Three Boys and a Call Girl

Our Trip to Chicago

2010-08-23T19:06:00.005-05:00

Lincoln Park Zoo

Relaxing at the beach. I was so exhausted by this point. We had actually planned on going swimming but nobody was allowed in the water for another day or so because of E. Coli.

More of Chicago

2010-08-23T18:55:00.003-05:00

We took a boat ride on Lake Michigan. It was beautiful.

Just waiting for the dolphin show to start at Shedd Aquarium.

Standing on a glass balcony at the top of the Sears/Willis Tower in Chicago.

Cason's Birthday

2010-08-23T15:37:00.003-05:00

My baby is 2. I can't believe it. He is growing so fast. For his birthday we took him swimming since he loves the water so much. Cason is so entertaining. Everyday he makes us laugh. We love that little guy.

Nauvoo and Carthage

2010-08-22T19:56:00.007-05:00

This is the room in Carthage Jail that Joseph Smith was shot.

The Nauvoo Temple

The two boys at the Joseph and Hyrum Smith Statue in Carthage. The Carthage Jail is there behind them.

Having a picnic at a park in Nauvoo.

June

2010-08-22T19:31:00.004-05:00

Another one of those Iowa storms.

We went on a walk in the "forest" as the kids refer to it. There are lot of paths to walk on around our house and of course tons of trees.

Crossing the Mississippi on our way back from Nauvoo.

This is a scary cloud we saw on our way to Nauvoo.

Cason

2010-08-22T19:26:00.003-05:00

Cason finally figured out how to drive the jeep by himself. Scary, I know. He actually does a pretty good job.

Tal's Birthday

2010-08-22T18:57:00.006-05:00

Tal turned 4 this year. Can you believe it?? I can't believe how big he is getting. He is our little man and we love him to death. Since we live no where near family we went to Chucky Cheese for his birthday. Him and Cason also got to camp out with dad in the family room. They had a blast of course.

This year I tried to be domestic and make him a cake. He loves his guitar so much I decided to make him a guitar cake. It wasn't perfect but he loved it anyway.

He got a big boy bike for his birthday and we couldn't get him off it. Since his birthday he had an accident on his bike and hasn't ridden it much since. Ask him, he will tell you all about it.

Tal in Soccer

2010-08-22T18:49:00.004-05:00

Tal was excited about soccer in the beginning but after going a few times lost interest in it...like most of his team. Towards the end of the season it was a challenge to keep the kids from making goals for the other team and and from sitting down in the middle of the field.

The assistant coach was in our ward but ended up moving so John got volunteered to take his place.

May

2010-08-22T18:37:00.004-05:00

John made an aiplane out of a box for the boys but didn't realize how much he would have to fly them in it. It's amazing how the simple things provide the most entertainment.

It is unbelievably green here in Iowa. We love it!!

March Pictures

2010-05-30T20:39:00.004-05:00

Tal and Cason chillin on the deck enjoying the scenery together.

Grandma Linda came to visit while John went to a conference.

National Mississippi River Museum

2010-05-30T20:21:00.005-05:00

In March we drove up to Dubuque,Iowa and took the boys to this museum. There were crazy big catfish, lizards, snakes, otters, an alligator, fish, and many more little creatures. The boys had a lot of fun.

Cason was afraid the lizard was going to come through the glass and bite him. It was pretty funny.

Sledding

2010-02-16T16:40:00.004-06:00

We live on a cul-de-sac so when the snow plows come around they just push it all into the middle, which creates a mountain. John made some stairs that go up to the top and made a sledding path going down. Tal had a blast but poor Cason missed out because he was napping.

February Snow Storm

2010-02-16T16:34:00.003-06:00

Tal was so excited about all the snow. Cason didn't care he just wanted his dad.

January Pictures

2010-02-16T16:17:00.007-06:00

Cason discovered that he loves popcorn.

Tal and Cason are learning and growing so fast. Cason is talking tons. He says pretty much anything you ask him to. He loves music, dancing, books, duck duck goose and the vaccuum. Tal is learning to read and write and is so excited to start "real" preschool in the fall. We are hopefully going to get him into soccer in the spring. He still loves to play the guitar and piano with his dad. Tal just got his first pet. John had promised him that when we moved to Iowa he would get him a fish. So, the other day Tal asked when he would be able to get his fish. John was true to his promise and took him to the pet store to pick out his new fishes. He is very excited but I actually think that John is more excited than Tal.

