The discovery of powdered doughnuts

Can anyone remember that blessed moment in their life when they ate their first powdered doughnut (I personally prefer the crumb ones but that is just me)? Well, last week Troy brought home a bag as it is one of Gracie's favorite "treats." Aeva immediately saw the bag and became, shall we say, interested. Her hand went ever so cautiously down into the bag of wonder. It came out with a small, round, powdery white 'O'. Though she had not yet tasted it, her eyes became large and a smile came across her little face. It was much like what happened to the Grinch's heart when he discovered that Christmas was not made up of toys and ham but of love and friends.

Then came the first bite...

Her little heart began to swell with happiness. You can see the expression on her face as she realized that there was a whole bag of these wonderful things sitting right in front of her. Too bad I don't have a picture of her when she was all done. She looked like Frosty the Snowman. Despite the mess, I couldn't stop her moment of happiness. I knew that this was one of the few times she would be able to eat them guilt free. No calorie counting for this little one. Enjoy, little Aeva. Enjoy!

Third Time's a Charm

So, last week I got the same cold that the rest of the world had. Wasn't too bad other than I lost my voice for about 3 days. Anyone who knows me will understand what a problem this was for me. I am not a quiet person by nature. My voice and I are very close. Anyway, last week I bathed Aeva in the morning assuming that I could then bath the older two that night. I should have known better. Of course, Aeva is going to want to bath AGAIN when the older girls get in. So, I gave in and stuck her in the tub with Maddie and Gracie. After much lathering and washing it was time to get out of the tub. I got everyone out and proceeded to dress Aeva for bed. Once she was done I moved on to Maddie's hair (this is a feat in and of itself). While combing Maddie's hair, Maddie proceeded to spray herself in the face with sunscreen (good thing she had her glasses on...saved us from some eye trauma). As I was de-sunscreening Maddie I looked in the mirror and saw that Ms. Aeva had re-entered the tub. No noise, no splash...nothing. There she was, fully clothed and sitting back in the tub. I tried to scream at Troy for backup BUT alas...no voice. GGRRRRR! Anyway, I had to march out to the kitchen (assuming Aeva wouldn't drown while I was gone) in order to give Troy my best facial expression of "get back here and help me, or else..." After all was said and done...Aeva had had 3 baths and was finally ready for bed. So was I.

This is Aeva's disturbed face. She realized that it doesn't feel too good to have wet fleece jammies, wet socks and a very soggy diaper. Served her right.

P.S. Two days ago I was telling Troy a LENGTHY story about something that had happened. He interrupted me to ask (in a disappointed voice), "So, does this mean your voice is back?" I'm glad to know he missed my beautiful voice as much as I did.

Incoming....

The Haun Home got pounded by a snowstorm last week.... but it was nothing compared to the winter of '08. I pulled out the old trusty camcorder for evidence....see YouTube clip below....

Here are the highlights...

Tiff is operating the camcorder and giggling.... Don't you think she has a good laugh?

Troy is trying to snow blow Maddie a trail to her bus stop. Without this strategic logistical link Maddie would have a hard time getting to the bus stop without a ride in a car. It took Troy a couple hours to clear this path.

Maddie is mounting the snowball offensive against her dad. You could consider this an ambush.

Gracie is imitating a mole from Whac-A-Mole. You guessed it. She is taking cover behind the snow trench so she doesn't get hit by an incoming snowball. The snow height is bigger than Gracie and her puffy jacket...

There is also a lot of unauthorized snow eating going on..... Don't eat the yellow stuff.....

Ragnar Relay 2009

As many of you may or may not know, Tiff and I are planning on running the Ragnar Relay in June. This is a 180.5 Mile race that travels from Logan to Eden to Morgan to Coalville to Heber to Park City. The relay team consists of 12 members, each person running between 12 and 19 miles each (Troy's Leg is 12 miles.... Thanks Mike).

Troy is running with a team from High School organized by his friend Mike Ekstrom. Every member of the team graduated from Ogden High School in 1994.

Tiff is running this race with a group of girls from the valley.

Time to get training...

Here is a Youtube video of a team called Family, Friends and Fools from the 2007 Ragnar race.

They did a great job with their video.... Have a look....

More of that white, fluffy stuff

So, after the latest snow storm (we got 24 inches in 24 hours) my children decided that they should head out into the wilderness and see if they could get any tubing done. I (being the noble and brave mother that I am) sent them out into the lone and dreary world while I...watched from the kitchen window. Like I said, noble, brave and WARM.

