The Mom I SWORE I Would NEVER BE!!

I am totally that mom!!!

I have a planner. If it's not in the planner, it doesn't happen!!

I drive a mini-van

I have a very LARGE purse

I have everything you'd ever need in said purse

I yell

I am "THAT" mom at Wal-Mart. Kickin butt and takin names.

I say kickin butt and takin names

I tell my kids "You'll thank me when you're older"

I lick my finger and wipe stuff off of their faces

I say "Because I said so" for an answer. I hate that.

I WANT to learn how to sew

I make EVERYTHING homemade. I used to think that was so uncool. Now I am thankful that I was taught how and I.am.so.over.eating.out.

I wear granny panties (TMI, I know, only to the gym :) )

I live for "child free" date nights or just a grocery shopping trip

I know, alright! I'm just telling you all now!!!!! NEVER SAY NEVER! 'Cause it'll happen.

That is all. The end.

Four Wheelin' with Friends

Last weekend we tried to go boating with our friends the Wright's. It was SUPPOSED to be a windy, cold day. So, we bagged the boating and decided on a family four wheeler ride. We left from Nephi canyon and rode across to The Old Pinery. It was a fun (scary for me because I'm still learning :) ) and beautiful. The kids had a blast!!! Afterwards we went over to the Wright's home for a family bbq and play time for the kids!! They have the most fun family! Their kids are darling and very well behaved. Sorry for all of Cole's bullying, we're trying to get him into Anger Management classes, they're full for the summer!!!!

Here are a few pics of our four wheeler journey. Sorry, no pics of the picnic. We all had wind blown hair and dirt on our faces. It wasn't pretty!!


Cole restin' on the wheeler. It's hard work sitting there while daddy drives!!!

Kennedy rode with me and the boys with daddy.

Cute kids. L to R: Bailey, Bridger, Louis and Kennedy

Cole workin' his helmet and shades!! Go spiderman.

The view from the top

Kennedy waiting for me to get going. Cole waiting for daddy.

Jami and baby Briggs in his "granola wrap". I think she was saying "I love when people take my picture" or something like that....

Anywho, thanks Wrights for a fun day and for breaking me in!!! Now, I'm a pro who doesn't cuss out loud anymore. Just in my head!!! :)

My Poor Kids Have ME For A Mother

My kids are spoiled. I know. What can I do? Really, it's a rhetorical question. I enjoy doing fun things with them and buying them fun stuff. All the stuff I didn't have as a kid. You know what I mean? But, come on....

I think I could take EVERY toy away, except one or two from Louis and Cole and NO ONE WOULD NOTICE! Is that bad? Again, no answer needed. The funny thing is, they're really good kids. They obey, they don't give me TOO MUCH guff. They definitely have strong personalities, but I think all kids do these days!! I guess I'm just realizing that it's not the stuff that matters, it's the time we spend or the things we do together.

If you ask my kids what is their favorite thing to do. Snuggle. Seriously?? I'm so glad. They're funny. Or they also love to play a board game or go to the park with us. I'm so glad.

Yes, folks, I'm 32 and just figuring this out. I'm a little slow, I know. But, I always thought if I gave them everything I NEVER had, it would make them happy. Why?? When I was perfectly happy and content as a child. Sure, there was the occasional Barbie Dream mansion that I didn't get. But, then it taught me to make my own Barbie dream mansion out of plants and washcloths (don't ask). I always wanted nice clothes. Well, it taught me to take care of the ones I had and to work at McDonald's to earn money to buy the ones I wanted.

I guess I'm ruining them. Ooops. Do you think it's too late? Nope. Just in time for Christmas. NO toys this year. Just thoughtful gifts and maybe "Date coupons" to do fun things together!!

Seriously.

It's only the third day of school.

Two "my tummy hurts can you come and get me" phone calls.

It's going to be a long year.

Oh Kennedy

She's such a funny girl! She ASKED her teacher if they could please have homework tonight. (Yes, she's probably going to get beat up after school by the flagpole tomorrow ) Her teacher politely told her "not tonight, but if you want to make some up. go ahead."

So, she did.

She wrote down 30 "school supply items" for spelling words. She will write them each 3 times and do the markings (don't ask).

Whose kid is she??

First Day Goodness

Well. It's here. The first day of school.

Yippee.

