Similarities?

My dear son Ethan
My dear brother Dan


Wow! I love to compare the present and past. Yesterday, my friend Tyra was saying how some of Ethan's facial expressions reminded her of my brother Dan. I don't think they really look all that much alike, but my husband also says how Ethan's expressions often remind him of my brother Dan. Well, after looking at these childhood photos of my brother, I have to say, I definately see some resemblances. Do you?

Tyra!!!!!

Sally, Tyra, and Laura

Marin

Andrew

Sally and Tyra


Tyra and Laura

I just love Tyra-----what is not to love! She is so fantabulous! It was so great to see her and her two sweet babies. Our children played really well together; Brandon, Andrew, Ethan, and Marin had so much fun. They were very cute all playing together. It is great to see them as they get older!!!! It was also fun for us to have a mini-girls night last night with Sally, Tyra and I!!! We had fun! Updates: Sally is enjoying work and is working with an autistic Kindergarten class! Tyra needs to make a cake for our Girls Reunion in July---she is seriously talented! Anyway, here are some pics with the girls. We all talked about the July Reunion; it should be fun---more info to come!!!! Girlfriends are the best! Undoubtedly! It made my whole day to spend time with Tyra and Sally!

Some of Us

MADISON

LITTLE BRANDON, MADDIE, BIG B, AND ETHAN

MADDIE SUE

THE TOOL MEN: BENJAMIN AND BRANDON

THE ETHANATOR


In some of the pics, the children are on the 2nd level of a playset. My husband and Dad were putting it together on Saturday. Let's just say that they are on step 32 or something, and there are 96 or so steps. So, hopefully it will be put together in a couple of weekends. YEAH! The boys enjoyed "helping" their Dad and Grandpa build it! What fun.

Another Lovenote from Little B

I guess he knows he's not going to get any more money out of me; at least he knows my personality! He is such a sweet little boy!

Lovenotes?

For those who want the translation: Dear Dad, I love you. I want $2 instead of $1.

Our little son Brandon can be so sweet and tender; he will sometimes give us little notes; this was a note he gave his Dad today. He definately is learning the art of manipulation. I guess his Dad owed him a dollar; so he was trying to double his money.

Slamming on Jolie!

Just as I have been reflecting on my Freshman year of college and the various directions my friends and I have taken, and taking inventory on life; today I got an email showing yet another direction taken from a friend from my freshman year. For all of you who knew me Freshman year; you probably remember Nathan Kuemmerle; who was a close friend. Well, now we know he has really made it. He is now a psychiatrist in West Hollywood and today he forwarded me the link to an article in "The National Enquirer" where he is quoted as an "expert". I have to give him credit; his statement is about a quarter length of the article. I am just dying to know how he got this great hookup! This just makes my heart sing---now his quote can be part of our "People" discussion book club. My friends and I don't have the time for a book club; so we decompress through our discussions of the "trash". It is a great way to live vicariously as a housewife and Mom! So, now Nathan has helped with our weekly discussion. I clearly need to know more about this "Pax" situation. Here is the article where Dr. Nathan Kuemmerle is quoted in the National Enquirer. I guess you can't read it from my post, so you may have to just buy yourself a copy of the National Enquirer this week!

Daffodils

Little Maddie

Sorry, I know it is getting annoying; but I just love when new flowers bloom at the beginning of Spring; so you get to experience it with me. Once the tulips are here; I should calm down a bit; don't worry; this season is way too short--so just bare with me!!! Here is a picture we took of Maddie today as we were outside. I just love being outside in this beautiful weather; and little Maddie loves it too!!!

Our New Drinking Fountain

Last year, we did most of the work for our future drinking fountain. Unfortunately, all the stores were out of the cement block and hardware necessary to make it real! And, unfortunately, through the winter, the kids managed to destroy our jerry-rigged drinking fountain. So, we luckily were able to purchase all the stuff tonight; but had to go to Utah county to get it all. So, I will have to show you how it looks when it is all done! (This is the only way to keep the kids from getting filth and dirt and water OUT of my house!--HOPEFULLY!) Anyway, I had a GC for Los Hermanos; so we decided to make great use of it; taking all 5 kids and inviting my parents. We had a really enjoyable time! There sure are a lot of us now; I can hardly believe how we have expanded as a family in the last couple years. We enjoyed being all together as an extended family; and enjoyed having some extra hands to help with the babies. Anyway, it made for a fun night! Hopefully, we can plant some fruit trees, build the swing set, and put together the drinking fountain! That is enough projects for a while. I am just grateful we got our yard and many plants in last year, so we can better enjoy this summer! I just love this time of year! The dreariness of winter is beginning to subside and excitement and beauty is in the air! I just love Spring!

