Ry's graduation

The latest in the Bull family is that Ryan is DONE with school!!! On December 12th he graduated with his MBA in Global Management focused on Finance. I can't express how happy we all are about this. We are SO proud of him. His last trimester was a difficult and very time consuming one. And we are glad to have him back to ourselves!

Ryan's parents and my mom were able to come down for the graduation, to help the with the kids and the move.

Ry and I went to the graduation gala and enjoyed some time together. I even got him out on the dance floor! Sorry, no pictures of that though (probably for the best).

We really loved Arizona and made some great friends there, who we will miss a lot.

We have moved up our Utah townhouse in Farmington for the holidays and it is great being so close to family again. We are looking forward to what is next for our little family.

Yee Haw!

Last year at this time, Thomas always had his cowboy boots on. (and or hat, chaps and vest!) I was sad to see that phase pass. He just looked so cute! But I am happy to say that we are in phase two of the cowboys and this time Nathan has joined in the fun!
It started a couple of weeks ago when the boys were invited to a cowboy birthday party. Thomas loved putting his cowboy gear back on and Nate was happy to be all geared up too. (We were just missing the boots and hat, which were up in Utah.)

Then one day I found Thomas in his room crying. He said that he missed his cowboy boots. I said that he could call grandma and ask her to send them in the mail. It was the sweetest little phone message, he was seriously heartbroken. (Mind you, he hasn't expressed interest in his boots for at least six months.) When we got them in the mail, he insisted on wearing them even though they were too small and he ended up getting blisters.
He was going to continue wearing them no matter what, so I took him to get a new pair. (Thank you grandma!) He tried on every pair in his size and then picked the ones that looked exactly like his old ones! (This picture is from last year, but I love it.)

I don't know if he just wants to be like Thomas, but Nate insists on wearing his boots constantly. It's so fun to see that he actually has a preference. He gets mad when I try and put his sneakers or flip flops on, he just wants his boots!

These guys are getting to be such little buddies. Nathan is really catching up to Thomas and will do, or attempt to do anything Thomas does. Lately, people have been asking me if they are twins!! I don't get it, but I guess when they are sitting down, the difference in height isn't as big.

Still lovin' the Train Park

Friday, I took the boys to the Stillman-McCormick Train Park. Last time we went, Nate still seemed too little to understand, but this time he loved it.

Our second trip on the little train, Thomas insisted that he get to sit with the bigger kids in the box car. Of course, then Nate insisted that he go, too. It's wild in there, so I crammed myself in as well to monitor things. While concentrating on not banging my head at every turn, I caught this cute moment. Nate was simply mesmerized by this little girl.

Bug Hunting

I am a such a sucker. I was saving these headlamps for the kid's Christmas stockings, but when Ryan suggested that he take the boys on an evening "bug hunt", I couldn't resist.

Thomas interview/Halloween

My brother Dallin is in a child development class and asked if I would interview Thomas with these questions. So, here ya go bro! Love you!

Since I am still having camera issues (and didn't know how to cut the video clip) here is also some of tonight's Trunk or Treat action.

Did we miss fall??

The boys and I took a quick trip up to Utah and were welcomed by snow! My boys, acclimatized to the Arizona heat, went straight for their winter gear.
The first weekend we drove down to Price to visit my Grandma Dorman. While we are in town, we always enjoy going to the CEU Dinosaur Museum. This was my grandpa's "baby" and every time we are there I can't help but think of him. It's fun because the kids are getting old enough to enjoy it too.




Ever since Thomas found out we were going to Utah, he had been looking forward to going fishing with grandpa up in Joes Valley.(1 hour from Price) I felt sure that because of the cold weather that it wasn't going to happen. (Unless, you count fishing for Tiki the cat.) But, grandpa and Thomas weren't about to let 34 degree weather stop them! (That's what it was when we pulled into the cabin!) We drove up, Thomas caught two fish and then we got back in the car and drove home. Thomas' couldn't have been happier.

Warming up in the cabin!

The boy's first experience with smores!
BBQ at my parent's house.

