splashfan

XyLoCoPa

2010-05-13T20:20:00.002-06:00

What can clear a room in less than 10 seconds?

A BIG BLACK BEE!!!

This picture was taken while I was standing outside on my back patio. That "thing" is in my living room trying to penetrate two panes of glass. I eventually trapped it in a cup, then we got it wet so it couldn't fly (and kill me), then I put it in a glass jar. After a little research on the internet, I discovered that it was a "Xylocopa" or Carpenter Bee. The males have no stinger, so they are basically harmless, just a bit aggressive and like to fly right at you. Shortly after discovering this, I let him go. By let him go, I really mean, I threw him outside while I hightailed it back in the house!

Viva Las Vegas

2010-04-21T09:22:00.007-06:00

To celebrate 10 years together, Brock took the little fam to Las Vegas last week. It was nice to get away for a few days. We stayed at the Golden Nugget. The pool at the Nugget has a cool water slide that at one point actually goes through an aquarium filled with sharks! Brock, being the super cool dad that he is, took Sam down the slide. When I say took, I actually mean he put him on the slide by himself and sent him on his way since there are no trains or lap-ridding allowed. Sam came shooting out the bottom head first, huge grin, and floaties in place. The head lifeguard was not too pleased. #1 you have to be 48" tall, #2 you have to be able to swim without floaties. Sam does not fit either description.

We also walked the strip a little while we were there.
Hope Wonder Woman likes getting felt up. We went through the M&M Factory- 4 floors of very cute stuff, all M&M, all over.
We checked out the LIONs at MGM, very cool.

The male lion was huge, at one point he was buggin' the female and she did not put up with him! Even though he was at least 2x her size, she was like--
"O no, u di' n't" (that's my African lingo). After their little Lovers Quarrel, they went and layed down above one of the walk ways. It was cool to be able to get so close to them.

Don't the kids just look so happy!

Thanks for the trip babe, I needed a little vaca.

The Sniff Test

2010-04-08T10:21:00.003-06:00

On Monday afternoon I made some chocolate cupcakes. On Tuesday morning, while I was getting ready to go to an all day class for work, I kept getting a wiff of poop. Sam had had the poops Monday evening and had crawled into bed with us during the night. So since I keep smelling poop, I start sniffing. I smell the bed, his pjs, everywhere I can think to see where this smell is coming from. In the meantime I take a tide pen to a stripe of chocolate that is on the front of my jeans- stain resolved. Okay...I can not figure out where the smell of poop is coming from so I have Brock do the sniff test on me before I leave just in case. He smells my shirt- no poop, he smells my back pockets- no poop, we are just about to give up so I can get to class, and I have him smell my chocolate stain.

Chocolate or poop. Chocolate or poop.

Yup, it was poop.

I quickly changed my jeans and left for class. Thank you Brock for the sniff test and Thank you Samson for getting poop on me. I wish it had been chocolate.

Cali ART Trip 2010

2010-04-08T09:44:00.007-06:00

My mom and I just love to travel. This year we took the college art trip down to LA again and we took Allison and Christian with us. They were both surprisingly well-behaved! We went to several places and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. We visited:
The Huntington Library
The Norton-Simmon
The J. Paul Getty
LACMA
Redondo Pier
The Getty Villa
Disneyland
Forest-Lawn

Here are some highlights from the trip!

We bought Alli her "Jesse Friend" that she has been asking about since Christmas when Buzz and Woody came to play. Alli was finally tall enough to go on Splash Mountain ( a moment of silence please) and she "tolerated well" as we nurses would say. She was scared but felt safe with me. The reason you can't see us in the pic is cuz we are in the very back- that is her leg in the upper left corner. Alli's favorite place was probably the beach at Redondo Pier. She kept saying, "Mom, I gotta stay in this dirt." Instead of satisfying me with a little vaca- this trip made me just want to go again. I think that is what seeing so much art does. You get a taste and then you want to take another bite. There was an exhibit on Leonardo Davinchi (spelling?) and it was just amazing. That man had some talent. The Chinese Gardens were open at the Huntington, which we had never seen before- beautiful water feature. We really had a great time and Alli was such a good girl. She is turning out to be such a good little traveler- hallelujah!