This was actually taken from the front step. Once again I could stay within the warmth of home and not have to put any shoes on! I think Gracie had gotten somewhat fatigued from walking around in the deep snow. She therefore decided to simply lie down and eat it. Who would have taught her such a thing (at least said person also taught her all of the general snow eating rules...you know, color and texture type things). Anyway, the girls started their little outing around 5:30 and two hours later they were still not ready to come inside. My response, "too bad, so sad." They came in and sat down to a lovely chocolate cake and pickles dinner. They hate just about everything that we ever have for dinner so I figured this would be just as easy to make as roast and potatoes. Lots less guilt in having to throw away pickles later on.

Now, this picture is taken from the kitchen window. They are tubing down the snowblower paths that Troy made. That is how Maddie gets to the school bus. The picture is slightly fuzzy because we wouldn't want to open the window and let any cold air in. Too risky!

Not sure why Aeva is blurry...she was standing right next to me! Chalk it up to my phenomenal photo taking abilities. Maybe I should read that little book that came with my camera so that I would know what that flashing red light means. Maybe it is about to explode...I'll risk it. Don't want to read too much, might strain my eyes. Anyway, hope everyone else enjoyed all that white, fluffy stuff that landed in my yard. Is it spring yet?

Love Day

So, in the spirit of love, Valentine's Day, and memories I have decided to dig out the old book and post a few pictures of Troy and I getting engaged.

Not sure if you can see my face but...it would almost look as though I was mocking poor Troy...not so. My true friends will know that I am a very serious person and try to never mock or humiliate. I did indeed say, yes (I even meant it this time). That was over 9 years ago! We pride ourselves in aging gracefully.

This is our actual engagement picture that went out with the invitations. We look quite loving, no? Good thing he is my best friend. Can't imagine living with someone that I couldn't laugh and have fun with. I have always tried to surround myself with people that could enjoy life and make the most of what was handed to them. So far, I am very pleased with my choice. He has passed most of his tests with flying colors (and the ones he didn't pass he made up for with slurpees - the true key to my heart).

Our girls have also been quite into the Valentine spirit. In fact, I drugged them enough that they felt up to making Valentines for their sweet parents. We are so proud that we have now hung the Valentines in the front windows of the house. Feel free to drive by and enjoy them. If you live too far away, they are also pictured below.

I thought this was a Valentine's dog but it is actually a rabbit. He opens his arms to tell us how much he loves us. Good thing Gracie has 4 arms so that we can see this lovely feature.

Maddie also worked quite hard on a letter to myself and her dad. In the body of the Valentine (toward the bottom) you can see that she thanks us for "being nice." Nice of her to notice that we have been on our best behavior. Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day. I am truly blessed to have so many people that love and CARE for me. (I am making sure that I read this to my children so that if they ever put me in a nursing home they will feel very guilty).

The Rarest of the Rare

It is quite obvious that this is a category only females would fall into. Sorry guys...but you naturally have more pheromones than us good smelling girls.

We liked this one as well... This is in honor of my cousin Dan's kidnapper van.

The blog we stole these off of is thisisindexed.com. Pretty funny...

Contamination

Last Sunday I was getting ready for church when I heard Maddie and Gracie having the following conversation as they lie on their death beds. Gracie coughs and Maddie says "Gracie, you're not sick." Gracie replies, "yes, I am. Mom even gave ME medicine." Maddie - "Well, your not as sick as ME." Gracie - "Yes I AM." She then coughs as loud as she possibly can to prove that she is VERY sick. See below pictures to determine which of the 3 look more pathetic.

This is Gracie's first attempt at appearing "ill."

This picture was taken only seconds later and is much more convincing.

Now we have Maddie. She is very talented at looking ill. Nevertheless, if the truth were known, she was about one day ahead of Gracie with her slew of symptoms (sore throat, cough, runny nose, and fever).

Here is sweet Aeva. Sunday morning she felt like her usual, happy self. She awoke with her fever this morning.

Now, 48 hours have passed sinced our initial sickness began. Maddie is on the uphill return to normalness. Gracie is now the one in the pit of despair (with Aeva right on her tail) and tomorrow I have to go to work. This means that Troy will be on nurse duty. With a small amount of fear, I have gone ahead and created the following medication regimen/chart that he must follow in order to avoid overdosing any of the small people.

Alex, How about Gracie for 1200... (Jeopardy humor)

As you can see, I am not able to use terms such as motrin/ibuprofen, tylenol/acetaminophen, or Brompheniramine Maleate/Dextromethorphan/Phenylephrine HCl. Instead I have been instructed to use "O for orange yummy liquid, W for purple good tasting vs CC for purple bad tasting, and Ib for round/pink pills vs. A for ovlong white pills." Troy assures me that he is ready to go. May God bless and protect them all (I have a ten hour shift for heavens sake)!

Uno, Dos, Tres...Catorce!

