Clapp family adventures

off my phone from the weekend... family trip to long beach

2010-10-10T19:35:00.001-07:00

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You never know what kind of pictures I will end up taking while out and about with the entire family.... especially when other people get ahold of it :)

Some Scentsy...

2010-10-10T19:13:00.000-07:00

This summer was my second year attending Scentsy Convention. I traveled to Denver for 4 days of nothing but friends (bonding with old, making new), downline/upline, home office friends and more Scentsy spirit anyone can digest! Here are just a few pics of what we experienced!!

beach party at Yo-cream.. of course

2010-10-10T19:07:00.000-07:00

Summer fun

2010-10-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

Our summer evenings were full of the park!

April in Logan

2010-10-09T13:33:00.001-07:00

Our family loves a reason for a road trip... and visiting Logan, UT is one of our fave places to travel to. We hung out with Aric's sister Eilene's family for the week, and while visiting we had an opportunity to get a few pictures taken of our family! I know we are totally cute!!

We are alive!!!

2010-10-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

Wow, has it really been 7 months since I have blogged?? I blame it on Facebook... really its been too easy to neglect. Though social networking has been amazing and I love the fast quip of the day, it is more about me and less about our family. I want to share more of my wonderful family with you, and with me.. because sometimes the days are long and I forget how blessed I am!
So here I am back with a renewed goal to keep on top of this!

Build a bear

2010-03-04T20:18:00.000-08:00

Aric got a new video camera 'thing' for Christmas. It has been great 'cause we feel like we aren't very good at doing the video thing, well now we are so efficient at it that we have slacked on regular photos! so her are a few video to catch you up!

Dylan in a rocket ship

2010-03-04T20:06:00.001-08:00

Dylan found a box at my brother's wedding reception, and new just what to do with it!

A little December Catch up!!

2010-01-02T21:02:00.001-08:00

Christmas morning, this was the best we could do for a picture this year, as both of the boys were way into their toys!! What a great morning we had!! I think this is the best Christmas we have ever had, and truly were able to enjoy our time together with each other!!

Dont ask Dylan where Santa lives....

2009-12-13T22:02:00.001-08:00

He will tell you that Santa lives at the mall!

Beach trip!

2009-12-09T22:49:00.000-08:00

This past weekend my Grandma had us to her beach condo in Depot Bay. Our trip was just for sat & Sun but the short time was spent enjoying her company and being together! The boys loved having their Gramma gramma read stories, watch the sea gulls, of course some football, and lots of legos!!

Family pic preview

2009-11-29T22:31:00.000-08:00

For the real action go to polkadotphotgraphy.net go to the blog, and please leave a comment. I need 15 more to get a free mini album!!!

Making breakfast... doing a craft

2009-11-29T22:21:00.000-08:00

Abby hard at work!

Dylan opted for the easier version- a bracelet.. oh sorry D I mean "watch"

Tuesday Am I put out bowls of dry fruit-loops and apple-jacks for the kids to string and make breakfast necklaces. Oh the simple joys of crafting at the breakfast table!

and the blog must go on..

2009-11-29T22:03:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics to catch us up. Horrid I know. It should just be sign of how busy the boys, daycare, and Scentsy is keeping me.
For Halloween weekend we took a quicky trip to disneyland. My first big Scentsy check was enough to pay for the trip, so we thought what the heck. Lets go for the weekend!! We got to trick or treat at California Adventure on Halloween! How often do you get to say you did that!!

2009-09-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

I went to Scentsy convention, in Salt Lake City UT!! That is me with my Director Ali in front of the Salt Palace with the Scentsy bling bling!!!

Days like these

2009-08-18T22:55:00.000-07:00

I love every part of motherhood, even the part that is not just about my own children.
I love the simple joy of adding dish soap to the sand and water table, and watching what came next.. I love watching Dylan try and pull Zoe in the wagon, and I love days like these!

Where has the summer gone

2009-08-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

A trip to Long Beach...

Peddle faster Daddy!

Middle of August we followed the Jeffries family to Benson lake in northern WA for our camping trip...

All of the little guys gathering around uncle mike!

Dylan chillin in his little chair!

"practicing" camping in the garage....

New sandbox

2009-07-09T23:58:00.000-07:00

Aric had the holiday weekend off, plus a few at home vacation days. WE made great use of the time and re-did the office.. I will post pics soon.. as well as he built the boys a sandbox outside! The sandbox was the hit of the year.. they played for 4 hours on Monday, again Tuesday, more on Wed, and the only reason they missed today is because we went to the children's museum and the weather was icky!
Great Job Dad!!

2009-06-25T00:51:00.000-07:00

Clayton chillin with the bubbles

Half the kids...

Courtney's little guy jack.. trying to eat the bubble rocket

Zoe.. the newest addition to my days... our newest daycare kiddo

The "babies"

Hunter, Abby, and Clayton digging in the barkdust

Zoe chillin with a ball.. in the new outfit I bought her from gymboree.. I couldn't help myself!

Just a quick note to say that summer is off to a fantastic start in the Clapp home! Monday had me shaking a bit when I finally got in the shower during nap time to hear the thudding rumble of 2 sets of 4 year old feet through my hallway, than through my bedroom, enter my bathroom to boldly announce that they needed to pee! While doing so Clayton and Beck managed to wake up the 3 other children under the age of 2.. napping. Leaving me wet to exit the shower to wrangle 3 sleep deprived kiddos... the afternoon carried on that same tune from there. Lucky for me..............
Tuesday rocked!! Super impromptu play date with Courtney and Holly and the kids... making it 8 total! Played in the yard a ton, and way too much fun!

