Christmas at the Bowcutts!!

It's been so long since I've written that Christmas has come and gone! A quick update of events that have happened since my last entry...

1. We spent Thanksgiving at my sisters cabin in Island Park with my family. It was so fun!! We went Hookie-Bobbin' behind the four-wheelers (the four-wheeler pulls you in a sled). That is always so much fun!! We ate a lot! Played in the Hot Tub! The guys went ice fishing to Henry's Lake! Slept! Ate some more! Played games! Ate some more! It was so much fun!! This is 11 of us in the hot tub...at one point there was thirteen! The other picture is my dad with one of the fish he caught ice fishing. They came back with quite a few pretty big fish! Good Job Boys!




2. We got our tree put up the Sunday after Thanksgiving! It has been such a pain to keep the little guy (Kelton) out of the tree! He has broken several ornaments, and our discipline is not working (little stinker). Our tree looks pretty similar to last years because I really didn't want to spend the money to go out and buy new stuff. Maybe next year I'll get some different ornaments and decor!




3. We had a new addition added to our family...not my family; my sister's. Sandra and Brandon Briggs welcomed a new baby girl into their family on December 8, 2009. They had to name her after her favorite aunt! No they did not name her Emily, but they did give her my middle name. It's also my Grandma Schnieters middle name. Ok ok, I'll tell you already they named her:

Taylee Ann Briggs


She is so beautiful and tiny. We just love her to death!!! Congratulations Sandra, Brandon, Bryson, and Hadlee!!!


4. Finances were pretty tight this year so we did a (almost) Homemade Christmas. It's after the new year and I am still working on a couple projects. For Brandon, I made an Ice Fishing Hut. I didn't get a picture of it because I had to be really sneaky about making it so I made it at my mom and dad's house with my mom and two of my brother's help and I didn't have a camera with me. Christmas morning I sat it up at 2:00 am and it was the first thing we pulled down before opening gifts so the boys could have room. I'll try and post a pic soon though. Brandon said he Loved it so, I am hoping he is being honest cause that thing took a lot of hard work. For the boys, my really good friend, Ruthan, gave us (well we still need to pay her but she won't name a price) a razor motorcycle and a power wheels truck. They both were faded and needed some minor mechanical work, but between I and Brandon we were able to get them cleaned up, painted, and we were also able to get them both up and running for Christmas morning. Yeah!! The Razor went to Kaython and the truck went to Kelton. We are probably going to need new carpetby the time spring gets here cause they drive them around the house like ALL day! It's fun to watch them love something so much that has been used. It goes to show that Christmas is not all about brand new items!



Here are some pics of the boys Christmas Morning:






Back to the Homemade Gifts. We drew family names. Brandon picked my brother-in-law Tony and I picked my brother-in-law Zack so we homemade Jerky for them. Long process....turned out fabulous! I think they liked it; I know Tony did cause he wouldn't share with anybody! I had my nephew Braxton. Braxton for some reason will not sleep in between his sheets. He will only sleep on his comforter with another blanket. He has the most adorable cowboy themed room and bedding that any other blanket just doesn't look right. Well on my search to find fleece to make Brandon's two nephews blankets, I found the most perfect cowboy themed fleece in the exact colors. I don't know how it happened, but it did and so I made him a fleece blanket. Kelton picked my niece Brindy so I assisted him in making her this adorable skirt and a watch with changeable bands. Here's the skirt:



For our Friends and Neighbor gifts we made Holiday S'More Kits! They were assembled with the graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows, roasting sticks and directions. The whole family worked on these together and they ended up being SO cute! We also had to use them for teachers and co-workers as well!



