Real Life

This week I figured out why so many people send photo cards with just the kids on them. If they're anything like me, they hate, I mean absolutely abhor visiting photo studios, and then they try to do pictures at home which end up looking like this one. I actually laughed when I saw this because it's just us, it's so real. Brett's always happy and easy going, the kids are dogpiled on me, the baby is screaming her head off, and I'm just shrugging with a look of, well, at least I'm not paying a sitting fee for this, but I sure could use a Big Gulp! This, by the way, is not the photo I chose for our card-when and IF I ever get the cards done.

So our Christmas is different this year as Brett is away on business and won't be returning until possibly the 23rd, but hopefully this Friday. We've jammed a bunch of this week's activities in over the weekend-we went to see the lights at Temple Square, went to Willard Bay, made ornaments, celebrated Izzy's birthday early, and had hot cocoa. It'll be hard being a single Mom during the first real week of snow and so close to Christmas. I love this time of year and the guy who I cuddle up with on cold nights isn't here to share it with. Also, I have some shopping to finish up and the idea of entering the mall with three kids in tow the week before Christmas kinda makes me want to purposely loose my keys. On the bright side though, we'll be spending a lot of time in our pajamas this week and enjoying Cocoa Krispies for several meals of the day. Also, I'm now free to wrap the Christmas gifts as early as I want and I have the bathtub all to myself! And, when he does make it back we'll get to celebrate by taking a roadtrip to Nevada and gorging ourselves with soda, bacon, cheese, and whatever other fat ass inducing foods my parents' house is always loaded with!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Somehow I managed to not take a single picture of Thanksgiving dinner. There was a turkey, the best sweet potatoes ever, we were gathered with Kathy & her family at Judy's, it was terrific. Thanks Nana Judy!

I did get a lot of other pictures over the weekend. Here is Brett's and John's project-the tire swing. Tire, scavenged from the neighbor's junkyard, er, uh, yard. Rope, stolen and then returned by Brett, cutting by Papa John, and assembly by my tree huggin' husband himself, who did have his insurance card on him but thankfully didn't need it.

Cost to make tire swing, $3, kids using said swing, priceless.

Saturday we went bowling. This is commonly done by the Bradshaw clan, as we all love any excuse to talk about balls and throw or shoot things, but Judy told me she'd only gone once in her life, and John hadn't gone for 25-30 years! We don't know if Grandma K has ever gone (either does she) but we even had her bowl a few frames and we all had a good time!

Logan, Judy, Anna, Quinn, Madison, Izzy, and me.

Here's a shot of Brett and Elizabeth, can you see her chompers in there? Yeah, she's getting big, but she's still just a sweet happy little squirt.

Quinner's birthday was the day after Thanksgiving. He is now 3 and for his birthday he gave us a gift-he now uses the potty all the time because, "I'm big like Kai and the other big kids!" Yeah, I couldn't be happier!

Nana Judy got Quinner a Spiderman cake which he loved. He was spoiled with so many new toys including a set of play tools and toolbox from Daddy, very popular, and Zingo-a picture bingo game for kids-you weren't kidding Jill- they LOVE it!

Just Wishin...

What am I wishing for you ask? For today to be over with. Usually I don't wish time away, aside from that last month of pregnancy each time around, but I wish I could go to bed and wake up to Thursday or Friday. Tonight is YW in Excellence night and being the YW Pres. means I don't get to get out of speaking, even with pink eye. I know I should suck it up, I can hear Brett telling me to get over it in my head, and yet the evening looms over me. I passed off conducting on one of the laurels who enjoys talking, and I even wrote out what I'll say, but I get in a panic in front of a group and I'm just a sweaty ball of nerves who mumbles, speaks too quickly, and reads verbatim off the page instead of using appropriate pauses and making eye contact with anyone in the room.

So what do I do when I have a monkey on my back that I don't want to think about? I bake. I'm off to the kitchen right now. What do you do when you're stressed out???

Halloween

Sometimes I wonder if I took the wrong baby home from the hospital, she has such blue eyes and I don't recall checking her bracelet right after she was born. But, then, I see how much she loves sugar and I know that she's my girl alright! Oh yeah, I guess the cheeks give it away too huh?

Izzy started the night out with a nap on Halloween, she was a grumpy little bear, the excitement got the best of her I guess! She cat napped until the doorbell awoke her, but then she went out trick or treating with the gang and brought in some candy for her parents, thanks Elizabeth!

Doesn't Quinn bear a strange resemblance to Papa John? He was such a sweet little chef, he baked with me in the afternoon (pretty much our favorite activity), then set out to collect AND consume a bucket of candy all in 24 hours time. He is obviously my spawn as well!

