On My Toes

Once again Beckam has kept me on my toes. The little guy never fails to amaze me with what he can do in the five seconds I have my back turned or with what new illness he can get. I've experienced so much with Beckam that I never did with Brylie that having him has almost been like having my first kid again. Right now we just got back from the second doctor's appointment in two days. We've already weathered the first bought of croup a couple weeks ago and now he has a viral rash. Brylie has never had any kind of rash and this one is covering pretty much Beckam's entire body. They aren't sure what caused it and since he hasn't had a fever all they can say is it's viral so we won't be going around anybody for about a week in case it is contagious. Being a shut-in is starting a little too early for me this year. So for all of you out there who we should be visiting with new babies, hanging out before babies come, or just having the kids play together, hopefully we'll see you in a week. That is if nothing else happens.

Halloween Party

The week of Halloween has begun. Our Ward Halloween Party was Saturday and thanks to that first chance to wear costumes, Brylie has asked if today is Halloween every day since then. (We still have a preschool party to get through before we get to the big night.) I'm glad our ward even has a party since the majority of the members don't have kids. Once Saturday errands were done and costumes were on we headed out the door. Thanks to a fun costume idea website and last minute candy run dressing up was a family event. We had our Snow White, a growling Tiger (who hated the hood of his costume), and Mr. & Ms. Smartie Pants.

The kids got to run around and play with friends a little and Brylie did some other activities.

Brandon agreed to do a donut eating game and right before it started Beckam decided he wanted to be held but only by Brandon. Super dad Brandon went into gear and he did both. Beckam didn't know what to think, but it was fun to watch. (In the first picture Mike, the guy next to Brandon, had just told Beckam no using your hands and he wasn't too happy about it.) It was then time for the only thing the kids really cared about, Trick or Treating.

We went home with a good amount of candy and since Brylie wants it all to stay in her ghost bag so she won't eat it, at least mommy has been enjoying the spoils of the night.

Witches, Witches, Everywhere

This past week we had the pleasure of having Parks come and hang out with mainly Brylie for the day. While I was at the house picking him up, and trying to decide which fun outing we were going to do, Hillary called and asked us to come to Gardner Village with her. Well the witches were out at Gardner Village so I thought that would be a fun outing for the kids.

The weather was great and Parks and Brylie had fun running around and looking at the pumpkins, witches and a few ghosts. Beckam pretty much chilled in his stroller because I didn't feel like handling three kids running around.

After Gardner Village we headed back to our house and the kids played and we made some sugar cookies. When Beckam woke up from a nap it was time to get Parks home. Both kids seemed to have played pretty hard because they both fell asleep during the drive there. When we left I sure had a sad little Brylie on my hands because she wanted to keep playing with her friend Parks. I'm sure happy we live so close to cousins and they get to play so often and be each others friends. Thanks for coming and playing with us Parks.

Pumpkin Patch

What is Halloween time without a trip to the neighborhood pumpkin patch? We've been slacking a little bit this year but finally made it Monday night. We got there and told Brylie she needed to pick out a pumpkin, and what did she choose...a small mini mini pumpkin. When I tried to get her to choose a bigger one she threw a fit and said over and over she wanted that one. Needless to say she wasn't too happy when Beckam tried to take it from her.

Beckam quickly found a pumpkin he liked but it turned out to big for him or Brylie to pick up. So Beckam decided if you can't carry the pumpkin then you might as well sit on it.

We did find some good pumpkins and happily brought them home. Now we just need to get around to carving them.

Crafts

I'd like to say my lack of posts has been due to the mass amounts of showings we've had for the house. Unfortunately it isn't so (we've had a couple so cleaning has kept me a little busy). In reality I've realized how close Christmas is and all the baby gifts I need to get done in a short amount of time, so I've broken out my sewing machine and mod podge and gotten cracking on all the crafts I've been planning on doing for months. I'm proud to say I've made a dent, but I have a long ways to go. Here is some of what has been filling my time. My disclaimer is if you think you might be getting something from me in the near future/Christmas, you might want to view with caution.

This was for a good friend's baby. Yes I did have to deep clean the house after making this to get rid of the U vibe.

I also did some glass etching stuff and just a pointer for those that might want to give it a try to, don't use IKEA pans they don't etch. Now I just have to stay motivated to get the rest of the stuff done.

History Repeats Itself

Well we've done it again. You think after Brylie we would have learned a couple of things, but not so. After the fits we've had with Brylie over her blankets you think I'd not make them so important with my next child, but I think Beckam is actually worse about his blankets. I take full blame for my children's reliance on their blankies. Since a very, very young age I have wrapped them in their blankies, given them their blankies to snuggle with and so on. Brylie at least will take whatever blanket you throw at her, not Beckam. He only really uses two blankets and if we forget a blanket when we leave the house, watch out. I still think their attachment is so cute, but man it can be a pain sometimes.

And then there is the computer. Now obviously computers are pretty important to our family since Brandon makes his living by working on and with them. They at times have overrun our house. Even now we have a computer station upstairs and Brandon's computer area down in the garage. Brylie from about a year old took a really big interest in our computers and we had to fight to keep her away from them. Now I'm sure it's because she saw us using them all the time. Well I didn't want to have the same issue with Beckam, but low and behold we now have Beckam the computer monster who one upped his sister when she was this age by learning to turn on and off the monitor.

