The most amazing vacation ever!!!!

Ryan and I just got back from Cancun. It was the best Vacation ever. 6 full days with just Ryan, no computer, phone ect. Just us sitting on the beach enjoying each other while eating all the yummy food and tropical drinks we could stuff ourselves with.

The pictures are a little out of order but I just picked some of my favorite moments to share.

Our Hotel. The Sun Palace. An adults only all inclusive resort. Truly amazing!!

We spent a day shopping. This is the mall. It was fun to see all the different things that are there and not in the states. Mostley giant bottles of alcohol..

Ryan drug me here. The flea market in the states is bad enough. The one in Mexico is unbelieveable. They are brutal and get right in your face pulling you into their store, and it stunk. I couldn't wait to get out of there. For some strange reason Ryan loves these things. I think it's the sales man in him and he likes to barter. We did end up getting some shirts but mine and Josh's ended up being too small.

If you ever wonder why there would be a sign that tells you to touch at your own risk. Don't be tempted to touch like me. I picked up some candy and it had sticky stuff all over it. Smelly sticky stuff. And I had no water to wash my hands. Using the bathroom in the flea market was out of the question. So I had to walk around with sticky hands for a while.


Their city bus. We hoped on this thing almost every day. It was a crazy adventure. They don't really stop, you jump on and try to sit down while it's moving and then jump off at your stop. If they make it to your stop. Twice they just said get off the bus and we were way far away from our hotel. But it was all part of the adventrue.

Again Ryan doing his bartering and getting some Oakley glasses. This guy was also selling marijuana and cigars. Isn't that crazy?

The iguana's in Mexico are like our squirrel. They are everywhere. We learned that the Myan people eat Iguana. This bad boy could feed a family of 5 very nicley. Yum Yum.

The pool at Ixu-pu. They took us here after we saw the Myan ruins. We were not big fans of this place the food was terrible. But it had a zoo and a nice pool so that was fun.

The next three are of the Myan ruins. It was so cool to see them. And having our Church background it was even better to see the scriptures come to life. I was amazed at how sturdy these building were and how much of them were still standing. There was such an amazing spirit there. Ryan and I had a great day checking these out and bringing that spiritual side into our trip.



On the tour bus.
It was a long ride. But we also got to see parts of Mexico we wouldn't have. Most of the houses had bars in the windows and have been spray painted. And they were very tiny. It really makes you greatful for what you have. I was so impressed at how nice the people were. They were so happy to have a job and help you in any way that they could. Here we were in this amazing hotel a place where they work and then then have to go home to houses with no running water, eletricity ect. What humble people.

The only picture we took of us all dressed up for dinner. That was fun at night to get all fancy and go to an amazing dinner. We ordered so much food we left every night so stuffed.

We spent a day at Wet and Wild. It was a great place to people watch. Again all the food and drinks were included. So we just laid out, had drinks and tons of yummy taco's and ice cream and went on some rides. A very fun relaxing day.

Our Room. I LOVED IT!!!! At night they would come in a turn down your bed, give you some chocolate, turn on some music and decorate the towls into some kind of animal by the jacuzzi tub. It was so nice to walk in to. The best part was I didn't clean a thing it was all taken care of every day for me.

The next two was of our little walking up the beach adventrue. We walked for more then 4 miles up to the other resorts. Some places were a little tricky and I completely fell on a slippery rock in front of a ton of people. But all in all it was so nice to walk up the beach with the ocean crashing at your feet. I loved this day.


This is where we spent 80% of our time. Just sitting out on the beach relaxing. AHH paradise!

The view from our hotel balcony.

A trip I'll never forget.
And a HUGE THANK YOU!!! To Grandma and Grandpa J. for taking such good care of the kids. I sure missed them.

As a side note I did get my goal of losing 10% of my body weight before we left. And to my suprise I only gained 2 lbs while in Mexico. We did do alot of walking but even more eating so I was shocked!!!

Everybody dance now.

The other day we were all sitting down at the dinner table, and the two older boys were fighting (like usual) it was getting heated and I was just about to jump in when Gavin beat me to it. He stood up in his chair and sang "everybody dance now." and started dancing. We all just busted out laughing. It was so cute. Gavin and Josh love to Jam out to that song. Here is a little video of it.


