Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks came to California to do some charity concerts in LA for the fire victims this year. Dave is a huge Garth Brooks fan and for his birthday and Christmas I bought him tickets to go see. Then about a week before the concert I was put on bedrest. We debated about whether I should go or not and finally we came to the conclusion that if I sat in my seat and didn't spend the whole concert on my feet, then I could go. Dave drove up and dropped me off at the door and parked. Garth played Friday and Saturday. He played 2 shows on Friday and 3 shows on Saturday. The concert sold out fast so I bought our tickets on ebay. It was so fun, until the fat lady in front of us sat on my feet and nearly crushed them. But that's a different blog for a different day. Garth played for nearly 2 1/2 hours and he played all songs that were popular and we knew it was great! I was shocked at how good he sounds live, and how fun the show was, even from my seat. These photos don't really show how great our seats really were. Trisha Yerwood, and Huey Lewis also came out and did duets with Garth. It was sooo cool.

I measured 44 inches around. The woman who had the septuplets measured 55 inches at some point (I wish I knew which week). Can you imagine? I'm shocked she didn't pop, literally.


The dime is for size comparison. Dave is not only a Deputy Sheriff, but a detective also and the need for a concrete comparison was paramount.

Well another week has passed. The baby is a little bigger and so am I. She/He is 33 weeks now and feels like 33 pounds too! Really about 4 lbs and 15 inches. We are all getting anxious to have our new baby get here. The burning question... is it a boy or a girl? Here are some pictures of me (not looking all that ravishing, but hey why put on makeup for the headboard to see me?). Do you think that it is a boy or a girl? This pregnancy has been similar to all my others with similar symptoms only magified 100 times. Tell us what you think we should use for names. Remember it has to stay in the nature theme. I know Phoenix is a mythical bird so animals are fine. We want family middle names so here's some family names Anderson, Taylor, Hazel, Marie, Jane, Justin, David, Dennis, May, Ronald, Jay, Michael, Timothy, Wayne, Mitchell.

Let's Pretend we're Walruses Shall We?

We are so well taken care of, that it is virtually unbelieveable! The ward flew into action. Before I even got a chance to figure out what I was going to do with the kids, the ward had meals and child care already planned. We will be better fed and watched over than ever.

The baby is not in any distress and everything seems fine. This is a preventative measure to make sure that I don't have a baby that is too early. If it seems like it's not working... then I have other options to consider (medication, etc) I figure that this will be a big fat pain for all those who help, and for me, however it is way better than having to leave a little one in the hospital.

NOw lets laugh at how much I remind myself of a walrus. My nose is constantly suffed (pregnancy symptom) so I snore like a fog horn. Dave says I snort too, but this I cannot believe because that's just gross. My belly feels like it is so huge that I have to flop from one side to another, much like a walrus. I waddle to the water, the bath tub, about once a day for the relief the water gives, like a walrus. The bigger I get the nicer people are to me like a walrus. The similarities are endless. Although I don't think Walrus's buy Thrifty brand Mint and Chip icecream by the truck load just in case the store runs out. I would take a picure of myself flopped like a walrus but I don't think that I would be able to get up...ever so just imagine me laying on the icy tundra moaning and snoring and you should get a good laugh. I know Dave does. He thinks this is hilarious, and reminds me that this was my idea daily. I blame Grant Jensen (bless his soul) whose whole funeral was about how wonderful posterity is and how families are the greatest blessing of our lives. I felt so inspired that I went home that day and told Dave it was time to finish the family off. He's probably laughing his head off in the Spirit World right now. Thanks Brother Jensen, I hope you and the baby are getting well aquainted.

Now on a sadder note I just wanted to let all those Corona natives know that Ryan Shumways dad passes away the funeral is tomorrow Tuesday at 11:00. I won't be attending but I will be thinking of all the times we were over there. The funeral is at the Corona Oak St chapel.

Sorry it's been so long. I'm sure you all know those weeks when you feel like everything is going on. Everybody has doctors appointments, everybody has dance, school, blah blah blah.

