Park, Friends, & B-day

The weather has finally been somewhat decent around here lately. We have made it to the park several times in the last week. We have blown many bubbles and used much sidewalk chalk. Here is shot of sweet Isaac just loving being outside in his stroller. Look at that face...life is good!

We had some friends from Iowa City come into town and we were able to visit with them a little. They have a little boy that is 10days younger than Natali. Natali loved playing with him, more like bossing him around! He was a good sport. How cute is this photo...look at those faces!
This past week was also my birthday week. Yes that's right. In our house it's not a birthDAY but a birthWEEK. It was awesome. Anyway...I felt totally spoiled. Ben and I were able to get out to lunch by ourselves thanks to some great babysitters (thanks!) I had McDonald's breakfast (my fav. ) and spent the day as a family and with friends. I did get some beautiful flowers. I LOVE LOVE LOVE flowers. (I hate buying them because I know they won't last), but when I have them they just make life seem wonderful. I even tired to have a green thumb, we bought some planters and flowers and hung them on our porch. There is something so fulfilling about getting your hands in the soil and planting! LOVE IT!!!

Weekend Trip

This weekend we were lucky to go up to Minnesota with some friends. When we planned this trip I only had one thought..."I have to get to Mall of America". Ben had been there before but I had yet to have the "experience"! When we started approaching the mall I felt like I was going to explode with excitement!!! I was grinning from ear to ear...and yes...it was AMAZING! We actually only went into one store (it is kind of tricky with three strollers). But I could have spent literally days there. One highlight was the amusement park in the middle. It was a Nickelodeon theme, and they had these Backyardigan figures. The truth is I think I was more excited about it than Natali. I just about started running when I saw them from a distance. I took Natali on a carosel ride and Isaac was such a champ just hanging out in his stroller the whole day. It was nice to get away, even if it was just for the weekend. Here are a few pictures.

Rite of Passage

This weekend we attended the Rite of Passage ceremony at Ben's school. It happens towards the end of your 2nd year and marks the end of your lecture oriented studies and the beginning of your clinic oriented studies. It feels SO good to have two years under our belts. In May Ben will start in the clinic and get some hands on experience (he can't wait but at the same time is very nervous). It was fun to get out of the house with out the kids, thanks Wilsons! Here are a few pictures, courtesy of other peoples cameras.

Us and friends!

The Guys
Left to Right: Bryce, Phil, Jason, Colby, Ben

Class of 2010 DPM's

Isaac Kisses

Isaac is 8 months old! Oh my gosh, how did that happen???? I love this age though, they start doing so much and are so interactive. It is so amazing to watch him and Natalie interact together. It is a highlight of motherhood. And can I just say that I LOVED Elder Ballard's talk from General Conference. I so needed to hear that! It was amazing and spoke right to me.

Last week we got Isaac and Savannah Wilson close enough on the floor to really interact. Here is the result! GO ISAAC...watch out Savannah!

Who Wears the Pants

So why is Natali eating a frosty at 7:45 pm? Um, because she wanted to and threw a massive tantrum until we completely crumbled and folded under her screams and tears. What really happened was she got a sliver in her finger and was complaining that it hurt. So like good parents we tried to look at it and get it out with a needle and tweezers. Well you can only imagine how that went over with Natali...not so much. So with me trying to hold her in a death grip and Ben trying to get it out we ended up bribing her that she could have a Frosty TOMORROW if she stopped crying and held still. We finally gave up on the sliver, but all Natali wanted was the Frosty. And apparently she chose not to hear the TOMORROW part.

Anyway to make a long story even longer...Natali ended up getting a Frosty and staying up way past her bedtime watching a movie and eating a frosty. Why you ask? Aren't I the parent? Shouldn't no mean no? Shouldn't I be able to control my two year old? Come on...let's not kid ourselves...all hail Miss Natali!!!


***We at least did not let her eat it all, I get some points for that...right! I know giving in was a bad choice, but I really didn't want to battle her anymore. Some days I just have to wave the white flag.

