Christmas Tree Decorating 2012....FINALLY!!!

This Christmas season seemed to sneak up on us and we were a little late doing everything. But we eventually got the tree out. We set the tree up one night and then a week later we decorated it when we finally found some time all together. The kids helped Daddy fluff the tree this year and he was so thankful for their help! When we did finally decorated the tree we decided to let the kids do the majority of the job...(I'm not anal about the tree and the decorations... Maybe one day I will like a nice tree, but with kids this young I just don't think that really matters...)

Of course with the kids doing all the decorating only parts of the tree actually got decorated...

As you can see below, three of the same decoration got put pretty much right next to each other...

Ethan and Katelee were very proud of their decorating job.....I love Kate's look in this picture, like she just got done doing a big job..

And here is our finished tree... Pretty pathetic, I know, but I LOVED it! It's perfect for our Christmas this year!!

By the time we took the tree down most of the bottom ornaments were moved to the top to stay out of the quick hands of our very own ornament monster Ashlee....

Peaceful... Night-Night

I cannot get enough of my kids when they sleep. When they sleep they look so peaceful and calm. They don't talk back and they make me smile! I just had to give you all a glimpse at what I get to see every night before I go to bed!!! You never know what position Ethan is going to be in... He is all over the place!

Kate loves her babies.... Such a good mother!!

And this girl, she loves to sleep on her knees, I don't know how it can be comfy for too long, but she makes it look comfy!!!

Ethan is 5... How Did That Happen?

Ok, so I cannot deny that I have REALLY slacked in the Blogging business. I have my reasons and they will be posted later. However I need to write about Ethan since he is now five. I can't find my memory card with pictures so this will just be an Ethan update and I'll do a birthday post later when I find my camera


Ethan is growing like a weed and I don't know how to make him stop. The kid is getting so tall and skinny. Because Ethan's birthday is past the cut off for school he didn't start Kindergarten this year, but he will next year. Instead we enrolled him in preschool with an old friend on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week. This school is out in Henderson so Grandma Snickers takes him on those days. This has been a nice break for Grandma Jiggs, who at times has five kids all day long. Ethan loves school, most of the time. A lot of times he will say he doesn't want to go and when I talk with him about it, he really just feels like he is learning too much. He will say, "it's just hard learning so much, it makes my brain hurt!" I love that he thinks this way, such a boy! He always goes no matter what and he never gives Grandma any problems with it. Everyday they either learn a new letter or review the letter they learned the previous day. He already knew his alphabet, but now he is getting more familiar with them and learning how to properly write them as well. There are five other kids in his class and he gets along with all of them. For Ethan's birthday I got off of work early and as a family we took donuts for his class. He was so excited to see us and it made us all feel special.

Ethan is still a caring boy, he really does try to be sensitive to peoples feelings. If he sees someone not happy he will ask them if they are ok. He also has a very, VERY good memory. He can remember what color trucks were, what kind of truck they were and what he was wearing when he saw them. He remembers what you have told him, if it is in him favor. He loves his Little Little sister and just adores her. Ashlee can get mean at times and grab faces and pull but Ethan never gets upset about it. He always just lets her do it, much to my dismay. He will laugh at her and she in turn with do the same. Anything Ethan does is funny to his Little Little sister. And he just EATS. IT. UP!!

Ethan and his little sister Katelee have a very rich love/hate relationship. One minute they will be best friends, playing so nicely together and being polite to each other and then the next they are yelling, wrestling and not being nice at all. They both know how to be mean and they do it very well to each other. However, at the end of the day they both love each other and don't like it when someone else is not nice to the other. Ethan will often times tell me "don't talk to my sister like that!" It cracks me up because at times when the kids yell or say something mean to Chris I point out that Chris is my husband and I don't want them to talk to him like that. Kids really do listen to anything you say!

Ethan will be moving on to CTR5 next year in Primary and he is very excited for that. I think he might be more excited about Katelee being in Primary with him though. He is making quite a few friends in primary and even knows their names. He takes after his dad with respect to that. The other day at dinner Ethan was telling us some stuff that was going on in primary and he said, "oh and those two boys that look alike, their birthday is this month and they are turning 8!" Those two boys happen to be a set of twins in our ward, but I knew exactly who he was talking about. He says little things like that, that just make my heart smile. His CTR 4 teachers were very good to Ethan, and knew how to handle his crazy spirit. They even came to one of his t-ball games as a family. Ethan really liked that! Ethan and his parents will miss the Fabians and hope his next teacher is just as AWESOME!