Yes Gavin still thinks his name is Hair.

100th day of school

Yesterday was the boys 100th day of school. I love their school they do so many fun things. Josh had to decorate a shirt with 100 items. He picked happy faces. And then they had a parade around the school. It is amazing when you see a little more then 200 kindergartners march around. I'm always impressed with the order the teachers have with the kids. Then they had a mini carnival where they went to different stations and did 100 things. I helped out with the snack where we had 10 treats and they were supposed to get 10 of each to equal 100. It wore me out. I was the hand sanitizing Nazi. (perfect job for me) and had every kid cough, and sneeze one me, so I pray that I don't get sick. Josh had such a good time. He's such a fun kid. Poor Trevor was mad that 3rd graders didn't get a party instead they got to write their spelling words 100 times or do 100 math problems. He wasn't a big fan of the 100th day of school needless to say.
I love that I can help out. It's so fun seeing the boys at school. Trevor shocked me and came up and gave me a huge hug. Granted it was because he wanted some skittles. But hey he's never wants anything to do with us when we come to school. So if I get a hug for skittles I'll take it any day. They are such good kids at school. Trevor got on the AB honor roll this report card. And his teacher said he's a wonderful student. And Josh's teacher wrote what a delight Josh is in her class and how he's always so helpful. It makes me so proud. I guess it's better to have them be stinkers at home and good for everyone else. Although it would be nice if they listened to their Mom every now and then :)

Don't skunks hibernate?

Seriously don't skunks hibernate? Jake got sprayed again last night. It is freezing outside, and the smell is so unbearable that we can't bring him in. So we bathed him in some garbage sacks filled with hot water. It was delightful. This darn dog is going to be the death of me.
I couldn't stand how people were on top of us in Washington so the thought of living on a green belt felt like a breath of fresh air. Well the air isn't so fresh anymore. I would have never imagined experiencing the great out doors right in my own back yard. Between the skunks, wild hogs, cougar, snakes, scorpions, fire ants and freaky turkey vultures, I feel like our back yard is it's own zoo.
But it does keep life interesting that's for sure. I don't know what's worse teenagers that smoke pot in your back yard or turkey vultures eating a dear carcass??

Trevor's a Wolf

So this is the worst picture of me, I'm not to sure what's going on with my teeth in this one. But the only one that we got of Trevor so it will have to do.

Trevor got his 1st boys scout badge last night. He's excited to now be a wolf. He has such a CRAZY den with lots of boys but they have alot of fun. My biggest fear is to be called into the boy scout program!!! I'm very grateful for his troop leaders and all the people who go every week to help these boys out. Next up is the pine wood derby. Ryan is way excited for this one. He's already planning on how to help Trevor construct his car. It should be pretty interesting.

A night out.

Saturday was Ryan's holiday work party. Yes they have it after the holidays because they get a better turn out that way. It was at an amazing Restaurant Perrys Steak house down town Austin. It was fun to get dressed up and meet some of the interesting people that he works with. Things have been tense at his job lately with all the rumors that Microsoft was having a big lay offs. Luckily so far we are saved from any lay offs. Hopefully we will be safe for a very long time. :)
So this was a very nice night out. I'm always amazed at how much people drink. And it's always interesting that we are usually the only ones who don't. But people are always so respectful. It was so good to get out it's been a while and the kids had fun with the baby sitter.
I had told the babysitter that I want the kids in bed by 8:00 they were up early and all very tired. Trevor being the cleaver kid that he is told her that we haven't had the chance to change our clocks from daylight savings time and they were all 1 hr. behind. She said he was so convincing so she just looked on her cell phone for the real time. He's such a funny kid and always talking the babysitters into letting him do something he knows he's not supposed to do. I'm so grateful to have found such a fun babysitter for the boys, who wasn't out smarted this time. It makes going out a little easier for me. And I so much appreciate the time I get to be with my Wonderful husband.

Kids.

Trevor always wants a mohawk so I let him have one the other day. No we didn't leave the house.

With a new year comes a new class at Church. Both Trevor and Josh were excited for the change and couldn't wait to get the list of who was in their class.
Trevor saw the list and said to me.
"Mom I get to be a Violent A."
I'm not to sure what he thought that meant but he was excited. Unfortunately I quickly killed his excitement when I told him the word was in fact Valiant. Huge difference. Hopefully this year he will be Valiant and not Violent.


