Trevor's School Picture

School pictures are usually so awkward, which is why we are so embarrassed when the old school albums make their "every blue moon" appearance around the house. However, as a mother I can see why my mom laughed and cried (out of love of course) at our school pics. They usually capture the weirdness yet sweetness of being a child.

Happy Birthday Spencer!

4 months

16 month

2 yrs./ 4mo.

3 yrs./ Camping for his birthday

Spencer turned 3 years old on the 21st! We had to celebrate his birthday a little late because I was out of town. We had a lot of Fun!

Stephen is getting married

Stephen is getting married on December 1st! We are looking forward to his wedding and having Arianne (pronounced Arion- French Canadian) and Jacob a permanent part of our family!

Unexpected Family Reunion

This week has been crazy, long, tiring, fun and unexpected! Dad went to the hospital in Columbia last Friday (two Friday's ago) because he has been having heart problems again. Mom and I drove down there Saturday to be with him. We ended up spending the night in the waiting room (something I don't recommend) and driving down to Charleston on Sunday. The doctors decided to send him down to Charleston for a heart catheter and possible surgery. Driving into Charleston was great. I could smell the marsh and salty sea air. It took me back to the "good ole days" of visiting Nick and Alisa when they lived down there. Once we got to the hospital dad was wheeled away for a heart catheter. The results were not what we hoped for, however in the long run dad would be better off. He had to have by-pass surgery. The blockage was too long for a stint and there was significant damage to one of the main arteries. They scheduled him for Friday morning and he had to stay in the hospital until the surgery. We were a little bumbed out but we knew that it was for the best. We drove back to Greenville for a couple of days to get things squared away and taken care of before the surgery. Thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law, I was able to help my mom during this time and didn't have to worry about my children. In the meantime, we made plans for our family to meet back down in Charleston to be with dad during this time. Nick drove from N.C., Nathan drove in from Tennessee, Heather flew out from Utah and of course Stephen, Scott and I were already here. This was the first time in over ten years that all six of us have all been together. It was so much fun to have our family together for dad. The surgery went well and dad recovered ahead of schedule. He is scheduled to come home today! We are so grateful for the doctors. The surgeon that performed the surgery was a 10th year resident. He was great. Because dad was in a V.A. hospital and we were next door to the medical university, there were mainly residents that took care of him most of the time. They were all great!

The Last Bit of Summer Fun!

These boys are so sweet to their baby brother Vincent!

I noticed that the boys had not come into the house in a while so I knew they were up to something (usually something no good). They must have gotten bored with the pool and trampoline so they decided to "drive their cars in the lake".

Who says that you have to a girl to get into mommy's make-up. Little boys are curious about what mommy puts on her face too!

Vince is such a sweet baby. I love his little pug nose.

Vincent is growing up so fast. He is already 4 1/2 months old!

Another Great Trip to Myrtle Beach!

It's always great to go to the beach! We had a great time and were thrilled to be with Aunt Heather, Uncle Myles, Anne, Jack, Kate and Dean again. Thanks for such a great time everyone!

Some Fun Info!

I just got tagged! How Fun!!!

A- Attached or single: Attached I guess. What is meant by this?
B- Best Friend: Kevin of course!
C- Cake or Pie: I am not a great fan of either however if the cake is moist, chocolate, has lots of chocolate frosting and add Moose Tracks ice cream, I'll take it!
D- Day of choice: Friday, because of the anticipation of a great weekend (hopefully).
E- Essential Item: It varies... for the next 10 days, my detox drink!
F- Favorite Color: Blue
G- Gummy Bears or Worms: Gummy Bears, although I don't really care for either.
H- Hometown: Pendleton/South Carolina
I- Indulgence(s): Homemade peanut butter cookies with p/b chips and choc. chips, a total "kick-butt" run (I don't get enough of), McDonald's cheeseburger and Fudge Sundae (it reminds me of being a kid)!
J- January or July: July minus the humidity!
K- Kids: Yes! Three.
L- Life is Incomplete Without: Family, vacations, shopping and exercise!
M- Marriage Date: December 16, 1999
N- Number of Siblings: 4 brothers and 1 sister
O- Oranges or Apples: As long as the apple is sweet, crunchy and juicy (no soft spots at all), then I would have to take the apple
P- Phobias or Fears: I have so many where do I begin?
Q- Quote(s): "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear". My Mission President tried hard to drill this into our heads for everything. I try to live by this (not always successful), however I love it!
R- Reason To Smile: My children, husband, clean house, homemade healthy dinner and hydro therapy (you can't help but smile, it is awesome... everyone should try it at least once)!
S- Season: Fall, Winter, Spring then Summer
T- Tag Three: Wendy, Jenny, Heather
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I want to start a catering business
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: I have nothing against eating meat, however I am not a big meat eater unless it is highly seasoned and cooked just right.
W- Worst Habit: I always stay up too late too! I have a lot of bad habits.
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Hope I don't have to have either one, unless I am pregnant and finding out the sex of my baby.
Y- Your Favorite Food: It depends on the day! To name a few... grilled pizza, spaghetti, chicken rolls w/mashed potatoes, shrimp and grits haystacks, mmmm!
Z- Zodiac: I have no idea

Trevor Got His Tonsils Taken Out!

