Robert and Kari ~November 21st 2008~

Everything went great! The sealing was awesome, the temple was beautiful as always. The weather was a little chilly (expected) After the wedding we had a luncheon at the Joseph Smith building, which was delicious. We decided to bring the kids along which turned out to be a mistake.
They were horrible. You think Dave and I would know that nap time during a luncheon would create a challenge. We'll learn our lesson someday :(
Luckily we had enough time to get home and put them down for a nap before the reception.

We are SO happy for you Robert and Kari, you guys are great together, we're happy to have Kari in the family!

100 Things about ME!

I started this a LONG time ago.. finally finished.. Don't read unless you are REALLY bored! :)

1. My middle name is Jean. After my Grandma, who I love.
2. I have two brothers, 3 sisters. I loved having a big family, and still do. My kids wont be so lucky.
3. I have blue eyes. A lot of people think they are brown.
4. I've been married 6 and a half years.
5. Dave and I met on a blind date.
6. I like where I live, but don't so much like my house. (my kitchen is VERY SMALL)
7. I love to read, and feel life is incomplete if I'm not into a book.
8. Halloween is my favorite holiday.
9. I am very grateful to whoever invented DVR
10. I am NOT good at artsy and crafty things. I hate craft stores.
11. I am very impatient.
12. I cannot handle chaos, I will avoid it at all costs.
13. I love kids, but get VERY stressed when there are lots, and they are all going different directions.
14. If my house is a mess, I am grouchy. Even when Landon has friends over, if they are making messes, I stress and immediately want to clean it up. (working on that one..)
15. Dave and I have to clean the house once the kids are in bed before anything else can happen.
16. I love when Dave and I have those precious couple of hours each night to hang out (after kids are in bed)
17. I have to have the sheets completely straight before i can get into bed, if Dave is already in bed, he has to get out so we can straighten them.
18. I have to have complete silence while falling asleep, or I get MEAN.
19. I am not a night person and struggle staying awake past 9pm.
20. I have no problem waking up early!
21. I love going to movies and out to eat. That is the perfect date to me.
22. I am bored with my hair.
23. I often have a "permascowl" and don't mean to. My family informs me of this one.
24. I give bad first impressions.
25. I love to hang out with my sisters. We are all dorky, and we can be ourselves.
26. I love to go shopping, I LOVE to buy new clothes!
27. I wore braces when Dave and I were first married. Being pregnant twice has messed my teeth up.
28. It has also messed my body up!
29. I wouldn't trade my kids for anything though :)
30. I don't like seafood of any form.
31. I could eat Subway every day.
32. I have to have my day planned out the day before and get upset if things dont go as planned.
33. I feel bad when I am on the computer and Landon says "MOM! get off the computer!"
34. I really am not on it that much.
35. I enjoy going to relief society.
36. I don't like public speaking, and will avoid it at ALL costs.
37. I have always been a reader, I can read SUPER fast. I read so fast that reading out loud is a struggle for me, my mind processes the words faster than my mouth can spit out.
38. I got a poodle when I was 9 years old. He died 2 years ago. It was such a depressing day. He was my BEST friend growing up.
39. Dave and I agreed we will never own a cat. Maybe a dog.
40. I pick my eyelashes out when I am stressed.
41. I like to blog, and read others' blogs.
42 I don't like when people read my blog and take it personally. I once complained about my difficulties of pregnancy and had others scorn me. "at least I can get pregnant, right?" OF COURSE I am grateful! I know I am blessed. Doesn't mean I have to enjoy pregnancy.
43. if you didn't guess, I hate being pregnant.
44. I can't sit in my house all day.
45. I am usually ready for the day with both kids also ready by 8am. I hate lounging around in my pajamas.
46. I get REALLY annoyed when people are late. I think it's rude. (if it can be avoided.. I understand it happens sometimes. Yeah, I'm sure I've been unavoidably late before.)
47. I get anxious when Dave leaves for work, and then when he leaves for home. He has to call me when he is on his way home, so I know if I need to worry when he is late.
48. I love to cook and bake. I wish I had a better kitchen to do so.
49. I think a lot of people are going to think I am a snot when they read this.
50. Oh well. :)
51. I get stressed out when there is "a huge sale" and I can't make it.
52. I have to have at least 3 types of shampoo in my shower at all times. I cant use the same one twice in a row.
53. My sisters make fun of my lotion collection. I LOVE lotions. I like to have several to pick from.
