So This is Christmas.....

We had a wonderful Christmas at the Rouglah house. On Christmas Eve, we went to Grandpa Rich and Grandma Sandi's house for dinner and a round of gifts. The boys were so hyper, I'm sure people thought I had given them a straight diet of pixie stix and maple syrup. After dinner we came home and Lancer went straight to bed. Ryker fought going to bed for a while, but eventually gave in. It was hard to sleep however, because SANTA was making A LOT OF NOISE!!! Lancer ALMOST caught a glimpse of the old elf!!!

Santa was too quick for him however, but Lancer was out of his room again about a hour later when a stocking fell off of the mantle and the heavy stocking holder hit the tile. Finally, we all got to sleep and woke up about 7:30am. Richie and I actually woke up first, and I was able to get the cocoa made before the festivities began.

Lancer and Ryker each got the gift they asked Santa for. Ryker wanted a Tommy 20 dart gun and Lancer wanted a Camo "Army Suit". Although Lancer was excited to get it, the first thing he asked was why his suit smelled like Smith and Edwards. I told him Santa shops there sometimes. We got LOTS of movies. The boys got Gremlins and Goonies and The Karate Kid. Richie got the new Star Trek and I got Juno. We also got lots and lots of games.
Zuul enjoyed her first Christmas. She ran around like a mad woman, trying to play with all her toys at once.

After breakfast, we headed up to my parents for more fun. We had a great meal up there, complete with my mom's famous holiday dip.

What a wonderful Christmas, but I am glad it is over for another year.

Sick little Goonga

It would not be the Christmas season without a sick child. We knew it was coming on Christmas Eve, when Ryker said his throat hurt. Christmas Day he seemed better, although he did just want to alternate between the marathons of Home Alone and A Christmas Story. But come Sunday morning, we had a sick child. So last night, I knew he was really sick when he asked for a Popsicle and said his mouth tasted like the inside of a police car.
Yes, he really said that. I have never been inside of a police car, let alone LICKED the inside of one, so I'm not really sure what he meant by that. I just know I spent the rest of my spent the rest of my Sunday night holding a delirious 4 year old, while belting out songs from Beatles Rockband.

2009 in review....

Our life in pictures

That's all I have to say about that.

More Blah's...

Don't even get me started on how grumpy people seem to be.....

Holiday Blah's

This year I was determined to get my shopping done early, get everything wrapped, and be able to enjoy the holidays, and even maybe get to do some skiing. I came out of the gate strong, getting a lot of shopping out of the way Thanksgiving weekend. I was like a madwoman, wrapping late at night and planning my next move.
Then it stopped.
I don't know if I ran out of energy or just motivation. I got the decorating done early, and the house looked great....for about a day. Now there is stuff everywhere, ribbon ends and wrapping paper scraps cluttering my dining room, and my garland meant for outside my front door is still sitting outside where I left it the week after Thanksgiving! Now here it is the day before Christmas Eve, my kitchen counter cluttered with baking ingredients needed to make the neighbors gifts. No gifts made yet though. I did not do any cards and my mother in laws box is sitting still open, waiting to be sent to Montana. Gifts are hidden throughout the house, some wrapped and some not, and I honestly do not know where some are. I finished my final purchases yesterday, and I boasted on Facebook I was done. I must have forgot all the other things needed to make those gifts successful. (i.e. wrapping)
Where did the time go? I NEED MORE TIME!!!
Tomorrow will be like every other Christmas eve in the Douglas house. Freak out cleaning, wrapping until my back hurts, and baking away, until it is time to leave for Christmas Eve festivities. So much for skiing.........

We are party animals!!!!!

So Richie and I have been invited to a few Christmas parties this year. Parties that do not include our little ones, so we feel very adult and special to be able to attend these.

The first one was last Friday, and it was for the company Richie works for. It was held on the 19Th floor of the Wells Fargo bldg in SLC. The party was fun and had lots of bingo and chocolate goodies, so it scores a 10 in my book. We are so boring though. We left the party by 7:00 pm and headed home to let the puppy out. Then we got really bold and went to a movie that started after 9:00pm. We went and saw 2012. I got to pick the last movie (couples' retreat) So Richie picked this time. I do not really like sci-fi/action movies unless Robert Downy Jr. may appear in a iron suit, but I went along for him. About 2 hours into the movie, while a Russian jet was sliding off of a glacier in China, I looked over and Richie WAS SLEEPING!!! SLEEPING!!! I slapped his leg and woke him up and made sure he stayed awake for the next 40 minutes. How could he fall asleep? The world was ending!!!

The next party is next week and hopefully we can catch a movie after (baby-sitter permitting). I am picking the movie... I'm thinking something with Colin Firth or Hugh Grant.

a room for a cowboy.....

