Bikers and Princesses

11 months later....

2010-11-25T21:19:00.004-07:00

Wow!!! It's been a very long time since I have blogged! Bad on me! 11 months ago today was my last post! Things have been quite crazy. I have NOT been out with my camera nearly enough this year. But I am going to go back and back track a bit from what is in my photo files. I think this will be a totally sparse year. But anything you read for 2010 will be a new post :) Enjoy if you will... Don't if you don't :)

PS... since it's winter time once again... I am not going to change my header pics yet! lol!!!

Our Trip to Salmon, Idaho

2010-05-05T22:49:00.002-06:00

I loved this trip! Actually it was 2 trips within 5 days of each other. My friend from work is from Salmon. Her mother was very ill. I went up there to take pictures of the family as they were having a reunion of sorts as the doctors had given her a matter of weeks to live.

As we were getting ready for this trip, Dallin asked me how long this drive was going to take. I told him 5 hours. Immediately he responded, "THAT'S 300 minutes, mom!!!!!" I said to him, "That's close buddy... It's 250 minutes." This response got a look from Scott that was pretty self explanatory! He said to me, "How many minutes are in an hour?" I responded, "60". Thinking to myself, "what a dope!" He said, "And HOW many hours are you driving?" I said, "5. Oh... ya buddy, you are right! It IS 300 minutes!" I guess I am NOT smarter than a kindergartner!

So this is what our car looked like while entertaining 2 children on a 300 minute drive!

Mud Lake! It's so tiny!

No... I absolutely was NOT photographing anything while driving. Honest...

Or - not... :)

This was the coolest door when we were almost to Salmon. We had to take a potty break after a LOT of miles of just the above picture around us. So this was the place to stop (well, across the street was).

My friend's sister lives on Lovers Lane... heheheeeeee I thought it was a pretty great name!

I don't remember if I knew this or not. It was a cool little bit of info :)

During the trip my friend and her husband took us out to show us Salmon. And what should we come up on... But this....

Is that a Mercedes???? With antlers on top??? Oh MERCY!

I haven't laughed this hard in a VERY long time!!!!!

And this very cool caterpillar! Entertained the children for a good long time!

I am wondering if Maggie will forever have this desire to eat dirt. I mean it hasn't killed her yet. And I am sure she has built up some serious immunities with all the bacteria she has ingested.

Dallin loved throwing rocks into the river.

We saw some people floating down the river. I was hoping to go there for the 4th of July to float with my friends! I thought that would be just awesome!

This was a funny site to me.

I think kids are hilarious! "I'm not tired! I'm not tired!" Yet this is what happens after they play hard and have a car ride home!

This is one of the photos I took of my dear friend, her sisters and her mother.

Turned out that she went into a coma the very next day. So the next weekend I went back up without the kids for the funeral...

This is a very cool windmill that I passed a few times :)

And I had to leave after work on Sunday, so I got to see an AMAZING sunset on my way there.

We did take an afternoon and I was taught how to shoot a gun. I have been taught before, but since I don't own a gun or shoot on any kind of a regular basis, I need refreshers each time.

It's kind of a crazy feeling when you see that you can hit something so far away!

This girl is the toughest cookie I have ever met. I absolutely adore and admire this woman!!!

Look what I did with some gun... I can't remember what it was called.

Then when I left to go home again, I ran into this beauty....

If you can't tell, I am a sucker for sunsets!

Another Hike

2010-04-03T22:10:00.002-06:00

My co-worker and I went up this other trail behind Weber State that was beautiful.

Again - in the snow may not be the greatest idea... but it really was beautiful!

I never know if I like photos edited or just the way God gave it to us!!!

And yes, I fell in the water getting this picture... Just in case you may have been wondering :(

There were a few very old cars up there that had OBVIOUSLY been there for many many years.

I thought it was amazing and had to photograph them!

Lynnette thinks this looks like an elephant...

Figures - since she LOVES elephants! I heart her!!!!

Wheeler Creek Trail

2010-03-27T21:59:00.001-06:00

There is a trail that we have decided that we love! It's Wheeler Creek Trail up Ogden Canyon. We have gone twice. This is our first trip. It was snowy. Bad idea with kids.

But there is a bridge that I wanted to show the kids... we want to make it there next time.

This time we didn't make it very far :(

See you when there isn't any snow!!!

Surf n Swim

2010-02-26T21:55:00.002-07:00

Dallin has a little friend, James that has his birthday party at Surf N Swim every year. So we went again this year. The kids LOVE it! I wish we had more time to go swimming. They absolutely love it!

Dallin was SOOOOO proud that he could put his face in the water.

If only there were more hours in the day. I would love to put them in swim lessons.

I heart swimming!!!!!!!!

Dallin's Birthday at School

2010-02-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

He was pretty stoked to have his own week for his birthday at school!

And Maggie can't have the camera out without a little lovin'!

Sorry - not much to say here. Just don't remember much from this day :(

Dallin's Birthday Weekend

2010-01-29T21:23:00.005-07:00

Dallin turned 6!!!!!!

He really wanted a Lego cake... So I took a crack at it.

He seems to be happy with it... Me on the other hand... Not so much. But that's ok. If he loves it that is all that really matters to me.

He got all kinds of gifts, but I think his favorite was his new camera (well, our old one - but new to him).

His first photo shoot :)

I am not all that comfortable being on this side of the camera. I am usually the one TAKING them. I guess I am going to have to get used to being put through what I have been putting my kids through their whole lives now.... grrrrrrrrr.

We drove out to my friend's house and they had a goat. Dallin had to get a shot with his new camera!

On our way home we smelled a smell.... a very bad smell....

Poor Miss Mags got sick in the car. And it stunk! Bad! So we turned around, went back to my friend's house, got a bucket and towels for the ride home.

Then went to the doctors. Turns out it was something pretty dang bad! I wish I could remember (since I am writing this 10 months after it happened) It was something so bad that we were ALL put on antibiotics!

I got the pills

Maggie, of course got pink...

And Dallin got white...

There was a lot of Wii playing,

And movie watching....

And cleaning....

And more cleaning...

I feel bad that we had intentions of going to "Goondocks" as Maggie calls it... Boondocks if you aren't a 3 year old. But with all the sick, we never did get to it :(

Happy birthday my sweet boy! I love you!!!!!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T19:33:00.005-07:00

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope that a very special day was had by all!

Last night, we sat and wrote down a list of things that we are grateful for. I was a little surprised at some of the things that Dallin was grateful for. The first thing out of his mouth was a house. We had been listening to the Road Home telethon the other day and I was trying to explain to him that there are people who have to sleep out in the snow because they do not have a home or a bed to sleep on. I didn't think he was grasping the concept. But I guess I was wrong. Among other things he was grateful were: Christmas Tree, GameCube, the library, school, medicine and pizza. After the list was made he quickly ripped it out of the notebook and posted it up on the fridge. Then we made hot chocolate and popcorn and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks (the first one).

We had to leave hot chocolate and cookies for Santa! We didn't have any homemade, so he got oreos. I think that was ok, tho. I am pretty sure Santa digs oreos... And we couldn't just leave 1 carrot this year, but 8 since there are 8 tiny reindeer! Luckily I talked him into just 2 carrots broken up into 8 pieces... It seemed to work.

In his prayer last night, Dallin asked Heavenly Father that Santa would, "fill our stocking with goodies." I really wonder where he gets some of this stuff! I don't know that I have ever said that to him.

This morning I got up early to make Dallin some more cinnamon rolls. He wanted those and sausage for breakfast.

And what would it be if the smoke alarm didn't go off while baking???? Yet another oven fire. This oven is a piece of dung! Oh well. There is a really thick coat of baking soda on the bottom of it now. I guess I need to clean it out before baking again...

I had to check and see if Santa ate his cookies! It looks like he enjoyed them! And I KNOW he loves - absolutely LOVES - hot chocolate! So of course that was gone!

Oh and I had to make sure he left the Santa bag and stockings full of goodies...

When I went upstairs while the rolls were rising, Dallin looked at me from his bed.

He said, "Are you coming to bed yet?" I had to laugh. I told him it was morning and he was so excited! But Maggie wasn't up yet...

So Dallin and I got to snuggle and talk. I love those times with him. I love my little snugglebug. He has always been and hopefully always will be my little bug. During our conversation this morning he said, "I sure hope that Santa left me something." I asked why he would be worried about it. He said, "Because I was half on the nice list and half on the naughty list!" He makes me smile!!!!!!

When Maggie woke up, I told her that Santa had come!

She went to check out the window and started crying because he wasn't here anymore! I told her that he came in the night and that he left presents downstairs! She is hilarious!

So we went down and opened too many presents. Although how can you deny grandparents getting them the cutest dresses with matching baby dresses???

Even if they leave glitter EVERYWHERE!!!!!

Dallin was pretty pleased!

Santa left Maggie pink Legos so now she won't have to take Dallin's. And Dallin got Star Wars Legos. Talk about satisfaction to hear just Legos being put together and taken apart for 30 minutes!!!!

While they were doing that I decided to tackle the Christmas Carcass that was sitting in the living room! UGH!

Ok... maybe I will do it later. After I eat one of these babies....

I seriously am going to be sugar crashing after all these cinnamon rolls this week! Sheesh!

Then Maggie and Dallin watched a Barbie movie...

Love Christmas!!! Now we just have to go through all the old toys that don't get played with!

Tonight I decided to make my sister's Baked Potato Soup. It was a disaster! Worst soup I think I have ever made in my life!

Luckily - China Hill was open!

Unfortunately no one sang, Fa Ra Ra Ra Raaaa Ra Ra Ra Ra to me! :( Sadness.....

So here I sit - editing photos, blogging, listening to my Glee Soundtracks 1 & 2 and eating Veggie Lo Mein.....

Merry Christmas to all - and to all a great night!

Cinnamon Rolls and Gingerbread Houses

2009-12-23T09:20:00.005-07:00

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is that it gives me a valid excuse to make these AMAZING cinnamon rolls!! Thanks PW for the recipe!!!! I made a few pans and took them into work and I think they liked them! :)

Although they weren't made without a few hiccups.... We boiled over about half of the milk while trying to scald it. So we had to start over again...

Then when it was rising... well...

It was quite the mess!

After 2 pans of regular cinnamon rolls, I decided to try and make some with mini chocolate chips.

They look like they will be really tasty!!!

I let them rise a bit much, resulting in....

a bit of a mess... again.

And after a small oven fire, we found out that cinnamon rolls with chocolate chips are really NOT that good. In fact, they are really gross :*(

But this morning we had regular ones for breakfast!

With hot chocolate in regular cups...

And I think they are a hit!

Then last night we decided to make our annual gingerbread house....

I am beginning to realize....

the importance of a good foundation....

Cause this poor thing looks great from the front....

But not the top!

And before the kids even went to bed.....

the poor thing was a complete wreck!

Well, I am going to go enjoy another cinnamon roll before hopping in the shower! Ta Ta!!!!

Heat Wave

2009-12-16T08:01:00.005-07:00

Holy COW! I am pretty excited about this! Not only do we not have single digits for our lows, but our HIGHS are in the 40s!!!! I might actually get my car cleaned before spring!

On Sunday when I was leaving church I saw this mini-van pulling a canoe around the city streets.

It was hilarious! Kaysville doesn't plow the side streets really. They get most of the main streets but leave us poor saps to ourselves!

