Where have we been? A perfect explaination!

Take me out to the ballgames! Lots and lots of ballgames.
All three boys are playing baseball this year. We have been spending almost every night at the ballpark. Good thing we love it!

Riley is playing his first year. His games are cute. Fun to watch the little guys and both teams always win. If the batter hits the ball it's always a homerun. His team is the Ogden Raptors. We are going to surprise him by taking him to an actual Raptors game this summer.

Jaxon is playing his 4th year. He has tried his hand at pitching, and loves it, and also plays 1st and 3rd baseman. His team is the Phillies. Darin is helping coach which keeps him busy as well.

Kaden is playing his 7th year. He is pitching and playing 2nd base mostly. He's also top of the line-up. His team is playing very well. The games are intense, but they are so far undefeated. 7-0!!! Go Yankees!

A little side note, in real life we don't love the Yankees.

Old Habits

Some things you inherit from your parents. I've inherited a lot from mine. They are both very hard workers, I got that. My dad's got a great sense of humor, I got some of that. My mom is a go-getter/over achiever, I got that. They both like to have fun and want to stay young forever, I got that. But there is something I inherited from my dad that is just a little annoying, and maybe even gross.
We both love to chew on plastic. I know, it can't be good for the pearly whites, and who knows who's touched those things, but we do it anyway. I chew on the plastic pins that come on your clothes tags form the store, and the little balls of glue that drop from a glue gun, but my favorite thing to chew on (and dad's) is the plastic ring that comes from a carton of milk. I chew those things until they are almost disinegrated. Dad, too. We've sat together and played cards with blue plastic hanging out of our mouths. We've counted how many bites it takes to get from one end to the other. We compete to see who can get theirs the longest. CRAZY I tell ya!
It's so common for me that Riley has even resorted to bringing them to me when he opens a new gallon of milk. A little embarassing when I'm in the salon with a client. Awkward to explain.
So, last night I ventured over to mom and dad's to pick up 2/3 of my boys and my dad had a present for me. A cup full of plastic milk carton rings. Oh daddy... you are so thoughful. I'll have milk rings to chew on for weeks. Thanks dad. Of all the things I could inherit, I am glad there is one thing that is especially ours.

Because Darin loves steak, and I love seafood, I has become tradition for me to make a v-day dinner for 2 every year. The boys get to pick out a kid cuisine (which I never buy) and Darin and I get the expensive dinner.
Menu:
Grilled Sirloin Steaks
Honey Broiled Salmon Salad
Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado and Cucumbers
Roasted Baby Red Potatoes Gourmet Bread (heart shaped butter)
Some kind of Sparkly Drink
And this year Oreo Cake

First Baby Share

This is a tag I got on Facebook. For those of you who aren't on Facebook, I thought I would share it here. Enjoy!


My First Baby Share! 8:20pm
Your Turn.... copy and paste in a new note, and tag your friends, be sure to send it to the person who sent it to you.

1. Were you married at the time?
Yes

2. What was your reaction when you found out you were pregnant?
Um, what? But I've been taking my pills, we've only been married for 7 months. Never mind the baby we were going to have that we lost. Hmmm.

3. How old were you?
20 when I got pregnant, 21 when he was born.... What a fun 21st birthday

4.How did you find out you were pregnant?
Pregnancy test. Left it on the bathroom counter for Darin to find while I was at work.

5. Who did you tell first?
Darin

6. Did you want to find out the sex?
Yes, like opening the present before Christmas.

7. Due date?
November 29th, I think

8. Did you deliver early or late?
3 weeks early, November 8th

9. Did you have morning sickness?
Nope.... I got lucky

10. What did you crave?
Dairy Queen Pecan Cluster Blizzards

11. What irritated you the most?
Maternity clothes and those fancy undies ( I wasn't a garment wearer yet).

12. What was your first child's sex?
Boy

13. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregnancy?
53!!!! I know it explains everything

14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy?
None

15. Where did you give birth?
St. Marks Hospital

16. How many hours were you in labor?
He was born less than an hour after I got there

17.Who drove you to the hospital?
My brother, Brent. He was my labor coach. Darin just happened to drive home to California the night before to surprise his brother Kevin, who had just gotten home form his mission. Look who got surprised.

18 . Did you take medicine to ease the pain?
They barely snuck an epidural in me. I was dilated to an 8 when I got to the hospital

19 . How much did your child weigh?
6 pounds 15 ounces

20 . What did you name him/her, and why?
Kaden Michael Swann
Michael was the name of my oldest brother who only lived 2 days, and was also born in November. He would have been 41 now I think.

