Adam went to St. George last week for work and found a little tiny lizard for the boys. To tell you the truth, we weren't expecting it to live too long- but it keeps hanging in there. It is so little and fun to hold and Elliott loves to let it crawl on his shirt.... So we were keeping it in a jar and decided it needed a better place to live. We went to the pet store and $50 later (this includes the house, a heat light, a water bowl thingy, some live crickets and some special "authentic" red sand that Adam was sure we needed, even though it cost $10!!! I need to get into that business- go to the vast desert, package little bags of sand and sell it for big money!!!!) it has a new home. No names yet, although I think Liz Lemon fits nicely (Get it? Liz the Lizard?) and Elliott's ideas are Pokey Eyeball and Apple-Banana Head. If anyone has ideas on lizards, what they eat, how warm they should be, please let us know so we can keep him healthy!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Happy Birthday Linds!!
Happy Birthday to my sister Linds today! I don't know that I have a better friend in this life (besides Adam!) I'm so lucky that we are close. We were born only about 20 months apart. She let me tag along with her friends and vice versa- it was so fun. She teaches me so much! She is wise and always thinks of better solutions to problems than I can. She is such a good Mommy and plays with her kids a lot (and always knows the cool toys to get them!) She is also very spiritual and thinks deep about everything. She is fun and funny and beautiful. My kids love her so much too. I always wanted to live next door to her when we had our own families, and she is just in the next neighborhood!! We get to hang out a lot and watch each other's kids. I love you Linds! Hope you have a great day! So glad you were born! :)

My favorite pictures of us when we were little! (I'm the little one.)

Linds with all of our kids on Valentine's Day.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Memories
I saw this on my friends' blogs and it was fun to remember with them, so just do it! Hee! Hee!
The Nielson Family said...
Fun idea! The first memory I have--when I was called to be your visiting teacher (and I had never met you before...) I wasn't sure how to pronounce your name, so I was nervous to call you and sound like an idiot! I was so relieved to get your answering machine--becuase you said: "you've reached Adam and Sinika..."--the next time I was able to call you with confidence! :)
I also loved running in the snow with you last winter! It's so nice to make footprints in fresh snow :) .
July 16, 2008 3:05 PM
Naoma SW said...
I really like this one!! My memory is pretty recent since we haven't known each other that long... The one that sticks out is running the breast cancer awareness 5k, waiting in the port a potty lines =) and seeing all the different "in memory of" t-shirts etc. Having you guys as my running friends really has made my mornings so much better!
July 16, 2008 3:32 PM
Telisse and Kade said...
Sinik Im so glad you did this. I have been waitting for you to post it too your blog.....so here it goes!
1)Our P.E teacher in 8th grade? name? she told us we should run xc. OK we said.
2) Lettering as freshman and thinking we were so cool wearing our jackets in middle school.... tee hee we were!3) Boy/girl parties
4) Driving to your house every morning to pick you up even in 5ft of snow once and my dad came and hunted me down.
5) All our trips! love DON!
6) My first moab experience in your camper..... and falling in love with TOAD THE WET SPROCKET!
7) Your moms garden
8) Merrit Medical and ramen noodles with tomatos and hair nets
9) Your famous line when you were on my heels during a workout..."Telisse I want to eat your calves."
10) decorative socks......crazy socks
11) Bringing 10 outfits to school everyday to share with everyone cuz you had the cutest clothes.
12) I could go on forever sini... it was so fun to think back, I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoyed reading yours.
July 16, 2008 4:10 PM
Tammy said...
Waking up early and running with you while I was at snow college for a brief instant. I loved doing that and when I run I think of it.
July 17, 2008 10:02 AM
Christine Rowley said...
It seems like you were always smiling. You were always nice to everyone.
I have a lot of memories of running with you at Bingham.
I remember that you let me borrow a pair of shoes. They were cute, and it made my day.
July 17, 2008 1:02 PM
B and Jessica said...
