Primary Program

Yesterday was Nolan's first primary program at church. He had a week to learn his part, but I was amazed that he had it memorized in about 24 hours. I wish my mind would be as quick as his! I watched him walk into the chapel holding a girl's hand and then he helped her later on to get up the steps to the stage. So sweet. He said his part so well: "Moses chapter 1, verse 39 says 'For behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.'" The only trouble was that he made an early exit and said, "... immortality and eternal life of..." He left everyone hangin' there a little, and several of us couldn't help but chuckle, but I felt like my little chest was gonna bust open with love! Way to go, Nolan!
It's too bad that after that he didn't want to sit up and sing the songs and later came and sat with us, rather than on the front row with his class, but I'll take what I can get. Justin and I were bummed that he didn't sing "Praise to the Man," but we know he knows it. I asked why he didn't sing it and he said, "I just love that song so I wanted to listen to the kids sing it."

A good read

Last week Nolan came home from preschool all excited to tell me that they had read a story about "Nipple Buttercup." I asked more than once if he was sure that was the name of the girl in the book. Each time he said yes. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself the rest of the day each time I thought about it. Today I asked his teacher what she is teaching our children. We had a good laugh and she explained that the story was about "Nettie Buttercup." Good... I was starting to wonder! The best part is that Nolan had no idea why I thought it was funny. Here's to his young, innocent mind. I love this age!!! He's finally easy to take everywhere, he's generally agreeable, he's learning a mile a minute, and he's fun to joke around with.
The other day Ezra bumped his head and was crying. I went to hold him and he tooted on the way up. He immediately stopped crying and said, "Oh! Toot! Skooze me." I laughed and Nolan asked, "Mom, why are toots so funny?" I guess they're not always funny (but let's be honest... most of the time they are), but it was a great remedy for a bonked head.

Race time!

Last weekend was Justin's work party at This is the Place Heritage Park. We woke up bright and early so that Nolan and Daddy could run in the 5k race. They did a great job and Nolan was thrilled to receive a medal for his efforts. We had a good time the rest of the day, especially watching Nolan get his first shave at the barbershop and riding the trains. Even the candy cannon was a good experience (unlike last year when Nolan got lost in the mayhem), except for the brief moment when candy landed on Ezra's head and made him cry. But then I popped some taffy in his mouth and he was good to go.

Artwork

I've been really excited to decorate the basement, but Ezra beat me to it. Thanks, buddy. Thanks a lot.

He thought his little body needed some decorating, too.

It's getting exciting around here

It felt a little like Christmas Eve last night. I kept waking up with a flurry of excitement in the pit of my stomach. Knowing that our basement carpet would be installed by the next night was almost as good as waiting for Santa. My Dad, Justin, and I have spent countless hours in the basement. Until you've finished a 1400+ sq. ft. basement it's hard to explain how much time and effort it takes. The trim, caulking, and painting have been endless. There were times when I wished we had half as many doors to paint and caulk. We've been so grateful that my Dad would come up about every 3 weeks and stay for 3 or 4 days to work. He's a busy guy and we've been so spoiled to have such a hard worker on our team (and doing most of the work). We couldn't have done it without his smarts and strength. And just under two years after starting to draw up our plans, we are nearly done! Other than raising kids (and all that comes with that), I think the 3 things that I've worked the hardest on in life are my college degree, our yard, and our basement. It was especially tricky because I always wanted to be able to make progress downstairs but then one of the kids would need me, dinner would need making, or the house upstairs would get too dirty to ignore. It's been a juggling act for all of us, really, in different ways. I'm not that good at juggling so I'm glad to see the end is near. And now I get to decorate! I. Am. So. Excited.
Along with all of the work, we've had some great moments together. Nolan and Ezra have found so much joy in "helping out." Nolan was actually a big help in sweeping up all the sawdust.

Here's my Dad in action. And I forgot to mention that he also would take us out to eat sometimes. He works for free AND buys us food. How did we get so lucky? Nolan and Ezra were always so excited for Grandpa John to come visit.

Here are a couple of before shots:

Even Ezra was so in love with the carpet pad when it got here.

And I don't want to give many "after" shots right now. I'd like to save them for when I have furniture and some cute drapes I'm planning to make with my Mom. But here's a teaser. It's not tacked down yet, but it gives an idea of what's to come.

Now that the basement is nearly done, we can start to organize the storage room that is currently stacked to the ceiling... literally. Man, we look like hoarders! We've still got lots to do, but it will be exciting!

Man vs. Mud

I saw the mud, I went through it, and I conquered! I've never had any desire to do a 5k run, but I figured that if I'm going to run, it would be a lot more exciting to do it in the mud. And it was! Justin's mom, her boyfriend Jon, Aunt Karen, some cousins (Sharlie, Jared, Mariah), a few friends and I were part of the 12-person team called "Swine Flew." We arrived at the American West Center in Logan with our capes, pig noses, and tightie-whities over our pants. Not sure whose idea it was to wear the underwear, but I went with it. There was nothing white about them when we were through.

The first obstacle was a huge slip 'n slide where we got soaked right off the bat. There was also a 100-yard trench of sludgey mud that came up to my chest. I could barely get my shoes to come out of the thick mud. Thank goodness my shoes never came off! They would have been impossible to find. There were all sorts of messy moments and more slip 'n slides. I swam across a freezing cold pond and then ended the race in a huge mud bath. What a great time. Yes, I did get tired but I pretty much jogged the entire time. I love how Nolan is keeping his distance from me in the picture below. It's true that it was at a farm, and there may have been more than dirt in that "mud."

Afterward, we let Nolan try out the Boggy Bayou area for kids, complete with a bounce house, suds, a slide, tires, and a mini mud trench. He loved it! Even Ez got in on the soapy suds action. There was also pony rides and a train! The only trouble was that it was a cool sixty degrees outside and I was freezing as soon as I stopped running. I had the best, hot shower of my life afterward. And we had a fabulous pizza lunch with Grandma Petersen, too. What a fabulous day. I'd love to do it again!

Here's a little video of the big event. It was tough for spectators to see what was going on, but Justin did pretty well capturing a couple of moments. It's not easy to film with two little boys at your side, either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbgPqNdeeI8&feature=youtube_gdata