Tony's first week on the job

It has been a little different week for us at the Steenblik household.  Normally Tony would work Monday through Thursday, leaving us Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to enjoy being together as a family.  But this week and for now on Tony will have Mondays off and work Tuesday through Saturday.  Also Tony now doesn't get home until about 5:00 pm.  This will take some getting used to for me as I have been so lucky to have him home generally around 2:30 everyday.  Now I feel like a "real" house wife who has to have dinner cooking when her husband gets home.  I am sure that sounds silly, but it's true.
Tony says that he has really liked it so far.  It is really different from what he was doing at the Dairy and he really likes that.  He gets to work with volunteers and missionaries all day.  The machines at the Cannery aren't hard to learn and Tony is feeling confident that he will master them quickly.  Tony is very mechanically minded, so he is really good at learning machines quickly.  He is definitely the young kid there.  The other guys are all a good 15 years plus older then Tony.  But he doesn't mind.  He likes who he works with and really likes his boss.  Since he drives there so early it only takes him about 45 minutes to get there in the morning and about 55 in the evening.  We still aren't sure if we will stay or move.  We will see how Tony is feeling about the drive in a couple months.  Me and the boys plan to visit him on Wednesday.  That should be fun to check out his new digs.  So for the first week, not too shabby.  This seems to have been a really good move for him and I am excited about the possibilities it will bring.

Happy Anniversary...and a new job!

Today is Tony and my 7 year wedding anniversary.  To celebrate we dropped the kids off at Tony's parents house on Friday afternoon and then started our weekend adventures - without children.  First I must say...THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Tony's parents for taking the boys this weekend.  We knew that they were in good hands and having a wonderful time, so that made it tons easier to leave them for a couple days.
We first went to Shopko and did a little shopping before heading down town to our hotel.
While we were driving, Tony got a call from the manager of the Ogden Cannery where he had interviewed a couple of weeks ago.  We were told that he should find out about the job by the end of last week and we were really hoping that he would get the job in Ogden (otherwise we could have been moving to Mesa, AZ).  While talking to the manager, Tony was offered the job in Ogden and he wants him to start on Tuesday.  They work four ten hour shifts, Tuesday through Friday.  Tony got some more details before he hung up and told me the good news.  WHAT A BLESSING!!!  This is a very exciting opportunity for Tony, and I am so proud of him and how hard he has worked to get where he is.  We have had to be very patient, and it seems like that patience is paying off.  He moved up to level 14 and is now a "Master Production Technician."  It came with a little raise, so that is great for us so we don't feel like things are quite so tight.
So with our good news Tony decided to run by the Dairy and talk to his (old) boss to talk to him about the move.  We went and talked to a couple of his bosses there and they were all very excited for him.  They knew about the move before Tony did.  He told them that he would come in on Monday to get his things and say his good byes.
Then it was off to The Embassy Suites.  We checked in and decided to go straight to the hot tub.  Then we went and got ready to go to dinner.  We ended up at Wingers, where the service sucked, so they gave us our meal free.  Then we went back to the hotel to hang out...and stuff.
We tried to sleep in as much as we could, but by eight we were both wide awake.  So we went down and ate some yummy made to order breakfast that the hotel offered as part of our room.  It was pretty good.  After getting ready we went and did a little shopping.  We went places like the Distribution Center, Costco, RC Willey, and then went to The Red Iguana for lunch.  It was super yummy.  After we went and saw "The Switch" and the dollar theater.  It was an okay movie.  Worth the $1.50 each we spent.  Then we went back to the hotel to hang out and swim until it was dinner time.  We weren't too hungry around dinner time, so we decided to go to Chili's and share a dish.  After a nice dinner we headed to Smith's Marketplace for some ice cream.  We of course found other things there that we liked so that was fun.  Then back to the hotel to swim, eat the ice cream...and stuff.
Then this morning we woke up, ate breakfast, hung out and then got ready to check out and go to church.  We went to Tony's parents and helped get the boys ready and then we all went to Tony's parents ward for sacrament.  We went home after sacrament and Josh took a really good nap and I unpacked.
It was a really nice weekend and I am glad that we were able to do it.  I am glad that we got such good news to start off our nice weekend.  I am so lucky to have married Tony seven years ago.  He is an amazing husband and father.  We have a great marriage and I love him so much.  Here's to an eternity of more anniversaries.

