Fast Forward

I have not updated since July, where did the time go? So let's do a brief recap:

August: Became employed! Starting my semester at CWI and a job with Quik Cash which I love, mostly because of the awesome chicks I work with.

September: Work and School and Work and School.

October: My babies turned 8 and got baptized! I gained my freedom and got a new apartment.

November: Bryce got glasses and he looks so cute but I haven't seen him in person yet. Still working and going to school. I'll be spending Thanksgiving with my manager (and friend) Tracey. It will be my first every year of not being with my family. I will miss everyone but with the help of medication should survive! My cord to my camera is lost somewhere amongst all the boxes I haven't gotten around to unpacking so more pictures will have to wait until I can get to it.

I hope everyone has an amazing Thanksgiving and I'm thankful for the part each of you play in my life!

Summer Fun and Fun in the Sun

My sister Amy came to visit with her kids Kaden and Emma for 5 days in June. Her husband had to go out of town to work so we took it as the perfect chance for her to come hang out in Boise. We had sooo much fun and the kids were comfortable right away. I think they would have stayed forever, in fact they did say they wanted to. Here's some of the fun stuff we did.

We went to the zoo and visited the nearby rose gardens. We also had a picnic lunch and the seagulls were being a little too bold for my taste.

We went on the paddle boats around this little stream and pond. Kaden and I were in a giant swan and Amy and Emma had a pelican. Kaden wanted to race everywhere, typical boy. It was funny to watch Em try to reach the pedals and help out.

We stayed at a hotel one night just for fun and to have access to a swimming pool! We swam once the first night and once the next morning before checkout. Our room was nice and seriously it was the most comfortable hotel bed I have ever slept on. Em's wore herself out and practically fell asleep sitting up that night.

We had such a good time and I'm grateful that she came and endured the endless husbandly comments about her spending money while he was making it! We loved it and I am hoping someone else will come see me soon, I'm getting lonely!!

Tyrel is 12!!

Tyrel turned 12 on June 10th. His dad and step-mom were kind enough to host a sleep over for him and his friends. I heard it was fun, if not incredibly loud and crazy. At least they were laughing and joking about things like robots and toys still and not about girls. Ty currently maintains that girls are gross (yeah right) so we'll see how long that lasts. This is the only picture I have of him during his week at my house. We all know how much he LOVES posing for pictures. We went bowling and he is really good! I was very impressed, he must have inherited the bowling gene from his dad. We went to the park so he could skip rocks and went swimming twice. Pretty much everywhere else we went he would get bored in 5 minutes and just want to go home to play video games. We also went to the new X-Men movie "Wolverine" with Trevor Coronado which I know he enjoyed. I think he had fun and even though we are officially at the beginning of the awkward stage I was glad he was here. Yes people, it is no longer cool to hang out with mom. Or to answer questions with more than one word. On June 14th I went to Shelley for his ordination. His dad got to officially make him a priesthood holder! He now passes the sacrament in church and got to MUTUAL...oh man when I made that connection I almost died. I am so glad that he has such a desire to do these good things. Check out how tall he is compared to Jakob, and yes he is by far taller than me. He is well on his way to "manhood", including his the awkward facial hair that is obvious but too fine to shave. On one of my visits home I was giving Bryce and shower and washed his face. He asked me why I was doing that and I said "You have a koolaid moustache" to which he replied "You don't make Ty get rid of his moustache". Oh gosh, they kill me! So if you see Tyrel somewhere and say hi, try not to stare at his upper lip, hope he remembered to put on deodorant, and don't feel bad if he acts like he doesn't know you.

Twinnerific!

A mere month later I am finally posting about the week I got to have Bryce and Brenon here with me. It was action packed so I will skim over it and put more pics up at a later date when I have caught up on it! So first we went bowling, it was interesting....for some reason the twins were taking turns being whiny and would be very frustrated if they didn't do "good" but then they cheered up and had fun (I think). This ball really isn't as heavy as Bryce is making it look! Good grief, you'd think it was a 15 pounder!

Brenon is quite the good bowler, even though he had bumpers he threw it straight many times. The funniest part (they both did this but Bren was more extreme) is that they would just run full speed to the lane and drop they ball, then run back. Oh man, you'd have thought they were throwing grenades!

Pojo's is a must for the boys and we had a lot of fun that night. This is them on the bumper cars, a family favorite. Bryce is pretty lucky with hitting the button on games at the right time to win tickets but Brenon was a ticket fiend, frantically trying to amass as many as possible. Thanks to Ramil, at the end of the night they both walked away with an armload of prizes!

This was our at home movie night. We got Spy Kids 3-D from the library and it had the glasses so we watched it but Bryce wasn't as into wearing them as Brenon (note the unenthusiastic thumbs up on the right).