Until the middle of the night... When the unsuspecting residents are fast asleep....

Then they come... Like a jerk... and totally block your driveway...

And of course it's in the night so it ices up really well!

Inspired by my totally cute friend Charley, I decided to use Dallin's lego men and have some fun with the mountains of snow that I was about to hack away at...

Legoman is hiking... It kinda looks like Mt. Everest to me!

And YAE!!! He made it to the top! I wish I had a little flag he could have been standing next to!

Maggie had a bath that morning. She wanted milk or something so I told her she needed to get dressed first. This is what she came outside in while I was chipping away at my ice mountain!

And of course a police officer comes driving by while she is out in the snow in this get up~ So instead of hoping he would stop and help a girl out, I was hoping he would keep on driving so that I didn't go to jail for having my daughter outside in inappropriate clothing (as a couple just did in Utah County last week)...

Although the mother was passed out drunk on the floor and the father wasn't even home and the kids were locked outside...

So I think I would PROBABLY be ok... I love that she didn't even get the same socks on her feet!!!

Yesterday Dallin decided he needed to play with his Legomen on the mountain. It was really funny! He had them on a spoon sledding down. My camera battery died. So I didn't get any pictures :(

Terrified!

2009-12-10T13:01:00.004-07:00

Last night I was laying in bed. About 11 pm there was a knock at my door. My stomach dropped. Then I heard the door knob rattle. I started thinking, "WHAT IF I DIDN'T LOCK THE DOOR?" I was totally freaking out. After a bit I heard the hard snow being walked on. Then my car door opened... HOLY CRAP! I forgot to lock my car. I never forget to lock my car! After another little bit the car in front of my house left. I called a friend to stay on the phone with me while I went outside to check my car. Just wanted to make sure someone knew I was dead if I got killed!

I walk outside in the freezing cold and get to my car. Open the door. On the seat was... a package of double stuff oreos... I think I know who left them, but she is denying it!!! I was never so relieved!!!! It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life! How am I supposed to defend my children if someone were to come into my home??

Needless to say - I locked my car door. Came in the house and checked the door lock, deadbolt lock AND the chain lock. Then hopped under my down comforter! Still didn't fall asleep for several hours...

So this morning I took a shower and while I was in the shower...

an Oreo Monster broke into the house! This Oreo Monster only eats the filling of Oreos! Good thing they were DOUBLE STUFF!!!!

I wonder where else I will find naked oreos???

Maggie cracks me up!

Then after we got back from Dallin's Art class I was folding clothes upstairs. Meanwhile... the Oreo Monster struck again!

But this time, she put them all on a plate for me! Isn't that just sweet????

And totally random, here... Anyone know how to get pink dye from cardstock off a table??

The kids were letting their action figures go for a swim on the table but didn't clean it off of papers first. This pink paper got wet and left on the table. Now I have pink dye stuck to my table!!! Isn't it always SOMETHING??

Embracing the Cold

2009-12-09T12:46:00.002-07:00

So trying to embrace the cold! Maggie and I bundled up to walk to Dallin's school today.

Sorry the quality is poor - these are from my phone...

She ate lots of snow on the way home.

I think we are going to sled down our hill today again. But I need to warm up first... Then get cold... then warm up...

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

2009-12-09T09:19:00.003-07:00

I am not a fan of cold weather... I guess it is tolerable... Sometimes...

But this is a little bit on the extreme! On Monday the weather guy said that it was supposed to be clear up to 38 on Friday! I thought - GREAT! A hot streak! Somehow they are way off. I don't understand it... They are usually right on the mark! Hahahaaa....

I totally did NOT want to take Dallin to school. I do long for the days when my kindergarten-er was a baby still and on these unbearably cold and snowy days all we had to do was stay in the warm house!

I was really looking forward to cleaning the car this weekend without it freezing up. But it doesn't look like that is going to happen. On the way to school today, Dallin tried to get his window down. It was frozen shut. He thought it was funny. I didn't :(

Ok... Somehow I need to find a way to embrace the beautiful falling snow. Re-thinking process is starting. Maybe I can listen to fun songs like this one and get a new attitude!

Funny thing that Maggie did today...

She loves bubble baths. LOVES them... She will sit in them for over an hour if I would let her! Today she said she wanted a bubble bath. I was cleaning the kitchen and she decided that she would take matters into her own hands.

First she takes off her princess dress. Then sit down and takes off her socks. I asked her why she was taking them off. It's still a bit cold in our house. The windows don't keep the heat in very well. She said to me, "Camoss, I want them off!" I finally figured out what Camoss was. Apparently it means Because! I love figuring out her little words! Then she took off her jammies and then ripped off her diaper. Streaking through the house, she is yelling, "BUBBLE BATH!"

She is now in the bath. Love that kid!

Box, Scissors, and Markers

2009-12-04T13:39:00.003-07:00

Today we were cleaning up a little bit and Dallin decided that he wanted to make a robot out of his new booster seat box! So I figured I would try to do it. I mean, really... How hard can it be to cut out some holes and let them have at it with the markers, right??

I am pretty sure my hole cutting skills are suffering.... The arms were WAY too high! Oh well...

It didn't stop them from having fun... For over an hour! It was so funny.

I love to see them interact with each other and laugh...

And have such wonderful sibling love for one another!!

And then have it change just like that!

But really... They do love each other.

And I love them too! More than words can say!!!

Here we go again...

2009-12-01T21:28:00.005-07:00

Remember this??? (If not you can click on the red lettering and re-read the post!)

Poor Cinderella...

Turned into Poor Maggie walking off the woodstove...

Then Poor Drusella...

Turned into Poor Maggie sliding down our apple tree...

I am so nervous!

She did a double doozie...

Prayers are being accepted for NO BAD KARMA...

After all... It's just Cinderella again. She is just in a white dress instead of a blue one! And Snow White doesn't REALLY need 2 hands does she???

Altho I have to admit that I am traveling back in time to my brother burning and maiming his action figures... Oh how I wish that I had gotten pictures of that so I could compare them to my sweet daughter's princesses!

Jeremy used to burn and cut off limbs. Maggie simply uses her teeth and bites them off...

But she just looks so sweet, right?

(She said, "I mommy!" when she put on my glasses the other day! It was really cute!)

From Blank to Stylish!

2009-11-27T21:07:00.003-07:00

Today I opened at Lowe's. I got there at 5:25. There were lots of cars in the lot but no one was at the door. It was simply too cold. But as I was walking up to the door and waiting for someone to let me in... A wave of people, who obviously thought I was being rude and cutting in line because I got there AFTER them, started rushing to the door. I told them, "Hey... I am just trying to clock in." I am sure they were not pleased that they got to stand in the cold for another 30 minutes. Oh well. Freaking Nutters!!!

There was a pre-lit tree at Lowe's in the Black Friday ad.... So I put one aside for me to get after work was done.

Tonight we broke open the tree!

We got it put together, with the A, B and C in the correct order... It took a little work... but we did finally get it right. You would think a college educated Mom and a kindergartener could get the A, B and C in the right order the first time. Obviously not :(

Except it is crooked. I don't know if I ever get anything right that I try. (With the exception of my kids.) So here I threw out a swear word.

Shouldn't have.

Obviously.

Dallin said to me, "Maybe you should give up those swear words, Mom." I guess I need to be more aware of what comes out of my mouth :(

Anyway. Between putting up the tree and trying to get the kids to eat their dinner, Maggie wasn't happy. And she let us know in no uncertain terms that she was unhappy...

She is getting really good at throwing herself around when she isn't pleased!

The kids were in charge of the candy cane application.

heheheee.... They were concentrated on the very bottom of the tree. Very cute.

After we decorated the tree we pulled out the Krispy Kreme donuts. Dallin and I got ours since we ate dinner.

Mmmmmmmmmmm.....

I was tempted to eat Maggie's. But then realized I ought to save it for breakfast. She would be really sad.

After we were done decorating the tree, Dallin said, very proudly, "FROM BLANK TO STYLISH!!!!!"

And he was right! From BLANK....

TO SYLISH!!!!

Still crooked... But still - very stylish!

Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend!!!

Sledding and Snowball Fights!!!

2009-11-23T13:45:00.000-07:00

One good thing about the snow over the weekend is that we can now sled down the little hill in our backyard!

Weeeeeee!

It wasn't totally great the first run...

But once the trail was groomed - it was AWESOME!

Maggie wasn't too interested at first. But after watching Dallin do it over and over, she must have decided that it couldn't be too bad!

He tried to push her down at first.

It just didn't work, so he pulled her for a second...

Then decided to throw a snowball at her!

Yep... She likes it! After that one she decided that she needed to do it over and over!

She likes the snow... Go figure!

Dallin LOVES throwing snowballs~ I am just proud of Maggie that she is covering her face....

As Sensei Jeff says, "Protect your grill! Cause no one else WILL!!!!"

Fun day in the snow!

Until it got to cold. Then we went in and warmed up! Although, I have to admit. I wouldn't mind if it all melted...

12th Street on another Snowy Day

2009-11-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

My kids saw the pictures of the bridge that I took last week. Maggie wanted to go see the bridge... I told them we would have to hike on a trail for a long time. They still wanted to go. I decided to take them. So we packed up in the car. The weather was getting ickier and ickier the closer we got. I wasn't too thrilled about taking 2 kids up there alone in the snow.

We got there and it started full on snowing. So we waited around for a bit to see if it would let up. Meanwhile we see a man with a dog and a rifle go up the trail. I think to myself, "Self, this might be a bad idea..."

So we left.

On the way home I tried to snap a pic of my kids....

D-Man wouldn't have it....

But Maggie didn't seem to mind it...

Oh wait... I guess that would be because she was PASSED OUT! With pop rocks stuck to her face, hair, clothes and car seat....

We will have to try again on a nicer day... Without rifle carrying men with small child eating dogs....

Loves!

Clever Fox

2009-11-19T13:38:00.000-07:00

LOL! Dallin came home from school today wanting to be called Clever Fox. His teacher gave him that Indian name because he was SO clever! ;)

Love this kid!

12th Street on a Snowy Day

2009-11-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

On this snowy Saturday that I had free, a friend of mine took me up 12th street to a great place to go hiking! I saw pictures when it was green and pretty. Today I saw it white and pretty! I didn't anticipate it actually snowing WHILE we were hiking... But it really was beautiful!

There was a cute bridge that went over this stream.

And the bridge led to a place that I am going to HAVE to go camping at sometime this next summer!

I just thought this was kind of cool with the vegetation/snow contrast...

It was so beautiful and peaceful to walk in the middle of the snow falling. Not hearing any noise from the man-made parts of the world. Just nature. Absolutely breathtaking!

And of course I couldn't leave 12th street without visiting my truck!!!! I love it!

It was a really great day!

I am Thankful for Pies

2009-11-12T22:16:00.000-07:00

Today our Thankful Jar was that we are thankful for pies. Dallin's FAVORITE pie is pumpkin. In fact... that is the ONLY pie he likes...

So we were to make pies to share. We got to making the crust...

We made 2 pies.

Then started on the filling...

mmmmmm..... I love pumpkin pie too!

And the end result....

And did we give one away??? Heck no. We ate them. Both. Yep. Oink.

Maggie's Date with Dad

2009-11-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

Maggie went on a date with Daddy tonight! They drove downtown and park at Scott's office. Then took trax down to the Energy Solutions Arena.

They went to see Disney's Princesses on Ice! She was really excited.

