tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71415943239222514372024-02-19T01:34:50.363-08:00The Humphrey 6Philliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00965495097479257766noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-70071659836546547692012-05-04T07:34:00.021-07:002012-05-04T09:58:39.083-07:00I'm Going There SomedayHey friends! Thought I'd ride this blogger ride while it's still rolling. :)<br /><div style="text-align: left;">My family and I were lucky enough to travel down to the 'ol KC to visit my sister and her family and tour the Kansas City Temple during it's open house last weekend. The Church extended the touring dates for another week because of the outpouring of interest from the community and boy were we glad they had. It gave us the opportunity to not only see it's beauty and share it with my children, but to visit my family...bonus, my littlest brother Mack, even drove up from Stilly and were lucky enough to have him visit with us, too!!<br />We started off our weekend fun w/ a trip to the marble shop. They showed us how marbles are handmade. I found it quite interesting. There is a lot of technique and skill that goes into making a little round ball. I loved seeing the little blown glass sculptures in the display cases. They had handmade flowers inside a marble that amazed me. The flowers were so beautiful and real looking I had to ask if they were glass or the real thing preserved in glass. Amazing. While I was riveted in the whole process the rest of my family was higher up on the bleachers knocking things off the wall while wiggling around. Sufficed to say as much as I was enjoying the whole marble process they were equally busy trying to figure out how to "blow this joint". (we had to share a rather small and stuffy room w/ a. lot. of other people on the tour. They were on a field trip and we just caught it at the wrong time, so I figure the hot room and over-abundance of people took away a lot of the kids' attention) The kids were a bit more pleased when we allowed them to each choose a tube of hand-picked marbles (by them). Ella even chose to bring them to school for show-and-tell this past week. After our marble-capade we decided to catch a "free" dinner at a Burns and Mac public event. But wait!! Before we started the drive to the stadium for the event Spence pulled a "u-ee" (how do you even spell that?) into Sonic. I was so surprised I thought for sure we were there just for a potty break...but nope (and it wasn't even happy-hour) it was for a fun treat just because we deprived people of Northwest Indiana aren't graced w/ a Sonic. I know, cruel and unusual. After our drink orders were in the car, we were on our way. The whole Lifferth and Humphrey clan were dressed for a fairly warm day I realized on the way to the Burns and Mac event, and I started putting two-and-two together as we were driving the even as I saw the temp gauge in our car reading a chilly 60 something. I started to figure we might be on the chilly side. Things started really solidifying in my mind when I saw people walking w/ gale force winds towards the stadium all bundled up. When we parked and got out of the car we realized the wind <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> blowing really hard (harder than it was earlier) and it was really chilly. We decided to brave the wind and temps in our shorts and flimsy jackets because the siren call of a free dinner and Bouncy Houses was just. too. strong. We made our way down Little Everest (slightly kidding here...but not really. The hill was gi.nor.mous. and there was <span style="font-style: italic;">such</span> a wind draft it was hard to stay on your feet. Naturally I'm in way-too-tall sandals trying to navigate it and my bad influence rubbed off on Whitney while she was tottering down also in my other way-too-tall sandals. Things were slightly dicey there for a while). After we got into the stadium parking lot (where the tents and event was set up) we hoped the wind would calm down, therefore letting it feel warmer (it did. not. feel like even close to 60 w/ the wind wailing). Not so. We navigated the parking lot all the while Georgia is crying because she is so cold, so we wrapped her up in a blanket and carried her until we found the Burns and Mac tent. We were lucky enough to find some yummy BBQ (another delicacy when you come from the North...it's something they just don't do up here...now pizza and hot dogs, that's another story...). We were all quite excited for our free dinner...after all, that was the siren call we were answering, right? The kids were all pretty happy because of the sidewalk chalk area and entertained themselves despite the chill and wind for quite awhile coloring. Cooper even took up advertising for Burns and Mac by designing a huge chalk sign on the pavement for them...an employee in the next 10 years?? Quite possibly. ;) Overall anything is fun and pretty bearable when you're accompanied by some of the best people in the world, but as we were walking away (sans jumping in the Bouncy Houses, it was just too cold) Phillip and I agreed there is never really a free meal.<br />The next day we were all excited to get up and go to the Kansas City temple open house. We were really bustling around to get out of there. (E.T.D. was supposed to be 9:00, we got out of there at 9:25-ish, but who's really counting besides *cough*, *cough* Spence. ;) Around 8:30 though, Ella comes to me throwing up. This is really upsetting people that little girl has been <span style="font-style: italic;">superexcited</span> to visit the temple. She had been talking about it for weeks and now here she was sick on the Big Day. Phillip took her aside and asked her if she wanted to say and prayer asking Heavenly Father to bless her to feel well enough to go to the temple. She said she did and they said a sweet, little prayer. We decided to take everyone despite Ella still feeling unwell as we walked out the door. Miraculously, on the way to the temple Ella acted just fine, and then while we waited in line on temple grounds for the tour she was great and perfectly well the whole time we were on the tour. Truly the answer of a small and simple prayer by a child of Heavenly Father's. While on the tour it was so much having my small children be able to see where Mommy and Daddy are able to go when we "go to the temple". The Kansas City temple is beautiful, a work of art, really. It was a blessing to be able to visit. On the tour Grey caught sight of a <span style="font-style: italic;">golden</span> drinking fountain. Phillip hurried him along as Grey was requesting a drink. Phillip thought that Grey was just thirsty and knew we would be getting a drink soon and didn't want to hold things up, so he didn't let Grey have a drink. Little did either Phillip or I realize that Grey wanted a drink from a <span style="font-style: italic;">golden</span> water fountain and is still talking about his lost opportunity...poor boy. So, let this be a lesson to you small bear, let your little ones take a drink from a golden drinking fountain. It mean a lot to little seven year old boys.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSTR2GUjFXE/T6Psq90UnDI/AAAAAAAABbI/J7hGelOBPtY/s1600/IMG_3443.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSTR2GUjFXE/T6Psq90UnDI/AAAAAAAABbI/J7hGelOBPtY/s400/IMG_3443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738690573092822066" border="0" /></a>My cute boys hanging out in front of the fountain at the Kansas City temple.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bqDsnLCBvPo/T6Ps67bzrEI/AAAAAAAABbg/FrET1kD7hvs/s1600/IMG_3445.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bqDsnLCBvPo/T6Ps67bzrEI/AAAAAAAABbg/FrET1kD7hvs/s400/IMG_3445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738690847331036226" border="0" /></a>The proverbial "girly" picture....but hey we love 'em and we're gonna keep 'em coming!!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bqDsnLCBvPo/T6Ps67bzrEI/AAAAAAAABbg/FrET1kD7hvs/s1600/IMG_3445.JPG"> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4YeuLj6m-o/T6PszQ114NI/AAAAAAAABbU/Sq_ojiXvzJw/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4YeuLj6m-o/T6PszQ114NI/AAAAAAAABbU/Sq_ojiXvzJw/s400/IMG_3444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738690715638423762" border="0" /></a>I hesitated putting this picture up because my daughter looks, *ehem* "special", but Scarli looks so darn cute and I thought she might need a boost of self confidence after this post.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4YeuLj6m-o/T6PszQ114NI/AAAAAAAABbU/Sq_ojiXvzJw/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG">http://semihipmom.blogspot.com/2012/04/sex-in-city.html<br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-UyZqPDGA4/T6Ptdxe3XZI/AAAAAAAABcE/gehCiJOjl5s/s1600/IMG_3454.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-UyZqPDGA4/T6Ptdxe3XZI/AAAAAAAABcE/gehCiJOjl5s/s400/IMG_3454.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738691445954928018" border="0" /></a>I do not indeedy like this family picture...but at least it's documented we're all together...<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-APnjevYrK44/T6P47k-R7WI/AAAAAAAABcU/Ho5XyfuHm9M/s1600/IMG_3459.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-APnjevYrK44/T6P47k-R7WI/AAAAAAAABcU/Ho5XyfuHm9M/s400/IMG_3459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738704052621012322" border="0" /></a>Me and my <span style="font-style: italic;">beautiful</span> neice, Georgia<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUxP8cXpZek/T6P84XAqeOI/AAAAAAAABdI/K0Nb4QEQmio/s1600/IMG_3458.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUxP8cXpZek/T6P84XAqeOI/AAAAAAAABdI/K0Nb4QEQmio/s400/IMG_3458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738708395379816674" border="0" /></a>How cute are my siblings?!!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FzaQx1epZo0/T6P5Eu_-YAI/AAAAAAAABcg/BXqnS70moYk/s1600/IMG_3463.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FzaQx1epZo0/T6P5Eu_-YAI/AAAAAAAABcg/BXqnS70moYk/s400/IMG_3463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738704209931296770" border="0" /></a>Again, how beautiful is my sister?!! Aww, love Ezzie. He is so cute and are his eyes closed...ohhh, who cares.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fd6l-01eigc/T6P5cO8J-II/AAAAAAAABc4/jhyzmuaYic8/s1600/IMG_3465.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fd6l-01eigc/T6P5cO8J-II/AAAAAAAABc4/jhyzmuaYic8/s400/IMG_3465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738704613642205314" border="0" /></a>Some of my favorite people in the whole wide world and aren't they just the prettiest girls?!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well, that about wraps it up. Oh, I did want to mention Ella did spread her germs, I mean love, to all the family and we felt it's loving arms grip the boys Saturday afternoon and Phillip and I felt it's strangling embrace on the 9+ hour drive home Sunday and then Monday. It was l.o.v.e.l.y.<br />Enough of that...if you made it though this long-winded post gold star for YOU!!<br /></div></div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-35357427862236165092012-04-26T07:53:00.000-07:002012-04-26T10:59:26.944-07:00This is for you Dad<br />
**major Easter catch-up** lots of pics and it's pretty wordy... just don't say I didn't warn 'ya ;) <br />
Ay, caramba!!! I can't believe it's been soo long since I've posted. What a slacker!! Instead of posting the usual excuses like being too busy,<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(but I have!!)</span> I'll admit that I've become an avid Pinterest junkie. If you haven't checked it out yet, do it...and then let me know and I'll follow you and feed my addiction a bit more. ;) I made a promise to my dear 'ol dad this Easter that I would post soon. I know this isn't soon enough...but we won't go into that. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elle-Bell showing off her pretty butterfly </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miracles do exist...Ella sitting on E.B.'s lap</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We started our Easter weekend with a egg-stravaganza at the Fairgrounds with a community egg hunt and activities. Ella had the most fun with the activities, I believe. She got her faced painted and actually <i>sat</i> on the <i>Easter Bunny's lap</i> for a picture. Most of you might think, "Sure, what child wouldn't want a fun opportunity like that?!". Well friend, let me share, not my daughter. You could've nearly knocked me over with a feather when I asked her if she wanted to get a picture with the Easter Bunny and she said yes. I naturally had to press my luck and ask the boys if they would have a group pic with the furry friend. They naturally declined. Greyson is like Ella when it comes to furry strangers and Cooper was quite preoccupied with not appearing too "babyish", especially when he spied one of his frienemies from school. Don't know what a frienemy is...go ask a teenage girl (they're especially good at it). When it finally came time for the actual egg hunts we were prepared. We learned from last year to make sure you get a good enough starting spot, then we determined the best way to get the maximum amount of eggs was to stay in one spot and just load up your basket. When we unloaded all of the loot the kids were a bit disappointed with the loads of Tootsie Rolls Ella brought in. Greyson turned the tables back in our favor with <i>gobs</i> of free kid's meal coupons. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(he must of hit a coupon filled egg pile to load up on) </span>Our above theories are not an exact science. Then, Cooper brought it home with a good mixture of candy, coupons and the lucky egg. There were two eggs per age group that were "lucky" and you could go and pick up a filled Easter basket if you found one. Cooper was lucky enough to find one of the two. Lucky day, for sure. He was thrilled and was even able to show his frienemy the loot. Very cool in the fourth grade dept.<br />
The kids were excited to come home that evening and decorate eggs in preparation for Easter Sunday.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVKn1EuAoJY/T5a78E8WA7I/AAAAAAAABXA/2H9KuOlNAFQ/s1600/IMG_3400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVKn1EuAoJY/T5a78E8WA7I/AAAAAAAABXA/2H9KuOlNAFQ/s320/IMG_3400.JPG" width="212" /></a>When they woke up the next morning we found that the East Bunny left them too much candy this year. I really don't know what he was thinking. We're still trying to dig out from under it. After church Phillip and I took the kids to a botanical garden that they have in town. It's really beautiful and so much fun to drive by. I promised, <i>promised</i> the kids that I would only take a couple of shots of each of them and leave it at that. If you know me, and my kids surely do, taking pictures is like the saying "after one, you just can't stop". I managed, although difficult, to hold up my end of the deal. In return they were excellent when it was their turn to take pictures. Here are a few of the shots that I got. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_l3jVUNidAw/T5gOkCEtsJI/AAAAAAAABXg/YzXuik7ndtM/s1600/IMG_3402.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_l3jVUNidAw/T5gOkCEtsJI/AAAAAAAABXg/YzXuik7ndtM/s320/IMG_3402.JPG" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures of me are like getting a picture of Big Foot. I'm not sure they exist all that often. In my family, if I want a picture of myself I actually have to ask Phillip to take it. How embarrassing is that? If I want our family history documented at all on camera I have to be the one to do it. Poor, poor Phillip doesn't even consider taking the camera to things...or even events like, ohhhh Christmas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phillip took this pic w/o me knowing. He thought it was cute I was doing the "Mommy thing" getting Ella's hair ready. I thought it was pretty cute Ella was smiling...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All three kiddos. Ahhh, I love those kids. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_rWSQo92-cs/T5lXm-z4XqI/AAAAAAAABZc/ISZWI5OPqVs/s1600/IMG_3434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_rWSQo92-cs/T5lXm-z4XqI/AAAAAAAABZc/ISZWI5OPqVs/s320/IMG_3434.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QVDWxcm5VSI/T5gySq7bJBI/AAAAAAAABZI/vPP687HtVJI/s1600/IMG_3433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QVDWxcm5VSI/T5gySq7bJBI/AAAAAAAABZI/vPP687HtVJI/s320/IMG_3433.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpQPE7F0Ax4/T5gx-k6oaSI/AAAAAAAABZA/JKmRJgKxZvs/s1600/IMG_3430.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpQPE7F0Ax4/T5gx-k6oaSI/AAAAAAAABZA/JKmRJgKxZvs/s320/IMG_3430.JPG" /></a>After we got the kiddos pic's shot we went home. The Easter Bunny surprised the kids by hiding the Easter eggs outside for the first time...ever. Phillip and I were making dinner when the Easter Bunny made his untimely appearance. We were trying to get Easter dinner on the table, but the kids wanted to go search out the eggs...pronto. I was afraid if we went outside and looked for eggs the rolls would burn, etc. So, we waited much to my kids' chagrin. They were <i>extremely </i>concerned about our mini schnauzer, Henry, eating the eggs. I saw that there were eggs on the patio and saw the Henry was paying them no mind, so I told the kids that probably Henry didn't even realize that they were there. I should've listen to my kids. When the time came to find the eggs, we realized that there weren't that many to find. Eggs that should've been in places weren't there. I looked on the patio where I had originally seen eggs and they were nowhere to be found. We started investigating things a bit further to see egg shells where eggs<i> used </i>to be.<i> </i>Sure enough, Henry had, we figured, ate 6-8 hard boiled Easter eggs. No good. The kids were pretty upset with their nay-saying mother. I was pretty irritated at the dog.<br />
