Jenna's Turn -

We were by the movie theater and we were discussing which movies we would like to see. Dave said he wouldn't mind seeing "Little Fockers." Of course all three kids say, "'Little Fockers,' what's that?" So I say, "Watch yourselves, that was pretty close to a bad word." Jenna's reply was, "Yeah, just take off the er at the end."

The Sweater Vest

We went shopping at the mall with Aunt Tiff. While we were at Macy's she found the cutest sweater vest for Tyler. Complete with penguins wearing scarfs. Dave immediately vetoed it's purchase. I told him that Ty is four and to butt out. At that point Rilie chimed in and said, "It's okay Dad. Ty is too big for anyone to beat up."

New York, Rilie's Birthday, Halloween and Fun Fun Fun

One picture post every few months - Sorry life is CRAZY!
We had so much fun in New York (Thanks Tiff.)
Rilie had her tenth birthday while we were there. She is such a blessing in our lives. There are way more than ten things I love about her.
Yes, I did take a picture of my dessert at Serendipity.
We came home to Family Fright Night at my Mom and Dad's house.
Have you ever seen three more fiercely adorable pirates?

The man of many words...

... and most of them funny.

Tyler and I were having a conversation about Christmas. I asked him if he thought he had been good, he went through a whole list of things such as being nice to his sisters, making his bed, helping take out the garbage etc... and came to the conclusion that yes he had been good. After sitting thoughtfully for a minute, he turned to me and said, "But Mom, do you know what? I have to keep being good because Santa checks that list twice."

Background: I am married to the biggest UTE fan in the world and has brain washed our children to follow in his footsteps.

We have a U of U Christmas tree. Every year we get new ornaments to add to our collection and show our loyalty. This year we let the kids help decorate the tree and Ty took great pride in the finished product. About a week later we were at my parents house and Ty gives their gorgeous, full, nine foot tree the once over, turns to my dad and says, "Your tree looks pretty good, but you don't have any Utah Nutcrackers." And with a pitying sigh walked away.

April - September

Handsome T-Rex's Birthday -
My four favorite things about my favorite four year old:
1-He is unbelievably smart
2-He looks just like his dad (Soooo Handsome!)
3-He will do anything to make us smile
4-He tells you exactly what he thinks



Rilie made the competition soccer team she tried out for.



The end of third grade, first grade, and Yaya's preschool.



Cousin's Camp.
(Are you kidding me, NO PICTURES! I'll have to get some from my mom.)


Back to School!




Another Dog!?!?!



Karl and Kim came to visit!




Everybody's playing soccer this season.



Preschool at Aunt Sand's.



That, my friends, was exhausting! I will try to keep up next time.

It's been HOW long...

I know I know, my last post was eons ago. Although I like to ramble I know it is not nearly as interesting without visual aids. Finally I think our computer will let me download pictures again so plan on being bombarded. (I have pictures from Ty's birthday in April.)

What did you just say?

Tomorrow it is a month since Ty's birthday! Where is Ty's birthday post? Maybe tomorrow. But, for now -

Me - "I am scared at one of the houses I have to deliver a newspaper to the porch."
Rilie - "Of what?"
Me - "Skunks, snakes, raccoons, serial killers..."
Rilie - "Better watch your Cap'n Crunch."
Me - "What?"
Rilie - "Cereal Killers."

Rilie - "Mom, I lost a tooth at school yesterday."
Me - "Neat, did you get a little treasure chest to bring it home in?"
Rilie - "Yes, and I put it under my pillow without telling anyone so I could see if the tooth fairy was real."
Me - "Oh, what conclusion did you come to?"

Nana - (at Jenna's birthday party) "Jenna I better not smile."
Jenna - "Why?"
Nana - "Because I don't have my teeth in."
Jenna - "It's okay Nana, I don't have any teeth either."

Rilie - "I want to be an architect when I grow up. Or a (I can't remember, but something along the lines of president, doctor, you get the picture.)"
Me - "Jenna what do you want to be?"
Jenna - "Either the person who works at the register at the store or a pet groomer."

Tyler - (In church, not necessarily shouting, but pretty stinkin' loud.) "Mom, there is Big Brad." (His preschool teacher's husband.)
Me - "Yes Ty, please be quiet."
Tyler - (Still in his ultra-loud not even appropriate for a sporting event voice,) "Mom Big Brad is BALD."

