tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283995552024-03-13T07:53:02.996-07:00one day at a timeHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-62462133857320063142008-11-21T23:21:00.009-07:002008-11-22T01:10:28.743-07:00Party On Grace!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSelfBR7DoI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/rpyuNQJVFTw/s1600-h/gracie+birthday+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271363841198591618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSelfBR7DoI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/rpyuNQJVFTw/s400/gracie+birthday+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gracie is wearing this wig because:<br /><br />a) She is auditioning for a role in a new Mike Myers movie...Wayne's World Reunited.<br /><br />b) She is getting ready to go to the <a href="http://cityofniceville.org/mfgallery.html">mullet festival.</a><br /><br />c) <a href="http://weirdnewsfiles.com/wp-content/weirdnewsuploads/sara_palin_mullet.jpg">Sarah Palin</a> is her idol.<br /><br />d) Her dad thinks it's hilarious. He promised to pay her $10 if she would wear it for an entire day.<br /><br />e) She wants to look like "Gabriella" when she goes to see HSM3 for her Birthday.<br /><br /><br />Here's a hint: <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSerh_f7DhI/AAAAAAAAAeY/FOotCIlH57I/s1600-h/gracie+birthday+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271370489329815058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSerh_f7DhI/AAAAAAAAAeY/FOotCIlH57I/s400/gracie+birthday+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Notice the matching "T as in Troy" necklaces.<br /><br /><br />I won the mean mom award that day when I told her the "Gabriella" wig had to wait for us in the car while we went to the movie. I did allow the Gabriella doll to join us against my better judgement since it <em>was</em> Gracie's Birthday. Um, yeah. Let's just say that wasn't the best decision I've ever made. Gracie, Sophie, and "Gabriella" were all belting out the songs at the top of their lungs during the movie. Then one of Gabriella's <em>little</em> white shoes went missing. Gracie was crawling around on the filthy theater floor, rummaging through all the spilled popcorn looking for the precious lost shoe. I'm sure some of our fellow movie goers were ready to strangle us all by the time the movie was over. Gracie refused to leave the theater until the shoe was found. An employee finally took pity on her (and me) and helped us look for the missing shoe with his little flashlight.<br /><br /><br />Next stop...Chuck E. Cheese. (Yes, the wig had to wait in the car - again!)<br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSey9NJnPJI/AAAAAAAAAeg/7iTo0LXVN24/s1600-h/gracie+birthday+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271378653432200338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSey9NJnPJI/AAAAAAAAAeg/7iTo0LXVN24/s400/gracie+birthday+3.jpg" border="0" /></a> After dinner, we had to pick up a couple of things at Target. I finally caved and let her wear the wig inside. I wish I had a copy of the surveillance video taken that night. Hopefully some security guard out there got a good laugh out of us. </p><p>The next day we had the grandparents and some cousins over for cupcakes and ice cream.<br /></p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSe1BylpLMI/AAAAAAAAAeo/MRCMcBlYpio/s1600-h/gracie+birthday+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271380931224612034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSe1BylpLMI/AAAAAAAAAeo/MRCMcBlYpio/s400/gracie+birthday+4.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Gracie got the HSM3 soundtrack from <a href="http://mikekeri.blogspot.com/">Keri and Mike</a> and a new microphone from <a href="http://www.the4jensens.blogspot.com/">Kelton</a>. Soon there was a major dance party going on in the basement. The Gabriella wig made another appearance.<br /></p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSe5sAssp2I/AAAAAAAAAe4/w0zupHCW6H0/s1600-h/gracie+birthday+6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271386054613313378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSe5sAssp2I/AAAAAAAAAe4/w0zupHCW6H0/s400/gracie+birthday+6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Even the boys (big and little) were dancing and singing. Oh how I wish I had it all on video. Sam won my vote as best dancer that night. I had no idea he could shake it like that. Go Sam!</p><p><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSe6z2LJskI/AAAAAAAAAfA/0L_2RhG8cXc/s1600-h/shake+it+sam+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271387288738837058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSe6z2LJskI/AAAAAAAAAfA/0L_2RhG8cXc/s400/shake+it+sam+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSe60JLO8qI/AAAAAAAAAfI/3MH0x4qxz7Y/s1600-h/shake+it+sam+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271387293839454882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSe60JLO8qI/AAAAAAAAAfI/3MH0x4qxz7Y/s400/shake+it+sam+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Birthday Gracie! (Party on!)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSe2Uwf0tFI/AAAAAAAAAew/uFwDCxrZm60/s1600-h/gracie+birthday+5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271382356592473170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SSe2Uwf0tFI/AAAAAAAAAew/uFwDCxrZm60/s400/gracie+birthday+5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-79523612140873583942008-10-31T23:05:00.004-07:002008-10-31T23:37:33.733-07:00Happy Halloween!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQu1XNnWXZI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/d5YWyPfKhf0/s1600-h/halloween.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263499999908879762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQu1XNnWXZI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/d5YWyPfKhf0/s400/halloween.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Every year Gracie tells us that <em>NEXT YEAR</em> she's going to be a witch. I thought that "next year" would never come, but 2008 year was <em>finally</em> the year of the witch. It's a good thing 2008 was also the warmest Halloween I can ever remember since our little witch refused to layer anything under or over her sparkly dress.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQu1rjbyuOI/AAAAAAAAAdY/vk8-ni869js/s1600-h/halloween+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263500349363370210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQu1rjbyuOI/AAAAAAAAAdY/vk8-ni869js/s400/halloween+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dallin had big plans to be a Death Eater this year. That is until he saw a "bleeding mask" at the store. It has a little heart that pumps fake blood across the face when you squeeze it. One look at this beauty and he just knew it would make the perfect grim reaper costume. There was no changing his mind - believe me, I tried! It's a little gory for my taste, but I promise there is a sweet face smiling behind the bloody mask.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQvcHARPuMI/AAAAAAAAAdg/r1jnib9kGPE/s1600-h/halloween+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263542602402085058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQvcHARPuMI/AAAAAAAAAdg/r1jnib9kGPE/s400/halloween+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />When Adam found this mullet wig, he happily exchanged his hard earned money for the opportunity to dress up like a "hick." At least that's what he calls it. I, on the other hand, like to call it "High School Adam."<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQveVvM8HCI/AAAAAAAAAdo/ED-i4qw8Qnc/s1600-h/halloween+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263545054541913122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQveVvM8HCI/AAAAAAAAAdo/ED-i4qw8Qnc/s400/halloween+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />He seriously had this same "do" in his Sr. portrait. OK, so it was a different color, but the style is <em>exactly</em> the same! (I'm also loving the plaid button down shirt with the plaid flannel quilted coat over the top. He just looks so dreamy.) Maybe next year I will sport the old CHS cheer uniform and rat my curls a mile high so I can go with him as "High School Heather." Alright, alright, let's be honest. There are a couple of reasons why that would <em>never</em> really happen. Number 1 is that I doubt I could fit even one leg into my old CHS cheer skirt. And number 2 is that I'm way too lazy now to spend that much time on my hair. But then again, maybe - just maybe - I might be able to find a wig that looks like my high school hair before next Halloween. (Shudder!)<br /><br />But I digress...back to this Halloween. Adam took the kids trick-or-treating. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQvmwj6nm9I/AAAAAAAAAdw/XNUbV4abLVk/s1600-h/halloween+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263554311461772242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQvmwj6nm9I/AAAAAAAAAdw/XNUbV4abLVk/s400/halloween+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I stayed home to pass out the candy. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQvovpdOrzI/AAAAAAAAAd4/ngrL3liqXlw/s1600-h/halloween+7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263556494792503090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQvovpdOrzI/AAAAAAAAAd4/ngrL3liqXlw/s400/halloween+7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There was plenty of witch's brew to drink and "brains and bones" to eat. (That would be spaghetti and bone-shaped breadsticks.) <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQvpv2O--bI/AAAAAAAAAeA/_f-hW6-DGB4/s1600-h/halloween+5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263557597734042034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQvpv2O--bI/AAAAAAAAAeA/_f-hW6-DGB4/s400/halloween+5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, and we also had our annual family pumpkin carving contest last night.