The Tremaynes

My journey begins

2010-10-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to lose weight for a very long time (About 7 years, 1 month to be exact). Ever since my first child was born. I have signed up for a women's weight loss program with a personal trainer at my gym. Today was my first day, and it was painful. Weight, body fat testing, measurements, caloric goals, physical activity goals etc. etc. etc. But I'm going to do this. My reasons??? I want to feel comfortable in my skin again. I want my kids to learn healthy habits. I want to do fun things again without feeling self concious. I want to go to my husband's 20 class reunion next summer and feel that he's proud to have me on his arm (not that he wouldn't anyway....but I want to feel it myself). I want to stop missing out on family fun time because I feel too fat. I want to be healthy and happy. And a million other reasons. What are the down sides to losing the weight? I won't be in my safe little comfort zone that I've been in for so long. That's all.
Wish me luck. I'll post pictures of my progress (if I get real ambitious).

Siblings......sigh

2010-06-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

Erik's primary teacher told me the other day about an experience she had with him in class...She was teaching a lesson on faith, and in the middle of class Erik raised his hand. She called on him and this was their conversation:

Erik-I don't like my sister.
Sis. Stevens-I'm sure you love your sister. She might make you mad sometimes, but I'll bet you love her.
Erik-No, I don't like her. Not even a little bit.

Sister Stevens let it drop and continued with her lesson...about fifteen minutes later, Erik raised his hand again.

Sis. Stevens- Yes Erik.
Erik-I guess I like my sister.

Needless to say, faith kinda went in one ear and out the other that day.

Long time, No see

2010-06-04T07:38:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted since January??? Really?! Wow, time flies!
Today is the last day of school for the kids and I'm not NEARLY as excited as they are. Any ideas on how to keep them busy and out of trouble through the summer??? Tim and I took a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico last weekend. It was tons of fun! Thanks to my mom for flying in to watch all three kids while we relaxed!

Great Big Muscles

2010-01-05T07:58:00.000-08:00

Erik flexed his arms and told me that he has big muscle bumps like Uncle Darin....keep working on 'em bud....maybe someday.

ERIK

UNCLE DARIN

Connor

2009-11-16T10:15:00.001-08:00

Huh?

2009-09-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

I'm starting a book entitled "Did that just come out of my mouth?" What is the strangest, silliest, funniest thing you've had to say to your kids that you never thought would come out of your mouth???

Sense of accomplishment

2009-09-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post....then I have to go feed my baby. I finished my first race this morning. It was a 5K, and I was able to run the whole thing, which in itself was a big accomplishment, but I also took 3rd place overall. My hips are killing me and I'm hungry as all get out, but I did it!!! I've got a 3K next weekend and then another 5K. I'd really like to try a bike race sometime!

Food Storage Web Site

2009-08-18T07:08:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are interested in actually using your food storage, I have a great website for you. www.safelygatheredin.blogspot.com It's a blog by a lady who posts about food storage. Every Friday she posts a new recipe using EXCLUSIVELY food storage items. There's also a list of past recipes so you can go back and browse. I've made a couple of the recipes and they taste really good! The curried lentils over rice was yummy. Most of these recipes are pretty healthy too. Take a look!

Updates

2009-08-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Uncle Scott's running program I am now able to run a half hour without stopping! I know that doesn't sound significant, but to me it IS! I have also started a biggest loser competition in my ward! We started on Saturday with our initial weigh in, and I've lost a whopping 0.5 lbs. I'm excited about it though!
I also went jet skiing for the first time on Tuesday. It was a BLAST! It's pretty cheap too. I guess it only cost about $100 to rent the jetskis for the entire day, and the company brings them to the lake to you, and then comes and picks them up when you're done. Sweet Deal! We took the kids out on them too. Ashley didn't like it because she said she got too cold (it was about 95 degrees out, so I didn't quite understand that), but Erik LOVED it. Tim said he kept asking him to go Faster, Faster!!! Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures. :( We had a great time, and the Lake was only about 5 minutes from our house. It was actually a little cove off the snake river, but I still had NO idea it was there. There's a swimming area roped off and a boat launch and a dock and everything....now that I know about it, we'll be spending a lot more time there!

