Life is NOT very "Grape" at the moment...

Guess who's been sick, again. Surely no on at the Tuttle house. Wishful thinking. Lewlew woke up Wednesday morning about 1:30 throwing up. She only threw up once and then felt kinda yucky for the rest of Wednesday and some of Thursday. Noodle woke up Friday night about 11:30 throwing up. She threw up off and on all day Saturday - with about 3 hours in between throw ups. We thought it had passed through up, but to our surprise, she threw up Sunday night about 11:00 - just once. On Saturday, I was nauseous and not feeling well. I threw up once late Saturday night and have slowly recovered since. At the moment, my mom isn't feeling very well. I'm not sure what her "throw up" status is. And we're just waiting for Buddy and Hubs to get it and then see if it starts all over again. Isn't life wonderful???

Weather & Potty Training

This weather is killing me. It's like we're having an Indian Summer. It's in the mid to upper 80's. When my aunt was here from Colorado, she said it has already frozen there! Then we have some pretty chilly days and now it's upper 80's. Go figure. I'm trying to enjoy it. Cold weather is on the way. Maybe this means we'll have a really WET winter?? Wishful thinking???

So Lewlew can sing many songs, she can transform some of Buddy's transformers, she has a few books memorized but she won't consistantly potty in the toilet. Is it me? Am I doing something wrong? Is it the weather?? It's so annoying! She's smart, she knows (at least I think so) but she won't do it! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Birthday Cupcake

I made cupcakes for Hubs's birthday. Even though they didn't turn out like the picture on the recipe did, I think they turned out OK. They were yummy too!

This "doll" cake was made by Bestie for my mom. Thanks, Bestie!! You did a FABULOUS job!

This kids decided Nana needed flowers for her birthday:

And for me, because I was sick. They are sure pretty.

Sicko's

So a few weeks ago - Bret got sick. Some sort of infection. Then he had to have a scope - on his esophagus. Then he got staff infection and then cellulitous on his face. (I didn't get pictures.) The most serious was the cellulitous. Apparently it can cause brain damage, meningitis, all kinds of things. He ended up having 2 BIG shots of antibiotic and a prescription of antibiotics. He is on the mend and his face looks MUCH better. Then I got strep - again! Third time this year. Of course it was bad. I ended up having a shot of muscle relaxer, and then 2 days later a shot of antibiotic, a shot of steroid, and a shot of pain reliever and sleep aid. Finally we are all on the mend. As of right now my throat doesn't hurt as much as my butt!! I think we are all doing pretty well at the moment. But unfortunately, I missed most of my Aunt's visit. (I'm so sorry Aunt Kate. Please come back again!) I hope this isn't a pre-cursor for what this winter will bring!!

Happy Birthday, Mister!

Today, the 19th, is Mister's birthday. He is 33 years YOUNG!!

When I asked Buddy what his favorite thing about his dad is, this is what he had to say:

"I like when we play tackle. I like when he transforms my transformers. I like when play action figures and dinosaurs together. I like when he helps me with my homework. When I grow up I want to be just like my Daddy. I love you Dad!"

This is what Noodle said:

"I like to play tackle. I like him to push me on

the swing. I like when he reads me a story and

then snuggles with me. I like when he plays horsey. I love for Dad to carry me. I also like him to tickle me. He's the best dad!"

Lewlew sorta said:

"I like to play 'Daddy the Human Slide.' I like when he carries me on his feet. I like to have him push me on the swing and chase me. I like when he sings the "Whopdedooper" song. I just love him!!

Before I met Mister, I didn't think there were any guys like him left. I thought I could find a good enough guy, but to actually find one of "those" guys that "other people" talked about was not even a distant hope for me. Imagine my surprise when we started dating. There was at least one of them left. Yipee!!! Marring him was probably the best thing I've ever done. Our life hasn't been perfect (is there such a thing) but I've never been unhappy. He is very considerate and kind to others, especially his loved ones. He has a strong testimony of the gospel. He's one heck of a husband and a terrific dad to our kids. My life would just not be complete without him. Before this gets too mushy, I love you, Hunny. Happy Birthday!!

The bottom picture is during one of Hubs' many Karate tournament. He eventually earned a second degree black belt. He also earned his Eagle Scout when he was 14. You wouldn't know it now because he keeps his hair so short but he still has really curly hair. Thankfully a little was passed on to our girls.

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Tuesday, the 16th, was my mom's birthday. I'm a little late posting because I've been sick - again! Anyway her sister came from Colorado. As a family we went on the Heber Creeper and Mom and Aunt Kate spent the days driving and visiting. It was so fun for my mom. Thanks for coming Aunt Kate!

Besides Bret, my mom is my best friend. She's always been there for me - even when I wasn't at my best. She has a strong testimony of the gospel and lives her religion. She's very caring and giving and compassionate and humble. When I was growing up, it was just the 2 of us most of the time. Several times I asked her to "borrow" money. She would go to her purse and literally give me the last $5 or $10 she had. She gave service all the time. She went back to college and graduated in three years with a BA and was on the dean's list

every semester. She's awesome! She's been a fabulous mom and she's

a fantastic Nana. I don't know what I would do without her. I'm so very thankful she lives with us. We love her and wish her a very happy 60th birthday!

I'm not sure how old she was in the baby picutre. But the picture of her in the blue sweater was her senior picture. The other one she was 26 years old.

Wasn't she pretty?? I mean once you take away the big hair and outdated clothes.

School

Buddy and noodle are doing good in school - so far. Mrs. Craft told me Buddy gives her a hug almost everyday. She said he's a sweet boy. He likes school ok - but doesn't love it. He hate that at lunch he can't have seconds on the main course (pizza) until everyone has been served. I keep telling him he needs to eat the other things on his tray.

Noodle loves kindergarten. She loves Mrs. Robinough. She loves the kids in her class. I wonder how long it will last. Hopefully longer than it did with Buddy.

There are some things I'll miss with the kids in school. Here are a few:

- the kids being able to lounge around in their jammies until whatever time

- not having to worry about the time

- not having to do homework, after school clubs, etc.

What I WON'T miss:

- the doorbell ringing 22 times a day

- "Mom can I..." 17 times a day

- 12 outfits a day because they are too hot or got wet or whatever!

I'm glad for changes. About the time I get really tired of the heat, fall comes and it cools off. About the time I'm so sick of cold I could scream, spring comes and it warms up. (I am thankful we live where the seasons change. I always say this weather (what we are having right now - in the 70's) is Celestial weather, but I wonder if I would get tired of it after a few years. I don't know. It's never stay around long enough for me to be ready for it to change.) It the same with summer break. I get tired (just like the kids) of homework and having to work around school schedules etc. So summer break is welcome. But then I am ready for them to go back. So it all evens out.

Lewlew and I are having fun going on bike rides (the bike trailer is SO much lighter without Noodle!) and playing. She's a little sweetie and a great companion for me. We talk about all kinds of stuff. She has her own language and a lot of time I can't understand her, but we talk a lot. I don't know what I'll do when she starts school in 2010!

Weather

I have been loving the weather - even Sunday night Monday morning when we lots of rain. The temps have been celestial. I wish this could last a few more weeks. But I'll enjoy it while I can. I hope everyone else enjoys it, too!