Tuesday, July 22, 2008

We're Going for #6

Yes, it's true, I'm pregnant! 
That's right, you are looking at the very stick I peed on. Exciting huh? 

I was pregnant earlier this year but ended up miscarrying at 10-12 weeks. That was a sad moment for us and required a couple of months to heal physically before being able to try again. 

I am very happy and excited to be pregnant again but if I am being honest, I have quite a bit of worry and uneasiness that has left me unsettled. I am nervous that I will get my hopes up again and them feel the disappointment that we went through with the last pregnancy. I am looking forward to the appointments when I can hear the heartbeat and have the doctors re-assure me that I have a healthy growing baby inside of me. 

Dan is a great support and is always reassuring me that everything will be ok. I'm trying to think positive : ) We are really anxious to add a 6th child to the family. I have my first doctor's appointment on Tuesday, August 5th  so wish me good luck! 

Saturday, July 12, 2008

JACKPOT! We finally have bunnies.

After having nothing but bad luck with our rabbit breeding we have finally found success! Yahoo! 5 NEW BABY BUNNIES!
We all know the story about how rabbits multiply like no other species on the planet. Well, I was beginning to wonder what was wrong with our rabbits because they were anything but "baby making machines". We have been working long and hard to get some bunnies out of these furry creatures but to no avail.

The first time we tried breading our rabbit, she had 4 bunnies that all died instantly, and then 2 days later the mom died. Way Sad :( 

We bought a new momma rabbit and tried getting her pregnant. She had 5 babies. 
All born dead :(

By this point the kids were getting sad. When we would breed the mom the kids would mark it on the calendar and count down the days until the bunnies would be born. Then no bunnies. Pretty disappointing for little kids. 

I thought maybe 3rd times a charm. So I bred the bunny without telling the kids.  I didn't want them to have to deal with more dead bunnies. I took extra special care of the mom all month. Checking on her a couple times a day, keeping her cool and moving her into the garage the week before she had them. 

Well, the extra TLC worked because last night she gave birth to 8 baby bunnies. 
3 were born dead. They were very small and not all the way developed. 
BUT 5 BUNNIES ARE ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!
We have 3 solid brown bunnies
and 2 broken/spotted bunnies.
These are Alaina's favorites. She has already named them.
Angel and Pinkerton :)

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Happy Birthday to ME!!

That's right, I turned 31 today. I had a great day, full of Dan and the kids spoiling me. The kids made breakfast for me this morning along with a million handmade cards and a few gifts. They showered me with love, and I enjoyed it. 

My parents came over with their truck bed loaded to the brim with plants, bushes, rocks, hanging flower baskets, and a tree. As a birthday gift they landscaped a little spot in front of my house. It has been vacant, bare, and blah for the last 2 years due to, time, money and simply just not knowing what to do with it. They spent about 4 hours digging, hauling, planting, and beautifying my front flower bed. It turned out great! Thanks Mom and Dad.  
Dan took me out for a date tonight. (Which is Tuesday) I love middle of the week date nights!! We went with a couple of friends to PF Chang's for dinner and then a movie. 

My girlfriends from the Ridgeview Ward are taking me to lunch on Thursday. 
Should be lots of fun : )

Thanks to everyone for making my birthday special. I loved all the calls, cards, gifts, and visits!  

Monday, July 7, 2008

No TV! Please go outside and use your imagination...

So I turned off the TV and told the kids it was time to stop frying their brain 
and to go outside and use their imagination. 
When I went out to check on them later, they were having a blast! 
This is what they looked like. 
It's amazing what you can do with a few hats, a hockey stick, a tutu, 
a library book, a broom, a dog, a ball, and a toy telescope.



Saturday, July 5, 2008

Outdoor Movie Theater

The kids have been super helpful today. I really appreciate how hard all the kids worked to get our Saturday chores done. We had a ton of them! (Mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, washing windows, fixing sprinklers, taking care of animals, cleaning out the garage, and all of our normal indoor chores) The best part was that they did them without complaining! 

So, we decided to do something fun for them, at the end of the day, in return! 