Tal's Science Project

2010-02-16T16:11:00.003-06:00

One day for dinner I was putting some beans in soup and Tal said that he wanted to grow a beanstalk (like Jack and the Beanstalk). John put some beans in a jar with a wet paper towel and so Tal grew a beanstalk. He was so proud of it and can't wait until the spring so he can plant some beans outside.

Merry Christmas!

2010-02-16T15:51:00.005-06:00

Christmas was definitely interesting this year. It was our first Christmas away from family and on top of that we were still getting over the swine flu. We managed to have fun together anyway.

All Tal wanted for Christmas was the tiger cereal.

John smiling while holding a knife can never mean a good thing.

For some reason John thought that I needed to jump on the bandwagon and read the Twilight books. So that is one of the things he got me for Christmas. I think that has been one of his biggest regrets ever.

The kids got this tent for Christmas and I think that they lived in there for few days after Christmas.

Happy Birthday to Me

2010-02-16T15:41:00.005-06:00

I turned 27 in December. I spent my whole birthday cleaning up throw-up. It was so much fun following Cason around the house cleaning up after him. He acted like nothing was wrong. He would just be playing and then stop abruptly to throw-up and then he would go back to whatever it was that he was doing. So, instead of going out that night John brought some yummy take-out home with cheesecake.
It turns out that Cason had the swine flu. We all ended up getting it. The next day we all got sick within two hours of each other. All of us spent the whole night throwing up. It was awesome! Thankfully Cason got the least sick out of all of us.

First Snow Storm

2010-02-16T15:36:00.003-06:00

These are pictures of the first Iowa snow storm that we experienced.

December Pictures

2010-02-16T15:17:00.004-06:00

Some things never change.

Happy Birthday Johnny!

2010-02-15T19:40:00.005-06:00

John turned 29 the week we moved to Iowa. Even though we were buried in boxes we still celebrated and had a good time. John wanted a fruit pizza instead of a cake so this is a picture of the fruit pizza without the fruit.

Just Hanging Around

2010-02-15T19:35:00.002-06:00

Moving to Iowa

2010-02-15T19:03:00.016-06:00

Uncle Andrew with Cason. He brought back soccer jerseys for all his nephews.

Tal with his cousins, Carly, Jadyn, and Cameron, on the moving truck.

Cason and his cousin Bridger the night before we moved.

To make a long story short we moved to Iowa. John got a job here at the VA Hospital doing what he was doing before but on a larger scale. We will be here for about a year and then be transferred (hopefully out west). Everything happened so fast, it's all a blurr to me which is probably a good thing. Within a month we put our house up for sale, packed up and left. So now we are in the middle of nowhere with well below zero temperatures. In all reality we like it here. We definitely miss our family and friends. We don't want to stay here forever but for now it is good. We've made lots of new friends and feel very blessed.
John's brother, Andrew, got home from his mission to Argentina a few weeks before we moved. The week that we moved he came to visit and help us pack up. We were so excited that he came to see us otherwise we probably wouldn't have seen him for another year.
Thank you so much to everyone that helped us with the move. We really appreciated everything. We couldn't have done it without you! A special thanks to my mom for driving out to Iowa with us and staying for a week to help us get settled in.

October- Happy Halloween!

2010-02-15T16:31:00.005-06:00

Tal loves his shovel.

A typical picture of Cason after any meal.

The kids and I while trick or treating. The people in our cul-de-sac go all out for Halloween. They had a fire pit, s'mores, a blow-up haunted house, loud music and more. We have fun every year. We're really going to miss the old neighborhood.

The kids waiting very patiently to go trick or treating.

Lots of candy!

More pictures of Spokane

2010-02-15T15:11:00.004-06:00

Tal and his cousin Carly. He says that he loves her and that he is going to marry her someday.

Tal and Cason with aunt Melissa.

The kids lived in the pool while we were there.

Trip to Spokane

2010-02-15T13:45:00.006-06:00

Tal and Cason couldn't seem to get enough watermelon...as usual.

