And the blog moved on....

I feel so lucky to have a really great Mother-in-Law. I hit the lottery with this one. She is a friend, someone I love to talk to, and someone I enjoy spending time with. But, I have made a horrible mistake and I think I have offended her deeply. I somehow missed documenting her latest visit on my blog. I am just sick about it. We had used her camera practically the entire visit... so when I initially thought to create a post after she left I kept thinking I would wait for her photos. Somewhere between Grant's bday and Easter I got distracted and now that I have finally gotten around to downloading them all out of Kodakgallery I am so ashamed b/c it is MAY!! Somehow I let the blog move forward in time and failed to stop and document our important February visitors. So... Stephannie... no more of my lame excuses....this post is for you and it's long overdue. I love you and hope you will forgive me for my terrible oversight! (And a special Happy Birthday shout out to you too!! Hope it was a great one.) Grandma Albrecht and the boys
Some wintertime fun. Who doesn't love Elefun? Even adults on their knees can't get all those butterflies!
Grandma and Baby Bennett
The most WONDERFUL paints that Grandma A. gave Grant for his birthday. It's the only way I will let my children 'paint' in my house. The paint stays contained and is washable. Seriously- if you have kids, I suggest ordering some. These provide HOURS of entertainment for my kids and their friends. Thanks Grandma! We think of you every time we pull them out!

Saturday play...

For the first four years of our married life we lived happily in city apartments. There was something so simple about maintaining an apartment. A quick vacuum and a swifter duster and you were done and onto more interesting activities. Now that we are homeowners, I always feel like Saturdays are spent cleaning, organizing, mowing the lawn and doing endless "projects"(will the bulletin board in my laundry room ever be hung??? It's been 2 years honey.. hint hint). With Scott gone for an entire week last week on business, I decided that Saturday would be our precious family day to do something "fun" that didn't involve cleaning out the garage again. So, I had the lawn mowed while he was away and cleaned my house from top to bottom all day Friday so when Saturday came we walked out the door and played all day at Pilot Mountain! Now it's Monday and the same projects and tasks are staring me in the face... but it felt good to play hooky for the weekend. (P.S.- note Bennett's first tooth in the pic below!!! Came in a few weeks ago.)

Here comes the sun....

A quick trip to Hilton Head this past weekend to see my Grandparents made me realize that summer is upon us and I couldn't be happier. There is nothing more wonderful than long days at the beach digging in the sand, boogie boarding, collecting shells, taking the baby for a stroll and just relaxing in the sun. And my children are always asleep in record time after a day at the beach or pool.... now that is reason enough to get excited that summer is here!!!

Bennett's first time at the beach! He loved it.

A rare moment of sharinga nd teamwork. Had to capture it on film.(Nate is trying to help Grant carry a watering can without spilling out the contents before getting to their sandcastle which is what was happening when Grant was assigned the task!)
Bennett Morgan meets his Great Grandy and Great Grandma (GiGi) Morgan. He shares his birthday with Great Grandy.

SUMMER HERE WE COME!!!!

My latest addiction...

BODYPUMP


Maybe it's the realization that swimsuit season is just around the corner, or maybe it's that last little bit of babyweight I'm dying to work off.... but I am totally addicted to this class. It's like having a personal trainer take you through an entire body workout but not even realizing you've been working out b/c the music is blasting and you are having so much fun. See if it's in your area! I swear you will become an addict too.
http://www.lesmills.com/southeast/en/members/bodypump/bodypump-group-fitness-program.aspx

Yes Sir- No Sir- Big Sur

My Cowboys

We spent spring break with my Mom and family in Carmel, CA and Big Sur- 'the most beautiful meeting of land and sea'. What an incredible place! And to top it off we stayed at the most amazing family 'ranch' owned by our dear friends,The Spencer's. It was so fun to make memories as a family there and we won't soon forget our breakfast at 'The Wagon Wheel', 17 mile drive, watching each of the boys become true cowboys (even Scott!), enjoying the sunsets, playing in the 'tree house', 'cousin time', and just kicking back and forgetting about 'life' for a while. Yee-haw!!

'The Family'- Love you guys!