Our first craft-show

2009-06-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

Aric has been doing vinyl work for years now, as his side gig. He prefers cars and business work, but I have him talked into home decor as the major mover or projects. We finally decided that between scentsy and his signs we should do a craft show. Well one fell into our lap at a local church, so he worked late into the night for a few weekends to fill a small booth. We fared well, and enjoyed the chat time with one another. We have many more shows lined up... I am so proud of my husbands work!! Just a few pics of our little booth!!

2009-06-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

Abby and Clayton hanging out by the pool!

Dylan and Jack showing me their great sun-safe hats and playing in the water table!!

The sun has been shining brightly, thus bringing out the swimwear and water toys. And our first summer play-date! We finally made friends with a 'gym-friend', Courtney and her little guy Jack. The boys love Jack, making it easy to have him over to play!!

June is rolling by!

2009-06-10T15:18:00.000-07:00

We ended May with a long weekend with Aric home... I still had day-care kids to keep busy. On our list has been the air museum near fort Vancouver. Aric and I took all 4 kids to check out the old aircraft and explore some history. It was fun chasing the kids around, we had the museum to ourselves and got to do a few things that larger crouded days don't allow for... like climb in things!

Happy Birthday little one!

2009-05-21T13:44:00.000-07:00

Just a peak at my life 2 years ago.... Happy 2nd Birthday to our little D!!

Photos

2009-05-11T12:17:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share this link... Tara did clayton's brand new baby pics and still has one of his shots on her website..but right now through her blog she is offering a great deal so I wanted to share!

http://tmcustomportraits.blogspot.com/

So... Thanks to you dear Clayton & Dylan... and someday more babies to come

2009-05-09T22:49:00.000-07:00

I know that mother's day is supposed to be a day where we recognize our own Mother's and all that they do for us... but on the eve of that day I am feeling rather blessed to be a Mother myself.
I often thank Clayton and Dylan for letting them be their Mom, and I mean it. I am so lucky to be a Mother, that Heavenly Father has trusted me with these precious souls. I am lucky to watch them grow, and learn. Experience their ups and downs with them. I love learning to laugh as the lunch out at Taco Bell goes terribly wrong, because it was a late night, and an early morning, and we are already late for nap... When will I learn! I love seeing their eyes light up, as they learn about Heaven, and Heavenly father, and Jesus. I love that I have 2 sets of eyes on me all the time, even in the dressing room at the nike store, on a trip that their Father was on too... I love the conversation in the dressing room between Clayton and I while I tried on a sports bra: "mom why do you not have milk in your boobs?"
Me: "Because I don't have anymore babies to feed.."
Clayton: "but when Heavenly Father puts another baby in your belly you are going to need to drink a lot of milk so you have it to feed the baby when it comes out."
Me: laughing and smiling, "you are right Clayton"
I love knowing my place on the earth, and my place in Heavenly Father's plan. I hope I am doing it right, and I love learning how to do it every day!

Wonderful Vacation with my boys

2009-05-02T22:14:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year my girlfriends and I had a garage sale.. that was pretty successful. I was afraid if I didn't do something exciting with my $$$ it would end up at Target or Gymboree..... So I bought plane tickets for me and the kids and we flew to Vegas to spend wed-monday with my dear friend Mary Smith and her kids! We had a great time enduring the chaos of 4 kids under 4 and 3 adults, in a 2 bedroom apartment! Clayton had a bit of a rough time, and his behavior showed it. When we left he was just getting over a bit of a virus, and with us sleeping in the front room Clayton and Dylan were waking up at 6am! (we don't wake up early!!) So my poor Clayton was juggling the traveling and his extreme tiredness and unfourtnatly we were subject to a handful of meltdowns. But when he wasn't upset he was near perfect. I had a hard time with his behavior. I felt bad that Mary had to see him act that way, and was sad because that is not who Clay is or how he regularly acts. I also felt bad for him, that I was letting him down because maybe I was not able to react or parent as well as he deserved because I was on my own with both boys, and tired as well.
These pictures are completley out of order, but here is a peak at our adventures through Mesquite, NV and St. George, UT.

We passed the St. George Temple on the freeway and the kids were so excited to see "God's Castle" that Mary and I decided to take a trip in one morning to their visitors' center and to walk the Temple grounds. Dodger and Clayton climbed the large staircase to the top and parked it in the doorway!
A large staircase to rest...
climbing on up!
Sweden turned 2 in Feb and Dylan will be 2 at the end of May.. they enjoyed bath time together and snuggling in the towels on the floor waiting to be lotioned up!
The big boys taking it easy!
Once again our little hams..being cheesy together!

"Cheese Momma!!"

Polly found lots of spots to snuggle in with the kids either during play-time or nap-time...

The best part of vacation was the sitting around and doing nothing part... the weather of course was beautiful and we lounged in the water and played with squirt guns.

Dodger Smith

Claton Clapp

Sweden Smith

Dylan Clapp

Our last morning with the Smith family, we had a pancake breakfast birthday party. Mary and I decorated the evening before with streamers and balloons. All 4 kids received a book and bubble wand as their birthday gift. Mary made pancakes with chocolate doughnuts on top to hold the candle. It was a great way to spend our last morning together!

The last picture of our monkeys together!!

