Bowling

Here are more pictures from our fun Spring Break.


Little Ollie. His little bowling shoes were super cute. Every time his ball would hit the pins (which it did every bowl because of the bumpers and roller thing) he would say, "Alright! Woo!" It was so cute. Lots of high fives that night.


Elliott was a trooper and bowled through 2 whole games. In the car on the way home he was asking when we could go again.


Ollie's socks were so funny! I let him play outside for a bit with only his socks on, and he fell asleep right before we were supposed to go bowling, so I just put him in the car. We didn't realize his socks were so trashed!

Trip to the Zoo

Since it's Spring Break- my sister Linds and I decided to have a fun week with our kids. It was supposed to be nice weather on Monday, so we decided on something outside- the Hogle Zoo. We had lots of fun, although we weren't ready for it to be THAT warm, and we got a little bit burned- except for Elliott- his skin turns straight to tan! I keep laughing as I remember pushing our double jogger stroller up the hill so we could let the kids play at the playground at the end and Ollie was screaming so loud that people would turn around to look with horrified faces and move out of the way so fast! It's pretty funny to think about. You know that point where they are just done? Nothing can make them happy, except for a nice nap? Yep- that's what happened. Fun stuff. It was pretty packed- but it didn't really bother us until we waited in line forever for the 2 minute train ride! Oh well- we had already bought the tickets and the kids were looking forward to it and loved it- all except for Ollie who fell asleep right when we got in line, all through the train ride and when I put him in the stroller. He woke up about 10 minutes later, just in time to go home! I think I got some new muscles from holding 31 pounds of dead weight for that long. He never fell asleep on the way home, so I just put him to bed early. Nice. It was really nice to be outside and feel the warm sunshine for once (I think it got to almost 80 degrees), and now today it's snowing again! :(

This is in the "ghost of the bayou" exhibit with a white alligator. It was so cool to see! (no pic though!)



These giraffes were so cute- just cuddling right next to each other- I loved it!


On the train ride:Benny, Linds, Addie, Elli and Elliott.


Elliott and Benny looking at the waterfall, just relaxing after a long, hot day.

Dinosaur Museum

The day finally came to go on Elliott's preschool fieldtrip to the dino museum (we have been counting down for a long time!) It was a lot of fun, and since my sis in law Amy and her daughter Kenzie were in town from Indiana, we had them come with us. My other sis in law, Christie came with us too. Elliott was so excited that before we even got out of the car he was asking for the camera. He got out and took the picture below.


COUSINS: Baby Kenzie (we can't give up the "baby" part even though she's 2 1/2!), Elliott, and Ollie in front of the Supersaurus......really- that's what it's called.



Playing in the wet sand with little dinos. They were in complete heaven and would have stayed all day. What could be better for little boys than sand, water and dinos? Maybe some cars and candy- but that's it.



Elliott and Aunt Christie in front of the T-rex, his favorite.



The giant shark mouth. The boys stared at the rows of teeth for a while in amazement.


The boys playing in the dry sand. Elliott kept uncovering more bones and was so into it. So fun.

Ollie just picked up the sand and watched it fall. After we got home and after his nap he kept telling me his foot had an owie. I finally took off his sock to look at his toes and he had so much sand between them! It wasn't the little nice dirt/sand either- it was like little tiny coarse rocks! I guess I didn't brush his feet as well as I thought!

We had a fun day and will go back for sure! It was fun to hang out with Ames, Kenzie and Christie too. We wish we could see Amy and her family more!

Hootenanny Pancakes

I know you are all thinking, "What is that? Some kid's art project?" Nope- it's just one of my favorite breakfast foods my Mom made when I was a kid. I am such a cold cereal girl that I usually only make them on special days for my family, like Christmas, birthdays. and this pic is from Easter. My boys and I love them with yogurt or jam on top (thanks Mom) and Adam likes them with syrup or jam. While Adam was on his mission, I stayed with his little sisters while his parents went out of town. I thought I would make them my special Hootenannies, which was the first time I tried to make them away from home with no recipe. So I put in 1 egg and 6 CUPS of flour- instead of 6 eggs and 1 cup of flour!!! They turned out like bricks, but still tasted suprisingly yummy! We could only eat a little bit before we were way too full- they were just so heavy! I don't think I'll ever live that one down, but I have definitely made a lot more food mistakes since then. They are so yummy and easy and different- so I thought I'd share the recipe with you all:

Hootenanny Pancakes
1/2 c butter
1 c. milk
6 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. flour

Melt butter in a 9X13 inch pan in 425 degree oven. While it melts, mix milk, eggs and salt in blender. Gradually add flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat very well. Pour mixture in pan of melted butter and bake for 25 minutes. Cut and serve with favorite pancake topping. Serves 6.