54. I love hanging out with our families on Sundays. Sundays don't feel right if we sit home after church.
55. I feel blessed to be surrounded by family.
56. I lived in Oregon for much of my childhood and wish to go back.
57. This is harder than it looks, I am shocked you made it this far, I am running out of things!
58. I am excited to have my eyes corrected with Lasik Eye surgery after I am done with kids.
59. I often wonder if I want more kids! :) We'll have one more..
60. I hate when people judge the way others raise their kids. Raise your own, and worry about your own! :)
61. I feel I have the smartest kids alive.
62. I love teaching them new things, and watching their fascination at their newfound skills.
63. I use to struggle, worrying that I was doing everything "the right way" when it came to my kids. Now I don't care, I go with my gut. I am a lot happier, and so are they!
64. I used to work at a group home for adults with disabilities. I worked there for 6 years, loved it and miss it TONS! (and the people I worked with!)
65. I worked at the theater when I was in high school. My friends all wanted me to constantly sneak them in. You can imagine what a fan I was of theirs when I wouldn't do it! :)
66. I only had like 3 really close "girl" friends in high school. I am still good friends with them!
67. I loved high school, unlike most.
68. I sometimes wish I would have finished my nursing degree.
69. I love to travel, but don't do it often enough. I dont like sleeping in hotel rooms. (too noisy)
70. I don't trust many people with my kids.
71. When people are holding Dawson I feel like they dont really want to. I annoy them constantly by saying "you can give him back if you want"
72. I hate driving.
73. I have never driven to Salt Lake, don't plan to and haven't driven past north Ogden. Good think I have an awesome Hubby who enjoys driving.
74. I am too blunt.
75. I say rude things, without meaning to. I offend many, usually my family who knows how I am and are easy to forgive.
76. I was raised in a loud family. Dave always tells me to stop yelling. I don't feel I am :) It's how all of us are!
77. I want a minivan.
78. My favorite type of music is usually anything played on FM 100. I love easy going music.
79. I cant wear my hair in pony tails. Gives me bad headaches.
80. I broke my ankle several months ago and now have a perma bruise on my ankle that is hideous and resembles a huge birthmark.
81. I love walmart and dont care if they are overtaking everything. I will continue to shop and ad match there, I do however love Targets clothes.
82. I hate swimming. I dont like it at all. I never have and never will.
83. I am clumsy, I have fallen down our stairs about 5 times now. I cracked my tailbone and broke my ankle doing this. Dave is usually present to witness this and thinks it's hilarious.
84. Dave and I go to bed together every night, at the same time. We made a pact that we would always do this when we were first married. I get angry when he wakes me up after Ive fallen asleep.. but I'm still glad he does it.
85. I don't like people touching my knees. I don't know why, but it grosses me out.
86. I am bored with this.
87. I love going on family walks. I overdid it this year.. Landon stopped liking them about September time.
88. I almost always get my way when Dave and I have a disagreement. :)
89. I LOVE board and card games! So does Dave, but we can never find anyone to play with us.. WE MISS YOU RYAN AND BROOKE!!!
90. My favorite thanksgiving food item is yams. But only the ones my mom and grandma make. I HATE canned yams, and HATE when people put marshmellows on them.
91. I never really appreciated nature and its beauty until I met Dave. He opened my eyes to lots of things! I didn't know what an Elk, pheasant or antelope was pre Dave.
92. I love my parents. My mom has taught me all I know about being a good mother, cook and cleaner. No one can clean or cook like my mom.
93. My dad is also a good example to me. He never swears, has a mild temper and is always quick to apologize (something I struggle with)
94. I have only cursed twice in my life. Both times were at Dave and this year :( I repented.
95. I love my inlaws. My mother in law has MS and is such a good example of enduring to me. She never complains.. I could do a whole post on her. I just love her... She did a phenomenal job raising her 5 kids.
96. I LOVE doing little girls hair. Who knows if I will ever have a daughter of my own.. for now it's the neighbor girls and my nieces!
97. Speaking of daughters, if I have all boys, I am SERIOUSLY ok with it. I love my two boys and would absolutely love another.
98. I love the Gospel and light it brings into my life.
99. I LOVE my family, and am so thankful they are mine for Eternity.
100. I dare YOU to try and do this. IT'S HARD!!!!!