Some super cute Sunny-Sunday no-occasion wear... and few grandparents

2009-04-20T18:14:00.000-07:00

So excited about the wonderfully sunny day Sunday turned out to be! I was even more thrilled.. pathetic I know... that I got to put new outfits on the boys! After naps we sported our new threads while hiking 'round' lake with my Dad, step-MOM, and sisters.

if it was good, why not great

2009-04-17T23:31:00.000-07:00

I think I should start keeping score.. but if i live to tell the tale that may be enough! Today was good.. close enough to great to count. I am truly blessed to be able to love my boys. Clay was great, Dylan was cute. My best moments today were on the couch, yes i let myself sit down, and had a mid-day read with the boys and the neighbor girl i watch... an entire 30 minutes. Do you know how many red fish blue fish books that is! Nearly perfect! Clayton can pick out the word fish, off of the page, and Dylan can tell you what most of the books are called or what they are about by looking at the cover.
I didn't make it to the gym today, but I think I am still breathing, so I will not dwell on that loss. I had a scentsy party tonight, and it went great. I really enjoy it, nothing in particular, or maybe just that it is going well and that I am good at it. It is hard to know if I am good at something anymore, as Mothering is sort of an abstract event! Aric just walked into the kitchen from working on the car and said, "life is good" we measure it differently at times! But love it just the same!
I love this life!

Just a little love note....

2009-04-16T22:44:00.000-07:00

A week ago today my first born turned 4 years old. I am still not sure how I feel about it; by the time I figure it out he will be 5 and I have to start all over again! Clayton is one of the smartest boys I know, one of the whiniest, but The CuTESt. I feel like we are on a constant learning curve. Between him and Dylan by the time we figure something out, something new comes along. I guess Heavenly Father knows I don't like to be bored, or to do the same thing over and over again! Still I know how lucky I am to be a Mother, what a gift, and blessing that in itself is! I am thankful for all that Clayton has taught me, as my first he is truly the one teaching me how to be a Mom and I hope that his younger brother will thank him for it someday. ( we can hope right?!)

Blast off Birthday #4

2009-04-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

Thursday Clayton will turn 4... I want to cry just thinking about it.. where has the time gone...
In honor of his day we threw him an out of this world space themed party. I just wanted to share a few of the pic from the festivities. The living area was decorated with a large inflatable solar system hung from the ceiling, along with white christmas lights (stars) and paper stars as well. Aric bbq costco dogs, strawberries and salad.. but mostly strawberries for the kids! We decorated treat sacs, ate lunch, went on an asteroid egg hunt, took our picture in a spaceship, and launched a bubble rocket. The weather was decent so we played in the house, garage and back yard. Opened presents, and ate a wonderful Rocket cake.. made by betty aric's mom! It was such fun.. and yes the decorations are still up until friday when it is officially over!

lots of saturday excitment

2009-03-24T12:06:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures of Colby's (clayton's best bud) birthday party on saturday. I only took 20 pics, and handful of them were ok. The kids were too busy for me to get a good shot, I will add more when the other mom's get me their pics. The party was at Gymboree play and music, and was the best birthday party we have ever gone too! The boys had a blast and ran around, and I really didn't have to do much except watch them have fun. Thanks Lyndsey for making it easy on us!!

Potty trained, a cute tie, and getting dirty in the yard... in no particular order!

2009-03-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

Today was a semi nice day so after pre-school the kids played out side, they were muddy and gross by the end, but happy. Dylan sported his first tie to church on sunday, and he loved it because it was a dinosaur- his fave! Also pictured is Dylan and his cute bum wearing underwear, or unders as they are called in our boy home! He has been dry every day all day, wearing underwear now going on two weeks, and tells me when he needs to go!! He is 21 months, and acts like potty training was the easiest thing he has ever done (took to it quicker than he did walking!) I am very greatful for his enjoyment of it!
The only exciting thing we did for st.patti's day was make green cookies, the boys enjoyed licking the bowl of course, and they were too cute so I had to snap a few pics! I love my kids!!

Our little beach get-away during our family "stay-cation"

2009-03-17T14:23:00.001-07:00

Aric took last week off of work with the plan to meet up with friends and family in california for a week... that plan changed when we calculated the airfair for 4, and all of our accomodations (silent swoon-faint) we decided to stay home for a week together!
Instead of sitting around the entire week of our "stay-cation" we took of to the beach for a 2 night, 3 day getaway. Mind you it was the second week in march and it was snowing at seaside,OR while we were there. We made the most of it, still swam, hit the arcade, ate at pig-n-pancake, and fed the Harbor seals at the aquarium! The boys loved staying in a condo, playing in the sand, and chasing the seagulls. I took my scrapbooking stuff to mess a little with while the boys played legos in a small condo that I didn't have to clean.. and surprisingly finished 8 pages of Dylan's baby book! It was great to have nothing pressing to do and just be together. We are so blessed!

Field trip to the Post Office

2009-03-01T22:15:00.001-08:00

Grandma Spencer ( Gee Gee) was in town visiting for the week so she came on the field trip too... she is helping Clay see where his letter went.

Dylan came along for the ride!

Clayton's pre-school class in front of the Camas post office

Walking from pre-school to the post office as a class. Grandma Clayton and Great Grandma Spencer came too.

Valentine's day in the Clapp home

2009-03-01T22:10:00.000-08:00

I am embarasingly behind on my blogging... xoxoxo! Valentine's day is a family 'holiday' in our home. The kids get little goodies and we do something fun together as a family. This year the boys got a toy to share, and we took Grandma Jeffries out to dinner. A low key day full of fun!

It's my party!

2009-02-10T21:48:00.000-08:00

My wonderful Husband and I!

Clayton melting my heart! He is such a sweat boy...99.5% of the time!

Dylan getting his pout on! Check out that bottom lip! He was scared of the big red robin mascot.. he was soo cute being so sad, so we snapped a picture. We had never seen that bottom lip before!

Clayton and the red robin mascot!

Thanks everyone for making my Birthday special! The day rolled along as usual, dishes, laundry, doing the floors, snotty noses, but was nice to be broken up with phone calls and texts of well wishes! Thanks!
My family took me to dinner at Red Robin tonight. It was great not to have to cook or clean up afterwords! I ate too much, but we had fun.