So earlier this year, we had some major plumbing problems in our house. After fighting with the home warranty company, we were left with the task of finishing it ourselves. Richie spent most summer traveling overseas for work, so it took us longer than we thought to finish Lancer's room.

This was the before picture.

Lancer wanted a cowboy room and I decided to decorate his room around this poster of Wyatt Earp that I bought a couple of years ago in Tombstone, Arizona.

I know these pictures are not the best I took them with my phone just after finishing, and the room has not been this clean since.

My dad's friend collects branding irons, so we actually branded all of the wood ourselves. It is actually hard work. It took us the better part of a day to brand enough boards for his room.

The cow skin is an antique that was from my grandpa's meat packing house. The wanted posters and bullet hole stickers I got at Zurchers for like $3.

Lancer LOVES his new room and now I cannot wait to start painting and decorating other rooms.

Next up-Rykers room. Think vintage baseball.

Ute Football Game

This past couple of weeks Richie has had all the members of his team in town to do a big project out at Hill AFB. Richie had to plan activities for them, so we took them to a University of Utah football game. Not only that, but suddenly Richie came home and told me we were tailgating. I don't watch football, and hanging out in the cold BBQ is not my idea of an ideal Saturday. However, once he said he was getting us babysitters I was sold.

Thursday, I shopped. Friday, I cooked and baked. Made enough Broccoli salad for most of Salt Lake City. :) I packed the car. Got up at 6:30 to get Ryker ready to go to Grandma's. By the time we reached the U, I was exhausted.

Anyway, we had brats and Fried Chicken, Chips and Salsa, BBQ beans, cookies, Rolls of course Richie's favorite Broccoli salad that he HOUNDED me to make, which NO ONE had any. Honestly, it was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. Richie's coworkers were very nice and I enjoyed getting to know them. They thought I was pretty funny. When one of them asked me if I had gone to the U like Richie, I replied "No, Richie went here long enough for the both of us." They all laughed, but I don't think Richie thought it was that funny.:)

Richie's good friends and his Dad came too, so we were quite a bunch.

It was so cold. By the time the game started, I was up to 3 layers and was using Richie's heavy parka for a blanket. It started to rain/sleet just as the game started. In this picture, I am shivering and my lips felt numb. Maybe that is why my smile is SO BIG!

When we got seated, we realized Richie's BFF Eric was sitting just above us. We felt like everyone we knew were there. I did not realise Ute football was so popular.

The game was pretty boring, but the Ute's won in overtime. I liked cheering for the Utes, but isn't it Unamerican to cheer against the Air Force?

It was fun though. I was nice to hang out with my husband and friends at a outdoor venue without 20 trips to the bathroom, cotton candy and snow cones.

I was still cold once we got home. Even after the super spicy chicken I had from Pei-Wei. The whole way home, all I could think about was taking a long HOT shower. We got home and I got into the shower and it was cold. Not kinda cold, more like north fork river cold. What a time for our valve in our shower to break. What a ending to a long (but nice) day.

Wash-n-wear...

Today I helped chaperon Ryker's preschool class' field trip to the local pumpkin patch. Although Ryker attends preschool in the afternoon, our field trip started @ 9 am. So maybe I wasn't prepared (aka AWAKE) enough, or maybe I wasn't in a very good mood, but some of the other parents bugged me. Look, I understand the need to look nice and "photo ready", but why would you wear heels to a FARM unless you were Kate Gosselin? And the constant lip gloss applying? What about the constant reminding of their kids to not get dirty or touch anything with dirt on it. Again, its a FARM. Maybe it is the fact that I grew up on a ranch but I tend to associate the word farm with dirt. I figured my 4 year old would get dirty, so I dressed him in a fashionably yet WASHABLE outfit. Sheesh!!!!!

THRILLER!!!!!

On Saturday, we took Lancer to see the Odyssey Dance Theatre's annual performance of Thriller. For those of you who are not familiar with this it is a huge dance performance of all things Halloween, which is just Lancer and I love. The performance was at Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah, and that made Richie really excited to show Lancer around the campus where he had spent so much time. We were early, so we parked by the Chemistry bldg and walked around the campus. We also saw the different engineering buildings, and all the many buildings where Richie had taken math classes (there were lots!). Lancer tried to get into it but was really like "yeah Dad, math smath-Where are the zombies????"
Richie spent A LOT of time in this building working
on really large math equations!!!
We got there early and Lancer got to see all the zombies that roam around outside. Once the dance started he was so into it, it was fun just watching him. I kept checking on him to see if he was even blinking. It was so fun and some of the dancing was incredible. It was also very funny. I think I will try and make this a yearly tradition.
Lancer and the Zombie he thought was kinda cute!
After the show, we took Lancer to the Old Spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square Mall. I have not been there in YEARS and it has not changed at all. Lancer loved it. It was kinda sad to see that on a Saturday afternoon, the mall was EMPTY. I did sneak into Pottery Barn Kids and think of all the things I would buy if I won the lottery. Then we came home and played Rock band with Grandma Shirley and Grandpa Steve.

