BYtheWAY

I'm Terrible at This.

2012-01-17T19:45:00.000-07:00

I am a terrible blogger. I fully admit it. I'm debating whether to even keep up this charade, but I guess I will try a little longer. Sooooo, this picture taken from my front porch, which makes me so happy that I live where I live, signifies the sun setting on my crappy blogging ways. Ha. Clever, right?

Hakuna Matata.

2012-01-17T19:41:00.001-07:00

Spending one last little weekend in Bear Lake. Not much snow & a terrible

gallbladder attack,but there was plenty of fun to be had nonetheless.

These 2 boys were mesmerized with this security process & the equipment & this worker

dude was so awesome w/them. & yes, that is my short-haired son.

We've been waiting for this day for quite some time & yet, even when you have months to prepare it seem like you're just never quite ready. The good news is that my parents were ready to embark on their adventures, which made it a little easier to say goodbye. I am so excited to see what awaits them in Kenya & the people they will meet & grow to love. Any of you that know my parents know that they are amazing people & were made for missionary work. They will thrive with the work & experience that lies ahead of them & I am so proud of them for making this sacrifice & being such awesome examples to my kids.
It was more than a little heart-wrenching watching Mr P wipe his eyes as he tried so hard to contain his emotion, & inevitably break down into full fledged sobs. It was equally painful to pry Blue from my mom's arms as he cried for grandma & my dad had to turn away to regain composure. You see, the women in my family were bred for emotion, but when my dad breaks down it's more than a little tough to stomach. But I know that they are doing the right thing. I know that if this wasn't the right thing for them to do they wouldn't be going. I'm not sure that they've ever had to put so much faith in something & I cherish them for it. The next 23 months will be strange. They will be hard & trying at times, but I know they will be full of blessings too.
The first thing Mr P asked when he got up this morning was if we could talk to grandma & grandpa on the computer today, so I sure hope they get settled & adjusted to the time zone so we can grant his wish.
Good luck, Elder Grandpa & Sister Grandma!!! Hakuna Matata!

**sidenote: Hakuna Matata translates to 'there is no problem' & has pretty much become our family motto. We will sail through this!**

Runnin' Fools.

2011-10-04T15:33:00.000-06:00

This past weekend was the St George Marathon which happened to be my dad's 50th full marathon & supposedly my parents' last. They're amazing. Amazing, I tell ya!! The feelings, emotions, excitement & pride at the finish line didn't disappoint. There's nothing like it & someday I hope it's me on the other side of the fence soaking in the cheers & reveling in the beauty of the finish line coming into sight. Someday. In the meantime, props to my amazing parents.

Plenty of additional fun was had as well. Who doesn't love a dip in the old folks community pool?

And according to mr P he's getting a fancy new golf cart from his dad this week.

Mi Familia.

2011-09-07T15:54:00.000-06:00

Well, my brother's gone to Thailand for an extended visit & my parents will soon be on their way to Africa, so last Sunday was the last time we'd all be together (minus my sister's stepson) for a really, really super long time which warranted documentation. Dangit, I love my family.

Off to School.

2011-09-07T15:41:00.000-06:00

Try as I may I can't seem to stop this kid from growing up. As much as I hate it though, seeing the excitement on his face every single day he gets to go to school makes it worth it. It was even enough to help me hold it together until after I dropped him off on his first day. And today when he said "Yaaaah! I can't wait to go learn new things!" I knew it was all going to be worth it. This kid is destined for greatness.

Nairobi, Kenya.

2011-08-16T15:40:00.002-06:00

My parents have been talking for a while about the idea of going on an L.D.S. mission & suddenly it's upon us. We met last week as they (somewhat tearfully) opened their call to find that starting in a few short months they will call Nairobi, Kenya their home for 23 months. I am admittedly selfishly a little freaked out about not having them 10 minutes away but more so I am SO excited for the adventures that await them. I know they are making an awesome, selfless decision & that it will be an incredible experience in which they will learn & grow & meet people they will love intensely. I also know the people of Kenya are lucky to get them, if even for a short time.

One.

2011-08-16T15:12:00.004-06:00

In the blink of an eye our baby turned one. I don't know if it's just how busy we were this past year building our house or what, but I can literally still remember pretty much every detail of the day that little pumpkin was born like it was yesterday. And dang, that kid makes me so happy. I was a bit jealous of him at his 1 year checkup when the dr told me is to drink whole milk, have butter on everything, no fat free or lite substitutes etc. He's a little bitty peanut & apparently doesn't have the trouble I do with keeping off excess weight. I guess it's a good thing he ate a good solid half of his birthday cake. I've never seen anything like it.

