Grandma & Aunt Amber Visit

A couple of weeks ago Grandma Barnett and Aunt Amber came to visit. I knew 4 boys (the baby is not pictured) who were as happy as clams.

They arrived late Thursday evening. We stayed up way too late visiting and then got to bed. I had to teach spin Friday morning and Blake had to work, so Janna and Amber offered to stay home and play with the boys. I took the baby, but Braden and Brody had a ball, especially since Grandma spoiled them with gifts. She brought a cute family movie night package including  The Lorax (we LOVE), Madagascar 3 (we LOVE), popcorn bucket and holders, and candy galore. 

I didn't take many pictures, I know 2 ladies who were happy about that. I did manage to get a couple of grandma snuggling little Hunter. She had a way of putting him to sleep.

As I said, we didn't do too much. We talked, went to a friends holiday boutique where we spent (ok, maybe I spent) way too much, shopping at the mall, driving around town, eating out and just hanging out. We love having family in town and are so very grateful that they made the 11 hour drive to be with us. We can't wait to see them again in the Happiest Place on Earth. See you in March!

Swimming Videos & Uncle Toren's Surprise

Just some fun videos from Braden's swimming lessons. We usually get in the pool, but every once in awhile when we have something going on afterwards, we just hang out on the dock until he's done.

I love this video because you can hear Brody cheering for Braden in the background.

And in other news. My brother surprised us, over a month ago now. The boys were already in bed, so I got video of him saying hello to the boys. Listen to what Braden says. Every once in awhile Braden will ask if Uncle Toren is going to tuck him into bed. Fortunately, that can happen this week, but then, not real soon.

Brody Potty Training Part 1

Over General Conference weekend I was determined to potty train this little boy. I failed. Not just fail, but had an EPIC FAIL. Word to the wise, general conference weekend may sound good, but it's not. They want to watch cartoons and movies, not the prophets.

He was excited about the food, candy, drinks and toys, but didn't get it. He just didn't get it folks.

I really did try, I put in some hard work creating, organizing and making things fun. You see that toy basket, well, they have been wrapped for Christmas, so yay, we are spending no money on the boys this month except for a big gift.

We will try again after Thanksgiving. As for now, I am one frustrated mommy. I hate changing 2 sets of diapers. I think I just need to stick with it for multiple days. You think Braden would be a help, but he really wasn't. We are trying to teach him that life doesn't revolve around him and good things can happy solely to other people (ex. Brody getting a piece of candy for going potty, not Braden). We will see, as for now, I am focusing on all the food I will be eating this week.

Pictures by Braden

Just some pictures Braden took. Hunter in Brody's shirt.

Happy Brody.

His equally as happy best friend.

And Hunter again.

That's it.!

Trick or Treating

This was Brody's first year Trick or Treating. The past 2 years he just stayed inside and helped us pass out candy. The weather was perfect. The boys just wore long sleeve shirts under their costumes and we were all good to go. Brody decided to be a Power Ranger for the evening and Braden Hulk.

The monkey, was still the monkey.

And let the candy collecting begin. You can tell by Brody's face (middle picture) that he LOVED what was happening. It took a little bit for him to understand, but eventually he outlasted Braden. It was funny because there was a door with a man dressed up as a scary alien. Brody took as many steps back with his bucket stretched forward. He didn't want to be close to him, but wanted that candy. I wish I would have gotten a video of him leaping from door to door. Braden would have rather knocked on a door, gotten candy, taken the time to eat the candy and move on. Hence the reason he didn't last long, he just wanted to get home to eat.

Halloween 2012

Towards the end, Mr Hunter was ready to head inside too. I got a little workout walking around the neighborhood with him in my arms. He was interested in what was going on around him.

Brody checking out his loot. He got the most.

Braden upset that I am interrupting his candy organizing. We also have to go through it and eliminate everything that has tree nuts or eggs. This makes for an unhappy boy, but happy parents. (We always buy candy that is safe for him and swap out our candy bucket with the things he can't eat.)

Yummy!

After trick or treating, we need a bath. It took almost a week for their face paint to come off their face.

Halloween was more than a success this year.

Halloween with Playgroup

It wouldn't be Halloween without a Halloween playgroup. I really don't think he could be any chunkier.

3 brothers just hanging out.