Happy Veterans Day

This morning I called my brother to wish him a Happy Veteran's Day.  I told him that he was my favorite veteran.  He served in the Army reserves for many years and served a year fighting for our freedoms and the freedoms of other nations.  We talked about how both of our grandpa's were veterans and what they did for us in their day.  It was nice to think back on all my family members and Tony's family who have served or currently serving our country.  What amazing people we have in our lives to show us their amazing love for this country.  I too love this country and thank the Lord for the opportunity to live here.

Last night we had our ward "Tasters Table."  I think that it turned out really nice.  My committee members did a great job decorating and their was plenty of food.  We didn't get as many people as I thought that we would, but everyone who came said that they had a good time.  That is one of my favorite activities of the year, but I am glad that it is over.  Now I can start planning for next years activities...well, lets say start thinking about next years activities.

Yesterday morning I went into the doctors to have them check out a sore under my chin.  She said that she thought it was a type of Herpes that I had.  So, like a cold sore under my chin...way crazy place for that.  She gave my a prescription to help it and said that it could worsen into a boil.  So far it hasn't started looking like a boil (thank goodness) but it has really been itching today.  I still can't believe it.  Maybe I got it from the stress of the activity and waiting to hear about Tony's job.  I did get a cold sore at least once a transfer on my mission for stress, but always on the lips.  At least I have some medicine to help with any future cold sore break out.  Life is just full of funny stuff that happens to you...it's all about taking it in.

Interesting how life works

We still haven't heard about the job in Ogden.  Tony heard that they will have a decision made by the end of the week, so that is good that we have a more definite time line.  Tony had a phone interview with the manager of the cannery in Mesa.  If Tony doesn't get the Ogden job then he will want to get the Mesa job.  We don't really want to move out of Utah, but that might be what we have to do to get Tony into the position that he needs to be in.  I guess we will find out later this week.  I am having a hard time thinking about selling our house and moving to Mesa, but when you tell the Lord that you are willing to do whatever is necessary, that means that you are willing to move.  That is what we said, so we need to have the faith that whatever job Tony gets offered is where our family is suppose to be.

My ward is having our "Tasters Table" on Wednesday.  I am the Chair of the Activities committee for Relief Society, so I have been busy for the last little while.  I have all the recipes typed, copied, separated, and paper clipped.  On Wednesday morning my committee is coming over to get little gift bags ready to give out to the sister that night.  We are making caramel corn to put in bags with candy corn then a cute tie.  I hope that it all comes together.  This is my favorite activity of the year generally, so I hope I still feel this way now that I am in charge.  It has been a lot of work so far.

Tyler and Josh have been playing really cute together.  The other day (when the weather was wonderful for like a week) Tony found Josh and Tyler playing in the window well.  So cute.  Then last night Josh snuggled up to Tony while he was laying on the couch.  It was really cute too.  I thought that he would have moved when I went to get the camera, but he stayed and gave me a big smile.  I sure do love that kid, even though he screams a loud, high pitched scream ALL DAY LONG...it's loud!

Halloween - better late then never

Tyler as a cow boy with his horse, Pal.

My little Tigger and Cow Boy

We celebrated Halloween on Saturday this year, even though the actual Halloween day was on Sunday.  In the morning we got the boys dressed up and then we went to Macy's where they had some trick-or-treating through out the store with some other fun things.  So we did a little grocery shopping while the boys got some treats.
After we went to my sisters house and parents house to show them the boy's costumes and to trick-or-treat at their house.  My mom gave out little play dough this year and Tyler has already played with his.  It is a good idea if you don't have many trick-or-treaters that come to your house.

"Trick-Or-Treat"

Yummy neighbor candy

After that we went to Tony's parents house to do a little trick-or-treating.  It was fun to show off the boys in their cute costumes.  After we took the boys home and Josh took a little nap.  Then around 5:00 pm we ate some dinner and then started going to a couple of the neighbors houses before the ward Trunk-or-Treat.
We did about 4 houses when it started to rain.  So we ran and got our car to drive over to the church.  We all got out and did a little truck-or-treating, but then it was just too rainy so Tony and Josh waited in the car while I took Tyler around to the rest of the trunks.  I took him around pretty fast and skipped cars that had a line.  I am not about waiting in the rain for a little piece of candy.  After we got most the cars, we ran back to our car.  I tell you what, it was a good year to be a cow boy.  Tyler's hat kept him pretty dry, which is good because I pretty much stole his umbrella.