We went with Mama Bull and some of the cousins to Gardner Village to see the witches.

For some reason, this was the only witch that Nathan would get close to!

Thomas practicing his lady skills by giving Lyza a flower he picked.

Thomas, Nate, Lyza and Kelli. Not pictured: Seth and new baby Josie. We missed Michelle and her kids due to the flu.

Our favorite day of the week, "Pancake Tuesday." Almost every Tuesday, the cousins that are home go over to Mama Bull's for breakfast. The boys love being together with their cousins. This week, the little kids didn't know that we were in town and were so surprised when Thomas and Nathan showed up to play. It was so much fun!

I think I should have known better.

Tonight I ran to the store to get something last minute for dinner. In my hurry out the door, somehow Nate ended up with the keys and needless to say, he was VERY upset when I had to take them away. I tried to explain to him that I would gladly give them back once we arrived. He didn't believe me and threw a fit all the way to the store. I was desperate to have this all over, so when we get there I turn off the car and hand him the keys. Just as I get out and shut the door, I hear a click. That little stinker had just managed to lock himself in the car along with the keys!

The next part must have looked extremely funny to anyone watching as I began tapping on the window trying to instruct my 1 year old to push the button and unlock the car. He managed to push buttons alright, but not the right one. The panic button seemed to be his favorite, because he pushed it over and over and over. People were nice to stop and try to help and finally Nate unlocked the door.

Besides the obvious, the reason I should have known better was because I did almost the same thing when Thomas was a baby. I was driving the same car, my mom's. I had buckled Thomas into his infant carrier and put him in the car. But, while I was driving I remembered that I hadn't buckled the carrier into the car. (I was used to just snapping it into the base already there.) I pulled over, the car was still on, and when I shut the door the doors locked. My parents were out of town so they couldn't bring me another key. Thomas was crying so I ended up calling 911. I felt so stupid! When the firefighter got there he informed me with newer cars like this the only way to get in was to break the window. I said a silent prayer and was immediately inspired to look for a key behind the wheel. Now, maybe if I had remembered to put that key back behind the wheel...then I wouldn't have been in quite the predicament that I was in tonight!!

"One Dalmatian under God?"

We were driving in the car with my grandma this weekend and Thomas saw an American flag. Just about every time Thomas sees an American Flag, he recites The Pledge of Allegiance. This was the first time that my grandma had heard him say it. She commented on how smart he is and this is the conversation that followed.

Grandma: "That was really good. Now, Thomas do you know what a 'nation' is?"
It was quiet for a while and I began to think that Thomas had forgotten the question, then he responded...
"What are those spotted dogs called again?"
Hmmm, nation/Dalmatian close enough, right?!

Lost Camera

I think that I have lost (hopefully just misplaced) our camera and I am totally bummed. It's one of those things that just leaves a pit in your stomach as you try to rack your brain thinking of where you may have last left it and remembering all of the cute pictures that may or may not have been on it. Oh well...here are some pictures of last week's Thunderkids activities. (Thanks Wendy for the pics!) The kids learned about Korea and made drums.

Saturday we went to the new children's museum in Phoenix. Thomas and Nate loved the "trike wash" the best.

Bull Frogs

We have LOVED being back at the pool. We go about everyday. Thomas swims really well...if he knows that he can touch. Nathan has surprised us. He has no fear. He will walk right out to where he can barely reach anymore and then just waits for me to come and get him. He doesn't even panic as the water is right up to his nose! I was finally able to find him some arm floaties and he thinks he is so big. He kicks his little legs behind him, just like a little "Bull" frog. I couldn't seem to get it on video this day, but I thought I would post anyways.

Where's Willy Wonka?

We went with the Thunderkids group to a candy company here in town. It was fun to see everybody again.


I'm not really sure what the purpose of these tables were...the kids couldn't really see over the counter, but were not allowed to stand on the tables. So, they just played under them!

It was unfortunate that this worker didn't seem to be having as much fun as Lucy did. (I love that episode.)

