Soccer and some Singin'

Not too much has been going on here. We are just adjusting to life in general. But, I did want to share a couple of fun things that my boys have been involved in.

In Amarillo most of the soccer teams have either practice and/or games on Sunday. I was told by a friend at church that there is a team called Upward Soccer where they practice and have games on days other than Sunday. We were thrilled to get the boys into soccer here and onto teams that had the same standards as we have and teach good principles. My boys, for the most part, really enjoy soccer and we have told them that everyone has an important place on the team. Let's just say we don't necessarily have a couple of David Beckham's on our hands. ;)We have found though, that Cooper uses his size (it's a 1st and 2nd grade team and he is a 2nd grader. Not to mention he is taller than his team mates) to get into the pack. Then he "muscles" the ball out, and Greyson is pretty quick. He defends the ball and does a pretty good job of stealing the ball and turning it around towards their goal. They do try hard and I am really proud of them and enjoy watching them play.

Cooper waiting and watching Greyson's team before he plays.

Cooper "muscling" his way into the pack.

Going after that ball!

Greyson during his game while he sits out to let all team mates play. The sun was really bright...the smile and the contorted face explains that real well.

Greyson getting in there and playing.

Greyson and his team. He's the boy on the far right (our right).

Another fun thing that has been going on is the boys' elementary school dedication. I actually went to it this morning, so these pictures are "hot off the press today". :) When we moved here we had no idea that the boys would get to go to a brand-spankin' new school. Through a bit of "tweaking" they were able to attend and they are really enjoying it. I am amazed how "smart" the school is. They have Smart Boards and other highly electronic things. I think back (and I'm not that old) and remember the actual blackboard and chalk that I used. I am quite pleased how technical the school is, they really seemed to be interested in giving the best education my boys can get. Today at Hillside Elementary School's dedication we were able to hear from Amarillo's mayor, the state representative, the Canyon School District President and other highly visible people of Texas. I thought it was pretty neat they made priority in their schedules for the dedication. I must say, above all the pomp and circumstance I enjoyed the picture slide show with music (I don't know what it is about music and pictures, but it always makes me want to cry) and the kids' song. I know they had been practicing the song for quite awhile, because Cooper and Grey have been singing it at home. It was really beautiful and it made my heart swell so big to see my boys sing their hearts out. I thought that it would pop right out of my chest.Here is Cooper singing his little heart out.Greyson while he was waiting for their part to sing.

Here's Cooper singing and doing the arm motions to go with the song.

It has been fun watching and supporting my boys in their activities. It helps me remember what good boys they are and how I am blessed to be their mother.

Fall Smells, "Oopsie" and a Crazy Little Nut

It's been feeling a bit like Fall around here...and I am a total seasonal girl. I don't like soup in the summer, I love baking in the fall and winter and I l.o.v.e. seasonal scents. Yumm-o!! I was thinking that I needed to get some fall smells going on so I decided to take myself and Ella to the mall. (oh, darn-it! ;) So, Ell and I got a Auntie Anne's pretzel for lunch and then headed to Bath and Body Works. Going to that store is a bit painful, because I want to buy, buy, buy. Not so good... Anyway, I had a purpose in mind and I saw the fall scents beckoning me. Ahhh, love them. I took one sniff and I was in luuuv. I smelled the "leaves" scent and thought it was heavenly. I was looking for the Wallflower starters because I thought that maybe I should replace my old ones and got thinking that since my home is a bit larger I should try these: They are plugged in and I am currently basking in a very powerful fall scent....hmmmm. Maybe too powerful?? We'll see... Wait!! I totally forgot to mention the best part! When I went in they were having buy one get one free. Love it!! Makes a good-smelly home a guilt-free home and who doesn't love that??