Watching out the window

2009-02-06T23:50:00.000-08:00

My boys love to look out the upstairs window of their play-room.. as it is the only window facing the front of our house. They both enjoy using a Rubbermaid container as a stool (it is full of play food) which I am always thrilled about! This was a cute picture I got of them together.. sadly I am unable to remember what they were looking at... either snow or the garbage truck. Both seem to come weekly and are a favorite site!

Just to fill you in

2009-01-20T21:47:00.000-08:00

Life has been oddly post holiday season busy for us (slash mostly me) around here lately. I feel bad but Facebook has been gleening most of my attention... I mean come on I know you understand. Four word updates are way easier than any amount in short essay form! Regardless I thought I should update you on our comings and goings, not just the errands:

Dylan decided back in December that he was ready to start peeing on the toilet... daily. I was not very ready myself.. as Clayton was an early potty kid (trained at 22 months!) I slightly enjoy the convenience of diapers. (bad mom I know) Finally with the new year we broke down, and started encouraging him... he is doing SUPER! Pee's and poops every day and can stay dry for hours. We have a long way to go, but I hope that by the time he needs to be potty trained it will be quick and easy!
I am killing myself trying to loose weight (laugh if you must, but to yourself please) apparently the scale that i thought was broken really wasn't so now I am way unhappy with what it says! I am back on weight watchers, and going to the gym both am and pm. I am down 2.5 lbs this last week so I will let you know how it goes... it has become a full time job!
It is official, I bore easy! I just joined Scentsy wickless candles as an independent consultant. SEE ME! I love their products and thought hey I could do that! It is fun, and something else to keep me busy! Plus it is way easy! I was carrying my little basket party samples through the mall with me, last friday after work, and the cell phone kiosk guys stopped me to say hi and see what i had.. I think hoping for cookies! The two 20 year old guys each bought a warmer and wax! CRAZY!
This will not surprise you one bit... my house is still not cleaning itself! But that is seriously an ongoing battle! Super purge coming soon!!

Bob the builder at the children's museum

2009-01-12T23:00:00.001-08:00

My friend Holly, her 2 boys, Me and my 2 + 1 boys loaded into her car on wednesday for a trip to the children's museum! These pictures are of our drive home, taken from my seat to the rear of the car. We were crammed in tight!

Dylan, Clayton and Beck finding the balls and stuffing them in the hole.

Dylan riding on Muck

The best shot I got of Clayton standing next to/near/in front of Bob the builder

My brood: My boys Dylan and Clayton as well as Beck (my 3 day a week son!)

Christmas Clapp style

2008-12-31T00:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning 2008
Aric, Brittany,
Dylan (19 months) and Clayton (3 1/2)

We had the best Christmas thus far as a family! The boys are at such a fun age, Christmas is so magical, and they are easy to please. Santa has finally become such a real concept, and all the rituals that come with it. Clayton has nearly mastered the Christmas story, he loves the nativity, and is learning the true meaning of the holiday. We were very blessed!

Checkin' out his brother and Daddy's stuff!

snuggling in for a naptime story

My Mom and Stepdad, Clayton with his jack-hammer from santa!

Santa brought Clayton his very coveted "docking station" for his planet heroes! He was very certain that Santa would be bringing it for him!!

Playing with the new toys, one of my favorite times of Christmas, sitting back and enjoying!

Checking on the rain-Deer food Clayton left out on Christmas eve. It was all gone, the deer and some birds ate it all up.

It has been snowing for a week.....

2008-12-20T19:36:00.000-08:00

Not much has been happening around this week, it snowed last weekend, melted and life was normal again for monday and tuesday. Clayton had pre-school on Tuesday, and with fear that it would be the last time b4 Christmas we took the teachers their gifts (part of it in picture) We have been able to be out and about in the weather from wed. on. I worked on Friday before it got bad, and we have been stuck at home all day today and it looks like it will be the same tomorrow too! These are some pictures of us... hanging out!

It actually snowed!

2008-12-14T23:34:00.000-08:00

We have been hearing the weather people tell us that it was going to snow.... since friday and today is sunday! It hit a bit earlier around the metro area, but nothing stuck out here until this morning around 9:30 am. Church was canceled so we laid low, watched Christmas movies, wore our sweats around (ok that is every-day) and had grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner. My parents braved the weather to keep up our sunday ritual of dinner and hang out time, they bundled the kids up to check out the snow, it only lasted a few minutes as it was 26*.

Dylan the skateboard pro!

2008-12-14T18:23:00.000-08:00

Tree Farm with pre-school

2008-12-09T15:30:00.000-08:00

Dylan is standing outside a cage of ducks, that is him using sign language and signing bird.

This morning we got up bright and early, 8 am, ok early for this house! Layered up the clothes, mittens, scarfs, and boots to head out to the tree farm field trip with pre-school. I drove the boys this time, as I chose not to chaperon so I didn't have to find a babysitter for Dylan whom is not old enough to ride the bus. 3 boys in tow we stopped at the local starbucks drive thru for hot coco, as we were out of milk, and yes $8 for coco was more convenient not cheaper than a gallon of milk this morning. I got down the road and after handing out the coco to the boys, I slurped my peppermint and realised yuck gross there was espresso in it!! ARgh. We were running late and I was down the road- so i ended up without.
We arrived at the tree farm in time to have snack, enjoy a hay ride, feed the animals, and hunt for a christmas tree for Clayton's class-room. The boys all had fun, it was a quick visit, but that was all i could handle keeping track of the 3 boys in a wilderness setting!
.... and yes on the way home I got my hot coco fixed and am a happy camper.

Desperately overdue

2008-12-04T22:42:00.001-08:00

Just some random cuteness I have been hogging. Sorry for the lack of sharing as of late.

