Never too young!

I didn't think it was time but Damon sure does think you can never be too young TO SHOOT A GUN! I guess it is a little right of passage for a boy even if it is white trash. Maybe it is something Damon has dreamt about teaching his sons since it is something his Dad taught him. I have MANY things I can't wait to teach my daughter, that is if I ever get one! Last week we set out to the mountains to go target shooting. It was really for Shane because he was wanting a "fun activity" but Trevor just kept saying, "a shoot, a shoot" and we gave in! Here he is whining away for a turn.

Really, look at the joy on BOTH of their faces. Shane could not believe it and Damon is one proud Daddy. Don't worry Grandma, Damon is beyond cautious and worried about safety which is good because you can never be too cautious with guns.
It was a serious event once Shane started to shoot. He couldn't believe he actually hit the water jug and water spilled out everywhere!

Here is Mr. Trevor annoyed that Mommy interrupted his turn! I don't think he technically shot the gun just was touching it while Daddy shot, but don't tell Trevor!

The cutest part (should I say there is a cute part to shooting?) was Trevor with Damon's heavy duty ear protection for work when he goes shooting. It reminds me of the old ear phones my mom had when I was little. My sisters and I would wear them as we rocked out to her Air Supply record!
I about died laughing at this face Trevor is pulling! It's a classic face when he's mad at Shane. He must have just said, "NO" and was starting to say Shane! I'm sure Shane was wanting his turn at the cool ear piece. I love how he crunches his eyebrows.
Trevor found some of Shane's old shoes and boy does he look ultra cool! We have lost about one of EVERY shoe in our house and it's time to do some serious shopping.


We had a great day. Shane still asks when we can "shot" a gun again. There is no question about it, my boys are 100% boy and Daddy loves teaching them all the boy things. Don't worry, I put my motherly touch in there too and have them open doors and am working on letting the girls always go first. I don't think it's ever too young to teach them and I about cry whenever Shane opens the door for me at a store. What a sweetie.

I have this little problem...

My boys walk all over me! Can you blame me? Look at that sweet face! I know I need to buckle down on them more. Tell them no more, make them eat all their veggies, and not watch so much TV and only have fun in their lives. I know I need to let them know who is boss but then they give me a smile or make me laugh and I can't help it!

The problem came to a realization while we were in Idaho. I ran in to the gas station to get something to drink and Shane came in with me. He wanted a candy and I told him no. As we walked around the store he continued to hold the candy. He asked again and I said no, again! He then said and I QUOTE,"Why? Because if I just cry I'll get it anyway!" I was in shock but couldn't help laugh too! He's a little smarty but still has some things to learn because now I'm on to his games!!!

Make a wish!

You can never pass up a dandelion and not make a wish, especially if you are a 4 year old! Shane is proud of his find and can't wait to make a wish!

He sure did think hard about what to wish for. I wonder what it could be...

Look at that smirk. As his mom I knows he wished for something he shouldn't!

Direct quote from the BIG brother, "I wish... Trevor was gone!" What a mean brother! Shane knew he was being a stinker and kept saying it over and over. He later told me it is because Trevor hits me. Poor older brother getting beat up by the baby.

In his defense Trevor sure can hold his own and more! Tonight I'm trying to hold my ground and not go in to his room because I have realized Trevor sure does know how to work me! He has gotten into this nasty habit of throwing all his blankets (which he ALWAYS has to sleep with his green "bokie" and then alternate his other favorite). Then he throws out the doggie (thanks Jayce and Alyssa for the B'day present he sleeps with it every night) and which ever Speed Racer we can find around the house. He has learned if he cries long enough and screams "Speed Racer" loud enough I'll come running and put them back in his crib and he can sneak an extra kiss good night. Not any longer I have caught on to his games! Trevor has been at his fake crying for an hour and I think he is finally done. Let's hope I have taught him who's boss. Who am I kidding? This kid knows he's the boss and I'm in for it!

My Sweet Granny

We have had quite the week. My dear sweet Granny Stewart passed away last week. I don't know how I was so blessed to have such a wonderful Grandma who has always shown me love. Last Saturday before Mother's Day I receive a tender phone call from my Granny and we said good-bye. I couldn't understand half the things she said to me because I was crying so hard. She has always been one to show her love to me and always expressed it in our letter we have written over the years. I now treasure those letters in her handwriting telling me bits of family history or the newest adventure my Gramps and her were on traveling the world.

