Weekend in Illinois

Bryce had a week off so we decide to spend some of it in Illinois with my Grandparents. Both of my parents grew up there and both sets of Grandparents live very close to one another. It was so nice to spend some time with them before Baby comes and the kids had so much fun. Bryce was able to spend Saturday afternoon with my Papa golfing while the kids and I visited with my moms parents. I'm so glad my kids get to see my Grandparents every once in a while so they can get to know them a little while we live fairly close. My dad's parents, or Nana and Papa, got us a room at a great hotel where the kids spent the nights swimming. We all had so much fun and Thanks Nana and Papa especially for inviting us for a great weekend!

Nana got the boys this ring toss game which provide them with hours of entertainment.

When they weren't playing ring toss they were playing catch.

My dad's parents: Nana and Papa

My mom's parents: Grandma and Grandpa
(Have I mentioned how much I hate pictures of me when I'm pregnant)

Despite my dad's parents being in their 80's, they still managed to wear this one out!

St. Louis Visit

We payed a visit to our old stomping grounds of St. Louis a couple weeks ago and had a blast! There are so many things I miss (and a few I don't) about that city. Of course we had to go to the zoo while we were there. Chase is constantly asking if we can go to the zoo, but unfortunately we don't live very close to one here in Iowa. So we got up early and tried to beat some of the heat, but we were not successful... it was HOT! We walked around for about two hours and my huge pregnant self was done! Luckily, my friend Julie has a pool at her house and we spent the afternoon there cooling down with some old friends.

Chase was our little fish all day...
He "snorkeled" in the pool and absolutely loved it

A visit to St. Louis wouldn't be complete without a trip (or two) to Ted Drewes.
This is a well known frozen custard station that you wouldn't believe how crowded it is in the evening. They have police there directing traffic in the parking lot it's so busy. No matter how busy it looks though, I promise you will never wait much more than 5 min. for your custard. They have that place running like you wouldn't believe!
I'm craving some right now just thinking about it!

Bryce's Mini Triathlon in St. Louis

One of the main reasons we went to St. Louis is because Bryce registered to do a mini triathlon with his buddy John. He only trained for three weeks beforehand (and lost 13 pounds! I hate guys!!!) so he was a little nervous for the race. I managed to catch him coming in from the bike portion and cheer him on during his transition to the run. Bryce was slightly disappointed in his time, but I think he did awesome for his first time. He said it was really hard, but is already looking for more races in the future. Way to go babe!

John started earlier than Bryce and had already finished.
Here he is giving him words of encouragement. :)

Crossing the finish line with a time of 2 hrs 5 min.
(He wanted to finish under 2 hrs. I think he did awesome!)

I have a feeling these two will do many more races together in the future.

Bryce has been giving me so much crap lately about our blog and my lack of updating. So here I sit all afternoon going through our pictures over the last couple months so some of you who might be interested can look at what we've been up to.
There are quite a few posts so don't stop, keep going...!

BOYS!!!

Why will boys be boys?!!!
Chase and a neighbor boy were in our backyard the other day and the neighbor decided that it would be a good idea to throw a tennis ball at this birds nest that was under our deck. They knocked it down and this is what was inside. Once I realized what was going on I carefully put the nest back in hopes the mother will come back and the little birds will be okay.
It makes me so mad sometimes to see what these kids think will be a good idea. Hopefully they won't do something like that again and they have learned their lesson!

Visit from Nash...

...Well, really John, Tara, and Nash.
We were lucky enough to FINALLY get a weekend that both John and Bryce had off so they could come and visit before they move back to Utah in a couple of weeks. Tara and I did a little shopping, the boys did some golfing, there was some night time debating, and Nash didn't stop moving. I have never seen a busier kid, but he was so fun. We miss having them across the street so much so it was fun to have them in town for the weekend.
Thanks for coming!!!

This was the longest I saw Nash sit still.
He and Landon were watching cartoons one morning...
how sweet is that!

End of The School Year Picnic

Bryce was so disappointed to find out there is no "Field Day" here. Instead there is a picnic for the school with parents and siblings invited. Chase and I met Landon at school with our lunches and ate and did recess with him and all his friends. Landon had a great first year in school and in Iowa and made so many wonderful friends. He loved his teacher, Mr. Fenstermaker, and hopefully will have an equally successful year in 2nd grade.

Luke, Landon, and Tyler
These guys are the best of friends!

Chase just happy to be there!

New York, New York!