I mean if anyone knows Maggie they would know she is obsessed with princesses...

Apparently there was a popcorn incident prior to the event even starting.

And since the popcorn was dropped, Maggie had to demonstrate her new talent of pitching very obscene fits!!!

But once the princesses came out....

She was mesmerized....

Totally enthralled...

Completely on her own cloud 9!!!

Lots of princesses - lots of fun!

So long, fair ladies!!!!

And thanks, Dad for an awesome night!!!!

Gramma's Visit

2009-11-10T23:00:00.005-07:00

My mom came out this way to help a friend drive cars here since they were moving. We were able to hang out a few times. Today we went to the Asian Buffet. This is one of Dallin's favorite places to eat.

Maggie kept saying, "I see a big plane!" The restaurant is right by the base and they were flying lots today.

Dallin loves the cantaloupe. I think he ate his weight in it today.

It's leaking down his chin :)

But his FAVORITE part is the ice cream he gets after he eats all his chicken and fruit!

Tons of shrimp were eaten.

Altho Dallin wasn't about to try any! He was hilarious. He promised gramma he would try it when he turned 12! I am definitely keeping him on that one!

Maggie downed the fortune cookies.

Dallin read his. I love that he is reading!

Thanks, gramma for a great visit! We are planning on spring break to drive out to the mid-west for a visit!

Antelope Island

2009-11-07T20:18:00.001-07:00

We went out to Antelope Island today... It was a nice day and I thought it would be good to get out. Plus I have been wanting to get there to take some pictures. :)

Right when we crossed the causeway I saw some empty docks that I wanted to photograph. Dallin wanted to throw rocks in the water. So we stopped. Dallin quickly found that the Salt Lake has hidden quicksand around it...

I am surprised that I didn't grab a picture of him stuck... But I think I was so surprised and didn't want to lose him as he was quickly sinking, that I just grabbed him out!

Poor kid. We couldn't get his shoes clean at all - and they were old, so I just threw them in the dumpster. The Salt Lake mud REALLY stinks, and I did NOT want it in the car. So he just went without shoes for the rest of the trip...

Have you ever heard a bison? I don't know that I have a recollection of what sound a bison makes.

They belch. A lot. But it's not actually a belch. It's their noise. It just sounds like a belch.

Belches and 5 yr old boys... you know. They think they are HILARIOUS! Even Maggie was laughing about it. But she is much more proper when it comes to belches... She always says, "Cuse me. I burped." It's very cute.

Dallin had a bit of a hard time climbing to get a better look without shoes on. Oops. :*(

Dallin was REALLY wanting to find a beach where he WOULDN'T sink into the earth...

And finally we found it. I think I drove around the whole dang island. So we didn't get to spend as much time there as we wanted as they were closing.

I think this one turned out cute with the 2 of them...

And of course, Maggie must try out the sand here. I think she is on a quest to find the best tasting dirt and sand.

Here is the dock that I shot while Dallin was sinking...

And then here are some more from the day. Some from Antelope Island and some from Farmington. Some from the island were really cute... but I was shivering so much that they are blurry. So I will have to try them again when I am dressed properly!

I am assuming the flag was still flying half staff for the deaths at Ft. Hood yesterday.

We had a fun day. There were campers on the island and Maggie said, "I smell fire!" I am thinking if it weren't so cold I would be camping!!! I haven't camped for SO long!

Thanksgiving

2009-11-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

Today after picking Dallin up from school I ran and got my camera cause I saw this really great tree. Sometimes I see pictures in my head that I just can't get on the camera. It makes me sad. I envision this amazing pic... but then it just doesn't quite work out. That happened today. But if I don't TRY to get it - I won't ever get them! Sometimes they do actually turn out!

Well, Dallin was NOT happy that he had to "be bored" in the car while I took this picture. Never mind the fact that it was a total of about 5 minutes out of his day... Oh well...

Grumpy boy...

Meanwhile, at home waiting for him was a Thankful Jar! My sister in law, Carole, sent this to me today. There are 26 things inside the jar that we can do that will help us be more thankful this season.

Not so grumpy anymore......

We started a little late... But I think we can squeeze all of them in by doubling up a few days.

We are starting off with being grateful for the scriptures. I need this one, that's for sure!!!

If anyone wants this and to start a titch late... let me know, I will forward the email!

Help Mommmeeeeeee!!!

2009-11-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

Today while I was getting ready for the day I heard Maggie yell, "Help Mommmmmeeeeee!!!" I looked over the stairs and this is what I saw.

I felt bad that I just laughed! I just couldn't help it! She had this very distressed look on her face but it didn't really look like she was all that stuck!

But of course, being the stellar mother that I am, I HAD to grab my camera before I helped her.

My poor kids... They are SO going to need therapy. "My mother always took pictures when we needed help!!!"

Dallin decided he needed to get in on the fun too!

You would think that getting stuck would keep her off the railing. But it didn't. Oh well! Adventures of having very active kids, I guess!

Halloween on the Base

2009-10-31T22:04:00.001-06:00

I was lucky enough to work 6 am to 3 pm shift on Halloween! So I got to go trick or treating with the kids! My friend lives on the air force base and so we went up there for the festivities... We had to go and get me a 2 week pass. When I got up there and tried to follow her directions... it didn't work out so well! I ended up somewhere I wasn't supposed to be. You aren't allowed on your cell phone on the base, so I had to pull into a parking lot and call her and wait for an escort to get me to her house~ UGH!!!! But - we got there and got everyone ready!

I actually dressed up this year. Not a typical thing for me! Halloween is NOT my favorite holiday.

This is the view from Marj's house. I love it!

The kids and Sophie go to the same daycare. Sophie and Maggie adore each other! Dallin tolerates... they are GIRLS after all!

Marj was a bum. I thought she looked GREAT!

And Maggie looked adorable too. I think she was tired of getting her hair curled... She sat still for it so she could go to the church party, Scott's work party AND on Halloween day. That's a lot of sitting still for this kid!

Up on the base - the housing is all the same. So every house had a little step up to it. So every house Maggie had to pull up her dress. I thought it was adorable!

Marjori couldn't believe how well Miss Maggie could keep up with Sophie. Maggie was in those little click clacky princess shoes. Sophie was in sneakers. I think this kid is going to be a high heeled chick!

These 2 kept trying to blow out the candles inside the pumpkins. So funny!!! At least for me. Maybe not for the owners of the pumpkins.. :\ Oh well...

Look at Maggie's lips here. She cracks me up!!!

Dallin was off from house to house so fast that I really couldn't get pictures of him. I feel a little bad about that. But it's over now... Oh well.

I saw several signs for welcoming home daddys that had been off to war. It always makes my heart hurt to think that families have to be pulled apart for something as ugly as war...

OH.. and I saw this totally awesome truck... I loved it.

Anyway - Happy Halloween all!!!!!!

Carving Watermelons

2009-10-28T21:12:00.000-06:00

We had a very blustery day. I didn't have to work, which always makes the day MUCH more relaxed! So after a poll on Facebook, I decided to make potato soup... YUM

I love it because it has practically NO fat. If you use skim milk (I use 1%) then the only fat is the 1/4 c. butter!

Oh. Except I used a little bacon grease in it this time. It was REALLY good!

Come evening, we decided to carve our pumpkins. Maggie kept calling them watermelons. It was really adorable! We had to decide what to do with them first of all!

Then we had to cut the top...

I think it was a little like Christmas morning for Dallin :)

Then on to pulling out the guts!

I put these pictures on out of order. And can't seem to change their placement. So instead of continuing to get frustrated... I am just going to move on...

This is what Dallin FINALLY got out of the pumpkin after all his faces and "GROSS!"

I thought there would have been more than that!

This is when he got it out.

His face while sticking his hand in the pumpkin.

So just imagine that those 3 pictures were in reverse order! UGH!!! So frustrating!

Then we had dinner. The kids had pumpkin quesadillas and I had potato soup!

Maggie kept turning the lights out and saying, "SHHHH... The watermelon seeping!!!!" It was really funny! Well, until I wanted the lights on and she kept turning them off. Then it wasn't funny anymore.

Night Night Watermelons!!!!!!

Halloween Party

2009-10-24T21:58:00.000-06:00

The kids went to the ward halloween party tonight... They looked absolutely adorable!

Scott's mom made this princess dress for me. I obviously don't have the sewing skills!

She did a great job!

Dallin was a Grim Reaper. He wasn't excited about getting makeup put on... He thought he would look like a girl.

I've not seen any girls that look like this before... So I think we did ok...

Happy Halloween party!!!!!!

Madonna

2009-10-24T10:07:00.003-06:00

I showed my age the other night at work. We have Lowe's radio on in the store and True Blue by Madonna was on. Now you have to understand, that I am almost as old as most of these people's mothers that I work with. They are pretty young. But they seem to like me ok!!

Like I said, the other night True Blue was on... And these girls were dancing and singing along with it. I had to chuckle... I said, "Hey - I had this record when I was your age!" They were like, "Huh?" I laughed again. I said, "This is Madonna's True Blue. I had the True Blue Album on 33." A customer is walking by and laughs. He says, "You are showing your true age, ya know!"

They didn't believe me that it was Madonna. So I have printed off the True Blue album cover and am going to take it in.

I just thought it was pretty funny!!!!

My Birthday

2009-10-16T12:06:00.004-06:00

Today's song is dedicated to my mother... Boom Boom Pow. Probably not the BEST song for my kids to love.

Yesterday was my birthday. Another year older... Not sure how I feel about that :-( But I guess nothing can be done about it. The kids decided that we were going to celebrate at Chuck E Cheese... hmmmmm... I always love to see my kids laughing and having fun, so I thought it would be a good idea!

Maggie likes to run and put money in the machines. She doesn't really get that she has to play afterwards. But if it gives her tickets then she is extra excited!!

Please don't judge my sense of style! Maggie has been extremely independent in her choices of clothing. And yes, her shoes are on the wrong feet. She was thrilled and said something like, "Mommy, I did my shoes!" She was so proud of herself, I just didn't have the heart to have her switch them.... Anyway - She found a sundress that was in the too small clothes pile and put it on with a skirt that is too big. So I figure she is alright! :)

We really love the jump rope game... Dallin is starting to get the hang of it...

Maggie isn't... And me... Well - I love it, but since I have had kids I have to be selective on the times that I jump up and down repeatedly :(

This was by far the most loved event of the day...

What are they, you ask?? They are Chuck E Cheese credit cards!

Usually it's Maggie who hordes this one. But this day it was Dallin...

I think we have PLENTY of cards to last for a while!

After that I knew I needed to go to my BFF's house (Stephanie). We had discussed going over after Chuck E Cheese. As we were leaving I kept thinking, and thinking... I felt a little like Winnie the Pooh when he couldn't remember whatever he was supposed to remember... Finally, I just couldn't delay any longer. My cute BFF's bday is exactly 6 weeks after mine. So she tortures me mercilessly for those 6 weeks about how OLD I am. I just did NOT want to call her and say that I simply could not remember why I needed to come over! But, alas... I did. And she laughed, and laughed... and laughed. Her younger mind easily remember I was going to pick up a movie to watch after the kids went to bed!

We picked it up and went home for dinner. Chicken nuggets, french fries and mozzarella sticks.

Then we had to eat my birthday cake that came in the mail! My mother mailed me a penguin cake from Swiss Colony.