Playground built by Grandpa Bartell

2010-04-08T09:22:00.006-06:00

As most of you know we received some $mula$ the end of Feb, for well...a little service project I did. We decided to buy a playground for the kiddos and Costco had an awesome one on for $999.99. We bought it and brought home the 5 boxes and found that we had to completely assemble it down to the screws and shingles and all. Grandpa Karl was totally awesome and came down on his days off to build the monster and yes it took several days. Now it is all finished, the kids love, love, LOVE it. They play on it everyday, weather permitting. Thanks so much Pop, I love ya.

There is a slide, a swing set, a rock climbing wall, and more. The older girls love to play on it as much as the little ones do. Jordan has had several sleep-overs out in the club house. We are so glad we bought it, and so happy Grandpa helped us (or did it all basically) put it together.

why I need a sitter after I work

2010-02-12T11:39:00.003-07:00

So, Alli and Sam have had colds this last week. Runny nose, cough, fever=no daycare! Wouldn't want to spread the disease. So I figure I'll just keep them at home. This worked the first 2 days. I got off early one night and the kids slept a good portion of the day, two days in a row. Now comes day #3...Mommy "napping" on the couch, Alli and Sam entertaining themselves.

And this is why I need a sitter after I work. Yes, those are pads a strewn. Again yes, those are staples all all over the floor. One more yes, Alli and Sam were both stripped down to their birthday suits and had colored all over themselves with black pen.

Gotta love being a mom.

Christmas 2009

2010-02-07T15:58:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas!!!

I can't figure out how to get rid of the underline!

So, anyways. What happens when the whole family is awakened by 7AM to open Christmas?

Mass exhaustion!!!

After I slept, I had worked the night before, this is what I woke up to that afternoon:

!!!

Taylor was asleep in her room and Brock was is our bed, both asleep too.

The kids had a great Christmas this year, and I didn't break the bank. I think I will shop this way every year from here on out. I did one big gift, stockings, and an outfit. Much more effective. Taylor got a camera. Jordan got a gameboy DS. Alli got a Leapster. Samson got Buzz and Woody. The kids did meet Santa this year too. When you ask Alli what she wants for Christmas she says, "Presents!" I think I can handle that, so easy to please.

I hope all of you had a great Christmas too!

Happy Halloween 2009

2010-02-07T15:17:00.004-07:00

For Halloween this year we went with a theme. I have to use up the themes while the using is good. Alli and Sam aren't old enough to figure out that they might (yes I said might) have a say in what they are for Halloween. This year we went with...

Did you guess it yet?

Yes we were the Wizard of Oz. Alli was the girl in the Ruby Red Slippers, Dorthy, complete with a little grey puppy named Toto. I made her shoes from old Sunday shoes.

Samson was the Brave little Lion, and I was the Witch ..Wait no, I'm confused- that is everyday, I was the Tin Man. I had a nice big heart. Yes, that is a "sweat suit" and yes I did sweat.

I took the kids out all evening until they were begging to come home...that was @ about 8 pm. When we got home I let them gorge themselves on candy. The more they eat the first night the less I have to hide later!

Jordan also went out this year with her cousin Taylor. Jordy was a cat. We pulled her costume out of the old dress-up box. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! I have no idea what Taylor is, besides pale!

Updates Coming Soon

2010-02-07T00:37:00.002-07:00

I, Nicole Renee Rawlings, do solemnly swear to update my blog with new pictures and stories until it is current so that you all may laugh at my stupidity and feel like your children aren't so different after all!

Check back soon!

Fall 2009

2009-12-09T11:11:00.002-07:00

Wow...I suck at Blogging! Well let's see, what has happened this fall? I had surgery on my knee. It is doing just fine--actually a lot better. The kids are growing like weeds. We spent Thanksgiving up in Spanish Fork with Grandpa Bartell. That was nice and cold. I have been working like crazy putting in over-time trying to make a good Christmas for the family, about half way done shopping. Really I just feel tired all the time. Brock is making a solid effort to finish the remodel on the house he started 4 years ago, hopefully I will have a toilet in my bathroom with in the next couple of months. Thanx to my padre for coming and fixing up a bunch of things the weekend of Halloween. Halloween was a blast, the family sported a Wizard of Oz theme. Way cute!

pics to come

Who says blondes have more fun?

2009-09-13T12:35:00.002-06:00

So I went for a bold change when I got my hair done on Saturday...I am now a brunette. It is probably closer to my natural color (whatever that is). I feel like I have more freckles...what do you think?

