Busy

Who said being a stay at home mom was easy?! I don't think I have been this busy even when I was working fulltime. Of course the boys keep me busy. Brecken has preschool M,W,F from 9-11 and Karsten is one (I shouldn't need to go into any detail!) There are the household chores, cooking, and cleaning.

I also have been teaching a Geometry and Computer Basics class for an online highschool. I have to make lots of phone calls and grade each students projects. It has been a great way to bring in some extra money. I am also trying to sub once a week so I can keep in touch with students in the classroom.

I have also decided to go to the temple once a week. In a sacrament meeting a while ago a high counselman bore testimony of the blessings his family recieved from his wife going to the temple weekly. I decided I wanted to do this for my family. I have truly enjoyed my weekly visits to the temple. Last Saturday, as Tom said, we did baptisms for some of my ancestors. Tuesday I was able to do initiatories for some of my ancestors who were some of the pioneers. I did not realize that not all the pioneers work is done. These people have been waiting a long time for their work to be done. It is a great experience to do work for people that you are related to. I am truly grateful for my visits to the temple.

On a lighter note, Halloween is coming up and I just want everyone to know that my kids are going to be pretty darn cute. Brecken has decided that he wants to be Shrek, his cousin Kylie will be Princess Fiona and Karsten is going to be Puss n Boots. Pictures will be coming soon.

Bumper Boats.

Today we took the kids to a birthday party at Encanto Park. They loved the rides! Brecken and Kylie started on the carousel, on the little horses that don't move. But after a couple rides on the roller coaster and the bumper boats, both of them wanted to ride on the "tea cups". Abe and I took them for a spin and at first they were both loving it and yelling, "Faster, faster!" After about 30 seconds, Kylie started turning a little white, so we slowed it down to help her stomach calm down. After that round, Brecken wanted to go again, but without Kylie so he could go faster. About 30 seconds into round 2, Brecken started to turn pale too. Guess those kids better stick to the bumper boats for now.

Then we went to the temple and did baptisms for about 100 family names on Natalie's side and then went to see Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah play. Luckily, Chris called me to let me know that Awake & Alert was playing as well, so I got to see them play too. All in all, a good day.

Bat Boy

Is it halloween yet? Last weekend, Megan was practicing putting halloween makeup on Emma and Lauren (Brecken's cousins) and Brecken decided he wanted to be Bat Boy. He was Bat Boy all day Saturday and Sunday. Isn't he adorable!

I spent my week watching four boys. The week was full of sword fights, car races, playing at the park (thanks to Elise and Megan), monkeying around at the zoo, eating and much more boy stuff. Man did I feel out numbered. I am grateful to be back to my two boys this week and back to our schedule.

On a different note, Tom and I almost bought a house in Maricopa this weekend. It was a great house for a great deal. I just didn't feel the time is right. Our home inspection was Saturday. The buyers have until Tuesday to back out for no reason after that they will lose their earnest money. Hopefully everything goes well. If it does we will be homeless on Nov. 20. (at least we have great family we can stay with while we figure out what the heck we are going to do with our life) Anyways, I hope all is well with everyone. Have a great day.

Zoo

Well this week has been a little crazy. I have been watching two little boys while my mom is out of town. We decided to venture to the zoo with Cole 5, Chase 3, Brecken 3, and Karsten 1. Luckily we had two double strollers so there wouldn't be any runaways. It was weird driving to the zoo with four boys in the back of the car. I couldn't imagine having four boys especially under the age of five. Here are the boys and Tom in front of the giraffes.
Here is Karsten eating a sandwich. He thinks he is one of the big boys. He has been playing outside with the big boys all week.

The baby orangutan is my favorite part of the zoo. The boys and I loved watching him swing on the rope. Look how cute he is!

Well despite the crazy last few days tomorrow will be even crazier. I will have all four boys and Kylie (Nichole's daughter). Kylie is definitely one of the boys. Her and Brecken always seem to get into some trouble.

Crazy idea

Anyone want to hike to Reavis Ranch and haul a bunch of apples out? Then when we get back we can make gallons of applesauce and apple butter. I went on that hike as a 16 yr old scout and thought it was so much fun. It didn't matter that our scout leader misread the scale and thought it was a 2 mile hike, or that we hiked until 2 a.m. only to camp at the appropriately named "Windy Pass". It was all worth it to get up at sunrise to watch the deer eating apples right off the tree, then help myself when the deer finally left. We ate so many apples that we made ourselves sick, but it was an awesome place and the apples were spectacular, even though they are no longer maintained. Or if no one wants to go on the 20 mile hike carrying 30 lbs of apples on your back, maybe we can go out to Mother Nature's Farm in Mesa or Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, but the apples aren't free there. I guess it may still be cheaper than driving to the trailhead, but come on people! Where's you sense of adventure!