First Hair Cut

After a meal of peas (which you can see on his face) we decided it was time to give Isaac a haircut. The poor kid was sporting a mini mullet and hair was covering his ears. It didn't go quite as we planned. Isaac didn't enjoy it at all and wouldn't hold his head still. The sound of the little buzzer freaked him out and he kept looking around for it. So needless to say Isaac has about half a hair cut and a really uneven mullet now. Poor kid...good thing hair grows back.

Are We Having Fun Yet!?!

So all day today we talked about coloring easter eggs. I thought it would be so fun with Natali. Isaac was down for a nap, Natali was up from hers, and the timing was perfect. Or so I thought.

In the middle of dying eggs!

"Natali...smile at the camera!" (nice blank stare)
Then I said, "I want to see a happy face." And below is what I got!
Oh the life of a 2 1/2 year old drama queen.

Thanks Nattles for the great memories :)
It's a "stage" right!?!?!?!?!?

Hop Hop

So today we were running errands as a family and one of our stops was to Wal-Mart. To our surprise the Easter Bunny was there. At first I thought Natali was going to just FREAK OUT! A large white bunny in a creepy mask with a pastel vest...freaky! But to our astonishment she loved it. And, you could have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny and get a free 5x7. I thought, why not! So since we don't have a printer with a scanner, a picture of the picture will have to do. Sorry about the flash spot, but you get the idea. Thanks Wal-Mart!

Taggity Tag

I have been tagged by my friend Emily to answer the following questions about my spouse. Here we go into the world of Ben! What else should I be doing at 10 at night while he is studying. Problem cleaning or folding something!

What is his name? Benjamin Lloyd Fluhman

How long have we been married? Four and a half years.

How long did we date? We were friend first and "hung out" for about 4-5 months. Then summer came and I went back to San Diego. We emailed/flirted for the summer. Saw each other twice while I visited family in Park City and later in Idaho. I came back to Provo for school. We officially than dated for 4 months and then got engaged.

How old is he? 28

Who eats more? Ben, unless it is a super nacho from Betos!

Who said I love you first? Ben

Who is taller? Me, but just by a inch. Thus the reason I gave away all my heels and platform shoes when we got married.

Who sings better? Probably Ben...when he isn't singing in his "annoying voice" on purpose to make me mad!

Who is smarter? He is in medical school...but I'm no dummy either!

Who's temper is worse? Me for sure...Ben doesn't have a temper.

Who pays the bills? I pay the bills.

Who does the laundry? I do, but he helps when I need him to.

Who cooks dinner? Me!!! Ben's idea of a gourmet meal would be...mac-n-cheese mixed with a can of chili and a jar of jalapeños.

Who drives when together? Ben

Who is more stubborn? Me, but Ben can give me a run for my money at times.

Who's parents do you see the most? Since moving to Iowa we don't see either as much as we would like to.

Who has more friends? Probably me.

Who has more siblings? Ben , middle child of 7

Who wears the pants in the family? what a silly question...Natali, then Me, then Isaac, and then Ben

Who eats more sweets? Let's hope it is Ben since I am the diabetic!

Who mows the lawn? Ben

Who kissed who first?Ben did finally! He was my first kiss.

Who asked who out first? Ben. Our first date when it wasn't in a group hang out setting was up in Park City. It was amazing! We took a ski lift ride up the mountain, ate Mexican food, and talked into all hours of the night!

Who Proposed? Ben. First we went to In & Out, walked on the beach, and then he asked at the San Diego Temple.

What's my favorite thing about him? Everything! He is very patient with me and reminds me of what is really important in life. He still can make me laugh and has made me a mother and wife. (sorry I can't get it to stop bolding the font)

Tag: If you read this...consider your self tagged!

Laughter

There is nothing quite as sweet and pure as a babies laugh. I love it when Natali makes Isaac laugh. It is a definite highlight of motherhood. Tonight she was doing it, but of course once I got the camera out she stopped. So I had to use that lovely "mom/baby" voice and do my best. Here is some footage of Isaac (7 months)!

