of Parenting magazine and win $125,000 to be used towards a 4-year college education!

To enter:

Visit liveregisandkelly.com and submit a photo from January 12, 2009 to February 13, 2009. The Live and Parenting staffs will narrow down the hundreds of thousands of entries to 10 semi-finalists, who will be announced on the show on March 9, 2009. You can vote for your favorites, and the top 5 contestants will be announced the following day.

The winner will be announced on Live on March 13, 2009.

So I probably should have sat these boys down and gotten pictures with out blurriness and snot...... I just found out about it--and would like a crack at getting school PAID for for one of these rascals! Ok Moms there is still time, the deadline is tomorrow at 5pm EST. I knew if I did not get something submitted I would forget/ get sidetracked. So if your babies are between 6months and 48 months--snap a picture and get to uploading!

Like I said....Ryan does NOT smile.

Baby Evan can't help it!

Punxsutawney Phil you are on my list.....

Well..... he was right, we woke up to more SNOW!

The only good thing that ever happens on February 2nd is the Celebration of my oldest brothers birthday! AKA "Lieutenant" Dan-- he turned 35!!!! He is currently living in Japan with his beautiful family. They just welcomed their 4th baby in January. Kaleb joins two brothers and a sister. I wish they lived closer, because their boys are "spirited" like my own. Keeping are fingers crossed for a visit from them this fall. We miss them so much!

Dan....since I missed calling you on the "day"....... I will pay public homage to honor you. So I can expunge my guilt! Here are 35 tidbits from your/our life for your enjoyment. (In no particular order)

1. I Love that you had to get up in primary and give "my" first talk as a sunbeam.....because I fell asleep and the teachers did not want to wake me up!

2. I love your sarcastic sense of humor.

3. Thanks for teaching me to mountain bike.

4. Thanks for including me in your group of friends at EFY's, Youth Conferences, Stake dances and the like. It made up for all of the times you and your friends harassed me in middle school.

5. Thanks for serving a full time mission. That instilled a drive for me to do the same.

6. Thanks for helping me get my first two full time jobs. Ahhh... remember summers at the blueberry patch with the Hoover, mini vac, and *shutter* Richard Brandis? Matsu served us both well.

7.Remember all of those tree houses and forts we built in the backyard of our house when we lived in San Jose?

8. Thanks for totally getting why I do what I do-- in regards to raising my family.

9. I love that you oldest boy is JUST LIKE YOU as a child. Karma is good.

10. I love that you bettered yourself by going to school and graduating from BYU and then on to Cornell.

11.Thanks for staying strong in the Gospel your whole life.

12.Thanks for “trying” to teach me to drive a manual transmission.....I'm too right brained—it will never happen.

13.Whenever I need a good laugh I think of you driving your bike in the bike lane on Highland Ave. where some inconsiderate donkey parked his semi overnight..... or the time you were driving the B.U.S and the spare tire came loose and rolled down the isle and ran over your lunch.... Do you still have the tee shirt with tire marks on it?

14. We laugh when you call Brad the “Good Doctor”

15. Remember when you and Steve would “threaten” me with that encyclopedia entitled “Asia”? At one point as children we had not formed our alliance so you and Steve constantly harassed me.....beheading my Barbies, hiding my strawberry shortcake dolls, or threatening to beat me over the head with “Asia”. You guys would wait until Mom walked out of the room and then reach under the couch for “Asia”......unless I did whatever you guys said. For example— do your chores, give up my chocolate Easter bunny.....etc. You two were typical brothers! All you had to say was “Steve go get “Asia”. It is a little Ironic that the actual continent of Asia would play such a roll in you life in the years to come. First a job as a chef at a Japanese restaurant, then a full time mission to Japan, Then marriage to the best sister in law ever, who has Vietnamese and Chinese heritage, and then accepting a job in Japan after graduating from Cornell. Not to mention your trips to Guam and Vietnam. Who would of thought that a skinny white boy like yourself could be so cultured?

16. Love the way you can recount a story.

17. I miss old school GP with you. Going to G.P. Pharmacy for a phosphate. Going to Millies for a sub. Going to a movie after Thanksgiving dinner. Lunch at the Royal Barge. "Cruising" 6th & 7th street in the summers in the LUV, your camero, or dare I say the KFC? These days GP pharmacy has some snot nosed teenager behind the counter with an attitude. Millies is under new ownership.... with "yum yum" subs--and it does not taste the same! Movies these days are mostly trash or shameless remakes of an older better movie. I'm starting to sound old....

