October {second half}

{17th-ish} Sometimes Woody gets into some sticky situations around here.

The girls & I ordered Zaycon chicken, so we spent an afternoon cutting the fat off, bagging it, and freezing it.  So nice to have it done afterward!

Playdates with Max are lots of fun.  We had a mouse in the wall-which totally freaked me out because I am TERRIFIED of mice-and the boys were listening quietly to see if they could hear it.

{18th} I had a lovely massage in Nampa and Zac and I met Tony and Brenda at the temple so we could go through the open house with them.  It was a great experience taking two friends we love who aren't members of our church through the temple and to explain a lot of things to them about our beliefs.  They ask amazing questions and I love that we have the type of relationship where we respect each other enough to be able to communicate so freely and openly about things.  Such great examples and amazing people.  We all grabbed lunch at My Fit Foods together afterward and it was yummy food & even better company.

While out, Taylor & Kelsey took the kids to Jabber's.  My boys were big fans, of course.  They adore that place.

More pics from fun times with Taylor.  She is the best sitter for my kids & such a fun aunt and friend.  So so grateful for her and Talon and the very close part they play in our kids lives.

Beckham was having some issues getting out of bed...a lot actually-after we took his side off, so we tried scooting him up to Gray's bed.  Most the time we'd come in to find them like this.  Grayson would give up his big bed for Bex and he'd take the smaller space.  It's times like this when I know Gray really loves his brother.

Kids crack me up daily.  I love the things they come up with and that they take joy in all the little things.

{19th} A friend did a random act of kindness for me today that was unexpected and made my whole week.  Lori Holcomb {whom my kids call Aunt Jo} called and asked if she could come grab the boys for a couple hours to play so I could get some stuff done.  "Uncle Peewee" wanted to play with them, too.  (:  So sweet!  The boys were so excited and had a great time.

It's so crazy getting two hours at home by myself unexpectedly like that.  I didn't quite know what to do!  I cleaned, listened to music, read a few chapters in my book, prepared dinner, and thoroughly enjoyed myself!

When I picked up the boys, they had been playing with 3 new friends who Kent & Lori were watching, and had had a great time playing outside the entire time.  I noticed Grayson's pants were wet and didn't bring anything up right away.  After pictures, thank yous, hugs, and getting them in the car, I said, "Grayson, did you wet your pants?"  He's only done that maybe once since being potty trained, so I thought it was weird.  He shook his head no.  I said, "Are you sure, bubba?  Your pants are wet."  He said, "Yeah.  Sorry Mom."  Heavenly Father knows me well and in that situation my first instinct would have been to be upset and irritated, but I felt the spirit guiding me and calmly said, "It's okay Grayson, accidents happen."  He looked so relieved and totally opened up to start telling me about it.  He said, "We were playing outside and I asked where the bathroom was and Aunt Jo said it was the first door on the left inside the house and I went inside and couldn't remember which way was left, so I was going everywhere and just didn't make it in time."  I'm so glad I didn't make him feel bad about it!  Poor guy!  I said, "Oh man!  That is tough!  Next time you go somewhere that's kind of unfamiliar I'll show you where the bathroom is before we leave, okay?"  He was all smiles and thought that was a great idea.  It was just another lesson for ME on how my reaction so often can guide an entire conversation for good or for bad.  He is the type of kid who could easily close up completely on me and if I am not careful about the way I interact with him, it could drive him away.  Thankful that this time I was in tune enough to listen and be calm. 

We all like cheesecake around here.

These guys laugh so hard they cry on a pretty regular basis.  I love to hear it.

{20th-21st} We had our primary program practice today.  It went fairly well, all things considered.  Grayson wanted nothing to do with it, but stood pretty well the whole time.  Even though he refused to sing! (;

Had a sushi dinner date with Zac, Lou & T&T.  Love that food so much! 

The kids pulled off the primary program beautifully, of course.  It seems to always work out that way.  Thank you Erin for writing it, it was wonderful.  So lucky to rub shoulders with these kiddos on a weekly basis.  They really are spectacular.

{22nd-23rd} Taylor does a great job being creative & artsy with the boys which they & I love.  They make some pretty adorable things and are always proud of their handiwork when they get home.

 

 

We found out we had a large amount of points from the bank where we do our business banking.  We realized we could get Amazon + gas gift cards with the points, so we were super surprised & excited.  Most of them went toward business expenses, and of course the gas cards were used for that purpose in Zac's commuter car, but we took out some of the Amazon cards for our anniversary and bought a new bed {since we've rarely paid ourselves from Zac's business, this was justified}.  We had been using my bed {which I think was a double, not a queen} and I had had it since eight or ninth grade, so it was over 15 years old.  It is a significant upgrade for us and we are stoked about it!