Quick trip to the Grand Canyon

2009-08-31T08:01:00.003-06:00

Just for fun, my mom and I went down to the Grand Canyon. Which by the way was totally on FIRE. The kids had fun hiking. The views were beautiful.

Yellow Stone

2009-07-30T14:20:00.004-06:00

Took the kiddos to Yellow Stone over Pioneer Day. Man that place is cool. I just kept thinking..."I wonder what the pioneers thought when they came across this stuff?" Here are some pics.

fences are good for 2&3 year olds!
hidden mickey

Hope everyone's summer is going great!

Summer VACA update...man I have been slackin!

2009-06-24T22:42:00.003-06:00

I have had a busy summer so far, filled with 2 trips to Cali, and a trip to SLC so far and it has only been a month. Here are some pics of Alli and my trip to Cali. We went to the Beach and played in the sand, we went to the big D (that's Disneyland for those of you out of the loop), Universal Studios Hollywood, and SeaWorld. It was go, go, go the whole time. We sure did have a great time.
Alli found some fish...
Holding hands with a Manatee...
A fun day a universal...
Oh, no! A shark has eaten my upper body...
Yes, Alli you are too short for all the "fun" rides...
Gotta love the MOUNTAIN, Splash that is...
Alli loved Jungle Cruise, that is her with Grandpa...
A small face plant in the sand at the beach...

Alli, had a blast. We all had a great time. By the way the pictures go in reverse order from what we did (ie we went to the beach first and seaworld last).
This is the END!!! Gotta love potty training.

Red Cliffs Picnic

2009-05-09T16:59:00.003-06:00

I had no idea that this little State Park was close and so fun. It was great to see some extended family and let the kids just play. Great family fun.

What...there is something wrong?

2009-04-22T14:29:00.004-06:00

Long story short:
I took Allison and Samson to the Pediatrician yesterday for a well child visit and walked away with an appointment to the Eye Doctor for Allison along with a sense of impending doom.

Short story long:
When Dr. M looked into Allison's beautiful eyes he fell in love. Just Kidding, he noticed that the reflection was slightly different between the two. After giving me the scary list of what it could be he sent us to see Dr. H. He is the doc that cleared Samson's tear ducts for us last summer. Dr. M was so concerned that he actually called Dr. H and made the appointment for us to go see him that same day. So I took Sam home for a nap and took Alli to see Dr. H. He was very thourough with his eye exam. He said that her one eye is "far sided" +5. He debated with himself about what to do. Finally he decided on glasses. Patching, surgery, and doing nothing being the other options. So Alli now has glasses. Yes, I cried. What mom doesn't cry when she thinks her child's life just got that much harder. (It might be the hormones.) Notice that only one eye is magnified.
Mommy is going to wear her glasses around Alli so that she can feel more comfortable.

Alli turns 3

2009-04-22T14:13:00.003-06:00

My dad came down with his brood over the week-end to help us celebrate Allison's 3rd birthday. I should learn to just have the festivities in the AM. We had "pretty hair" after a nice bath. Alli is getting better about holding still while I am doing her hair, and then leaving it in.

Mom (me) made a Barbie cake. A learning experience to say the least.

After a late nap, Alli and Sam had had enough for the day and neither wanted anything to do with the "party." Notice Sam, he is screaming while the rest of us sing the song. Alli refused to blow out the candles. But the cake tasted good. All in all a good day. It was nice to see gma and gpa Bartell.

Toot, toot

2009-04-22T14:05:00.003-06:00

So, this last month has felt incredibly rocky for me. I am so glad to be done with school, but I feel this sence of loss...what am I going to do now?

I am graduating from Nursing School again, this time with an advanced degree..I am now full of it- as a BSN!

I am officially Magna Cum Lade or however you spell it, meaning I am graduating with honors. There my horn has been tooted.

Who cut the cheese?

2009-03-23T21:26:00.002-06:00

This video/commercial cracked me up when I saw it. Thanks Talia for sharing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iBY7Yirq60

Click on the link.

Nicole needs...

2009-03-21T15:54:00.002-06:00

I saw this post on Kamille's blog and liked it and gave it a test drive. This is what I got.

