Cookies

Finally we are fulfilling the request from a certain man to send some cookies. Brennan was helping by making sure the chocolate chips were fresh and yummy enough to go in. Then it was on to batter test control. He is quite fabulous at both of these jobs. I really am excited for the day that I don't have to have that ugly transformer to use my mixer. BLAH!

Mike.....note to you.....when you get your cookies and you notice that our recipe make a signifigant amount more you can thank this guy who couldn't keep his hands off the batter. I helped as well in product testing. So blame us both and hope that they are as good when you get them.

Taylor has been carrying around this phone all day and talking to dad about her everyday moments.

"Dad, we are going to the post office now to give you your cookies."

"Dad, mom is mad at Carter."

"Dad, Carter punched me and I hit him back because Mom told me too." That is the truth. I simply told her not to put up with him being a bully and she needed to stand up for herself.

"Dad, I ate some of your cookies."

"Dad, I am eating more of your cookies."

I hope you get the point.

Big brother hugs are the best. Brennan was Carter's favorite buddy of the day until a wooden sword was used to fight Carter.

I cook, he cooks

Brennan loves these big pots to play with while I am cooking dinner. Today he added the griddle and the stir fry pan into the mix. He was being so cute that I needed some pictures. As soon as he saw the flash he stood up and starting posing for each picture. Then he would stack, or unstack and pose again. I loved that his hands were at his sides and he stood there until the flash and click, then moved on to greater things. Sorry, but you just needed the full range of shots I got here to enjoy it.

Teeth

Carter enjoyed creepying me out with his twistable, hanging by a thread, but only he could pull tooth. Not that I wanted too. Those things give me the creeps. I also realized I take up close pictures right after dinner quite frequently. Meaning most of the time my kids look like they have dirty mouths. Sorry.

I found these two pictures on the camera and did not know they were there. Apparently Carter wanted documentation that he lost two teeth in one week.

Kuwait

When the kids saw this picture they shouted, "Can we go and eat there with dad for lunch!?"

Whatever you have to do to entertain yourselves.

It is true, men are just big children.

The countdown

The countdown.

I don't like these.

They make things last longer in my eyes.

The kids like it.

Alright.

At least it is really cute.
Most of the shapes have little messages on them.
Smile.
Help Someone else today.
Get a hug.
Give a hug.
You get the idea.
Of course we have a schedule for who gets to take a shape off each day.

Shots of Happy...mostly

This was the day Mike left. Brennan was walking around the house with Carter's Spiderman hat, Taylor's pink headband and pink flip-flops, and his diaper. It was just hilarious how content and happy he was with his little creation.

Monday after school. Taylor got mad at me because I wouldn't let her have cookies for dinner. This was the next time I saw her, about 5 minutes after the, "Mom, I not like you anymore."

Mason being happy and silly. He was actually just laughing for like an hour straight about anything and everything we were doing. It is pretty funny when he just can't stop laughing. You can't help but join in.

Carter is doing surprisingly well with Mike being gone. He is using talking to tell me how he is feeling and I am so grateful for that. We were concerned about this little guy because after we told them Mike would be leaving again for 6 months he kind of turned into this angry little devil. I am glad he got that out of his system and can now talk with me. He's not perfect at it, but neither am I.

Dear sweet Brennan. He is a daddy's boy through and through. He hears a loud car and is running through the house from door to door yelling for Dad. It breaks my heart a little that he doesn't understand what is up with Dad not coming home. He loves his little drill and was going around the house with the drill and a screw and fixing the house for me. Such a sweetie!!

A couple of nights after Mike left Mason woke up and wanted a drink. Then of course he figured while he was up he would throw a fit about not being able to watch a movie. This in turn made Brennan wake up. Well, something about Brennan, great sleeper, fabulous at going down, fabulous at napping etc. If you get that little boy out of his bed in the middle of the night he views that as a new day. So I was letting him fuss about it and after about 10-15 minutes I was on the verge of saying, "Fine, you win." Then suddenly I heard a couple small whimpers and he was quiet. I listened and could here moving around and him settling so I went to bed. The next morning I found Taylor in Brennan's bed. She woke up and looked at me. She smiled and said, "Brennan was crying mom, he wanted me to sleep with him. He didn't want you."

