Happy Birthday Grandpa B!!!

We went and celebrated with my dad by going out to Zupas, and coming back to his house and having cake and chatting. I think he is something like 27 for the 30th or 31st time. I've lost count because it gets so confusing, he probably likes it that way. But he is just always 27 to us kids.

But how could we forget presents . . . .

I had asked both Sam and Mason what they wanted to give Grandpa and this is what they came up with . . . . .

Mason wanted to give Grandpa a car ( or more he wanted a car so he could play with it)

Sam wanted to give Grandpa a barbie ( not that he needed one, but she sure thought he did)
Is that not just the cutest thing ever. They probabaly thought that they were getting the gifts for themselves. Just that they wanted to give something that they would want to get is so dang cute. They finished it all off with 2 birthday kisses; so sweet. My kids just love Grandpa B. Thanks for letting us celebrate your birthday with you . . . . we love you!!!

Apples and Mowing the Lawn

My kids are always so excited to go and visit Grandma B and Uncle Micah. So, we stopped on our way home from visiting daddy at his new work. Grandma and Micah were in the backyard just cleaning up and getting ready for fall and winter; putting furniture away and such. Well, I remembered last summer that the little grandkids would help Grandma pick up apples off the ground (my mom has 3 apple trees in a row). It is a job that is actually pretty fun for little kids. I remember having that chore when I was younger. So, we got Sam and Mace each a 5 gallon bucket and told Mason to make baskets with the apples and they went to town.
They had a blast picking up the apples and yelling to us to look and see what a great job they were doing. It was really cute. Then they said they were done and we walked over and they had pretty much filled the entire bucket. It was so great that they were so excited to be helping and it probably helped that my mom told them she would give them some monies too. So, we dumped the apples out, picked each of them a good apple off the tree and they sat and ate their apples, and grandma got some monies and counted out 20 pennies, 2 nickles, 2 dimes and 2 quarters for each of them. A whole dollar, they were so excited.
Then we headed to the front yard to watch grandma mow the lawn. Well, I came out to see cute little Samantha walking with Grandma helping her mow. It was so cute, she was just thrilled to be helping. I love to see my kids learn good life skills and lessons, and who better to teach them (besides Ben and I) than my parents. I was always so grateful for the lessons that my parents taught me, and I love watching my kids and parents interact. And I hope that they remember the things that they learn from their Grandma and Grandpa B.
Part of the cutest thing was that right when we got home, the kids went straight to their little banks (which Grandma B gave them) and put their monies in them. It was just such a great visit to Grandma's house.

School Pics

I was getting Samantha ready for the day, getting her hair done so cute, and remembered that it was school picture day. Well, at least Sam was looking so dang cute from the neck up. Oh wait, right when I finished putting the bow in her hair, she totally started throwing a fit about her hair. She wanted me to take the bow and the last ponytail out, and I insisted that she leave it in. (the bow and last ponytail was the part that made the whole dew cute). So once I realized that school pics were today, I decided to make a little deal with Samantha. I told her that if she would leave her hair how mommy had done it, then she could pick out her own outfit for school pictures. I think that was a very generous deal on my part, considering she might pick something pretty out there and non matching to wear.
Well, it could have been worse. She chose to wear her patent leather church shoes with some white ruffly socks, a black velvet skirt, and a black high school musical shirt (with a picture of the whole cast on it) So at least it all matched, it was just kind of random, for a school picture. But she looked so cute with her hair done, and I can't wait to see what the professional picture looks like. My mom taught me that you can't fight every battle, so just pick the ones that you really want to fight. Some are just not worth it.
(picture to follow when I download it on my other computer)

8 months and counting . . . .

