A Day in the Life of Spencer and Cameron

When my boys were tiny, I was obsessed with schedules--when they woke, ate, napped, how many times they were up in the night, and at what time they woke up, even what color their poop was (just kidding on the last one). I wrote every detail down on a calender. It was a little much, but every woman copes with the baby blues in her own way.

Old habits die hard. Now days I don't write every detail down, but I wanted to document the typical day and week of my babies this past school year before the summer craziness begins and I forget that we actually did have a schedule.

Our days usually begin between 6:30-7:00. They turn on the TV, get their chocolate milk from the fridge, and now that we have 2 couches, they watch their cartoons like angels until Mommy gets her lazy toosh out of bed.

Chad got a picture of how we typically eat breakfast on school mornings. Yes, we all sit on the floor and eat cereal. It's the only way (without yelling, threatening, or timers) that I get them to eat more than 3 bites of cereal. When they were younger, I used to feed them in the tub (kill 2 birds with one stone). Chad HATES feeding them in the tub, or on the floor, but I prefer to have their bellies full for longer than 30 minutes.

Tuesdays they go to Grammy's---and let me tell you, they LOVE going to Grammy's!!! They get to wear "comfy clothes". One of their favorite things is to sit on their little couches and watch a movie while eating lunch. (Although, Mom just told me 2 days ago that they don't like their little couches anymore. They want to sit on the big couch now--how quickly things change).

From 5:00 until Bedtime (minus actual eating time) it is all about Daddy--wrestling with Daddy, beating on Daddy, watching Simpson's with Daddy, being chased by Daddy. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy. So Mommy can cook, clean, and enjoy her own thoughts in spite of all the hollering, squealing, and giggling. Chad always offers to do the dishes to which I reply, "I will do dishes, your job is to keep the boys AWAY."

Ouch, a winter picture. I enjoy May much better. Chad is just smiling for the picture. Because believe me, there aren't many smiles at our dinner table. Typical kid stuff---"I don't like this!"
"I'm allergic to this--it will make my stomach hurt" "It's too hot".

Daddy always does the bedtime stories, but I try to work of phonics books or sight words earlier in the day.

Of course there are video games with friends. Hallelujah, the weather is nice now, so they will actually play outside too.

Cam and his carpool buddies. Cameron LOVED pre-school this year (although he insisted it was school, not pre-school). He was very excited every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. I'm a little nervous not to have the routine of school. Maybe we will be busy swimming at 7-Peaks and Kristi's pool on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (woo hoo).

Every Friday is TGIF at Air-Time Gymnastics. For $16 you drop your kid off at 10:00 with a lunch, and they spend 4 hours jumping, playing and doing crafts. Spence really liked it, but we usually opt for the mall and lunch with Grammy.

Cam is showing a typical lunch in the Hall house--ham and cheese quesadilla, carrots, and grapes or apples. They really never tire of it.

Thursday's were fun and crazy this last year. Shell-bell taught a class at UVU, so we would swap babysitting. She would come over early so I could go to the gym. Then she would leave and I would take the kiddos to the Library for story time and then Wal-Mart for shopping (yes, I would voluntarily take an extra child shopping). The kids usually did really well and it longer we stayed out, the cleaner my house was.

And here we are with Daddy!!! This picture means that it is 6:45 pm. The boys have gone potty, brushed their teeth, and they are reading books before 7:00 bedtime. Oh how we loved 7:00 bedtime. Now that the boys are getting older and it is staying lighter longer we struggle getting them to bed. Oh well!!!

EVERYBODY'S a Salesman

I'm a little bugged right now,,, and I figured, why not write about it. So here's my little gripe. We had our air conditioning serviced today. We have always been good about getting our A/C and furnace checked every 6 months because the A/C is 11 years old and the furnace was 22 years old. Well, last fall we bought a new furnace to the tune of $5000. It is a very nice furnace---at least that what the salesman told me (of course I did my own research and it really is a good unit).

As the technician was leaving he asked if we would like to continue on the service plan. I told him no thank you--I explained that the furnace is brand new and in the 8 years we have been here their fees have literally doubled. He immediately told me that he guarantees me we will be making a service call in the next 2 years if we don't have it checked each and every fall---some lines about the airflow and the room--blah blah blah. Which of course the salesman said would be no problem.

Isn't it interesting that when they are trying to get you to buy something ---It's the BEST unit around. Then once you purchase said unit--it's all about the SERVICE PLAN, because maybe this unit isn't as good as you thought. HHHHMMMM??? I will take my chances thank you very much.

Another Baby--WOOHOO!!

Caleb Cook --they are still deciding on a middle name
The girls

SO HAPPY

I love his eyes open with Grandma Cook

Pepsi's and Caramel Popcorn!!!! What a par-tay!!