It was a wonderful day!

Lancer is 8!!!

So the 12th was Lancer's birthday. Richie and I broke down and surprised him with a Red Ryder BB Gun. How a child of mine could be so in love with guns is beyond me. He was SO EXCITED I thought he was going to pass out. Anyway, we had cake and ice cream and pizza for dinner. (Lancer got his own because his favorite is ham with NO CHEESE-yuck!)

Lancer is a really special child. He loves to be outside doing boy things and he is always one to help with the chores. Little household chores are not his style. He only likes big things, like hauling hay or moving irrigation pipe and mowing lawns on the riding lawn mower. He has loves to ride his horse Moose and ski, and of course fish and shoot his gun. (again, my child???) He loves to be with his grandparents, and can be the sweetest boy ever (just not to his little brother.) He is going through a Michael Jackson phase, which at first I was concerned about, but I think he just like to watch the dancing and of course, he loves Thriller because he loves anything scary.

For the first couple of years after he was born, Richie stayed home with him while working on his Master's Degree. They were always doing things outside and having a fun time while I was slaving away at work;) Anyway, the video below is one of Lancer's first time skiing. As you can see by the end of the video, Richie has not taught him how to stop yet!

We Love you Lancer "the hurricane"

Its Ryker's Birthday!

One Day old

Today my baby boy turned 4. Ryker's birthday is the same day as my Grandma Loewenstein's. Yes, I planned it like that. Ahh, the joys of a planned c-section.

Two years old

Anyway, I feel so blessed to have Ryker in my life. Honestly my life would be so BORING without him. His mischievous grin lets you know he is DEFINITELY up to something. He is the one who has forced me to make the call to poison control, he is the one who I have had to take to the emergency room, he is the one who keeps Richie and I on our toes. He has made us crazy at times, but I wouldn't trade him for anything. Who would climb into our bed 10 times a night and say "I just want to cuddle you a minute"? Who would throw things out of the cart at the grocery store? Who would whine at his dad, the minute he got home from work, wanting him to watch a marathon of Sponge-Bob Squarepants? Who would torment the dog?

The world famous Baa-Baa Face!

So today, we took him to Lagoon. He decided 4 year olds are too big for the baby boats, so he stuck to things like the tilt-a-whirl and the tidal wave. All he wanted for his birthday was a light saber, and he was so excited to get TWO!!! I have been spending so much time at the hospital with my mom, and a then adding a whole day at Lagoon, I am too tired to frost his cake. So we are holding birthday cake for tomorrow. He is fine with that, because to him that means his birthday is lasting TWO WHOLE DAYS, and what could be better than that?

First Day of Preschool!

Happy Birthday Goonga!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

conversations with Ryker...

So Ryker and I had a conversation this evening that went something like this....
As we were driving down Ogden Canyon, Ryker wanted me to turn down the radio. When I said I needed it on to keep me awake, he got mad.
Ryker: I AM the boss of you Mom!
Me: No you are not.
Ryker: (yelling) Oh Yeah? Oh Yeah? You want me to give you the scary eye? huh? huh? How do you like it?
Me: Whats the scary eye?
Ryker (still yelling) I'm giving you the scary eye! See! See it?
Me: Your making me sad.
Ryker: (calming down) I'm sorry I got mad momma. I just really don't like trees.
Me: You don't like trees?
Ryker: I love marsh mellows.

A secret crush...

I have a secret obsession with Joel Mchale. OK, so it may not a SECRET. My closest friends and family know all about it. Even Richie. I plan my Friday nights around watching The Soup on E! I know that is kinda sad to admit that I HAVE TO watch a certain show, but to me it is a perfect way to start a weekend. Richie also likes him, just not as much as I do. He doesn't stay home just to watch a TV show. Last year when Joel came to Ogden to perform his stand up routine and Richie and I were not able to go. When we heard he was coming in June to Salt Lake, I got so excited, that Richie bought us tickets. I CANT WAIT!
Here is a old commercial featuring Joel. I remember thinking this commercial was funny, although at the time I had no idea who was in it. ENJOY!

Blessings in disguise...

