BLAHgging

Yeah, it's true. I've got the blogging blahs. I have so much wisdom to impart, so many beautiful pictures to post, and lots of inspirational anecdotes to share. There's just this little thing called 'LAZY' that is getting in my way. So instead I'm throwing you a few bare bones for you to gnaw on until I get off my duff and feed you more (at least I can provide you with some great imagery!)

So Noelle had her 4th Birthday. We threw her a Dora party. Love this age because the games are simple, no decorations required and due to some food allergies of a guest the refreshments got to be simple as well!

 We went to ColdStone on Noelle's Birthday because we were just looking for a special occasion to use a gift card we had. Syd obviously enjoyed her cone.

 Noelle got some LEGOs for her big day. Her brothers were so jealous.

In other news, a few bros, nephews, a SIL and I hiked Mt. Timp. As you can see in the picture the moon was still up when we started. It was a beautiful fall day and an awesome hike. And the mountain goats at the top were the cutest things EVER. If you know me in real life you know that I use the word cute sparingly. So that should tell you how dang cute those goats were.  And the hike was really good for your buns. Just ask mine.

There was a school carnival in the midst of all this stuff. Ethan is the only kid who will allow his face to be painted. You might think it's a rose, but it's really a fire breathing dragon. Stood in line for over an a hour for that baby.......

We went on a family hike to Stewart Falls. Sadly the funnest part of the hike for the kids was the beginning where they could play on this amphitheater. Noelle's legs stopped working at some point on the hike and Syd thought the hiking backpack was not nearly as fun as being embraced by her mama the whole time. So Hub and I got an excellent workout.

 We capped last weekend off with a dinner and farewell to my parents who are going on a mission to Boston. It is very important that we visit them often to get our fix of entertainment, food and babysitting so we will be accepting donations to help send us there. Thank you in advance.

And that's all she wrote.

Back to normal

I've given myself some time from that last blog post to acclimate to being boy-less during the school hours. And I have to admit that it ain't so bad. Just me and the girls are here chillin' for 6 hours everyday. Let's include naptime and maybe this isn't such a bad thing......On the other hand, once 3:30 hits all those peaceful bits of the day become distant memories as the kitchen is torn apart in hopes of finding better snacks. Then there are the backpacks and lunch bags that seem to have bred overnight and seem to never quite make it to their designated homes. And there is no great place for the homework folders and info sheets and just random papers that seem to be sent home. Good thing we have a recycling box. Then we must also throw in an after-school meltdown. Or two. Or three.
And then there are the soccer games. All the boys are playing this year which can be quite the challenge logistically. But we made a spreadsheet to show which game Hub and I would attend  so each child feels equally loved. Just kidding. Mitch doesn't really care if anybody watches him since he's more into playing keep away with the ball and Hub is Ethan's coach so that leaves Isaac. And the girls get to play in the dirt. Fun evenings all around.
So yeah. Those peaceful hours of just me and my girlies doing girly things---Bring 'em on. I need me some peace.

ME SO BLUE

Remember all those days this summer when they were driving me nuts? And they made the house a lot messier? And we actually had to start turning the dishwasher on EVERYDAY? And they fought over LEGOs, movies, who gassed (my kids new word for flatulence---and I admit I love it!), what to have for snack and anything else they could think of? And I would make all my empty threats and finish off with, "I can't wait for school to start!!"

Well, I didn't really mean it. Insert frowny face here.

See, even Syd is sad they're going to be gone all day being socialized by people not nearly as qualified for the job as their mother. In my next life I'm going to home school....

A boy's best friend

Our neighbors went on vacation. And while away they asked us to take care of their dog, *Skip. (Being as I don't have their permission to post about their dog I feel I must change his/her name to protect his/her identity. I'm a responsible blogger that way). Anyhoo, it's been great for all involved. Skip stays in his yard (OK, yes, Skip is a male--this his/her stuff was going to drive me nuts) and keeps his bodily waste on his side of the fence while my boys get to play with him and take care of him and feel the love all boys should have for doggies.
As you can see in the above picture Ethan has a healthy respect for him. He prefers to admire Skip through a fence or at least 15 feet away. And Noelle knows that you need to always be out of jumping reach of animals. Here she is perched on our garbage while the boys and Skip were in the garage waiting out a thunderstorm.

But alas, this fun 'chore' has come with some follow up begging of "When are we going to get a dog of our own?"   And I have to realize that taking care of the neighbors' dog once a year isn't going to cut it.
Hub and I grew up with dogs and have very fond memories of them. But we both didn't grow up in suburbia like we do now. Our dogs had room to run and relieve themselves and bark away without many people even noticing.  So it's hard to transfer that childhood memory of doggy ownership into the reality of our current living situation. However, considering the amount of dogs in my neighborhood, it really must not be that hard.