After my phone call, everything I did reminded me of Granny. She has taught me so much and I know I am who I am today in part by the things she has taught me. She was a very talented woman who loved to paint, draw, and quilt. I have 2 treasured quilts from Granny that I hope to some day pass down to my children which I know they will cherish too. One year for Christmas she have me my Great Grandmother's china which I have treasured since the day she gave me. I remember she taught me how to garden and plant flowers, quilt, and bake. She always took pride in everything she did. Everything she did had a touch of beauty added to it. I remember when I was little and she would have the table set for breakfast with plates, bowls, glasses and beautiful goblets (which I will be thrift store shopping for those pink goblets!). I couldn't understand why she would have the table set so nice with beautiful fresh flowers from her garden as a center piece when all we were having was cereal and it was just us, family. I use to think and wonder why she would go to all that trouble there was no party but I now understand. We were the celebration. She loved having us around and wanted to make even a simple breakfast beautiful for us.

This year has been a year of sickness in our house. I keep getting sick and it's been one thing after another. Well, while I as at the funeral I realized I have not been taking my Granny advice. She ALWAYS had orange juice and ALWAYS gave us a glass with our breakfast to keep us healthy. I think it was about last year I stopped drinking my orange juice to cut the calories and she was right I have been sick! I'm going to the store tomorrow to buy some!

The casket bearers were my cousins and our husbands. It was a beautiful service. My Granny has had everything planned for her funeral for as long as I can remember. I see where I get some of my craziness from! I told Damon I will do the same thing because if you want your funeral done to your liking you better plan it yourself!!

I have been searching my computer for some pictures of my Granny but I couldn't find many. One of my favorite pictures of her is on her trip to the Amazon and she is holding up this snake 5 times the size of her! She was full of spunk! Here is a picture just a day after Shane's 1st birthday. She loved her great grandchildren so much. She couldn't stop talking about how Trevor smiled big at her when she met him at Craig and Cyndi's wedding. She told me that through that sweet smile she could tell he was telling her I love you.

This is at Granny and Gramps house in St. George. Lanae came to visit Spring Break '05 and we went to visit them for a day. If you can't tell by the picture my Grandpa is a silly man and is always telling a joke!

The funeral was hard because her death finally became a reality. It was hard seeing my Grandpa's heart broken and the thought of not living without his sweetheart. Knowing I wouldn't see her sweet smile, hear her tender words of encouragement, and feel her loving touch. I will miss my Granny but she has taught me so much and left behind a true legacy of love that I hope to pass on to my children and grandchildren.

A sweet surprise!

I have such great friends! After the chocolate cake massacre by Trevor on Thursday my friends, Julie and Karin, decided to be the best friends EVER! I was surprised to find the two of them at my door yesterday with this BEAUTIFUL cake! How sweet are they? See how pretty my other cake was? The boys ate the other cake last night while I can have the non 10 second rule cake! We may have a replacement for the chocolate bundt cake we have a parties. This cake is delicious!

Cake anyone? We now have a lot of cake in our house. Any takers on cake and scrapbooking or just girl time tonight? Don't worry, I'll let you have the cake that WASN'T on the floor!

Too many animals in one house!

Too many dogs in one house! The boys wanted to play dog and so I broke out the black eye liner and made some animal faces! They played dog and kitty because they couldn't make up their minds of what they want to be! We had Shane's best buddy Gabe over too so he joined in on the fun.
Trevor enjoyed the "doggie" treats of mini cupcakes. He seems to always be a doggie or kitty throughout the day even if he doesn't have the face on.
You can't hear it but these animals sure are LOUD!

After awhile these poor animals needed some lunch. Shane told me dogs can't sit at the table unless you tell them to get up. He barked for awhile until I said, "Shane, up!"

Look at that sweet little Trevor.
The animals turned into "Mean Dogs" and were growling so no one would get their food. These boys sure do have fun together. I'm always surprised at how well Shane and Gabe play together. With how much they are around each other they really never do fight and are always so excited to see each other!
While the animals were finishing there lunch I went to check my e-mail and they asked me if dogs pee outside. Not thinking, I told them yes dogs don't pee in the house. It got a little quiet and then I heard Shane and Trevor giggles so I went see what was so funny and one of the doggies went outside to pee!!!!

10 Second Rule...

We had another successful Enrichment Night, a Service Auction. It was such a fun night and I went home with a coupon for a yummy breakfast delivered to my home, $20 GC to a scrapbook store, and 2 ultra cool wallets for the boys made out of old ties! Enrichment is so much fun yet so draining! I'm tired but I had to share my news.

The Young Women were having a fundraiser for Girls Camp at our Enrichment too and we bid on dessert with REAL money. I'm all about the support for the girls since at the rate I'm going will never pay for girls camp for a daughter. I bought this yummy chocolate cake from Freed's Bakery. It was so beautiful, with endless layers and yummy shaved chocolate on top until Mr. Trevor got his hands on it! Here is the nasty UGLY pile of smashed cake that landed on the floor because anything in a box that is chocolate he can't keep his hands off of!
You better believe I didn't just spend $30 on one cake to throw in the trash! This is when the 10 second rule comes in handy! It isn't as pretty and I'm sure it will be just as yummy when we have some for breakfast tomorrow! My Dad taught me at a young age that cake has flour and eggs and is just fine to eat for breakfast but never Halloween candy or any other "junk." I think we may top it off with a nice cold glass of milk too. Anyone want to join us for our healthy breakfast?

