Random Updates

Yes, I know, I am really pathetic for not blogging for two months now. Here are a few random updates that have happened:

1. I had a blast at the Maroon 5/Counting Crows concert back on September 10th. I went with my friend, Kristina, and her friend Leah. Maroon 5 was AWESOME! They always put on a really good show. I am a huge fan of the Counting Crows, but I think most fans in attendance that night would agree that it was NOT their best night. We even ended up leaving early.

2. Our Primary Program that I put together went really well. (I am so glad it is over!) All the kids did so good on their parts and singing. I was really proud of them.

3. The boys looked so cute in their Halloween costumes. Thomas, along with his cousins, was dressed as a gun-toting cowboy, and Andrew was their fat little steer!

I also took WAY too much time making these Halloween spider cupcakes. They turned out really cute, but I really don't know if I'll attempt it again....at least not until next year.

4. ANDREW updates:

He just turned 8 months and this weekend learned to say, "Mamama". It is so sweet. It just melts my heart when he does it. To be honest, he really doesn't know what he's saying, but I love it anyway. Thomas said "Dada" first, so I'm so happy that Andrew's first word was Mom.

Last month Andrew had his final appointment (I say it's final, anyway) with the orthopedic specialist doctor for his club foot. If you'll remember, his left foot was a little turned in when he was born.

Then a couple of over-zealous doctors immediately put my little newborn into a full-leg cast for two weeks and then these awful shoes.

Turns out, he never really had a true club foot. I think he was just laying in a funny position in the womb. So we went through all that trouble and expense (those shoes were pricey!) for nothing. But I am definitely relieved to know that our little boy is ok and it was nothing serious. And as much as I curse doctors, I really am grateful to the nurses and doctors who were doing their best to care for Andrew.

Look at this fat little chunk.....does he look unwell in any way to you?! P.S. To Carolyn: check out his little Wyoming t-shirt - purchased at Target specifically for your benefit!

Andrew is 6 months

Not much has been going on lately. I just thought I would post a few pictures of the boys. I thought they were looking particularly cute in their Sunday clothes.
Andrew turned 6 months old yesterday.
Thomas always has to sit up on the table next to me EVERY time I feed Andrew now. You can see how he is keeping tuned in to the TV all the while.

Idaho Trip

Thomas, Andrew, and I returned from a wonderful trip to my hometown of Preston, Idaho recently. We spent about a week and a half away. During our trip, we were there for Preston's big annual three day spectacular of parade, carnival, and rodeo. As a kid, nothing was better than this long-awaited time of the year. The rodeo is always a highlight, as it is tradition for my dad and me to go together every year. Although, I must say, I realized this year that it was much better as a kid. They just don't do intermission entertainment anymore at "That Famous Preston Night Rodeo". Maybe the beginning of the end was the year that a parachuter was supposed to land in the arena, but tragically landed on the power lines instead. (And died.)

I will never forget the show of all shows the year they had a man, his trick horse, and a little monkey and sheep dog act. Think of Ross's Marcel dressed in a cowboy hat and shirt riding on the back of a sheep dog around the arena doing tricks. Oh, yes, life was never better. I wish I still had my poster of the monkey/dog act that I kept plastered on my wall above my bed.

I was happily surprised to see that they did bring back the Mutton-Bustin' event, though. For those of you who don't know, they throw little kids on the backs of sheep and they have to hang on for dear life as the sheep takes off in to the arena to find the rest of the flock. It is hysterical, and the kid who hangs on the longest gets a trophy that is literally bigger than them! That event had been cancelled for several years after my cousin Marnie's kid fell off a sheep and knocked himself out.

It's not much, but it's all I know!

Off to the left (with the cowboy hat that makes it way out of the closet every year at this time) is my dad, my sister Denise, my two nieces Sierra and Kendall, and in front me, my sister Cami, and brother-in-law Mike. Not pictured: Ryan, who is taking the picure.

Oh, yeah, one of the funnest parts of the trip was that Ryan and my brother-in-law (who is a pilot) borrowed a plane and flew up to Preston to surprise us for a couple days!

This is Thomas riding a Smurf scooter that was mine when I was that age!

Thomas thought it was pretty fun walking between the rows of corn in the garden.

Grandma and Andrew

Happy parade viewers

My dad, as city council president, off to the right riding in the parade with the mayor and another member of the city council. I'm so proud! :)

I've Been Tagged...

I've been tagged by Afton, so here goes...