Tyler and I recently went to a third grade activity for Rilie held in the school's gym. We were sitting at a table in between other tables with other moms. The activity was coming to an end, so Rilie's teacher blew her whistle to get everyone's attention.
Ty looks up from the DS that he had been studiously playing for the last hour and shouts into the dead silent gym, "What the HELL was that all about."
Me (red faced and slouching in my chair) - "Rilie's teacher wants everyone to be QUIET!"

Seven going on Twenty-one.

Where does the time go? I swear it was yesterday that I was in the hospital with a new baby that Rilie insisted we name Jenna. Now my little luv bug is SEVEN! Jenna didn't specify a theme for her birthday party except, fancy. I think we did alright.



My seven favorite things about Jenna are:

1-She is very decisive.
2-She may come off tough as nails, but inside she is a cupcake.
3-She loves to read to me and spend time with me.
4-She has the greatest toothless grin.
5-Her laughter is contagious.
6-She has definite style (she collects purses and got 4 new ones for her birthday.)
7-She is always pushing me to be a better person.

Hours (A-W-R-Z) in Time-Out

Tyler had to go sit on his bed the other day. I can't remember for what, but with that kid it could have been anything. On the way to his room the conversation went like this -

"How long do I have to stay there? Will it be for hours."
"No, Ty, more like ten minutes."

Ten minutes later I went to tell him he could come play. That conversation went like this -

"A-W-R-Z. That's how you spell it."
"That's how you spell what Ty?"
"HOURS! A-W-R-Z."

What three-year-old spends his entire time out trying to spell the duration of the time out? Mine. My kid does that.

What a LUCKY mom I am!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

First Grader For A Day

I just spent the last two hours helping in Jenna's class. Her teacher is a slightly eccentric woman who does not have any adult sized chairs (that I could find) in her room. After I had been there for about an hour she went slinking about the students whispering, "Break time." The kids all got up and went in the hall. She then invited me to come and watch them dance, explaining on the way that they would usually just stay in the classroom but, since the elf house magically showed up around Christmas-time that there just wasn't enough room. They all got in fourth position and did rel eves for a few minutes. Then they sat in a circle and did a little yoga. After they sneakily danced back to the classroom trying to avoid butterflies (classmates,) teacher (her name is Ms. Dalgleish, and I dare you to find a six-year-old that can pronounce it correctly,) read to us from a book about Abraham Lincoln's life. Two children were chosen to fill up buckets with water and carry them back and forth through the school until they had walked a mile so they could see how hard old Abe had it. Then we took a short field trip outside so we could see how far twenty miles was, because that was how far our 16th president walked to borrow books to read. All in all a very interesting morning.

I don't remember first grade that well, but I am pretty sure the most physical activity my teacher had was to kick Carlos Buckner in the rear-end when he stood on a chair to yell at the rest of the class. No wonder Jenna and her classmates love Teacher.

Back on line ...

... but not on facebook. I feel like the computer was a mirror to my life this past week. At first just a few things didn't work, then gradually next to nothing was working. No facebook, no e-mail, no blogging, no internet. No sleep, no diet coke, no time off from work, no energy to clean. Now, thanks to some great family members that are computer savvy and have trucks for hauling large furniture my computer works and I am motivated to get my house in order so I can put away all of my recent purchases. As a side note: Rilie has strep (AGAIN); and, it is my favorite uncle's birthday. Just thought you might want to know. Happy Birthday Karl!

Stop (and Go) Signs

The kids and I were out shopping the other day (I know, I know, big surprise.) In the parking lot there were tons of stop signs. Tyler pays attention more than any three-year-old boy should. After the second stop sign that I casually rolled through, (we were behind the buildings and utterly alone,) Ty piped up and told me that I just passed a stop sign not a go sign. I can't wait until the kid is 16. He will rue the day that he was a backseat driver in my car.

Pneumonia, Three Feet of Snow, Chronically Coughing Kids...

All reasons I want to move! I think the snow is pretty and belongs at the TOP of mountains. I appreciate that it is clearing "the worst air quality in the nation" but, I don't want to walk in, drive in, or shovel it. If I could just make a convincing enough case to Dave. (Never going to happen.) Happy Utah January!