The Ranch AKA 'Cowboy Town'

A sweet, but very early cousins breakfast! West coast time change is brutal!! Can you say 5AM???

'Mommas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys.....'

My mystery man...

For the past few weeks, Grant has been our 'man of mystery' at bedtime. He is SNEAKY now that he has discovered the freedom of a big boy bed. Last week, I found a half empty box of Girl Scout cookies (Thin mints if you must know) laying in the middle of my pantry floor as I turned off lights to go to bed. But the thief left as quickly as he came, I hadn't heard any of my boys out of bed! The next night, after putting the boys to bed, I returned upstairs to put the baby to bed and heard the tv on in the playroom. I went to turn it off only to discover Grant, curled up with his blanket, sitting on the couch watching late night cartoons! He hadn't made a sound- he is one stealth character! Then tonight... the event that sent me to my blog to document this for memories sake... I noticed as I checked on the boys that my pile of folded laundry that had been sitting in the upstairs hallway was significantly smaller. MUCH smaller, only a few tshirts and superhero underoos remained. Did Grant PUT AWAY MY LAUNDRY???? I started to giggle... amazed that my sneaky little guy had actually been productive and helpful during his night wanderings. But it was too good to be true... I opened the boys walk in closet and there was my stack of laundry, lying in a huge heap, now needing to be folded again. Oh little mystery man... what will you think of next??

Slice of life...

One sharp can top + one garbage can + a hurried Mom trying to get dinner ready and shoving down the garbage to avoid taking out the trash just yet = 3 1/2 hours in the emergency room, one tetanus shot, and six stitches to this brilliant Mommy's left hand. Of course before heading to the emergency room I still had to bathe the kids, get them into bed, and wait for my darling husband to arrive. By 9pm I was on my way to the hospital- but would have rather been home in bed getting some much needed rest. A friend suggested I did it on purpose to get 3 hours of quiet to myself. But, let's be honest... wouldn't I have done it during shopping hours so I could swing by Target and the Mall on my way to the ER??? Typing, laundry, dishes, and tying shoes are slow going around here these days.... the report of our trip to CA will have to wait. Tune in a few days!

Easter weekend

Comparing their loot from the easter bunny, very early on Easter morning.

Bennett- the only child still in his easter outfit. Will I ever capture a photo of all my boys in their easter outfits? Last year Grant screamd and cried when I attemped it, and this year my big boys had stripped out of their church clothes before I could even get the camera. Maybe next year....

Hunting for easter eggs.

Mission 'egg'complished.

A glimpse at the 'kids table' at our Easter dinner... First I have to point out that Nate wrote all the place cards himself (I helped with the spelling) and set the table. Second, notice the dinosaur that made it's way to my easter table decor??? I noticed it just before our guests arrived and decided to leave it. Bunnies and dinosaurs- it gives our easter decor a little 'edge'. Can you tell this is a house full of boys???

Bennett's easter treat.... rice cereal for the first time. He wasn't a fan- but he loved the spoon. Oh well- we'll try again later.

Super-Bennett!

Today at Bennett's 4 month check-up he was measured and declared 'superhuman' by our pediatrician. He jumped from 50th percentile in height, to 95th percentile, in just 2 months. His growth since birth was quite impressive to the doctors. It explains why my perfect angel sleeper has been waking more in the middle of the night lately. He is superhuman... it's as simple as that. Superhumans need to feed their superpowers. Now if he would just regain his superpower to sleep 10 hours at night for me again, then I can get back to being 'supermom'. But until then...Isn't he the cutest? He is my best baby yet- or maybe I'm just know what I am doing finally!

Shiny New Shoes

One thing I have found with having all boys is that I save a ton of money on clothing. Everything can be handed down, except for those items that get alot of wear and tear. Because Nate and Grant were born in the same season, I've even been able to hand down several pairs of shoes to Grant-huge cost savings. Needless to say, he hasn't exactly had 'new' looking shoes very often, but they have always been in great condition, just a little worn. So, when his tennis shoes were looking a little worn this past weekend, and I decided we needed velcro instead of laces (who has time to tie shoes anymore?) I let Grant pick out a new pair of shoes. We haven't stopped hearing about these new shoes ever since. Tonight on his way up to bed, as he passed his new shoes on the steps,he patted them lovingly and said 'I love my new shoes- they are GOOD and SHINY shoes.' Simple joys for the second born!

