Thomas Town

So Xander never really got the 18 month toys to 2 year old toys. We had toys from Wyatt at our house and I am all about buying the least amount of "plastic" as possible. So he jumped from sucking on toys to 3 year old toys and hasn't complained one bit.

Jeremy and I had a huge Thomas Track set that we had bought for our house about 5 years ago. It had been taken apart and put together all over the house for years and Xander has been really into it lately. Jeremy would set up different tracks for him around the house and he would just play and play.

The only bad part. I hate plastic. So I would have to pick it up to have him want it out on the middle of our floor again. I had bought a train table off Craigs list awhile back and contemplated getting a wood track set to glue to that so it would always stay. But I didn't want to ruin the table and I already had all the plastic Thomas stuff. And the wood stuff is a small fortune.

Xander LOVES the Barns and Nobles that have Train Tables and screams bloody murder, when he has to "leave island of sodor, Thomas". We experienced the carrying your crazy screaming child out of the Book Store over Thanksgiving weekend. The whole store new that he did not want to leave the "Island of Sodor"

So Jeremy and I were trying to figure out a portable city. One I could easily move, And we could glue plastic tracks down.

Home Depot. Styrofoam siding. Awesome husband who made a city and glued it all down.
It is light and I have moved it already between 3 rooms. Glued down like cement and so far pretty durable. And wohoo. Island of Sodor in the house

Quote from Xander, "Wow, Dad AMAZING"

Love you lots Xander!

My Birthday

On Wednesday it was my birthday. I am now 34 years old. For some reason I have always had an issue with Birthdays. I am happy with November 30th and then again on Dec 2nd but for some reason. December first is supposed to be a Publishers Clearing House kind of Day, because I was born, I have very high expectations that the whole world should drop everything and shower me with gifts and pay homage to me. I know, I am a nut, but like I said on December 2nd this strange disease goes away.

So as you know, There is not a national holiday, or parades held in my honor, but this December 1st although was not a particularly bad birthday, it just was not the best day ever. Xander had thrown up the 2 days before and was still feeling yucky and tired still. I worked most of the day and did enjoy looking at how many people posted on my "WALL". "Facebook, has not helped with my Birthday disease, as now, I count wishes posted on my wall like I counted Halloween candy when I was a kid. Jeremy had to work all day and then had school. I was supposed to go to a treat exchange party that a gal in my ward was having, so I made the treats, but did not feel good about leaving a sicky boy with a babysitter, and my Mom is on a cruise.

So I stayed home, and was not very nice to my husband when he came home. He did do nice things for me and treated me special Thanksgiving weekend, and bought me some cool new craft stuff that I have been anxious to try. And gave me a very sweet, romantic card. So I was very much spoiled and loved. It is just my disease that the actual December 1st was not the best day ever, so I freaked out.

Then I felt awful because I was so mean.
I hate that part of me.

So December 2nd, I went to get me haircut. I was actually supposed to get my hair cut on November 30th but Xander was sick so I changed the appointment. I have been wanting to get my haircut for a long time. Actually about 2 years. I went to a place in the Mall last Christmas and they did an ok job. I wanted to go to a Salon in Utah when we were there last summer, because they are cheaper in Utah for the Aveda ones but we ran out of time, My Mom hacked my hair with Paper scissors in September to get the dead ends off. I just have been struggling to find time and motivation to make an appointment and go.

I found an Aveda Salon and figured I was just going to shell out the $65 dollars and go. I love Aveda. I love the way it smells and makes my hair feel. The best part is I found out that the Salon in Longmont host students there, who have already been through school, but need to earn hours to be Aveda specialists. So I got a $60 dollar haircut for $20!!! She was awesome! I knew right away, that she was going to do a good job because I loved her hair.

I said, "I want mine to look like yours" which I think was a good match and compliment because she spent over an hour making my hair perfect. She gave me a Head and Shoulder massage before my cut. "an Aveda thing" which is why I love their salons.

Any how. The point of the story is. Haircuts at Aveda Salons are therapy.

And my husband now knows where to send me next November 30th and maybe the December 1st disease will not come on so strong next year!

Christmas Tree

I love Christmas! We put up the tree today. It is a magical time of year!
I hope to give Xander that magical feeling
of Christmas my parents gave to me!
When I was just two!

God Bless us, everyone!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Xander was such a good little guy this Thanksgiving. We went to a friends house for the big Turkey Meal! He was so happy and fun and did not say, "No Way" not even once!

I am so thankful for him. He brightens my day. He has this little owie on his finger that I have been kissing for the last 2 weeks. "kiss it" he says over and over and over!

