There's something funny going on

This is the worst picture because the lighting is really funky, but it's of Noah, Len's Mom & our nephew all with purple casts on their left arms last weekend. I think I married into an accident prone family! How funny is that though?! If you look closely, you may notice a bandaid on Noah's forehead & some blood on his clothes too. If you looked underneath that bandaid you would find 3 stitches! Seriously! When he ran into the house screaming & blood stained I thought "are you freakin' kidding me?!" Then, when I finally got a good look at the cut & it was obvious he needed stitches I just laughed, but not in a funny way. Luckily, he already got the stitches out & his cast comes off on Monday! Yeah! He already has plans for us to go swimming Monday night! He can't wait!

Another reason our insurance loves us! haha

Our big guy, Noah, had his first medical emergency yesterday at school. So sad!

I was at a hair appointment when his principal called telling me not to panic, but she's sure that Noah broke his arm at recess falling off a slide. She said she didn't call 911 yet, but she will if I can't be there soon! I knew it must not be a regular break! I was practically out the door with clippies & do dads all over in my hair, when I realized Len is about 10 minutes closer to Noah's school. So, I called him & he ran over there. We met at Urgent Care, who took a little peek underneath the bandaging that the school had put on his arm & said "I'll call Primary Children's Hospital & let them know you're on your way." What was underneath that bandage? Geez- we couldn't imagine how ugly it must look. So, we ran to the hospital & they were ready for him. We still waited for quite awhile, but in the meantime they took good care of Noah, who was being very brave but obvioulsy having a hard time. They finally took him to radiology & when they brought him back unwrapped- Len & I had to purposely not freak out & show our emotion at the sight of his totally deformed arm. It was just crazy looking. The doctor came in shortly after with x-ray photos & said "there are 3 types of elbow fractures (demonstrating with a tongue depressor stick) a crack" & he bent the stick, "a bigger crack" & bent the stick in half & "then there's a fracture like Noah has" & he broke the stick in half & placed the broken off portion behind the stick! He said it looks terrible, but it's actually common & they have a lot of experience & success in fixing them. Then he said, "this is where I turn you over to our orthopedic surgeons", & 2 burly guys in scrubs walked in. I think Len & I were in shock! Anyway, everyone was extremely kind & Noah had surgery to repair his bone & attach 3 pins last night about 8:00 p.m. It lasted an hour & was very successful. He's in a sling for a week & then will get a hard cast, wrist to shoulder, for 6 weeks! Ahhh! Luckily, it's his left arm so he will be ok in school & most activities. He was a super trooper & we are so glad that he's doing well. It really put things in perspective being at Primary Children's with so many ill children. We are grateful for our overall good health & are going to continuously pray for safety (especially for these nutty boys of ours!)

Just so it's not all about the grim stuff...I've been wanting to post these 2 cute "Noahisms" anyway:

After school the other day, Noah said to Len & I,

"there's a friend at school who has 2 voices"

"really?"

"yah- his regular voice & his funny deep asthma voice"

"Oh- he has asthma?"

"Yes- can I have asthma too? Pleeeeeeez!"

Here's another one. We were driving down the canyon in the evening & the mountains were shaded with clouds at the top, bright in the middle from the sunset & dark at the bottom. Noah said,

"Those mountains look like one of those pudding cups that you put in my school lunch box Mom!"

It's starting to look alot like Girlville

At least upstairs that is...the basement is still the boys den!

Our upstairs bathroom used to be blue, but I thought since our little girl will be the only kid upstairs, we should change it & give her a girly bathroom! We (Len actually) added the wainscoating & painted, but he grumbled about how bright the paint is the whole time! I guess it is a bit bright, but I like it. There is a pink glow in the hallway now though!

This is her nusery so far. We have been so blessed, because we bought the crib from a friend & it matched our dresser perfect. Another friend called about a cradle for sale in her neighborhood & ended up getting it for $5 because it needed a coat of paint! We also have very generous family & friends that have helped us get ready. We have bought alot too, of course, but it hasn't been as overwhelming as we imagined. It has been fun & exciting. We just can't wait to meet her!!!

We are still struggling with a name too, but we appreciate all your votes! It is fun to see what other's like! :) It would be nice to stop calling her "her", "she" & "baby girl"!