Last year Trevor had his adenoids removed to get rid of the fluid in his ear. We were hoping that by removing his adenoids, that his sleeping and speech issues would improve. A year later he was practically choking on his tonsils, therefore his sleeping and speech got worse!

Typically Trevor is very cooperative with the Doctor's, however this visit would be an exception. As I walked him down the hallway into the assigned room, he was crying and screaming "The Doctor is going to hurt me... I want my tonsils... he can't take them"! Then, as we entered the room and he saw the nurses he quickly ran back down the hallway towards the exit. Two nurses and I were chasing after him trying to catch him. I finally got him and had to carry him down the hallway, while restraining him from injuring me or himself. It was crazy! He never acted this way before. Once I got him to the room the nurses gave him some medicine that would "relax" him. After about ten minutes he acted like a drunken sailor. Truthfully, it was awesome! Sometimes I wish I had some of that stuff on-hand at home for those "not so good" days. He giggled and laughed over everything for the next hour. We actually had a lot of fun! In this picture he is still a little giddy.

The Things Boys Do

Spencer trying to be like the big kids!

Yeah for Trevor! He is finally swimming on his own (with the help of floats of course).

These boys are great! Always trying to be silly.

When we were in Hartsville I took all of these guys shopping with me at Target. As I was browsing I realized that it was really quiet around me and noticed that the kids had disappeared! Suddenly I heard giggling in the corner behind some racks; there I found them trying on hats and laughing at each other. Cousin Avery sure is fun!

The boys were so excited when I brought home some sunglasses I found at Wal-Mart (88 cents for a two pack). They wore them all afternoon. They crack me up!

This is what Spencer looks like after eating an icecream cone. When he gets anything on his hands he uses his hair as a napkin, even when there is a napkin he can use!

The boys just having fun at Josh and Erin's old house.

I love the things boys do!

The Trampoline

The boys love getting out of going to bed by asking if they can jump on the trampoline after they take a bath. With the summer days being so long I usually agree to plus it gives me some time to get a few more things done. Sometimes we just all jump!

A day at Papa's House

When we spend a day with Papa (Wahrer), we never know what he may have in store for fun. This picture reminds me of all the fun, silly and scary things that my dad did with us as kids (and still does). Like the time that we moved into our house and found a mannequin's head in the back yard. Dad of course had a hay day with that. Anything from posting it on the bunk bed ladder only to hear a big thug in the middle of the night (Nick punching across the room because it scared the mess out of him when he got up to use the bathroom), or scaring all of the Beehives at my slumber party by putting it in the window after dark. I think the best is when he hung it from the shower for mom to find. Thanks for being so much fun dad.

A Day at the Fire Station

The Pendleton Fire Department hosted a Fire Awareness day for the local children. The boys got to see a helicopter and a fire trucks. I think their favorite part was going through the smoke house.

Spencer and Trevor loved to pretend to be Firemen in their new fire hats.

Spencer took this very seriously.

Trevor in the smoke house.

Spencer in the smoke house.

Was it worth the sacrifice?

I finally figured out how to blog! I think it's because I took the time to figure it out, however in the meantime, my 2 area rugs, cushion to the rocker and who knows what else was sacrificed in exchange of my knowledge on how to blog. The boys were just laughing having a good time. This is a normal thing in our house however when Trevor's laughing has turns into the "hysterical raspy, I can barely breathe" laugh and saying "do it again Spencer", then you know they are up to no good. Trevor co-arsed Spencer into having a little fun with the yellow acrylic paint. Apparently he opened it and flung it all over the wood floor and the two area carpets. Then they danced in it. After dancing in it they came into my room and started jumping on the bed (thank goodness the bed was striped today because I was washing the sheets). Then they started into the bathroom and squeezed paint down the toilet (which is when I discovered what they were up to). Moments like this is when you want to send them to the moon! Moments like this we will also laugh at later, however right now I am a bit "grumpy" (as the boys say), about the yellow spots on the rocker and rugs!

My Brothers

I was seven months pregnant at the time of this picture, however I love it because it has all four of my brothers in it. I am so lucky to have great brothers. This is the first that all four brothers had been together in many years. Heather is the only one missing from this pic. Hopefully we will all be together for Stephen's wedding in January. Let's plan on it!

My Three Sons

Trevor loves to pose for the camera. He is so photogenic... he definately dosn't get it from me.

Spencer is 2 1/2 . He loves plating with his big brother Trevor most of the time. They are best of friends and worst of enemies. I guess that's how it is when you grow up so close to a sibling.

Vincent is a great baby! He is cooing and smiling right now. It's so much fun to watch him discover the world around him.

I love this picture of the three boys because it shows each of their personalities. Spencer can be more serious and emotional, however he is very strong willed. Vincent... well it's hard to say right now but he's usually pretty content. Then there is Trevor, he is typically happy and very strong willed too.

From the Hospital

Kevin is a proud father of boy #3!

Spencer was trying to figure out what was in my hand and why I was holding this new baby! Oh, my roots... don't they look great!

Spencer didn't know what to think of baby Vincent, however Trevor fell in love with him immediately.

Valentine's Gift

Kevin had this picture drawn for me as a Valentine's gift.