Friday, March 30, 2012

Tony's Newest Endeavor

Tony was selected to be trained in CAMS (computer-aided measurement). The one day he was going to be asked was the one day he had to take a sick day and they had to select someone else. Another opportunity came up and Tony was selected--he is a hard worker. So he is being trained even today. He's excited for the opportunity to learn a new skill and we're grateful that his hard work ethic is acknowledged. Here's a brief (dated) article that kind of explains what he'll be doing. CAMS

Where Was My Camera?

The boys and I spent the evening and day with some of our dear friends. They live an hour and 20 minutes away now and so we decided that it would be fun to spend the night there too so we could have lots of fun. I really wish I'd had my camera. The boys had fun playing and I got to spend time with a darling baby girl. This is the family that took care of my Max when I worked for the state. It's fun to spend time with wonderful friends. Also, I got to visit the girl that I'm a CASA for. She's about to finally move to an adoptive home in Oregon. She's had lots of visits there but the state-to-state paperwork took a long time. I'm hoping and praying that this becomes her forever home because this cute girl has had so much change and disruption in her short life.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Lovely Memory

Leaving the house today, Ryan face-planted on the driveway. Luckily he caught himself and there was no blood but he did the scared cry. Max immediately went over to help him up before mom even got to him. After Ryan was all better, Max said, "That's why Jesus made big brothers; so they could be there when their little brothers fall". Yes, Max. And Jesus is our big brother who is always there when we fall. I love my boys.

Baby Boy Epps Makes His Debut!

Seven Weeks Old!!! 10/28/11
From March 2012


19 Weeks Old!!! 1/16/2012
See his profile? His cute little nose?
From March 2012


23 Weeks Old!!! 2/22/12
And a good shot of his spine.
From March 2012


They couldn't see quite everything at 19 weeks so we had to have another go. They were able to see that he was a boy so we didn't have to wait for that, thank goodness!
Now, mama's feeling good, baby's doing great and hopefully we won't need another ultrasound because he will come earlier than his brothers did and everything with the pregnancy will go well! That's what we're praying for! June 7th (or 17th knowing my late arrivals) can't come soon enough! Can't wait to meet you son!

Max's School Picture

The school year is nearing an end so I thought it would be fun to post Max's preschool pictures.
Handsome boy!
From March 2012

And the class with Mrs. McKinley
From March 2012

Monday, March 26, 2012

First Trip of the Year to Coulon Park!

Max had preschool this morning and Ryan got to go to storytime at the library with mom and grandma! This afternoon since it was dry, we had to go to the park! We have a great park in Renton, well there's several, but this is a favorite.
We even had sunshine! See those shadows!
From March 2012

From March 2012

From March 2012

Here are a couple of pictures of these boys following in their dad's footsteps and "offroading"! They loved going over the bump where the sidewalk met the beach.
From March 2012

From March 2012

Then a bubble bath and a test of Grandma's literacy! She passed the test! Usually Grandpa Dan reads stories but it's fun to hear from Grandma too!
From March 2012

Saturday, March 24, 2012

An afternoon at Greenlake!

The sun was shining on us as we met up with cousin-friends, Becky and Ben. We're very excited for their upcoming wedding and we're glad we got to spend time with the busy couple.
It was so nice to talk and stroll around the beautiful Green Lake.
From March 2012

We also visited the Ballard Locks. We need to go back in August to see the salmon climbing the ladder, but it was fun to just be outside and watch the boats.
From March 2012

From March 2012

Trike-A-Thon

Max's school held a trike-a-thon to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Center. Mike was a happy boy zooming around the track. Ryan liked putting along until it got too cold. Grandma Pearl was more than happy to take Ryan inside to play. :)
From March 2012

From March 2012

From March 2012

From March 2012

The Boys' Digs

The boys' room is completed. We just needed the finishing touch--a poster from the Museum of Flight. Tony installed a chair rail and base boards. We pained the bottom portion navy blue and white on the top. And there's definitely an aviation theme going on.
As you come in
From March 2012

Love this poster that I mounted on a painted MDF board and modge podged.
From March 2012

Another view
From March 2012

Above the bed.
From March 2012

The kitchen with B-17s looming overhead.
From March 2012

A more complete look.
From March 2012

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Best Day Ever!!!!!

