Random & Ethan's 3rd Birthday!

What a Mess!

So one morning Challene did not get up right away when she heard Ethan and Joshua up. The next thing heard was this crackling type sound like that of the plastic bag from a box of cereal. She did not, however, know how right she was until after she got up to investigate. She walked into their bedroom to find the mess you see above. At first she did not see all the rice cripys because they kinda blend into the carpet and her eyes were naturally still a little blurry from waking up. Well that's what she gets for not getting up right away. It did, however, give us a great opportunity to try out or new vacuum. Once you go bagless, you never go back!

Ethan trying to hide behind the crib. He knew he was in trouble.

Pull ups

Challene was crippled with pain and in need of the ever professional and extremely therapeutic work of a master chiropractic physician. As I was adjusting Challene, Joshua started to pull him self up as if exercising. The pictures do not do him any justice, though.

Birthday Cake!

Ethan originally wanted a Donald Duck cake but we thought Mickey Mouse would probably be easier. So after some time and negotiation we convinced him he needed a Mickey Mouse cake. In the end I do think Mickey Mouse was probably easier, however we did not consider the mess. Black frosting + many 3 year olds = not a good idea. Anyways, here's the cake making process.

Getting the icing black was no simple thing. We found out later that you should start with chocolate icing, not vanilla... who knew? Well, after a full bottle of dye, the icing was still purple looking (even though it was black food coloring). So what do you do at 11:35 p.m. the night before the party? You send your husband (already in his pajamas enjoying Rush Hour 3 for his birthday movie) to WalMart to pick up some more dye. Well, turns out that after the entire second bottle of dye it still looked purple. So what do you do at 12:30 a.m. the night before the party and your wife has to work in 6 hours? You say, "forget it" and just ice the thing anyway. Turns out that it dried black. Turns out it probably would have dried black after half the first bottle of dye. Who'd have thunk it?

The finished product.

Party Time!

We had a party for Ethan and invited his friends over for cake and ice cream. Here's some pictures from the party.

Games

We had the kids throw a ball through the Mickey Mouse cut out and they also played musical mickeys (like musical chairs, but with mickey silhouettes).

Cake Time!

I love this picture and how patiently they are waiting for cake.

Classic Ethan... he's even working on different attack angles. He calls this move his "covert cross-over" approach (or CCC).

John was less than patient for his cake. John, John, John... patience is a virtue.
I think we were wise to strip them down for the cake. Sorry, I failed to warn you of the nudity in this post!
Gwendolyn Jewell Marshall
Liza Jane Woolsey
Ethan Nathaniel Green

...and Challene.

The black dye was not tastey at all. As you could imagine with 2 full bottles of dye!

It was a success all in all. We are very happy and love our sweet little three year old. Whew, where does the time go? We love our 16 month old too. Can't forget little Joshy!

Not to stray off topic or anything, but a friend called us tonight and told us of President Hinckley's passing. We were saddened to hear that he is gone, but so joyful that he can be with his wife again. It was obvious of the love that they have for each other. It was also obvious of the toll not having her did to President Hinckley. We was a wonderful prophet, an excellent leader, and a profound example to us all.

The thing I wanted to bring up tonight (Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008) was the fact that we happened to have Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at our Stake Conference this morning. What really was interesting was the fact that despite every other speaker talking toward the theme of missionary work (member missionary work more precicely) Elder Perry spoke of the prophet. Not President Hinckley specifically, but he told of his encounters with several prophets. He also bore a stong witness of President Hinckley, of his divine calling, and that when the Lord calls him home the keys and organization are in place to be passed to the next president of the church. It seemed a little out of place at the time, but now I realize that the Lord new what was to happen (or had happened? This was at 11:30 am) and used His apostles through the spirit to speak as to what was needed at this time. I didn't personally need instruction on how authority is passed, or the continuity of the priesthood and its keys, but I know of several new converts in the congregation who probably had no idea how the process works.

Christmas 2007

Yes we know it is quite over due but none the less here are the Christmas pic's we promised oh so long ago.

Joshua's our little climber he is always on anything and everything he can get on.