I saw the OB this week and she put me on bedrest for the REST of my pregnancy! I'm sure she totally knows what she's doing BUT does she know what the heck she's asking?! ... with three other kids that is nearly impossible. Besides the impossiblility of it, do you all know how uncomfortable it is to lay down?! I feel like I spend the night flopping from one side to another as it is! I am 32 weeks and I really need to get to 36. That's 4 weeks. I can do that. Nobody needs to be fed or cleaned in 4 weeks right! I went to the store to buy some food that the kids would eat without a lot of fuss. I came home with cereal and a shopping cart full of corndogs, chicken nuggets, ramen noodles, spaghetti-o's, and various other frozen delicacies. The ward will be bringing meals in a couple times a week (every other night while Dave is working). So I hope he can figure out how to work and take care of us all.

Anyway's I haven't charged the battery in my camera in a long time so I don't have any new pictures to post. I gurantee you that the kids look nearly the same as they did a month ago. Well Phoenix does have a beard now, but other than that we're all about the same.

Oh actually I do have a picture to post! This is the picture that went out with our Christmas cards. I don't have addresses for most of the people that blog so here it is. Our "Incredible" Year.

Happy Diego Birthday Phoenix

This year Phoenix had a "Diego Birthday". His birthday was actually on Dec 9 but I didn't have time to do blog the Christmas stuff and his birthday so here it is: The cake only made it about an hour before little finger licks started appearing in the frosting. He got a Diego shirt and some Thomas the train stuff. He thought it was fabulous. He's finally old enough to understand what is going on. I love having a boy they are so different.

Jubilation

Phoenix could hardly contain himself when he realized that ALL the presents (in his pile) were for him. He threw his arms in the air and jumped around. If that isn't excitement I don't know what is!

Poppy is posing here with a new tooth brush and some presents that Santa left. They had to wait till Daddy got home to open anything. The anticipation was almost too much.

Christmas Eve Poppy gave everyone the new sweat suits she picked out for them. That way nobody had to get dressed on Christmas morning. Just jump out of bed and ready to go.

Dinosaurs and Thomas the train were a hit with Phoenix this year. Poppy got the Island Barbie Princess that she asked for. Poppy also got a doll from American Girl but it seems like the Barbie was all she needed. I took the American Girl out of the box to play with.(I couldn't wait any longer) Willow got Hannah Montana stuff and a Zune (which her Dad loves), it plays music like an MP3 and holds movies. Dave has had fun getting it all loaded up for her. Dave got a new dress shirt and tie and will get to pick out a new gun. I got a big digital Photo Frame that holds a ton of pictures and a new Patricia Cornwell book. We are grateful that our children are still small and that they are easily pleased with Barbies and Dinosaurs!

Christmas Spirit or Bah Humbug!

This is the winning Christmas Tree project! YOu can't see but it has real lights on it. Willow's class voted it the best in the class. All the work she made me do paid off. NOte the star on the top has her picture on it. Nice touch I thought.

Poppy decorated this little tree with Monsters Inc ornaments, and one to remember her big sister Willow.

Phoenix is posing for the family picture. He looks so intense. I wonder what he's thinking?

Wierd Santa. Why do we put our children on strange old men's laps each year? It's a little creepy if you ask me. No wonder they cry. I would too.

This year I am torn between having the Christmas spirit and just being a Bah Humbug. I enjoy the lights and the festivities most of the time... but I hate all the traffic and craziness about the season. I know I'm supossed to say it's the most wonderful time of the year, but when it's past time to get the cards out and the ever expanding gift list gets rolling I cringe. The kids are excited and they really only want a few things, so for that I am thankful.

The new baby is growing well. This week I think it must be a boy because I have those weird hormone headaches. You know the ones you can't get rid of. The room is shaping up. The crib is almost ghetto painted (spray paint). I have looked at the crib mattress and I think a new one is in order. I am working on a castle bumper that will suit either a prince or a princess. Phoenix is doing great in his new big boy bed. Actually he doesn't get out of it once I put him down for the night! Poppy and Willow are liking their arrangements so we are all snug like bugs in a rug.

Dave and I are talking about where, and what we will move into when Mom and Dad come home. It varies by week. Some weeks we are going to buy a (another) house and put in a pool and get what we want. Some weeks we are renovating another house. We vacillate between selling the houses in Utah to keeping them. Some weeks we are renting, and some weeks we are building. The location of the house varies just as much. Yesterday we went from Hemet, to Temecula, to La Quinta, to Corona, to back to Utah in a matter of an hour of conversation. I wish I could look into the future to know where to go. That would be a lot easier.