Breast Feeding Pros/Cons

2009-07-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

Pros:
-You don't have to treck down to the kitchen to make a bottle in the middle of the night
-You don't have to pack up bottles and formula if you need to go somewhere
-The longer you breast feed, the less likely you are to get breast cancer
-Immunity Boost for baby
-Bonding with baby
Am I missing anything?

Cons:
-The scale won't budge (this is true for me anyway, can't seem to lose weight)
-Baby sleeps longer with formula (which equates to more sleep for mom)
-Dad can't help with the feedings
-I can't go see movies or anything else that takes more than 2 hours
-It's inconvenient, and embarrassing to nurse in public
-Baby can be sensitive to foods mom eats
Am I missing anything?

To wean or not to wean, that is the question. Is three months enough? What do you think?

Goals

2009-07-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to get pretty excited about running, which hasn't happened in.....well, ever. I did cross country track in Jr. High....and hated it. That might have had something to do with the fact that we trained with the high school runners who were much fitter and faster, and I always felt inadequate running with them. Well, I've learned to only compare myself to me now, and I'm enjoying it finally. I have started Uncle Scott's training program (Thanks Scott!), and will be running the Pocatello 10K on Sept. 5th, and the 10K in Shelley for Spud Days the following weekend. I'm also planning to do a half marathon in Surprise, AZ the end of January. I've found that little goals are the way to go. I've also realized (and this has given me amazing motivation), that when I get through my first race it will be the biggest accomplishment of my life (a little pathetic, but definitely note worthy). So wish me luck! I'll need it!

Weight loss

2009-06-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

Though I am ashamed to admit it, I've got about 70 lbs. to lose. 60 from my pregnancy with Ashley (that I never lost), and an additional 10 from my pregnancy with Erik (which I lost a bit of the 30 I put on then). Good news....I've lost all of the weight from Connor's pregnancy. Anywho, so begins the updates on my weight loss to keep me motivated. 70 lbs. here I come, or here you go rather. Wish me luck!!

rut

2009-06-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

Ever feel like you have NOTHING interesting going on? That's me right now. Monotony rut. Same thing every day. Same routine, same worries, same challenges, same everything. Any advice?

The Metamorphosis

2009-05-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

Tim has a REALLY neat tradition with the kids that he started back when Ashley was born. Ashley was born on his 30th birthday, so he thought it would be fun to have a picture with her every month of her first year, and then every birthday after that to document her growth. He's
continued the tradition with the boys. He loves to put the pictures on slide show mode, and watch the metamorphosis of the kids. Here are a few examples from Ashley and Erik's metamorphosis, and the first picture of Connor's. I won't post all the pictures as I'm sure you don't want to see every photo snapped from my kids lives!

Tim and Ashley- 1 month

Tim and Ashley- 6 months

Tim and Ashley- 1 year

Tim and Ashley-2 years
Tim and Ashley- 3 years

Tim and Ashley-4 years

Tim and Ashley- 5 years

Tim and Erik- 1 month

Tim and Erik- 6 monthsTim and Erik- 1 year

Tim and Erik- 2 years

Tim and Connor- 1 month

I'm such a wimp

2009-05-08T07:39:00.001-07:00

Wednesday I took Ashley to Kindergarten Roundup to find out the necessary information for next school year. I realized I'm a wimpy mom when they took all the kindergartners to the classroom for games and cookies. I turned around in my seat watching Ashley leave and almost started bawling! My baby, my baby, where are they taking you? Homeschooling wouldn't be SO terrible, would it? I hear that your first and your last are the hardest to let go of. Everyone cry with me in September!

Connor's Blessing

2009-05-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

Update

2009-04-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, Connor is 2 1/2 weeks old now, so I guess it's time for an update. Connor is doing really well, he's growing fast and is very healthy...or so they tell us at the doctor's office. He's had an infected umbilical, but we've been treating that and it's fallen off and healed up now. He's got a cute little outie...I don't know if he'll think it's so cute later on, but we love it. I got mastitis, and got over that..whew. He's a good little eater and sleeper. He is a fast eater, which concerned me at first. I had heard (and my other two followed the trend) that a baby should eat about 15-20 minutes on each side. I'm lucky if I can get Connor to nurse for 15 minutes....total. But he put on 1.2 lbs. in a week, so I guess he's getting what he needs. He wakes up twice at night, once at 1 once at 4 and takes a half hour total to eat, have his diaper changed and go back to sleep, so I'm not hurting too much there. Everyone keeps asking me if the baby is wearing me out. Give me a newborn anyday!!! Somebody needs to tell me how to deal with my 2 year old...he's the one wearing me out!