Okay so this definitely needs an explanation. So Christmas eve after we got the kids to bed Will and I were playing Santa. Putting out all the gifts and straightening for the morning. I had pulled the door for the amour so that it was no longer behind the vertical blinds so that it could easily be closed when we were ready for bed. Unfortunately I left it to far open and Will stood up and got this nifty arrow shaped scrape. I wanted to write "this side up" but he would not let me.

Joshua eating mashed potatoes that we had for our Christmas dinner.

This is our GQ Ethan

And this is our Silly Ethan

NEXT!!!

Here's another. I like it, but I don't think Challene will. Lindsey, just search for "blogger templates", or "xml templates" and it will give you a billion websites. There's usually instructions on how to change it.

Keep checking back, I'm going hog wild!

Templates anyone?

I'm going to be trying a few new templates over the next little while to find something that screams Will, Challene, Ethan and Joshua Green. Please let me know what you think.

Just trying to catch up

AHEM!!!

So... what, it's been a little while has it not? Boy, even Katie's little nudging couldn't get us to post any quicker. But you were patient and now you have the distinct pleasure of having a long picutre-full post. I hope you enjoy it.

Christmas is over. I sure enjoyed it. Challene, Ethan, and Joshua on the other hand were sick! Ethan and Josh were just sick during the holiday proper and Challene is still getting over it! It has not been fun. Ethan sure was cute during Christmas, though. He woke up Christmas morning near 2:00 a.m. to throw up (he'd been up every couple of hours to do that) when he noticed that Santa had come. He was so excited. Later that morning when we were opening presents he kept saying, "Oh my gosh! Santa came daddy. Look what Santa brought mommy! Oh my gosh!" It really was quite adorable.

So Challene was pretty much sleeping her life away for the entire Christmas break. She was so sick. She went to the doctor recently and he said she had bronchitis. I felt somewhat slighted because I kept forgetting my stethascope at school so I couldn't hear the pathognomonic rhonchi. She was able to get her antibiotics and it seems to be helping... so far.

School started early this month. I'm in my 9th quarter right now (actually the final 2/3 of 9th quarter since I took the split). Starting 10th quarter I will be moved to the Out Patient Clinic (OPC)! That's me treating the public. This is people with actual problems. People trusting me with their conditions. I just took a two hour test-o-death on Friday to see if I qualify for entering the OPC. It was a brutal test. If it would have been multiple choice I would have aced it, but it was short answer. I hate short answer. I know the answer, but pulling it out of my head is difficult for me. So, we'll see if I need to retake the test in a few weeks when they get it graded. I'll update everyone on my classes soon. I know you're all dying to hear what I'm taking. Incidentally, I have been given the opportunity (assuming I pass my test) to enter the OPC this quarter. 5 interns from each clinician will be sent to the OPC early to help ease the patient transition from the graduating class to the new interns. There are specific requirements that have to be fulfilled to be able to go and I don't think I'm going to get them done in time. It has been a very busy quarter so far and I haven't been able to get everything done that I've wanted/needed. I'm not too bummed about it, though.

So that's an update in a nutshell. Let's move to some pictures.

Ethan's new spot for watching movies. It works for him. What I really like on this picture is Mogli's face on the tv.

Ethan has been climbing everything lately. He loves to climb now.

Cute shot of the kids. Joshy's finally getting his molars in. He's got the two on the right and he's working on the left ones. This picture is a little old so you can't see the molars.
Joshy can be so silly sometimes. He was pulling faces at me by sticking his tongue out over his top lip. He's definately got the Dalley eyes going on there too.

More of Joshy's silliness. He was scraping his face down the crib bars. I would laugh at him when he'd do it and he'd start to laugh too. He'd scrape, I'd laugh, he'd pull back and laugh at me laughing. Very comical.
I just love these pictures of him.
*Groan* He's always getting into the blinds. They're slowly getting ruined because he is constantly trying to get in there. It probably would be fine if he were just getting behind them, but he's got to pull on them and tear at them and bend them. I'll be surprised if the landlord doesn't make us pay for new blinds in my bedroom and the kitchen.
Another silly moment. Joshy does this thing that's really caught on in the family. He'll throw his head back and kind of moan so it sounds like an old man. It is hilarious. He had slid between the sofa and fireplace and was doing his moan to try to coax me into playing with him. He'll either do his moan or he'll take something of mine and run away so that I have to chase him. He's very playful. Anyway, if you can get him during the moaning (I wish I had something better to call it) and are able to nibble his chin -- he laughs his head off. He loves it.