Waiting at the door - before the rain came

We then drove home.  I found our other umbrella and Tony took the boys to more houses while I stayed to pass out candy to the trick-or-treaters.  Tony just held Josh, but looking back he really should have taken him in the stroller.  It would have been tons easier.  With all the rain we just weren't thinking logically.  After they went up and down the street Tony brought Josh back and then Tyler and Tony went back out.  My sister Sherri came to visit and see the boys.  It was fun to chat with her while the boys were away.  Tony and Tyler weren't gone too much longer when they came back pretty wet and tired.  Well, Tyler was tired.  Tony wanted to keep going.  He probably should have taken Tyler in a stroller too.  They all had a good time and Tyler liked passing out the candy once he got home.  It was a really fun Halloween, even though it rained so much.

First big snow

Tyler making his snow angle

I woke up this morning to four gloriously beautiful inches of snow on the ground.  It was so beautiful.  It helped to know that I didn't have to go anywhere so I could just stay inside and look out my window.  Tyler was so excited to see all the snow and he wanted to play in it first thing.  I told him he had to wait until it got warmer.

Tyler making his first snow ball

Once I got Josh down for his nap, Tyler and I went outside to play in the snow.  Of course it took five minutes to get all his snow clothes on...then he said he had to go pee.  Luckily we bought him the snow pants and not the snow suit, so it wasn't too bad to take him to the bathroom.  The first thing Tyler did when we went outside was make a snow angle.  It was pretty cute to see him so happy in the snow.  He loved picking it up and throwing it at me - no real surprise there.  He really does love the snow and it was so much fun to play outside with him in it for a while.

Tyler happy as can be playing in the snow

Tyler and his HUGE snow ball, which he threw all over me

Tonight I got to go to dinner with a friend of mine from my ward.  Tony was so nice to not only stay home and watch our boys, but he watched my friends little girl too.  It was nice to get out of the house.  I have needed a break for a while.  I realized that I hadn't left the house without the children except to do my visit teaching since I lost my job.  Pretty lame.

We need to be better about having date nights and getting out.  Tony's mom is going to watch the boys for us Friday morning so that we can go to the temple.  It has been a long time since we have gone...shame on us for sure.  Any who...fun snow...fun dinner...generally a fun day.

Trip to St. George

I only got one picture from the whole trip and it is one Tyler took of Nana Great on my phone

Tony, the boys, and I went to St. George this past weekend with Tony's parents to help Tony's Grandparents with some stuff in the their new place.  We left Thursday after Tony's work and drove down.  Josh has decided that he isn't a huge fan of the car, so it was kind of a rough ride there.
That night we stayed at Tony's grandparents place on air mattresses in their front room.  It wasn't too bad, but Josh and Tyler were getting into everything.  They had lots of small breakable things around and that is exactly what the boys wanted to play with.  So I felt like I spent a lot of the weekend chasing after them and making sure that they didn't break anything.
After the first hectic night and the next day Tony and I decided to get a hotel room where they boys could play and we didn't have to worry so much.  Also Josh was such a loud screamer this weekend.  Well, he always is, but he scram a lot and loudly while we were in St. George.  Because he screams when he wants something or doesn't get his way, or he's really happy...so I think it was driving everyone crazy, especially Tony's grandparents.  They are way too nice to say anything, but I am sure that they were happy that we got a hotel room for the next couple of nights.
Tony's mom had a soft ball tournament Friday night and Saturday during the day, so we got to watch her play a little ball.  On Saturday we also went and visited my Aunt Connie and Uncle Jeff and my Grandpa Willis.  It was really nice to see them and chat with them for a while.  On Sunday we went to sacrament meeting and then headed home.  Josh did much better on the car ride home, so that was very good.  It was a fun trip, but honestly a very frustrating one.  Tyler for the most part did very good and I was very proud of him.  Josh is just at a very busy stage.  Tony's mom has talked a little about maybe taking us to California in March or May, so I think by then he will be tons better...at least I sure hope so!