5. It is a new year now! Welcome 2010!! I was supposed to work today (but of course got put on call) so, Brandon took the boys to my sister Anna's last night in Logan, Utah for their New Years Party and then to go ice fishing today. I stayed at home thinking I needed to get to bed early so I could get up early to go to work and not be dragging all day. What a waste of a New Years Eve. However, I got a lot of laundry done and got the boys toys a little bit organized and now I sit here blogging waiting for the phone to ring to tell me to come into work. I'm hoping if they don't call me in by 3, they'll let me have the rest of the day off and I'll ride to Logan with my mom. But who's to know what will happen at this point. Anyways, so to my New Years Resolution!! I could not think of anything I really wanted to make as a resolution until last night. Brandon has been talking about joining the gym and wanting me to too. I just don't know when I would get there. Yes, I need to lose weight, but if you are not 100% committed, it's not gonna happen. So, I was sitting here last night missing my family, reminiscing while painting my toenails and it occurred to me......for 2010 my New Years resolution is going to be based not only on me, but for my family as well! I'm Calling it a "Feeling Fabulous Family" Resolution!! Thirty minutes of exercise for the whole family at least three times a week. At least thirty minutes for the boys with mom and dad alone at least twice a week. Three fruits and vegetables a day..for everyone with one free day. At least one date night with my hubby each month; just the two of us! Visit at least two out of state relatives this year (the one's that we don't see often). And for me personally, I am going to find some time to pamper myself. I know it sounds selfish, but I really want to start feeling pretty again. I feel so blah lately that I think I need that boost that makes you feel good; wether it be as simple as painting my toenails, getting my hair cut or colored, to getting a pedicure or even going as far out as getting a message. I think a good self-esteem reflects on my boys and I want them to see me feeling good about myself, plus I want my hubby to be proud when he's with me, not embarrassed or ashamed (not that he has ever said or made me feel that he is, but I don't want him to have to hide it if he is). So, now I ask you.....what is your new year resolution?

I honestly and truely hope that 2010 will be a FABULOUS year for everyone! May it be the best year ever!!

Upbeat!!

Last night was Kaython's singing performance at the Festival of Trees. He did so awesome. I can definately tell that he is getting more used to singing in front of big groups. He still has his nervous habits....like picking his nose, ......Chewing his nails and,.....picking his bum crack! But overall, he is so cute when he is up there singing!! This morning we were laying in bed and talking about his singing. I asked him he still gets nervous and he said, "not really anymore" so asked him if he was ready to start singing in front of big groups all by himself and he told me, "yah, and with a guitar!!" So, I am thinking he needs a guitar and some guitar lessons for Christmas! Anyone know of any really good, patient guitar teachers for young kids?

Weekly Update!!!

So, Brandon ditched us after trick-or-treating last Saturday to go find him a bull elk! Well, he was supposed to be gone til today but to my surprise came back on Thursday without an elk! Bummer! I was really hoping he would get one so he could be done with it. But they were up to high so, they decided to come back and go to work on Friday so they could use Friday's vacation day later. I didn't realize how hard it is to do EVERYTHING by myself, until this week. I had to get the boys up and ready all by myself even after working and then get them everywhere like school, singing and to the babysitters; then to get myself to work and school on time. BUSY!
Marcus and Laurie Ann are getting married on Friday and so I have been busy helping them get everything ready to roll for the big day! I'll have to post a picture of the gift I made for Laurie Ann's bridal shower! It turned out so cute!!
Ani, a girl I nannied for almost three years is having a baby in December, so on the 18th I am throwing her a baby shower! My really good friend Karen is helping with it and we are doing a "cupcake" theme. I think it is going to turn out SO cute! Cannot wait! I made her a super cute bedding set that I will post pics of soon! I love it so much it really makes me want a girl!
Oh yes, I am down to four weeks of this semester of school! I am so excited to be done!! But, next semester I start clinicals...yikes one more full day taken away from me! O-well it's for the better, right!?!
So, I and Brandon officially started our Christmas shopping last night. My family picked names last night and we have to make homemade gifts, so I think this year I am going to make it a focus to do homemade gifts for everyone!!! The boys will get a few things that won't be homemade, but for the most part, crafty fun...here I come!

HUNTING SEASON!!

SO, WHO DOES THIS REMIND YOU OF? IT COULDN'T BE HIS DADDY COULD IT??? I NEEDED A COSTUME FOR KELTON THAT WAS WARM AND THAT I COULD JUSTIFY SPENDING MONEY ON. I FOUND THESE CAMO SWEATS AT WALY-WORLD AND JUST BOUGHT SOME ORANGE MATERIAL TO MAKE THE VEST WITH. I AND BRANDON BOTH PAINTED HIS FACE, BUT HE FOUGHT US, SO IT DIDN'T TURN OUT VERY WELL. BUT HERE HE IS, THE HUNTER HIMSELF:

HULK SMASH!!!

KAYTHON WANTED, NO BEGGED TO BE HULK FOR HALLOWEEN. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAD THE COSTUME FROM LAST YEAR THAT BRANDON'S MOM GAVE US. SO WHY BUY ONE WHEN YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE THAT THEY HAVE THEIR HEART SET ON, RIGHT!?! HOWEVER, IT WAS A LITTLE TIGHT IN THE BOY AREA SO I MADE HIM WEAR SOME THICK SWEATS UNDER IT AND PAINTED HIS FACE GREEN. BRANDON PAINTED HIS HAIR BLACK AND FIXED IT LIKE HULKS HAIR. SO, HERE HE IS: HULK HIMSELF:

Fire Safety!!