18.Camp outs in the backyard "survivalist style". We would spend hours as kids packing up sleeping bags, ramen, water, and such so we could survive in the "wilderness".......we usually lasted a night. We even "waterproofed" our matches with wax.

19.Scouring the house on Lawnridge looking for Dr. Ogle's diamonds and gems. Thought we really hit the jackpot when we found a hidden safe down in the pantry in the basement.

20.Making Simon and Garfunkle tapes. Sneaking downstairs to watch SNL.

21. Feeling so cool Christmas morning with our brand new Jellyfish Swatches!

22. Stealing your Silver Tabs when you went on your mission.....okay stealing ALL of your stuff when you left on your mission.

23.Road trip to Coos Bay in my Volarie, we could not even talk because the engine was so loud! Loved that slant 6. That was back in the Armando days.....*shutter*

24.Dump trips.....we make a good demo/slash clean up crew.

25.Bella block

26.Crusher and the mailman or Crusher and the doorknocker--take your pick.

27. Back to the Future, Karate Kid, It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, Rear Window, Forrest Gump.

28.Tricking you off of Grandpa West's lap by playing with your train set.....you were sitting there while he told you stories. Well, I wanted to sit there--so I ran over to your prize train set, sure enough you jumped down to rescue the train and I sauntered over to G. West. You may have the college degrees.....but I have savvy. Savvy?

29.Fiercely defending you even as Mom was about ready to kill you! Especially the time you threw a log at my face when I didn't hold your bike steady enough when you tried to climb the Elm tree in the back yard. Mom came out just as you hurled the offending piece of firewood.... I needed stitches which was scary I was only 2. Mom and Dad yelled at you but I told them to STOP because you were my brother!

30.Being old enough to remember phones with cords, B&W TV, Seat belts with out shoulder harnesses. How to heat up food without a microwave, what a VCR is, Thrifty ice cream cones, M&M's without the color red and blue. Salt water sandals.

31. Helping you take the trash out in San Jose and getting chased by a pit bull. Helping you catch the rooster at night.

32.Road trip to SLC to bring you to the MTC.

33.Marching in the band at Boat Nik.

34.Big thanks for all of the help you Teresa gave at our wedding reception.

35.Lexon baskets

I really wanted to add another 35...maybe when you reach 70! Thanks for the laughs and the bonding! Happy Birthday! Peace out Juke.

Love, Ange, The Good Doctor, Ry Ry, and Baby E

Practice makes perfect

Well it's official......we have a place to practice! We thought we would never see this day!!!! Seven years ago we stuck a rental sign in the yard of our first home and drove away. Now seven years later with a MD and two kids we get to put down roots again. We always thought we would go back home to GP. As the time drew closer to make a decision, that really did not fit our lifestyle any longer. We were DINC's then. Now that we are parents we were looking for a certain type of community for our boys. When it comes right down to it our boys are EVERYTHING to us.

We have found a charming little community up north, and we couldn't be happier! Our new home will be in Tillamook Oregon. We looked at quite a few places and were pleased to find a place right here in Oregon. We love the pacific northwest and have always wanted to live near the beach. This town really fits the bill. Brandon has accepted a position with a Family Medicine Practice associated with the local Hospital in Tillamook. We are currently house shopping in Bay City (10 minutes from Tillamook) we want to live near the water. Brandon would only have a 10 minute commute! He only has twenty minutes now--but when it snows in Klamath it takes about 45 minutes! (They can't be bothered to plow the roads here) That's another plus to coastal living vs. the basin--NO SNOW!

The boys and I had a blast in this little community this fall when Brandon was doing a rotation with one of the local Doc's. We toured the private school (can't wait to enroll Ryan this fall--he begs to go to school everyday. Most of his friends started pre-school at 2 and a half, so he feels a little left out.) We went to the library 3 times a week (they have story times for kids going on all week). Played at the park for hours. This park has retired trains next to it that are just parked on old tracks. As you can imagine Ryan was thrilled to have his very own "shunting yards" We played on those trains all morning. He was the the driver,which left the roll of "Sir Topham Hatt" for yours truly..... Anybody familiar with "Thomas the Tank Engine" knows that is not a sought after part for a cute girl like myself! On the weekends we brought the boys to the beach, air museum, and of coarse the Tillamook cheese factory. We love Tillamook's close proximity to Portland. This will allow us to bring the boys to plays and other cultural events. Not to mention access to an international airport (PDX) with great prices on fares.