I thought a little update was in order. I am 8 months and really starting to count down. I am really getting anxious for this baby boy or girl (I don't know we will see) to come.
This pregnancy has been so different than the other two that I have absolutely no idea what I am having. There are no clues that lead to one or the other.
I felt the same amount of sick as I did with the other 2. The bad taste in my mouth was just worse this time, which isn't fun because you feel like you always need something to eat the change that taste.
This baby is so low in my tummy that it is just constantly kicking my down stairs and making me have to pee all the time. Really, if my tummy hurts, I know that I need to pee!!!
The last thing that is really different is that I haven't gained as much weight as I normally do or was expecting to (so far). I mean that isn't a bad thing, I'm just comparing the differences. There isn't as much time to just sit and relax this time around. There is always something to be done, like cleaning all the base boards in the house, washing the walls, laundry, dishes, mowing the lawn (which I don't do that great, but at least it gets done and Ben doesn't have to do it when he gets home from work), running errands, making sure Sam is ready for preschool and the list goes on and on.
I am so excited to see whether I have a little Teagon or Luella. Ben's aunt Janette thinks I am have a girl by the way my belly looks. Joanne thinks it is a girl, Tiffany thinks and hopes it is a boy, Sam and Mason go back and forth. But Sam said she wants a boy so she can have 2 brothers (or maybe so she can be the only girl and not share daddy), and Mason says he wants a sister.
I think I am just most excited that this baby will be in my arms and not in my belly keeping me up at night. Honestly, it moves around so much at night and especially when I lay down that sometimes I actually feel nausious from the movement. I told Ben to imagine something constantly moving around in his belly all throught the night. It can't be a good sign that it is so active at night, when it should be sleeping.
But I am just excited to only have about 7 weeks left and then we can all see this baby. And I can't wait for Samantha and Mason to hold it and love it like they love their new nephew baby Jayden and neice baby Charly.
Sam keeps asking when the baby is coming and Mason has tried lifting my shirt to find the baby.
I just tell them that once Halloween is here, then the Baby will come right after that!!!!!
So the count down of weeks is on.

Baby Charly

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!
Congratulations to my cute brother and sister in law.

They just had their 1st baby yesterday.

Charly Cathrine Ballstaedt (she is so darling)

born September 16 2009 at 10:10 pm

weighing in at 6 lbs 8 oz and 18 inches long

We are so excited for you both! Parenthood is such a great and humbling experience and I know that you two will do great. I'm glad Charly is here safe and sound and happy you are doing so well. We love you both and your new little edition!!!

(What a cute little family)

Park City

We headed up to the Park City Marriot for a night, just Ben and the kids and me. We had pizza, watched a movie and just hung out. We actually ALL slept in til 9:30 the next morning. I couldn't even believe it. But then we hung around the room eating breakfast and watching disney channel. Samantha was so impressed that Park City would have the same shows as we have on our TV at home. We then went down to the pool while there was some sunshine and swam and hung out in the hot tubs. Joanne and Marianne came up to meet us for lunch and go on the Alpine Slide. It worked out perfect, right after we finished our rides, it was a down poor.

Here we are all going up on the ski lift to ride the Alpine Slide

Ben took Sam down and she was less than thrilled. In fact, as we were getting ready to ride it she kept saying "Dad i'm going to throw up" She is so dramatic . . . reminds me of myself when I was little. Now I now what my parents had to deal with.

I took Mason and he had a blast. He probably could have gone with his dad ( who went alot faster than me) and had a lot more fun. I just love how adventurous he is.

So this is a really bad picture or myself. Remind me never to take a picture at a side angle . . . At least not while pregnant.



We told the kids that they could each pick one other ride after the slide. Mason chose the horses and Sam got to tag along for his turn.

Sam chose the trampoline where you are strapped in a harness. She had alot of fun and it was just fun to watch her watching us as she jumped.

I was telling Ben that these 2 kids are just really spoiled.

They have so many fun things that they get to go and do, I hope that they remember them when they get older.

Saturday Projects

Well Ben had the day off and we decided to stay home from Bear Lake (which would have been a GREAT weekend) to do some projects around the house. More like some major yard work.

We had a hole in our backyard where a trampoline used to be and it really needed to be filled in and everything around it leveled. Also, we had several stumps, bushes, weeds and such to be pulled out.

I joked around with my dad about coming and bringing his back hoe, and he just said (it will just take Ben a couple hours with a shovel). So we got ourselves ready to work. We even went and bought an ax to help get the stumps out. My dad called and told Ben that he was on his way over with his "toy".



He is seriously so selfless! That is one of the only ways to describe him ( there are many others, but that is one of the greatest things about him). There were other places he could have been, and other projects of his own that he could have been doing, but he came and got so much done in our yard. He probably saved us at least 2 other Saturdays of work.
I think he came just cause he loves to play in his big kid toy!!!!