Grant's 'BEAR'thday Celebration

Grant celebrated #3 at Build-a-Bear with a few of his little friends. A new cuddly bear, lunch at Chick-fil-a, cupcakes by the carousel.... what more could a 3 year old need? He was in heaven.

Grant turns 3!

Happy Birthday my little Grant-Grant. Life certainly changed when you arrived on the scene 3 years ago. Your first year of life was a loud one- the crying never stopped. Everyone said 'just wait until he crawls, then he'll be happy'. And then you crawled, and just kept crying. Then people said 'just wait until he is walking, then he'll be happy', and instead you would just walk around the house, clinging to my leg, still crying. And then you turned 2 and really started talking.... and talking, and talking.... and you finally stopped crying!! Now those cries have been replaced with your sweet little high-pitched voice. We love everything about you little man: The way you crinkle your nose and eyes when you smile, the way you announce each morning that 'Mr Sunshine is awake', the way you LOVE everyone and tell them so, the cute way you lift your shoulder when someone tells you they love you, your immediate kisses when we're sad or hurt, the fact that you are our go-to guy to get the honest story of 'who hit who'(you cannot tell a lie- I don't think you know what that is), the way you nose-kiss your new baby brother, your love of oatmeal (every morning), your fearless spirit that allows you to throw yourself off diving boards and always try new things, your sweet prayers (and the way you love to remind other people when they are saying their prayers of things you would like them to include), your ability to run alongside my stroller at the mall without needing to ride in it, you're happy singing voice (Hakuna Matata is a favorite) and your desire to always do what is right and make good choices. We love you Grant-Grant and can't imagine our family without you in it. Happy Birthday!!

Still living with his mother....

Nate: 'Why can't boys have babies? Why can only girls have babies?'
Me: 'Well Heavenly Father gave girls all the right tools to build a baby just right. But boys get to be great Dad's and help Mommies and have lots of fun. One day you will get married and get to be a Dad and you will be great at it.'
Nate: 'But if you get married you have to marry a girl'.
Me: 'Yes, someday you'll meet a beautiful girl and you can get married in the temple just like Mommy and Daddy!'
Nate: 'Oh no... I'm scared. If I marry a girl then I have to be with her all the time. I think I'll just stay here with you Mom'.

Oh dear...People have told me that boys really love their Moms. Check back with me in 20 years or so and I'll let you know how this works out.

MISSING- in more ways than one

Missing:One barefoot dreams mini blankie

Color: Blue

Last photographed: Phoenix Hyatt on a layover to Salt Lake City, UT.

Easily recognizable due to several loops missing on the edges and small tears in the center due to excessive love by a 4 year old.

Scott and Nate are certain that it made it to the ski condo, but cannot provide any additional information as to the current whereabouts of said blankie.

Blankie did not return home in Nate's backpack or suitcase.

Most sad about the loss of Nate's first 'love' and true 'friend' of 4 years : ME

Tagged again??

Okay- now my friend Jolin has Book tagged me??? Another one I hadn't heard of before! But this is fun, even though I really should be folding laundry right now....

Here are the rules:
Find the book closest to you with at least 123 pages.
Turn to page 123.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post the next 3 sentences.
Tag 5 people.



From 'New Moon' by Stephenie Meyer (Book 2 of the 'Twilight Saga')


"Then there would come the point in my dream- and I could feel it coming now, but could never seem to wake myself up before it hit- when I couldn't remember what it was that I was searching for, and nothing to find. That there never had been anything more than just this empty, drearywood, and there never would be anything more for me... nothing but nothing. That was usually about when the screaming started."



I tag..... Alison, Audrey, Beth, Mindy, and Christie!!!

Bag Tag

My friend Mindy 'bag tagged' me... I didn't know that existed.

Here are the rules.