Oh no.

Sad.

Happy.

Cole missing friends.

Mommy missing friends helping with Cole.

Kiddos beyond excited.

Giddy, couldn't sleep excited!!!

Another great year at Liberty.

All of these things have been going on around here lately! We are all so excited and yet, not at the same time. Kennedy and Louis definitely need some time apart from each other. They thrive in school. They just love it so much. They love the atmosphere, the friends, their former teachers. It's one big happy family. Yet, it's sad to see them get another year older, another year taller, sassier and more grown up. Yikes. 2nd grade and 4th grade. I'm not old enough to have kids that old.

Oh wait. Yes I am. Ick.



Kennedy's first day pose. Don't ask about the 9 inches of white tank top hanging out the bottom. It's not worth the tears of fighting to get rid of it!!

Louis' first day pose. He was so excited to wear his "sketchers". He's been dying since we bought them 2 months ago. Finally....

Lou in front of his classroom!! He's excited to be in Miss Condit's class!! Hopefully it's going to be a fab year! He's had the best teachers this last 2 years. I mean, it's going to be hard to measure up!!! He's so excited. Last night he said "Mom, I think I'm going to try and earn the outstanding student award again, this year!!" He's so darling. He wants so badly to be a good student and to do well!!

Kennedy, in front of her 4th/5th split classroom. Mrs. Hamilton is her teacher this year! She seems like a really nice lady. Don't know much about her, but I"m sure Kennedy will do fine! She always does!! She is coming off a great year as well. Mrs. Nielson and Mr. Hartman were her FAVORITE teachers. They were so much fun for her! She's looking forward to not having Quinton in her class this year. The poor girl is teased mercilessly by this boy. She has a hard time with that. It's probably because she's so darling!! She's gonna' rock 4th grade this year. Just ask her!!!

Meanwhile, Cole and I are doing this....

He spent all morning moving this little collection of things from the top of the cooler to the lazy susan to the counter to the couch and right now he's in the process of relocating them to the see saw on the swing set. But, he hasn't made a peep. He's so funny.

What? So, I have a cooler in my kitchen. Don't you? I also have an engine block in my bathtub and an old couch on my front step. Don't judge me!!

Lagoon

I think the last time we went to Lagoon (before last week) was right after we got married. We took my little brother Greg and his friend Joe. Wow. That was like almost 12 years ago. Well, a lot has changed since then. Lagoon had tons of fun kids rides, my kids had a blast. I am much whimpier than I was 12 years ago. I definitely get motion sickness way more than before and well, I would rather watch my kids have fun. I suppose it comes with motherhood.

So, we had a blast and went with some good friends of ours Bert and Jamie and their darling little kids. We took lunch and went to the water park and stayed until they kicked us out. Unfortunately for me, my camera battery went dead after about five pictures, so this is all ya' get! But, we had a good time and sweat like crazy.

Why oh why did we choose the hottest day of the year to go. It was like 105 degrees that day. Yikes.


Not the most flattering picture of me, but Cole's face is hilarious. He didn't love this ride!!

Ross and the kiddos going on the "Tidal Wave". Kennedy's concerned look. Louis ended up bawling and screaming. Nice.

Do you see him hiding his eyes and he's crying so hard. He didn't love us after this ride!! Ooops.

That's us upside down on Wicked. Thanks Bert for the mad camera skillz.

Kennedy and Cole on the kiddie rides.

Louis, probably crying.

That is all, I know. Nice pictures. Don't tell me I already know.

Well, I'm off to clean up puke and probably start myself here in a few minutes. Who get the flu in the middle of August, anyway. Us!!!

One Can Only Hope...

*warning* If you are not in my family, you might not appreciate this post or find it entertaining or amusing.

I am not sure what got me on this subject. Actually, I was cleaning bathrooms and listening to Brian Adams "Summer of '69", that is what made me go here. Don't ask, I don't know.

I remember thinking when I was younger that I wasn't going to have as cool of a childhood as my parents did. More specifically, my father. Mostly because he used to tell us stories at bedtime about when he was a little boy. I'm sure my mom had a cool childhood as well, dad's just stick out more for some reason. I just knew that I wasn't going to have fun memories and funny stories and that all was lost because of this.