Does anyone else out there start a project, get looking at it and then after it's done realize it's not exactly what you had envisioned?? Well, I have....lots. There was a space above my daughter's changing table and it need something else. I didn't know exactly, but when my mom and sister came and visited they put their finger on it. A vinyl saying. Love it!! I was so excited! We looked when they were here and I found this saying on sale (!) for way cheap and it was cute enough so we tackled the project and I was pleased...or so I thought. As the days passed I kept looking at it and thinking that something was not quite the way I wanted it. I finally figured it out. It was too light for the wall and it didn't "pop" like I wanted. I still liked the quote and it was already hung...what to do... So. I decided to color it with permanent marker. One may think I am crazy. Well, that may be true, but I couldn't think of another way to fix it w/o taking it down. So, I am carefully pulling up, corner by corner, and coloring the saying. It's been quite the task, but I think that it looks loads better.On another topic...even with going to the mall, Book Fair and other craziness my daughter still manages to dump old, dirty, dead-buggy water that had accumulated in the empty sandbox (gotta get that filled) all over her, eat a package of still packaged gum....don't worry, I got to it before she swallowed any, dump a jar full of Styrofoam fruit all over the living room and try to eat it. Gotta love the permanent bite marks. Ohhh the joys of a two year old. Here is a picture of her stripped down to her skivvies because she was absolutely soaked from the gross water. What a crazy little nut.

My Mother Taught Me Better Than This!!...and Other Grand Adventures

I have been meaning to update sooner then I have, but I was busy having fun and showing off a bit of Amarillo to my mom and my sister, Whitney and her kiddos. So, pardon the tardiness. ;)

You may be wondering what the title was referring to when I said that my mother taught me better then this. That would be these:

If I saw this picture I may be thinking to myself what's so wrong with a pair of Dora sandals?? Well, it all began with a harmless trip to Kohl's. I have been checking out the shopping a little bit now that the boys have been in school (love the freedom). I was looking at the jewelry and Ella insists that all of it is hers. She lets me know it's "mine"! Getting a bit tired of hearing her incessant cries that all the jewelry belongs to her and she has all licence to try on (and keep) whatever she wants. I tell her we can go to the shoes...her other passion (a girl after my own heart). She breaths "shoes" and we're off. I am looking at little cute fall shoes for her and she lays eyes on that particular pair of Dora shoes. She won't let them out of her sweaty little hands...unless it's to try them on. I get a look at them and folks, they light up. Ella is AMAZED. She bops them against the floor and cannot believe her eyes. Love at first sight. I get a bit better look at them and see that they are two different sizes...no good. I ask the sales lady if there are matches to them and evidently some person has purchased a 5 and and size 6. I get a bit better look and realize that a.) there is no price tag and b.) they are plastic. I ask the sales lady how much they cost and she tells me they are on sale for $14.50, but since they are two different sizes they would give them to me for 1/2 off...$7.25. I am thinking...um, yeah...they should be paying ME to take them off their hands. What crazy lady would purchase shoes that aren't the same size?? By now Ella has wielded her feet into the mismatched sandals and are proudly wearing them. I try to take them off, but she pitches a fit. So, I decided that I will let her wear them while I continue to browse and then stealthy take them off and slip them onto a shelf while she is is busy looking elsewhere. (Fantasy World??....I think so) As fate would have it, Ella takes off the shoes herself and so I plan on just "leaving" them somewhere in the store...not to go back to the shoe section because it would start the cycle all over again. But...then I remember how much of a deal I had made with the sales lady and realize she would remember me and the mismatched shoes and see that I totally ditched them in the middle of the store...tacky, tacky, tacky. Well, I continue looking around and actually forget the Dora shoes were in my basket altogether and then remember that I need to get my boys from school. So, I rushed up to the front of the store to purchase the couple of things I picked out and Ella spies the sandals...a bit faster then I do. She has them clutched so tightly in her hands and I try to reason with her and tug them all at the same time. I am running out of time and she is making such a big fuss all the while there is a line beginning to form behind me. I must admit to all, that I have a "bit" of an anxiety problem and I could feel it rising as I struggled with my daughter who refuses to give up the mismatched, plastic, light-up Dora sandals....all of which my mother would staunchly remind me are a horrible deal. After all, I did have her words ring in my ears ("they should pay you to take them off their hands!). My anxiety and the screeching, I must say, drowned out all reason and I purchased the Dora sandals. When I get home and I see them placed on her sweet, chubby feet I think of all the negatives of the shoes and realize I lost that battle, but she was so insistent and who could say no to this face??