I have such a wonderful happy life. I am happier then I have ever been in my life so far, and I have had a pretty wonderful life, so I must be really happy! I have the things I have always wanted. A loving husband, a child to love that is my own, and my strong testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. I am so blessed in my life!
It is him that I owe

Oh and Thanksgiving would not be complete without my little turkeys! I love making these little guys! Next year, Xander can help me!

My little Artisit.

Xander is becoming quite the artist. He loves to draw. He is going to be a left handed little guy and already holds his pen quite nice.

Circles and lines are his specialty. Today in church they were resembling Suns, but in my abstract view, I think he is drawing pictures of his beloved Mother. His sunshine, shining star, most bright light! :)

He just goes on and on!

But like any great artist. If it is not perfect, it is not worth saving.
Rip. Rip. Rip.
and on to the next
master piece.

Messy Xander

This is a younger picture of Xander, I think he is somewhere around 8 or 9 months old. But looking through the pictures, this one caught my eye, because we are in the Mess phase of life again.
So, he is ripping up paper into small pieces and leaving them around the house. Found the "Cream" for his bum, Vaseline style, thank goodness, and squirted it out all over his toys and then all over the couch.

He loves to draw. I will actually have to take a picture. He lays on his belly and draws little circles all over everywhere (on paper). Pretty dang good for a 2.5 year old, if I do say so myself.
But then like I said before, he likes to rip up his paper when he is done.

He says "NO WAY" very well.
Nap. "No Way"
Bath. "No Way"
Dinner. "No Way"


He used to love his bath. Not anymore. The only way I have been able to get him in is if I dye the water blue or green or yellow. My sis-in-law gave me these tablets last year and have not used them a lot, but thank goodness I have them now.

He is such a 2 year old "teenager" Church is at 9am so being a baby that sleeps until 9am most days, Waking up for church is hard for him. We go in and open the shades, He screams "Lights OFF" Shuts the shades and covers himself with a blanket. No kidding. Jeremy and I just laugh.

Well, most of the time we laugh.
Thank goodness he is so cute.

A warm November Day

I ran another 1/2 marathon. Wohoo. This one I felt much better then the last one in Buena Vista. I did have to stop for 10 minutes and wait in line to use the rest room at Mile 5 so with that in calculation, I met my goal of a 2:16 but my real time was 2:26 minutes.
After I ran the race, Jeremy, Xander and I went to Loveland Lake where we went fishing.

I rested and Jeremy and Xander Fished. Jeremy caught one fish. A Perch. Today he fried it for lunch, with a little bread crumbs. YUMMY. I told Jeremy that instead of Turkey for Thanksgiving we are going to go fishing in the morning and have fish for Thanksgiving
and of course Pumpkin Pie. Speaking of Pumpkins...

These are the pumpkins we grew in our garden this year. I carved two and Jeremy carved two and Xander played in the pumpkin guts. Halloween being on Sunday this year, we just carved pumpkins and handed out candy to all the "heathen" children. (Just kidding)
I am glad they came. It is my favorite thing to hand out candy to cute kids in costumes.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Friday night, My neighbor Joy Wheeler and I took the kids to Firestone for their "Safe" Halloween Fun night. Xander screamed for 30 minutes at home when I first put his costume on but as soon as he saw, "BenBeccaJacob." Ben, Becca, and Jacob and that they were in costumes as well, we had no problem with Xander and his "Little Franky" Costume.

Saturday night was the Ward Halloween party. Jeremy made a yummy batch of Chili, not sure if we won the contest but I think it was the best, and we decided to match Xander and go as "Suburban Frankenstiens" People were asking if it was my "real" hair and how long it took me to do my hair. If they only knew with the texture of my hair, "like wires" that it was not hard to make stand up. But I did use a lot of Suave extra hold.

Xander and Dad making mean monster faces!

The "do"

Happy Halloween!

Witches night out YEAR 3

Brigit Robinson who first started this tradition moved to Idaho.

So GLAD! Michelle Boswell decided to keep it alive. I just love the look on people's faces when 30 witches show up to Chillies to eat!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Rock n' Roll

All because of Face Book I decided to Run this race with some fellow Broomfield High School Students. When they first posted about wanting some Broomfield Runners I was so tempted, but the race was on Sunday and I did not want to pay to run a race on Sunday. About two weeks before the race, one of their runners got injured and they posted again, that you did not have to pay, they just really needed someone to take the 9 mile leg spot. Well, I just finished running the 1/2 marathon so I was in shape to do it and I totally justified that since I did not pay for the race it was ok to run a Sunday race. One graduated with me and two were on the Cross Country team with me, and the rest were faces that I knew but are friends now.