It was a fun day at the park for mom and the boys. We had a picnic, then walked around on a nature hike looking for the items we put on our list. Brenon was loving putting leaves between the pages of the notebook and making a rubbing of it. Bryce was Mr. Safety keeping us informed of nearby dogs, getting too close to the water, or whatever else might spell trouble. I have a super funny story about the park but it will have to wait. I will post more pics and stories later. Sorry I got so behind. My computer is on it's last leg so at the latest I will be blogging up a storm in August when I get a new one!

Switch

Saturday Trevor and I drove to Twin Falls to bring him to his dad and get the twins for me. Jakob and Melissa wanted to do a temple session so the boys and I went to a couple parks, had lunch at McDonald's, and then spent about 45 minutes walking around the temple and taking pictures. The boys kept calling everything on the temple grounds "holy", so it was holy grass, holy rocks, holy water, ect. I was sad to see Trevor go, we really had fun. It was great to see the twins though and as we left Twin Falls one of them made the comment that they missed Trev and didn't want to leave him. So now we have a couple weeks with Bryce and Brenon in Boise, it should be fun and I will make sure to get plenty of hugs and kisses for all the missed time.

Trevor's Trip, In Review

My computer has been acting up more often than not, so instead of the daily posts, I will do one quick recap of each fun filled activity that Trev and I experienced this last week.

At the movies (Night at the Museum), Trev ate a giant tub of popcorn almost by himself.

Smelling a rose at the Rose Garden in the Julia Davis park right before we went to the zoo.

Getting eaten by a tiger at the zoo; we had so much fun and couldn't get from one exhibit to another quickly enough for Trev.

Thumbs up for the cake he made with a little help, he ate most of it too!

And finally, today we went to a different park and were delighted to see the fountain was on. Trev was wishing we had our swimsuits but I pointed out we didn't need them! The cold water spraying over the sides felt great since it was like 86 degrees outside. We spent about 2 hours just walking around, playing ball and frisbee, and relaxing.

All in all it has been such a great time having Trevor here all by himself. Tomorrow we meet dad in Twin Falls to exchange him for the twins. I am looking forward to that but can honestly say I don't want him to leave. He was so good and I hope maybe we can do it again before the summer is out.

Future Photographer

Trevor snatched the camera a few times to take some pictures of his stuffed animals, airplanes, and other random items. I have to admit he has a good eye and I couldn't help but laugh when I saw these!

Cuddles the dog tucked into the pocket on the back of my seat.

Cuddles in the bushes outside.

Leon the lion (his paws are magnetic) clinging for dear life to he lamp.

Time Flies...

I can't believe it's been so long since I blogged!! My computer was acting up, making it impossible to do anything but the basics, and then I went back to Idaho Falls for 10 days for a visit. I have tons of pictures and stories from that but I'll save them for when I have nothing else to talk about; because right now I do! Trevor came home with me for one full week of mommy and Trev time. We're having lots of fun and keeping busy. Here's what we've been up to so far: Monday we went to the park and walked around. Trev was a little scared of the geese, they hissed a lot because there were a few babies around, but he managed to stay calm. He really liked the walking path and we are planning on hitting a couple more parks while he's here.

After our walk, Ramil took us bowling which was lots of fun. Trevor was a little grumpy the first game. I didn't know about the fancy bumpers nowadays, they would come up automatically for him and go down for us. So the first game we played with none and he was getting frustrated, even though he did have some nice shots. The next two games he had bumpers and really cheered up, partly thanks to the nachos and rootbeer Ramil bought him. We had a fun time and I'm looking forward to going with the other boys next time. Today Trevor had to endure lots of mom's doctor appointments and otherwise just wanted to play video games. We had tacos for dinner (he ate 3!!!) and now we're watching a movie. We have lots more fun stuff planned so stay tuned...

Sick Bed

I know I haven't posted for a long time but I have a good reason. I had sinus surgery last Monday, it was my fourth one so not really a big deal. Everything went fine, it's more one of those deals where you aren't well enough (or allowed) to do much but not in so much pain that they give you the kind of drugs that allow you to remain comatose. So this is a picture of where I have been for most of the last six days....my bed. Complete with laptop, phone, t.v. remote, and books. I am slowly getting better, still get worn out quickly, but I will be back to my high functioning self soon, ok well medium functioning self.