Tony's Job Interview

Tony had a job interview for a lead position at the cannery in Ogden.  He said that he thought it went pretty good, so I guess we will see if he gets it.  He is one of the top three choices, so those are good odds.  There is another lead position that opened up in Mesa Arizona, so that is a possibility if he doesn't get the Ogden job.  We would really rather stay in Utah, but have both decided that if we need to move for Tony's work then we would be willing to relocate.
Ogden its self is pretty far away.  Tony said it took him an hour to get home from the interview.  So if he does get this job we would have to think about maybe moving closer to his work.  Defiantly not in Ogden, but somewhere near there.  I don't know.  Ideally I wouldn't want to move until Tony got a manager position so that we knew that he would be there for a while, but my ideal doesn't always happen.  I just know that we need to be willing to move and we will be blessed.  Isn't that a weird thing to think...but that is how we feel.  Maybe we will be blessed will our willingness to do what is necessary to serve the Lords church???
Maybe he won't get either of these jobs and we are back to waiting.  The guy over all the canneries in the church is Tony's old boss and really likes him, so we are hoping that he will do whatever is necessary to get Tony a lead position so that he can get trained for management.  Only time will tell.  We will try to remain humble and patient for when our time comes.

A weeks worth of thoughts

This has been kind of an exciting week.  Tony learned about a couple different job opportunities within the church that are coming available.  These positions would be a step up for Tony and the step that he needs before he could become a manager.  He has sent in his resume and even had a phone interview on Friday, so now we just have to wait and see how he did on the phone interview.  We also would like to hear about a regular interview too.  All things that make us excited about the future and maybe like we are finally getting blessed for our patience. 
We got out and did some yard work yesterday.  Trying to get it ready for the winter.  I never really know what to do with certain types of plants and flowers, so I just wing it.  Sometimes they come back, other times not.  Okay, most the time not.  I am not exactly the green thumb that I wish that I was.   Maybe some day I will learn how to have better looking flower beds, until then I will just settle with what I have.
Josh is doing really good.  Tony took him in on Friday and got the stitches out.  He didn't care for that part, but he actually did really good with them in and never played with them.  He is such a tough guy.  He really just loves playing outside.  I am so glad that we have a nice fenced in area for the boys to play.  Well worth the time and money to put that in.  I hope Josh doesn't have too hard of time with the winter.  Tyler, on the other hand, can't wait until it snows.  I got out his old coat and snow boots to see if by some miracle they still fit him so that I wouldn't have to buy new ones and they do - YEAH!  So now he likes to play in his hat, gloves, and snow boots around the house.  I love that kids can find enjoyment in the smallest things.
Josh has the loudest scream ever!  He doesn't just scream when he is mad or sad, but ALL THE TIME!!!  When he is happy, excited, wants attention, wants "something," anytime.  That is the way that he has chosen to communicate.  It is driving me nuts.  I just can't handle it sometimes.  I try to stay calm and say with a stern voice, "Joshua no" but it does nothing.  I find that I am loosing my temper a lot more lately because of the screaming.  I try so hard not to yell and to be patient, but it has been super duper hard these past couple of weeks.  I find that I have to remind my self that he is only 13 months and that I can't reason with him like I can Tyler.  I have gotten so used to being able to talk things out, that I forget that I can't do that with Josh.  That has been a hard adjustment from having a preschooler AND a toddler.  I need to work harder and being more patient...deal with the screaming...and just be better...

Trip to the fair...and the doctor

Tyler waiting in line for the bouncy house

Last night we went to Tony's parents Stake Fair.  It was lots of fun.  They had a bouncy house and a couple different blow up slides that Tyler really loved.  They also had soups and chili's for people to eat with plenty of yummy desserts to enjoy.  They also had cotton candy and pop corn machines.  Tyler got to go fishing for a prize and even won some pumpkin chocolate chip bread doing the cake walk.  Tyler could have played for hours, but Josh was getting fussy so we only stayed a couple of hours.  We went with Tony's dad and we all had a really good time.

Tyler at the top of the big slide getting ready to come down

Tyler coming down the slide while Tony and Josh behind

Tony and Josh waiting for Tyler to go in the bouncy house

After we came home I changed the boys into their new pajamas and while Josh was toddling around he got hurt.  He fell onto the hinge of the front door and got a pretty good sized cut on his eyebrow.  It looked pretty deep so Tony took him to the InstaCare that is close to our house.  While they were waiting a nurse came and put some numbing cream on his cut - he didn't like that at all but I am sure that was better then a numbing shot.  Then they took him back and the doctor ended up giving him three stitches.  So sad.  Tony said that he cried and cried the whole time.  I was so glad that it wasn't me there because I would have just sat and cried with him - since that is what I did when Tyler got his stitches.  At least this time it wasn't my fault, but it still isn't a very fun story to tell.  Hopefully his eyebrow will cover it and so it won't be very noticeable.  The hardest part about kids learning to walk is definitely all the bumps and bruises and cuts they get.  But I guess that is part of the job.