Christmas Time

I love making the whole month of December so simple. One year in December I got so sick, so sick. Ever since then I have vowed to not over do things and to not feel like I have to be to everything that goes on. I love Christmas time and what it's true meaning is. The excitement in the air that my boys feel makes me happy too.

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

We are having a ....

...BOY!

When I was little, a single woman lived across the street. She had 3 wild boys. I remember watching her one day, and wondering if she was sad she only had boys and no girls. At that moment I had a feeling that I would be her when I grew up. I would be a mom of only boys.

It has come true. We just found out that the baby inside of me is a boy. I will have not just 3 boys but 4 boys.

The only difference between my thoughts as a little girl and my thoughts now is that I am not sad I don't have a girl. I love these boys like crazy, and to know that there is a fourth boy inside of me, it gives me comfort and overwhelming love for this little baby.

Just as long as these boys always strive to choose the right and give me hugs and kisses, even when they are 16, or 23, or 45. I will be the happiest mommy in the world!

Cole doing illegal things

Cole thinks he can get away with this....

El Pumpkin Patcho

Off to the pumpkin patch in the rain and mud. Last year it was much drier and warmer. I learned today that I didn't appreciate last year enough. My boy Jacob was telling me the other day, "When it is summer we always want winter, and in winter we always want summer." Yes, we never appreciate where we are. So let me think a minute and figure out something to appreciate about this rainy day at the pumpkin patch... We were with family and that is who I love the most. Another highlight: Jeff took a sick day off of work, NO not to come to the pumpkin patch. But to come to my doctor's appointment with me to hear the babies heart beat. YES, I made the appointment for the same day as the pumpkin patch so that jeff could be at both.

THE HAYRIDE TO GO PICK OUT A PUMPKIN... THIS YEAR WITH JEFF THERE, WE COULD PICK OUT BIG PUMPKINS INSTEAD OF SMALL ONES LIKE LAST YEAR.
THE HAY MAZE... COLE SOMEHOW ENDED UP ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE MAZE.

FEEDING THE GOATS AND SHEEP

ALL OF THE COUSINS WHO WERE ABLE TO COME ON THE RUSSON SIDE OF THE FAMILY.

This year we went cheap

This year we decided not to pay the giant amount for school pictures. We took them our self, in the backyard, not professional at all. We will have to see what they look like on the wall.

experiment

This is my little pet experiment... I am interested who will read this and find out that I am pregnant! Interesting huh? I am 11 weeks prego. I am over the worst part, that is if this pregnancy is like my others. I have only told family so far, so this is old news to most of you. I like doing detective sneaky things. ANd with Halloween around the corner, I can't help but feel sneakier than usual. Have a good day to all of you!

friendzy

One last dinner outside...

The lesson in relief society was on friends. Everyone has a lot to say on that subject, so I kept my comments to myself. In the lesson I learned about how a friends heart never fails. In my mind I decided that meant that a friend is not selfish, a friend doesn't stop thinking about others.

There has been so many times in my life where I have been in self pity. I would be so sad about something or so overwhelmed and think to myself... where is that call I need, or that knock on the door. BUT, it is when I am being a friend and caring about those around me, that I am blessed by that knock on the door and that saving phone call. So I can't live in ignorance anymore in my self pity.

On a lighter note. I am so excited for this fall time. The leaves are already falling, and the coolness has started. I am sad to see my summer go.... but I still love the holidays.

So SO much

Jacob's birthday, the first day of school, and we are back in the swing of things.
The birthday cake, ended up being another one of my demolition derby cakes. And after the fact, I pretend that is what I meant it to be. Jacob couldn't care that it is not perfect, he just feels privileged to come home from school and see that I was thinking of him and had the cake already made and waiting for the party to begin.

I got these balloons to set out front to surprise jakey when he got off the bus. I hid behind the porch to await his reaction. As I saw the complete humble look of surprised happiness, I started to cry. Maybe my hormones are to blame, but it made me feel so happy to make him happy. That is one of those times that I felt joy in motherhood.