Onto other naughtiness... Another love of my sweet daughter's is makeup. I will, on occasion, sit in front of a window and do my makeup. I will get a hand mirror and place it on the window sill and put my makeup on while sitting on the floor. Ella gets the routine and she will grab a compact and brush and scoot her little bottom right in front of me. She will sit with her head right in front of my view. I will place her out of the way, but she will repeat the bottom scooching and head blocking until I get sick of getting her out of the way. She "gets" for the most part what each product does, and I was proven right on this assumption the other day. While my mom and sister were here my mother gave Whitney's youngest, Scarlett, a mascara to fiddle around with. She is young enough she wouldn't have opened it, just roll it around. We were all getting ready and then we see Ella emerge looking like this:The picture didn't come out very clear, but she has mascara all over her eyes and even onto her lashes. I was quite shocked that she could get it onto her lashes w/o poking her eye...but then I remember that she has amazing dexterity. She was pleased as punch and could see no problem with her naughtiness. We scoured the house looking for the mascara aftermath. We ran straight to Georgia (Whit's other daughter) with whom Ella has loads of naughty fun with. But no, Georgia was playing beautifully by herself. So, we continue our hunt and eventually find the mascara tube perfectly closed w/o as much of a smudge on anything (remember the amazing dexterity) and she hates to be dirty. So, I shouldn't have been as surprised as I was. Wiping off the mascara, I did have to chuckle to myself at the girly naughtiness that had been abounding.

Onto other fun things...

While Whitney and my mother was here we were able to go to Cadillac Ranch. One of my favorite, fun, simple things in Amarillo. I guess I love it so much because it is characteristically Amarillo. If you ever drive through, it is fun to see. The kids got quite a kick out of the cars sticking out of the air and actually getting to color! on them. We didn't stay too long as we brought permanent markers (Phillip's brainchild)...at least it wasn't spray paint (what is traditionally used to color the cars). Scratch that, the kids ended up picking up the discarded cans and trying to spray them, much to our protests to put them down. Cooper still ended up getting blue spray paint on and in his ear...I don't know how they do it. Overall, we did have a fun time and left our mark on a interesting art statement.

Greyson inside of a Cadillac making his mark.

Ezra and Coop happy to be together...and loving the dirt, cars and coloring on whatever their heart's desire.

Little Miss Georgia taking time out of her scribbles to take a picture.

Boys in the Hood....ummm, literally.

Cutie-patootie Scarlett. Ahhh, love that little girl.

The girls kept insisting that they get their hands traced on the cars...Georgia even tried on her own. Gotta love green permanet marker hands... My mother sweetly took their little hands and traced them. They loved it.

After that, we went to Blue Sky Burger and had a grand time. They have fantastic burgers and may I say a fabulous sand area for the kids to play.
It is wonderful because there isn't humidity like there is in Oklahoma. We sit out on the tree shaded deck and feel the breeze while the kids play. It's wonderful. We had lots of fun and only had to deal with the sand covered scalps (much to my sister's dismay).

I am so grateful they traveled down here and were able to see my little piece of the world. And, I just want to tell them how much I love and miss them (already! :)

Time to Face the Music

***Disclaimer*** This is an "uber-post". I am playing catch-up, so it's quite the long one. I'm not going to even try to cram the whole summer into this post...I think I'll start with the present and work backwards... Nonetheless, you have been warned. So, grab your favorite drink, relax and have a read. :)

After being terribly neglectful in my posting, I have decided to face the music and dive right in. To say this summer has been hectic and crazy is an understatement. Starting the beginning of July, I had family come to Oklahoma to help me de-junk and go through three (+) years of stuff. I can never tell them thank-you enough for that. It helped putting my things away sooo much nicer. Then it was packing time. As I went along, I realized that I was comparing my move to having a baby in a lot of ways. When I was knee-deep packing my kitchen at midnight and crying because I hated it so much, I had a thought. Packing is a lot like going through labor. You almost look past it because you are looking forward to the move (or the baby, in my comparison). You also don't ever remember how painful it really is until you are in the thick of it.

Making it to Amarillo was a feat in itself. We had to rent a trailer to haul the rest of our stuff that didn't fit in the largest truck...yep, we didn't fit. Such a nightmare. On the way we nearly ran out of gas because of the large stretch between OKC and Amarillo. We also had quite the car problem three miles from our home in a torrential rain and lightning storm at midnight. Oh! And the locks were crazy switched with our home and the one next door (fixed now) so we weren't sure if we were going to get in once we got here (we did). Just one thing after another... All in all we feel extremely blessed to have everything eventually work out.