Sorry, but I had to put this on here. He just is smiling away and I couldn't help it. I avoided posting the pictures of the nasty part of his burn. Mike wanted some pictures and I had to change the dressing finally, so after much squirming and fighting we got it done. Mason's curiosity and determination to be apart of cooking finally got the better of him. I blame this on Mike...he left....we all know what happens when he leaves. :) Love you honey.

Hot soup and his arm did not mix. He is in good spirits and it is healing well. This is day 3.

I feel so many things when crap like this happens. How could I have avoided it etc.. Then I just look at how many ways it could have been worse and am comforted. Mason you are so strong willed and determined that sometimes it gets the better of you. Love you man!

This is Mason's water bottle for his wound care. We have to keep it wet. Brennan found it and went and got a wipe and started to spray the windows and wipe them down. Seriously, he is so cute sometimes I can't stand it!


That would be a frozen cucumber Taylor is munching on. She thought it was delicious. I got it out and apparently my fridge was too cold. So she started licking it like a Popsicle.

Food

If you ever want Mason to eat something, put salsa on it. He refused, yelled, screamed, and just kept going to the fridge until we fell to the pressure and put salsa on his pancakes. gross.

The kids had a fun time sneaking very quietly into the kitchen and eating this yummy treat. Thank you children for always clearing up those things that I shouldn't eat. Although I don't think you should either.

Leaving on a jet plane

After a week of being stuck in Germany Mike finally made it to Kuwait. I have only had a little instant messenger that he is there, tired, and getting set up. We sure miss this handsome guy. Everyone is actually handling it pretty well. So far so good.

The Dragon

He is one talented builder!! That imagination is wild.

Private...sorry. :)

I am going to go private. I keep wanting to put some stuff on here and feel like I can't. If I have your email address in my contacts normally don't worry about sending me one. However, for those of you that see the blog and I don't have it, or you aren't sure. Please comment. Even if you stalk my blog and I don't know it. I would love to have you read still. I just need to go private. bummer. I think I am going to give it until Friday..

Fabulous Night

So I do love that we can pop down to London for a show now and then. Our friends spoiled us and watched the kids. Their family had an amazingly fun time hanging out with our little fabulously well mannered, never out of control children. :)

Les Miserables was amazing. I loved every second and was so glad that we could go. I had the music stuck in my head for a week following. People that come to visit us, which I know many of you have plans in place, this is a must see!! :)

Sometimes you feel like a change

Finally did it. It takes me a long time to make the decision to cut my hair. Now I have the task of deciding if I trully like it or not. :)

Brennan

Brennan is 18 months old and full of personality. He LOVES being outside with Mike. This picture was taken just before the snow here in England really started to come down. Now you can't see any green at all now. Mike is working on a few projects before he leaves and snow hasnt' stopped him from finishing them. Brennan was outside until his hands could no longer stand the cold. Then he still was crying to go out.

Brennan also has a small obsession with rain boots, AKA Wellies, he is often wearing Taylors, Carters, and even more rarely his own.

Just a little texting before bed, busy life you know.

One Farewell down...one to go. :(

We said goodbye to a dear friend this week and someone who is really like family to us at this point. Elder K was transferred areas. Carter was quite sad and had a hard time with him going. Elder K was so sweet and left Carter one of his name tags. It meant the world to Carter!! We have always had a great time hanging out with the Elders, but this holiday season was extra awesome since they were over here quite a bit.

Over the holiday's the missionaries get some 'down time' and came over here New Years Day. Elder K was on a work over with Elder F. They were a riot together. You will note the game that was decided on. Thanks to Mike's parents(Christmas gift from them) we had some great fun. You might not be able to see the score sheet, but the missionaries won!! Yes, they won at Celestial Companions Game against Mike and I. It was actually really funny because some of the questions were pretty married couple material, but they just played right along and defeated us fair and square. Let me explain the above picture. Elder K had to answer the following question, "Which is your husbands best feature." When it came time to give his answer Elder F. said proudly, "my butt for sure!" Are you serious? Sure enough Elder K turned his card and it read, "butt." These two were hilarious and good sports with this game.