This was a close call.....

but we are so lucky to have a doctor in the family. Heber's stretchy bat avoided a one way trip to the garbage can with mere seconds to spare. It had a hole in it and kept spilling its contents (ya know those little staticky balls in a bean bag) all over the house.

Heber told me it had a boo boo and needed to see a doctor. Well what do you know, we have one of those right here. Heber got a kick out of watching his daddy take such great care as he sutured the bat back together again.

We Voted

Heber and I strolled over to the church by our house yesterday to cast our vote for the next president of the United States.

You can see who Heber's choice was.......I agree, Lightning McQueen is the best choice!

"Say Trick or Treat"

Look at all these goods!! He got pretty good at saying "say trick or treat" (It is so funny when they copy you word for word). You won't believe this but he has not asked for one peice of candy since we got home on Friday night. I haven't even hidden the bucket. I don't know who is eating it all, but it is almost gone!! Heber has never been one to wear a costume (or pants and socks and shoes for that matter) so we didn't plan too much in the way of a Halloween getup. On Wednesday night at the ward trunk or treat we made him a Boise State fan (which was not received well among all of the Ohio State fans). He got a little jealous once he saw all the other kids in costumes and decided he wanted to dress up too. His timing couldn't have been better. On Thursday the Power Ranger was 80% off at Disney Store!

Pagers at 5:00 a.m.

There is something about listening to your husband (who is sitting on the stairs so he doesn't wake you) talk to someone on the phone who just had major shoulder surgery that makes you fall in love all over again!

Ben was trying to explain to this man's wife how to adjust the wedge pillow and sling straps so he would be more comfortable. Then I heard him reassuring the man that he was not a wimp and that he had just had a major surgery.

I love it when I get the chance to observe Ben's work. He is so good at what he does and is so great to the men and women who depend on him for their own health.

I only wish he was so nice to Heber and I if we wake him up at 5 in the morning!! Corny as this will sound to you Ben, we love you and appreciate everything you do to be great at your job, both in the hospital and in our home.

He listens so well

I told Heber it was time to get dressed for school. His new thing is picking his clothes out by himself. I told him to pick something warm because it was kind of cold outside. This is what he came out wearing. Hey.....he did get the hat.....thats good for something right!!

NOW He knows!

So, as it turns out, we have a little artist on our handsWouldn't you know, that sooner or later he would decide those crayons on the very TOP shelf of his toy closet would be fun to play with. I have tried and tried to get him to color on paper with me......I didn't know we just needed to color on the walls for him to be interested. He is very good.......don't ya think!!
It is still yet to be determined how he retrieved those crayons from the very TOP shelf. So this is something you don't discuss with a 3-year-old like mine until you have to. We never told Heber "don't color on the walls" because that would have just given him the idea.

I made him clean away for a while with the clorox wipe and then I stepped in with the Magic Eraser (which I keep on hand at all times in bulk) and helped him. He was relieved to say the least. I was actually very proud of how I handled this little situation. I gave him the benefit of the doubt.......if it happens again however........!!!!!

"You comin scoo with me?"

So today was Heber's great big day! He was so thrilled with his "packback for scoo" that he wanted it on as soon as he woke up. "Hmmm.....do I really want to go in those doors?"
Luckily for Heber red robot got to accompany him to take all those worries away.


I thought this picture turned out so cute. I begged and pleaded with him to turn around but he would not, so I settled for what I could get......I actually like this one best.


All tuckered out! One hour of school is enough to make anyone sleepy! This is Heber's new "cat" napping spot.

He was such a big boy today and I am so proud of him. He walked right in and took off his backpack, said hello to his teacher, waved bye to mom, and ran in just like he had done it every day of his life.

I on the other hand had one very large lump in my throat as I walked down the hallway to a room for other moms just like me referred to as "comfort corner." Since the kids started with only an hour of school today instead of their normal 2.5 hour day they had a room set up with goodies for the parents. I was grateful to be able to stay so close, though he did not need me at all, and get a chance to meet some of the other moms from his classroom.

Lets all cross our fingers and pray that Thursday will go as well as today!

Handsome Heber

Heber was so proud to wear a tie and a belt to church just like his daddy!

Paisley Party 2008

Ben and I celebrated the end of double ortho call with Brad Paisley.....so much fun!!!
We had such great seats. Last time we saw him was at the same venue and we were out on the lawn getting rained on....this time we were in the un-cheap seats.....I serioiusly could not hear myself screaming.

