Blog Party Weekend

Ha ha ha! Get it Blog Party Weekend...like Block party weekend. On that note, yeah I am pretty awesome and just decided to do one freaking huge update instead of a ton of small ones to catch you up on what's been going on in ole B town..aka Bozeman.

Axel got his first full on teeth cleaning done by the gorgeous fabulous all around great gal dental hygenist Mariah. She was amazing with him, she definitely has the experience under her belt so her awesomeness was to be expected. She showed him all of the tools and let him play with the water squirter and sucker thing-a-ma-jig that we would all love to play with really. She even made his day by letting him wear the spiderman sunglasses. She does make going to the dentist way fun! I love getting my teeth cleaned soley on Mariah's expertise, and conversation of course. She is my big sis afterall. He even sat still for flouride, which was cheesecake flavored and oh boy was it delicious! Axel thought so too.

This was Axel's first day of school, at least the first day where he got to ride the bus. Now, that is all he talks about. He colored a paper on what he would wish for if he could wish on a star. The teacher wrote in the blank per his request, "Ride Bus!" Those are two words that frequently leave his lips. He absolutely loves it. Hopefully he still loves it just as much when he is eighteen! Ha ha!

We were graced with a visit from the Gregory clan the last part of March and boy did we make some memories and have a blast. I know you are dying to ask how four adults and six kids functioned in a small two bedroom apartment. To tell you the truth, I didn't really notice the chaos that much. All the kids had a slumber party in the boys room and Sunny and Trav slept in the living room. Course I don't think much sleeping went on there....with kids getting up in the night...what were you thinking? Shame on you. ha ha. Really though, it was way fun. Axel insisted on sleeping on the floor with Braxton every night, so Pacen got his bed. And Pacen who was the biggest sweetheart would get up when Grady cried and find his binkie and rub his face til he went back to sleep. Where was I? you ask. Oh don't worry I was sawing logs down the hall oblivious to the whole dillemma. It did only happen a couple times, not every night, just so you know.

Axel was bff's (best friends forever in case you have suppressed memories from grade school and jr. high to remember what that stands for.) with a different Gregory every day. Can I just say how freaking awesome Sunshine's kids are. Even though there is a huge age difference between those boys and Axel, they didn't just tolerate him they would play with him and laugh at his jokes which made a big impression on Axel. Towards the end Axel wouldn't go anywhere without Camille (Tennille as Axel called her, he finally got it right by the time they left) and Addie was his playmate choice as well. It was cute to watch.

Our neighbor Jeremy didn't have the same opinion though as he kept asking when they were leaving and telling me that kids are okay from a distance. He is the Forest Gump of the complex and you would be stupid if you got offended so I would just respond with a, "I actually really like them up close!" It's funny now he doesn't complain about Axel and Grady nearly as much. Apparently seeing what six kids are like as neighbors made the two kids he does have as neighbors a dream for him!

Sunshine and I hit the tizown while she was her. We did a lot of thrift shopping. I had to show her Bozeman's hot spots! We found some great deals and ran those kiddos all over town. They were sure troopers. The store clerks however were not. I even overheard one employee in Costco dropping the F bomb about all our kids. They weren't that bad, don't take it out on the kids just because you hate your job. Would you rather us fit in with the normal population of Bozeman and come in with four dogs instead? She has my pity! :)

It really was the best to have the Gregory's here. I love hanging out with Sunshine. She cracks me up and is so freaking awesome. She has the biggest heart I have ever seen. She snuck buying me a new broom and a maple syrup holder to name a few. I just have the best sisters in the whole world. It gets lonely here and was nice to hang out with one of my favorite peeps. We talked into the night, painted toenails and even had numerous dance party's to try and get Pacen to bust a move. Even if she did bring the pink eye weird cold virus plague to our house, I would have them all back in a heartbeat. I can't wait til we can live closer so we can make these type of memories all the time and not just once in a blue moon. It is nice to know we left Sunshine with a lasting impression too as we passed on some of our favorite addictions to them...Saturday morning Dutch pancakes and Sunday night Orange Julius and popcorn. Yes! Their impression was left on us too as Axel prays for them in every single prayer to this day almost a month later..."Bwess Sunsine, Twabis, Pacey, Bwaxton, Cameel, Addie" He will repeat their names a couple times per prayer. It is pretty cute...unless it is fast sunday and we are eager to eat. :)

So, these are some of the things we did to entertain ourselves.

All the kids watching the new Chipmunks movie...oh yes that is Pacen picking his nose...in his defense he did not eat it. Luv ya Pacey!!

We put on a little easter egg hunt courtesy of Sunshine and the dollar store. They loved it. Check out them cowboy boots.

The kids showing off their spoils. I'm sure Jeremy will appreciate their sugar high.

Grady also enjoying the hunt. Sunny gave him a foe hawk much to Eli's total disdain. It never lasted more than a second in Eli's presence no matter how much gel she used.

Here are some pictures I took on a random day and experimented editing them. I thought they turned out cute. This is also an attempt to make the grandparents who better read this, miss us even more...maybe so much that they can't contain themselves and hurry up here to visit us!! The first one is in my April 12 of 12 but I had to post it a second time cause it is my favorite!

