Sawyer's 2nd Birthday!

Trick or Treat!!

Fire dog (name courtesy of Cali)

Have you ever heard of this game? It is great fun. All you do is buy a pack of 15 glow sticks at Target ($1!), then you wait for dusk. After cracking the glow sticks you shove them under your dogs collar and then YELL "GO ENZO GO!!!!! and watch as your dog tears around the yard dropping the sticks one by one, then you say "On your mark, Get set...GO" and watch as your children run around and pick up the sticks. The person with the most sticks wins.
All this fun can be yours.... for only $1!!!!!

By a pricking of my thumbs....

October is here! that means that the long hot summer has gone (mostly) and it is time to start the holiday season!
I never realized how much I enjoyed Halloween until I had children. On September 30th I was told that it was time to decorate for Halloween . I dragged all the bins (6!) down and the kids and I spent the next 2 hours putting up the decorations. They had so much fun decorating. As a mother, I was so happy for their enthusiasm....as someone with a little bit of taste I was cringing as they decorated their way. There were place mats placed on the ground "Look, a perfect path!", and pumpkins spread willy nilly throughout the house. I bit my tongue and just told them how excellent it all looked. Then as they rested their weary bones I went and made it look a little more conventional....oh and I washed the place mats!

Deep Thoughts

When you park your car, facing down the driveway so you can hook up the trailer. After you ask your wife if the kids are all inside, you may want to check the front of your car. You never know when your Great Dane will decide that a great place to take a nap is in between the front tires of your car.

Sorry Enzo!

PS~ He is okay, just a little greasy from being on the bottom of the car.

Girls Getaway

I went to California with 6 of my friends last weekend. We had so much fun. the ocean was beautiful and the waves were great! We stayed up late talking and then slept in, we ate our way through San Diego and Orange County, yummy, yummy food.

It was really nice to reconnect to my female friends. It was also wonderful to miss my family and have them miss me and be able to come back all excited to be a wife and mom. Thanks Derek for taking such good care of our kids!

We had so much fun that I forgot to take a lot of pictures. But here are a few.

LOVED IT!!!!!!!!

Funny Blog

I know that I am probably the last person to see this blog, but I thought that it was pretty funny. This level of commitment to sarcasm is something that I admire.

http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/

Last of the summer photos

The Dark Knight

Derek and I went and saw the Dark Knight last night. It was a good movie but it did run a little long. Derek was so excited to see this movie, so off we went.
I don't know if this is just an AZ & UT thing, but I get so annoyed when Parents bring their young children to either really late shows in their pajamas, or to shows that are OBVIOUSLY not children shows. Last night a lady comes in with her 3 young children, I am guessing 6, 4 & 2. and of course they sit right in front of us.
So the movie starts and the children are really well behaved and then comes an objectionable part of the movie for young children (hence the rating) so this lady starts SNAPPING her fingers at her children to close their eyes. I am not even talking about a soft snap. this lady was wildly waving her arms and had the loudest SNAP! So this went on the entire show (2 hours and 37 min) Scary part... SNAP! Scary part... SNAP! REALLY!!?!?

Fun in Midway

4th Of July

More Midway Pics

I can't figure out how to get a lot of pictures in a post so I guess I am doing 2 posts.

MIDWAY!!

We have been up in Midway Utah for about 2 1/2 weeks now and we are having a great time. Derek has been traveling back and forth to AZ so he gets to be in the blazing heat for a little while. We have had so much fun here. The kids just run around and play outside all day. We have been fishing and hiking and we rode the lift at Sundance and hiked around. The first week we were here was a little strange, on Monday we went swimming and Tuesday morning we woke up to snow! After that the weather straightened out, but we had a scare. Cali went to bed on Thursday night completely fine. Friday morning she wakes up and cannot walk...I whisk her to Primary children's hospital and after 9 hours and an MRI the doctors said that since she had strep 10 days ago, that she caught what they called a secondary virus that went into her brain and swelled it a little causing the vertigo. To a mom this sounds terrifying, but the doctors said it was sort of common...go figure. Saturday morning she was a little unstable, but by evening she was back to 100%. You have to love all the excitement that children cause. Thank you so much Paula and Steve for letting us stay at the "Chalet". We absolutely love it up here!