1. Nicole needs...A Boob job. It went on to say I would get better roles.
2. Nicole needs...No Food When She Can Shop 'Till She Drops. DUH!
3. Nicole needs...a Reality Show. Because my life is so CRAZY.
4. Nicole needs...a new computer! I am amazed how accurate this is so far.
5. Nicole needs...To work her magic. Nuff said.
6. Nicole needs...a husband. HMMM
7. Nicole needs...a good meal.
8. Nicole needs...a drummer...on myspace music. I guess I have a band!
9. Nicole needs...an Urban love nest. ?
10. Nicole needs...to live in the now. Wow that was insightful.

To do this post type: "your name here" NEEDS into the Google search engine, then post the top 10 things. Have fun.

ADRIANE!!!

2009-03-21T15:26:00.002-06:00

On our trip to NJ last month we took a total of three pictures. We ate "REAL" Philly cheese steaks in Philadelphia at Geno's. They were fantastic. When you order you say the type of cheese you want and then "wit" if you want grilled onions. It was fun having a real Jersey meal. And the fries were so yummy.

On the walk back to the car we (on purpose) stumbled across this little gem. Yes that is where the Italian Stallion stands and eats his own philly cheese steak. Notice all the garbage? That just means it is authentic.

This last pic is across the street from the steak shop. The owner...Geno...likes to display all his motor bikes. I hope out next trip the NJ is more fruitful. Wish me luck.

Janet Evanovich

2009-03-15T19:12:00.002-06:00

Okay...I think I have found my favorite Author ever. Move over Stephanie Meyer...Janet Evanovich is totally awesome. I have read what feels like a billion of her books over the last month and I so totally love her. I laugh out loud when I read her books. They are a little bit on the edge. They are definitely somewhere between PG 13 and Rated R. Excuse me while I go and fantasize about Ranger.

How old are you?

2009-02-17T22:28:00.002-07:00

Okay, even though this story is way embarrassing...I just have to share it because it made me laugh. Brock and I were feeling a bit silly tonight and had been giving each other a hard time. There were some words exchanged. One thing led to another and I had the bright idea of giving him a wet-willy. Not such a good idea when you are the smaller person. I run down the hall and into the kid's room where Brock proceeds with his retaliation. I yell, "I have to pee!" Usually that saves me from anything major. He holds me where I am standing. Again I yell, "I really have to pee!" The bonds don't loosen. I manage to squirm back into the hall, he still has a hold of me. I then yell, "I am peeing!!!" Yup. I had the privilege of peeing my pants tonight. I feel so cool, you all should try it. After proving (You can pee a little and then stop it...that story is for another day) that my bladder couldn't stop mid-stream (especially while I am laughing hysterically) I went and took a shower. I guess I need to work on my Keggels.

What's for lunch?

2009-02-01T16:23:00.002-07:00

Alli had quite the combo for lunch last week. Mac & Cheese and (wait for it)...KIWI! And yes at the same time.

Want some?

2009-01-26T20:16:00.001-07:00

The CMV is NEGATIVE!!! Now on to IVF.

I'm leaving on a jet plane...see ya this afternoon!

2009-01-15T14:38:00.002-07:00

So I just have to put something down about my latest adventure. Today was my 3rd trip to SLC to donate Plasma infected with CMV. I donated plasma over the summer to pay for a trip to Disneyland and it was great having the extra $50 a week. Well, in my pre-screening course to become a Baby Mama, I found out I had IgM antibodies for CMV. That is a big, bright, RED Flag!!! Never get prego if you know you have an acute infection with CMV. So in an attempt to find a cure through GOOGLE, I found a place that pays $500 a donation!!! That is 1K a week. Mucho gusto. And yes they have handed me a check for $550 with each donation. I feel a little like a scam artist, everyone else says I should feel thankful for the opportunity. So THANK YOU.

Changes

2009-01-12T22:15:00.002-07:00

I am attempting to update the blog. The music is gone. I have gone public. I wrote a beautiful poem (well copied) from my fav ride SplashMountain. The background is fresh. I even just barely gave the kids a bath tonight before bed. Everything is clean and new. You are welcome.

I'm hungry Mommy

2009-01-06T14:33:00.005-07:00

What is there to eat...

what I can't be digging through the fridge?

Fine I will throw a temper tantrum...

Did she fall for it?

Here comes Santa Claus...

2008-12-28T17:56:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas from the Rawlings household.
We had a great morning, the kids were all very happy with all their gifts.