I know what some of you might be thinking... when did you go to New York? Well, I was actually supposed to go on a cruise through Europe with my little sis and two sister-in-laws, but things didn't quite work out that way...
To make a really long and painful story short, I flew all the way to Spain and when I was checking in to board the ship they wouldn't let me on! I was too far along in my pregnancy for cruising rules and so I was turned away. Of course you won't find that information easily on their website, but it's a rule none the less. NO CRUISING PAST 22 WEEKS!!! How far along was I... 28! So I booked a flight home the next morning after being on a plane for 15 hours already and being up for over 24 hours. To make matters worse I went to a different hotel than the one originally planned on and my entire family thought I had been abducted or lost somewhere in Spain. Major drama, but I made it home safely and along the way got to spent a couple nights at my brother's house with his two little girls, a day in Time Square, and go to lunch with my cousin Gabby who's getting married in August and I unfortunately can't attend.
It was a complete nightmare, but what do you do? I made the best of it and at least I got to spend a week with the rest of my fam in Utah while the girls were cruising through Europe.
(Sigh)

I really wanted to see a show that day, but unfortunately
there were no matinee's that day. They were the following day.
(Just my luck!)

First Grade Music Program

Landon had a first grade music program at the end of his school year. The kids did a great job and some of the songs were so cute and get sung around our house regularly. Chase has even learned one or two.

I love Landon in this picture.
Doesn't he look so excited and into the program!

T-Ball & Rookie Ball

Many hours a week are spent at the baseball fields lately. Chase is on a T-ball team and Landon on a Rookie coach-pitch team. They play on Tues. and Fri. evenings back to back starting at 5:30 and usually ending around 8:00. They both love it and are so fun to watch.
We all know how T-ball is... everyone getting a turn to bat and when you're in the "outfield" trying to get any ball you can. Chase has done really well this year and always loves the nights he has a game. His team is called the Bobcats.
Landon is quite the little outfielder. His favorite position is first base and is really pretty good at it. His team is called the Kernels and he has quite a few friends from school on his team (including another Landon) which makes it really fun.

Doesn't he look like a "Bad News Bear" in this pic?

Put, Put!

I'm doomed to have a family of boys who all love to play golf! Lately a favorite pass time is heading to the golf course and putting. They boys have a points system and game set up to see who wins and they always have a blast doing it. I just go and enjoy the evening watching them all have fun!

Bryce's 31st Birthday

Bryce turned 31 this year! I can't believe we're this old (not that 31 is old)! I met Bryce when he was 17 and I was only 15... time flies!
He is such a hard worker and puts in so many long hours at the hospital, but still comes home and makes the effort to always play with his boys. They love him so much!
We are so grateful that he is a part of our lives!

Backyard Golf

This is the view from our backyard, a huge empty (at the moment) field. Bryce decided to turn it into his own personal driving range. He goes out into the field, sets up his cones for markers and just hits the ball. Afterward he and the kids go out, retrieve all the balls and do it all over again.

Hey, at least he's home!

Target Practice

Another backyard activity my boys have come up with is target practice with the paintball gun. Bryce made and cut out an assortment of targets for the boys to try and hit throughout the yard. There is a bat, dog, cat, and pig I believe. They have a blast doing it and at least Chase isn't using the paintball gun in my downstairs anymore!

Landon's Haircut

I promised Landon at the time I wouldn't put this picture on the blog, but I think enough time has passed that it doesn't matter anymore.
His hair was a little longer on top than usual and we were spiking it so cute. One morning we were headed out to the baseball fields and he was wearing his hat and his hair was bugging him so he decide to fix the problem himself. I came down stairs ready to head out the door when I saw him sweeping up a pile of hair from the floor. I asked him where it had come from and when he looked up at me I quickly realized. He had tried to cut his bangs himself so they wouldn't hand down from his hat anymore. Good thing he looks so cute with a buzz so it was a quick fix that grew out very quickly.
I thought people with girls were the only ones who had to worry about this kind of stuff!

He was so mad I made him take a picture before I cut his hair.

I Guess We'll Just Have To Have One More...

I went to the Dr. Fri. Morning and they were able to squeeze me in for an ultrasound that afternoon so I wouldn't have to wait until Monday. Needless to say we are having ANOTHER BOY!!! I laughed for the first 5 seconds after he was revealed, but the laughter quickly turned to tears... I am the worst! In my defense I cried during both my other ultrasounds, only this time the tears didn't stop and they continued on and off throughout the day... I REALLY wanted a girl. I did the next best thing and self medicated by going shopping and picking out a new baby outfit. The boys were so cute and really got into looking for something for the new baby. I saved A LOT of money that day by having another boy and I guess now we don't have to re-paint the boys navy blue room. :)
He does look really good and healthy so we are all grateful for that and the boys are so excited.
I guess we'll just have to have ONE more!

VOTE!!

We have our ultrasound on Mon. afternoon and will be finding out if we are having a BOY or a GIRL. Please let us know what you think and vote at the top-right of the page.
Also, leave a comment so we know who voted what.
Landon has already voted for a boy, while I think you all know what I am secretly voting for!