The crocuses are out (and the weeds too!)

It is also my favorite time of year----BULB time! I am now SOOOOOO excited that I went to the great trouble last year of planting a gazillion bulbs. They are starting to come up and it always thrills me to see what will be blooming tomorrow! Especially since this is the first year I will view my configurations around our new house; it will be interesting to see what I love and hate about my creative process last summer. Which only means I will probably have to plant more and move some around---WHICH I LOVE! I took some pics of my crocuses today; so beautiful, small and delicate! They make me so happy! OK, it is true that it doesn't take an awful lot to make me super thrilled. Just give me some peeps or bulbs and I am over the moon!

Peep Season

This is one of the greatest times of year; the only time one can purchase PEEPS! I just can't get enough of them. Yes, I am the only adult in this world that loves these nasty, gooey, sugary marshmallow Easter treats. Let me share some of the little known exciting times one can have with Peeps. First of all, it is so fun and exciting to choose the color and type of Peeps you want. I mean there is bright pink, turquoise, yellow, purple! SO MANY OPTIONS! This year, I am keen on the pink peeps! Don't ask me why! Then do you want the bunny rabbits or the actual chicks. I am also keen on the chicks. Then, as you eat them, do you tear off the head first? Lick off all the great color and sugar? Or do you start on the body. Again, so many options. It brings such a delight to life to eat a peep! If you don't believe me, you will have to try them once again, and you will eat them with a gleeful smile. During this time of year, I am definately prone to weight gain due to my secret love affair with Peeps! You can only indulge once a year; so this is my time! If you ever have a hankering for Peeps; they are always at my house this time of year! A lot of my friends also have Easter cravings; my friend Tyra indulges in the Cadbury mini-eggs; as does Shauna. If you ask me those things are nasty; but I am not a big chocolate fan---at all! Anyway,feel free to share your Easter indulgences with Auntie Laura; we all have our secret sins! Consider this your Easter candy confessional!

Brandon's Piano Recital Performance

Here is my baby playing "My Best Friend" (Brandon, age 6)

Brandon's Piano Recital

Brandon (6)

Brandon with his piano teacher, Angie!

I was so proud of my baby! He had his first piano recital tonight. He did a great job playing his song "My Best Friend". Thanks to Youtube, you will also most likely have the opportunity to enjoy his performance. Here are some pics of him with his piano teacher; Angie, and at the piano during his recital!

Friend Heaven!!!!

Dylan and Carrie

Taylor, Leah, and Lexi

Noah

Carrie and Leah

Well, luckily, with all my semi-midlife crises, I am recieving great therapy from my friends. Lately, I have been in friend heaven. I received an excellent surprise today. My college friend Carrie showed up for a visit. YEAH! Carrie just moved from Boise to Cody, Wyoming. Luckily for me, she came to Utah for a visit. It is so great to see her again. We have all been wondering how she has done in the move. She is doing great; and they are enjoying Wyoming. John loves his job! They are in the process of selling their home in Boise! Carrie and her kids are looking great! So,I had to include the pics so all of you could catch up. I was not thinking clearly as I did not get her contact information. I am sure we can figure that out. Here are Carrie and her children: Lexi, Taylor, Noah, and Leah. Her children are so well-behaved and sweet. Carrie is mother of the year! I am just hoping in a couple years they will move here. I am also petitioning for everyone to return to Utah. I love the visits; but I would prefer a weekly girls night out! Now, I am getting excited as Tyra will be coming out at the end of this month. Then I will have seen almost everyone in the last 6 months! Yeah!

More Sunday Best

Ethan(4) and Brandon (6)

Brandon

Ethan and Brandon

Benjamin(2)

Sunday Best

Ethan and Brandon

Benjamin

Dylan (4 months)

I always have to try to take a picture or two after church. I just love dressed up boys! I just can't resist a picture or two. Maddie was napping; that is why she is not included!