Ethan is a mama's boy and I love it. He loves to hug me and talk with me. He loves to play with my hair as we talk and I try my hardest not to get annoyed by it. We have many "deep" for a five year old conversations about things. One example of this was in regards to the passing of my cousin recently. Ethan, Chris, Grandpa Jiggs, Uncle Matt, Cousin Brian and I went four wheeling not that long ago so Ethan really knew who Brian was. (he remembers special things extra well such as four wheeling, Jeep adventures or cool trucks) One day on our way to Grandma Jiggs for the day Brian was brought up in conversation. He asked again why Brian had died and I explained again that his heart had stopped beating. Then he said "well I sure hope he is alive the next time we go four wheeling!" I was a little choked up so it took a minute to reply, when I did I said, "Sorry buddy, Cousin Brian died, he wont be able to do that with us again on earth." Without skipping a beat my little guy said, "well Jesus came back to life in three days, when will Brian?" So we talked about the resurrection and then out of nowhere Katelee said, "Cousin Brian died?" Ethan kind of hit his forehead and said "duh, a while ago!" it was so funny, and really brought laughing in a time most needed! Ethan thinks things through and wants to know why, how, when and what in all cases. He is usually never satisfied with the answer, "that's just how it works." He wants to know why.

Ethan is a typical boy and loves BIG TRUCKS, sports, hunting, guns and anything boy. He has learned how to climb up to the top bunk with no ladder and how to get down as well. He thinks he is pretty cool when he sneaks into bed with Katelee and I can't find him. He is a big help cleaning up after dinner, most nights. He loves to ride his bike and go as fast as he can. He doesn't really like to do his school homework and kinda pitches a fit every time I say it's time to do school work. He would rather be playing with his cars or tackling his sister than do anything close to school work. He constantly asks me when I'm going to have the day off forever. He loves when he asks if I have the day off tomorrow and the answer is yes. He will jump up and down and be so happy! He knows how to make me one happy mother!

I know I say it all the time, but Ethan is so special to me. He made me a mother and he has loved me from the very start and I, him! He can drive us all crazy at times, but he can make us all laugh and be silly too!

The day Ethan was born will always be a great day in our life! We love you bubby!!

Booger Brian Fellows....

Many times in life we are "hit" with things that knock us down and make us wonder "why did that just happen?" Monday I was "hit" with one of those things and I know its effects will not go away anytime soon. As I have pondered this situation and the thoughts that have come to mind I'm struck with sorrow that is like none other I have ever experienced before in life. Sorrow for wonderful, WONDERFUL things lost, sorrow for changes in life but most of all sorrow for a dear, DEAR friend. Life as I have known if for the past 15 years or so was all changed in a phone call received at work. As the news was told to me my heart literally broke, the tears started and my mind raced. Pain, guilt and memories filled my soul. My life was all of a sudden filled with a void. The void of a special part, a unique part, a part that will and is already missed dearly.

For it was 15 years or so ago that someone very dear and special was introduced into my life. Someone unique in a wonderful way, someone who I never saw mad or angry at anyone or anything in my life. Someone who knew how to make anyone smile and feel special. I know that everyone who knew this person would agree, he was a unique, rare and oh so valuable friend.

I was a teenager when I met my "cousin" while on our summer vacation in Utah. I say "cousin" because his dad is my dad's cousin... I didn't know he existed until that meeting. He fit into the Blackburn family instantly, as if he had ALWAYS been there. (For those of you familiar with the Blackburn family, you know it takes a very special person to fit in with us!) He went to family activities, lived with my Aunt and Uncle and instantly became a favorite of mine. We would go on shooting outings, four wheeling, camping, had an Olympics event of throwing rocks at different signs, hiking and anything else that was fun. One night we went out for foot long hot dogs and cruised the strip. I remember this trip because it was so fun, and also because I had just gotten braces and I had to cut up my hot dog to eat it, lame for a foot long dog.... I will never forget an inside joke of "It's Splash and it's WONDERFUL!!!" from that night. Brian and I have cruised the strip on his motorcycle, watched SNL over the phone, had many deep talks (one which he told me the guy I was hanging out with at the time was not good enough... I laughed but later that year, once I realized this for myself the hard way, ran straight to his house in search of some comfort...) we had many laughs and silly nicknames and inside jokes that seemed so insignificant just a week ago, but priceless now!!!

Of course there are things I wish I had said or done, that is only natural when you lose someone you love, no matter how unexpected/expected it is... My inbox for text messages contains a text from Brian, a simple "Thank You." That message will always be a reminder to me of how appreciative this guy was. That message has haunted me a little, I wish I would have responded something, anything, just so he would have known I was there... Maybe he did know I was there, maybe he didn't want to bug me or maybe the thought never crossed his mind. I will never know but I hope he knew how much he meant to me, how much I loved him and how much I loved having him around.

A promise I make today and forever is to never forget the Brian I always knew. I will remember the good man he was, the gentleman he was and the friend he has always been. I will always remember our crazy times and happy times. Brian was always thinking of someone else, never himself. I would get random calls at work from Brian asking if I heard him honk. I would laugh, I couldn't hear traffic from my office.. But one day I was outside the Bank taking a breather and I heard a honk and knew it had to be him and it was! After that I started honking whenever I was close or within a mile of his house and call him to see if he heard it... I will continue to honk when I get close to his house, I will still refer to him as Booger Brian Fellow, I will tell some random thing that doesn't make much sense and then slyly say "gottcha!" I will always check my forehead after I have wiped it with a Kleenex. When we go out four wheeling I will stop and throw a rock at some random thing just for Brian.

