Oh boy, what a week! I'm SO glad I went to the temple Friday night last week. We knew a storm was coming but it didn't even cross my mind that Isaac would have to drive in it from the little condo we rented to the temple. He did and that went fine but coming back as he pulled into the parking lot he got stuck in a snow drift! (I would have a picture if it had been a little closer to our condo, or if the wind hadn't been blowing but no pic was worth it. Too dang cold.) So we had to wait it out until they came and plowed the driveway of the Villas. Thankfully they were very understanding and it wasn't a big deal to them that we were there an hour and a half past checkout time. And I'll be honest, it was pretty fun getting to watch a little college basketball too. They kids though had kind of reached that cooped up, too much TV, up too late, breaking point. UG they were just fighting a bickering and I was ready to pull my hair out before we got out of there. Isaac when he was at the temple had heard about the sleigh rides. I was NOT in the mood to go do something fun with the kids after I'd dealt with 50 fights and them just being naughty and mean so I was like no way, get your buckles on we're going home. And of course they whined like crazy, but Isaac just said "Mom said 'no' you guys haven't been good." True. I defended my position with "Look I'm not against doing fun things but we can't when your behavior stinks." So then of course we get the "We'll be good promises." Bla bla bla famous last words. But bottom line is we went by to check on the horses. A few more promises and of course we were going for it. AND I admit I'm so glad we did. It was so stink'n fun. (And Cold) But I'd never been on a sleigh ride! It was awesome, it really just glided right through the snow, so FUN!
Now having said that we were going out through the trees and Isaac stood up (I had no idea what he was up to or I would have pushed him right of the sleigh!) But he proceeded to grab a branch and shake snow all over the rest of us in behind him in the sleigh. I was TICKED. He wasn't the one who had to deal with crying colt wet faced Tanner. And I was so embarrassed that he did it because the people behind us were NOT happy. He thought it was funny. NOT FUNNY. Maybe telling the story is not good because its making me mad again. We've really got to work on his sense of humor.
My phone literally had 1% of battery but I was so glad it hung on for these pics!! I didn't take a charger because we have one in the van...but then Isaac had the van and then it was stuck--anyway, dead phone. I took a couple more pics with my little point and shoot camera but it was also on the tail end of battery and I don't know where I even put it.

After our sleigh ride we went over to the Visitors Center and had hot chocolate and candy canes. The boys loved that, then watched a movie about Nauvoo in the little theater. It was fun. But then it really was time to head home!

I didn't like the way the roads looked but it didn't seem to bother Isaac. So I just closed my eyes and tried to go to sleep, so I don't have to see it when I think he's going too fast, and it all worked out. When we got home we pulled up to this. 

He had to hike in, get the tractor and then clear the driveway-and he still had to pull us up in the van. My only job was to turn the van around (because of course we had to come in from the top side on the dirt road to see what it was like. It wasn't good. But then we were facing the wrong way to be able to get a run at the driveway. When I did turn around I completely slid twice but luckily I was able to reverse up the road enough then come on to our dirt road at a straight shot but YIKES! I had 2/3 kids sleeping. (Tan was the one awake.) Isaac's phone was on the seat next to me and I'd just driven the half mile down the dirt road away from him. I was sweating bullets, and praying hard. When we did get back we still had to wait a good 20 minutes for him to get the driveway "cleared". But  lived to tell about it! Good enough. 

I don't remember anything too exciting about Sunday, the boys and I were late for church I HATE that but with the weather it was worth it to stay safe. That night we had a fireside with the missionaries about sharing the gospel through social media. It was good. We had our Cann Man praying for the Chiefs but to no avail. Well they did tie it up after one of his prayers. I guess that was good. I love his faith. Kindof  tough to explain that I don't thing Heavenly Father really cares who wins an NFL game to the 7 year old-who's friends care waaaaay too much about it. (We didn't even watch it but were guilty of checking the scores.) Then Cannon asked "Did Andy Ried go to church today?"..."Well bud, I don't know, but we know that is what we should do on Sunday."

Anyway, I don't know. Monday was MLK day so the boys didn't have school. We had a much anticipated play date with the missionaries (their p day) and their nerf guns planned. They boys were pretty excited but we got there and they had their guns but no bullets. So we were back to kickball and 4 square but still had fun. And really they still played with the guns a little bit. 

