Grandpa Holloway Beware

We didn't take Darek trick or treating this year. We figure there will be plenty of years for that once he understands what's going on. We did, however, go over to our friend's house for hot chocolate and cookies.

Darek's Grandpa Holloway is a die-hard Redskins fan. Blayne is a die-hard Cowboys fan. This could get us into trouble.

Blayne's coming home

Blayne has had to make more frequent trips for work lately which isn't fun for me. The first day he's gone is the worst, but the day he comes home is great. He left on Sunday and my wonderful neighbor, Arin, had mercy on me and invited Darek and I over for dinner (we would have had cereal for dinner and been totally lonely if it weren't for her :).

Blayne will be home tonight, thank goodness.

In related news, I ate $21.57 worth of specialty candy yesterday (i.e. almond roca, toffee squares, and peanut brittle) and made myself sick. My intention was to give it to the ladies I visit teach. Apparently I have absolutely no self control. If I have food to give to someone, I have to give it right away, or I end up eating it. (And that was expensive stuff!)

And just because - I am in looove with my friend/neighbor's family picture. If you have kids, you have to check it out. www.natpete.blogspot.com . I hope you don't mind Natalie, but this picture has brightened my day!


A friend and I took our boys to get pumpkins and Darek just treated each one like a ball. He'd huff and puff to pick one up and then he'd throw it.


He thinks it's funny to put his hamper over his head and then chase me around the house. It really is funny.

The Backyard

We're blessed to have a huge backyard. Unfortunately this is what it looks like:

Up until the last few days, we thought it was sad that we had such a huge yard being left unused. Our plan is to one day put in a sprinkler system and sod and we figured up until then, it would just be an unusable space. Little boys have their own ideas, though. Darek has been throwing his ball, collecting rocks, and digging with his shovel for hours each day. Now I'm starting to think that he'd be sad if we put grass back there!

Hair Cut

I've gotten to that point where I'm feeling like a blob. My pants come down every time I bend over or walk too fast and the most comfortable shirts are the ones that are big and loose. My solution to this problem was cutting my hair - as my aunt said, I just wanted something about me to have structure. Looking at the pictures, it's actually not as short as I thought, but it's the shortest I've ever had it.

And just so you can see the belly...

Blayne took me on the most romantic date this week - we had a candlelit dinner for two at the top of a tower with rose petals, romantic music...the works. I don't think we've had such a romantic date since before we were married - in fact, we haven't had any dates at all in months!

I get so caught up in feeling like a housekeeper, it was nice to feel like a wife.

In more boring news, we have had a contractor here this week working on our basement and it has been a hoot. He turns his radio up so loud that it makes the floor vibrate and I can hear it throughout the entire house. The reason I haven't asked him to turn it down is the same reason I don't complain at restaurants: if you complain at a restaurant, they might spit in your food; if you complain to a contractor...well I don't know what he could do, but I'm sure he could think of something. The reason it's been a hoot is because not only can I hear his loud music, but he sings at the top of his lungs while he works. I get a kick out of the fact that while he's down there doing very monotonous work (texturing the walls), he's enjoying himself. Sometimes I even sing along too :)

After having snow last weekend, we've been very grateful to have beautiful weather for a couple of days. Blayne and I took Darek to the zoo today and it was wonderful.

We've taken him to the zoo several times and every time we go, his favorite thing to do is chase the ducks. He laughs hysterically.

Friends

My neighbor, Hunter-who's 7, comes over most days after school for about 20-30 minutes while he waits for his older brother to get home (both of his parents work). Darek absolutely loves it when Hunter's around and tries to copy everything he does.

In other news, at 24 weeks pregnant I've already gained 20 pounds. I still have a month until I start the third trimester, and that's when you gain the most weight. Awesome. In the end though, it really will be totally worth it.

Darek Boy

I just wanted to post this picture of Darek-I know I'm biased, but geez he's cute

Blayne left yesterday, Friday, to go with the Young Men in our ward to a BYU football game and fireside. The fireside was last night and he said that it was one of the most uplifting experiences he's had in recent memory. Bronco Mendenhall, the football coach, was the main speaker.

With Blayne gone, Darek and I went to dinner and ice cream with my friend Brooke and her son, Jackson. Then we let the boys play until bedtime - those evening hours get lonely when husbands are gone. Her husband hunts (as do a ton of other Idahoans) and now that hunting season has begun, the men are away on the weekends!

Darek has finally become a fan of Sesame Street - I'll be honest, I've been desperate for him to fall in love with tv. Now I can finally shower in the morning instead of having to wait until he takes his afternoon nap.

Yep, I buckle him in his high chair and set it in front of the tv. Getting ready is a million times easier. (That's his breakfast that's all over his face.)

It snowed today in Idaho Falls. The weather up until now has been absolutely beautiful. Last week the temperature was in the 80's. How quickly things change.

Blogging

It's about time I jumped on board this train. With my family living in Iowa and Blayne's in California, we want to make sure that they don't forget about us out here in Idaho. Darek is 19 months old and fits every stereotype of a toddler: he's into everything, throws fits, and he is SUCH a blast! We spend the better part of most days outside. He spends most of his time trying to get into other people's garages (to take their kids' toys) or their backyards (to play on their swingsets or with their dogs).

I am due to have baby #2 (a GIRL!!!) on February 4th. This pregnancy has been great. And I feel great even though I'm packing on the pounds (I eat donuts and peanut butter M&Ms everyday-I try to stop, but I can't).

Blayne has now worked as a pharmaceutical rep for Eli Lilly for over two years. He loves his job. We've started our own Internet business called TheDressList.com where women can buy and sell used wedding and formal dresses for free. Blayne is selling advertising space on the site and has had a lot of success in Idaho Falls. And when I say "we" started our own business, really I mean I came up with the idea and Blayne has done all the work. It's the good life!

Blayne did his first sprint triathlon this summer

Picking up a ladybug and showing it to me. Poor bug.

This is Darek's favorite toy, his 4-wheeler. It has a button on the handle bar that makes it go. It can get up to 2mph...Awesome