561 S. Post St.

So it has been quite a while since we have posted anything on our blog.  The Last month seems to have blown away in a whirlwind.  For the first two weeks that out house was on the market we had absolutely no interest at all and then on the friday before General Conference we had someone come and look at the house, by that night he had made an offer and the next day we counter-offered and the next day he counter-offered and the next day we accepted that offer.  Since then we have been cleaning and packing and moving and cleaning and packing and moving.   We have to thank everyone who has helped us with all of the adventures of the last few Weeks.  Thank you to Mary and Elizabeth and Stephen, and Micaela, and the Grandparents for watching Justus and Zeke while we do all that needs to be done.  We need to thank Craig and Paul and Grandma/pa Larson for fixing and packing all that needs to be packed.  There are many thanks-you's that need to go out so here they are..............THANK YOU!!!!!

I am realizing that this is the last week that we will live at 561 S. Post St.   Salt Lake City, UT 84104.  This is a sad and happy thing all at once.  I am realizing how blessed that I am to have been around the neighbors and friends that I have met since living here.  The 26th ward is amazing, the people are so kind and I will miss them so much, I will miss being able to say that I lived in the ward that had all of President Monson's  widows.  I have to also shout out to my neighbors.  We love you!!!  The Hoffman's, Hess's, Camba's, Schouten's,  you are the ones that make it so hard to leave.  

Brothers

The other day my boys were exhausted by the time is was 6:30 pm.  Now I am not going to complain other than I didn't go to bed until 11:00 pm and so I was pretty wiped out when they got up.  And yes for those of you who are night owls 11 pm may not seem very late, but for a morning person like me it is like I have been partying until it was 3 am.  Well like I ever party....anyway I have digressed from my point. These boys were so darn cute I had to take a picture

Zeke Learns to Dress Himself

The Fourth of July and the Magic Parade!!!

So one of my all time favorite places to visit is the White's Wiki-Up in Tabiona Utah.  Some of my earliest memories are from this magical place.   I can remember my cousins Melissa and Teresa and I sleeping in the bed in the camper that was on the property before the cabin came.  I remember the Sucker tree, that is still alive and kicking, the swimming hole, the games of paintball, grandma's stew and scones,  Chubby bunnies with Justin, Jennifer, and Jeremy, line to get into the bathroom, the green green lawn,  skipping rocks in the river, rides with grandpa in the green Suzuki, Jennifer taking us out driving in Stephen's trooper,  the dances with all of our Tabiona cousins, and my very very very favorite of all the Parade.  Every year Tabiona hosts the most wonderful, amazing, fantastic Parade in all of Duchesne county or the world.   This year I was able to share the joy with my children.  Unfortunately my dear husband conveniently came down with strep so he didn't get to join in the fun.  It was such a great time.  Thank you grandma and grandpa.  My favorite part was when Justus was so excited to be in the parade.  The White family always does a float.  Justus Had such a fantastic time.  I think we all did.  

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Zeke turns 2

So this is about 2 months late, but that is just how I seem to be at this blogging thing.  On June 30, 2006 our little Ezekiel Joseph Otterstrom was born.  He had a hard time getting here, but once he got here he hasn't stopped since.  This little boy was crawling at 5 months, walking at 12 months and running at 12 months and 1 Day.  He has been  a joy and we love him so much.  Here are some pictures from his birthday party.  He was so thrilled about his basketball hoop it was great.  I don't know who had more fun.  Grandpa or Zeke?

Camp out with the Hess Family

So we Have these neighbors and they are the most wonderful neighbors in the whole wide world. They are the Hess family.  Travis, Micaela, Hannah, and Eliza.  Well last year we went camping with them up at Pineview Reservoir.  We didn't really know where we were going and we ended up at this really fun reservoir that we were able to swim and play in.  It was Great!! So we decided that we should do it again this year.  Instead of going to pineview we went up Farmington Canyon. It was really pretty up there but is was kind of a scary drive because the road was very steep and there was a huge cliff off to one side.  Well we made it and here are some pictures from the adventure.  

The New Tripod

David got a new tripod from a lady that he works with....Thanks Renee.  He had to try it out so off we went to the International Peace Gardens.  It is really a pretty place so if you've never been there go and give it a try.  These are some of the pictures we took.  Oh so much fun!!!

The funny things kids say....Part 2

So justus and I were playing with some toys trains when he looked up at me and said, "When I was pregnant"  I don't even remember what it was he said after that introduction, but I had to laugh.  

Then last night we went Geocaching...If you've never done this go and find someone with a GPS and go on  a treasure hunt they are really quite fun.  I think that I have found a grand new hobby.  Well anyway justus told me that "tomorrow we should get the GPS  go geocaching, and then go walking.". Just some fun things. 

I also love the funny ways that kids fall asleep.  Ezekiel fell asleep on the kitchen chair while I had A piano lesson.  And the 4:00 meeting time for church is a killer on my boys, Justus could not say awake for the 2 minute car ride home.   

Todd and Brittany's Wedding Photos

Todd and Brittany got married in January so these are a little bit late, but hey here they are.  The sad thing was that Justus was really really sick that day and so he was only able to go for pictures at the reception.  He was so miserable.   We found out the next day that he had tonsillitis.  These are pictures that we took at home just before we left for the reception.  

