Just for fun

Here are a few cute random pics of the boys. Not the best pictures we've ever taken but fun!

One night Merik decided he wanted to chat on the phone with Grandma Jill and family. This doesn't happen very often but he parked behind the chair and talked their ears off!

Jaden's new favorite phrase is "I did it myself Mommy! Yeah!" When I heard him chanting it one day this is what I found.

Last week after Micah and I went to the adult session of Stake Conference we wanted to go out for ice cream but didn't have time since the babysitter needed to be home early. To our surprise the excellent little babysitter had already put the boys in pajamas and read them bedtime stories when we got home. But we just couldn't resist and asked if they wanted to go get ice cream. The excitement on their faces was priceless. Jaden was clapping and cheering and Merik kept saying "Really Mommy? Right now? Do I get ice cream too? Really?" So we loaded up, PJs and all, and had so much fun getting messy and eating ourselves sick! It was one of the best date nights ever!

Dinosaurs

Last week Micah actually had a day off so we all got to visit the "Dinosaurs Alive" exhibit at the Hurst Museum. The museums and parks around here just don't measure up to San Francisco but it was still fun.

Merik was fascinated and frightened at the same time. Jaden loved it. He would "roar" back at the dinosaurs and even stuck his hand in the T-Rex's mouth. He's not afraid of anything!

Can you tell my daddy is a dentist?

The boys LOVE to brush their teeth. They will only use this lemon flavored toothpaste Micah got as a sample when Crest was doing a survey for a new flavor. I don't think this was the favorite, it's pretty disgusting, so I don't know what we'll do when it all gone!

"Can I just have another Jaden?"

I asked Merik a while back if he wanted a baby. He looked at me and said, "But Mom I already have one. He's sitting right there. It's Jaden." Then he thought for a minute and said "Can I have another one just like him? Can I just have another Jaden?"

Although I don't think there could ever be another kid quite like Jaden I hope Merik likes baby #3 just as much. Yes in May we are going to have a new addition to our family! I am 14 weeks and I guess I should stop being in denial and share the good news with our friends although this is kind of a let down after Nikki and Branden's triplet news! I guess we'll both get to experience three kiddos. It can be done right?!

I just hope the new baby is as cute as it's big brothers!

Pumpkins

We had fun carving (and coloring) pumpkins. The boys were so proud of their creations but they didn't want anything to do with the guts inside. Some how I got that job?!

Micah says I never put pictures of myself so here you go. Me and my buddy pretending to be camera shy.

Happy Halloween

So I've been a little slow at blogging lately...sorry! Here are my cute little guys. It was fun to have a real Halloween for the first time. We went to the ward trunk-or-treat and then set off on a trip around the neighborhood. Best of all Gradma Jill came to trik-or-treat with us and stayed for a few days! There were so many fun pictures to choose from so here are a few...

Don't let the angel face fool you...hehehe...

Musicians

Jaden has figured out that life can be fun when Merik goes to preschool. He gets Mom's undivided attention and he doesn't have to share. It's fun to see his personality coming out. The other day he set up this lovely drum set all by himself and had quite the jam session.

Both boys love to be drummers on anything they can get a hold of. Merik told me when he grows up he is going to be a drummer, then a dentist, then a fireman. He also told me he is going to have to go to school for a long time.

They also enjoy playing the piano...Jaden doesn't even have to hear it to be entertained. Merik knows how to play the prerecorded music so he thinks he is professional.

Flowers and things

Merik and I planted a million zinnia seeds in our planter box and to our pleasent suprise they actually grew. Thanks to Merik's careful supervision we had lots of plants and even a few flowers. We planted a little late in the summer so maybe we'll have even better luck with the next pack.

I love they way Jaden is looking at Merik in this picture. He sure loves his big brother and wants to be just like him.

Go, Go Power Rangers

Merik LOVES his Power Rangers. He was so proud of himself for making them all stand up even though Aunt Maleah's dog Sheshee chewed off some of their feet.

Our Second Home

We are so glad we have a pool and splash park in our neighborhood. We have defiantly put it to use as evidence by our great tans and Merik's super swimming skills. The water is getting a little cold but the boys don't mind. My friend Camille took the following pics for me. We had a blast swimming with her and her two adorable boys Mason and Marcus the other day.

Jaden is kamikaze at the pool...well pretty much all the time. He cracks me up!

First Day of Preschool

Merik was just a little excited about his first day of preschool. His teachers are Ms. Kathy and Ms. Kathy or The Ms. Kafys as Merik says. Best of all Merik's best little buddy, Monica who is a fellow Sunbeam, is in his class. When I picked him up he ran out and said "Had a fun day Mom!" So I asked "what did you do?" His reply "Nothing". I thought that didn't start until jr high!

