It has been 3 weeks since Skyler started his new job. For those who weren't aware, Skyler applied for and got a job working as a camp counselor at the Bear Lake Aquadic Base at Bear Lake ( a 2 hour drive). He is teaching scout troops the swimming merit badge, along with other responsibilites. He stays up at camp all week long. A bus brings kids (the staff) back down to Brigham city and SLC every Saturday around noon. Then we take Skyler back to the bus every Sunday at 5:30pm. It gives him just enough time to do his laundry, visit with friends and go to church. He says he has been having a great time and his goal is to start school "tan, buff and blond". That's a 15year old for you! As nice as it would be to have his help on the kitchen, I am glad he is enjoying his experince, not to mention making a little spending money. He is being paid $125/week plus all his meals are provided. Not bad for a summer job!

Last Saturday, the 3rd, Skyler came home and within the hour was dressed in his scout uniform and ready for another 2 hour drive to Provo! We had the oppertunity to go to the Stadium of Fire at the Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mark's bro-in-law was able to reserve tickets for family members. Mark's parents, all 3 sisters a brother and their families were able to go. Carrie Underwood was the performer, which we all enjoy her music. But even cooler than that, the Stadium of Fire was recognizing the 100th anniversary of scouting by putting on the worlds largest Eagle's nest. Any scout who had recieved his eagle during the months of Jan. 2010 and June 2010 were able to apply online to participate. Skyler qualified and was accepted. It was a really great experince for him. They also had everyone in the audience who had recieved their Eagle, to stand. (Mark and Skyler are on stage in the front row, bottom left hand side of picture.)

After getting home at 1am, Skyler went to church, packed his stuff and went back to camp. That is one busy kid. We went up to visit him and took picutes of him at camp.

Nesting gone too far????

Grandma's Quilt
Caleb & kevin helping tie Grandma's quilt
Baby's new room
Skyler's old wallpaper
Old kitchen
Having fun destroying kitchen
tearing down old kitchen


For any of you who have been expecting a new baby, you know what I mean when I say nesting. But I wonder, is there a limit to this pregnancy phenom, or is it a free for all frenzy that can be chalked up to the condition at hand? I mention this because these pictures I am about to post will give you an idea of what I have been delving onto my family. Granted, these were some projects we were considering before we found out we were even expecting a baby, but doing them all at once was not the plan.

This first project is actually 18 years in the making. When my Grandma Stott died in 1991, I was honored to inherit a quilt top she was in the process of working on. Thinking I would finish this quilt in a year or two was ambitious. Now here it is 18 years later and I am finally getting it done. I hope she is smiling in heaven. I think she'd be happy to know even her great-grandsons were happy to help tie the quilt.

Our 2nd project is a little more intense as we are decorating the baby's room. This room used to be Skyler's. He hasn't minded the dated pink and blue wall paper for the last 1 1/2 years, but we wanted to take it down. Now he is in Kevin's old room and the twins are together. This wallpaper was very fickle and hard to take off. Once it was down, we puttied the holes and primed and now the painting is done. (when I say we I actually mean my husband and 3 strong boys, because I shouldn't be around paint right now) We are putting up 3 feet of beadboard on the bottom half of this room, so we only painted the top. I am thrilled with this color. I have a crib set; blanket, bumper pads, diaper stacker and dust ruffle that have this lavendar color in it, so it will match nicely.

Our 3rd and largest project is the kitcen remodel. I am grateful for a working kitchen, however the house is 24 years old, hence it has origninal appiances and tile. We didn't realize what a pain the tiled countertops would be until we moved in. And with the drop ceiling and cupboards it was like walking into a cave. Mark and the boys have really busted their backs demolishing the tile and taking down cupboards. I feel bad I can't be of more help, but to see the boys having so much fun with a sledgehammer and crowbar, I get to ignore the guilty pangs! What a crew! They love to help and it is good for them to be involved. I am excited to have a new kitchen, but I worry about our timing. The boys are out of school which is nice not to deal with homework & bedtimes, but my cousin Becky is coming to visit at the end of July. I am really excited to see her and take her around our area, but I'm hoping our kitchen is done by then!

So I ask you, does nesting syndrome have a limit, because I can think of a few more things to add.

