One Husband, Three Devil Boys, and a Pyscho Mom

2010-10-27T15:19:00.000-06:00

SON

How can I ever repay you

for what you’ve given me?

A daily opportunity

to change the world

for the better

simply by spending time

with the person I love the most..

Dallas Clayton

Wanna win some Sweet Stuff?

2010-09-30T21:54:00.000-06:00

My friend Lynsee and her friend started an etsy shop The Pretty Poppy. They also have a blog where they show how to do and make all sorts of cool stuff. Right now they are giving away a necklace and earrings and possibly a $50 gift certificate to Antropolgie. So hurry and go check it out NOW!!

http://www.theprettypoppy1.blogspot.com/

or go to Etsy and look at ThePrettyPoppy

Okay Bye.

Phew..........Glad that's done

2010-09-05T23:18:00.000-06:00

I am now caught up on our summer's worth of blog posts. Be sure to go back and read about all our adventures.

Hey Tyson you can get off my back now.
P.S. Don't you have a swingset to build? What has it been like 4 years?
Love, Wifey

Kindergarten

2010-09-05T23:15:00.001-06:00

I heard the front door slam, and that big yellow school bus took my boy away. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got til it's gone.

I snuck over with a friend to make sure he was ok. He was, I wasn't.....

Nixon is so smart

2010-09-05T23:07:00.000-06:00

One day the boys were coloring and practicing writing. Nixon was so proud to show me this. I love this kid.

Also known as POOP.

I'm a Spudman

2010-09-05T23:02:00.001-06:00

In January of this year I registered to participate in the Burley Spudman Triathlon. The race is a 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, and 6 mile run. I started to train in February. Having never swam or rode a bike more than a few miles at a time, I was a bit freaked. And so began my everyday journey to the rec center. All other priorities were put on the back burner until my training was done for the day. On July 31 at 7:30 am I was treading water in the Snake river with about 300 other women in my heat. Overcome by panic, I flipped on my back and floated the first ten minutes of race on my back. Thanks to the current I finished with an okay time despite me thinking I was going to die. The bike was cake, the run was horrible and I finished beating my goal of 3 hours. Official time 2:58:51. I couldn't walk for about a week after.

Looking pretty fly in the bike shorts.

My family that didn't even get to see me cross the finish line:(

Next stop Dirty Dash on September 18. Here I come mud.

30 is Dumb

2010-09-05T22:39:00.000-06:00

I turned 30 on May 5th. It was stupid. I am old, have stretch marks, no college degree, mom boobs, and drive a mini-van. I got no presents and got no cake. GOOOOO 30. Booooooooooooo.

4th of July

2010-09-05T22:37:00.000-06:00

On July 3rd we went to a Boise Hawks baseball game. We had awesome seats. The fireworks after the game were pretty sweet. On the fourth we shot off fireworks at our house and tried our best to annoy all our neighbors.

At the game. It was all a dream.......

Hey grandma's am I a good mom? Look what I am letting my kids do!

Hitching a Ride

2010-09-05T22:32:00.000-06:00

One of Ledger's favorite things to do outside! Ride on the back of the trike with Trey.

What do ya know Nixon pulling Ledge's hair.

Nixon's Birthday

2010-09-05T22:27:00.000-06:00

On July1, Nixon turned 4!! He is a funny lil guy. Still barely weighing in at 30 lb. He loves to play games with Trey. His best friends are the same as Trey's whoever that might be for the day. He likes to help me cook. He likes to read books to his favorite toys, and lines them up to watch cartoons with him. He loves animals, especially his kitty :( He wakes up everyday and asks if he can get a puppy. He is a pest to Ledger and is often caught taking cheap shots at him, whether it is pulling his hair, tripping him, and whatever else I haven't caught him doing yet! He misses Trey terribly when he is at school, and is very anxious to start preschool on September 9th. He loves to read books. He loves to go swimming at the rec center. He gets shy and embarassed easy, and when he does he sticks his tongue in his check and looks down. He is on prayer patrol at our house, and not a meal is skipped with a blessing being said. He is also obsessed with taking his vitamins, and reminds me everyday that he needs to take them. We sure love him a lot with his cute little dimples and sweet laugh.

Opening the gifts from Grandma Nancy. She always spoils them rotten!

If you zoom you can see Nixon's tongue in his cheek. He does this when he gets shy, or embarassed.

L-R Porter, Asher, Shaydon,Ethan, Trey He wanted a Lightning McQueen Birthday.

Opening his presents.

Working with Dad

2010-09-05T22:08:00.000-06:00

On some of his longer work trips Tyson takes the pop-up trailor to sleep in. Fun stuff. He finished up some projects in Nevada. On one of his trips there he was able to take Trey and Nixon with him. The had fun fishing with the customer's boys, and camping with Dad.

Melissa Get in Here!!!!!

2010-09-05T21:53:00.000-06:00

Remember that stupid stray cat. She is a gypsy. She just comes and goes as she pleases. Uses and abuses us. She left in February and came back beginning of May. Big, fat, and pregnant. Great. We ignored her. I know very Christ like. On Mother's Day the boys and I were enjoying the warm weather. We continued our evening just like any other. Put Ledge down to sleep around 8, closed his door nice and tight so the others wouldn't wake him. Tyson arrived home from Nevada around 12 that night. We are all snug in our beds until around 3 am. Ledger is screaming bloody murder. I give Tyson the hello, get up and get your kid, kick. A few minutes later Tyson comes screaming back into our bedroom. "Can't you hear me?" "That damn cat had kitties under Ledger's crib!" Frick. I spent the next 45 minutes cleaning up you know what underneath the crib and relocating them to a comfy cardboard box. We raised all 6 of them, and got rid of them thru craigslist. Excpet one that Tyson ran over (it's okay), and who Nixon thought would be cool to throw in the air and make do a flip. Yeah, she got a bloody face from that. Nixon named here Sally. Fastforward to today September 5, and know that we don't have either. Both ran away. Momma stopped by the other day. All nice and plump. I hate cats.