Hmmm... which memory to choose? I'll just name a few. Eating Chicken in a Bisket crackers in your pink oldsmobile while sitting 3 in the front with Nanette.
Wearing those swimsuite that totally had boob padding to 7 Peaks on Senior Sluff Day.
Trying to help you hide from you- know-who at stake dances because he always asked you to dance and you hated it because you were taller than him.
Learning how to snowboard together at Brighton.
July 17, 2008 1:04 PM
Kayley said...
I wish I had memories of you! You sound like a lot of fun! I want to get married and have kids so we can swap stories!
July 17, 2008 1:31 PM
Steph said...
Oh, where to begin!
...maybe jelly shoes that started as a birhtday gift and then suddenly we all had to have them (remember the ones we got had laces?)
...how about in 6th grade when we decided to have "skater hair" and we loved Aaron H. because he was the new kid and mysterious to us then.
...sleepovers at Ange's house every weekend.
...making up our dance to "Unbelievable."
...our trip to visit your sister in California - so much fun!
...Bear Lake campouts - getting so dangerously tan and then peeling right before school started.
...Riding our bikes all over Riverton in the summer - no helmets, busy streets, no one worried - how times have changed!
...Jumping on the trampoline and eating out of your moms garden.
...I could go on and on - so many fun, fantastic, hilarious times!
July 17, 2008 2:00 PM
The Burrell-Thomas Fam said...
I have so many "young memories" and here are a few...he he
I'm kind of embarassed but do you remember when we pierced our fingernails and we thought it was cool? Sooo funny!!!
I remember you had these ESPRIT brand shoes in your closet and the only reason I liked them is because they said ESPRIT on the side of them and I was so into namebrands. I wanted them so bad, but they were too big for me.
Just laughing with you was so much fun...
July 17, 2008 4:05 PM
The Burrell-Thomas Fam said...
Oh yeah and remember Classic Skating? We met the most radical boys... Bear Lake...balancing on the huge blown up raft in the middle of the lake...riding in the back of Jilly's dads truck to Lagoon for ward Lagoon day...oh the memories keep piling up!
July 17, 2008 4:51 PM
rachel said...
there are a few...
-first day I went to our ward, you were the only person who came and sat by me and introduced yourself! (I like Lindsay couldn't remember your name!)
-running in the snow
-When we are running and a car or person comes behind us and you scream and run!
-Snuggling with You, Melissa,and Rachael on Melissa's bed at girls camp to keep warm.
I have only known you a short 3 years, and I already have so many memories!
July 17, 2008 5:17 PM
Misty said...
Snow Snow Snow. Of course the memories start there. I remember getting the letter that said who our roomies would be and Tori and I totally thought that you were of a certain color and from NY or something. I think I knew the first time we met you would be awesome, and I was spot on! I remember when you and Swalz started dating and the late nights of fun in Snow Village. I also think of the time you took us to your house for a weekend and your mom made carrot juice. I know it's probably healthy and so on, but seriously, kinda weird I thought :o). Lots of fun times. I'm just sad we don't live closer. You're a great friend and have just the funnest and most kind personality. Love that Smile!
July 17, 2008 6:03 PM
Low Family said...
You and Telisse coming to my house before XC parties, you guys were both so nice to me!
Best memory ever is Moab. Everyone was talking about how much fun it would be and who they were going with. Anyway, I felt really left out and you were so nice, eventhough you were 2 years older than me you totally invited me to go with you!!! I actually don't remember if I ended up going to Moab but I remember you were always so nice to me!!!! And I never thought you were nice to my just because I was Jeff Hopkinson's little sister!!!Thank you for that!
July 18, 2008 10:25 PM
Leah said...
I remember you always getting ready in the morning, and eatting your cherrios and yogurt. You always got ready in the same spot everyday. And a random first memory of you.... I saw you running down my street when I first moved in (I didn't know it was you at the time) and thought you looked pretty even when you were running.
July 19, 2008 7:35 AM
Rena said...
