Monday, September 8, 2008

Who needs a bed anyway? (No it's not a dirty post!)

We moved Rebecca into a toddler bed about a month ago. I had a little bit of an issue with the fact that it is a "Car bed" that Hayden used. Not very femine, but since we're planning to put Hayden and Rebecca in bunk beds when the baby comes I couldn't justify buying a new toddler bed to be used for only a matter of months. As it turns out, we didn't even need to get the toddler bed out anyway. That girl will not stay in her bed for anything. I think it is just that she loves the freedom to be able to get out of the bed, so she gets out, plays, and falls asleep. I have yet to see her stay in her bed throughout the night, and she never sleeps in it during her naps. Today I found her sleeping in her closet during her nap. She took her pillow and two blankets in there and surrounded her toys with her makeshift bed. Here are a couple pictures that were taken during her nap times. She is such a funny girl.

This one did scare me a little bit. I had to put her in her bed when I found her like this.


What a sleeping beauty.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Fun little questions

What's the best thing to do when you have to give the lesson in Relief Society tomorrow? Waste time on the internet..
So this was a fun little question and answer game I saw. So here are my answers for anyone that wants to read forever and listen to my fun, new, downloaded songs.

1. What is his name? Jerry Wayne Ewell
2. Who eats more? I think ultimately he does, but it is probably way too close.
3. Who said, "I love you" first? He did. It was so cute. We were at my apartment and he said, "I'm falling head over heels in love with you." Doesn't that just make your heart melt?
4. Who is taller? Definitely Jerry. That was a pre-requisite for any guy I dated. I am tall, and I love to wear heels. I love Jerry's height.
5. Who is smarter? Am I smarter by saying he is smarter? I think I'm smart, but I can be kind of airheaded at times, so he probably is smarter.
6. Who is more sensitive? No question there - ME! The stupidest things make me cry.
7. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Looking at the bed Jerry does. But that changes probably every year. We get bored and switch sides. I think we even tried sleeping upside down in the bed (like head at the foot of the bed) for a few nights just to see the difference. Yes, we are pretty lame.
8. Who pays the bills? Jerry makes the money to pay the bills, but I do the bill paying.
9. Who cooks more? I do, but it's not by much. I depends on if I'm on a good cooking streak.
10. Who is more stubborn? JERRY! I think half the time he acts more stubborn than he actually is just to tease me, to see me get high strung.
11. Who is first to admit they are wrong? Probably me because I'm a Roylance, and I'm constantly saying "I'm sorry" (and if you see question #10, it makes sense that I'm the first.) But, Jerry isn't usually too far behind to sheepishly admit that he's wrong.
12. Who has more siblings? I do. But we both come from very big families. There are 10 kids in my family, and 7 in his. Our mothers are amazing.
13. Who wears the pants in the relationship? I guess he does, but I feel like we're pretty equal and he doesn't make decisions we don't both agree on, and vice versa.
14. What do you like to do together? Go on vacations. Go to movies. Go shopping and dream. And this probably sounds pathetic, but we love to watch our tv shows together. ("The Office" is our regular Thursday night date. And "The Soup" is part of our Friday night date.)
15. Who eats more sweets? No Question - ME! I have the sweet tooth, and he has the salty tooth.
16. Guilty Pleasures? For him, Cheetos, Pringles, and Sopranos (The edited version on A&E). For me, ice cream, M&M's, Sweedish Fish, Days of our Lives, and Sex and the City (The editied verson on TBS).
17. How did you meet? At church, at a Family Home Evening activity. He was my Home Teacher.
18. Who asked whom out first? He asked me out first.
19. Who kissed who first? He kissed me at my apartment on Halloween, under the mistletoe (The mistletoe was up year round.)
20. Who proposed? He did. Up at the temple outside the locked gates - He'd planned to do it by the waterfall, but we got there too late. It was still very romantic.
21. His best features and qualities? I love his smile and laugh, and his sense of humor. I also love his strong, broad chest. I love how he gets excited about cute things, his boyish fun innocent side. I also love that he is very knowledgable about politics and what's going on in the world- it helps me to feel smart. I love what a wonderful dad he is. Hayden and Rebecca love him so much. He and Hayden are little buddies that have a standing appointment to play Lego StarWars as soon as Jerry gets home from work. It is very cute to watch. And I love how he loves me, and lets me be me, and makes me feel wonderful. I'm a lucky girl.

So there you go. If you made it though all 21 congratulations. Boy, Jerry owes me big time for gushing all about him. Hopefully I didn't make anyone too sick. OK, on to the next thing to avoid getting my lesson ready. We're going to the park for a work party.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Happy Labrador Day!

Years ago I tutored a sweet little girl from the deep south. She was sweet, but not too bright. The Friday before Labor Day she reminded me, "We don't got no school Monday, 'cause it's Labrador Day." I wasn't sure if I heard her right, so I corrected her and said, "Yeah, Monday is Labor Day, so we don't have any school." She replied, "No, it's Labrador Day." She was pretty determined, and she knew she was right. So I want to wish you all a Happy Labrador Day!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Through my children's eyes


I'm pretty confident that this is what my children see when they look at me.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Nature or nurture???