This cuter than ever couple was in the row just in front of us. They were smiling and dancing the whole time. I hope Ben and I are that cool someday! Brad and Jewel. She opened for him along with Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks. The whole night was great. Jewel was far better than I expected her to be even though I have always loved her.
Got Yodle? She was amazing! Everyone needs to push play!!

Defined

Perfect Summer Day (per-fikt sum-mer da) : Sitting outside underneath Grandpa's great big apple trees with cousins eating a nice cold Scooby "Doob" push up.

What could possibly be any better than this???

REFRESHING

Yesterday we went swimming at a wading pool with some friends. Heber had so much fun. He kept giving me that very thankful look, you know the one that is just screaming out.....FINALLY, YOU ARE GETTING ME OUT OF THE HOUSE!!

Isaac, Heber, and Kaleb (dressed to the hilt). I am pretty sure that Isaac is helping his little guy there to take a dive and there is Heber running off with somebody's water shoe.

"I am going to splash and splash and splash Tucker whether he likes it or not!! Look at all my great tools. He doesn't stand a chance!"

I really don't know how these two little guys survived without each other before we moved to OH...grantid they were both only 2 months at the time, but they were just meant to be friends.

Oops.......I didn't think about putting sunscreen DOWN THERE!!! I am sure he will just love me for this one someday. Too cute to resist!

Should I really do this?!!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I (Ben or Rach) had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me

Ben's little sister took these pictures last fall and I came across this one as I was playing around last night. These two guys are my best buddies. How cute are they!!!!

If the shoe fits

Heber for the last while has been obsessed with wearing other peoples shoes. On a daily basis I am finding him in both Ben's closet and my closet trying on shoes. Until our trip home, his favorite pair to wear and try to walk around the house in, were my wedged, strappy sandals with enough lift to make help me stand at Ben's shoulders (ha ha). Imagine my relief when he took such a liking to grandpa's famous boots while we were in Idaho.

I don't think there is a kid yet in our family who has not had to try on Grandpa's boots (including myself). Thanks Dad for giving us these great big shoes to fill......we sure love you and are grateful for all that you are and all that you do. We sure hope you have a very Happy Birthday!


Wait......will somebody please help me up!!!

Heber and Rachel give it TWO THUMBS UP

Heber and I went on a "mommy and me" date today and saw Space Chimps. We each gave it 2 thumbs up. I enjoyed watching him respond to this movie......it was fun to hear all the kids laughing!



We even had time afterward to play a few video games. He has no idea you have to put money in these ones yet!

Natures swimming pool

Heber and Houston...same blood....different last names....TWO PEAS IN A POD

Aaahhh......could life get any better than this?
Did somebody say Cheetos?

We have been to Bear Lake a couple of times on our visit home. This last time we went with Ben's sister and her kids for Hollis's birthday. We had a great time while we were there but we are paying greatly for it now.

Word to the wise.......check the expiration date on your sunblock!!

Great Idaho Pastime

I'm goin fishin..I'm goin fishin..I'm goin fishin hey, hey, hey, hey!
(I think this is actually supposed to be a song about a dollar)

C'mon already fish, get on my line.

My brother and his daughter came to Idaho for the 4th of July weekend. We all loaded up and went to the reservoir to try our hands at some fishing. This was Heber's first time. He had his own little Diego fishing pole and loved that he got to be just like the big boys.

I think he takes after his daddy though. None of this live bait fishing where you let the worm sink and just sit there and wait. He kept casting his line out and realing it in as fast as he could.

"Get me a fly rod daddy!!!"

Slip and Slide Idaho style

Run, Run, Run, Run, Run............"How long should I run?"
and F I N A L L Y the SLIDE
Now just sit back and relax with the guys

My sister has this great yard and a super long peice of tarp purchased solely for the sheer enjoyment of water fun. With a big black tarp, water, and a little dish soap, the kids were entertained for hours!

We have been having so much fun in Idaho with family and friends. Sorry for the lack of pictures. I will have a lot of catching up to do.

We miss you daddy and are counting the days until next Monday!

All by myself

See mom!!!! I told you I could do it. (Why are my clothes fitting so strange all of a sudden?)

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks.....

Notice the ball glove on his hand all ready to go!
Heber's first ballpark hotdog

At the end of May we were given the chance to go to another Indians game (a BIG thanks to Dr. Shay) and decided we would take Heber along with us this time. He loved the game and was really a trooper even though it was freezing cold. We had great seats and great company. I can't think of a better way to spend a frigid Cleveland evening!

We miss you Kylan, Danette, and Keion. Thanks for spending one of your last nights in Ohio with us.