At least that's what Max exclaimed at least 3 times. What makes it the best ever you ask? Well, a trip to the Museum of Flight of course, these are Tony Epperson kids, what else?
Grandma Pearl and the boys in front of a P-40 Warhawk
From March 2012

And a new favorite is the Corsair.
From March 2012

Looking at WWII model planes.
From March 2012

Max wore his NASA flight suit so we had to do a photo op.
From March 2012

In front of the cockpit of an Airforce One (707).
From March 2012

The president and the first lady coming off the Airforce One.
From March 2012

Max's first flight simulator! So excited!
From March 2012

Showing off a new button.
From March 2012

The Gee Bee in the background is part of Tony's and my love story. It's true, and it's my favorite airplane because of it.
From March 2012

Tony and Ryan in the front airplane and Max as their wingman!
From March 2012

So Max deemed it the best day ever and I'd rate it as pretty high too, because my parents let me run off for a few hours with a good friend for shopping and dinner! They got grandkid time and I got free time without paying for a baby-sitter! :) And it's beginning to look a lot like spring!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

A Glance at the Past

I'm sure there is a better way to organize family history than randomly on my blog, but this is how it goes...

My great-great grandfather, James Harvey Heath joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when he lived in Mississippi. He later moved to Nauvoo where he helped work on the temple. He also crossed the plains to help settle several areas in Utah, one being Wayne County, specifically Bicknell.

My grandfather, Merlin Earnest Heath rode a bicycle to Delta, Utah to find work. He found work on the farm of my grandmother's foster family. They fell in love and were married. Later, due to her health, they moved to the warmer climate of San Bernadino, CA where they raised their family. Merlin Earnest died when my mom was 4 1/2. He'd had Rheumatic fever when he was a child and that affected his heart. Edith Marie and Merlin Earnest had 6 children together before he died.

Here is their wedding picture:
From Because Life Should Never Be Ordinary

And a picture with just their oldest, Uncle Frank.
From Because Life Should Never Be Ordinary

And more of the family--Uncle Frank, Uncle Charles, Uncle Leo and Aunt Mary.
From Because Life Should Never Be Ordinary

And here is my Aunt Mary and my mom (mom's on the right).
From Because Life Should Never Be Ordinary

My mom's working on her life history so far and she's going to give me copies of more of my grandparent's histories. I can't wait.

Outside!!!

What a great word! I'm feeling great again and the rain stopped so out we went. Grandma Pearl even braved the chill to watch her grandkids play ; )
From March 2012

Ryan's zooming down the big slides now which is different than last year.
From March 2012

Look how high I am!
From March 2012

Me too!
From March 2012

Irish Fun and Good ol' Bonding

On St. Patrick's Day and tricky leprechaun came to our house and died the milk and toilet water green. He even left some candy in the boys' shoes.
From March 2012

Check out these funny boys watching their dad change the oil.
From March 2012

And my parents came to visit! Grandpa Dan is great about reading stories to the boys.
From March 2012

Here are some examples of what we did at our St. Patrick's Day joy school party.
From March 2012

We also went on a shamrock treasure hunt after we learned the colors of the rainbow. That afternoon, Max kept having me hide them again so he could look for them in the correct order. Funny boy.
From March 2012

Max on the hunt.
From March 2012

Friday, March 16, 2012

What We Have Been Up To...

lately, we've been trying to overcome being sick which has lasted too long. I've felt better then worse and so on. Now I think we're officially done being sick and hopefully I'm not jinxing myself. We've had Tony home some of the mornings since he's on a 3 week break between quarters at school. Wahoo! What this means is that he's packing in the appointments to get things done though. He's becoming friendly with the dentist (finally finishing the implants, crowns that complete all the post-accident dental work--our bank account is depressed) and the orthopedic surgeon (lots of ankle pain, all his cartilage is gone--we're still not sure what's going to happen with that).

I am now 28 weeks along with the pregnancy! Happy Dance! Third Trimester!

The boys have been troopers with mom not feeling good. Here they are playing with a little race track I made.
From March 2012

From March 2012

Tony and I did some major spring cleaning today. I'm so glad to feel good enough to be productive! We're going to finish the boys' room tomorrow (floor boards and wall decor).