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQvty7s0NaI/AAAAAAAAAeI/9B66BY9pRy4/s1600-h/halloween+6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263562048787461538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQvty7s0NaI/AAAAAAAAAeI/9B66BY9pRy4/s400/halloween+6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I just love Halloween. Sigh. I'm kind of sad to see it end.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-25225272533696040282008-10-29T15:12:00.001-07:002008-10-29T15:12:00.623-07:00Farm Fun!<div align="left">Over the last few years, it's become a tradition for the kids and I to go to the pumpkin patch during Fall Break. I guess it's a tradition we all enjoy because the kids were begging to go again this year I was actually excited to take them.<br /><br />We always have to start at the "corn box." It's like a sandbox...but with corn instead. Adam covered our sandbox with concrete this past summer. He promised the kids he would build a new one, but I'm wondering if there's any way we could get one of these instead. Corn is a lot easier to shake out of their hair, clothes, and underwear than sand. But then again - it's been a week and a half and I'm still finding corn in the laundry.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SP-XF9H8WpI/AAAAAAAAAbc/QmfDl8tPlcw/s1600-h/hee+haw+cornbox+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089018355047058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SP-XF9H8WpI/AAAAAAAAAbc/QmfDl8tPlcw/s400/hee+haw+cornbox+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SP-XFuiZ9yI/AAAAAAAAAbU/IysafzRd_xc/s1600-h/hee+haw+cornbox2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089014439507746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SP-XFuiZ9yI/AAAAAAAAAbU/IysafzRd_xc/s400/hee+haw+cornbox2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SP-XFvP9PvI/AAAAAAAAAbM/8GQ8lUQUbvA/s1600-h/hee+haw+cornbox3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089014630563570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SP-XFvP9PvI/AAAAAAAAAbM/8GQ8lUQUbvA/s400/hee+haw+cornbox3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SP-XFaeYlTI/AAAAAAAAAbE/l4WFryL4q_s/s1600-h/hee+haw+cornbox4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260089009053930802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SP-XFaeYlTI/AAAAAAAAAbE/l4WFryL4q_s/s400/hee+haw+cornbox4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQdpTeJH6fI/AAAAAAAAAbs/XD9eJ4Rmj-g/s1600-h/hee+haw+cornbox5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262290472835475954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQdpTeJH6fI/AAAAAAAAAbs/XD9eJ4Rmj-g/s400/hee+haw+cornbox5.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br />Here are some more pictures from our day:</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd_PEgTi0I/AAAAAAAAAc0/x_FWcs6GtVc/s1600-h/hee+haw+hayride.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262314586489719618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd_PEgTi0I/AAAAAAAAAc0/x_FWcs6GtVc/s400/hee+haw+hayride.jpg" border="0" /> </a>the hayride to the pumpkin patch<br /></div><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQdwdc7KXNI/AAAAAAAAAb0/cLGRzEY_DsI/s1600-h/hee+haw+hay+jump.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262298340888566994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQdwdc7KXNI/AAAAAAAAAb0/cLGRzEY_DsI/s400/hee+haw+hay+jump.jpg" border="0" /></a>hay jumping<br /></p><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQdw14TQ7aI/AAAAAAAAAb8/qROsWpic8mU/s1600-h/hee+haw+hay+slide.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262298760554278306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQdw14TQ7aI/AAAAAAAAAb8/qROsWpic8mU/s400/hee+haw+hay+slide.jpg" border="0" /></a>the giant hay slide<br />(that's Dallin going down head first)<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd0JKDClzI/AAAAAAAAAcM/ifDnvytkTwc/s1600-h/hee+haw+pony+ride+g.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262302390270465842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd0JKDClzI/AAAAAAAAAcM/ifDnvytkTwc/s400/hee+haw+pony+ride+g.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd0IIAjSoI/AAAAAAAAAcE/7OVhneks7JI/s1600-h/hee+haw+pony+ride+d.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262302372543285890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd0IIAjSoI/AAAAAAAAAcE/7OVhneks7JI/s400/hee+haw+pony+ride+d.jpg" border="0" /></a>pony rides</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd3O-6LNRI/AAAAAAAAAcc/DUoHjEwQldM/s1600-h/hee+haw+petting+zoo+d.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262305788894590226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd3O-6LNRI/AAAAAAAAAcc/DUoHjEwQldM/s400/hee+haw+petting+zoo+d.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd3Oz0aiAI/AAAAAAAAAcU/ku5M4Ljheuc/s1600-h/hee+haw+petting+zoo+g.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262305785917638658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd3Oz0aiAI/AAAAAAAAAcU/ku5M4Ljheuc/s400/hee+haw+petting+zoo+g.jpg" border="0" /></a>the petting zoo </div><br /><br /><p></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262308433097611970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd5o5VTWsI/AAAAAAAAAck/rW9OITLecZI/s400/hee+haw+pedal+karts.jpg" border="0" /> the pedal karts<br />(Dallin's favorite) </p><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262309629711292850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQd6ujEPGbI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Do_-1IHllBU/s400/hee+haw+animal+train.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">the animal train<br />(Gracie's favorite) </p><p align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQeBJuQ5zWI/AAAAAAAAAc8/X0AnhBsJ7NI/s1600-h/hee+haw+pumpkins.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262316693643447650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQeBJuQ5zWI/AAAAAAAAAc8/X0AnhBsJ7NI/s400/hee+haw+pumpkins.jpg" border="0" /> </a></p><p align="center">the kids and their pumpkins<br />(My favorite)</p><p align="left">I'm pretty sure this tradition is going to stick. So...anyone want to join us next Fall Break?</p>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-7850246178470760492008-10-28T20:31:00.004-07:002008-10-29T12:08:32.746-07:00Baby NeveBaby Neve was born on Sunday. The kids were dying to meet her, so we headed down on Monday for family night. Here's Ella and Gracie and her sweet new baby cousin:<br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQfaOBYb6uI/AAAAAAAAAdE/YBvUXdDyXmQ/s1600-h/neve.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262414624029666018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SQfaOBYb6uI/AAAAAAAAAdE/YBvUXdDyXmQ/s400/neve.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>Neve has adorable chubby cheeks and the tiniest little "thunder thighs" you've ever seen. Pretty impressive for a 1-day-old. Congrats <a href="http://daveaprilhendrickson.blogspot.com/">Dave and April</a>.</p>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-81396482489701558142008-10-24T08:46:00.008-07:002008-10-24T20:27:36.845-07:00Countdown to HSM3I know, I know...the new High School Musical movie opens in theaters today. Some theaters even had showings at 12:01 this morning. For most people, the countdown to HSM3 is over. But at our house we are counting down until we actually see it next week. Princess Grace has decided to take Sophie with her to see the new movie as part of her Birthday celebration next week. So for us it's 8 days until HSM3. 8 days to dream about singing and dancing with Troy.<br /><br /><div style='background-color:#e9e9e9; width: 425px;'><object id='A212754' quality='high' data='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=1VEl2uGlKZQ7uCSX&service=sendables.jibjab.com' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' height='319' width='425'><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><param name='movie' value='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=1VEl2uGlKZQ7uCSX&service=sendables.jibjab.com'></param><param name='scaleMode' value='showAll'></param><param name='quality' value='high'></param><param name='allowNetworking' value='all'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='FlashVars' value='external_make_id=1VEl2uGlKZQ7uCSX&service=sendables.jibjab.com'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param></object><div style='text-align:center; width:435px; margin-top:6px;'>Try JibJab Sendables® <a href='http://sendables.jibjab.com/sendables'>eCards</a> today!</div></div><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.9NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMjQ5MDQ4NjE1MzQmcHQ9MTIyNDkwNDg2NzY1NSZwPTE5MTEzMSZkPTIwMjMwOSZnPTImdD*mbz1lYjRjMTU3YmY3YjA*ZGNjOGY5NGE2NWMyOGY*M2JhOQ==.gif" />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-35955006273984438522008-10-23T23:59:00.002-07:002008-10-24T20:19:13.954-07:00Almost a VegetarianDallin and I were sitting in on Gracie's singing class this week while they were learning the lyrics to "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas." There is a phrase in the song where the mom thinks the hippo is going to eat the kid up, but the teacher said hippos are vegetarians.<br /><br />I guess vegetarian isn't a word that is used every day in Kindergarten or something because when Miss Jenn asked if anyone knew what a vegetarian was, Gracie was the only one sitting up tall in her seat and waving her hand wildly. I slumped down and braced myself for what I <em>thought</em> she was going to say...something about her mommy being a vegetarian. But NOOOO. That's not what she said at all. She proudly explained that a vegetarian is "someone who takes care of animals."<br /><br />Close my dear. Very close.<br /><br />It's good to know that my eating habits haven't scarred her for life - I'm sure I can make up for that with some of my other habits.