Ashley would love this...remember that once cute fluffy clean pink poodle you bought Anna? Its a bit raggedy and more than a bit dirty, but when she found this poodle costume in the store she thought about her pink poodle and HAD to have it.

We hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

October Highlights

Here's a little Halloween preview of Izzy, our lil' teddy bear. She's such a little cuddle bug!

I've had a few requests to get some pictures of Izzy on here since she never gets posted. Here she is...

Here are some shots from the fire station open house.

We went to the Hogle Zoo this month over the school break. Unfortunately everyone else in SLC did too but the weather was perfect and it was a great day.

Here's a shot of Brett, pre haircut. He decided to shave his head last week. You won't see any pictures of him for awhile.

Here's a rare shot of these lil' guys. Theyr'e usually at each other's throats but it's sweet when this happens.

My New Favorite

So yesterday I had to teach at church and although I really stunk at my lesson, I still felt okay because I was wearing this cute skirt, and my black boots as well! I just found my new favorite store, Down East Basics. If you live or have lived in Utah you most likely know about it, it's a place which specializes in longer length tops and layering tees. For a girl with a torso the length of a sequoia this place is just a little reminder that God exists! I just got this skirt there-they have really cute skirts and everything is really reasonably priced as well. The selection is limited, but if you're looking for length, check this place out at downeastbasics.com

p.s. they also have long maternity tops as well! (almost makes me want to get knocked up again just because I know the tops will fit me. almost.)

September Highlights

Nothing noteworthy to any man I know, but last month I weaned my baby. Because nobody really wants a picture to tell that story I've supplied WEEN, a pretty good band instead. I've been away for three nights a week lately and with the coming and going of errands, and Izzy's age I figured now would be the best time. The kid didn't even care, no transitional period for her...only wish my body took it that easily!

"...Who won in the end? I think I did. They underestimated just how much I love bacon."
In case you couldn't tell, these are pictures from a trip we had to St. George with the Smiths and the Hunts this past month. (yes, I pretty much forgot about pictures until the last morning when Brooke gladly posed for me.) Aside from Swiss Days, In and Out burgers, swimming, car injuries, $50 worth of pizza, and terrific deals at the outlets, we all learned so much about pork and the history of swine. We also had fun playing games and laughing into the night. Thanks for a good time guys! I hope we can do it again, and that someone remembers where our time capsule is! Thanks also to Nana Judy for taking Anna and Quinner for us for the weekend!
Another highlight for September, bagels. Brett and I started a tradition of getting bagels on Saturday mornings way back in our college days. We made it to Einstein's last month for some chocolate chip bagels with pumpkin cream cheese and then drove up through the canyon to check out the changing leaves. I think it's a sentimental thing for me because it's something Brett and I always did when it was just the two of us, and it's special now to share it with our kids.
We also made it down to Payson to see the family this month. Brett had to reach his goal of hiking two mountains by the end of the season, so while he hiked Mt. Nebo, Judy and I took the kids to pick raspberries. Our outing wasn't as exciting to the kids as I'd expected, but I really liked picking the berries, and we had some tasty shakes that evening.

And lastly, Peach Days. The Brigham City festival of peaches. I'll admit that I didn't eat anything peachy at the fair. I did however have some most delicious funnel cake. And the kids enjoyed the rides while Brett and I enjoyed the people watching.

So yes, as Brett has pointed out, my memories are mostly linked to food, okay-ALL linked to food! If I could make a scratch and sniff scrapbook of memories though it would be remarkable, and delicious.

Extreme Puzzling

Anna has given us all a reason to consider puzzle piecing as an Olympic event. This weekend as our girl was putting together a few puzzles with her Daddy and brother she was leaning across the couch and lost her holding on the coffee table, falling and splitting her chin on the way down. As a result, we took our first family trip to the hospital where Anna had ten stitches put in to close the gap. Who knew puzzles could be so dangerous!? Anna was in hysterics about having to see a doctor and what they might do to her, but she walked out of the E.R. with a smile on her face and princess stickers and a sucker in her hands.

Brett and I laughed about it all later because I'd just recently told him that I was surprised that we hadn't had an emergency room visit yet for our children, also, because we have the most benign rounded edge coffee table we could find! I was just glad that he was home when the accident happened to keep the situation calm and to help with Izzy and Quinn while I held Anna's hand through the stitching.

Tagged...

Okay, Chrissy tagged me and I'm sure I've done this, but I'm avoiding cleaning my house so I'm doing it again...

