Quick Update

So, I don't have the internet at home anymore...it was sucking too much time out of my days so I axed it... Anyway, I only get on the internet now at work. And seeing as how my pictures are all on my home computer, I haven't posted anything in a couple of months because pictureless posts are sooo boring.

But, this is all about the journaling isn't it? So, here's my quick update.

Since the last post, we've had a fantastic camping trip at Fairview with my fam...check out Lisa's blog for some great pics (I'm cheating, I know). I froze my tush off every night but survived the second night by shacking up in the back of Chris and Lisa's toyhauler and keeping Josh and Kristen's neoprene bottle full of boiling hot water at my feet. THANK YOU! I don't do well in 40 degree weather. The kids stayed toasty and the older boys even stayed in their own tent the first night...alone! (They won't sleep in the basement without 30 lights on and the dog guarding their rooms but they'll sleep on a bear infested mountain with nothing but the stars to light the night...go figure!) Anyway, it was a blast and we need to do it more...such an inexpensive vacation.

We had a rockin' 24th of July celebration shortly after the camping trip. We small town inhabitants know how to kick it on Pioneer Day, I tell ya. All four kids got to ride on various floats amongst giant tractors, llamas and 14 different city, county and rodeo princesses. #4 has never had more fun than the day she got to toss candy (illegally) off the hospital float. She was in heaven. #3 also rode the hospital float with a high powered water gun in hand that didn't get anyone but me wet. #1 and 2 got to ride their All-Star baseball floats with all their friends and also enjoyed themselves. The only one who wasn't involved was Hubby...he was stuck at the end taking all the pictures that I can no longer post. Bummer.

The next day all of us except #4 flew to Boston with Hubby's parents and sister, Brooke for a Boston/NYC baseball trip. (Yes, the whole point of the trip was baseball.) We spent four days in Boston, saw all there was to see and hit Manny Ramirez's last game as a RedSox. Hubby and the boys were even lucky enough to get a home run ball during batting practice when it ricocheted off of #3's leg and hubby recovered it. Good job, honey! We did the Freedom Trail and got to see Paul Revere's house, Boston Commons, a couple of very cool cemetaries with the likes of Ben Franklin, John Adams and Mr. Revere himself's gravestones and even stopped by Cheers! Then we took a train to New York and spent 3 days cramming in everything we could, including a game at Yankee Stadium (the final season). And as luck would have it, we got another ball! A foul ball came soaring all the way up to our nose bleed seats and the beer man caught it with one hand (other hand securing the beer tray on his head). After his little dance was shown on ESPN, he turned and handed the ball to #1. Highlight of the trip. We also managed to hit the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Times Square at night, the Hello Deli (where we met Rupert AND Biff from Dave Letterman), the Manhattan Temple, and Ground Zero. At Ground Zero we were able to meet John, one of the first responders on 9/11. He was actually in the WTC when it came down and got out untouched, though he lost 6 of his men. It was the highlight of my trip. We got a picture with him and tried to impress on the boys that they had met a REAL hero...they were very excited. It was a great trip and #4 did well with Grandpa and Grandma, although I really missed her.

The night we flew home I was able to catch my cousin's wedding reception and see some of my favorite people for the first time in YEARS - loved seeing you all! To top it off I had a night cap with Cam and Kent. I wish we lived closer...a couple of hours every year just doesn't cut the mustard!

School started a couple of weeks after we got home and life is calming down again. #1 started fifth grade and he's feeling really important being the king of the elementary. (Middle school next year...holy cow!) #2 is loving 3rd grade because his best friend and long time crush are both in his class (two separate people, btw) and life doesn't get much better. The 3rd graders all take a camping trip overnight and that's coming in a couple of weeks...he's so excited. (Me, too...nothing like camping with 100 8 year olds!)

Anyway, I know it's boring without the pics...I will post soon with all the exciting photos for those of you who care!

And congrats to Hubby for the big win last night! We had our first football game of the season and won 28-10! Go Rams!

Sum-Sum-Summatime

I'm so excited it's finally getting warm. I can't remember the last time we had cabin fever in June. The kids were getting tired of all the jobs I was making them do when they came to me with their "I'm bored" and "There's nothing to do"'s. Finally we have something to do!

