Potty Training

So this past weekend we started potty training Derek.  We knew that there was a chance that he might not be quite ready yet, but with Corey laid off an at home all day we decided that this was the best chance that we had.  So we started, by the way nobody warns you that it is an expensive adventure, the potty training  chair, underwear, pull-ups, potty treats add up quickly.  We started last Saturday morning and by noon we had been through 6 pairs of underwear and I thought that this just wasn't going to happen.  All of sudden by some miracle he was able to go in the potty chair and something clicked.  This something was us figuring out Derek's terminology, first he didn't call it going potty he called it water sprinkler, now he uses both phrases.  We by all means aren't finished, and we still have to get Derek over his fear of the "big" potty but he is kind of there.  He will tell us when he has to go, and he will run in the bathroom all by himself and to his duty.  It really is so cute, but most importantly it got me realizing that my baby is no longer my baby.  He is wearing underwear (which by the way has to be pinned in the back otherwise they won't stay on his cute little bum) and just growing up.  He is so proud of himself and loves to get his potty treats. I have to admit if I knew that I wouldn't get in trouble and he wouldn't hate me for the rest of his life, I would so take a picture and post it because it is just to funny watching him sit there just waiting to go potty, or a picture from the back with his underwear safety pinned up.   I love this little kid and well he just makes me laugh.  Go figure we finally got things started and Corey was given the opportunity for some temporary work, until a permanent job comes around.  We are so happy for the job, but I should have known that as soon as we started something was going to change, so everyone cross their fingers and pray that this really sticks, so we don't have to go through this again.

Water Sprinkler

Just as a preface I have to tell you that Derek has gotten to the point that when you ride in the car with him he points out and shows everything to you that he sees, and one of his favorites is the "Water Sprinklers"

So on Sunday morning when his Daddy was getting him ready for the bath Corey asked him if he needed to go to the bathroom, Derek thought about it hard and said "No."  Now Derek isn't potty trained yet but we are going to be starting in just a couple of weeks so we keep talking about it  alot so that hopefully it will be an easier event for him(I'm so ready for him to be potty trained too).  So back to the story Corey asked him if he needed to go potty Derek said "NO," Corey then gets him all undressed lifts him up to get in the tub.  Corey turns around to get him bath toys and Derek says "Look Daddy, water sprinkler" and proceeds to pee all over the tub.  Needless to say we are laughing so hard (which we probably shouldn't have been) but we just couldn't help it.  Maybe one day he will do the water sprinkler in the toilet and not the tub.

My sister the photographer

So as I have mentioned many times before my sister Dani is an amazing photographer, she always seems to be able to get the shot.  So just a couple of days ago she took pictures of my sister Cedar's new baby Maybel and her older sister Annistyn and this is how it turned out.  I just had to brag at how great she did, what do you think?  If you ever want to contact her visit capturedbydaniem.blogspot.com

And of course the pictures that she took of Derek just a couple of weeks ago.

Dani your amazing and I'm just astounded at your talent.  Thanks for being such a great little sis.

Organizing and Reminiscing

So yesterday Corey and I had an organization day.  We started  cleaning out the guest closet, when we first moved into this house we just stuffed a lot of stuff in it shut the doors and haven't really even opened that closet since.  So yesterday Corey decided to conquer it, and well it just spiraled from there.  We got that closet all done, then we took on Derek's closet, which was probably the hardest because, well I'm not the best at packing his clothes away when he has outgrown them.  Most of the time it seems like they just get thrown into a box.  Needless to say when I took that challenge on I was a little scared, but hey we conquered it.  I was surrounded by mounds of Derek's clothes (it is amazing how much he had) but hey we went from 7 boxes down to 4 just by organizing by size and folding them all.  It is amazing what happens when you take care of things the way they are supposed to.  My closets look like we have been robbed, and that is exactly what I wanted.  Although I have to confess I was so reminiscing quite a bit while I was folding all of this little newborn clothes.  So here is a few pictures to remind myself at how little my little boy used to be.

and now he looks like this crazy.

Hope ya'll have a great Sunday!

My husband the housewife!