1. You have to show your bag

2. Show all the contents in the bag, no cleaning it out!

3. Bag tag 5 more people.

It was actually kind of a nice excuse to clean out my bag- here is what I found: wallet, phone, burts bees lipbalm, kiehls lipgloss, nuetrogena gloss, goldfish, paint samples, fabric samples, old receipts and trash, binky, B&B hand sanitizer, Lansinoh wipes (these are the best baby wipes), wet ones, diaper, the day planner I cannot live without from Barnes and Nobles, and a taggie blanket.

I tag.... Julianne, Whitney, Jolin, Melissa R, and Mackenzie

A little love...

We have a little tradition around here when I'm tucking my boys into bed at night, it came from a book we used to read. I always tell my boys 'I love you to the moon'.... then they try to respond with something better like 'I love you to the stars', or 'I love you to the highest space shuttle', you get the point. So tonight, when I stood at the door of the room they now share and said 'I love you to the moon', Nate responded with 'Well I love you to the BIGGEST tree' and Grant, (not to be outdone by his big brother) responded, 'And I love you to the SMALLEST tree mommy'. Big or little... I'll take it.

A chip off the old block...

Father/Son ski trip '08

Nate enjoyed his first 'father-son' ski trip with his Dad at Snowbird last weekend. Nate is a natural born skiier- takes after his Dad! (He certainly didn't inherit the genes from me- think lodge and hot cocoa) I was so worried that he might be scared, hesitant, perhaps even throw the towel in on his first time skiing... but Scott had to drag him off the mountain at the end of each day, he loved it so much. On the last day there, Scott asked Nate to show him all the new 'tricks' he had learned in ski school. Nate replied, 'Dad, I'm the same good I was yesterday'. Such confidence. Nate also enjoyed visiting with his Grandpa Snow&Rusty, Aunt Mackenzie& cousins, a Valentine party at the Fredenbergs (thanks Alison!), seeing the BYU campus, and visiting temple square. Meanwhile, back at home, Grant enjoyed being 'king of the playroom' and having every toy to himself... Something a second child doesn't experience very often! Let's just say it was nice and quiet around here.....

It's a hard knock life...

Tonight was an especially mischevious night for my boys. Spills at the dinner table, excessive splashing in the tub, testing out toothpaste and diaper cream on their bedroom carpet- and the list goes on. So after a very short lesson about 'choosing the right', the boys were sent straight to bed. As I tucked Nate in, I told him how much I loved him, but that I was so dissapointed in the choices he had made. His reply....'But Mom- it's SO hard to be good'. Here's hoping for lots of hard work from my boys tomorrow!

C is for Cookie.....

I have a little soft spot for Girls Scouts... I was one myself, and I was very competitive when it came to cookie sales- I was relentless. I canvased my neighborhood, used the church ward list for solicitation (I know-SO not allowed), sent the form with my Dad to work, and every other trick in the book. I watched 'Troop Beverly Hills' for inspiration (a Shellie Long classic- if you haven't seen it you are missing out). So, when this sweet little neighbor of mine came by with her order form just a few weeks after I had Bennett (and I wasn't yet on my 'body beautiful in time for summer' diet), I just couldn't resist helping make a fellow girl scouts day. Well, I think I went a little overboard! The sad thing is... this isn't even all of them- I've already given away 3 boxes!!! Help!!!

Auntie Nancy

'Auntie Nancy' (as Grant affectionately calls her) paid us a visit this weekend! She got to meet her new nephew and we got to celebrate her upcoming birthday a few days early with her! We've missed not having her here in North Carolina anymore. We love you Auntie Nancy- come again soon!

Slipping through my fingers...

It's all going too quickly! It feels like just yesterday we brought our #3, baby Bennett home, and before I could stop it he is already smiling, laughing, and talking. Where did that little newborn go? I do love the newborn stage... so tiny, cuddly, sleepy... but I also love that we have moved past middle of the night feedings and getting kicked out of the YMCA childcare b/c he wasn't old enough!! So... guess time will keep slipping by...

