The Biznards: January 2010

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Future Mr. & Mrs. Ethan?

According to Ali (the cute little girl in this photo), she and Ethan will someday get married. She has told her mom that she doesn't just love Ethan, but she is IN LOVE with him. And if Ethan were into girls, even just a smidgen I'm sure he'd feel the exact same way. This was taken the day Chad and Ethan went hometeaching - Ali knew they were coming and made sure to stay in her white dress after church and even made sure her mom fixed her hair. I hope the day they get married she's still wearing her sassy purple glasses.

Go here for a more detailed account.

Monday, January 18, 2010

i heart Brandi Carlile!

Not only do I heart Brandi Carlile, but I got to see her in concert! My friend Abby and I went and it was a true girls night out as it brought me back to those good ol' youthful years of concert going.

We landed about 5 rows back from the stage. It almost seemed too easy, but there we were. It was a huge crowd and I was surprised to feel like a was in a mosh pit for the first time in years. Luckily, Brandi's music doesn't exactly invite moshing so we were able to stay on our feet. You meet some interesting drunk people when you're standing just inches from them for four hours.

By the end of the night I realized that I'm way too old to stand for that long, in a way too crowded, hot concert hall with crazy lights blaring in my eyes. AND on top of that, in my excitement of going to the concert, I had completely forgotten to eat dinner. Duh. BUT I would do it all again for Brandi. She sounds just as good, if not better than on her cds. She has such a unique and cool voice. Fun, down to earth personality and she really appreciates a great crowd. It was all worth it.

Check her out:

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Happy Brithday Ethan!

I can't believe I have a 7 year old!

The night of his birthday we had a fun little dinner celebration with grandma and grandpa along with some home videos of Ethan. Forget pizza, what 7 year old wouldn't request pulled pork as his birthday dinner. He loves that stuff. Funny kid.

Then today was the big day for the birthday party with 8 of his friends. I'm sure you can imagine the craziness, sometimes chaotic, but fun times these boys had together. (And as for me, I'm glad it was just an hour and a half and that we only do parties every other year). It was a fun party filled with pizza, cake and a clever treasure hunt (that Chad made) where they found bubble gum for the bubble gum blowing contest, bags to fill with pinata candy, a pinata and silly string, which would later be used to attack Chad and our friend Justin (thanks again Justin for being our moving target!). Not to mention a lot of sugar!

Who says you can't do outdoor activities for winter birthdays??

And then there's that thing that gave me the most pleasure: Making THE CAKE.

This is what Ethan did when I asked him to 'look like you're in aw...' Of course I didn't capture the original moment cause of low batteries. But I promise, this was very similar to his original reaction. :) He was quite pleased with his cake. Admittedly I was a bit disheartened when I had to actually cut it up and serve it.

Happy birthday Ethan!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Post New Year's Blues

Now that Christmas break is over this is what it's come to: A big case of insomnia. Ethan spent the two weeks of Christmas break staying up way too late and sleeping in way too long, and now he's all out of whack. It took him 3 hours to fall asleep the other night. Two hours last night. And so far, as I'm writing this we're at about an hour. I caught Chad and Ethan reading together last night in efforts to get him to sleep. It worked!... two hours later.

Here goes the history of how he became an insomniac. We spent Christmas in California with Chad's fam. It was a smorgasbord of fun, eating, playing games, Christmas shopping, more eating, opening gifts, seeing friends, playing with cousins, late nights and more!

He was quite happy with his spoils this year, although at one point he did question why Santa dare not give him an Xbox like he had asked for. Guess what? Its all about teaching Ethan the true meaning of Christmas next year. I'm open to any suggestions on how to effectively do that.

One of the days we were there me, Chad, and Chad's brother took a 10 mile hike near the ocean not too far from San Francisco. Chad and his brothers have been doing this hike the last few times we've come to visit. This time I made sure to invite myself. I'm glad I did. It was gorgeous.

We ended up here on a small cliff where this waterfall dropped onto the beach. It was way cool.

Family picture time.

We then headed home and experienced a whirlwind of activities since my nephew was home from his mission and my brother Ben and his family were in town. All I know is that it was a week of REALLY late nights, games, tons of cousin time, sledding and of course food! What would the holidays be like without being totally glutenous. Not fun. I'll tell you that much. The only picture I took all week is this one, taken at the church during our family volleyball game.

Sisters in law Melissa, Kathy and Tasha and sister Courtney.

We did squeeze in a little friends time too. Here's Ethan and his buddy Logan with whom we also spent News Year's Eve. We even had a little slumber party to boot. Thanks Justin and Lori! Fun times!

Ethan & Gavin Quotes Worth Repeating:

The best is when Gavin tells me, "You're my best mom!" And when he comes out from his nap and says, "Mom, I still love you." (I love the "still" part - I'm just glad his feelings didn't change during his nap).