5 Things on my to do list today:

1. pack for our camping trip
2. fold the rest of the laundry
3. clean toilet
4. shower and get ready
5. endure a car ride to our camping destination
(I'm not the best little passenger)

5 Jobs I've had:

1. Arctic Circle
2. Dental Assistant / clean dental office
3. Salesperson at Clothing Store briefly in college
4. Receptionist / Cashier at Car Dealership - my favorite job
5. Bookkeeper in Salt Lake, Scottsdale, and Phoenix

5 Places I've lived:

1. Preston, Idaho
2. various places in the Salt Lake City valley
3. Scottsdale, Arizona
4. Mesa, Arizona
5. Maricopa, Arizona

5 Favorite Snacks:

1. Any kind of fruit
2. Bread
3. see below...

5 Favorite Desserts:

1. Icecream: chocolate or strawberry
2. Chocolate cake with lots of buttercream frosting
3. Brownies
4. Fresh rice krispie treats
5. Any yummy pastry

5 Things You Don't Know About Me:

1. Ryan just discovered this about me after 3 years of marriage:
I hate when you're wiping off the kitchen table and
you have to push the crumbs into your hand - BLECH!
Doing dishes in general just disgusts me for some reason.
2. I am a pretty good speller. Spelling errors drive me crazy!
3. I hate being the center of attention.
4. I am a real homebody - I almost don't like vacationing.
Well, I love the thought of it, but once I'm on vacation for
a few days, I can't wait to get back home. Is that weird?
5. I used to love to draw and do art projects.

5 Things I Would Do if I Were a Billionaire:

1. Build a fantastic new house, well a couple of houses, actually.
I'd love to have a summer home somewhere not so hot.
2. Travel :)
3. Save for my children.
4. Shop, shop, shop
5. Help my family.
6. Can I have six? Hire a cleaning lady!

5 Things I Love:

1. Family
2. Friends
3. My wonderful life.
4. Seeing things I'm trying to teach Thomas actually pay off.
5. Music and art.

There you have it! Have a fantastic 4th of July, everyone!

The Boys

A couple weeks ago, we had such a fun day. Thomas' cousins, Ethan, Aidan, and Oliver came over to play. Thomas just loves playing with his cousins "EE" and "AA". They had lunch and then played in the little pool. And Afton and I were able to visit for a few hours. What a nice afternoon!

Oliver and Andrew are going to be the best of friends! They are only one month apart. I laid them next to each other and they ended up getting their arms linked - it was so cute.

Vegas, Baby!

For our third anniversary, Ryan and I took a trip to Vegas. It was our very first trip without kids, and was a much needed break. We had SO much fun! We stayed at the Mirage and went to their lion/tiger/dolphin exhibit. We also saw the Beatles' Cirque Du Soleil show "LOVE" - it was SO SO GOOD! I loved it bad. Ryan also bought me a pedicure at the hotel's fancy salon (my Mother's Day gift). So I was really pampered. It was just an all-around wonderful trip. (Thanks to Keith & Margo for watching our children!)

You can't see our faces, but that's us at the Beatles show.

Clouse Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Clouse Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Two Cents Worth

Oh, yeah, just thought I would blog about another fun experience that happened the same weekend as Andrew's blessing......
We had our first 911 call (and hopefully our last). I was doing some laundry in our laundry room when Thomas came up to me choking. At first, I thought he was just choking on a bite of food or something. He is usually not one to put toys and things in his mouth. But I then realized that he couldn't swallow and was trying to gag something up. I did a swipe in his mouth with my finger, but couldn't feel anything. I screamed to my mom to come help; I was panicking. We were both trying to help him, but nothing was working. So as I was dialing 911, my mom was still working on him. As soon as I get connected to the local medical help, I hear "clink, clink".....two pennies drop to the ground.
I was so thankful and relieved I started crying. Luckily, my mom was finally able to get the pennies up and out and we didn't have to have any medical help come to our house! I don't know what I would have done without my mom there! Scariest experience ever.

Andrew's Blessing May 4, 2008

After a long day of partying

FINALLY.....asleep

Handsome boy all dressed up

Favorite Pics

Thomas and his chocolately luscious lips!

These are a couple of pictures my friend, Carolyn, took while she was visiting from Wyoming back in February. They are so cute that I wanted to post them. (I hope you don't mind, Carla!) Somehow she even made me look cute being 9 months pregnant!

I Feel So Violated

Ok, ok, I know I am really not doing good with this blogging thing. There really are a lot of things for me to talk about and update; I just have not sat down to do it.

Thanks, Afton, I love the new updates! :)

How Do I Look?

Hey Terri,
I broke into your account and changed a few things on your blog. I know you wanted a cute background, but you didn't know how to do it. So I got you started. I will show you how to change it so you can change it the future, but I figured, if you had a cute blog then maybe you would start posting some entries. There is so much fun stuff you can do, you just learn as you go. I know you want a playlist, but I'll let you do that one yourself. (Even though I could probably pick out some of the songs you would use) I promise, I won't abuse the fact that know your account password. Hope you don't mind, and hope you like it.
Love ya,
Afton

Andrew Glen Clouse

On March 8, 2008 we welcomed new baby Andrew Glen into our little family. He weighed 7 lbs 14 ozs and 20 inches long. He's such a sweet little blessing, and we're lucky to have him. He's already smiling and cooing - it's so cute. Big Brother Thomas is adjusting much better with the baby. He had a tough couple of weeks at first, but I think he's ok with it now.