Obsession is the slightest

2008-11-22T22:04:00.000-08:00

K. Trying not to sound like a total teenager, but I can not gab enough about my devotion to twilight. I was way late to jump on this wagon... did not read the first book until halloween weekend, and was so addicted that I finished all 4 books in 7 days. Yeah for no sleep! Camped out with my sister and her friends (they are 14, so please don't tease!) to see the first showing on thursday night. I about DIED. Trying not to barf between the 2 giant popcorn tubs we downed in 4 hours along with the 5 refills of the 52 oz mr. pibb we all shared.... and my ridiculous excitement/anticipation. I found myself giddy when the movie finally started and, picking it apart... urgh at myself now. I left with chaotic emotions... equalling a 2:30 am run to walmart to purchase the soundtrack to aid in my debacle: Loath the movie for all that it did not, or embrace the Twilight spirit and allow myself to be truly madly deeply obsessed and in love with said cult classic. Thus the later has come to pass.....
I am begging my husband to take me... or provide child-care so that I might partake of once more...
(Sigh)
I wanted to share one of my favorite movie pictures, I am not sure if this appeared in the actual film.. but for you nw natives they are in front of Multnomah falls!

Twilight

2008-11-12T22:12:00.001-08:00

YEAH!!!!!!
I just bought my tickets for thursday night showing of TWILIGHT!!! I am so excited, I get to take my little sister and Aric will be off work and home with the boys! I am seriously going to loose sleep over this, I think this might be better than Christmas.......

If you are happy and you know it clap your hands

2008-11-12T16:29:00.001-08:00

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

Thankful

2008-11-11T22:47:00.000-08:00

It seems that these late hours of the night are the ones that I am most thankful for what my Heavenly father has given, I have time to sit in quiet (a rarity in this house) and think....

I am thankful for a wonderful husband who drives me equally insane with passion and love as he does flat out insane! I would not trade a day with him for one-without. I feel like he is the best partner I could have ever hoped for, Aric puts on a great game face to navigate this crazy life we call ours! Together we have a very blessed life, full of family and friends, a beautiful home, the gospel, and our 2 wonderful boys.

I would not be a mother without my two monsters. They are truly my morning and my night. Without them my world would not turn. I love everyday that I am given to watch them learn and grow, and sometimes I like to think that I have had something to do with their greatness! I am living my dream, I will not lie about that. I have wanted nothing more than to be a Mom, and manage home and family. Yes, some days are hard, and sometimes I don't sleep ( due to reading twilight....) and yes sometimes there is poop on my floor (today...) but Clayton's big eyes and Dylan's cheesy grin make it all worth it.

I am so blessed!

2008-11-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

Clay came up with this on his own: He was wearing his new bathrobe around this morning and asked for a santa hat, and he had been wearing the lights around last night... he put the white lights around his neck to look like santa's beard!

Trick or Treat

2008-11-05T23:03:00.000-08:00

Clayton and Dylan of course were adorable trick or treating, we only made it down one street because they were so in love with the decorations and the other kids, and holding onto each piece of candy in their hands, not buckets! We even stopped in the middle of the road to play with a very friendly feline! My Dad and step Mom, and sister joined us for the trek!
Funny side note: Clayton barfed when we got home because we thought that he had eaten too much candy, but come to find out after a trip to the ER we took later in the weekend, Clayton has some gastro-intestinal problems to sort out. (nothing serious just tummy aches for awhile for the poor kid!)

2008-11-05T22:50:00.000-08:00

I have to tell you, that we have had the chance to do so much Halloween stuff this year it has been great. I have definitely gotten my $20 out of Clayton's costume and luckily Dylan was ecstatic to wear either of Clayton's previous costumes!
Colby and Carter came over for a play date the Wed. before halloween and we decorated cookies and let the boys play play play! We found out about this great thing that they do in down town Camas called the BOO BASH. They do it every year and it is from door to door in the shops... Anyways, we decided last minute to catch up with another friend and her boys, down town. So of course we didn't plan ahead enough to have Lyndsey bring costumes for her boys, or one for Beck who I had that day as well. So Colby and Clayton shared clay's pirate costume, Beck wore Clay's jean jacket and cowboy hat, Carter wanted to have nothing to do with Clayton's 2nd Halloween Dino costume, but Dylan fell in love with it so much that he was ok with Carter wearing nemo. So we pulled it together last minute and had a blast!

Halloween has come and gone

2008-11-05T22:48:00.000-08:00

Pics from my girlfriend Ann's son's first birthday party: Buddies Clayton and Liam, Adrianna and Dylan

My Halloween/party decorations

2008-10-26T01:47:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with these spiders I cut from black paper, half had glittered legs and the others had none. I cut 100 including all of the little ones that were on the walls. It has felt very festive in here the past week! Of course we had the traditional streamers and balloons too.

Halloween pictures

2008-10-22T05:19:00.000-07:00

Just a peak at the Halloween pictures we had taken on Monday at the picture people. The boys both had colds so they were not so cooperative, hence me in a few of the shots. Good thing I didn't wear gym clothes out that day!

Papa's pumpkin patch

2008-10-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

Saturday eve. we visited Aric's parents for dinner, and to explore their garden aka the pupkin patch! The boys loved climbing through the corn, and papa & Grandma's pumpkins were all the perfect size for them to carry home!

Papa's pumpkin patch

2008-10-18T23:44:00.000-07:00

Our Halloween party!

2008-10-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

Pirates, Lions, Skeleton's OH-MY!

Liam in cute skeleton pj's and blue hair

All of Analiese's loot from the treasure hunt

Good to the last lick.

Yummy cookies for all!

Analiese, Dylan, and Adrianna, and the little lobster is 7 week old Peter!

Abby was Elmo.. who all the babies loved.
Concentrating on stickers!