This morning Gavin saw the medicine cups on the counter and said he needed medicine. Since he's not sick, I said, "You don't need medicine, you're not sick." He goes all whiny, "but I am sick! I'm sick of cereal." (January 6, 2015)

Today I shared half of my cookie with Gavin, he very politely replied when I handed it to him, "Thanks mom! Good job sharing!" (Sept 20, 2014)

This was told to me by my neighbor while Gavin was at her house playing with her daughter, Emma.
Emma tells Gavin, "I have a bum."
Gavin: "I think I have a bum too."
All the while looking behind them trying to get a peak at their own bums. I love conversations between three year olds! (Sept, 2014)

I was talking to Ethan about my on t.v. interview the next day. He was a little nervous I'd embarass him and goes, "Mom, I really don't want you to make a fool of this family!" (July 11,2013)

On Friday we took Ethan and 5 of his friends somewhere for his birthday. We borrowed my brother's car since its big and it could fit all of us. When we all got in the car the boys were saying how the owner of the car must be rich because the car was so big. They were informed that the car belonged to Ethan's uncle. They were still in awe of how rich he must be when Ethan exclaimed, "He's a redhead, of course he's rich!" Hmm...if only I were a redhead. (January 14, 2011)

Ethan gave Tito a little kiss on the head. After he kissed him he was wiping Tito's head off and said, "I'm wiping the wetness off, but the love's still there." So profound. (October 10, 2010)

My sis-in-law Mel and I took our kids to a pool to swim pretty far from our house. They'd been in the car probably for about 30-45 min. I hear Ethan in the backseat ask his fellow cousins, "Are you guys having fun? I'm having fun just talking!" (October 7, 2010)

One morning as Ethan was requesting some breakfast, he said, "Hey, you're kind of like my servant!" He was quite pleased with that discovery. (May, 2010)

At dinner Ethan says to Chad, "Dad, how do you eat in like two seconds?!"

Chad: "Cause I'm a pig."

Ethan: "Pigs don't eat THAT fast!" (March 4, 2010)

Ethan Quote Archives

My Mom was telling Ethan about how she remembers her 1st grade teacher. She paused for a moment to think of her teacher's name and Ethan took the opportunity to whisper in her ear and inform her, "She's probably dead." (January 26, 2010)

Ethan, analizing why the spider was crawling on his leg the other night. "I don't think that spider was TRYING to poison me." (December 18, 2009)

"My friend want to write Santa to tell him what he wants. I want to write Santa to thank him for all that he does." (December, 2009)

From the backseat Ethan says, "I have my pinky in my nose. I'm not picking it, it just kin of feels good!" I looked back and sure enough, his pinky was in his nose. And in all honesty, he's really not a nose picker so I know it wasn't just an excuse. (August 14, 2009)

Chad and I were talking about how my sister-in-law, Mel is going to be the president of Ethan's old preschool. Ethan must have missed the "preschool" part and he goes: "What!? Mel's going to be president? Its not going to be Barack Obama anymore?" (August 9, 2009)

While Ethan was coming home from school with my friend Cathy and her two boys, apparently her two year old was being really loud and Ethan says, "I always wanted a sibling, but I didn't know they could be so anooying!" (May, 2009)

While we were at the park with one of Ethan's friends and his mom, Ethan's friend realized he lost one of the toys that he brought. As he and his mom started frantically looking for it, Ethan quietly, yet knowingly says to me, "And that why I don't bring toys to the park." (March, 2009)

During church Ethan plugs his ears and says, "I don't want to listen anymore."
Me: "Why?"
Ethan: "Because I don't want my eardrums to run out of hearing." (3/15/2009)

Ethan and I were looking through a book about bodies and we were talking about kidneys and where they are located in the body.

Me: (Pointing to the small of his back) "So this is where your kidneys are."
Ethan: "So does that mean you have adultneys?"
Get it? Adult-neys? He's got kid-neys, so I should have adult-neys right? And he wasn't kidding. (1/20/2009)

Me: "Ethan, do you love Tido?"
Ethan: "Yeah, I love him...The only thing I don't like about him is that his butt is always in your face." (1/5/2009)

As we were talking about going to Costco and getting some lunch, Ethan exclaims, "I just love Costco food! Its just so good! We should get their recipe and their autograph!" (1/2/2009)

I'm a little more familiar with the area where we live than Chad is, so sometimes I have to tell him where to turn while driving. One day while I was telling him where to turn left and right, from the backseat Ethan says, "Mom, stop bossing dad around!" (a while ago, 2008)

Aunt Courtney asked Ethan what his favorite part of kindergarten is, he replied, "going home." (9/1/2008)

Ethan: Dad, when you got married did you have a wedding cake?
Chad: Yes I did.
Ethan: Why didn't you save any for me?...Well, its ok cause I guess you didn't really know about me then. (8/12/2008)

While putting Ethan to bed tonight he told me, "You're the sweetest parents I ever had." (6/11/2008)

The other day we were at the store and there was a shirt that Ethan wanted that we didn't buy for him. The next day while he was getting dressed he comes up to me and says, "Mom, I'll give you a choice, either you buy me that shirt or I won't wear any clothes tomorrow." (6/8/2008)

Today during testimony meeting Ethan says to Chad,
"Oh gosh, why does everyone have to say the church is true?"

Tonight as Ethan and I were sipping out hot cocoa, I asked him if it ever made him sad that he didn't have any brothers or sisters. He replied, "No, I have a good life."

While driving in the car I was telling Ethan how he was going to play with his good friend Hayden the next day. Ethan hesitates, "Well. . .I was going to do some research tomorrow." "Oh really, well what are you going to research?" "Oh, I was going to do some research on my mission." (3/13/08)

One Sunday during the Sacrament Ethan whispers to me:
"I can't think of Jesus, I can only think of Superheroes."

"I want to be a cow so I can poop in a field."

"When adults tickle kids they pee a little bit."

Ethan: I want a new mom.
Me: Well that makes me sad that you would say that. Why do you want a new mom?"
Ethan: Because you're so old.

Me: "Ethan, I'm so glad you're my son."
Ethan: "Don't talk about son, child, married, or pregnant. That makes me nervous."

As Ethan was looking at Courtney's parakeet and the bird was looking back at him with just one of his eyes, cause that's just how birds look, Ethan demanded, "Look at me with both eyes bird!"

Today while driving in the snow Ethan asked me if snow is white. I told him that it is and he said, "Oh good because I was worried that I be blind color (aka color blind)."