P.S. I usually use a little less butter and if your butter is salted, then you just need a pinch of salt instead.

General Conference

General Conference was so great this weekend! It seems like the older I get, the more excited I get to listen to our prophet and other leaders. President Monson is so funny- he just seems so down to earth- I love it! I just love the way I feel when I'm listening to the speakers and after it's all over- it's like I want to go serve and do all the right things and be humble- it's such a cool experience. I know we all hear what we need to and what pertains to our lives out of conference, so for me I felt like I want to enjoy my kids and be there for them while they are young, because they grow up fast. Also to not stress the little things with kids. M. Russell Ballard said, "Treasure the doing more, and the getting it done a little less." Also, I hope to be a little better in all of my little goals and relationships. I really look up to all of the speakers and started thinking what they did in their lives to be such good people, and I think they just gave it their all. They served and did callings without being grumpy (me!) and did all the things they were supposed to. I love these positive feelings of just wanting to be better and at the same time being happy with the people we are- that's what I love about our church! It gives us direction, goals, hope and I love the happiness it brings to me and my family!

Spare Change

Ollie loves coins and will pick them up and carry them around all day if he finds them. He also asks for them when we are driving in the car because he knows the change drawer is there, "Mommy, two, three moneys!" So today I was out spreading mulch in the flowerbeds and I was letting him water it all down and he got soaked! This always happens in the summer and I usually just let him dry off, but it was pretty windy and cold outside, so I brought him in to change. I took off all his wet clothes and put dry ones on and went to throw the wet ones in the laundry basket and I heard a little "jingle" in one of his socks. So I looked inside and there were two dimes, a quarter and a penny........in his sock! I'm not sure how long they had been in there, or how he even thought to put them in his sock- but I thought it was so funny!

Sick!

So this isn't a very fun blog entry- but it's what is going on with us lately. We've had the flu all week at our house. We've had a lot of sleepless nights and laying on the couch all day. I think it's really true that once you're sick, you appreciate your health a lot more! So I'm very thankful for my health that I have most of the time.....even though right now I have a yucky cold, my kids have colds, are getting over the flu and Elliott has an ear infection. It's actually the first time he's been diagnosed with an ear infection in his life! I think I'm either an unobservant Mom or he's been really lucky. Most of the time when I take the kids to the doctor I feel a little silly because it's just a cold or something little or untreatable. But this time some neighbor girls suggested Elliott's symptoms were like when their kids had ear infections, so I took him in. Thanks for the advice! Wouldn't you like to see exactly where your kids picked their sicknesses up from? I always wonder that, just so you can avoid it (or clean it) the next time.

Neighbor Girls

Tam, Ange, Jill, Sini, Linds and our kids.



Tam, Ange, Steph and Sini


I was lucky enough meet up with the friends I grew up with twice this week! The first was because my friend, Jill, who I grew up next door to and now lives in Ephraim was up for a day, so we went to lunch. The next was because my friend Steph, who grew up in the same neighborhood and now lives in Omaha was in town on business. My friends, Tam and Ange live nearby, so we all showed up of course. It's so great to catch up with these girls! I always think it's amazing that we can just start where we left off the last time we saw each other. We laugh like crazy too- I love it! I really have learned so much from them and they influence me still. I think it's so easy to be with them because they know who I am....I don't really have to pretend to be sophisticated and cool- because they know I'm not!! I wanted to write one of my favorite memories of each from when we were kids (thanks to Emily for the inspiration!)...............