This week hubby was in Germany on business. As with any of his trips, the first couple of days are the hardest because the kids are so close to their dad. Ryker being so young, really doesn't like it. He asks everyday "Is daddy coming home today or his he in Gerrmy?" Or when he gets tired he will just sit down in the middle of the floor and say "I just want my daddy back." I do love this though. I love that my boys are so close to their dad.
So the first few days were pretty rough. The boys could not get along. Saturday, Ryker fell and hit his head on the concrete, after Lancer was practicing his roping skills, and roped Rykers feet pulling them out from underneath him. I didn't sleep much that night because I watching him for signs of a a concussion. Monday, Ryker skinned his knee after Lancer hooked up the jogging stroller to their power wheels Jeep and tried to pull Ryker around. He went about 10 feet before the stroller turned over and Ryker went tumbling out. Tuesday, Ryker got cut above his lip and almost needed stitches after playing the never ending game my boys play. The game of Ryker bugs Lancer. Lancer teases Ryker. Ryker throws a toy at Lancer, completely missing him. Lancer throws toy back with much better aim. Ryker gets hurt, and both boys get into trouble. I hate this game.
Anyway, this was also Lancer's last week of the 2nd grade. His last week was full of special days, 4 mile hikes, and class picnics. This led to a really tired and really grumpy 7 year old, which just made the fighting even worse. So you can imagine how excited I was when Thursday my father-in-law came and picked up Ryker. He and Sandi were going to take him on Friday to see Thomas the Tank Engine in Heber. So with Ryker gone, and Lancer up at my parents house, and hubby in Europe, I was going to have the entire house to myself. I have never had that before. I sometimes dream about that, thinking of all the things I would be able to do. I could clean the house or go shopping without little hands pulling random things off of the shelves. I could defiantly go to the gym for a long workout. So many options! So after Ryker left and I walked back into the house, the house felt so empty and so quiet. Suddenly, I couldn't think of anything to do. I tried to take a nap, but I couldn't sleep. I went to the store and looked around, forgetting half of the things I was even there for. Finally, my friend Carlie came over and we went for a hike, and then we made cookies for Lancer's school picnic the next day. I surfed the Internet for a while, had some chips and yummy black bean dip for dinner, while watching a really old episode of ER. I went to bed at 10:30. I couldn't believe how tired I was. The next day, I was late for Lancer's concert and forgot the cookies. Why? I had no reason, I just felt out of it without the constant chaos.
After the picnic, Lancer went with his friend for a play date, and the grandparents called to say they were keeping Ryker another night. I was starting to get used to it by then and this time I did a little better. I went to the local nursery and picked up some flowers, planted them, mowed and trimmed the grass, chatted with neighbors, had more chips for dinner and went to bed. By the time Lancer came home at 9:00 Saturday morning, I even had the house pretty clean. We met the in-laws at Chili's for lunch. Ryker was tired and pretty whiny from all of the fun and he and Lancer fought the rest of the day. I was more patient that usual, because I was so happy to have my life back to normal.
So I guess that although I like a few hours alone every once in a while to regain my sanity, my family is the center of my universe. I am lost without them. So what if the kids fight non stop and are covered with band-aids, or the house is a total mess and I cant ever seem to get caught up on my laundry. So what if hubby is grumpy from working too hard and playing too little or that I have to literally drag the 70 lb dog outside by her leash twice a day to use the bathroom, I love the chaotic life I live.

Meet Little Rascal!

When I was little, I asked my dad a couple of times if we could get a goat. His answer was always the same. "NO! NEVER! We used to have a goat, and it ate the top of your Grandparents car (it was vinyl)and the car was never the same! NO! NO! NO!"


Well right before Easter, he went to the livestock sale with his friend Bill, and they each brought home a baby Nubian goat.
Amazing what my dad will do for his grand kids!

This is Little Rascal. He was only a couple of weeks old when we got him and he has to be bottle fed 3 times a day.

Now that we have had him for a while, he is getting used to the place. He loves to go on walks with my mom and the dogs, and follows my dad everywhere. He sleeps in the barn at night and screams first thing in the morning for his bottle. He knows his name and will come running when called. We cant imagine life without him. Who is the most attached to him? Why Grandpa Shayne, of course! As long as he doesn't climb on top of any cars, they will be buddies forever!

After nearly FOREVER...