Things I remember my dad telling me about are: the sitdownhardonyourbottomtree, dickie poo, golferino, ironing his own clothes, having the same comb for like 26 years, meeting mom at Village Inn, scaring grandma Gale with fake spiders, getting the left hand in the double spanking machine, taking water in quart jars to pick cherries etc. etc. I could go on for hours. I am laughing so hard right now, I guess you had to be there. Trust me.

I was just thinking about my own childhood and what funny things happened to us, what funny stories I can tell my children. I started off by thinking "what happened to drive-ins"? Seriously, wasn't that the coolest? 95 of your closest and dearest friends pile in the minivan. Take lawn chairs, blankets etc. hook the old school 80 pound speaker on your window and break out the homemade popcorn in the Storehouse Market paper sack with butter grease stains on the outside. Seriously, awesome. That (the grease) led me to remember the times my mom made homemade donuts and scones. It wasn't very often, but oh my. The goodness. Butter and homemade raspberry jam on scones, weak in the knees.....

There are so many funny things and just crazy stories. The bangs that started in the back of my head, the brown garbage can, balloon volleyball, McDonald's hamburgers and water, going out to eat and "we are only getting water", Jack in the Box manners, Disney in the back of the brown station wagon, 5th avenue irregulars, Beach Boys, home perms, "never mind", Christmas eve and Christmas were always the best. Holidays were always made fabulous. We didn't always have the most money in the world, but we ate like kings and there was so much love and magic in the air, we didn't know the difference. Holly hobby sheets, re-enacting the manger scene every time we changed sheets (don't ask), jelly shoes, Zeus, making us work when we turned 16 or no car (never thought I would appreciate that one :)), double socks, t-shirt clips, Raffles Inn and those stupid danishes, the El Bambi Cafe etc. I could go on for hours, I'll spare you.

Sorry for the rambling, I just was thinking, you know, we had it pretty good. Awesome family, good times, much love and fun memories.

Thanks mom and dad for giving us so much to be thankful for. For being fab parents and showing me how!!

HSM Dance Camp

So, Kennedy has started taking dance at "Central Utah Stars" in Salem. She really loves it. She tried out for a performing team and made the "small stars" team. She is super excited and she will be great! :) She had a chance to go to a few dance camps this summer. They go and dance for about 3 hours and it has some sort of theme. She (of course) chose High School Musical. Shocker, I know! So, they learned some dances to the music in that show. They performed them for us at the end of the day. They were darling, the girl can move....

It's really fun to watch her dance and enjoy herself. Go Kennedy!

Free Thanksgiving Point Tickets

Hey all! Go here to enter to win 4 free tickets to every venue at Thanksgiving Point!! Yay! Go free stuff!!!

Hi There!

Hello, my name is Cole. I am 2 years old. Until now, I have been almost the perfect child. I sleep well, I like to cuddle, I'm adorable beyond words, I suck my thumb and I say cute 2 year old words.



NOT ANYMORE!!! All of the sudden, I realized I have lungs and I can scream. People respond and quickly! I learned to hit and bite (thank you nursery!!). I have also learned that I can run, really fast and under things that my mom can't reach. Especially in the mall, that is a fun place to run and hide and laugh while I am doing it!
Aren't I funny?
I love shoes. I adore shoes. I talk about shoes all day long. I want to wear shoes, but only very specific ones and very specific times. Don't try and tell me I don't, or convince me of another pair. I know what I like. I HAVE to wear shoes. Until I get in the car and then they come off as quickly as possible and I even like to throw them at people, especially the people that are driving.
Aren't I cute?
I love to go on walks and sit in my stroller, but only when I want to. I will decide. I also love to eat and sit in my high chair. But only when I want to.
Aren't I sweet?
I love to eat! I love food. I love grapes and granola bars and even cookies! But only when I want to. NEVER when it is "actually time to eat". No way! Not for me. I spend that time banging my sippy cup repeatedly on the table saying "MAMA MAMA" at the top of my lungs. I love it when my mama rips my sippy cup out of my hands and I get to teeter back and forth on the chair until she goes crazy, too! I love that crazy look she gets in her eyes about 15 minutes before bed time!
Aren't I adorable?
My mommy is about ready to enroll me in 2 year old boot camp (does that exist ??). What is she going to do when she's home alone with no other "little people" to entertain me and chase me? She's probably going to start drinking HEAVILY.