Tan (in my spot on the bed) showing me he needs his hand wiped. That's chapstick in his other hand. It was EVERYWHERE! I got him a paper towel and he was zonked out in 30 seconds. Crazy kid. 

Tuesday we they canceled school lots of rain on top of snow packed roads, but we figured the roads (in town) were fine by the afternoon so we went ahead with basketball as it was a chance to get out of the house. Coming home I got the 4 wheel drive truck stuck in the driveway!I'm still learning how to drive in this nonsense. I was just trying to carefully slowly go up, but I should have given it a little gas so we'd have had a shot. As I tried to got back down for another run I backed into one of the snow banks. So dumb. But the boys and I hiked in and let Isaac solve it later. He got the truck out no problem but little green... Not so much. So we put the tablets up to tending and I went out to help him. But the tractor trick wasn't cutting it. So he had to pull me back down the hill instead. Ultimately he parked at the bottom of the driveway that day. But we made a few runs at it first. I actually learned a lot riding with him. And it was fun...I guess we'll call it a date. Ha. At one point as we were spinning backwards I asked "Did you mean to turn around?" he said "hmmm I guess so." Ok then. 

It was a good laugh, we parked at the bottom and rode the tractor up. And he stayed out and cleared the driveway a little better. I was sweating bullets though, my parents were flying in the next day. My dad had knee surgery less than 6 weeks ago and I couldn't even get up the driveway in the only 4 wheel drive vehicle we have!! I hadn't told the boys they were coming. But Wednesday they canceled school again. Perfect. Until their flight also got canceled. Stupid freezing rain. They were stuck in STL.  I was still tight lipped not telling the boys but trying to tell Isaac their flight had been canceled so maybe taking Cannon in with him wasn't a good idea because I wouldn't be going in at 11:00 to get him. Anwyay, he kindof spilled the beans. Cannon was so excited-it was cute. (Cuz last he knew the Dr. wouldn't let Grampa travel but really the it was the physical therapist but the Dr. was fine with it so they went for it. But anyway. Cann  said "Can I tell Colton?!?!!" And then they told Tanner and they were amped up. When 11:00 hit when they would have gotten here, Colt said "They could be here and be spoiling us by now!" Ha. They know the drill.  Anyway as it was they waited for 3 hours before they found out it was canceled. NO cars to rent.  No sleep cuz they had flown through the night.  It was a disaster. We ended up tapping into our med student friends. Had them catch an Uber over to our good friends the Keelers and have a nap before they could get on a later flight into Kirkville. I feel like we got ripped off of one of the days they were going to be here--but they would have had to nap anyway, really I'm just thankful they made it safe. We LOVE it when Grama and Grampa come!! We're having a blast. Lot of snuggles, somebody's gotta keep them warm!  (Grama and Grampa might be freezing. Last night it got down to -8 they've ended up here some COLD DAYS!) I'm just thankful they come-even when its so rotten cold!! We definitely feel loved!!

 

 

And oh boy, countless games of UNO, Grama and Grampa are sports about it! Projects (Letters and numbers with clay for Colt, and for me my new book case. I LOVE IT!)

Too many treats (yum...I swear the boys LOVE to go to the store with Grama cuz she says yes SO MUCH MORE than me. I guess that's a grandparents prerogative.) Too much screen time. And of course lots of Tickle Monster.

 

We are loving it. We're so glad they came. 

(oh and no problems -so far-coming up the driveway-phew)

Coming up tomorrow basketball: Should be fun. 

A few pics from last week.

So I got pics but not necessarily in order. Here's a little Sunday Selfie. I took for a profile pic (PRIXM??? Heard of it?)  Anyway I didn't use it so I'll post it here-good enough. Then we were working on shooting form. Colt looks pretty good...but it just gets worse from there. I'll keep trying as long as he will. 

Here is the Bishop man snow blowing in his suit. And the fight in the truck. Documented.

The snow man we built Saturday night while Isaac tried to clear the driveway for so we could get to church. Then Monday's fun. Notice Brittney (our neighbor) going all out giving the boys a shove down the hill. 

I think Tan got a little hot in his jammies. 

