Little Explorers!

Sweet Baby Hazel!

Well, I fell in love again today! What is it about these sweet, little bundles of love that is so irresistible. I just LOVE babies! My friend Jen has had a difficult week; giving birth to her sweet little daughter Hazel. Jen went to the Dr. on Monday for a normal Dr's visit. She was immediately sent to the hospital by ambulance, and later life-flighted to another hospital. Apparently, she was in distress as well as the baby. I was amazed at her ability to laugh as she told of being in Provo, in view of the high school students and traffic as she was awaiting the helicopter (for life flight) in one of those "dreamy" hospital gowns! The helicopter blades were still spinning as she climbed aboard, so she was left quite exposed, with a great variety of tubes coming out of her. Her blood pressure was high, so amidst all this drama, and the loudness of the helicopter they kept yelling at her to calm down. Yeah right! Jen is amazing and strong! I don't know how many people could joke about this the week it happened. Baby Hazel was born Monday and is recovering from surgery due to spina bifida. What a little trooper this 4 poundish baby is! She is so darn precious and cute. Jen is just anxious to be able to hold her little one. Baby Hazel will have one more surgery tomorrow, so she will be in our prayers. It is such a strengthening, uplifting experience to see the strength of great people dealing with a difficult situation; and doing so in such a magnificent way!

I am so amazed with the Ronald McDonald House. It is an incredible blessing to family members who need to be near the hospital when their child is going through surgeries. The families only have to pay $10 a night to stay in their suites or rooms! Each room is decorated and furnished by a company; who's name is placed on the door of each room. Church groups, charities, and individuals are constantly making meals and bringing fresh food to the "House". It is honestly, such an incredible contribution to people who are really in need of some tender, loving care. It touched my heart so greatly to see all the goodwill and love brought by this place. Next time I see one of their boxes, I will be dumping all the money I can in them. This morning, Jen said that a church group came and made all the residents an incredible breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, etc. You have to understand there are a LOT of people living in this "house". It is more like a hotel with at least 20 rooms or so. Anyway, it is so nice for these families to not have to worry about food, and where they will sleep so they can care for their children in need. Jen gave me permission to discuss this experience, as I know it is very personal. I am amazed at her strength. There is such beauty in such strength! Here is little Hazel! She looks a lot like her older sisters!Little Hazel
Traci and Jen
Baby Hazel with her Daddy

Our First Snow!!!

SNOW! Hello, this is still September!!!
Little Benjamin enjoying the first snowflakes of the season.
Yes, it is still September, but today was FREEZING cold with snow. The snow was even sticking to the ground. It is always fun to wear the warm, cozy sweaters and drink some hot chocolate!!! Definately, a day for that!!! I wonder if this is indicative of us having a freezing, very snowy winter. Perhaps it is just a September fluke! Only time will tell!

There is a reason it is called the terrible two's!

I will not go into detail, as you have seen enough of my children's shennanigans on my site, but let me just tell you, having a two year old, and another almost two year old, and an almost one year old, is about to do me in one of these days. Between the constant fits, shrill shreeks, dumping, getting into things, wrecking everything in sight----it is just unbelievable. You would think---well, why does she not just watch them closer, etc. The problem is I do, the only breaks I take are to use the bathroom, make them meals, or tend to the baby, or start more laundry. It is not as if I am leaving them on their own. That is why I am absolutely shocked by their amazing ability to continue to find ways to "outmaneuver" me. It's like they are just waiting for the opening of having a couple secs to get into something. Anyway, thank goodness for my knowledge that these are only phases, and this also will come to an end. It is just difficult when all three of the youngest children find themselves in a difficult phase. I will give them the compliments of being very smart, sly, and EXTREMELY curious. Let us just hope it leads to something very positive in their future to outweigh the negativities it is leading to in our home at the present time. Luckily, their precious smiles, sweet laughter, darling brown eyes, and Benjamin's constant, "I'm sorry Mommy" help me to overlook the difficult moments! (Some of the antics of this week have included, but not been limited to: taking off their diapers and smearing poop, getting in the fridge and destroying blocks of cheese and butter, dumping cereal (that is nothing new!), turning on a sink--and leaving the scene of the crime so I don't notice till it has overflowed, screaming so loud over not getting a binky anymore (benj is almost three)------and then it all starts over again. It really doesn't help that Maddie and Benj are 10 months apart, they are partners in crime around this house!!!!!

