Aspen Grove 2008

My parents host us all for a Mini-Week at Aspen Grove---which is SO nice. The kids are in camps for about 5 hours a day---even the babies, so we are kid-free during part of the day, which is great! They have so many sporting activities---the kids just LOVE it. After Aspen Grove, we will be going to Park City for a couple days to enjoy some time there. A nice getaway for all of us!!! Here are some pics from the first day of Aspen Grove:









The family

My parents

Taking all the kids fishing

Taking all the kids swimming






















Maybe I should've done the slideshow.

Hold Your Horses!

As we were driving out of town on our trip we passed this. I really couldn't believe what I was seeing. So, of course we had to turn around to take some pictures.

My only question: Can you go through the drive-thru on a horse?

Maybe the horses saw the sign and wanted some caramel apples. Or---perhaps a new marketing campaign for Kneaders???

Fun Times

Fun Times = packing for seven people. One of the fun Mama jobs! NOT REALLY. When I signed up for motherhood, this part of motherhood was in the small print (they always try to trick you that way!), which I didn't really have a chance to read. ALWAYS read the small print of any contract. Although, I would sign up all over again, every day, even when things get a little rough! I am excited for our family adventure! We just need to get there----I just could live quite fine without the packing part. (Maybe that would be an advantage of a sister wife? TOTALLY KIDDING!!!)

Mormon Mommy Blogs

Here is an interesting site where you can add your blog if you will add a link to their site. It is specifically for Mormon Mommy Blogs. My cousin Zina showed the link on her site. Interesting reading for all that spare time! Thanks Zina!

This is what happens when-----

WARNING: Do not read this entry or look at the picture below if you are pregnant, get sicked out by potty issues, etc.

This is what happens when your child (Dylan, 20 months) is in that "taking off their diaper" phase. I had already replaced his diaper twice, and I was getting clothes to put on him (so he couldn't take off his diaper. He hasn't quite figured out how to take his clothes off yet.) Clearly, I did not get his clothes on soon enough as I had this little token of his love on my living room floor. Just be glad you didn't have to smell it. Anyway, when this happens first thing in the morning, you can only imagine what the rest of the day might be like----as this might be a foreshadowing event. Although the foreshadowing event may have been my son Brandon(8)vomiting all over the floor after taking his medicine this morning (which happened prior to the poop incident). Be happy I didn't take a picture of that.

You know how the schools make themes for the days to make them more exciting for kids? In taking their lead, I am going to name today "Bodily Functions Day" at our house as a result of the fun times we have already experienced today. Again, where is that imaginary nanny when I need her---she always chooses the most inopportune moments to take a day off! When things like this happen, I just want to hop into bed, sleep for a couple hours and start the day over.

Don't they always say to look at the bright side? The bright side: I don't have carpet. Vomit and poop are much easier to clean off of laminate flooring! I am SOOOOO glad I upgraded that arena of our house.

I know, I have hit a new low----taking pictures of my child's poop. (Although it is quite an impressive size for such a little guy.) I just don't want ANYONE to miss ANY of the fun going on around here. We definately don't want to sugar coat things around here---Let's just face it, some days as a Mom can be quite crappy. Literally.

(At least I made the photo "SMALL"! I know, I am so kind and thoughtful. You're welcome!)

I find myself sarcastically singing the song----"You can never know the good if you never know the bad, you can never be happy if you've never been sad----------" Thanks to poop moments, I can "know the good". Gotta' love "My Turn on Earth." Anyone remember that? If you don't, and want me to sing all the songs to you, I can.

First Day of School & A Wedding

First day of school with Erin (in front of me), Joy on the right, and I am on the top left holding the flowers. (I was probably 8, Joy, 7 and Erin was probably starting kindergarten.)

My wedding reception in Texas (Joy on my left, and Erin on my right)

I spent almost every day of my childhood with my two best friends. We all lived on Greenridge Avenue. Joy Schumacher lived across the street and Erin Duggan lived next door to me. White Plains, New York was a fabulous place to grow up---especially with such great neighbors. They were like sisters to me. This is a picture of us on the first day of school. (Joy was a year younger, Erin was 3 years younger). The next picture is at my wedding reception in Texas in 1996. They flew out from NY to be there as my bridesmaids. What a great reunion! It's fun to see the age progression. See, there are some advantages to Facebook. Joy posted these pictures on Facebook, which sent me a message as I was labeled in the pictures. Then, I get access to pictures I would never have had! Thanks Joy. I guess all the obnoxious Facebook applications are worth it----if this is one of the benefits!

Childhood Halloween Moment

I am so excited. My friend Joy, just put this picture of us up on Facebook. We were childhood friends and spent almost every day together growing up in White Plains, New York. I miss those days-----fun, childhood days with Joy. Thanks Joy for sharing the picture!!! I guess I loved Halloween back then too!!! I am the girl on the left, and my beautiful friend Joy is on the right!!! I love the Rubik's Cube costume!


Perhaps this is why I am obsessed with taking pictures. I just LOVE finding pictures from the past. I can't even remember that costume or wearing it, but there it stands, and I am glad to have a copy. My children will not appreciate pictures, they will hate them, as their Mom (me) is so obsessed with cameras and pictures. So, they will take few pictures. As a result, their children will be obsessed with cameras and pictures. It's the circle of life ladies and gentlemen, have you ever noticed that generations seem to skip in certain priorities, etc----I have. It's that darn circle of life. (Sorry for the random ramblings). We create in our offspring a disdain for the very things we love because we drive them crazy with them. The lack of those things creates a desire for them in the next generation. You could obsess on this theory forever---I sure have quite a bit----anyway-----you can tell it is late---I am tired-----night, night.

Papa Time

Papa came to town for some work meetings, so we were able to enjoy some time with him. The children mobbed him, loved on him, and couldn't get enough. As you can tell, they adore their Papa. We had to play some Wii. Everyone had a great time bowling and playing golf on the Wii. We had to laugh when Benjamin (3) kept getting Strikes on the Wii bowling and it was his first time ever. Ethan was getting upset and kept trying to reset the game so he would have a chance at winning.
Bonding time





Celebration dance----SPARE!


Papa and Brandon cheering about a spare on the Wii

Ethan is in LOVE with his green blankie that Nana and his great-Grandma Deaver made him. He carries it around and frequently asks if he can bring his "green blankie" with him places. Of course he always sleeps with "green blankie".