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-85630543548544374612008-10-17T21:01:00.002-07:002008-10-24T15:17:15.967-07:00Spilling the Beans About DadDallin and Gracie had so much fun playing "mom tag" that they asked me if they could answer the same questions about dad. I thought that was only fair.<br /><br /><strong>Gracie<br /></strong><br />1. What is something dad always says to you? Go clean your room.<br />2. What makes dad happy? Going on bike rides.<br />3. What makes dad sad? When his bike is broken.<br />4. How does your dad make you laugh? He tells me porpoise stories.<br />5. What was your dad like as a child? Kinda like Aaron. (His twin brother.)<br />6. How old is your dad? 32.<br />7. How tall is your dad? 16 inches tall.<br />8. What is his favorite thing to do? To go mountain biking.<br />9. What does your dad do when you're not around? Goes mountain biking.<br />10. If your dad becomes famous, what will it be for? Telling people about porpoises.<br />11. What is your dad really good at? Riding his bike.<br />12. What is your dad not very good at? Keeping his bike on the car.<br />13. What does your dad do for his job? He goes to work.<br />14. What is your dad's favorite food? Meat.<br />15. What makes you proud of your dad? When he rubs my feet.<br />16. If your dad were a cartoon character, who would he be? SpongeBob.<br />17. What do you and your dad do together? Go to Day's Market and get candy.<br />18. How are you and your dad the same? We like to ride bikes.<br />19. How are you and your dad different? I don't ride my bike on mountains.<br />20. How do you know your dad loves you? He snuggles me.<br />21. What does your dad like most about your mom? When she goes to the garden with him.<br />22. Where is your dad's favorite place to go? To the meat store.<br /><br /><strong>Dallin<br /></strong><br />1. What is something dad always says to you? Go clean your room.<br />2. What makes dad happy? Going on bike rides.<br />3. What makes dad sad? When he can't go on bike rides.<br />4. How does your dad make you laugh? He does silly stuff on his bike.<br />5. What was your dad like as a child? Someone who was really interested in trucks.<br />6. How old is your dad? 33.<br />7. How tall is your dad? 6 feet 5 3/4 inches.<br />8. What is his favorite thing to do? Mountain biking.<br />9. What does your dad do when you're not around? Goes mountain biking.<br />10. If your dad becomes famous, what will it be for? Mountain biking.<br />11. What is your dad really good at? Mountain biking.<br />12. What is your dad not very good at? Skateboarding.<br />13. What does your dad do for his job? Epic Engineering.<br />14. What is your dad's favorite food? Black Angus steak.<br />15. What makes you proud of your dad? That he cooks meat for us.<br />16. If your dad were a cartoon character, who would he be? A tall Donald Duck.<br />17. What do you and your dad do together? Sometimes we go to Dutch Hollow on our bikes.<br />18. How are you and your dad the same? We like to ride mountain bikes.<br />19. How are you and your dad different? He's tall and I'm short.<br />20. How do you know your dad loves you? He takes us places.<br />21. What does your dad like most about your mom? She tries her hardest to clean the house.<br />22. Where is your dad's favorite place to go? Moab.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-23058550536861932982008-10-16T09:18:00.001-07:002008-10-24T15:18:49.086-07:00Tagged - The Kids Tell AllDallin and Gracie were tagged by Hunter and Savannah. I'm not a fan of blog tag, but this one made me laugh and I didn't have to answer all the questions.<br /><br /><strong>Gracie<br /></strong><br />1. What is something mom always says to you? Be good.<br />2. What makes mom happy? When I snuggle her.<br />3. What makes mom sad? When I have to go to time out.<br />4. How does your mom make you laugh? When she tickles me.<br />5. What was your mom like as a child? A Harry Potter book.<br />6. How old is your mom? 31. Am I right?<br />7. How tall is your mom? 20 inches long.<br />8. What is her favorite thing to do? Spend time with me.<br />9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Clean up the house.<br />10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Being a mom.<br />11. What is your mom really good at? Playing with me.<br />12. What is your mom not very good at? Going on the monkey bars.<br />13. What does your mom do for her job? A mom.<br />14. What is your mom's favorite food? Cheese enchiladas from Ellie. (El Toro)<br />15. What makes you proud of your mom? Because she's my mom.<br />16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Cinderella.<br />17. What do you and your mom do together? Play games.<br />18. How are you and your mom the same? We both have brown hair.<br />19. How are you and your mom different? We don't have the same clothes.<br />20. How do you know your mom loves you? We have lots of fun together.<br />21. What does your mom like most about your dad? Because he rubs her head.<br />22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Olive Garden.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Dallin</strong><br /><br />1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you the most and a lot.<br />2. What makes mom happy? Spending time with her kids.<br />3. What makes mom sad? When dad goes on bike rides.<br />4. How does your mom make you laugh? The way she hides ships when we play Battleship.<br />5. What was your mom like as a child? She had short brown curly hair.<br />6. How old is your mom? 34<br />7. How tall is your mom? 5' 6"<br />8. What is her favorite thing to do? Spend time with her family.<br />9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Cleans.<br />10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Loving her kids.<br />11. What is your mom really good at? Making dinner.<br />12. What is your mom not very good at? Being mean.<br />13. What does your mom do for her job? She's a mom.<br />14. What is your mom's favorite food? Enchiladas.<br />15. What makes you proud of your mom? I think she's the best mom.<br />16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Olive Oyl from Popeye.<br />17. What do you and your mom do together? Read Harry Potter books and play games.<br />18. How are you and your mom the same? We breathe heavily. (Can you tell we both have colds right now?)<br />19. How are you and your mom different? I like meat and she doesn't.<br />20. How do you know your mom loves you? She laughs a lot when she's with me.<br />21. What does your mom like most about your dad? That he's funny.<br />22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Disneyland with her kids.<br /><br /><br />Dallin tags Logan and Kelton.<br />Gracie tags Ella and Addison.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-21710680740499060812008-10-10T21:32:00.002-07:002008-10-24T15:45:21.879-07:0030 Days Hath September......and I didn't blog on a single one of them. But it's a new month, and the blogging vacation is officially over.<br /><br />Here's the run-down on what we've been up to the last month or so:<br /><br />Dallin started 2nd grade. If you ask him how he likes school, he'll probably shrug and then tell you, "It's too easy."<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SO_DD9qn9PI/AAAAAAAAAaE/k41yNqNVgAQ/s1600-h/2nd-grade-dallin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255633763025024242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SO_DD9qn9PI/AAAAAAAAAaE/k41yNqNVgAQ/s400/2nd-grade-dallin.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Gracie started Kindergarten. I didn't cry when I dropped her off the first day...or the next day...or the next. You get the picture. But I reserve the right to cry and have a pity party a year from now when my "baby" leaves me all day for 1st grade. </p><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SO_Uk2xGdYI/AAAAAAAAAaU/Gi6J7MkGsKk/s1600-h/kindergarten-1-gracie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255653019806496130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SO_Uk2xGdYI/AAAAAAAAAaU/Gi6J7MkGsKk/s400/kindergarten-1-gracie.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Here she is with her BFF, Sophie. </p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SO_YCgcCimI/AAAAAAAAAak/c_V6dQTd4tY/s1600-h/kindergarten-2-gracie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255656827743537762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SO_YCgcCimI/AAAAAAAAAak/c_V6dQTd4tY/s400/kindergarten-2-gracie.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p>Gracie turned and looked at me as her class was going inside on the first day. That's more than Dallin did on his first day of K, so I guess she might like me after all. But then again, when I go to pick her up after school, she begs to stay with Mrs. W. just a little bit longer. She's completely in love with her teacher and even says that Mrs. W. looks just like Snow White. If you ask me, Mrs. W. must be a little bit magical to have not just 7, but <strong>27</strong> little dwarfs hanging on her every word. She's amazing! </p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SO_WPqK_WII/AAAAAAAAAac/WLVmZ55Fzag/s1600-h/kindergarten-3-gracie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255654854671423618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SO_WPqK_WII/AAAAAAAAAac/WLVmZ55Fzag/s400/kindergarten-3-gracie.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>In other news, Dallin just finished his first season of flag football. </p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SPARhMPzB-I/AAAAAAAAAa0/B_fE2Z-xeWE/s1600-h/flag-football-1-dallin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255720027062208482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SPARhMPzB-I/AAAAAAAAAa0/B_fE2Z-xeWE/s400/flag-football-1-dallin.