We set up the WTP yesterday. Our climate really doesn't justify the real deal so we have the white trash version...and we LOVE it! It's such a summer saver. We haven't been able to set it up the last couple of years for various reasons. Last summer we had no yard and visions of a mud swamp convinced us otherwise. The year before, we were in a rental knowing we would be moving mid-summer, therefore not making the hassle worth it. (And with the threat of June snow showers a couple of weeks ago, we weren't convinced this year would be the grand-reopening either.) But alas, with the 90 degree days this week, the WTP came out. And it fits. It's nestled nicely in the white trash corner of our yard. While our front yard is looking beautiful (thank you, honey) our backyard continues to be a work in progress thanks to the basement excavation project earlier this spring. Bless his little heart, Hubby works day and night on it and it should be gorgeous by fall.

Back to the WTP, it takes HOURS to fill up and #3 and #4 could hardly stand it. They got their little inner-tubes out and waddled around in the 12 inch 20 degree water until their toes turned purple and rigid. Now that it's full this morning, they won't go near it. It's going to take another week or so of these 90 degree days to get it a tolerable temperature.





#1 and 2 had a sleepover last night and played a little midnight baseball by the full moon. I LOVE summer! This morning they couldn't wait to be the first in the full pool...until...their little toes touched the icy surface and they started shivering. They all took turns jumping in, hoping against hope that they would warm up once submerged. No such luck. They hardly dared let their arms touch the water! We'll be getting that solar cover on it today and hopefully get to actually USE the stupid thing now that it's set up!





Once they gave up on the idea of chillin' in the pool (no pun intended) they donned headbands and jerseys for an old skool game of hoops. My guess is it won't be long before they're back in the swim trunks and ready for a dive.




Ahhh....summertime.

I love XM

I'd like to meet the chap that thought up XM radio. Seriously. What a cool dude. Granted, he was probably just out for a little extra cash but for those of us living in "lesser populated" corners of the world (aka "the sticks"), having endless musical options is truly a gift.

Case in point:
This evening, on my way to work, I was flipping through all of Hubby's presets in his truck. I paused for a minute on a Daughtry song on the Hitlist channel, singing a little line, then flipped through and air-guitarred with Bon Jovi on the 80's channel before coming to a screeching halt on the 90's channel and Bobbie Brown. Oh baby! I haven't heard a Bobbie Brown song since, like...oh my gosh, the 90's! I didn't even realize I was such a Bobbie fan until I started singing along to "Good Enough" and realized I knew every word. I had a serious 90's throw back jam session all alone in my truck and got to work in the best mood ever. I'm actually contemplating downloading a little BB for the ipod. If it can get me that excited on the way to work, it could do wonders for me on the treadmill!

So, thank you XM and the brilliant creator behind it...thank you Bobbie. You all made my night! (Now please enjoy a little "Good Enough" for yourself!)

Sunday Synopsis

Yes, I know the date says Monday. But in the world of night shifts, it's not officially Monday until I go to bed later this morning. Therefore, this is my Sunday Synopsis.

Friday we finally had #3's birthday party. He was so excited! At five, it was officially his first friend party and he was feeling pretty big time. I have to say, it was the easiest party ever. I gave him all the typical options of the bowling alley, swimming pool, park, etc. I threw out the movie as a last minute option and that was the winner. We took the group to Kung Fu Panda (which I thoroughly enjoyed, by the way) and a good time was had by all. He invited five little friends, two cousins and three siblings (mandatory invites). All but one friend came and I'm sure there are a handful of moms out there thanking me for the new karate chopping moves their kids are sporting by now (I know #4 is impressed with her new skills).

blowing out the candles on the Dale Oonhauwt Doonier cake #1, cousin Leah, friend Keegan, #2, cousin Lindsay, #3, cousin Austin, friend Carson, friend Janessa, friend Carter (#3 refused to be in the group photo so she gets her own...spoiled little devil)

(Yep, she's sporting a tat...nope, she didn't get the idea from me...)

Immediately after dropping all the kiddos off after the movie, we headed to the ballpark for the Coke Classic Allstar Tournament. #1 plays on the 10-11 year old team and #2 plays on the 9 and under team. Our 10-11 team has struggled to field kids at appropriate positions so #1 tried his hand at catcher the first day. He did okay, considering he usually plays 3rd. We played until nearly 11:30pm the first night and he was ready to quit squatting by the end of the night. He was quite happy to get back to 3rd on Saturday morning. He had some solid hits and enjoyed himself. Stealing home

right before a big hit...

