Dinosaur Museum 2009

Once again I stupidly braved the biggest crowd of the summer to go to Thanksgiving Point's $2 Tuesday at the Dinosaur Museum this year. I promise I will not be going back next summer for Any discount day. The crowds make you feel like you are being herded through. Move or be trampled. The boys had fun and brought home some souvenir lizards.

Independence Day

We had a great fourth of July. We spent the morning with our "Siamese twin friends" (because of everything we have in common) swimming in their pool, enjoying all the good weather. We just love these friends. I am so glad we found them and have so much fun together. Here are some shots of Lance playing with the boys. Can you just hear the boys uncontainable squeals of laughter and delight?

Gavin terrified for his life coming down the water slide...

I know you wanted to see that one again up close. I can't get enough of it!And then here he is 1 second later realizing that he loved it.

This is a great group shot of everyone, but the moms. If you think Lance looks awkward, it's because he was moving in to give his friend Corey a gay kiss on the head for giggles. I especially love sweet little Tessa's (Jackson's girlfriend) smile for the camera.

Then we went to my Aunt Jan's for a BBQ and fireworks. She always has an amazing spread and goes above and beyond to make holidays feel so special. I got to see long lost cousins from England, New York and Spanish Fork. We had such a fabulous time.

Gavin liked the sparklers...

but wasn't such a fan of the fireworks...

Jackson held onto me like a monkey during the whole thing. He was tired by time the fireworks got to cracking.

Here was my attempt to take a family shot...

Until someone offered to take a real one.

Thanks everyone for making the holiday so memorable!

Dr. Gavin

    After Dr. Gavin carefully inspected daddy (his patient) with his new Wall-e flashlight, he diagnosed Lance with boogers in his nose, an ear infection in his ears, sugar in his mouth and prescribed some rain drops for his eyes. Daddy should see the Doctor more often!

Jackson's 2nd Birthday

For Jackson's birthday we had our besteez over for pizza, at Jackson's request. They gave him M&M's and dinosaurs which obviously was a big hit. They also had a little something for Gavin so he wouldn't feel left out. That was so thoughtful.

He was oohing with excitement in this picture.

Still freaking out...

Then throws his beloved sunglasses to the wayside in his pure excitement.

We literally JUST gave him a lawn mower for his birthday. He loves to push things. Strollers, cars, shopping carts, anything. So thankfully, this was a big hit.

He was very serious about blowing his candles out.

And very serious about eating his cuppycake.

I can't even believe this is him a year ago. Thank goodness he grew some hair. He was still just as serious about eating his cake back then! He is such a treasure in our family. I love this guy beyond words. He is so loving and mischevious and passionate about things. Like eating. (He is notorious for pounding all of the snacks in nursery before the other kids even see it coming). I swear we feed him. He is just a bottomless pit! He was born with a very strong personality. We butt heads the most I think because he is so like me. He is one determined little guy with very little fear. Lets just say he is the one that keeps me on my toes and I love him for that. He is such a momma's boy. He has always hated whenever I've held any other babies. He loves giving kisses and hugs and loves his big brother to death. He is always one step behind whatever Gavin is doing. Jacky, you bring so much joy to mommy and daddy's heart. We love you little Jackson. I wish I could keep you little forever sunshine.

My mom gave him a motorcycle for his b-day that he would NOT put down; in the store, in the car on the way home from the store, or the drive all the way back to Utah. On the way home from the store after buying it, he fell asleep holding it. Even though he was asleep he was still on alert because I tried to take it and he vice-gripped it and yelled "NO!" and then nodded back to sleep. It was so funny. Don't LET GO little buddy! You'r brother might play with it.

San Diegoooo!

I recently got to go to San Diego for my brother Keldon's highschool graduation. I drove the 14 hour drive with my 2 boys. We had such a great time. Congratulations to Keldon who is such a handsome and great guy. I'm so lucky that he is my brother and I am so proud of him. He also recently completed his Eagle Scout project, which I am estatic about. Sometimes I think it's hard to stay motivated towards the end of those, especially when your ready to move out. Great job buddy! We were sooo happy to see the beach. My boys saw the sand and immediately threw themselves to the ground to make... sand angels? They've been in Utah too long. I'm sorry to those friends I did not get to see. Why does it always seem so hectic to try and see everyone when I'm traveling? I wanted to to see alot of people and hardly ended up seeing anyone. Sorry, I'm a schlump.

I don't sew, but when I get everything just right, sometimes magic happens.

This is a purse I made for my sister. It's the same pattern as the other one. It turned out cute. I loved the fabric. Thanks to Material Girls fabulous selection.

Here are just some silly pictures of the boys.

Adam: American Idol!!!!!!!!

Here is my reminder to my peeps!

Vote for Adam tonight on American Idol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And keep voting for 2 hours. You really don't have anything else better to do. :)

What a gentleman!

Aww. Weren't we so cute?

Winter Formal reinacting a scene from our play!

This is after a choir concert where we both had solos. Danielle Stori is the one in the middle. Her lovely music is available on itunes. She is an amazing artist. Her and Adam are still best friends.

Look at the magic of a little spray tan and some hair color...and some eyeliner.