The picture below is from this fall. Ryan wanted to go the beach everyday! He dug in the sand convinced he was going to find "Pirate Gold".......he's three what does he know about pirate gold? After a while he settled for picking flowers and "decorating" my hair, sand cakes, and baby Evan's carseat. Can't wait to get back and enjoy that ocean breeze!

Genes at work

I have been working on Family history lately and ran across this picture. It is uncanny how much my sister Tiffany and brother Mike favor these two! I never met these "Greats" they died a few years before we were born. I'm enjoying all of the pictures and letters that my progenitors have left for us to enjoy. At least I know where I got by "sturdy" ankles from.....thanks Grandma Mote.

Ryan NEVER did this!

Poor Evan....it's true that subsequent children get slightly neglected. I never wanted it to be this way. We always attended to Ryan when ever he peeped--what else did we have to do? :) Well sometimes Evan has to wait for me to finish loading the dishwasher or help Ryan in the bathroom (Ry would like to do it all on his own....but that does not turn out very well!) It's true the work load quadruples with a second baby.... not double as I naively thought!

Oh Brother!

Hi..... can you tell we are related?

Any given day.........

Wow! Where did 2008 go? We feel like we have been running for the last year! Brandon is of coarse busy as ever getting through his last year of medical residency. We welcomed our second son in May...almost a month early! Our first baby turned three in May....*SAD* where did the time go? We were also out of town every single month in 2008 to fun places like the Caribbean, Cancun Mexico, Montana, Brookings Or., Calistoga Ca., St Helena Ca.,Seaside Or., Tillamook Or. Not to mention numerous trips down south to Los Angeles to see Nana & Papa. Our most recent trip to LA was quite an adventure we decided to avoid getting stranded on snowy roads and take Amtrak.... Our second time with Ryan first time with the baby. It was actually a lot of fun--Ryan is still totally infatuated with trains so checking out the front of the engine and eating in the dinning car was a big treat for him. We have been so busy have not had time to post any pics or fun stories from all of our gallivanting. Here is a stab at getting caught up.

Silent Night

Talk about Momma's boys! My boys have to be near me 24-7. I have finally given up having Evan sleep by himself. I can not function anymore being repeatedly awakened through the night. He does just fine curled up on his tummy on my chest. Brad invested in a comfy plush recliner for me so I can relax and sleep as well. I'm still trying to figure out why it has taken me so long to figure out that boys do not want to be separated form their Momma's!!!!!!!! Ryan was an erratic sleeper as well-- fought sleep until about age two. Luckily for me he sleeps through the night now and still takes a hefty afternoon nap! I figure these babies grow up so fast what is a few months sleeping in a chair in the overall scheme of things?

Happy Happy

Baby Evan always has a smile for me. He was playing on a blanket the other night chewing on this snowman while I created Christmas gifts. He started to fuss so I went over to check on him. He just started squealing and laughing and had this huge smile on his face. Ryan was such a serious baby...he smiled but not very often. Ry was more content to observe. Case in point--
Classic Evan

Classic Ryan

I live in a "green" state that votes blue

I vote red, but I'm not a "RED". How about you?

GO VOTE!

I provided a handy guide below:



Still confused? If you hate this Country and are a Communist vote Obama
If you love this Country and want to keep most of your hard earned money vote. McCain/Palin.

Popeye the Sailor boy....

Once again my frugality has bitten me in the butt! We have been in and out of town for the last 10 months.... lots of car trips interviewing for jobs, medical clerkship's etc. Not to mention plane trips galore. Never fun for a very active two--now three year old. So I picked up a few new DVD's as fodder for my bribery arsenal. Life savers for those restless moments stuck on a plane, carseat, departure lounge. Anyway, I LOATH buying $20 some odd dollar Disney movies or the like--so expensive. I was enticed by a bin of .99 cent DVD's at K-mart--perfect. I found classics like Woody Woodpecker, Casper, & Popeye. Well Ryan enjoyed all of the "new shows" but LOVED Popeye! Ran around all summer singing the theme song and begging for spinach.