The other day, I couldn't hear Erik, which is never a good thing. I though he was downstairs with Tim, so I went down there, but he hadn't seen him. Guess where I found him....sitting in the sink, in the bathroom applying my makeup. I had to spend a small fortune replacing most of what he got his hands on. I'm happy to report I kept my cool pretty well. In fact Tim commented that he was impressed that I didn't "pinch his little head off". It was a near thing.

Today, I got a call from the 911 dispatcher. Erik decided we had an emergency, I guess. I told the dispatcher we didn't have an emergency.....YET. I realized that might not be a very wise thing to say when I remembered those calls are recorded. So for the record...I'm not going to maim my son....I promise. At least not today.

One word

2009-04-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

MASTITIS!!!!!

Connor James Tremayne

2009-04-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

Here he is! Connor James Tremayne! 8 lbs. 5 oz. 20.5 inces long. All went well. He's a happy mild little baby, and I'll post more when I'm not pecking at the keyboard with one hand cause I'm holding a new baby in the other......such is life...now...I guess.

Almost there

2009-04-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

Well, we've just about gotten through it. The Piano Recital is over and done with, and went off without a hitch, except Erik smashing his finger in the church door. (Can't wait for another little boy :)) We've gotten through Tim's, Dad's, 60th b-day party, which was at our house on Sunday (switched from the night before the induction, thankyou Tim). Today I finish up my visiting teaching for April, and get some of the last minute shopping done (which mom tells me not to do, she can do it when she gets here- do I ever listen????). And tomorrow Mom flies in to try to make me sit down and relax (it won't work, I bet you it won't). Then......Thursday morning....6:00 A.M. we're in the hospital getting pitosin pumped into my system. If everything goes as smoothly as it did with Erik, we should have a new little hurricane added to our family by noon or 1. I'll post pictures when I get a spare second.....which could mean NEVER! Grandma Renee bought me a magnet for my fridge which reads "Mothers of little boys are busy from SON up to SON down". Hopefully I can get at least one picture posted for you all. WISH ME LUCK!!!

Ashley's first Piano Recital

2009-04-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

Piano is over for the year and I'm thrilled and relieved. The recital was excellent, all the kids played really well. I always tend to get just as nervous for them as they get for themselves. But this year was really nerve wracking. Ashley was playing for the first time, and I had the mom nerves along with the teacher nerves. She did really well. She's a really great little student. I always vowed I'd never teach my own kids, because it's a nightmare. She wouldn't take from anyone else, so I finally agreed.....conditionally. As soon as she starts fighting me with the practicing it stops, and she gets a different teacher. So far she's really self motivated and reminds ME when she needs to practice. Hopefully that will continue. She just started taking lessons about a month and a half ago and REALLY wanted to play in the recital. I was hesitant since she's been playing such a short time and she's so young. I finally gave in, and she did really really well. The video is the first song she played (memorized) called "the zoo". Tim wasn't able to get her second song, Erik was sitting on his lap, and wasn't going to allow it for anything, which is unfortunate. Her second song was even better than the first. I'm very proud of you, Ashley!

Pregnancy pictures.

2009-03-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

Alright, this post is for those who have asked for pregnancy pictures. I warn you again....I'm not cute during pregnancy, and I look like a whale! The last two pictures are of my family, and me with Ashley....SHE looks cute The last 3 pictures were taken on Sunday.

The sound of silence

2009-03-29T14:52:00.000-07:00

So, normally Erik won't sleep unless he's in his own bed or in the van. If he falls asleep in the van I can usually transfer him to the couch and he'll continue to sleep (see previous post). I have never had him fall asleep in the middle of play. So anyway, Friday Myken, a friend of mine, and I took our kids swimming for a couple of hours. Apparently this completely wore Erik out. Myken took him home and dropped him off with Tim, while I stayed for Ashley's swimming lessons. Tim could hear him in the kitchen playing with the child lock on the cupboard doors on my island. Suddenly.....silence. And this is what he found when he investigated the silence.

Silly kids

2009-03-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some cute pictures of the kids. 2 weeks to go!