Little Caleb Cook was born yesterday, and I couldn't be more excited. Being an aunt is the BEST!!!

Yesterday was so much fun (I don't know if Shell-bell would agree with "fun"), yet so exhausting, and kinda worrisome. But we have a healthy momma and healthy baby...so it's all good.

Kris, Mom and I swooped in (sorry Greg) to the hospital at 7:00. The next few hours we did a LOT of talking, joking, laughing and Shell did a lot of pushing. Unfortunately the 2 1/2 hours of pushing just wasn't cutting it,,,,so of to C-section they took her. I gotta say, that girl was a trooper,,,no complaining or whining at all,,,she would have even pushed longer if the doctor would have allowed it.

Poor Shell---NOTHING about gettin' babies is easy for this girl.

I loved being on the leg holding end of a birth. It really was cool. And did I mention that we laughed,,,a ton!!

Finally at 1:21 the Little Man arrived--and how we all want to eat that little guy up!!! This is grandchild #6 and we all act like he's the first. We needed a new little one anyway.

Cole-baby is doing great!!! She is such a social little thing that she LOVES the attention and spending lots of time with Grandma's, Aunties and cousins. Greg even did her hair this morning and it looked great (way to go Greg!!!).

And I still don't think he has cried yet--weird. Hopefully a good sign of things to come.

First Waterfight of the Season

It is 9:30 pm and I am exhausted. We just barely put the boys to bed (way late for the Hall household). But at least I'm not freezing anymore.

For some reason in the hot summer months when I am out at night watering all of my flowers the boys decide that they want to run under the hose trying not to get wet. Well that is just too tempting for this momma--I get a sick satisfaction out of soaking my boys to tears. And believe me there are always tears.

We are starting out this year just the same--warm night, watering flowers, running under the hose, 4 soaking Halls, Spencer in tears. It was awesome!!!

Although a few twists this year around--When Chad came around the north corner of the house with the hose from the backyard---I was screaming, laughing, wet from neck to toe (I threatened him with his life not to get the hair wet.) And then I peed my pants--lovely huh?. Between the cold water, laughing, and insufficient bladder control thanks to Cam and Pence I just tinked. Luckily the shorts were already dripping with water, but I realized that it wasn't as warm outside as I thought.

The three boys continued their water fight in the backyard while I got in a warm tub. When I got out I found all 3 boys squished (really squished) in the hall bathtub. It was hilarious---If it wouldn't have been inappropriate there would be a cute picture of my 3 men like sardines in a tub.

The Music Man

Chad met with the Bishop tonight,,,,I thought he was either getting kicked out of the club, or he was going to be our new Gospel Doctrine teacher.

NO NO NO!!

He was just called to be the Primary Music Leader. Awesome!!! He is actually really excited (despite the fact that he can't sing worth a darn). I know the boys are going to love having their Daddy in Primary with them. Now we just need to get the Bishop to release me from Enrichment and put me in as a teacher---how fun would that be?

I think Pat and Sue have 40+ years combined experience as Primary chorister--so he's got great resources.

BOYS RULE!!!

Cameron had 2 friends over today after Pre-School and they all played so well and included Spencer in everything they were doing. I was so happy, I thought I would be nice and clean the upstairs (all their crap of course) while they played. I put the books and trucks away, and I couldn't help but notice how many weapons were just in the living room/kitchen area. The couch was torn apart and the cushions were set up as a barricade.

I LOVE having boys. I just don't think pink princess stuff would bring a smile to my face like the swords and tools (to be used as weapons) do.

This isn't even their complete arsenal!!! This morning before school they played with 7 swords, 1 cross bow, 4 guns, and 1 drill (that was used as a gun).

Chad has GOT to get more sleep

Notice the half eaten slice of pizza just placed on top of the ziploc bags full of pizza.

Moab 2009: Fins N' Things, Rain, Hide and Seek

Oh dear Moab---We love you for so many reasons!!! Warm and sunshine (most of the time), no make-up, hats, hikes, jeepin', bikin', gritty teeth, swimming, parks, condos, ribs... And any place that makes Grammy and Daddy this happy has to be good.

I'm sure we got more than a few chuckles with a big old F-350 carrying 2 kiddie bikes on a hitch rack. I chuckled anyway....when Chad wants to buy something expensive for his biking, he promises to use it.
Chad lives up to his promises.

We arrived on Thursday afternoon and immediately went to the pool. We stayed a little too long---the boys got hungry and ornery. Mom and Dad just laughed, saying they remembered trips with us girls being exactly the same, "we are paying HOW much to do this?" They both ate a great dinner and were much happier.