I love Halloween, next to Christmas it is my favorite celebration. Since we have had children we have tried to something special for the season, now that they are both at such fun ages we thought it was time we threw a party! (yes 2 weeks early, but we wanted to kick of the holiday early!) I have been working for weeks on invites (I will post them later), decorations, games, food, etc! I love planning that sort of stuff so it has been fun. The night was great, but busy with 8 families with at least 2 kids each. The weather was wonderful so we were able to sneak in some outside time too, helpful to relieve the noise and energy of little kids. I love all my friends, especially there kids!
We decorated buckets that Aric monogrammed with vinyl and they all got to put Halloween foam stickers all over it. We ate nachos for dinner, played outside, decorated sugar cookies, and had a "treasure hunt" in hay in the garage. (they did great with this, and loved the little treasures they found!) We ended with dessert, and I finally let them break out the toys from the closet!

Pumpkin patch field trip with pre-school

2008-10-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

Harvest Party at pre-school

2008-10-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

Our photo session today

2008-10-11T23:29:00.001-07:00

I wanted to post a teaser of the wonderful pictures we had taken today! To see a few of the other click here.
We started at 9 am at the Washougal River green way. It was chilly but beautiful, and the boys enjoyed wondering around. We had a great time, and it was casual and fun, not fridged and rushed like in a studio. The boys loved the photographer, Jen, so that made it a lot easier.

Dylan's random cuteness

2008-10-08T23:15:00.000-07:00

A few recent shots of Dylan being his cute 16 month old self!

A sunday hike in Washougal

2008-10-08T23:05:00.000-07:00

We are very blessed by the abundance of trails and hiking access that we have available to us, living in Washougal: Sunday we drove a mile down the road to take a little hike through trees, and over a bridge that crossed a stream. Simple pleasures of nature and family!
Yes my husband is wearing a plastic fire-man-hat... remember we went to the fire-station the day before and all are still a little excited about it! (namely clayton)

more...

2008-10-06T14:57:00.000-07:00

This picture of Dylan and Carter trying to figure out smokey the bear, cracks me up. When he walked away from them they tried to follow!

more...

2008-10-06T14:52:00.000-07:00

Fire-Station open house

2008-10-06T14:35:00.000-07:00

We met our friends: Joe and Lyndsey, their boys colby and carter, at Safeway starbucks for hot cocoa and walked across the street to tour the fire station's open house. Lots of fun and tons of pictures to follow!

work in progress...

2008-10-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

Just a quick share of some cute paper-piecing I am working on for Clayton and Dylan's halloween party. I cut part with my cricut machine and the rest by hand. Wanted to show off the fun I am having tonight.

My husbands handy work

2008-09-28T22:41:00.000-07:00

I don't often talk about my husband Aric on the blog because I get so caught up in the adventures of motherhood and my boys, that by the time those topics are covered I am out of time! He is always busy with projects around the house, both big and small. He is such a great partner, we make the best team.

I thought that I would show off a little something he made for me this weekend. Aric and I do Vinyl wall/decor work out of our home as a side business, but more often than not Aric makes things as jobs or for gifts and we have little to show off in our own home.

I finally said something and we both laughed, later that same day he asked me to pick out a quote and a spot... I decided that I wanted to have a seasonal thought/quote/ image to change up every few months.

Here is the picture of it on my wall, sorry honey the picture does not do it justice! Thank You!

Just a look at fall in our home

2008-09-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a few pictures of the fall decorations we have transitioned into. I usually have them up the first of sept but our weather here had been nothing like fall, still very summer, so i waited! The decoration on the tall bookcase are different than I have done in the past, the top of that unit really needed something substantial, so there it is.
I am very happy to welcome fall now!!

Dylan is a fish

2008-09-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

My Aunt kk bought Clayton his very first halloween costume, a cute nemo outfit. I pulled it out of the closet a few weeks back to try it on Dylan to see if it would fit him. It did! Just to let you know clayton wore it at 9 months Dylan is wearing it at 16 months! yes clay was a beast! Dylan loves to wear nemo, he pulls it out of the laundry basket that is its home until halloween, and wants me to put it on him nearly every day! He is so cute as a fish and even does the asl sign for fish while wearing it. I tried to snap some pics while he was running around the house this weekend in the top half of the costume!

Wednesday night

2008-09-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

We were getting ready to head out to the gym last night and Dylan was being cute, so I had to snap a picture of my boys. I had just cleaned out the bookshelf and re-organized the books, D found this box of bob the builder books with a handle, and a dvd without a case. He decided to carry them around the house the rest of the night and to the gym!

I had to snap a picture of Clayton too, to be even, and he really wanted to show off this new batman toy!

I love my boys!

Scattergories

2008-09-13T22:42:00.000-07:00

I was totally tagged to do this:
Use the first letter of your name to answer the following. They have to be real places, things, names...nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person who tagged you had the same first initial. You can't use your name for the boy/girl name question... Here goes!

Your name: Brittany
4-letter word: baby
Pro sports team: blazers
Celebrity/band: beastie boys (double!!)
Vehicle: bmw
TV shows: bob the builder
City: bend
Boy name: beau bridges (double)
Girl name: betty
Occupation: bat boy (does that count as double?)
Something you wear: bra
Something you throw away: bread crumbs
Food: broccoli
Something you find in a bathroom: bathtub
Reason for being late: babies
Something you shout: "big mistake mister!"

I swear, all of those were the first thing that came to my mind. That's how you play - it's timed! I tag: Lyndsey, Mary, and Jill. Good luck and I can't wait to read them!

