What (NOT) to Wear

So as we are ready to leave for church, I tell the kids to go downstairs so we can get in the car and head out. I, myself, had dressed Katelee and knew she was looking cute and ready...her ensemble looked like this:
Grant, however, had insisted he get dressed himself. This was no surprise, he does it nearly everyday. I just lay his clothes out. So, I was a bit shocked when he came out with this little ditty, as it was not what I had prepared:
I am afraid the poor child has some fashion issues, probably inherited from his mother!

Turkey Time

We had a great time with Dave's family over the Thanksgiving holiday. We are so blessed to have such amazing families whom we love and love to be with! Here is Katelee chillin with her great-grandpa. We spent lots and lots of time eating and laughing, watching Katelee chase around Aunt Anna and Uncle Curt's dog, Droopie...affectionately referred to as "Poopie" by Miss Kate. While the kids were completely worn out a few days into the trip, we kept them running.
We went to the World's largest Aquarium and the Coke Museum one day. Both were a lot of fun, although Grant was not impressed with the 4D film at the museum because he was squirted with water, it pretty much ruined the next few hours for him, such a travesty.

The next day we hit a civil war battelfield and Stone Mountain where we rode a train that made the entire trip a success for Grant. Here are the little monkeys enjoying their caroling train car excursion.

Grandpa McArthur came around with us and enjoyed the festivities...and the hot chocolate! Like Father like Son!

We don't kid around when it comes to the Thanksgiving Feast, we counted over 20 items to eat on Turkey Day! So, after a night of recovery, we took the kids to the mall, where we shopped til we dropped, or they did at least!
I wish I would have taken more pictures of the family and at Megan's baptism, but it was a fantastic trip. We returned home at least five pounds heavier, and ready for Christmas. Grant told Grandma McArthur he wanted Santa to bring him a dumpster. When she asked what else, he said,"Toliet paper to go with it." I will see if I can talk the jolly fellow into throwing that into the stocking for him...as if my house isn't already covered in plenty of shredded tissue bits for the garbage man to collect...

Caught Red Handed!

My little mischief makers have hard evidence against them now! Katelee always sneaks under the computer desk, tugs on the cords and flips the buttons on and off on the power strip. Well...I caught her! Actually, Grant did, as he took the photo, thus incriminating him with the accusation of playing with my camera! Here is the act itself:

After hearing the charges, her plea was innocent...with a sideways head glance, indicating, "who me?!"

And the photographer of the incident, when confronted with camera play, responded with these remarks : "Mom, I have to tell you the truth." (That is a great way to start our conversation I would say.) He continues, " Sometimes I like you and sometimes I don't." Hmmm....that didn't go exactly as planned, but it did open up a great dialogue!

Costumes and Coladas

We had surprising success with the costume wearing this year. Katelee, at first despised her grass skirt to her hula girl outfit, but lasted our entire trunk or treat. Then, we were lucky enough to get this little cheerleader outfit for Halloween night, so she could rah-rah the night away! Some of you may think, boy, Grant's costume looks familiar. Well, that may be because it is his second year appearing as Frankenstein- hey, if the shoe fits, uh I mean costume still fits, right?

And, I thought I would share a couple photos from the Dominican Republic. Dave and I got back just in time for Halloween and pumpkin carving, so it worked out perfectly! We had an amazing time, the sand was white, the water was crystal blue-it was breath taking. I was attacked by a small lizard, well it just fell on my shoulder, but it was a disturbing experience.

We really enjoyed horseback riding on the beach. My horse kept whipping his head back to rub against my calf-is that normal? It felt like he was crossing a line there, but we seemed to bond by the end of the ride!
Thanks to my mom and sister for staying with our little ones! We didn't have to worry a bit. We just enjoyed our pina coladas. I did come home with 57 mosquito bites -that I can see! It all happened in a 15 minute period one night, those little buggers. I am now on the lookout for malaria and west nile symptoms!