Lately, when we're trying to put Joshy down for bed he'll try to play with us. I think he likes the one-on-one time. He actually grabs our hands and puts them on him in his ticklish spots (under the chin, ribs 8 and 9, under the arms, and just under the middle of his collar bone). He is so much fun. Everyone at church just loves the little guy. He's almost 16 months old which is to old to be with Mommy and Daddy in Sunday School, but to young for nursery so Challene and I have been staying with him in the nursery. He just beems at everyone and plays so cute. I sure love my little Joshy. Josh has taken a note from Ethan's book. He's really started to climb now. He loves to try to be like Ethan.
Mommy and Joshy eating pretzels.

This was Christmas Eve. Ethan was helping make the cookies to set out for Santa. He really got into it.

I just really liked this picture. I liked Ethan trying to do it on his own and I liked Challene coaching him through it.

More cookies. They're getting ready to bake them.
Time to make the icing.
This was a little gingerbread Christmas tree kit that we bought at the store (we're just not that confident in our gingerbread making abilities, let alone making something from it). Ethan and Challene sure had a fun time putting it togethere.

Well, I suppose that's it for now. I think we have some actual Christmas pictures in the works for a future blog. So there's something to look forward to. Until then, have a wonderful day.

You'd better not shout...

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Well, we went to the mall the other day with our friends The Marshall's. Our main goal for going was to have the kids see Santa Claus. Ethan will be three in January so he's just catching on to the whole Christmas thing. He's loving it, though. Every time we drive by some lights he yells, "Christmas!". We went to "Peacock Lane" yesterday. This is a street where all the houses decorate quite elaborately. Ethan loved it. Even though it was raining he had to have his window down to have a clear view of all the houses. "But aren't you getting wet Ethan?" we'd query. "Yeah, but... I just... I wanna see the lights." he'd reply without looking at us. Joshy enjoyed it too. Every once in a while he'd point and "ooo" at something.

But I digress. Went to the mall with the Marshalls to see Santa. Little Gwen and Ethan are the cutest of friends. They love to hold hands and play together. Here's a little shot of them in line touching the Christmas Tree. They also had a mirror there that made you all short and squatty which they enjoyed. I stood behind them and starting to do the "We represent the Lollipop Guild" dance when I realized that unless you were directly behind me looking at the mirror at the perfect angle you probably had no idea what I was doing. I stopped immediately scanning the area for anyone looking at me. I think I got away with it. Phew!

By the by, Kudos to John and Amy Marshall for bringing their camera. At the other mall they wouldn't let us take pictures. So this time we came with the $20 to spend on ONE 5x7 PRINT!!! Ridiculous! Anyways, Amy brought her camera and John took pictures for us. Thanks guys! Incidentally, while John was snapping away one of the worker she-elves said timidly, "he-hem. Um, would you like us to take a picture?" Between shooting pictures and muttering directions John said, "Well, you can take all the pictures you want but we're not buying any." She quickly busied herself behind her elven desk. I sniggered quietly to myself.

This is Joshy and Chloe. Adorable!

Below is Ethan with the big-man himself. When I asked Ethan what he was going to tell him he wanted for Christmas he said, "A book" lengthy pause "and a car". After his visit with Saint Nicholas I asked Ethan if he told Santa what he wanted. He told me yes as we started to walk out of the area. As soon as we were out of there Ethan turned to look longingly back and just waited there. "What's up?" we asked him. "I need my car," he'd say. Over and over again, "I need my car." We tried to explain that Santa will come on Christmas to give his presents but I think Ethan just figured he was right there, might as well just get it now!

My two boys with Pere Noel. Aren't they cute? Thanks to Colleen for providing matching sweaters. I thought they looked quite stylish.