Help, I'm a meanie!!!

2009-03-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

My patience level has dropped with my comfort level. My poor family. I don't remember being this mean with my other two, in fact, Tim has said I wasn't this mean. Of course I didn't have 2 other kids with my other pregnancies either. Just one example; I got a new pack n' play the other day, and I set it up to make sure it was what I wanted, and Erik kept touching it....just touching. It drove me bonkers! He was in tears, I was frustrated. Help, how am I going to make it another 3 weeks without my kids hating me, my husband hating me, and me hating myself for being such a monster???!!! Where's the intervention?

Doctor's appointment

2009-03-17T08:30:00.001-07:00

Well, I had a doctor's appointment on Friday. I knew going in that since this is the last 4 appointments, all modesty was out the window. However I didn't anticipate having the doctor walk in with a group of nursing students. Nice. He introduced me to them all, and asked if I minded if they observed. What was I going to say? Get out? In for a penny, in for a pound I guess.
Anyway, everything is looking good. He's head down, and has definitely dropped (the doctor could feel his head). I'm a WHOLE half a centimeter dialated, and 50% effaced. I was a little upset cause I put on some weight, dang birthdays anyway. 3 1/2 weeks!

4 1/2 weeks? Too Long!

2009-03-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

I know in the past I have said that I wasn't ready for this little boy to be born, because, since I have 1 boy I know how rambunctious and energetic they can be and it is easier to keep this one on the inside. Katie, I don't know how you do it!!! Twin boys....eeeesh. I've changed my mind. Get this child OUT!
I had heartburn all last night (even after taking 4, YES 4, tums), so I added a pillow to elevate myself, and woke up with a splitting headache. My sciatic nerve is killing me, and I'm having those awful ab muscles stretching pains. I don't have ankles anymore, just donuts wedged up over my feet, and I cut myself twice shaving my legs, cause I can't seem to get to them anymore. CAN I BE DONE YET????
Up side....I can't reach my feet, so Tim finally put my lotion on for me last night. I haven't gotten a foot massage since I was pregnant with Ashley.
Oh, and by the way....HE has a name now....Connor James Tremayne.

Brian Reganism

2009-02-26T09:41:00.000-08:00

Alright everyone, I've been given the assignment by my brother Brian to spread the good word, no not the gospel (though I'm sure he wouldn't mind that), but the good word of Brian Regan. If you've never heard of him....for shame. He's just our absolute favorite comedian ever. He's completely clean, and HILARIOUS! Listen to him here on my blog, or look him up on youtube. You won't be sorry.
I'm totally jealous because Mom and Tacee are going to see him live at the college in Missoula this weekend. :(
ENJOY!!

7 weeks left!

2009-02-19T08:06:00.000-08:00

Well, we've got 7 weeks, and a couple days left till baby number three is born. I'm already on the books at the hospital to be induced on April 9th at 6:00 a.m.! I think I'm excited...I know how active boys are and I think Baby Boy Tremayne is easier inside, but I can't wait to see him. This has been the easiest pregnancy so far, except I feel like I've had a constant cold all winter long. I had a doctor's appointment on Monday, and I've put on a total of 9 lbs. this pregnancy. Yay!! Definitely a switch! With Ashley I put on around 60 lbs. Erik I put on about 30 lbs.
The kids are really excited about the new baby, Although Ashley has moved past this pregnancy onto the next when we'll (obviously) be giving her a baby sister. They are so cute. They love to pet, hug and kiss my belly and are always talking to "baby". It would really be nice if they could call him by name, but we STILL haven't decided on a name. Thankyou everyone who voted on the poll, but Tim decided he didn't really like any of those names anymore. ARGHH! I am open to any suggestions anyone might have.
So I told Tim that we were scheduled at the hospital for April 9th. He then told me that we are having his Dad's 60th birthday party on April 8th......fine......at OUR house......not so fine. He says he'll take care of everything...cooking, cleaning, hosting.....and that I was not to lift a finger. We'll see if things develope that way.

Groundhog day

2009-02-03T07:59:00.000-08:00

Well, looks like Punxsatawney Phil saw his shadow. 6 more weeks of winter. Now, I never understood that.....My calendar says it's 6 more weeks of winter regardless. But who am I to question Phil, Seer of seers, Prognosticator of all prognosticators. According to Ashley, It means there's 6 more days till Christmas. My first thought was...crap...I haven't even STARTED my holiday shopping.