Happy birthday, little Blue. You amazing little guy, you.

A Few Reasons My Life is (randomly) Splendid.

2011-07-14T21:08:00.006-06:00

Who can resist that?

Love these 2 shaggy boys.

Blue's 1st trip to Lagoon. Success. Look at that brotherly love.

This is my back yard. *Sigh of contentment.*

Our cute & awesome nephew opening his mission call to ZIMBABWE!!

We're so excited for him!

Don't tell anyone, but grandpa B. is a softie!

L'il trip to Texas. Loved it.

My family is amazing & awesome & fun & strong & incredible &

(as a friend just described it) cohesive.

I love them. Fiercely.

Our new abode.

Don't mind the trailer- not sure why I don't have a pic without it.

I cannot get enough of these brothers.

Dad with his girls on his 65th birthday. He's the BEST. So are my sisters.

We love Aunt Tanya.

Little Boy Blue.

2011-03-25T21:29:00.002-06:00

I must have done something nice in the pre-life or something, I don't know, but I cannot believe how blessed I am with the addition of #2. Dang, that kid is cute. And throughout all daylight hours an exemplary baby. The nights are still another story, but the days seem to make me forget... My overactive guilt complex has been flaring up as of late at how few pictures & videos this one has compared with his older brother. I had a memory of one of the Babysitter's Club books (don't judge me, I was very young) where one of the girls (Claudia, maybe??) thinks she was secretly adopted because there are no pictures of her as a baby, & instantly my brain went wild, the camera came out & for a day I was satisfied that I was going to be able to make up for it. I am coming to terms with the fact that I have not done well thus far, but am making yet another commitment to do better. Sorry, little man. If ever a #3 comes along I guess I'll hire someone to follow us around with a camera.

Mr P.

2011-03-25T21:03:00.003-06:00

I dont' even know where to start with this kid. He is not only living up to dang near every expectation I had of him, years before his birth, he makes me laugh (hard) every single day. I made a new commitment today to better document the funny things he says because at the rate we're going he's going to be 17 in no time. He's smart too. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I'll take it.

Uncle Lee.

2011-03-25T20:51:00.002-06:00

My younger brother has been able to come down from Logan quite a bit lately & we've had so much fun spending time with him. Mr P is completely smitten with him & it melts my heart. Watching them interact is one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time-- I especially love that my 3 year old totally picks up on his 20-something uncle's humor. Most of the time. Other times I know it's going to come back to bite me....

Lee just graduated from USU & is now debating some options, most of which will probably take him a significant distance from home. While I'm happy for him & excited for the adventures he has yet to undertake, I will be sad to see him go. I want my kids to always know their crazy uncle Lee.

Shaving Cream.

2011-02-23T18:08:00.002-07:00

Are we the only ones who did this when we were little?? Yes, that is shaving cream on the kitchen counter. It's a nice, fresh- smelling little art project.

I'm Alive. Technically Speaking.

2011-02-23T13:56:00.007-07:00

Wow. It's been much too long & I now have months worth of catching up to do. Here's to hopin! I'll start off with the most recent events & see where we get. Here's the condensed rundown:

6 months. expanded dining options.

3 heart-wrenching weeks. 2 sick kids. 3+ viruses including RSV. 2 infections of the ear & throat varieties. 6 doctor/RSV clinic visits. 3 prescriptions. 2 average hours of sleep per night. 0 new houses finished. 1 mom sick. 1 dad sick. 0 pleasant reasons for leaving the house. 7,402 prayers said. 0 lbs 'baby' weight lost due to stress/ exhaustion/ emotion eating. 2,379 tears shed when baby smiled at mom for the first time in days. 1 ridiculously grateful, blessed, humbled, relieved, happy mom. I think we're on the mend. Knock on wood.

Newborns & 3 Year Olds.

2010-09-28T14:08:00.005-06:00

A few weeks ago I headed to Paradise (literally) to get Blue's newborn pics. Our dear friend & mucho talented photographer Alan got some great shots despite that night being the crankiest night of #2's life. While I was trying to get little screamy/poopy/peebody to sleep Alan got some great shots of Mr P which worked out well since we needed some 3 year pics. I did not condone the use of the cat, however Mr P seems to love (sadly) the little critters. Might have to get used to it- moving to the country next to many a mouse-ridden hay field could warrant the need for a green eyed, sharp clawed demon pet. (No offense to any cat lovers out there. The dislike was ingrained in me from a very young age.) Dang, I have some cute boys.

Little Boy Blue.