The last of the flowers; until next year!

I just love red everything! I think these dahlia's are so beautiful and are bringing thoughts of Christmas my way! Yes, I am a little holiday oriented. That's a true "desperate housewife." Some of us need things to look forward to---to pull us through the duldrums of the day to day! I am certainly that way. Flowers are part of what bring great daily happiness to my life! So, I better enjoy the last of the flowers before they are all dead! I am also thoroughly enjoying planting bulbs a little every day! SO FUN!

The Kids

My handsome little Brandon!

Brandon and Ethan (How could I resist these matching sweaters at the outlet in Park City?)
Maddie
Dylan
Benj, Brandon and Ethan!

I got some cute pics of the kids today! So, of course, I had to post them! What else is a mamablog for then to showcase the kids!

A Romantical Getaway!

The Canyons Resort!
My sweet husband Brandon at "ZOOM"
A happy pair!
A great restaurant!
Park City wildlife!
Uh-oh, I have some competition; "Bandits Bar & Grill"
I am aware that romantical is not a word, but I think it should be, and I think the word "romantical" sounds a lot more romantical than the word "romantic". What a fabulous weekend. Let's just say I have a lot of Product Reviews from this weekend. I would DEFINATELY suggest the Canyons as a place to stay; especially their one room suites. FABULOUS would be the only word to describe these accomodations! The restaurant "ZOOM" where Brandon took me to eat on Friday night---also gets five stars! The food was fantabulous! The company of my husband Brandon---ALONE, even BETTER! Being able to sleep in and not get up in the morning to dirty diapers? A highlight for me! Eating at Taco Bell for breakfast is another experience everyone should have at least once in their life. Shopping at the outlets all day without children running around and hiding in the middle of the racks of clothing? PRICELESS! I feel like an American Express commercial! Getting to listen to other people's children throwing fits and knowing you don't have to handle a bad situation? Strangely comforting! Disturbingly comforting! Going for lunch at the Main Street Pizzeria; great! Being able to talk over lunch the whole time without being interrupted? Absolutely dreamy! Doing more shopping without worrying about naps? Invigorating! The look on Brandon's face as he chooses "The Bandits Grill & Bar" for dinner? That was not as amazing as the look on Brandon's face as he was eating the food. Let's just say, I thought I was the only one who could make him THAT happy. I may have some competition. You might be able to tell by the pictures! Another fabulously romantic night! Then reality set in this morning and we returned from our dream---back to the children! It was great to see them again!!! Luckily, Maddie is a Mommy's girl and wanted nothing more than to hang onto her Mommy. The boys I think were most excited to see their Dad.

I am so grateful for our amazing babysitter. She puts me to shame!!!(in a good way!) On Friday night she brought Brandon and Ethan to their friend's "Late Night" party from 7-9:30 which was about 30 minutes away (imagine getting all the kids in the car and driving them back and forth!) I hadn't told the kids about it as I assumed it would be way too difficult for the babysitter to take them. Then, Saturday, she got all five kids in the van and got Brandon to his soccer game by 8:30 in the morning. No simple task. It probably would have been hard for Brandon and I, both working to get the kids ready, to have gotten there on time. Kourtni is amazing!!! Then, as if that wasn't enough, she took all the kids to the Aquarium on Saturday afternoon, by herself. Yes, all five kids (7 and under). Then, she did the unthinkable this morning, braving sacrament meeting with all five kids by herself. Brandon and I can hardly manage it with both of us! All I have to say is Kourtni is AMAZING! I love her for all she gives our family and how great she is with the kids and giving us the comfort and peace to go on a weekend trip without the kids! Wow, I wish I could afford to have her be our full-time nanny. After this weekend, she probably is re-thinking her position as our babysitter. I sure hope not; I don't know what I would do without her. Anyway, a fabulous weekend was had by all! This will be at least a yearly tradition. The problem with getting a break is you start to realize that it is a necessity that has to happen on a more regular basis!

A Weekend To Remember!

