Oh if I had the internet...

I still consider my blog shut down, because without pictures, or much time to get detailed, it isn't all that interesting, but just the fact that I can add something new right now, I'm going to.

Every Friday, Rich has a day off (along with Sunday). So this is the day I come to the library by myself for a while to return emails and try to catch up on some blogs. Even though I could stay in the quiet library ALL day I miss Rich too much throughout the week, and family time is scarce. Wow, that sounds like poor me...but I really don't mean it that way. My point is, I don't have a lot of time here and want to get back to my family.

Anyway, if I could upload pictures I would include, My FIRST Thanksgiving dinner that I cooked myself! I will add them later when I can but they will be old news by then:). But it was something I was proud of because I know I can pull off a Thanksgiving dinner now! My kids even ate it! For 4 days we ate leftovers (that was how I could justify doing the whole thing) and it was great! It was just the four of us. We have never been alone on Thanksgiving, and although we missed having more family around, we still had the best day. It really felt like Thanksgiving too. Our kids are starting to understand holidays so much more and that makes everything feel so special. It's fun to have traditions with our own family and see our children get so excited!

So speaking of Holidays, the day after Thanksgiving we decorated the house with Christmas decorations. I love this time of year. Julien is so precious; he is so enthusiastic about the holidays! We took the kids to see Santa at the mall and I took some pictures on my digital camera (another post I would have included). Julien was in disbelief that Santa was actually at the mall. He kept saying, "I can't believe Santa is here, Mom!" Then afterward he kept saying, wasn't that so nice of Santa to come here?! That was just so nice!" He asked Santa for one thing and that was a set of bowling pins. I found a set at Family Dollar for $5 today and bought them before they sold out! I love how inexpensive their little wishes are! As for Jonah, once again, he ran away, frightened, but Richie was able to talk him into to going near Santa for a minute while I took a picture. I don't know what the deal is!
We are really looking forward to Christmas! Tonight we are going to our ward Christmas party. We are excited. I just love doing things like that throughout the month of December! Last night I took the boys to watch a little Christmas concert at a retirment home. They were preschoolers- 2nd graders and you could imagine how precious they were! My mother in law has a sister who lives here in Pocatello and she created this singing school from her home twenty something years ago and now its pretty huge. She wants Julien to start in January and we hope he will because it will be really good for him.

Other than that, for those who don't know, we moved into our own place, just outside of Pocatello. We really like it so far besides the fact that it's sooo cold! Our ward is awesome! We live a block away from the library so we come here all the time...that may sound boring but we love it! We also go to the mall all the time so the kids can play at the indoor playground there. And anytime I can be at the mall, doesn't matter what I am doing, I'm a happy camper!

So there is a little update on us. Things are going well! I hope everyone is doing well too!

News (sort of)

Well, we aren't quite back. I no longer have the internet on my phone. I'm at the library right now. I am temporarily closing my blog down until we fix our computer and get the internet again. I don't know how long it will be until I get those things done. Sorry it took forever to get this thing private and to take your email addresses off of my blog! Hope everyone is doing well!!

Going Private

So first off, I just want to apologize for the lack of commenting on all of your blogs. I am currently without a computer, except for tonight. I have the internet on my phone, but it doesn't allow me to view pictures or post comments, so until then, just know that I can still read it, but just can't comment. I know you are all devestated. Anyway, just love my friends and didn't want any of you to think I forgot about you:).

Topic #2...Jonah's potty update. I wish I could say Jonah is 100% potty trained, but we aren't quite there. Almost though. He was much harder to potty train than Julien was. The stickers worked pretty good for about 2 days and after that they were mainly good for the sole purpose of showing dad his accomplishments when he got home. I tried to stay away from rewarding with treats. I guess the stickers and my overly excited praises and jumping up and down didn't do much for Jonah. So yes, I resorted to M&Ms. They work! Or should I say now HE works for them! I give him one M&M after he pees in the potty and he savors it for as long as he can; until his little hand turns the color of the candy, and I make him eat it. He loves chocolate to he has been working hard to earn it. Going POOP ( we love that word) on the potty earns him about 4 M&M's so that is motivating for him. So I know you all love hearing about this! I'm sure if you're a mom, it doesn't phase you. But I am proud to announce that there has not been one accident on any furniture at all, or carpet! Yes, that is an accomplishment!

Topic #3 OUR BLOG IS GOING PRIVATE
I'm not sure when we will be making this private, but I'm thinking maybe a few weeks. Since I don't have a computer right now, I don't know when I will be able to make that official, but anyhow, if I don't already have your email address and if you would like an invitation to read our blog, then please let me know and leave me your email address. If you would rather do it through myspace or facebook, that's fine too:)

Until I have a computer again, ta ta.

It's time...