Funny enough he really likes spinach--must have been all of those spinach salads in the womb I'm such a paranoid pregnant lady. Probably because I read most of Brandon's embryology text books the first year of Medical school.


Anyway, Ryan figured out how fun Halloween can be this year and wanted a Popeye costume....great, that's not something you can just by off the rack kid! So I headed to Goodwill to hunt up some Sailor clothes in a toddler size... Apparently there are not a lot of retired sailors that wore a 5T. I had to alter some existing articles of clothing to convince my 3 year old who has such an eye for detail that this was indeed a "real" sailor suit! Phew--all while unpacking from a year of being on the go and out of town.

Not to mention having a baby nursing the baby and making my "Gabrielle Solice" costume....after she had two babies. (so really I didn't have to do much) How is it possible to LOVE being 5 months pregnant and hate being 5 months post postpartum? My MO thus far is to gain like 50 lbs in pregnancy which takes a year to "snap" back into shape uggg! I tried with Ryan and now with Evan to diet right away and work out like a 10 times a day to no avail. When I'm nursing exclusively that's all my body can handle. Luckily this Chubba Bubba gets to start rice cereal soon! So ready for a reprieve. Okay, I have a digression problem it's the Mommy brain.

Want the Popeye look? Take a really bad 80's white shrug jacket and sew up the front and remove GIANT 11 inch plastic buttons--- size to a 5T. Add black head scarf around neck for sailor tie. Bleach out cream colored bucket hat and stitch up flaps. Alter white summer shorts from preteen clearance rack to accommodate a toddler. Finish up with black dress shoes from Wal-Mart that will double as Church shoes and you have convinced a 3 year old that this is a sailor suit. Ryan helped me make the spinach can from a small paint can, we added a label we created on the computer. The spinach was green felt with pipe cleaners we had around the house. What fun!

The spoils of "Booing"

So I must confess...I'm a bad boo-er (is that a word?) I guess it is if you are LDS. Anyway, we were sitting down Sunday night as a family to video message Nana & Papa to discuss their upcoming trip this weekend. We heard the doorbell and begrudging went to go see who had the "nerve" to bother our limited family time on a Sunday night. We were surprised with a cute little Halloween bucket filled with treats for Ryan and the obligatory paper ghost with extensive instructions on our duty to reciprocate. Ryan immediately wanted to color the ghost so I obliged him. I figured I could get online when I put him down for bed and print off a new one to pass on. He freaked when I went to tape his masterpiece to the door. No problem, I will put it up when he goes to bed so that all will know that I have already enjoyed the goodness of booing... Unfortunately, Evan demanded to be nursed after we got Ryan settled for the night so the ghost went to the wayside. I went to hang it up the next morning after retuning home from the baby's doctor appointment to find yet another cute bag filled with treats for our family! No fair-- they dropped it off in broad day light! So now, I feel like a boo hoarder... Great stuff though, I'm enjoying the pumpkin spice candle immensely. So, I have my treats ready I just need Brandon to get home from the hospital at a decent hour tonight to deliver them for me.

Mothers these days are really lucky!

I hear that all the time and it's really true. We have a lot little inventions that make a big difference.

I ran across this top 10 list the other day: list ten things that you swear by as a mother that your Grandmother and Mother probably did not have/use/had not been invented yet. In no particular order. These are probably the only baby items I will hold on to-- in case I'm ever crazy enough to do this all over again......................!


1. The Boppy (so simple, yet such a great invention.)


2. Hooter Hider (the blanket over the shoulder NEVER worked for me!)


3. Baby Einstein Entertainer (such a lifesaver when it's time to cook dinner)


4. Playtex Nurser with drop in liners (the only bottle that my boys will take and still nurse)


5. Bjorn (love how sturdy and easy to use this carrier is)


6. Stroller with one hand fold that is light enough to put in the back of your vehicle with one hand and can still accommodate an infant carseat. (They even figured out how to make one that's NOT mint green with Winnie the Pooh splashed all over it....)


7. Infant carseat with stay in car base (Loving the ones that can accommodate babies up to 30lbs-- used Ryan's until he was 18 months.) So awesome for grocery shopping during naps


8. Really good really absorbent non bulky dispoable Pampers



9. Toddler carseats that have true recline even when installed (my kids have learned to take long car naps.....RECLINE is essential!)



