Mom, I Have A Confession To Make......

We opened your Christmas present early.  (insert sheepish grin here).  See, being the planners that we are, we had already decided on what we were going to buy with the money.  And we decided that it would be much better to have it on Christmas, rather than have to buy it after Christmas.  We bought this:

It's awfully pretty, isn't it?  Much better pictures with this bad boy than the little one we've had for the last few years.  Scott's in heaven!  And we've been taking lots of pictures.  Why.... we took this cute one just this morning with your adorable grand kids all dressed in their Christmas finery:

I have to throw in a picture of Regan and Hali, especially, since I made both their skirts.

Hali's skirt took me forever.  I don't think I want to see another ruffle again for a long time.

PS.  The "money vessel"  is stunning.

Milestones

I love the fact that my kids are getting older.  There are so many more things you can do with more independant kids.  But at the same time, I hate that they are getting older.  I'm seeing time slip away and I just don't like it!

Porter had a big milestone yesterday........He lost his first tooth.

Apparently, it just popped right out of his mouth at school.  He was really nervous before it fell out, because he thought it would hurt, but he was proven wrong.  And this time the Tooth Fairy, who is really unreliable at our house, remembered to show up!  It was so exciting!

Crazy Hair Day

Update on the snow:  When I got home from picking kids up from school, I decided to try the snow blower, just for the heck of it.  And it worked!!!  So, I plowed the driveway.  A snow blower always leaves just a thin layer of snow on the ground and it's been so cold that it hasn't melted, yet!!!  BRRRRR.


It's Spirit Week at the kids school.  So far they've had crazy sock day and crazy hat day.  Well, today is the classic....Crazy Hair Day!

 I was rather surprised that Regan wanted to dye her hair so badly that she'd go for pink.  She's so not a pink girl, but this was the only temporary dye we had.   We also put sparkles in it.

 

 Hali went the braid route.  She really wants her hair to be all crimpy tomorrow.

 

It took me like an hour to do all those little braids.  I told her she had to give me big props for that one. 

Too Much Snow!!!!!

Today, I left at the same time I usually do, to take my kids to school.  First mistake.  It snowed over night.  Lots and lots of snow. I should have left earlier.   As I got out of my neighborhood there was a long line of cars that I was supposed to turn into.  So, I decided to go right instead of left and go a round about way to the school.  Second mistake.  I think everyone else had the same idea.  What should have been a 10 minute ride, turned into an HOUR.  I had Scott call the school to let them know the kids were going to be late.  Apparently, they had quite a few calls, because they told him to just have the kids go straight to their classrooms rather than check into the office.  It was crazy slow.  We cheered when I could finally accelerate to 20 mph.  Most of the trip I hit maybe 2 mph.  I almost declared it a snow day, but the traffic was just as bad going back as it was going forward, so the poor things were 45 minutes late to school.  So, crazy.

When I got home, I put cartoons on for Porter and Zoey, then bundled up and headed outside to use the snow blower.  I got about two rows done and then......it died.  I filled it up with gas and tried to turn it on.....nothing.  Hmm.  Checked the oil.....plenty.  Tried it again.  Nothing!!!  Called Scott, tried a few things more and.....nothing.  So I pulled out the shovel and cleared off the walkway to my door.....looked at my enormous driveway and the obsurd amount of sidewalk (corner lot) we have and decided that maybe a little (ok, alot) of snow on the drive isn't such a bad thing.  I'm sure that Scott will come home tonight and that darn snow blower will start right up for him.  At least, I hope so.  I am so not doing a winter without one.

Gratitude

So I was looking at someone else's post this morning and they were talking about this being a week of gratitude.  So, I thought that maybe everyday (although I'm not promising anything) I should express gratitude for something.

Today I thought I'd express gratitude for the most important thing in my life.

My family. 

I married a wonderful guy.  It's like Scott was made just for me.  He can make me laugh like no one else.  I love all his little quirks and the fact that every few years he has to switch hobbies, which usually means money.  I love the fact that he has a coat for almost every occasion, (he apparently needs a few more).  I love the fact that he's a great dad and loves our kids so much.  I love that he loves me, even with all my quirks.

I have amazing kids.

Regan.....

I can't figure out how Regan got so smart!  I love how at 12 years old, we are finding so much in common and we love to read the same books and see the same movies.  I'm so proud of the young woman she is becoming. When Regan was a little girl, she had so much imagination!  We would play this game where Regan would loose her voice and I would have to find it for her.  So I would find a voice, but it would be the wrong one, so she would maybe bark, meow, or pretend to be some other animal.  One time she started to pantomime.  I don't think I've ever laughed so hard.