John was the designated life preserver in the pool.

Our little fish.

Cason with grandpa.

We had a lot of fun in Spokane. While we were there we were able to visit my grandparents and see some of our good friends. Also John's parents took out all of the kids while the moms and dads went on their own date. Thanks again!!

Pictures from the summer

2010-02-15T13:40:00.004-06:00

More Reunion Pictures

2010-02-15T13:20:00.003-06:00

John's mom, aunt, uncle, and grandma.

I'm not sure where Cason was during this picture.

Grandma just fed Cason a sour grape.

At the BBQ they had Brazilian music playing. They all got in a line and danced around the tables. It was quite entertaining.

Lopes Family Reunion

2010-02-15T11:46:00.008-06:00

At the end of July John's mom's side had a family reunion in Utah. The first day we all went swimming and then the second day we had a big BBQ. I must say, Brazilians definitely know how to have fun.

Tal with his cousins Jadyn and Cameron.

John and his little sister Melissa.

Happy 1st Birthday Cason!

2010-02-15T11:30:00.005-06:00

Cason turned one in July. John's mom, dad, and grandma were in town so we had a little party with them and some of Cason's cousins.

This is the before picture.

And this is the after picture. I don't even think he got very much in his mouth. He had fun regardless.

Grandma Linda's House

2010-02-15T11:22:00.000-06:00

So after the 4th of July John left me and the kids in Boise with my mom for a week. The idea was that he would go home and tile the laundry room and bathroom without us in the way. Just like most projects it took a lot longer than he thought. At least it gone done...right? We had fun with grandma anyway.

Fourth of July

2010-02-15T10:27:00.000-06:00

We spent the 4th in Boise with my mom. We went to my aunt's house for a BBQ and Tal got stung by a bee. It was so sad.

More Pictures

2009-06-28T20:05:00.000-05:00

The kids still love bath time. Why the discolored water? Well, I usually put a few drops of food coloring in the water. It makes it a little more fun for them.

Cason is walking now and is becoming more and more of a busy body but I love him anyway.

Tal loves to put concerts on. He plays his guitar (and dances) while John plays the piano. I'll have to try to put a video of this on here. It is so funny.

Sleepy head.

Hmmmm...I wonder who was feeding Cason.

The kids with John's grandma.

Tal and my grandma.

Dangerous? I think so.

Nice and clean.

Tal playing the piano in his underwear.

Wasatch Back Ragnar

2009-06-28T18:23:00.000-05:00

Last weekend Johnny ran in the Wasatch Back Ragnar relay race which consisted of 180 miles. The race started in Logan and ended in Park City. Somehow our neighbors roped John into doing this back in January. Well, since he was in school he didn't really have any time to train until after he graduated. So when he graduated he started running and got shin splints really bad. That put an end to his training pretty much. I was so nervous for him to run because he definitely wasn't prepared for it or so I thought. He actually ended up doing really well especially considering that he had three of the harder runs. He ran a total of 19 miles. The race began on Friday morning and ended Saturday afternoon. He has been moaning and groaning ever since about his shin splints. Regardless, we are all very proud of him. The Pictures will hopefully be posted in the near future.

1st Camping Trip

2009-06-28T18:16:00.000-05:00

John took his nephew on his father and sons campout and took Talmage with him. They all had a blast. Tal was a little nervous about sleeping in the tent and called me on the phone saying that he wanted to come home. He got over it quickly because in the morning when John started taking the tent down Tal got really mad. Apparently he had no memory of the night before.

Happy Birthday Tal

2009-06-28T18:00:00.000-05:00

Tal turned three at the end of May. My mom and grandma were in town so we had a little party for him. One of the things he got was a blower and of course he went right to work. He always claims that he is a hard worker like daddy and its the truth. I am so grateful for Talmage and cannot believe how fast he is growing up. He makes me laugh every day with the things he says and does. I love him so much.

He tricked my mom into coming outside and got her pretty good with the squirt gun.

Memorial Day

2009-06-28T17:47:00.000-05:00

My brother and his family were passing through on Memorial Day so we all went to the zoo. Unfortunatly John had passed his sickness on to me and I was feeling horrible and John was still feeling sick. Needless to say walking around at the zoo in the heat was not a whole lot of fun for us but the kids had fun.

