Mendenhall Madness

Mendenhall Family Photos

2010-02-06T21:47:00.000-08:00

I am so grateful that my kids have a ton of amazing and fun cousins that all LOVE each other VERY much.

Check out all of us, there are a lot of us and we are all there for each other. So grateful for all of their support. Notice who is the only one being silly....ETHAN.

Marlee just makes us SMILE, she is always happy and loves being apart of our crazy family.

Man-o-man, our little Bowen. Just look at him, you can tell he's 2, full of trouble and a barrel of laughes.

Ethan, you are our amazing warrior. Ethan, you have Shouldered so much these last few months and you have done it all with style. Everyone is on your team buddy, and we all love you so much.

This is what life is all about....FAMILY.

A Little Round 4 Fun

2010-02-02T23:28:00.000-08:00

2009-11-22T15:15:00.000-08:00

OUR FIGHTER

2009-11-22T15:13:00.000-08:00

More Madness in the Mendenhall world

2009-11-19T19:37:00.000-08:00

Jeromy & I have had the unthinkable happen to our little family. It's hard to even know what to say now, 20 days later. Ethan our 5 year old first born child was diagnosed with IV stage Neuroblastoma on Nov. 3rd 2009 the word no parent ever wants to hear CANCER. A CT scan revealed the tumor on Oct. 30 and we have been in a world wind ever since. A two week stay at Primary Children's Medical Center, where he recovered from his first surgery, and received his first of 6 rounds of Chemotherapy, and back up to PCMC after only 3 days at home to treat a fever. We have over a year of treatments that lay ahead of us, included Chemotherapy, harvesting stem cells, radiation, surgery for the 2nd time, & a single but possibly a double bone marrow transplant. We are sure of Ethan's strength and his faith and testimony, as well as our families and we full plan on winning!!! We have a website for Ethan that we update regularly about Ethan's treatment and how we are all doing. www.cargingbridge.org/visit/ethanmendenhall

I also wanted to post our Halloween photos for this year. Ethan really wanted to go trick er-treating with his best friend Bridger Toone and their family. We feel it was important & that Ethan deserved to go Trick er-Treating for the first time with a best friend. Thanks so much for allowing us to share your Halloween with your family, the Toones have been really great friends to our whole family.

2009-10-29T16:37:00.001-07:00

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Gardner Village

2009-10-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

We have been going to Gardner Village for the last 4 years, even when we lived in Oregon, and this was the first year Jeromy could come(I made him come). Usually we do Gardner Village just Dannie, Mom & I with all the kiddos. But this year we decided to bring our men, we had a good time but we relized Gardner Village really is better with just the girls, so from now on Jeromy you are welcome to saty home I will not force you to come. But hey, at least we got some cute pic.

Witches Tea Party

2009-10-28T14:55:00.000-07:00

Jen & I decided we needed to do a Witches Tea Party this year. It was alot of work, but well worth it. My mom was able to come down to help us out, it's always fun playing witches with your mom. Maybe one day marlee and I can do a Witches Tea Party too. I am so GREATFUL for good friends here in Mesquite and how welcoming everyone has been. Jen, thank you so much for intrducing me to one of your families traditions, and making me apart of it.

Marlee's Announcements

2009-04-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Marlee

2009-03-24T18:02:00.000-07:00

We all LOVE our new baby girl and can not get enough of her. Ethan has been the BEST protective, helpful big brother. And Bowen well, we call him full contact Bowen theses days. He loves her very much, probably a little too much. Marlee is only waking up once in the middle of the night and sleeps in until at least 8:00 every morning. Now if I could just get Bowen to sleep in.

Marlee Payton Mendenhall

2009-03-05T21:44:00.000-08:00

Marlee was born February 23 at 12:59 am
8lbs 14 oz and 20 inches.
Marlee has a lot of beautiful dark brown hair. She is a great addition to the family and we are loving every minute. She also is a easy baby, she rarely cries.

A little family photo! Bowen was home sick with grandma. Poor guy

This is one of my favorite pictures of Marlee....LOVE THE BELLY!!!

