Only in Philly!!!

Okay, only in Philly can you get a parking ticket when you don't even live there. Yes...that's right. We got a letter a week ago saying that they were going to send us to collections if we didn't pay the 2 (that's right 2) tickets we received in January of this year...WHAT! As most of you know we have been in Las Vegas (with new plates mind you since September). We tried to explain this to them, but being the great customer service agents that Philly is known for, they didn't care. I told them that we don't have those plates and they were turned into the DMV here but we had to get a notarized letter stating our situation as well as copies of our current registration here...nuts! We have done so and are waiting to hear what happens. The craziest part is that is was on our plates that we had in Philly but the DMV in Vegas said that they don't send them back...they destroy them. My real question is how someone got our plate number and used it in Philly...foul play in the DMV...shocker...not really!
I know I haven't written FOREVER & have tons of updates and pictures that will probably never get posted. But I will try to be better (especially once we have our own home and I feel like my life is more normal...although this is becoming normal...yikes). We are all well and the boys are great and growing. We miss Philly, contrary to this vent about the parking authority, but are adjusting to Vegas. I'll try to get pictures fairly soon of the boys at least. This story was just so funny/crazy that I had to let my Philly fam/friends know.

Zea's finally potty-trained!!!

Besides this just being an awesome picture of Zea (boots, goldfish, hat, 2 shirts and no pants); what you don't see is that he is wearing "big boy underwear". Of course he decided he could be potty-trained 5 days before we were supposed to leave for vacation for 2 weeks to California (without Brett by the way) but he did great, contrary to the picture where he had an accident. But in his defense, we were at the park and there were no bathrooms. He has truly learned to enjoy going outside. In fact, if we are at the park I have had to re-train him to tell me instead of me turning around and finding him squatting in the middle of a playground (jungle gym and all). He is so funny about it that I don't even know what to say. He is still a little nervous about going "#2", so, I must accompany him on those trips (which he holds out for about every 2-3 days). I know more info than you wanted. But I am proud of him and how great he is at it. It was a harder push than with Taft to start but once he figured it out he has been awesome. A major accomplishment in the Clayton household. ps. vacation pictures or coming.

Zea in a Nutshell

Here is Zea wearing the snow boots he has been wearing since it snowed here in December. He wears the EVERYWHERE except church (only because I won't let him). Doesn't matter the weather (as you can tell with the shorts and short sleeve shirt) or what we are doing (park, library, store...you name it). The face is pretty classic now a days as well!


This is a leash we found in the garage the other day. It is a long rope with a clip on both ends that he hooks to everything in the house. It is rather cool, actually. My favorite is when he hooks things to it and goes "fishing" over the landing from the first floor to the second. He really is very creative and inventive. What a fun boy to have in our family. Certainly keeps things interesting. I sure love him!

Zea's artistic ability

After telling him 'No' numerous times to not play with our camera; he snatched it right when I walked out of the room and took as many pictures as he could. He really didn't have much time before I was back and he was in trouble but when I looked at what he shot I have to admit I was pretty impressed. Everything was pretty focused and centered and he knew what he was aiming at. These are his parents love birds.

This is "Lilly" the family dog, not mine...his parents! She is a great dog though, just smelly!

The fireplace.

The pantry. Nathan, but a nice shot of the room as well. My talented son at work. Who knows...maybe he has a future with National Geographics...that would actually fit his personality quite well.

New tooth/Old tooth

We finally got a pictures of Nathan's first tooth. He got is just under a month ago but we finally got a picture of it.

Taft on the other hand just lost his first tooth, tonight. We tried before but it wasn't ready. He was freaked to try again but it was just hanging there, so, after bribing him with money, stickers for his sticker chart and then the winner...an hour on the Wii tomorrow (why I didn't think of that first I don't know) he consented to let us try. One quick pull and that baby was out. He was so excited and even more excited because it didn't hurt "at all"! Pretty exciting night in the Clayton household...now we just need them to calm down so they can go to sleep.

Here is the cutie with the new hole in his mouth. He is so excited!!!! We also have this really cute tiny treasure chest from some their action figures (thanks again Aunt Julie) that we are using to store his tooth for the tooth fairy...pretty cool to use a pirate treasure chest if you ask me. Now the big question...how much do tooth fairies pay nowadays...? I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

Guy's Ski Trip

Brett, his Dad, and two of his brothers (Shane & Justin) along with Shane's 2 oldest girls (who can already ski) were gone for 3 days after Christmas for a ski trip up to Brianhead, Utah. They had a GREAT time together and are really looking forward to going again some time this year (except Justin who lives in Texas...sorry Justin). We missed Dad but I was really excited for him to have this time with the guys.