I just love the anticipation! Brandon has booked us a weekend at the Canyon's Resort in Park City! Just the two of us! He also got our babysitter Kourtni to spend the weekend with our kids! Our only "alone" trips have been going to the hospital to have our babies, or be with "birthmom" as she has our babies! I was so disappointed at being sick for Aspen Grove, and it has been so depressing dealing wtih our family being SOOO sick over the last month. The test results came back this last week and we did have that cryptosporidiosis; a complete and utter nightmare! (It's that water illness that has been so rampant in Utah.) Let's just say this vacation could not have come at a better time. Brandon had originally booked this for our anniversary, but then his Uncle died and he needed to be there in Arkansas with his family. (Not to mention how sick he was with this cryptosporidiosis; right after returning from the airport I rushed him to instacare where he got 3 IV's due to his dehydration!) Sorry for all the boring recap, but it has been a nightmare, and THIS weekend is the light at the end of a very dark tunnel! How fabulous to sleep in, not have to change three nasty diapers first thing in the morning (my most dreaded task!---it gets better throughout the day, but waking up to three overflowing diapers is not always the best start to one's day!) Then we get to do some shopping at the outlets, and get some good eats! Then repeat that for one more day! I could cry I am so excited. The best gift parents can get is a day off once in a while. I think my children will be grateful for the break too. They absolutely love our babysitter Kourtni. She is an adult, and so much fun, we can feel comfortable leaving all five with her! What a blessing it was to meet her about a year ago. She usually babysits about one night a week for us and she is our saving grace. Anyway, hopefully I will have many fun pictures to keep this weekend embedded in my mind until next year when we can hopefully continue this new tradition which is starting this year! (Hint, hint, Brandon, I know, I am the queen of subtlety!)

Happy Birthday Diane!

An updated photo of Dan & Diane! Aren't they such a cute couple? Just think how cute their kids will be!!!
This is Aunt Diane holding our little baby Benjamin when he was a newborn (almost 3 years ago now!) How cute is that!
Happy Birthday Diane! I sure hope my brother Daniel treats you to a romantic and memorable birthday today! We wish we could all be there in person to sing and bring you a cake, but you saw what happened to a cake we had earlier this week, so it's probably better for you that we are far away. I hope you have a great day! You deserve it! We love you!

Two Dragons and A Witch

Dragon Love!

A witch and her ride! Who needs a broom!
Our kids LOVE to dress up; so we really enjoy Halloween! I decided I might want to get some cute pics with the kids in their costumes before they get wrecked. I love Halloween and just can't get enough of it. Just so you all know, the Halloween holiday really begins first week of September. (If you do any Halloween decorating, it has to have the proper time up to make it worth it to decorate) I know you were all wondering and pondering on such important things as Halloween! Anyway,I get such a kick out of it all! As you can see, little witches no longer need brooms for transportation!

My Fair & Balanced Network (unlike Fox News)

This is my FAVORITE dress ever. It was being sold at Costco last year, but it sold out so quickly, they had none in Maddie's size left. My friend Jen gave me her daughter's dress when she outgrew it! I just LOVE this dress, so thanks Jen!!! Anyway, since Maddie did such destruction this week, and I posted all about her naughtiness, I decided I better post some of her BETTER moments! I like to be a fair & balanced network (unlike Fox News; I have to tease my father in law; who LOVES the fox network!) and display Maddie when she is being cute and sweet. Luckily, she has more good moments than bad moments; although this week she got things a little turned around! (To say the least!)


I just LOVE the bow in back!

Thanks for saving me the calories!

Maddie glaring at her Daddy, the girl does not like discipline!
Finally in the tub, by this time I had her goopy chocolate handprints all over me too! So, I guess I did get a little chocolate cake, just not in the way I had imagined!
I swear, I just get finished with one disaster, when another follows. My birthday cake was sitting on the counter, and little Ethan decided that he and Maddie should have some cake. So thoughtful of him to "help" his sister, huh! Oh my goodness. Let's just say I don't think anyone else wants any cake! Man, you cannot turn your back for one second. Goodness forbid you have to tend to another baby or child. That's what my problem is; I am outnumbered greatly and they know it and prey on it! Gotta' love kids. Once again, I had to decide whether to lose my top or just take it in stride---I chose the latter! Although after their baths, some children were banished to their rooms for a while! Anyway, enjoy the pictures and not the clean up! Why do these things always happen when a little girl is wearing a brand new WHITE outfit! I need to know that whenever they are dressed in a mostly white outfit, I am ASKING for trouble! Well, at least they saved me thousands of calories as this cake was a VERY rich chocolate cake. So kids, thanks for the weight loss help! They are always willing to lend a helping hand. Gotta' love them. The picture of Maddie glaring is when her father was telling her how upset he was with her. Wow, she sure has a lot of attitude. We are in SOOOOO much trouble when she is in her teens! If I can just get through this next year. Frightening thing is she is not even 2 years old yet, so this next year should be great fun at our home!The culprits: Ethan and Maddie!