I wish I had more memories of you. I vaguely (sp?) have a memory of us camping together somewhere....maybe a family reunion?!?!
July 21, 2008 6:22 AM
swalberg family said...
Thanks everyone for leaving memories!! It was so much fun to see what everyone remembers! I suggest everyone do this on your blog.... or when you get a blog.
July 21, 2008 7:28 AM
Debra said...
Sinika! I have a bunch of memories but the first that came to mind was riding with you to an indoor track meet at Utah State. Icy roads, a triple spin, and voila' we landed in a ditch of water. Good times.
July 24, 2008 11:38 PM
Harris Family said...
K-so I have lots of memories of you from Harvest Hills. But what I think of when I think of Sinika is always happy and smiling. You are also so patient and sweet. I've never heard you say anything negetive about anyone, you are always so nice. Your kids are so lucky to have such a wonderful mother. You are a great example to everyone around you. So that is my memory of you-being a good example. Thanks Sinika!
August 11, 2008 8:11 AM
1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I have together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see what memories people have of you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.
The Nielson Family said...
Fun idea! The first memory I have--when I was called to be your visiting teacher (and I had never met you before...) I wasn't sure how to pronounce your name, so I was nervous to call you and sound like an idiot! I was so relieved to get your answering machine--becuase you said: "you've reached Adam and Sinika..."--the next time I was able to call you with confidence! :)
I also loved running in the snow with you last winter! It's so nice to make footprints in fresh snow :) .
July 16, 2008 3:05 PM
Naoma SW said...
I really like this one!! My memory is pretty recent since we haven't known each other that long... The one that sticks out is running the breast cancer awareness 5k, waiting in the port a potty lines =) and seeing all the different "in memory of" t-shirts etc. Having you guys as my running friends really has made my mornings so much better!
July 16, 2008 3:32 PM
Telisse and Kade said...
Sinik Im so glad you did this. I have been waitting for you to post it too your blog.....so here it goes!
1)Our P.E teacher in 8th grade? name? she told us we should run xc. OK we said.
2) Lettering as freshman and thinking we were so cool wearing our jackets in middle school.... tee hee we were!3) Boy/girl parties
4) Driving to your house every morning to pick you up even in 5ft of snow once and my dad came and hunted me down.
5) All our trips! love DON!
6) My first moab experience in your camper..... and falling in love with TOAD THE WET SPROCKET!
7) Your moms garden
8) Merrit Medical and ramen noodles with tomatos and hair nets
9) Your famous line when you were on my heels during a workout..."Telisse I want to eat your calves."
10) decorative socks......crazy socks
11) Bringing 10 outfits to school everyday to share with everyone cuz you had the cutest clothes.
12) I could go on forever sini... it was so fun to think back, I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoyed reading yours.
July 16, 2008 4:10 PM
Tammy said...
Waking up early and running with you while I was at snow college for a brief instant. I loved doing that and when I run I think of it.
July 17, 2008 10:02 AM
Christine Rowley said...
It seems like you were always smiling. You were always nice to everyone.
I have a lot of memories of running with you at Bingham.
I remember that you let me borrow a pair of shoes. They were cute, and it made my day.
July 17, 2008 1:02 PM
B and Jessica said...
Hmmm... which memory to choose? I'll just name a few. Eating Chicken in a Bisket crackers in your pink oldsmobile while sitting 3 in the front with Nanette.
Wearing those swimsuite that totally had boob padding to 7 Peaks on Senior Sluff Day.
Trying to help you hide from you- know-who at stake dances because he always asked you to dance and you hated it because you were taller than him.
Learning how to snowboard together at Brighton.
July 17, 2008 1:04 PM
Kayley said...
I wish I had memories of you! You sound like a lot of fun! I want to get married and have kids so we can swap stories!
July 17, 2008 1:31 PM
Steph said...
Oh, where to begin!
...maybe jelly shoes that started as a birhtday gift and then suddenly we all had to have them (remember the ones we got had laces?)