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Ella, in the above picture, is giving it to Henry for eating our Easter eggs. I can tell he's <i>real</i> concerned about it. Well, that about wraps up our Easter festivities. Oh, one more thing before I go... This year we weren't able to be with family for Easter. Sad. We really missed our family. But...we figured some of our traditions had to go on whether or not we were with our own little family or with all of our extended family. So, Phillip and I tried to make all the family favorites for Easter dinner. You know, ham, rolls, twice baked potatoes, I even made Phillip's very favorite pie <span style="font-size: x-small;">(which happened to look a little like brain matter.... word to the wise, don't try to make something that is naturally yellow turn pink--it doesn't work).</span> You know what happened?? Phillip and I worked like crazy people for a couple hours at least, making this "feast". We sat down, my kids picked at a couple of things and asked to go. Seriously?!! Phillip and I just looked at each other across the table in astonishment. Honestly, if we really thought about it...what did we think was going to happen?? Our kids would want to sit for an extended amount of time, witty chatter abounding all the while gracing Phillip and me with their compliments and thanks for all the hard work that went into making the holiday it was?? Uhhhh, nope. At least not my kids. Maybe we'll have better luck next year...or more realistically in about 10-15 years.<br />
I hope you all had a blessed Easter holiday. Here's to hopin' I'll have another post soon...right, Dad?? ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-40951620481291684442011-09-20T07:53:00.000-07:002011-09-20T12:41:35.153-07:00First Days and "Bes-shoes"So, have I postponed the inevitable long enough?? Finally a <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> blog post.<br />Today was Ella's first day of school and boy, was she excited!! She has been looking forward to this for oh....ever. She has been wanting to go to school with the boys since she understood where they were going. Finally the day came when I signed her up for school. Not only, to her pure delight, was this school somewhere he goes to learn her "abc's" and numbers, but she is going to a <span style="font-style: italic;">dance</span> preschool. That's right folks, a preschool where she gets to take dance (ballet and tap) on the two days she attends. That put right over the moon. The day we went to sign her up we purchased her ballet and tap shoes. Those ballet shoes have already been broken-in in the month plus since the blessed day we bought them. She wears them to "practice her ballet skills" and to play dress-up. Maybe I shouldn't have been so lax in their non-dance use (she never wore them outside, though. I do have <span style="font-style: italic;">some</span> standards ;) but the girl was so darn excited I couldn't say no. I do have to admit, that we did have a "where is the <span style="font-style: italic;">other</span> ballet shoe??" incident that lasted about a week. To say that Phillip might have to buy another pair of leather ballet shoes that would put him back about seventeen dollars put a fire under him a bit was an understatement. ;) Don't fret too much, though. They were recovered and safely snuggled in her backpack today. When Phillip and I dropped her off today she was wearing the ballet shoes (she has ballet Tues. first thing), her knee socks (l.o.v.e. her splurge knee socks) and biting her nails. Some of the over-exuberance of the last few days had worn off when she saw Mom and Dad walking away and I think it hit her Momma's not going to actually <span style="font-style: italic;">stay</span> during school put a bit of a damper on the prospect of school...but not enough for her to not stay. Whew! Also, what Humphrey kid wouldn't be complete with their fingers in their mouth biting their nails on the first day? None of mine.<br />Onto the goodies...the pictures...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1uoV56_3ElA/Tni3psQcLsI/AAAAAAAABWI/ugnOgh8og64/s1600/IMG_2928.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1uoV56_3ElA/Tni3psQcLsI/AAAAAAAABWI/ugnOgh8og64/s320/IMG_2928.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654471259046293186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eiZ0P5pfG-0/Tni3PLlPnVI/AAAAAAAABWA/M5UALJSORSs/s1600/IMG_2931.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eiZ0P5pfG-0/Tni3PLlPnVI/AAAAAAAABWA/M5UALJSORSs/s320/IMG_2931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654470803598581074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JeAetIdY0Qw/Tni4SByLHiI/AAAAAAAABWY/sEWdJytfKPQ/s1600/IMG_2933.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JeAetIdY0Qw/Tni4SByLHiI/AAAAAAAABWY/sEWdJytfKPQ/s320/IMG_2933.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654471952019693090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qDw1hMqNB0E/Tni2YLfq4BI/AAAAAAAABV4/_Jd8UkvjMiU/s1600/IMG_2934.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qDw1hMqNB0E/Tni2YLfq4BI/AAAAAAAABV4/_Jd8UkvjMiU/s320/IMG_2934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654469858682396690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPWZ1fIXgr4/Tni1DgkFFrI/AAAAAAAABVg/3-4W3hYnaEU/s1600/IMG_2937.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPWZ1fIXgr4/Tni1DgkFFrI/AAAAAAAABVg/3-4W3hYnaEU/s320/IMG_2937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654468404049155762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64lMjb4TE2A/Tni1WyOtccI/AAAAAAAABVo/jtX8qoqoMEQ/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64lMjb4TE2A/Tni1WyOtccI/AAAAAAAABVo/jtX8qoqoMEQ/s320/IMG_2935.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654468735208878530" border="0" /></a>As for the boys, I couldn't leave them out, could I?? Nope. I will at least document their first day with pictures. It's been nearly a month and things seem to be going well. Greyson was pleased that his best friend from church is in his class and Cooper is digging right into school activities. He was chosen to be a member of the student council (by secret ballot; the students vote on the essay they like best and voi-lah a member of student council is born) and also attending choir. Both of those activities are before school, so he is foregoing his free-time for pretty worthwhile actvities. Bravo, Cooper...and, I guess bravo to all my kids who faced their first-day jitters and are digging right in.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTbyWu1sxmU/Tni447ChnzI/AAAAAAAABWo/znuaTIRHssc/s1600/IMG_2777.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTbyWu1sxmU/Tni447ChnzI/AAAAAAAABWo/znuaTIRHssc/s320/IMG_2777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654472620224126770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e50nNAVz5Bg/Tni4oXkREDI/AAAAAAAABWg/oV14rc1xlmM/s1600/IMG_2775.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e50nNAVz5Bg/Tni4oXkREDI/AAAAAAAABWg/oV14rc1xlmM/s320/IMG_2775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654472335824064562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CpCknt2TmM/Tni5OPRNl6I/AAAAAAAABWw/iQMpPZ39iew/s1600/IMG_2778.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CpCknt2TmM/Tni5OPRNl6I/AAAAAAAABWw/iQMpPZ39iew/s320/IMG_2778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654472986431690658" border="0" /></a>Not sure why my pictures outside are looking so over exposed. Hmmm....sorry.<br />Now,you might have wondered if I have a major spelling problem when I wrote bes-shoes...and well, I might, but not this time. Over the last few days Ella has been sneezing off and on. There are horrible allergens here and it seems all my kiddos have outdoor allergies. Anyway, a few of the times after she sneezes she had been saying, "well, I guess I still have the bes-shoes". Usually I have been busy doing this or that and just absently say, "uh-huh". the last cou0ple of times I stopped and asked, "you have the <span style="font-style: italic;">bes-shoes</span>??" enunciating very clearly to make sure I was hearing her correctly. She would say yes and be on her merry way. Last night just before her bath she said it again. I again asked if she was indeed saying that she, "still has the bes-shoes". Again she said yes. I sat there for a minute and tried to figure out what in the world she was saying. Finally, it dawned on me what she was saying. She was saying, but not correctly, that she has the Bless You's. She had been calling her sneezes "bless you's". I guess she had been told "bless you!" after she had sneezed and thought that's what they were called, as well as sneezes. I know that she knows what sneezes are because right before I figured it out she said she had the sneezes and bes-shoes. I got a kick out of it. Such a silly girl and a true blessing in my life.<br />Well, that wraps it up...just in time for me to pick up my youngest from school. Hope you enjoyed. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-17186509463417934162011-09-14T14:19:00.000-07:002011-09-14T14:31:05.804-07:00Thank YouI wanted to post a public "thank you". I was having a particularly difficult day yesterday and in a fit of frustration I wrote a blog post. I raised some questions that were mostly of a gospel nature. I re-thought about posting the post because I recognized that my questions, although valid, were mostly driven out of frustration and if I went to the scriptures and loved ones I could find answers, or at least feel that things would be alright. During the small time the post was up I had some people comment, through one way or another, to the post. They have helped me feel validated, loved and truly answered some of my questions in ways I hadn't even thought about. Over the last 24 hours I can truly say that I know that my Heavenly Father is aware of me and is watching over me. He has sent his love through special angels on earth to help comfort me and direct me. Thank you to those who have felt compelled to share their love or answer my questions. I can only hope that I can return the favor to someone who is struggling and be our Father's messenger.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-44470799075640910712011-06-28T09:15:00.000-07:002011-06-28T10:28:34.180-07:00Sunburns, Greyson, and my Heavenly FatherFirst of all for those of you hoping to hear some of my sweet wife's humor and elegant prose you may be disappointed to find out that this is not Stephanie, it is Phillip. I have become a silent partner in the world of blogging. Many of you may not realize but it was me who created and built the original "thehumphrey5" blog. However I do realize that it is Stephanie who has built it into a place where people want to come and hang out.<br /><br />Much like the prophets of old (not that I am even remotely comparing myself to a prophet) were compelled to write their experiences, I too have felt inclined to post some of my thoughts and experiences the past few days.<br /><br />Last Saturday, we were fortunate to have been invited to go with some friends to the lake. Thank you Thomas, Tanner, and Sorenson families for such a great time. As can often be the case when you spend the entire day boating, swimming, and tubing many of us returned home with sunburns. Yes, we tried to be responsible parents and each of our kids started with a nice slathering of SPF50 sunblock (except for Steph who is trying to get skin cancer, I mean "Tan"). Needless to say it did not protect us all day and we were too enthralled in fun to remember to reapply. Greyson got the worst of it. By the time we got home he was lobster red and in a lot a pain. We tried everything we could think of to help him feel better including Tylenol and aloe. <br /><br />Sunday arrived and Greyson could hardly move his arms to get a shirt on so we kept him home from Church. He stayed half naked all day till we had to go back to church for a fireside I was helping with. We got a shirt on him and headed to the church, dropped him off with the babysitter in the primary room and went to the fireside. When we returned an hour later the sitter told us that a blister had popped and that she had put some gauze on. Shortly after another blister popped, then another and another. By the time we got home he had four blisters, three about silver dollar size and a fourth the size of a quarter that had popped and exposed the tender skin underneath. He was in even more pain and there was nothing we could do to help. Everything we did seemed to sting and burn. Only Tylenol seemed to give him any relief. I gave him a priesthood blessing and then he went to bed. Sleep was not easy that night as Steph tried to find a comfortable sleeping spot for him. It was very emotionally hard to see your son in so much pain with nothing you can do to help.<br /><br />Monday we called the doctor to find out if there was anything we could do to ease his pain and insure that the blisters were correctly treated. Eight hours later it took the doctors office thirty seconds to tell us to treat it with Aloe. Needless to say, I was not very happy with them. Again we were headed for what looked to be a long night. About 11:30 I sent Steph to sleep in Greyson's bed (he was in ours) and I would care for him. He slept till about 12:30 and woke up crying in pain. I found myself ready to cry for him as well. It is very hard to sit next to your child in pain and find yourself helpless to do anything. He again fell asleep, but I did not. I found myself driven to my knees pleading to my Heavenly Father for my son. My heart and mind were opened to a realization that my Heavenly Father understood how I was feeling. He too watched his son suffer pain and agony and there was nothing that he could do. He understood that it was necessary for our salvation to allow our Savior to suffer unimaginable pain so that all his children would be able to return clean and pure to live in his presence. As I cried and pleaded to my Heavenly Father for a small miracle I felt reassured that he too loved Greyson and did not want to see him suffer. I arose from my prayer and noticed Grey sleeping on his shoulder, something he could not do earlier in the evening. We awoke one more time that evening about 3:30 took some more Tylenol, repositioned and fell right to sleep. <br /><br />I awoke this morning about 8:00 to sound a laughter and playing. I went to the living room to find all three kids making a town for their Build-a-Bears out of boxes. Greyson looked like he was a new boy. Every once in a while you could see that maybe he bumped something that hurt but kept playing with only a wince. Prior to this he would scream and cry in pain at the slightest touch. I know that he was blessed and I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who hears my prayers, loves me, and teaches me. As painful as this sunburn has been for Greyson and emotionally difficult it has been for me and Steph, we only experienced a small portion of what our Savior, Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father did. I am grateful to him for the sacrifice of his son, and eternally grateful to my Savior. <br /><br />To all those that read this whole post, thank you for listening, and I promise that I will have Stephanie post something a little more light hearted and fun next time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-3865585688767279472011-06-22T09:26:00.000-07:002011-06-22T09:26:57.258-07:00Brownies to Rwanda: Hand Stamped Jewelry Giveaway!!!!!I found this super-fun giveaway!! Thought I would share! :)<br />Good luck!