Court of Honor

Schuyler's Court Of Honor was last weekend. We are so proud of him earning his Eagle. Thanks to all those who came to support! The night was a big success. Since another boy in our ward was also earing his Eagle, I had help pulling this night together. The veterans came and presented flags to the boys. Kevin and Caleb's troop were able to participate as the color guard.
For Schuyler's birthday we had him invite 2 friends over. Mark took them to see Ironman 2 and then they stayed up all night playing games and listening to music. The next morning the boys all had their last soccer games at 9am! Schuyler is one of the youngest on his team because they throw all the high school aged kids together. It didn't prevent him from scoring an awesome goal, though. Kevin and Caleb were on a team that didn't do so well this year, in fact they didn't win a single game. But as Kevin puts it, "I just go to get the treat." The rest of the day we spent scraping off wallpaper from the baby's room. We moved Schuyler into Kevin's room and Kevin and Caleb are now in the same room. I will post before and after pictures of the room when we get it all finished. It will be nice to have it done.

Ahhh, isn't she cute?

Ok, so what if I am getting a little excited. I had my big "healthy baby" ultrasound yesterday with the technitian. I love this picture the best, where she has her arm up to her head and she's facing down. She said everything looks great and when it comes to telling the gender, she doesn't guess. She is certain it is a girl. I know the dr. told us last month, but I only took that as a guess. Now that were sure, I can start painting. We will move rooms around next month.
Thanks to all who put in their comments on names. We are really leaning towards Brielle. There is a 4 year old girl in our ward with that name, but I asked her mom and she fine if we wanted to use it, too.
Tommorrow is a typical Saturday for us with all the hussell of raising kids. Soccer games for all 3 at 9am, piano recital at 4pm, and pictures with Skyler in his scout uniform, for the court of honor, at 5. Not to mention that Kevin and Caleb want to start a garden. Life is good when were happily involved in a good cause!

An Eagle in our midst

Schuyler is officially an Eagle Scout!! We are so proud of him. He will share his court of honor with friends and family on May 15th, (3 days before his 15th birthday) He has worked so hard and has had some great leaders help him along the way. For his eagle scout project he took picture of headstones at the Brigham city cemetary and downloaded them on to a CD where the city will now put them on the internet for others to look up their ancestors. You'd think after getting your Eagle you can relax and enjoy a few moments, but Schuyler is a doer. He is putting up posters today in fact for the sophomore class officer elections. Then he is studing for his learners permit next month, and this summer he has been hired as a camp counselor at the Bear Lake Scout Camp to assist in the aquadic department, helping scouts to recieve their swimming merit badge. He will be at camp for 9 weeks, coming home for the weekends (to do laundy and go to church). He is very excited to do that, especially with a few of his friends from school.

I am now 19 weeks along and finally looking more pregnant than fat. So lately we've been throwing around a lot of girl names. Since Mark has 15 nieces and I have 7, plus 2 more niecs born this summer, we have our work cut out for us. Mark is great at making lists then handing them to me so I can scratch out the ones I don't like. Here are a few we actually agree on. Give input:

Katherine
Summer
Paige
Brielle
Abigail

Bring on the Pink!!!

I had an ultrasound last week and ......It's a girl. At least we're 90% sure. The Dr. said to keep our recipts on stuff we buy, but he also said he is rarely wrong when he gives such a high percentage rate. We are excited. I bought a pink blanket to put in a bag, which the boys opened later that night. They were so thrilled. They all said they wanted a little sister, so no disappointed faces. Now we just have to come up with a name. Toshia and Danielle also found out they are having girls this summer, so we will have girl cousins, yeah!! I am feeling better these days, but sometimes, without warning I will still get sick. Mark and the boys have been wonderful to help around the house and do extra jobs.
I am still doing water aerobics, which helps the sciatic nerve problem! Plus being in the water helps me feel lighter.

Other important news, soccer has offically started. All the boys had games this past Saturday. It's good that K&C are on the same team so Mark and I can split up when Skyler's games are at the same time. This will be a busy spring. Can't wait to sit and enjoy General Conference!

Happy St. Patty's day!

Kevin
Skyler

Most of the time I can be a creative and fun mom. But lately I haven't felt well enough to celebrate holidays, especially with my boys getting so old. Do they really care? Well yesterday, Mark convinced me to do something fun for St. Patrick's Day. So I got up and made green eggs and ham. I think they thought it was fun. Can't wait until Easter...