I had a 9 mile leg to run and I was running with Jayme Gray. She was a super fast runner in High School so I was a little nervous to run with her. She said she was out of shape and still ran 9 miles 5 minutes faster then me. "Ouch". I was the in-shape one! HA! Once fast always fast.
No matter how not in shape you are.

So this was the "Rock 'n' Roll Marathon so we were running with all the Marathon people. We were the last leg, so I got to finish the race which was totally cool!

I just wish this series "Rock 'n Roll was not on Sunday because it was a BLAST! Lots of music and cheering!

Oh well, What do you do! Just have to start my own Rock 'n Roll race on Saturday. :)

It was fun to see my friend Erin "Bigger" She graduated High school with me. We all went to Dinner the night before at the Spaghetti Factory and I was the only one who brought spouse and kid and Erin was so sweet with Xander. She got him water and crackers! What a great person she is. It was fun to talk to her!

She also totally scored the Broomfield T-shirts for FREE from Charlene Orvis who is the "Coolest" High school Secretary and is still there. I think she has worked there for like 20 years now. If not more.

These were the X-Country Peeps! So glad I was able to reconnect with these sweet ladies. I hope I will have another opportunity to run with them again.
I told them, to find a Saturday race next time and Jayme Gray whose husband is a Pastor agreed!

Cupcake Truck

My Friend Denon from Highschool owns a Bakery and they also have a cupcake truck that travels around Denver and sales treats!

They are so good. Jeremy and I were in Denver this weekend to pick up stuff for the "Rock 'n' Roll Relay I did with some friends from High School.

And we saw the truck. We were so excited. We bought four and sat on some cement stairs and ate cupcakes and watched random people learn the dance steps to "Thriller"

Sometimes it is nice to be in the city.
Lots going on.

P.S. Xander really wanted out of the stroller when we were taking this picture.

Big Chair

I love cousins.

Xander is so lucky to have so many great ones

The kids

Xander loves animals. It is so cute to see how well he responds to them. As soon as we got to the animals he picked up the straw on the ground and tried to feed them the straw but the were more interested in the treats you buy. So I bought a few cups for the kids.

After feeding them. Xander noticed that the little ones were getting pushed out by the bigger animals. So he crouched down to give the little ones a treat. It was very sweet. While he was feeding the little guy. The big one nipped him on the ear.

He screamed. and said "Ear" and then right back to feeding the little ones.

I am glad we caught this moment.

Picture with Jeremy and Honey and Papa

The 2nd picture I made it in with the Roloff family. Grandpa Roloff wanted to hold Xander.
And Jeremy the 17 year old totally put his arm around me.
Ha. If only I was a teenager again.

N0t.

I was here for this picture same spot as the other one.

I just did not make it.

Glad there was a 2nd picture!

Matt Roloff is kind

After I got my picture with Matt. I looked behind me and saw this little girl coming up to him. I told Natalee, take a picture. I want to remember this. Seeing how kind and gentle he was to her gave me hope for the goodness of the World. He had like a 15 minute conversation with her and her family. It was very cool and made Natalee and I cry.

I was reminded of President Hinkley's words. To be a little kinder.
We all can be a little kinder and a little more soft and thoughtful.

I am so glad I was able to witness this special moment.

I met Matt Roloff

Natalee took me to the Roloff Farm. Part of the reason I wanted to come to Oregon. I really did not think I would meet an actual Roloff but I did. I met all of them except the Mom, Zach, and daughter Molly. I even met Matt's parents Papa and Honey. They were so nice. It was so friendly and warm there. The best part of course was being with my sister and her sweet kids.

But it is good to know that not all famous people have to act famous. These people were do gooders and wanted to meet the people.

I am so glad that I was able to go.
I will be back!

Oregon

It has been nice to be here in Oregon. We really have not done a lot. We have lived life. Xander had fun playing with the Cousins.

SO MUCH FUN.

He calls Hudson, "Doc Hudson"
Cried when he had to drop Sadie off at Preschool when Natalee told him to wave goodbye.
Got beat up by Everett. And also played trains with Everett and Shared drinks and cookies with Everett and wants to go potty like Everett.
And tells Abram "NO BABY" and pats him on the head until he cries.

My boy needs some siblings. But if he does not get anymore on his "team" We will always have the Maxfields to share the love.

We still have two more days for FUN!

It has just been so nice to be around people for a week and not all alone at my house.

Happiness

So my last post...was kind of unhappy.

Sorry...
Only like 5 people even look at this blog. So I don't mind venting...sometimes life sucks for everyone right??