...how about in 6th grade when we decided to have "skater hair" and we loved Aaron H. because he was the new kid and mysterious to us then.
...sleepovers at Ange's house every weekend.
...making up our dance to "Unbelievable."
...our trip to visit your sister in California - so much fun!
...Bear Lake campouts - getting so dangerously tan and then peeling right before school started.
...Riding our bikes all over Riverton in the summer - no helmets, busy streets, no one worried - how times have changed!
...Jumping on the trampoline and eating out of your moms garden.
...I could go on and on - so many fun, fantastic, hilarious times!
July 17, 2008 2:00 PM
The Burrell-Thomas Fam said...
I have so many "young memories" and here are a few...he he
I'm kind of embarassed but do you remember when we pierced our fingernails and we thought it was cool? Sooo funny!!!
I remember you had these ESPRIT brand shoes in your closet and the only reason I liked them is because they said ESPRIT on the side of them and I was so into namebrands. I wanted them so bad, but they were too big for me.
Just laughing with you was so much fun...
July 17, 2008 4:05 PM
The Burrell-Thomas Fam said...
Oh yeah and remember Classic Skating? We met the most radical boys... Bear Lake...balancing on the huge blown up raft in the middle of the lake...riding in the back of Jilly's dads truck to Lagoon for ward Lagoon day...oh the memories keep piling up!
July 17, 2008 4:51 PM
rachel said...
there are a few...
-first day I went to our ward, you were the only person who came and sat by me and introduced yourself! (I like Lindsay couldn't remember your name!)
-running in the snow
-When we are running and a car or person comes behind us and you scream and run!
-Snuggling with You, Melissa,and Rachael on Melissa's bed at girls camp to keep warm.
I have only known you a short 3 years, and I already have so many memories!
July 17, 2008 5:17 PM
Misty said...
Snow Snow Snow. Of course the memories start there. I remember getting the letter that said who our roomies would be and Tori and I totally thought that you were of a certain color and from NY or something. I think I knew the first time we met you would be awesome, and I was spot on! I remember when you and Swalz started dating and the late nights of fun in Snow Village. I also think of the time you took us to your house for a weekend and your mom made carrot juice. I know it's probably healthy and so on, but seriously, kinda weird I thought :o). Lots of fun times. I'm just sad we don't live closer. You're a great friend and have just the funnest and most kind personality. Love that Smile!
July 17, 2008 6:03 PM
Low Family said...
You and Telisse coming to my house before XC parties, you guys were both so nice to me!
Best memory ever is Moab. Everyone was talking about how much fun it would be and who they were going with. Anyway, I felt really left out and you were so nice, eventhough you were 2 years older than me you totally invited me to go with you!!! I actually don't remember if I ended up going to Moab but I remember you were always so nice to me!!!! And I never thought you were nice to my just because I was Jeff Hopkinson's little sister!!!Thank you for that!
July 18, 2008 10:25 PM
Leah said...
I remember you always getting ready in the morning, and eatting your cherrios and yogurt. You always got ready in the same spot everyday. And a random first memory of you.... I saw you running down my street when I first moved in (I didn't know it was you at the time) and thought you looked pretty even when you were running.
July 19, 2008 7:35 AM
Rena said...
I wish I had more memories of you. I vaguely (sp?) have a memory of us camping together somewhere....maybe a family reunion?!?!
July 21, 2008 6:22 AM
swalberg family said...
Thanks everyone for leaving memories!! It was so much fun to see what everyone remembers! I suggest everyone do this on your blog.... or when you get a blog.
July 21, 2008 7:28 AM
Debra said...
Sinika! I have a bunch of memories but the first that came to mind was riding with you to an indoor track meet at Utah State. Icy roads, a triple spin, and voila' we landed in a ditch of water. Good times.
July 24, 2008 11:38 PM
Harris Family said...