Winter Blahs

2009-01-26T12:07:00.000-08:00

I think winter has me in a slump. I can't seem to get up any energy or motivation this month. So that's my excuse for not blogging more. And to be honest I really don't have anything interesting or exciting to say- I just thought I'd let you all know, I'm still alive. Here are some really cute pictures of the kids to make your visit worth it though. :)

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

Well, here's another year. What happened to 2008? I think I blinked and missed it, it went by so fast. It's taken me a little bit to even think about New Years Resolutions. Erik had the flu a couple of days ago, and Ashley had it yesterday, now I'm not feeling so hot. Figures Tim (the only one of us who DIDN'T get a flu shot) feels fine. Anyway, my new years resolution this year is a continuation of last years, which has gone on a brief hiatus until April. Last year I was able to lose about 40 lbs. until I got pregnant in July. My goal since July has been to gain as little weight as possible with this pregnancy and make sure I continue exercising through this pregnancy so I can be ahead of the game when the baby comes. I turn 29 in March and I would really like to make a good start into my thirties, feeling good and looking good. So my New years resolutions for the year are to not go utterly insane being a mom of three, and to get to my goal weight by the end of the year. Wish me luck, and I'll try to keep you updated.

Erik's (not first) haircut

2008-12-22T07:45:00.000-08:00

Erik's hair was getting too long. He was getting a rooster tail in back, and I was wondering where his ears had gone, so Tim got the clippers out and gave him a buzz. It was pretty cute, Erik loves getting his hair cut. Usually I take him to a salon, and he sits there nice and quiet and let's the beautician cut his hair. (His idea of leaning his head forward so she can get to his neck, is to open his mouth wider :) ) Erik didn't appreciate the fact that he was COVERED in hair. But he is a pretty smart little boy, he recognized the resemblence between him, with his arms, legs, and stomach covered in hair, and Daddy. Tim may not appreciate the fact that this is now public knowledge...sorry honey! This isn't the first time Tim's hair has been discussed by our children. My 5 year old daughter, who is also a smarty pants (too smart for her own (or our?) good sometimes), once told him that he is a mammal because he is covered in fur. We got a real laugh from that one.

About 8 inches

2008-12-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

Well, we got some snow last night. This is a view out the front door of our house, Tim definately got his exercise shoveling this morning. I love the beauty of snow and how it lays such a pristine blanket over the world. It makes everything seem so clean, and pure. MELT ALREADY!! My mom is driving down from Missoula tomorrow morning, and I'm VERY concerned about her safety driving that stretch between Butte and DuBois. Very Trecherous. If you have a second, say a little prayer that she gets here safe. If this snow could just go away for 24 hours, and come back after that, it'd be great, in fact we could have a blizzard after that and I'd be happy. That's not too much to ask is it??? Well, I may not be appreciating the snow as much as I should, but the kids sure are. They love it! I think they especially love that they get a mug of hot chocolate after playing in the cold. I think Erik has taken to putting on all the gear (hat, gloves, snowpants, snowboots), stepping out the door, coming right back in and asking for hot chocolate with marshamallows. He hasn't realized yet that he can just ask, and not have to go through the wardrobe fiasco. Oh, well, it's cute. Ashley has been wanting badly to make a snowman, unfortunately the snow we've been getting is the dry powdery type. Not at all suitable for making snowmen. :(

All Music-ed out!!!

2008-12-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

After this Sunday I refuse to have anything else to do with music until after the holidays. Usually the music is one of my favorite things about Christmas. This year I'm all music-ed out! I have 8 piano and voice students that I work with (which I get a break from until the 5th of January!), and....I participated in the choir for our Stake Christmas Music Program, helped organize and plan our Ward Music Sacrament Meeting for Christmas as well as am singing in the choir for that, singing in a small group, and conducting the YM and YW in a song. I also helped organize and plan our Relief Society Christmas Music Program which is also this Sunday, and am singing in a trio for that program. Ahhhh! I LOVE music, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. On our sleigh ride next week, we're required to sing for our supper. I told Grandma she could count on me for some loud clapping and whooping, but I'm not going to sing a note after this Sunday. I refuse!