Idaho City

The other day we went to Idaho City, the first settled town in the state. We took Julie, Kelley, and TM with us. The drive was beautiful, we wound around next to the river up through mountains full of pine trees, it reminded me of Montana. This first picture is a pull off on the way back, the Lucky Peak Recreation area, that I definitely want to visit later this summer. So anyway, Idaho City is just this little town, lots of old buildings including the first church for "white men" in Idaho. The area was the most prosperous for gold anywhere and was full of mostly immigrants who mined the area. As we drove down the very few streets full of potholes I saw a sign for the Pioneer Cemetery. WARNING: FAINT OF HEART MAY NOT WANT TO READ ON: Now those of you who know me know that I have a serious fascination for both pioneers AND cemeteries, so how could I resist? We had to drive literally up into the mountains just following signs to find it. I have never seen anything like it! This cemetery is just scattered across this mountain, not even
close to town. The sign said they figure about 3,000 people are buried there, but they only know where 300 of those graves are. So just scattered everywhere are graves that are sunk in, or you can't see the whole headstone. It's truly eerie to walk up this mountain side and see everything from huge fancy headstones to slabs of wood. I took millions of pics but only included these two. First is one of the many that are just old blocks of wood with "UNKNOWN" carved into them. A lot of the graves themselves are surrounded with fences, the more expensive high class people have metal ones and these ones are just wood. I think the moss growing on it and the slump of the fence where it is sinking into the ground has a weird beauty. The next one was just a piece of very old wood and this pine tree has grown right in front of it and pushes it aside. I thought it was fascinating to see the way the grave marker is like peeking out from behind the tree as if to say "I was here first! Don't forget about me!" A couple more of my observations are that the earliest markers don't show birth dates; just names, age at the time of death, and the death date. And most of them also proudly proclaim where the person was from. I saw Belgium, Germany, China, and many more. Anyway I have a lot more pictures that I think are pretty cool and more stories but I'm not sure if anyone else is interested! Ramil and Julie refused to even enter the cemetery and spent the whole time I was exploring just nervously pacing. When I was done Kelley informed me that he was questioning them about their cemetery aversion and it turns out that in the Philippines they pretty much just toss a little dirt over people. Then the rainy season comes and I'll leave what surfaces to your imagination but it went a long way to explaining why Ramil wouldn't even eat and just wanted to leave! So if anyone is interested I have more pictures, stories, and information. Just for the record let me explain why I like cemeteries...I just think they are (usually) peaceful places and I like to read what family members wrote on the headstones of their loved ones. I think it also helps us feel connected to the many who came before us and reminds us not to waste our time here.

Our Anniversary

Well it's been 7 months today since we met and had our first date. Feels like it was just yesterday and it also feels like we've already been through a lot together!

Survey Says.....

I can't help but notice what a pitiful list of "Bloggin Friends" I have. Not to say anything about the people on it, they are all OBVIOUSLY amazing!! But when I go to others blogs I see these lists of 20 plus people they know/follow. Mind you it's not that I don't regularly look at other people's but I have this crazy little "rule" for myself. I won't put someone on my list unless I know that they know I look at their blog all the time, and I know they have looked at mine before. Since there is no way to tell who was at your site I don't add to my list much. So here's my idea, if you check my blog and read this then shoot me off a comment telling me if I can add you. My embarrassment will come full circle when no one comments...

A Dip Into The Picture Box

I have been going through my box of pictures lately just for fun and found some pics I just had to put up. I miss the boys so bad and I am basically torturing myself by doing it but I can't resist. So in this first picture we have the twins eating cereal. After staring at this picture here are the cute things I noticed: First let's look at Brenon toward the back of the photo. I love his old man smile, he was always such an old man. Also notice the paci's on the table, when I was looking at pictures I saw paci's soooo many times and it made me remember how they were total addicts, I thought they would never be done with them. Ok so now on to Bryce. How adorable is that face??!! Look at the chubby hand gripping the spoon and the round cheeks on both of them. Oh what I wouldn't give to transport myself into that picture just to kiss those cheeks and get a hug from those sticky arms!

Ok next picture. My absolute favorite thing about this is that all three of them are making the exact same face! They all look so handsome with brushed hair and big smiles. Trevie is such a good brother to the twins, he always liked being the "big" brother and being buddies with them. I think he still does for the most part but he is getting to the age where it's "annoying" to have brothers. I am so thankful for all my beautiful boys.

Date Night

This week, date night is featured at the lovely:

Albertson Park

Full of paved paths and wooden bridges, Albertson Park is home to hundreds of geese in the spring months. The females lay their eggs in nests constructed near the waters edge while the males stake our their territory and stand guard. The invisible boundaries known only to the geese are strictly guarded by the hissing, large wing flapping, future dads......who are lured away easily by the promise of some bread from a stranger. I wonder how they would feel is they knew how many of their kind have been eaten by the gentleman feeding them.

This is a truly beautiful park and I am looking forward to seeing it when it's not 90% bare tree branches and dead leaves. We will return weekly in the hope of seeing the adorable little babies that will soon make their debut. Only next time I won't be dumb enough to let geese surround me while Ramil patiently bides his time, then throws bread toward me to cause a feeding frenzy/territorial fight to break out in the form of powerful gray wings and sharp black beaks.