K-so I have lots of memories of you from Harvest Hills. But what I think of when I think of Sinika is always happy and smiling. You are also so patient and sweet. I've never heard you say anything negetive about anyone, you are always so nice. Your kids are so lucky to have such a wonderful mother. You are a great example to everyone around you. So that is my memory of you-being a good example. Thanks Sinika!
August 11, 2008 8:11 AM
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Host
Yesterday I finished reading 'The Host' by Stephanie Meier. It was really good. It made me think about so many things, like the relationships we have with everyone, even strangers. I can't believe she can make her books so believable! Whenever I finish a book, it feels like I go through withdrawls, because I just want to read more of the same stuff. I hear she's coming out with some more in this series? So if anyone needs a book suggestion, this is it (if you haven't read it already...) It's a little like her 'Twilight' series, but really different and interesting in a new way. I LOVED it!
Monday, July 7, 2008
July 4th- Part 2
On the morning of the 4th, we went to meet Adam's family up at Wasatch State Park in Midway to camp for the weekend. It was really fun hanging out with them, as always. I took so many pics and tried to narrow it down...
Scott and Christie- Thanks for sacrificing for us and sleeping in a tent for 2 nights so we could sleep in the motorhome!
Making scones for dessert- yummy!
Grammy and Ollie
Me and my honey!
The boys spent so much time watching the bugs that came to see the lantern. They smashed a lot too.
4-Wheeling- we had so much fun! I just wanted to stay out forever. The breeze was so much cooler the higher we got and the views were amazing. We even went through a bunch of streams- I loved it!
Adam's dusty face after our ride. We were laughing so hard at him- it looked like he had used some horrible tanning cream or something!
I didn't know my face was just as dirty until we walked in and Megs let me know! :)
We brought 5 fuzzy caterpillars back for the boys. There were swarms of them all over the road. Good thing Adam was with me, since he dared to pick them up! They have been playing with them non-stop, even since we've been home.
Grammy and Elliott. I always think they look so much alike- especially in her little kid pics!
All tuckered out from the late nights.
Once again, S'more hands. This time we tried peanut butter cups instead of plain chocolate- it was yummy (if you like peanut butter!)
My boys.
With Grandpa. He made us laugh the whole time- even when he got sick. ;(
Tanner and Megs. We would love to welcome this kid into our family someday! My favorite thing with Megs was when we were playing a game and we all had to write down a fad that we did once and were really embarrassed for. She guessed I had the mullet. Thanks Megs- I'm glad you have such confidence in my past syles! Ha! Let's not forget the chocolate- Bliss!
We got to sleep in the motorhome- it was so much fun for the boys. Elliott only fell off the bed he was sharing with Ollie a couple of times. It was so nice having a bathroom right there too, oh and air conditioning!!
Feeding the ducks on the way out. I think they all had full bellies when we were done.
We really had a fun weekend. We hung out at the condo, and at the pool and even went to dinner for Meg's bday one night. We always have a great time laughing together- and lets not forget the awesome food! Thanks Karen and Steve, for planning this trip and letting us come- we loved it! We missed you Ames, Cody and Kenzie- it wasn't the same without you guys!
4th of July- Part 1
I guess technically, this was on the 3rd. We went to the Riverton parade with my family. It is such a long parade- I loved it. I guess it was worth the hour wait in the hot sun....
The kids all lined up waiting for candy!! Trevan, Ryeder, Bailey, Elli, Ollie and Elliott
This group of jeeps drove up on eachother's wheels- the kids LOVED watching it! I can't believe they had kids in the back of the jeeps- I would be so scared, but they are probably just used to it.
Before the parade- we look so hot and miserable!! The umbrella helped a little, but we were dying until the parade started and we forgot our woes!
The boys being transformers.
The long awaited fireworks. The boys seemed to inch closer and closer to the street and they all had the next one ready to be lit, "Pick mine Brian, pick mine!"