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And Gracie hit the soccer field again. She had been on an 18-month hiatus after she realized that she could get the same snacks at home - and without all that running around. Her final game was rained out, so now we can cross soccer off our list - at least until next Spring. </p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SPAUm7NFSCI/AAAAAAAAAa8/2wGaNLghSYA/s1600-h/soccer-gracie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255723424101517346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SPAUm7NFSCI/AAAAAAAAAa8/2wGaNLghSYA/s400/soccer-gracie.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Gracie also hung up her leotard and ballet shoes this Fall in exchange for group singing classes. We found a lady who is teaching lessons in her basement. She has a cute stage down there complete with lighting and musical instruments. Gracie is in her element there for sure. Her big dream is to be on American Idol one day - that or a High School Musical movie. She really wanted to do dance, AND singing, AND soccer, AND tumbling, AND a cheer clinic. But I was a mean mom and made her choose what she wanted to do most. </p><p>As for me, I was released as the ward Relief Society President. I've been in the RS presidency since Gracie was a baby. She'll be 6 in just a couple weeks, and she can't remember life any other way. She literally jumped up and down and did the happy dance when I told her I was getting released. "YAY, no more food orders!" she cheered. While it's been nice to have the weight lifted off my shoulders, it's also been harder than I thought it would be to sit back and let it all go. I still lay awake at night worrying about the sisters I've grown to love so much. </p><p>Adam has been spending every spare moment on his mountain bike trying to get in as many "final" rides as he can before the snow flies - which could be any day now considering where we live. His mountain bike had a near-death experience when it flew off the back of his bike rack on I-15 a couple of weeks ago. Luckily the airborne bike didn't kill or maim anyone, and Adam wasn't hit by a semi while darting onto the freeway waving his arms trying to rescue his "baby." He claimed he was swearing off mountain biking for good after that little mishap, but he didn't fool me. The bike was in critical condition for a few days, but after some TLC and a big chunk of change, it's back in working order. Adam was out enjoying the "maiden voyage" on his new and improved bike less than a week after the accident.</p><p>I'm glad he's happy, but do you know what would make me happy? Packing up the bike, the helmet, and the smokin' hot spandex pants for the winter. I'm really looking forward to reclaiming my husband, my evenings, and my weekends for a while...well for a few days at least. You know - until the Jazz season starts again. LOL! A girl can dream, right?</p>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-84196666521037405022008-08-22T10:58:00.004-07:002008-10-24T15:25:28.785-07:0010 Years10 years ago today I waved goodbye to the single life and became a married woman. I won't mention any names, but I know there were some people who thought that I might never say "I do." I'm pretty sure there was more than one sigh of relief breathed on my behalf that day. I wasn't very old according to the world's standards, but in our LDS culture I was certainly getting up there in years.<br /><br />I thought I was finally ready to take the plunge. I had traveled. I had worked. I had lived away from home and survived all kinds of "interesting" roommates. I had experienced college life. (I married Adam just a few days after I finished my last college class.) I knew what I was looking for. I had dated and I had learned from my mistakes. I had been through painful break-ups and broken hearts - sometimes mine, sometimes not. I had seen close friends marry - and in some cases divorce. But I was ready! In my mind, I was mature, experienced, and prepared. And even more importantly I was in love. <br /><br />I honestly <em>thought</em> I knew what I was getting into, but looking back now it's almost laughable how naive I really was.<br /><br />The truth is that the last 10 years haven't exactly been the textbook definition of marital bliss. Don't get me wrong, there has been plenty of happiness and fulfillment along the way, but there has also been enough frustration and discouragement mixed in to keep us grounded. When we got married, Adam still had 3 years of school ahead of him. Children didn't come as easily or abundantly as we would have liked. Our marriage has survived job frustrations, miscommunications, relocations, church callings, financial struggles, construction projects, and major impulse purchases that weren't always discussed or agreed upon beforehand. And after 10 years of marriage we still don't always see eye to eye on issues like finances, parenting, adoption, and mountain biking, but we're getting closer.<br /><br />It hasn't always been easy, but marriage has also brought me more happiness that I could have imagined 10 years ago. I mean how could I have known then how it would feel to see my husband finally graduate and get his first "real" job? Or to move into our first home? Or to hold my newborn babies for the first time? Or to see those babies grow up and play bucking bronco on the trampoline or make dangerously long bicycle trains with their daddy? Or to watch firsthand as they start to gain a testimony? I had no idea life could be this good!<br /><br />And I can honestly say that if I could turn back time...I'd do it all over again.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-57185328637143627792008-08-21T15:04:00.007-07:002008-10-24T15:46:04.249-07:00Kindergarten 'ssessment<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SK8qF8_NHvI/AAAAAAAAATk/DPgw3KQUtcc/s1600-h/kindergarten-sessment.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237451173414117106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SK8qF8_NHvI/AAAAAAAAATk/DPgw3KQUtcc/s400/kindergarten-sessment.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Today we took her in for her Kindergarten "'<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ssessment</span>" test. She's been a little bit anxious about the "test" - so much so that she was insisting for a while that she wasn't going to Kindergarten if she had to take the test. </div><br /><div>To ease her anxiety, I let her sign her own name to schedule the appointment on back to school night. She put her little "John Hancock" down for Friday at 9:30. Fabulous, I thought! Until I discovered that I would be delivering food orders on Friday at 9:30. (You'd think I'd never done this before...) I called the school to reschedule and they had an opening, but we had to be there in less than half an hour. </div><br /><div>So off we went to the school where she showed them everything she's forgotten since preschool. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LOL</span>! No seriously, she did fine, but she really had forgotten more than I had realized over the summer. I suddenly felt like a slacker mom for going all summer without doing any writing with her. Oops! But we did have lots of fun together the last 3 months. That's got to count for something...right? </div><br /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Dallin</span> was a total crack-up when I took him in for his assessment 2 years ago. When the teacher asked him how high he could count he replied, "I can count <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">waaaaay</span> past 1,000, but I just don't think you have time for that." <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">LOL</span>! </div><br /><div>Anyone who knows Gracie knows that she has never been one to be outdone. She had her own funny moment this time around. The teacher handed her some blocks and asked her to name the shapes. Gracie rattled them off, no problem. Next the teacher handed her a bundle of crayons and asked Gracie to tell her what color the crayons were. Gracie picked up the red and turned it around and around just looking at it. This went on for a little bit too long and honestly the silence was making me quite uncomfortable. "How could she not know the color red?" I was thinking to myself. Finally she found the spot she was looking for on the label and slowly sounded out the word "red." Next she picked up a purple crayon and read from the label, "violet." She repeated this for each of the colors. The teacher turned and looked at me kind of surprised and asked me if she was reading already? It was a classic Gracie moment and it was all I could do to keep from laughing out loud.</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-72087979303285548092008-07-02T16:59:00.003-07:002008-10-24T15:34:19.263-07:00Scrappin'I haven't scrapped much at all this year. I'm not sure what's gotten into me. Either I'm having a really looooong slump, or I'm losing the love of scrapping altogether. I'm just not feeling it lately. But Shabby Princess released some new products over the weekend, which means that I got to play with them so I actually scrapped a few pages over the last couple of weeks. I'm really out of the habit and feeling pretty rusty all around.<br /><br />I did a couple of pages from the "Twirl" Piece-a-cake album. These pages were pre-made...just add photos, a title, and some journaling. It really can't get any easier.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SGvf2anQOlI/AAAAAAAAAR8/hFnyMuCYzzc/s1600-h/early-bird.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218510719188744786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SGvf2anQOlI/AAAAAAAAAR8/hFnyMuCYzzc/s400/early-bird.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SGvf2qY1nQI/AAAAAAAAASE/ld7UORy19OU/s1600-h/best-buds.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218510723423247618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SGvf2qY1nQI/AAAAAAAAASE/ld7UORy19OU/s400/best-buds.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here are a couple pages I did with her new Summer Cottage kit at Digi Shop Talk:<br /></p><br /><p></p><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SGvg4BWy-xI/AAAAAAAAASM/BNaPEs3SZ4k/s1600-h/forced-smile.