Hali......

Hali is my diva.  She's such a girl.  She's been dancing since she was 3 years old and loves the costumes best!  She loves anything to do with fashion and make up and looking good.  But she has such a loving heart.  She loves her friends and doesn't like to hurt anyone's feelings. She was by far my best baby.  We could take her anywhere and she never caused any trouble.  I think she might be saving up for when she's a teenager.

Porter.....

Porter is ALL boy.  He's rough and tumble, but loves his mommy.  He's my cuddler.  Nothing better than hugs and kisses from my little man.  He's a tad destructive and tends to torture Zoey, but he doesn't ever do it with malice.  He just has a LOT of energy and he's really curious about everything.

Zoey......

I know, just look at that picture!  I just want to squeeze that face all the time! Zoey is a daddy's girl.  She's the one that runs to the door when Scott gets home and throws herself around his legs.  So, cute! She's learning to hold her own with her brother, which doesn't make him very happy.  Mom, either, for that matter, he's taught her how to hit.  Zoey can be really feisty when she wants to be.

I was really blessed with my cute family.

Car Troubles...

Meet Betsy.....

Betsy was my car for 8 years.  We shared many adventures with her.  We even drove across the country and into Canada with her.  She was a good car, but just got too old and finally had to be put to pasture.

Enter Lola....

And when you say Lola, you have to say Lola.  Lola is salsa red.  Hence the name Lola.  She's a beaute!  Lots of power and the entertainment package.  Lola has been part of our family for two years now and she's very much loved.  Over the summer Lola started giving me attitude.  Not much, but of course, her attitude was only for me and not for the guys in the repair shop.  Figures.

So, a couple of weeks ago, Chuck (not pictured), who happens to be Scott's manly truck, decided he needed a new transmission.  Lovely.  We gave him a rebuilt transmission, that still cost us $3500.  Stinkin Chuck.  Well, Chuck was in the shop for a week, which left us with one mode of transportation.  Not fun, but manageable.  Leave it to Lola to up her game.  Her battery kept going out at really inconvient times!  Stinkin Lola!  So, as soon as Chuck came home, Lola went in.  Luckily, Lola's battery was still under warrenty, so she didn't cost nearly what Chuck did, but still.  So not a fun week.  They better both behave themselves for the next little while.  Santa's watching, you know.

Hali's Last Year In The Single Digits!

Hali had her 9th birthday on Monday.  It's crazy how fast they grow.  I still think of her as a three year old.

I mean, seriously.  Who wouldn't want to look at that face everyday?  Course, Max back there is pretty cute, too.  Oh, I just want to munch on her face!

I guess she's pretty cute now, too.

If only I could get a picture of her with her eyes open.  *sigh*  It wasn't a friend party year, so we had an informal cake and ice cream party.  We had family and some friends over to celebrate and Hali had to have a Hannah Montana cake.  Let's see, Halloween, Birthday.....do you think she likes Hannah Montana?

On her actual birthday, we took her to dinner.  And of course, she chose the Mayan.  Ugh.  At least we don't have anymore kid birthdays until June, so we'll get a bit of a break!

Happy Birthday, Hal!!

Finally......Halloween!

It looks like the worst of the sickness has left us behind.  We still have a few hacking, but no more vomit or fever's.  YAY!!  Somehow, Regan and I managed to remain germ free this week.   We can't quite figure out how we got so lucky!  Anywho......  on to Halloween!

Wednesday night Hali's dance studio had a trunk or treat.

I know you aren't supposed to be in the trunk, but it was really cold that night, so the kids were doing anything they could to keep warm.  My one complaint about living in Utah is the weather on Halloween.  I love it when it's warm, hate it when it's cold. I mean, what's the use of having spent so much time on a costume, just to cover it up with a coat?!  So, meany mom, didn't bring any coats.  Therefore, the children froze.  Poor Zoey was visibly shivering as she went from car to car.  I'm so mean.

Next up was the school costume parade:

And that would be pretty much the only picture I got.  It bugs me that the teachers have these kids practically running through the isles!  Our parade was supposed to go from 9:00 am until 9:45.  They were done at 9:15.  Hello!