Funnies
We were at Target and decided to eat our lunch there. I ordered PB & J for Ollie and when we sat down, the kid came out and said they were out of that and to choose something else. So I asked Ollie if he would rather have a turkey sandwich or mac and cheese. He said, "No. I don't want those for lunch. I want jelly beans!" Funny!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Ollie Jack
Our little Ollie. He's such a handful, but so cute at the same time- I think that deserves a post. So here are some of his favorites right now....
He also loves his bike. I thought this was a funny picture because he was going around and around and you could see the tracks. Usually he just follows E around, but he never uses the pedals. He goes pretty fast down sloping driveways too. Sometimes I just can't watch, but he's always fine.

Some of his other faves include saying prayers and always asking for Daddy to come home safely, chewing gum, (if he could have some in his mouth every second he would be happy!!) picking strawberries from our patch every morning, tantrums (when I tell him no he says, "No, YES!") naming off my sister's whole family, "Benny, Elli, Addie, Linds, Brian...." he does this at least a few times a day! Reading books over and over and saying his favorite parts, being sneaky and telling me, (when I'm putting him down for a nap) "But it's not nighttime, see?" and points to the window. Or I'll tell him something fun we'll do when he wakes up and he'll say, "But I'm already awake!" Some of his favorite phrases include, "Me want some" and "Way over der" or "You wuv it Mommy?" after he has colored a picture or if we're eating something yummy. He's fun to have a conversation with because everything he says is so cute, in fact I think he talked more on my one phone call home from camp than E did.
He tells me all the time that Adam's "motorcycle is fast. It's 85."
And the other day as we were sitting in traffic he pointed to an older guy who looked like a biker, but instead was driving an old camero, with a bandana on his head and said, "Look Mommy, a pirate! But he's not a mean pirate, he's a nice one."
Ollie is our little stinker and we love him so much!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Our adventurous hike
So tonight for Young Womens, we decided to go on a hike, since we weren't able to at camp because of the snow. We had heard there were trails right up above our neighborhood, so we decided to go there and save some time and gas. It was supposed to get up to 98 degrees today, so I started to worry about that, even though we weren't leaving until about 6:30 PM. Also, since we had planned it, I had heard that it was dirty with lots of garbage and such- but it turned out great! The girls had fun, (I think!) we got some exercise and we had some great conversations. The hot wind kept us surprisingly cool and we had views of the whole Northern part of the valley. Along with the cool views, we saw an antelope, a dead snake in the road that looked alive, some HUGE caterpillars (that I couldn't figure out how to get home to show my boys without touching them) and some crazy bug infestations that looked like little army hats walking around. I've lived here for 5 years and had never been up there. We only had a third of our girls due to vacations, injuries, etc. but we had lots of fun!
I seriously love these girls!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Elliott's latest...
Elliott has never been one to play well by himself. He always wants me or a friend to play with him. But we got this little pool for the summer and he spent all day out there, even when friends went home and Ollie was taking a nap. I think he looks so little in this picture- like he's my baby again and not about to turn 5!
Here are some funny things E has said lately:
"I wish our house was made of metal and then if something like wind came to break it, it wouldn't break because it would be too metally!"
"I just want a suck thing like Ollie." (He was talking about a candy that you suck on from the parade.)
"When we grow up we need to a have a backyard that is a lot bigger like Grandma and Grandpa's. When our heads all touch the ceiling, then we will huh?"
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Mini Reunion
My brother Ari and his family were in from Chicago last week, so we got together a few times. They are so fun to hang out with- we laugh a lot. I wish we could see them more, and my proposal to get them to start a blog failed. So until next year....
All nine McEntire grandkids: Clockwise from Ollie, Elliott, Baby Addie, Anikka, Stacey, Trevor, Jason, Benny and Elli.
My brother and sisters (minus a few): Ari, Michelle, Linds, my Mom, Sini
Ari's little family: Ari, Trevor, Jen and Jason.
Michelle's fam: Stacey, Mike, Michelle and Anikka
Little Blondies: My cousin Justin's daughter, Anikka, my niece, Elli and Ollie.
Ari showing off his new hybrid car, a Toyota Highlander.
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