Gus the Wolf

Around the House

I picked up this shadowbox frame from IKEA (of course) and finally framed these antique dutchie knick knacks from my mom and grandma.

I love this new pillow. Although, I'm not sure if I love it in this guest bedroom (AKA Lisa's room).

We planted corn late in the season - about 2 weeks ago. It is already over a foot tall! (on the right)

Great vintage Tonka truck found at a garage sale. Gus loves this.

This is good

TP

While driving around the Millcreek area looking for garage sales I was so happy to spot this beautiful display on Saturday morning. I think toilet papering might be a dying art. I spent a lot of nights toilet papering in high school, I'm pretty much an expert. And I found this to be some quality work. So many great memories.



Happy Pioneer Day. We're off to St. Anthony, Idaho where they celebrate our "Utah" holiday in style. Small town parade, rodeo, play, the works.

Beautiful. I love this show.

Busy Summer Series: Gus meet Milo, Milo, Gus

It has taken several months but our two boys are finally starting to get used to each other. Although we tried to make it easier on him, poor Gus had a hard time no longer ruling the roost.

Busy Summer Series: Backyard

Last Summer Les spend a lot (A LOT) of hot hours ripping out nasty trees, bushes and other crap from our front and backyard - almost ripping the bumper off of the trunk in the process. He then built us a beautiful cedar fence. And at that point we were out of steam and out of money. So this year we have been finishing the job of creating an aesthetically pleasing front and backyard - and a place for Gus to play.

BEFORE:

Don't be fooled - that's not grass. Pure weeds.

Everything is overgrown

Our view of the neighbor's backyard

Here's one of the fence. This is after we had a bobcat level things out.

AFTER:

We killed (and pulled!) the weeds, leveled the ground, put in a sprinker system,

hydroseeded, planted trees, made a flagstone pathway, repaired the deck, bordered the

planting areas with pavers (thank you Addie)...

built this flagstone patio, painted the shed (still needs repairs)...

And even planted a garden! We love having a backyard!

Busy Summer Series: Lagoon - Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Wicked?!

We went to Lagoon with my parents, Grandma Toni, Darrin's wife Alicen and their two girls, Tessa and Malia. It was so so fun.

Busy Summer Series: Gus turns 3!

Gus wanted a Firetruck Birthday Party

We had fireman hats, fireman games, fireman treats- of course

Hi Mom.

and they decorated their own cupcakes

Busy Summer Series: Wheeler Farm

You wouldn't know it from the pictures, but we did actually see some animals at the farm too.

Cottles

Robertsons

Busy Summer Series: Twilight Concert Bon Iver

The concert turned out to be a bust - definitely not a place for kids - but at least we came away with some good pre-concert footage.

Busy Summer Series: Family and a Funeral

Les's sweet Grandma died in June so we took a trip up to Idaho for the funeral. She was 93 so the week was bittersweet -sad to see her go but happy for the good life she lived and it was so fun to spend time with all of Les's family.

This is her with Milo.

Les's aunt, uncle, and sister Addie

Gus sitting with one of Les's heroes, his brother Frank

Gus's cousins

Has this happened to you?

The Bad News

The Good News

3Gs

(I promise to be even more careful this time. I reccommend double heavy duty caseage)

Awkward Family Photos

I have been dying laughing at this website today.  Especially this story.

Twins

 (please forgive Gus's dirty feet - he loves playing in the dirt)

Surprise

Les's company sent us these amazing flowers after we had Milo.  The arrangement was enormous!  It was so fun to show off our flowers when we were showing off our baby.  Thanks eRe!

Mommy Grandma Anya

A few things my Mom taught me along the way:

Always stop to buy lemonade from children at the side of the road

Wear your seat belt

Broccoli is delicious, eat often (Spinach is yummy too)

Don't be afraid to be creative and unique

Children's Christmas dreams can and should come true

Layering

Turn off the TV

Relax and enjoy life

Children's books should be read with gusto, using different voices where applicable

Pursue what makes you happy

Keep your heart healthy

When necessary, play dumb

Dance silly around the kitchen

Set up blind dates. maybe not.

When children 'talk back' spray them with water

Long fingernails give such good back tickles

Humor can dispell a lot of difficult situations

Make friends with your kid's friends

Laugh loudly

Be conscientious of other's and their feelings, say sorry if you need to

Make friendly conversation with strangers in line at the supermarket

Sacrifice

Keep a good perspective on life

Introducing Baby Milo!

Here is a slideshow Les put together of Milo's first week with us. His middle name is "Jan" pronounced "Yawn". He is named after my Grandfather who was Dutch.

Congratulations Matt!

I need to brag.  My amazing awesome cousin Matt (who is married to my equally amazing cousin Paige) was just appointed as the new president of Utah Valley University.  Read about him here.

Baby Day

Why is it that when you are pregnant - and huge - people think they can say whatever they want to you? I don't often approach obese people and comment to them how enormous they are. Or touch their bulges.

Here are a few great comments I have gotten the last few weeks. (mostly all from one amazing conversation)

- The classic "are you having twins?"

- And on multiple occasions "you are HUGE" with their eyes bulging out.

- And finally, a Cuban Woman in her 70's who attends our ward asked when I was due. I tried to be funny by telling her I wasn't pregnant - I just eat a lot of ice cream. She followed up with "really? so do you think the baby will be large?"

- Same Cuban, same conversation a few minutes later noted that she would like to be able to take a picture of me naked. "You know, like this" she motioned with her arms that I would be able to cover up some areas. And then she tried to back up a little by saying "well, i used to be a nurse. And I'm very into art. " Apparently my figure needs to be preserved in photos for science and the arts.

But...don't worry about me, my feelings weren't hurt whatsoever. There's something about being old and Cuban (or old in general - but especially old with accent) everything she says sounds so funny.

P.S. My Dr scheduled an induction for me the morning of March 27th! It feels so good to know when this bub is coming.