We can say goodbye to anymore binkie shots because the dentist made the weaning process official. Yes, he has binky mouth. He sucks on it pretty hard, probably since it was the only thing that got him through his meningitis trauma...in my opinion. So, now we see his temper rear its ugly head pretty frequently. Curse you binky...why do you take with you all the peace and happiness in our home?

This is the reaction Grady will give us every time we ask if he has a buger. He will bring his hand up to his wrinkled nose and blow. I absolutely love it. Unfortunately, since I snapped the picture he hasn't done it since. Oh well, at least I got it on film. :)

Mom sent the boys their Easter spoils that they would have gotten had we been able to go home for her annual Easter party. It is a pretty big deal and I'm glad they were still able to have some of the fun even if it's not quite the same as hanging out with the fam. We officially miss all you guys. sniff sniff.

Here are some more Gregory moments..a bit out of order. A whole lot of Horsey Rides, though I don't think this horse is going to make it very far at all before collapsing.

This one is a bit sturdier under the pressure....

I love Grady sneaking in this picture

I love that face...even if he is sporting the foe hawk

This is where we went on Easter Saturday. The Museum of the Rockies or Dinosaur Bones as Axe calls it is one of his favorite places. This is Big Mike the T-Rex

Grady sat still long enough for them to paint his face to look like a bunny. He has had the practice though. Axel paints his face all the time with watercolors, cheese, ink etc....

I think he was trying to figure out what the heck the lady was doing.

Axel requested a dinosaur on his face and held equally still. He talked about it the rest of the day and even said goodbye to it when we washed it off at bathtime all-official like.

Axel, Camille,and Addie are eating my attempt at homeade donuts on one of their favorite spots
the balcony. The donuts were pretty great!

Another one of my favorite pics.

And now for the finale: (drum roll) April's 12 of 12..

1- I am studying the Daughters of My Kingdom Relief Society manual which has been wonderful. It really makes me feel empowered as a woman and daughter of God and makes me more aware of the gifts that God has instilled in all of us. It motivates me to go and do!

2-Axel and Grady are my little helper chefs. I made the aprons a long time ago and Axel is always sure to pass everyone's out to wear while we are all "cooking". Things take a lot longer but it is fun having them help in the kitchen....most of the time.

3-My onery self taking a much needed nap and Axel snapping the picture. He is just getting so good and is really sneaky with the camera. I don't know what kind of nap I expected to get with Axel around. So, lets just say I rested my eyes.

4-Axe pants getting on the bus. He was actually excited to pose for the picture. I'm glad it's not such a fight to get a good picture out of him these days.

5-Laying Grady down for his nap. Tennille gave him his spotted puppy and he loves it. He always gives it kisses and just sits there stroking it.

6-The picture I also previously posted. It captures something I can't describe between the two of them. They fight together, they copy each other, they laugh together, and cry together. They are best buds and best bros. It is great to witness that love.

7-Axel's new found love....vacuuming. It is mine too since we had to get a new vacuum! The old one burned up after seven long years (not bad for a $50 vacuum ha ha). But he is making the mistake of showing me he can do these things...so hopefully he loves it as much when he is eighteen...it's funny how many things that phrase applies to.

8-Like I said they laugh together and fight together. This is why it takes me so long to get ready in the morning. They not only have to be in the same room as me always but also on top of the counter. The reason the counter looks so clean is because Grady has thrown everything off onto the floor. And I wonder why I have to keep replacing eye shadows...they shatter when they hit the floor in case you don't know. Bytheway, yes that would be a dentist glove they are fighting over. You have got to be kidding me.

9-That is Grady staring at our neighbor Jeremy walking away after a quick hello to us. He will usually say hello and ask if Eli is home and tell me that Eli seems withdrawn and stressed. Then he moves on to say how he can't understand what Axel is saying. He'll then tell me Axel kind of gets on his nerves and finish off with "when are you moving again?" It is a good time. Lately when he is out and sees that Axel is coming out to say hello, he will shoot right back into his house to avoid talking to him. It cracks me up. You gotta love Jeremy...or do you. ha ha

10-Axel came out in Grady's pants. It is funny that his little bootie fits in those little things. They actually look like capris on him. Maybe I should try just living on chocolate milk, pancakes, and hot dogs and then maybe my butt will fit in tiny jeans too. ha ha! He decided to model them for us on the cedar chest. Whenever he puts on his own clothes or shows me his undies he will pose by sticking his butt out to the side and putting his hand on his hip. Where does he come up with this stuff?

11-I also previously posted this one too. This is the facial reaction you are met with when you ask Grades if he has a boogie.

12-And finally the end of today is like the end of actually everyday in the Hubbard home. We sit down after the kiddos are in bed and crochet while watching the tube. That is right I said crochet. I taught Eli and you should see his hats. He is amazing at the hook. He's also successfully crocheted a sock....soon to be wool socks for fishing and various wintry manly activities. Did I also mention how manly Eli is? He definitely has the crochet fever when he described to me the sensation he felt as he ventured into JoAnn's and his mind started to race with all the possibilities of what he could make. I think he is the best thing ever. He always jokes about how manly he is as he sits down to crochet. I just love his guts and this makes him more of a man to me than ever.