Tiffany and Trouble

Coming home from a neighborhood Super Bowl soiree tonight, my sweet, yet very tired Grant, ignored our pleas to get in his carseat. Instead, he bounded to the front of the car, trampling my now empty fruit platter and cr.ush.ing the beautiful tiffany glass bowl I had set in the middle to hold the tasty fruit dip. Then my reaction..... 'Grant! No! It's Tiffany!!!! You are in BIG trouble with Mommy'! My sweet little boy fell in a heap on the car floor and cried. As I watched him I had a moment.... a moment like most Mom's do when their favorite treasures are violated- like a piece of furniture 'decorated' with a sharpie, or a special necklace pulled at by your baby until the beads crash to the floor, or your favorite makeup dumped on the bathroom floor ... a moment that makes you want to lose it, but instead I hear myself say 'Grant- I loved that bowl, but it's just a bowl, and I love you more than a thousand of those bowls'. I do feel so badly about the tragic loss of a beautiful wedding gift... it really was one of my favorites! It's just that I've had a few new treasures enter my life since....

Oh what do you do in the wintertime??

We made Playdough this week- pink for February! So fun! I had never attempted it before but it was so easy that I think we'll do it more often! The kids loved helping mix the ingredients and watching the dough 'cook' before their very eyes!! It has provided hours of entertainment all week since it keeps well in a ziploc or airtight container. Here is the recipe if any of you are a little stir crazy and need a February activity!!!

PLAYDOUGH

2 c. flour

1 c. salt

4t cream of tartar

2T oil

2 c. water

food coloring or (2 pkgs sugar free jello)

Mix all ingredients and cook on medium heat. The mixture will begin to thicken, keep turning it and allowing it all to heat up until you form a big ball of playdough. Take off the stove and put on a counter or cutting board to knead. Store in an airtight container or ziploc bag. (If your children don't like the smell- you can scent it with coconut extract, or other nice smelling extracts.) Have fun!

First SNOW of the season

Our first snow of the season. We don't get much, and it's wet and slushy, but we sure make the most of it! Nate sledded for about an hour, Grant took one spin and came inside asking for 'hot cocoa please'. Ahhh... he takes after me. I'm a half-day skiier and hot cocoa lodge dweller- what can I say?

A Blessed Day

We blessed our sweet Bennett on Sunday, January 20th. Scott's Dad and his wife Rusty were here for the occasion. Bennett was so calm and serene for his blessing and his father blessed him with so many wonderful things, but my favorite was that he blessed him to be a support to his brothers and stand strong together to overcome the temptations and trials they would face. It really is so amazing to see how the 'brotherhood' has already started- Nate and Grant are wonderful, protective, and doting big brothers to Bennett.

'The Brotherhood'

(Credit for photos of boys: Julianne Smoot Photography)

Christmas Memories...

Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring.....
Who are we kidding????

Our first Christmas at home was delightful, but being in charge of the Christmas meals, gift wrapping, gingerbread house decorating, cookie baking, gift buying, home decorating, christmas card mailing, meeting everyone's expectations for a perfect christmas etc.. sure is alot of pressure and WORK! I know with a newborn I had an excuse for a 'pass' this Christmas, but having two older children who are so excited by the season really made me want to start to create memories and traditions as a family. It seemed so much easier when we just showed up at our parents doorsteps and let them be in charge of the Christmas memory making! I have such a newfound respect for all my parents and in-laws do to make the holidays so memorable! Thankfully I had lots of helpful elves in the form of my Mother and Fely who came to enjoy the holiday with us and help out. I wasn't ready to go it alone just yet! I couldn't have done it without them! Here are a few pics from our quiet little Christmas at home!

Happy Birthday Scott!

Scott turns 30-something!?!

Poor Scott... his birthday is SO close to Christmas that sometimes it gets a little lost in the shuffle. I have tried my best as a wife to make his day extra special and help him overcome his traumatic childhood memories of his parents telling him to pick his birthday present from under the tree! This year I started the celebrations early for him with a little dinner party with friends a weekend prior and then a birthday party at home with the kids, Mom and Fely on the big day! We even found the birthday wrapping paper under the piles of Christmas paper- a small miracle. And to top it off honey- here it is- your VERY own post! No Christmas pictures here! Just 100% birthday! This one's for you! We love you!