While the kids were taking showers and getting ready for bed tonight, Dan and I went out in the backyard to set up a little surprise for them. It was about 9:00pm so the kids were assuming that once they had their p.j.'s on it would be time for scriptures and then off to bed. Instead we walked them out to the backyard to show them where they would be sleeping for the night. 

They saw sleeping bags and popcorn set out on the trampoline, and Dan rigged up the movie projector to play on a sheet that we had pined to the side of our house. They were way excited to have their very own outdoor movie theater and loved being able to sleep out under the stars. Tons of fun!!

Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy 4th of July!


First off, let me put my patriotic plug in here. I am glad to be an American. This land of the free is taken for granted way to often and I thought I would take just a quick second to express my love and appreciation to God, active soldiers, veterans of all military forces, as well as our founding fathers. I am grateful we can live, work, worship, and enjoy life, in this free and prosperous country of ours. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Our family had a great 4th of July!
We took the kids out to Fish Hook, which is a little spot on the snake river about 30 minutes out of town. We met up with about 12 other families for some boating, swimming and picnicking. This is a great place for kids because they have a shallow roped off swimming area. A group would go out boating while the rest of the people on shore enjoyed splashing around in the water. The kids loved throwing mud at each other, jumping off the docks, and floating around on inner tubes. 

After our day at the river we packed up and headed back into town. 
On our way home we made a quick stop in Burbank to grab some fun family fireworks (and a few illegal ones to insure the night really would be fun).

After loading up on explosives, it was off to Grandpa Ostler's (who live next to Grandpa Rose so both families meet in the culdesac) for the traditional "eat more junk than you should, and see what we can blow up" Fourth of July festivities. 

I joke here, sort of. While we usually do eat more food than should be consumed in a month, we don't actually try to "blow things up". Really the goal is to see if we can make it all night without sending anyone, of any age, to the hospital with any worse than a 1st degree burn. We have had pretty good luck with this goal over the years which has made for some good memories each Fourth of July with close family on both sides of the culdesac. 

The second goal we have with each of these firework escapades, is that we try not to set the vacant lot next to the house on fire. We succeed at this most of the time. But this year, Dan's brother tested his luck by allowing about a 2 foot diameter patch of weeds start to blaze. 
NOTE TO DAVID - Hold the roman candle up and away from the dry brush next time. The "down and directly pointing at it pose didn't work, dude!!  
Here's Hailey demonstrating the correct way to hold a roman candle.

Thanks to Dans size 13 and some great foot work, no fire trucks were needed. 

However, Speaking of fire trucks...

After getting home for the evening and putting kids to bed, I went to the couch with a book. Dan grabbed one too and we settled back for a while. At 11:30pm Dan looked out the window and with a bolt came flying out of his seat shouting about a house on fire across the street. 

He grabbed his shoes and went screaming down the street while I called 911. 

With flames jumping higher than the roof tops we thought the worst for these neighbors, it looked like the whole front of their house and roof were a blaze, but as we rounded the corner we discovered the flames were actually at the street and not coming from the house. 
It took the firemen about 15mins to put out the fire.

Turns out a kid was shooting fireworks in the street and one shot under the bushes. Sucks to be that kid. FIREWORKS ILLEGAL IN KENNEWICK, and destruction of property! YIKES. 
At least the house wasn't affected. Can you imagine if it would have been.  
And that's a wrap on our exciting, fun filled 4th of July.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

KY, YOU'RE NOT PEEING IN THE FRONT YARD!

So my day was off to a great start! The kids were listening and being very helpful and kind to one another. I told the kids that if we got our morning chores done I would take them all to the movie Kungfu Panda. Yahoo! They were super excited and that made them work even quicker.

At noon we headed off to the movies. As we pulled into the parking lot my 4 year old, Kase, said,"Mom, I don't feel so good." I asked," Does your tummy hurt, do you feel like you're going to throw up?" He said," No, I think I just got car sick." We got out of the car to give him some fresh air and that seemed to do the trick. Problem solved... now onto the fun. After getting our popcorn, slurpees, and candy we headed into our movie. It was really cute and the kids had a great time!

NOW HERE IS WHERE THE DAY GOT INTERESTING...