#2 thoroughly enjoyed himself all weekend. As a barely-8-year-old, the fact that he was chosen for the team was a pretty big deal...the fact that he plays is HUGE. He was fully prepared to be a bench warmer and takes his role very seriously now that he's realized he's actually going to play. He started the tournament in centerfield and ended it at shortstop. He's a solid little player and did really well in the field. He struggled hitting a little and I had to include the last picture of him walking off the field after one at bat. His body language has frustration written all over it. It's so classic. (thanks to uncle Josh for the great game pics...but no, I'm still not buying you that lense!)A little late on the swing...

a little less than pleased with his performance

To wrap up the weekend we got to spend Father's day with our great dad/hubby. He does so much for our family and we're truly blessed to have him. There's nothing he'd rather do than spend time with his family - a trait I'm discovering is rarer than I thought. Anyone that knows me knows he's something special...you'd have to be to put up with me for 13 years! (and not have your bags packed by now!!) I've tributed him on here before but had to emphasize what he means to me again today. He's my best friend, the love of my life (and everything here after) and the best dad four little kids could ask for. We love you, Happy Father's Day!

Happy Birthday "CoCo"!

I know I'm a day late posting this but I can't miss this chance to tribute my youngest son!

Yesterday you turned five and as I was looking back through pictures for this post, I couldn't believe how fast the time has flown by! I never thought I'd use cliche's like this but I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday! We were scheduled to be induced on the 10th of June but got bumped due to a busy day at Cottonwood Hospital. I remember being so stressed about it that I got a migraine, and I only get maybe one or two a year. Not to worry though, you made your grand entrance the next day.


I had worried a little about your delivery since #1 had been on oxygen for several hours then sent to Primary's with a heart murmur and #2 had been early and flown to the NICU for a week. My only wish was for a smooth delivery and a baby I could actually hold without interruption. You didn't disappoint. You made your grand entrance a short 4 hours after our arrival and have been an easy going angel ever since.


I remember hoping you'd wake up in the night when you were brand new (which didn't happen very often...)so I would have an excuse to cuddle you. I'd lay on the couch with you on my chest and spend the rest of the night that way. You have always been a lover.


Today, five years later, you're not much different. You have endless patience with your pesky little sister and the sweetest admiration for your older brothers. And most of all, you love your daddy. You came to me as my sweet little angel and latched on to your dad the first chance you got. You're still his shadow, obsessing about Dale "Oonhauwt Doonier" and the Dodgers as much as he does. You'd rather watch anything on ESPN (including the WNBA) than something on the Disney channel. Even at night after a bad dream, you walk around to dad's side of the bed for comfort.


And even though you still love your thumb and blankie first thing in the morning, I'm amazed at the kid you're growing up to be. And I couldn't be prouder! You really are the sweetest little guy I ever could have asked for and I love you! Happy Birthday, "CoCo"!

Funny HA HA

So, after working the last two nights then running up to Provo after a very short 4 hours of sleep, getting this email cracked me up. Had to share...

A very tired nurse walks into a bank,
Totally exhausted after an 18-hour shift.
Preparing to write a check,

She pulls a rectal thermometer out of her purse
And tries to write with it.

When she realizes her mistake,
She looks at the flabbergasted teller
And without missing a beat, she says:

'Well, that's great....that's just great....
Some asshole's got my pen!'

Welcome to my life! But, on a happier note...look what Mommy got at Costco! (Happy Late Mother's Day to me...or Happy Father's Day to Hubby...)


Now a quick sad note, too. We just looked outside and saw the nest we've been watching for over a month now on the GROUND! A wind just blew it off the beam it was on and two of the four baby birdies died on scene. This is a pic of the last remaining two. I scooped them up and put them back in the nest, so now I'm afraid the momma won't take them. We just put it back up, so we'll see. I'm just glad the boys found it and not the little girl. She'd be traumatized!

Sea World Pictures 2008

Disneyland Pics

Hang on to your panties...I'm back!

No pictures or catchy quips...just me! I've missed the blog world, trying to get my life ORGANIZED for once, but am trying an occasional post again. And no...I'm no more organized than when I left. My list just keeps growing.
I have to give a shout out to the Blogapalooza. I saw a couple of updates this morning on various blogs and am sad that I was out of the loop during the reunion. Hopefully I'll make it next year!
As for things around here...a quick recap (in no particular order):

• School ends in a week and a day. In the meantime, I have 2 fieldtrips, 2 class parties and a preschool graduation to attend. I can't wait to have my kids home all summer. I'm putting the cleaning ladies on hiatus and putting the minions to work. They're not very happy. I'm giddy with anticipation.
• The cat had kittens 7 weeks ago. I wasn't happy. Hubby wanted them born inside. Said it wasn't humane to leave them outside to the elements. Lucky for both of us, she gave birth inside...under our bed...on top of his white baseball uniforms. Saved my carpet, taught him a lesson. Way to go kitty! (anyone need a kitty? They're long haired, adorable and litter trained...come and get 'em!)
• #4 turned 3 and got a new purple princess room. We moved her into #1 and #2's old room...much bigger closet.
• #1 and #2 got banished to the loft amid love sacs, foos ball tables, treadmills, etc. They can barely walk around their beds. We're hoping to move them to the basement by the end of the month.
• We're finishing the basement. It sucks. My house is perpetually covered in a 6 inch layer of dust. I have construction workers here at very odd hours...their favorites being early morning when I'm sleeping after a night shift. It was supposed to be done 3 weeks ago. We're hoping to be done 2 weeks from now.
  