10. CUTE MATERNITY CLOTHES especially jeans.

Trick or Treat?

Another funny comic from my Dad.

Tagged...Twice

1.Where is your cell phone? Hmmm....?
2. Where is your significant other? Hospital
3. Your hair? Curly
4. Your mother? Witty
5. Your father? Informed
6. Your favorite thing? Sleep
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your dream/goal? Exaltation
9. The room you are in? Dinning
10. Hobby? Gardening
11. Fear? Pedophiles
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Moved
13. What your NOT? Sad
14. Muffins? Lemon
15. Wish list item? SLR
16. Where you grew up? San Jose
17. The last thing you did? Nurse
18. What you're wearing? Jammie's
19. Your favorite gadget? Swing
20. Your pets? Children
21. Your computer? Notebook
22. Your mood? Content
23. Missing someone? No
24. Your car? SUV
25. Something you're not wearing? Shoes
26. Your favorite store? Ross
27. Love someone? Brandon
28. Your favorite color? Periwinkle
29. Your favorite drink? Water
30. The last time you laughed? Today
31. The last time you cried? Sunday



Wow--That was hard I don't do one word answers very well! I need to be descriptive. Anyway,
let the tagging begin. Carrie Anne, Gina Lee, (That's right Tif Buddy has found a wife!), Holly, and Becky

My First Tag!

I have been tagged and need to let you know 6 random crazy things about myself that you may not already know. Actually, 5 truths and 1 white lie. Can you guess which one is the falsehood?

1. I have been pulled over at LEAST 10 times.

2. I have a metabolic disease named after some Japanese guy.

3. I modeled in my twenties.

4. I love the rain.

5. Never owned a Barbie as a kid.

6. I have hiked Mt. McLoughlin.



Okay then...I tag Tif, Sara (Susov--not Palin...she blocked me), Marissa, and Cassie.

Baby Evan's Blessing

By the way...we did bless EC. September the 7th to be exact. We FINALLY had a weekend that worked with job/family and we were in town! He was a week shy of 4 months and was busting out of his blessing outfit. I was afraid they might drop him if we waited any longer, he's a BIG boy! Great day. Beautiful blessing. Our pictures did not come out....heads chopped off, goofy faces etc. but you will get the gist. I snapped the pictures of Ryan and Brad holding Baby Evan.


We could not get Ryan to stand still for a family picture.
(Shocker huh?) The allure of peeling bark off a tree was too
much after 70 mintutes of fast & testimony meeting.



These photos have NOT been altered--the bags under
my eyes are real! My boys keep me running.

I just wish he would sleep this good at night!
(Sorry, Babe this one had most of your head...)


I sat down at this point, Evan is SO heavy!


Handsome strapping boys.

I could pinch those thighs ALL day long!
He definitely got his Momma's legs.

Do you ever wish......

you could unstrap your uh.. nursing boobs and leave them on the counter for a day or just a night? I really want to sleep on my stomach! Or run on the the elliptical with just one sports bra and not two! Don't get me wrong I love being able to provide nutrients and comfort for my son...but this last week has been yet another growth spurt! Nursing around the clock to build up the supply. I really should not complain, nursing has been a breeze the second time around. I even broke down and bought a "Hooter Hider" when this baby was born. (I wish I had not been so cheap with Ryan, this is one of the best inventions ever!!!) I can nurse anywhere with that bad boy! We are always on the go airplane/airport, restaurant, mothers room with other ladies OLDER children (not toddlers)....seriously rude! Okay, just a rant I'm over it. Sleeping on my side makes me grouchy.