Thank You Fun Dip

Despite the fact that Natali's mouth turned green I owe my sanity to a Fun Dip candy. This charming little device gave me about 20 minutes of "free time" to finish feeding Isaac lunch in relative silence (except the airplane sounds and songs I was singing to get him to open his mouth). You probably all already know this but Natali not only inherited my red hair, but my verbal abilities (I like to think of it more as a talent :) ). Honestly there are days where I swear she never pauses to breath. Usually I love it, but some days I just want a few moments of silence to think...a luxury I know! So that is why I say, "thank you", to the Fun Dip candy!

A few pictures of our growing guy eating lunch! What a little angel! I honestly feel like I just kiss those cheeks all day long, who could resist!

Our Little Singer

Natali will randomly break out in song through out the day. ..anywhere from Backyardigans, Wiggles, to Primary songs. It seems like when ever I get the camcorder out she stops and refuses to sing. Well I finally got it! We are proud to present...Natali. Side note...when she finishes singing she always says, "clap for me, clap for me!" What a cutie!

Happy Heart Day

There are many things I am in love with, but most of all my family! I LOVE being a mom, wife, daughter, sister, etc! I am so lucky to have my kids who I LOVE ! Heres wishing all of you a very Happy Valentines!

6 Months & Slowing Down

Our little boy is not so little anymore. He is 6 months old! It honestly feels like in someways he has always been a part of our family, but it also feels like just yesterday we brought him home from the hospital. I am sure you know what I mean. We had his 6 month check up yesterday and his stats are as follows: weight-19lbs 1 oz (75%....the kid has slowed down...but no worries he still has incredibly chubby cheeks) height-27 1/4 inches (75%). So pretty average. He is eating more fruits and vegetables and LOVING it, and I love making them for him...I seriously feel like wonder woman making his food. Here is a photo of a photo we had taken to mark being 6 months. I love having two kids!!!

Snowed In

Between yesterday and last night we have gotten over 8 inches of snow. Needless to say today we will not be leaving the house. They even canceled Ben's school which is extremely rare. I thought I would blog since it has been awhile. Isaac is 6 months as of Monday! My baby is growing up!!! We are working on sitting up and so far he has enjoyed sweet potatoes, green beans, and bananas. The green beans were store bought but I did the sweet potatoes and bananas at home. I don't know why I didn't do this with Natali but making your own baby food is so easy, I love it!

The other day I was sitting with Isaac and Natali walked over and kissed his head. She than said, "Oh Isaac...you my best friend..I love you." And then ran away and continued playing. It was one of those really precious mom moments. Thank goodness for those moments in between all the chaos, tantrums, dirty diapers, and tears.

DON"T FORGET!!!

This week this is a new give-away on the blog "I Love Give-A-Ways" Don't forget to go check it out and enter. (Seriously...there are no strings attached) And FYI next weeks give-a-way apparently will fall under the jewelry category...so keep checking in!!!

Baby Boy

I can't believe that Isaac is about 5 1/2 months old now! I am dreading his first birthday already. I just don't want my baby to grow up. But he is and hitting all those little baby milestones. Last week he rolled from his back to us tummy and we decided it was "saucer" time! He LOVES it, and so does Natali (shocker)! Just a couple of pictures to share. I thought he looked too sweet all bundled in white. (FYI...for those of you who are not currently in Iowa, the current temp. is a balmy 10 degrees with a wind chill factor of -8 degrees...ahh the Arctic)

Do You Like FREE Things?

Hey, you should really check this site out (listed below). It was started by a girl in my ward (church). Her site explains it all, but overall all you have to do is go there....look at the website/business she is sponsoring for that week, and then comment on her blog about something that you saw that you liked. Then she does a raffel at the end of the week and if you win you get a product from that company (that she will mail to you). You pay for NOTHING! Seriously...check it out! (you do NOT have to be in Iowa to do this).

http://www.ilovegiveaways.blogspot.com/

Trip Pic's

Here are some different pictures from our trip...cousins, grandmas, groups, and food!

Mary & Natali

Nattles & her Fat Boy

Grandma Fluhman

McKay & Isaac (2 months apart)

All the Girls

All the Boys!

It was the year of the BOYS! Look at those babies!

Drum Roll Please...

If you asked Natali what she wanted Santa to bring her she would say (very quickly and slurred) "Candyland Castle!" Guess what? Santa found her in Utah! She loves it.