Happy Mother's Day!

Shane has been excited for Mother's Day. I think he is a product of his mom and looks forward to any reason to celebrate and have a party! We are so blessed to have so many amazing women in our lives. My mom, Damon's mom, my 2 grandma's and Damon grandma have shown me how to be a good mother to my own children. Each of them have special talents and gifts to give those around them and over the years I have seen the example of what true motherhood is about and I thank EACH of them for that!

We wish we could be there to celebrate with each of you and spoil you with our hugs and kisses! Instead, enjoy these beautiful flowers Shane got me. Look how proud he is by his shy smile. He came home from Pre-school with these roses for me and screamed "Happy Mother's Day!" I love having a little boy in Pre-school to come home and give me a Mother's Day gift! I make them each year with my students and now I have a little one to shower me with handmade things and I love it!
We love our mom's and grandma's "THIS much!!" Happy Mother's Day !

All tired out!

Aunt Tara and Allie has been here visiting since Saturday and we have had so much fun! The boys have so much fun with Allie. We have had some fun times with Shane's party, bike rides, park time, out to dinner, Chuck E. Cheese and we even shared the FLU! I know not too nice of my boys to share that with Allie! Well, Allie goes home tomorrow and I find this on my couch! I guess we played too hard today and they are all tired out! Trevor even walked home by himself while we were riding bikes outside tonight! Tara followed him and he was ready to go to bed by himself! Mr. Independent.

Online!

Check out my website it is officially online. I have been working on this for almost a year! My tech abilities aren't too great, but I proud of what I made the website. My Dad was here and helped me upload it online. CHECK- another thing off my to do list!

http://www.youngimpressionsphotography.com/

**I know I need to change maternity to wedding but I can't and am waiting for my peeps to do it!

I love ALL my boys!

Sometimes it's fun being the only girl around. I NEVER thought I would say this but I do. I get all the love, flowers, and kisses I need from each of my boys and I don't have to share! There must have been a lot of love in the house today because my heart is full!


Shane:
What isn't to love about a boy who loves my birthday parties as much as I do. He got so excited to help me put together the goodie bags tonight. We put everything in a line and placed one in each bag. He paid pretty good attention to how many he put in each bag but we giggled at all our mistakes! I love these quiet late nights with him just me and Shane. **Don't peek below if you are coming! He loves helping me create things and told me yesterday that I looked pretty. How sweet is that? I love that Shane appreciates the small things because I'm all about the small things in life. I better get going to make some wall deco's so I don't disappoint this birthday boy!

He can't wait for his "real birthday." As he tells anyone who will listen that the other birthday wasn't his real birthday and it was LAME! I thought Chuck E. Cheese with friends, dinner with the family at Chilis, and Cold Stone was pretty fun!

Trevor:

He is a love. He calls for me when I run around and don't give him attention. He will be sitting on the couch and pat next to him and say "sit mom, sit." It is so sweet. We love to snuggle on the couch in the morning and if doesn't get his mommy snuggle time he is a grump! He can be crazy and get into things but the huge smile at his GREAT accomplishments tend to make me not so mad. His accomplishment today while I was making dinner was dumping baby powder all over his room and throwing ALL the wipes all over the floor. Tonight Trevor had to give me a kiss through each slat on his crib. We went all the way around until we ran into the wall! Tonight he came up to me and put both arms around me and gave me the biggest bear hug and I was in heaven. I sure do love Mr. Trevor!

Damon:

Sometimes he can be a grump and sometimes I'm a grump back. Most of the time he makes me laugh and brings so much joy into our home. We don't have a normal life with Daddy home at dinner and helping with bed because he's at work all night. However, he is the most hands on Daddy I know. Damon is part of the Preschool carpool when I'm at work. He rides skateboards with the kids and teaches them so many things. Tonight he came home for a bathroom break since he was in the area. I love how he shows me the police car and turns on the lights as he drives away with a QUICK siren as it's late and we don't want to wake the neighbors!

I love ALL my boys and wouldn't trade them for anything. It's great to know that anything pink with lace or flowers is all mine and no one else is going to touch it!

All this being said...Boys can be so nasty! Tonight I'm changing Trevor's diaper and I go to kiss his belly and he toots right in my face and laughs saying I tooted. Trevor tooted!!! Shane starts cracking up with Trevor and says we are boys and we are nasty! I know this is only the start of it all. I can only imagine how they will be when Trevor is 10 and Shane's 12. Oh my, this is the time I need more things girl around me!