My Guy's

2009-01-29T20:09:00.000-08:00

It's been hard not to think about my days of just boys coming to an end soon. I'm very excited, but a little scared to have a little girl. I have had "my guys" for so long that it's weird to think about girly things, I can't even do my hair, how am I going to be able to do Marlee's hair (if she has any). My boys are my world, and I am so lucky to have two of the most loving, crazy, helpful, and loud children in the world. A lot is going to change in the next 2 to 3 weeks, once I enter the land of 3, I just want my guys to know how much I LOVE them, and how proud of them I am for all the big and little things they do daily. Hang in there with me guys, we will figure out this "girl" thing together.

Intergalactic Halloween

2008-11-03T07:34:00.000-08:00

This year for Halloween we decided on a Star Wars theme: Daddy-Vader, Momma-Amidala, Ethan-Skywalker and Yoda-Bo. We were really excited dad dressed up this year again (wow, were on a roll). Dad almost missed Trick-or-Treating this year, but luckily he was able to call in and do a discharge order and round on his patients in Mesquite over the phone, so he could go door to door in search of candy with his family. Bowen LOVED Trick-or-Treating this year. At first, he was just enjoying running around with a lot of kids, but after the 3rd or 4th door he figured out…door, knock, candy and he was all over it. He actually usually beat Ethan to the doors and he loved to wave and say bye to all the people. Ethan did very good this year as well, he helped us watch after Bowen and ALWAYS said thank you and happy Halloween to each person that gave him candy.

What stud muffin's

2008-10-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

I had to hack into my sisters blog and post this adorable picture of her boys. I took this picture a few weeks ago when she came up to visit me. As you can tell from the picture we are at Kohl's doing some shopping.
( I hope you don't mind Shan...Luv Ya Auntie)

All Work And No Play

2008-10-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

Poor dad, Jeromy had a long day today. Jeromy left at 7 this morning and probably will not be home until 10-11:30 tonight. Luckily we were able to run him a quick dinner, and look what happened. After dad eat he decided that he wanted to play…I mean practice his casting skills. Ethan was so excited to have dad put a cast on his arm. Ethan still has his cast when he broke his leg at 9mon. walking, and randomly talks about his “green” cast. Ethan did get pretty wimpy when dad had to cut his cast off, but after he was ready for another one. Jeromy also decided to cast me as well, and I must say Jeromy you did a fantastic job.

Gardner Village

2008-10-17T21:50:00.000-07:00

The boys and I made a quick trip up to SLC so we could do our annual Gardner Village trip. We love Gardner Village, we always have so much fun there. Ethan and Bowen love seeing all of the witches all over the place, and of course the yummy caramel apples. This year was Tatums first year and she really enjoyed all the caramel I gave her, even if mom did not relize it. I put a picture of me and the boys on here for Jenni, she wanted to see my 5mon. baby bump...so here you go, i just look really fat, owell I can always get sexy again after Marlee is born.

So Long Farwell....

2008-09-09T19:59:00.000-07:00

We made it!!! We came, we kicked butt, and now were done.... so long Oregon. I cannot believe it, no more school, Jeromy is finally done. We have felt like we were walking down a LONG dark tunnel with no end insight for so long and now we just have to figure out how to live without being transient students. Jeromy and I did enjoy Oregon and all the fun things you can do, but we are sure glad to be back home in Utah now. Here are a few pictures of the things we LOVED most about Oregon. 1. The Coast and beaches, 2. Multnomah Falls, 3. Portland Saturday Market, 4. All the green, EVERYWERE.

Red Boy & Chocolate

2008-07-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

Ethan said some very funny things yesterday and I wanted to share 2 of them.

Ethan was playing around and all of a sudden he came running down the hall and said Hell Boy, Mom, I want to go see Hell Boy. I told Ethan remember we call the movies Red Boy. Ethan then said but mom, the movie is really called Hell Boy, that’s what they call it on TV. I told him, yea but that’s not a nice word for a 4 year old to say so we call it Red Boy. Ethan then asked Mom but, why is it a bad word. I told him well, Hell is were the Devil lives and in the movie Red Boy came from there. Then all of a sudden Ethan said, O I get it, Hell is the state Red Boy lives in. We live in the state of Oregon and he live in the state of Hell. I just rubbed his head and said ya, that’s about right.

