Halloween Party

Braden really wanted to have a Halloween Party. How could I resist. The George's let him borrow their Power Ranger outfit. For the record, he now LOVES the Power Rangers.

We had 12 little kids, apple picking, pumpkin masks, cookies, cupcakes, candy corn toss, Costume Fashion Show, dancing and a bunch of chaos.

 The kids loved it or at least I hope they did.

Look at all the fun and creative costumes.

Brody couldn't get enough sweets. We'd find him on the counter eating everything he shouldn't. How can you resist a face like this though?

It was fun and tiring all in one. I have some great friends who stayed and helped manage the crown, as well as brought yummy treats. The boys loved dancing and fighting. (Most were some kind of super hero.) The girls were a little less active. Overall, it was fun and well worth the time. There's nothing like an excuse to dress up and eat some candy.

Trunk or Treat & Haunted Houses

The boys are ready for the ward Trunk or Treat. Braden was a Dragon and Brody was a turtle.

I was excited that Braden let me paint his face.

We parked next to the George's. Cheslie immediately grabbed Brody and took him away. We were just fine with this.

After we got done trunk or treating, Braden sat with Lizzie and helped her pass out candy.

Brody rushed for Spencer. He LOVES Spencer.

After the Trunk of Treat, we took Lizzie home with us. Got the kids ready for bed and left. My cousin Dana always blogs about going to get scared with a bunch of friends and I love it, so I decided this year I would join in. Blake and I headed out to the Haunted Palouse with Seth, Jenn, Christina and Fred. $15 a person for 2 haunted houses and a haunted hay ride. The hay ride sounded lame, but it was the best. Nothing compared to Haunted Houses in Portland (or San Diego according to Fred and Christina), but still fun. 

We waited an hour in each line, but it gave us time to visit. You can tell by our red noses that it was pretty cold and the drizzle of rain made it no better, but it is still something I would do every year.

I guess the community of Palouse does this as a fundraiser. Christina was definitely the target by the creepies. She confidentially said at the beginning of the night that she doesn't get scared too easily. Right after saying this a 'monster' started breathing on her. The screams a started. It was so funny. It was nice to get out with my husband and do something a little different. Happy Halloween!

Carving Pumpkins

It's Halloween time which means time for carving pumpkins. We had to do it in two nights because Brody was throwing a HUGE fit.

We started to take out the pumpkin guts.

Braden even got into it this year.

 And Brody loved it.

Then we had the meltdown. We told Braden the pumpkins needed to dry out. We resumed pumpkin carving the following night. Everyone was much happier.

Braden chose which stencils he wanted us to carve.

Brody loved getting in the way, but so is the life of a 20 month old.

Blake's Dracula

 Maren's Ghosts

Keep in mind we used the cheapo carving tool set so the knives were broken by the end of it. Next year we might invest in some nicer ones, if those exist.

The boys loved it and enjoyed putting them on the front porch for all to see.

The Past 20 Weeks

Yes, I did fail to mention that I was pregnant. Ok, I didn't fail to mention it, I purposely didn't mention it. I mean, won't the next 20 weeks go by so quickly. For most of you, who aren't close, I could have just posted a picture of the birth and called it good. In all honesty, it took us about 10 weeks to get excited about this baby. Of course we wanted him, but he came a little quicker than expected. It's all perfect timing though. Is the Lord's timing ever ultimately bad, no!

Well, here I am at 5 weeks. Yes, that's me at the finish line of my marathon. No, my sickness had nothing to do with the pregnancy and no, I didn't know I was pregnant. For the record, I still would have run the marathon had I of known. No signs had shown themselves yet.

Here I am at 9 weeks, wakeboarding, tubing and having the time of my life with my Barnett side of the family in Yellowstone. Two weeks prior to this (7 weeks), the nausea kicked in full force. I still have yet to throw up with this pregnancy, but I had zero appetite and felt like I was going to throw up 24 hours a day. I also got SO tired. The doctor prescribed some zophran, which is supposed to help with nausea, but it didn't work. Endure, right? I actually can't complain too much. I was worried I would eat as much as I did while I was training for the marathon, which should have been right around 4,000-5,000 calories a day. If I would have kept that up after the marathon, I would have an extra 50 pounds on me.

Week 13. Our trip to Oregon City. Finally, I am feeling better. Still pretty tired all the time, but much more active. 

Week 15- the little man has surgery and I spend 2 weeks fully focused on him. Are you seeing why I haven't posted about the pregnancy yet? Busy, busy!

And here I am at 20 weeks. I am pretty proud of myself. I have gained 5-7 pounds so far, still a little more than desired, but still.  I am still pounds 10 lighter than I was when I started my pregnancy with Brody. I went from wearing XL pants with Braden's pregnancy, to Large with Brody and now Medium for this one. Do I dare say if we have a 4th I'd be down to a small? No way, my body just can't do it. 

