3 boys, 3 trips to the doctor’s office, 3 ear infections, 3 bottles of antibiotics

…..broke daddy

……….tired mommy.

When I think of Rulon, I think of Tigers.  He loves them, he always has for some reason.  This year his passion for tigers aligns with  Chinese New year.  It seemed fitting that he would kick off the celebration with his first investigative journalism piece on his favorite furry friend:

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Erik’s sister Kirsten and her husband Dallas?  They are the coolest!  And what is even cooler about them is that they actually think we’re cool!  Well, they attacked us Sunday night. As we sat on our comfy couch watching the Winter Olympics, they stealthy crept up to our front door and plastered the entire thing with dozens of paper hearts complete with funny, kooky phrases.  I love them!

I think Rulon would make a great subject for a flip book:

Lincoln thought this one was extremely humorous.  He also mused over the notion that if Mom was, indeed, “hot” that he might be able to fetch a good price for me so that he could buy himself a new guitar.(Should I be concerned, flattered or just insulted?)

I’ll admit, manufactured holidays that guilt me into spending more money have never been my cup of tea until I had such enthusiastic kids to share it with.  And when you really get down to the nitty gritty of it all, a holiday that reminds us to celebrate the people we love and cherish most isn’t half bad, is it?  Here’s how we celebrated our day:

Valentine’s breakfast…thank goodness for food coloring!

My little helper, Ellis.

My sweet lovable Ruly-guy.

Valentine’s from Mom & Dad!

Will ravenously attacking his poor heart pancake.

So I’ve been trying to find the time to catch up on my blogging but as you can see my efforts have been in vain.  So I’ve decided that before my bad memory gets the best of me I better record a few choice memories:

Lincoln (1 week before Christmas):  ”Mom, I think I’m on the naughty list.”

Mom: “Why do you say that honey?”

Lincoln: “Well I’ve been making bad choices.”

Mom: “Well, Lincoln have you repented?”

Lincoln (in an anguished voice): “Yes, but I don’t think Santa’s a Mormon!”

(I assured him that even though I wasn’t sure of Santa’s religious affiliations, I am sure he believes in the concept of redemption.)

Rulon (following a FHE discussion about the Holy Ghost):  ”Mom….(head cocked to side and looking up at the sky), Jesus is talking to me.”

Mom: “Oh really…(slightly bewildered and wondering what prophetic news is about to be bestowed by 5-year-old son)..?

Rulon:  ”He says I need to hit Ellis.”

Mom:  ”No, Rulon, Jesus does not tell you to hit your sister!”

Rulon (later that night at dinner):  ”Mom, (head cocked to side and looking up again) Jesus is talking to me…”

Mom:  (this time on my guard)”Yes…?”

Rulon:  ”He says I don’t have to eat my carrots..”

Mom:  ”(sigh), Rulon, Jesus didn’t say that, Jesus likes carrots.”

I think we need to have a review session for our next Family Home Evening…

That’s what we call Rulon, or sometimes just “the guy.”  He is quite the little guy and we have loved having him in our home for the last 5 years.  He is very sweet and quiet yet at the same time is absolutely bursting with energy.  What a funny little kid.  I often say to Erik, I am still getting to know him, there are so many layers.

We celebrated his big day on August 19th with a party at (gulp) Chuck E. Cheese.  We are not Chuck E. Cheese fans but since “the guy” had not had an official birthday party before we decided to oblige.

We found Chuck E. Cheese to be a bit freaky.  Rulon just stood there frozen in place while Ellis’ friend, Vila refused to be put down.

Things started to look up as the kids were able to put some space between themselves and the over-sized rodent.

Rulon got to choose whatever he wanted to eat for breakfast.  He chose a hotdog…..

Just a few bits and pieces from some of our favorite summer memories:

Lots and lots of swim meets…

Cooling off in the backyard…

Guitar Hero at Uncle Dallas & Aunt Kirsten’s house!

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I couldn’t resist posting a few random pics from the last week.  (Sorry about the quality, they’re from Erik’s iphone.

Lincoln and Rulon in a rare moment of zen…

Ellis and Dad trying out Rulon’s bike.  Not much peddling happened.

Our DVD player after we discovered why it wasn’t working (thanks to Ellis).  Mind you this is a single disc player…