Our First Easter Together

Well I didn't get to go home for Easter but Ramil and I actually had a really fun day together. Here are the highlights:

Ramil has never been visited by the Easter Bunny so last night he made a stop here for him. Ramil was very surprised and excited when he came here to find his very own basket of goodies waiting for him.

Ramil had heard from a couple people about the town of Emmett and so he asked me if I wanted to go. Neither of us had been so we just looked it up on Google Maps, packed some snacks and drinks and took off.

Once we got into town I saw signs for a Reservoir and Dam so we followed the signs until we found it. It was such a beautiful day and since the water level is still so low we walked around down by the river. I found a couple little lizards that we chased for awhile and Ramil tried to murder one. I still think he did but we never found the body and he denies it.

The road going into Emmett is cut right into the hill and they have this amazing pull off look out point. We stopped at it on our way back. We all know how much I LOVE pictures of me but I thought I should include some kind of proof that I was there too. You could see the whole valley and they had a 9-11 memorial and some historical points of interest there too.

This is a much better picture of the view, at least for me. It was really pretty and a fun little spur of the moment jaunt. I think we will do more of these in the future, just take turn picking somewhere nearby that we haven't been before and go.

After we got back we invited one of Ramil's classmates over who was alone for Easter and had a delicious dinner. I made all of my specialties, twice baked potatoes, 3 layer jello, homemade rolls, and then ham and white cake with chocolate frosting. It was a really nice day, very peaceful and fun. I missed my kids and other family but yet it felt good to show Ramil what an American Easter is like.

In the Philippines they "celebrate" the whole week before Easter Sunday, they call it Holy Week. On Friday you don't work, eat meat, or clean yourself. People gather to watch others hammer nails into their hands and hang themselves on crosses. Then on Sunday they have a feast to celebrate the Resurrection. Most Filipinos are Catholic but it's more of a custom of the country than just a certain religion. Anyway I think it is interesting to hear what others do outside of our traditions in the U.S. which is all most of us know. I hope I get to see it for myself someday but I definitely like ours better!

Easter Memories

I decided to see what pictures I could find of past Easters with the boys since I won't have any new ones to add tomorrow. I couldn't find many because all the albums were put away in a not easily accessable place so these are just extras in my photo box.

All the boys Easter 2004

Tyrel 2004

Trevor 2004

Bryce and Brenon 2004

Tyrel Easter 1999

I couldn't find one of just Trevie that I knew for sure was Easter but this is him sometime in the spring or summer of 2000.

Bunnies Bryce and Brenon 2005

My Little Boys

Well since I have nothing new and exciting to post I thought I'd start to dip into my archive of older pictures. This is one of my favorites of the boys. I believe it was the night before Miss or Jen's wedding and we were at the church setting up. I swear that is the same exact smile Brenon has now and Bryce has the cutest chubby cheeks ever! Trevor is adorable as always, I remember this was his phase when smile/frowned like that a lot. Tyrel looks all cool and confident as usual, but man is he little! I sure do miss these days when they were all so young and even though life was chaotic it seemed much simpler. Now Tyrel's going to turn 12 in a couple months and is taking Algebra next year which will make him officially math smarter than his mom or dad. Trevor is much more troubled by the worries of an almost 10 year old, like schoolyard bullies and the pinewood derby for scouts. Bryce and Brenon are reading over 110 words per minute and almost done with their first year of all day school. It may have been much more complicated to get everyone ready for bed, or pack the diaper bag, or make sure that we get home before anyone falls asleep in the car and then won't go to bed that night....but it sure was fun.

Spring Has Sprung

This lone daffodil is out on the side yard of my apartment. There's something about that first flower of the spring, it just always makes me think of new beginnings and hope. Cheesy I know but sometimes I get like that.

Birthday Weekend

I showed Makoy a picture of the park I take the boys to when they come and he spent the next 2 weeks telling anyone and everyone that he was coming to Boise and going to the park. So Saturday we went to a couple stores while we waited for things to warm up just a little and then went to the playground. We convinced Koy to be done playing only by telling him we could go throw rocks in the river. So we went down to the river bank and I took this picture of Makoy and then of the Stone family. We had a lot of fun this weekend shopping and hanging out at my apartment. I never got tired of hearing the crazy things Makoy came up with; like when I asked him what ears were for and he said "for bed" because he always pulls on his to help him fall asleep! I'm glad they took the time and money to come and hopefully they will come back soon! Happy Birthday to Miss tomorrow...love you!

"INE A GHOST"

Miss, Shane and Makoy got here Friday night to spend the weekend with me. Makoy was very excited to be here and immediately asked if I had toys he could play with. I showed him "cousins" toys and he had a blast playing with everything and asking what every toy in the box was called and what it did. So he found this mask and was wearing it and saying "Ine a ghost" in this monotone voice, it was so funny. I asked him to do something "scary" with his hands and this is the resulting picture, too funny.