SNOW!!

2008-12-13T08:10:00.000-08:00

Yea!! Finally, snow! Well, only a couple of inches, but still...SNOW! I am of the mindset that if it's going to be cold...it better be snowin'. Just cold is miserable, especially here in Idaho. I don't know what it is that makes Idaho so bitterly cold in the winter, but it's the kind of cold where you step outside, inhale, and your nose hairs freeze over. Don't go outside with wet hair, it'll break off at the ends. When Tim and I first got married, we spent Christmas down here with his family. His mom gave us one of those fish bowls that have a plant in it and a beta fish, telling us that if we could keep the plant and fish alive for a year we'd be ready to have kids. I'll bet you can see it coming. We stepped outside her house, walked to our car and got in. In the time it took us to get to the car......the plant died. So far I'm doing better with my kids, Ashley's made it 5 years. Cross your fingers.
Tim's family has a tradition of going up to Mountain River Ranch for a sleigh ride and dinner every year after Christmas. We've experienced the gammot- no snow so they put the wheels on for a wagon ride, wet rainy mud bogging rides, and beautiful snowy sleigh rides. I'm PRAYING for the beautiful snowy sleigh ride this year. Keep the snow coming!!!

Makes 15 Dozen??!!

2008-12-12T06:18:00.000-08:00

So, the other day I went to Sam's club to get some groceries. I saw a box of sugar cookie mix, and was immediately craving sugar cookies (that happens a lot lately) so I bought it. Well I got the box home and noticed it said: Makes 15 dozen cookies. What in the heck am I going to do with 15 dozen cookies, I thought to myself. I know....Have a sugar cookie decorating party! So I called up about 8-10 of my friends who have little kids who aren't in school yet, and invited them over decorate sugar cookies! We had a blast. These pictures were taken soon after we started, so SOME of the kids are still at the tables instead of up playing in my kids' rooms. About halfway through the kids decided that would be more fun, and the sugar cookie decorating became the duty of the moms, which is how it's supposed to be I think. Mom's in the kitchen decorating cookies and chatting and kids playing....sounds like the right dynamic. Anyway, it was a blast! May have to become an annual event.

Amy's Christmas list

2008-12-08T07:03:00.000-08:00

So for the benefit of my husband, who has absolutely no idea what to get me for Christmas, here it is....The published copy of Amy's Christmas list.
- the baby to quit kicking my organs and stick with the front of my belly
- Mitt Romney to be president
- a clean house with no effort by me
- perfectly behaved children
- 2 (count em...2) workable showers
- my family to live closer to me
- more snow
- shipping to be cheaper to Mongolia
- world peace
- and I guess if those other things aren't workable....a bosch mixer would be okay.

Random Thought

2008-12-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

What's the point of writing down birthmarks and especially locations of birthmarks when kids are little. My son has a freckle on the back of his leg that keeps moving closer and closer to the back of his knee. I used to have a freckle right under my bellybutton, but after 3 pregnancies, that freckle is about 3 inches to the right now. Tacee has a birthmark on her.....well, anyway, you get my drift. I sure hope cops don't put too much stock in birthmarks as identifying information when they're looking for a suspect.

Twilight is worth it

2008-11-21T08:26:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I'm writing this half asleep, so sorry if it doesn't make much sense.
I went to the 12:30 showing of Twilight last night, which was somewhat foolish considering I knew I'd have to get up at 6:30-7:00 with the kids. Well, my friends and I got there at 10:30 and.....didn't have to wait in line! They were showing the movie on all 13 screens and some of the screens were empty so they let those people who had those theatre numbers on their tickets in early. Our friend was holding our place in line and called us letting us know she was in the theatre, so we drove over, parked, and walked in. NICE! Not a bad wait when you get to sit in comfy chairs in a warm theatre chatting with a bunch of friends. Anywho, the movie didn't actually get started until 1:00 because of technical difficulties linking the projectors in order to play the movie throughout the whole theatre. They said there were around 3,000 people there for that showing!!
So, anyway, the movie was worth it. It started out a little cheesy and I got a little worried, but by the end....wow! I even read the books first and still loved it. I was a little distracted at the end (during some really intense, dramatic parts) because of a full bladder and a child kicking said bladder. But even so, two thumbs up, highly recommended, 5 stars.