This is Brett with his twin, Justin...isn't it obvious. ;0)

Brett, Justin, and Shane (who looks more like his brothers twin).

Boys update

Taft is loosing his first tooth...crazy! We tried to take it out during dinner because he was complaining about not being able to eat but it was to traumatic so we quite and will either try again later or just let it come out on his own...I just hope he doesn't choke on it during the night or swallow it.

Our awesome Aunt Julie and Uncle Mike sent the boys a Batman and Siperman outfit for their Build-a-Bears (that they also got for them). The boys LOVED them, except for the mask on Zea's. He liked it at first but then decided it was too much for him and preferred his bear without it. I think it was a bit scary for him. Taft on the other hand has renamed his bear from "Webber" to "Batbear" (at least while in costume, which has yet to be removed).

Taft in a nutshell right now. He LOVES video games on the computer. It makes me nervous how quickly he picks up on how to work the internet and how to play these games. He is one smart kid. That and I am one slow Mom when it comes to the computer/internet which many of you could attest for.

Now this is sad. Zea feel asleep in the car. We were trying to get him to wake up so he would still take a nap, so, we had him walk in the house. Only to come around the corner and find him asleep on the stairs like this. It didn't last long but was pretty funny/sad regardless. I am just glad the camera was downstairs so I could catch a picture of it.

Playdough time with Dad. Let's be honest...they are both really into it...I love that I married a man as young at heart as I am (in the good ways that is). Zea was showing me the two playdough circles that he made if you didn't pick up on that in the picture.

Nathan is always so happy when he sees you after his naps. I heard him playing around in his crib, so, I grabbed the camera and caught the adorable look on his face when he finally sees you and knows you are going to be picking him up. He does get pretty ticked if you look at him and then walk away...understandably so.

Yes...I was doing dishes and didn't notice how quiet he had become until I turned around and he was out cold. It was so cute and sad at the same time.

He loves his Daddy and his Daddy is quite the sucker for him as well. I caught them while that were hanging out in the morning. Pretty cute!

This is a picture of him with his cousin, Collin, who was born 3 days earlier than him and to top it off it is the son of Brett's twin, Justin. Pretty cool huh!

He is just so cute! I just love that smile. He makes the whole family happy when he looks at us like this. What a blessing to have this little man in our family.

Christmas update...Okay, I know I am really late on this one but here you go!

4 of the 6 brothers came over for Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful dinner and then, of course, the Nativity. They went all out this year with homemade costumes (thanks Merrily and Jenn) and even added Samuel the Lamanite (from the Book of Mormon) which I wouldn't suggest because the kids totally lost focus when they got to throw rocks (ball of foil) at Samuel (uncle Shane). It was fun regardless and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Here is one of the few attempts made to capture all of the grandchildren together at once.

Santa came and visited on Christmas eve as well giving all the children one of their presents for the season. He was going to have a busy night so he stopped by early (so cool). Everyone was SO excited and taken back at the same time. ;0)

To top off the night, Zea ended up with strep throat. He was up all night (as were we) and was pretty miserable for a couple of days. Needless to say that Christmas day was a bit more relaxed and we ended up having Christmas dinner with the family a few days later instead.

Zea got a really cool helicopter that he loved and was so into that he wouldn't look up for the picture (that says a lot for Zea). Well, that and he was feeling pretty cruddy with the strep throat and all...poor guy!

Taft LOVED his 'human torch' costume in case you couldn't tell. I thought it was pretty fun to watch him. He has no idea where it comes from he just really thought it was cool to be a "flame man" and wanted it for Halloween, so, after Halloween sales we picked it up and I am pretty sure you will see it again in October. ;0)

Nathan was pretty excited about his one of two presents (the other a teether). He enjoyed having the guys pop up at him....he is so cute!!! Thanks for the present Grandma & Grandpa.

Okay, so, I think Brett was the most excited this year of all. He and all his brothers got these crazy Nerf guns for Christmas. This is a picture of him and his twin, Justin. They opened them together and I swear they were both 12 again...pretty cute I must say!!!