No more Nursing

2008-09-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

Not that everyone needs to know, but this week has brought many changes for me as a mom. Clayton started pre-school yesterday and last friday Dylan began the weekend long process of being fully "off the boob" (thanks, aric for the quote) I am trying to work up the courage to remove the breastfeeding ticker on the left side of the blog. We ended the breastfeeding adventure at 1 year 3 months 2 weeks and 1 day! I have mixed emotions about this, excited for the freedom it will give, and sad, not because I want him to nurse forever but because he is old enough to be done. My babies are growing up!
Motherhood is an awesome, ever changing adventure!

Clayton's first day of pre-school!

2008-09-10T14:49:00.001-07:00

I can not believe that I dropped my son off for his first day of pre-school. Clayton goes every Tue/Thursday from 12:30-3:00.

The preparations for this day and new adventure have created a mass of mixed emotions for myself (and I think the Dad as well) We have been excited to do the school supply shopping and to attend the new parent orientation, nervous that he might not get to the bathroom in time, sad that he is actually old enough to do these things already! Never once were we concerned that he would do well in the class room, or have trouble with us leaving him! (because he didn't mind at all!)

These Pictures are of Clayton and Beck (the little boy I watch, and is in the same class) being very excited to start the day, and even taking a moment to smell the flowers....?
No, there were bees in those flowers so of course they were intrigued by them.

I left the parking lot with Dylan in the car seat, feeling a little alone, but in a good way. I drove the 10 minutes driveway to driveway. Dylan fell asleep as I hoped that he would, I put him down in bed, and sighed. What will I do with 2 hours... CLEAN HOUSE! What a treat, I cleaned.. really cleaned and it stayed clean because no-one was around to mess it up. I loved it. I get to do it again on Thursday, and the following week as well. I LOVE PRE-SCHOOL!

Check back often for more pre-school updates!

Monday at the river

2008-09-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

September has surprised us with some beautiful late summer days. Trying to make the most of what might be the last of summer; we spent Monday night at our fave local beach spot (cotton wood beach) My parents and 2 of my little sisters joined us along with my girlfriend Shanna and her family (the cute baby girl in the picture!) It was a fun relaxing evening by the water.

just a few to catch up

2008-09-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

I have not been paying attention to the blog the past few weeks, the end of summer caught up with me and went out in a blut! Here are a few pictures of the boys being cute.

Clayton cooks with vegetables and other Saturday night excitments

2008-08-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

Our first trip to the Children's Museum

2008-08-17T12:42:00.001-07:00

Aric took some vacation time this week, to spend some lazy days and play as a family. With the heat exceeding 100* we opted out of back-yard play. We hadn't been to the Children's museum yet, and they have AC so that seemed better than sitting around our house all day. Both boys (ok all the boys) including mom had a blast. Aric enjoyed playing with them, and I actually got to sit back and be the observer. We did it all, built a house, played in the water room, dug in a rubber pit, explored fossils. Check out the cute pictures of all their fun!

Our first trip to the Children's Museum

2008-08-17T12:33:00.001-07:00

Dylan is still a little bit on the small side to enjoy all of the exploring options that the CM has to offer. But I think he did a pretty good job trying to make the most of his small size! If you can't tell by the picture that is Aric there making the most of his big size, "digging out the corners".

Our first trip to the Children's Museum

2008-08-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

Full Moon

2008-08-15T00:50:00.001-07:00

Tonights post is just a quick cute quip from my adorable whitey 3 year old:

Exiting Wal-mart after our way too late night grocery shopping extravaganza, I mentioned to Clay to check out the big full moon. (it was a clear sky with a huge gorgeous white moon)
I said, "Clayton the moon is full tonight"
Clayton asked, "What'd he eat?"

I knew right away what he meant by that, if you are full than you must have eaten... usually too much!

(ok it was funnier at the time!)

sand, sun, and sharing

2008-08-12T17:14:00.000-07:00

Colby and Carter (& Lyndsey) came to play today. We ate lunch and than turned the boys out to play in the yard, while we sat and chatted like Moms do best. Carter shared water with Dylan and it was so cute to see them interact and D signed 'thank you' to his friend. The big boys had fun in the sand although it wasn't quit as exciting as cottonwood beach... maybe next week.

Baby shower invites

2008-08-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

The past two weekends I have been busy making shower invitations for 2 seperate events. The boy one is this coming week, and i made 60 of them in 2 days. The girl ones are in 2 weeks and I made 18 of them, hence the more elaborate layout for her. All of the info was printed and glued to the back of both.

Monday and Thursday, because it was such fun

2008-08-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

Our new discovery here in Washougal is Cotton Wood Beach. A nice sandy riverfront beach with real sand, and calm shallow water, with picnic benches and new bathroom and a great parking lot. We are in love, it takes 2 minutes to drive there so it is extra easy to only go for even an hour! Monday we went with my parents and some friends from church, Clayton got to try out the kayak my dad just purchased, and Dylan enjoyed making mud in the sand!
We had so much fun that evening, that we went back on Thursday morning with my sisters, and beck. We ended up running into other Mom's and kids that we new from church too.
I am counting this as my park for the week, especially since we were there twice! (it is a city park)

We have been busy!

2008-07-31T22:44:00.000-07:00

Just a little update on the adventures in the land of my boys:
We have been successful on our quest to stay busy including but not limited to a new park each week. Last week the boys both fell asleep from our first destination and Aric and I played at the park while they slept in the car! (really it was a friends birthday party so we played...)
Last Friday we visited my aunt Mary at her wonderful home in battleground, where we visited and swam in their pool. It was fun to see her and to play with some cousins. Those are my fondest memories of summer, those spent with my cousins!(see pics)
Monday a few friends (a new friend and an old friend) and their kids came over to play, a full house was fun! (see pics)

I have been enjoying staying busy. Although it makes the days go by faster, for the good and the bad. The house isn't any cleaner and they don't play any quieter, but we are sure having fun spending time being mother and sons!