<br /><br /><a href="http://browniestorwanda.blogspot.com/2011/06/hand-stamped-jewelry-giveaway.html?spref=bl">Brownies to Rwanda: Hand Stamped Jewelry Giveaway!!!!!</a>: "well, all you etc jewelry lovers, we are having another giveaway starting today and ending on saturday, june 25th at midnight pst. ."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-32085188331005238232011-06-09T17:50:00.000-07:002011-06-09T18:25:18.810-07:00GreysonSo. Today is my little man's seventh birthday. It seems odd that they keep on growing... I know that it shouldn't, and I suppose logically it doesn't. But, then sometimes I catch a glimpse of them, a moment in time, and it surprises me. I remember when I found out I was pregnant with Grey and I was so excited. I remember the first time I felt his tiny little body move inside of me. It was December 24th. Such a great present for an expectant momma. I remember the weeks leading up to his birth and then when he finally came and joined our family. I remember holding him for the first time and looking, inspecting really, all of his little teeny-tiny baby parts and being in awe that this new little person just entered the world. I remember feeling so excited to get to know this sweet little baby and what personality he would have. I remember wanting to know if he was laid back or a boisterous boy, what his favorite color is or what color of eyes he would have. I remember all of this so clearly, like it was yesterday. But it's not, it was seven years ago. Like I said...surprising. I guess the really fun thing about it is, is that I know all those things now. And, that's fantastic.<br />I know that Greyson loves, loves, loves orange. I mean everything orange. If he can eat, drink, wear, sleep on, hold, own, look at... you name it, he'll choose orange. He has some of the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. They are the color of his auburn hair. Who knew that people's eyes could match their hair so perfectly when their hair is such a unique color? I know that Greyson is <span style="font-style: italic;">such</span> a boisterous boy, but he also has a calm side when he's really working at something. He loves to organize and arrange things. This can be helpful... and not so much sometimes. But, as a mom I just realize that's one of the things that are uniquely Greyson. He is an excellant reader and student. He doesn't boast or brag about it. You probably wouldn't even know that he was, unless you were told or heard him read. He tries hard and generally excels at what he puts effort into. I love how Greyson is such a sweet, cuddly boy when he wants to. He still lets his mom give him hugs, and really appreciates them, in front of his friends. He is so kind to his little sister, Ella. He still talks to her in a sing-song voice. It isn't baby talk, he just is trying to be extra gentle with her. It makes my heart grow every time I see or hear him be kind to her. I love how Greyson is so passionate. If he gets something in his head, he is an all or nothing guy. I hope that he can strive for the right and be passionate for righteousness. Greyson is a die-hard Oklahoma State fan. His daddy loves it and couldn 't be prouder. He has the funniest sense of humor. He can make our family's frowns turn right side up. He is such a silly boy and loves, loves to have fun.<br />I am so grateful that Heavenly Father saw fit to send Greyson to me. My world would be so different without him. I love you, my birthday boy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6LYlBh1I9A/TfFwFEAZvuI/AAAAAAAABU4/T55WVFSu4Sc/s1600/DSC02506.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6LYlBh1I9A/TfFwFEAZvuI/AAAAAAAABU4/T55WVFSu4Sc/s320/DSC02506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616393442584805090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ddfnZgvz4CE/TfFwuQvw_YI/AAAAAAAABVA/GNqB1FZoibw/s1600/DSC02507.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ddfnZgvz4CE/TfFwuQvw_YI/AAAAAAAABVA/GNqB1FZoibw/s320/DSC02507.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616394150379322754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr4YzxA7zyQ/TfFxHsgU-RI/AAAAAAAABVI/XH8VVmo0XcQ/s1600/DSC02509.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr4YzxA7zyQ/TfFxHsgU-RI/AAAAAAAABVI/XH8VVmo0XcQ/s320/DSC02509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616394587327494418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFG9o9fuGUQ/TfFxq07AaAI/AAAAAAAABVQ/TyNHXDmeeT4/s1600/DSC02518.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFG9o9fuGUQ/TfFxq07AaAI/AAAAAAAABVQ/TyNHXDmeeT4/s320/DSC02518.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616395190882297858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_ZKfX_Og-4/TfFyOIEd2zI/AAAAAAAABVY/vRr4qXclZJw/s1600/DSC02524.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_ZKfX_Og-4/TfFyOIEd2zI/AAAAAAAABVY/vRr4qXclZJw/s320/DSC02524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616395797317671730" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-79123286967381948572011-05-14T08:14:00.000-07:002011-05-14T08:18:30.066-07:00Pokemon646cooper<div style="text-align: center;">My cute little guy, Cooper, has been begging me to start a blog...you know, let his voice be heard. So, I finally got on the 'ol World Wide Web and helped him create it. If you want to put a smile on his face check it out (it'll only take a few seconds, <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span>) and post a comment. It'll put him over the moon. His blog address is: pokemon646cooper.blogspot.com Thanks for taking the time to indulge us. :)</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-82301949115554588562011-04-02T19:03:00.000-07:002011-04-02T20:38:00.232-07:00If your local hangout isn't Facebook...Normally, I'm a girl who isn't afraid of commitment. I never was one to shy away from a situation where there would be responsibility...and yet, I'm falling prey to a non-committal relationship. It's called Facebook. I can log on at my leisure, stay as long as I'd like, make a comment or status update if I please...or not and get off. Now, my blog on the other hand is a serious committed relationship. It takes time, energy and yes commitment. I need to update the backgrounds, <span style="font-size:78%;">(errr. whit does...but I sooo make the suggestion--does that count??)<span style="font-size:100%;"> think up blog-worthy </span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">stories, come up with witty titles</span></span> and if needs be, upload pictures and such. I decided since my husband is out tonight, I would make a date with my blog and give it some of the TLC is desperately needs. I've been hanging out at the <span style="font-style: italic;">other</span> place and uploading pictures there...and if you aren't a frequent visitor there, I thought I'd put them on here.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">We decided to visit the much-anticipated Lake Michigan. We'd decided that we would take a trip out there for FHE; Just so you know it's not such an awesome idea. This was a couple of weeks ago and it was only colder than it is now--and darker earlier. We weren't smart enough to have a little forethought. No, for a moment in time we <span style="font-style: italic;">must</span> have thought we were still in Amarillo and it's eighty degrees <span style="font-size:78%;">(that's my o</span><span style="font-size:78%;">nly excuse I can think if, because we couldn't be that mind-missing)</span>. Anyway, we trekked out there and was slapped with the colder temps and frigid humid air of Lake Michigan. Cooper insisted that he was "fine!" and didn't need his coat and settled with a jacket. You can tell in the pictures how that worked out for him. Albeit the lake was cold and freezing and gray and damp and did I mention cold?? we still had fun. We are seriously looking forward to warmer weather and the chance to take a swim in the lake.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9sKkpSuC6n8/TZffceN2IKI/AAAAAAAABTY/W6H2NJI_HHg/s1600/DSC02109.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9sKkpSuC6n8/TZffceN2IKI/AAAAAAAABTY/W6H2NJI_HHg/s320/DSC02109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591183142644228258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ6VfmfnydY/TZffKSMJ7vI/AAAAAAAABTQ/MGiE3Yu2SrQ/s1600/DSC02111.JPG">Sooo, blogger is underlining everything I write....alrighty. I didn't flip this pic..whoops. Here are my cuties. I think they are pretty adorable.<img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ6VfmfnydY/TZffKSMJ7vI/AAAAAAAABTQ/MGiE3Yu2SrQ/s320/DSC02111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591182830178266866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XiNGNlv9Lc/TZfdpS6z72I/AAAAAAAABS4/UZkc5Plj8Ac/s1600/DSC02115.JPG">Me and my girlie.<img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XiNGNlv9Lc/TZfdpS6z72I/AAAAAAAABS4/UZkc5Plj8Ac/s320/DSC02115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591181163926646626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XiNGNlv9Lc/TZfdpS6z72I/AAAAAAAABS4/UZkc5Plj8Ac/s1600/DSC02115.JPG">Cooper showing off the castle he built. He was very insistent that I include the bridge he built. Yea, it's right...there. I'm about as sure of where it is right now as you are...</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyt1jOdlOv8/TZfe45qHjBI/AAAAAAAABTI/KyFmXnrpTRs/s1600/DSC02113.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyt1jOdlOv8/TZfe45qHjBI/AAAAAAAABTI/KyFmXnrpTRs/s320/DSC02113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591182531535277074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9HIL5MEAxQ/TZfejg8t5SI/AAAAAAAABTA/OV7WgrhYZFo/s1600/DSC02114.JPG">My sweet Grey-Grey. He is too cute for his own good.<img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9HIL5MEAxQ/TZfejg8t5SI/AAAAAAAABTA/OV7WgrhYZFo/s320/DSC02114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591182164125148450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9HIL5MEAxQ/TZfejg8t5SI/AAAAAAAABTA/OV7WgrhYZFo/s1600/DSC02114.JPG">Ella is in love with her name written out and was ecstatic when she saw that we could write her name in the sand!! What a cutie-patootie she is.</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8O9N4W3wBX8/TZfc8wtpDFI/AAAAAAAABSo/BgKoxpbexFA/s1600/DSC02119.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8O9N4W3wBX8/TZfc8wtpDFI/AAAAAAAABSo/BgKoxpbexFA/s320/DSC02119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591180398830357586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8O9N4W3wBX8/TZfc8wtpDFI/AAAAAAAABSo/BgKoxpbexFA/s1600/DSC02119.JPG">Handome little Coop. He is always so good to pose for a second, or lots of seconds in my case, for a picture.</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aitSuev3F_o/TZfdXvtCQ5I/AAAAAAAABSw/N52sDWnHL0g/s1600/DSC02118.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aitSuev3F_o/TZfdXvtCQ5I/AAAAAAAABSw/N52sDWnHL0g/s320/DSC02118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591180862415848338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aitSuev3F_o/TZfdXvtCQ5I/AAAAAAAABSw/N52sDWnHL0g/s1600/DSC02118.JPG">As Phillip captioned...another casualty of the Chicago mob.</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So, onto other things... We were able to celebrate Spring Break over the last week. We tried to do some fun things around the area to keep us entertained. We started with quite a bang. We went to the Science and Industry Museum of Chicago. I believe it's the largest Science museum in the western hemisphere. You can only imagine the whines of tired feet from me...errr, my kids. Seriously, it was amazing. It was so, so huge you could never see it all properly in one day. We decided to get season passes, so we look forward to visiting again. In one of the areas there is a large submarine display. Here are the kids showing off the bunks. True to form, they are showing off their personalities to a "t".<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RZXY3tjS8aE/TZfiHWfNpqI/AAAAAAAABUA/3G5T-X0Hqag/s1600/DSC02128.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RZXY3tjS8aE/TZfiHWfNpqI/AAAAAAAABUA/3G5T-X0Hqag/s320/DSC02128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591186078327219874" border="0" /></a>Seriosuly one of my all-time favorite pictures of Greyson. He is such a riot. The museum has a circus display and Grey is showing off his crazy clown face?? Who knows...he is such a silly boy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3H78maxREI/TZfm0SepvVI/AAAAAAAABUI/WPxQtsNvtHg/s1600/DSC02121.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3H78maxREI/TZfm0SepvVI/AAAAAAAABUI/WPxQtsNvtHg/s320/DSC02121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591191248391748946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3H78maxREI/TZfm0SepvVI/AAAAAAAABUI/WPxQtsNvtHg/s1600/DSC02121.JPG">Phillip decided to join in on the action...</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv8BhqyRi2k/TZfhelzRcmI/AAAAAAAABT4/drQH_bVyUQk/s1600/DSC02122.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv8BhqyRi2k/TZfhelzRcmI/AAAAAAAABT4/drQH_bVyUQk/s320/DSC02122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591185378063250018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_KwbH555vPA/TZfceJUhScI/AAAAAAAABSg/DFQZJ01VeUA/s1600/DSC02133.JPG">At the U-boat display...<img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_KwbH555vPA/TZfceJUhScI/AAAAAAAABSg/DFQZJ01VeUA/s320/DSC02133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591179872859933122" border="0" /></a>They have this really fun display that has incubators that show off the cycle of an egg. Ella wanted to take a picture with the newborn chicks. So adorable!!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6f9089i-1d8/TZfZ_ZUvnFI/AAAAAAAABSY/I2pfCjrd8Ls/s1600/DSC02138.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6f9089i-1d8/TZfZ_ZUvnFI/AAAAAAAABSY/I2pfCjrd8Ls/s320/DSC02138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591177145556638802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6f9089i-1d8/TZfZ_ZUvnFI/AAAAAAAABSY/I2pfCjrd8Ls/s1600/DSC02138.JPG">Here are the kids catching butterflies on a screen. The butterflies land on your shadow. It really was so much fun. I even had to take a try at it. Ella loved having them land on her and then she would jump and scare them away. Greyson, of course, is having them land on his behind.</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeI4rBC8PxE/TZfZv51t0zI/AAAAAAAABSQ/YqFiEB0u3a8/s1600/DSC02141.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeI4rBC8PxE/TZfZv51t0zI/AAAAAAAABSQ/YqFiEB0u3a8/s320/DSC02141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591176879406961458" border="0" />Afterward, we decided to try some authentic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. It was like no other pizza I have ever had! It was seriosuly like a pizza upside-down. It was pretty good and so filling. If you ever come to visit, we'll have to take you!!</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IiLmAF7eYQ/TZfoTIRYhvI/AAAAAAAABUQ/sw6xtenGWjc/s1600/DSC02145.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IiLmAF7eYQ/TZfoTIRYhvI/AAAAAAAABUQ/sw6xtenGWjc/s320/DSC02145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591192877739312882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k47HvGr0dKQ/TZfZYWyKwGI/AAAAAAAABSI/saEA6JsSiLQ/s1600/DSC02145.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1lb6UlZyo4s/TZfY36M_mSI/AAAAAAAABSA/MRHbbb_uQRw/s1600/DSC02147.JPG">One last thing I promise!! I finally finished a project. It went from start to finish in one day. I know, I know I could hardly believe it myself!! I did a couple of wordles for the boys' room. My mom has a friend that did some for her home. I haven't seen them myself, but thought that they sounded adorable. I put my own spin on it, I think and I hope that they turned out okay. You can't see all the embelishments very well because of the glare...but you can get the idea.<br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1lb6UlZyo4s/TZfY36M_mSI/AAAAAAAABSA/MRHbbb_uQRw/s1600/DSC02147.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1lb6UlZyo4s/TZfY36M_mSI/AAAAAAAABSA/MRHbbb_uQRw/s320/DSC02147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591175917431920930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwjgA2ZiJiQ/TZfXo_AVW0I/AAAAAAAABRw/y9gv9OdHh3E/s1600/DSC02150.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwjgA2ZiJiQ/TZfXo_AVW0I/AAAAAAAABRw/y9gv9OdHh3E/s320/DSC02150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591174561511332674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PdrlSbYaUU/TZfYFb3IWOI/AAAAAAAABR4/c3vdzJPP8Os/s1600/DSC02149.