Halloween Hoopla

Who knew the spooky season would have so many fun festivities?! We have been pumpkin patch picking, barnyard boo-ing, cookie creating (eyeball peanut buttercups, if anyone wants to try them, they are a devilish delight), and witch hunting...thought we would share some pics. The question is, will Katelee "be" anything for Halloween? I have tried various costumes on her and each one ellicits the same response-screams and tearing at the apparel. Hmmm...so we will either try to be tricky with the costume, or go for the tears and force it on her!

I am triumphantly heaving our perfect pumpkin into the air! Katelee saw this photo and in her man voice said, "heavy!"


Grant enjoyed the witches this year...Kate was a bit freaked out. We asked Grant if he had fun and he said, "Yea, I had fun. But, it smelled like poop." (there was a petting zoo, ride the pony place) After he said this, we got to listen to Katelee scream "THE POOH, THE POOH" the entire drive home. (Notice the spelling, she is so enthralled with Winnie the Pooh, he brings her great joy!)
The treats were probably their favorite parts of each excursion! So, bring on the candy next week!

Sunny Days

We are loving the great weather we've been having lately...it's been perfect for our fall football games...GO UTES....farm fun with our friends...and dinner in the canyons. Here are some photos we thought we'd share:

Dave and Grant went to the Utah vs. Weber State game with our friends...Grant typically likes the Utes, but when he wants to make his daddy upset, or get Dave to chase him, he yells, "GO Cougars!!" Below is a shot of Grant's "crazy eyes" face...or he has been up too late watching the game and has gone delirious, take your pick.

We went to Wheeler Farm last week with our friends, here Jack and Grant are climbing up the fence to view the barnyard beauties. We went to the duck pond and these crazy geese suddenly started flapping and honking...well Jen and I, the mommies, squeal and run but our two little toddler boys stayed on the fence and just looked at us like we were lunatics.

Katelee, on the other hand, is no farm fan. She cried, squealed, and shrieked when the animals looked at her. It probably didn't help that I didn't move her stroller away from the honking geese when I squealed and ran! Shameful mommy moment, I know...

And, of course, we love our canyons! Grant says it is his favorite to go up the mountains, not so much for his sister. She isn't a fan of the fire, as was apparent by her non-stop crying. Grant frequently asks me, "Mom, is Katelee in a mood?!" That pretty much fits for her. But, we still enjoy our time and the beautiful scenery! Except for the hairy huge spider we saw! YIKES!

Looking Back

Today I took the kids to the Healing Field display and was so touched as we walked around remembering September 11, 7 years ago. I know all of us can recall where we were and how we felt when we heard and saw the footage of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center. I am so grateful for our country and for the freedoms that I took for granted. It is so important for me to take these opportunities to reflect so I am always appreciative. As we walked around the flags I watched other people, equally touched and choked up, and felt a unity towards all Americans, a respect for our current service men, and a reverence for those who have fallen as a sacrifice for our country. If you have a chance and are close by, you should definitely spend a few minutes walking through the Healing Field display. This flag has the names of all the people who passed away due to the terrorist act on Sept 11.


We have been chugging along the last couple of weeks, getting back into the swing of things. Grant started preschool and I am thinking he really likes it! He is a tough one to pull any info out of when he gets home, but he is always thrilled to go. That must be a good sign. This is him coming to the car after a hard days work of tracing the letter B. I just like the midstride action shot. Grant is still a garbage man in training. As we were praying the other night, I helped by saying a few phrases he could repeat. I said, "I am so grateful for my sister," He said, "Except when she is screaming ALL the time!" I said, "Bless the missionaries and help me to be good so I can be a missionary some day." Grant repeated verbatim, but as the prayer was finished he raced over to me, stuck his finger in my face and scolded me, "NO MOM. I am not a missionary. I am a garbage man." Now we are working on explaining how both of those ambitions can be realized!
Dave has been busy doing projects around the house. His dad was nice enough to come out and help us paint some rooms. One day while he was out here, we dropped Grandpa McArthur off at the temple. As we were pulling away, Grant said, "Aww...Grandpa is so cu-ute." So, it seems all of the family appreciated his visit!