Once we moved in, I have been feeling similar to the way I feel after I've had a baby. You are so excited to have this new, sweet life in your home but the upheaval is huge. Nothing is the same and you feel all out of whack...but you wouldn't have it any other way....because it's the way it's supposed to be. It just takes adjusting.

Our home

Yep, it's that flat here. Now before you start judging...the sky is enormous and so beautiful. You can see forever. It is truly amazing. A couple of shots from the inside. Don't judge my by the mess...I seriously just grabbed the camera and took a couple. It can give you a rough idea...
Anyway, we are settling in (a large thank-you to my sweet mother who followed us here and helped set up most of my home). The boys have started school after another bump in the road. They are loving it and I am loving the one-on-one time with my sweet Ella. It has been a fun couple of days knocking around the house and today I went to Phillip's office to help him decorate. Very fun.

First day of kindergarten for Grey and second grade for Cooper.

We recently visited Lubbock, TX for the first time. It was neat to be able to see a part of the country that we had never seen. We are part of the Lubbock Temple District, so we thought we would give it a look. It is beautiful. Cooper kept saying, "I wish I could go inside....". I re-explained to him that you can't go in until you are 12 and even then you have to be a good boy. He said he knew...but that didn't stop him from vocally wishing aloud...a lot and often. It actually does my heart good to hear him long to enter the sacred doors of the temple. Here are a few pictures of us on temple grounds.

We also had a good time just looking around and getting a feel for the area. It has been fun exploring new places and we look forward to getting to see more.

I also wanted to throw in a last picture of my little Ell-Bell. We sure love her and are joyfully watching her grow. It has been a treat. I realized I often post pictures of her look all mowgli and decided I would show her looking all dolled up.

Whew!! You made it!!! I am impressed. Thanks for sticking with me...I know it was long. You get a gold star (and if it is up to Greyson, he would put it right in the middle of your forehead). ;)

Attention, Attention

To all my loyal and not so loyal readers out there:
I have not abandoned my blog, I repeat, I have not abandoned my blog. I will be posting soon as there has been a huge upheaval in my life (moving to Amarillo). I promise to have an updated blog soon. After all, there is always more to post then there is time, right?? ;)

Love,
Steph

Gunner's Apprentice

I have come to the conclusion that Ella has been taking tutorials from Gunner. Maybe she sneaks on the computer at night while we are all asleep...

Don't 'ya just luuuv her crazy hair, diaper clad and in the boys' mismatched flipflops. Now that's livin'.

Pics

This is for Lib (and Whitty). Just some pics I wanted to share and my email was taking for.ev.er!!

Sisters

I've been thinking about families lately, especially because schools out and I have all three kiddos home with me all. day. long., I also got to spend a week w/ my sis and her family (a post to come on that), and I have been able (and will) see both sides of my family recently.
I often talk about how much I adore my sisters (and I do...for real!) but I don't often talk about the sisters I didn't grow up with (no...my dad didn't have an illegitimate family ;). I'm talking about my sisters-in-law. All three of them are very special women whom I admire a great deal. I believe that it is very important for my sons to see women who are strong and independent. It gives them the perspective that women can be tender, loving, supportive nurturers and are equal to men...not superior, but hand in hand they can raise a family in righteousness. I am grateful that Cooper and Greyson have the opportunity to see that on my side of the family and on Phillip's. My sisters-in-law are successful women in and out of the home. They strive to do the right thing and are strong in the gospel. They are very talented and I admire all that they have accomplished. I feel that I often fall short when I compare myself to them, but remind myself that we all have our own strengths and weaknesses (I'd just like more of their strengths ;). They are beautiful women inside and out. They have grown through adversity and I admire their strength and courage. I feel blessed to have married into such a wonderful family and get to call Emily, Julie and April "sister".

Say What?

Cooper: I want to be a scientist.
Me: Really? That's neat.
Cooper: Yea, so I can discover the mysteries of the Giant Squid.
Me: Wow! (suppressing giggles)

Reeeallly?

Everything But The Kitchen Sink

I had come up with a whole laundry list of reasons why I have been the self named Blogger Looser...the weather (what?! it totally affects me), my sis & fam visiting, visiting my Auntie in Nebraska, dirty house and car...just life. While all if these reasons are true, I must admit I have just been in a "funk". Once I wait too long to blog then it hangs on me and then I dread it. Crazy I know, but true. And, I must admit I get my quick fixes from FaceBook. I'm a bit addicted and it allows me to log on for a second (which is about all the time I have) connect with friends and then get off. Nice. Anyway, thank you for allowing me to have "confession" for my blogging neglect. Well, the sun is shining (hooray!!) my house and car are under control and I am ready to blog.