Jill- It's kind of hard to narrow it down since she lived next door and we spent sooo much time together! She was always there as long as I can remember! She was this little tiny girly-girl and I was the exact opposite, tall and not really a tomboy, but not really girly either. Needless to say we were a funny little pair. She was the one who always had a new hairdo- once she came to school with her bangs slicked back and bobby pinned and told everyone she was growing her bangs out, only to have them back to normal the next day. One time she came over with one fake fingernail on and kept putting her finger on her cheek or her lips while she was talking so we would notice it. (So funny that I remember that!) She always had the cutest matching outfits. I remember she always got a whole new wardrobe of summer clothes!! (Jealous!) She was the leader of our playtime- always in charge of what characters we were acting like and what we were supposed to say. (Somehow I turned out either being "the boy" or if there were more than two of us "the watcher" and she was usually the girl. I remember roller skating and pretending we were working at a drive in or pretending to be police and writing tickets to each other. We rode our bikes all the time- mine an orange banana seat purchased from a neighbor's yard sale- especially in the summer when we would go out all day and didn't have to be back until dinner. This is so, so funny- but Jill is the one who told me it was time to start wearing a bra! (Which I am totally grateful for- I could still be braless to this day!) I remember when we would play and her dad would walk by and say, "Jill- Love you." Since my family wasn't huge on expressing the "L" word, I always thought that was so cool, so I do that with my kids now. Funny how little things stick with you forever.


Jill, me and Jenny (Jill's little sis) ready for kindergarten orientation. (1984)

Ange- We always used to have most of the sleepovers at her house. We would stay up so late and in the middle of the night would get really hungry so we would sneak to the kitchen and get some bread to eat. Then in the morning her little bro would be jumping and running upstairs and wake us up so early. Her mom always made us pancakes in the morning. We would practice our spelling words together and she would spell them so fast, I couldn't even keep up- and she was always a good speller. I remember the bedroom she shared with her little sis with all of her little knickknacks from Switzerland and other places- I think her dad went on business trips or something. Once I remember her licking a full size candy bar, not taking even one bite, so she could make it last a few days. I remember riding to Bear Lake with her family in the suburban, listening to Depeche Mode the whole way. We would watch "Thriller" over and over in her basement. The first time I ever came in contact with a computer was in her dad's little office downstairs. We would play Olympics with little stick figures in black and white on a little apple computer. I still remember the smell of her basement! When I was 14 I worked for her parents for a bit in their scripture tabbing business and her dad taught me how to balance a checkbook and how to write credit card purchases right in the register, so it wouldn't be a surprise when the bill came.

Ange and I in our matching unicorn shirts. (Jill had one too.) I loved that shirt!! (1984)

Steph- She was such a funny girl. She always had a book and would read through them in a day or two. I remember sleeping over at her house and the heater going all night (I was used to our freezing house) and me sweating while Jose the dog slept on my legs. I couldn't move all night. She collected Bazooka Joe comics and hung them on her closet door. I remember making best friend things with pink and purple puff paints- I can't remember if they were shirts or pillowcases?? She had a huge backyard with a pulley from the playhouse to the big tree. I remember making up dances in her backyard. She also got to go to the New Kids on the Block concert with her cousin, and we were all really jealous! I remember going to her house and having to wait while she swept her huge tile kitchen floor. She got to come to CA with me and Linds to stay with our sister Lisa. We had so much fun and went to Disneyland (my first time when I was 14!) Her mom was the one who treated us like little adults- it seemed so cool. Her dad was this sweet, southern guy, always so proper, and always took the time to say, "Hi."

Steph and I in CA by John Travolta's sidewalk square. (1994)

Tam- My first memory is when she would come over 1 or 2 times a week while her mom ran errands or something. She would come in hugging and hiding behind her mom's leg. (This happened every single time!) Finally she would warm up and share one of the bags of cheese puffs she always brought. She always had a huge bed and her room was never messy. It was always decorated cute too- even when she was little! (She's such a good decorator still!) I remember her crazy dogs in the backyard, one named Benson. She had a basketball hoop too, and we would always play H.O.R.S.E. She always had turtles walking around her back garden too.....I think. She was totally into fashion- even when she was so little, of course her favorite being Guess and Esprit for a while. Tam and I also decided to collect tags.....from clothes!! (You know the kind that say the price that you rip off after you buy them?) We would go to the mall and take tags that we thought were cool.......why didn't we think anything was wrong with that?? Her mom was the funny one, who would always have silly ideas and laugh and joke with us and was always making yummy Chilean food.