So some time ago, my dad buys a horse. A beautiful paint mare, named Cotton Candy Miss. She has beautiful markings and is totally broke and pretty much everyone can ride her. Anyway, the guy my dad bought her from said he was 99% sure she was pregnant and should foal in a couple of months. So we waited.....and waited .....and waited. She had all the signs. A swollen belly, udders, milk veins, irritability, etc. We called everyone we knew short of an actual vet and everyone agreed she defiantly LOOKED pregnant. One sunny afternoon, she started biting at her sides and pawing the ground. I knew it was time. I SLEPT IN THE BARN PEOPLE!!! No baby. Finally, my dad took her to the vet. Sure enough, she wasn't pregnant. So we bred her, and it didn't take. The next year we bred her again and took her to the vet and the vet said she wasn't pregnant.
Pretty soon though, she starting getting REALLY big. We knew that this time she had to be pregnant. I started watching her like a hawk again. I didn't want to miss it. I went up to my parents everyday and watched her, gave her treats, braided her tail, etc. She really must have thought I am nuts. Anyway, last Wednesday as I was driving over the pass and you could see her laying down in front of the barn. A large white blob. Really, you could see her from the top of the pass! So I had to take a picture of her huge belly. Doesnt she look miserable?


Later that day, my dads friend Bill who also owns the stud we bred her to, came to check on her. He said she was dripping milk and having contractions. So I sat outside for a couple of hours and watched her. Nothing. Finally, at about 9:00pm I packed up my kids and drove home. My dad checked on her at 10 and again at 11--nothing.
At 6:00am her went out to check on her again and look what he found...


There he was, running and kicking like he was a week old. He was all cleaned up and so was Cotton Candy. She is such a good mom! Lancer has taken over the job of naming him and wants to name him two socks after the wolf in Dances with Wolves. It is hard to see in the picture, but he does have two socks on his hind legs. The baby is very calm and loves people. We are so happy to have him here, as it seems like we were waiting for him FOREVER! I think Cotton Candy is happy to have him here too, because now maybe I will stop staring at her for hours on end!

You know you have played too much Mario Kart when...

Can I just say...

Just when I think the world is going to He!$ in a hand basket, I get reminded of why I am so proud to be a American! I was so happy to turn on the news yesterday and see that the Navy Seals had rescued the captain of the cargo ship from the pirates, and he was now safely on his way home to his family. Our Armed Forces are the best, and I feel so blessed to live in the greatest country in the world!

Our world is a scary place right now, and it horrifies me how much some terrorists hate America. It doesn't matter who our president is, they hate us for what WE STAND FOR!

As long as I am on the pirate soapbox, I just saw on the news that Al-Jazeera is reporting that the reason we are having problems with pirates, is because of global warming. Can someone explain that to me PUH-LEEZE?

Easter Fun!

Saturday night we dyed Easter eggs. Richie and I have dyed eggs every year since we met and it is a tradition we look forward to. This year, Richie took over because I have been a little under the weather and also I had SO MUCH TO DO before the next morning. Anyway, Richie decided to turn this year into a mini chemistry lesson, and the kids really liked learning about acids while coloring their eggs:)

The next morning Richie and I got up early to get ready for brunch at my moms house. While getting ready we saw the Easter Bunny had come, and brought our kids lots of goodies. The kids got up and opened their baskets, and then promptly starting fighting. They fought all the way up to my parents house, and then fought most of the day. It was such a relaxing day.

We hunted for eggs at the Ranch which is another tradition for us, and thank goodness most of

the snow has melted.
Lancer and Ryker were both under the weather, so they were not very into finding eggs this year. Good thing I filled 3 dozen:)
We had fun though, we had brunch with my parents, my Nana, and my Aunt Paula and Uncle Jim. After brunch, we played Wii, played with my parents new baby goat, and spent hours watching our horse, just in case she decided to give birth while we were watching.

Also this week he have been babysitting some animals. Since it was spring break at Lancer's school, Miss Amanda asked us if we would watch the class bird while she was in Europe. We have watched Phoebe before and she is a easy keeper, although when I said yes I forgot we now have a cat. Then a few days later, Richie agreed to watch his friend Sean's two dogs Bailey and Brandy. We are not used to having little dogs, and although they are great dogs, they are a lot more work than our big malamute. We have to keep them away from the cat, and the bird. Sunday morning, they went after our cat and she showed them what happens when you chase a barn cat. They both have some nice battle scars, and the cat is now permanently hiding under my bed. So it has been a lot of work keeping Phoebe away from the cat and dogs, the dogs away from the cat, and just keeping my sanity.

Award Ceremony

On Saturday we went to the awards ceremony at Snowbasin. It was really fun. All the kids received some sort of award for working hard during the season. They started with the older kids however, and by the time they got to the younger kids, EVERYONE was a little restless. Richie gave the kids in his group their awards and then coach Laura got up to give Lancers group their awards. Lancers certificate listed his accomplishments as "Hot air duo award" (which he shares with his buddy Tommy.) "Biggest air in a helicopter" and "Learning to look before you leap".

Out of the mouths of 3 year olds...