Taking Inventory

Maybe I am going through a preliminary mid-life crisis. I have noticed that I seem to be going through a change in perspective. I am starting to realize how old I am. I am almost 35; am done with having children. It is a relief to know I am done with this child-bearing or child-recieving time of life and am excited to watch them as they grow and change and go through fun stages. However, it is almost like I am at a weird point in life now. In visiting with my college friends, we were realizing it has been 17 years since our freshman year; when we all met. Holy cow. It seems like it has only been about 10 years. But no, it is almost 20 years. That is so bizarre! Are we really that old? We are at that point that as I look at the kids starting college; they look so young. Looking back at old pics of when we got married, were in college; we look so young! I never thought I would be at that point. It really has been an introspective time; realizing how we all met that freshman year at college----we are all still in contact; but how life has changed. It is interesting to see the path that we are all on in our life right now. It is amazing how small decisions back then; grow into huge differences in choices and lifestyles now! It is amazing how certain paths have led to places that we would have never predicted back then. I advise all college youth to really be aware of those "small" decisions that you are currently making;as they will make remarkable changes in the outcome of your life and the future paths you take in life. On the other hand, being at this stage, I realize how much of life is unpredictable also. There is so much that we could not have ever anticipated for our futures which has occurred and will continue to occur. It is all so fascinating to me. As a parent, you just hope that your children can make those "right" choices that will make all the difference for their future. As a parent, you want to be able to anticipate their struggles as to know what to focus on in their education and direction at this time. At the same time, as life is so busy with five children, I know that I am missing some key elements that will later appear so obvious to me. I hope and pray I can make necessary corrections in parenting and motherhood now; so as to avoid regrets in the future. So fascinating, exciting and scary can be this journey of life.

Bathtime: Friend or Foe

The greatly philosophical question of my life at this time involves bathing! Bathtime is one of those times on a daily basis that can be hateful or lovely. You just never know. For example, when the kids decide to get spaghetti all over themselves (you have seen the result of this from my blog), or dump out all the formula all over themselves (as you have also seen); bathtime is dreamy. It is the only solution for the daily mess they create on themselves. By the way, I am so glad kids are waterproof. Isn't that just fabulous? Unlike the stuffed animals which my children put in the bath on occasion (that's when bathtime can turn into a nightmare). Frequently it turns into a nightmare when the kids splash all over and get water all over the floor (an almost daily occurence). Today it turned into a nightmare when Ethan and Benjamin were playing in the tub; splashing; getting water everywhere. They were being very disobedient; regardless of my frequent reminders (also not that unusual) and somehow managed to play with the water faucet enough to make it so the water could not be turned off. Of course, I didn't know this had happened until the water was very high in the tub. I went to turn it off, and nothing. I turned the handles around and around and around and NOTHING! Very frightening considering the water was high; I got really worried it was going to overflow. So, of course I; very softly, (OK, it definately was not soft) asked the children to get out of the tub; and then I began to freak out. Luckily, I was able to call my assistant (Brandon) and ask for his advice; which was to get a wrench to turn it off. Anyway, I was able to be a hero and save the day; turning off the water so it wouldn't overflow. This event was not fun or exciting; but blood curdling and disturbing. That is what is great about motherhood; it's like a choose your own adventure book---will the water overflow or will you be able to find the wrench in time to turn off the water flow? SOOOO many possibilities! Luckily, I was able to choose the second adventure. Yes, I know I sound nuts; that's what happens sometimes after spending most of your time with children. Today the bath was a foe, but who knows what tomorrow might bring. It might be my saving grace from another child "accident" tomorrow involving flour! You just never know. I don't know why everyone doesn't jump with excitement at the possibility of being a mother; especially a stay at home mother. It is just definately beyond me. Oh yes, I am feeling a tad sarcastic at the moment. Don't worry, by tomorrow, I will be looking at my sweet angels in the tub and wanting to take pictures of the cute splashing! But for now, I have had enough of "bathtime".

My Brown-Eyed Babies!