What I think is really funny...is that Samson liked Allison's present and Allison liked Samson's present!
The older girls are going to a Jazz game in Houston!!! I have never even been to a game in Utah. Hope all of your Christmases very just as merry.

I LIED!!!

2008-12-23T17:13:00.001-07:00

I totally just checked the posted grades on Dixie's web site, I got an A!!! No A- for me yipee

Graded

2008-12-19T06:53:00.003-07:00

(minus)

School is out for Winter break, yes it is true.
I got an A-, How about you?

Forgive me for the silly little rhyme,
its 7am and I haven't slept yet.

I am so glad this class is over.
It was worth 6 credits (that's a lot)!
I have one more class this Spring and then I
will graduate with my BSN!!!

Couldn't resist

2008-12-16T22:38:00.001-07:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Disneyland is the BEST

2008-11-29T13:49:00.004-07:00

So Alli and I had a blast at Disneyland last week. There were very few people there, the weather was awesome, it was so much fun. I think I gained 5 pounds on junk food. We saw a churro stand, we got a churro. We ate waffle-icecream-cones, delish. The only thing I always eat at Disneyland and didn't this year was the awesome bread-bowl clam chowder. They have this new meal for kids called the KIDS POWER PACK, full of great stuff: string cheese, yogurt, apple slices, gold fish, and milk/juice. That totally worked for Alli.
Allison was just barely tall enough to ride TUCK and ROLL, she giggled the whole time.

The Tikki Room is always a hit in our family. This is Alli making a face like this tree.The line for SPLASH MOUNTAIN, just the way I like it! I even got my very own log.Whooo Hoooo!!!!!!This is the line for Pirates of the Carribean, as you can see, Alli picked up on the whole, we follow the path and something cool will happen.

Meeting Minnie Mouse, she instantly hugged her, for like 30 sec, I had to peel her off to get a face shot. She did the same with Mickey. My mom took those pics on her camera. I love this place, I think I will always love it. I can't wait to start planning my next trip. As soon as Alli is 40" tall, we are so there.

Disneyland preview

2008-11-26T16:30:00.002-07:00

Update coming soon!!!

2008-11-20T21:01:00.000-07:00

Just got home from the BIG D, new pics coming soon.

HIPPA for BLOGGERS

2008-11-09T16:09:00.001-07:00

Okay I too will be going private by the end of this month. I will try and send out emails to my contact list, otherwise--add a comment with your email address so we can keep on bloggin.

Adult Halloween Fun

2008-11-09T15:45:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloweeny

2008-11-09T15:37:00.003-07:00

Happy Halloween Everybody. I am the loser Mom who did not get her toddlers costumes. Here is some cute pics of the babes getting their faces painted at the church carnival.While I was taking Alli's pic, Sam decided to make his SPIDER look a little more scary!!!It is nice to have kids so easily entertained with just a LOLLIPOP!

Spanish Hair

2008-11-09T15:25:00.003-07:00

I tried my hand at fancy hair for Alli, her hair is finally getting long enough to do stuff with. Here is my first attempt at what I will call- Spanish Hair. I always see little Spanish girls with their hair like this!

Kisses

It was super easy. I got these elastics for $2- for like 350 of them, so when she pulls them out and looses them , who cares? She was great to hold still for me too. What a good girl.

Boys will be boys

2008-11-09T15:08:00.002-07:00

I laughed pretty hard the day I took these pictures. Boys will be boys. He tried and tried to take off his pants, then he settled with just putting his hands in and sucking his thumb.

So busy

2008-11-07T02:29:00.000-07:00

I warned all of you how busy I was going to be, and it turns out it was all true. I promise to post soon, with pictures and everything.

Babies come when they want to!

