New beautiful family pictures

I just couldn't wait to post these pictures. We had our family pictures done a few weeks ago. Family photos are one of those love hate relationships. I love the result, but getting it can feel like a marathon. First there's finding a good photographer. Thanks Alison for making that part easy. Next there's the picking out the clothes. I didn't want to spend a fortune buying new things, so I spent sometime digging through closets. Finally the actual day of trying to keep three young kids clean, happy, and smiling, all at the same time. Thank goodness we had such a patient talented friend to photograph us. Trust me we weren't easy subjects to work with, especially Kirk. He had fallen asleep on the way to the photo session. When we woke him up he was tired and upset. Finally I told him that I'd buy him a new star wars toy if he'd smile.....hence the big cheese in a couple of the shots. That was the best $6.77 I ever spent! I love the way all of the pictures turned out and I know that I'll cherish them for years to come.

It's a better day

Thanks for the comments guys, I'm feeling okay now about the whole flu shot thing. I'm going to keep trying to find them, but it's not like the kids are going to die if they don't get one right away. I just wanted to post a picture of Benjamin, he is getting cuter everyday. Also Kate came home from a birthday party with this really cute robot. I thought if anybody was planning a B-day party it's super cute. Kate has loved it. I have to confess I ate the robots feet. Reese's cups are my favorite. I didn't think the kids would notice. Kirk noticed immediately. Wow kids don't miss a thing.

A frustrating Day ( I needed to vent )

Have you ever felt like you're running around like crazy, totally exhausted, and still not getting a single thing accomplished? Well that's exactly the way I've felt so far this week. I began a hopeless pursuit for flu shots. Monday Dan came home and said that a co-worker had the swine flu. I freaked out. I couldn't believe that the virus was hitting so close to home. The next day I got onto the phone and tried calling the county health department in search of the H1N1 vaccine. On the message it said that the H1N1 vaccine would be available that day. I hurried and got the kids ready, jumped into the car and headed down. When we got there they said that they actually didn't have the vaccine's after all. I was SO upset. Then I tried calling several places to try to find just the regular flu shot. Our clinic was out. I kept calling around until I found a clinic 20 minutes away which had some baby vaccines left still. I explained on the phone that our regular pediatrician's office had run out. She made me an appointment and promised he could have one if I followed up for his booster shot. As soon as Dan got home from work I drove 20 min. to the clinic. Once I got there the receptionist absolutely refused to let Benjamin get one. I couldn't believe it. I explained that I had an appointment, and insurance, and was willing to pay a co-payment if he needed to see the doctor first. She just flatly said that I couldn't be seen. She said that they weren't a flu clinic, and if they gave out all of their flu shots they'd run out for their own patients. So I said that I had an appointment, and I'd gladly have Benjamin become a patient. How hard is it to make up a chart, and let me see the Doc. for 5 seconds. She lied to me and said that there wasn't a Doc in. I said who are all these sick people seeing? She said that they had an appointment. I said so do I! She said you don't have an appointment with the doctor, just a flu shot appointment. I said I drove all the way from Layton because your receptionist said I could get a flu shot, couldn't you work me in? She said no. (I've worked in a doctors office before, it's easy to work in a quick visit). The most annoying thing was that I had a legitimate appointment. I thoroughly explained that the clinic that I regularly go to had run out when I made it. The office manager could have at least been nice about it. She made me feel like I was trying to steal a flu shot or something. After I left I cried in my car. I think if it hadn't been for the earlier vaccine fiasco, I wouldn't have taken it so hard. I felt like I was trying so hard, and failing miserably. Now when I hear on the news about how important it is to get the flue shot this season I feel like screaming back at it, "IF IT'S SO IMPORTANT WHY IS THERE SUCH A SHORTAGE OF THE DARN THINGS." There now I feel much better, it's always good to vent about frustrating situations!
Other than that crazy day we are really doing great overall. It's amazing how the days can seem long, but the weeks just fly by! I can't believe that it's almost the weekend again. I told myself that October was the month I'd buckle down and start really organizing the house, but it's looking like that project will have to wait until next year. I have how ever begun my Christmas shopping. Dan hates it when I start early. I inevitably end up finding toys and items later on in the season thus their list of Christmas presents get bigger, and bigger. I think shopping for toys is by far the most fun. I'd rather shop for toys for the kids over clothes for myself any day. I've posted some cute pictures of the kids.

I've gotta go private.

I'm planning on going private soon. If you still want to read let me know so that I can include you to the list.

More Cute Pictures

I put this picture front and center it's my new favorite of the baby. He's sitting up now, but he's a little wobbly. I put him in the laundry basket so he can't tip and bump his head. He was so happy to just sit in it!

There isn't really anything new going on. I was just thinking about how fast the kids are growing. Benjamin will be six months old in just a couple of days. Wow, in just six more months he'll be one! The first year is always so much fun with so many important milestones. He just said his first word about a week ago. It was Ma Ma Ma. It melts my heart when ever he says it. It's usually when he's crying and needs comfort, which makes me think he really knows that he's trying to say. He is still a perfect angel. He only cries when he's really hungry, or tired. He is so mild, and easy. He smiles at everyone. He is definitely a charmer. As for Kirk, we found out he really did have Mono. I was so shocked, I still can't imagine where he was exposed to it. My best guess is school. I still need to get the kiddos in for their flu shots this year. I'm terrified with the swine flu going around, and with a young baby at home. I've bought some disinfectant spray, I just need to remember to spray it around more often. Finally Kate participated in her primary program on Sunday. She looked adorable, and did a really great job. She had a part and bravely gave it on the pulpit on front of the whole ward. My camera's battery died, and I didn't recharge it in time to get photo's. But I'm really proud of her

Can you see Dan inside that hole? It's the tank for our water fall. Dan was Mr. fix it and repaired a part that went to it. Way to go sweetie, you fixed something! (just kidding).

Kate and her Matching American Girl Doll. This was her Birthday present from Grandma Mower. I was really excited for her to get it since I always wanted one when I was little.

I've been such a slacker at blogging lately

Okay, just a quick update about what we've been up to lately. The last few weeks have just flown by so fast. Last week Kirk was really, really sick. It's still a mystery about what he had. His strep test came back negative. We are still waiting to see if it was mono. I'm hoping the dr. should get the test results soon. So between sick kids, and trying to get into a routine now with two preschoolers I haven't had much time for blogging. Here are just a few cute pictures of the kids I've taken lately.

Benjamin couldn't get any more cute, or sweet. He is the angel of the family! He's always there generously giving smiles to everyone who catches his eye. I wish I could just freeze him like this and keep my blue eyed baby boy forever little.

Kate helping me make her birthday cookies. I let her stay up with me, she was loving the special attention. We made sugar cookies for her party guests to take home.

The kids on their first day of Preschool. They were both so excited! They love going to school.

Silly picture of Kirk. He climbed into Benjamin's high chair. He thought it was really funny until he realized that being in a high chair isn't as great as it looks since he can't climb out by himself. He's going through this funny stage where he pretends to be a baby alot. It's fun to play along. I love three years old. He's still young and imaginative, yet old enough to be out of diapers, and be more independent.

Kate's Tea Party

Like I said earlier, August and the first week of September are busy. We had our anniversary, Dan's birthday, and now Kate's Birthday. We did a little girls tea party yesterday for her. She had been looking forward to it for weeks. I hope it lived up to her expectations. I worked really hard on everything. I don't have time to blog a long description (the house is in total post party havoc right now). I'm excited to post the adorable pictures.

The tea party table turned out so sweet. I borrowed the chair covers, and satin table cloth from my sister in law, I found all of the china tea cups at the DI.