So I am stealing ideas from Crystal again. I started her game at dinner where everyone goes around the table and says the best thing about their day, and the worst thing about their day. Lancer went first, and said the best thing was he did so much work at school, but the worst was that I made him finish his vegetables. Richie and I both said the best thing of our day was this game but our little Ryker, when asked what his favorite part of the day was replied "Tuesday". When asked the worst part said "yeah 12".

Counting my blessings.

This week I have been reminded of how precious life can be. I have 2 different friends on Facebook whose children were in the hospital last week and then I found out that my good friend from high school, lost her niece suddenly last week. The little girl was 8 years old and died within 2 days of showing symptoms of mono. (She didn't die directly from mono, and for the privacy of the family I wont give out specifics.) Anyway, it has given me a not so gentle reminder that our time here can be very short and I need to relish in every moment with my children, even when they take me to the edge of my sanity.

Take yesterday for example. Ryker was very difficult. We had to take Lancer for a follow up at Primary Children's and he would not sit still. All he cared about was when he was going to eat lunch. When the nurse came to take Lancer for the x-ray, Richie went with him and Ryker had a complete melt down. He screamed so loud, Richie could hear him and came back to sit with him. All the way there and back, the two boys fought. While we were waiting for the doctor to come in the room (over an hour), they fought. When we got home, they fought. I swear, Richie and I were starting to lose it. Luckily, Ryker didn't take a nap, so he fell asleep @ 7:45, which is a big improvement from the usual 11:00pm. Once he was asleep, I missed him. All of the fighting and screaming that had happened seemed like a distant memory.

At the follow up we got some great news. Lancer can start putting weight on his leg. He still will need the wheelchair for school and long trips for a couple more weeks, and no PE or recess for a month, but after that he can return to most activities. The doctor is planning on taking the rod out in September, in order for the leg to heal completely in time for next years race season.

In the x-ray, you can still see the break but it is starting to heal from the outside in. Looking at the screws makes me sick to my stomach, so you cam imagine my excitement when Lancer asked the doctor if he can keep them when they come out.

Richie and I went to Wendover this weekend. We didn't win any money and we both got or fill of second hand smoke to last a lifetime, but it was fun anyway. It was nice to get away and have a uninterrupted conversation. It made me remember how much Richie makes me laugh. Oh and it was SO NICE to sleep without a 3 year old foot stuck in my rib cage.

Oh no......not ANOTHER LEAK!

*****WARNING!!!! Vent post ahead!!!*******

So it has been another long week at our house. Richie and I have grown tired of Lancer sleeping on our couch and holding our remote hostage, so we brought down Ryker's bed for him to sleep on. Ryker's bed is actually Lancer's bottom bunk and so Lancer was happy to have his bunks back together again. Anyway, as we were putting the bottom bed in, Richie noticed some bubbling in the wall. When he pushed on it, part of the drywall crumbled and we knew we were looking at another leak. The warranty company sent a plumber out and first he fixed our leak in our master shower, and told us how to fix our problem with our pump in our furnace room, then moved on to cut a hole in Lancer's room and this is what we were left with.

It looks like the kitchen drain pipe cracked because of our house settling. It must have been leaking for a long time, because the insulation was wet and streaked with black mold. Some of it was stuck to the drain pipe like cotton candy.

This picture is hard to see because of the dust and debris covering the carpet, but when Richie and I moved Lancer's bunk bed to give the plumber some room, we were oh so happy to find the carpet wet and stained with mold as well. We also found the water damaged the wall almost all the way over to the window.

Isn't this insulation pretty? Some of it was so black, it grossed me out too bad to even take a picture of it. Here is the great part. The warranty company doesn't cover mold and it wont cover insulation, because it considers damaged insulation to be "secondary damage". I know I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I would consider insulation to be part of the wall. They said the plumber should have put the same insulation back in that he took out. So we are responsible for putting in new insulation and killing the mold. So the past few days Richie has been taking out insulation and trying to dry the studs out then we have been spraying bleach, Lysol and KILLS to try and kill the mold. The warranty company also didn't want to cover the extra damage in the wall, just patch the hole the plumber cut, but we think we have fixed that problem. We haven't figured out what to do with the carpet, I may be calling Crystal's family for some new carpet.

So Lancer is still sleeping on our couch. I plan on using this as a excuse to put some color on our walls in effort to give our house some personality.

In good news, Lancer started back to school this past week. We started him on half days and might keep him that way for another week or so. He still gets really tired and when he gets tired he gets very grumpy! Next week we go see his surgeon for a progress report on his leg.

The weather was so beautiful this week, I wanted to be outside working in my yard everyday! Needless to say, I was not at all excited to wake up this morning to see it snowing.

Happy Anniversary, Dics Rouglah!