Highlights of Snowmass!

These are a Few highlights form our trip to Snowmass in Feb. The boys had a great time in ski-school and improved so much since last year. I got really sick and therefore lacked big time on the picture taking, but did manage to capture some video. Next year we for sure will not be making the trip seeing as how we'll have a new baby to care for, but hopefully will be back in the years to follow. Some of my oldest memories are from this place and growing up taking ski-school there myself. It is a Dickinson family tradition and one that I hope will somewhat continue in my own family. Thanks so much to my dad who continues to make it a family priority and allowing us to still be a part of it!

(Pause music at top before viewing video)

The big announcement!

Surprise!!!

That's exactly what we thought!!! We are expecting our third bundle in August. What is it with me and summer heat pregnancies and babies anyway?! I need to remember to stay away from my husband during the month of Nov. from now on! :)

As the surprise of this pregnancy has worn off I am very excited to welcome a new little one... and hoping this new little one is a girl! If it's not than I will love another boy too!

We went home on a very last second trip to Utah last week and then on to Snowmass for the annual Dickinson family ski trip. We drove the entire way to surprise them. My dad was the only one who knew we were coming. 15 hours!!! The kids did awesome!!! We were able to announce the the big surprise and tell them we were expecting and see the reactions on their faces. We even have it on video, but left the cord that transfers it onto the computer in Utah so it will come later. All of us got sick while we were there (I was the worst, of course) so I only got to ski a day and a half out of the three. The kids had a blast in ski school and Landon has become quite the speed demon on the slopes this year. It was so much fun to see the fam and share our news... and now we're sharing with all of you!

Pics and video to come later... I promise!

Ensign Article

There's an article in the Ensign this month that to me was particularly touching.  It is written by Diane Terry Wolf and is titled "Putting My Hands In The Lords".

This article is about how she got through the sudden death of her husband 25 years ago.  It's a special article for my family and I because the accident she speaks of was one my own dad was a part of.  He was duck hunting on Utah Lake one Nov. with his good friend when a storm came and the boat capsized and they were left floating in freezing water.  My dad survived, but his friend Bryan did not.  He left his wife pregnant with their fifth child.  Later my mom was pregnant with my youngest brother who was honorably was named Bryan.

I encourage anyone to read it.  It's great insight on how to deal with adversity in your life.

Link:

Ensign Article

Style Paige!

So one of my best friends started this great toy company for little girls. She was so frustrated when she couldn't find any great toys for her little girl so she thought of this. If anyone has a little girl who loves to dress-up and design than they will love this!

Check out her website... it's just up and running!

Style Paige Website

Brrr...!

This is why school was cancelled Wed, Thurs, and Fri last week.  We are freezing here!

Here's to six years of Iowa winters!

(I stole this from you Robs!  Thanks!)

Christmas Day

The stockings were hung from the chimney with care... even that "Damn" stocking!  Yes, I said it and I am referring to Chase's stocking.  My Grandma made all of her Grandchildren stockings and my mom decided to carry on the tradition with her own Grandchildren.  So far she has completed only one... Landon's.  She started Chase's four years ago, but only finished about one-fourth of it.  As I was leaving home after Thanksgiving break she handed me Chase's un-finished stocking and asked me to finish it for her.  Well, that would have been fine had I known how much freakin' work went into it!  On top of the hours ahead of me to complete it by Christmas she didn't send me home with all the supplies so I had to run around town looking for the matching sequins and more string, multiple times!  Needless to say, I spent MANY hours working on it to finish it by Christmas even with the discouraging comments by my husband to just go out and buy one.  Chase was so excited when it was finished and even gave me his own input on how he wanted his name on it.  It turned out very cute, but after that I'm now sure I will not be carrying on the same tradition of making my Grandchildren stockings.  I told my mom to start working on my future children's stockings now so that maybe by the time I have another one she will be at least half way through with it this time.

Turned out very cute, but will forever be thought of as that

"Damn Stocking"

Homemade sugar cookies and milk for Santa

with carrots for the reindeer

Christmas morning with Landon on his new bike!

Chase is our little snow bunny and is constantly playing in it.

The new sled was a huge hit this year!

It took Santa FOREVER to find a Mizzou football this year!

It was the only thing he asked Him for and who knew it would be so hard to find.

I absolutely LOVE this picture of Chase.

It explains Christmas morning for him so well.

He got a million action figures this year and has loved every one!

(Notice the Transformer underwear peaking through... love it!)

Christmas was wrapped up with "Guitar Hero Rock Band" this year...

which I had now idea we were getting, thanks Santa!

The boys trying to figure out the new game.  

It has been a hit in our house and everyone has fun playing it.