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218511846280198930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SGvg4BWy-xI/AAAAAAAAASM/BNaPEs3SZ4k/s400/forced-smile.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SGvg4V_lOcI/AAAAAAAAASU/kueJvmWrmoM/s1600-h/wave-jumping.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218511851819973058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SGvg4V_lOcI/AAAAAAAAASU/kueJvmWrmoM/s400/wave-jumping.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br />And another one I did with one of her new coaster sets.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SGv_qclEW1I/AAAAAAAAASk/Sn2U03Ag4PQ/s1600-h/colorful.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218545697930107730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SGv_qclEW1I/AAAAAAAAASk/Sn2U03Ag4PQ/s400/colorful.jpg" border="0" /></a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-81475957396115278462008-07-01T23:57:00.000-07:002008-07-02T17:42:30.581-07:00TaggedSo was tagged by <a href="http://clanofsimons.blogspot.com/">Chad</a> a while ago. I was being a poorsport and refusing to play his little game, but I'm finally caving. I haven't felt like blogging at all lately, so I figured this game of tag would get me to post something.<br /><br />Oh and just for fun I let Dallin answer a few of these for me. (Can you guess which ones?)<br /><br /><br /><strong>4 Jobs I have held:<br /></strong>- dance teacher<br />- legal secretary<br />- phone surveyor<br />- computer programmer (old school - on a mainframe)<br /><br /><strong>4 Movies I could watch again and again:</strong><br />- Harry Potter movies<br />- Little Women<br />- The Work and the Glory<br />- The Pursuit of Happyness<br /><br /><strong>4 TV Shows I Like:<br /></strong>- Alias (on dvd)<br />- Seinfeld re-runs<br />- Law & Order<br />- American Idol (best to watch it with the kids)<br /><br /><strong>4 Items I could not Live without daily:<br /></strong>- water<br />- toothpaste<br />- toilet paper<br />- air conditioning or heater (depending on the season)<br /><br /><strong>4 Places I'd Rather Be:<br /></strong>- Disneyland<br />- Hawaii<br />- Lake Powell<br />- Bear Lake<br /><br /><strong>4 Things I Do Everyday without Fail:</strong><br />- read with the kids<br />- nag them to get their chores done<br />- wish for a few more hours in the day<br />- struggle to fall asleep while I listen to Adam snore<br /><br /><strong>4 of my Favorite Foods:<br /></strong>- Cafe Rio salad<br />- El Toro Viejo cheese enchiladas (flour tortillas, no cole slaw)<br />- strawberries<br />- chocolate<br /><br /><strong>4 Items I wish I had right now:</strong><br />- a landscaper<br />- ear plugs (see above)<br />- Calgon<br />- Super Nanny (minus the tv cameras in my house)<br /><br /><strong>4 Things on my "To Do" List:</strong><br />You've got to be kidding - only 4?<br />- Get my hair done (this one has been on my list for WAY too long)<br />- Weed the garden<br />- Work on the "office" (get paint for the walls, and a glass top and hardware for the desk)<br />- Prepare a Relief Society lesson for Sunday (I need a topic first) - any suggestions?<br /><br /><strong>4 People I am Tagging :<br /></strong>- nobody...I wouldn't do that to my "friends" (just kidding Chad!)<br /><br />So seriously if you're reading this and you want to play along, please do. (And if you're like me, just ignore it. OK?)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-43173098882593858142008-06-15T20:19:00.005-07:002008-10-24T15:32:36.893-07:00Happy Father's Day<div><embed src="http://widget-b8.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=10039992&site=widget-b8.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=10039992&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-b8.slide.com/p1/10039992/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=10039992&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-b8.slide.com/p2/10039992/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=10039992&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-b8.slide.com/p4/10039992/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div><br /><br />The music on this was driving me crazy, so I turned it off.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-74200799923581894742008-06-09T23:26:00.012-07:002008-10-24T15:47:01.461-07:00Catching Up - MayHere are some of the highlights from our past month:<br /><br /><br /><strong>A DAY AT THE ZOO</strong><br /><br />I told the kids there was NO way the white alligator was still going to be there. I guess I lied. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4uc6De3cI/AAAAAAAAAP4/usx93cYL7Cs/s1600-h/zoo-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4uc6De3cI/AAAAAAAAAP4/usx93cYL7Cs/s400/zoo-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210152893069319618" /></a><br />Excuse me, but you're in my personal space.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4udF2frvI/AAAAAAAAAQA/HVZ88Xyjcr4/s1600-h/zoo-6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4udF2frvI/AAAAAAAAAQA/HVZ88Xyjcr4/s400/zoo-6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210152896236072690" /></a><br />Hanging out with the cousins.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4udbbPgmI/AAAAAAAAAQI/iXCS5fy11PM/s1600-h/zoo-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4udbbPgmI/AAAAAAAAAQI/iXCS5fy11PM/s400/zoo-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210152902027346530" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4udRu6VPI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/N_sKrYhvBE8/s1600-h/zoo-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4udRu6VPI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/N_sKrYhvBE8/s400/zoo-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210152899425490162" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4udrHpjkI/AAAAAAAAAQY/bZuKHDPhVkc/s1600-h/zoo-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4udrHpjkI/AAAAAAAAAQY/bZuKHDPhVkc/s400/zoo-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210152906240134722" /></a><br />The cutest little critter we saw all day.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4vHjV9d3I/AAAAAAAAAQg/xrYIAGHv9uQ/s1600-h/zoo-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4vHjV9d3I/AAAAAAAAAQg/xrYIAGHv9uQ/s400/zoo-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210153625707181938" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>DALLIN'S FIELD TRIP - RIDING THE TRAIN</strong><br /><br />I volunteer at the school, so I thought I knew who the "rowdy" kids were. It turns out that even the calmest children get a little wild when they go on a field trip. <br /><br />Mrs. Bell's class.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4lpujKW7I/AAAAAAAAAPY/mIQMUp2zPRA/s1600-h/field-trip-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4lpujKW7I/AAAAAAAAAPY/mIQMUp2zPRA/s400/field-trip-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210143217714617266" /></a><br />Dallin with the conductor.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4lp8uhztI/AAAAAAAAAPg/_grijk8_dZo/s1600-h/field-trip-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4lp8uhztI/AAAAAAAAAPg/_grijk8_dZo/s400/field-trip-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210143221520387794" /></a><br />"Hey look, we're wearing the same shirt!" <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4lqCTg7CI/AAAAAAAAAPw/SFP-ZjVDbw4/s1600-h/field-trip-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4lqCTg7CI/AAAAAAAAAPw/SFP-ZjVDbw4/s400/field-trip-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210143223017696290" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>GRACIE'S DANCE RECITAL</strong><br /><br />Gracie was so excited to be "Tiger Lily" in the Peter Pan show. She had a really bad sunburn, but she still danced like a star. She really knew her dance this year. She let me know that she was NOT happy that I didn't bring her any flowers this year. (Do you think she's a little spoiled?) Grandma and Grandpa 'Drickson came to watch her perform. After the show, we all went out for ice cream on Main Street in Park City.<br /><br />Here's Gracie and Sophie at the dress rehearsal.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4esw6J4LI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/-PT7bMeA3AU/s1600-h/dance-recital.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210135573306138802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4esw6J4LI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/-PT7bMeA3AU/s400/dance-recital.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>PRESCHOOL GRADUATION</strong><br /><br />I can't believe it...my baby's going to Kindergarten.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4371XBltI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/7-OXzQ2aRHc/s1600-h/preschool-graduation-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE4371XBltI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/7-OXzQ2aRHc/s400/preschool-graduation-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210163319989704402" /></a><br />"When I grow up, I want to be an artist."<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE438HC2PwI/AAAAAAAAARA/kpu9RGL7hZQ/s1600-h/preschool-graduation-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE438HC2PwI/AAAAAAAAARA/kpu9RGL7hZQ/s400/preschool-graduation-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210163324736913154" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>PAINTING DAY WITH LUKE & LIZ</strong><br /><br />We went to visit Luke and Liz to help them paint their kitchen/great room area. (Adam will work for meat.) I have a feeling Luke will never live down the green wall of shame. LOL! I thought it looked good after the 2nd coat - and Liz didn't even cry. <br /><br />The kids had fun spending time with Halle & Caden.