andrias birthday party

I had to put a picture up here of the totally amazing birthday party we went to last week. it was my sweet friends slip and slide party and it was brilliant fun!! thanks for getting old andria so we could have some fun!!!!

date with dad

Mark has started a new tradition, that every saturday morning, he spends time with the boys. They sometimes go to a little workshop for kids, at home depot, it is really fun for them, and best of all, it gives me some peace and quiet. Oh how I love saturday mornings now! Anyway, I was downloading some pics off my camera, and I came across some that mark had taken while they were out. Yes, they got to see ducks, and yes they fed them breakfast, and yep... those are cheetos.

haircuts

Kyle and Brody had their first "real" haircuts last week! Kyle was a very bald baby, and it really has taken him his whole 3 years of life, to really merit giving someone money for an actual haircut! Seriously, his previous haircuts have required the token snip, and believe me, I will treasure those precious strands of strawberry blond hair for the rest of my life. (both strands) j/k Brody on the other hand has very thick hair, and has had some unfortunate haircuts! (please refer to "my baby looks like a monk!") So anyway I bit the bullet and invited a professional hairdresser to our home to make us look cool! Kyle was very good, and sat lovely and still while she worked away, Brody wriggled around and eventually I had to read him some books while she cut his hair. I think they both look gorgeous!!! What do you think?

Check out my Slide Show!

kristen and her special boys

This is a tribute to my sweet friend Kristen who is very special to me. We grew up together in Dundee Scotland, she has many childlike qualities, and is very christlike. I have never heard Kristen say a bad word about anyone. She is a lovely beautiful girl, and I wish I could be more like her. Kristen moved over to Arizona when she met her perfect match... Jacob! Jacob and Kristen are perfect examples to everyone around them! They were married two years ago, and last month they welcomed their sweet baby Jacob Thomas into their family. I had the opportunity to go and meet this lovely new baby, and I was amazed at the beautiful feeling in this special family's home. I am humbled to be able to call Kristen and Jacob my friends! I love you both xxxx

Kristen and Jacob, with Jacob's parents who help take care of everyone.

911

At 08:00 last monday, Kyle woke me up and told me there was a "worker guy" at the door. (He could see him out the window). I was not expecting any "worker guys" so I grabbed some mis-matching clothes, and opened the front door only to find.... a policeman!!!

The policeman informed me that he had received a 911 call from our house, and apparently we were still connected to the operator! He wanted to come in and check things out. I was relieved that the house didn't look too bad, and both boys were fully clothed. I am happy to report that c.p.s did not have to be informed. I dread to think of what the operator may have heard, had we been connected the previous week, when Kyle decided to pour a whole bottle of baby lotion and a bottle of baby powder (which he had creatively mixed into a paste) and spread around the furniture and floor!!! I shuddered to think what the police officer might have witnessed, had he visited that scene, oh the horror!!

I was sure that Kyle had accidentally pressed the numbers, so I apologized and the policeman left. I asked Kyle what he had dialled and he said (proud as could be) "I dialled 911 mom, I wanted to call the fireman guy!"

My sweet little "innocent" boy!

Only 3 years old and already in trouble with the law!

Uncle spencer got drafted!!!! YEAHHHHH!!!!!

Spencer Larsen the family HERO!
( I think it used to be Mark for a while, but he has joined the rest of us, who will only ever be in Spencer Larsens shadow)

We found out on sunday, that Spencer, (who is the family celebrity) got drafted. He is going to be playing for the Broncos!!!!! When Cheryl and Jill found out which team Spencer was in, Of course, they had to whip out 20 matching t'shirts (within minutes) for all the kids!!

We are so excited for you Spencer and Annie!!!

Appropriate cousin relationships?

Kyle adores his cousin kalani! She conveniently lives across the street from us. Kyle and Lani spend most days together, and they have a very special friendship. A few weeks ago Cheryl had to go out of town, so Kyle and I volunteered to take care of Lani overnight. Kyle was overcome with joy at the thought of Lani being near him for a consistent amount of time.

Kyles first sleepover.......

We sincerely hope that Kyle will not be inviting ladies to spend the night in our guest-room EVER again!!!

Just thought I would add a cute one of Brody sleeping in his crib. Ahhh sweet dreams everyone!

The Yellow Dress Last week I was doing some easter shopping in "Ross", I took Kyle with me, I was very focused on what I was doing, and was'nt paying much attention to Kyle who was raking through all the girls clothing. Without warning he approached me with arms full of yellow netting, he proceeded to ask me..... "mommy, can we please, please, PLEASE buy this for Lani???" I took the dress out of his hands and turned to put it back on the rack, when he said... " I really wanted to take her to the dance!!!" Trying not to laugh, I bent down to his height, and before I could get a word out, He looked me in the eye and said.. " I want to be her partner!!" I examined the dress (and price) and figured that I could not let $10 stand in the way of innocent true love! So we purchased the special dress, and took it round to the "lady of the hour". Lani recieved the dress with much dramatic expression, and many squeeks of delight. It was at this moment, that we realized that we were indeed going to have to provide a dance for our love struck toddlers.