Tam and I with our cheese puffs. (1983?)

It is so funny to see us all as adults, because we knew what we were like when we were so little. It's really surreal looking at their kids, because they are little mini me's of them. I'm glad we keep in touch the way we do. Since none of them have a blog yet (believe me I have tried to convince them!!) I'm posting these pics to share.

1 week down....

Last week we got rid of Ollie's binky. For those of us who have "binky babies" it's a huge deal. We used the same tactic that we did with Elliott's, since it seemed to work so well. Ollie loves the garbage man, so we talked about it a lot and decided to give all the "bas" to him when he came. It's been easier than I thought in some ways, and harder in others. He goes to sleep pretty good still, but if he wakes up in the night, he's inconsolable. He also takes shorter naps, and when he does wake up (in the morning too) he seems kind of mad. He used to just lay there and relax for a while and was so happy when I went to get him. Oh well- I know he'll be fine and learn other coping methods. A few months ago he started to talk so much, but he always wanted his binky- so he was talking through it- which is my main reason for getting rid of it. I think he's much cuter without it, but he doesn't seem as babyish now....;( This is life! Now I want to hear some of your ways for getting rid of the binky!

2 wheels!!

Adam helped Elliott learn to ride his bike without training wheels last weekend. It seemed pretty natural for him, and I think the reason why is because his training wheels kept coming loose and he would still ride it. He could either ride on a tilt, or practice balancing. He loves it so much! He learned on Saturday, and we had to take his bike to Gma P's that night, then he woke up on Easter morning and the first thing he said was, "I want to ride my bike." I had to remind him what day it was.....but then I let him ride after the hunt. That night we had to take his bike to Grammy's house. It's funny that he has this new little freedom! It's one of the things he can do all by himself and it's really fun for him. He's already riding down grass hills, and tonight I took him and Ollie on a long walk (in the FREEZING cold) and he rode the whole way- even up hills. So fun.



Ollie just laughs and runs after Elliott when he rides- it's so funny!


I thought I would post this picture of Adam on the plasma car. It's pretty fun!

Easter Weekend

We had such a fun weekend! We were so busy- but the boys loved it! We went to four easter egg hunts, ate lots of candy (I think I may have gained 4 pounds) and hung out with our families. I love Easter and Spring and it's so fun for the boys. (We'll try not to dwell on Ollie's five tantrums during sacrament because of all the sugar!!)


Our cold little family.

Cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's.


At the ward easter egg hunt. (Above)
At Grammy and Grandpa's. (Below)

Easter Bunny

It's Easter time at the mall. While we were waiting to do pics at Kiddie Kandids, we saw the bunny sitting, with no one in line. I asked if I could take a pic with my own camera and they said yes. It was so funny- it's head was all white and fuzzy and the rest was all brownish......yuck! Time to get a new suit! The boys thought it was so cool to meet him, but we did hear lots of scared, screaming kids too. (Ollie only sat there because Elliott did and I let him take his blankie.) It must be the scariest thing for some little kids- their mom handing them over to a huge wild beast! Oh well- anything for a good picture eh?


Love Bunnies

Great Granny

Adam's Grandma came into town from Pennsylvania to help out after his Mom's back surgery. It's always fun to see her- she's so smart and spunky!

Adam, Granny, Ollie and Tiger (The lesser known member of our family that goes wherever Ollie goes!)

Girls' Night

We had a fun and much needed reunion with some high school friends last night. It was so nice to catch up and just be together. It's been a few years since some of us have met up. All of you guys are amazing! Everyone is so gorgeous in their old age! ;) Was I seriously the only one who brought a camera??

Sini, Lynette (w/ baby Garrick), Andrea, Lindsey, Shay, Telisse, Bug and Dari

Funny Ellliott

Elliott asked me yesterday, "Are these your barbie kens?" (Bobby pins) I laughed so hard! I don't even know if he's ever heard of Barbie and Ken! Funny boy.

I just threw in this picture of Elliott holding one of the many icicles that grew on our house this winter.

