Seen and Heard

So, the past week hasn't been too eventful, but time at home always results in funny phrases and actions by the kids. I'm starting a thing that I've seen on others blogs called seen and heard. It's pretty self explanatory.

Seen: Peyton squishing his eyes tight and then smiling and doing it again and again. It's way too cute and I've been trying to get it video taped, but he won't do it when the camera's rolling.

Heard- Porter: "Mommy, kids should listen to Barney."
Me: "Why?"
Porter: "Because he wants you to share."

Heard- Porter: "Mom!!!! No Peyton! I don't want Peyton to turn off the computer!"

Seen- Peyton turning off the computer and then Porter crying because he turned off the Star Wars Lego game.

Heard- Porter:"Mom I am going to fold my arms like a pretzel and then my legs and then I will be ready for prayers."

Seen- Peyton flushing the toilet and trying to unravel the toilet paper.

Seen and heard- Porter taking Peyton's bottle and shaking it on top of Peyton's head splashing milk everywhere, then saying, "Mom, he's the milk monster."

Heard- Porter: "Mommy, I love you!"

Heartland of America Park

We had a great time together today. We wanted to get out of the house because it was so nice and beautiful. We decided that we wanted to go to the Heartland of America Park downtown. We brought bread to feed the fish and ducks. When we got there, there were no fish in the pond and all of the ducks were far away, so we just kept on walking. Well, we came across a mama goose and her babies. We decided to start feeding them the bread that we brought and it was very entertaining for all of us. The geese were hissing at us if we got too close, so in the video we started backing away so we wouldn't cause them any trouble. Again, there is no sound, sorry.

Elders Quorum BBQ

So, we had an Elders Quorum BBQ yesterday and it turned out pretty good. Lynn of course was in charge of it because he's the president, but we all know who did all of the work...I did. All day long I prepared for this thing and I was so glad that we had a good turn out. Along with the BBQ there was a cookie contest. For the contest I made little spoon trophies with puff paint. I also made my chocolate peanut butter cup cookies for the competition. The missionaries were the judges so that there were no bias opinions. I got first place!!! I took a picture before all of the cookies were eaten. It was a fun time.

Sidewalk Chalk

Today we spent most of the day outside! This morning we went for a run with Lynn and then for a walk after ward. We then went to the zoo for a couple of hours. We came home for naps and then we went outside to play with chalk on the sidewalk. Porter got a little on his face and Peyton really wanted to participate as well.

Baby Proofing

So, now that Peyton is crawling and almost walking I decided to have Lynn baby proof the kitchen cupboards. Of course it was a family affair. Porter wanted to help and thought that he could do it all by himself, but of course he needed a little help from dad. These are a few of the pictures that I captured while they were busy at work. Notice Porter's faces. He wasn't too happy that he wasn't able to do it himself. He's pretty good at being 3. Peyton tried to get in on the action as well, but I had to intervene and hold him back from climbing on Porter and Lynn. You can see his little head in a few of the pictures.

Mothers

In honor of Mother's day tomorrow. I wanted to devote this post to the mothers in my life. First of all I love my mom Kerry Belcher, she is so loving, generous, fun to be around, a super grandma, and a great friend. We have been so fortunate to see her as much as we have since we've moved to Omaha. My mom is such a good example of service and faithfulness. All of her children are married and sealed in the temple. She and my dad were good to hold family home evening, family prayer, and family scriptures. We love playing games with her and we love it when she comes to visit us. Growing up she was always quick to say sorry even if it wasn't her fault. She always was willing to listen to me and love me no matter what. We love her!

My Mother-in-law is a great women. She is fun, active, and very spiritual. Her example to me during her turn as a Relief Society President was and is a personal strength. I often think of how much she served those in her ward when I am asked to serve those around me. I think one of my favorite memories was the first time I met her. Erin and I were just starting to date and I popped in one day at her apartment and Karry was visiting, along with Jodi and Tanner. Karry said hello to me and then proceeded to get down on the floor and play with Tanner and have a great time. I was very impressed, she showed so much energy and had so much fun with her grandkids. I knew if she was like that her daughter must be pretty neat as well. Sure enough Erin is much like her mother in many ways. Kerry is always a bunch of fun to be around.