"The art of frugality "

For anybody who knows me, knows I love a deal. In fact Brad and I both LOVE a deal. We probably spend more time then we should figuring out ways to save money, rearranging money etc. All in the name of being good stewards with our resources. It's a game for us. Sometimes it's a competition--trying to trump the others deal. My brother Dan says my house is done up in "Dollar Store Chic". It's not of coarse--maybe poor medical student revival. Anyway, this week as been a trying week for my thrifty side. I've been scorned and burned. The scorning happened at Fred Meyer.....I was there really close to lunch time which was pushing it for my boys. I proceeded to the "Family Friendly" checker with the extra wide aisles for your cart, stroller, toddler etc. I was first in line only had about 15-20 items and a fist full of coupons. The cashier rings me up and I hand her my wad of coupons. She's almost done when a older gentlemen gets in line behind me with his array of old man fare; white bread, boiled ham lunch meat (gross) instant coffee, brute cologne...you get the picture. So the Fred Meyer employee is dutifully scanning in my coupons and gets to the last one which never scans at ANY store. She proceeds to call for help and the old coot behind me lays into me "wasting his time" (I want to scream um you are 90 you have had plenty of time!) "screaming brats" etc.... I refuse to waste anymore of my finger pads on this codger-- suffice it to say he was as rude as they come. Finally I had it and turned around with my best we are in "Sacrament meeting stop screaming look" he of coarse averted my gaze. I REALLY wanted to unload on this guy like (I'm a sleep deprived, hormonal, nursing, full time Mother you had better BACK OFF I bite!) --but alas that would have been a horrible example for my boys. To my credit I had it together--really. I was loading the baby into the Bjorn while the cashier was fumbling with the elusive Playtex nurser bottle liner coupon. I then dug into the diaper bag for some fruit leather for the little king. So my "brats" would not disturb the geaser behind me any longer. That's what he gets for getting in the "Family Friendly checkout"! Now, for the burning...this one was entirely my fault! Which I'm still fuming about--I hate making mistakes on something really easy. We have this online checking account with an amazing percentage rate of 6.1%--you get this rate every month if you fulfill the criteria. These are not hard--it's the usual parameters: log into your account, use bill pay, automatic deposit, and finally make at least 10 debit/POS per month. No problem. Brandon set up the first three I take care of the debits. Now as a rule we run EVERYTHING on two different credit cards--taking advantage of the percentage back. We usually make about $100 every few months doing this. (no worries we pay our balance each month) This also allows our money to stay in our account juicing the 6.1% longer. (I love getting paid to shop) So when I use the debit card it's always for 10 small items. I ring up the bread--pay, ring up milk--pay etc. I always use self check out when I'm doing this cause I don't want to hassle some poor checker. The lady at the Fred Meyer self check out knows me and always plays with the boys while I get busy ringing and paying. So this last month she was not there and I was only able to get through 9 debits before my boys where done shopping. No problem, I will come back and do it later. Well.....we ended up leaving for our family vacation to Cancun and then right to this clerkship in Tillamook. I got out of my groove and spaced it! Sad. By the time I remembered the time frame had expired-- the dates to complete change each month. I guess to keep game players like myself from fullfilling. So we did not qualify this month....bummer, I had plans for that extra money!!!! Like towards a new camera-- mine is dying and I hate missing cute shots of my babies.

Enjoying the Boys

I say this a lot--but I love not having to worry about school yet for my boys! We NEVER rush in the mornings unless we have a doctor's appointment or some other annoyance. Ryan and Evan laugh at each other all day starting first thing in the morning.....they are the only ones laughing. I'm not a morning person never have been. Grew to love it on my mission--but have since not acquired a taste for it. I'm really good late at night and in the wee hours of the morning. To the benefit of our boys I guess. When they need to nurse (EVAN--in case you thought I was still nursing Ryan...) or when they are sick, nightmares, etc. I'm johnny on the spot and I bring my "A" game. I do all of my best work late at night write a talk, pack for a trip, clean my kitchen, organize a closet or drawer. I'm really enjoy the "baby stage". That's the biggest reason why there are 3 years between my boys. I did not want to miss any of Ryan's baby days. With a three year gap Ryan is old enough to enjoy Evan's right there with me. Small children are challenging but I rely on my mantra of the big 3-- when they are crabby, disobedient (Ryan) or just plain destructive (Ryan). I fix one of the 3's or all depending on the situation. FEED them! Get them BUSY doing something or get them down for NAPS! It's ALWAYS one of these 3. Little children act out when they are BORED, TIRED, or HUNGRY. Anyway, I'm thankful for the easy years of child rearing--shaking in my boots for the driving/seminary years!

Autumn at the Oregon Coast?