10 Years ago:

1. 10 years from today I'd just returned from traveling in Europe with the Coppas -I just found my journal in the closet from that year. I'll have some good reading later tonight!
2. I was best friends with Jay Tetzlaff, my "gay but not fessing up to it yet" friend from my Hawaii days. Ah Katherine, remember that infectious laugh of his?
3. I had perky boobs.
4. I could actually remember things
5. I was much, much more spontaneous

5 things on my "to do" list for today:

1. go to lunch with Melissa-mmmm..Cafe Rio-you missed out Bre!
2. planning mtg. for YW in Excellence-laborious, but done!
3. go grocery shopping-eh...maybe tomorrow.
4. clean the bathrooms-maybe after I finish my book...
5. take a shower -luckily I did get to this!

5 snacks I enjoy:

1.gooey brownies
2. cold leftover chinese food
3. a spoon of peanut butter covered in chocolate chips or M&Ms
4. Big Gulps and popcorn
5. Junior Mints-frozen

5 things I'd do if I were a millionaire:

1. have a maid
2. have perkier boobs
3. invent a fridge with a milk dispenser on the door and an ice dispenser with that good crunchy ice, oh, a Dr. Pepper dispenser as well
4. travel
5. pay someone to remember everyone's birthdays for me and to buy them all gifts on my behalf, as I'm crappy at both picking out gifts, AND remembering the occasion for which you buy them in the first place!

5 Places I've lived:

1. Redondo Beach, CA
2. Carson City, NV
3. Provo, UT
4. Logan, UT
5. Laie, HI

5 Jobs I've had:

1. paper girl
2. instructional technology lab assistant-yeah me!?
3. A&W drive through
4. substitute teacher, for like four days
5. custodian

5 people I'm tagging:

1. Bre
2. Brooke Anne
3. Jessica
4. Jill
5. Caralee

Rules: If you've been tagged, you then have to post your tag on your blog and leave me a comment once you've done it. Oh yeah, if you don't have a blog, then you have to start one already! Get to it sisters!

Sorry Brett...

I didn't want to do it like this. I didn't want to break it to you on my blog of all places, but I think it's time that I told you that there's someone else. He's tall, he's chiseled, and he keeps me up all night. I'm about to go upstairs to him right now, he's waiting in my bed as I type this. And he'll be staying here with me all week while you're away on business. He doesn't mind if I'm just lying around in my pjs, he doesn't care if I cook dinner or not, and he's always there when I need to get away...his name is Ed. Edward Cullen.

Yeah, I've been reading the Twilight series and it's all consuming. Thanks a lot to all of you who've recommended these books because not only have I neglected my family, but the house is a wreck, the laundry is piling up, and I'm not sleeping because I'm dreaming about vampires when I'm not curled up with one of these books. Most of all, I'm embarrassed because these books aren't the best literature, they're, well how do I classify them? I guess you'd say the story is a bit of a high school romantic horror genre if that's possible. I know I'll hate the movie, and I kinda hate myself for loving the books, but I've gotta get through them this week so I can get back to my life!

And Brett, if you're reading this, please know that you're my one and only. I mean, even if the writer makes necking with a vampire sound sexy, and even if they're totally rich, she also writes them as being permanently icy cold-you know that alone would kill it for me. I do hope you'll forgive me for my obsession though and come back to me this weekend. I could sure use some cuddling with a non-fictional warm blooded man.

Random happy moments...

I've been grabbing the camera for ordinary things, lots of them, because I feel like time is flying by and I don't want to forget all the simple moments that make me happy.

First is a shot of Brett and Baby Iz. Brett's giving me a ridiculous look of, "uh, why are you taking a picture of this?" And I of course took the picture because it was a sweet sight for me. I've been gone three nights a week lately and when I come home, there's nothing as wonderful as finding my man snuggled up with our lil' sleeping girl. Brett, you are such a good Daddy!

Here Brett's taking the entire car engine apart to change the starter, not because it was urgent, but because he needed a project to do. Always always, a project! Sexy sweatband eh?
This shot, I didn't even stage. These two are usually fighting over everything and here I caught them, sharing their crayons, their coloring books, even sharing a chair. Lately they've been making forts and playing school-since Anna started kindergarten these two have been playing much better when they're together.
And these last two are of my sweet little "Baby Brownie" -I don't get nearly as many shots of her as I have of the older kids, life just happens around her and I neglect to photograph every cute little thing. I apologize in advance Izzy because your scrapbook is gonna be crap compared to Anna's and Quinn's, I don't have the time or the pictures!

Elizabeth is FINALLY crawling, she has two teeth, and she lights up whenever she sees me-she's MY girl Brett! She's still pretty long and skinny, and still the sweetest happiest baby ever!

Christmas shopping

Yep, I'm decorated for Halloween now and already thinking about Christmas (Brett, if you're reading this I know you're rolling your eyes right now!) So I'm wondering, do any of you start shopping way ahead of time and just hide stuff away until December? Every year I think I'll shop ahead, then we wait and end up among the millions of people packed into the mall in the winter, growling under our breath at the swarms around us, who're stuck in the same long lines doing the same thing. Does anyone have a head start already this year? And when and if you do buy stuff early, where do you hide it so your kids won't find it, and so that you'll remember it???