Josh always comes up with good one liners. And every day he makes me laugh. The other day after his bath he wanted me to clean out his ears. So while I was cleaning them there was a bit of wax on the q-tip after. He wanted to see it, so I showed it to him. He got this scared look on his face and then he ran away crying. After alot of convincing I finally got him to tell me what was wrong. And he said. "I needed that part of my brain."


Gavin and I love walking up to school on these beautiful days. We really take our time as he loves to look at the flowers, rocks ect. He is like Josh and very observant. Yesterday as we were walking up he stoped and ran up to the grass and said. "Hello weed how you doin?" I thought it was so sweet. He is such a delight to have around.

When you are a parent everyday there is a challenge that comes your way. With three boys I would say there is more then one challenge. But it's the little things that bring you such great joy and makes being a parent the best job on earth.

If I blog it maybe that will motivate me.

Ok so I think almost everyone's new year resolution has something to do with either eating healthy or losing weight. I have about 15 pounds left from my baby weight to lose and I've been in denial I guess because I just can't get motivated to lose it. I've joined this competition and don't want to lose $. Not to mention Ryan and I are finally going to Mexico for our 10 year anniversary that will now be our 12th. I don't want to be a Chunky monkey on the beach. So I need all the encouragement that I can get.So none of this you look great business. I will not post the before picture until I have the after picture to follow it up. So either I lose the weight or I die of embarrassment and disappointment because I have it now on my blog.

Waco Zoo

This one's for you Mom. Yes that's a huge snake. Not a place I would like to be if there was a natural disaster. Give me a Lion, or a Elephant any day over a SNAKE!!!

The cool slide that has you go under water to see the otters.

And a tree house slide how cool is that?

Checking out the map of where we want to go next.


We took the boys to the Waco zoo for the last day of their Winter break. The drive there was a bit dreadful. There is only dry boring land between here and Waco. Luckily it was only 80 miles away. We had so much fun. They had so many great things to keep the boys entertained. Gavin had a blast as he loves Monkeys and Elephants and they had two slides. He was in Heaven that kid adores slides. Josh loved any animal he saw and Trevor could of spent the whole day in the Reptile caves. We could of stayed there all day except we were not prepared for the weather to be so hot. And about died of Heat stroke. Who would of thought Jan. 3rd we should of wore shorts had tons of water and sunscreen on hand? I'm still not used to this weather. But I sure am loving it!!!!



Next time we are going here.

Unfortunately we got there just as it was closing. I don't know what it is about Factory's that always get us so excited. "how it's made is my family's favorite show." But I think it's pretty cool to learn how Dr. Pepper is made. And nothing is better then when it's FRESH FROM THE FACTORY!!!

Christmas 2008

Mom and Josh jamming out on Rock band. Notice I'm still in my pj's. It was no fun being sick on Christmas.

It's Dad and Trevor's turn

of all the toys Josh got he liked playing with Gavin's best.

Gavins remote control Airplane. He LOVED it!!!

Trevor got a doink it dart board to put in his room.

Josh is so easy to please. He is so excited to put on his Starwars sheets to make his room starwars land.

Santa left the boys a Electronic basketball double hoop game. Ryan and I were up until 2:00 putting it together. It was a nightmare. We were ready to call it quits after about 4 hrs into it, thinking we should tell the boys Santa had to leave because they woke up. But we stuck it out and the boys were very excited to have it. Now the problems is how do we get it upstairs into the game room??? It should be interesting.

Yea Santa came. He always leaves the best gifts. Josh Loved his clone trooper helmet and gun. I can't get it off the kids and it weighs a ton.

Trevor and Josh wrote letters to Santa telling him Thank you for everything. The look out man had just come to bring the boys pj's unfortunately he gave Trevor ones that were two sizes to small.


We hope you all had a very merry Christmas.

No more layovers in Denver

That's it. I'm never flying with a connection to Denver ever again. After our plane scare and now this.

Cassidy Jean Clinger

Ryans sister Crystal had her 3rd little girl today.

Welcome to the world Cassidy I can't wait to meet you.