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE49AMj5xHI/AAAAAAAAARQ/-cBfXUm2Wwo/s1600-h/cousins-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE49AMj5xHI/AAAAAAAAARQ/-cBfXUm2Wwo/s400/cousins-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210168892495348850" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE48_8xKHeI/AAAAAAAAARI/oBNk0FD2X58/s1600-h/cousins-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE48_8xKHeI/AAAAAAAAARI/oBNk0FD2X58/s400/cousins-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210168888255978978" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>MEMORIAL DAY BBQ</strong><br /><br />We went to a BBQ at Foed and Kelly's. I'm pretty sure I heard the meat mooing at the dinner table. Dallin finished every last bite. Gracie may have converted to vegetarianism. Fortunately no one got mad cow disease...at least not that we know of. LOL!<br /><br />After dinner we walked over to a little farm to see the kangaroo, emus, turkeys, goats, etc. Gracie fell in love with Lilly. I'm not sure the feelings were mutual.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE5BenkziTI/AAAAAAAAARY/xwuk9PSLobc/s1600-h/Lilly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE5BenkziTI/AAAAAAAAARY/xwuk9PSLobc/s400/Lilly.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210173813189478706" /></a><br /><br />Can you spot the a** in the picture? He He! This just might be my all-time favorite picture. OK, not really, but it does make me laugh every time I see it.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE5MHCyEuaI/AAAAAAAAARg/4A9ry9GUcZw/s1600-h/which+one.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SE5MHCyEuaI/AAAAAAAAARg/4A9ry9GUcZw/s400/which+one.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210185502803933602" /></a><br /><br /><br />WHEW! That's it for now....Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-28816538825496186812008-06-03T21:30:00.007-07:002008-10-24T15:31:35.480-07:00Catching Up - Mother's DayI know, I know, it's June. Father's Day is in less than 2 weeks. But I'm just getting around to posting about Mother's Day. Better late than never...right?<br /><br /><strong>1st Grade Mother's Day Program</strong><br /><br />Dallin's class had a Mother's Day program. The kids made invitations for the big day. Dallin wrote the standard who, what, when, and where. Then for the "why" he wrote in his very best writing, "because you missed the last one!" (OUCH!) That would be the Christmas sing-in that I didn't go to. I didn't miss it intentionally...in fact I never knew about it. There was no note, no invitation, no mention of it from Dallin. But apparently I should have used my super-mom ESP (aka mother's intuition) and been there anyway. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those things he never lets me live down. LOL!<br /><br />Anyway, back to the program...the whole grade sang some songs to the moms. They were all so cute! I know it won't be long until all these kids will be too embarrassed to sing "love songs" to their moms for Mother's Day. I'm enjoying it while it lasts. Next we went back to his class where the kids gave their moms a letter and a poem with their hand prints on it.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SEYfHhyJqtI/AAAAAAAAAPI/ORJRTvclOmE/s1600-h/mothers+day+program.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207884233288821458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SEYfHhyJqtI/AAAAAAAAAPI/ORJRTvclOmE/s400/mothers+day+program.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />You probably can't read the letter, but I wanted to point out that he said I am "the best mom in North Amarica." That is clearly an important distinction since North America is waaaaaaay bigger than just plain old America - but still not as big as the whole world. (I'm sure I would have been "the best mom in the world" if only I wouldn't have missed that Christmas sing-in.) LOL! Man I love this kid! He cracks me up!<br /><br /><strong>Mother's Day</strong><br /><br />Mother's Day is always such a perfect day. For that one magical day of the year my children cheerfully obey my every command, and of course they would never dream of arguing that day. My husband showers me with love and affection and thanks me profusely for being the mother of his adorable, well-behaved children.<br /><br />OK, so <strong>NOT REALLY</strong>! But that's what Mother's Day is like in my mind. Of course <em>in reality</em>, things <em><strong>never</strong></em> go the way they do in my imagination. I know I have unrealistic expectations, really I do. So why do I set myself up for disappointment year after year? Because I'm crazy I tell ya! Certifiably crazy!<br /><br />The highlight of Mother's Day this year was Gracie trying to "help" me by doing her hair all by herself. She emerged from the bathroom a few minutes before church with the "do" of the century. About a gallon or so of aloe vera gel was holding every root of every strand of hair firmly to her scalp while the dry ends flowed about freely. It's hard to describe, but trust me, it was a sight to behold!<br /><br />Dallin gave me another card and letter that he made in school. Gracie gave me a potpourri bag and a card dipped in cinnamon with a little poem about sugar and spice. The best gifts though were the "coupons" they made in Primary.<br /><br />Gracie's coupons were for:<br /><ul><li>an "I heart U"</li><li>"help dishes"</li><li>hugs</li><li>1 kiss</li><li>vacuum</li></ul><p>Dallin's coupons were good for:</p><ul><li>eating at "Dallin's Cafe"</li><li>"remotling" the office</li><li>sleeping in the whole day</li><li>creative artwork</li><li>not working for a whole day</li></ul><p>I'm thinking I should redeem that sleeping in one sometime soon. I'm sure Adam would really appreciate it! LOL!</p><p>I guess Mother's Day isn't as bad as I always make it out to be. </p>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-63155590815808513902008-05-23T18:38:00.010-07:002008-10-24T15:50:06.757-07:00Last DayLife has been crazy around here the past few weeks. We've had all the typical end-of-the-year programs, graduations, recitals, field trips, etc. And on top of all that Relief Society has been completely insane the last couple of weeks. We've had one BIG funeral, 3 babies born, 2 other deaths, and a bunch of other stuff I won't bore you with. I don't have a compassionate service leader right now, so I've been running around like a crazy woman. In all the chaos, blogging and e-mails have kinda been put on the back burner. I guess I'll just jump in where we are now and maybe do a catch up post or two later next week. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SDdyiBfEwXI/AAAAAAAAAO4/0XrsT8aejfo/s1600-h/last-day-dallin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203753823289786738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SDdyiBfEwXI/AAAAAAAAAO4/0XrsT8aejfo/s400/last-day-dallin.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Today was the last day of school. Yes, "summer" vacation is officially upon us. Somehow it doesn't feel like summer though. It was a chilly 41 degrees when I dropped Dallin off at school for his last day. Yesterday was his field day. I sent him to school in his winter coat...not exactly my idea of summer.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SDdzSxfEwYI/AAAAAAAAAPA/3Cb0YfO0YzY/s1600-h/last-day-gracie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203754660808409474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SDdzSxfEwYI/AAAAAAAAAPA/3Cb0YfO0YzY/s400/last-day-gracie.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday was Gracie's last day of preschool. We've been sending our kids there for 3 years now. I was pretty excited when I wrote out the last big check earlier this month. It had me dreaming of all the ways I could spend that extra money every month. But then I started feeling a little sentimental when I picked her up for the last time yesterday. It's hard to believe that we are "done" with this stage of life. Next year both kids will be in elementary school. When they were babies, it seemed like this day would never come. It felt like I would spend eternity feeding, wiping, bouncing, rocking, and changing diapers of fussy (but adorable) babies - and all of this on little to no sleep.<br /><br />OK, I think that's enough sentimental talk for one day. <br /><br />So anyway, I wanted to have a fun afternoon with the kids today to celebrate the last day of school. We planned to go swimming and out for pizza with some friends. The kids started fighting, whining, and complaining the moment I picked Dallin up for school. We had total and complete meltdown when both pairs of swimming goggles turned up missing. One kid was in time out for the better part of the afternoon, and the other one was hysterical because they were missing out on the swimming. <br /><br />When emotions had calmed and tempers were finally under control we set out to get some new goggles. Two stores later we bought 2 pairs and raced back to the car thinking that we could still make it to the pool. One pair of goggles didn't fit which led to more tears and tantrums. We traded the goggles for a new pair, but I was DONE! Instead of going to the pool, I drove straight home. (Call me crazy, but I really didn't think I should reward this kind of behavior.) <br /><br />I have a feeling I'm in big trouble if the first couple of hours of summer vacation are any indication of what's in store the next couple of months.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-85035931698492041432008-05-09T20:00:00.012-07:002008-10-24T15:37:21.123-07:00Bye Bye Training Wheels!Dallin has never had an interest in riding his bike before. He always said he'd rather ride his scooter....or "maybe next year." We took his training wheels off a couple weekends ago, but we didn't have much luck getting him to ride. Today after school he asked me to help him practice. I think he was inspired by <a href="http://powellnjessica.blogspot.com/2008/04/he-did-it.html">Hunter</a>. (Either that or the circus rig really had an effect on him. LOL!) I helped him for a minute or two, then he hopped on his bike and basically took off riding on his own.