Later, he was watching Willie Wonka and during the start of the movie, when they show all of the different kinds of chocolate being made Ethan informed me Mom I eat a lot of chocolate and it’s not good for me, look at all this chocolate on the movie, it is not good for kids. I told him your right, good job realizing that. Then he said mom, I’m not ever eating chocolate again because I’m going to be healthy, never again, today is my last day I’m going to eat chocolate. I told him I was very proud of him for making a decision like that. He then looked at me and with a little smirk he said…So can I have some chocolate. I smiled and said you got me. A few chocolate covered raisins later Ethan was all smiles for coming up with a good plan to get some more chocolate.

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

2008-07-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

This year for my Birthday, my birthday present is my family.
There is NOTHING!!!! better to me then being with my family for the day. I can not get enough of them, especially when Jeromy is there to help me with our crazy energy draining boys. Today I am hoping that Jeromy will get done with his surgery’s sooner then later so he can come home and give me a big hug and a whole lot of smooches, then take the family and I out so I don’t have to cook tonight. The only thing that could make my day better is if ALL of my family was able to be together….from my crazy side to Jeromy’s normal side and even our wonderful family from Brazil. Who knows maybe next year? Anyways, happy birthday to me….and to Dannie can’t forget about her, it her Birthday too.

Happy Fathers Day

2008-06-15T06:36:00.000-07:00

Jeromy, you truly are the world’s greatest dad!!! I love to watch your face light up when you make it home after being gone for so long. The first thing you do is to find your boys and scoop them up into your arms and plant an “atomic” hugs and kisses on them. You have the best way of making your boys feel so loved and so special and I know they will appreciate that forever. I will never forget the first week of Ethan’s life, you were there for me more then I could imagine. You did EVERYTHING for Ethan, and I just watched you, while my love for you grew immensely. You are an example to me in so many ways, we really are so opposite, that your strengths make my weaknesses stronger and I’m thankful. You really do make me a better parent, mother, wife, friend, and a better person all together. The one thing in my life that I am most grateful for is that my children will always have a dad that will be there for them, a dad they can always count on for love, understanding and support. Thanks dad, happy fathers day!!!!

My Project Pal

2008-06-14T09:28:00.000-07:00

Ethan & I LOVE to do projects together, we try to find reasons to do different projects as much as possible so we can fill his days with fun activities. Our latest project was Papa Day cards. Ethan had a good time picking out the stickers to decorate the envelopes. He wanted stickers that reminded him of each of his Papas. He picked out football stickers for Papa Ron (Jeromy's dad) because he played football for BYU, and he decided that Papa Steve did Kong Fu, so he got Kong Fu Panda stickers. He also had a good time coloring and decorating the cards as well. When we were done, and he was looking at what he just made he told me…”Mom, my Papas are going to love these cards so much I think they might cry.” Ethan I think your right!!!

Ahhhh.....Boys.....

2008-06-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

This is what hapens in my house when I take a 3 min. phone call. I don't remember giving Bowen the Yogurt but Ethan says he did not. Bowen did not care how he got his yogurt he was just having a good old time with it and he was so proud of himself. I can not turn my back without something happening, our home really is pure madness.

Thinking Out Loud

2008-06-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

I’m so grateful for small bursts of energy. Today I got one and did all of my laundry, cleaned my house (mostly…toilets can wait), sold a puppy, and put the boys down for a nap. Now I’m able to relax and do what ever I want, granted I’m still in my PJ’s but that makes relaxing all the more easy to accomplish…right.
Today Jeromy also left for Bend to finish his 2nd surgery rotation for 5 weeks. He has two more rotations left (the 2nd Surgery & a Cardiothoracic Surgery Rotation) and then we will be done with this bizarre living separate but together schedule. My hat goes off to all you STRONG military wives and mothers, Jeromy and I have been dealing with these ridiculous rotations for a little over a year now and I’m mentally and emotional drained, I could not imagine the possibility of my love one also being in harms way. You women are AMAZING. With the fee time also comes a lot of thinking and trying to figure everything out, before I even know what everything is. I always have family and loves ones tell me to only bite off what I can chew but, with 29 years of practice I still can not figure how to do it. So, I sit here and think, and think and think….. I know life usually does not present it’s self all perfect and wrapped up with a bow on top, but I would sure be grateful right now if it did…… So, today I’ll just say thank you for the small bursts of energy and try to turn off my insistent compulsion to try to make everything work and try harder again to only bite off what I can chew. Wish me luck!!

