Happy 405th Month Birthday, Troy

Troy and I got a fabulous idea from one of our favorite blogs. Happy 26 month birthday to Aeva and happy 405 month birthday to Troy! You are both getting so big!

Thanks Matt, Karen, and Baby Noah! What a great idea for our little blog.

Steak anyone?

Anyone ever eat at Texas Roadhouse? One of our favorites. Where else can you get an awesome steak, some yummy rolls and anything else you want? Well, Maddox is another favorite for pretty much the same reasons. Yummy food...we are there!

We were also lucky enough to get some plastic cowboy hats just because we were cute (or lucky). Any guesses about who has the most abundant (biggest) head in our family?

The girls thought the hats were better than Christmas. They haven't taken them off yet. In fact, when we got home they started decorating them with flowers and had a small Hannah Montana concert. I will send out invitations for their next debut. Watch out Dark Horse!

My camera wasn't quick enough with its 10 second delay but Gracie's hat actually fit all the way over her face. I tried to get it in a picture but she got it up before I was able to. Time for a new camera. Do all digital cameras have such a wonderful delay feature? Maybe I paid extra for that.

A little rope, a little candy, and a little spit...awesome

Ever have a party and get a gift that you put in your pantry for several months because you aren't sure you want your child to remember they have it? Well, Troy was home the other day when we had a little play date. The kids were walking around aimlessly when Troy said, "why don't you guys play with this?" He comes out of the pantry holding the "candy necklace kit with over 300 pieces!" All of a sudden there was a new sense of purpose in their little eyes.

Well, at least Maddie and MiKelle look to have a purpose. MiKenna just looks like she would like me to stop taking her picture.



Gracie is always up for a pose.

How can a loving adult say no to those little faces? So, after a half hour of chitter-chatter, decorative patterns, and knot tying we had several necklaces, bracelets and watches all ready to be worn, licked and eaten. Oh the memories! How I loved my candy necklaces as a child! I would eat at it all day long as it continued to make my neck more and more sticky with its sugar coated candies. Eventually my skin would actually begin to shimmer from all of the sugar that collected layer upon layer. It is those memories that gave me the power to say "yes." Yes, little children... you CAN open that box with 300 tiny pieces of candy. Go, live, enjoy!

Gateway Guppies

Anyone else take their kids to the Gateway for a little water activity? Most of the kids are simply running around in their clothes. You know, a spur of the moment thing that some children get to participate in. I just sit there and shake my head. I think, "what are you going to do with that child in 10 minutes when you have to take them back home? You have no towel. You have no dry clothes. How far away do you live? What a stupid, stupid choice you have made." My children are actually in their swimming suits. Let's just call it a little feddish of mine. I don't like sitting in wet clothes. Something about wetness, sitting, and chappiness that gets me irritated. At least they aren't naked. A few years ago we randomly ended up at the Gateway and when Maddie saw the fountains she wanted to get in. She was only 5 or so at the time so I took of her clothes and let her run around in her underoos. Then I heard someone refer to her as Brittany Spears and the fun was over. I have learned my lesson. Only run through the fountains in your underoos when no one is looking. Otherwise, suits are a good idea.

Don't ever look down the hole to see if water is coming. You will be blinded. Good thing Gracie was quick (and has two eyes).
Aeva was fine until the water actually touched her. Then she would only go out when the water had stopped. We have a cautious soul on our hands. Oh, and yes, she is in only a diaper. Maybe I didn't learn my lesson after all. Live and learn.

Airplane Picnic

Well, we finally participated in our annual Airport Picnic a few weeks ago. This little "outing" consists of getting a wonderfully fattening hamburger from the Burger Bar in Roy, driving to the Ogden Airport play ground, stuffing ourselves full, and watching the kids play. So far no one has been hit by an airplane so we continue to go each summer. We usually get to see planes land and take off, and there are always a few sky divers jumping to their deaths. Good stuff.

This is admittedly not the best picture but, if you look closely, you can see airplanes in the background.

For some reason, this beautiful August evening was particularly chilly and I being the wonderful mother that I am didn't think to bring any jackets. Thank goodness for other mothers who DO remember such things.