John Graduated

2009-06-28T17:20:00.000-05:00

I am so happy to say that John has been graduated for over a month and life is good. I am so proud of him and am so glad he is done. So after his graduation we had a big BBQ with a bunch of our family to celebrate. Poor John was actually sick but we had fun anyway.

More Pictures

2009-05-01T23:55:00.001-05:00

Spring has arrived!

2009-05-01T23:45:00.000-05:00

We're ready to go outside mom!

Finally, it has started to warm up around here. I'm not a fan of the cold so we were all starting to get cabin fever. Tal and Cason both love being outside. It seems like they can't get enough of it.

Some of Cason's favorite things

2009-05-01T23:35:00.000-05:00

He loves to wrestle with Tal and he actually has some pretty good moves. Tal better look out. I wish I had some pictures of this.

Loves to eat...of coarse. And apparently he is really good at getting the food in his mouth.

Loves to eat plants. I can't take him outside anymore when I'm working in the yard because for some reason he just loves the taste of dirt.

He loves it when Tal gives him rides on Lightening McQueen.

Update on Cason

2009-05-01T23:23:00.000-05:00

Wow this past month has been a big month for Cason. He is 9 mo. old now. About a month ago he started figuring out the whole walking thing. He now walks along things and behind things. He can also stand up on his own for a few seconds. He crawls up the stairs but not down them. He was sick for the first time and then he got sick again about two weeks later with something totally different. Both things he caught from Tal. I guess that's the way it goes. He got six teeth all in one month. He slept for about five or six hours for three nights in a row and now has gone back to waking up every 1-2 hours (any suggestions???). He is so curious. He gets into everything and everything he finds goes in his mounth. I think that about sums Cason up this past month. He definitely keeps me on my toes. It seems like I am running from one thing to the next with him (literally).

Easter

2009-05-01T23:11:00.000-05:00

There was an Easter egg hunt at the end of our cul-de-sac. It was so funny to watch Tal. I think he was more interested in watching all the other kids than finding eggs for himself. He had fun anyway. Especially when he realized that there was candy in the eggs. Not to mention he got a squirt gun too.

Happy Anniversary-May day May day!

2009-05-01T23:01:00.000-05:00

Thats what John said over and over again on our wedding day. I can't figure out what he meant by that. Just kidding. I can't believe that John and I have been married 5 years. It seems like it has gone by so fast. I can't remember what life was like without him in it. He is my best friend. For so many reasons I know that there is no one else in the world that could make me as happy as I am. We just fit together. He is the most amazing husband and father. The boys adore him. He is Tal's best friend too. Actually lately Tal has been going through withdrawls because he hasn't seen much of John. In just a few days that is all about to change. I am so excited (and I just can't hide it). I can't wait to spend forever with you honey! Love you!

Thinking of my Dad

2009-03-28T20:11:00.000-05:00

My dad passed away one year ago today. Though it seems that this past year has gone by fast I have certainly missed him. I think about my dad daily. I can't help but think about all the things he taught me and the wonderful example he was to me. I can definitely say that I have tried a little harder this past year to be a better person because of him. I am truly grateful for the gospel and plan of salvation and deeply know that it is true. My testimony is confirmed by the spirit each day and that has been such a blessing to me. I know where my dad is and know that he is continuing to do the Lords work. I can feel that he is close.

I see the light...

2009-03-25T14:29:00.000-05:00

I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Johnny only has about one more month of school until he graduates. I will have a husband again!! I could not be happier and he could not be more stressed. That's a great combination don't you think? He is in the middle of applying for jobs, finishing final projects, finishing his thesis, studying for a final cumulative exam over the past two years, and on top of all of that- he is working full time. Yeah, I think I would be a little stressed as well. I feel sorry for the guy but I can't help being so excited just knowing that this will all be over in a month. Just thought I would share the good news with everyone.

Random Pictures

2009-03-25T14:20:00.000-05:00

Grandma Linda came about a month ago to spend some time with the kids so that I could get some house projects done. It was so nice to have her here even though I didn't get done half of what I wanted to. We can't wait for her to come again!

A couple of weeks ago Johnny gave Cason a mo hawk for church.

