Dinner tonight. . .

So to some, you will think, "what's the big deal?" To those family and friends who know me best will go "WOW, finally!" Let me explain . . .

Troy and I don't normally take the boys out to dinner, unless it's Wendy's or the local diner here in town. First we can't justify $50 for dinner, second I am just an over paranoid mom who doesn't want to have the hyper, wild child in a restaurant that everyone is looking at. Our boys struggle sitting still so it's just better and less stressful to have dinner at home.

Today at work my boss came out and said he had $100 gift certificate to Blackstone that needed to be used. We have heard rumors that the restaurant was closing, so rather than have it go to waste, he invited his son-in-law (my other boss) and family, plus Troy, I and the boys. My first reaction was to immediately decline. Nice thought, but are you kidding me? I thought I was off the hook because they were not going to meet for dinner until 7:30. Sweet that is TJ's bed time! Well after trying to confirm whether or not the restaurant was really closing it's doors or not, it was decided that dinner would be at 6. My boss was not taking no for an answer!

I called Troy and he thought cool! Of course cool for him, it was his night to cook and now he doesn't have too! When I told Hunter we were going to dinner with my bosses and their families, he yelled "HURRAY mom and what are their names?" He wants to know everyone's name, even strangers he says hi to in passing, he always wants to know their name. LOL! I had anxiety for an hour. What the hell am I going to do at a restaurant with two boys who are used to eating at 5:30, only order mac and cheese when we go to the local diner and really struggle sometimes using their quiet voices.

Troy worked hard today, plowing the snow, moving the trailers around before the snow melts, TJ had an accident while taking a nap so he had to do a load of laundry and he even loaded the dishwasher! WOW, I guess his reward was drinking beer all afternoon! Now let me tell you my boss is the Stake President so Troy was warned that no alcoholic drinks would be ordered at dinner. Troy did pull it off really well though and wasn't toasty enough that he was slurring his words, but was in no shape to drive! I thought oh gosh, what have I gotten myself into! LOL!

I do have to say the night actually went rather smoothly. Darren and Katie have 3 little girls, 5, 2 and a month old baby. You know my kids don't get out much because when the waitress brought out the carafs of water, Hunter boy goes "WOW mom those are big glasses of water." LOL! I was releaved to see that mac and cheese was on the menu ($6.95 though! are you freakin kidding me?!) Hunter, bless his heart, when his plate arrives, yells "mom it's not yellow, how come it's white?" Once we convinced him that it was okay to eat white cheese and noodles he loved it. TJ was a champ as well. Before dinner arrived the boys had warm bread, my salad had dried cranberries and TJ could not get enough. Troy ordered prime rib and it arrived with green beans, which are the boys favorite veggie. They were long and skinny . . . Hunter loved them, TJ freaked out and said he didn't want to eat a snake! Of course that made everyone laugh! I ordered chicken alfredo. It was okay, the few bits I got to have. It never fails, no matter what time dinner is, the boys alway have to go potty right in the middle. So I took both boys, well by the time they were both done with their business, everyone was done with their dinners. I wasn't willing to keep everyone waiting just so I could finish so I put it in a box and will enjoy the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

So Mom and Shelly we (more to the point I) survived. It's not anything I want to try again anytime soon, but just thought I would let you know that I was a big girl and we took the boys to a big kid restaurant! Yes I know people do it all the time, but it was outside my comfort level and a big step for me. LOL!

A night out with friends . . .

Troy and I went to Nichole and Clint's last night for a BBQ and a few games on the Wii. Grandpa Lane and Grandma Leann took the boys for a few hours, so it was a good night for all! Shayne and Mindy, Ann and Kevin joined us for the evening as well. Congrats to Uncle Shayne who bought a new Dodge truck, it's beautiful! Now Nichole and I get to hear how Shayne got a new truck and how much Troy and Clint want a new one. LOL!

Of course the night of playing games cannot be without Troy antagonizing Nichole! I forgot my camera at home so they are not the best pictures, but my camera phone is all that I had.

Once Shayne figured out how the gadget worked, he hit a strike or a spare everytime. He kicked everyone's butt at bowling!
I love how Baxtor and Harley are right in the middle of things and could care less about us bowling and having a good time!Mindy was a trooper and played bowling with the Nichole and the boys as well. We have decided that we like playing bowling on the Wii much better than at the bowling alley! LOL!

It was a fun night. Troy and I are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. I know we don't get together as often as we should, but know that when we do it's appreciated more than you know!

Nichole and Mindy . . . I hope your heads don't hurt too bad this morning since you had to taste test just a few (LOL) bottles of wine, since none of them tasted just right. Love you girls!

TJ is a big boy . . .

It's been a week of potty training with TJ with no accidents! HURRAY! We started on the porta potty about a month ago, but we put him in big boy underwear this past week so now he wants to use the regular potty like his brother! Glad it has been a smooth transition. I can't believe how big he is getting. I am so proud of him! Way to go TJ!!!

A difficult decision . . .

A few weeks ago Diesel nipped at TJ and it freaked me out. Diesel is a good dog but I was not longer comfortable having him around the boys. We are not sure why Diesel decided to snap at TJ since they have been buds for a year. Troy and I were sick about it for days and come to the decision that we needed to get rid of him. We didn't want him to go to the pound and put down . . . just to a good home, with older children so he could have the attention he so deserved.