Oh the funny things kids say and do!!!!!

So I just have to tell you some of the things that Justus and Zeke have said or done over the last few weeks...  

One late night David and I were talking to Justus and when he started to get tired he thanked us for answering his questions and we told him that he could ask us questions anytime. He then turned to me and said, "Mom, when you get the answers i'll bring the questions."   I told him to remember that when he is 16 and wants to borrow the car, because I probably won't have the answer to that question, so he shouldn't ask.

We got a toy lawn mower, and the kids love it.  It has a place where you can pretend to put gas in it.  One afternoon after running over my daffodils Justus looked up at me and asked,  "What octane gas should I put in my Lawnmower?"  Hello...how did he know about gas octane...He's three...  The next day  he asked if he  hhhhhhhhhad  insurance on his lawnmower.   

Zeke is still climbing up everything hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.   He climbs up every ladder, fence, table, anything he can find.  

Well Justus wants to see a picture of himself on the blog so I had better go.  

P.S. Justus is in underpants all of the time now.   YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

The Personal Trainer

So I have hired a personal trainer so that I can look as Hot as all of you other blogger friends out there. We will have a training session every night @8:30 pm. So one might think how can she afford her own personal trainer every night. Well he is actually free. Crazy huh, but the catch is he's mine......all mine hands off ladies. Yep his name is David hunkahunka burning love Otterstrom. Last night I did more push-ups and crunches than I have probably done in the last 28.5 years and I can feel it today. So anyway happy to training to me.....and bless David's heart for being willing to do this. I love you Honey...

So I was going to post pictures of this hunky trainer, but at the moment I am technologically inept.. Oh well

Underpants

I never thought that I would like the word underpants so much, but the word underpants means fewer diapers and that is a wonderful thing.  So we finally decided that Justus was done with diapers, I don't think that he is completely digging that idea but I'm bigger than he is and so underpants it is.  He is not telling us when he needs to go, but he is pretty good at holding it until we take him potty.  Now Ezekiel is getting on the potty training wagon.  He especially likes to go when it is nap time.  I put him in his bed and immediately he pats his behind which is his sign for potty and he will sit there and push and push and push until he goes potty.  I put him back  in his bed and he deciedes he needs to go potty again, and he will push and push and push again until he can go again.  What a funny little kiddo.   Well by the next blog hopefully we will completely done with the diapers.   YEAH

Our Trip Back East

 

David and I were able to go back east this last October and travel around all over.  It was kind of a quick trip we were actually there for Davids work, but we were able to drive through at least 8 states and stop in some neat places.  Some of my favorites were Palmyra New York and the Sacred Grove and Sharon Vermont the birth place of Joseph Smith.  Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah .  I am so grateful for the Prophet Joseph smith and for the gospel that he restored to the earth.  By the way if anyone would like to visit Vermont and Upstate NY go in the fall.   I fell in love with Vermont and if we could find a job I think that David and I would live there.  It was absolutely beautiful. The trees, the colors, the covered bridges, the winding roads, the fact that there were no billboards on the roadway, oh....I'm ready to go back!!!!

Some Pictures from our trip

Family Fun on Temple Square

We went to see the lights on temple square with our neighbors the Hess family.  We had a lot of fun and it was so pretty.  We love the feeling on temple square and the spirit that is there.  When ever we drive by the temple Justus likes to look for it and point out Moroni.  

Little Birdies

Back when I was a kid my family played a game called little birdies.  The object of this game is to catch marshmallows in your mouth without touching them.  My dad would have us sit at the end of the hallway and he would toss the little mini marshmallows to us.  I think that this is where my obsession with marshmallows has come.  I love them.  They are my all time favorite snack, especially when they are stale.  Yummmy  I really like the coconut covered ones too.. oh and "peeps" the Easter candy... oh I am craving them right now.   Justus wants to say something to the world..."B A H I L and C.   wettttttttttttiiop]]] 866654333669.  He is brilliant isn't he. Well a few weeks ago my Dad or Grandpa  came over to watch the movie "Ratatootie" that's what Justus calls it and he brought marshmallows and so we see that the tradition of Little Birdies continues.  

Spring Fever

Some pictures from a Family Home Evening adventure last fall up in the beautiful Utah mountains.   Ziek loved the rocks, throwing them, looking at them, eating them.  You know it doesn't get much better than that.  

Our Sweet Little Boys

Just some cute pictures of the Boys.  Mommy's and Daddy's always want to show off their little kiddies.  

Chicken

Yesterday David finally got his Christmas present. A 4 foot by 6 foot map of the world.   Sorry that it was so late....Well last night David decided to show Justus some of  the countries and continents on the map.  This morning when Justus woke up he wanted to look at Daddy's map so David held him up and Justus pointed immediately at a spot on the map and said "Chicken" He was pointing at Turkey.  What an amazing child.  We love you Justus

P.S. David the war is on!!!!!  

A Word to the Wise

So I WAS finally going to learn how to post pictures to this thing. We sat down and David tried to open the external hard drive that we save our pictures to and we realized that a fatal error had happened all of our pictures for the last two years were GONE.  Yep, just a word to the wise....back up your pictures.  Luckily we think we have found a way to get some of the pictures back, but it will take a long time and a large amount of money.  Just learn from our mistake, what good is a nice camera if every picture you take vanishes?