The other man in my life.

Between work, school, callings, housework, and errands….Brad and I decided it was time to have a date night while daddy was at Bishopric. We put the baby to bed, popped some real old fashioned popcorn and watched Goonies.

I was surprised Brad sat through the whole thing. He has been into pirates lately and was really into finding the pirate treasure. He was so cute…when he would get nervous he would shiver a little and start pulling the hairs on my arms. He kept saying “This movie is WAY cool.”

Thanks for the date Brad. I had a great time. I sure love you.

Timberlakes weekend getaway...

One of Randy’s mission friends (Taren) and her husband invited us to a family cabin this weekend. It was up in Heber. The cabin was beautiful and so pleasant. It was fun to get to know them better. I have heard so much about Randy’s mission, so it was fun to chat with someone who shares those same memories. There were three couples there. We all have 2 kids each and ALL of our kids are blondies. The kids played games watched movies explored outside, and of course threw rocks. The adults conversed, laughed, ate, and laughed some more. We didn’t want to leave on Saturday… we could have stayed all week long. The fall leaves were vibrant, the company was fantastic, and it was just plain old relaxing. Thank you Johnson family for the invite. Click HERE to check out their blog.

Solace

We took Claire to Dr. Shakula on Thursday. She has been sick and as we suspected she had a sinus infection. He put her on some antibiotics and wished us luck. Luck is what we needed. She has been pretty fussy the last few days. The only solace is bath time. Being in the water makes her happy. As you can imagine we have spent a LOT of time in the tub this week. She has also been particularly clingy and cuddly. I love it when she puts her head down on my chest to fall asleep. Usually she is so active and busy she is not in the mood to cuddle…she could miss something. I’ll take it!!! There is nothing better than a cuddly baby.

Husband Tag

Thanks for the Tag Kari

1. Where did you meet?
I saw Randy for the first time our Junior Year of High School. We were in the same Seminary Class.

2. How long did you date before you got married?
We dated our Junior and Senior Year of High School and the year before he went on his mission. When he got home we only dated 2 weeks before getting engaged.

3. How long have you been married?
It will be 7 years in a couple of weeks.

4. What is your favorite feature of his?
I love his rosy cheeks. Brad has them too and I think it is absolutely adorable.

5. What is your favorite quality of his?
He is not afraid to be himself. He doesn’t care what people say or think. He stands up for what he believes. He is also a great father and husband.

6. Does he have a nickname for you?
He calls me Jenafire. It is a nickname I had growing up and I find it rather cute that he still calls me by that name.

7. What is his favorite color?
It used to be blue. But he recently has ventured into some red.

8. What is his favorite food?
Tacos…I don’t know if it is because they really are his favorite or it is because it is his signature dish that he can make for dinner.


9. What is his favorite sport?
To Play—Golf
To watch—Jazz basketball and college football

10. When and where was your first kiss?
At my parents house in the kitchen. I remember being embarrassed because his friends were in the back yard playing ball on the basketball court and I knew they could see us in the window.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
We love to watch movies together at home after the kids go to bed.
My favorite thing to do is go out to eat with him. (no cooking or dishes!!!)

12. Do you have any children?
Yes—Brad-4 and Claire 10 months

13. Does he have a hidden talent?
Randy can sing really well. It is a talent he discovered on his mission. I love his voice.

14. How old is he?
28

15. Who said "I love you" first?
I am SURE it was me… but I honestly don’t remember.

16. What is his favorite type of music?
He really does like almost anything. I think the only stuff he doesn’t care for is some of the weird stuff my dad listens to.

17. What do you admire most about him?
I admire how hard he works. He is the most UN-Lazy (is that a word?) person I have ever met. He plays hard, cleans hard, studies hard, and loves us hard. He sets his mind on things and always follows through.

18. Do you think he will read this? YES. He is just as addicted to blogger world as I am. He reads ALL of your blogs as well.

I tag Annie, Eric (wife tag of course), Bree, Taren, Lisa

Running a little behind...

So I am a little behind on blogging. Our modem crashed so we didn’t have internet for a few days. When it was up and running again, I couldn’t peel Randy off the computer because of school work. I have to fight for computer time. So here are a FEW things that have been going on….

P.S. Just a little update on Grandma, she is getting pretty sick. It is hard for her. She gets sad when she doesn’t get to cuddle her little grandkids. We are so worried she will get sick. Her immune system is about zero…the slightest cold could really knock her through a loop. Also, Grandpa was in the hospital this weekend. We almost lost him. He had a hemorrhaging ulcer and a raging infection in his foot. He is out of intensive care but could use your prayers as well. It is really hard to see them go through all of this. They still seem so young to me.

Flash Back Friday (Posted on Monday)

This was the first doll I ever Remember owning. I remember it so well because my brother Eric ran over the stroller the doll came with the first week I got it. At least he didn’t run the doll over. I don’t think I could have forgiven him.

I posted this picture because Claire has suddenly taken an interest in dolls. It is amazing to me how girls are born with maternal instincts. She kisses her dolls, cuddles her dolls, and holds them tight. What a little mommy.