Afterwards we gathered in the food court for some eating. I had a Philly Cheese steak (delish!). Of course there was a children's arcade next to the tables so all the kids did was say, "I wanna go play!" and not eat there food. After many idle threats and forced feedings we released them to go play. Either there has been an arcade time warp or I've lost touch with reality because these things were expensive! The pic below is Ethan and Gwen on a roller-coaster simulation ride where there is a screen to watch as if you're on a roller coaster and the contraption itself moves loosely to the ride. I figured that for a buck it would move pretty good. Plus there was a bar to hold and a seat belt. I thought it would be well worth the dollar. Sadly, all it did was roll forward or backward. So you either had to be going up a hill or down to have the seat move at all. Ah, well. Just look at those smiles. Well worth the dollar right?

Hey, who are those sexy love birds?

Well, that's it for the Santa visit. Here it is Christmas Eve and the kids are in bed. We actually get to play Santa this year which is exciting. We get to eat the cookie (Challene already ate it) and drink the milk (I put it back in the fridge so it wouldn't get warm). We get to lay out presents and hang the candy canes on the Christmas Tree as to prove that Santa had actually come. It should be fun... should be. Sadly, Challene, Ethan, and Joshua are all sick! Yes, sick! The kids have been sick for almost a week and Challene for a couple of days. I guess I'm right behind her. It hasn't been much more than a cough until tonight. Ethan started throwing up tonight. I'm talking big-boy throw-up. Many many many times too. We had many plans that we didn't end up doing, mostly because we've been cleaning up barf from our couches, the floor, all around the toilet bowl and so forth. The poor guy. Joshy threw-up tonight too. Ugh! Merry Christmas, indeed. We've been invited by the Marshalls to a delectable Christmas brunch at his parents house. I hope that we'll be able to go! We'll see.

Well, have a holly, jolly Christmas everyone!

More singing time!

I had this other video of Ethan singing songs that I thought I would share.

So, what's up with us? Schools out for break. I finished my last final (still don't know for sure if I passed or not) and we are loving our time together as a family. In addition to my normal finals I had OSCE's to do. What are OSCE's? I don't know what they stand for. I can't remember. But essentially it is an entrance exam to the Out Patient Clinic. If I had not taken the split, I would be starting there next quarter. I still have to finish 9th quarter before I can start, though. But, timing wise this was when I was supposed to take the OSCE's. It's a big practical exam. There are 20 stations and you have five minutes in each room with a one minute prep time between rooms. Each room has a practical test in it. Some of the tests were: Take a chief complaint history on a 34 year old woman with neck pain. ( I had to do one on a woman with chest pain! Can you say referral?) You suspect spinal cord damage, perform a neuro exam on this low back patient. This chronic disc hernia patient needs core exercises, instruct and evaluate this patient in the quadriped track. Perform the following adjustments. Etc. There were a few stations to read x-rays and CTs. and there were a few stations with just follow-up questions about the previous station (likely diagnosis, lab tests, etc.) It actually went very well for me. I passed all but one station (I think it was the lab test station -- Who would of known that albumin is a better marker for liver inflammation than ALP/AST! Actually I should have). But, I needed to pass minimum 14/20 stations and get minimum 1400/2000 points. I did both! I'm pretty happy about that.

So, here we are in our little abode waiting for the holidays. We decorated yesterday, which was interesting. This is the first real time we've decorated with toddlers around. Previous years we didn't bother since we just came down to Utah for the holiday. This year is different, though, so we thought we'd decorate. Ethan would get so excited when he saw Christmas lights or a tree or anything, so we had to do it. It was a royal pain. They got into everything! We had visions of a happy little family singing along to christmas carols while gently placing ornaments on the tree. Yeah, right! Wake up call! We ended up stopping and waiting for them to go to bed before we finished. They still like to touch everything. I had to sit in front of the tree today just to block the kids from touching it. Josh has already tried to eat two ornamental balls. We got him, though. Only managed to scrape the paint off with his teeth. Hmmm... better check that for lead...

Well, I wont bore you anymore with my stuff. Happy Holidays!!!!!!