It was really good! Like a gigantic petite for (or however you spell it)

After that, the kids went to bed and I put in the movie The Proposal. Then went to bed.

Happy Birthday to me!!! sorry this post is a little late. It's been crazy busy with life, kindergarten, etc...

Riding a 2 wheeler....

2009-10-09T10:17:00.005-06:00

Yesterday we decided to go out and try Dallin's bike without training wheels. Dallin is a very timid boy when it comes to trying new things. He just doesn't dig it ~ at all. There is a point where I have to just say - TOUGH! You are doing it! Although most of the time I let him wait until he is ready.

Yesterday was NOT one of the wait it out days. I knew he could do it if only he would try.

So we got to the park. I was getting Maggie's little trike out and he started wheeling around with his feet on the ground... This is a good start.

I think he is starting to get more confident. Look at his adorable smile!!!

Then, while my back was turned to show Maggie how to pedal hers, he goes down this little hill. ALL BY HIMSELF!!!!

Then he was hooked. I didn't have to hold onto the seat even once! I love his look of concentration here.

Then his look of pure joy when he realizes that he really can ride a bike!!!

He went around the picnic tables at the park a few times. Then we went out on the trail!

And off he went. Just like he did when he first learned how to ride with training wheels!

Maggie was so proud of her big brother! It was totally cute!

I really wish my long lens worked better. It totally doesn't like to focus. I have a ton of out of focus shots of Dallin riding the trail. But I figured ~ who wants to see that??? So this is what you get. An out of focus shot of my favorite things in the world! (Yes ~ I know I need to get Maggie tights that fit and a dress that covers her bum...)

Airplane Museum and Dancing

2009-10-07T22:11:00.008-06:00

Dallin has had his heart set on going to the Hill Airplane Museum for quite a while now. We went for Joyschool last year and they got to dress up in these suits and play on simulators. He loved it. So we packed up yesterday and drove up there. We get there and they are closed on Tuesdays. Needless to say, my tenderheart was crushed. He cried. But we went up again today.
(BTW... the music is for Sarah today... Imani Coppola)

These planes are huge.

And it is very humbling being around all these planes that used to fly to protect our freedoms.

Look at these tires!

There was a midget plane...

Inside there was the room to dress up in and play. Also some science experiments... I think Maggie is HILARIOUS here!!!

Notice she isn't playing with the ball... She is "dwyin my hair, mamma!"

I love how she talks...

My future military boy...

And who knows about this one!

Dallin totally gets into all this kind of stuff...

I thought this was cool. But Maggie wouldn't look at me.

Again - Dallin in another simulator!

There are 2 really huge warehouses full of planes. I have done a blog entry on this before. We have been here a few times. But it seems like we come on the too cold days. So today we got to enjoy being outside and looking at THOSE planes too!!

Maggie kept running back and forth through the sage brush or whatever you call this. Desert brush maybe... whatever. It felt a little Laura Ingalls-y while I was watching her!

She kept running back and forth...

Until she fell...

She got up and couldn't decide if she needed to cry...

She brushed it off...

But still just couldn't decide...

She just came over for a little mommy hug and love...

and then went right back to it.... Back and forth.

And I just don't know what I would do without THIS one!!

The propellers are pretty large too. Maggie thought she would try to move one.

And of course, what one monkey does, the other monkey must do as well!

Or try to anyway~

We were on our way to the car and I thought this was HILARIOUS! These birds just perched up top on the plane.

And while I was taking this one, Maggie ran off. I turned behind me to see if she went back to where we had been playing~

I didn't see her.

Oh - wait...

Maybe I do see her.

What? You don't?

Look harder?

SHE IS SWINGING ON THE PLANES! I really need to get this girl into a gym class!

So we got home and the kids decided they must dance. So they turned on Sleeping Beauty and danced.

I really think I ought to put them on So You Think You Can Dance...

They have been dancing mostly to the Youtube video of Ring on It from the Glee episode from 2 or 3 weeks ago. But now they are branching out.

They are diggin' Aurora and Phillip!

Indian Tag

2009-09-23T22:17:00.005-06:00

Have YOU ever played Indian Tag? Ever tried spelling it when you are from Indiana? I keep having to backspace over the "a" at the end.

Well, first - you have to put chalk on your face...

Me: "I don't want to Dallin."
Dallin: "Karyssa did it!!!!" (She is my babysitter)
Me: "UGH!"

Thus commenced the application of sidewalk chalk on my face, Maggie's face and Dallin's face.

Beautiful!!!!

So, THEN you run around the yard. One person chasing 2 people. I have to admit... for as slow as Dallin ran in karate, he can run pretty fast. Or is it that I can't run fast... Either way... I thought he was fast!!

Don't ya LOVE the hair?? Maggie thinks she is doing it totally cute when she puts that blue thing in it. She does it frequently. She loves to do her hair (putting a pretty in it only... not brushing it - Heaven forbid we pull out the brush!), nails, makeup... and we mustn't forget the purse. I have a picture on my phone I need to post of her at the jewelry counter of Costco. Nose smashed up to the glass. Gawking over the diamonds. I am in SO much trouble in a few years....

This is Dallin in his fighter pose :)

Anyway - just thought I would share our evening with you. After that I cut the grass. The grass that had the incredible dew on it yesterday. (The one from my FB post)

Yes - this dew. It was pretty awesome. But now it's all cut, bagged and in the garbage. :( Poor grass.

My grass now has a mohawk in it. You know when you just don't care enough to go back over that one strip that you missed?? Well, maybe more like 3 or 4 strips that you missed. Or is it just that I missed? Hmmmmm...

And the song... Do you remember the movie The Lost Boys?? This is the theme song from it. I haven't listened to the soundtrack in a long time. I ought to look for that!

Magdalena's 3rd Birthday

2009-09-04T21:18:00.009-06:00

Little Miss Magdalena turned 3 years old yesterday. She started they day out in her pink tu-tu brushing her hair with her Dinglehopper (Mah Dingahoppa).

She LOVES her dinglehopper. I find forks all over the house... Even in the car the other day! (Which by the way I just vacuumed out. When Dallin got in the car he said, "MOM!! You vacuumed the car!!" It must be pretty bad when even my 5 year old is noticing that my car is cleaned...)

We had a very full day. I volunteer at Dallin's school for his Art class on Thursdays. So I dropped Maggie off at daycare for an hour so I could do that. Then we went to lunch with my friend Stephanie. Then went home for a bit before going to Chuck E Cheese.

Maggie and I got a quick nap. Mine wasn't as long as hers. So I HAD to get a picture. (Notice outfit #3 She had a pair of shorts and a tshirt on to go to daycare. She put this on while I was napping)

But then she heard the camera....

crabbed at me and then rolled over.....

and proceeded to sleep for another 30 minutes.

Dallin was playing game cube while she slept and I got ready.

Then it was off to the craziest place on earth!!!

Notice outfit #4....

Dallin found every game with tickets. He is a little obsessed with getting tickets.

I love how well they play together!

{Most of the time anyway :)}

Maggie loved watching Chuck E Cheese sing.

And they both LOVE this maze!

I went to the grocery store and bought a SuperGirl cake. I have a cold and NO energy and was not going to make a cake.

This was one of Maggie's favorite rides. She kept asking for "MOE MUN-NEE" to put in it. I had to pull her kicking and screaming so another kid could ride it.

But then she found the horse.

And we sat there and rode it and rode it until she got bored.

I truly think these cups have GOT to be one of the filthiest things on earth.

My friend Steph has a little boy that turned 4 today. So they ended up at Chuck E Cheese last night too! So I got lunch and dinner with my best friend!!! (Then I got dinner with her again tonight!!! FUN!)

I think they make a GREAT couple!!!

Then it was time to do the cake and presents.

Pretend that I focused on the fuzzy people in the middle of the picture instead of the wall in the back....

I think it's totally cute!!!

She is taking after her brother in getting food all over when she eats...

She got a My Little Pony Castle and some Ponies.

She also got clothes. She LOVES dresses. She got this one from the grandparents.

And the clothes horse she is...

She HAD to put it on!! (Notice outfit #5. This is a normal occurrence. She LOVES clothes... I am SO in trouble when she gets older!)

Armed with her princess card, pony and new dress she off to play more games!

Thanks, Chuck E Cheese! I can always count on you to wire up my kids to the point of not going to bed til after 10!!!!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

And thanks for being my sweet boy, Buddy!!!!

Miscellaneous Items of Business

2009-09-01T23:59:00.004-06:00

Yesterday when I went to pick Dallin up from his first full day of kindergarten, there was a teacher chair in the K playground... There was also a student chair... What is the first thing I thought??

"OH PLEASE tell me that wasn't Dallin sitting during recess!"

So he came running out of the school with a huge grin on his face and a cupcake in his hand telling me, "Mom!!! My first day of school was a piece of cake!!" I love that kid!!! As I asked him what he did that day and he told me I didn't hear anything about recess. So I asked him if he got to play during recess or if he had to sit down... Luckily... He got to play! PHEW!!!!!!

This morning we walked to school together and he was very excited to go. There was no pushing him to get in line or anything. He didn't even look back for me when he was walking in! Although he DID remind me exactly where to meet him after wards!

And his new little friend, Jacob is even at his table in school and he got to come over and play for a bit before I had to go to work. So I think he is getting adjusted.

He is looking a little silly with his 1 middle loose bottom tooth. It is kind of sideways now. He actually gave me permission to pull it out yesterday - but I couldn't get it. And then today he wouldn't let me try.

And we mustn't forget Maggie whilst we are taking photographs!!!!!

What a nut!

Dropping Dallin Off At School

2009-08-31T09:25:00.002-06:00

Man, this morning was/is tough... Dallin came in at 7:30. I guess it's time to get ready for school! He got dressed, ate breakfast, got his backpack on... I got Maggie in the wagon and off we went!

I tried to get the last of the advice in... Listen to your teacher. The first time. Even if the other kids aren't. He wasn't saying much and I looked at him and his face was trying to be brave.

I asked if he was ok and he said, "Well, not so much. I am scared."

I HATE having to force him to go without knowing he is not scared. But I guess that is just part of trying something new.

I said, "It's ok to be scared, buddy. That's what happens the first time you try something. But you are going to have so much fun!"

When we got there I showed him exactly where I would be when he got done, and tried to show him which line to get into. He stood in line and then ran back to me. This happened about 3 times. Finally it was time to go in. He was last in line, of course. I watched him until he went around the corner of the room.

It was a VERY long, slow walk home because Maggie insisted on pulling the wagon. So I had lots of time to think and wonder how he is doing. Hoping my tenderheart little boy isn't crying his eyes out. I am sure he is having fun. He even met a little boy that is in his class at church yesterday that is also in his school class. They have birthdays in the same month and have the same middle name.

So I will be waiting for him after school today, hoping with my whole heart that he had a GREAT time!!!

OH - and Friday night Dallin lost one of his bottom teeth eating pizza. The other one is barely hanging on. So he wants pizza again tonight. Because OF COURSE it will come out eating pizza!

ta ta for now!!! I will let you know if school was a happy or not so happy experience!

The song choice is for me. It's a flash back for my school days!

Dallin's First Day of School

2009-08-25T21:47:00.005-06:00

Dallin's first day of school.... Was I going to be a complete mess or was I going to be able to be tough???

We walked Dallin to school. The first day was more of a parent's meeting. Dallin was really nervous. I have never seen him so shy in my life.