Another important mother in my life is my Grandma Ballard. We got to see her a few times a year growing up. We especially loved to go visit her because we usually got to go to Disneyland and the beach. She always made us bacon waffles and gave us a candy bar and soda pop when we were going home. She is still fabulous at sending cards to me and my kids for Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Anniversary, and Birthdays. We love to play cards and games with her. She is a great example to our family.


My mother-in-law Brenda Gurney is another great mom in my life. She has always been very close to her Heavenly Father. We love spending time in Emmett with her. She is loving and kind and is a great mother who taught her children to love the Lord. She is fun to be around and loves to go fishing and camping. We just wish we could go with her more often. She is great at sending our family packages with treats and other fun things for the kids. We look forward to getting heart shaped cookies for Valentines day each year. She is a wonderful, special lady and we love her!

What I love most about my Mom is how she is always there for those she loves or anyone for that matter. She was always there for me when I needed her, even when I forgot my wrestling clothes at home. She never missed a wrestling match or game that I remember. Now that I have kids of my own and realized how difficult it can be to sit in one place for a long time, it amazes me that she came and stayed at my wrestling tournaments for the whole 2-3 days of the event. I'm grateful she was never a crazy wrestling Mom though, the kind that runs out on the matt when her son is getting beat. That happened once the Parma Tournament when I was wrestling a kid from Parma. She also has a strong testimony of the gospel. I think she always turns to the Lord first with most any decision. I think there were many examples growing up that she kept our family close and our faith strong. I love her very much. She probably doesn't think that I do right now since I moved my family half way across the country and am now thinking about moving again, slightly farther away, for another 3 years, but I really do love her and I'm grateful for her love and support.

Omicron Kappa Upsilon Banquet

Last night we went to a dental honor society awards banquet at the Happy Hollow Club. We got there for the social hour while everyone drank and talked. I think we were the some of the only ones without an alcoholic beverage in our hand. We talked with Lynn's teachers mostly about school and dentistry, my favorite! We were glad when it was time to eat dinner because it didn't start until 7:00 and we're used to eating around 5:00. We sat with Dean Fredrickson and his wife and three other dental students. It was so awkward making conversation, but luckily Lynn kept the conversation going most of the time. The reason we were at this fancy banquet was because Lynn was awarded the Kramer award that goes to one outstanding Junior. He was surprised and honored to receive this award.

Swinging in the Park and the lost wallet

So, we decided to go to the park yesterday because it was such a beautiful day. Our favorite park is Elmwood park because it is always clean and has a really fun playground. We were having a good time and then a bus full of 3rd graders came and we decided to go home because of we worried about the little kids being trampled on by the big kids. I decided that we should go to the mall and walk around and maybe look for some shoes for a banquet. Well I found some shoes and also promised Porter we would get a pretzel. When I got up to the register to pay, my wallet was gone. I thought...'oh great, now what?' I started looking through my bag, and it wasn't there. Porter was flipping out because he wanted a pretzel, so I was removing him and us from the store as quickly as possible. Looked in the car...no wallet, looked at the park...no wallet. I decided to give up and just go home so that I could put my bank cards on hold. On the way home I said a little prayer asking Heavenly Father to help us find my wallet and if someone found it, help them to be kind and return it to us. Well, I got home and there was a message on my answering machine from a lady who found my wallet in the parking of Elmwood park. I said a prayer of gratitude and hopped in the car and got my wallet back. I was too drained by that point to go back to the mall and buy those shoes and the pretzel. It was a crazy time!

Baby sitting fun

Friday night we babysat Ana and Sara. The kids had a lot of fun together. Peyton would not leave Sara alone. I don't know if he was trying to tackle her or kiss her? It was really cute. He was glad to have another little kid around. James and Jami got back from the Senior banquet and we stayed up talking until almost midnight with them. Man, we are going to miss them when they move. Here is a little video of Porter, Ana, and I pretending that we are C3PO from Star Wars. Sorry there is no sound.

Cinco De Mustacho

For Cinco De Mayo Lynn and some of his dental classmates decided that they were going to grow mustaches in honor of the day. Here is Lynn with his finished product. Let's just say, I was glad when he shaved it off after the day. We went to a BBQ at Jason's house for the last time before everyone goes their separate ways. We happened to be the only Juniors there and everyone else is moving away in the next couple of weeks and months. It will be nice when it's our turn next year.