It was a very difficult decision for Troy. Here we have his dream dog, and his wife pushing to get rid of him. It was a hurdle that Troy and I had to overcome, but we did it together and I love Troy more than ever for supporting me in this, no matter how much it broke his heart.

After posting an ad, a guy called Troy this past weekend inquiring about Diesel. They had a female St. Bernard that unfortunatley lost the battle with cancer. His 6 year old granddaughter was a mess, so he thought Diesel would be perfect. Mario brought his granddaughter Raven up tonight to get Diesel. She had fallen asleep, but would have a wonderful surprise when she woke up! He was a true dog lover for sure . . . he had a truck but instead brought his car so Diesel wouldn't get cold on the ride back home to Layton. A true dog lover to let a 150 pound drooling dog hang out in the back seat. LOL!

Diesel will be missed dearly, but I truly believe we made the right decision and he has been placed in a good home. Jake and Charli are a little bit lost too, but with time we will all learn to cope.

Playing the Wii at Aunt Nic's and Uncle Clint's . . .

Yesterday we went to Nichole and Clint's for a BBQ. They got a Wii for Christmas so after dinner we all decided to have some fun.

Troy decided to beat Nichole at the cow game he had to stand rather than sit!

Then of course the boys have to compete!

Hunter wanted a turn with his dad so Uncle Clint helped him get the hang of the game.TJ was far more interest in watching Lightning McQueen than playing the Wii!It was a fun night. Thanks Nichole, it was nice to spend a night out of Tremonton! LOL!

Girls night out with Lisa . . .

Last night Lisa called and asked if I wanted to go to see Twilight with her. She had free movie tickets, which made it even better. I know I am late seeing the movie, but we really had a good time. I am still one of the few Jacob fans . . . Edward was okay, and I liked him better in the movie than in the book, but sorry Edward fans, I am still a Jacob fan!

Once the movie was over we wanted some ice cream, well at midnight, our choices were very slim in Logan. After driving to the south end of town and back to the north end of town we settled for McFlurries from McDonalds. LOL

It was a really fun night. We stayed up chatting until 2 this morning. Lisa, you are a true friend and I love you very much! Lis, I have decided one thing though . . . I am too dang old to stay up until 2am and then be bright eyed and ready to be up with the boys at 7 :30. It's okay though it was so worth it!!! I look forward to the next girls night out, which we need to do much sooner than later!

Hunter turns 5 and Happy New Year!

I cannot believe the 2008 is already over! Boy does time fly. Speaking of time flying, Hunter boy turned 5 yesterday! We had his party on Saturday. It's all about Transformers still at our house. Troy and I gave Hunter a portable DVD player with the new Hulk movie. I have decided it's more of a gift for mom that it is for Hunter. LOL! The boys are so quiet when we go for rides in the truck now. The golden rule dad always said, "silence is golden" I truly believe that with the boys!

Great Grandma Poorte made the trip with Grandma Rue. Hunter was excited to receive $5 from Grandma Great!

Thanks Aunt Kari for sending the $10 with mom and dad. On Sunday we headed to Logan and Hunter bought his own copy of Iron Man so we didn't have to borrow it from Bryan and Kristi anymore.

My parents bought Hunter Wall E and the new SpongeBob game for his smart cycle. Grandma Rue gave him a new game and outfit.

Like I said it's all about Transformer's at our house. Bryan, Kristi and the kids gave Hunter Bumblebee. TJ gave Hunter Jazz. The second picture is Uncle Clint and TJ playing with Hunter's new toys. LOL!

Here is the cool new jacket that is part of the outfit that Aunt Nic and Uncle Clint gave Hunter. It's his new favorite thing to wear! It's a must have every where we go! LOL!

The weather was still pretty snowy, but we were glad that he still had a nice party! We don't do much for New Year's Eve, we like to just stay home. Bryan, Kristi and the kids came over for the night. We just hung out, enjoyed some taco soup, munchies and played cards all night! We are old and boring. . . 20 minutes after the ball dropped, the lights were out and Troy and I were in bed! LOL!

We told Hunter that we would take him bowling for his birthday. It didn't work out yesterday, but we took him today and what a hoot that was! He had never been before, so that made the experience even more special for his birthday. The gal at the local bowling alley was darling with the boys. Once she realized it was Hunter's birthday she gave him a free t-shirt, of course he had to put it on right then.

TJ wasn't so sure about the shoes, but once he put them on he wanted me to take a picture. LOL!

Hunter being the birthday boy got to go first. Here is dad giving Hunter some direction . . .He actually did very well. Yes we had the bumper pads up, he shot an 84, which is much better than I can shoot on a good day.

TJ was still a little too small to roll the ball down the lane so we used the ramp instead, dad would set the ball . . .

Then TJ would push it!

Afterwards TJ got so excited he had to a do a little dance! He was so dang cute!The boys didn't know what to think the first time Troy got a strike and the pins went a flyin'!

All in all it was a great 2 days! We went to my parents this afternoon for dinner. Melissa, Jeremy and the kids came over as well and the cousins had a great time playing. Due to the weather they didn't make it to Hunter's birthday party, but gave him a new transformer for his collection today! It's a jet, I think Starscream?! Heck I can't keep them straight. All I know is he was was excited and he had to sleep with it tonight.