Ledger, the proud papa!

I really do feel bad for Nixon, he loves baby kitty and misses her:(

Preschool graduation

2010-09-05T21:36:00.000-06:00

Another successful year of preschool. If you consider success telling a girl you don't like her, and don't want to sit by her making her cry. ( I wouldn't either, she was annoying.) Then telling another girl she was poopy and making her cry too. What can I say, the kid doesn't like girls..

Trey as shepherd boy 1.

Trey receiving his diplioma from Mrs. Haro.

Trey and his best friends.
L-R Nixon, Trey, Asher, Jonah

Red Green

2010-09-05T21:27:00.001-06:00

Growing up in rural Nebraska with 3 channels on my tv left my viewing options to ABC, CBS, and my beloved PBS. I grew up watching The Red Green Show. Soooo, imagine my excitement when I saw that he was coming to Boise, Idaho and doing a meet and greet at the D&B in Boise. If you (which honestly, who has) haven't heard of him, his whole show is about how he fixes up stuff with duct tape, and a bunch of other nonsense. Go youtube it now! Holy shizzle I was excited. I went and bought some rolls of duct tape, and loaded the fam up on the Saturday he was here. After a long wait I was able to shake Red's hand, get my tape signed, and have some nice photos of us taken. I have my roll nicely displayed in our living room.

I never thought this day would come.

Can you sign that, To Melissa, my #1 fan, Love, Red Green.

Mission Call

2010-09-05T21:04:00.002-06:00

Tyson's parents were called to serve a mission at Heber Valley Camp, in Heber, Utah. They serve a six month mission, come home for 6 months, and then return again next spring. It's pretty amazing. Check it out here www.hebervalleycamp.org/. They are the camp host at the Lucy Mack Smith campsite. Over Memorial Day weekend we were able to go and visit them. Tyson's mom was able to get us tickets to go see Day Out With Thomas.

Tyson's parents in their front yard. How would you like living in your 5th wheel for 6 months?

On a hike.

Tyson on the swing thingy. It's snowing on May 31! Welcome to Utah.

Swimsuits

2010-05-01T21:33:00.000-06:00

It's true. I wish I could lounge around the pool or beach, laying soaking up all the wonderful rays the sun has to offer. Turning every half hour to keep my tan even. Sipping a tasty beverage, reading smut on perezhilton.com. But, no, I am at the rec center. So much chlorine my lungs hurt, no chance of sunshine in here. But seriously, I can deal with all the kids, chlorine, nasty dudes and there ginormous guts. What really chaps my hid is that in 2000 some years no one has invented a swimsuit for chicks that doesn't snag when you sit on the pool bottom or on the edge. I can't lounge around. I got three kids for hecks sake, there's no lounging. So please someone I need a suit that will not snag, if not I am going to start wearing cutoffs and wife beaters to the pool.

Easter

2010-05-01T21:17:00.000-06:00

Easter was BORING. Stayed home. The Bunny came and left some light sabers (what was he thinking) and a movie. Attempted to cook. Then we drove around the valley all afternoon, venturting to places we have never seen.

Visitors

2010-05-01T21:00:00.000-06:00

PF Changs

My brother Dallas, sis-in-law Diana, and their boys Austin and Zach came to visit us in February!! The first time Dallas has ever been out to visit me in like 10ish years. My wedding doesn't count! We had such a blast. Our boys had so much fun tagging along with their older cousins. I tried my darndest to convince them to relocate. Please, please please hurry and move here.. Unfortunately, Diana left with a crappy souvenir. A partially torn ACL from their ski trip to Bogus Basin.

T-Ball

2010-05-01T20:44:00.000-06:00

Trey started his first year of t-ball. Tyson signed him up for baseball camp over spring break. It was put on by the Columbia High School baseball team. The first day Trey came home and called me a pussy. Which is about the extent of what he learned. We are so proud.

Tyson's Birthday

2010-05-01T20:14:00.000-06:00

In case you were wondering Tyson's birthday wasn't so horrible. A few days after his birthday he came home from work, and the kids were starting to feel better, so the kids picked out a Thomas the Tank Engine DQ ice cream cake. And he got some Olive Garden, and probably some sex I can't remember.

2010-01-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Tyson,

Happy Birthday. Go buy your own cake. I am covered in boogers and throw up.

Love, Wifey

Help

2010-01-27T16:47:00.002-07:00

See the pictures below. See the piece of crap wannabe swing set thing. Could somebody come and set fire to it please.. I am begging. And take the damn cat with ya too.

Trey's Birthday Party

2010-01-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

Trey's birthday landed on MLK day this year. No school. So we held the party on Monday. 4 of Trey's friends came for his Scooby Doo party. Have no clue why he wanted Scooy doo. I stayed up til one on Friday night designing a gingerbread, haunted house for the cake. Have I ever mentioned I flunked art. I suck. Totally pathetic at anything art related. I can't cut a straight line to save my life. Yeah well had this haunted house pimped out, even had a light on the inside and scary ghosts behind curtains. Well it was pimped out until Ledger came and pulled the cord from the light inside. It crashed into a gabillion pieces. Total suckeroo. Fine.. Whatever. Went to walmart. Bought some paint and construction paper. Decided to stick to a medium I know. Cardboard and duct tape. Spent way less time, haunted house turned out way pimper. Printed the characters from the show. Okay so it's not like I will be putting Cake Boss out of business....ever. Trey liked it. Hid the cake. Gave the kids clues to find the cake. Had 16 year old neighbor dress like ghost. The clues led the kids outside where the 16 yr old neighbor was to run around scared of little meddling kids, and mad because they found him. Get last clue. Eat cake. Went more like 16 yr olf neighbor scarred the shiz out of kids, kids came running in house crying, didn't want last clue, and found cake anyway. Tyson had to pretend beat up the ghost to redeem ourselves. The kid in the red running for dear life is Trey. The end.