Chicken Soup for MY Soul

So my husband and I have this thing. We love to scare each other. I know, I know. We are in first grade. But a good scare makes me sooo happy.
Although, if he gets me good, he knows he better not fall asleep that night. Because I’m patient and I wait...until he forgets to be wary. My brothers and sisters will attest I live for this thrill. I have waited close to an hour just to scare someone before, (back when I had that kind of time…)


The best is when I get Lance to scream like a girl, but then his UFC champ instincts kick in and he fake “fights” me off because he’s so mad. It’s pretty hilarious.

Story #1
A few weeks ago, I found this horrible horror movie that was so bad I couldn’t resist. I can’t even tell you the name of it, but it was probably “Killer Ivy” or something to that affect. I actually abhor horror movies. I really never watch them, but for some reason this one was so lame I wanted to see how it could possibly end. Lance got sucked in and we both finished watching it. After it was over I went into the kitchen to finish washing the dishes and Lance fell asleep on the bed. I walked into our bedroom about 20 minutes later, saw him asleep and couldn’t resist. I knelt on the floor by the bed and snaked my arm up his leg just like the ivy. He screamed like a woman, jumped up and yelled “GET OFF ME!” while pushing me against the wall (he was fighting with ivy in his dream-mind) all with terror in his eyes. I crumpled to the floor laughing. Seriously it was so funny. He was SO mad for 5 minutes because he got SO scared. Then he was laughing uncontrollably and trying to get me back all night. He never did.


Story #2
Sometimes it takes him a few seconds to realize he’s awake before he fully wakes up from his dreams. He’s going to kill me for writing this, (but we’ve probably recounted this to everyone who reads our blog anyways). One night I was sleeping soundly when he flung his arm across my chest and yelled, “SPIDER!” Scared, I woke up instantly and reached for my glasses while turning on my lamp. At that moment he was blocking a “huge spider”
from falling on him and then rolled to the floor to save himself (so it could devour me). As soon as he hit the floor he was awake and laughing at himself. I would have been mad for the forced adrenaline rush in the middle of the night, but his frightened face was too much to handle. That’s one that still makes us laugh.



Story #3

In retrospect, I think I better add something embarrassing about me. This happened well over a year ago. I had just gotten out of the shower and was looking for my clean laundry which just so happened to be right in front of my (second story) open bedroom window (which was really like 4 stories above the street because we were on a hill). I need to say that the road behind us was rarely traveled on, to help explain my carelessness. As I bent over and reached for my clothes

I heard someone yelling my name through my open window. In horror, I threw myself to the floor and then sat up and peered through the window. It was just MY PARENT-IN-LAWS stopped in the middle of the (usually barren) street happily waving up to me. I’m not sure they saw much. I’m still hoping they don’t have 20/20. It was especially unfortunate for all involved because I had just given birth and it could not have been pretty.

This is probably a little like the treat they got to feast their eyes on...except bent over.

Sexy, huh?

(photo courtesy of UtahPlasticBreastSurgery.com)

Let’s just say I have experienced mortification. I finally learned the lesson my parents always tried to teach me. Don’t change in front of your window!

Handbag Fever

I felt like giving my (lack of) sewing skills another chance

and decided to whip up this cute little baby.

She's reversible too!

Here is the cute and simple Heather Bailey pattern I used.

Spring is Here!

My poor neglected blog. Between my kiddos, taking a music class, teaching voice lessons, being the primary chorister and EVERYTHING else, my blog has had to go on the back burner.

Life has been great! I've missed reading so many friends blogs, so I'm excited to start catching up!

We are so happy that the sun has come out and started to warm up our frosty valley. Here are some pictures of our blossoming spring from the backyard.

What does spring look like in your neck of the woods?

Adam Lambert on American Idol

I have to say, Adam was uuuuh-mazing last night! I absolutely loved his cleaned up style. He looked so great and his interpretation of Smokey Robinson's "The Tracks of my Tears" was breathtaking. My husband will vouch I am not a repeat girl (unlike him), but I could listen to that all day. Smokey is such an amazing artist. I loved that he gave Adam a standing ovation. I am a proud Adam fan!

Here's his look from last night...

(photo from American Idol)

And here is usual goth rocker look....

(photo from American Idol)

As for his version of "Ring of Fire" last week, I really liked it. It was very different from the original no doubt, but it was a very cool rendition that I seem to appreciate the more I listen to it. He absolutely stayed true to his artistic style and that is what a great artist does.

With his crazy range and raw natural talent, he emits the confidence and professionalism an American Idol should have. He takes risks and that is the only way to win the great payout.

Much Needed Vacation

This past weekend we were lucky enough to take a break from the stresses of our life and head out of town. Since Lance is in school every semester his only breaks from school are Spring and Winter breaks and of course he still has work. He only had to take one day off of work though for a three day vacay.

We first stayed at our dear friends, Kimberly and Devon's house in Cedar City. They moved from San Diego a little while after we did. They lived across the street from us in San Diego and my husband would literally just pop over to their house so much, to hang out with Devon, they started calling him Kramer (from Seinfeld). Kimberly has always been such a great friend. We never run out of things to talk about. It was soooo good to hang out and talk for as long as we wanted without being interupted by our kid's bedtime. We have missed them so much since we moved. Our kids had a blast with theirs. Gavin keeps asking to play with them.

We drove to Vegas the next day and just had a fun time seeing the sights and soaking in the sun.