I do work pretty hard though. My habits at the gym haven't changed. As I have been pregnant more and gotten into fitness, I realize our bodies are really remarkable. They can handle a lot and can really do a lot if we demand it of them. I have switched from high cardio (running 2-3 hours) to power lifting (heavy weights, lower reps). My goal is to have better looking legs and arms at the end of my pregnancy than I do at the beginning. This requires time and dedication, but I just feel so good when I am doing it and it allows me to have a break from the other two kiddos. I'm being safe about it, so don't worry. Just don't listen when people tell you not to lift more than 20 pounds. This morning I was deadlifting 115 and the baby is just fine. My hamstrings aren't, but that doesn't matter.

Blake really wanted a girl, but is excited to almost have our basketball team completed. Braden is equally as excited. He gets it this time around and it makes it even more fun. I definitely look pregnant, but am constantly forgetting I am pregnant. The baby is due March 12th, but I am hoping he comes early like Brody did. Maybe not leap year early though. 

Ok, any questions? Did I leave out anything? I'll probably make posts about being pregnant when I have something to say. As most of you mothers with multiple kids know, each pregnancy usually gets a little more routine. In fact, I asked my doctor if I could see him every 6-8 weeks, because it's just a burden to have to bring the boys in with me or find a babysitter. Since I've had no prior complications, he's been fine with that.

I look forward to meeting our littlest man. Here's to hoping and praying that the next 20 weeks will go by as quickly as the first.

Boy-Boy-Boy

That's the order of our family. We are excited to announce the third little Barnett baby. We like to call him Baby Boy #3. Another post to come about the pregnancy aspect. As far as things go now, he is super healthy and is expected to arrive on or BEFORE March 12, 2012. The technician said he is measuring a week ahead of schedule, but they'll keep my original due date. So that makes me 20 weeks.

Funny story. The lady asked us right when we came in if we wanted to know the gender. We said yes. She told us if we change our mind we can look away while she's examined that part. Well, she was looking at the spine when the baby turned over to reveal "himself." I blurted out, I guess it's a boy. There's no mistaking it. She said good thing we wanted to know because there was no hiding that.

I guess there's nothing else to report about the baby. Like I said, I will make a pregnancy post later today or tomorrow regarding the first 20 weeks. They've been busy, sick and active but all worth it.

The boys do know. Ok, Braden knows and understands, Brody has no clue. Braden kept telling us it was a girl, but is still excited to have another brother. Or maybe I keep talking in a weird, you should be super excited because you are having a brother voice. Blake really wanted a girl, but is excited for another healthy boy. Maybe I'm just not cut out to be the mother of a girl, yet. As for now, I will raise my little leaders of Zion and future missionaries. I can promise you some good young men your daughters can date in about 25 years.

It All Started with an Idea

from Pinterest. I've heard a lot about this website from family and friends and haven't jumped on the bandwagon. Blake has though. (I did just sign up for an account though.) He saw something about utilizing the space under your stairs. We have a bathroom occupying part of it (white door in picture) and then an open wall.

Blake decided to go down there.

 And check some things out.

The boys couldn't be kept out of the fun, so the boots were put on and down the boys went.

With the excitement of looking under the house at the additional area under the stairs.

A hole was cut and webcam used to evaluate the inside of the stairs.

 Since there was no light inside, a bigger hole was needed.

 Then evaluated.

It was over from that point. Blake brought out the saw and started our stair storage room.

Here's whats happened so far. We have a door. Well, a cut out of where a door will eventually go. We plan to make it into a toy storage place. It's too small to actually be a real play place for the boys, but we can store toys that they can easily access and can remain hidden.

Blake was excited about his project on Saturday. I was excited to go to a craft fair and purchase this fancy little hat with the birthday money my mom sent me. I love it. It is a flower decal on the side that has 3 different colors depending on my mood and style of the day. I know, real fancy.

More pictures to come with our new project. Blake just informed me (while walking by) that this project will take forever. I gave him until Thanksgiving, so he better get working.

My Egyptians

My parents went to Egypt for 2 weeks and brought us back some great stuff. It's hard to tell, but Braden is wearing my headpiece.

Brody in his traditional outfit. I LOVE it!

My stud muffin Braden.

 Aren't they so cute? Minus Braden' silly look.

On top of the outfits, my mom got them camel pajamas. They boys love them.

I got a cartouche and the boys each got their names written in hyroglifics on real papyrus. These will be framed. They are so cute. All Braden wanted my mom to bring back was candy. Sure enough, there was some candy in there. Braden declared with glee, "I knew she could find it." He was happy about the candy. Blake and I are extremely jealous and hope to make it to Egypt (as well as many other places) before we die. It was fun to hear all their stories. Thanks mom and dad. And remember, next time just take us, well, me and Blake.