Neighborhood riffraff

2008-06-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

We have been very lucky to find a fun, friendly and safe street to live on out in good old SE Portland. Ethan & Bowen have really enjoyed the day with no rain and a little sunshine, on those days we stay outside all day and usually only come in once it’s dark outside and the boys are VERY dirty. Every where we go Ethan is always surrounded by girls his age or the girls are closest to his age, luckily he plays very well with boys and girls. The kids in our neighborhood are very nice and look out, and help my boys. Ethan and Bowen are the youngest in the neighborhood (by at least 3 years) but that doesn’t matter they all still play together. Ethan is going to miss his friends very much when we move, but the kid has memory like an elephant so I know he will always remember all of them.

Ethan the Grouch

2008-06-02T21:57:00.001-07:00

All of us tree loving, recycling crazy Portland natives got new recycle bins today, YIPPIEE and Jeromy could not resist from throwing Ethan into it. Ethan had a lot of fun pretending to be Ethan the grouch. Now, if only I could get a normal garbage bin my life would be great, I’m getting really sick of our massive 35 gallon garbage. Not to mention the garbage men Nazi’s that will not allow you to throw away any more then the allotted 35 gallons, if you have extra garbage they will leave it out and then drive away.

Finally 4

2008-06-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

Ethan had his 4th birthday nearly 3 weeks ago, but I wanted to post some pictures. Ethan had a good time, and he was VERY happy Grandma Edna was able to make it out to Portland for his birthday. Grandma spoiled him like always. Right now Ethan is really into TMNT, Indianan Jones, & Star wars and he got PLENTY of all of it. At Ethan’s request we had an ice-cream cake, but I think Bowen enjoyed it the most.
Ethan is excited to finally be 4, where ever we go people always thinks he’s 6 and ask me why he’s not in school. Now, Ethan can proudly proclaim that he’s almost 6, and that he’s just really tall and really smart for his age. Right now Ethan is learning how to read and write, he is always trying to read things and he’s getting pretty good at it. Look out world next stop Kindergarten for my little man. WOW, I’m I really that old already.

A Boy and his dogs

2008-05-22T08:59:00.001-07:00

Ethan has been a very big help to me these last 5 weeks that we have had 7 puppies to take care of. Ethan is always holding a puppy and playing with them. He has also taken it upon himself to personally look out for the littlest one, Roxy. Roxy’s twin Bea died when she was 11 days old and Ethan decided at that moment, that he was not going to let the same thing happen to Roxy. Ethan is always bringing Roxy into the house so Kara can do extra feeding just for her, and he has been very successful, although she is still very small compared to the other chubbies she has gotten a lot bigger since Ethan has took her under his wing. Ethan even figured out that if he brings another puppy into feed with Roxy that she feeds a lot better. Ethan has had a lot of fun with Kara’s puppies; he even picked out all of their names. He also has been helping me with the puppy’s blog as well: karaspuppies.blogspot.com. I know that Ethan will be strong when the puppies find their forever home in the next two weeks, but I know he will miss then all very much.

Bowen's Crazy Hair

2008-04-26T08:27:00.001-07:00

Check out my glorious redness!!!

No photos please!!!....our little celebrity

So, I have the cutest red head out there, but dad was very shocked when he first saw Bowen. In fact, after the 35min. of all natural delivery, they had to rush me off to surgery to stop my hemorrhaging (again with the hemorrhaging, I think I’m broken) so I really did not get to see Bowen until about 3 hours after surgery. When I came out of surgery dad handed me our new bundle of joy and he said “another red head.” Ethan was born with peach fuzz that looked red, but Bowen was full blown red. Poor dad just wants one that looks like him, with the dark hair, maybe one day dad.
I kid you not I can not go anywhere with out people coming up to Bowen & I to tell me how cute he is and, to make comments about his “beautiful” red hair. I live in Portland…AKA crazy town so I have also got some funny comments like. “he looks like an elf, if elf’s were real” and “he looks just like Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings.” And “he’s a little leaf Erickson, a little Viking.” At these times it’s a bit hard for me to keep my momma bear from emerging, but then I considered the source…Portland crazies..... I then take a few breaths and I’m fine. WE LOVE our red head, he is so funny and soooo cute all you ladies that are 1 need to watch out, heart breaker on the loose.