So as many of you know about 5 weeks ago, Corey was laid off.  This was a bittersweet moment for him.  Corey hates the fact that he is not out doing his fatherly duty of bringing home a paycheck but he loves the fact that he just gets to be at home with Derek.  Corey has told me on numerous occasions if I really wanted to I could go to work full time makes lots of money and he would be happy to stay at home with the kids.  If only he was a better cook, Just kidding!  Derek and Corey are the best of friends, in fact Derek often refers to Corey as "Buddy"  he will tell his buddy to come on or do this or that and really how can you turn that down.  I know this is a good thing though because hopefully this relationship continues on will he is a teenager and they can talk like Father and Son are suppose too.   This really is such a fun exchange to watch but it does come with a downfall.  What you ask, I'm starting to get really nervous for Derek when Corey does finally gets that call and has to go back to work.  Currently when I come home from work everyday and he will tell me what him and Daddy did and ever since he got to ride in the parade in a firetruck Daddy is even that much more cool.  I will be so excited for Corey to get a job because our budge won't be quite to tight, but I know Derek is going to be sad to not spend all day with his Daddy.  These two are definitely the best of friends and I wouldn't have it any other way, but if you have any ideas of how to deal with the impending separation anxiety that is going to happen please feel free to send them my way.

Lester Franklin Preston

Lester Franklin Preston

January 14, 1954-August 19, 2004

Today is the 6th Anniversary of Corey's dad, Les, passing away.  I never got a chance to meet him, but I sure would have liked to.  I remember however this day very vividly.  I remember calling Corey that night, I had a very distinct impression that I needed to call him all day and sadly I kept pushing it off because I had other things going on.  Eventually I gave in to those promptings to call him, and I heard that terrible news.  Les had died of a massive heart attack.  Corey told me that he had been at work at the Camilla Fire Department when he got the call.  He of course hurriedly raced to his father's side who had been asking for him.  Unfortunately, by the time Corey had driven the hour drive to the hospital his father was already gone.  I (Nikki) remember talking to him that night as he was driving with his friends back to Camilla to take care of a few things.  I remember how shocked I was, but yet how grateful I was that I had finally followed that prompting.  That night Corey and I talked for hours, and honestly at this point in his life he really just needed a mormon friend to talk too (that wasn't a family member).  Just in case any of you are wondering, at this point of Corey's and I relationship we were just friends that would talk every once in a while, however, this night changed everything, our relationship changed from being casual friends to becoming best friends (how lucky am I that I got to marry my best friend).  I know during the last several years of Les's life, Corey and Les's relationship had been strained, but I'm so proud of Corey deciding years ago that he was going to forgive and forget.  Corey talks often about the great times he had with his dad, and those memories that he wants to pass on to Derek.  These memories include, hunting, fishing, and monster trucks, all of which Corey still loves, and Derek is already learning to love.  I've included a few photos of Les these were from back when Corey was a baby, and even before he born.  Needless to say I Love Les, he is my husband's father, and because of everything that happened whether good or bad, he helped make Corey the great man that he is today.

Corey and Les

Corey and I have a picture like this in front of the Preston, Idaho city limit sign.

Tim McGraw & Lady Antebellum

So Corey's Mom and Dad for my birthday gave me tickets to go to a concert, the Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum concert.  It had been 11 years since I had been to a Tim McGraw concert and I love him so needless to say I was so excited.  Corey was just as excited because he loves Lady Antebellum.  We had so much fun, thanks Carol and Joe. 

There he is, Can't you see him!

There were more pictures but most of the time it included someone who was completely drunk in the background, but I guess that is what you get when you go to Country Music Concert.

The Firetrucks

For Salem Days corey of course got to drive his firetruck and he took Derek to help him throw candy out of the Brush Truck.  Derek had the time of his life, and loved his makeshift car seat. 

A Visit from Grandpa Ray

A Couple of Weeks ago my Grandpa Ray came for a visit, it was so much fun to see him.  While he was here we had our family Easter Egg hunt.  Now I know you are wondering why we were having an Easter Egg Hunt in July, well the reason why was because Mom and Dad didn't have their yard put in yet.  Needless to say we had so much fun.

So in case your wondering this Easter Egg hunt includes money, so Mom and Dad always try to make things interesting.  In years past it has been a three legged race, or a free for all, but needless to say we loved this one the best, confetti and all.

New Pictures

My sister Dani took these darling pictures a couple of weeks ago.  Unfortunately Derek wasn't as cooperative as we would normally like, but oh well that is what we get for working with two year olds.  If any of you really like her work you can see more at capturedbydaniem.blogpsot.com

 

 

 

 

Welcome Maybel Rae

I'm so excited to have a new neice.  On Tuesday August 10, 2010 my sister Cedar gave birth to a beautiful baby girl that they named Maybel Rae (isn't that name just so cute).  We are so excited to have a bigger family and to see Annistyn being so sweet with her new sister.  Congrats Gambling family we sure love you.

The Bingham Canyon Copper Mine

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the Bingham Canyon Copper Mine during their free weekend.  It was kind of fun to go see, but I was glad that I didn't have to spend any money.  Derek really liked to see the big trucks.  Just in case you were wondering the Empire State building only would only come up halfway up this hole. 

These trucks are huge!

Look at this big tire, and this isn't even the biggest tire that they used.