Well, it's time for Jonah to be potty trained. I've put it off because I dread this and I didn't want to chance it and train him too early and it not work. So I am really hoping he is ready now. He just started after we got home from an appointment a half hour ago. I prepared over the last couple of days for this, doing laundry because he will probably be peeing through a lot, getting myself organized so I will be able to focus on him for 1-2 weeks (hoping it won't take longer than that!).

I made him a sticker chart for when he goes....

Got the little potty ready for him...

So this is Jonah with his big boy underwear on.

Getting used to underwear...

And trying to take them off...

He is just posing in these pictures...see, his underwear is still on...and actually, so far (because I've been interrupted 3 times now for him to go potty-while writing this post) he would rather stand up and pee than sit down, which makes for a gross mess do to his lack of aim.

Picking out his first sticker...

He's proud!
Since I started this post, he now has 4 stickers on his potty chart. He is still dry (it's only been about 40 minutes...but still!), and he is very excited! His potty sings songs when he goes and lights up, so it's like a new toy to him! I am half excited but half anxious about all the messes I will be dealing with over the next while. But when it's all done, it will be well worth it and no more diaper changing! It's hard to believe both of my boys are getting so big! Wish us luck!!!

Survey

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My mom had an old friend named Vanessa. I met her once because we were both in the Camarillo Christmas parade one year (me for gymnastics and she was Miss Camarillo). That's all I know about her.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
About two weeks ago.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING ?
It's okay.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey

DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Two boys and hopefully we will be blessed with more.

DO YOU TALK A LOT?
It depends on who I am with. Sometimes I barely talk and other times I talk too much. I'm going to stop talking too much, it never benefits me like I think it might.

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
yes

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
No, I don't do thrill seeking

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Crunchy Corn Bran

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
In some ways yes, in other ways not yet.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Huckleberry Heaven, chocolate with peanut butter, strawberry cheesecake chunk, and many more.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their countenance or if they are really loud of course I will notice that first.

RED OR PINK?
Red

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
That some people think I'm a snob because of what my blank face looks like...I don't mean to be, but for some reason my blank look looks like a frown.

WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My dad, sister, grandpa.

WHAT COLOR PANTS ARE YOU WEARING?
wearing a pink skirt.

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Turkey, funeral potatoes, and green beans

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
A commerical with oldies songs on it.

IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
green

FAVORITE SMELLS?
Babies, baby breath, my kids, sexy cologne, and dinner cooking that I didn't have to make.

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Jeane, a lady who is going to teach me how to sew next week!

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
GYMNASTICS!!!

HAIR COLOR?
Brown with blonde highlights but desperately needing a touch up.

EYE COLOR?
blue

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
no

FAVORITE FOOD?
American Food

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings. I stopped watching scary movies because they made me paranoid.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Probably "High School Musical"...can't wait till the 3rd one comes out!

SUMMER OR WINTER?
If I'm in St. George, winter. CA, both.

HUGS OR KISSES?
Both

FAVORITE DESSERT?
Ice cream or homemade cookies

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
"If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't be Hard," and "God Wants a Powerful People," both by Sheri Dew.

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
This is a laptop, no mouse pad

WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST LAST NIGHT?
A little bit of the news about Hurricane Ike.

FAVORITE SOUND?
Tabernacle Choir, my kids laughing, Jonah's sweet voice, Julien praying or helping his brother with something, and babies cooing are my favorite sounds.

ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Used to be a huge fan of both, but I over played them, and now I don't listen to them much. But I would say the Beatles for sure.

WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Hawaii

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
We all do.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Camarillo, CA

Today

Today my boys were outside for hours and hours. Grandpa had the day off and he spent a lot of time working in the yard, so the boys followed him around and helped him. He took them on the ATV too and they had a blast. I wish I took a picture of them zooming across the yard because in this picture they were stopped, but you can still see how much fun they were having.

Daddy's day off

Rich had the day off yesterday so we headed to a local lake to go fishing and hang out for a couple of hours. Julien and Rich mainly fished, while I relaxed watching all them, and Jonah played in the sand...although it doesn't look like it here with Jonah and Rich fishing..I just took these pictures at the last second. The weather was great until we left it got cloudy and windy. Jonah's first fishing lesson.

It's a whopper!!!!!! Okay, just kidding, it's fake, we didn't have any luck that day.

Julien, showing me his dirty hands.

Country Livin'

So, as I have mentioned before we live out in the middle of no where...okay, we have some neighbors, but pretty much. We are adapting to the country life. Rich's dad has two acres, so my kids are loving the freedom they have to just run around with the dogs and explore. Their favorite thing to do is to feed/play with the dogs. Sometimes I have to give Jonah two baths a day because he will come in covered (and I mean covered) in dirt or sand. It's a great life out here for little boys.

This is half of the deck, the rest wraps around the rest of the house. Dad, come visit me, this is right up your alley:).

This is one of the views from the deck...most of this is their back yard.