First grade

I was so excited on Noah's 1st day of first grade that I got up early, got ready, made him a nutritious breakfast all before he even woke up! Then, I let him eat it in my bed while watching his last morning cartoon for awhile & finished packing his lunch & getting his backpack all ready. I was so organized & prepared for a calm, wonderful morning even though Sam has been having nightmares & kept me up all night & was still asleep 15 minutes before school started. I still had time to wake him up quickly & head out...right?
Nope... picture a heavy, pregnant woman literally sprinting across the neighborhood while pushing two sleepy toddlers, still in their pajamas & barefoot, in the double jogger, while Noah was trying to keep his ankles from getting hit by running in front of us & whining "slow down"! (This picture is actually on his 2nd day, which was much calmer!)
Once we reached the school, I had envisioned kissing him, taking pictures & walking him to his classroom. Once again, Nope! I shoved him in the school's front doors 10 minutes late while yelling "I hope you remember where your classroom is!" Apparently, he did & had a great day. This 2nd day picture is horrible because he was so antsy to get back to school, he didn't want to stand still for a picture. He loves it & acts like it's no big deal that he's gone all day. I'm still getting used to it, but I'm so proud of him :)

Goodbye Summer

We have had such a fun summer!
Len loves taking the boys to Brighton hiking around the lake. They pretend like they're "lion hunting" (hunting as in "looking" because we are not fans of real hunting! My nerdy animal advocate self had to add that blurp). We had a mountain lion & a bobcat roaming our street this summer, so now the kids are obsessed with mountain lions! Very scary! Usually they only see moose & deer at Brighton, but that's very exciting too!
Noah playing in the fireman foam at his cousin's birthday party. It looked fun, but apparently it tastes really gross!
Mack loves catching potato bugs in the backyard & then finding them a new home in the dirt. He's always naked or in underwear too! He's the neighborhood streaker!
I told Noah & Sam this is the only time they can pretend to be chicks! haha!
A real cowboy! Whoa! The kids loved visiting "This is the Place" pioneer village this summer.

Honestly, I was a little frightened at being able to keep the kids busy all summer, but it actually flew by. I can't believe Noah's going to be in 1st grade, and Sam & Mack will be going to preschool in a week! This might be an emotional week!
Well, Goodbye summer...Hello home projects that desperately need to get done before the baby arrives. That will take my mind off the kids growing up so fast...a baby coming! Ahhh! Next post- the nursery & the princess' new pink bathroom!

"No more monkeys jumping in the bath!"

Sam's famous for goofing off in the bathtub & having absolutely no fear, but after last night...maybe he will think twice before jumping in the tub again! All the kids were in the bath together & kept jumping around & were being really crazy. Len & I both kept getting after them & even took Mack out. Sam & Noah started up again after a few minutes & poor Sammy got a lesson the hard way! We rushed him to urgent care & he received 5 stitches & has a pretty good shiner. Luckily, he's still happy Sam & the doctor was amazed at how relaxed he was through the whole procedure. He had his legs crossed like he was lounging at the pool & Len read him a story until it was over. I hope our 2nd experience with stitches is our last...hmmmm probably not!

Idaho

The kids & I left Wednesday to visit my aunts & cousins in Idaho for a few days before Len's triathlon. We had so much fun! We did all kids stuff, so the kids had a blast & the adults were worn out! Here are some of the highlights...

We went to a fun water park in Rexburg Thursday

It's cute when this happens if you're 3 years old!

Friday we visited Tautphaus Zoo in Idaho Falls, then we went to lunch at a fun place that has a climbing gym for the kids. Kelcee, her friend & I pigged out on pizza, salad & cold soda while the kids ran themselves ragged! We had to drag them out for a nap (I'm pretty sure I slept while the kids goofed off around me & never slept!) Then we watched "Penelope" after the kids finally dropped that night. It was so fun we didn't want to leave, but I'm sure Kelcee & Todd were grateful to have peace & quiet back in their house :)

Saturday morning we took off early, heading toward Burley to watch Len & his brothers & a brother-in-law compete in the "Spudman" Triathlon! We barely made it in time to watch Len cross the finish line :) Phewww- it was a crazy mass of athletes, but it was very exciting & we were so glad we made it in time. Noah made Daddy some posters to show his support!

Len, Joe & Steve- the 3 brothers! They all did great & we are so proud of them! Whoohoo!