Saturday Brunch

Randy is finally done with working on Saturdays!!! To celebrate we slept in a little (that is if 7:30 counts as sleeping in). Then I made a German pancake brunch. We had fresh Brigham City peaches so I smothered them with brown sugar and fruit. I wish I could give you all a taste because I can’t describe in words how good it was.

After that Randy secluded himself in his bedroom to do MORE homework!!! ARRGG. It is almost over.

My Artist

Bradley has been cultivating his artistic skills. We have been practicing letters so I let him go to town on our sidewalk. I hope I am not encouraging graffiti tagging later on in life. Oh well, for now it is cute. He apparently likes the taste of chalk on his apples. He didn’t complain.

Random thoughts

- My hat goes off to single mothers!!! I don’t think I could handle it. That is without the help of valium or some serious sedatives. Randy has been drowning in school work. Every minute he is doing a group project, a paper, or studying for an exam. We apply for graduation this fall!!!! Thank goodness. I NEED my husband back.
- We are still plugging along with Brad’s listening chart. (See HERE) So far he has earned 20 stars. When he got to 10 I bought him an ice cream sundae from McDonalds. Now that he has 20 I took him to the dollar store to pick out a toy. IT IS WORKING!!! Best $2.00 I ever spent. When he gets to 30 he gets a big Halloween party with all his friends. Keep your calendars open in October I am sure he will earn it.
Brad was more than ready to show off his new toy. I love Honk's $1.00 store. Tuesdays are $0.88 day so actually it was the best $1.88 I ever spent. - My heart is aching for my Grandma Reimann. We found out she has cancer and has to go through chemo. I went over to her house this morning with my aunts to help clean her house. She was quite tearful and scared. Plus it is really humiliating to have someone else clean your toilets and do your laundry. (I’ve been there and know how she feels) So, those of you that have met her or know her…please say a prayer for her. And if you don’t know her please say one anyway. She is an amazing lady.
- I was asked to write the Primary Program this year. I am almost done with it. However if anyone has their script done and perfect I will pay GOOD money for a boot-leg copy of it. Didn’t the church used to write the program for everyone??
- Did anyone else realize Christmas is almost here AGAIN? Where has this year gone?

Flash Back Friday

I wanted to start recording some of the oldie but goodie memories that I have stored up in my brain. I have all these pictures scanned with no story to go with them. Maybe if I just start tackling them one at a time once a week I will make a small dent.

This picture is from a Float my Uncle Jon designed for a Days of 47 Parade. The Float had a HUGE and I mean HUGE mommy duck and this little duck was pulled behind her. The mommy duck held ALL of the Reimann’s in the big float. I for some reason was chosen to ride in the baby duck along with my Aunt Kristi, Brother Eric and Cousin Amber. I got to wear a little white dress and hold that darling umbrella. Oh my, that umbrella was my life for the next few weeks. It was the most girly girl thing I owned. I loved it. I felt like a princess for weeks.

Green River Watermelon

Who says a baby can't tell the difference??

Utah State Fair 2008

We took the kids to the Utah State Fair yesterday. For those of you who enjoy people watching…this is the place for you. There is such a variety of specimens. I am not talking the “Carnies” either. The bearded lady and Siamese twins don’t count. I am talking about the people who pay to get in. I could spend hours watching.
Brad got a kick out of sticking his face through all the cutouts. He is easily amused. I loved the Fair Food. I am unfortunately attracted to REAL corn dogs, funnel cake, spiral fries, caramel apples…you get the picture. Randy really enjoyed the stocked pond. He got to help Brad catch a fish. We let Brad bring a couple of dollars he had earned. He decided to spend it on the Big Yellow Slide. I shouldn’t have been surprised but he wanted to do it all by himself. He sat at the top for a while contemplating… but then mustered up all his courage and came down alone. We were so proud.

Then it was off to the STINKY barn to see the STINKY animals. We couldn’t get Claire too close to the side rails. She wanted to hop in the cages with the animals. One of the goats felt bad for her and came up over the cage to say hi. I was a little nervous…don’t goats bite??? Anyway all her fingers and toes are in tact and she still loves animals.
The fair has a cute “kid size farm”. Brad had a lot of fun pretending. However he did not appreciate the cow at all. I made him touch the udder just for pictures. Poor kid…I don’t think he will grow up to be a dairy farmer. In the end they get to cash in for all their work and pick something out of the country store. He chose an APPLE!!! I tried to talk him into a cookie, chips, or even a chocolate milk. He wouldn't have it. He wanted fruit. I don't know where this kid comes from. Must be Randy's genes.

Granger North Stake Fair

Our Stake did a Fair on Saturday. They had a float in the Days of 47 Parade and let the kids climb all over it. That was Brad’s favorite part. It took me forever to get him off of it.
I had to put this picture in because of Claire’s shoes. My boss gave them to me and they finally fit her. They look so DARLING on her.

Our ward did a kissing booth, so Brad went around kissing all the YW and leaders to get more candy. We have a lot of Polynesian families in our stake so there was a lot of yummy food. We also have a Spanish and Cambodian branch. Needless to say I left the Fair more than satisfied in the cuisine department.