My Favorite Five Year Old

2010-01-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

Treyton Connor Downs

This guy is my favorite five year old. Born on January 18, 2005. Eight days before his official due date. An absolute nightmare to push out. Great baby, hardly fussed. That was the quickest 5 years of my life.

Obsceneness

2010-01-27T16:09:00.001-07:00

Took the kids to Arby's last night. Sick of all the puking, had to get out of the house. I mean really what better to settle a stomach then some over priced fast food. An otherwise shatty day had a funny ending when Trey brought me these, and asked me to help make his Superman bobble head toy thing that came with his meal. What kind of pornographic, finger flipping super hero did my kids get I wondered??

2010-01-12T17:52:00.001-07:00

Ledger Tyson Downs

Today we are celebrating the birthday of our favorite one year old! What a great kid. So far. It was one year ago on January 12, around 3:30 am when I woke up from a dream. A dream where Tyson was driving me down the old washboard dirt backroads of Nebraska. I was begging him to slow down because I was peeing my pants. I awake to a soaked bed confused whether I had done just as I had in my dream and peed, or if my water broke. So I did the trusty ole sniff test. What the H*LL is that? I gently nudge Tyson awake. "Smell this," I say. "What?" He replies. After a few minutes of convincing him he returned with the same bewildered face I had? What the H*ll? That's not pee. It couldn't be my water breaking. I had been up for like 10 minutes now, and I had not felt at thing. No trickling, no gushing, no contractions. What to do, what to do? I turn to my true friend the internet. All the birthing sites said that amniotic fluid smelled either sweet, or earthy? What the heck is earthy? That smell is NOT sweet, but earthy?? I was confused. I didn't want to go all the way to Meridian to be checked just to be sent home. What about Trey and Nix? It was like 4 in the morning now. I decided to call the hospital. I was told to come in and get checked on out. Yeah right. I return to the internet. Finally, a chat room where I find one person that refers to the smell of her fluid, to the exact smell that i am smelling. (If you want to know ask me, it's gross.) Then I see someone say to rub some of the fluid on a mirror or glass surface, if it crystalizes it is amniotic fluid, if not it's pee. Yep, I did that next. Definitely crystals all over our bathroom mirror. Frickity, frick, frick, who's going to watch our kids at 5 in the morning. I know it took me awhile to convince myself. Then the panic sets in. Crap you are suppose to be at the hospital an hour after your water breaks, and I need to be on antibiotics for that stupid Strep B. Crap, I'm not ever having contractions this is going to be a long labor. Tyson is finally realizing this is the real deal. He starts frantically calling people to come over and watch the boys. Thankfully, my visiting teacher from church is able to come over. Phew. Then off to the hospital we go.
We arrive and I talk to the same nurse that I talked to on the phone, who by-the-way, paused for a long, long time after I told her what I was smelling, put me on hold and came back and told me to just come in. So there I am in the triage room. I was sweating like no other for some reason . She takes some little test strip to the pad I was wearing to see if it tested positive for fluid. Nopers. What the?? Then she tests some other fluid that is right you know where. Oh yeah it's positive. Does that get me admitted ? No. What are these chicks crazy? Why they aren't just checking me I don't know. I have been having contractions now since we left for the hospital. So miss Head Nurse, with her smoke smelling self, decided to swab some more, readjust her nose ring ,and go look at it under a microscope. Have fun I say as I spread them to a now very obvious display of water breaking, and all the other goodies that develop once you are in labor. "Oh ,"she says. "Well I'll go test this to be sure." Moron I say. Minutes later she comes back. Positive. Duh. Go have another smoke idiot. Get my room, get checked oh you are at a 5. It is like 8 now. It seriously took that long for these dumb nurses to decide if water broke. Call my doctor who is on his way to work right across from the hospital. Still contractions are so-so, but being my wussy self decide an epidural is greatly needed. By 9:30 I am begging Tyson to check under the blanket because I know I am crapping all over the bed. No pooh. I ask him again. Then saunter in my delivery nurses who, thankfully, are different. One was new, so she was shadowing the veteran. I say to them I feel like I am totally going to take a huge crap. "Uh, heheheh." "Let's check you." I knew he was right there. I get so dang nervous when the time comes to puch the little critters out. I know my life is over. I know my crotch is going to hurt, my boobs are going to explode. My stomach which is cute being pregnant, is going to be a disgusting flap of fat that doesn't fit into anything. Can't I take it back. Keep him in, I'm NOT in labor. Just kidding. Nope, doctor arrives 10:15. I guess that parking lot is a bitch to get across. How they keep him (baby) shoved up there I don't know. Don't push they keep telling me. Don't worry I really don't want to. Pain is not my friend. They suit up in there gear. Jeez I wonder if I am shooting toxic sludge at them too or what. What's with the face guards, and shields? Whatever, PUSH, PUSH, PUSH baby is here. He is gorgeous. 7lb 8 oz 20". Perfect. I love him to pieces. So happy my life is over.

STOP THIEF!

2009-12-07T16:29:00.000-07:00

If anyone sees a grease ball paying for something in all change, or carrying around a blue plastic pig, piggy bank that has Idaho Central Credit Union on it, citizen's arrest him!!! Sure it could be a chick, but trust me plenty of sleezy dudes have been roaming our house the past few weeks while we were re-doing our driveway. The lucky thief made off with hundred or more bucks of our hard earned change, and Trey's piggy bank that had about 25-35 bones. Hope the smokes you are buying with my money gives you lung cancer and the beer you are drinking is tainted with arsenic, because seriously a thief would not be buying food or Christmas presents. And what makes this story even more charming is the fact that we were in Nebraska for my step-father's funeral.

Happy Holidays!!

2009-11-28T21:51:00.002-07:00

RAYMOND LEE YEAGER

March 19, 1942-November 27,2009

Bangerrific

2009-11-25T15:43:00.003-07:00

Here is a photo of me with bangs when I was a young one. Sporting the boy look. And a picture of me now with my new bangs which I love!!!! Thanks Stacy...