{24th} Grayson and I started out today with a preschool field trip to the Pumpkin Patch + Purdum's produce stand.  It was COLD!  Grayson loved the hay ride, being with Max & Miss Gwen, and picking out a pumpkin.  But the best part for him was the hay maze.  He talked me into going through it with him afterward and he did not want to leave.  He thought it was the best thing ever!  I thought it was muddy & cold, but enjoyed watching him have such a great time. (;

Today is also Zac and my 9 year anniversary!  It was much warmer the day we got married!  I had put together 9 envelopes {one for each year of marriage} with highs & lows of that year + memories for Zac.  And, 9 small gifts to go with it.  Nothing huge {movie, magazine, candy, Taylor Swift cd, etc.} and he loved it.  It was crazy going back to think on each year and the things we've gone through.  So grateful for 9 years with this man {10.5 counting our dating time} and looking forward to many many more.  We went out to Winger's for dinner and enjoyed reminiscing and remembering each year.  He is such a good one. 

{25th} This kid is funny.  Zac and I often look at each other and laugh asking, "where did he come from?!"

{26th} Boys played at Becca's {they LOVE her and her kids} while I had my hair done.

Beckham colored on the walls today.  He was so proud of his handiwork.  He got to help clean up with a magic eraser.  Stinker!

Later, the boys hid in the pantry on the shelves.  One thing is for sure, life with boys is NEVER boring! (;  I love their little adventuresome spirits. 

{27th} This morning Mom, Carol Green, and I rode over to Boise together to run the Color Run!  So much fun!  I made a Health Confessions Team and had simple tshirts made up which was a lot of fun.  We met up with people we knew on our team & saw several people we knew on other teams.  {our team: me, Tami, Carol, Genniel/Kimber/Robbi Wagstaff, Courtney Hansen, Jen Bauer, Kristi Marlor, Becca Houston, Brett & Jodi Haumann, June Nichols, Kimbra Roche, Shondee John, and Brette Wagstaff}.  It was a bit chilly of a morning, but warmed up considerably after we started.  We had a blast jogging/walking/running/talking with each other, and being showered with the colors was super fun.  Even though my plantar fasciitis was killing me most the time, it was a great experience and so fun to do it with my mom, too.  We laughed and laughed and had a great time.

 

 

 

 The guys "listened" to me tell my tales of the day after they got home from work. (;

{29th} Spent time at Pete's place.  Bex loved reading a Halloween glow book with Grandpa.

{30th} Our bed arrived! It is a split king, so there is a chasm in the middle which we need to get a tool that hooks the beds tightly together, but for now, we don't even care.  They are AMAZING.  We can each operate our bed individually and separate from each other which is awesome for when I want to read after Zac's asleep or he wants to work and I want to lay flat.  Love it.  The massaging feature is pretty awesome, too.  And the comfort.  Cannot even begin to describe.  The bed just fits to our body and makes it so you don't toss & turn all night.  I know we won't be so sore after laying on this for a while.  It's way bigger so Zac feels miles away, but he's a night cuddler, so I'm sure it won't be a problem. (;

The boys got invited to a very fun Halloween party at Grami Tami and Grandpa Alan's with Jaeger and were VERY excited.  They felt so big getting dropped off while I ran a couple errands.  Mom went all out-as usual-and made it such a special night for the boys.  They had a blast & told me about all the details afterward.  So cute!

Beckham may have had too much fun because around 11 PM, he woke up and came out and said, "I'm puking!"  I rushed him into the bathroom and sure enough, he puked in the toilet.  He and I cuddled in the hall and bathroom the rest of the night and he puked several more times.  Poor baby.  He was a great sport, didn't cry, made it to the toilet each time, and just had a great attitude.  Pretty sure he just ate too much and had an irritated stomach.

{31st} Grayson got to wear his costume to his preschool Halloween party and he was pretty excited about that.  I was definitely not as into Halloween this year, but the boys were still happy with their amazon costumes and didn't seem to mind my lack of creativity and "getting into it-ness."  While he enjoyed his party, Julie and I took Beckham to the church and did some major cleaning/gutting/organizing of the nursery/primary room/primary closet.  It was such a great feeling and we filled up the outside dumpster with stuff.  Love that purging!

Later that day the boys & I decorated pumpkins {the easiest way ever!} and they loved it.

We all enjoyed the Trunk or Treat at Cow Hollow park-I think it was the biggest event yet and a great location for it.  The boys made sure to tell everyone who they were and what show they were from.  Obi Wan/Darth Vader {he couldn't decide who he wanted to be, so we went with a mix}, and Captain Rex {leader of the Clone Troopers} had a great time.  We visited Bob & Alison and Great Grandma and Grandpa Peterson afterward and then had a mini little scary dance party at Cleaver's.  Chelsey got really into it with Grayson and he talked about it for a long time afterward.  He loved the attention and giggled everytime he referenced the "scary songs."  So sweet.  All in all it was a low key & exciting Halloween with LOTS of candy {3/4 of which got bagged & put at the top of the pantry right when we got home}.

 

 Grayson was tired after a long and fun filled day.  I loved when I came to check on him that he'd been "reading" his Book of Mormon before falling asleep.  A great ending to a full month!