By the time I got her in the tub, chocolate was everywhere!
Are you sure you don't want some cake?

Lip Gloss Anyone?

I thought this was funny, I found Maddie with what I thought was lip gloss. Upon taking a closer look, it was a glue stick!!! She is not even 2, and she is always trying to get in my makeup. She already understands the concept of mascara and has tried to put it on. She has ended up with black streaks all over her face. I may have to buy her a chapstick so that she won't keep invading my glue supply! I have to admit, it did look a little like a lip gloss or chapstick of some type; at first glance!

I'm Tagged! Janet you're it!

Well, my friend Angie "tagged" me so now I get to answer some questions---and then get to "tag" someone else, so here goes:

Jobs I've had:
Most recently: Mental Health Therapist to teen girls
In my distant past: office worker, BYU Dairy worker, DT food worker (yeah, really fun!) Also volunteer work as a "Big Sister", teaching literacy with Project Read, volunteering at Food & Shelter Coalition, "CASA" (Court-Appointed Specialized Advocate, psych-tech at Utah State Prison (that was a fascinating job!), and one of my favorites ever was as a Therapist at Vantage Point (Wasatch Mental Health Youth Shelter) and Adult Outpatient at Wasatch Mental Health.

Movies I can Watch Over & Over:
(that's a random Laura issue---Brandon laughs, I will NOT watch a movie for a second time--even though I can never remember them!) I generally do not like to watch movies! Two I can enjoy are "Cinema Paradiso" and "Beaches"!

My Guilty Pleasures
The Sopranos (edited on A&E)
Big Brother
Eminem (edited)
50 cent (edited)

Places I'd Like to Visit:
Hawaii & Italy & New York SOON!

Places I've Lived:
Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Jerusalem, Ecuador, Utah

What were the first things you thought of when you saw your significant other for the first time?

I was looking for my best friend Tyra who was often at the apartment across the way. I went to look for her and met Brandon for the first time, but was still deadset on finding my best friend. I didn't realize this was a pivotal moment in my life!

Favorite Foods: REAL pizza (not often found in Utah), bagels and cream cheese, Bourdeaux Cherry Chocolate (Blue Bunny) Ice Cream, Tepanyaki

Websites I Check Daily: All the blogs of people I know and love!

Body Parts Injured: I no longer have my gall bladder! Thanks Ethan for the C-section! (Just kidding)

Awards I have won: Probably the most clumsy person ever!

Nicknames I Have been called:

La-La, Lou, Sunshine, Laura Sue, Lauracita

So now Janet, it's your turn!

35, the new 25?

I am kidding myself. I can't believe I am thirty-five. Half my life is over. Well, it has been eventful and very fun, so I guess I will continue with the other half of this life. I was totally spoiled for my birthday, my parents sent me a generous check, Brandon gave me the new IPOD and some fabulous jewelry (he always has such great taste), and flowers and a cake, Daniel and Diane spoiled me with an ITUNES giftcard, and some friends took me to dinner and gave me some sweet gifts. So, once again, I am treated like a million bucks, thanks to everyone for making it a special birthday! Just remember, I am now 29!

My Brown-Eyed Babies!

I am so in love with my brown-eyed babies. They all have those large, bright brown eyes that are hard to say no to. It is amazing how much alike they all look. I guess not so amazing considering they have the same birth mom. I don't know what I'd do without these little angels. They sure keep me busy, but bring such joy to my life; especially since little Ethan and Brandon are now in school!

Maddie (almost 2), Dylan (almost 1), and Benjamin (almost 3)

A Little More of Aspen Grove

Time with Grandpa for Maddie and Dylan
Benjamin and the bear!
Want some? I'll share with you!
Brandon catching a fish!
Ethan and Brandon
I just got my camera back from Aspen Grove, so on the memory card were some cute pics Brandon took while I was sick in bed. Here they are:

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