Dirt I can dig up later...

What childhood history would be complete without pictures in the high chair.

I now have it on record that she likes veggies. So, when she is older and proclaims...

"I hate vegetables!!!"

I can dig these pictures out and say "No you don't, you love them".

Flash Back Friday

Today was Brad’s first day back to pre-school. It has been such a long summer without Mrs. Thompson. He was so excited to walk in those doors today. He is growing up so fast. I can’t believe it. I wanted to see what he looked like on his first day of school last year and pulled up this picture. I can’t believe the difference just one year makes. He has changed in so many ways. He is such a handsome, confidant, social, little man.

Brad has been trying on different personalities in the last few weeks. Right now he is experimenting with a very sassy persona. He has been saying things lately that stagger me a little. Let me give you a few examples.

- This morning when I tried to him out of bed to get ready, he wouldn’t. After about the third time of going into his room I said “Brad get moving!” He says back to me. “Look mom I AM moving” lifts his arm up in the air, flops it down, and rolls back over to sleep.

- A couple of days ago I was on my way to his grandma’s house. I was trying to avoid construction and took a different route. Brad noticed right away and says. “Mom I don’t think you are going the right way! I know this is not the way to Nanny’s”. I reply “Yes it is Brad. Mom is just going a different way so we won’t have to wait in traffic.” He says back quite snappy. “I know this is not right. Maybe my Nanny MOVED!!!”

These just might be primitive glimpses into his teenage self. I hope we get our sweet little Bradley back soon. I don’t want to rush into adolescence early.

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

Lance was set apart as a missionary tonight. It was quite the task to get some pictures tonight. It was hard to get all the brothers to be serious for just 2 minutes. After he was set apart we went to Hires for dinner. It was so fun to visit and laugh with Lance.

We sure love him. My kids adore him too. We will miss him a ton. The people in Texas are sure lucky to have him for 2 years!!!!

Hugs and Kisses Lance.

She just keeps growing and growing and growing.....

Claire has finally stopped scooting and army crawling and ventured into the world of real crawling. Watch out world here she comes. She also is breaking two new teeth on top this morning. She just wont stop growing. I can't believe she is 9 months.

Annual WILDwood Gala

Randy and I have made it a tradition to go camping with our friends from our old condos once a year. The first year we met we went to a cabin in Monte Cristo. Last year we went to Jackson Hole and this year we went to Palisades State Park in Manti. The place was packed because of the Holiday weekend. We had an absolute riot!!!!
The camp site was really nice and grassy. (I love grassy) There is a little lake for the kiddos and a golf course for the guys. Randy made his first (almost) hole in one this weekend. Palisades is in San Pete County and there were TONS of 4 wheeling trails. We could ride our 4 wheelers right our of the camp.

Because it is September the lake was really really low. The kids could not swim in it. Lucky for us the sprinklers came on the first day while it was still warm. They at least got to put on their swimsuits.

After the sprinklers turned off the kids took turns being thrown into the air. Dillan was a little nervous but he kept coming back for more.
On Saturday morning most of the group went on a big trail ride. They were gone for almost 5 hours. Stacy grew up in Manti so she showed us some beautiful trails, mud puddles and lots of dirt.
After the big ride we cleaned up and went to dinner by Snow College. Simi and Stacy introduced us to a pizza joint called Fat Jacks a couple of years ago and we love it. Andrea and Kyle used to live in Ephraim so they love it too. The BYU game was on TV so we all were in sport pizza heaven.

On the way back to camp Randy and I pulled up to the dock and let Brad throw a couple of rocks in the water. The wind started to get really bad so we went to check on the tents. The wind was pushing the tents sideways!!! It was crazy. It was hard to walk in it. The picture we took shows how much dirt and crap the wind was throwing through the air. Luckily Stacy and Simi had a Hotel in Manti, Trav and Bree slept in the back of their truck, and Tim and Kamie stayed with us in the trailer. Kyle, Andrea, and their three kids are the only brave ones who stayed in their tent. It held up pretty well. Hope they can look back on it later in life and laugh about it.

The last night we went Yearns (a little stocked pond up Manti canyon). The men jumped out of the truck and raced to the shore. The whole night they were competing to catch the most fish. We didn’t leave until it was pitch black and we could barely make it back to the truck. It ended up being a tie. They all caught three fish each. It was pretty funny.
That night it poured rain. The lightning was so close Tim said it made the hair on his legs stand up straight. Brad thought the thunder was pretty cool. He kept saying it was like Lightning McQueen. He still ended up in bed with us the majority of the storm.

This years trip was a huge success!! We have some great friends. Can't wait until next year.

Lance's BBQ Goodbye

Last Thursday Randy’s parents threw a goodbye BBQ for Randy’s little Brother Lance. He goes to the MTC on Wednesday. Some of the good neighborhood friends came over to say goodbye. We will miss him a ton. It kind of freaked me out a little when I started thinking that Brad will be 6 and Claire will be 2 when he comes home. Time sure flies!!!