On our way home I told the kids when we get home it's time to get some exercise and play outside. No TV since we just saw a movie. Everyone piled out of the car and ran to the backyard to play. I was working in the office when I heard our sliding glass door fly open and something that sounded like a bucket of water spilling all over the kitchen floor. I got up and ran to the kitchen only to find Kase standing in the door way with throw up all over the floor. 
(Popcorn and slurpee. Yummm.) 

As I stared at him in disbelief at what just happened, he says "I was coming to tell you I didn't feel good." 

Of course all I am thinking is, "GREAT, thanks for the warning." 

After throwing up he said he felt much better and wanted to go back out to play but I told him he better go and take a rest on my bed for a while. 

A few hours later Dan gets home from work but before I could tell him about my day, he disappeared down the hall. A couple of minutes later Ky comes running into the house at mach 5, break neck speed, grabbing his crotch with "PEE EMERGENCY" written all over his straining face. I see him dive into our hallway bathroom and immediately come right back out making a b-line for the master bathroom. Seconds later he comes screaming back down the hall in utter panic and heads for the front door, still holding himself of course. 

So, of course I called out to him, "What the heck are you doing?!" 

He says, "I need to go to the bathroom in the front yard, because dad's in the front bathroom and there is blood all over in your bathroom."

"What are you talking about? What blood?" I say in a confused voice. 

"There is blood on your toilet." He says while continuing to dance in place just waiting for me to allow him to finish his trek to the front yard. 

Side note... I started my period this morning and had left my underwear with blood on them on the bathroom floor while I was in the shower. Hailey came in and saw them and then called all the kids to come in and see them too. They are all traumatized I'm sure. Never to forget moms bloody underwear image seared forever in their minds eye. 

"Ky," I said still confused "blood from what?"

"From you!!" He barked almost irritated that I wasn't understanding or believing him. 

Well in my head, I knew that I didn't get blood all over the bathroom. I thought okay maybe a little smudge somewhere on the toilet seat, but come on...

"Ky, you're not peeing in the front yard." I said sternly. "If you only have to pee you can just stand there, you don't even have to touch the toilet."

"But mom, I can't, it's all over the floor too. There's blood everywhere!" Knowing about the underwear incident this morning and knowing that I didn't get blood everywhere, I was actually starting to get irritated at this point. I am thinking "Great, now the kids are never going to use my bathroom anymore, it has cooties because they saw mom's bloody underwear laying on the floor and they think that the gross blood has contaminated it for eternity. 
 
I finally just told Ky "Stop! You're not peeing outside. Go back and use my bathroom before you wet your pants."

With his chin quivering about ready to cry he went back and used my bathroom and all I was thinking was "SHEEZ, was that so hard."

Later that night we had to run some errands as a family so Dan went and woke Kase up, and piled all the kids into the car. I hopped into the drivers seat and turned to ask Kase how he was feeling.  

"Much Better Mom!" He said still a bit groggy from waking up. "I threw up one more time in your bathroom when I was taking a nap and now I feel better. 

Everything started to click for me at that point and I jumped out of the car and ran back to my bathroom. Sure enough, it was covered in red slurpee vomit, every square inch. Toilet, floor, and walls. 

The saddest thing was Ky's little foot prints on the floor through the throw up. You can't even imagine how bad I felt about not listening to Ky. I think he might be scarred for life knowing that his mom wouldn't believe him about the blood all over the floor and toilet and forcing him to walk into it and pee through it. Why didn't I just go and look at what he was talking about?
I feel so bad. Yes even to this moment, I feel bad for that one. I don't know if I can apologize enough for this big screw up. 

SORRY KY!!!!

 And the award for the worst mom ever goes to... Stacey!

I was tempted to include pictures, but I didn't know how everyones gag reflexes were so you'll just have to visualize.

Moral of the story, Just let your kid pee in the front yard!






Monday, June 16, 2008

Our Fun Filled Saturday

Dan and the kids started out the morning at the driving range. Alaina and Ky are going to take a couple of summer golf lessons, so he thought he better get the kids ready. The kids had lots of fun, with Dad and Grandpa Ostler, hitting their very own bucket of balls. They were impressed with how far and fast Grandpa could hit a golf ball! After that...

