Charlie Horses

So I have been getting Charlie Horses in the middle of the night. I've heard it said that the reason you get these is if your body isn't getting it's much needed calcuim. So medically speaking, it's in my best interest to have a big bowl of ice cream right before bed, right? It's all becoming more clear what has lead up to me not wanting to post a picture of myself, isn't it?

In the World of the Hogmans

Life has just been pretty average around here . . . nothing really new to report besides the fact that Baby Hogman is going to arrive in just under nine weeks. Once again no picture of me but if you close your eyes and think of Free Willy you'll basically get the idea.

Anyhoo back to the Hogman family. Here is the latest; Eldon is officially walking! He walks from room to room, especially if he knows he can do some service by helping with the dishes. He has also become quite the climber. I was getting his bath water the other night to turn around and find him on top of the toilet. Yikes. He also climbed into his high chair and I found him like this: I know boys got talent! Also I lost him the other day. Kyler and I looked and looked for him. I finally found him in the soon to be Nursery, asleep in the corner on my last load of laundry to do. Yeah I'm not ready for another child, I can't even keep track of the two I've got!

Kyler is in the Why? stage. Wow do I not know a lot because I find myself scrambling to come up with some kind of intelligent answer. He is also very into finding bones . . . meaning he'll squeeze your arms, feet, hands, chin, head, anywhere just to announce, "Yep you got a bone there!" He also has some new phrases he likes to say. Such as "This takes a long, long time!", "Um . . .that's a problem!", "I think we need to talk about it" and of course there is no talking him out of the idea that we are having a boy not a girl. He insists "Baby Sister" is on her way. Boy will he have a rude awakening!! Oh and his favorite color in the whole world now is orange.

Travis is hard at work on the basement whenever he has time to work on it. He works so hard during the day and then goes down and works hard in the basement at night! As this picture proves is it also hard to work on it because we have no where else to put the stuff we have down there, anywhere else so he has to work around it! He is simply amazing! He has a temp job with chevron to help with their turn around, so for the next three weeks he'll be working 6, 10 hour days. We feel very blessed to have this job to get us a little help us get to point B . . . whatever point B is.

As for the whole family we are trying to enjoy summer days by filling them with sprinklers and watermelon. Surprise, surprise Eldon hated the sprinklers! And yes that is a keying machine in the back ground . . . any of you who know Travis don't even have to ask why we have one of those! Kyler thinks watermelon is the best thing in the world, it is his "favorite". Eldon is already turning to comfort food!

So we are doing great . . .besides the occasional panic attack!

Getting rid of the Mullet

Eldon had a mullet for the longest time. The Young Men in the ward thought it was hilarious! But then when the Young Women started to make fun of it, we knew it was time to get it done. I feel bad that I didn't get a very good picture of his grand mullet! But a few weeks ago (yes I just barely realized I didn't post about this), we cut his hair. I was so surprised at how well he did. He cried a little bit, but for the most part just enjoyed sitting there and getting all the "oohs" and "aaahs" from all the women getting their hair done.

Here he is after. Doesn't he look all grown-up? Amazing at what a hair cut can do.

Christmas in July

When I was a child one of my favorite Christmas traditions was an advent calendar that my family would do at night. It was in the shape of a Christmas tree and every night we would take turns opening a pocket. Most nights it was an ornament to pin to the tree, other nights there was money in the pocket, and the absolute best nights were the treasure hunts! Some of my siblings and my favorite memories have to do with this calendar. Well my brother claimed it for his when we were all given the option of one Christmas decoration to take into our homes after marriage. So months and months and months ago I asked my mother if I could come down and make one with her assistance. This last week I was able to make mine! I know impressive . . . there are a lot of flaws but hey I am not a sewer therefore I am very proud of my tree and it is currently hanging in my living room!

We did more then just sew while I was down there. We of course visited the zoo. Kyler loved holding the map and directing us as we went. What a navigator! As you can see Eldon did not like that huge elephant you can sit on . . .he was fine until it sneezed! Going on the train was the highlight of Kyler's LIFE. Oh and then we also went to the dinosaur musuem! Probably one of my favorite pictures of all time! My brother and his wife were able to go with us and of course the boys love them! Looking at this picture I bet you can see why!
The rest of the time we just spent playing around and doing some much needed shopping.

Eldon enjoyed sitting in my Mother's cabinet.

Kyler oddly enough wanted to play with Belle as often as he could.

It was a fun little getaway and I am so proud of my project! Silly I know but once you start having kids you realize how magical Christmas time is and how scary to think that you are more in charge of creating that magic. I hope my children have as many fond memories as I do with this calendar!

P.S. I only have ten weeks left. Can I hear a "Whoot, whoot?"

4th of July Weekend and a little bit of Jenni-ness

We had a great weekend! We started it off on the 2nd of July for my Birthday . . . yes I am now officially closer to 50 then I am to my birth. But Travis was amazing and despite our recent troubles, he made sure that I had a great day. We let my parents babysit the boys while we went out to dinner and a movie. It was great, seeing that I can't remember the last time it was just us two. . .well I guess we weren't really alone but the other boy just would leave us alone!

On the third we awoke at 5:00 to go see the balloon launch in Provo! One of our favorite traidions! Then we had a family reunion with my Mom's side. Always great to see family!

On the fourth we had a busy day of going to my dad's stake flag raising ceremony and then a BBQ with my Dad's side of the family. After which we high tailed it back to Evanston for the carnival,

Travis on the climbing wall

Kyler on the barrel train.

Eldon pondering life and the wonders of the country. rodeo,

Kyler chasing the chickens, no he didn't catch one much to his disappointment.and of course fireworks.

Eldon's first sparkler!

The menfolk setting of the fireworks There is nothing like Evanston fireworks because they are seriously all around you! You can't tell the cities fireworks from your neighbors. It is amazing! And after a few close calls with those next to us who kept having accidents, we called it a night. It was great!

Now a little on the personal note. Oh good gravy has our family been blessed. I can't tell you how many people have come up to us to tell us about job opportunities here. In fact just the other day a man in our neighborhood that Travis has talked to once, came up to us to tell us that he knows of a job for Travis. People are just coming out of the wood work and we have seen so many miracles in behalf of our family. I just feel so overwhelmed with gratitude! We still don't have anything definate but we are closer and things are going to be ok, I'm sure of it.

You remember how we started potty training Kyler oh . . .a year ago? Well we are still battling with it! Talk about frustrating. But I've come to realize who am I to be upset? I bet I pee my pants as often as he does when Travis makes me laugh hard or I don't cross my legs soon enough when I sneeze. So the struggle goes on and I am learning emphathy.

As far as a picture of me . . . yeah right! I seriously look like I am 9 months pregnant with twins. I've gotten huge and have no desire to share it with you. Don't take it personally, if I had my way I'd go into hiding for the duration and not let anyone see me. Cocoa Butter, I used to apply faithfully for the first two, now I see no point. Thank goodness for eternal marriage because despite the fact that I am a walking stretch mark my husband is stuck with my for the duration. This little guy is the most active fellow so far! And boy does he have a strong kick! But I'm glad to feel him and am counting down the 11 weeks until he joins his family. Though I am ready for the pregnancy to be over I don't think I am ready to be a mother of three. But that of course is another story for another day.