Trey's Preschool Picture September 2009

2009-10-23T15:26:00.001-06:00

Here is Trey's picture he had taken at preschool. He loves going to school,and has made some great friends, Jonah and Asher. He is learning so much. He is a swell guy. Sure do love him.

This is what happens.......

2009-09-14T20:50:00.014-06:00

........when I am trying to put Ledger down for bed. I haven't quite figured out how to put three kids to bed at the same time. Ledger goes down around 8 and Trey and Nixon around 8:30. When I am in dressing, and feeding Ledger, Trey and Nixon are suppose to be putting their pajamas on and picking out books. Ha. Why? Why do that when there is a perfectly good dresser that needs jumped off, and a perfectly good pile of pillows to land in.

FYI Tyra Banks. Nixon totally knows how to work that smile when jumping. I got some great shots of him. Not too sure what all the orb things are. I tried cleaning the lens a gabillion times. I am hoping that it's paranormal. They are always talking about the "orbs" in the ghost hunter shows. I always wanted to see a ghost.

City of Rocks

2009-09-14T19:02:00.005-06:00

Over Labor Day we pretended to camp. Eric, Andrea, Eva, and Olive also joined us. I say pretended because we stayed in Tyson's parent's RV park right behind their house. We ate, showered, and hung out there the entire time. Except for our City of Rocks adventure.

Nixon the Sheriff

2009-09-14T17:49:00.002-06:00

Nixon was invited to a birthday party, cowboy/girl themed. I think he makes the cutest little cowboy sheriff ever. Eat your heart our Woody.

The Good Life

2009-09-14T17:42:00.007-06:00

We (me and the boys) survived the 13 hour trip home. We did have to stop about every two hours for a gas, potty, or feed me break. On the way there we stopped in Evanston, WY. I had Tyson google a park for us to stop and play at. He found a really cool park that had a real train engine. Trey and Nix had a blast. Ledger and I sat and talked to two boys, 7 years old, and very street savvy. One lil boy had been suspended the year before for fighting and had to attend summer school. Another kid come in the park and he(the suspendee) tells us how he's gonna go kick him in the juevos. I guess he didn't think this white chick knew Spanish. I then got the low down on where to get the best deal on slushies, slim jim's and, and to go eat at Sonic because it was the best place in town. They were really nice kids. I was picturing the parents the whole time. Smokers, dirty bleach blonde hair, wearing WWE shirts. Telling their kids to scram, so they could cook up some more meth. When we had to leave they asked me when I would be back. I told them the following Monday. I felt bad because I drove straight thru on the way home. I can still picture them in their John Cena shirts, pealing out on their bikes as we said our last goodbyes...

Back to my trip. Got to Bridgeport Monday around one. Left the next day to spend time with my brother, sis-in-law, and nephews in North Platte. We went to Cody Park. They have the coolest little amusement park for kids. Trey and Nix could go on every ride! They LOVED it! There was also a zoo like thingy. We were able to feed deer, elk, geese, and ducks. Then to top it off there is a train museum. Real life trains, engines, mail cars, passenger cars, freight cars. Train heaven for my guys. It was a blast. The next day we spent at Sutherland Resevoir. Rode around on the jet ski, and enjoyed the beach and water. There was us and two other groups the entire day there. Tons of fun. Nixon is still asking to go to the ocean with his cousins!!

Back to Bridgeport. I had fun kicking my little bros butt in Wii fitness. He is a great kid. He entered the towns Biggest Loser competition and got third place losing 15 pounds!! Go Connor. He started his freshman year. Ugh can't believe he is getting so grown up. I remember when he was born thinking when he is 15 I will be thirty. That's like forever. It's quickly approaching!! We spent time driving around looking at all the old places we use to hang out, seeing relatives and old friends. Spent 3 days hanging out with my BFF Mandy, her son is a week younger then Ledger. Great times. The only meltdown was at a McDonald's in Wyoming on our way home. I already have a history with the McDonald's in that state(see November 2007 post). This time it was all Nixon. Mad because I wiped his bum before he was done going. Major catastrophe in the handicap stall. Oh how I could have left that kid there. I hate being so mad and there is nothing you can do about it. Stuck in a stinky, filthy bathroom, with a pyschotic 3 year old with his pants down ranting and raving. People thinking you are the worst mother since Casey Anthony. Poor Trey and Ledger in the line of fire. I am sure I looked like a wreck coming out of there. I hadn't sweat that much since I ran for an hour. If only I could be Harry Potter and use some floo powder to travel I might make it back sooner. But honestly, as well behaved as my kids were, (except for that episode) it's not a trip I want to make anytime soon...

Going Home

2009-08-06T12:46:00.002-06:00

I am so excited to be going home to Nebraska. It is so great to see my family.. Love you guys, see ya soon!!!

Nixon turns 3!!

2009-07-31T13:07:00.000-06:00

On July 1 Nixon turned three. I remember the day I went into labor with him so clearly. He entered the world at 8:51 p.m. 12 days early. My first words when I saw him was he's a little monkey! He had hair down his back and on his ears. Oh how I hoped it would fall off. He was so dark complected I had people question who the father was. Seriously! Luckily, my dad was down visiting and it was obvious were his genes came from. He is so different from Trey and yet so alike. Here are some of the things I love about Nixon.

*his dimples
*he is double-jointed in both thumbs
*he is left-handed
*he knows and sings every word to the SpongeBob theme song
*he laughs super hard at funny things
*tells me "I wuv ewe mom" about 50 times a day
*tells Trey "you my best friend Trey"
*likes back scratches and likes to give them too
*he is a skinny shrimp I picture him as a horse jockey when he grows up
*can make Ledger laugh the hardest
*loves animals and shows no fear towards them
*doesn't mind being the side-kick ie Luigi, Patrick Star, Hulk

Unfortunatley, we weren't able to throw him a real party. Tyson was out of town for work, and most of his friends were out of town for the 4th. I managed to take all three solo to the opening of Ice Age 3. We even survived a 20 minute fire alarm. Thank you skittles! Happy Birthday Nixon!!