Turn of events

Okay, so besides being sick for another week (I hope this doesn't become a yearly thing for me) things have been good. We have had a turn of events though. Brett is still working for the Orthopedic surgeon part-time but they aren't giving him anymore hours right now. We need a full-time job. Well, a week ago his "part-time" job with EmCare (the ER company...they hire out contracted P.A.'s to 5 different ER's). He was going to work 1-4 shifts a month. They told him that they have lost 3 full-time P.A.'s and they want to hire him but they first want him to work full time shifts for a month or two before they actually hire him...fine with us! He will still get the hours and work just not the benefits until he hired as full-time. By then we will know what is really happening with the Ortho group and will have a full time & part time job until then. Although that won't start until March we are so grateful that, once again, the Lord is making this work out for us. He did say to be patient and we have had to be but now that it is starting it is all coming together. He did his orientation for the ER yesterday and really enjoyed it. He said it was a lot more orgainzed and clean then the one he worked at in Philly...what a shocker! ;0) That was a hospital right in the middle of a horrible area that was overworked and run down. If you have lived there you would know what I am talking about. They have some of the best hospitals around and some...not so much. I love Philly but that didn't surprise me...it did Brett a little which I thought was funny. I guess he just felt that all hospitals should be fairly similar in those things. Anyhow...it has been another turn but a good one. Not to mention that the ER job pays more...always a bonus. We really have been so blessed!!

Brett's First Post: Ode to Angie

So how does this thing work anyway. Is this thing on... hello? I just wanted to say how grateful I am for all of Angie's hardwork. She really is such an unsung hero, as all of you wives and mothers out there are. All through school and then moving and starting a new "I can't hide behind the cover of a student" life has been a big, hard transition, and Angie took the brunt of it. Being at home and waiting to start working these past five months has emphasized that so much more. You're awesome Babe. We could never have done it without you. Do you know what my favorite part of my first day of work was? Walking in the door at the end of the day and seeing you and the boys, and feeling the warmth, love, and spirit in our home. That feeling coming home is proof of how hard you have worked to build a home we have always hoped to have for our family--and you are doing it. So to Angie, and all the other unsung hero mothers and wifes, good job. You guys rule. You make the world go 'round, and without you, where would we all be? We owe it to our mothers, and our children owe it to you. Oh, and us husbands owe it to you to. We're pretty lucky. On the lighter side, here's my favorite proof of her hard work.

I love you Honey. I couldn't ask for a more perfect wife and friend. You're hot. Especially at 6 'o clock in the morning. Brett

update!

We finally have the news that we have been waiting to say. Brett got his first official job. He was hired a while ago (very part-time...1-3 shifts a month) with a company that contracts out P.A's in ER around here but he hasn't started that yet because you need a separate license (credentials) for each hospital that you want to work in. That should be starting in February. This is the real job. He was hired by a Orthopedic surgeon named Dr. Seip. This is Brett's first pick as an occupation, so, we are pretty thrilled. He is starting out part-time because until he gets credentialed he can't assist in surgery so he will only be working on clinic days but then he will go to full-time and they are starting him out with benefits as a full-time employee anyhow. It is only 4 miles away and we are thrilled. He was supposed to start on Monday but he went today (Friday) to sign some papers and Dr. Seip has him start working for a few hours while he was there. He is a very nice doctor and well respected. He has been working for about 30 years and will be a great doctor for Brett to learn from. We feel so blessed to find such a great job in a field that Brett loves, so close to home, and with a great doctor. We have truly felt the Lords hands working in our behalf all this time. We are so grateful!
Other updates...Nathan is now in 9-12 month clothes (12 month in his zip-up jammies), sits up and has his first tooth. He still smiles all the time and lights up the day for everyone.
Zea is still full of energy and opinions. He is very loving and very funny. He loves trains still but now is into hot wheels also. He started his first day in primary on Sunday and is not a fan. He doesn't want to be "a big boy...I want to be a little boy and go to little boy class". That is the same feeling he has about being potty trained...yes, we are still trying. I am waiting for him to show more interest before I really get after him but I am starting to wonder if that will ever happen. Time will tell. At least he should be potty trained by the time he started kindergarten. ;0)
Taft is taller (he looks like some 6 year olds). He loves Nathan and is very good to him. He loves his hot wheels but his passion is video games. It is scary how well he can do them. He taught himself (by watching closely...not being shown) how to get on the computer and go to the miniclip video games website. We have had to put a password on all the computers because he kept getting caught sneaking on them. He is a great boy and very smart. I am not looking forward to him starting kindergarten in the fall. Glad I still have some time.
That should do it for now. I will get some Christmas pictures out here soon but wanted to let you all know about the job. Thanks for those who have asked and for the prayers. We feel it is working out as it should.