A great gift I have been given here on earth has been to know Brian and love him. I will always count my life special because he was in it. He exited too soon, but his memory will last as long as I live. For his friendship and memories I am forever Thankful for.

God be with you till we meet again Booger Brian Fellows.... Till we meet again....

Small Comfort....

I came across the following quote today and felt impressed by it's message.

I find deep comfort and faith in the Lord’s promise and blessing to us who remain in mortality: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27.)

Ashlee's Inner Demon

Our Sweet Ashlee is super silly. She loves to laugh and she especially loves to growl. She has been growling for a while now and we love it. Lately however, her cute little growl has turned into a scary Halloween sounding demon. Sometimes I expect to see her eyes shine like flashlights, her hair light on fire and her head spin around, but no, all I see is this cute little girl! We are so in love with this girl, her demon growl and all!

I am PHAST Tri

Saturday October 8, 2011

Last year before we found out I was expecting Ashlee, my sister-in-law, Lisa, signed me and her up for a Sprint Triathlon. I was excited about it and even got a co-worker to sign up to do it as well. I started doing some training, mostly just running and then found out that we were expecting our Ashlee Elizabeth. Being that I would be far along in my pregnancy I could not participate but was able to carry over my registration to the next year. So that takes us to present day. I was able to convince Chris to run the Tri with us as well. Chris got excited about it and found out about a Sprint Tri hosted by a DO student from Touro. This Tri is call the PHAST standing for Promoting Health and Service Tri. At each transition you do something for the Ronald McDonald House. (Side note: My first real contact I had with the Ronald McDonald House was when Ethan was 7 months old and in the hospital. We had been there overnight. I was exhausted and so drained. There for two groups that came and helped bring a smile to a very scared mothers face. The first group was the Ronald McDonald house. They brought me and my mother a sack lunch. It had a diet coke, bologna sandwich, chips and a treat in it. I hate Bologna and I'm not a diet coke fan, but I was so grateful for those people that smiled and were so considerate of me and my little world. Since then I have formed a deep appreciation for the Ronald McDonald house, those that volunteer there and those that help support it!.. Side note over!) We decided to sign up for it so we could have a trial run before our major one. Little did we know this was the week before the Pumpkinman... Ahh, but we didn't back out and I'm glad we didn't.

We started at an aquatic center in Henderson. The weather that whole week had been quite cold and Saturday morning was no exception. I took before pictures must to Chris's dismay.

My Stud Muffin. Excited and a little nervous.Crazy me.

The Tri starts in the water where we swam 500 Meters. I have been swimming with my friend about two times a week in the early morning. The first time I went I felt like I was gonna die. Each time I continued to struggle but felt more and more confident. I even went out to the lake and did a long swim, which I literally felt like I was gonna die. Chris wasn't able to get any swimming in and he felt it. Chris and I were some of the last people to get in the water. They split us up into three different groups. Under 10 minutes, 10-20 minutes and over 20. We happily went to the over 20 line and the back of it as well. The swim felt pretty good to me and I actually finished in 13 minutes. Chris did well also and perfected the back stroked for sure!

Next comes a 12. something bike ride. I had kinda been thinking "how hard can the bike be?" Well it was a tough ride. There were a lot of ups and downs both ways. My thighs burned so bad at one point I almost thought I'd see flames when I looked down. But then a flat part came and the burn went away quick! Chris and I passed around the half way point. I was so proud of us... Does that sound vain? It does but we were actually doing something we had been working towards for a while. It felt great to have a small sense of accomplishment. After the bike I was ready to be done, but we still had to run our 5K. So I got off the bike, put on my running shoes, colored a lunch bag for the Ronald McDonald house and then started the run.

The run was a tough course. The entire first half was all uphill. The night before we had picked up our packets and driven the run course. In the car it didn't seem that bad, but after swimming and biking it was almost impossible. But needless to say I ran it, and I ran it the whole time. My knee started hurting pretty bad, an all too familiar pain that I hadn't felt since before Ashlee was born... It was horribly bad, but it didn't feel much better to slow down, so I didn't. Chris and I passed again about the halfway mark and he said I looked like a gimp... Running in pain can't be expected to be pretty, right? So I finished the race at 1:56:31.... and Chris was right behind me at 2:07:47. Luckily I was able to get the camera and get some pictures of Chris when he came in. So much fun!!!

This is me a little after the race. I had to go grab the camera...

Here is Chris way close to the finish line!! I was telling him to sprint it in since he was so close... I don't know if he could have sprinted if he tried, he was exhausted!

He's almost there!!!

And here we are right after Chris finished. I must tell you how happy I was to finish and see Chris finish. It felt great and I started looking forward to our next race and also started stressing about it too!!!

I borrowed my Brother-in-Law's bike for this race and the one coming up and wanted to get a picture of me with the bike. So here it is! During the race I remember thinking, "what the heck am I doing this for?" And after the race I remember thinking, "I wonder how many of these I can find locally to do?" Amazing what catching your breath and a since of pride can do to your thinking!! We both look very much forward to next year's PHAST Tri!

Swim, Ride, Run and Serve..... Sounds good to me!!!