Helping mom

2009-03-25T14:08:00.000-05:00

Tal loves to cook and make things. So, whenever I'm making something I have to make sure I have some dough or something for him so that he can be "cooking with me". And can you see that he is chewing gum. That is something else he has learned to do in the past month. He used to swallow it everytime we gave it to him but now he chews it until he is done and then throws it away. We figure it is probably good for him to chew it at least once a day to help get all the junk off his teeth. One of his favorite flavors is cinnamon. Crazy huh?

Cason is on the move

2009-03-25T13:57:00.000-05:00

Cason is eight months old now. I cannot believe it. He has been crawling for about a month now and he is almost walking along the furniture. I don't know what I am going to do with him. Talmage didn't start crawling until he was 10 months old and by that time he somewhat understood the word "no". Cason pays no attention when we say "no". He is definitely a busy one. He is either trying to keep up with Tal or get away from him. I have't quite decided which. Just kidding he loves playing with Tal. They also love to take baths together. Accept Tal gets a little annoyed that Cason splashes so much.

I'm a big kid now!

2009-03-25T13:45:00.000-05:00

Yay!!! The day has finally come. Tal is completely potty trained. We are so happy. It has been a long process but it has finally come to an end.

Synchronized swimming

2009-03-25T13:36:00.000-05:00

This past month our ward had a talent show. The Elder's Quorum was asked to do something as a presidency so John suggested that they do sychronized swimming. It was hilarious to say the least. I have video of it but I will have to post that at a later date. I actually think that it is posted on youtube somewhere. Our ward is the Syracuse Founders Park ward if anyone is that curious you can try to look it up. John is the one in the superman shirt...if that didn't give it away already.

The Draper Temple

2009-03-01T20:49:00.000-06:00

Last weekend while Ben and Kelly were here we were able to go down to the Draper Temple open house. It was so beautiful. I'm so thankful that we were able to go as a family and that Ben and Kelly could join us.

Celine Dion Concert

2009-03-01T18:12:00.000-06:00

Johnny got me tickets to the Celine Dion Concert for Christmas and I finally got to go see here last week. I loved it! The concert was awesome. Thank you so much Johnny! She is kind of silly but definitely entertaining.

She was amazing!

Gordie Brown a comedian/inpersonator opened the show for Celine and he was hilarious. I was laughing so hard at one point that I was crying.

My brother and sister-in-law were down for the weekend so they wathced our kids for us. Thank you so much Ben and Kelly!! Tal had so much fun with you guys.

Valentines Day

2009-03-01T18:08:00.001-06:00

Well, I must say that Johnny spoiled me. He brought me flowers and made me the best grilled shrimp dinner. Thank you honey, I love you!

Hide and Seek

2009-03-01T17:38:00.000-06:00

Sometimes Tal likes to hide in the pantry behind the doors. I have no idea how he gets back there but he does. Anyway one day while I was making dinner he was hiding there. All of a sudden it got really quiet so I went over to check on him. My suspicion was right...he had fallen asleep. The sad part is that I had to leave him there until he woke up because I didn't know how to get him out of there.

Great Idea!

2009-01-28T18:21:00.000-06:00

I don't know about all of you but I am terrible at journaling about my kids. I want to, I just don't seem to find the time to do it...until now. About a month ago I heard this idea about journal keeping. The idea is to get a small planner for the year. Keep it somewhere that is easily accessable. I keep my in my kitchen so whenever Tal or Cason says or does something funny or cute I just write one to two sentences about it on that day in the planner. Then at the end of the month I can write a summery of the month in my journal. I have done it for almost a month now and it has been so easy. Mine is small enough that I can put it in my purse so I can take it with me everywhere. I love this and wish that I had heard this sooner. It has worked with me so now I am sharing the idea with all of you. Hope you like it!

Update on Cason

2009-01-28T17:37:00.000-06:00

Cason is six months old now. He is sitting up all by himself and he has also gotten up on all fours a few times. Apparently he is in a hurry to go somewhere. As for now he just rolls to wherever he wants to go.

Cason LOVES the water. He splashes like crazy when he takes a bath.

The dryer?

2009-01-28T17:29:00.000-06:00

For some reason John really likes the dryer.