Enjoying Sunday-sunshine

2008-07-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

My Mom and Step-dad Terry come over every Sunday for dinner and to spend time with the boys. It was a nice afternoon so we made a picnic outside, and played for awhile. Clayton and his Buddy(terry) were shooting nerf guns at buckets, and Grandma!
Dylan and Daddy were having fun with the bubbles... until daddy put them away and Dylan melted into this awful face!
And we saw a grasshopper on the play structure soAric caught it gently and put it in a bug cage so Clayton could watch it for a few minutes and than we let it go.

2008-07-21T23:15:00.000-07:00

2008-07-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

2008-07-19T14:02:00.000-07:00

Cousins

2008-07-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

After the Bear Lake part of our vacation, we drove the hour through Logan Canyon to visit Aric's sister Eilene and her family. Eilene is Aric's oldest sibling, her husband is a chiropractor in Logan, UT and they have 5 kids . We stayed with them Wed, and Thursday before driving home to WA. Clayton had a blast with the big boys and the girls who are 5 and 7 enjoyed chasing him and Dylan around being little mommy helpers. It was a very nice visit and truly enjoy the time that we get to spend with Eilene and her wonderful family. When I am around her family it makes me want to have a large family!
Here are some fun pictures of our time with them!

A new park

2008-07-16T22:16:00.000-07:00

My newest goal for the short bit of summer and warm bit of fall, is to go to a new park once a week. There are so many great parks here in clark county, and a good excuse to get out and about with the boys. I looked up the parks online... yeah way too many. We could hit 2 parks a week and not even make all of them by christmas! So this week we played at 2 parks so far. The first was Orchards park east with my girlfriends and their little monsters, and the second was today for a picnic and lunchtime play with grandpa and the boys. (Carter park, south vancouver)

Yeah! New Hair!!

2008-07-15T22:31:00.000-07:00

I just snapped this picture really quick before I go to bed, I had my hair chopped off yesterday and am way in love with it! My cousin Katelyn cut it for me, but it was with many suggestions from my girlfriend Mary that pushed me over the edge. I haven't had my hair this short since Clayton was born, due to a deal that my husband and I made. I got pregnant and he got long hair (on me). Honestly during new motherhood a pony tail was way easier and much more practical. I have since grown bored with the style.
Just wanted to share, especially while it still looked good today (ok 5 hours ago it still looked good. lol) because my cousin styled it for me again today!

Bear Lake trip

2008-07-13T00:12:00.000-07:00

We are home!! Nothing better than a vacation, other than that first night home in your own bed! We had a blast spending time with family and catching a chat with friends.
I had so many pictures that i created my first slide show, so please take a peak. We played on the beach of bear lake most days. Indulging in lots of sunscreen, life-jackets, and sand toys. (yes the mom was the only one who ended up getting burnt!) Clayton fell off the bow of the boat while anchored, trying to fill up a squirt gun, and thankfully wearing his life jacket. He laughs about it now. In between the sand and water, with My family, we met up with old friends of ours who were also visiting family in neighboring Idaho. We visited the Logan temple, Minnitonka caves, and at the end of the week spent 2 days with Aric's sister and her family. (I'll post more on that later!)
My Grandma treated us to a condo through world mark, so we were next door to my parents and sisters. Each morning Clayton would walk out the back door to knock on the door and wake up his aunts! We had alot of fun spending fun quality time with our family. Very thankful for the opportunity!

2008-07-13T00:11:00.001-07:00

2008-07-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

Dylan trying a lemon wedge with his grandma, and Clayton enjoying his ice cream feast. This was the coolest for him. 3 small scoops of vanilla ice cream, cup of choco sauce, caramel, whip cream and sprinkles. He was able to 'decorate' the ice cream however he wanted! What fun! (thanks aunt cindy)

one last thought before we are out the door

2008-07-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

Since I am writing to you it either means I am so efficient that I have been packed and ready to go for hours now, or that I am so in love with blogging that the thought of being away has brought me here for the last few minutes that I can. (ok maybe a bit of both!)
I wanted to add the pictures that my aunt emailed me of our saturday at the temple. Aric stayed home with the boys so I could attend with my family, and than met us outside for pictures before dinner at claim jumper.

We will be out of town for almost 2 weeks

2008-06-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

I just wanted everyone to know that we will be on vacation for awhile. We will not have our laptop with us, as internet will be few and far between, so less to lug around. I am sure I will have plenty of blogging to do when I get home, as 2 weeks away with my monsters will provide plenty a topic! We will be in bear lake, UT for the first week to vacation with our family and see our friends, Mary and Tyson Smith who will be visiting their family their as well. Laurel Richardson I hear rumors that you might be joining the Reed Clayton family for part of their stay as well. I hope that is true because I would love nothing more that to meet the cute girl of yours!
Talk to you all soon!
Mary I can't wait to see you!!!!!

2008-06-29T22:08:00.001-07:00

Tonight the boys were playing with dart guns that Grandpa brought. This seemed to be the funnest part though. Sticking them on each others faces!

2008-06-29T22:02:00.000-07:00

Friday one of my 'bestest' friends and her two little boys came over to play. This is is her youngest little guy Christian. He is the cutest little guy, I think that Dylan thought he was fun to snuggle, and soon they will be running around together, just like their older brothers!! We love our friends! Thanks A,L,C for coming to visit!

2008-06-29T21:58:00.000-07:00

We just ordered 5 new signing time movies for the boys, they are like gold in this house. I personally was very ready for them as well! I got Dylan one of the baby signing times, that are geared towards the younger crowd, this is him watching it come on for the first time. He looks like such a big guy with those long legs!