THE HAIRCUT

Soren has had his hair long for awhile now and has always been really happy with it. Derek and I told him that whenever he wanted to cut it to let us know. So, on Sunday, Soren said that he wanted hair that he could spike up. So here are some before and after pictures. Derek did a lot and my SIL Liz did the last shaping part. Let me know what you think

Can you Dance?

In just one day one of the most fun reality shows starts. So You Think You Can Dance?!?!
Derek and I love this show. I don't love all the made up drama of most reality shows but this one is just talent. I love to watch the dancers perform their routines. On Thursday they start the audition stage and that is kind of like American Idol, there is a lot of talent but also just some horrible cringe-worthy dancers.
So check it out on Fox!

Summer Reading

I love books....seriously. As summer is beginning to start I thought That I would put out a list of my favorite summer reads. My criteria for a summer book is that it be easy enough to read while you are watching your kids at the pool or beach or park. I am in no way an expert but here are my recommends, in no particular order. The Stephine Plum Series hilarious, laugh out loud. Stephanie is an accidental bounty hunter, it is set in New Jersey so there is some language. James Patterson's Maximum Ride Series, these were written for teenagers and they are a fast read with no bad language at all. Dean Koontz Odd Thomas Series, these are a little dark and sort of creepy. I get really involved in books so I like to read scary ones during the day while it is sunny outside. Stephie Meyers vampire series is good as well, although I suspect everyone has already read them, I believe a new one is coming out in August. Thomas Perry Vanishing Act & Shadow Woman, Heroine is Jane whitfield a lady who helps people in danger disappear. Bill Bryson, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, a memoir of growing up in the 50's, another laugh out loud book.

I am sure that there are many more that I have not named. When I think of them I will add them to the list. If you have a suggestion please let me know. I am always on the lookout for great books.

Celebrity look- alikes??

A rose by any other name

Cali had her 4th birthday party yesterday. She wanted a flower party. The day of the party I had the girls decorate flower pots with stickers and glitter glue and gems. They played games and had a pinata and cupcakes. I completely stole the flower cupcake idea from my sis-in-law Julie....but otherwise the ideas were mine. I think they had fun...Cali was definitely exhausted by the end of the day.

Happy Birthday Cali!!!

Today Cali turned 4!! She has been such a wonderful joy. She has such excitement for life, she always wakes up with a smile and hits the ground running. Her tremendous energy and creativity are so fun to watch (and exhausting to participate in).
Thank you for all your hugs and for always saying that we will be friends forever. I love you !!!

ALOHA!!!

Well, We are back from Hawaii and trying to get back into the swing of normal life, We had no problem living the "aloha life".
We packed up the kids and got on the airplane for the wonderful 6 hour flight over. We landed and were met by Lala and Papa, the kids (big and small) were so excited to see them. After that it was just a week of fun crazy chaos in the sun. We swam and snorkeled from 8 in the morning until 6 at night and the after the kids were asleep, Derek and I would force everyone to play cards until 11:00 (2:00 AZ time).
It was so much fun to visit with Paula and Steve and to see how much they are enjoying their mission, Derek got to go out with Steve to go check on mission housing and he came back very grateful for our living conditions.
I would have posted some wonderfully moving, funny, adorable pictures of our trip at this point but some jackhole stole my camera....so whatcha gonna do?
Aloha and Mahalo!

Tag You're it!

For Soren's birthday all he wanted was to play Laser Tag. So we booked a party at Stratum Laser tag and Soren and 10 buddies went to town. At first they were all a little skeptical of the loud music, dark room and crazy paintings on the wall. They were so funny, they all just ran around me shooting each other and never venturing past 6 feet away from me.

After awhile they gathered their collective courage and started exploring. Everyone had a great time and it was very entertaining to watch.

I am so glad that I followed through with this party. Soren had a great time and I think his friends did as well.

Happy 35th Birthday!!!!

Today is Derek's birthday. We had a very relaxing Sunday, listening to conference and then going for a picnic in the park.

I want Derek to know that I am so happy to be married to him. I could not ask for a more loving or thoughtful husband. Derek is such a wonderful father to our three children, He always makes time to play with them and is very supportive in the things they like to do.