But he was armed with his Iron Man backpack, 2 parents and a little sister by his side!

And we get to the school.... My tummy is a little nervous... Not because I don't think he will do well - I mean he is reading very well and already adding and counting by 2s. More because I don't want to see him be scared or sad.

We get to his class and he fills out his own About Me paper.

Then they took the students to the library while the teacher told us parents how everything will work. It was interesting. They were asking for people to sign up for parties they will have through the year... Get this - I actually signed up for a Christmas Party CRAFT!!! That's going to be a funny one! ME - CRAFT.... They don't typically go in the same sentence.

They took the kids out to the playground after and Dallin didn't know where we were so he was crying. I felt terrible. I will have to explain exactly where I will be meeting him come Monday.

We signed up for an assessment - it was today. Dallin counted to 100 for his teacher - so he is in the 100 Club already. He was very excited about that. She was very impressed with his reading skills. That makes me feel like I have accomplished SOMETHING as a mother.

EDIT~~ The teacher asked him to draw the shape that she said; circle, rectangle, square, etc. When she got to diamond he drew a circle with lines out of it. It actually looked like a stick figure sun. She said, "Well that is close it is actually like this". He said, "No, it's like a diamond on a ring that is shining." WHAT A KID!!???!!!!

As we were leaving the school yesterday, I had this very strange feeling in my chest. It wasn't anxiety for my son. It wasn't that I was super-mom for having a brilliant son. {Even tho he is :)} It was more of an excitement for this new journey that he will be taking on. He loves to learn new things and his mind will be opened to SO many things starting Monday. I am just thrilled for him to have this opportunity! My only anxiety is, what if he doesn't make friends or what if he gets his feelings hurt... Which I know will happen - I just don't want him to have to go through that! I know, I know... It is all part of life. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

Anyway - enough of the mushy mommy stuff... After this great first day we decided to go and get some food! Everyday we pass this place called Granny Annie's and I decided that we needed to try it out! We were just going to go for ice cream... But this place is more like a diner and so we just had lunch.

It's the cutest little place that I think I may need to frequent! Especially for their Biscuits and Gravy... The best biscuits I have ever encountered!!!

Scott and Dallin...

So here is my little boy that is venturing into a new phase of life. I don't know how I will be come Monday when I actually have to drop him at the door. I have a feeling that even tho I will have so much pride (the good kind) and excitement for him - I will be a complete mess on the way home. It's just so different than sending him to a friend's house for Joy School.

I love you, Dallin. More than you could ever know. You are my first born and I still remember holding you night after sleepless night the first few months of your life. Enjoy every minute of this experience!!!

Temple Square

2009-08-23T23:21:00.001-06:00

So church was cancelled today for the temple dedication. So my friend and I went to temple square. You would think this would be to feel the spirit and reverence for the place... Or to be our spiritual boost for the day. Did I mention that we took HER 4 kids and MY 2 kids... That would be 6 kids. Ya - 6 kids and spiritual day - they just don't mix all that well!

We were trying to keep the kids off the grass by the reflection pond. Not sure they were supposed to be on there or not???

Isn't she just SUCH a girl??? Dora umbrella, velvet dress, bracelet and lip gloss in her hand. Yet she doesn't mind getting dirty one bit!!!

And good luck trying to keep my kids out of water. They are definite water babies!!!

Oh how I wish I had been focusing on Dallin for this pic instead of the temple!!! Love that face!

We went into one of the visitors centers and amazingly enough - there was reverence! Maybe because they were intimidated with about 50 other people there too??? Not sure...

Maggie just LOVED the statues and had to check out every single one of them!

Again - not sure if they were supposed to be up on them. But no one kicked us out... So I guess we were safe...

Now are these 2 siblings or what??!!! Look at their squishy noses, gummy smiles and fat cheeks!!

The treasures of my heart... Right here!

Lagoon's Last Day

2009-08-21T20:34:00.005-06:00

We decided to head on over to Lagoon today, since it is the last weekday open. School is starting on Monday so it's only going to be open on the weekends through Halloween, then it will be closed down till next year! Well - I think that EVERYONE in the vicinity had the same brilliant idea as us... And of course it was 100 degrees today. Kind of miserable. But I realized that even though Lagoon monopolized our time this summer, I never took pictures of it. I think I was too afraid to get my camera in any dangerous situation as I am hoping it is going to be my main source of income here soon!

So here are some pictures from my phone!

Flying Aces has recently become the favorite of both the kids. And luckily there is rarely a line!

Think she likes the wind in her hair???

Dallin LOVES being able to control the ride!

On our way to Rattlesnake Rapids we HAVE to stop in Pioneer Village. For some reason, my kids LOVE this section!

We have to go into every building.

Dallin is pretty excited to start school Monday.

Maggie likes the smoke house...

Dallin found this leaf for me. It's a heart. It's so I will always remember that he loves me. I love that kid!

Well - both of them actually....

Here we are in line for Rattlesnake Rapids.

And here we are after getting drenched!

After walking around with soggy bottoms and waiting in looooooonnnngggg lines - I made the executive decision that we were leaving. But we can NOT leave without playing in the fountains!

Yes - they were both soaked. It is the ending ritual at Lagoon. We must not enter the car unless we are soaked clear through.

So here you have it. This is our weekly - sometimes twice weekly - trip! I LOVE season passes and fully intend on getting them again next year! Thanks for a great summer Lagoon!

County Fair 2009

2009-08-15T13:01:00.007-06:00

It was County Fair time again! I LOVE the fair... It is so fun to watch the kids play with the animals and be exposed to things they aren't typically. Such as Betty here...

I call her Betty - just because - well I thought she was ugly and the name Ugly Betty came to mind...

See - just not all that attractive.

This honey was a beast! I was quite worried that she might roll right over on to my tiny children! But the kids LOVED brushing this lady!!!

Maggie was from one animal to the next so fast there was no snapping pictures of her. But Dallin really liked this goat. When we got home and were looking at the pictures he says, "Hey mom! That goat is smiling!!"

And he was...

Kind of spooky, if you ask me....

Then came the yo-yo champion. Those pics didn't turn out so great. After that, the smell of fried food was just too tempting.... So we went to get some!

After the cotton candy, that is....

French fries....

Then, of course....

A corn dog!

And it didn't take long...

for it to be completely GONE!

And Dallin's face tells it all. Totally content! Except I didn't have the blue cotton candy on my chin... Or the ketchup on my lips. That would just be Dallin's talent of getting food all over his face!

And Maggie... Well, you know her eating habits!

We didn't have to pay a dime for HER dinner! GROSS! She did actually eat some french fries.

Then I let the kids ride 2 rides. They chose this train and then the bouncy thingys. I figured why pay for rides at the fair when we have season passes to Lagoon????

On our way to the car we had to take a picture at the fair. Maggie just couldn't stand not knowing what was on the front. What a couple of nerds!

But they are my favorite nerds in the world!

I think that the times have truly changed. There was a RockBand Tournament at the County Fair! UGH!

As we were leaving the fair we saw these horses coming in. We left at about the time most people GET there!!! Anyway, Dallin started ROLLING and saying that the horses were wearing underpants on their heads! I tried to explain what they were for - but he wouldn't have it. They were DEFINITELY wearing underpants on their heads!!!

And I just don't understand why almost every event has to end this way....

But it does. I think I just over-tire my daughter.

But Dallin seems to still be happy - it must be the underpants....

This was the last thing I saw when leaving the fair. I thought it was hilarious!

And then best part about the evening??!!!

This picture took 2nd place in the Flowers section of the Photography Contest!!!!! YIPEE!

I love the fair!

Lagoon

2009-08-08T01:10:00.003-06:00

So I am entering a photo contest entitled "What does summer mean to you?" Since the kids and I go to Lagoon almost weekly I figured that would be the most memorable part of this summer! So I went there tonight. Although I got there too late. I will be trying again a little earlier in the evening this weekend.

Here are my favorites from the night tho...

Any opinions... They are a little fuzzy because it was too dark.... But any favorites?

Loosing teeth and the color purple

2009-07-19T18:26:00.006-06:00

Are these two kids not just the most adorable ones you have ever seen??!!! Well, I think they are :)

This little boy is so excited to start kindergarten this year. I can't believe I only have another month until he is in school. I don't know how I will handle this when it actually comes. Will I cry all day or be ok????

He is doubly excited because he has 2 loose teeth. They are the bottom middle ones. He thinks the tooth fairy is going to leave him lots of stuff. I have tried to prepare him for just getting a little money...

What a nut :)

Maggie seems to love the color purple. Sometimes she likes green... I guess those are the only 2 colors she knows... Does that make me a bad mom??

Maggie, What color is this?

"Dis poepoe!"

mmmmm.... close...

Maggie, what color is this??

"Dis poepoe!!!"

mmmmm.... not really...

Maggie, what color is this??

"Dis poepoe!!"

hmmmm.... maybe we need to work on this...

Maggie, what color is this?

"Dis poepoe, mama!"

Maggie, what color is this?

"Dis poepoe!"

Really - I am not this bad of a teacher am I???

Maggie, what color is this??

"Dis poepoe!"

Good job, Maggie!!! I knew you could do it!!!!!

On a different note... Look what I drove last week!

Yes - I have to say that I felt pretty tough!

I don't know if you can read this very well. Let me just say, it's a Ford F350! I think I am truly in love!

Yes - I was pretty tough! I can now say that I have driven a diesel Ford F350 and pulled a 20 foot trailer!

Our 4th of July

2009-07-08T20:45:00.008-06:00

So my mother called today saying she is missing the kids and wanting to see updates... She even said she would have to get on a plane soon to see them if I didn't get some pictures up. I apologize. I have been crazy busy lately. I was working for my friend's husband who started Olympus Fireworks here in Utah. There have been permits and business licenses to get, tents to outfit and set up, credit card machines to order and what a fiasco that was!!!! Anyway, things have begun to slow down and I am not sure what to do with my time now. So I have been editing pictures, lots and lots of pictures that I took on the 4th.

So forgive me if this is a boring post for you - but it's not for me! :)

I started the morning with taking pictures. I have neglected that for the past month and it felt great to get back out into nature and take photographs!!!

The morning was gorgeous! I was on the road by 5:30 ish. Later than I wanted to be... But I still got some good morning shots.

This is my FAVORITE picture of the morning!

I think I need to submit it to someone somewhere to get it published.

This is a nice sunrise shot too...

There are railroad tracks that I went up to to get pictures of. There is even a rope swing hanging off the bottom going into a creek.

I just thought this was a shot that reminded me of Illinois. I am really wanting to go to Old Settler's this year... But it's just not gonna happen :(

Not sure why I like this one so much - but I do.

So we got the slip and slide out about lunch time. It busted about 10 seconds into it... Oh well. That's what you get with a slip and slide I guess. Dallin decided to get his scooter out and have a little fun...

I giggled pretty good at that, took a picture and then told him to pull his pants up!

Maggie was cute saying she was "CODE"!!!

After we got some clothes on we went down to the park in the wagon that Stephanie gave us! Thanks Steph! (Maggie found this BK crown at a McDonalds we went to in our hours and hours of driving getting fireworks situated - and she won't let go of it!)

Dallin jumped off the swing at the park!

"How good am I", he is thinking!!!!

Then we went back and got the pool going... Maggie is totally into her purse lately. She won't be without it.

Ham...

She is all about "take a picture, mama!" lately :)

Pulling faces....