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PdrlSbYaUU/TZfYFb3IWOI/AAAAAAAABR4/c3vdzJPP8Os/s320/DSC02149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591175050293696738" border="0" /></a>Anyway, happy blogging everyone. I hope that spring is blooming in your neck of the woods, because that can only mean it will eventually be up here... Until next time! :)<br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-2136639067206112852011-03-19T20:30:00.000-07:002011-03-19T20:32:45.418-07:00Food for thought...<div style="text-align: center;">Tonight while hanging curtains in my sons' room, I was standing on their bed and it fell through the floor vent. Me thinks that maybe <span style="font-size:180%;">Weight Watchers</span> should be on <span style="font-size:180%;">speed-dial</span>...<br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-15105806460269556412011-03-11T13:19:00.000-08:002011-03-11T13:51:05.474-08:00Home Sweet...Indiana??I was looking at my blog background considering if I should change it. I took a glance outside at the dripping slush on my porch and was undecided if I should change it to a spring themed one, or not. The jury is still out considering the weather here in Indiana. That's right people. Indiana. Home Sweet Home. I am sure that my huge blog hiatus didn't go totally unnoticed. While the absence our world was turned on it's head. Up on our head, or not, we have truly realized that the Lord is aware of us and has provided. Being in Indiana is a blessing beyond compare. We are so lucky to be employed without skipping a beat. Anyway, we have traded our cowboy boots and hats of our beloved Amarillo, Texas for woolly mittens and fuzzy hats of Valparaiso, Indiana. We'll also be chanting "Go Crusaders" a whole lot more. We have settled into a bit of a routine and I'm slooooowwwly figuring out the odd placement (imo) of streets here. I've made it to the church house by myself a couple of time (huge victory here) and we've made the YMCA into a well visited place by our family. I'm enjoying the babysitting while I get to work out...without kids....Coop's getting the hang of Tae Kwon Do, Greyson's loving wrestling and swimming and Ella has become our little fish during her swimming lessons. We are loving our ward and Phillip's starting to scratch his head at being alone for the third Friday in a row. Sorry, Honey! I gotta fit in my book club, crafting night and GNO. He's okay with it as long as he gets me Sat. I don't have a complaint there. :) We enjoy serving in the ward and both have new callings that seem to be stretching and rewarding. The kids are getting used to their routine at school. it has been a bit of an adjustment, especially for Cooper. They are ahead in some areas and perhaps a bit behind in some. Overall, they are ahead, though. Cooper is a quick study and has picked up the information, but it has taken some adjusting. We are excited the the schools are so good here, though. The particular school the boys are going to has been awarded a blue ribbon for education. So, that is pretty pleasing to us. Overall, we are settling into place but miss our dear friends in Amarillo and the close distance to our families. We are gearing up for new adventures in Indiana and are excited to cherish this place as much as we did our last home. Here is a little pic of the kiddos the day that we moved from Amarillo. Sorry there isn't more...my picture taking has suffered a bit lately. Thanks to all that have sent notes wondering how we are doing and all the help that has been given. Love to you all!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vytlYOLuWhU/TXqWqQqJbGI/AAAAAAAABRo/m-hQdt4TSQM/s1600/DSC02097.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vytlYOLuWhU/TXqWqQqJbGI/AAAAAAAABRo/m-hQdt4TSQM/s320/DSC02097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582940340849568866" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-2336914597151188682010-11-15T13:18:00.000-08:002010-11-15T13:56:46.350-08:00If you can't say something nice...<div style="text-align: center;">On our way home from school today, Greyson was lamenting having "to be nice for 8 hours to [his] friends," which, I suppose, is a reeeeally long time when you're only 6. He questioned me...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">"Do you know how <span style="font-size:180%;">hard </span>it is to be <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:140%;">nice</span>?</span>"</span><br /><br />Yes, Greyson, yes I do.<br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-70155712226022408572010-11-12T12:42:00.000-08:002010-11-12T15:24:39.397-08:00Today<div align="center">Today, my baby got to play in the snow for the first time this year. She went out twice this morning. I had to get a couple of pictures even though I was bare legged and freezing! She insisted on wearing her dress coat. I couldn't resist because she just looked too darn cute in it to say no. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538804322205480002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TN3JL2l0tEI/AAAAAAAABQI/V41W5xAFj-c/s320/DSC01860.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538804661574209330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TN3Jfm1ojzI/AAAAAAAABQQ/it_ZHCADBkY/s320/DSC01859.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Today, I was driving and acting like a crazy in the car to this song. I was reminded of my sweet niece, <a href="http://www.semihipmom.blogspot.com/">Georgia</a>, who said, "this song makes my bum wiggle!". I couldn't help but dance in my car, and yes, I looked like one of <em>those</em> moms driving down the road with carseats in the back. It was about then that I realized, "yea, I'm <em>that</em> cool.".<object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/l2IkpeeIE4Y/hqdefault.jpg)" height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l2IkpeeIE4Y?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l2IkpeeIE4Y?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-39437429982618040532010-09-23T15:44:00.000-07:002010-09-23T16:06:04.143-07:00Just What I Needed...I was planning on more catching up with the whole Summer posts, but this quote caught my eye. If I remember correctly one of my sisters posted the You-Tube link to this talk, and I wanted to do something similar on my post but life got in the way and I didn't get to it. Anyway, I was reading a friend's blog and she has this as a header quote and it was so nice to read-the boost that I need. So, I thought I would share it.<br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;">"Don't give up. Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. You keep your chin up. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come. Some blessing come soon, some come late, some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of... Jesus Christ, they come." ~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-35976544323974965852010-09-13T08:50:00.000-07:002010-09-13T14:52:20.324-07:00We are Faamiiily (as in the song...)So. I decided that when I start having dreams (anxious crazy ones...not the good, fluffy ones) about my blog it is seriously time to update. So, without further a<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">due</span>, here is some major summer catch-up!!<br /><br />We started off the summer in the best way, I can personally think of--with family!! Lib, Kit and her kiddos were able to stop by in Oklahoma before they moved to Virginia. Whit and her munchkins were also able to visit Mom and Dad's while we were there. We had such a great time. It always seems, that the visits are never long enough, though.<br />My parents were sweet enough to indulge their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">grand kids</span> with a few summer playthings. One of them happened to be a large <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">inflatable</span> pool. {my camera ran out of batteries while I was uploading picture...shocker as the huge amount there are on this post... So, there are a few of the pool fun that I didn't get to. Hopefully I will add them on as soon as I get my new battery charger.} The pool was so much fun, especially for the older kids--and lots of fun for the littler ones when the big kids were out of the pool. :)<br /><br /><div align="center">Here's a sweet picture of my beautiful sister, Whitney, and darling little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">niecie</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Emme</span>. They are out enjoying the day while the kids are cooling off in the pool.</div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516451897713698050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5fxgfBJQI/AAAAAAAABPg/kSO4kX85ehk/s320/DSC01429.JPG" /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">MiMi</span> and my adorable niece, Scarlett. How beautiful are these girls?!</div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516451366173282002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5fSkV6DtI/AAAAAAAABPY/D-seMGeVkEA/s320/DSC01430.JPG" />We tried to keep the kids busy--or else they make their own kind of fun. So, we packed up the troops and headed to a favorite destination--The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">OKC</span> Zoo. </div><br /><div align="center">Here is a pic of my Coop. He is so great for posing for his mom. He is giving me a 5 star <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">cheeser</span> in front of the flamingos--one of his favorite things at the zoo.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516450964719961954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5e7Mz-h2I/AAAAAAAABPQ/pV6e73V2Ki8/s320/DSC01449.JPG" />I personally get a kick out of the "stand in front of ...and look like a... In this case I believe it was a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">centipede</span>. I know, I know they are supposed to bring great joy to the little tots...but it just looks so darn funny to see a kid sprout imaginary insect legs. Thank you <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> for appeasing your mom.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516450474552031490" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5eeqy1eQI/AAAAAAAABPI/IstU7h1FL4g/s320/DSC01434.JPG" />Here is my sweet, sweet nephew <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jos</span>. He was such a sport for posing on the bronze turtle. Most of my nieces and nephews look at me like I'm a crazy. :)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516449956547614290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5eAhE9VlI/AAAAAAAABPA/WjCh5oY_kHM/s320/DSC01445.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516449454544115282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5djS9_1lI/AAAAAAAABO4/89v-c1L-0Es/s320/DSC01446.JPG" />My boys in front of the flamingos.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516448516178331570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5csrSKR7I/AAAAAAAABOw/Cu2zubrsgnE/s320/DSC01448.JPG" />They have an adorable butterfly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">exhibit</span>. You and go into a netted "room" and there are butterflies that are flying free. It is really fun. The little girls especially enjoyed it. Ella loved pretending that she was a butterfly (something that she does often).<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516448049368234482" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5cRgR9efI/AAAAAAAABOo/bk6rCgoUKas/s320/DSC01454.JPG" />I was able to catch a sweet picture of my adorable niece, Georgia.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516447628853949714" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5b5BvitRI/AAAAAAAABOg/-N8JfPY8rQU/s320/DSC01459.JPG" />Who could resist this face?!! She is so sweet I could just squeeze the stuffing out of her!!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516447174366672194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5bekpVNUI/AAAAAAAABOY/5t3BIwKfV0k/s320/DSC01460.JPG" />Here is a picture that has been eluding me for a long time. He's cute, cuddly and fun to play with...nope, I'm not referring to the bear but my oh-so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">elusive</span> nephew, Gavin! That little guy is a hard one to catch in front of the camera. I guess he decided to appease his Auntie to get a shot with a bear that appears to be nuzzling him. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516446864733224290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5bMjK9vWI/AAAAAAAABOQ/qdF79ipyQXU/s320/DSC01461.JPG" /> I believe that this picture happens to be one of my favorites. I took another one that doesn't have my water-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">bibber</span> nephew {Gunner} in it, but then it just isn't nearly as fun. Thanks for the fun memories at the zoo, kids. {not pictured--Georgia and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Emme</span>} (I believe that G. was on a much needed potty break and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Emme</span> was well, being a little one ;)<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5Y4Ux0tUI/AAAAAAAABNg/eA2nJjvzEWw/s1600/DSC01471.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516446527765080946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5a473f63I/AAAAAAAABOI/r5C7DYDdKNI/s320/DSC01462.JPG" />Another hot spot by our clan is the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cushing</span> Aquatic Center. Now that I have moved away I realize what a gem that place really is. We had such a fun time there and got some great pictures.</a></div><br /><div align="center">Here is Miss G playing with one of our many inflatable toys.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516446169055236130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5akDkaECI/AAAAAAAABOA/VX7hux0K3r8/s320/DSC01465.JPG" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5Y4Ux0tUI/AAAAAAAABNg/eA2nJjvzEWw/s1600/DSC01471.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516444318249039170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5Y4Ux0tUI/AAAAAAAABNg/eA2nJjvzEWw/s320/DSC01471.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5Y4Ux0tUI/AAAAAAAABNg/eA2nJjvzEWw/s1600/DSC01471.JPG">Ella decided that one of the inflatable rings was really hat. I guess she figured it has somehow been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mislabeled</span>. Also, on the left is my cutie-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">patootie</span> nephew Ezra, enjoying the sprinklers.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516445348124858338" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5Z0RXWl-I/AAAAAAAABNw/IjK3wuH_tmM/s320/DSC01467.JPG" /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">BFF's</span>--oh, and cousins too, Cooper and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jos</span>. I absolutely love this picture.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516445693886842338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5aIZbbxeI/AAAAAAAABN4/zOuGkxMlAYs/s320/DSC01466.JPG" />Little Gun Gun had such a great time. It was so much fun watching Gunner, Ella and Georgia all playing together. They are so close in age they have built-in playmates. I was even able to get Gunner to go down the "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">froggie</span> slide" a couple times. Small victories folks, small victories!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516444806118397954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5ZUuO8WAI/AAAAAAAABNo/Z4J-37QjJKo/s320/DSC01469.JPG" /></a><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mmmm</span>, I'd say she's adorable...but then again, I might be biased. ;)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516443866841165874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5YeDJzMDI/AAAAAAAABNY/gkG5323gQDY/s320/DSC01473.JPG" />Here's my ever beautiful sister, Whit. I think I thought at the time that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Scarli</span> was smiling. I'm having my doubts now that I am getting a better look at the picture...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516443430106241858" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5YEoMFG0I/AAAAAAAABNQ/tEM_r0z-EMQ/s320/DSC01476.JPG" />There is always so much to do when you're at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">MiMi</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Grandad's</span> and there is a built in forest in their backyard. It is ready-made for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">imaginative</span> play. Evidently the fairies/butterflies came out to play this evening.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516438529937510818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5TnZo0EaI/AAAAAAAABNI/-tYGCV6_JPs/s320/DSC01481.