• I found mold in #4's old bedroom closet. I had a nervous breakdown. Need I say more? It's fixed now and under the threat of a lawsuit, should never happen again.
• #4's bedroom now only houses "Sneaky", the gecko #2 got for his 8th birthday. Once the basement is finished, Sneaky will move downstairs with #2 and his room will become the guest room. Feel free to stop by and use it!
• #4's hair has grown out enough to pull her bangs back. However, she fell on our tile and hit her front tooth and now it's black. The dentist says no need to pull it unless it gets infected. I'm starting to think she's fond of looking like white trash...she makes such an effort.
• #2 got baptized in the hot springs. #1 did it there a couple of years ago because our date didn't coincide with Stake Baptism Day so we had to make other arrangements. #2 thought is was very cool and wanted the same thing. It was really neat. It's all redrock and trees and feels very Jerusalem-ish. Not to mention naturally warm water. We had to kick out a group of hippies to do it. They were very kind and took a front row seat to watch the whole thing. It was interesting...
• #3 got hit in the back by a line drive at the State Baseball Playoff games. It dropped him like a sack of potatoes. Hubby thought he was dead and took off on a dead run right through the game to get to him. Lucky for us it hit his shoulder blade and only left a small bruise. The Deseret News ran a story about it and he was an instant celebrity around here. I think he took off his shirt a hundred different times at the request of his fans. He really enjoyed stardom...even if it was just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time!
  
• We leave for Disneyland in 13 days. We're very excited. I found another family in Utah that wanted to split a 5 day park hopper pass with us and it saved us $270!! I think that's what I'm the most excited about! #4 can't wait to meet the princesses in real life. I can't wait to see her face when she does.
• #3's last day of preschool is today. Hubby wants to boycott graduation because we're holding him back next year due to his summer birthday. I don't want to hold him back and feel like two preschool graduations isn't torture enough for Hubby. He'll get to endure both.
• #1 does still live here. He's just not done anything noteworthy recently except get in a fight at school and get sent to the principal's office. Not a shining moment. But hey, it got him mentioned here.
  

That about sums it up...at least what comes to mind immediately. I'm hoping for at least a bi-weekly visit to my blog...we'll see if it happens! I keep telling myself when this happens or that gets done, I'll have more time, but more things pop up. So...WHATEVER! If you happen to visit...thanks for not giving up on me!

Sunday Synopsis (of the last 3 weeks!)

First of all...thanks to all my friends for continuing to check my blog and comment during my little hiatus. Life got so crazy as we got closer to Christmas and something had to give. This was it! But things are settling and I've missed all of you and so here we go. My last three weeks...
First of all, many thanks to The Kirnancrib for my white elephant gift. Her poem indicated it would help to clean up a stained reputation and boy does it ever! Nothing says Merry Christmas like a Tide Stain Roller. Thanks and let's be sure to do that again next year. It was a blast!
I also got to do a gift exchange with Adrianne who lives in Argentina. I was SOOOO excited to get authentic Dulce de Leche from her! I LOVE Dulce de Leche ice cream and hot chocolate, etc. and am thrilled to have the real stuff! Thank you Adrianne!!

Now for a quick recap of my crazy life.

• Shortly after my last post, #3 cut #4's hair for the SECOND time. Yes, you read that right. This time, he took off all the hair on the top of her head along her part. She has a cowlick on that side so her hair always parts right there. I would have gotten a pic but 1.)I was too furious to even think about a photo-op and 2.)her hair is so fine I don't think a camera would pick it up. From a distance, you can't tell. I didn't notice until I found the pile of hair in the kitchen. #3 got in enough trouble this time. I'm pretty sure he won't be doing that again. (Not to mention he'd need some serious scaffolding to get to the scissors now.)
• #1 had 3 different concerts with his band. He's really getting into it and even sings backup loud enough to be heard! I am the dorkiest mom sitting there with my perma-grin on. I'm glad there's lights in his eyes so he can't see me. He'd be so embarrassed! Although he's amazing on the guitar, we need to work on his moves a little bit. He wasn't born to dance.