2008-10-05T16:49:00.002-06:00

Sooo....the most awesomest thing happened to me last night. I delivered my patient without the MD there. No it was not on purpose, yes I tried to make her wait, and everything turned out totally great. She was like 7 cm the last time I checked her and I started some pit. 2 hours later I went in to check her again and she was really hurting. Her water was still intact at this point so I check her...she is a 9 and this is not her first baby. RED FLAG. I need the MD now. And the MD is close-5 min away. I'm having her (the mom) pant and breath and I keep asking her "don't push, try not to push, just breath, we can get through this, etc" She is on her side making that primal grunt-the one just before she pushes the baby out- and I decide to take a closer look. I lift her leg and I can see head, and its getting bigger. She is not panting, not breathing, she is pushing, and that baby is coming NOW. I yell out, "We're having a baby in here." My troops arrive (Thank the G-man for other nurses) and we have a baby. Needless to say the MD walks in like 3 min later and the MD is not happy. This was my first delivery all by my self. I have assisted several but this was one was all mine. I have to brag just a bit-no lacs, thank you, thank you. I think it was a combination on me trying to hold the head in because I really did want the doctor there and trying to keep the delivery of the head nice and slow. We need no Va J J explosions with out the MD. I then checked for a cord, nope we were good. One good push for the shoulders and we had a baby girl. I waited a bit before clamping the cord. Then I let Dad have the honors of cutting the cord. We gave the baby to Mom and all was well. The coolest thing was breaking the Bag of Water. I had to break the membranes with just the head out, and then peel it around the head so that the baby could take a breath of air. Awesome. That was the best adrenaline rush I have had in like forever. I wanted to tell them to name her Nicole...I was that proud of my accomplishment. I didn't though, I do have some self control. This charging thing is going great. It has forced me to step up as nurse, and I like being that person. Not an hour later the same thing almost happened again (to another nurse), the head was out and the MD had to catch the baby with no gloves-barely making it into the room for the delivery. What fun.

Going BALD

2008-09-26T15:08:00.002-06:00

Okay so I am not really going bald but I am NuTz! Everyone keeps giving me a hard time about updating my blog...so this is the boring post you get for annoying me. My computer has been OuT oF OrDeR for like a month-that is why I have no new pics. I prefer blogs with pics so I don't feel very motivated to post without them.

I started school this last (ummm) okay so I started back in mid August. I am crazy busy with it. I am in charge of the Flu Shoot Out, I am like the "go to person" between the college and the Health Dept. I have over 100 Clinical hours to do at the Public Health Dept sometime over the next month. I have 2 APA papers to write, a journal log to keep-which I am already 3 weeks behind on) and I have to do a "Community Assessment" project which is another 30+ hours. I hate school but I am so close to being done.

I went back to working full time in Aug. Three days really is a lot compared with only working two days a week before. I recently became a Charge Nurse (pay raise) which has added 2 additional meeting a month on top on the two I already had. I am due for like all of my recerts for work--ie, NRP, BLS, ACLS, MOMS, & AWHONN. I will be doing these over the next month and a half.

I am a mother of 4. With a 2yo and a 1yo. (Okay that is not new and I really DO like my kids!) Coorditnating all of their stuff as well as sitters around all of my stuff is like having 2 more full time jobs. Swim practice 2-3 times a week. Gymnastics once a week. And to think I want to put Alli into dance class...Mwahaha.

I am working on having another baby...not for me silly! This gestational carrier (GC) thing is a lot of work but at the same time feels incredibly rewarding. I have had tons of MD appts and have TONZ more to still attend. I also have to find 5 days to go back to NJ to get knocked up like the 2nd week of Nov. AND it's official...I don't have GC or CLaM--I know you were all so worried about that. Plus I have a PHAT uterus.

Then there is Christmas coming (and Halloween and Thanksgiving).

My life is CRAZY. Just to keep me sane, I have my next trip to Disneyland in the works. I love that place. Allison should be just tall enough for Gadgets Go Coaster in Toon Town. I have been donating PLASMA twice a week to save up some extra spending mula for this trip. You might say it is an obsession, I said MIGHT.

So if any of you have some free time you would like to donate to my dwindling supply I would greatly appreciate it.

Tagged

2008-09-14T23:09:00.004-06:00

So Kamille tagged me with the "3 things" so here goes...

3 JOYS
1. watching my two babes learn something new.
2. pay day
3. laughing till it hurts (or you pee just a little)

3 FEARS
1. peeing my pants from laughing
2. not getting paid
3. disneyland closing

3 GOALS
1. finish school
2. Complete a GC cycle
3. survive the next 2 months

3 CURRENT OBSESSIONS
1. school
2. sleep
3. plasma

3 REGRETS
1. taking so long to get my BSN
2. Not saving money
3. selling my honda civic

3 FACTS
1. 25yo married female
2. G4 PARA1122 (!!!!!!!!)
3. Love Disneyland

Okay, so if you read this and need something to post about-consider yourself tagged.