Today Kaython had a Firefighter come to his school and he gave his class fire man hats and stickers! When Kaython got home he HAD to teach Kelton how to Stop! Drop! and Roll! It was so cute! He would put his hand up to say stop, then he would make him sit on the ground and push him so he would be laying and then roll him! It was so cute!!

Here's the cutest little firefighters!! How can you help, but not to love them??

It couldn't have been a more gorgeous day or place!
It was beautiful where we went and the fall weather was perfect!!

And here is the man of the hour!! Brandon was so patient to help with the kids and really
helped keep Kelton out of the water. What kind of a man would give up his whole Mt. Dew
to help keep Kelton entertained, so he would stay out of the water!
He's the Best!!

So, we use these freakin' ugly bull heads as bait and when Kaython pulled his line in he thought he caught a "little baby fish". I guess he needs to learn to start baiting his own line. Mommy baited for him this time! Nasty, huh???

Kaython getting ready to throw his line out!!
What a stinkin' poser!!

He carried it everywhere with him, unless he was in the water!

Mt. Dew mixed with a snotty nose....mmmMMmMmm.
What a Delicious concoction!! Uckk!!!

Kelton kept himself entertained by drinking Daddy's Mountain Dew!

Sunday was such a gorgeous day my Hubby had to get out of the house and go fishin'. I at the very last second decided to load the kids up and go with him. However, It is very difficult to fish when you have an almost 14 month old that just wants to play in the water. Kelton had stepped in the river 4 times. BRrrRRrrr!! As you will notice no, we did not get anything! Bummer!!! But we were only out there for an hour because we had to get to Brandon's Parents house for dinner. Maybe next time I'll catch my Big One! :)

This Little Cutie had so much fun posing for his Mommy!! He was SO good letting me take his pics and I got several really great pics of him. It was a good thing we waited until he had his nap, or Oh Boy! he would have been grumpy!! Thank You Grandma and Papa for letting us use your pumpkins!!

Kaython atGrandma Bowcutt's after taking pictures with Ruthans family. He asked me at least a dozen times if we could takes pics with the pumpkins! So, of course, after 12 times, what could it hurt, right(?), so I gave in! Actually, I really wanted to take the pics with the pumpkins; I just wanted to wait until Kelton woke up, so here is the one Kaython picked to have put on here. The stinker kept giving me either crazy poses or super, super, cheesey smiles!

Autumn is Here!!

So today was a fun day!!! We went with my really good friend Ruthan, and her family to take their family pictures (NO, I am not a photogapher). We went up past Heise and took them by the old truck and the barn. I think we got some really cute ones and, as always, Ruthan looked so stinkin' gorgeous. Ruthan then treated us all to Heise Pizza! Mmmm! On the way back we decided we needed some more fall type pictures so we stopped and took some of the kids and Ruthan was nice enough to take a few of me and my boys!! (yes, it would be cuter if I looked a little cuter, and actually had finished my makeup, but that's not the point right!) Yep, these are my pridefuls, Kaython and Kelton!! I just love them too much! They just seem to make my heart so warm and happy!!

This pic was taken on Kaython's first day of school!! Wow!! That was a crazy day for me! Where do the years go? He is such a fun boy and his personality is beginning to come out more and more as time goes by! He says some of the funniest things lately...some of the craziest things too. It's scary how much he wants to learn. The other night we were driving home from Rexburg and he wanted me to tell him about our hearts. What's our heart for? How does it make that sound I hear with your ear thingy? How big is it? Do animals have one? As the conversation went on I told him that our heart pumps blood to get oxygen to our brain, our fingers, and our toes and he asked more in depth questions like, whats oxygen for? How do we breathe? Why is blood red? How come we can get cuts and not die? Then it went on to the brain, what's it made of? Whats the mushy stuff made of? So many more questions on the brain and then it went to the skin. Why is it this color? What is it made of? So on and so fourth the WHOLE way home. I'm thinking to myself, Ok..this is more like sixth grade questions and I'm answering them to a kindergartener....I keep telling him, if you keep asking questions like this I'm going to make you grow up to be a Doctor...he walks a way and just says, well, we'll see! What a stinker!!! He is so good at memorizing and he is able to spell some words by sounding out the letters. I LOVE IT! It makes me feel like I've taught him well!! Yeah for me!