Lately, I have been feeling like I have triplets. Baby Dylan is almost four months old; and wants to move around a bit; is almost turning over. However, his safety is in serious limbo with Maddie and Benjamin; who think little Dylan is a fascinating new toy! Maddie is in a very clingy stage right now; she will go play for 10 minutes and then wants to be held; and when I say held, not like the boys, but like a cling on. She uses her super leg power to wrap both legs tightly around you and will not let go for dear life. It is fun after having four boys who are definately not cling ons; however, it makes for an interesting balancing act with Dylan. Then, Benjamin and Madison are playing a lot more as they are only 10 months apart; and I guess Benjamin has decided she is now play worthy. So, when she runs back to me to cling on, Benjamin has been following her. He is content to just sit on my lap as she is clinging on for dear life, but with all three, it is hard to balance them all out. It is funny how each stage brings new trials and new joyous moments. I am enjoying watching Benjamin and Madison play more, and it is nice that Dylan is basically sleeping through the night (most of the time). However, now Dylan, and the others are seeming more physically needy lately. Anyway, I love them all but I am feeling quite worn out at the end of each day. But, who am I kidding, there is not a Mom alive who does not feel that way at the end of the day. Brandon took the two older boys; Brandon and Ethan to a Jazz game tonight. Ethan was so excited all day; talking about the "finger" his Daddy was going to buy him at the game. His excitement was so cute.

Ethan and Aiden singing Spiderman and Wonderpets songs

How cute is this video. There is nothing like hearing four year olds sing their favorite theme songs; Wonderpets and Spiderman. Very cute. This is Ethan and his friend Aiden. And yes, that is two year old Benjamin screaming "stop singing now" to the two boys and his Mom who are promptly ignoring him. I just adore the hand gestures of Aiden. SOOOO adorable.

Daddy Love

Brandon is the man of this house and is adored by us all! We all just can't get enough of him----even Sadie the cat can't resist Brandon! He's got the whole world in his hands. Looking at this pic of Brandon and I; I definately see why people have told us we look so much alike. When we were dating, people used to tell us we looked like brother/sister. Just to freak people out, we would sometimes tell people that we were brother/sister and in some states it is still legal to marry your sibling. Don't worry, for those of you who don't know us, we are NOT related; except now, by marriage.

Messy Maddie

This is what happens when Mommy leaves for Vegas for the weekend. Poor Daddy! This is Maddie being discovered after she has dumped out a whole can of formula!!!

Little Man Benj

The Sweet Pea is my little man. His newest trend is that he loves to change clothes. He is so proud that he can now dress himself. Sometimes the pants go on backwards, but still--they are on! I have to say, he does a pretty good job at coordination. But then again, what shirt doesn't go with jeans or khaki's. He loves to change his clothing and feels the need to do so if he gets ANYTHING on his clothes; including a spot of water, a little food, etc. He has even got to the point where he enjoys purposely getting something on his clothes in order to change. He loves to announce to me that his shirt is DIRTY so he has to change. He is such a little character; he totally cracks me up! Besides having to do a ton of laundry due to all the "dirty" clothes; I really enjoy everything about this little man.

Lil' Gangsta

It's so frightening how quickly parents lose all fashion control. Brandon is really into the hat thing right now; and also into the camo thing. He has yet to understand that a camo shirt and pants is a bit much. He may have inherited his father's great love of the military! In the last couple pics, he is doing a little dance and Ethan decided to join in. Shall we call it the Camo Dance? Yes, it is a little frightening, but very cute. Brandon, just like his Dad, is such a sweet little boy and I am just in love with this little angelkins!

Ethan's Magical Smile!

Ethan has the best smile; so wide and his eyes seem to chuckle! I just love it and had to share!

The Reality of our Life!

I try to take cute pics of the kids and present a controlled view of our children in relatively clean moments! Attempting to demonstrate that I have some control of the situation; however, I did take some pics of our everyday reality; half-dressed, chaos, and craziness! So, here is the real insider view. You better enjoy as I may get my senses back and have to delete this posting! I happen to love swedish fish and at times, I also, would be willing to get down on the floor and "go fish" with my tongue to the ground trying to get a sweet taste or two. For whatever reason, my children, Ethan and Benjamin decided to try out this new technique; after dumping out swedish fish; go fish with your tongue. I know---it looks so tempting. Then there is the fun shot of Brandon talking to his Dad on my cell phone; on a skate board; a diaper clad Benjamin trying to pull the skateboard away! Total chaos! Welcome to our household!