21. How old is your first born today?
11

22. Who does your child look like?
Looks like me when I was younger

23. Did you get mad at your husband during labor?
I couldn't, at least that he knew about, BECAUSE HE WASN'T THERE!!!!!

Facebook Status Funny

I had to post this on my blog. Had me laughing so hard I almost peed my pants.... another downside to having babies. To top it off, I got a new facebook friend from it. Todd said he needed to be friends with more funny people.
Though, I may have to add to this post... because there are still comments being made.
Michelle was a friend of mine in Middle School and High School. This is her Facebook status tonight:

Michelle thinks my Playtex 18 hour bra quit on me about 12 hours ago. 8:43pm -

Comments:

Amanda Harman Kissell at 8:52pm January 22 via Facebook Mobile
Do they issue refunds for that?

Todd Saxey at 8:59pm January 22
OH MY HELL!!!

Michelle Saxey Kissell at 9:00pm January 22
What..too much?

Michelle Saxey Kissell at 9:01pm January 22
Or has it happened to you too?

Wendy Johnstone Swann at 9:02pm January 22
I think they should have a disclaimer after a mommy has a baby. 18 hours my bahookie.

Todd Saxey at 9:04pm January 22
I am literally sitting here with tears in my eyes laughing.

Todd Saxey at 9:06pm January 22
Give me ten more years before I need a 'Bro'.

Michelle Saxey Kissell at 9:06pm January 22
Wendy--what exactly is a bahookie??

Louise Burge Perry at 9:07pm January 22
Dude, Shell!!! This is Melly. You shouldn't make me laugh out loud like that when I'm sitting in Quality Management!!!!

Wendy Johnstone Swann at 9:07pm January 22
Of course after you have babies, they clone the shape of tennis balls in tube socks. Not sure there is any bra out there with the proper support anymore.

Wendy Johnstone Swann at 9:09pm January 22
Your bahookie is what you need that rear enhancer for. lol, it's a vicious cycle. Must be gravity taking over.

Marinda Mindy Dansie Thomas at 9:09pm January 22 via Facebook Mobile
it would be a size 36 L...L is for Long

Todd Saxey at 9:20pm January 22
This is your breast post ever Michelle.

Michelle Saxey Kissell at 9:22pm January 22
How long did that one take you? Surely you are 'busting' with a few more to share.

Wendy Johnstone Swann at 9:24pm January 22
This is so going on my blog. It's udderly hilarious!

Michelle Saxey Kissell at 9:26pm January 22
I am sure Todd will continue to milk this...

Louise Burge Perry at 9:30pm January 22
You would think that over the years they would certainly improve on the "Over The Shoulder Boulder Holders". RIGHT!

Brady Farmer at 9:36pm January 22
The question is, "Was 12 hours ago 18 hours into it?"

Todd Saxey at 9:40pm January 22
Keep the puns coming- I will be the jugs of which one has the most support.

Wendy Johnstone Swann at 9:45pm January 22
wow, I heard of guys liking jugs, but wanting to be the jugs...well.... milk it for all it's worth!.

Todd Saxey at 9:47pm January 22
That was good Wendy..but currently only good enough for second place..you know- the booby prize. I thank you!

Michelle Saxey Kissell at 9:54pm January 22
This made me laugh a brazillion times.

Darin Kissell at 9:56pm January 22
How many is in a brazillion?

Michelle Saxey Kissell at 9:56pm January 22
Just two...

Wendy Johnstone Swann at 9:57pm January 22
Too many for the 18 hour bra... maybe that's the problem

Todd Saxey at 10:16pm January 22
I have to go to bed now but wanted to thank everyone for the titilating conversation.

Wendy Johnstone Swann at 10:20pm January 22
I have a good comeback for that one, but I should keep my head out of the gutter, so that so many others can roll by. You're right Todd, tit's time for bed.

Amanda Harman Kissell at 11:51pm January 22 via Facebook Mobile
Thanks for the giggles, now my cups runeth over.

David Kissell at 11:55pm January 22 via Facebook Mobile
''Ta ta'' for now, Tune in Tokyo!

Todd Saxey at 11:39am January 26
This post started out kind of flat, but ended very ro-bust.

Linda Burge Saxey at 9:43am February 2
Oh my!!!! I tried! I really tried! Nana Linda

Tyler Saxey at 10:46am February 5
I know I am way late Michelle, but I just wanted to thank you for racking my brain the last week and all of the great mammaries!

