Privacy Please!!

We have been working with Max on the privacy issue - especially when the need to go to the bathroom arises. For almost 3 years now, Max seems to think that whenever I (or anyone really) has to go to the bathroom it needs to be a a combined group effort. So for the past couple of days when he now has to go to the bathroom - he promptly tells me 'Mom, I need a little privacy" as he closes the door and usually he likes to lock the door as well. Locking of the doors is a whole other story. While his vocabulary continues to grow with big words such as privacy, lets just hope he can take care of his private moments all by himself sooner than later!

We are off to Las Vegas tomorrow .... I'm sure the stories will pile up at Grandma's house!

Magnet Free .... Hooray!

Good news for those of you following the tale of a magnet in a 2 1/2 year old's body! This morning at approximately 9:45 am .... the magnet emerged from Max and there was rejoicing (mostly by mom and dad) by all! On the worry list .... I can now cross off "Magnet Watching"! Thanks to all who asked about how Max has been doing.

Magnet Update

We are still on magnet watch ..... We had to take Max back in to the doctors office yesterday for another check and xray. The magnet was just about to the Colon .... we are hopeful that it will make its grand appearance before Monday evening - if not then we will go back for another xray. Oh boy .... does it get any better than this for excitement? Max and I are flying to Las Vegas next Thursday - the big question is if it is not out.... will he make it through airport security? We could just post a memo to his belly showing them there is a magnet inside!

Off to the ER!

Last night turned out to be more interesting than most nights around here. About 8:45 Max found a little round magnet ball that is part of a toy that Justin has up in his closet on the high shelf. Somehow, this one ball ended up in Max's mouth and eventually in his belly!

So after panicking, calling Grandma in St. George, and 911 .... we decided to go ahead and take Max in to the hospital to be seen my a doctor. The EMT's agreed with Grandma and said it will probably just flush its way out .... but the doctor was quite concerned over the size and the potential for having another toy "magnetized" to the ball. After an xray we found there was only one magnet and it was still in his stomach. After a couple of hours of consults from the Dr's at the hospital and his pediatrician on-call they decided they would not need to "fish" it out and we would be able to just watch the south end of his business for a couple of days. To say the least, we were relieved but we are still worried. Today he was able to eat and play as normal and still we have no magnet out of him ... so Max is telling everyone he still has a magnet in his belly! We are on magnet watch but, feel assured all will be well within the next 24 to 48 hours!

The Making of a Snowman!

Max dressed & ready to play in the snow - hurry up dad!

First taste of the snow.

First tracks in our backyard.

Showing Max how to make a snowball.

Rolling that snowball.

That snowball became the big base for the snowman. Where's Max?

Still rolling the perfect base ... where's Max? Making snow angels?

Making the second round snow ball ... where's Max? Laying down...

Where's Max? Cleaning the steps with the "future nose" of the snowman.

Progress has been made .... Where's Max?

A little adjustment to the Snowman's arms ....

Finally a finished product ... who made this snowman anyway?

The Engineer with his little snow angel!

Notice that Max decided he would lend his batman hat to the snowman and keep his Grandma hat for himself!

The final snowman only took .... 1 hour and 20 minutes! Needless to say they were ready for their warm lunches and winter naps!

May I Make a Suggestion...

We have been blessed to have a nice big soaking tub in our master bathroom. For the past 3 1/2 years that we have lived here, I would say that I have taken advantage of this beautiful piece of hardware approximately a dozen times. Now when you think about it .... I have had over 1,277 days to engage in a form of relaxation that is practically free and it is awful to think I have only used it about 12 of those days. Tonight was one of those days and every time I get in that tub, I ALWAYS say, "why don't I do this more often?" Silly me .... I better get a ahold of myself and get in this tub every night until this beautiful home is sold. May I challenge each of you to fill your tub with the bubbles of your choice, grab a bottle of water, juice, diet coke or the beverage of your choice .... perhaps a good book, sit back, relax and remember candles are not even required! A child free bath at your leisure must be a mothers heaven right here on Earth.

Planes & Rockets Museum

Today we had the chance to go to the Air & Space Museum at Dulles. We decided we needed to get out of the house and not think about our daily challenges etc. etc. We had a great time seeing the SR71 Blackbird, the Concorde, a space shuttle, rockets, missiles and just about every type of plane you can imagine. While we have been there before, Max has never been and oh boy was he excited to see the planes & rockets! That is all he could talk about. We had a nice afternoon and here are some of the snap shots from the day.

PS - Here is my first video online! I think I finally figured it out!

Mark and Max in front of the SR 71 Blackbird - It flew from CA to Dulles in 61 1/2 minutes.

Space Shuttle Front View

Astronauts Floating in Space

Space Suits ... And no that is not Max in the middle!

While in the Army, Mark jumped out of a helicopter that looked like this.

Future Missionaries

Here are our future missionaries. I thought our boys looked pretty handsome on Sunday ... so as I was taking this picture they said "future missionaries" and held up their Book of Mormons! I sure hope they both choose to serve the Lord when they are 19!

PS - Max picked out his bow tie .... to match his dad!

Happy New Year!

Guitar Hero at its best! Charlie Singing his heart out!

The kids are rockin' out!

Cute Sadie!

Max & Darren - Singing and Rockin'!

Our new ward rock band!

Our friends invited us over to celebrate the new year on the 1st. We had a delicious dinner and had a good time playing guitar hero! The kids had so much fun with the guitars, drums, microphone and all of Darrens electronics! All day long we had been telling Max that he was going to need to take a nap before we could go to the party .... so finally here he is asleep ... in his baby whale hat that he insisted on wearing all day. A cute sleeping angel.

Play Doh Time

Max's Snowman

The making of a snowman ...

Max received a nice selection of playdoh for Christmas. Here he is creating several creations but, we did make a snowman in all the colors. His snowman needed a scarf and a coat to keep warm in addition to really big feet! None-the-less he is having fun with his new playdoh!

Happy Anniversary!

Mark and I celebrated our 6th Wedding Anniversary yesterday! We were able to get Max a playdate (thank you Raenie) while Mark and I made our way up to the Washington DC Temple. This picture is of the Las Vegas Temple where we were married and the sky was just as blue in 2003 as it is in this picture.
We believe that we will be married for time and all eternity and I am so happy to have a wonderful husband who is faithful to our convenants. Mark and I were able to participate in an ordinance that reminded us of all the special blessings we will receive if we are true and faithful to all that we have been taught and given. I am so grateful for the knowledge and testimony I have of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am also very grateful for our family for Max and Justin who enrich our lives each and every day. How thankful I am to have found these wonderful men to share my life with.