Alaina took off to a friend's birthday party from 11-1, Dan went to run errands with kids, and Hailey and I headed down to her Ballet Dress Rehearsal. Hailey's Ballet Recital was held down in Columbia Park on the stage right by Playground of Dreams. She had her last dress rehearsal practice at noon before the big performance.
Hailey with her Ballet teacher Torri Mower.
Hailey the toothless Ballerina.
Hailey, with some of the girls in her class, waiting to go on stage.
It was pretty cute to see all the little girls running around Columbia park in their tutu's.
When her practice was over she wanted to sit out in the audience and watch a couple of the other classes rehearse. So we sat for about a half an hour watching the different classes take the stage. It was hard for Hailey to stay in her seat, the music and dance moves would quickly bring her to her feet. Hailey would jump right out of her chair with each new performance and do the dance moves right along with them as if she knew the routine. It was pretty funny to watch her especially when a hip hop class took the stage. She was thrilled when audience members started giving her compliments on her awesome dance moves. I finally realized I should be video taping her, so this is all I got before she caught me with the camera. But just imagine the 8-10 other classes previous, tap, jazz, hip hop, ball room, ballet she did them all.

It was way cute!


After rehearsal Dan and the kids all meet up with us down at Playground of Dreams to have a picnic lunch and play in the water.
Alaina and Ky getting wet.
Hailey making out with the pole. Right after Hailey was sprayed in the face from the water that came blasting out into her mouth. (Don't worry, I'm pretty sure they only use the purest filtered water at these public water parks. Right??)
This was Kase's one and only run through the water. Brrrrrrrrrrrr! It's freezing! Jax saying,"Hey Ky come check out this hole I found."
Hmmmmm. I wonder what's in there?
Whoa! Jump back!
The picnic in the park was lots of fun.
After cooling off, it was time to head back over to the stage for Hailey's performance.
She did a great job and the kids had fun watching all the different dancers.
Hip Hop was their favorite. Beside Hailey of course!!
Bravo! Bravo!

After the dance recital Alaina and I went to, my cousin, Melissa's baby shower
and then home for the evening.

That night we put stuff together for Father's Day. We made Gift Certificate Bouquets for our Dad's/Grandpa's.


The kids made lots of cards and love notes for Dan which I'm sure he loved the most, But he also has been wanting a car topper for all our summer family vacations and for when he takes the kids skiing in the winter. The one he wanted he saw in Spokane so the kids got him this to represent it. He goes to Spokane every Tuesday on business and will be able to pick one up then. The kids and I had a great time spoiling Dan.




Sunday, June 15, 2008

Happy Father's Day

Things I Love About Dan
He is the best Husband and Dad in the entire world hands down!
I could have never imagined being married to someone as amazing as him. There is nothing I would change about him.
He has a great sense of humor and loves to tease.
He has a great business mind and has had great success in
each business he has started.
He is very honest and is known for his integrity.
He is an example to those around him.
He adores his children and loves making time to play with them,
teach them, love them and learn about there needs.
He loves me and is willing to put up with me even when I get a little cranky. In fact, that is usually when he will love me
a little extra.
He is adventurous and athletic. I love to see him in action.
He is the hardest worker I have ever known.
He has a very humble spirt. He is quick to apologize and forgive.
He is a Total Hottie and very romantic!
(As seen in the picture above)
I don't know if him helping with the baby or
doing the dishes is more of a turn on!! : )
He is the most unselfish person I know, always in the service of others. (Especially us)
He has a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is
dedicated to helping our family progress spiritually.
His family is the most important thing to him and
everyone knows it.
Dan is so good at making me feel good about myself. He is always telling me how much he loves me and how beautiful I am. I thought that would stop the older I got and the longer we had been married but it hasn't and I am so grateful. We love you! Happy Father's Day!






Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Hailey the Toothless Wonder

Hailey just lost her 3rd tooth this week. Dan pulled the first 2 out on Saturday & Monday, then today Hailey came walking into my room holding her 3rd tooth and a bloody towell saying Mom, I pulled it out all by myself!!! She was pretty excited and proud of herself. Pretty soon she won't have any teeth left to brush. Hopefully the Tooth Fairy can keep up with all the business Hailey's sending her way. She's the richest kid in the house right now! Go HAILEY!