So, here we are, 4 of the 10 U2 fans that went to the 9:50 showing of U23D down at Jordon Commons. As you can see, seating was hard to come by. Nevertheless, we crowded through and found our way to some awesome seats. Troy is thinking of becoming an usher for the movie as he likes it so much. If anyone is interested in going (again), Troy is more than eager to accompany you (for only a small "usher" fee). He truly is priced quite reasonably.

This picture is of Troy and I with two of our awesome friends, Zac and Aimee. They are willing to follow us about anywhere which makes them truly amazing. Thanks for joining us on our search for youth. Wouldn't have been the same without you.

Kati and Brian also joined us for the late night showing. Brian is attempting to make his hand look 3D. It actually kind of worked. I am impressed (which is generally not difficult to do).

Roundin up the 5's

The time has come, Kindergarten Roundup! Gracie got "her papers" in the mail this week and has been VERY excited about it. She has informed me of who she would like her emergency contacts to be (congratulations Gma Rett & Gma Carole). She has also weighed and measured herself for her medical form. We even performed a mini eye exam here at home. She has done very well. Too bad it doesn't start very soon. She is having a hard time waiting. When I asked her what she was most excited for...recess, lunch, and riding the bus! I guess I had better wait to tell her that I am not sure you get recess in Kindergarten, you have lunch at home, and we may live too close to the new school to ride the bus. Don't want to burst any bubbles before absolutely necessary. Anyway, we look forward to having a second Bulldog here at home.

BFF

This is Aeva with her best friend, Piper. They were born a week apart and have really decided that they are a good pair. Piper and her family came over the other night and Aeva decided that it would be fun to push Piper around in the doll stroller. Piper didn't seem to mind. They have fun together. Nice to have friends.

P.S. Don't mind Aeva's hair. This is what it looks like when she gets sick of having a pony on top of her head and pulls it out. I figure it is a step up from the ball of knots she used to have on the back of her head. Definite progress!

U23D 4U???? Date Night and a Movie

Hello Everyone...

We are organizing a date night for this Friday February 6th...

Click on Trailer on http://www.u23dmovie.com/

Single People.... You will need to find a date....

Married People.... You will need to find a babysitter (for the kids).... Invite your wives on the date. (This clarification is for Zac)

Here is the deal. The movie is U23D. This is a 3D IMAX Movie. The only location in the state of Utah where this movie is played is the IMAX down at Jordan Commons.... Think 120 Billionth South.... or the theater with the Mayan restaurant attached.

This movie released last year and we saw it... I thought it was really good even for marginal U2 fans. However if you hate U2, this is probably not the movie for you. I liked it for the 3D, music and big screen.... Think cheap concert with no screaming fans.... just popcorn.

Here is the review on Rotten Tomatoes....
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/u2_3d/?critic=creamcrop

For those interested, please give Troy a phone call, or leave a comment. We will try to organize in more detail tonight. We will also grab a bite to eat before (optional).

One last thing.... The movie starts at 9:50pm.... So this is a late one.... Sorry.... This is the only time they play it. The cost is $12 (worth it for once in a lifetime).

Mr. Black Belt

Yesterday my nephew, Mr. Sensei Parker Wilson, earned his black belt in karate. I must say that it is probably due to my example and support that he was able to achieve this goal. I, his favorite aunt, am always willing to give him a hug, treat or big kiss on the forehead. Those are the kind of things that make a black belt possible. Never mind his years of training, dedication, and hard work. The treats, hugs and kisses are what make the difference. Parker is proud to be my nephew! Below are a few photos of my...I mean HIS triumphant moment (actually it took about 4 hours of torture to get to this point).

First of all, I learned that you must paint at least one toenail a random color (Parker chose green) before you can be considered eligible for black beltness. I think this is supposed to subconsciously make you laugh when you are getting kicked around by other, much larger black belts.

After the nail painting, grapeling, street fighting, forms, and cheers by the hundreds of onlookers, you then get to break 4 boards with a single hit of your hand. I must say that I was also key in his accomplishing this as I cheered and cried the loudest. I also gave him this key bit of advice, "just break it with your butt. It will hurt less and accomplish the same thing." Despite this advise, he used his hand.

This is Sensei Adam dressing the newest Sensei Parker. Now, I admit that I know very little about karate BUT I do not think that Sensei's dress each other on a regular basis. This was simply a "special occasion." Then again, this may become the norm. Parker, if you ever need help getting dressed for school and Adam is not around...give me a call.

Parker, taking his spot at the end of the black belt line. Height is not one of the requirements.

The black belt cheerleaders taught them this move. I was unable to get a picture of the synchronized twirls and kicks that followed.

When all is said and done, I am very proud of my black belt. In all honesty, these black belts (Darby's black belt - soon to be earned) are the only ones I will ever be able to claim as my own. I am too lazy and old to get one myself. I am one proud aunt, neighbor and friend. Love you, Sensei Parker.
Good Job!!!