Weiser Parade and Fourth of July

2009-07-16T20:29:00.000-06:00

Our good friends "The Wallaces" told us about this great parade in Weiser for some fiddle thing. It is an awesome parade, and they also have a carnival where they like to rake you over the coals for the crappiest prizes, and have gnarly, fat, white dudes rap carnie songs to you. It was fun and the kids had a blast getting too much candy.

Then for the 4th of July we went to our other good friends "The Van Tassells" we had a bbq and shot off fireworks. The kids found a frog. I don't even know when the last time I held a frog was, so yippee me.

Here are some picts!!

Ledger

2009-07-16T19:57:00.000-06:00

Ledger is growing up fast. He still has that gray blue eye color that most babies are born with. Trey and Nix both had and still have dark brown eyes. No dimple which I am sad about. He had his 6 month checkup today along with Nixon's 3 yr. checkup. He is getting around everywhere. Luckily, still at a slow pace. I am not looking forward to another year of the baby gate:( He doesn't really talk a bunch, just screams usually because Nixon is dragging him around by the feet!!
His stats: 17lb 14 oz
27-3/4" long
and very incredibly cute!!!

This is MAGNUM!!

2009-06-09T00:33:00.000-06:00

Holy crap BARGAIN HUNTERS LISTEN UP!! Have I got a steal for you. Tonight while shopping at my local Goodwill,(Located on Nampa-Caldwell Blvd and Midland Blvd) I stumbled upon the deal of the century and wanted to let you all in on it before it's too late! There are boxes of Trojan Brand Condoms Magnum Extra Lubricant for Her Pleasures for only 3.99!!!! These are 12 packs, you can't beat that price anywhere, or at least not anywhere I shop. And even better then don't expire until 12/09, not that they last that long around here anyway. Don't worry I left plenty there for all you hornballs out there, so if your guy is a magnum kinda guy don't let this amazing deal pass you by!!

Preschool Graduation

2009-05-20T15:17:00.000-06:00

Not too long ago I was worrying if I was making the right decision in sending Trey to the Messiah Children's Preschool. Nine months later I can happily say YES! It was an awesome experience for us as parents and Trey. He has made great friendships with kids he would otherwise have never met. He has gained so much knowledge of the Bible and the stories in it. We cannot believe the things that he has learned and remembers. We are so proud of him for being a good boy, and only getting in trouble once! (for spitting of all things!)

Things he has learned:

alphabet
numbers
memorizing two scriptures a month including John 3:16 and the Lord's Prayer
learning to write his name and the alphabet
cutting with scissors
using glue
coloring in the lines
many Bible stories
and the list goes on!

Arizona Trip

2009-05-20T14:28:00.000-06:00

On April 29th we left for our 11 day vacation to Arizona. The trip included two stops in Nevada. The first night we stayed in Elko, so Tyson could meet with some customers about a house that he is selling there. We also stopped in Wells, to meet up with Tyson's other customers. Then we drove to Las Vegas. Stayed the night in The Renaissance. It was next to the civic center and right off the strip. It was a nice place. That night our small family trekked around the strip and Caesar's Palace. Not too kid friendly on a Friday night. The next morning we drove the rest of the way to Phoenix. Tyson's parents got us a time share in Phoenix. The condo was huge and the pool was right down our stairs and through the gate. Not the nicest place we have stayed in, but so accommodating. Ty and I agree that this was one of the most relaxing vacations we have had in such a long time. Especially with three kids. We had no agenda and most days we were up by 6:30 and in the pool by 8:30. We swam our days away. The kids would be exhausted and fall right to sleep every night. We were able to see my cousin Toby and his wife Erin, and their two daughters. Our good friends and old neighbors Sean, Lynsee, Briggs, Hayden, and Ellie. Trey and Nixon scored on their hand-me-down clothes, including two spiderman shirts with these hideous blinking lights. Trey wore his for three days straight. Thanks Lynsee! I also got to meet up with my old friend Caleb. We have been friends since kindergarten when we sat at the same table. I got us detention the first day of school for slapping our hands on the table. It wasn't the last time either! We spent a day at Stillman Park in Scottsdale. It has a mini train that the kids get to ride on around the park, a carousel, and lots of fun toys. We left for home on Saturday the 9th. Stopped at the Grand Canyon, which was amazing. (I am so not a nature chick, Yellowstone is so boring to me, but this was cool.)It was a long ride home. We stopped at Cove Fort in somewhere Utah. Got some church history and continued on until Burley. Let the kids destroy Tyson's parents' house and burn some energy. We got home at midnight on Monday. A long trip, but so great to spend time with each other and no interruptions from Tyson's thousand and one phone calls, no toys to fight over, no video games, just good ole family times. Hope to go on another trip soon!

My Birthday Present

2009-04-26T20:11:00.001-06:00

I was talking to Trey about my birthday yesterday. I asked him what he was going to get me, and he very proudly stated "a magic wand!" He really knows my needs. I asked him where he was going to buy it and he said at Wal-Mart. Good luck buddy.

Bye Bye Audi

2009-04-26T20:01:00.000-06:00

We desperatley needed a bigger car. The three car seats in the back just wasn't doing it. After three months of bloody knuckles from trying to latch Trey's seatbelt, we made the plunge and got a van. Yes, a dreaded mini-van. It's great I can practically do back flips in the thing.

Easter

2009-04-26T19:55:00.001-06:00

For the first time in the 9 years I have lived in Idaho, other than my wedding, my sister-in-law Diana, and nephews came for a visit. We had a great time hanging out and having some older boys chase after our kids. Zach celebrated his 10th birthday on the 17th, so I made my Grandma's famous Easter bunny cake. We wish we were closer, it is so great to have such amazing family!