Prop 8 backlash

2008-11-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

I don't know what everyone else is experiencing in regard to prop 8 backlash, those of you in CA and UT are probably getting the worst of it. Well, we had a group of protestors come into the church yesterday during the ward before ours. I haven't heard details of what happened, but I do know that the bishop from our ward had some of the heftiest men in the ward sit in the foyers during our meetings, just to be on the safe side. We're pretty lucky we have a police officer in our ward who was patrolling the foyers too. Crazy stuff. You know, I'm all for protesting and demonstrating, I wouldn't take away someone's freedom of speech for anything. When it comes to trespassing and vandalizing I get pretty upset though. It's hard for me to voice much of an opinion when it comes to controversial things like gay rights, because we have a couple of relatives who have chosen that path, and it's kind of a situation of love the sinner but hate the sin. I will say however, and have said to them, that I don't have a problem with people, whether they be homosexual or not having "rights", being able to be in the hospital together, or sign contracts together. I DO have a problem with a redefinition of marriage. I cannot support it. I'm sure most of you feel similar.

And so it begins

2008-11-13T08:54:00.001-08:00

Wahoo!!! We've finally got our contractor here working on the bathrooms!! We've only been trying to get this done since May. Has anyone else had problems with reliable contractors? No offense to any of you contractors reading this, I'm sure you're excellent.
I'm very excited to get my master bathroom fixed....finally. We haven't been able to use the shower in that bathroom for about 3 years. Because of water damage caused by a poorly sealing shower door, the sub-floor needed to be replaced, so the whole thing basically needed to be gutted. We decided if we have to fix it anyway, why not go for greatness, so we're completely remodeling it. I wish I had some before pictures, but as soon as I take some I'll post some "during" pictures and an after.
Anyway, because we couldn't use the master shower, Tim and I were using the basement shower, until......that one was put out of commission too. I'm thinking the plumbers who did the house cut some major corners, or maybe it was the owners finishing the basement, who knows. I was preparing to get in the shower, and was leaning my hand against the back wall while I turned on the faucet and......my hand went right through the tile. Well, Tim started pulling the tile off, and apparently whoever did the bathroom didn't tile on cement board, or even water-proof dry wall, but right on regular dry wall. There was black mold all in the walls and under the tub and everything. GREAT! So that had to be ripped out. And now we're going for greatness on that bathroom too. I've never been so happy for lots of bathrooms though. We did have one other tub to shower in (the kids bathroom), and we're hoping that one doesn't have to end up being fixed before the others are done, or we're up a creek without a paddle. I'll never again complain about having to clean 4 toilets.

The Chuck-a-rama

2008-11-12T14:09:00.000-08:00

So, I happen to like tradition. For example, for Thanksgiving I picture a big family dinner with a turkey and all the fixin's sitting around afterward groaning over the pain in your belly and then seeing if you can add more to the enormous pile in your gut by eating at least 2 peices of pie. Now, in my traditional mind, this ritual takes place at the home of a family member (grandma, mom, etc.) . Now, apparently not everyone agrees with me. My husband's family has a tradition for Thanksgiving. They (and they includes me apparently) go to the chuck-a-rama for Thanksgiving Dinner. Now, this is a tradition I'm having a hard time getting behind.
And why does no one sympathize with me??? Everyone I've complained to expecting sympathy thinks it's a great idea!!! No clean up, no prep. What could be better.
I guess it could be worse, and I should be thankful for a meal at all. And I suppose the Chuck-a-rama still fulfills all of the food, pain, pie criteria.

Update

2008-11-07T17:37:00.000-08:00

Sooo.....I'm not so good at keeping up with this, although I've written more frequently here than in my journal so I'll pat myself on the back. Here's the update: I'm pregnant, due in April. They thought it might be twins because I was measuring big. I had an ultrasound this morning to find out and....only 1. But I'm two weeks further along than we thought (woo hoo!), and....it's another BOY. Oh, geez. I'm not buying anything new for my home for a VERY long time. And I think my home is going to be a very noisy place. I can't WAIT (really!) I'll try to keep up to date as much as possible on this pregnancy.