Hair

Awhile ago when you asked Gavin what his name was he would say "Joshua." Now when you would ask him he will say "HAIR!" Why? I'm not really sure. But the older boys don't really help the case for as they leave for school they say "goodbye hair."




My Mother in law got the boys a little people nativity for Christmas and Gavin has been obsessed with Baby Jesus. I love how he said baby Jesus. And Merry Christmas.

I adore this stage he is in. Each day he does something so cute.

Didn't I just have a birthday??

I can't believe another year just snuck up on me. They are flying by way to fast.
Thanks to all my wonderful friends and family for making me feel loved on my Birthday. All 3 boys were sick and had to miss school. So the day was filled with cleaning up sickness. I wont go into details but it sure was delightful.

But later that evening Ryan came home and watched the boys while I got my hair CHOPPED OFF and colored. YEA!!! I needed a change. I'm not to sure I like it yet.

Then when I got home Ryan and the boys had cake and presents ready. Ryan spoils me way to much on my birthday. He's such an amazing Husband. Thanks again for everything babe.




It was also FREEZING!!! Texas isn't supposed to get in the 30's. It's crazy.
The boys talked their Dad in taking them over to see the frozen fountains. They thought it was so cool. Pardon their crazy hair. It haden't been combed for days with them being so sick.

Why being the only girl sometimes stinks.

Here the kids and I were peacefully eating dinner when I hear Josh scream "Scorpion". We have had alot of scorpions lately because it's been colder here. But luckily they all have been just babies. Except this one.
It was HUGE the biggest one I've ever seen. Just the looks of it freaked us all out to where I found me and the kids standing on the dinner table screaming. Me being the loudest. Until I realized I'm the only adult here and had to take care of it.
I thought for sure Jake would start barking at it. But when he saw the thing he just ran away. Some protective dog huh. And Ryan was still at work so it was all up to me. So I jumped down and ran as fast as I could to get a cup. Usually we just scoop them up and flush them.
As I went to put the cup over him he took of running towards me so I threw the cup and jumped back up onto the table screaming. Gavin was laughing so hard at me and I've never heard Josh and Trevor scream and laugh so hard before.
Again realizing I'm the only adult, only after trying to bribe the kids to help. And they would have nothing to do with it. (Dang) I got the cup and tried again. This time I got the guy covered with the cup, all but his tail. Which he was flipping it back and forth hitting the cup.
We all sat silently eating the rest of dinner with our eyes glued on this cup. Until Ryan got home. The minute he walked it the door we all darted for him begging him to get the scorpion. So he scoops it up and walked around the corner.
Then he comes into the kitchen. I was getting Gavin's dinner cleaned and I asked Ryan a stupid question.
"So did you flush it?" and he said. "No I thought you might want to see it." And puts the cup on me. I threw the dinner all over, I think I smacked Ryan and did a huge dance making sure nothing was on me. It was such a adrenalin rush that once I realized he was kidding I started to cry. But the boys thought my reaction was the best. So all week long I've been getting things placed on me like fake lizard, snakes ect. It's been so delightful.
Why do boys think it's so funny to tease? I'm not to amused!!!!

Grandma and Grandpa visit

Right after our Utah Trip Ryan's parents came out for a VERY short visit. It is always fun having them here. We went out to eat and had a day walking around the WAY PACKED mall. We even got in a walk to the school and played there for a little while. It was nice that it was warm enough to enjoy a day outside. Seattle doesn't get much sun this time of year. So it was nice that they could enjoy a little here.






Yesterday it was 70 degrees. It was such a nice warm day. But today we woke up to this.
Who would of thought we would see snow in TEXAS???

Yes it looked like frost to me too. Coming from Utah I've seen some real snow. But all the true Texans reassured me that this in fact was snow.

Deck the Halls

We finally finished our decorations for Christmas. It's alot of work but it got the kids so excited for Christmas!!! Gavin is fascinated with the tree and wont leave it alone. I find ornaments all over the house and him covered in glitter daily. Good thing we got plastic ones from his height down and the good ornaments are on the top of the tree :). It looks kinda funny but it saves my sanity.

Thanksgiving/ Winter break

I just had to throw in this picture. This was back in 1994. Sundee where are you in this picture???