Ramblings

I just had a few things I wanted to share. First WE SOLD OUR HOUSE (pending all the inspections)!!! After five months, I had come to the realization that our house was not going to sell when a young couple with small children put in an offer. We really have no idea what the future holds for our family. Tom needs a new job (because he works to much and does not get paid for it). He tries so hard to support our family. Tom and I both have different ideas for what the future holds for our family. I know we will compromise and figure it out. In the mean time, we get to spend so time on the Bogle compound. We will have tons of fun living so close to family.

Second, I have always had a hard time reading my scriptures. I decided a few weeks ago I would try my hardest to really study the scriptures daily. I have always felt I don't know how to study the scriptures. I decided I was going to read the "Preach My Gospel" manual along with my scriptures. This has been a great blessing. I have really learned some of the gospel principles and learned how to study the scriptures. I thought it was interesting that in yesterdays session a man spoke about the use of "Preach my Gospel" He said that it is a tool for everyone. I truly feel this is true. If you haven't read it you should.

Anyways enough of my ramblings. If you have an idea for Tom's new career change, he has a degree in marketing, please let us know.

Bogle Kids

As I was looking on my computer I came across several old pictures of the Bogle grandkids. Before we had any kids of our own Tom and I loved taking pictures of our nieces and nephews. Here are a few of my favorites. I thought everyone would enjoy these. Sidney trying to be one of the boys.

I have no idea what Boston is doing but it is an awesome picture.

I absolutely love this picture of Emma. She looks like an angel.

Kas imitating Tom's Velociraptor.

Elton John, I mean Antionette Hird.

Zo loves her cake.

Tom loves this picture. Ian alwayed loved being outside.

Q-Tips Anyone?

Karsten seems to think Q-tips taste good. Karsten goes into the bathroom gets a Q-tip and goes into the other room to watch Baby Einstien. He doesn't swallow the Q-tip but he chews on it until it is soggy and spits it out. Then he is in the bathroom for another Q-tip.

Who would have thought that Q-tips were so good. Maybe he is lacking iron or cotton?

Karsten also loves to get into things and make messes. He loves to play in the toilet and the toilet paper.

Karsten is also a sweet boy. He loves to grab your face and give you kisses. I love having two wonderful boys. Hope everyone enjoys the pics.

Only the Necessities

Diaper, Sword, Helmet for Brecken these are all he needs. He loves to pretend he is a "scary knight" and fight all the bad guys. I am usually the bad guy.

He is my little comedian. I could post everyday with a new line from him (Maybe I will)!

Today he was in the bath and said, : "Mom, I tooted." Pause. "I made bubbles!!"

Brecken started Preschool on Monday. He kept asking when it was time to play. Here is an awesome school picture.

Brecken is so adorable. He brings laughter and hapiness to our family everyday. Tomorrow I will have to post about my other adorable boy, Karsten.

Pirates and robots

So Natalie is finally on the blog and is instantly taking it over. Good, someone needs to add a little cheer and sunshine around here. Let me just share a little thought that has been going through my head a lot lately. There was a really good local band that just split up a few months ago called XYZebra. They were one of the first local bands that really impressed me. Anyway, they have a song called "Of Pirates and Robots" and it is a song about them breaking up. See, one of the band members decided that he would be better off if he went up to Idaho to go to school. This song is the response of one of the other band memebers. It goes a little something like this. Click the title to give it a listen.

Of Pirates and Robots
I know that ship’s just not what she used to be,
We could talk all night and pretend that she is.
The ocean we made can’t be crossed, it’s impossible
Yeah the calm of the current is unmistakable.

You said that we should be honest, but you’re not willing.
You said those guys were just fillers, so what were you filling?
Oh well.

I’ll say what you need to make you believe this is for the best
Cause I’m moving on.

No, that ship’s just not what she used to be.
Yeah, the hole in her hull is so irreparable.
The ocean we made can’t be crossed, it’s impossible
Yeah the calm of the current is unmistakable.
And so is our mistake.

We still believe in miracles, don’t we?

I’m not offering solutions to problems
That we could better solve on our own
On our own… …Oh well.

I’ll say what you need to make you believe this is for the best.
Gather your things and move to the north where you’re better off.
Don’t say you’re home! Don’t say you’re back where you don’t belong!
Cause I’m moving on.

No, that ship’s just not what she used to be.
Yeah, the hole in her hull is so irreparable.
The ocean we made can’t be crossed, it’s impossible
Yeah the calm of the current, oh!

So, I know this sounds cheezy, but this song has got me real choked up the last couple days. It reminds me a lot of how I was feeling when Chris told me that he had to move to Portland or he was gonna go crazy. We had been doing AZMR for about a year, and I thought things were great. Then he just up and left. Well, he's doing good, but I sure miss him. Chris, whenever you're ready, come home.