And we finally tired to clear a walk way...I had to control how much salt Tan put down somehow so we made him a little shaker out of an old Mayo bottle.

Stink’n blogger won’t let me upload pics. 

Lame.

Oh well, at some point all the snow pics just start looking all the same. 

I’ll figure it out eventually though. We had a snowy weekend were we just stayed at the house. Before church Isaac and Cannon went and helped clear snow then he actually came back home to get us so I didn’t have to drive in that in the van. (Great plan until after when he had things going on and I was trying to rein in the herd.) The week before Tanner almost got hit by a car in the parking lot-so close! It was AWFUL. So this Sunday as soon as I set him down he went running outside by himself so I had to chase him down, then wrestle the little beast until Isaac was done. It was No small task! On they way home we gave Jeff a ride and Isaac gave him the snow blower Bro Gilchrist had given us. Then as we pulled up Jeff’s neighbor was out shoveling so Isaac unloaded the snowblower and went to work. A good chance to show Jeff how to run it.  The boys and I waited in the truck and they were like what’s he doing it’s Sunday but it led to a good discussion on how the Savior helped people on Sunday  and the Pharisees had a fit about it. Anyway it was good but of course they ended up just fighting. Ug I hate fighting. 

Monday we had our neighbors over to go sledding. Super fun, but a late night to start the week. Tuesday Basketball, Wednesday young men’s, not much Thursday except Isaac was shopping for motorcycles on Craigslist and he made the mistake of asking me how I would feel about one. I answered he didn’t want to know and it would have been better to just leave it at that but we didn’t. Ug, whoops. 

Tonight we are in Nauvoo. I got to go to the temple tonight, that was nice! Isaac will go tomorrow. The kids love staying over here—mostly because of the 3 TVs. Cannon keeps telling me “mom! dad wants a tv, he really wants a tv he’s been watching it the whole time.” Haha! I say he can buy one if he wants but I’m not! 

Without pics that’s about all I can remember. 

Friday night after blogging I didn’t even get to sleep before Tanner woke up and coughed until he puked...it was that kind of night. Ug! 

I’m pretty sure I’ve been tired and haven’t slept well and have been fighting my own sickness since. Oh well. 

Saturday we had a basketball kindof day. Colt had a birthday party for a primary friend so the Moody’s helped us out so he could go to that and Isaac would get to watch Cann play. Tan was my photographer... 

But lucky for me Cannon’s teammate/best buddy this year in school, Isaac, his mom loves to take pictures and does an AWESOME job. Ok Tan, you’re off the hook 😉 I love these!! 

And he tells me he does shoot with one hand...we’ll work on it! 

Oh one cool thing after basketball and having it on my brain Saturday I randomly remembered Cannons shirt I made him for the state game back in 2012... I thought it was so silly that he picked Cosmos number but, I guess he’s been 00 for a long time :) Fun huh? 
And was he really ever that small? Time goes fast!! 

Sunday was good I can’t remember anything too exciting. 

Monday I was driving down to get Colt from school and I heard this crashing sound said “What was that?” And Tanner answered “It were me!” I turned around to see his cars seat between the two captains chairs! As I hurried to pull over I asked if he was okay and when he said yeah I figured I might as well take two seconds to document it. 

He obviously wasn’t any worse for wear, and he asked if we could do it again sometime -but I said no- and now try to make sure the seat is actually strapped in. I honestly don’t know if it didn’t get done up or if he undid it-could be either. 

Monday was also super fun in a Christmas continues kind of way. 2nd Grade has been crazy to me as Cannon has become very brand aware. Seriously? He’s 7! I remember being in middle school when I got my first pair of Nikes, they were basketball shoes. I guess there were other brands in 6th grade I was aware of, but didn’t have, but 2nd grade? Good grief! At any rate Under Armour is what’s cool at school and he loves it. So for Christmas Santa hooked him up with a couple things but Santa obviously doesn’t know his size! So the little tights things that they wear under shorts (why???? But it’s what he wanted) well they weren’t tights at all, just looked like baggy thermal underwear. Then he wanted to wear them as regular pants I was like “no way!” So because we don’t have many stores around here we sent Grama on a little errand looking for some. Well she didn’t find them but she did find a pretty good cache of after Christmas deals the boys got a pkg in the mail Monday with an under armour loot. They were pretty excited, they loved it! and it was a fun little vicarious shopping trip for me too.  