Dallin picked out this water gun very carefully. He LOVES it!

He kept spraying it up in the air and then letting it hit him. He was having a ball!

Look at that face! I love that kid!!

Funny kid!

Then we had steaks, chips, corn on the cob and put Maggie to bed.

Of course we lit off fireworks - I mean heck!! I worked for a fireworks company!!!

And then we watched the big ones from our front yard. I have to admit - they aren't even as good as my dad's fireworks display... But they worked. Dallin loved them.

Happy Independence Day!!!

Mah Dingahoppa

2009-06-21T18:10:00.004-06:00

I need to get a picture of this to post. Maggie has been walking around combing forks through her hair saying, "Mah dingahoppa". I can't wait to get it in print!!!!!!

Edit: When I put the song on here Maggie was in tears yelling, "Mah can't see mermaid!!!!!!!!!!" She thought the movie would be on here.. I guess I need to go buy a copy of the movie. :) Then while it was playing she was singing along. It is amazing how well she knows this song!

2009 Air Show Practice

2009-06-05T23:18:00.006-06:00

We are having an air show here at the air force base. This is one of the advantages of living 1/2 mile from the end of the runway! I must admit that most of the time I LOVE the jets! But when I am having a conversation with someone, other than myself, or if I am trying to sleep in the middle of the night and the jets are off their lunch break - it gets a little annoying.

We have had serious air traffic these past few weeks as these pilots are readying themselves for amazing stunts, twists and twirls through the air! Today we found really great spot to sit on the roof of the car and take pictures of these guys practicing for this weekend. I am amazed we didn't get told by police to move... but we didn't :)

I would LOVE to ride in one of these - but I must admit that I would be in need of an extra large barf bag.

As much as I love them - my daughter totally doesn't! She had her fingers in her ears most of the day today.

She doesn't look all that pleased, does she??

This is a series of 3 shots that I got. I am still trying to figure out the best way to get clear motion shots. Very frustrating for me to see them all blurry when I pull them up in Photoshop.

It's amazing how they twirl and fly and totally don't crash into eachother!!! They are SO close to eachother! Truly amazing!!! (The sky looks different in each of these because I was playing... they really were taken all in the same sequence. They came over my head, out and then straight up!)

Anyway - very excited for this weekend. Not sure if I will get that many better shots. Maybe. Maybe not... We shall see!

This is just a totally random shot of Maggie from this morning. She is so cute with the piano! She just sits there and plays while looking at her scrapbook. When she is done playing 1 page of her in a Halloween costume and singing about it, she will turn to the next page and sing about it.

Hopefully this will be something she loves still when I am making her take real piano lessons!!!!

Balloon Issues

2009-06-01T23:16:00.006-06:00

Bah-lyunes.... So Saturday we had issues with the bah-lyunes. Maggie lost 1 at the Safe Kid Fest (see prior entry) and then got another one which she ended up popping in the car on the way home. Serious drama there... You are probably glad you weren't there!

Well, later that evening we went to Scott's brother's MBA graduation party. Of course what would be there??? Bah-lyunes!

After being there for about an hour Maggie got a purple balloon. She let it go. Drama.

Got her another one. Let it go. Drama.

Finally as we were leaving we got 2 more. Put them in the car with her to make sure they didn't "won away".

Sunday - She is out back after church. She takes them outside with her. She lets them go. By total and complete luck this is what happens...

They got caught on the gutter of the house. How lucky is that? Could you even imagine if they had drifted off to Never Neverland???

BUT - believe me - there was still drama. And a lot of it!!

YAE! Daddy to the rescue!

We still have them in the house and it's Monday night!!!!!

The kids were standing on my very last nerve today and I was really wanting to put them out on the street corner. And somehow - Dallin just knows when he should do something so dang cute!

How could you POSSIBLY be upset with this????

Safe Kid Fest

2009-05-30T14:56:00.011-06:00

This morning we went to the Safe Kid Fest at a park around here. There were all kinds of balloons - so of course we had to get one first off!!

Maggie adores balloons :)

BMX bikers were there. I thought Dallin would be more interested in this one, but I was wrong.

This is called the superman.

This is totally crazy. I was on continuous shoot mode thinking it would be cool to get the whole flip...

What's that?

GRRRRRR... It's Dallin walking in front of me. So much for getting the whole flip :(

The slide next to the bikers that was much more of a hit than the bikers were!

The dummies that don't wear their seat belts there.

And then... the dreaded, awful event of letting go of the beloved balloon.....

Up, up and away....

It was a very sad time for her.

After that she would cry whenever she saw a balloon in the sky and say, "Buh-lyune won away!" --- Balloon ran away.

The Empire and the good guys came to visit us on Safe Kid Day!

Surprisingly enough, Dallin decided that he did NOT want to go meet them. I guess it's all fun and games in a movie - but meeting Darth Vader in real life isn't his cup of tea!

Of course Maggie found the lady that gave her a balloon. And she got another one.

Dallin got to shoot a sling shot for a free pass to the Aquatic Center. Darn, I guess we will have to go swimming.

Look how thrilled he is that he got it through the hole!

We got to get the kids photographed, weighed and their height checked and put on a CD for the Amber Alert system. Maggie wasn't interested in getting her picture taken. Maybe she is too tired of the camera...

The Hunter Safety people were there too. Dallin got to shoot pellets at a target. I don't know that he hit anything, but he had fun!

See all this??? This may look like snow... but it's not. It's cotton. I am SO SICK OF SNEEZING!!!! The other day Lasca said to Dallin, "Look, it's snowing!" He said, "No - it's cotton. It makes mommy sneeze."

It's crazy. I hate it. I have never had allergies before a few years ago. This stuff is awful!

It was "so freaking hot" as Dallin put it. We found a water fountain on the way to the car.

Bye, Safe Kid Fest! We had a great time!

Brown Belt Ceremony

2009-05-27T19:19:00.008-06:00

Today was Dallin's belt ceremony. He is now officially a brown belt. He is the highest belt he can get in the Tiny Tigers program. His sensei wants to keep him for a couple more months - and then send him off to Little Dragons!

First he took off his green belt...

Then Jeff told him all the things he was proud of Dallin for accomplishing.

He mentioned the whole Luke Skywalker thing again...

And then he gave him his Brown Belt...

Ok... so that one would have turned out better if the brown wasn't so close to the black... Oh well :) The intent was good!!!

But he is so very happy. Look at this crew! They are all pretty good little karate fighters!

Dinosaur Park

2009-05-25T21:23:00.007-06:00

Today we decided to go to the Dinosaur Park. We have lived here for 4 years and never been - it's only a few miles away! So we went...

There were trails to forge...

And dinosaurs to scout out....

There were dino roars being sounded through the trails and Maggie kept her ears covered...

Until she got brave enough to get down... But then she kept signing "scared" and saying, "Sca-wee!!!"

Don't ya love her outfit? She is wearing a purple velvet dress and then right before we left she found her terrycloth swimsuit cover up and HAD to put that on over her princess dress!

Finally it was snack time, so we found a bench...

There was a dinosaur wanting our fruit snacks!

There were also pretty flowers.

This place is pretty neat. It has lots of hands on things for the kids to do. Here they are comparing their hands to the foot/hand prints of dinosaurs.

Maggie and Bailey - Friends forever :) Except when they are fighting :)

Dallin and Maggie eating Dino Burgers.

There was a playground for the kids to play on. Maggie is going to give me ulcers, I tell ya!!!!!

When we got back we had brats/hot dogs and then made homemade ice cream! And who better to help - but Dallin and Maggie!

And what else is there to do while we wait for the ice cream to get done - swing!!!

The moment we have been waiting for -

Oh baby - Come to mama!!!

Maggie approves...

They both do!

But then we had a little accident :(

She tried to scoop it back as she is crying her little heart out...

But there was plenty more where it came from and she got more!

And what better way to finish off the night???

But to watch Jurassic Park!!!

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Thank you to all the military people out there protecting our freedoms. We are so grateful to those who have given their lives for ours!

www.creative-lenz.com

2009-05-24T20:24:00.004-06:00

I can't believe that I have forgotten to make an announcement on my blog about my new website!!!

It is up and running! I also have a blog for Creative Lenz. This is more for me to put photos that I love and some that I don't out there in cyberspace without totally bogging up facebook and this blog.

Both of the websites are on the sidebar of this blog so it's just 1 click away! I am of course looking for people to photograph! So if you or someone you know wants their family or kids or pets photographed - let them know I am willing to!

I would love to get into the Senior photo market, so if you know any seniors wanting to get their photos done this summer, let them know that too!

http://www.creative-lenz.com/
http://creative-lenz.blogspot.com/

Loves... Monica

Rodeo

2009-05-24T14:03:00.005-06:00

Here I sit on a Sunday afternoon... I realize that I haven't blogged for a while. So I am catching up. I took my baby girl to the doctor again today. She keeps getting ear infections. Last night she opted not to sleep, so after we got back from the doc and picking up yet ANOTHER antibiotic, I put Belle on for her and here she sleeps. This is good for me though. I needed to edit pictures and get some blogs posted.

Last night we drove up to Logan to attend a 4-H Rodeo that a friend of friend's daughter was in. Is that obscure enough for you? Anyway - Dallin hasn't ever been to a rodeo. We thought he might enjoy it... So off we went!

I think that I would love for my kids to be a little cowboy and cowgirl... They just do it so well!!!

I love this shot! I just can't decide if I like sepia or black and white better.

Any opinions??

Ok... So I was having some serious camera dysfunction last night. Not sure if it was that I was on Sport mode or that I didn't have my tripod or a combination of the two.... Sorry they are so rotten... Really - I am totally disappointed.

This was the Mutton Bustin'. It was so cute to see those little kids riding those sheep!

Her hat blew off...

This is completely crazy...

Oh - so sorry the pictures are so blurry!

I don't know that he was too happy about his performance...

I thought it was pretty good - but then I am not all that educated in this sport :)

The friend of the friend's daughter let Dallin ride on her horse with her.

And then the friend of the friend let Maggie ride on the horse with him.

I think they were both pretty excited! It was a really fun night. Maggie found another pole to dance around... But I didn't get the picture. Like I said - I was having camera dysfunction last night.

I will try to be better about blogging more often. Sorry for the long lag :)

Brown Belt

2009-05-20T13:37:00.000-06:00

Dallin had his karate belt test for his brown belt! I wasn't able to be there, but Scott took off work and took the pictures...

I took him in for a private lesson to make sure that he was ready for this one...

His Sensei was so good about helping him to make sure he could pass it...

Now my cute bug is a brown belt! The belt ceremony will be on Wednesday. More pictures to come!!!

Big Helper

2009-05-14T13:24:00.001-06:00

As I was mowing the lawn, Dallin decided he wanted to help out!

I love this kid!

It's my special night!

2009-05-11T22:09:00.009-06:00

Tonight was a very special night indeed ~ it was Dallin's very first Tball game!

Isn't he just the most handsome kid ever????!!!!!

This is his coach. Coach Bo.

This is his team... The Jays... Dallin is #7.

And his first time to bat!

Off he goes!!! As fast as his little legs will carry him!

They have great people to help encourage the kids.

I was SO glad he got to first without getting out!

Then the ball was hit again and he was off to 2nd!

This was hilarious! Of course I forgot to zoom the lens - but you get the idea. He totally jumped onto the base and then put his arms up... SUCCESS!!!!!

This is when he was on his way home.... He is running...