Poor Jaden was lost without his buddy. He just moped around all day.

This is the Church where Merik goes to school. It's off this beautiful windy farm road about 5 minutes from our house.

Something Cool

You might already know about this...but I think it's cool. If you go to www.google.com/reader you can subscribe to your favorite blogs or other websites and any time there is a new post it will automatically feed it to you.

This way I don't have to feel like a "blog stalker" but I can still keep up with everyone!

Boys and Bugs

Meet Mr. Caterpillar. The boys found him in the house and fell in love. Mr. Caterpillar played and watched cartoons with Merik.

Jaden had to keep him in the bug catcher because the little giant likes to squish things.

Mr. Caterpillar only stayed one day and luckily made it out alive! Merik and Jaden have also caught a cricket who got to go swimming, (too bad crickets don't swim very well) little frogs, and huge grasshoppers.

(Hey Lindi how's that!!!)

Fun Facts about Forney

So I was "tagged" but I just can't think of many interesting things about me that haven't already been said...instead I've decided to tell you some "Fun Facts about Forney". Here goes!

• All of the fire hydrants are blue and silver in honor of the Dallas Cowboys. This is actually all over Dallas. Football season is just starting and if we don't love it yet I think it will be forced upon us.


• Everyone drives HUGE trucks and everyone drives fast. I don't think I'll be getting a speeding ticket any time soon because all of the speed limits are 55mph.


• Speaking of driving...there are frontage roads running along both sides of the freeways. If you don't feel like driving 60mph on the freeway you can just stay on the frontage road and drive 55mph. I actually prefer the frontage roads because the freeway entrances are scary! You only have a few seconds to merge before hitting bridge rails or driving into a ditch.


• The coolest (and only) place to shop is Wal-Mart!


• I have yet to see a real cowboy with boots, hat and all. It seems like the only people who really even have Texas accents are from Austin, TX or they are just faking it to sound cool. Sorry but Merik and Jaden probably won't be picking up any cute drawls. Even though I haven't seen any cowboys everyone has Texas pride. There are so many Texas flags, stars, Texas A&M paraphernalia, etc. They are also very patriotic. It seems like everybody has family ties to the military.


• I have never seen so many different kinds of bugs. The boys LOVE it and their bug catcher is always occupied. It's just to bad the occupant usually doesn't make it out alive. We have the biggest grasshoppers, beautiful dragonflies, crickets that sing Merik to sleep at night, and big fat caterpillars. (I could do without the flys and ants.)


• Our tap water has a funny smell. I hear that the lake our water comes from has some stinky fungus. It happens every summer and I guess it's okay or they would tell us not to use it. Right?! Thank goodness we have a cool ice and water dispenser on our fridge with a filter so we don't have to drink the smelly water. (Have I mentioned I love our house!)


• I am always way over dressed. In San Fran I could never be too fashionable, but things are a little behind here. Faded jeans and over sized t-shirts seem to be the style. I guess there's no pressure to keep up!


• Everyone goes to church on Sunday. In fact at least 3 of our neighbors are preachers. When we first moved in they all brought us their business cards and invited us to their congregations. All the kids go to church run preschools too. Merik will go to a Methodist school where he will have music, recess, and worship time mixed into his day. This should be fun!

Sorry that was a lot a reading. These are the things that keep life interesting these days. Merik asked "Why do we just go to the pool and then the gym, the pool and then the gym...every day?" Doesn't it sound like fun!

We have made some fun friends too and I think we're gonna like it here.

Just for fun!

Home Sweet Home

Here are a few pictures of our new house. It's nice and spacious since we doubled our square footage in the move!

Family Room

Our Craigslist find that we fixed up with some new doorknobs and some Pledge. Craigslist is just not the same as it was in San Francisco :( Jaden's favorite place to hang out!Looking into the kitchen and office (actually it's a dining room) from the family room. The kitchen is so much bigger than anything I've ever had...I even have a totally empty cupboard that the boys also like to hang out in.

We found this desk at an unfinished furniture store and my personal handyman (aka Micah) did a beautiful job staining it. Now he gets to stain a matching file cabinet!

We LOVE living in a house. The boys have plenty of room to run wild, everything is so new and clean, and Micah has had fun fixing up the yard. There's always more to do or buy, but it's starting to feel like home!

My Very Own Superhero

Aunt Lindi and Uncle Tanner found this cape in Mexico for Merik. He wears it everywhere ever since he has gotten over the fact that "it's not Halloween Mom". We were quite the sight to see at Target! He was even smart enough to ask if he could wear it in the car to church but take it off before we got inside.

Merik would not look at the camera for the first picture because this was supposed to be a picture of the cape...not him!