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516434743144965794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5QK-vHZqI/AAAAAAAABM4/X4-TUKd-RWM/s320/DSC01490.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516435203188890466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5QlwiIm2I/AAAAAAAABNA/ccp4bn1mObw/s320/DSC01486.JPG" />Also one of my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">favs</span>. Ella just threw her head back and laughed at something her Auntie Whit said. These are the moments, to me, that make it all worth it. {Note: Dad in the background doing his ever present work ;)}<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516433467771952082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5PAvmfm9I/AAAAAAAABMw/0uVRIUSLLoU/s320/DSC01496.JPG" />While all the cousins were here <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> celebrated his 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> birthday. If you were to ask me what would've been the very best thing about his birthday, he would've said being able to spend it with his cousins. I'm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">thinkin</span>' he has a bit of a "boy crush" on 'em. He was so excited that they were able to help him celebrate his special day. We started off the day opening his presents. The kids were all pretty willing to indulge me in all my snap-happy picture taking. I currently have this picture in my house in a frame titled "The Boys". I would have to say this is a pretty priceless pic.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516432439336154162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5OE4YStDI/AAAAAAAABMg/J3lXO97APGA/s320/DSC01515.JPG" />Now we couldn't leave Little Ell-Bell out...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516432007066760626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5NruDPNbI/AAAAAAAABMY/If5O6bGC8tg/s320/DSC01516.JPG" /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> was in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">luu</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">uuuv</span> with these sandals. He had showed them to Phillip and me quite a bit earlier and we decided to indulge him for his birthday. Parenthood makes you do crazy things, like buying unattractive, light-up sandals. He was thrilled, and I guess that's what counts.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516431613863520354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5NU1QR6GI/AAAAAAAABMQ/8lg1nx-5BzE/s320/DSC01518.JPG" />Grey with all his "loot".<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516430913339129410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5MsDmP_kI/AAAAAAAABMI/HloocLJSbjk/s320/DSC01520.JPG" />After the presents and the always favorite lunch at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">CiCi's</span> we decided to take a small <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">jont</span> down to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pop's</span>. I think that the adults love this place as much as the kids do. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> chose his favorite pop--orange <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">creamcicle</span>. I'd say any orange drink would've done it, though.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516430450625845122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5MRH2zl4I/AAAAAAAABMA/FHpgbXSM0H4/s320/DSC01522.JPG" />My beautiful niece, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Emme</span>. Look at that sweet smile!!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516429840753827826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5Ltn5_H_I/AAAAAAAABL4/GcJSaj_EY1c/s320/DSC01527.JPG" />There is rarely a picture that is taken that doesn't involve some sort of child. While, I am a <em>great </em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">proponent</span> of picture taking (especially when it involves kids because they generally crack me up) but it is nice sometimes to get a picture of me with...gasp...other adults. This one just happens to be with some of my very favorite people ever.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516428039083918978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5KEwKaBoI/AAAAAAAABLw/E-cexsViKxY/s320/DSC01532.JPG" />I don't think that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> would've accepted any other type of cake than one that said "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">OSU</span>". That kid seriously bleeds orange (you should see his room...but that's another post for another day). Happy birthday, Little Man, happy birthday. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516427571706370802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TI5JpjC6mvI/AAAAAAAABLo/c03Tq0d6PlU/s320/DSC01535.JPG" /></div><p align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ahh</span>, it feels nice to get this post under my belt. Thanks for sticking with me, and if you didn't a really don't blame you. :) But, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nonetheless</span> we had a great visit with my sister and their kiddos. I can't wait for the next time this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">happens</span>.</p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-84663012146256509322010-06-26T17:18:00.001-07:002010-06-26T19:48:50.675-07:00Super-Duper Spring Catch-UpI vowed that I wouldn't let my son's 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> birthday get lost in all the hub-bub of the summer. So. This year I thought that I would actually play a bit of catch-up and not the annual skip-over that usually happens. Because I am doing that, I thought to myself, why not go even a bit farther back then that and post some of the other memorable events?? Then I thought, yep, why not indeed. So, without further <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">adue</span>... Here is the Catch-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Up's</span> of all Catch-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Up's</span> (well, sort of ;)...<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Cooper's Spring Presentation</div><div align="left">About every season Cooper and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson's</span> school puts on a little presentation. Mrs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Casso</span>, their music teacher, is brilliant with her little subjects. From 1st through 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade they each put on their own little shows. Their "concerts", if you will, are adorable, well thought out and very well executed. I am sure, though, that the parents get the most enjoyment out of it. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">absolutely</span> beam with pride watching Cooper, and eventually <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span>, perform. For the spring performance the 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> graders were given the opportunity to try out for soloist parts. Cooper gathered up all of his courage and tried out. It ended up being pretty rigorous tryouts and I was quite proud of Cooper for his courage and his determination. He ended up being one of the soloists and I couldn't have been more proud of him.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487244904555649122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCacKwOcmGI/AAAAAAAABJA/eJy8PVXZt1A/s320/DSC01341.JPG" />Here he is before the performance. He was able to help post the colors, along with some other boys from his grade.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487245946600716050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCadHaJWdxI/AAAAAAAABJI/hh_APUxFD3w/s320/DSC01345.JPG" />"Do you hear what I hear"?? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Naw</span>, just kidding... They were actually singing patriotic songs. Which just happened to be adorable (go figure a mother would say that...).<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487246573657847346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCadr6Ha9jI/AAAAAAAABJQ/e5DbAyS-sio/s320/DSC01360.JPG" />Here is Cooper right before he sang with the other 5 soloists. He was quite nervous, but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ended</span> up doing great. And, in all of his "Cooper-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">ness</span>" he was trying to direct and instruct the girl next to him about what to do and where to look right up until they were singing. His <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">uber</span> tendencies to direct is going to be of good use later, right??? <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487247128426417026" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCaeMMyji4I/AAAAAAAABJY/P2T9nYKkefs/s320/DSC01371.JPG" />Here is Cooper and his good friend, Keaton. They are in the same ward, school, scouts and their birthdays are only a few days apart. We've been able to meet a lot of wonderful people like the Vests here in Amarillo.</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487247772306465698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCaexrbhY6I/AAAAAAAABJo/FrrQQvi3C6I/s320/DSC01373.JPG" />Me and Cooper. Cooper was starting to get the "I've smiled for too many pictures" smile. I tried to get him to relax...but as you can see, to no avail.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487247514898665554" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCaeisguEFI/AAAAAAAABJg/jVq-pK6gPHQ/s320/DSC01372.JPG" /></div><div align="center">My mom, the kids' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">MiMi</span>, was able to be with us. My kids, naturally, were thrilled. You'd think that my mom was their mom over how excited she gets over these performances. I guess that comes with the territory of grandparent.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Now, these next set of pictures are when 1.) Mom's still asleep 2.) the kids are very much awake and, 3.) they find the camera and decide to document their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">waaaay</span>-too-early <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">activities</span>.</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487248647749196642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCafkotVW2I/AAAAAAAABKA/s4lbRfyP5o4/s320/DSC01376.JPG" />Yep, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">that'd</span> be Cooper and I'm supposing that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> is the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">photographer</span>. The real problem is, I'm not exactly sure and therein lies the real problem.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487248383604681298" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCafVQsX6lI/AAAAAAAABJ4/qeWahU0Ntow/s320/DSC01375.JPG" />Now, we have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span>. I'm darn sure that the photographer this time is Cooper as he is taller than a sitting Grey and I know that Ella would be eye-to-eye in that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">scenario</span>...but that's all I'm going on, folks. The other problem that I see is, that it is still so early that Grey has "morning crinkle face". That is, in my opinion, way. too. early.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCafDrFsO1I/AAAAAAAABJw/REG7Kms6oiU/s1600/DSC01374.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487248081452546898" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCafDrFsO1I/AAAAAAAABJw/REG7Kms6oiU/s320/DSC01374.JPG" /></a>And finally, last but never least, is Ella. Yes, that would be a whole box of cereal in her lap and her arm in it. Something tells me that I need to either get up earlier or get locks on the outside of their bedroom doors...as for me, I'm leaning towards the locks.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">While my mom was here we were able to take her to one of my favorite parks in Amarillo, (they have tons!...they have the land to do it, so why not). The kids had a good time and it was wonderful to feel the sun on our faces after such a chilly and unpredictable spring. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487250139430698738" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCag7dp6vvI/AAAAAAAABKY/UUUiosP1CZo/s320/DSC01386.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487249700933410354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCagh8IBHjI/AAAAAAAABKQ/XJA7lV4pcvI/s320/DSC01387.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487249270316488034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCagI388VWI/AAAAAAAABKI/khRi8RDDwDg/s320/DSC01388.JPG" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error"></span> </div><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error"></span> </div><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error">A few</span> days after Cooper's singing performance, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> our kindergartner, graduated!! It was quite a big deal and the school ordered little caps and gown for all the kids. It was adorable. Mrs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Casso</span> helped prepare a few musical numbers that the kids did (with actions) and they were also supposed to say their name and what they wanted to be when they grew up for the graduation. About a week to two weeks before the actual graduation <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> let me know that he in fact did not want to go to his graduation. Up until this point he was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">aaallll</span> about his graduation. In fact, anytime we saw anything that said "Happy Graduation" or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">anything</span> of the like he thought I needed to get it for him. After all, he was going to be a graduate. So, I talked to him about the total 180 degree shift. He let me know that he was scared to death to say his name and what he wanted to be when he grew up in front of all. those. people. He just knew there would be masses of people and they might just laugh at his name. I assured him that indeed they would not laugh at his name and helped him try to figure out what he wanted to say about his future career. He told me a scientist, no wait, a veterinarian, and then settled a few days later on the Navy. I was perplexed at this sudden <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">career</span> change and asked why the changes. He let me know that when they had a run-through at school that he said Navy and then everyone copied him. I asked why he had changed and he said that is what he had <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">allllwaaaays</span> wanted to do. Um, okay... Finally the day of Grey's graduation came and he was still a massive ball of nerves. I tried and tried to reassure him that it would be okay. I let him know that we would all be in the front cheering him on. When the graduation started and they sang a couple of songs I could tell he was nervous, still. He wasn't singing at all, but did the hand motions. Then it was time for his class to announce their names and future careers. The first classmate showed up, did their thing and then another. Then, there was a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">shuffle</span> going on behind the curtain, that incidentally I couldn't see, but my mom could, and it was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> so terrified he couldn't come out. He was comforted by a helper and finally, made it out after all his classmates had gone. I was so proud of him!! No one laughed, naturally, and he ended up saying Navy like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">ohhhh</span>, half of the boy's in his class did. I'm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">thinkin</span>' that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson's</span> career choice wasn't exactly his unique idea...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487250696642517762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCahb5bkWwI/AAAAAAAABKg/NV8EX15nFJQ/s320/DSC01395.JPG" />Here's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> before he goes up to say his name. He is so nervous, poor little man!</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 324px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487251203364154850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCah5ZHa7eI/AAAAAAAABKo/bTgoK39v3Lc/s320/DSC01397.JPG" /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> "facing his fears" like Cooper loves to say.