Random thoughts

Is it too early to put up Halloween decorations? Brett says so, but I disagree.

Also, do the rest of you sit at your computer and blog surf between baby feedings, getting kids to and from school and folding loads of laundry? I keep checking other blogs and getting bored when new posts haven't been done, but I'm lazy about mine. ..I guess if I knew if anyone read this thing I'd put more into it. (Yes Moms, you can click on "comment" down below the post and say something, then I'll think about posting more pictures of your grandkids for ya!)

Also, has anyone seen my two older kids??? I'd better go find them, it's suspiciously quiet...

August Highlights

August has been one busy month!

The most notable and recent event, at least for me personally, is that of being called as the ward Young Women's president! Yikes! I'm a little overwhelmed to say the least, but I'm excited too because I get to go hang out with teenage girls and pretend that I'm still young, that, and I get to go to Girls' Camp next year...well, if they don't kick me out for being a bad influence before then that is! Here's that little temple picture from the personal progress booklet, remember that? Yeah, I guess I have to get the girls to do something in there. They have no idea what's comin'! Aw...aren't these kids cute? These are my two older kids with the kids they're betrothed to, who are conveniently siblings also. I don't have a shot of the babies, but the younger kids'll be set up too.

Quinner and Ashley, aren't they a cute couple? I'm hoping to save this picture to put on their wedding announcement, showing that they've been together since they were toddlers. These shots are from camping this weekend, it was good fun, thanks for the invite LeighAnn!
Here's a shot from the Rupper Reunion earlier this month at Bear Lake. This is Nana and Papa with all the grandkids.

Yeah, and this is the stir-fry I made with vegetables grown in my very first garden. Zucchini, onions, carrots, peas...it tastes better with a little pride cooked in there!
Here is a photo of Anna with her very first fish!
Yes, more from the garden. Aren't these tomatoes pretty? My Mom and brother Taylor came to visit this month and I didn't take any pictures of them here, but we did make some tasty salsa (and when I say "we" I mean "Mom"). We also went shopping and had a good visit.
And here is Anna on her first day of Kindergarten. Yep, one in school, two to go! I could lie and say I was sad about her first day at school, but I was really pretty excited for Anna to have someone else to spend part of her day with!
That's it! That's the month at a glance. I'm glad it's over because it was B-u-s-y! It was great though too, but I love the fall above all other seasons so I'm anxious for what's to come...

It's a Party!

Hi Daddy, Izzy here! I just wanted you to know that I've tried to be good while you've been gone...
I did get some hair extensions, don't they make me look older? Don't be mad, it was Anna's idea, she made me do it... But then Momma gave me too much to drink, and we started rocking out to Hannah Montana...it's really a ragin' party here when you're gone. I hope you come home soon, wouldn't want you to miss out on all the fun! I love you Daddy. Momma loves ya too!

Happy

Last week we spent at Bear Lake for the Rupper Clan Reunion and it couldn't have been better! Here are a few shots of the kids having fun with the family, it made me so happy to see them playing with their cousins and running around giggling and playing ALL day at the beach.

In this shot is Quinner is lovin' on Jaida, aka Corndog (as her calves are the color and size of a crispy delicious fried weiner. Mmm... I love corndogs, I love that toasty little Jaida too!)

Here Madison, Kaitlyn, and Anna are hanging out on the porch swing of the cabin, just being giggly little girls.
And here Izzy is checking out Great Grandma Rupper and her cousin Sydney.

Thank you Judy for all the hard work you put into planning the reunion, and for the great food too! Thanks a million!
-Wendy

July Highlights

The biggest news in July...Anna-she's officially five years old! Is five too young to get into clubs???
Also, and yes, I am posting it because it was a major breakthrough...Quinner deuced it in the right spot!
I wonder if we should order a child sized iPood t-shirt for Quinner to match Bretts!?!

This month the kids took to the waterslide at the public pool...Anna can't get enough of it now!
Izzy also got her first tooth, and she chews on everything!
She also finally sits up.
Izzy had her first campout this month, it appears as if she got her first smore too, but nah, maybe next year.
Snuggling up with Daddy in the tent

Anna wanted to go rollerskating for her birthday. We had a slumber party, with one friend, Chloe, as that is all I could handle, it worked out nicely. The boys, skating the night away.
My glitter Girl and her pink cake.
Birthday donuts.
Here's Anna with her Hannah Montana CD-her new obsession. Since her birthday she likes to have alone time in her room with her music blaring while she applies enough sparkly makeup to put a tranny to shame. Today we bought her a Hannah wig which she proudly wore through the mall on the way home. This kid is a crackup!