No pics

I've been trying to post some pics and video the last couple of days, but it won't upload! Anyone else having the same problem?

Midway

Last weekend we spent a night in Switzerland....er....Midway at the Swalberg Condo. There was so much snow- but we still swam in the outside part of the pool. It's always so pretty up there whether it's winter or summer. I love to go, mostly because there's no computer, housework, or errands, just fun family time.

Misty

Last week my friend Misty Purdy Scivally passed away and I was able to go to her funeral on Saturday. I met her in 1994 when we were freshmen, while running cross country for BHS. She was such a great girl, and had a huge influence on me! She was so happy, nice to everyone, fun, spontaneous and funny. She was always doing funny things- if she came up with an idea, she would do it! I remember her making pillows in high school, just because she wanted to. She would make her dance dresses sometimes and was always working on cool art projects. She and some friends biked to Idaho one Saturday, just to do it. When we were running on the CC team, she and my friend Joy, came up with the S.P.O.L. club. (Simple Pleasures of Life) She would find cool flowers or rocks or even pretty clouds just to brighten her day a little. My husband and kids know all about SPOL because ever since then, I have tried to appreciate the little things in nature and find joy in them. Every time I do, Adam tells me I'm a SPOL girl. I looked through all my picture albums and have so many pics with her in them! She's always the one doing "the pose" or looking at the camera when nobody else is, or doing some crazy, funny face. She was so full of life! Misty leaves behind her husband, Shawn, three beautiful little girls and lots of friends and family. I'll miss Misty with all of my heart and know that I'll see her again someday. The world is a little less bright without her- but I'm so glad I got a piece of her light while she was here! I truly believe I am a better person because I knew her.

Christine, Sinika, Lindsey and Misty at running camp- summer of '96.

Card

Elliott made me a card today all by himself- I was really proud of him. He loves drawing and writing letters and he's always drawing pictures for his friends too. He's such a thoughtful boy.

Love

I love when my boys are nice to each other and/or hug. Sadly, most the time they are teasing each other, hitting or taking toys. Ahh siblings.

Elliott's naptime

Elliott fell asleep like this yesterday. He plays on those cushions all the time.....with his friends too! I keep thinking we need new couches, but will they be as fun? I don't want them to get ruined! He recently discovered that they have batting and that's what makes them so fluffy and comfy. He said, "Look Mommy! The pillows have fur inside!"

A day in the life

I got this idea from my sisters blog- I thought it was fun to have a glimpse into one of her days...so here is a glimpse into my day today:

6:44 AM- Finally heard my alarm after it had been going off for 9 minutes and jumped out of bed. (Don't you hate when you don't hear it for a while?) Went to meet my running partners, but they were already gone. Ran around the neighborhood trying to see if I could find them. Gave up and still got a good workout and some rare quiet thoughts.

7:25- Came home and the boys were ready to be up. Turned on cartoons for them while I took a shower. (Adam was still sleeping- lucky guy!)