And grinning!

Then looking for mom and her camera!!!!

Kinda busy now mom!!! But I will give you a wave!

But now I must touch the home plate!!! (or is it base?? I don't know - I am sport knowledge challenged)

And of course what event...

Could possibly BE an event....

Without a little pole dancing???!!!

Well - this was our very special Monday night! As will the be the next 6-ish weeks of Monday and Wednesday nights!!!!

It was fun.

Until Dallin got slugged in the stomach by a kid from the other team during the high fives at the end... At which time he decided that he HATES BASEBALL!!!! Won't this be a fabulous 6 weeks!!???!!!

T-ball and Curls

2009-05-01T08:37:00.005-06:00

This has been quite the busy week.

Dallin started his T-ball practices this week. It started on Tuesday, which was already filled with me teaching Joy School and then something else... But I can't remember now.

Now, mind you, we are not that much of a sport watching family. We got there and Dallin really didn't have a clue what to do! I felt like a bit of a failure as a mother. But I think there was more than just Dallin without a clue.

We got home and he let me take pictures of him in his t-ball uniform. He is a member of the Jays team. #7!!

With it being such a hectic night, I ran out and got Wendy's for dinner.

Dallin has his typical - chicken nuggets and french fries...

Maggie on the other hand, has found a liking for salad...

The kid was shoveling it in!!!

I guess she really is a girl!

Speaking of girl - I found sponge rollers.

Aren't they adorable??!!! A lady at t-ball asked if she just came back from getting her pictures taken. She was in a sparkly dress and her hair all curly. Ummmm - that would be a NO! Another lady asked me where she got her curly hair from. I said: "Sponge rollers".

It was funny :)

Well - maybe...

I thought so anyway....

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

2009-04-26T16:30:00.004-06:00

We were at lunch/dinner this evening at the table. As we were talking Scott and I both noticed a mark on Dallin's cheek about the same time. Scott asked if he got hurt on his face. He thought for a minute and said, "Oh - yes. While we were singing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes today I went bffffft!" (motioning to himself hitting himself in the face) I started laughing. He did NOT like that. He doesn't like to be laughed at.

The kid is a crack up!!!

Trampoline Fun

2009-04-22T18:05:00.003-06:00

As I sit on the back porch this 80 degree evening and watch my kids jump and laugh, I wonder how long I will be able to hear my 5 yr old boy say to my 2 yr old girl, "Maggie, I want to kiss you!" I think, "Oh how sweet! They really DO love each other!" So he kisses her on the forehead and they have more fun for a few minutes... Then he sits on her face.

Typical brotherly love!

Nice flip with no hands!!!!!

Oh mercy!!! Look at that hair!!!

The kids

2009-04-21T14:46:00.003-06:00

It is remarkable to me how different children are. How they have their familiar physical characteristics, but their own indiviual personalities.

I love my kids so much! I am starting a photography business and decided that my OWN kids ought to be on the website I am working on. So yesterday I had a little photo shoot with them!

They are amazing to me. My tender-heart little boy and my dare-devil little girl!

They are both so loving and show it in their own ways...

They are my ordinary miracle.

Saturday

2009-04-20T08:46:00.003-06:00

Our first 5k.... What an experience. Good thing it was a run/walk. Or in our case a walk/run!!!

This was before the race began.

There was a ton of encouragement from the small people being pushed in the stroller.

"Run, run, run!!!!"

Easy for YOU to say! Scott pushed the stroller most of the way and I STILL couldn't keep up! But that is ok. It was essentially, the first time I have really run since the snow flew. So I really can't complain.

Near the end there was a pretty bad bike crash. Dallin was intrigued because of all the blood.

But we ran the last part. Even though I truly wanted to throw up.

I think we actually look better at the end than we did at the beginning!

After we got home and got things done there we decided to go to Lagoon. We got season passes for this year. They are open on the weekends now and so we decided to pack up and go :)

Dallin wanted to ride the bumper cars first.

This is Maggie's first time ever riding them.

I don't think she liked it. In fact, I am pretty sure she hated it!

But they both loved the new Dragon ride.

Then Dallin's favorite ride is the Dino Drop...

Those would be Scott and Dallin's feet.

Look at that grin!

It was quite the busy day! Fun, but busy...

And am I completely nuts that I am going to sign up for another 5k for Memorial Day? I dare not tell my time for Saturday - but I do hope to beat it the next round!

Funny Dallin

2009-04-15T22:45:00.004-06:00

So today we are getting ready to leave for Karate... This is his conversation with Lasca:

L: Can I come with you to Karate today?

D: No - it's only for little kids.

L: Oh. So what if I cut my legs off. Will I be little then?

D: No. You'd be dead.

I love that kid!!!!

He seriously comes up with the funniest things! I need to keep a notebook with me in my purse so that I can write them down. Then you would love him as much as I do! Well - maybe. I love him an awful lot!

Karma got us again!

2009-04-14T10:20:00.003-06:00

I guess that Karma just didn't care whether it was Drusella or Cinderella.... She got us again!

We have been doing yard work since it has been so nice lately. Pruning the apple tree specifically. Thus, I have been climbing the tree, Scott has been climbing the tree, Austin has been climbing the tree, Dallin has been climbing the tree.... Therefore, Maggie decided she needed to try to climb the tree!

Of course she is too small to actually CLIMB the tree. So she tried to and then SLID down the side of it. She immediately screamed one of those, I am really hurt screams. The palm of her hand got gouged by something poking out of the tree.

I took her to our local doc's office, but since they decided that she would need to be sedated to stitch it up, they sent me to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake.

So we packed up the kids with coloring books and books to read and went off to Salt Lake.

They gave her a sticker...

This is the bandage that I put together before going...

Sorry these pics aren't the best. They are off of a phone.

It is such a small cut. The only reason we had to go to the hospital is because they had to sedate her.

This was after they shot liquid stuff up her nose to sedate her.

Irrigating the wound....

She is looking VEEEEEERY relaxed right now... :)

After the stitches were in. I couldn't watch while they were doing it. But Maggie did - she really was interested in it! Much stronger stomach than mine!!!

This is her patched up after and still under the influence...

ALL THIS for 3 stitches...

Crazy kid....

And one funny thing about last night... The doctor was trying to find a suture kit. She found an adult kit, but couldn't find a child kit. She asked the nurse... The nurse said, "We only have adult kits... the child kits are special order."

Now - let me get this straight. We are at a CHILDREN'S hospital and the child suture kits are special order??????

Oh well.

Let's hope...

2009-04-09T19:36:00.002-06:00

that because it's Drusella and not Cinderella that Karma doesn't care this time...

This was what I found after Maggie's bath tonight... I am keeping her away from the fireplace!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At this rate - we will have all headless princeses by the end of next month!

Let's go fly a kite~

2009-04-09T16:57:00.004-06:00

Doesn't this sky look like a kite flying sky???

The day started out a little windy...

But by the time we got to the park... it wasn't so much.

But it didn't much matter to our cute kids...

And we did get them up for a few minutes at a time.

Maggie just wanted to help carry the kite back to the starting point.

She wasn't really ok with letting hers sit on the ground while we got one up for Dallin either...

But then she decided running was ok. Here we are getting ready to put Dallin's kite up.

It didn't work out so well...

At least not at first. But then it got up and Dallin was trying to chase it.

Then Dallin wanted a turn to fly the kite...

I really wasn't sure if he would be able to get it up or not....

But he did...

And he was SO happy about it!!!

What a fun time to fly the kites! This was a few weekends ago... The same one that Maggie decided to take a walk off the fireplace. So this blog got put on hold for a little bit.

By the way - Maggie did fabulously getting her staples taken out on Monday. I think she was much more upset about being held down that actually having them taken out. The downside to the visit was that she had pink eye and an ear infection. But we are taking care of that!

Does she not learn?

2009-04-02T16:34:00.009-06:00

Remember this??? Just 4 days ago????

Ya - I am not sure Maggie remembers it. Even though the staples are still in her head. We have an appointment to get them pulled out on Monday. I will let you know how that goes...

Anyhoo - Today I was getting ready to run out. Asked Maggie to get in her car seat. As I am getting the keys I hear, "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee".

Well - this can't be good. I look out in the garage and find Miss Maggie swinging from the rope that tells us how far we can pull into the garage...

Of course, the FABULOUS mother that I am, I don't tell her to get off for fear of her splitting her head open again. I go get my camera.

She was doing all kinds of acrobatics.....

Then - as I am looking at the playback of this exact photo... I hear a THUNK.... WAAAAAAAAAA....

She fell flat on her back. UGH... Atleast it didn't split it open again. I can just imagine the conversation...

"Are you here to have her staples taken out already?"

"No, actually - I need you to put more in..."

"Oh sure - I will do that right after I call Child Services...."

UGH!

You thought YOU had a bad day?

2009-03-29T21:44:00.010-06:00

Poor Cinderella... She really got her head bit off....

Maggie decided to just to bite it off...

But I guess karma can really get ya...

Hmmmm... where are we at??

That would be Wee Care Pediatrics. Maggie decided to climb up on the wood stove today. I said to her - Maggie, get down please.

Instead of CLIMBING down - like she got up there... she stepped off of it, falling head first into the brick hearth.

This is the numbing cream they put on her before STAPLING her head back together.... Oh - and the pretty bows in her hair??? Those would be the gauze strips in the doc's office. We had to keep her hair out of the wound....

Here the doctor is putting the staples in her...

This was heartbreaking for me. I almost started crying along with Maggie right here....

And here she is.... All stapled together...

Ugh - what a day. All this was happening while my friend from college and her family were over for dinner.

And another bad part? I CAN'T WASH HER HAIR UNTIL TUESDAY!!!!! My kid has to have blood in her hair for 2 whole days!!!!! (Sorry - I just had to complain. That is my vain streak...)

I guess karma has a way of getting back :) Maybe Maggie won't bite anymore heads off her princesses....

Joy School Field Trip

2009-03-26T16:30:00.006-06:00

We went on a field trip today to the Air Force Museum. It was really fun. There is a room that I never knew existed that was SO fun for the kids.

The kids could put on flight suits and helmets and get into these simulators.

Aren't they just the studs!

Then of course the little girls couldn't be left out!

There were even little computers that they could use to practice their flying skills...

When they came out of that room, there were little planes that they could ride around in. Maggie's shoe came off....

This kind gentleman helped her put it back on. Well - he tried anyway. He couldn't quite get it.

The kids were very good (for the most part) to stay together and listen. They pretended to be airplanes.

Ethan called this the Hall of the Greats...

It was cute...

A great time was had by all - and with the weather being so frigid - it was nice to get out... yet still be inside. :)

Opinion Time Again!!!

2009-03-24T16:58:00.010-06:00

I am going to be starting a photography business here shortly. I finally decided on a name and made about 10 or 12 logos today. Scott and I have narrowed them down for you all to vote on. I do have my favorite... And it's not guaranteed that I will chose the majority vote... BUT I still want to know what you all think.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

The reason for the spelling of Lenz is that my maiden name is Enz. Scott came up with that one. Thanks, Scott - I love it!!!

Anyway - please leave your opinion! This will not be the end of the options. I will be working on more and putting them up.

What's a twinkie??

2009-03-19T22:02:00.003-06:00

Am I a bad mother if my 2 1/2 year old has never had a Twinkie? How about my 5 year old?