Their HERE!!!

2008-04-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

Kara, had her pups on April 16th. Kara had not 3, not 5, not 7....but 8 puppies!!!!

I was a little shocked at first, but they are all so cute and sweet that I got over my shock pretty quick. Granted i'm sure I will be a little, ok probably a lot, overwhelmed but i'll manage some how. Jeromy will be heading off for two back to back rotations for 10 weeks, so I will be holding down the home front all by myself. with 2 kids, 2 dog and 8 puppies that makes me out numbered 12:1, but I'm tuff i'll figure it out some how.

Brazil, Brazil!!!

2008-04-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

Jeromy and I started talking about Brazil again last night and we both got the Brazil bug bad. We almost booked tickets to surprise Paulo for his 40th birthday, despite the fact that we can’t afford them, or know what, or where we will be in the next year. I loved Brazil sooo much, the people are amazing and so welcoming. We have VERY good family friends that live in Sao Carlos Brazil, Paulo & Marcia Machado and their two boys. Jeromy has been out to see them twice, me once, and they visited here once. They really are a part of our family, and we miss them so much. I kid you not; Jeromy and I have plans to send Ethan out there to stay with our friends for a summer when he’s 15 or so, and probably Bowen too. All we have to do is work on their portuguese, and they will be set. We also have a 30 year plan to build a home for us and our friends out in Brazil so we can stay when ever we want. It’s crazy that $30 grand would build a BIG house and have room for our family and Paulos' while we stay. I just have to work on my portuguese, but I plan to be fluent one day. I want to be able to tell Paulo and Marcia how much I love and care about them and their boys on my own, without help. I want to be able to go down town and buy as many shoes and clothes as I want on my own, with out EVERYONE knowing I’m an American. Brazil will always be a part of my families life and I am grateful for that.

Children of Promise

2008-04-18T15:56:00.000-07:00

I had to post a blog to tell everyone about these awesome books I have been reading. The Children of Promise series books are amazing; I have really enjoyed reading them and am very excited to finish up the rest of the series. I’m sure most of you have seen theses books or have heard about them and maybe even read them, but to you that have not….you must go now and get these books and start reading them. They are about a Mormon family living during WWII, and trying to adjust to all of what war brought to our country. It’s a modern day story of pioneers that really has touched me and made me think about a lot of things. To tell you all the truth, every time someone would start talking about Pioneers all I would hear most of the time was blah, blah, blah. I know I’m horrible, but heck I have heard enough stories and it really was boring to me. But, these books are not that way to me AT ALL, I had NEVER thought about the trails that our great grandparents went through; they also were Pioneers that deserve to have their stories told.

178th General Conference

2008-04-04T16:11:00.000-07:00

I don’t know about all of you guys but, I am really excited for General Conference this weekend. I love conference; church in your pj’s is there anything better? We always have scones in the morning with powered sugar…yummy, yummy, this year I’m going to make conference bean dip (7layer bean dip) and maybe do a relish tray or spinach dip with French bread. I’m really excited to have Ethan get to listen to President Monson, or at least try to listen to him. Ethan already understands that he is our new prophet and he blesses him almost always in his prayers at night (It’s so cute). It’s amazing to me that this is the Prophet; my boys will remember most and probably be the most influential in their lives, it’s very exciting. I have found the most amazing general conference packet for Ethan to do while he listens at sugardoodle.com. That site is filled with amazing ideas and help for callings and FHE. Jeromy and I have decided to give FHE a more valiant try at our home, and this site has and will help soooo much. I also am curious to see who will be called into the 12, and like most everyone else I’m very excited to hear President Monson speak as our Prophet for the very first time.

Look who's ONE!!!