Its our Anniversary today!

Honestly, we don't usually celebrate this day, we usually celebrate September 22 which is the anniversary of the day we met. I know that sounds strange, but thats just what we do.

Lancer is visiting my parents, so Richie splurged and took Ryker and I to the nice bowling alley;)

(Hey it IS our anniversary!) Anyway, we bowled a game and Richie and Ryker both beat me. Then we spent a ridiculous amount of money on arcade games, and finally left, broke and hungry. We then went to the Olive Garden and I made myself feel better about my lousy bowling with the tour of Italy. Ryker was a good boy for about 15 min. Then he ran around with his booster seat and then threw a fry at the table next to us. Basically, doing all the things we swore our children would never do BEFORE we had them!

I love my husband so much! I am so thankful that I am married to someone who works so hard so I can stay home with our wild monkeys, someone who makes me laugh so hard, and someone who makes me a better person. I love you Dics Rougah!

What a week...

This week has been crazy! Lancer is still wheelchair bound, bored and grumpy. We got a Wii, which helps pass the time and give him some sort of an arm workout, he does his homework and reads to me some, but honestly, he is watching a lot of TV. I swear, if I have to watch another episode of the Suite life of Zach and Cody or iCarly, I may go insane. Those shows are his favorite and they MAKE ME NUTS!! He is starting to slowly need less pain medication, but is still having a hard time with the crutches. He hasn't been back to school yet, but I want him to be able to move around better with the wheelchair and crutches, before he goes back. Thankfully, the school is great and has been sending his work home often. (Thank you, Ogden Valley Montessori!)
Richie has been great helping me and working from home. I cant imagine that he gets a whole lot done, considering all Lancer and Ryker do is FIGHT, YELL and SCREAM! He has been a big help to me, and especially to Lancer. I am very thankful to have a patient husband.
On Thursday, Ryker came down with some mysterious stomach bug. Of course, it happened when we were having family and friends over for dinner. Anyone who knows me really well, knows I have a serious phobia about throwing up. Richie came to my rescue,(thank you, dear hubby) and cleaned it up. Ryker was pretty sick the rest of the night and the next morning, so Friday morning I must have gone up and down the stairs 20 times, and made about 3 trips to the store, taking care of my boys who both wanted my undivided attention. He stayed really tired and grumpy through saturday night, which meant Richie missed the last day of coaching to stay home and help me.
Then on Monday, I got sick. I started to feel weird about noon. Achy and a sore throat. By about 6, however, that had turned in to EXTREME NAUSEA! I dragged myself to bed, leaving Richie to take care of the boys and dinner. Then in the middle of the night, the poor dog got sick and there was SUPER HUBBY to clean up that mess as well.
Today we discovered yet another leak in our house. The beautiful house we have only owned since August! 2 weeks ago, we discovered a major leak in our master shower, and today the carpet in Lancer's room was wet, so we figure it is coming from the furnace, water heater or drain. Thank goodness for our home warranty, which HOPEFULLY will cover these things. I am praying things start to get a little less chaotic at our house.

Well... the first part of the day was good!

Lancer had his final race of the year on Feb 28. He did really well. He improved his time a lot and I couldn't be more proud of him! Before the race, Richie's Aunt Janet, my Dad, and I went to the top of the race course to wish him luck and he got embarrassed and said " Can't you guys go to the end of the race course with the other parents?"

He is only 7 and I am already embarrassing him....I LOVE IT!!!

Anyway, after the race we had lunch and Lancer had his usual. 2 large slices of pizza, a bag of Doritos, a kit-kat and Gatorade. Then he left his family to go ski with his team, and that is where the day starts to go sour.

At the end of the day, I am getting ready to leave and have a exhausted 3 year old sleeping on me in the lodge when I get a phone call from Richie. The connection was really bad and this is what I heard... "Lancer...hurt....ski patrol.....John Paul.....Life Flight...meet us at hospital" What? Apparently, Lancer was skiing with his group on the top of John Paul, heading over to the Women's Downhill. He went off of a jump he had never hit before, and didn't know it had a flat landing. So he fell, hurting his leg. Luckily, the ski patrol came up about a minute later and then they radio the team and Richie hears it and arrives a few seconds later. They decide because of the injury and how far they are up on the mountain, they have no choice but to use

Life-Flight.

So I go out and pack up the car, just in time to see the red helicopter flying over Earls Lodge on its way up the mountain. That is when I lost it. I couldn't stand knowing that it was on its way to pick up my 7 year old. Richie said it was pretty surreal for him too, having it land 50 feet away, blowing snow all over everyone.