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCUTYTnQ05I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/xnmZDpg_rGk/s1600-h/biker.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198582653171848082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCUTYTnQ05I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/xnmZDpg_rGk/s400/biker.jpg" border="0" /></a>I knew Adam would be more excited that Dallin was. He lives to bike and I think it was killing him that his kid had no interest in it whatsoever. He left work a little early and told Dallin we were going out to dinner to celebrate. Next stop was the bike shop to get Dallin a new helmet just like dad's.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCUYfjnQ08I/AAAAAAAAAOo/9qKpfaUzg2M/s1600-h/biker-2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198588275284038594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCUYfjnQ08I/AAAAAAAAAOo/9qKpfaUzg2M/s400/biker-2.jpg" border="0" /></a>We went on a family bike ride after dinner and he was riding like an old pro. Now if we could just get Gracie riding...I have a feeling it's going to be a while.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-60864081092032211462008-05-07T01:28:00.009-07:002008-10-24T15:38:12.013-07:00The Circus is in Town!This is what our family bike ride looked like on Saturday.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCFr_sQZbxI/AAAAAAAAANk/1wsvFlcdV3o/s1600-h/circus-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197554186918129426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCFr_sQZbxI/AAAAAAAAANk/1wsvFlcdV3o/s400/circus-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Adam thought it was a good-looking rig. I told him it reminded me of a circus act. </p><p>When we started out on the bike ride, I was a good 100 yards behind the "rig" - partly because I was laughing so hard that I could barely pedal, and partly because I didn't want to be seen with the "rig." LOL! I know Adam doesn't mind, but personally I really don't enjoy calling attention to myself. And let's be honest, a "rig" like this isn't exactly subtle. I mean how could you NOT notice something like this cruising down the street? </p><p>I'm afraid our poor neighbors had no idea that they were moving in next to the 3-ring circus. I'm sure all the responsible adults just cringed when they saw us ride by. Some of them probably even started making plans to put their homes up for sale. Ha Ha!</p><p>But by Monday evening every kid in the neighborhood was waiting in line and begging for a turn on the circus bike. Another dad on the street even helped Adam attach a 2nd trailer to the rig so that it could accomodate a couple more passengers. </p><p><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCId9W4TiSI/AAAAAAAAANs/NiuWmNbUuxk/s1600-h/circus-2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197749859889940770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCId9W4TiSI/AAAAAAAAANs/NiuWmNbUuxk/s400/circus-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />They went round and round, over jumps, through fields, and even through the sprinklers. The kids were raising their hands and screaming like they were riding a roller coaster. <p></p><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCIhK24TiTI/AAAAAAAAAN0/4lWhhuDuRwY/s1600-h/circus-3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197753390353058098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCIhK24TiTI/AAAAAAAAAN0/4lWhhuDuRwY/s400/circus-3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Who needs Disneyland when Adam's around? <p></p>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-24029046613541440992008-05-02T20:39:00.011-07:002008-10-24T15:39:43.052-07:00And the Winner Is....<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBvplMQZbuI/AAAAAAAAANM/eCoe-TRWzlA/s1600-h/tulips-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196003420256431842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBvplMQZbuI/AAAAAAAAANM/eCoe-TRWzlA/s400/tulips-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Picture #1!<br /><br />Thanks everyone for e-mailing and posting feedback here on the pictures! I tallied up all the votes and #1 was the hands-down favorite. #4 and #5 tied for 2nd.<br /><br />I guess I misunderstood the rules though. I thought the employee told me you could either submit photos electronically OR with an 8x10 print. I assumed that I could just send a pic in via e-mail. As I was filling out the entry form this morning, I noticed it said an 8x10 print <em><strong>AND</strong></em> an electronic copy. Yes, it was an AND, not an OR. I was also surprised to find out that submitting "electronically" didn't include e-mail. No, they wanted the photo burned to a CD. Nothing's ever as quick and simple as I think it's going to be.<br /><br />I didn't have time to go to Costco today, which is where I usually print my pics, so I thought I would try out the one hour photo at the new Walgreens in town. Let's just say that wasn't the best move I've ever made! Either the colors and lighting on my laptop are WAAAAAAY off, or the photo processing was. The whole photo was really dark and Gracie's skin was bright orange. Dallin looked at the print after school and said with a bit of disgust, "Well, it looks like we're not winning this contest, are we mom?" I pretended to be hurt by that comment, but I was secretly laughing on the inside. I'm sure he's right!<br /><br />Dark, orangey print or not, I still submitted the picture. I decided it would be good for Dallin to see me lose. LOL! He had a hard time when he wasn't a top winner in the Reflections Contest at school. He got an Honorable Mention, but he was still devastated that he didn't "win." I tried telling him that it didn't matter to me whether he won or not, I thought he was a winner just for trying. So this this photo contest seemed like the perfect opportunity to put my money where my mouth is and show him that I'm OK with not winning too.<br /><br />The pictures are supposed to be judged by the visitors at the Thanksgiving Point Gardens for the next month or so. The winners will be notified by mail on July 1st. I'm not holding my breath. LOL!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBvuEcQZbwI/AAAAAAAAANc/FHV72pdqbiY/s1600-h/tulip.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196008355173854978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBvuEcQZbwI/AAAAAAAAANc/FHV72pdqbiY/s200/tulip.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But still...<br /><br /><blockquote><br />Ticket to tulip festival - $10.00<br /><br />CD - $1.00<br /><br />8x10 photo - $2.50<br /><br />Priority Mail Delivery - $4.60<br /><br />Teaching your kid that winning isn't everything - "PRICELESS!" </blockquote>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-91751629390653993102008-05-01T08:52:00.007-07:002008-10-24T15:41:06.267-07:00May FlowersSo if April showers bring May flowers, what does a May snowstorm bring?<br /><br />Yes, we woke up to more snow on the ground this morning. I've about given up on my daffodils and tulips this Spring. They just don't stand a chance with the weather we've been having.<br /><br />Last week, Adam and Dallin went on a little guys only trip to Moab. We took Sophie home on Thursday night, so Friday I wanted to take Gracie out for a little one-on-one time. She's a big flower fan, so we decided to hit the tulip festival. We also did a little window shopping, and had dinner at Cafe Rio. (I'm so glad she loves the salad there as much as I do!)<br /><br />Warning: LOTS OF PHOTOS AHEAD!<br /><br />1.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnnu8QZblI/AAAAAAAAAME/zYf3xXlfIcQ/s1600-h/tulips-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195438438783479378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnnu8QZblI/AAAAAAAAAME/zYf3xXlfIcQ/s400/tulips-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />2.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnoKsQZbrI/AAAAAAAAAM0/iCvRf2yotB0/s1600-h/tulips-7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195438915524849330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnoKsQZbrI/AAAAAAAAAM0/iCvRf2yotB0/s400/tulips-7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />3.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnnv8QZboI/AAAAAAAAAMc/cS1ECoMNRQw/s1600-h/tulips-4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195438455963348610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnnv8QZboI/AAAAAAAAAMc/cS1ECoMNRQw/s400/tulips-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />4.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnnwsQZbpI/AAAAAAAAAMk/S9p_P9K2ctc/s1600-h/tulips-5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195438468848250514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnnwsQZbpI/AAAAAAAAAMk/S9p_P9K2ctc/s400/tulips-5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />5.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnoKcQZbqI/AAAAAAAAAMs/ohk95xPEH80/s1600-h/tulips-6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195438911229882018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnoKcQZbqI/AAAAAAAAAMs/ohk95xPEH80/s400/tulips-6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />6.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnoK8QZbsI/AAAAAAAAAM8/IXro8QKlqX0/s1600-h/tulips-8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195438919819816642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnoK8QZbsI/AAAAAAAAAM8/IXro8QKlqX0/s400/tulips-8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />7.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnoLcQZbtI/AAAAAAAAANE/gCiwbwQr2CY/s1600-h/tulips-9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195438928409751250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBnoLcQZbtI/AAAAAAAAANE/gCiwbwQr2CY/s400/tulips-9.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />8.