Can't wait for Spring

2009-01-28T17:21:00.000-06:00

Tal is getting a little excited to mow the lawn.

New Year's Eve

2009-01-25T22:15:00.000-06:00

Our neighbors had a new years eve party. They made a play area in their bedroom upstairs for the kids and had put one of those water trampolines in there. It was pretty cool. Then at midnight everyone went outside for fireworks and spraying of silly string.

Random pictures during our Christmas vacation

2009-01-25T21:47:00.000-06:00

Christmas in Boise

2009-01-25T21:02:00.000-06:00

One of the things Tal got for Christmas was some tools. There were some goggles that came with the tool set and I don't think that he took them off for days. He is pretty funny.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-01-25T20:55:00.000-06:00

For my mom's birthday I decided to make her a coconut cake with raspberry sauce because I love her so much. She really is the best mom in the world. Happy Birthday mama!

While in Boise...

2009-01-25T20:18:00.000-06:00

My brother Ben decided to get the riding lawn mower out at my mom's house and pull people on it. So they found a long piece of plastic and Tal got to go for a ride.

Happy Birthday to me!

2009-01-25T20:11:00.000-06:00

We actually flew back to Boise from Spokane on my birthday. So before we left Spokane John's family had a little birthday party. Then when we got to Boise and my mom had a cake for me so we had another little party. It was kind of a crazy but fun day.

Ryan and Janay got married- yay!!

2009-01-25T19:59:00.000-06:00

With all of the snow we were a little worried for a while if they would be able to get to the temple to get married. It all worked out and everything turned out great. Congratulations Janay and Ryan!!!

Trip to Spokane

2009-01-25T19:33:00.000-06:00

When we were in Spokane it snowed, and snowed, and snowed...and then it snowed some more. We were literally snowed in for a few days. We could not get the car out of the drive way. It was crazy! Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what it was like.

2009-01-25T19:18:00.000-06:00

I had to put the Christmas tree up even though we were only at our house for 1 week in December. Johnny gave me hard time about it but apparently I didn't care.

Comparing

2008-12-02T15:00:00.000-06:00

These are pictures for those of you who wanted to compare Talmage and Cason. What do you think, do they look alike?

This is Tal at about 4 mo. old.

This is Cason at about 4 mo. old.

Happy Birthday Johnny! - The Coldplay Concert

2008-12-02T14:23:00.001-06:00

I got tickets to the Coldplay concert for Johnny's birthday. It was awesome to say the least!! The best concert we have been to by far. We were probably sitting the furthest away that we possibly could but we had a blast anyway. Thanks Laissa, Blake, and Kaylee for watching the kids. Here's some video from the concert but you have to consider how far away we were sitting and that it was taken with our digital camera- so in other words its not the best quality but you'll get the idea.

Johnny turned 28 this year. He's getting to be an old man. For some reason Tal thought it was his birthday and so he helped Johnny blow his candles out.

More pictures!

2008-11-11T15:17:00.000-06:00

Halloween

2008-11-11T14:20:00.000-06:00

Almost ready to go!
I procrastinated in finding Tal a Halloween costume this year. By the time I went looking there wasn't anything cute in his size. So, I made him try on his costume from last year and lucky for me it still fit him. He ended up being a lion 2 years in a row. I figured that he won't remember so it didn't matter. He'll just have the pictures from both years to confuse him later on.

Our neighbors at the end of our cul de sac went all out for Halloween. There was music blasting, a fire pit to make s'mores, a blow up haunted house, someone turned their trampoline into a giant Jack-o-lantern, and much more. Every year they set out a few benches and people on our street just leave their bowl of candy on the benches. Its so much easier than getting up to answer your door every few seconds. Talmage had a lot of fun to say the least. As much as he loves candy he was way more interested in everything else that was going on. They had a spot light set up that Tal loved to hog while dancing to the music. It was pretty funny. We put a video of it on here.

Trying to decide which piece of candy to eat first.

Hmmm...what should I eat next.

He wanted to eat his candy so bad but he was so tired by the time we got home. He was so facinated with all of the costumes and lit pumpkins, it took us almost two hours just to go down two streets. Regardless it was a fun night for all of us. Cason slept through it all.