Here's Your Sign

Have you heard comedian Bill Engvall's "Here's Your Sign" routine. Feel free to listen here if you have 6 and a half minutes. It's the inspiration for this post.

Now of all the places to put a "Dead End" sign.... I'm thinking they thought this was the best solution to keep people from slamming their cars right into this wall, but a dead end sign?

We were downtown last night, had dinner at the Olive Garden after Darin's cousin Alan and his wife, Brynnly were sealed. I pulled into the American Plaza parking garage, and this is what we saw. I immediately looked at Darin and said, "here's your sign". No, I would not have hit that wall if the sign was not there. Please notice the skid marks from tires on the ground in front of the sign, and the nice black streak at say, oh bumper height on the wall underneath the sign. What is wrong with people? It's like there is some gravitational pull to the wall. Do you think the pull would be there if the sign wasn't? I'm thinking large black and yellow diagonal stripes would have been better, then again, they might pull someone into the wall with their dizzying powers.

My conclusion is that if they must put a sign on this wall, it should read: "there is a solid concrete wall here, while it is not advised that you do so, please drive into the wall if you wish, but know it is at your own risk, and we will assume no responsibility for damage to your vehicle as concrete is not forgiving". Maybe if the words on the sign are long enough, people will actually stop just to read it, and all sorts of accidents can be prevented.

I think I'll contact American Plaza and have them get that sign fixed right away.

New Years at the Farm

Another tradition! We love to go to the Farm. My parent's place in Sanpete County. The boys and I went with them for 6 days and spend the week through New Year's Day. When we got there there was 2 feet of fresh snow. It was a blast! We used 115 gallons of gas in 5 snowmobiles. Too much fun! Jaxon is now an officially licensed snowmobiler in Utah, so he and Kaden tore it up!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Well, that's what we got! A good thing we like snow. We had the biggest snow storm of the season Christmas morning. How fun!
Chritmas day was spent at Grandma and Grandpa Johnstone's house. We have breakfast there as a tradition. Our family spent the whole day there. We played games, took naps, played Mario Kart on the wii, and opened presents. Grandma and Grandpa really know how to spoil us.

Hustle and Bustle

I often wonder why we do it.... why do we put all the time and effort into Christmas. Decorations, shopping, cooking, cleaning, pouting, whining, cleaning some more. It's crazy! Then the day comes, and the kids are so happy. Santa came to visit and brought just what they wanted. What a joyous time of year.
Here are a few of our traditions. Snowmobile Club Party, Christmas Eve Game Night, Grandma Swann's Christmas Jammies, Family pictures by he tree the Sunday before Christmas. And I put in a rare picture of My Grandma Rayola and her twin sister Viola. They are so cute. Merry Christmas!

Riley Roo's Preschool Christmas Program

This will be the last preschool Christmas program for us. It's sort-of bittersweet. Riley did such a great job playing the toy soldier and he loves to sing the preschool songs. This year's program was Rockin' Christmas. Those kid's had a great time, and our handsome little man was the star of the show, of course!
We love you Riley Rooster!

Two Nights In Bethlehem

This year our ward, and my mom's ward did the "Night in Bethlehem" for their Ward Christmas Party. My mom, being the powerhouse that she is, thought up in her head all the things to do to create a mini city of Bethlehem inside her church cultural hall. She is absolutely amazing. My friends in our ward were doing the dame thing, so I hooked them up together. My mom got the help she needed to built the set, and both wards were able to use the scenery and buildings. Both programs turned out amazing. Proof that a lot of hard work can benefit so many people when everyone works together. You can see all of us in the slide below in our authentic attire. Our cotumes of course were made by my mom in her spare time (yeah right, like she had any of that). Grandma and Grandpa Swann even participated while they were here for Jaxon's Baptizm. Koodos to both wards and their service to bring these programs together.
Keep your eyes peeled for Mary and her cell phone, donkey's pinned on crooked tail, and a sleeping man and baby. They really were asleep on the couch in the church foyer.

Jaxon, the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.... atleast from our house

On Saturday, December 5, 2008 Jaxon was baptized. He was super excited. Grandma and Grandpa Swann flew here from California. We had a party before at our house will all of our family that could come. He was also baptized the same night as his friends, Braden Rudd and Taylor Hess. Grandma Swann spoke for the program, and Granpa Swann said the closing prayer. Jaxon asked his Daddy to baptize him, and Uncle Jason to confirm him. Dad's cousins, Alan and Kyle Keate stood in as the witnesses.
It was a great event. We are very proud of Jaxon and his discision to be baptized. Thanks to everyone that came, and thank you for the neat gifts.