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCUKRjnQ04I/AAAAAAAAAOI/RyYyrBqD-ps/s1600-h/tulips-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SCUKRjnQ04I/AAAAAAAAAOI/RyYyrBqD-ps/s400/tulips-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198572641603081090" /></a><br /><br /><br />Thanksgiving Point is having a photography contest from the tulip festival. The winner of each division gets an annual pass to Thanksgiving Point, so I was thinking that I might submit a photo in the amateur adult division. I know it's a long shot, but I figure it can't hurt to try - right?<br /><br />So I need your help deciding - which picture (if any) should I submit? (You can click on the pictures to see them a little bit larger.) I'm leaning towards #s 2-5, but I really just can't make up my mind. I'd love to have some feedback! (Tomorrow, May 2, is the deadline to submit photos.)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-9116559246879531942008-04-26T22:39:00.005-07:002008-10-24T15:42:45.021-07:00Food CriticThe kids love to play restaurant. I think the object of the game is to get the other person laughing as hard as possible. This is how it usually goes:<br /><br />The "customer" sits at the kitchen table and places an order for some outrageous food.<br /><br />The "servant" (aka waiter or waitress) rounds up some random household item and delivers it on a plate to the customer.<br /><br />The customer pretends to eat the food.<br /><br />They both giggle...and laugh...and laugh...and laugh...<br /><br />Then the game starts over and the silliness escalates.<br /><br /><br />But last night the restaurant game took a new turn. Gracie, the "servant" decided to make and serve real chocolate milk. Dallin took a big gulp and called out, "I'll rate this a 9.6!" Next he wanted me to cut up some strawberries for a snack, which also earned a 9.6 rating. He announced that Gracie and I will be having a "cook-off" tomorrow to break the tie. <br /><br />He had me laughing pretty hard, but I'm thinking it won't be so funny at the dinner table. I can just imagine him saying, "I'll rate this meal a 2.3!"<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBWOxsQZbkI/AAAAAAAAAL8/k4EN0c5QSrM/s1600-h/food+critic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SBWOxsQZbkI/AAAAAAAAAL8/k4EN0c5QSrM/s400/food+critic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194214729586404930" /></a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-74092337560020352232008-04-22T10:16:00.005-07:002008-10-24T15:44:37.816-07:00Did You Know?We've had Gracie's friend Sophie staying with us while her parents are on a cruise. She's been enlightening us with all kinds of useful information while she's been here. Most of her little nuggets of wisdom begin with, "Did you know..." Here are a few of the little gems we've learned from her the past couple of days:<br /><br />1. Did you know that my dad makes the BEST breadsticks? (Spoken after her first and only bite of the breadsticks I made for dinner.)<br /><br />2. Did you know that your mom eats garbage Gracie? (Said after she watched me put black beans on a whole wheat tortilla. LOL!)<br /><br />3. Did you know my Grandpa with 8 toes only has 8 toes because bugs got into his feet?....(long pause)....but I don't know what kind of bugs.<br /><br />There have been others, but that's probably good for now. <br /><br />I've actually learned a thing or two myself while Sophie has been staying with us. For example: <br /><br />1. Did you know that two little girls can change clothes more than half a dozen times before lunchtime? Together they can also make a mess - not just twice as big, but about 9 times larger - than either one of them is capable of making on their own.<br /><br />2. Did you know some kids are afraid to sleep in the basement? (Mine aren't, so this is new to me.)<br /><br />3. Did you know that there <em>might</em> be spiders in the basement? And did you know that there <em>are</em> spiders outside? (Since there are most certainly spiders outside, you should <strong>never ever </strong>go outside to play!) <br /><br />4. Did you know that little girls are drama queens? <br /><br />5. Did you know that it is exhausting to tuck two preschoolers into bed approximately 47 times in one night?<br /><br />6. Did you know that when exhaustion sets in, all your best parenting techniques go out the window? (I learned this one while spending a couple nights on the upstairs couch, while Adam slept in the basement. The two girls were sound asleep on our bed when I came to this realization.)<br /><br />7. Did you know that finding such a good friend for your kid is pretty rare? These girls just adore each other! They're going on day 6 of being together around the clock and not only are they still friends, they're still acting like they can't get enough of each other. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SA5vsMQZbjI/AAAAAAAAAL0/ZxriUayDyGM/s1600-h/sophie-and-gracie-buds.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SA5vsMQZbjI/AAAAAAAAAL0/ZxriUayDyGM/s400/sophie-and-gracie-buds.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192210225399688754" /></a><br />We're all learning a lot this week!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-69240273915015904542008-04-16T23:50:00.007-07:002008-10-24T15:51:49.149-07:00She Cracks Me Up!This is Rose.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAb16E9WtAI/AAAAAAAAALY/BKqZsx1EIBw/s1600-h/rose-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAb16E9WtAI/AAAAAAAAALY/BKqZsx1EIBw/s400/rose-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190105998703375362" /></a><br />This was Rose a couple of weeks ago. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAb2RU9WtBI/AAAAAAAAALg/0giuSf4OaY0/s1600-h/rose-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAb2RU9WtBI/AAAAAAAAALg/0giuSf4OaY0/s400/rose-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190106398135333906" /></a><br /><br />Gracie had her in a wooden box. She frequently puts toys in purses, buckets, bowls, baskets, etc. so I really wasn't alarmed...until this conversation...<br /><br /><br />Gracie: "Mom, look at Rose."<br /><br />Me: "Oh that's cute honey." (I was a little distracted at the moment.)<br /><br />Gracie: "You better get cooking - <strong><em>LOTS</em></strong> of food!" <br /><br />Me: "Why's that?"<br /><br />Gracie: "Because Rose died, and we're having a funeral!"<br /><br /><br />Um. OK! (I seriously laughed so hard.) There's probably another child out there <em>somewhere</em> who loves playing "funeral" with his or her stuffed animals. That child's parent is probably a mortician or something. Ha Ha Ha! <br /><br />Can you tell that she has been a front row spectator at Relief Society events for most of her life?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28399555.post-56609587843041665782008-04-14T15:00:00.008-07:002008-10-24T15:53:11.141-07:00Goodbye Spring Break - Hello SpringIt's back to school today after a week of Spring Break. It was cold and snowy all week last week, so it didn't really feel like much of a Spring Break. But wouldn't you know it - it's nice and sunny today, now that the kids are back in school. Go figure! Ha Ha!<br /><br />We had a sleepover at Grandma's house last week. The kids got to visit Grandma and Grandpa and play with cousin Kylee. I got to escape the ringing phone and housework, which was nice. And I even read a novel while I was there. Ahhhh!<br /><br />We had talked about going to the zoo over Spring Break, but the weather wasn't really cooperating. So, I took the kids to do a couple of indoor activities instead. We went to Kangaroo Zoo - a place with inflatable slides, trampolines, and bounce houses. The kids had a blast slipping, sliding, jumping, and acting like wild animals.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAPUN09Ws7I/AAAAAAAAAKw/IBLcEBTNogw/s1600-h/kangaroo-zoo-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189224529680315314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAPUN09Ws7I/AAAAAAAAAKw/IBLcEBTNogw/s400/kangaroo-zoo-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAPUW09Ws8I/AAAAAAAAAK4/yqS96R79HuU/s1600-h/kangaroo-zoo-2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189224684299137986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAPUW09Ws8I/AAAAAAAAAK4/yqS96R79HuU/s400/kangaroo-zoo-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAPUkk9Ws9I/AAAAAAAAALA/3ZZrZKZB2yQ/s1600-h/kangaroo-zoo-3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189224920522339282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAPUkk9Ws9I/AAAAAAAAALA/3ZZrZKZB2yQ/s400/kangaroo-zoo-3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />At one point I was worried when I couldn't see Gracie anywhere. Dallin finally found her inside the inflatable castle. She was lying on the middle divider between two slides "taking a rest." Crazy girl!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAPU5U9Ws-I/AAAAAAAAALI/O4nCYXci58Q/s1600-h/kangaroo-zoo-4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189225277004624866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAPU5U9Ws-I/AAAAAAAAALI/O4nCYXci58Q/s400/kangaroo-zoo-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We spent about 5 hours there, but the kids still weren't ready to leave. I bought a 10-punch card, so we'll probably go again soon.<br /><br />We also managed a trip to the indoor pool. Adam joined us for that one and took us to dinner afterwards.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAPWgE9Ws_I/AAAAAAAAALQ/3JBXxQ2d2dk/s1600-h/swimming-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189227042236183538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_57LB6kcTR2U/SAPWgE9Ws_I/AAAAAAAAALQ/3JBXxQ2d2dk/s400/swimming-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Snow and sickness aside, it was still nice to take a break from our normal routine for a few days.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00557897477057928322noreply@blogger.com2