One of my favorite sounds in the world is listening to Hayden laugh, those laughs that are so uncontrollable that he can barely breathe, and the saliva starts dripping down his chin. What are the things that makes him laugh this hard? Tickling, and anything having to do with toots or poop. Hmmm, is it because he's a boy and it's in his nature, or because he's being raised by us and we've nurtured him that way? Unfortunately, probably a little bit of both.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Girls' Weekend in Seattle! It's all about US!

View of Seattle from the top of the Space Needle
I know it's been a while since I left a post, but I've had a hard time adjusting back into real life. A week and a half ago I got to go on a great vacation up to Seattle for a Girls' Weekend. It was so great. All my sisters, sis-in-laws, mom, and oldest niece went to my sister Esther's house and let her spoil us rotten. (12 of us) I left the kids here with Jerry, and I have to give a HUGE thank you to Jerry's mom for watching Hayden and Rebecca while Jerry was at work. They had a great time, and it made it easier for me to go knowing they would be happy and fine at Grandma's. So I know I'm a little bit of a picture fanatic, but I couldn't figure out which ones to leave out. So enjoy!

The Space Needle

We all arrived throughout the day on Wednesday. (I loved the plane ride and enjoyed Eclipse the whole way - but that's another post) I got there late Wed. night, after several of the girls were already asleep.

Thursday we went on a great run through some paths by Esther's house, then we went into Seattle. We hit the Space Needle first, then Pikes Place Market, and ended the sight seeing for the day at the Underground Tour of Seattle. SO FUN! That night after we got home we had a fondue meal. YUMMY. Esther is such a gormet cook, she says she can't cook and that Jeff does the cooking, but we all learned that is a big fat lie. Then we got to stay up late talking (and reading).


My niece Rachel, Me, and my sister Mary on top of the Space Needle. Aren't they cute!

Rachel, Jana, Me, Mary, Esther, Elizabeth, and Mom



Friday we woke up and Esther told us we were going to go do some exercise, but she was so secretive and wouldn't tell us what it was. I figured yoga or something like that. So we drove to her friend's house. She is an aerobics instructor and does all kinds of exercise. She lead us down into her basement and right in the middle of the room is a POLE! Yes, we did pole dancing. Don't worry, we did it as exercise, it was nothing kinky. Think of it as the monkey bars in grade school, only one vertical monkey bar. But I do have to give credit to those strippers - they must be in wonderful shape. It was a GREAT workout. I was sore for a couple days. Believe it or not, it was actually really fun. Everyone got into it, even my 68 year old mom (Sorry mom) was upside down on that pole. Later that day we had a "Favorite Things" party. We each brought our favorite things to share with everyone, things that people might not know about us. (Basically think Oprah) It is fun learning new things about the people you know so well. Then that night we had a formal dinner. It is fun to dress up and have a fancy dinner. Esther made a delicious roast meal with all the fixings, on her fancy china. Once again she is an amazing cook, and an even better party hostess. My dad took great pictures of everyone, but I don't have them yet, so you'll just have to look at the pole dancing pictures for the day. That night we had fun talking as we did the dishes (how come that is more fun when you're with your sisters than at home?) And I stayed up WAY too late again talking and reading Breaking Dawn. It's fine to stay up late when you don't have to wake up at 6:30.


Pole Dancing

My sister Rebecca, upside down on the pole. Sorry Rebecca, but there was no way I was putting a picture of my pregnant self on that pole. By the way, Rebecca was a natural.

Saturday I slept in till 10:00!! When was the last time I slept in that late? At least 3 1/2 years ago. We had a lazy morning just hanging out and talking. Around noon we stopped by the Victoria Secret for bra shopping :) That's something you just can't do with kids. Then we went boating out at Lake Summamish. (that's probably spelled wrong.) It was beautiful. Then that night we had a rock band party. FUN FUN FUN! We all brought our rocker outfits and got into it. What a great party. Unfortunately Jana and Rachel had to leave Sat. morning, we missed them. And once again, we stayed up late talking, talking, talking. (oh, and reading)

What hot rocker babes!

Can you see why we are all so fun when we have a mom like this??!

Me and Rebecca

Esther, Me, and Sara Rockin'

Rocker chicks, Angela and Me

Sunday We went to church and headed to the airport to say good bye. Sara, thanks for keeping me company for hours at the airport. It was fun. It was a wonderful trip. I love my "Roylance Girls" and yes it was, "All about US!" Jerry is so wonderful to be so supportive about me leaving for 4 days, and having a great time with my family. Also thanks again to Carol for all your help.


Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Pampered Chef Book Show

Hey everyone. I LOVE pampered chef. (but I hate hosting parties.) So I'm having a Pampered Chef book show. Browse the site www.pamperedchef.biz/amberperkins and see if there's anything you'd like. You can order on the site directly (be sure to put my name in as the host) or you can contact me to let me know if you want anything. Have fun cooking! The show will close Wed. Aug. 13.