Halloween was fun, I guess. I'm not a huge fan of spending money on cheap costumes kids wear once, and on tons of junk food. Not a Halloween person. My kids loved it though, and I have to admit they looked pretty cute. We're candy re-gifters. All the candy my kids got at parties and trunk-or-treats went right into a bowl and out to trick or treaters on halloween night. My kids got to keep what they collected on Halloween, which wasn't much, since a 5 year old and a 2 year old don't hit too many homes. Hope everyone else had a good holiday.....on to the next.

Segment 2 : "The Aquarium"

2008-08-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

On the 14th we went into Newport, Oregon and went to the Aquarium. So, you know how they say that a picture is worth a thousand words....well here you go. I'll just give a couple of short explanations here and there. Everywhere you went you could hear kids (mine included) referencing "Nemo".

seahorses

octopus

the kids LOVED the touching pools- they were both obsessed with the anemones.

jellyfish

these were the BIGGEST crab I had ever seen. They were WEIRD!

some kind of fish

They had the coolest shark tank. It was a tube that you walk through, so the sharks are swimming all around and above you. They even had glass in the floors so you could see the sharks below.

It was a long day!

Vacationing isn't a vacation

2008-08-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

So, have you ever noticed that while big vacations are tons of fun they ARE NOT relaxing!!! Especially if you're "mom". We took a vacation last month to the Oregon Coast and Washington- and we had a ton of fun. It'll probably take me a couple of posts (or more) to get everything in. So here is segment one: "The Beach"

We got to Lincoln City, Oregon on July 11th and checked into our condo. The view from our patio was BEAUTIFUL!!

Unfortunately is wasn't quite as warm as we would have liked. In fact is was pretty windy and foggy most of the time.

We still spent as much time as possible playing on the beach. We spent NO time in the ocean.(FREEZING)

And we did play a few rounds of "wave-tag"

Lincoln City is the kite flying capital of the world. So, needless to say- it was WINDY! We were smart enough to have brought OUR kites though!!

Us, by me

2008-08-12T15:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the first post. I guess I should tell you a little bit about each of us.

Timothy Aaron Tremayne. Tim works for the Social Security Administration and is the Elder's Quorum President in our Ward. He's a great husband and dad! One of Tim's favorite things to do is to drool over every "big boy toy" there is. He'd really like to own: a truck, a boat, jet skis, snow mobiles, a motorcycle, a big screen tv, etc. etc. etc.

Amy Lynn Tremayne. Amy is an overly busy mom, who doesn't necessarily have to be so busy, but for some reason likes to overbook herself. Amy teaches Voice/Piano lessons, and is the all around "music person" in church. Amy likes to try to make money on every craft imaginable.

Ashley Nicole Tremayne. Ashley is our highly-motivated-too-smart-for-her-own-good 5 year old. She has been working on reading and doing addition and subtraction and won't be starting Kindergarten until Fall of '09. I KNOW!! She has the vocabulary of a sixty year old english professor. She is starting tumbling and violin this fall as well as her third and final year of preschool.

Erik Timothy Tremayne. Erik is our two foot flash bolt of lightning. He just turned two and gets into EVERYTHING!!! His favorite pastime lately is emptying the salt and pepper shakers onto the table and floor. He is into everything male: cars, balls, guns, dirt, pulling hair, kicking and spitting. He keeps us on our toes.

? Tremayne. Scheduled to arrive in April. More to come on this one.

The Tremaynes

My journey begins

Siblings......*sigh*

Long time, No see

Great Big Muscles

Connor

Huh?

Sense of accomplishment

Food Storage Web Site

Updates

Breast Feeding Pros/Cons

Goals

Weight loss

rut

The Metamorphosis

I'm such a wimp

Connor's Blessing

Update

One word

Connor James Tremayne

Almost there

Ashley's first Piano Recital

Pregnancy pictures.

The sound of silence

Silly kids

Help, I'm a meanie!!!

Doctor's appointment

4 1/2 weeks? Too Long!

Brian Reganism

7 weeks left!

Groundhog day

Winter Blahs

New Year's Resolutions

Erik's (not first) haircut

About 8 inches

All Music-ed out!!!

SNOW!!

Makes 15 Dozen??!!

Amy's Christmas list

Random Thought

Twilight is worth it

Prop 8 backlash

And so it begins

The Chuck-a-rama

Update

Segment 2 : "The Aquarium"

Vacationing isn't a vacation

Us, by me

Siblings......sigh