I know for the most part I have got a pretty hot diggity dog great one. So to lift my spirits, I am going to write all the things I am thankful for.

1. The ability to have babies. I only have one right now, but I am so thankful it is easy for me to have them. Hopefully I will be able to have a couple more, but if not...There are A LOT of selfish things I would not mind doing. Running a marathon in London or Rome would be one of them. So if no more come. oh well. Xander will just be the most bestest dressed kid on the block and be able to have a season pass to whatever he wants.

2. A husband whom ADORES me. He does. He wants me to be happy more then anything and will do anything to make sure I am. So spoiled. Love that he will paint my toenails, cook me delicious meals, listen to me and all around make me feel wonderful!

3. Living in Colorado. Enough said. I love it here.

4. My family. Thankful to have good parents that I have a good relationship with and I like them. Actually, I LOVE THEM.

5. Brothers and Sisters that are so talented and help me work hard at being a better person. I am so lucky to be born on their team and associate with them for eternity. Their offspring are doing pretty cool stuff too and I am glad that Xander will be able to look up to his cousins and follow their examples.

6. Reading books. Love to, when I have time. Have lots to read.

7. Eating. Praying. Loving. Running. Swimming. Biking. Jumping.

8. Dancing. I can't wait until Jeremy is done with school, He Big Pinkie sweared promised that we would take a dance class together when he is done and by golly even if it is not until we are 65. I am holding him to it.

9. "Special Hugs" I had to wait until 30 years old to enjoy them, but I do love my "Special Hugs"

10. Being clean. So glad I can take a shower and wash my hair every day, even though they say not to wash your hair everyday. I am glad I can. I like showers and taking really long ones.

I am thankful for a lot lot more but I am tired. So I will end now.

I ran a half Marathon.....again ;)

Dear sir in tie-die shirt

Thank you for giving a complete stranger a sip of your water at Buena Vista Half marathon.

Signed- Girl who felt like she was in a desert and had no other choice.

Dear: Kind Running ladies behind me.

Sorry you had to see me puke at around Mile 10. Thank you for the napkins to wipe my face. Maybe I should not have taken water from a stranger.

Signed: Girl who finished anyway.

Becky Dallin Smith Dear Nic: You are an inspiration to so many. Great job on your 1/2 marathon. You go girl! Beck

Dear: Michelle B.

Thanks for putting your arm around me! I could not have finished with out you!
Glad you were not one of the kind running ladies right behind me and had to see the offensive behavior in nature. Because now we can still be friends.

...Love: A very thankful friend

Michelle Salmon Boswell You helped me, just as much as I may have helped you! I believe that everything happens for a reason and I was more than happy to finish out the race with you!! I hope you are feeling better :) I love all your little letters on FB! Oh and in case you forgot, I am a nurse and it would take a lot more than vomit to make me not want to be friends with you! You have been an inspiration throughout this whole process and have always been williing to train with those of us who are slower less motivated runners!!! Love ya lots!

I love my running friends! And will gladly take more! :) If you think you can you can! If you think you can't, think again! :)

Tirsa Hamilton Allen so true! I was NOT a runner half a year ago and now I am!

Tiffany Downs Brown How did your half marathon go? I saw the pictures. It looks like a hard but beautiful course!

Nichole Johnson Very hard. Very beautiful. proud of myself for finishing despite the fact that I had to bum water off of a complete stranger because they only had 3 aid stations and it was 85 degrees outside, And I stopped and threw up at mile 10 and had... to walk the last 3 miles. I am very impressed with your training in the heat. The race started at 9am and I had been training at 6am, and I did not think the race people thought it would be so warm in the mountains. Wish the race would have started earlier and maybe I would have felt better. Not the best race for me but still VERY FUN!

Jennifer Eastman Fryer I did it! And now I want to pass out.

Tirsa Hamilton Allen Just had the best weekend in Buena Vista with the pink ladies. I ran my first half marathon today and accomplished the only goal that I had for it...to not walk at all. It was so fun! (Yes, you read that right...I said fun and run in the same sentence! Who would've thought?) Too tired to post pics. tonight though!

Xander Words

WATERMELON

Jeremy and I planted a garden this year...Well really Jeremy planted a garden but I did spread the cow poop, I mean compost, (We live by a dairy) around so I did help out a little bit.
Looking at our Weed filled still dirt backyard you have to look real hard to find it, because it does blend in with the other weeds but alas, we had a garden.
Jeremy planted Watermelons. We were told they would not do well here in Colorado.

But here is the proof folks and let me just tell you my friends
It was GOOD!

The sweetest, most delicious watermelon, I have ever tasted.
HONEST!