How tough are you?

2008-08-21T12:18:00.001-06:00

Created by OnePlusYou - Online Dating Service

Keep your buggery 5 year olds away from this NFM (Norris Fighting Machine)!
Chuck Norris rules.

Costco

2008-08-16T22:53:00.004-06:00

I love shopping at COSTCO! I love that the carts have two places
so my kids can both sit up high. I love that the carts are so big.
I love sample day, my kids especially love "sample day"
so they can eat while we shop.
The produce is generally fresh.
You can return anything-if need be. Alli loves having the receipt signed when we leave.
They always draw some fun smiley face for her.
Costco doesn't even interfere with nap time! Samson totally fell asleep sitting up in the cart.
Yes, that is my arm propping him up, his little head
kept nodding and bobbing- like when you fall asleep
in church. Costco is the best.

It's a zoo out there!

2008-07-30T19:04:00.003-06:00

On Pioneer Day I took Alli and Sam to the zoo. It was great, we saw zebras
and giraffes. Tigers and bears...oh my. There were elephants and even a
WHITE Alligator. Yes it was really white. Here are some pics.

My Little Artist

2008-07-04T15:36:00.004-06:00

Allison took it upon herself to color on everything the other morning
while I was "napping" on the couch. I woke up when she tried
to color on MY FOOT!

Some of the other things she took advantage of are:
her ball,

some of her books,

Samson,
herself,
her dolly's head,
the COUCH,

the kitchen table,
and much, much more.

The couch was a beast to clean, it came out pretty good thanx
to some carpet cleaner I used. Needless to say, we now keep all
pens, pencils, markers, crayons, highlighters, any writing utensil
out of her sight and her reach. If she can see it, she can most
likely figure out how to get it.

These are all of the spots on just one of our couches that I spent the
day cleaning. When will I ever learn? I just can't have nice things with
4 kids living in my house!

Warning: Bilateral Ear Infections Suck

2008-06-27T00:24:00.004-06:00

Both of my babies have been so fussy this week. We went to see Mike (Dr. Marsden)
today (Thursday...I have not slept yet) and low and behold they both have an
ear infection in both ears. It is kinda funny that they are fussy in different ways.
Allison has refused to eat since Monday. Samson has the nastiest slimy drainage
from the right ear...hmmm you would think this would be a great indicator that
there would be an infection in that ear. Anyway they both have oral Abx and Samson
has some lovely gtts (drops - in nurse lingo) for his "snotty" right ear. Those gtts are
freakin $$$- for this itty bitty little bottle! I have to say that Samson is such a trooper
though. He also had his tear ducts probed (yes, both sides) this morning.
Hopefully we wont be dealing with eye infections every other week from here on out.
Dr. Hendrix preformed the "surgery" and said everything went very smoothly.
I really liked his bedside manner.

Just FYI:

After you take your kids swimming, always dry out their little ears.
Dr. Marsden (the ENT) recommends a few gtts in each ear of a solution that is

1 part white vinegar and 1 part rubbing alcohol

Another thing that I read said to use a blow dryer (on a cool setting) for just a
few minutes pointed at each ear can help dry out the inner ear and
prevent swimmers ear.

Trip to SLC

2008-06-24T16:02:00.003-06:00

So I took the babies up to SLC a few weeks ago. It was full of family
get togethers. On Sat June 7th, the women on my mother's side all
got together at the Lion House for a luncheon. We do this every year
with the Grand-daughters of Brigham Young Association. Yes we are
all decendents. I am a "3rd Great." All of my Aunts (moms sisters)
made it. All of my neices that are old enough were there too.

On Saturday night I met up with my old man...I mean my Dad.
My Grandmother that lives in West Virginia had made a finale trip
out west to see the family. Funny thing (at least to me) happened...
I asked her what year she was born, "1925" she said...then she went
on to say "I know how old I am, 82! and I know I may not make it our
here again." Here is the punch line...Wouldn't she be 83?

Oregon Coast Vacation

2008-06-04T15:02:00.011-06:00

Okay-Sorry it took so long for me to update and get pics from the trip on here.

Seaside was beautiful the first 2 days we were there.

They had record highs in the 90's and the beach was wonderful.

I fought with Samson to stay out of the
sand but he won.