I have been a sewing fiend as of late. A lady in my sister's ward has a wonderful book of apron patterns that she let me and my sis borrow. We whipped out one for Whit, Lib (mostly, that's a story for

another day), and myself. I must say I was pretty proud of the results.

Easter happened also during my hiatus. My kids were able to wear their matching outfits, which is always a highlight for me. We had a wonderful time at my mom and dad's house. Whit and her family were able to celebrate with us. Ella really didn't understand the whole egg hunting thing...I am sure it will come by next year. Cooper was ready and willing to scoop up the "easy" eggs that Ella missed. Let's just say I was worried his basket was going to break under the weight of the eggs.

All the kids ready to egg hunt. We made them sit on the steps before we let them loose. Cooper thought we were just cruel. ;)

Ella has this adorable (at least to me) scrunchy face. I think it is hilarious...and I got it on camera! All the kids and their loot. Cooper couldn't contain all his eggs, Greyson couldn't resit making the plastic eggs his eyes and Ella is just all around confused. Ahhh, don't 'ya just love holidays?

After Easter Cooper, Ella, my mom and I were able to spend a short little time with my Aunt Tracy and her family. She was so gracious to let me bring a couple of my crazies. We came up to help, as much as we could, to decorate and organize their new home. Their home is beautiful and I loved spending time organizing and decorating it. But, the very best part was being able to be with her. She is one of my heroes and just being with her makes me want to be better. I love her and am inspired by her. She makes everything brighter, funnier and...just better by being around her. I am blessed to have her in my life.

When we returned we were greeted by my sweet sister Liberty and her family. What a joy!! It is so much fun being around her. I truly am blessed to have wonderful, fun, spirited, awesome women in my life. To say that I love having her family around is a true understatement. We were able to spend a week with her and her family. While they were here we were able to go to the Tulsa Zoo (a first for me and my family), visit Pops and have a fabulous Girl's Night (ahhhhh, shopping and dinner...who could ask for more?!!).

Here is Ella at Pops. It isn't that great of a picture, but I wanted to document her first (and hopefully only) black eye. She got it at my Aunt's when she fell on the tile floor. Poor baby.
Cutie-patootie Gavin at Pops. What a smile!

Here are our "monkeys". Naturally I cut Greyson's head out. Nice. Other than that they were all looking...a small miracle in itself. :)

Here are Lib's oldest boys and mine. (l-r) Gavin, Cooper, Greyson and Josiah

Some of the boys on a statue of an elephant. It is Cooper's favorite animal so we made sure to take a few pictures with him with them. (if you know me much i turn into a picture taking freak at the zoo...i don't know what it is, but it's like i'm a bit possessed ;)

Some of the kids on the penguin wall. The Applegates go geocaching and they took a picture at the zoo w/ the penguins for their travel bug. Such a fun family!

The week after Lib left Cooper had the opportunity to go back to the Tulsa Zoo with the first graders at his school. It was such a treat for him! He loved it. Phillip was able to go with him and they had a blast. They were able to split off and visit the zoo at their own pace. Phillip was great with him and took as long...or as little time as Cooper wanted. It was a great chance for them to spend some one-one-one time together.Phillip let Coop ride the carousel. So fun!

Another big accomplishment that occurred was Spencer's graduation from Oklahoma State University with his Master's. We couldn't be prouder of him. I was able to attend (thanks to my fab hubby who watched all of my kiddos and Whit's two oldest). He's a superstar. Spencer is such an awesome father, husband and brother-in-law. We are grateful he is on our family. Spencer got a job in Kansas City and will be moving in June. They are lucky to be having Whit and her family up there. Truly they will be a blessing where ever they go and Spencer will be successful anywhere he is.

Spencer walking down the ramp.

Whitty, Spence and me after graduation.

I'm looking forward to the next OSU grad in the fam....ahhh, that will be a glorious day!

Thank you for sticking with me this far. You are a trooper!! Give yourself a gold star (if you're Grey it will go right up on your forehead ;).