Xander loved it so much he even started eating the rind. :)

Thanks Farmer Jeremy
for giving us
zucchini, zucchini, zucchini, zucchini, zucchini, zucchini,
zucchini, zucchini
and more zucchini
tomato, tomato, tomato
cucumber, cucumber
herbs, herbs, herbs
And a
WATERMELON
and
maybe
another

Berry Patch Farms

Every Tuesday and Thursday I go running with my neighbor Joy.

She Home-School's her kids and told me how they were going to Berry Patch Farms with the Walker Family. I invited myself along. (She did not mind).
Isn't it pretty. I thought about the Celestial Kingdom after seeing this little farm with friendly animals and fresh produce. I think this is what my Mansion in Heaven is going to be like. A pretty little farm with lots of fresh produce and friendly animals that don't poop and No flies. Oh yeah, and No weeds. We have had all that sweating and toiling down here. So I am sure Heavenly Father will give us weed free and poop free animals.
(Heaven)

So this farm was super fun! We all got crates to pick our own berries. Xander picked a few, and then dumped them all out, including the ones I picked. So I quickly just got him a basket to hold. He was actually picking in this picture. It was pretty cute to see him get the raspberries off the bush. He of course had to eat a few along the way.

After we had picked our raspberries we took a "Free" ride on the tractor about 5 times. It just went back and forth between the fields, picking people up and dropping them off and we just stayed on for the ride!

Xander loves the little girl on the right! BECCA! He screams it every time he sees her! He also had to hold her hand for a bit. Glad she is a good sport :)

BERRY PATCH FARMS
WE LOVE YOU

LOVE

NICHOLE and XANDER

Just sayin Hi!

Jeremy and I took the Camera up to a pretty place
a couple of months ago
to get some 2 year old shots
of the boy....

I finally had some framed yesterday
which this one was included...

It is just sooO his personality. Anyway, Xander noticed them
and was SUPER excited, Said "DER" and blew himself kisses!

HA! I am glad he likes himself.

Because I like him A LOT TOO!

We finally Made it home

We finally Made it home. See the sweat on Jeremy. Doesn't he look like he lost 10 pounds? Good thing I brought up all those shirts for him.

OK

Let's just say that a female thing made me run down the mountain
a bit faster. 6 hours to get up. 3 hours to get down. :)

Thankful that Jeremy had a clean sock and I had the spandex kind of underwear to hold everything in place.

GROSS!

I am sorry but it is the truth and I am sure that is what the pioneers had to do. Poor things.

But I had not had a visit from good ole Aunt Flo for 3 years. Birth Control kept me Aunt Flo free and I just barely stopped and was not expecting it to come back so fast. But I am glad it happened on the last day, not the first.

We were both starving and wanted to go to Beau Joe's in Idaho Springs but we were both so grimy and now I was feeling especially dirty that we went to the Mc D's drive thru instead. I don't think I have downed a Big Mac faster in my life. I probably could have eaten two.

I am so glad we made this trip!

Here's to making Memories of US!

MY LOVE!

P.S.
Oh yeah, see that stick I am holding in my hand in picture above. Jeremy carved and made it a nice walking stick for me. I told him how I fall down a lot on the down hill, so he made me this nice, walking stick up at camp for the way down and it worked great! I love my husband!

CIMG6383

I would never watch this on TV. But I love to watch my husband fish! He is Hot! And I bet you never met a person who thinks that fish teeth are cool.

How to keep Bears away

On Day 2 Jeremy made some delicious fish.

He caught them.
He was going to bring 3 fishing poles
2 Fly rods
and a Spin rod
He wanted me to carry the Spin rod up in this big bulky case
I said
NO!!
It would have taken me 7 hours to get to camp with that thing also on my back.

So he actually used the fly rod like a spin rod
and caught fish. I will post the video tomorrow.
So glad I did not carry that rod
made him be creative

This is Jeremy cooking. MMMM it was so good.
Fresh Fish does not taste "fishy"
It tastes like really good meat.
I think "fishy" is rotten.
We are all eating rotten fish at home.
Fish is not supposed to taste "fishy"

See that little canister with the word "JAX"
That is our Bear Container

We had to put all our food in it every night to keep the bears away.

I also brought Xander's little Bear towel
and dressed up like a bear
and held fish.
Because Bears like fish but I was dressed as a bear with fish,
and then yeah, they stayed away.

GRRRR....Oh yes, I also prayed nightly

And had this little Marmot tent to keep me safe.

And Jeremy slept with a knife and told me how he would kill the bear if it attacked us.

So we were safe.

Mostly because of Xander's towel I think!