2008-03-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe it, my baby is no longer a baby!!! WOW, one year has went by so fast it’s amazing to me that our little (well BIG) baby we brought home from the hospital is now walking and trying to talk. Granted its 99.9% Bowenese, but it is so cute. He always points his finger at me and starts to babble at me, no doubt trying to tell me “no, no, no” or disciplining me in someway. I wonder where he learned to point his little finger at someone; O-well I guess life is full of mysteries. Bowen really has been a joy to have in our family. He always has a smile on his face, and a good temperament. I know with all my heart that heavenly father sent him down when he did because, I really needed an easy, kind baby this last year. Bowen is so fun to play and wrestle with, and to dance with. Man, can this kid dance, he can shake his money maker like there’s no tomorrow. Recently Bowen has chosen his favorite song “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson; it’s on the curious George soundtrack. Every time I play it in the car, he instantly gets a BIG smile on his face then starts to do his version of the night at the Roxbury dance. It makes the whole family laugh every time. What more can I say…I have the best child EVER!!!
Happy Birthday Bowen

More SE Portland fun

2008-03-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

I had to tell someone what happened to us Saturday night at 3:00am. I hear Ethan crying (he now has croup, yea 3 more days of fun sickness) so I go in his room and lay down with him and rub his back for a few minutes so he would fall back asleep. I start to fall asleep in Ethan’s room but was woke up to someone yelling out side. I jump up and go into Jeromy and mine room, which the window faces the front of our house and open the window and I hear, “Get your hands up, step away from the vehicle, drop the gun”. What drop the GUN!!! Less then a block away from our home across the street a Police officer is yelling into his mega phone. I listen for a few minutes, and then see some of my neighbors run out to the end of the street, so I decided to go have a look as well. I kid you not, at least 10 cop cars with light on were having a fun little stand of with a white BMW full of people, who knows what they were in trouble for, but the situation went on for at lest a few hours. I just LOVE south east Portland, always feel o-so-safe!!! The neighbors inform me that the night before they saw some guy just down the street OD and some other guy was dragging him across the road. If anyone wants to move out here and be my new neighbor there is a town home for sale. Since we have been here there has been several drug busts, with tazings, meth lab house fires, dead bodies, homeless rummaging through recycle bens, Drunk running wheelchair into neighbors Escalade that broke his hip and Jeromy had to help, Cops being filmed down the street, neighbor garage rock band and parties all night long, prison transition housing built less then a block away, now a police stand off. All I can say is 5 months can not get here soon enough…Utah here we come. As crazy as this place is, I still some how do feel safe when it is light outside, and I think in some sick way I will miss being out here in Oregon.

Enter at your own risk

2008-03-03T15:22:00.000-08:00

It’s amazing how fast one little house can become a breading ground of sickness. We have all been swapping the flu in our house for almost two weeks.
It all started with our little Bowen, one minute he’s smiling and playing and then the next he’s crying and the only thing that will stop that is cuddling mom, then all of a sudden I’m covered in pizza, cheerio’s and apple juice.
Poor Bowen, throw up and dry-heaved all night long, all I could do was hold him and cuddle him as his tiny body convulsed trying to some how throw up an empty stomach.
Next came my turn, two days of not being able to keep anything down, and trying to find a minute to lie down, as I chased after a 3 year old and try to take care of a sick baby. The worst thing in the world is being a sick mom!!! Your job never ends if you’re sick, never anyone there to tuck you inn and tell you to get a little nap to try to sleep it off.
One the second night of my flu attack I wake up to poor Ethan crying at 3am, of course I rush in his room to find he has just caught our little bug and that I have to put Ethan’s sheets and comforter in the wash. Poor Ethan throw up all night as well. I got pretty good at waking up just in time to get “the big bowel” under Ethan before my laundry pile got to big.
Dad’s turn next….I don’t mean to be mean, but I find it amazing, and a bit annoying that men turn into the biggest babies when they are sick, well my strong man is no different. Luckily, I was there all weekend taking care of Jeromy so he was well enough to make it to work today.
Then poor Bowen got the flu again last night, another night of throwing up and I know I’m next. Ahhhhh, when will this ever stop, I just got all the laundry caught up. O-well, what are moms for right?