The Life-flight crew load him up and because of weight reasons, wouldn't let Richie go, and headed to Primary Children's Hospital. Lancer was so brave and when he got there, let the nurses know he had been there before for a febrile seizure when he was a year old, and he was allergic to penicillin. He still wasn't crying, but was very upset that they had to cut off his racing suit and his ski team jacket! My dad and I arrived first, followed shortly by Richie, just in time to find out he had a broken femur and would need surgery. The Surgery had to be postponed however because of the HUGE lunch Lancer had consumed a few hours before.

Lancer had surgery at about 8:30 pm and they inserted a titanium rod down the center of his bone and a screw above his knee. The doctor mistakenly called the rod a nail,and Lancer freaked out, probably picturing the doctor hammering in a old rusty nail down his leg with a hammer! After surgery, he spent the night in the hospital, and got sent home the next day with crutches and a shiny new wheelchair!

He is still in quite a bit of pain, with Richie and I taking turns sleeping downstairs, tending to his every need. He took his first shower last Saturday, and the screams coming from the shower when Richie took off the top bandages, where reminiscent of the psycho shower scene. He still hasn't returned to school, but he are doing it from home for a while, until he gets the hang of using his chair on his own.

In 6-9 months, we will go back to Primary Children's, to get the rod taken out. He should heal completely, although the break was very high, it did not damage the growth plates. He should be back skiing next year. (Hopefully, not hitting any jumps!)

I am grateful for all of the cards, letters and kind words that have been given to us. I am grateful that his injuries were not worse, and that he was wearing his helmet.

Valentines Day Weekend

Instead having a romantic dinner, Richie and I decided to take Lancer to the Banff Mountain Film Festival at the Egyptian Theater. So Ryker went to my parents house for the night and we headed out with our oldest son. Lancer chose where we had dinner so of course we went to Arby's. Then on our way to the theater, Richie discovered he had left the tickets in his coat pocket at home so by the time we got there, the show was just starting and we sat in the very back, along the wall, so our view wasnt the best.
The movies were good, some a little more than others. My favorite was about the 3 BASE jumpers who jumped 2,000 ft into a cave in China. I think we all got a little bored during the movie about how they make snow cones in Peru.
The next morning the weather was beautiful, so we went up to my parents house (THE RANCH!), and took Lancer cross country skiing. He did really well for his second time, although he did say we was really tired. After we were done we spent some time with the horses and fed the chickens. Couldn't have asked for a better weekend!
Lancer and Richie

It was such a beautiful day!

Tahoe knew Ryker had treats in his pocket.

Fatty Mcbutterpants

2 years ago, I decided it was time to lose all the extra weight that I gained during my pregnancies. So with the help of my doctor and diet and exercise I lost 40+lbs. Needless to say the weight has started to creep back. I mean I had to try all the Christmas treats given to me by my neighbors, it would be rude not to! I had to try all the treats that I gave away, what if they were bad?
So after discovering how out of shape I have become skiing the last few weekends, I have decided to take charge and lose those stubborn lbs, and get back in shape. Today I worked out with Crystal. I got a workout DVD for Christmas that has the super mean trainer from The Biggest Loser. I got through the first workout and am not as sore as I thought, and I only thought bad thougths about the trainer a few times during the video. It was easier doing it with a friend, she really helped me keep going and not give up.
I will prevail! I want to be healthy! and I want those peanut M&Ms I have hidden in my pantry!

Excuse me while I get on my soapbox.....

Today history was made. The inauguration of the first African-American president is a wonderful step for our nation. We have moved beyond the racial lines that once separated us. Although I did not vote for him, I wish President Obama luck and hope that his term is one that is not only peaceful, but is without the hateful disrespect that was thrown at our previous President. Don't get me wrong, I understand some of the reasons that people disagreed with the previous administration, but he still was elected twice and he deserves our respect, just like all the presidents before him and those not yet elected. I don't plan on blaming President Obama for everything like bad weather or bad hair days. I plan on respecting him, even if I don't agree with him. So that's it. I look forward to see what will happen tomorrow and am glad that we can all move on from this election. So please scrape off the anti-Bush bumper stickers. After all we are a progressive county right? So lets move on.....

Another Scientist?

Last week Lancer came home with homework. This is a rare occurrence at his school and so Miss Nancy gave me all the instructions about how Lancer was to research why lava is hot. Anyway we get home and I tell Richie about the assignment and Richie gets all excited and he takes Lancer in his office. The next thing I know, Richie has his dry erase board out and they are heavily immersed in science. The next morning on the way to school, Lancer was reading me his homework and I was shocked at what they had done. A whole page of research, complete with words I cannot even pronounce, topped off with a math problem on how to convert Celsius into Fahrenheit. It was a happy day for Richie to introduce Lancer into his world of science and math.