The planning began, and slowly things started to esculate into a sit down dinner, with menus, and waiters, not to mention, a back-drop for pictures etc etc. I asked Kyle if he was still planning on taking Lani to the dance and he said (very matter of fact) " I don't have a car or a man-suit!"





Mark could not let his boy go to his first dance without a "man-suit", So he bought a lovely suit for Kyle on his way home from work.



The Junior Spring Ball (the event of the year)

Venue: cheryls backyard

On the day of the dance, Lani was the perfect princess, but Kyle was very tired and grumpy, after all that effort, Kyle refused to dance with his maiden. We still think they look adorable!





We Love you Kyle and Lani

We hope you will always be close (maybe not quite as close!!) xxx

can't blame it on the jet-lag now!!

Visiting scotland........




Kyle standing outside Scone palace, Perth Scotland



Kyle loved looking at the river Tay with his "grandma chocolate buttons"My mum became "grandma chocolate buttons" because she spoiled Kyle with chocolate sweeties all day everyday! (please note the pacifier/dummy managed to sneek into this picture)

Ok, I have to establish the fact that, it was very cold!!!



kyle watching tv inside my mums house wrapped up in a blanket!

Ok, so it turns out, that Ronald McDonald is as scary in Scotland as he is in america! No wonder Brody is petrified!! I was too

Kyle and Brody sitting on grandma and grandads front step!

Kyle, Brody and their cousin Findley, having fun on the swings. P.s Mark proposed to me in this park 5 years ago!

This will have to do for now cos the photo thing is really annoying me!!! Anyway, we are all happy to be home! and soo excited for grandma and grandad and jenny and paul to come and see us next month!! I love my family!!! We are sooo blessed to have such amazing people to call our own!

p.s brody can finally walk!!!

I forgot to tell you all, Brody took his first steps a few weeks ago. He was 17 1/2 months old!!! we are all so proud of him! The late walking thing is definitely from the campbell side, My dad was 18 months, and my sister was a whopping 23 months!!! We might not be brainy, but we are think we are funny!!

where they say "och aye"

This comes to you all the way from scotland!!!
I cant believe we get to stay here for a MONTH!!!!!! We are having so much fun. Leaving Mark was not fun for any of us, especially kyle who kept saying he want to stay with "mark". It was a fine journey, but oh so long! and ... I am sorry but, the plane food really is minging! It is just disgusting! When the plane landed, the pilot announced that we should look around the "cabin" to make sure we had all of our belongings. Kyle turned to me excitedly and said.... " We are going to the CABIN mommy" anyway it turns out I didnt infact have all of my belongings, I left my mobile phone on the plane!!!! URGH It is highly anoying!!!! Anyway, we arrived here safe and sound. I almost didnt recognize my dad cos he has lost 4 stone since I last saw him (60 pounds-ish) he looks dead skinny now! everyone else looks just the same. I am so happy to be here! kyle and brody are having alot of fun too, At first Kyle didnt understand why I was trying to put a coat on him before he went out to play, he kept saying... "mom I am fine, I NOT cold mom!!" but he soon developed an appreciation for his coat and hat, and even requested that we get him some gloves. Yep the weather is a wee bit different over here! Our first meal that we had when we arrived was haggis neeps mince and tatties (haggis, turnips, ground beef, and potatoes) it was sooo good! I love burns supper. kyle and brody ate all their haggis too, which made me very proud. my little americans with a slice of scottish! Anyway we are all happy and enjoying getting spoiled from my mum and dad, missing mark, but keeping busy! LOVE you all!!!!!! beth kyle and brody xxxxx

MeRrY ChRiStMaS FrOm ThE pUgMiReS

We Love you all and hope that Christmas brings all the desires of your heart!!! With Love from Mark, Beth Kyle and Brody xxx

not a pretty picture!