Thank you honey for being my rock and for loving me.

I LOVE YOU.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOREN!!!!!

Today is Soren's 6th birthday! He has been such a joy. Derek and I are thrilled everyday that we get to have such a sweet spirit in our house.
Soren is a wonderful helper and a loving big brother. Cali and Sawyer look up to him and he has never let them down. Derek is happy that he has someone to play video games and go camping with.
I am so proud of Soren. He is a tough boy, but he still needs my hugs and kisses, and that just melts my heart.
I hope that your birthday is wonderful.
WE LOVE YOU!!!

So Funny

Spring is in the "ACHOOO"....Air!

"Sniff" Phoenix had a plethora of rain this winter so this spring we have been treated to "Ahchoo"...lots and lots of Flowers. up where we live the landscape is awash in yellow brittle brush "ahchoo"... while it is very pretty right now I am suffering with major seasonal allergies "sniff"..Also, I know that in a couple of weeks all this beauty with be brown nasty weeds. So I am trying to enjoy it while it is here....just from the safety of my house and car! "Ahchoo...ahchoo"!!!

Easter 2008

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!

We had a fun photo shoot for Easter. My sister in law Liz, bought baby chicks and made some fun props. The kids had a great time, Sawyer was alternately enthralled and terrified of the chicks.
We hope that you all have a wonderful Easter and remember all that Jesus suffered for us and his glorious resurrection.
Happy Easter!!

March Madness!!

This month has been super busy (I don't really have anything to show for it but trust me). Anyway, We have had a lot of birthday's and I just wanted to wish every on a Happy Birthday... so here goes. "Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Emi, Oliver,Brig, Brayden, Eve, Jake and David...Happy Birthday to you!!

He walks!!!

Sawyer is 15 months and I was wondering if he was ever going to walk then, when we went to Las Vegas, I said Sawyer lets start walking. Apparently he agreed because he just stood up and started walking around the hotel room. He is having so much fun with his brother and sister. He thinks he is such a BIG kid. I am pretty sure he is our last and so I am a little bittersweet about him losing something from his babyhood, but he is such a joy.

On the road AGAIN!!!

So, I have a husband that loves road trips. Somehow I got badgered into going on another trip. So we packed up the kids and drove to Las Vegas, or "The Vegas" as Soren calls it. We had fun once we got there. We took the kids to Mandalay Bay to see the aquarium which was really amazing. Then we went to Excalibur, which is not my favorite place but it is a castle with knights so the kids were excited. The next day we drove up to midway to the "snow house" there was about 3 feet of snow on the ground and it snowed another 6 inches while we were there. We had a great time, Derek and Soren went skiing, we hung out with my brother and his family and we just enjoyed ourselves (Thanks Lala and Papa!). We stopped at Vegas on the way down where I was given a wonderful gift to go and get an amazing massage at the Canyon Ranch and Spa....so nice.

I dread the going on road trips but I love it when we arrive at our destination and I get to see how happy my kids (and husband) are to be some place new. When we are all home and settled I remember all the fun we had and mostly forget all the annoying things that I hate about road trips....mostly...until the next trip anyway!

Why I prefer to go grocery shopping alone

So, Derek had gone to his brother, the dentist to get his teeth looked at and I needed to go to the grocery store. I figured that since I just needed to pick up some dog food and diapers that it should be fairly quick and that taking Cali and Sawyer (Soren was at a friends house) should not be that hard.
On the way there Cali asked if she could get a donut. I, being the kind mother I am said yes she could. We walk into Albertsons and Cali begs me to get the cart that has the extended seats in it. I hate that cart, it is sooo long and not manueverable at all, anyway, I am a sucker so I say fine climb in. I buckle Sawyer into the baby seat at the front and off we go. about 1 minute into the store Sawyer starts to cry, really hard. This is pretty unusual so I go over to see what is wrong and I notice that he had pulled his leg out of the opening and had somehow jammed his foot into a side slot. His foot is in there so tight that I cannot move it up or down or side to side. I have no idea how he did this. Anyway, he is screaming louder and louder, a nice lady tries to help but his foot is not budging. Finally I get an idea to get some vegatable oil and put it in his leg. Of course the vegetable oil is on the other side of the store.
So, off go holding onto Sawyer who is screaming bloody murder, I am trying to manuver that stupid cart, because I am now on the side and as we go on our way to get the vegetable oil.... we pass the donuts. "Mom what about my donut" asked Cali. " "in a sceond" I reply. Apperantly this was not the answer Cali was looking for because she then proceeded to start screaming. So, now I am careening down the aisle in a barely controled shopping cart with a screaming baby and a 3 year old who is pitching a fit.
Finally I get to the baking aisle and grab the oil. I smear it all over Sawyer's foot and leg and voila! out it pops. I spin the cart around and race back to the donuts and grab 1 for Cali and 1 for Sawyer. Things calmed down after that but whew!!! I am definetly not going grocery shopping with those two anytime soon.