BROTHERS

2008-02-20T11:37:00.000-08:00

Look how cute my boys are!!
I am so blessed that my boys love each other so much. Granted they constantly are hurting each other and always bugging each other, but they are brothers. I know that they will always look out for each other, and that makes me feel so good. Bowen, looks up to Ethan so much already. It’s amazing to me that you can visible see that this 11month old wants to be just like his big brother, his face lights up in the morning when he first sees Ethan and he’s all smile at night when he gives Ethan hugs and kisses for bed. I’m sure there will be a lot of black eyes and Indian burns in the future, but I’m grateful right now they love each other.

A Day at OMSI

2008-02-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the boys and I spent the afternoon at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) we have a yearly pass here, and the boys LOVE it. This was the first trip to OMSI since we have been back in Oregon and it was Bowen’s first time he was older enough to play. Bowen was a little hesitant at first in the giant sandbox but, he eventually got over it and had a good time. The boys also love the water play area there, and the dinosaur exhibit they have going on right now. Ethan really enjoyed being able to touch all the fossils and being able to ask “experts” all the questions he had. Ethan also was a little confused about there exhibit on embryological development. They have preserved fetuses on display starting at 7 weeks all the way up to 37 week. It’s VERY interesting but a little creepy, a lot of the fetuses are displayed in the Uterus, so you can see exactly how they develop. Ethan is very intelligent and I think he realized that if those babies were “real” they had to have come from some where. I was glad he didn’t want to ask too many questions, but just go find something else to look at and touch. The boys also really enjoyed dressing up as squirrel and hiding nuts in their tree. They looked soo cute!!!

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-08T10:33:00.000-08:00

I’m very excited for Valentines Day this year!! I’m very optimistic that Jeromy and I may be able to do something together. We may even get a babysitter…O-boy!! Actually, the last time Jeromy and I went on a date without the kid’s was Valentines Day last year…wow were pathetic.

And then there was one!!! & My rant on the crazies here

2008-02-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, Jeromy took Ethan with him to St. George while he interviews in St. George and Provo. WOW, it is crazy just having one child to take care of. I keep thinking that Ethan’s asleep and he will be waking up any min. to run down stairs and give me a big hug. I have to keep his bedroom closed because it’s too weird not having him run around the house yelling and playing with everything he’s not allowed to touch. Even Bowen, is acting a little different with out his big brother here to pick on him. I stopped to think about it, and this is the first time I have been without Ethan for more the 6 hours since he was 9 months old. I sure miss my crazy boy. Jeromy has had a lot of luck interviewing in St. George, he even had the head of human resource for IHC call him wanting to take him around to meet some of the doctors. I think chances are good that we may end up in St. George. I’m happy as long as were back in Utah. The crazy’s here in Portland are just really getting to me; the more I think about starting Ethan school here I get a little nervous, granted all of the schools are rated higher then any in Utah, but it’s just different. For example, Ethan jumped off our table and hurt his foot a week ago (he’s still limping) it was non-weight bearing for over 8 hours so we took him to the ER here in Portland. There were at least 5 kid by their selves in the ER waiting room while their parents we having a smoke break, or gone. I was in the waiting room for over an hour and I never saw one of the kid’s parents, instead the hospital sent out an employee to watch the kids and to bring out coloring pages for the kids. Also, the local park here there are always young kids by themselves playing with no parents in site. Maybe I’m a little over protective but, it just breaks my heart seeing the way children are treated here in SE Portland. I could go on and on about the smoking and kids NEVER being in car seats, but enough blabbing right! I just want to raise my children inUtah!!

Tiny Tatum

2008-02-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

This is our new niece Tatum Andee Hales, Danielle & Chad’s little girl. She is so little. Every time I held her I keep thing that she should be in an incubator, because she was so small. I am defiantly not use to little babies…we have BIG babies in this family…Thanks Dad!
I wish we could see Tatum all the time, the next time we see her she will be 9 months. Danielle, you are such a good mommy, Tatum is very lucky.

My Boys

2008-02-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

It’s almost impossible for us to get a picture of the boys and I with out someone looking away, making a silly face or crying, finally one that were all looking at the camera. Aunt Shanua came by to take pictures of Tatum, and she also took some picture of the boys. Thank you soooo much Shanua!!! I have been wanting to get pictures for the longest time, but either there’s no money for them or we can’t find a time to all get together. Granted, Dad still was not able to be there, but I am so grateful to Shanua for helping me capture my boys at this age, before it was to late.