I loved this picture of Allison, she has such a cute little toddler body. She loved the water until a wave knocked her down.

This is the only picture of the four of us. I need to work on that and get more family shots. This is like the trail end of the "Oregon Trail" made famous by Louis and Clarke.

We went to several AQUARIUMS, most had a "touch pool" that allowed visitors to feel sea creatures. Alli was nervous at first but she liked the green ones.

This is Gleneden Beach. The sand here was course and rocky. You can tell by our clothes that it was cold here.

I love the look on Allison's face in this picture. She made this face everytime a big wave would roll in. I think she didn't want to get knocked down again.

Boring

2008-05-11T16:41:00.003-06:00

We are leaving for Seaside, Oregon on Thursday. I am so excited. We will be gone for almost two weeks. Brock needs this vacation almost as much as I do. Samson has started to stand alone...maybe he will start walking soon.

May update

2008-05-02T16:31:00.004-06:00

So... lots of things have been happening to the family this week. I have now officially lost 20#s (yeah) and I got a new hair cut.

Alli is looking better. Her lip is a bit red still but her nose looks fantastic.

Sam is crawling like a stinkbug all over the house and is starting to get in to everything.

Here is an ODE to Melissa... I was casually napping on the couch the other morning when Alli decided I had slept long enough. So...She brought me my glasses. Oh and she broke them while she was at it! Nice nerdy tape job, I thank you.

So maybe not that much has happened but I sure do feel busy. Oh and one more thing, I got blinds in my house. They look so good, I can't believe I lived without them for 2 years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLI

2008-04-22T10:17:00.004-06:00

Allison turned 2 last Friday and for her birthday we decided to try and bite her face off. Okay so that part was not planned. We spent the afternoon in the ER getting stitches. She is the first of my children to ever get stitches. There are 6 total, three in each laceration (nurse talk). She is really no worse for the wear but it sure had me all torn apart. When I was 8 I was attacked/mauled by a 1/2 pittbull-1/2 chow chow and it nearly took my right ear. Three plastic surgeries later and no one would ever know it even happened. What a great mom I am giving my 2 year old the chance to experience some of my childhood. The dog is now gone and with good ridence (I never had a good feeling about him anyways)! We take the stitches out Friday, I hope getting them out goes as smooth as getting them in.

My Favs

2008-04-12T15:05:00.000-06:00

Tagged by Ashley. A few of my favorite things...

when kids sleep through the night
movies that end happy
rocky road ice cream
fitting into pre-baby clothes
work out results
when brock kisses me (when he thinks I'm asleep)
sams chubby cheeks
allis sweet voice
when alli learns a new word and uses it
holding freshly born babes
natural patients that have things under control
fresh fruit
getting my hair cut
real mashed potatoes
when my babies aren't crying, and they are entertaining themselves
having two highchairs
a good book that is quick to read
DISNEYLAND
my new minivan
girl time with friends that love to laugh

Just like everyone else, I could go on and on. It is so nice to think about all the things I love and not the things I don't. Happy Bloggin.

Two babies, Two highchairs!

2008-04-04T14:24:00.000-06:00

The babes are getting bigger, they are just about the same weight now. Alli is taller, making Sam the chuny one. Things are well for us. I could not imagine my life without the two of them.

Disneyland

2008-02-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

The happiest place on Earth! I had a great time and I think that even though Mom was sick she enjoyed herself as well. Thanks for coming along on the family trip my Brothers. Love, Nicole

Kyler 1st B-day

2008-01-16T12:25:00.000-07:00

He loves grilled cheese

Crusin

He thought he had to eat his cake as fast as he could for fear I might take it away.

HO HO HO

2008-01-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

SAMSON SAYS "HO HO HO AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!" We are very excited for the family trip. See you guys soon. Love Nicole

who is who

2007-12-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

Alli and Sam are obviously sister and brother!

Laundry Day

2007-12-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

The fastest way to dry your toddler after a bath! Alli is now full swing into climbing mode, if she can scale it or climb into it she loves it! This is how she helps me with the laundry. She actually handed my articles of clothing after she got in.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-10T13:50:00.000-07:00

Make a free ecard!

Halloween

2007-11-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome

2007-11-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

I really want this to work so make sure you check this and post comments. I think this will be a fun way for our families to interact and keep each other up to date. Here is a recent pic of the babies.