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Blue

You're blue — the most soothing shade of the spectrum. The color of a clear summer sky or a deep, reflective ocean, blue has traditionally symbolized trust, solitude, and loyalty. Most likely a thoughtful person who values spending some time on your own, you'd rather connect deeply with a few people than have a bunch of slight acquaintances. Luckily, making close friends isn't that hard, since people are naturally attracted to you — they're soothed by your calming presence. Cool and collected, you rarely overreact. Instead, you think things through before coming to a decision. That level-headed, thoughtful approach to life is patently blue — and patently you!

What are you? http://web.tickle.com/rd/50651/color/index.jsp?testname=colorogt&resultid=E

Princess Wishes

Cali and I along with her Aunt Liz and 3 cousins got to go see Disney on Ice Princesses Wishes. The girls got all dressed up in their Barbie Island Princess outfit and off we went. Cali had been so excited all week long. Se kept asking to go and see the princesses, I tried to explain that they were not here yet but she did not accept this explanation. Finally I told her they were on an airplane. "A red and blue one?"She asked. I answered to the affirmative and she understood that. Cali kept busy by trying on every dress she had and diffierent jewelry and tiara's to get just the right combination. It is so much fun to be a mom to such a spunky little girl.

Going back to Cali

We took the family to California over MLK weekend. We had so much fun. California is by far my favorite place...one day I will live there.

Sawyer and the Big Blue

We took the kids to California this weekend. We stopped at San Clemente Beach to let the kids play. Sawyer had the best time ever. This water was a chilly 60 degrees and he could not get enough of charging the waves. He was a shivering little blue thing at the end and when I took him out to dry him off and change his clothes, he was furious. All of our kids are such water babies, it makes it so much fun for me and Derek.

Snowy Fun

Christmas 2007

Christmas was a wonderful day. We got woken up around 7:oo by Soren yelling that Santa had come. Derek and I hurriedly got dressed and came out. By the time that we had gotten there Soren had unwrapped all but 1 of his presents that had been so lovingly (and laboriously) wrapped by Santa's little helper, who had sat there imagining the joy she would see on her oldest child's face as he carefully unwrapped his Christmas presents one at a time, and exclaimed how perfect each one was and that Santa had insight into his deepest present desires.

After that we went and woke up Cali and Sawyer and it went a lot smoother. There was a lot of unwrapping and yelling thanks to Santa out the window, our neighbors were probably trying to figure that one out! We spent the day in our PJ's and ate lots of junk food. We went to Derek's aunt's for a family Christmas party that night. It was wonderful to catch up with all of his cousins. It was a pretty perfect Day!

Techno Genius

Sawyer is my one year old baby. I know that most babies are intrigued by cell phones and remotes, but Sawyer is OBSESSED!
So far these are a few of the things that Sawyer has accomplished. He has called 9-1-1. The police came out (sorry Officer). He has sent a video text message from Derek's phone to mine. He has reset my wallpaper on the front of my cell phone (from a picture HE took), recorded TV shows. On Christmas... and I am not lying, he turned on the TV and changed the channel to BYU Christmas music. Also, He has called a nice old lady at midnight on Derek's phone. When we were flying home the other day, he was a perfect angel until the poor lady sitting next to us took out her cell phone and computer. It was like I was holding a wild tiger, he was trying so hard to get over to her and get on her computer.
It will be very interesting to see what happens next!