See this little bridge Julien is crossing here (above), well that same day Jonah was crossing it and fell in the hole on Julien's left......this is the hole (pictured below) where I found poor little Jonah face down screaming crying. He came out with just a little scratch on his arm...it mainly scared him. It may be hard to see how deep it is.

But see, he is fine!

Grandpa's glasses

The other day the boys came to me wearing these glasses they had found. I couldn't help but take some pictures! Excuse the p.j.s and dirty shirts! Hehe, too funny!

Where I want to be...

Well, here is my new niece, the one I mentioned in the post below. Yep, that's where I want to be right now! I want to be holding her, and snuggling with her and kissing her cute squishy cheeks. I am dreaming of the day I can! She is so cute!!!

I'm way over due for a baby...but for now...

Last night while I was sleeping at 12:30 am, I got a text from my sister saying that her water broke and they were going to the hospital. She wasn't due for another month, so it was really a surprise. I later got a few other messages with her progress. So finally today at 6:20 am, my new niece, Avery Berlyn, was born. I'm going crazy because I've only been able to talk to my sister briefly this morning and I'm not sure when I will be able to get out there to see her. Her and the baby are both doing great. The neat thing about her being born today was that my grandpa passed away exactly one year ago today...and Avery was a whole month early! I don't have a picture right now, but I will post some later. I can't wait to meet her!!! I'm seriously more baby hungry than I have ever been. My sister in law just had a baby girl last week too, and between my two new nieces, I just dying for a baby..but for now I will just enjoy these adorable baby girls! CONGRATULATIONS TO WES AND LORISA! Love you guys so much!!!

Goodbye to the BEST neighborhood ever!

So we have moved again. We are temporarily living with Rich's Dad and Step mom in Idaho. We live in the middle of nowhere, so it's lucky that I got good enough connection to do these blog posts today. So, back to we moved........we moved from the best ward and neighborhood ever. We had been in that ward for a little over 2 years. But our neighborhood.... never have I seen a more friendly, active neighborhood in my life. Every time I stood in my kitchen, doing my dishes, I could easily spy on all of our friends.:) Everyone was always outside. Sometimes at night the adults would gather outside and talk till late at night/early morning. I will miss everyone so much, and always hope their families are well. Here are pictures from our last night hanging out with our neighbors...a few of them brought treats over and the guys played croquet.
A few of our neighbors...

Adam (side note: that is water on his shirt, not sweat:)), Rich, & Matt.

MaryKatheryn, me, and Aubrie (also water, not sweat, on her shirt...they were laughing about that being in the pictures). Miss you girls!

Playtime

Here are some of Julien and Jonah's buddies, Caleb and Trevor. We had them over for a bit right before we moved (yes, we moved again). We will miss them like crazy and their awesome parents too:(. But thank goodness for blogs, so we can see them grow up!

Julien, Caleb, Trevor, & Jonah.

My Dad's Visit (part 2)

Last September my grandpa passed away. It was a sad time for our family. My grandparents had 10 kids (and no, they aren't even Mormon;))! I grew up always getting together with my family. My grandparents lived just 10 minutes away. At one point my Dad, my sister and I moved in with my grandparents for a couple of years. It was a huge blessing to us in many ways. I am grateful for that time I had with them, and many of my memories of my grandpa are from that time. It isn't the same without my grandpa around. We miss him. Like, I said, my grandparents had 10 kids....8 boys and 2 girls! You can imagine how loud our family gets...but it's always fun! So this year, in honor of my grandpa, the guys started a tradition. My grandpa loved to play golf, so this year we held the "First Annual Pliny Mier Memorial Golf Tournament." Each year the sons will take turns hosting the tournament. This year it was hosted by my youngest uncle, Greg, and was held in Las Vegas, NV. Since my dad was already in St. George, UT with us, we drove down to Vegas for that. The tournament was at a golf course that my grandpa had worked at just years ago. After the tournament, the rest of us that were in town met the guys for a banquet/lunch. We were missing most of the women and children from our family, but most of the guys were there, along with some family friends. It was good food and good fun, can't wait for next year!My grandpa

This year's host, my uncle Greg.

Rich recieving his longest drive award.

My cousin Luke..Julien..my cousin Lauren..& Jonah.

Rich, Bro in law-Wes, and just a few of my cousins: Mike, Zack, Lewis, Johnny, and James

The oldest of the ten, my dad!

Me and my grandma! Love her!

Here is a portion of our family...hopefully next year everyone else will be able to be there!

My Dad's Visit

My Dad flew from Texas to see us a little over a week ago. I hadn't seen my dad since Christmas (way too long) so it was really nice to see him! It was a short visit but we still had fun! I'm so glad I got some quality time with him. Here are some pictures from the weekend...Grandpa's arrival!!!Dad took us out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse! Thanks Dad! (gotta love that shot of Rich).

More pictures to come....