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487252584509304738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCajJySFb6I/AAAAAAAABLI/azq5SCsCRro/s320/DSC01406.JPG" /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yay</span>, our little Graduate!!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487251571381827250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCaiO0Fq9rI/AAAAAAAABKw/MPWU3bYs4kk/s320/DSC01403.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487251925785823682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCaijcWKycI/AAAAAAAABK4/tA-SBa_zqoU/s320/DSC01404.JPG" />Cooper was so proud of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> , he especially knew of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson's</span> fears...they talk a lot (too much) at night.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487252208147132498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCaiz4OWcFI/AAAAAAAABLA/V9fCNkpDMoQ/s320/DSC01405.JPG" />The three kiddos.</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487252935611715874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCajeOPbESI/AAAAAAAABLQ/yCcRhYLPzkc/s320/DSC01408.JPG" />Momma and Daddy proud of our Kindergartner Graduate!!</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487253271621609922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/TCajxx-bKcI/AAAAAAAABLY/t8tBqvxqRwE/s320/DSC01410.JPG" />Here's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">MiMi</span> super proud of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span>. She was able to see <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> unravel behind the curtain, so she was so proud of him-for not only facing his fears, but for getting through kindergarten!!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Wow!! We both made it!! It's been long enough since I posted. It kinda feels like airing out the carpets...is that even a term any more??? I have another <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">uber</span>-Oklahoma post nipping at this post's heels. We've had a busy couple months and I can't wait to share out adventures. Until then, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">this'll</span> have to do. Thanks for making it through!!</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-66848759668758938462010-05-04T13:20:00.000-07:002010-05-04T13:50:21.270-07:00Happy Mother's Day<div align="center">Today I was able to go to my boys' school in celebration of Mother's Day. Greyson, who's in kindergarten, presented me this list. I loved it. I love seeing how his mind works. Peeking into kids' thinking process, to me is insightful...and sometimes hilarious. I hope you enjoy it half as much as I did.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/S-CERuTG5-I/AAAAAAAABI4/d0IS_ZhK-FU/s1600/DSC01219.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467515387648600034" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/S-CERuTG5-I/AAAAAAAABI4/d0IS_ZhK-FU/s320/DSC01219.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> Happy Mother's Day</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">~How old is your mother? Ugh...I think 29</div><div align="left">~What is your mother's name? Stephanie Humphrey, but I call her Mom :)</div><div align="left">~What does your mother look like? She has <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">blonde</span> hair, brown eyes, and she <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">gots</span> kinda <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">blonde</span> skin on her face</div><div align="left">~What is your favorite food for your mother to cook? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ramen</span> Noodles-they are pretty good</div><div align="left">~What does your mother cook that you don't like? Green beans-they are juicy inside and g<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">reen</span>. It looks like poison to me.</div><div align="left">~What special thing does your mother do for you? She plays tickle with me</div><div align="left">~What does your mother do around your house? Cleans up and she sometimes makes my bed for me. She also looks pretty.</div><div align="left">~What is your mother's favorite color? Pink-because it is kind of a girlish color</div><div align="left">~If you could take your mother anywhere, where would you go? Alabama-her sister lives there and she can see baby <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Emme</span></div><div align="left">~If you could buy your mother anything, what would you buy? A new necklace. She loves necklaces and dresses</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Love,</div><div align="left">Greyson</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-885863689480776952010-05-03T14:01:00.001-07:002010-05-03T14:14:16.294-07:00Race YouI heard this song and thought of my sisters. They are always sharing happy songs that make me smile. So, I thought that I'd return the favor and hope that <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-Ved2Jq4Yk">this song </a>brings a smile to your lips.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-83660333195061957932010-04-21T09:25:00.001-07:002010-04-21T09:30:00.547-07:00Bad Hair Day??<div align="center">This is the combination of too small of curlers rolled too tightly. Something tells me she wasn't thrilled with the outcome...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/S88nj7oGCTI/AAAAAAAABIg/tRD2ANhWICk/s1600/DSC01304.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462628371278465330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/S88nj7oGCTI/AAAAAAAABIg/tRD2ANhWICk/s320/DSC01304.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-52480608508898748032010-03-22T18:19:00.000-07:002010-03-22T19:24:37.539-07:00Seriously...Me??<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Alrighty</span> folks, to say I've been a slacker is an <em>enormous </em>understatement. So...I won't even go there. I <em>do</em> need to post some of the happenings that have been going on as of late. BUT this post is a fun little one to get me back in the swing of things, and though it is about me <span style="font-size:78%;">(sorry!!) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I feel it is, in a way, a "thank you" to one of my very favorite people in this <span style="color:#993399;">w</span><span style="color:#3333ff;">h</span><span style="color:#33cc00;">o</span><span style="color:#ff6600;">l</span><span style="color:#ff6666;">e</span> universe...my sis, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><a href="http://www.semihipmom.blogspot.com/">Whitty</a> </span>--who nominated me for this most gracious award. I woefully don't deserve it (especially as of late), I feel there are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span> out there who inspire, evoke thought, humor and creativity far better than I. <em>But</em>, that is the beauty of this award--you get to pass it on and honor those who bring a smile to your day through their words! So, thank you Whit for this. You, to me are a a beautiful blogger and a beautiful person.</span><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451633399461015682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/S6gXsVyHcII/AAAAAAAABIQ/0jZo6DJ9fQQ/s320/beautiful-blogger-award.jpg" />Well, now down to business. As the recipient of said award there are 7 steps that I get to follow. </p><ol><li>Thank the person giving you this award (um a bit silly, as I would have done it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">anyway</span>...but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">whatev</span>)</li><li>Copy the award to your blog</li><li>Place a link to their blog</li><li>Name 7 tidbits people don't know about you from reading your blog</li><li>Nominate 7 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span></li><li>Place a link to those <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span></li><li>Leave a comment letting those <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span> know about the award</li></ol><p><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Alrighty</span>...here goes <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">nothin</span>'!</p><ol><li>I helped deliver my sweet sister Whitney, when I was nearly 5 yrs. old, in our front room on the couch. I don't remember a ton about it...but enough. I remember my mom was in pain, my dad needed me to get me the bulb <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">syringe</span> to help get the gunk outta Whit's lungs...I couldn't find it easily, it was early, when Lib finally woke up she had a new sister, we did a "Baby Dance" the night before and magically my mom went into labor that morning, Whit didn't breath right off the bat and so my dad swatted her bottom and then she began to cry and I was wearing an Oscar the Grouch nightgown.</li><li>I wish that my life had a soundtrack playing in the background...always. Wouldn't life be better if the moments were punctuated with song that magically made funny moments funnier, touching moments sweeter...and even could make the mundane of life seem like "the good old days"--ones to never forget?? Well, I do.</li><li>I remember dates that are related to my family quite easily and outfits I wore like, seriously <em>years</em> ago<em>.</em> Ask me when my aunt's anniversary is, my great Grandma's birthday, any of my niece's and nephew's birthdays...it's a bit odd, I guess. At least that's what I'm told. Also, I remember what I wore to check into 9<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade. I don't really know why, I just do. Just odd things like that. Really, I am not sure why I can't put my brain to better use than remembering what I wore when I was 14, like scriptures, or say...Math <span style="font-size:78%;">(eek!) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">It really would serve me better, I guess that's something I really should work on.</span></li><li>I'm a "mother hen". I think it comes with the territory of being the oldest and feeling responsible for my siblings. I feel like I am tut-tutting over them (maybe when they would rather I take my "tutting" elsewhere). I love them dearly and they bring enormous joy in my life. I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who has the wisdom to create the family unit. It is very precious to me. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">When</span> my whole family is all together I sit back and savor it. My family is one with strong <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">personalities</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">when</span> we get together our fun ranges from heated debates to love and laughter. I love our times together and eagerly await for the next time we can all be together again---there goes my "mother <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">henning</span>" again...</li><li>I still bite my nails. It is a horrible dirty habit and I know it! I try, try and try to stop...but to no avail. I wear fake nails and I won't bite them--I will pick at them a bit though. I chalk it up to my anxious nature. (I think that sounds better than not being able to control myself...right?)</li><li>When I was a little girl I wanted to be an author. I think I still have that ambition deep inside. I guess I need a topic that will hold my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">interest</span> and well...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">grammar</span> school <span style="font-size:78%;">(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">hee</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">hee</span>). </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I also wanted to be a nurse, a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pharmacist</span>, do interior design and an elementary school teacher peppered in there occasionally. And, I always, always wanted to be a mother. I am knee deep in that one right now, maybe another one of those will come to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">fruition</span> later...who knows??</span></li><li>I wish that the styles were those of the fifties with the dresses that flatter the shape of women with a rear like mine. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ahhh</span>, wouldn't that be <em>great</em>?!! Better yet...dresses that come with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">bustles</span>??!! I have one naturally built in!! As I type this I even get all a-buzz over it. I know it's crazy...but is it <em>really</em>?? Don't get me wrong, I love my jeans and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">capris</span>...but a style that shouts "your shape is super-duper and come-on and slip into this figure flattering dress!!". <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mmmm</span>, sounds like a little bit of heaven to me. ;)</li></ol><p>Made it through? Wow...that's a lot of "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Steph</span>"! Well, now for my fabulous nominees... (drum roll please...)--</p><p>Holly</p><p><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kylene</span></p><p>Mere</p><p>Annie</p><p>Carrie</p><p>Julie</p><p>Melissa</p><p>Thank you guys for bringing a bit of sunshine to my days. Here's to being beautiful <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span>!</p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-1122855081473045282010-01-13T17:53:00.000-08:002010-01-13T19:00:53.993-08:00" I hope 'ya know, we've had a hard time"I have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ohhh</span>, so much catching up to do...it makes me dizzy thinking about it. I have <em>got to</em> figure out my computer+pictures+blogger. I will. I promise. But, right now I am too tired and I wanted to give a shout out to my fabulous sister <a href="http://www.semihipmom@blogspot.com">Whitney.</a> She has been so wonderful helping me update my blog backgrounds. I get so befuddled and confused and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">verrry</span> nervous messing with my blog and she steps in like my princess in shining armour (sure! why not??). She helps me and *<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">wa</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">lah</span>* beautiful background. Thank you, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whitty</span>. I'm a lucky girl to have a sis like you.<br />On another note... I wanted to relate my horrible, no-good, awful happenings this week. I guess just for venting purposes. On Monday Philip had <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">accidentally</span> left his flash-drive at home and called up and asked if I could bring it by that afternoon. I climbed into the car later that day and low and behold the van isn't working. Fabulous. (*history* we have had our fair share of car troubles this past half year and they seem to keep on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">comin</span>') I call up Phillip and let him know the situation. He comes to my rescue and tries to jump-start the car. Not working so well...but finally gets it figured out. I was so grateful. I asked Phillip after all was said and done if he had grabbed his flash-drive off of the counter where I had left it. He said that he had and so we left to go drive the van around a bit to keep the battery charging. We ran an errand and then picked up the boys. After that, Phillip left and went back to work. He calls me later that afternoon and asks me if I have seen his flash-drive. As it turns out, Phillip can't find it. Normally, I would feel bad about the lost flash-drive, but not loose too much sleep over it. Not this time. Phillip has been working very diligently on his dissertation (esp. over the Christmas break, which is invaluable no-work and no-students or classes time), which also means I sacrificed not having him around over the holidays. He had saved <em>all </em>of his recent work on this flash drive that he had done since the middle of Dec. on this flash-drive and had yet to back it up. Needless to say, Phillip and I are quite sick over the missing item. *heavy sigh*<br />On another no-good, horrible <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">incident</span>... Today while I was on the phone with Whit (we were figuring out said blog background together) I realized my youngest was awfully quiet...stress on the awfully. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">should've</span> known better right then and there. But, I had put in Dora (her absolute <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">fav</span>) and tucked her into my bed (she <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">luuuvs</span> that) and put my mind at ease that she was comfortably watching her favorite show and maybe even <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">could've</span> dozed off (I can hear the chuckles and feel the eye rolls from here). I send <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> in after a while to check on her and he yells at me that she has "finger-painted" all over the t.v. Now, I know that there isn't any finger paints to be had in her reach...but there is <em>fingernail polish</em> within her grasp. I dart in there and quickly get off the phone with my sister to find that she has painted our t.v., part of the stand it sits on, herself (part of her hair, too), her outfit, my bed, the carpet, the carpet, the carpet (you get the picture??). I have a dark beige carpet and the polish of choice was a fast drying <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">pinky</span>-tangerine. A bright color that I love on my toes in the summer. I've scrubbed, blotted, googled remedies, snipped at, cried over...but to no avail. As I type this, I figure we'll have to eventually replace the carpet. The splotches are in a highly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">visible</span> traffic area (thankfully in the bedroom, though) so I don't think that we could patch the spots... We'll see what Phillip and I figure out, though. Boo to ugly, bright spots in our new carpet.<br />On a pretty personal note... another no-good, awful thing that I've <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dealt</span> with this week is the fact that I'm not pregnant. This may come as a shocker that we're trying to add to our family, but we don't feel we're complete yet. We were lucky enough to get pregnant with Cooper and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> the month we wanted, but Ella was a different story. It took over a year for Ella to start her appearance. It was a hard, painful and very emotional thing for me. I can say this, though. I never wanted a baby as bad as I wanted her and every day I was grateful she was mine and in my arms. I would just sit and hold her reflecting on all the tears that I had cried waiting for her and in awe that she was finally here. I wasn't terribly excited to start the whole "trying to have a baby" process again after Ella, as it wasn't exactly a picnic. But, Phillip and I felt that it was okay to start trying again after we moved. We quickly got pregnant after just a month and we were <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ecstatic</span>. But, after about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">seven</span> or eight weeks, things started going wrong and I miscarried. It was (and is) a really tough thing. There are a lot of questions and not a lot of answers. But, Phillip and I do understand that Heavenly Father knows what he is doing and all trials are for our growth. We were told that we needed to wait three month before starting the whole process again and we were <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hopeful</span> that we would get pregnant quickly. It's only been a month, but I already feel so behind. I hear of women that got pregnant around the same time as I had and know the genders of their unborn bundles of joy and it's rough. That being said, I would never wish this for anyone and am really happy that they are having their babies...I just wish I was too. I'm really alright and I know I'll have another baby...it just doesn't happen to be on my time table. So. I wait and understand that the Lord's timing isn't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">necessarily</span> mine and figure that at some point (hopefully in the near future) that I will be planning on welcoming another baby into this world. <br />I hope I haven't been too much of a downer...but I just had to get the crummy happenings off of my chest. Last week Phillip gave a talk on how our trials become blessings, and I guess we're being able to figure it out first hand. He related a story one of the apostles talked about in a recent Conference talk about himself and one of his sons (who was three at the time) . The son had called his mom after he and his dad had been stuck in the Sierra <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nevadas</span> in a freak June blizzard and said "I hope 'ya know, we've had a hard time". That's kinda how we're feeling right now. That being said, we're trying not to wallow in it and are picking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ourselves</span> up by our boot straps and walking forward. <br />Thank you for your ear. I promise I'll be more upbeat next post. Here's to tomorrow and the beginning of another day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-51309245035093322442009-12-01T17:15:00.000-08:002009-12-01T17:19:30.096-08:00Happy December To All!!I love, love, love this time of the year. It is my favorite beyond compare. All of it...the world taking time to pause and reflect on the birth of our Savior, the trees, the lights, family and friends coming together...oh, I could go on and on. <br />My family and I just returned from our Thanksgiving travels yesterday so I am spread a little thin with getting unpacked and trying to put up our tree. I have a post a brewin' upstairs in my head. I'll make sure and post that a.s.a.p. so I can get on with the Christmas festivites...and update that blog background!!<br />Happy December to all and Merry Christmas!! I hope this month unfolds all that you hope it to be.<br /><br />Love,<br />~MeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-23857657693032821682009-11-09T17:22:00.000-08:002009-11-10T09:00:31.241-08:00My Boos and Little GhoulNaturally, I'm slow on the uptake regarding my Halloween post...but then again I wouldn't want to break tradition and actually post <em>on time, </em>would I?? <div><div><div>I had been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">trrrying</span> to do Halloween crafts off and on during the month and was semi-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">successful</span>. <span style="font-size:78%;">(i am in constant awe of the mommies that are crafty and all put-together with festive meals and crafts to fill the season...i only aspire to be like you) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I was able to swing a few things, though and carving pumpkins was one of them. I have many a memory of carving <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pumpkins</span> the Sunday afternoon before Halloween as a family and then eating the roasted <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pumpkin</span> seeds. Good times, good times </span><span style="font-size:78%;">(well, at least for me...evidently the festive tradition left Liberty scarred) ;). </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I wanted to make sure that I continued the tradition with my family, so carving was a must.<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402280937380547922" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjB49lujVI/AAAAAAAABGM/lINPaY-XX6g/s320/DSC01014.JPG" border="0" />Here is a cute picture of Daddy and Cooper. We all contributed with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">de</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">gunking</span> and carving.<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402280413742354274" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjBae4pz2I/AAAAAAAABGE/Um_YMDgLu78/s320/DSC01013.JPG" border="0" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402279962663639970" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjBAOfG26I/AAAAAAAABF8/INQihsx2LcU/s320/DSC01012.JPG" border="0" /></span>My kids this year only got to go trick-or-treating on actual Halloween compared to the two to three times they normally do (tough, huh ;). We were out of town for the ward's Trunk-or-Treat and we have in the past also participated in the city's Halloween celebration when we lived in Stillwater. So, they were pretty excited the night of because of the lack of normal festivities. *disclaimer* I have always envisioned my children to have the "perfect" costume. It may or may not be handmade, but it would never, ever be the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wal</span>-Mart type, polyester costumes that are plastic and flimsy. That being said (I hope I haven't offended anyone, because if there is <em>anything </em>motherhood has taught me is never, ever say "never") I obviously had something in mind for my kids and they generally had an entirely different one. *sigh* <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> originally had chosen to be a pirate. "Great!", I thought. We have a fantastic costume already that complied to all of my "Halloween specifications". So, I wouldn't have to buy one and he would look oh-so-cute. Cooper had a bit harder time deciding on his costume, but finally decided that he wanted to be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Anakin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Skywalker</span>. Now, it's quite ironic that Cooper <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">wants</span> to be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Anakin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> 1.) he really hasn't ever seen <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Star Wars</span> 2.) the only<em> real</em> exposure he's had is on our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Star Wars</span> Lego <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wii</span> game and that hardly carries the story line and well, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">c'mon</span> people, it's <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Legos</span> </em>and 3.) Cooper hates, hates, hates any type of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">villain</span> or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">disgusting</span> Halloween-y type character. I found it highly ironic that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Anakin</span> turns into Darth <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Vader</span> one of the most <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">notorious</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">villains</span> ever. I told Cooper who <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Anakin</span> turns out to be and he flat out refused to believe me....c'est la vie. Oh well. He wouldn't be swayed. I had a hard time figuring out how I was going to make <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Anikan</span> work and hadn't really figured it out until "the" garage sale happened. Phillip happened upon a garage sale on a Saturday morning with the boys (shocker, I know *insert <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">eye roll</span> * ;). And they just <em>happened </em>upon a Obi Wan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kenobi</span> costume that looked amazingly like an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Anikan</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Skywalker</span> costume...complete with polyester and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">velcro</span>. How could Phillip say no?? Well, he didn't AND he didn't say no to his other puppy-dog eyed son when he found a Batman costume complete with a plastic (albeit a thick plastic) cape, talking (you can imagine how thrilled I am with that) belt and a super-safe mask (insert <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sarcasm</span>). <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ahhh</span>, the joy of motherhood when your picture-perfect idealism goes swimming down the drain. Oh well. I told myself to suck it up and said alright, it's their Halloween--not mine and if that's what makes them happy then deal with it, and I did. </div><div align="center">We decided to take them around our neighborhood and it was great. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">neighbors</span> were kind and my kids made a haul. So much, in fact, that the next day the missionaries stopped by and we had them take a huge, bulging gallon <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">ziplock</span> bag home and we are <em>still </em>eating away on the loot.<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402281786958343810" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjCqag27oI/AAAAAAAABGU/6NDng97UJ24/s320/DSC01015.JPG" border="0" />Here is Grey with his mask off...<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402282058601282466" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjC6OdlO6I/AAAAAAAABGc/3l2foGSMUyk/s320/DSC01016.JPG" border="0" />and with it on... Ironically, he had it off most of the night "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> it made him all sweaty...even when it's not cold and when it is, too!"<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402283155943485474" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjD6GYWcCI/AAAAAAAABGk/OWE5stFLotw/s320/DSC01018.JPG" border="0" /></div><p align="center">Here's Cooper as Darth, ahem... <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Anakin</span>, without his hood.<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402283512739736994" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjEO3jNLaI/AAAAAAAABGs/U8kmpKkgjyE/s320/DSC01019.JPG" border="0" />...and with.<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402284103309218146" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjExPl8UWI/AAAAAAAABG0/iGAqjNq0-no/s320/DSC01021.JPG" border="0" /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Annnnnddddd</span>, this would be me dressing and taking a picture of my daughter w/o her costume on the correct way. That right folks, I put my daughter in her little witch's costume backwards. I'm an idiot. Oh well. I finally realized what I did about 3 houses into trick-or-treating and switched it around. Poor little girl. We weren't even sure we were going to take her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> she was feeling so crummy... we finally realized it was probably with the Swine Flu. I guess we may have been giving away a little Swine Flu with our candy (oops!!).<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402293461926917746" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjNR_KRtnI/AAAAAAAABHU/jrF3cKTcEEk/s320/DSC01026.JPG" border="0" />Here is the costume on the correct way. I couldn't get her to even humor me with a look at the camera. She had had it, but she thought she was well enough to eat candy {insert <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">eye roll</span>}.<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402290434675280146" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjKhxxPiRI/AAAAAAAABG8/3PMgd2gBAOM/s320/DSC01022.JPG" border="0" /></p></div></div><p align="center">My little boos and ghoul.</p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402293146551739042" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjM_oS-YqI/AAAAAAAABHM/qbtMKIU7F9I/s320/DSC01024.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Here are the boys with their own custom carved pumpkins.</p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402291448643189234" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/SvjLczGB-fI/AAAAAAAABHE/f_bEy3-wzmY/s320/DSC01023.JPG" border="0" />We hope you all had a Happy Halloween! We sure did and are anxiously looking forward to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Thanksgiving</span> day and Christmas season!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-44132286712571053932009-11-01T11:23:00.001-08:002009-11-01T13:04:21.383-08:00Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!!While there are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">sooo</span> many posts that I need to catch up on right now, I didn't want this one to fall through the cracks. With Ella's birthday being so close to Halloween I could see it happen. So, first things first.