I have never been an animal lover! I once had a goldfish, but he commit sucide within a couple of weeks in my care! I woke up to find him lifeless and stiff on my bedroom carpet. I guess he couldnt take it anymore, and ended it, by jumping out of his "never-been-changed" fish bowl. It was a sad discovery, and I mourned for about 10 minutes! My sister reminded me that there are plenty more fish in the sea, but that chapter of my life was over! I didnt care for the responsability.
Many years later, an impulsive weak moment, brought us an adorable puppy, that grew to be an obnoxious, loud, whyning dog. It was a decision that I instantly regretted. A few months later, we saw a notice informing us of puppies that cost only $10! I have never been able to resist a bargain! so, (once again) impulsively we brought another cute little puppy home. Within days, we had 2 obnoxious, attention-starved, highly annoying very LOUD dogs, taking over our backyard, eating our stuff, and pooping it out everywhere! We were not making friends very quickly in that neighbourhood! One "sad" day, both of our dogs decided that they too, were unhappy with the care we were providing for them, and they took off running. Mark and his brother searched everywhere, but they were gone! I tried my best "sad face" for Mark, but it was hard to hide my relief!
Mark is of the opinion, that every family needs a dog, to be considered as a "real" family! and so we decided impulsively to try our luck with a labrador. We brought her home, the beautiful little puppy! But within a week she was obnoxious too! I am just not a dog person I guess! But once again, our little "maggie" was unsatisfied and took to the road! Mark was particularly sad about losing maggie, because she was such a "good dog". I didnt agree.
We had a dog-free year or two, when the impusion to get a dog raised its head again! I either have a terrable memory, or I am too spontanious, or I am just plain crazy, but we brought home a sweet little beagle, we named her chloe. We have now had Chloe for over 2 years, which is definately a record for us! I don't hate her, but "like" would still be too strong a word.
Our friends were going a way for a while and asked us to dog-sit for them. (They obviously are unaware of our dog keeping history) So right now, we have.... One un-neutered female doggy, and two un-neutered male doggies! You can imagine the party in our back yard! It has been quite an education, and quite frankly, I dont know where to look!! One thing is for sure, Chloe is not the innocent little pup we thought she was! I am going to have to make an appointment for her to see the bishop!!! I have informed my friends that if pregnancy occurs, they will be responsable to take care of EVERYTHING! We have 4 lawyers in our family, and we are not afraid to use them!

send me your blog pages!!!!

I beautified my blog-page, and lost all my links in the process!! please email me your blog addresses so I can keep up-to date with you all!! I love you all
from bethy xxxxx

I am still full from thanksgiving dinner!!!!!

I have lived in america for nearly 5 years now. I get asked questions on a daily basis, some of my favorites are........ these are the responses I would like to give (but never do!)



1.Did you learn english when you moved over here? no comprehend?

2.Do you have color tv over there? nope we still shovel coal into the back of our black and white tvs!

3.I bet you think our hospitals are amazing? hmmm I think they are expensive!

4. I bet you're enjoying living in freedom now! because I lived in captivity in scotland?

5. do you celebrate 4th of july? independance from the uk? I am from the UK!

6.do you prefer to be called english or irish? Emmm.... SCOTTISH please!!!!

7. Do you know my great Uncle Alfred once removed, He is from Scotland? No I dont know him, or your great aunt Mabel or even your grandad Bert the 4th. dont know any of them!

8. Does this sound like a scottish accent? Not in the slightest!

9. do you celebrate thanksgiving in scotland? and the answer is ...no we do not celebrate thanksgiving in scotland, but to be honest with you, it is a holiday that I have had no trouble embracing!! anything that requires eating all day long, is defiately something I want to be part of!! and I think I do it like a full blood american!!! Thanksgiving was great!


ps dont be offended fellow americanos, I love you to bits!!!




Last weekend Mark and I drove to the cabin with the boys. It was soo c-c-c-old, We bundled up nice and warm. The cabin looks so pretty and we had a lot of fun together. The famous crying face!

CuTe LiTtLe BrOdY

Brody is 16 months and still can't walk! He crawls around wherever he needs to go, and the rest of the time he gets carried around by me. I am enjoying getting to keep him as a baby as long as I can! Although he can't walk, he can totally talk! He says whatever we ask him to say (we dont let him say "poo-poo" words) and honestly, nobody believes me about this, but.. he can sing!! He sings full songs and they are totally on tune and everything! he can sing twinkle twinkle, sunbeams, child of god, and little einsteins. but the catch is.... he wont perform for anyone but me and mark, mark is my witness that we have a musical genius in our family! watch this space because Brody is going to be a star!!!

FuNnY LiTtLe KyLe!

Kyle is really turning into a little man! He likes to keep us all in check! Lately he has been concerned with peoples choice of words. He is constantly listening out for "naughty" words. Like... "Oh man, dang it, or crap" (I was even told off for saying "thats cute!") kyle will gasp and exclaim horrified, "you said a bad word!" He is always telling brody off for his baby babble which can sometimes sound a little like "poo-poo" Kyle feels like it is his calling in life to make sure that no offensive words are spoken!

A few weeks ago, I was talking to Kyles pre-school teacher, and she said to me that he was the only child in the class that had never been asked to sit on the time-out chair. I was so proud of him, that I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest. Last week when I was driving him home from school, he proudly told me, " mommy I got to sit on the time out chair!!" He was VERY pleased with himself!!!

Kyle really is such a good boy, I am so glad that he is my oldest child, because he is such a good example to his little brother. He is very sensitive and always wants to make sure everyone is happy (especially his mum) The other day I gave him a bowl of ice-cream, and he said... "mommy you are such a good cooker! I lub ICE-CREAM!" It was dreyers, but it still made me feel good!! I do love my special little boys!!!

So you see.......... we are a Happy family!

don't mess with me!