Halloween night we took the obligatory pictures of the kids in their costumes.  Porter was a knight.  Zoey was Little Bow Peep, but her individual picture turned out blurry.  Bummer.

Regan was Medusa.  Can you see the snakes in her hair?  Look close!  It took me forever to get those things in, so you all better look!

Hali was Hannah Montana with the costume deal of the century!  Disney store for 12 dollars!!!  She almost didn't go trick or treating, because she was showing signs of "the sickness", but I felt so back for her that I let her go.

The kids were being dorks and wanted to pose for this picture.  The knight is saving Bow Peep from Medusa.  Yeah.  My kids are not boring.

My kids are always begging me to do something Halloweeny for dinner on Halloween.  So one year, I made witches hands out of chicken, I've died food with food coloring, used orange peppers as jack o lanterns and put spaghetti in them.  This year I went easy.

Mummy dogs.  Easy.  But a great sacrifice on Mom's part, because I don't like hot dogs.  The things we do for our kids.

Those Darn Pigs....

I should be posting about Halloween  and I will, but right now four of the six in this household are sick.  We suspect the swine flu.  The simptoms match.  So, we are all holed up in the house trying not to go crazy.  Poor Porter's had the worst of it so far.  He's the only one throwing up.  So, give me some time and I'll post pictures.  Thanks for your understanding.

Sigh

This isn't exactly the view I wanted to see from my door this morning.

Ewww! Just....Ewww.

Porter:  "Mom!  Zoey dropped her lollypop and I picked it up and licked it.  Then I went in the bathroom and I washed it.  And I washed it with soap!"

He then pops the lolly pop into his mouth.

Mom:  "Ewww!!  Porter!  We don't eat soap!"

Porter:  "Why?"

Mom:  "Um....because it tastes gross!"

Porter just gave me the most cofused look and walked away with the lollypop back in his mouth.  I mean, I have sented soap, but I can't imagine that the sent makes it taste any better!

I Know, I Know,You All Get The Point.......

  My door is RED!!!

Anyway, before I get to the main point of this blog, I just had to add this picture.  A lovely girl named Emma took this picture at Elyse's wedding and it's just too cute!

Last week we took the kids to get their pumpkins.  We went to the pumpkin patch that is right next to their school, but of course, I forgot the camera.  Typical.  I did, however, pull the camera out for the pumpkin decorating. 

Hali and Regan were determined to carve their pumpkins this year.  We used to do it when they were little, but found that Scott and I did most of the work because the girls thought the insides were too slimy.  So, a couple of years ago I found these little babies:

 

No mess, no fuss!  LOVE THEM!

But Regan and Hali really wanted to carve.  So, we made them do it.  I wasn't touching the slimy stuff.

They now realize that it's tough work to carve a pumpkin.  And before you know it, they look like this:

I'm not sure that will stop them from trying again next year!

We're Seeing RED!!!

I just couldn't stand it anymore! So, I finally did it.....

I painted my front door RED!

I absolutely LOVE how it turned out. It took about 5 billion coats (and might need a few more), but my door is finally red. I worried a little when the first coat looked fuchsia pink, but I'm loving how it looks!

Elyse and Rob

We had a very special occasion this weekend. We traveled to California and witnessed the marriage of my niece, Elyse and her fiance, now husband, Rob, in the Newport Beach Temple.


Elyse made such a beautiful bride and she just beamed the whole day! And surprisingly, my sister remained really calm all day long!

My sister and her family.
My parents with Rob and Elyse.
Regan holding an extra bouquet.
Jordan, Ashlin (?), Hali and Zoey. Ashlin was the flower girl and she and Zoey are the same age and became little friends. So cute!
These two by far were the best to watch. It was like instant bonding and then they were inseparable! That's Porter with his cousin, Trini. I just wanted to listen to them talk and play the whole weekend. So funny!
The bride and groom got to drive away in my dad's Prowler.
But first he gave Trini and Porter a ride. Very exciting.
This is my sister's back yard. It was beautiful! April's friend Shawna did the flowers and I couldn't imagine anyone doing a more incredible job than she did! They were stunning! The whole receptions was fabulous!
They had a live band and the party didn't end until 11pm! Everyone stayed and danced to the bitter end! Glenn and April sure know how to throw a great party!

Congratulations, Rob and Elyse!

Regan's Birthday

This year was a friend party year for Regan. But with a new school and a wedding, we just didn't have time to have one. So, we told Regan that we would do something fun while in California for her birthday. And we had FUN!!!