Thanks Teri we can always count on you having a CAMERA :) Haven't we all changed alot? I think there is alot less hair in this picture. We missed you Laura.

Gavin was so busy playing he wouldn't hold still long enough to get a picture.

Isn't this picture a little disturbing? I couldn't believe they let Josh shoot a real gun.

Trevor and Whitney enjoying a ride.

The boys testing out the Go-Cart

The garbage disposal blew up all over me.

We had such a good time in Utah.
Here are some highlights.
*The kids went 4 Wheeling, motorbiking and shooting.
*My Dad built the kids a Go-CART. (I know my Dad ROCKS).
*I got to go out to lunch with some friends.
*Ryan and I went to the Temple in St. George and spent the night away. It was such a nice break.
*We got to see the whole CRAZY family. All but Tyson, Taylor and Kaleb. Darn nephews to busy to come out :). OK Kaleb has a good excuse he's on a Mission.
* And I can't forget the AMAZING FOOD!!! I gained at least 10 lbs.

It was so good to get to see everyone. Ryan and I felt so loved that everyone made the trip to see us. Thanks again.

We had a scare on the way home. Our flight was a connecting flight in Denver and we were about to touch the ground when the plane went full throttle back up in the air. I've never heard a plane cabin so silent. We were all freaked wondering what just happened. And about 10 mins after we were in the air. The pilot came on saying. "that was a close one there was a airplane on the runway where we were landing." Man was someone watching after us.

But we are home now and back to the crazy life.
To see all the pictures go here

I can't believe I did this.

Sorry the picture is a little dark. This is the group out front of the Theater FREEZING at 2:30.

Twilight at Midnight @ the Alamo.
We went at 9:30 thinking there was going to be a huge line. Not for the Mom's they got us right in. So there we sat for 2 1/2 hrs. Watching terrible previews and having a great conversation.
We ate potato skins, chocolate cake, pecan pie and a whole lot of DC to keep us awake. It was so much fun. Thanks Stacey for making me want to go!!!!!


Now it's off to UTAH with the family for 10 days. I haven't been back to Cedar City for almost two years. I can't believe it's been that long and I am so excited to see the fam.

The oatmeal battle

Yesterday we went to the store to get Trevor's teacher a wedding gift. While we were there the boys convinced me to get them lunch ables for lunch today. I'm not a huge fan of lunch ables I feel they have no nutritional value what so ever. And when Trevor eats junk food he's uncontrollable. But Ryan's been out of town they have such a hard time when daddy is gone. And I never let them so I gave in and told them they could just this once. They carried their lunch ables all around the store and were so excited to bring them to school today. Knowing this is what they are going to have for lunch I wanted them to start the day with a nice Healthy breakfast. So I made oatmeal not the instant kind. The kind you soak over night and it's creamy and yummy and very healthy. I call them to breakfast and the TEARS start flowing. The war has now started. Using you can't get down until your breakfast is gone wouldn't work because Trevor doesn't care if he's late for school. And Josh was crying because Trevor was going to make him late for school. And Gavin was just throwing his oatmeal all over me and the floor. So finally I just said fine everyone just eat 3 bites or I'll take your lunch ables out and you can buy school lunch. DUH why didn't I think of this before all the fighting and screaming happened? I looked down and both of their bowls of oatmeal was gone!!! As I was cleaning up and they were getting on their shoes I heard Trevor tell Josh. "Don't tell Mom but man that was good oatmeal."
Why does everything have to be so complicated with kids?

Watch Dogs!!!

The boys school has ZERO male teachers. Not in wellness (that's what they call P.E. here, weird I know.) Not the principal not a one in the whole school!!! So some amazing Dad started a Watch Dog program where Dad's come for a day and help out in the classes, at recess and are like security keeping a eye open for anything weird. Trevor and Josh have been counting down the day that their Dad will be The WATCH DOG. And today was the day. And oh boy were the boys ever excited. Waking up at 5:00 dressed in their shirts ready to go. Ryan came home WIPED out. He's not used to being on his feet all day chasing kids. But they all had a really good time. Josh told me it was the "Bestest day he's had in his whole life." I love the 2nd picture of Josh looking at his Dad. Do you think he loves his Dad or what? I think even Trevor really really loved having his Dad at school. What a fun day.