It wasn't as interactive for the kids as we would have liked...but who's to turn down free chocolate?? Not me! Thomas was just happy to be back with all of his buddies.

"What were you thinking?"

I feel like I am more than frequently telling Thomas, "Stay out of mom's makeup." and "Don't pour things on your brother's head." Well this afternoon he combined the two. I was in the process of making dinner when I hear Nathan crying and Ryan yelling for me to come. I was expecting to see Nate hurt...instead I see that Thomas for a second must have lost his mind, because for some reason he decided to squeeze the entire tube of foundation on top of Nate's head!!

We had to throw him in the bath and really scrub to get his hair clean. (By this point I was finally calmed down enough to think to grab the camera.) Man, did that leave a ring around the tub. Makes you think twice about putting that stuff on your face!

Thanks Mama & Papa Bull!!

Ryan's parents took a trip down to Arizona to help us move in. They were at the airport to pick us up. Even though Thomas was exhausted from the long day of traveling, he was so happy to see them. He was asleep as we put him in the car but woke up just for a second to see "Mama Bull." He sleepily said, "Oh, I love you grandma!" And then was back to sleep. It was so cute. We are all still trying to get over the jet lag. Ryan's parents were so wonderful in helping us not only move everything back into the apartment, but were up with the boys in the middle of the night so that Ryan and I could get a little sleep. We love you so much!! Thanks again for everything!

Time's Up

Tomorrow we make the big flight back to Arizona and I am starting to get a little sad. We have had a great time here and it seems that just as you are starting to meet people and get things figured out, then it is time to go. There are a lot of things that I am going to miss like...

• Just being in Scotland, it is such a beautiful country.


• Every weekend going on an adventure with the family to someplace new. (Today Ryan took the boys to see a "pirate ship.")



• Walking on the cobble stone roads. It sounds silly, but I love the sound as cars drive over the cobble stone too. I think it reminds me of my mission in Germany.


• How everything is a mixture of old and new. Not many Subways look like this in the US.
  People refer to our place as the "new apartments, yet I think it is so fun that this is our house key.




• People calling Thomas and Nathan, "Wee bonnie boys."



• Muller Rice...yumm. This is the reason for a few extra pounds now and on my mission. It says "low fat" but don't you believe it. It's probably a good thing that we don't have this at home!
  

But there are quite a few things that I am looking forward to, such as...

• Being able to use a blow dryer again. (Every time I have used a blow dyer out of the good old US of A, it seems to always short out and break the first time. Being as cheap as I am, I wasn't willing to chance it and have to buy a new one over here to only have it work in the UK outlets, just to buy a new one when I got home. So, the result is my hair in all of the previous pictures!)


• The sun and swimming pool.


• Having a car, a disposal and a washer and dryer that can handle more than one load a day. (Our kitchen cub boards hide all kind of surprises. The washer/dryer combo was right next to the fridge. Kinda weird.)


• Being close to friends and family again...well at least in the same country!

Dundee

I realized recently that I haven't posted any pictures of where we actually spend 90 percent of our time, which is in the city of Dundee. Last night a friend of ours said it best when he commented that the great thing about Dundee is that it is close to so many other places. We have been enjoying that fact, as we have traveled on the weekends. Even though, Dundee isn't the most popular city in Scotland (When we flew into Edinburgh an airport employee told me to "watch out for those Dundonians.") we still have really enjoyed our time here.
I'm pointing to the "balcony" of our apartment.
The boys like to sit in front of this boat and play with the rocks as we wait to see Ryan walking home from work in the evenings. This is just around the corner from our apartment.
We cross this bridge to get into town everyday.
We walk on a path along this water to get to the grocery store. (That's the bridge that you take to get to St. Andrews.) Really beautiful. I love that we live right on the water.

Since there are not many parks, you always see kids (including mine) playing on the statues in town.
Baxter Park is the closest park with a playground. We walk through here every Sunday on our way to church, but only came a few times to play because it is a couple miles straight up hill.
Town Square, where we often meet Ryan for lunch.