Another Landon Funny

This kid is cracking us up daily. I love how he thinks things through in his mind!

Dave was going to take Landon pheasent hunting. I told Landon it's only ok to go hunting if we eat the meat of whatever we hunt. He agreed with me, but then told me that grandpa (Dave's dad) doesn't eat what he hunts. I told Landon that he indeed DID eat what he hunted. He continues to argue with me saying that grandpa DID NOT eat what he shot. I said "Landon, I promise you, Grandpa DOES eat what he shoots." He then yelled "NO!!! He doesn't!!! His elk is STILL HANGING ON HIS WALL!!!!!!"

Right then I burst out laughing. I didn't know how to explain it to him, and then figured it wasn't my responsibility. So I left that one to Dave.

Later that day we went to visit Dave's parents and we told them the story. Here's what Dave's dad had to say about it:

"Well Landon, we better take it down and start eatin!'" Landon looked a little concerned... Maybe this will all scar him, and he wont want to hunt :) (here's for wishful thinking)

Preschool Election Day

Yesterday was Election Day at preschool. Landon's pitch was "Vote for me, and you can all play duck, duck goose today" He got two votes. We had a conversation that went like this:

Me: "Landon, who did you vote for?"

Landon: "Holly."

Me: "Why did you vote for Holly? "

Landon: "Because she is a girl, and she is pretty."

Me: "Good boy!"

Halloween Pictures

Usually we head to my parents around 5:30 for trick or treating. It's fun to have all the cousins together for this, they love it.

cute little boys

Lion.

Captain Jack Sparrow.

All the Bruderer cousins

Next we headed to Dave's parents. Lucky for us, his Grandma and Uncle from Canada were here for a quick visit. It's always nice to see them!

Dawson and Great-Grandma Bishop. He loves her. They had just finished an exhausting game of Peek a Boo.

All the Ross cousins minus Olivia (who had a minor potty incident)

Here she is though, what a cute peacock she makes!!

This is the only picture I could get with him wearing his Jack Sparrow hair. He only put it on because Aunt Stephanie promised him a special treat if he wore it for her. (thanks Malia for letting us borrow it!)

And here is his reward. A pumpkin popcorn ball. Thanks aunt Steph! Funny story, while he was eating his popcorn ball he bit into a kernel and all we heard was landon yelling "GOOD GRIEF!!!" funny boy.

Landon loves his great grandma and great uncle Don. He Talked Uncle Don's ear off for probably 30 minutes straight, and even showed Don every piece of candy he got trick or treating. Grandma and Don sat and listened very intently to him the whole time. What good sports. I've never seen Landon "take" to someone who he rarely sees as well as he did to Uncle Don.
Anyone who pulls up pictures of Elk on their laptop to show Landon will win over his heart.

Dawson was so worn out he slept till 5:30 without waking up once. Don't worry, it hasn't happened since. :( Stinker.

Family Photo Shoot.

Lori, my sister, took our families pictures last Saturday. I think they turned out great, especially considering Landon and his goofy mood. He thought it would be funny to stare some faces in pretty much all of the poses. Lori thought it would be cute to capture the many facial expressions of Landon in a collage. I agree. What a silly boy!

Carving, Party and Prayers.

Landon talked us into carving his pumpkin a little early this year. He gets more fun with holidays as he gets older. This year he wanted to draw the face all on his own and let daddy cut it for him.

This just might be the cutest darn jack-o-lantern I've ever seen.

We also had our wad Halloween party last night. We had a chili cook off and a jolly time. I made some chili. I was nervous, I'd never made homemade chili before and didn't even have a chance to taste it before we rushed it to the church. I guess it was good. It won second place. I even got a ribbon. :)

Our friends, the Hunsakers, lent us their Halloween costumes this year. I think they were AWESOME! Dave makes the perfect Frankenstein. Landon wanted to be Jack Sparrow but wouldn't have anything to do with the dreads. He didn't want to look like a girl. Dawson made a cute little Lion.