I find a lot of pictures on my phone like this the one below from Colt my little creator. He says “I just don’t like to destroy it before I get a picture mom!” Ha-ok. I also had to take a picture of him watching a movie on the computer with Cann. He didn’t want to miss anything but if it’s at all scary...or he perceives it as scary I really don’t let them watch sketchy stuff! He is up ready to bolt if he needs too. It’s going to be hazardous getting through all those fort cushions when he runs. (Also note Isaac in the background-he’s had a rough week too, Tuesday I told him he looked tired and he said “I think I’m getting sick.” And he was. And that guy sleeps when he is sick!! Or tired...Sometimes when I am up all night with kids or just so so tired I have a hard time not getting really jealous. He says “just sleep” but I can’t when there are things I think need to be done. 

Also Tuesday was garbage day. R.I.P $3 yard sale Christmas tree we bought in Mississippi. Oh boy it more than did it’s time. Should have been tossed years ago, but once we finally replaced it then the boys wanted it in their room. When setting it up this time I vowed, never again! 
Wednesday we finally took the chance to meet up with Mrs Hardee. It was so good to see her! Of course she had a craft they could do. Colt was in Heaven and has said “If we just lived next door to her I could go get a craft any time I needed one. She and I had a good -although disjointed-conversation! 


Sometimes Tan just needs his hoop a little higher! And my little artists! 

Part of why I didn’t finish the blog post last night was because on top of Basketball practice and feeding the Missionaries last, I signed up to help with babysitting for the med schools prom. Shoot me! But no one was signing up and the girl organizing it just got baptized last month and I didn’t want her to feel not supported...it wasn’t a church thing but they were using the church. (Probably a mistake, I’m not sure Bishop Ison would ok it again...) My shift started at 8:00 (too late just for the record! All the members had picked their kids up by 9:00 but there was the tiredest little red eyed 18 month old wandering around at 10:00 and there were still two kids there when I left at 10:30! That’s just crazy! Oh and there were still two adults there we just decided there was no need for 4 of us to stay!) anyway!!! I hadn’t been there 2 minutes when a kid pulled the fire alarm. As soon as I heard it I said “_______ Just pulled that.” And I was exactly right. My friend who was on the 8:00 shift with me walked in as the cops were showing up and said “Hundred bucks says says it was _______” And she too was exactly right! She is the one who look this pic, the mom of the kids posted it on FB so I felt fine about stealing it. But I totally made him talk to the officer! Which you can see how well it went he’s covering his ears. 
It might not look like it but the officer was SOOOO nice! I was like come on man-not what I was going for. But then the cop who is the fire guy came—totally our neighbor Ray! He’s awesome we love him. But he ended up having to talk to him too and I think he was a little more stern, (I heard) I at that point was on the phone with the facilities management guy (I had also had to call Isaac, the fire dept, and dispatch) Who was telling me Salt Lake had to be notified -but actually Ray did that as part of his report-bottom line it was a pain in the butt.

The only other news from the week was there was a big snow storm forecast for last night-I think they totally overreacted and panick but...I guess maybe they know better than me. They let school out 2 hours early (botched me getting nap😏) and the school district wouldn’t let them use the gyms for the Basketball tournament either yesterday or today (Sat) it was a Fri Sat Sun tourney and we knew that we would miss Sunday when we signed up but we were so excited when the brackets came out and the whole tournament for 1st/2nd grade was on Sat. But with the snow cancelation they moved the whole thing to Sunday. Bummer. 

I’m happy we got into the Schuyler County league— Otherwise basketball  would just be over. 

Guess that’s about it! 