Grandma Linda's house

2008-11-11T14:17:00.000-06:00

Tal and Cason at grandma's.

Uncle Ben

2008-11-11T14:13:00.000-06:00

I had to put this picture on here because I don't think I have ever seen a picture of Ben with a real smile. He is always making some goofy face.

Redoing more floors

2008-11-11T13:47:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago John and his brother Ryan put in a wood floor in my mom's office and tiled the downstairs bathroom floor. They also put in a new vanity downstairs. I think that they did a really good job considering they only had two days to do it all.

The bathroom before and after.

The office before and after.

More pictures

2008-10-13T01:22:00.000-05:00

John made me put more pictures of Cason on here because he said that they other picture makes him look really chubby.

Snow already?!!!

2008-10-12T18:51:00.001-05:00

I have come to hate snow. So this is what we woke up to this morning.
Have I mentioned that I hate snow?

Talmage decided earlier today that he loves the snow.

So after he ran around it like there was no tomorrow he suddenly realized that he was very very cold and maybe didn't like the snow as much as he thought he did.

He then hurried into the house to change into his pjs and hat and then cuddled up on the couch with some blankets.

Pictures of the fam

2008-10-12T18:34:00.000-05:00

My little boys are getting so big. I can't believe that Cason is 2 1/2 months old. Tal is almost 2 1/2 and has become so independent, which I must say I am so grateful for. He now puts his clothes on by himself and feeds himself (without making too big of a mess). Now we just need to work more on getting him to go to the bathroom by himself.

New bathroom floor

2008-10-12T18:22:00.000-05:00

Here's Tal helping dad with the floor. Don't worry we made him wear the safety goggles.

The shower in the master bathroom was leaking, which then made the floor warp. Then since John finally had an excuse he tiled the bathroom floor. I must say that he did an excellent job and has gained my trust to now tile the laundry room and bathroom downstairs.

More pictures

2008-09-14T18:50:00.000-05:00

We went and got pictures of the boys a few weeks ago. Aren't they so sweet? I'm the luckiest mom in the world. I love my boys.

Baby Cason

2008-08-17T17:29:00.000-05:00

This is Cason attempting to do his
Zoolander face ("blue steel").

Nap Time!

2008-08-17T17:19:00.000-05:00

Oh, how I love nap time. Tal was taking a nap
on my bed and I decided to put Cason next to
him for a picture. My two little boys are so cute!

Big Brother

2008-08-17T16:55:00.000-05:00

Tal loves having a little brother... well, most of
the time...ok just some of the time. So he has
been having a few jealousy issues. No big deal,
I just have to fight him off of Cason all day-
literally. Cason usually gets a new battle wound
every day. Poor little guy. Is anyone else dealing
with this?

Little Cason

2008-07-27T15:45:00.001-05:00

Cason Robert Call was born Sunday July 20th at 6:54 pm. He

weighed6.5 lbs. and was 20 in. long. He is doing really well,

especially for being 3 weeks early.

My three handsome boys. Tal is so excited to be a big brother.

Our happy little family.

Isn't he so cute?! He is such a good baby. He hardly makes a peep.

Baby update

2008-07-16T00:11:00.000-05:00

At my appointment last Friday we found out that I have already started to dialate. So, my doctor told us that even though my due date isn't until August 11th that I would probably have the baby in the next week or week and half. He told me to take it easy this week so that the baby can hopefully stay in there for at least another week. I have another appointment this Friday so we will see.

Fun at Lagoon!

2008-07-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

John had to go on the rides with Tal (the few that he could go on) because me and my fat belly couldn't fit on most of the them.
Tal was a little hesitant because this was his first time riding a ride all by himself. About half way through the ride he had his arms in the air. It was pretty funny.
So the carousel and the train were the only two rides I could go on but I had fun anyway.
John was having fun too...can't you tell?
Later in the day John took Tal to the water park at Lagoon. Soon after they got in the water Tal fell asleep on the lazy river.

2008-07-15T23:55:00.000-05:00

Just hanging with mom and dad. Tal loves that hat. He wears it everywhere and he always has to have it on backwards. Isn't he cute?? We love him to death.

Working in the yard...again.