Well, Lasca came home with a package of Twinkies for Maggie and Bailey to share. Maggie was funny as she has never eaten one - she just didn't know what to expect...

But then she decided that it was good stuff!! Lasca cannot believe I had never fed my kids a Twinkie before... She thinks the answer to the first question I asked is yes. And the answer to the 2nd one is, That's even worse.

We decided to feed the blue birds that are in our backyard peanuts. It's fun because they take them and then bury them in the yard or my garden.

I told them they needed to be quiet or the birds wouldn't come...

After a while when they didn't come, Maggie and Bailey decided to play with the peanuts.

Maggie decided to try and let the birds know that the peanuts were here. She held them up to the sky and said, "Biiiirrdd, come eat! Come eat!"

Then they lost interest in the peanuts altogether.

We have been totally enjoying this beautiful weather!! But we are expecting snow in the beginning of next week. So we will only have it here for the next 2 days - UGH!

St. Patricks Day

2009-03-17T19:39:00.003-06:00

Happy St. Patricks Day everyone!

I had Joy School at my house today. I think we had fun with this being a very green day! We painted shamrocks, learned how to spell "Shhhhhhh" and figured out words that started with the Sh sound.

We also had green cupcakes with gold coins on them.

And a leprechaun came to the door and left a pot of gold!!!

During painting time Maggie, Bailey and Grace decided they wanted to paint too. I gave them watercolors instead of the paint the big kids were using.

They decided to paint themselves!

But we got a couple of them cleaned up...

During play time before moms came to get their chillins Maggie decided she was in need of some nourishment...

She ate some dirt... She is cracking me up every time I look at her. You know how some kids are missing their 2 front teeth? She is missing the middle front of her bangs. I keep singing to myself when I see her, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, my two front teeth..."

For dinner we didn't do the traditional corned beef and cabbage. We decided to have pot roast, green mashed potatoes,

and green jello....

with green whipped cream (homemade).

Well - hope everyone had a GREAT St. Patricks Day!!!

Loves!

Hair Today Gone Today

2009-03-15T00:00:00.004-06:00

We cut hair today. It was so fun. My friend Lasca knows how to cut hair and was teaching me how to cut hair with scissors instead of just buzzing Scott and Dallin. I have to admit - their hair looks tons better! Even on my first try...

We also cut Maggie's bangs. She didn't sit very still for it.

Later on Lasca and I were talking upstairs. Dallin and Maggie were downstairs. After a bit Maggie comes upstairs saying, "Hair pitty..." and combing it with Lasca's comb.

(Side note: Due to extreme drama at her house, involving cops and her mother keeping her children hostage in a locked house... Lasca is staying with us until she can find a place. Thus her stuff is in our basement. Including the scissors we used to cut Maggie's hair.)

After taking a closer look at Maggie "pitty hair" - I noticed that some of it wasn't there anymore!

She also got into Lasca's mascara...

We started laughing SO hard - we went downstairs to see if we could find the hair. Not that it would have done a lick of good as it was already cut off.

But we did find it. On the vanity in front of the mirror in the downstairs bathroom. I can just imagine her standing on the little stool, combing her "pitty hair" and SNIP!

She managed to cut her face too.

So Lasca went to work to try to fix this mess.

Which she did beautifully! Thanks, Lasca!!!!

This is a photo I found on the camera of Maggie on a cold morning. She really is my kid. She is sitting on a heater vent, drinking her chocolate milk!!! And she had bangs...

Oh well - they grow back, right??

Crazy Weather Week

2009-03-11T22:21:00.008-06:00

What a weird weather week. This is a picture of what Maggie decided to wear on Saturday while I was in Denver.

Notice there isn't any snow? It looks a little cold because of the hat - but she decided not to wear tights...

Then on Monday we got snow. My kid decided to wear a dress (with no tights), a coat and her Cinderella shoes...

Brrrrr....

It was chilly enough that Dallin and his friend played baseball in the garage... Well, they tried to play :)

Then today we are having a beautiful brisk day - about 45 degrees. This is a typical of my daughter. We didn't want a princess. But we got one. See her nice dress she is wearing (again!). Luckily she isn't a total priss. She is sitting in a bunch of dirt.

And eating it again. I had hoped that she would get over it this winter. She didn't.

Then today being pretty nice out - I just couldn't wait to get the trampoline up. So my friends and I put it up.

Maggie was SO cute in the beginning. She just kind of looked at it. Although, it didn't take her long to start jumping! (You can click on this picture to see it better - it's a fun one)

We do have a net for it. I just couldn't get it up without Scott's help. It is supposed to be 57 by the weekend. Except for a storm is coming in. We just have to be sure to push the snow off so it doesn't stretch out.

Merry Christmas to us!!!

Time Out For Women

2009-03-09T09:45:00.004-06:00

I really had the greatest weekend! I flew to Denver to help out with the Time Out For Women event. If you don't know what Time Out For Women is - it's a weekend that you go and listen to uplifting speakers and uplifting music and eat lots of chocolate!

My friend Christa and I got there and with the help of a few other unloaded 3 pallets of books, cds, dvds, songbooks, cash registers, etc. Christa is in charge of the bookstore portion of the event. Then there was training on the registers. Then the doors opened and lots and lots of women came pouring into the room.

One of those women was my college roommate, Carolyn. She lives outside of Denver and came and we got to talk and hang out Friday night and Saturday. It was wonderful to see her! It is amazing how time works. On the one hand it seems to take forever. Then when we were together talking, it was as if no time had passed and we were just sitting at college talking like we did so many times!

One of the presenters was Kenneth Cope. For those who aren't familiar with LDS performers - he sings inspirational music. He sat right behind me on the plane ride home. Of course I didn't have my camera for this event - but this is a picture of us from my phone. I look really tired because - well - I was really tired. I worked my butt off this weekend!

And then this is me with Mary Ellen Edmunds - She is an AMAZING woman, writer and speaker! She was the Relief Society President of the MTC while I was there preparing for my mission to Korea. She was also on the plane ride home with us.

Then - yesterday we went to Steph's house to make chinese food! It was seriously the best batch of kung pao chicken and joudza we have ever made! YUM!!

This was a very spiritually refreshing weekend! If I can just keep the momentum going until General Conference I should be good!

Our new ride...

2009-03-05T10:43:00.004-07:00

We sold our van! We really wanted to be car payment free. And since we have only 2 children, there really wasn't that much of a need for a van. We looked and looked and test drove and test drove.

We found some real turds out there. But we also found what we hope to be a gem.

It's a Buick Regal. Kind of a gramma car... But it has some real pick up and go! Its color is Aluminum.

Love the leather seats for the quick clean up factor with the small people in the back.

And Maggie's FAVORITE part??

It would be the "door" in the roof. She wants it open all the time. It was pretty chilly last night as we were out running errands... Oh my - if the "door" wasn't open... well - it wasn't pretty.

But I think our car is pretty. And it's paid off. We own it!! And it really does go fast. We really like it.... Now I just need to find my drivers license so I don't get in real trouble if I go too fast!

We just need to get our Subaru fixed and we will have 2 paid off, well running vehicles!

Planting Peas

2009-03-03T12:03:00.008-07:00

We are having AMAZING weather!!!

Today it is 64 degrees! The snow is almost entirely melted in my yard. More importantly - the snow is off my raised beds in my garden. Since the weather is so nice the dirt is all thawed out.

IT IS TIME TO PLANT SUGAR PEAS!!!

I love working in the garden. It is one of the most satisfying things in life to me.

This is my favorite look on me... Do you love it?? Or is it just me?

Dallin was at school while Maggie and I were out in th garden. Then she got a little distracted with the slide that is no longer snow covered!

She was so cute!

I am SO ready for spring. I was thrilled to see my parsley coming up. I could even use this parsley in cooking! Yae! It's big enough to pick!

One of the things that I miss when we are locked in our homes over the winter with the windows and doors shut - the planes. There was one that was right over my head - but my hands were too dirty to get my camera.

I love today! The windows are open in every room in the house. I feel like I am getting all the sick germs out of our house! There is supposed to be snow later this week. So I guess I need to enjoy today and tomorrow....

ValueTales Swiped....

2009-03-02T09:01:00.008-07:00

Hmmm... This is an interesting tale...

Have you heard of ValueTales? We had them growing up and I loved them. My favorite one was on Louis Pasteur and Believing in yourself.

There are lots and lots of them.

I still think about them from time to time. I called my mother a few weeks ago asking if she still had them or if they were given to my brother. She ended up having them and told me that she sent them to me in 2 boxes. One of the boxes was her laptop computer box. It was sturdy, had a handle and was perfect to hold about 16 of the books. She sent it book rate (which means that you can't have anything in the box other than books) so it might take a long while to get them.

Surprise surprise! The box came today! I thought it seemed a little light. The postman brought it to our door since it was too big for our mailbox.

I open the Gateway computer box and...

Out pops a pair of jammies (3T) for Maggie, I assume and this raggy old jacket that I assumed was for Dallin. Weird.

So I call my mom to say thank you for the jammies and the raggy old jacket...

Oh - so sad. Someone thought they were getting a computer. Someone actually opened the box, pulled out the books on VALUES, replaced the books with jammies and a raggy old jacket, sealed the box back up and sent it on to me.

My mom was sick and my heart was sad that the world has come to this. But then she said, "I hope they read the books! Maybe they will get something out of them..."

Well - thanks, Mom, for the jammies you didn't buy Maggie...

She loves them and HAD to wear them today!

And isn't it ironic??? Don't ya think? A little tooooooo ironic.... And yeah I really do think.... :)

I like this song today!

Going through my pictures

2009-02-24T15:43:00.005-07:00

I was just going through my pictures and found this sunset I wanted to share... I took this on my drive from Arkansas to Indiana in January. Shhh... Don't tell anyone though. I probably shouldn't be driving and taking pictures at the same time...

And then these were from the return to Salt Lake from Indy...

Again - I shouldn't be taking pictures while I am driving... Shhhhhh

My camera battery had died on the way back RIGHT at St. Louis. So these are on the camera phone.

These are at one of my favorite restaraunts in the midwest. Steak and Shake...

What a goofy face... Aren't they adorable???

My First 5k

2009-02-23T10:11:00.006-07:00

Some of you know that I started running in the fall. Well - I am a total wuss when it comes to cold. Heck - anyone who knows me would be like, "What? Monica - Run? Those 2 words don't go in the same sentence!!"

Anyway, once the weather got to below 35 or so in the mornings I stopped. I keep saying that I will start again when it's warmer. I hope that I do! I really felt stronger when I was running. I could actually catch my daughter (who is a natural born runner) when she would take off at the park. I actually had abs - not of steel... but abs none the less. Anyway - I just felt really good.

So I was thinking about my lack of motivation to get out running again. Not that I am going to be going right now. I mean come on - there is still snow and ice on the ground! But I decided that I needed something to motivate me.

I registered Scott and myself in the SLC 5k that is coming up in April. I AM SO SCARED! Even at my best I could only run down our street, around the corner and to the house that was for sale with the big flag pole. I couldn't tell you how far that is... I just know that I would try to make it to that house. And now - I am $66 committed to start running again. I just hope there aren't any April showers that day!

I don't know that I will EVER want to run a marathon - but maybe a half. I don't know. I guess anything is possible!!!

Well... anything is possible as long as Scott is pushing the jogging stroller. I will be lucky to get MY OWN sorry butt across the finish line - let alone 2 cute baby butts!!!