And here they are. Zay- Hulk, Zi- Ironman, Tegan- Violet, Braden- Bumblebee, Brody- Cowboy, Maile- Fairy, Lucy- Giraffe, and Hunter- Monkey.

I love this picture of my 3 boys.

The original playgroup.

The add-ons.

 The extras and even more being added.

You can tell how happy they are that we are making them take pictures. (You can also see that Brody and Hunter are staring at me.)

This year was hosted by Jacyln as a house welcoming party. We loved seeing her new place all furnished so big! The kids mostly wanted to play. We had lunch, let them decorate cookies and then they played. They literally ran through the whole house. I am glad they can still be such great friends these past 4 years, the kids too.

Carving Pumpkins

It's not Halloween without pumpkin carving. Here is Braden with the pumpkin he got from his race earlier in the month.

Brody with the pumpkin we got at the store.

And Hunter with the littlest pumpkin. Isn't he so cute?

3 Brothers happy to be playing with pumpkins.

Brody being silly before daddy gets home. Playing in moms shoes.

And here is Brody being silly. I sure love this little boy. Since he got his tonsils out and tubes in we have noticed a HUGE difference. What a sweet little boy to have around (most of the time).

And here he is dancing or at least me trying to get him to dance.

And at the end, he's does his silly dance.

The man of the house carving the pumpkin that he wanted to carve last year.

Brody helping out.

And here it is. A silly face with the stem as the nose.

No pictures of me, Blake was slacking. I chose a traditional vampire cat.

Braden wanted to pretend he was a scary pumpkin face. I don't know if this is scary or more cute.

Trunk or Treat

Ok, I know I have been bad at blogging MALLORY. I plan to make a post each day you are in Thailand, so there. The trunk or treat was freezing and raining. I didn't get many photos because of the previous to reasons. This year we had Isaiah and Zion with us. I think they enjoyed getting quick and easy candy.

Isaiah was Hulk, Braden was black Spiderman, Brody a horse and cowboy and Zion (not pictured) Ironman.

I thought this was a cute family in our ward. This is only half their boys. I knew my family would appreciate this photo. (Toren, Brent is this what we have to look forward to in the future?)

And getting the candy!

Thanks again Trunk or Treat, we will see you next year.

Sesame Street Live

This post actually starts the Friday before the event. Braden's school sent home a note saying that Elmo and Super Grover would be joining them at the fire department. It was covered on the news, click HERE to watch. The teacher took pictures, so I am hoping to get those soon.

As for now, I will tell you about taking Brody and Braden to see...

It was being shown at the WSU basketball stadium. Tickets were less than $20 a piece and I want my kids exposed to TONS of theater stuff, so we had to go. You can tell they were excited but a little confused.

Here is the opening number with all the characters. Brody sat on my lap for awhile. He wasn't too sure about these people. We don't watch Sesame Street at home, so he's really only familiar with Elmo and Big Bird because of the couple of movies we have checked out from the library.

I was happy to share this moment with them. We were pretty high up, but I think that was better. We got to see the whole stage and the characters weren't in the audience to freak my kids out. 

Here we are at intermission. Brody was eager to get back to the show.

I told them they each had $10 to spend (if we are going to a show, we are going big). All the little goodies they sold were at least $15+ and that was a good price. I was fortunate enough to have boys who want sweets over toys. One $5 icee and $3 popcorn later, we were back in our seat ready for the show to begin.

You can tell he LOVES his treats.

By the second act the boys were in it. Brody was dancing and singing along.

My modest oldest just sat and enjoyed all that was going on.

We did go to the show with Clementine and her mom. She really got into it.

The ending act really freaked Brody out. There were loud pops and then confetti. I tried to get them excited, but it didn't work. After the characters left, the boys did run down to the floor and grab a handful. (Ask my how excited I was about that.)

It was a fun show. Well worth the $60 price tag. In the show they had a special cheer that the boys have now adopted for our family. Here is goes:

Clap your hands (clap, clap, clap)

Stomp your feet (stomp, stomp, stomp)

The fabulous five (stick our 5 fingers)

Can't be beat (spin and then cross arms over chest)

Maybe I will try and get the boys to do it. It's super cute. And the Barnett's are the Fabulous Five. So final recommendation is, GO. If it's in your area, spend the money and take the kids, they will LOVE it. You don't need the pricey seats, were enjoyed the show just as much as we would of 20 rows down.