Glad that dad's home

Ian stayed home sick from work today.Evan was so excited. He loves his dad A LOT. For the last few weeks Ian has been working really late. As soon as it gets dark Evan will say, "Dad's home!" and then he gets really mad when he realizes that dad isn't home.

So today feels like Christmas to Evan. He has been giving Ian lots of hugs and kisses.

Ian likes the attention.

For the most part.

P.S. IF YOU HAVE A MINUTE, please click on Ben's picture on the left hand side (it will take you to his blog). He has a new post and would LOVE comments.

Evan turns 3

On Friday Evan turned 3. Holy cow, where has the time gone? It feels like yesterday that Ian and I were in the hospital and the doctor was explaining that I would have to have an emergency C-Section. I remember Ian saying lots of prayers. But for some reason I felt calm - like this was how it was supposed to be and everything would be fine. And it was.

Evan makes us laugh every day. Sometimes I feel like we should be stricter as parents because he's wild and crazy. But we love him. Even when he's telling us to "Be quiet" while putting a hand over our mouth. Or even when he's peeing on the carpet by Ian's side of the bed (his favorite spot to pee). Or when he refuses to share his birthday toys and he and Max get into a wrestling match that results in lots of screaming and yelling. Because for every one of those stressful times there's a million other times that he's hugging us. Or kissing me and telling me he loves me. He's one of a kind and we're so glad he's ours!

On a side note: I didn't get any pictures of Evan blowing out his candles because he was deathly afraid of the fire. My dad and Rayna both tried to get him to sit down but he started freaking out. Weird.

Some pictures from Evan's party:

I meet the Pioneer Woman!

If you don't read the Pioneer Woman you might want to skip this post. Last night the PW was at Changing Hands book store signing copies of her cookbook. She did a little Q&A first and then signed copies and took pictures. As soon as Jill and I walked into the store and I heard her voice, my heart started beating so fast because it was THE PIONEER WOMAN!!! Holy crap I was excited!

When it became apparent that we would be there a long while, I took Jill back to Xander & Thomas' soccer practice so that she could take them home and then I went back to the bookstore. Jill is such a good friend to do that so I could go back and stalk, I mean meet the PW. I'm glad Jill understands me and my obsessiveness.

I met up with some friends and we waited. And waited. And laughed. And talked. And waited. Then we spotted Missy (the PW's sister in law) and made her sign our books and take pictures with us (Susan got a little photo happy - be happy I'm not including the one of my butt).

Me & Missy. See the crazed look in my eye? I am so excited, words cannot express it!
Missy and I are now old friends. In fact, I'm going to eat more beef so all of her kids will be able to go to college. O.k., you had to be there.

Next we harrassed Marlboro Man's mom to sign our books and take pictures. Look at her - you know she's thinking, "Get me away from these weirdos." But she was so gracious. When I told her I loved her scarf she said, "Missy made me wear it - she said my outfit looked drab without it". Both Missy and MM's mom looked very fashionable. Later we told them about H&M opening in Scottsdale - I think they might even go.

The posse waiting to meet the PW. We had so much fun! At one point Susan and Annette were going to leave but we bullied them into staying. I'm so glad they did stay. And Annette, you better e-mail me that jalapeno/strawberry jelly recipe!

Finally! Me and the PW. She is even prettier and nicer and funnier in person! I was so nervous. I told her she is awesome to which she replied, "No I'm not. I'm not even normal!" I know we could be best friends...if we had just had a little more time to get to know each other!

So glad I went. Even though Ian was a little irritated (he had to miss volleyball and stay home with the kids). At one point I told him, "I have to stay! It's the Pioneer Woman! It's a once in a lifetime chance!" Missy overheard that and started laughing. But it was true!

Thanks Susan for the pictures! You are the best!

Time Out

This video is pretty standard on what goes on over here.

1. Evan does something wrong (in this case he hit me)

2. Evan repeats me as a way of avoiding the issue. And then he gives me nonsense answers. Believe me, he knows exactly why he is in time out.

3. He shifts blame to Max. This is a daily occurrence

4. Max gets fed up.

And the cycle begins again.

Obligatory Halloween Post

Friday night was Trunk or Treat at our church. I had to bribe Evan to put on his costume - he refused to wear his mask or to stand by his brothers for a picture.`Don't all Spidermans have binkys? I wouldn't have survived the night without Jill & Rayna. They helped with Evan and they brought 2 of their friends kids (one was named Evan too). Both of the Evans got along great! My Evan was being crazy, so it was nice to have help (Ian had to work).

Rayna dressed as Michael Jackson. I wish I'd gotten a full picture of her outfit - she looked great!

I was so happy that Halloween was on Saturday this year - this meant Ian could come too! Yeah! Kim, Brian and Joe went trick or treating with us. That's Joe in the back dressed as Green Goblin - he looked awesome!

The downside was that Evan was a little scared of Joe. He kept hiding. Once we got to trick or treating we had Joe and the boys go ahead so that Evan wouldn't be scared.

After trick or treating we headed over to Ian's parents house. It's sad that I ony got one picture, but I had my mind on other things...mostly keeping Evan out of trouble. As usual, Ian's parents house was decked out. They even had a life sized remote control witch - Ian had alot of fun scaring trick-or-treaters with it. It was a great night!

I heart soccer

Many of you know that Alexander had the chance to go fishing with my dad and my uncle David on Saturday. I thought it would be ok for him to go until I heard that his soccer coach had told Ian that he needed Alex to play in the game that Saturday because they were playing the only team that has defeated Alex's team. And last year when Alex guarded their star player he totally shut him down (the player's dad came up to our coach after the game and told him that no one had been able to shut out his son - until Alex).

So Alex played on Saturday. Holy cow it was an action packed game (I wish you had been here for this game, Mandie). The opposing team played really dirty - lots of tripping, shoving, strong arming. The player Alexander was guarding got a yellow card. He was so frustrated because Alex was on him like glue! I overheard our coaches talking - the head coach said, "Look how frustrated #9 (the player Alex was guarding) is! Alex is totally shutting him down!" I was so proud of our team - we played a clean game and we won! It was AWESOME! I'm so glad both Ian and I could be there to see it.

I love soccer. And even though I thought I'd never say it, I think I might love it more than baseball. We are so proud of Alex!

In other soccer news: Ben and Max won their games. Ben always wins his games, but it was the first time Max's team has won. They did awesome! The final score was 6-1. Yeah!

P.S. Thank you Rayna for the picture :)

Picture perfect

My sister-in-law, Tricia is a miracle worker.

Performing

Friday Max had a performance at school. Do you know how hard it is to make a 6 year old wear "church clothes" to school? It takes a lot of bribing, let me tell you.

Notice Max. He's hard to miss. He's the one making faces in the back row. At one point the music teacher had to go talk to Max because he and the boy next to him got into a little bit of a pushing match. Max says they were just playing around, but I think the music teacher will put him between 2 girls next time (I would if I were her).

That kid is one of a kind.