Haircuts

2009-04-26T19:46:00.001-06:00

Finally... We, after many frustrating mornings of trying to comb the snaggles out of Trey and Nixon's hair, and Tyson's mom trying to part their hair making them look like major tards, we got their hair cut.. Trent, at Studio D was offering free men's and boy's haircuts. It was a pleasant experience. After the initial shock of the military like haircuts, I am liking them.

Ledger

2009-04-26T19:36:00.001-06:00

Here are some more recent pictures of Ledger. He is an awesome baby. We can't believe how fast he is growing up.

2009-03-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

I finally went and had Ledger's pictures taken. It has taken so long because he has been sick and just not the cutest lil baby. His eyes were all goopy and matted shut most of the time!! So, finally at 7 weeks we had them done. He is a good baby. Don't worry it's not like he sleeps through the night and does magic tricks, but is a very content lil guy.

2009-03-04T09:16:00.001-07:00

Another fun blog game!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! (Though I hope you will!)
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. {might be a little while}
4. You have no clue what it's going to be. I don't even have a clue what it's going to be.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a homemade gift! It may not be great, but it will be fun!!
* * *Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!* * *

2009-02-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

I really hate my background picture now. There is not a chance in hell I could fit into the pants, and probably won't for a long time. I definatley am not one those women that loses all that baby weight right away, and whoever said that nursing makes you shed those pounds if full of shit. Other than feeling like a lard butt everything is going well. Ledger is a great baby. I do get extremely stressed out when I am alone with all three boys for extended periods of time. Wow the guilt of not being able to show each of them attention sucks. I think I have said "in a minute" about a million times in the past three weeks and just hope that they forget about what they wanted in a minute. It gets better right?

Ledger Tyson Downs

2009-01-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

Our new lil guy joined our family this Monday. He is a sweetheart. He arrived at 10:35 a.m. weighing in at 7 lb 8 oz and is 21 inches. Trey and Nixon adore him so far, lets hope it continues. Thanks for all your love and support hope you can all meet him soon... Thanks Jenifer for coming at 5 a.m. to watch Trey and Nix, you are a lifesaver!!

Free Dr. Pepper

2008-11-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

Thought some of you would like to know......

Dr Pepper to deliver on its free-soda promise

LOS ANGELES — Dr Pepper is making good on its promise of free soda now that the release of Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" is a reality.

The soft-drink maker said in March that it would give a free soda to everyone in America if the album dropped in 2008. "Chinese Democracy," infamously delayed since recording began in 1994, goes on sale Sunday.

"We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, Dr Pepper's vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "But now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."

Beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m., coupons for a free 20-ounce soda will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's Web site. They'll be honored until Feb. 28.

Dr Pepper is owned by Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

Halloween

2008-11-05T15:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks Redbox for helping to introduce The Mario Brothers to my children. They are obsessed now. We spent Halloween in Burley. Tyson was once again gone. I am getting to fat and lazy to tend these kids on my own, and I didn't want to take them trick-or-treating solo. It didn't matter anyway they both ended up getting sick and we stayed home. But thanks to the two trunk or treats, and Trey's school party for plenty of candy. I consumed it all in about 3 days.

Jackson Hole

2008-11-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

After being left home alone for weeks at a time, I decided that the kids and I would accompany Tyson to Jackson to finish up a house he sold there. The first night we stayed in this sweet place called La Terra in Teton Village. It is totally eco friendly and ulta modern. The rest of the week we were cooped up in a cabin a few blocks from downtown Jackson. It snowed the whole time. I hate snow. I hate wind. I hate coats. Luckily, the owners of the home that Ty sold are super rad, and let the kids and I tag along and play mario brothers at there house. They even made us the yummiest food the last night we were there.

Things I am not Thankful for this season....

2008-11-05T15:14:00.000-07:00

High School Musical 1,2,3 (so happy I have boys, so I will never have to watch this gay crap)

Cold weather

Being sick

Glucose tests

Service counter at Wal-Mart

Petting zoos of any kind, anywhere

Oh yeah.

2008-09-24T11:42:00.000-06:00

Trey started preschool. He likes it. I love it. It is at the Messiah Lutheran Church down the street from us. I attended the Lutheran church growing up, so thought it would be good to introduce Trey to other faiths. They do Bible study, pray, and have preschool church a few times a month. It seems okay. The books in their library titled "How to Talk to Your Mormon Neighbor with Love" kind of creep me out. I guess they must just want to shout obscenities at us. Damn Lutherans.

Dogs?

2008-09-24T11:39:00.000-06:00

Does anyone know of a good poison for dogs? Our neighbors two dogs bark constantly, every night. I hate them. I want to kill them.

Stupid fish.

2008-09-24T11:01:00.001-06:00

About a year and a half ago I bought three little goldfish from walmart to put in our pond. We saw them for a few days and then they disappeared. We thought they must have been sucked up in the filter. No big lose. Since then I have drained the pond a few times for cleaning and two weeks ago let it pretty much dry up because it really needed cleaning, and all the rocks the kids throw in needed taken out. Well I never got around to cleaning it, and I go out one day to Tyson filling it up looking all proud so whatever it can be gross, I am fat and pregnant and don't really give a crap. Then Tyson's parents come down for the weekend and his parents are disgusted by the moss and gunk and I say "clean it yourself then" because I am so nice. So Ty's dad grabs the clorox dumps a 1/4 of a cup. In real measurements like half a bottle. That thing reeked for days. I was so scared to get near it for fear it would burn my nostrils and stain my clothes. Anyway. Minutes later a fish appears. Seriously like what the?? Where did this thing come from? We retrieved it because it was fading fast. Lonnie (Ty's dad) swore he saw two. After poking around awhile we couldn't find anymore fish and figured he was just senile. We let the pond dry up and put more water in about a week later. We put Duck (who knows? the kids named him) back in the pond. Felt so proud for saving the life of one of our fishy friends and went on with the day. Half hour later go back outside and holy crap there are three fish in the pond now! How freaking psycho. How they survived the toxic waste I will never know. All three frolicked for a few and have not been seen since. I hope next summer they reproduce and have crazy mutated babies thanks to the clorox. The end.