We’ll probably play in the snow today :)

A great week

Not a lot of pics but I feel like we've had a really good week-and that's a great way to start the new year right? I really don't remember what we did last Saturday while Isaac was gone...survived...we'll call it a win. Sunday was we bid farewell to the 3 hour block. We've tried really hard to implement Come Follow Me in our own little family. I've felt of how awesome it is...and we've struggled. Definitely a mix. But we will press on we know the promises are sure, and worth the effort. And the little glimpses of pretty neat.
Monday we Isaac went into work, and about noon I called and said "Sooo when were you coming home?" Its crazy cuz sometimes I'm ready for him to go back too (Ha--truth, right?) But I should give him credit for rescuing me too! We decided to meet at the church and play basketball. But I forgot the clamp for the lower hoop--and the missionaries were there for P-day. So we ended up playing a mean came of kickball with one of those giant Yoga balls. It was pretty fun. Tuesday we celebrated the new year...by it being a normal day! We did play basketball and I had 9 little boys down at the church-only 3 members. Colt got to spend time with dad and they made a Walmart run but I think he had fun with the one on one time. Tan marched around the gym blowing his whistle. The basketball kids we great and I taught them the fine art of 3 on 3 on 3...it was a little bit for mostly 2nd graders to wrap there heads around going one way, then the other, but once they figured it out they loved it.
Isaac had read about some ancestor who tried to do a little bit of anything they wanted to accomplish in the new year on new years day. (I might be butchering the story but anyway--) he's the most interesting of followers, because in most situations he's not a follower of all but after reading that he was all about it. So AFTER basketball when we got home at almost 5 he wanted to make sure he rode his Motorcycle, taught a little accounting, (I got to be the student) worked on a home repair, I can't remember what he did...but there are lots of  options around here. Ran on the treadmill, and he wants us to do a better job of going out on dates (Sweet right? Can't complain about that one--hoping is sticks!!) But  it was a little late for that so we cooked an apple pie he and Cannon had bought on sale at Aldi and enjoyed a slice together while the boys watched TV. I can't think of anything else right off the top of my head but that's a pretty good list when you don't start until 5!
Wednesday we celebrated our 9th anniversary (the days might go slow but the years sure go fast-9 years!) Anyway best thing was that we actually did go out on a date. Maybe the non "resolution" but things I want to accomplish things is working already. I did drop a few hints earlier because celebrating is important to me...and sometimes he still is figuring that out. For example when he went with the youth I said "Oh hey Mazie is a kid that always seems to be having fun, maybe she could help you plan something fun to do for our anniversary..."  But hey-it worked! We got a babysitter and went to dinner!! And after dinner we went to Home Depot at bought a mirror for our bathroom!!! 6 months without! But its up now!!! Wahoo. And he had said before "Oh, our Anniversary is on Wednesday I have YM's" So we didn't have a ton of time but we made it happen. Even as I type this I think...he's probably doesn't know how big of deal that was, but it was and just a way better way to start the year than doing nothing to celebrate us. Also my friend Dennise whose husband also teaches always like to sneak away to lunch while the guys don't have school. We also got Salwa to come but Wednesday was the only day we could make work so not only did Isaac take me to dinner, he babysat while I went to lunch. I don't know if I made breakfast for not but overall a no cooking day! It was awesome! A very happy anniversary indeed!
Thursday Cannon and Colt had school. Its like I count down until they go back then I miss'm. Make up my mind right? Tan and I did run quite a few errands that morning, then I even took Colt with us to Hobby Lobby and Walmart after we picked him up. Even 2 kids in a store is SO MUCH easier than 3!!! I have 2 hands they can hold on to! And today was another basketball day. We're still slowly taking down Christmas. I guess we kind of let the season last all year round in the mess kind of way. Oh well.
I'll throw a few pics on the bottom here, but that's pretty much it.

Kickball vs the Missionaries was exhausting. Oh and I forgot Tan and I built the trundle bed this week! 

Colt our little crafter made Isaac a necklace with an I on it. Kinda looks like a stick figure. 🤣 then just a Tanner selfie. 

Oh boy Cann gets excited about working on the “hydrolic arm” grapple thing Santa left with his dad. But what a pain in the rear!!! Santa botched that one! Good thing Isaac has the patience of Job! Cann doesn’t get too excited about Tanners help. 

Tanner LOVES going to work with dad, screen time jackpot! When I got there to pic him up I was told in no uncertain terms to “go back away”  



Good thing I had a dum dum to lure him away. Colt cashed in on the 90% off Christmas art supplies! He was in heaven! 

And we play hoops, build forts, and try to enjoy life. 







I found out reading the principals weekly email about Cannons caught being good award-good job buddy!!!