This is unrelated, but oh well.
We take turns doing Landon's routine with him. (his routine consists of brushing teeth, reading two books, singing two songs, prayers and hopping into bed with his bazillion treasures. Don't try to break the routine or it's BAD NEWS!)


I just happened to be walking by the other night and came across this. I snapped the picture. Landon noticed and Dave scuzzed me. I guess it was inappropriate to do so during a prayer. oops. At least I got the picture and now I can look at it and say "awwww, sweet..."

Park City and Pumpkins

Park City

About 4 years ago we received a gift card from Dave's client at work for the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City. We didn't use it when we first got it because I was very pregnant with Landon, and then just kind of forgot about it. We found the gift card again and Dave called to see if they would still accept it, we were in luck! They were also offering a great "fall package" which included the hotel room and a 3 course meal at their fancy restaurant (the fanciest one I've ever been to...)

So Dave booked it and we went last weekend. I left Dawson for the first time overnight with my mom. The kids did great(unless you count Dawson waking up twice in the night), thanks mom!
I had heard people talk about how nice this lodge is, but I'd never really heard of it. When we got there I was stunned at it's beauty! The rooms.. wow.. the rooms. I have never seen a more beautiful hotel room. (Katherine Heigl had her wedding there this last summer, that's how nice it is!)

Thought I would include some pics of the hotel room. Too bad we only had one night, this place was awesome.

All dressed up for our fancy dinner! Our three course meal was awesome and a new experience for me. I think the fancier the restaraunt the slower the service and the smaller the portions. (We were still full) I would have taken pics of our meals that looked too pretty to eat.. but I felt weird... Dave got a spiked lemonade. That was funny.

The Room(s)

Sitting room

Hot tub on the deck! Niiiiiice.

ahhhhh.. .. I want this bathroom.

and this bed. I crave this bed.

best of all.. it was ALL FREE!!!!

Pumpkin Patch

Our Crew from Left to right: Amy, my mom(holding Jackson) My dad (holding Kaemon) we missed ya Lori(she had her wisdom teeth out today) Me (holding Dawson) Cecily, Rylund, Dave, Landon, and Jaycee.
Dawson and his namesake. (my dad, Craig)
Cute stinkers.
All the cousins on the Bruderer side minus Eli.
He had to find the biggest pumpkin there!

He is ALL over!

He has perfected his crawl and is now all over the place. Soooo cute at first, but now it's scary! Three days ago he decided rolling was overrated and began crawling, now he is a pro! His first night of "real" crawling he was zooming all over the house really enjoying his newfound freedom. Now he has made it his mission to find anything and everything he shouldn't. Even the tineist spec of paper on the carpet, he'll find it! (then eat it, gag and throw up) I forgot how scary and frustrating this stage in babyhood can be. (even though they look so cute when they crawl)


He can pull himself up onto anything now, I don't have a picture of him doing this, but he loves to scale the wall. Everyone says babies are a lot happier when they can crawl. I disagree, from all the bumps and falls he seems to cry MUCH more...

This picture in itself is scary!!! He cannot get enough of these stairs, I would put the baby gate up but Landon has a hard time getting over it, and wants to know why I am putting him in jail. (Landon had a police officer come to preschool yesterday and they talked about breaking rules and going to jail.)

If he's not over by the stairs you'll find him here. Yuck. He will suck on every shoe, then chuck it behind him while laughing. Hilarious, I know. Who needs toys?

Dawson loves Landon just a liiiiitle too much. If Landon is on the floor, Dawson will find him and crawl over to him, start whining and want Landon to hold him. Landon thought this was cool at first, now he is annoyed :) (I thought this picture was so funny, Landon was telling Dawson to "just leave me alone!" Poor Landon :)

Hooray for Engagements!

My brother, Rob, got engaged last Saturday to the beautiful Kari Scott. They've been dating for a while and we're excited to have her in our fam! :) The wedding is going to be next month! November 21st. wow, I know. (this isn't the best picture of them, it's the only one I have. They had just finished a rigorous mountain bike trail and met us for dinner.)


Tonight my sister-in-law, Stephanie, got engaged to the awesome Corey Muir! Congrats to you guys! We are so happy and I am super excited to help with the wedding plans! I also get to be a bridesmaid for both weddings! sweeet!