<br />My baby girl turned two. Can you believe it?!! In some ways I can...seeing that she has two cousins, that she adores, that have already turned the "big 2" so, she <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">wasn</span>'t too far behind, but then again it's odd because I feel like she is still my baby in some ways. I can still remember wanting her in our family for so long and then being blessed to carry her for 9 months. We were all so excited to welcome Ella into our family. We ached for her. There was so much anticipation for Ella's birth...not only because she was our first girl, and all the fun things that come with that, but she was another blessing to join our family. She has been a joy and a learning experience for all of us since she was born. She is naturally a nurturer, a mother. She loves her babies and will dote on them. She also loves the fun and frills of being a girl. It is fun to have a daughter who gets excited over shoes and bows as much as I do. Ella also is an opinionated little one. She knows what she wants. I am learning Ella also has a "strength of spirit". Hopefully, she will be a pillar of strength for the right. That being said, she is quite shy and will hang back to be with Momma. I usually don't mind too much, as we have become quite good pals. :) Once someone has gained Ella's trust she is generally pretty loyal...it just takes her a while to warm up. :)<br /><div align="center"><div><div><div><div><div align="center">I can't imagine my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">existence</span> with out my sweet Ella-Bell. She makes my heart sing and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for my sweet daughter. Happy birthday my beautiful little one.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399219532233898610" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3hjusm-nI/AAAAAAAABEE/4Qh41KZa7BQ/s320/DSC00960.JPG" />Here is Ella before she opens all of her presents.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399220100476411730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3iEzkLn1I/AAAAAAAABEM/ontbpwe2Q30/s320/DSC00964.JPG" /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hmmm</span>, could this be what I <em>think</em> it is??<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399220734395198482" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3iptGMrBI/AAAAAAAABEU/RovmEBw8QUg/s320/DSC00965.JPG" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399221189737923218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3jENYXQpI/AAAAAAAABEc/1AbJFIrWc8A/s320/DSC00975.JPG" />Ella is feeding her baby doll in her brand new sling (thank you Auntie Libby and Auntie <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whitty</span>!!) while properly adorned in her tiara. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hmmm</span>, maybe she has something there... If I walked around in a crown while parenting maybe I would get the proper respect I deserve...;)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399221461506669426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3jUBzFO3I/AAAAAAAABEk/xsFLYJQoSVg/s320/DSC00977.JPG" /> Tiara (check), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">tu</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">tu</span> (check), favorite toys (check), cell phone (check)...one satisfied little girl.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399221711111565426" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3jijphsHI/AAAAAAAABEs/zq_5U9eJLiM/s320/DSC00978.JPG" /> The boys on Ella's birthday...they wanted some TLC, too. ;)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399228777248814658" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3p93D7dkI/AAAAAAAABE0/TVXT3dSEfsQ/s320/DSC00982.JPG" />We were also surprised with snow on Ella's birthday. Crazy weather, I tell 'ya, crazy!!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399229454139629170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3qlQrRnnI/AAAAAAAABE8/GjI473og-XI/s320/DSC00984.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399231518456130338" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3sda2rqyI/AAAAAAAABFE/NKKWqlwHlLA/s320/DSC00988.JPG" /> Per birthday tradition we went out to eat on Ella's birthday. We went "high class" and went to Burger King. She did enjoy the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">play gym</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">yummo</span>...the mac n' cheese!!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399233245569963570" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3uB82tVjI/AAAAAAAABFM/93ZK-JADvek/s320/DSC00986.JPG" /></div></div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399236273855533186" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3wyOGQEII/AAAAAAAABFc/m2oBvNdLKQg/s320/DSC00992.JPG" /></div>Poor little girl hasn't been feeling well...so, she hasn't exactly been in the mood to smile at the camera. Thus, the pictures have suffered a bit. *sigh* Oh well. :)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 241px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 332px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399238919992862706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su3zMPujZ_I/AAAAAAAABFs/l8J1iXajDAU/s320/DSC00995.JPG" /></div><br /><p align="center">Phillip helping Ella blow out her candles, as she hasn't quiet mastered her extinguishing skills.</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399239978641436898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/Su30J3gCsOI/AAAAAAAABF0/lgqMi8ffOMA/s320/DSC01000.JPG" /> <p align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yummo</span>...chocolate cake (no shame in that bite, either! ;)!</p><p align="center">Happy birthday sweet girl...and here's to many more!!</p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141594323922251437.post-80668357536912360312009-10-21T12:06:00.000-07:002009-10-21T14:31:00.849-07:00Playing Catch-Up<div align="center">***Disclaimer*** Some major catch-up going on *** ;)</div><div align="center">Life has just been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">truckin</span>' by. I kept on meaning to post, but "life" has gotten in the way. So. I decided that enough was enough and I would get down to business and post.<br />Before the weather turned too cold Phillip wanted to take the boys camping. We realized it would be impossible to take the boys camping on Friday and get to their 9:00 am soccer games. So, we decided backyard camping would have to do. They loved it. Ella was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">especially</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">luuuv</span>. The boys gathered pillows and sleeping bags and Ella just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">layed</span> there, sucking on her much beloved <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">binkie</span> and looking into the sky. It was pretty darn cute. Ella did sleep inside with me, but the boys and Phillip slept in the tent...and they made it the whole night!!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395139496534313426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9iyZSbidI/AAAAAAAABDE/nzI-_83xxWI/s320/DSC00889.JPG" /> <p align="center">Boys in the Hood...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">errr</span>, tent</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395139096393238418" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9ibGpXR5I/AAAAAAAABC8/cZvJmO9eRi4/s320/DSC00887.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395135573365534562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9fOCWGr2I/AAAAAAAABCk/nVwLLRaUYBg/s320/DSC00879.JPG" /> <p align="center">My three cuties</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395135978513375378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9flno4IJI/AAAAAAAABCs/IrqjGX9H-B8/s320/DSC00883.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395136540226383714" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9gGULsb2I/AAAAAAAABC0/2rmidK8jB-w/s320/DSC00884.JPG" />Since the boys have been in school Ella and I have a had a little bit more time to do things just the two of us. Every Wednesday my ward has playgroup. On one such Wednesday we all went to the free (!) zoo. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ohhh</span>, does Ella love the animals. She loves s<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">aying</span> what noise they make. She especially loves the bears, lions and tigers <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> they growl. I must say it is a bit comical to hear such a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">girly</span>-girl making such a "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">growly</span>" noise and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">getting</span> such a kick out of it.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395150294091857842" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9sm5Uwf7I/AAAAAAAABDU/QsY6AVqHs5Y/s320/DSC00891.JPG" /> <p align="center">Ella in front of the lions<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395139889900143506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9jJSsJw5I/AAAAAAAABDM/wrDwVCJm16k/s320/DSC00892.JPG" />I did want to clear up one little thing, though. Just in case you were under any pretense that it is all roses and puppy dog tails with just me and Ella around, I wanted to set the record straight. *<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">disclaimer</span>* I love my daughter <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">verrrry</span> much and am grateful for her everyday. <em>But</em>, that said she is a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">girly</span> terror. She gets into my makeup, cleaners and "cleans" everything she shouldn't, loves my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nail polishes</span> (thankfully, she hasn't done <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">irreparable</span> damage with this one) and she simply can't get enough of lotion. I only mention this because I found this particular mess ironic beyond belief. She had gotten into some lotion that I have and she loves to squirt it everywhere and slather it on her body. It is quite the mess. As I was cleaning up the mess I noticed that the label on the lotion states it is for "Stress Relief". Ha!! I don't think they had this in mind when they were creating it. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hmmm</span>, now that I think about it, maybe the scent filtrated through my senses and I found this ironic instead of maddening. Maybe they do have something there...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395156104498278370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9x5Gxmb-I/AAAAAAAABDs/gs5fja9wKaY/s320/DSC00894.JPG" />When I moved to Amarillo I was afraid that my beloved annual tradition of going to a pumpkin patch and picking out pumpkins had been a thing of the past. I was thrilled to learn that Amarillo has a couple (!) pumpkin patches and I was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ecstatic</span> to learn that they were oh-so much more than that! The school that my boys attend takes the kindergartners and the next week the 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> graders to the pumpkin patch. They not only get to pick out their very own pumpkin but there are rides, hay <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">towers</span> and so much more. Phillip was able to go with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> and his class last Friday and I'll be going with Cooper this Friday. Phillip did a stellar job of taking pictures; I won't bore you to death with all of them, though. ;)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395151204729552370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9tb5ts_fI/AAAAAAAABDc/oRzql0LB4iw/s320/DSC00915.JPG" /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> showing off his much loved pumpkin (or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">punkin</span> as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> calls it). He was pretty upset that he couldn't carry off a ginormous one (and so was Phillip as he carried it around all afternoon for Grey). So, we promised him that we w<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">ould</span> go to another pumpkin patch and let him pick out a huge one for home...he held up on his end. The one he chose last weekend was huge!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395134795784800978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9egxoaStI/AAAAAAAABCU/WLZDvc-e6ZA/s320/DSC00917.JPG" />Grey wearing his "Kindergarten Rocks" t-shirt. He loves it as it is not only blue (his 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> favorite color next to orange (Go Pokes!), it is "comfy" clothes and it says "kindergarten rocks"! What kid <em>wouldn't</em> love it??</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395155258410243122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9xH22flDI/AAAAAAAABDk/l2B_HjEqTck/s320/DSC00906.JPG" />I also hear that Grey is a corn <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">shuckin</span>' fool. He let me know that he was "the second winner". I'll make sure and call him into the kitchen to help when we're having corn for dinner. ;)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395159500725433234" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St90-ytQM5I/AAAAAAAABD0/_ovLC9VIH2A/s320/DSC00904.JPG" /> <p align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> and his good friend, Brian<br /></p><p align="center">This past weekend we were so excited to have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">MiMi</span> and Grandad come down from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stillwater</span>. My mom asked us forever ago if they could come down for the boys' Primary Program and we were thrilled to have them. The boys did such a great job and it always makes my heart skip a beat to see them sing. For the occasion (and because I would've been sending Cooper in church shorts and sandals) we got Cooper a suit. He looked so handsome. I need to get a couple of pictures of him in it. We also thought that it was a good idea because his baptism is right around the corner. Crazy, huh!! For fun on Saturday we went to the other pumpkin patch that the boys don't go to for school. It was so much fun!! It was great having the boys have a grand time playing in the dirt hill that has a slide inside (!) of it. A dream of many a boy, I think. Play in the corn sandbox, run around in the bay bail tunnel, climb the hay bail tower and so much more while I chatted with my mom and dad. We snacked on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">carmel</span> and kettle corn, traveled the large corn maze, rode on the tractor ride and picked my pumpkins to decorate my home. I think that I had as much fun as my boys did. It was also a treat to have my parents here while Phillip was set apart as a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">counselor</span> in the bishopric. Needless to say, I have really felt my parents absence as I have been a single mother this week. I'm thinking it might slow down a bit as the new bishopric gets their feet under them. Thanks Mom and Dad!! I love you so much and am so grateful for the sacrifice it was to come and support us!!</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395134240903552466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9eAeiaXdI/AAAAAAAABCM/dj5wX0aI8_4/s320/DSC00930.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395133917385269138" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9dtpVpH5I/AAAAAAAABCE/-01qtnoSeYQ/s320/DSC00931.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395132778500225058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9crWqSeCI/AAAAAAAABBs/45oKEvS7Z6I/s320/DSC00939.JPG" /> <p align="center">Cooper showing us his maze punch card. We went to every single stop...all 12!! Cooper was quite determined to get to all of them as you get to enter a drawing for a handheld <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">ipod</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">thingie if you got them all punched</span>. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395133573649254482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St9dZo0lyFI/AAAAAAAABB8/oVJhgTmLHCM/s320/DSC00937.JPG" /> <p align="center">Mom taking Ella for a cow ride. She <em>loved</em> it!! </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395163985357086130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__OHub0ex9NI/St95D1QwnbI/AAAAAAAABD8/vKjUpyeT6MM/s320/DSC00935.JPG" /> <p align="center">Cooper and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greyson</span> on the top of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">haybail</span> tower. It was really quite high. There was bluegrass folk music playing and Cooper had no qualms tap dancing and doing a jig on top. It was hilarious.</p>Well, that about wraps it up for now. Thanks for sticking with me this far, guys. Really, you're a trooper. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com8