Anyway, the idea is definitely on the table. And one day it may happen. But for now I am quite content with letting the neighbors go on vacation as much as they want so my boys can steal a little bit of Skip's love.

Killing Time

Syd is just showing off her future dreams of modeling......
Hub is gone again to commune with men in the woods. And some bad stuff happened like my cell phone coming into contact with water. And wonder of wonders, not working! And I tried to not have a tantrum about it, but I failed.  And then Ike threw a tantrum this morning because some of his new Space Mission LEGO pieces were missing. And every other child has also surpassed their quota on tantrums. But that just means we're tantrummed out, right? Or maybe we're just stocking up for a rainy day.
But for the Good News Minute---Ike had his 10th Birthday!

Isaac is so great with Sydney. If I had to hire a nanny I think I'd really just hire him. And since he's my kid and I think it's part of his responsibility to help out around home I wouldn't even  have to pay him! See how I just got a free nanny?
Having a ten-year-old is nuts because I look like I'm only 18, but what can I do? He celebrated by seeing  The Sorcerer's Apprentice, had a sleepover, ate apple crisp, Alfredo and pizza (not in that order). And he got some new books, clothes and LEGOs. He's easy to please.
Now we're off to kill some time at a rockin' new splash pad. Good thing I don't own a cell phone anymore because it'd probably get wet.....

....and the kitchen sink. Again.

The above is just a sampling of some of our summer fun. You name it, we've done it. (OK, not really. But somedays I feel that way) I would blog more about it so you can be super jealous of our fun-ness, but then that would mean I'm home. And when I'm home there is just way too much noise and mess and sunblock to apply and forty loads of laundry to do. And let's just be real--I'd rather use my computer time to read your blogs than to upload 300 pictures to mine. L-A-Z-Y is my middle name, I know.
We survived Lake Powell, a night of camping at my fam reunion (the first time all of us have been in the same tent and a lesson learned to never do that again), a baptism, lots of swimming time, park time, family time, friend time, hiking, rock climbing, viewing Toy Story 3 for me and the boys, viewing Eclipse with my sisters, and other stuff that I can't remember or didn't take pictures of. I hope you feel updated. Because that's all you're going to get!

Lo and Behold

We're so proud of Syd's new climbing skills. It keeps us all alert to know that whenever we turn around she's in a dangerous place.

Father's Day was fun. How can you not love being a dad when you have two older boys who pose for pictures like this?

We like to tour  BYU with my dad around Father's Day since he was Employee of the Month there for 39 years. (does that lie even make sense? Maybe Employee of the Year would have worked better....) See how he's yelling like the screaming toddler he's holding? You know you're a good dad when you  can emote with the wee ones.

And lastly...it's the time of year we try on the life jackets to make sure they still fit for the upcoming trip to Lake Powell. For some reason this is a blast. And we'll wear the life jackets around all day. Don't believe me? Keep looking.....

You never know when a tsunami will hit while practicing the piano!

JOB POSTING

    Nearly a month into our summer vacation! For the most part we're loving it. Most days feel too busy but there have been a few days where I feel like we're scrounging around for something fun to do and praying for the return of Wipeout to TV. Sadly, I'd love to share the memorable times with you all but I noticed a definite lack of worthy photos in my album.  So this is what we need------


WANTED : Family photographer/videographer. Willing to work without pay and be available at all times.  Has to take great action photos. Bonus if you can get face shots. Preferably over the age of 10.  Also great if you can photoshop normal smiles for my boys. And give me a nicer hairdo.


     This would solve many a problem. For example, Mitch had a very fun food fight Birthday party. It was very hard to take photos, video and hand out Jello-Jigglers to throw all at the same time.
      Ethan has had so much fun at tee-ball. Hopefully he'll remember the good times because nobody is taking pictures. Hub is too busy trying to keep Syd off the field while I'm coaching. Then there are Ike's track meets, Mitch's games, swimming parties, park days, tender outside moments with the girls....
      And when we do take pictures? They turn out crappy. Sorry to use harsh language.
So please apply.
Meanwhile here are a few samples of  what we have......

Can't Compete

So we were at the library today and I was trying to check out my contraband (3 books over the family  max of 25!) when Noelle says wistfully, "I wish she was our mom." I whip my head around to see who she could be talking about. Definitely wasn't the older grouchy librarian....not the balding man....that left the chick who looked maybe 19, in a bright floral halter dress, bright red lipstick and black curly hair. Yep. Noelle was staring right at her. It wasn't like she was doing anything fun in the library like creating balloon animals or ribbon dancing. She was just standing in line for the computers. That made Noelle's judgement rely solely on physical appearance. And apparently mine doesn't measure up. Not enough lipstick? (or any?) Must I dress up to go to the library?  My shallow 3-year-old wants to trade me in for a younger, more vibrant version. As long as Hub doesn't feel the same way, I can live with that. (happy 12th anniversary to us tomorrow!)