Bye Bye summer...

2008-09-24T10:46:00.000-06:00

Tyson decided after a year and half to redo our dilapidated swing set. The kids and I set the slide up down the hill in the back yard, and put the sprinkler on to enjoy one of the last nice days of the summer. Too bad I am a fat butt, or I would have joined in.

It's a ???

2008-09-24T10:41:00.000-06:00

BOY! We found out a long time ago. Due date is January 22. We have no clue on what to name this lil guy, help us please with some name suggestions!

2008-07-30T15:14:00.000-06:00

We crashed our friends Brad and Tifani's ward party at Lake Lowell. I have never been to the Caldwell side, and I am a sucker for free food. The weather was good and the food was awesome. Thanks Brad for teaching Trey how to pee in the lake. What would we do without you??

2008-07-30T15:06:00.001-06:00

Here are some pictures of some recent fun times with friends. Our friends Trent, Deena, Mikayla, and Carson got some horses and invited us out to ride on them. Posie the pony, is a miniature something or rather... Sorry ! I hate horses and most livestock, so I watched from the sidelines. Nixon LOVED it. Trey was more interested in flirting with Mikayla his girlfriend...

2008-07-30T11:28:00.000-06:00

The main reason for our trip back to Nebraska was to attend my ten year class reunion. I had the best time. I realize how much I miss my friends. I graduated with a class of 36, with 23 of us attending since we were in kindergarten. My friend Rich put it best when he said our school friends are like the A team and everyone you meet after that is the B team. I haven't made or had memories like the ones I made in school. Did I mention I was voted most outspoken? Some things never change....

My reunion consisted of meeting at the bar on Friday night, having a get together at the lake on Saturday afternoon, a dinner that evening, and the bar afterwards. Doesn't sound to exciting, but I can't seem to get enough of drunk cowboys dancing. Wish I would have taken more picts, I was too busy talking.

Some fun facts where I grew up (Bridgeport) is located on the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, Pony Express, and some others. I remember growing up there were some idiots that would re-enact the wagon trains during the summer. All their wagons would be strolling down the streets and there horses crapping everywhere, dressed up like freaking pioneers. Anyway, one of the historical points along the way is Courthouse and Jail House rock. We use to climb them back in the day. Now I guess you can, if you want to die.

Nixon's Birthday's

2008-07-30T10:57:00.000-06:00

This year Nixon's birthday (which is on July 1st) fell in between two big family functions. On June 27-29 Tyson's family was here for the Downs' family reunion. We were able to celebrate on Sunday with them. It was pretty impromptu and I am not a baker/party thrower, so he got some good ol' walmart cake.

Then on July 2nd we left for Nebraska. My ten year class reunion was over the 4th of July weekend. Nixon also got to celebrate with my family. My little brother Connor was in charge of the cake. This is the first birthday for both of our kids to spend with my family, so it was a fun time. My grandma and step-grandma, brother Dallas, sis-in-law Di, and their kids Austin and Zach helped us celebrate. And, yes, Nixon is still in his jammies. He really doesn't like getting dressed, changing diapers, etc. all part of the fun trip called the terrible two's.

Nixon

2008-06-14T16:02:00.000-06:00

On July 1st Nixon will be turning 2. He is a funny little guy. He loves his little blue blankey and his kitty. He is constantly stuffing his blankey down his shirt or up his pants. I have searched the whole house for this dumb blankey at nap time when he had it down his sleeve the whole time. In this picture blankey is in the hat and he is giving kitty a ride....

Ron Paul

2008-04-27T15:27:00.001-06:00

I had heard that Ron Paul was coming to the College of Idaho, so I made a note of it thinking it would be cool to attend. A couple days after Trey broke his leg I thought that it would be really cool if I took the kids and somehow got Ron Paul to sign Trey's cast. So, Friday rolls around and I am preparing all day. Trey helped me make a sign, and I printed out a map of the college so we would know where to go. We get to the college and thanks to our handicap sign we get front row parking. The auditorium was packed, so Trey, Nix, and I get to the very back row sit down and enjoy the speech. The kids did so well. They really got in the groove of clapping and cheering by the end. It was hilarious. I am not a political fanatic or anything, so I was a little out of my element. But hey I guess it's good to expose your kids to stuff right. There are like 5 minutes left of his talk (which I didn't know) and Trey is yelling I gotta go pee! Great all the exits are blocked by the crowd. I found a side exit open. I drag the kids out this side door and it is the exact spot I want to be. Minutes later Ron Paul and his head dude walk right by us. They are going to the area out front designated for autographs, picts, etc. I grab our stroller, which is in the car also right next to us and we plow through the masses. I have Trey holding his sign on my shoulders and am pushing Nix in the umbrella stroller. We get to the chaos and win over some kind peoples hearts with our signs and they let us go ahead of them in the line. And that's when it happens. Ron Paul signs Trey's cast. I did it. I had been so excited for days about the possibility of it and it worked. I know I am freaking crazy and who gives a crap about Ron Paul. But holy freaking cool. My kid is awesome. Everyone is gonna want to sign his cast now. Oh and Trey never went pee. He made it all the way home.

I won!

2008-04-27T15:18:00.000-06:00

So a couple of Friday's ago Tyson and I went to this open house for this new drink called JUS that our friend Eric is selling. They had a drawing for some prizes and lucky me won!! I won a 20" Sharp flat screen tv. It is like the coolest thing ever. Yeah me! Oh and my camera sucks, so no pictures. But it's really cool. And you should check out JUS it's the best antioxidant drink ever in the whole wide world and buy lots of it.

Boys...