Miss Katelee is a diva! She has begun dishing out her first dirty looks. I am now used to them, but she gave a long hard one to my friend the other day. She is a true girl...as I saw her walking around the house cuddling...no, not a baby doll...a loaf of bread. I could not get it out of her hands, she was kissing it, rocking it, adoring it. I know I am a carb lover...like mother like daughter I guess!!

Aloha!

We recently returned from our excursion to the Paradise known as Hawaii! Dave's work had their annual President's Club on the Big Island and then we extended a couple of days and spent some time on the sandy shores of Maui. It was Dave's first time to Hawaii and I had only been to Oahu before so we enjoyed exploring together. We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa on the big Island where you have to ride a boat or hitch a ride on the monorail just to get around the resort because it is so huge. We went to his work banquets...where people tracked him down from across a crowded ballroom by following a waiter carrying glasses of milk, knowing that with an open bar, there are few people they know of that would order milk-sure enough it was their milk drinking Utah friend, David McArthur!
We went to church in Waimea, saw the Kona temple, explored Kona...
We went snorkeling where I swatted fish that I am sure were ready to attack...I am not too keen on the aquatic life, they make me a bit nervous. We went to a working cattle ranch and rode ATV's on the rolling hills overlooking the ocean. From the top you could see the other surrounding islands, it was awesome.
We drove all around the Big Island with our friends and saw waterfalls, the Waipi'o Valley and hiked to different views of the volcano. Apparently when our friends went before you could go right up to the flowing lava...this year, the volcano has a new steam vent and it is really unstable. The fumes are deadly and the crust is ready to fall into the ocean, so you can only see the lava from about a mile distance. We prefer not to fall into the waves to our deaths, so we decided to view the red from a safe view point!

I believe I am pondering the meaning of life here!

In Maui, we rented a car and they upgraded us to a convertible, so we cruised the island with the top down, venturing to Lahaina and relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Wailea.



Ahh...the sunsets, the luau, the fresh flowers, the pineapple, the tropical drinks...it was heavenly! We certainly missed our little ones and send a big thank you to Grandpa and Grandma McArthur for coming and staying with them. They took them all over: the zoo, aquarium, the park, the dinosaur museum, and with very little trouble from the mischief makers! Grandma said the secret of keeping my kids happy and good was to take them out all day, everyday! Sounds good to me-who wants to do my housework!? We thought about them often, especially when we saw other babies or garbage trucks passing by! (See previous posts about Grant's future in the sanitary arts). But, we knew they were in good hands!

Sights of Summer...

The heat is on and so are the parties! We haven't posted much, and while you may be thinking to yourself that we are boring (which may be a little bit true for a couple of us) I can assure you there is never a dull moment with the Grant-man and our little "Pretty" aka Katelee. Here are some shots of our seasonal favorites from this year:

-->Nature walks in the mountains, not to be referred to as hikes, see previous posts to understand Grant's aversion to those adventures!

Walking sticks a must, of course! (That is not a snake Grant is holding!)

-->Park play, especially when fireworks are involved!

Here Dave, Katelee, and our nephew Jordan are gearing up for the big show!

My dad can't contain his excitement...I think he believes he gets to ride in the tiger train next! Here is another favorite: parades!

-->Swimming, well this is pre-swimming:


-->play dates with friends, especially when it involves getting dirty!

--> and bike riding is a big thrill...Grant is just learning to pedal his bike, I need to get a photo of that. This is just Katelee in a time-out for running into the road! Sorry baby! With half of the summer left, there's lots of fun ahead!

*Side note: I am aware that Katelee has a runny nose in nearly every picture, the girl has some serious drainage issues we are trying to sort out. Sorry if the boogers disgust you, try to ignore them and just take in her cuteness!