2008-07-15T23:43:00.000-05:00

John has done a very good job with the garden this year. He is especially proud of his golden raspberries which are very delicious for those of you who have not had them. Talmage loves to go outside everyday and pick the strawberries and raspberries. He even eats the green ones.

Talmage attempting to blow off the drive way after John mowed. Of course John had to go back and do it again. Keeping up with the yard is a neverending job.

Spokane

2008-07-15T23:12:00.001-05:00

John and Talmage with his sister Melissa.
It was a fun but short trip or though it seemed. We got to spend a lot of time with family and were also able to see some friends that we haven't seen in a while. Not to mention that we found out that my old roommate, Janay, is dating John's brother. AHHH, aren't they cute?

More fun at a park in Liberty Lake.

Poor Talmage wanted to go down the slides so bad even though they were super hot.

So, a month ago we went to Spokane to visit John's family. It was a long drive but fun none the less. John and Talmage swam a lot at grandma and grandpa's and I sat and watched being that there was no way I was getting into a swimming suit right now.

Look at John's farmers tan-Ha Ha!

Since we've been gone...

2008-07-15T23:06:00.000-05:00

Yes, we have been slacking on updating our blog. I figure that I better get on here before I have the baby or it will never happen. So here you go...

2008-06-10T22:40:00.000-05:00

Well, I am 31 weeks along now and just plain huge. The thought of having 9 more weeks to grow bigger just frightens me.

Trip to the zoo

2008-06-10T22:33:00.001-05:00

Since Tal's birthday was in the middle of the week we didn't do a whole lot. So that Saturday we took him to Hogle Zoo. It was way crowded and hot but we had fun anyway.

2008-06-10T22:31:00.000-05:00

Lovin that birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Tal

2008-06-10T22:24:00.000-05:00

Tal turned two at the end of May. We finally got him a lawn mower of his very own. He was so excited about it. He walked around for hours with it that night and had a blister on his foot the next day.

2008-06-10T22:21:00.000-05:00

I'm getting bigger.

2008-06-10T22:17:00.001-05:00

Look at my handsome men.

2008-06-10T22:10:00.000-05:00

Tal playing at the park.

2008-06-10T22:07:00.000-05:00

Tal loves to mow the lawn with his dad but John usually has to put him on his shoulders so that he doesn't get in the way. The other picture is Tal attempting to rake out our strawberry patch with John. He always wants to be doing whatever his dad is doing.

Now for an update

2008-05-09T16:37:00.000-05:00

Johnny finished his first year of grad school a couple of weeks ago and Tal and I are so so grateful to say the least. It has been a rough year and all three of us are ready for a break. He still has to work on his thesis this month because that is due in June but after that he is done...for at least a couple of months. Now, because of his lack of free time during this past year we are way behind on millions of house projects, which is what our summer will probably consist of. I have a feeling that this summer is going to fly by.
Tal is turning two at the end of this month. He is such a good kid and he keeps me on my toes. He is pretty mellow minus the occasional tantrum (which actually is becoming more than occasional). He adores his dad and wants so badly to do everything that he does. He is also on the verge of starting to be potty trained. He has gone in his little potty a couple of times so I guess that is a start. He loves to sit on his potty and read the Reader's Digest. Hmmmm, I wonder who he got that from.
As for me... I am about 26 weeks along and feeling pretty good. I am due August 11th. John's family is having a family reunion in Provo the first weekend of August so, if I haven't had the baby by then then they will see me looking like a whale and if I have had the baby they will still see me looking like a whale. It should be a lot of fun.

Life House Concert

2008-05-09T12:30:00.000-05:00

2008-05-09T11:42:00.000-05:00

Well, John started this blog months ago. So... as you can see we are already off to a bad start. With John going to school and working he obviously didn't have a minute to spare. As for me... well, my excuse is that I was gone off and on for the first 3 1/2 months of the year. I think I spent more time in Boise than I did at my own house. Poor John suffered through it. It was hard to be away from home for so long but I am so grateful that Tal and I were able to spend time with my dad before he passed away. It was a sad time but after watching my dad lose his abilities even more those last few weeks was hard and made it a little easier to see him go. I know that he is doing now what he loved doing the most and that is serving the Lord. Now nothing is holding him back. The gospel is a wonderful thing and I feel so blessed to have it in my life.