If no one is in front of the computer Beckam quickly climbs up on the chair and goes to town. If Brandon or I is in front of the computer then we'd better put Beckam on our lap so he can play. And he even managed to rename a couple of the folders on the desktop. Guess I'd better remember to close the door to the computer from now on.

My Sweety

So it seems to be the season to get tagged. This one actually came at a really good time. Brandon just had a birthday, so what better way to talk about him then with this tag.



Husband Tag

Rules : Each person answers questions about their sweethearts
At the end of the Post, the person then tages 4 peopele and post their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know they have been tagged
*What is your husbands name? Brandon
*How long have you been married? A little over 6 years
*How long did you date? Officially only dated for two months, stayed in touch/friends/hanging out for a few years, married a little less then three years after we broke up from officially dating. (It's complicated!!)
*How old is he? 31
*Who eats sweets? both
*Who said I love you first? he did
*Who is taller? He is by about 5 inches
*Who can sing best? probably me
*Who is smarter? Depends on the subject
*Who does laundry? Me! I'm scared what would happen to the clothes if he washed them.
*Who pays bills? I pay the ones that have to be mailed in. He pays the ones that are online.
*Who sleeps on the right side? if we're in the bed he does (let me know if that reads better Shawna)
*Who mows the lawn? Our landscapers. Gotta love living in a townhouse.
*Who cooks dinner? It's a toss up. Does whoever picks up take-out count?
*Who drives? he does
*Who is first to admit they are wrong? that depends, we're both pretty stubborn
*Who kissed who first? he kissed me first
*Who asked who out first? He asked me.
*Who wears the pants? It depends on the circumstance. Certain things he does and others I do. We do make all of or major decisions together though.
(I tag Katharine, Katie, Shawna, and Jessi)


This year Brandon got a pretty low key birthday. He did get to go to the BYU game with his dad and freeze. And because getting balloons seems to be becoming a tradition for birthdays the kids and I dropped some balloons off at his work. I wish I had gotten a picture of his face when he saw us and the face he made when I said we expected him to bring them home (He rides trax to and from work. Needless to say only two made it home.) He deserves more then he got, but by his reactions he thought he got more then he needed. We love you hon! Happy Birthday.

Honored

Since my dad doesn't toot his own horn, in fact very few people knew he had even received this honor, I'm going to take a minute and brag about my dad. This year my dad received the J. Reuben Clark Law School Honored Alumni Award from BYU. As part of this honor he was asked to give a lecture at the law school yesterday. Thanks to a willing babysitter/sister-in-law, I was able to attend his lecture and then the Alumni luncheon after it. I've always been amazed by my dad and so grateful his is my dad, but after listening to his lecture and hearing people talk with him and about him, I am truly honored to be his daughter! His lecture, or talk as he called it a couple of times, was great. I wish one of my sisters or I had recorded it. It was geared to the law students and law school but there were still messages I took away from it and honestly can apply to my life. I learned things about my dad I never knew before and am in awe of him and what he has accomplished. I am so very grateful I was able to be there yesterday.

And for my mom that unfortunately wasn't able to make it, here are some photos from the afternoon.

The lecture was great and the room was pretty full. The luncheon was fun and they even broke out the nice china for us. The food was good but at the same time you didn't miss much. The award presentations were fun and dad smiled nicely for the photographer. That was after I had given him a short briefing when he meet the university president with how photo ops worked. (His response, "I don't do these things." meaning photo ops). The award is really nice, so make sure he shows it to you before it ends up in his office.

Tagged x2

Tag #1

The Rules:
You have to post the 4th picture in the 4 folder in your pictures folder. Then give a brief description before you tag a few others.

We made a trip to Las Vegas a few weeks after Brylie turned one. This is her playing with my parent's dog. She thought it was so fun to open and close this gate to their dog run. She even closed herself and the dog in behind the gate. And of course she had her prized possession, her binky, with her.

Tag #2

The Rules:

* Link to person who tagged you

* Post these rules on your blog

* Write 6 random things about yourself

* Tag six-ish people at the end of your post

* Let each person know he or she has been tagged

Here it goes--

1. I can grab my hands behind my back and bring them to my front without letting go of my hands. (I haven't tried this for a few years. It was grossing people out.)

2. I have to have a blanket on me to fall asleep. No matter how hot it is I need a blanket. It's a weight thing and just a sheet doesn't cut it.

3. I have an issue with people messing with their hands in front of me, more specifically cracking your knuckles, cutting your nails, biting your nails, or picking/chewing skin off of your fingers.

4. I am scared of heights, so scared of heights, but I loved skydiving and can't wait to do it again.

5. I'm a terrible speller. I'd be lost without spellcheck.

6. I hate having dirt or a spot on something I'm wearing. If I can't get it to come off, it bugs me until I can take the article of clothing off. I'm sad to say it hasn't gotten any better with kids.

And now...anyone who is reading this and hasn't done either one of these is tagged!! Have fun!

I {heart} Fall in Utah

I love actually getting to experience Fall. Thanks Utah!!!

And when winter comes, this will become Brandon's home away from home.

Fall stay as long as you can!!!