Grammy and Cameron at The Branding Iron. The weather could not have been better (I love eating outside)and the food was good. Can you believe it Kris and Shell--Mom is actually POSING for a picture, instead of trying to hide from it?

Back in "the day" (as in before we all got married and started reproducing) we use to go Jeeping every Mother's Day weekend with the whole Loveridge Clan. Such fun memories--miss you all!!! The night we would all arrive in town we would meet up at Fat City Smokehouse (which has since closed-sad,sad). We would always sit outside and most everybody would order the ribs. It was just as important to our trips as Elephant Hill was. Our family has been lost since Fat City closed and nothing else in town does it for us. Well, we tried the ribs at the Branding Iron and it was a close second. The outdoor seating was great and the food was good too. If they won't bring Fat City back, the Branding Iron will do.

The boys loved the openness of the Jeep. Although when they first got in Spencer wanted to know where the DVD players were.

We always rent our Jeeps from Farabee's, but Chad and I haven't jeeped since the kiddos have come down from heaven to ruin our fun. We figured that since they are 3 and 5 it was time to try. Chad went to pick up the Jeep and Maria(who has been at Farabee's since time began) actually remembered Chad, "hey that's a familiar face, but aren't you usually with the Loveridges?" Chad thought that was great. I guess Woody's family was just there the week or so before us. We Loveridge's do love to Jeep (except Krispi---and Pat, but Pat isn't a Loveridge and Krispi would rather the exercise of walking--that's her story and she's stickin' to it).

Another side note--as Pat discovered, it actually is safer in the Jeep. She broke her arm tripping on a rock because the Jeeping on Elephant Hill scared her. At least Scotty knows exactly which rock she tripped on (fun memories).

At the trail head of Fins and Things


An excited Mommy with her boys.

Lunch--we just found a wide spot on the trail and pulled off to eat. Again the boys were a ticking time bomb.

We REALLY lucked out with weather. It was overcast most of the day which made it ABSOLUTELY perfect. And it was good because Mom and Dad discovered their A/C doesn't work on the hot ride to Moab the day before.

Anybody who Jeeps gets frustrated with pictures. They never do it justice!!! Just like river rafting or biking. You show the picture and immediately say, "it doesn't look that bad, but it really was steep." The picture above was a guy who was just ahead of us the entire day. And boy he was GOOD. It was really fun to watch him do the stuff we would bypass. Grampy really wanted to try the climb in the picture, but he wasn't sure his tires were good enough. I remember coming down 2 times where my seat belt was the only thing holding me in. I love those.

Spencer and Cameron really did well overall. Spencer didn't complain once, and he would giggle and say, "wee". The last 1 1/2 hours he went in Grampy's Jeep and feel asleep.

Cameron was another story. On a 5 hour trail, he asked 5 minutes into it if we were done so he could go swimming. Chad and I just looked at each other like, "this is going to be interesting--maybe he will ride with Grammy and Grampy". Cameron loosened up after we got done with the slow, technical stuff. Both boys like the sand where Chad could go faster.

This is the last 1/2 of the trail. You can see the tire marks on the rock. Moab is such a beautiful area.

Spencer needed some snuggle time with Mommy. Who needs a baby when their 3 year old still loves to nuzzle?

After Jeeping we went back to the condo and of course--went swimming.

Cam spent a lot of time playing a game he got in his Wendy's kids meal. It was wonderful to have the computer, it kept the boys from fighting.

Daddy taught Cam to drink from the jug. Nice one.

Saturday was COLD and RAINY. So we stayed in for the morning and played games and watched movies. Luckily after lunch, we had blue skies and sunshine (good thing, because I was going to go crazy if we would have had to stay in for the afternoon too.)

Grammy and Grampy staying warm after the deluge.

The blue skies and sunshine sure didn't last long. We weren't at the park for more than 3 minutes when the black clouds to the north moved over us and poured. The temperature dropped 15 degrees and it rained and rained. We just waited it out in the truck. Hallelujah for DVD players.

Of course the boys immediately started riding through the puddles.

Yee Haw!!! Spencer played on the playground while Cam talked the 4 adults into playing Hide and Seek over and over and over. (it really was fun and we had some good laughs --grammy and mommy even "tinked" a little from laughing so much).

After dinner and another round of swimming we roasted marshmallows on the gas fire pit. Until the rain came down again.

So we moved the roasting indoors.

We even played soccer inside.

The boys loved having a TV in their bedroom. They would get their chocolate milk and watch TV so we could stay in bed a bit longer. I told them they only allow that isn condos, not at home.

Thanks for coming with us Grammy and Grampy!!! You always make things so much fun. And the girls actually won at Pinochle (that alone makes the trip a success!!)