He came and worked for a couple of hours and now we have a huge pile to put out for our Fall Cleanup day. My kids were so excited that he was coming with the back hoe, but once he got there, they were mainly just scared.
Here they are watching from a far distance.

Mason just hid behind the banister while my dad was working and then when the noise was gone, he would come down closer. I've never seen Mason so shy around something so fascinating.

(Also check out the awesome hat!!! He loves that thing and wears it everywhere. Everytime he puts it on, he tells me how awesome he looks. "I look awesome Mom!!!" It must be a boy thing)

It was just amazing watching my dad work. He is so precise. We had some stumps right next to the fence, and he got right next to it without knocking it down.

It was also funny to watch Ben. He would grab a shovel like he was going to help, and he would start moving dirt around and my dad with move a whole pile of dirt where Ben was working in one fail swoop. And the best part is that my dad was in the cab laughing!!!
I am just so grateful for my dad! He always takes the time to lend a hand. Whether it is with projects like this (or the cement slab in Lehi, the trees in Lehi) or just for some good advice. He is one of the most giving and selfless people I know, and he teaches so many great lessons to me through his example.

I love you dad, thanks for all you do for us!!!

My Little Kids

I just love the difference that you have between two kids. Samantha is way sassy and such a girl and Mason is super sensitive and totally a boy ( from throwing anything and everything to loving wearing a baseball cap whereas Sam could care less about hats) and he is way into the asking why after everything you say. You got to love that stage!
I love what a sensitive little boy Mason is. He does get his feelings hurt very easily just by getting embarrassed or getting in trouble for things; but he also does such cute things like sticking up for people or trying to defend them when he thinks they are hurt or being picked on.
For example, tonight we were over at my parents and my two nephews Stillman and Bridger were there. Ben was having fun tickling Mason when Stillman wanted a turn. Ben was tickling Stillman and Mason was on the couch by me when Mason noticed Stillman with his shirt over his head, Ben crouched over him and Stillman laughing. Mason thought Stillman was getting hurt, so what does Mason do . . . . . he first starts to get huffy and puffy and a little bit teary eyed, jumps off the couch, jumps over Stillman laying on the ground and lunges at Ben. Can you believe that little boy was trying to hurt or get mad at his dad who he loves and tell "you awesome dad!"
Well, it was so sad and so cute at the same time. I had to hurry and tell Ben that Mason thought he was hurting Stillman (so he wouldn't get mad at Mason for lunging at him with his fingernails ready). Mason already in tears, Ben hurry and gave him a hug and showed him that Stillman was ok. I just couldn't believe how sensitive he was to something like that.
Tiffany told me of another time recently that Corbin and Sam were fighting and Mason came over to Corbin and smacked him or hit him to protect Sam. And also where Poppy was getting mad at or just talking to Sam where Mason thought she was in trouble and Mason came over and got mad at Poppy. I know that Mason shouldn't hit, but I can't help but think how cute it is that he is trying to protect people. And not just people but his own sister when he sees that she needs him.
He actually does this sort of thing at home. When I get mad at Sam for anything, he will come up to me and get mad at me for getting mad at Sam. I just love his sweet little sensitive personality and spirit. He doesn't like to see people fight, and he especially doesn't like it when mommy yells. In fact he gets so startled that he himself starts crying. I just teaches me a great little lesson that if it upsets my little Mace, then don't do it.
I love my little kids so much and need to keep reminding myself to enjoy every little second where they are so cute and innocent and are so close to the spirit. I need to be better about letting the little things go, and just enjoy them. Already Sam is 4 and Mason is 2 1/2. And in 2 months I will have another little one. Where does the time go? I have no idea, but I love the little precious moments that I spend with my kids. I'm so happy I can stay at home with them and share all of those fun and not so fun moments with them!!!!!

End of Summer Recap part 2 . . . .

Vegas or bust baby . . .

We went to Las Vegas with my sister Jessica and her husband Spencer. It was so much fun. These two are always up for fun. We did a whole lot of walking, which meant that I had to pee all the time. Seriously, every time we got somewhere new I had to find the bathroom. This baby must be sitting right on my blatter.

We went to Buffalo Wild Wings, which was so tasty. Always good to find new restaraunts. We went to the Reef exhibit at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. That was awesome. There was so much to see. Mason and Sammi would love that. We saw the water show at the Bellagio, which Ben had never seen. I had actually done something before Ben . . it is a miracle.