Crazy right? No really, it was just as nice as Summer.... only better! The weather was gorgeous and WARM 80 plus degrees. When I found out we were going on yet another out of town medical clerkship I was rolling my eyes big time! (I know I'm usually so good natured...) Anyway, I packed us up for a month at the coast in the Fall time ie. lots of wind breakers and fleece. I did not even bother to pack sand toys because I did not think we would get much use out of them. WRONG! Luckily they Have a Fred Meyer in Tillamook so we improvised with a Halloween bucket and a garden trowel (which BTW is much better then any sand shovel very sturdy!)
At the last minute I threw in a few summer clothing items just in case. Good thing! We have had great weather! Did I mention our apartment is a block form the beach? So, we (the boys and I... Brad may be working--but we are on vacation!!!) loaded up this morning and strolled to Oceanside Beach... again. Brad's rotation is in Tillamook but we got really hooked up with a full blown vacation rental right here in Oceanside about 15 minutes from Tillamook. On another note they are looking to recruit a new Doc to the area--where do we sign? There is something very therapeutic about smelling the ocean breeze as you drift off to sleep at night and having it engulf you on a morning walk. We need a job in a few months....maybe Tillamook is the place? Yes, this is the home of the world renowned Tillamook cheese factory. These people make the best cheese and ice cream--actually all of their diary products are superior. Great, now I NEED some Tillamook vanilla bean ice cream! Good thing I'm still nursing.... being this close to the source is dangerous!


Evan at the beach being his usual cheerful self.



Evan leaving the beach--he LOVED watching those seagulls.
Sorry, baby boy it was time for Ryan's 4 HOUR afternoon
nap...yes, my three year old still naps! Don't be too jealous he
was awake from birth until two nursing and bossing me around.
He now sleeps through the night and I get a reprieve in the
afternoon to nap, play with baby Evan, or get "caught up"
on housework...like that's ever going to happen! We are
ALWAYS GONE somewhere.

Ry Guy lives another day.....

This is the picture I look at every time I have a particularly
"difficult" day with my Ry Ry. He was 7 months old in this
picture and ALL of my frustration leaves when I see those
fat baby arms with NO wrists and those thick chubby
thighs wearing size 6 Pampers already. He never learned
to crawl-- this was him dragging his belly and legs along like
a snake. Ryan is one of those kids that is never content
to sit on the rug and "play". He is going 24/7 and wants the
rest of us right there with him. He LOVES an audience.
Does not like interacting with children his age. So I'm his
favorite person, favorite play mate.... etc. Don't get me
wrong I love that we have this close connection--and I'm his
favorite. I just get the guilties when my house, husband,
and Baby Evan get neglected because "The King has ruled"
Maybe it's because he was the first born. Maybe it's because
Brad and I are both big time bosses. Maybe it's because his
name means "Little King". Who knows? Some days it's just
easier to do things his way.......I'll try that tomorrow. I love
you Chubba Bubba! I still call him that sometimes,even though
he's anything but.

Tony Soprano?

We were on a recent trip....and the proprietor of the villa
we were staying at said our 3 month old baby looked like
Tony Soprano! Is this true??? I realize I may be biased
as his mother, but I think he's adorable! You know in the
Gerber Baby sort of way-- sweet and chubby.

She's got my Vote!

Sarah Palin just had a baby. She bags her own caribou for dinner. She has four other children. Her hair and makeup are done. She is Governor of Alaska--and she is running for VP? WOW!

So, I just had a baby. I usually head out to the garage to rummage through the deep freeze after lunch in hopes of finding some ziploced meat from Costco to thaw in time for dinner. I only have one other child. I usually have my hair and makeup done for Church-- any other days are bonus!

(Sorry Babe, when Evan sleeps through the night I WILL be back to normal)

So here is my official hats off to Sarah Palin. I was never a big fan of women in politics..... Hillary and Janet (Reno) OK enough said! So when Mitt hung up the gloves I was bummed. I didn't like McCain..... but thankfully he had enough sense to pick the right VP so it will be a pleasure to vote this year!

Check this blog http://palinreport.com/ authored by Denton Romans-- husband to one of my mission companions Marissa aka Gina

Brandon & Angela Mitchell

We are joining the blogging world....well it's mostly for us.
Enjoy getting caught up on our last 10 years. Once we
have accomplished that, we will regale you with anecdotes
about our prodigy children and inundate you with photos
of our beautiful babies. Did you expect anything less?