• Christmas was wonderful. I don't know what I'd do without my kids. They make the holiday. #4 was everything a child should be at Christmas. My boys get excited but are pretty restrained in showing their emotion most of the time. #4 was excited about everything from the biggest gifts to the smallest chapsticks in her stocking and wasn't afraid to show it. As much as she tries me, I'm so grateful for that little girl!

• My parents came down and spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with us. Our parents take turns coming for our Christmas Eve tradition and this year was their turn. I love having the grandparents with us on Christmas morning! I worked a few hours Christmas Day and then we headed south to the in-laws.
• We spent almost a week at the in-laws which is quite a long time for us these days. When our kids were babies we'd stay with our parents most of the holiday but the last few years we've kept our visits pretty short so the kids can enjoy some of their break with their friends, too. It was really nice to stay down there this year. Life runs at a slower pace when we visit. They don't have internet access at their house though which is another reason for my hiatus.
• While at the in-laws I got a crazy stomach bug that lasted two days and ended up in the ER for 3 liters of fluid and anti-nausea meds. On the plus side, I consider everything I ate over the week between Christmas and New Years to be negative calories!
• I got to spend my birthday in St. George where the weather was a balmy 53 degrees. Hubby followed me up and down every aisle at Target and never complained. He also followed me around the mall and let me buy TWO pair of shoes when I'd only planned on one. He didn't say a word when we went into AE for a pair of jeans for him and walked out with a cute little sweat suit for me (and no jeans). He even let me pick Cold Stone for lunch and didn't crack any jokes when I got the big size. It was a good day.
  
• The last two days of Christmas break I cleaned out and organized my basement. Without hubby. The WHOLE thing. He's tired of me reminding him of this little detail so I'll throw it in here (he'll read this and get one last jab). My dad helped me a TON the first day. I think it would have been way too overwhelming to even start if he hadn't jumped in and got to work. I'm happy to say my basement ROCKS! I finally have my food storage out of boxes!! (And realized most of it expired two years ago. Bummer.)
• In Hubby's defense, Bowl Week has always been recognized as a sacred holiday at our house and asking him to be secluded in the basement without a TV would be like asking him to cut off his balls and hang them from a necklace around his neck.
• I got my new King Size bed set up with my new comforter set (that I bought in June in anticipation of my new bed this Christmas!). It's the first time we've owned a King. And I'm thrilled to report that Hubby has yet to smack me in the face in the middle of the night during one of his sleep adventures. It's been heaven.

Thanks for sticking around and reading all of this (if you made it!) I know a lot of it is mundane and incredibly uninteresting for most of you but I justify this little hobby (obsession) by calling it my journal and most of that is relevant in journal-land.

Happy New Year!!

White Elephant

For those of you who don't visit Pick Your Poison's page yet, I gotta say, you're missing out. Spammon's got it going on. Anyway, he started a blogger's white elephant gift exchange and we're supposed to post them on our pages today.

Don't be fooled by the shape of the box...
A shirt or a book, this gift is not.
I heard as you sat on Santa's lap for your wish-
All you want for Christmas is a nice, new fish.
I can't tell you anymore of what this gift's about,
I just hope you enjoy your beautiful new trout.

Rock It!

I'm getting a wee bit sluggish on my treadmill. For the last couple of months I've been catching up on all my DVR'd shows to keep me motivated but it's starting to lose it's appeal. I'm not the most coordinated of runners (or, sadly, walkers for that matter...if I was home with a camera I would totally take a pic of all my running/walking battle scars to prove it) and therefore a little hesitant to take to the dark, icy roads just yet. But if I'm going to be able to stand my dreadmill for very much longer, I'm going to need a serious boost. I decided I need a whole new mix for the iPod and I'm going for some oldies but goodies. While there are days that a girl's just gotta have her Akon and Flavor Flav (NOT), I feel the need to get back to my roots.


So far, I've got:
Poison: Nothin' But A Good Time and Unskinny Bop
Def Leppard: Pour Some Sugar On Me
AC/DC: You Shook Me All Night Long and Back in Black




However, it's now 3:48am and I'm drawing a SERIOUS blank. Please help me remember what songs I HAVE to have on my new running mix.

As a token of my appreciation, I'll even burn a copy for anyone who wants one. (But only if you contribute legitimate "runnin' rock". If you send me Milli Vanilli, you're off the list.)