8:00-Breakfast. Elliott had crispix, Ollie had cheerios and I had Basic 4. Adam comes downstairs. Adam leaves for an early meeting.
8:30-Bath time for the boys while I get ready.
9:00- Get the boys dressed and their shoes and coats on.
9:15- A few minutes of playtime outside. (Freezing when you're not running!!)
9:30- Dropped Elliott off at preschool. Drove down to Orem to pick up flooring samples for my parents from Adam at Mr. Carpet. Went to Modbe to exchange my swimsuit. Stopped by Old Navy to get Elliott a new swimsuit. (He's still wearing his size 3 swimsuit which fits his waist but is getting a little short!) Yes we are going swimming this weekend! Dropped off last night's movie rental at Redbox.
12:00- Came back in time to pick up Elliott from preschool. He made a kaleidescope (sp?) and worked on the letter "K".
12:15- Lunchtime. Grilled cheese and tomato soup.
1:00- Ollie's naptime. Elliott wanted to watch his new favorite movie, "Dinosaur." Email and Blog time for me!
2:00- Game time with Elliott. We played indoor frisbee, soccer with a balloon and Candyland.
3:30- Worked on things for our Young Women Activity tonight and got everything ready to go.
4:00- Ollie wakes up and we go outside to play- it looks so sunny! (It's still freezing and we only last about 15 minutes!)
4:15- Came inside for hot chocolate.
4:30- My parents came by to visit. They are redoing the flooring in their basement....after 30 years!! Picked up samples and brought a bday gift for Ollie.
5:00- Dinner is delivered. Lindsay N's famous chicken pot pie! I put it in the oven to cook. My parents leave.
6:00- Adam comes home and we eat dinner. Yea- Something the boys will both eat!
6:30- Clean up dinner while Adam tries out a new guitar pedal that came in the mail today.
6:45- Leave to set up at the church.
7:00- YW Activity. Fun girls! We did a baby picture activity, so we had to guess which baby was which girl and leader now.
8:30- Came home. Adam has both boys in bed. Elliott wanted me to lay my head on his pillow for a minute. Ollie heard me home and kept calling for me, so I went to sit in his room for a bit. (A supernanny technique!)
9:00- Both boys asleep- freetime! Adam's friend Jason comes over and they jam in the basement. I watch my tivoed Supernanny and Good Things Utah, and the news sometime in there. I just love to veg after a busy day!
11:15- Blog time!
It's 12:00 and I'm going to bed! When people ask the question, "Are you a morning person or a night person?" I can never decide! I love waking up to work out and get going, but I love getting things done (or vegging) at night with the boys asleep! I need to find a happy medium because the running girls are the ones who have to hear it! :)
12:45- Finally went to bed after finishing up and doing last minute things.

There's a glimpse into my exciting life. Some days I feel like there isn't enough time to get everything done, and some days I feel like I'll go crazy with boredom! But the boys keep it interesting and I'm glad I get to hang out with them all day!

Peanut Butter tribute

Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs are my favorite snack- so I thought I'd pay them a blog tribute. They're a little different than regular peanut butter cups- I think they have a little more peanut butter. But they are seriously going to be the end of me!! Does anyone have this problem? I discovered them a while back, and you would think I would indulge during Easter and be done......But now they've come out with Peanut Butter Pumpkins, Christmas Trees and Hearts too!!! I'm covered for most of the year! I seriously can't help myself from buying them when I've run out........help! If you haven't tried them, I highly recommend you do, because then you'll understand my dilemma.......just make sure to buy one at a time, and not a whole bag like me! ;)

Tagged

I was tagged by my friend Lindsay! So here it goes...
How long have you and your significant other been together?
Married- 7 1/2 years
Dating/Hanging Out- 10 years

Who eats more?
Adam- just by a smidgen though.

Who said "I love you" first?
Adam- it's a funny story!

Who is taller?
Adam

Who sings better?
Adam.....although you wouldn't know from church.....

Who is smarter?
We both have our strengths. Adam has such a good memory and he's really philosophical. I'm the sensible one!! ;)

Who does the laundry?
I do! I'm trying to think of the last time Adam washed a load...........

Who does the dishes?
Adam helps sometimes, but I do it most of the time......one of my pet peeves are dirty dishes in my sink!!

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
Me.

Who pays the bills?
I do!

Who mows the lawn?
I do mostly- it's a great workout! I'm starting to see a trend!

Who cooks dinner?
I cook on Tuesday nights and my dinner group girls cook on Mon, Wed, and Thurs. It's fun!!

Who drives when you are together?
We take turns.......usually if we are going somewhere Adam wants, like to his parents, he'll drive and vice versa. (Sorry if that weirds you out Linds S!)

Who is more stubborn?
Oh.....I am so, so stubborn.

Who is the first to admit when they're wrong?
Adam is usually really great about that. But I'm usually not wrong! Ha! Ha!

Whose parents do you see the most?
Adam's. (He works with his Dad!)

Who kissed who first?
Adam for sure!

Who proposed?
Adam

Who is more sensitive?
I think I am! But he's pretty sensitive too........don't let him fool you, he puts on a tough front.

Who has more siblings?
Me- 5 brothers and 5 sisters, Adam only has 3 sisters.

I am tagging Linds V., Misty, Jesse and Marianne (it'll give you something to do while you wait!). Ha! Ha! If you don't know how to do it, you just copy and paste it into your posts and change the answers to your own........I didn't know either!