Ben's first day of Preschool, hot stuff and all! He is so excited to become as smart as his older brother.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! Okay, this picture was taken after school, because I forgot the camera gig in the morning.

Sunday lessons

This past Sunday our Bishop was talking about how the church has been trying to make sure the teachers teaching the lessons are teaching well. But the problem now is with the learners (in general). That we are not doing a very good job learning. At the moment I was sitting there, I realized how I fit so well under that category. I don't ever read the lessons before hand. I don't ever study up on the lessons.

... I must end off with reassuring you that I am going to change for the better in that area.

Beach

The drive to the beach

A view of a lighthouse

A hermit crab and a starfish that Jakey found

A big mound of mussels and starfish and anemone

We went to the beach with our extended russon family. We went to Ecola Beach along the Oregon Coast. It was said that it was going to rain, but it never did! It was pretty cool weather, but it doesn't stop kids from getting in the water.

It is when my children are in danger that I remember how precious they are to me. Ben had ash from the fire pop up and hit his neck. It was like no other burn I have ever seen. I am still worried about it, I hope he is okay.

Seattle Trip

We went to Seattle, just the 2 of us. Yes, we did miss the boys. One time I saw a dad get mad at his 4is little boy. The boy looked sad, and I immediately thought of Ben. Why would that make me think of ben? It is because it gives me guilt for getting angry with him. I even thought of Jakey while watching Harry Potter, we missed them, but we knew they were in good hands with jeff's brother and his wife (craig and tiffany).

One of my favorite things we did was while we were driving up, jeff retold the story from one of the books he had just read. So it taught me once again that I don't have to do the fancy things in life to have fun.

I always have fun adventures with Jeff, we laugh and talk and I tease him.

So this is how it went, except for backwards.....

This is at the famous Pikes Fish Market. We saw them throwing the fish to each other, what a show.

This is the view from the Space Needle of Seattle.

This is us eating on the space needle. We revolved 360 degrees while eating. We saw the view of the Puget Sound and Seattle.

THe Space Needle

This is by the restaurant we ate at.

Eating dinner with an old friend from Tooele, UT. Valerie was up for a teachers training conference.

A little hike we did at Discovery park after we had our picnic

Picnic at Discovery Park

Light house at Discovery park

I like my family

Yesterday we went to the Vancouver North Stake Pioneer Day Celebration, Jakey stood in line for most of the time to get his face painted. There is always a yummy yummy BBQ (Mainly because I like hamburgers with lots of onions, tomatoes and lettuce).
This past week we went and explored the Columbia River. It was like a 30 minute drive. There was a little hands on museum there, pretty good stuff to see. Then we walked down to the river. We knew it was pretty clean water, since this past school year, jeff's class took a field trip down to the river and tested the water. It had good results. Every time a boat would go by the waves would get really strong, Cole almost was taken away (not really, but maybe). We learned that next time we will bring a change of clothes and towels. And sunscreen. And something to sit on.

This is just an update on our garden. This is the first picture we took on Memorial Day.

Next is the picture I took this past week. It has really become animalistic. The Tomato plant has become the king dominator of the one box. The Zucchini plant has become the king dominator of the other box. We have basically been very blessed with this garden, we are very grateful!

This is how it happens

No, we are not running a day care

Good old fashioned fun, is what happens when family is around. Jeff's sister Jenny and her girls have been staying with us and we have really enjoyed it. I have decided jenny brings the silly little girl out of me.

So this is what it has been like at our house.

This is a picture of the drive to Lucia Falls.

Jeff and I just celebrated our 8th anniversary! We just kept saying to each other... "8 years!"

It isn't 15 years or 45, but it sure is jam packed full of memories and special meaning for the 2 of us. I have always felt marriage is such a special thing. I resent the saying that it is a ball and chain. I feel that it is such a neat relationship to have with your best friend.

I just keep getting stronger and stronger assurance that jeff was meant for me, good thing huh?

Our marriage is not perfect. We stumble, but we manage to grow each time, I am so grateful for jeff.

This is what we did for our anniversary. We went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant, then to Lucia Falls (beautiful) then did some deal finding grocery shopping. We want to take our boys back to the water fall. They would love it.