2008-04-20T21:36:00.000-06:00

Well today started out as a good day. First of all it is 4-20, Tyson and I had started our smoke a-thon in support of our favorite holiday, (not really) and second it was stake conference, so no church... That was until around 2:30 when Tyson is feeding the kids and is apparently too blazed. Long story short, Trey fell with his leg stuck through the back of the kitchen chair and landed on the chair on the floor, which subsequently led us the emergency room, and Trey with a broken leg... Poor little guy was a trooper and was conned into the x-rays with some Thomas stickers. Tomorrow we take him to the doctor to get the cast on.

The Bears....

2008-03-22T13:37:00.001-06:00

This Saturday there was a kid expo at Sportsman's Warehouse. There were all sorts of fun activities and you could get your picture taken with a bear cub from Bear World. Luckily, Tyson's parents were down for the weekend. The line to get your picture taken was over 45 minutes long. Lonnie stood in line while Ty's mom and I took the kids around to different activities. We made trail mix, and Trey got his face painted. The boys also got to climb around in one of Nampa's fire engines, and see the police departments K-9 patrol. Too bad my camera batteries ran out, because they thought the engine was rad. Trey totally freaked out at the last minute when they were handing him the bear, so that's why I hopped in the shot.

Tagged... Yipee.

2008-03-11T22:33:00.000-06:00

Six things you don't know about me are.....

1. I really, really, really want a tree house. A ginormous one with a fireman's pole, and a trap door, and windows, and big enough to sleep in.

2. I took shop 4 years in high school and started majoring in Building Construction Technology in college. I worked at a lumber yard for 5 years. And I am not a lesbian.

3. I almost moved to Germany to be a nanny. I was all ready to go purchase my ticket and expedite my passport when I got another offer in Pennsylvania. I put the two in a hat and pulled out Pennsylvania. I lived there for 16 months.

4. I love to go swimming and can do flips off the diving board, and one of my favorite things to do is see how many flips I can do under water in a row. Every time Ty and I go swimming it is like the first thing I do. He counts, I flip.

5. I was in the National Honor Society in school. Got good grades and never studied. I tried to drop out twice because I would get depression really bad during winter. Somehow I pulled thru.

6. I want to learn how to weld, make my own jeans and swimsuits, cook really well, skateboard, and asparate.

I have lots more so somebody better tag me again.. I guess I will tag Tifani, and Mischa..

I was so Stupid.

2008-03-04T22:24:00.000-07:00

So it's not a secret I was a pretty crazy kid during/after high school. One of the dumbest things I did was get a tattoo on my arm. Okay so I don't think all tattoos are white trash, but seriously this one is. I HATE it. I started getting it lasered off. So if any one needs a reason to why they shouldn't get one they can look at this picture. It smells so bad while she is burning it off, I have to wear this welding mask like thing while she uses this laser marked DANGER EXPLOSIVE all over it. The crapiest part is it will cost like $800-$1000. Those bumps on it are puss pockets. Yum.

California

2008-03-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of our vacation to California. We stayed 8 days in Carlsbad. Did the usual touristy stuff of going to Disneyland, Sea World, and the zoo. The weather was awesome. We went with my brother, his wife, and their two kids. This is the first vacation my brother and I have been on since we were in elementary school. Trey and Nixon loved, loved, loved Disneyland. Trey got to talk to Crush from Finding Nemo, and give knuckles to Buzz Lightyear and Woody his idols. Tyson got to dance along with his new fav High School Musical. They do a parade during the day and that was the one thing he just couldn't miss. Okay not really. Much thanks to our friends in California for the pass hook-ups. And get this. We play this game to see who will the see the first person they know when we go on trips. I have never won. What are the chances since I grew up in a town of 1,500 people, and 3/4 haven't been out of the state. It wasn't until we were boarding the plance to fly home that Tyson recognized some dude from Ricks. Chandler aka "Tuff". I want to win at this game just once.

Thanksgiving and Christmas

2007-12-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

So, if you don't know that I made it home from our Nebraska trip safe and sound maybe you shouldn't be checking out my blog and calling me like real friends do.
We had the best time in Nebraska visiting my family and friends. The kids did so well on the drive. I didn't do so well. Some a-hole cop in BFE Wyoming decided to give me a ticket for 95 bucks. And right after that we stopped in Rawlins at a McDonalds to eat. We were lucky enough to get stuck behind two bus loads of junior high kids. They thought doing the soldier boy dance would be cool. It wasn't. I learned I hate junior high kids and McDonalds. Trey went to play in the disease infested playland and got a bloody nose from some trailor trash kid with greasy hair who looked like he was 8. I never wished I could taser people so bad in my life. Then after our hour long fiasco me, two kids, and leftover happy meals try to load up in the car. It wasn't until I was in Nebraska about 5-6 hrs away did I realize that I left Trey's shoes at McDonalds. When I called to see if someone turned them into the lost and found (HA) I was told I was rude and to call back later. I told that little jerk maybe he should have gone to school longer than 8th grade. Okay so after that. The trip was a blast. Papa Ray bought Trey some sweet Transformer shoes that light up. The kids and I spent two days at my brother and his wife's house in North Platte. Their neighbor has a swing from his tree. We spent the afternoon jumping from it into a humongo pile of leaves. Nixon loved the trampoline. Then we went back to Bridgeport, my hometown. I got to spend time with my Mom, stepdad, and little brother Connor. I also got to see my best friend Mandy, and Little Rich who I sat by and have been friends with since 1st grade. We had the best time driving around the old country roads checking out old party spots and doing a whole lot of nothing. Some things never change. I realized how much I miss home and family and friends. I would definatley relocate closer, but who knows.
Now we are getting ready for Christmas. Trey is so excited for Santa. He thinks every knock on the door is Santa coming to give his transformers. Nixon is just having fun taking down all our ornaments and decorations. Tyson actually gets some time off work so we are looking forward to spending some time together.

2007-11-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

Trey loves to skateboard.