And of course what is vegas without a little bit of gambling. We taught Jessica and Spencer how and we decided instead of going to see a show, we would hit up the 1$ tables. We stayed for a good 2-3 hours and it was a blast. We didn't make it big, but we had alot of fun!!!

Can't wait for our next trip with J and Spence.

This is totally late but Happy Birthday Tiffany!!! Tif is one of my best friends! She had a birthday on August 26th and I decided to throw her a little surprise dinner at my house. It was seriously the least I could do for someone who is always doing things for others. We have known eachother for over 6 years and become such great friends. We've shared many great moments together, been on tons of trips ( which are always a blast with this girl), cried together, laughed like crazy, and made awesome memories. I am so grateful that we have had kids around the same time. Our kids are a great way for us to stay connected!!!

I just love you Tif!

And now that Summer is over for the most part except for our Tuesday night Ben's BBQ Bonanza (until it gets too cold), it is good to get into fall and really start thinking about getting this baby here. We have converted Ben's office into the nursery and are almost done. (pictures to come upon completion) I am getting anxious and so are the kids. Mason tried to lift up my shirt the other day and told me he wanted to see the baby. Soon Mace, very soon.

We had one of our last weekends up at Bear Lake with the family, and it was so great. It is a place where we all get together and make great memories. Not to mention my kids just love it up there. They ask me all the time if we can go to Bear Lake. I'm glad they love it so much and they are at such a fun age to take up there because they just play and have fun with their cousins!!!

This summer has been tons of fun with family, friends, bbq's and some little trips. Can't wait til next summer what we can have more fun playing in the sun!!!

End of Summer Recap . . . .

Seriously, this past month or so has just run away with me! There has been so much going on that I haven't even had a second to sit down at the computer. So here is what we were up to in July and mostly August. . . . . . . .

FLAGSTAFF (July 29th - August 1st)

My Sister Heather, her husband Joe, and their two girls Martha and Alice came into town at the end of July, and right away (actually the next morning) we all (4 car loads) headed off to Flagstaff Arizona. It was such great weather and we had such a fun time. We met up with my Shumway cousins and had a great BASH vacation. The BASH came from the beginning of both our last names, Ballstaedt and Shumway. We stayed in this amazing cabin, or more like lodge. We went went to Slide Rock, Walnut Canyon and tye died shirts by day and played tons of games, had twinkie eating contests stayed up chatting by night. It was a blast to all be there together!

These two cute gals are the reason we all got together. My Mom and Aunt Colleen. Aren't they cute!!!

This is all of us . . . Sumways and Ballstaedts. We tye dyed shirts and now those shirts are my kids favorite to wear.


My little hiking family . . . this may be the first time that we have gone hiking together.
I just love them, aren't they all so cute!!!





BEAR LAKE WITH KIDS (August 13th - 14th)

My sister Heather and I headed up to Bear Lake with my mother in law Joanne, my sister in law Marianne and Tiffany and all the kids. It was alot of work but it was so fun. Not so much relaxing time, but still fun to be up there. (unfortunately I am not the best at taking pictures, so no . . there are no pics of this little outing)

SAMANTHA STARTS SCHOOL (August 17th)

We had orientation a week or so before school actually started where she met her teacher and she played and just saw where she was going before it all happened. But on Monday the 17th we got all dressed in some fresh (no stain) clothes, got our school bag and waited for carpool to come pick Sam up. It was so cute, Mason was really devastated. We walked her out to the car and he tried to get in, and when I told him he couldn't go, he just balled and balled. And he actually did that the whole first week, and he still tries to get into carpool; I just have to remind him that he gets to go next year. He wants to do everything that Sam get to do, of course.

This is Sam's teacher Mrs Carli. She seems really nice, but Sam can't ever remember her name when people ask what her teacher's name is. It is so cute she always looks over at me and says "what is her name?"
Here she is figuring out how to line up when it is time to go in from playing outside.
She looks so cute just waiting by the front door to be picked up. I had to get a few picutres of her and her and me together!!!

I just love that sweet little face and smile!

Well now that this is the longet post ever . . . . and I am not even done ( I will be adding a part 2). Since this blog is serving partly as a journal for me, I just had to get this all down before it went too long and I forgot. See you in part 2!