We took her to Medieval Times!

We had such a good time! We got the red knight and no I didn't ask for that we just got lucky. Anyway, the red knight was really feeling our group. Maybe because we were the loudest and most obnoxious. Every time he would earn a flower from the princess, he would throw it to someone in our group. Hali got the first flower, then Trini, and Zoey. He chose Camden to give his favor to. She became the Queen of Love and Beauty. And was convinced that she was now married to the red knight.

Porter thought this was the greatest moment of his life. He barely sat down. He got a little impatient with the fancy horse walking and wanted to know when they were going to fight. The red knight won and then was attacked by the evil green knight and Porter was appalled. He kept calling the green knight a cheater and thought he shouldn't attack someone when they win!
Zoey was so thrilled with her flower. She just waved it around.
We had such a great time! The kids LOVED it.

I can't believe that Regan is 12! She got to start Young Women's last week and has even gone to an activity. She just loves it! I'm thrilled she has such great leaders and I'm glad that she is so excited about getting older. Seems to me that last year, she wasn't so thrilled with her birthday, because that meant she was closer to liking boys. HEHE. I'm sure she's not so happy about the boy thing, but she likes being in YW's.

Happy Birthday, Regan!

I Just Want To Eat Her UP!!

So, my niece is getting married this weekend (YAY, Elyse!) and I decided to make my girls cute new dresses to wear. I like to take pictures at least of all the smocked ones I do for posterity, I guess. Anyway, here it is:

Hali told Zoey to pose and this face is just too much!
And she has the sweet little personality to match!

First Day Of School 2009

This has felt like the

Longest. Summer. EVER!!!

We've been on year round school, but switched to traditional this year. So we've been used to our summer being maybe 6 weeks long. This year it was three months long! That's a HUGE difference! And then the first day got postponed for a week, because it's a new school and they were having electrical problems, so it got pushed back! Ugh.

So, the girls started today. Porter starts next week. They are going to a new charter school in our area. I'm really excited about this. I'm excited about the opportunities it will provide for my kids. In first grade they start learning Spanish and that will continue through all the grades. And with such a Spanish speaking population here in the West, I think that will be so useful for my kids to be familiar with the language.

They also have to wear uniforms. HEHE.

Hali, my little diva, was so not happy about it. We went shoe shopping and she was getting so frustrated when I had to veto every shoe she liked. Plain white is so not her thing. And there is no pink involved in the color scheme of the school. She is not happy. But a couple of her dance friends are in her class, so that makes up for it a little bit.

Regan is excited. I think this school will actually be able to keep up with her. We got to go to the school last week and walk around and meet the teachers. The kids were really excited after that. And felt more comfortable about starting a new school.

I'm just excited to have control of my house again. I love how quiet it is right now. Course, Porter's still downstairs and quiet is never good with him. I guess I'd better go check!

My Baby Is Three!

Wow. Time sure does go fast! My baby is not really a baby anymore. Makes me sad and also makes me want to do a little happy dance. No more bottles, cribs, strollers, baby toys that take up half your family room. Now I just need to work on the diaper thing.

Zoey got a cute little princess cake. She's really discovering Disney Princess's this year. It's kind of sad that she can name them all. I blame that on older sisters. Mom didn't have anything to do with it. (wink. wink.) Oh, and to explain what she's wearing, it's an old dance costume of Hali's. I don't normally dress her as a Vegas show girl.

I tried to get a picture of these two together, because they are just so dang cute! This is Zoey with her cousin, Olivia. It is such a crack up to watch two three year olds play together!

Zoey is such a sweet little girl. And with Porter starting Kindergarten next week, she will be my little shopping buddy! Love you, Zo!

Oktoberfest

I know, I know, it's not October, but every year Snowbird resort puts on it's annual Oktoberfest. We try really hard every year to go, but somehow life just gets in the way, so it's been a really long time since we've been. And we had to go this weekend, because life is coming to get in the way!
The first thing we did was hop on the tram and ride it to the top of the mountain.
We had a great view of snowbird below.
Heber Valley was this way.
We also had a great view of the Salt Lake Valley. I just didn't want to overdo the scenery shots.

For some strange reason, my kids LOVE these.
We got to listen to traditional Alpine music and watch some really cute old people dance in traditional dress, all while we ate what I was hoping would be really good German food. It wasn't. Luckily we have Sigfried's deli in downtown Salt Lake for good German food.