Optimus Ethan

2008-01-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

I realize that Halloween was three months ago, but I had to put a picture of my kids on here, because they looked so good. Also, Jeromy and I spent MANY, MANY hours making Ethan’s costume. Of course he hated it, and we had to threaten him every time he had to try it on while we were constructing it. But, as soon as we made it to the trunk or treat watch out, Ethan became a celebrity and everyone had to take a picture of him. Bowen, our little stinker also hated his costume as well, but he looked so cute. I keep trying to get him to fall asleep so I could lay him on the floor and make tire print so I would have a picture of “Bowen road kill” but he would not fall asleep. Also, I was shocked when Jeromy wanted to dress up this year, I thought for sure he would never dress up again after our first Halloween together when I made him dress up as Elvis, but he supplied all the authentic surgical stuff and off we went. We really had fun this year.

Christmas Pictures

2008-01-27T14:25:00.001-08:00

Ethan was so excited to leave Santa Clause some of Jesus birthday cake on Christmas Eve. Ethan and Bowen also enjoyed our new Christmas tradition of reading one Christmas book each night in December until Christmas day. We Loved the small break that dad was able to spend with us in Utah for the holidays. I can’t wait, next year we will all be together for Christmas in our own home. NO MORE TRAVLING!!! Also, next year it is my new goal to actually send out Christmas cards, who knows maybe Jeromy and I will even be in the picture, WOW that would be a step in the right direction for me.

Together is a great place to be

2008-01-27T13:58:00.000-08:00

It’s so nice to finally be together again as a family. The boys and I are in Pendleton Oregon with dad while he finishes up his orthopedic surgery rotation. Pendleton is a small cute little town on your way to Portland, and it is dad’s second rotation in this little town. Last time dad was here Jeromy and Ethan got matching cowboy hats…giddy up!! Three months apart is a long time, it’s almost like Jeromy and I have to get use to each other again and use to being in each others space. Although, it is so nice to have some help with the boys, dad always is such a big help to me.

On the Road again

2007-11-20T12:16:00.000-08:00

Well the boys and I are off to Utah again for a long visit while dad is busy in Oregon doing his rotations. Were excited to see dad for a few weeks over christmas, but other then that it will be no dad until febuary. I tell you what this single parenting stuff is HARD!!!! On the way back to Utah Bowen's ear drum ruptured, 13 hours in a car and not a cry out of him. He is such a good boy. Just as we were finishing Bowen's antabiotics Ethan had an ingrown toe nail that also required antabiotics. $300 dollars later, with out insurance that work in Utah, the boys are on the mend. As far as me, I think i'm a lost cause, always getting a little crazyer day by day.
Were now in St. George for 3 weeks and all of the family members here have myspaced blocked on their computer so, I guess I will have to become better at this blog thing. I will have to post some pictures soon, because I have a ton of good ones.

Watch how I grow

2007-09-11T13:50:00.000-07:00

Our Big Bowen Anthony Mendnhall. Bowen is a very, very happy child, he is always smiling and laughing. Bowen looks up to Ethan so much, he is ready to grow up so he can follow his big brother around. We really lucked out with this one, he is the best baby ever. Recently Bowen has started to sit on his own and is rolling all over the place. He will probably be crawling very soon. Where does the time go...BAM will already be six months next week. We all love our BAM so much and he is already a huge part of our family. I'm sure he will be adding to our madness very soon.

Ethan's First Day of Preschool

2007-09-11T10:31:00.001-07:00

Ethan was soooo excited to start school at David Dougals Preschool. He loves it. He loves his teachers and all of his new friends. He has had sharing time 2times already. First time he brought in 4 of his 7 new puppies, and the kids loved it. The second sharing time he broght his High School Musical 2 CD and danced to "Bet on it" for his teachers and friends. The class loved it so much that 2 hours later when I came to pick him up they were all still dancing to the music.

Mendenhall Madness

2007-09-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

I love my little men!!! They are my life. I can just watch them and smile and laugh all day long. Ethan loves his little bother Bowen so much and can make him laugh just by looking at him. Bowen is almost 6 months and just wants to grow up so he can play with his brother and wrestle. This picture was taken after Bowen's blessing Ethan 3 years and Bowen almost 3 months