2010-08-23T13:49:00.010-06:00

August 5 came REALLY quickly for me this year. Amid the joyful insanity of building a house, chasing a busy toddler & all the other activities of summertime, we welcomed the second little boy to our family & I'm not gonna lie-- He's a keeper! The delivery was just dandy as far as abdominal surgery goes, & before I knew it he was here! He had some little issues with his lungs & his blood sugar so, sadly (heart-wrenchingly) it was quite a while before I was able to hold him & several more hours before he was able to come to my room & officially meet his big brother who was going crazy waiting. He was 6lbs 3oz & 19.5" with a head of hair to rival Mr P's. I'm in love. Again. We went with the middle name Blue, as chosen by my elder son months ago, & what he's been referred to as ever since then. I love that someday I'll be able to tell him he was named by his older brother. Who, by the way, happens to be filling the role superbly. (knock on wood.)

And Baby Makes 4.

2010-08-03T17:20:00.006-06:00

Well, in less than 24 hours time I will officially be the mother of 2 boys. I'm still soaking it in, to be quite honest, & am both infinitely excited & also utterly terrified. There are days when it seems like I just got the hang of one of these rascals & in a matter of hours everything I know is liable to change & a whole new set of rules will apply. Every once in a while it hits me really hard & anxiety kicks in. Hard. How do you split your time/attention/love/energy etc. etc. with 2 when virtually every minute since my first son's birth has been devoted to him? Everyone keeps assuring me that it just 'works out.' That you just do what you have to do & that Mr P will adjust just fine. I sure hope you're all right, since there's no backing out now! So, wish me luck! Say a little prayer that my anesthesia goes a little more smoothly than last time & that I don't rip my innards open trying to keep track of a certain busy little boy.

Summer Catch-Up.

2010-07-17T15:18:00.009-06:00

Between building a house, getting ready for a baby & chasing a 2 year old we've kept pretty busy this summer. Lucky for us, however, we've managed to squeeze in quite a bit of fun. Just a sampling:

Fish Farm

Misc.

Swim Lessons

Camping

Lagoon

Humble Abode.

2010-07-17T14:21:00.005-06:00

After a whole lot of headache, paperwork, running around & living in my parents' basement for nearly a year, we have started our house!! Oh the joy that rings in my heart... Ty's dad is acting as our general & I cannot stress how grateful I am for him & for Ty & everything they are doing to get this thing done. Mr P & I go out every few nights to see how things are progressing & to let him drive any available machinery & I just can't believe how much work they do. Every visit we come home looking like true live hobos & my son is just as happy as a clam. Last night I went out for a while & sprayed down the gravel while they backfilled the foundation & compacted it & I thought I might die. It was a toasty 98 degrees & that was at 7 pm. I can't imagine how bad it was during the heat of the day. I wish (well sorta) that I had a picture of me with sweat pouring like little rivers through the dirt down my whole body. Sick. I'm super glad Ty was able to get some guys to help him today, since he'll be spending all day out there again. I feel a little lazy, but unfortunately they frown on 9 month pregnant women hauling gravel in this heat. Rats. So, cross your fingers for us that all proceeds smoothly & I'll keep you posted.

Getting ready for the foundation.

Footings

What's more fun that playing in a dirt pile??

The kid loves machinery.

Digging with grandpa. Life could not be better for this boy.

Oregon 2010

2010-07-14T13:46:00.010-06:00

Last month my family (the whole, entire thing- yes, all 25 of us) took our trip to the Oregon Coast. My amazingly generous & awesome parents rented a beach house that fit us all & we had a marvelous time. Now, some people would say we're totally crazy to attempt this type of feat, & in part we are. It's a lot of work & coordination & LOTS of kids, but I really, truly have the best family ever & I'm already geared up for next time. It was some of the best weather we've ever seen on the coast which made for lots of beach time. As always, the week went by much too quickly. THANKS, mom & dad! (Sorry for the picture overload. There are about 200 more where these came from & I'm still waiting to get copies of everyone else's, so you may get a future update. Fair warning.)

**If your child is ever trotting around with his hands in his pockets as mine is here, I suggest you force him/her to take their hands out for safety purposes. This picture was taken just before Mr P took a spill on some metal stairs, hands in pockets, rendering him unable to break his fall, causing him to smash his mouth on said stairs, break his front tooth, chip 2 others & set them all crooked. Perhaps karma is telling me I was too prideful of his up-til-then dang near perfect smile, but I'm quite sure it was the most traumatic thing that has happened since his birth, & he's taken some quite nasty spills. I am grateful, however, that the teeth remain intact. Knock on wood.

Mr P is still talking about this crab that pinched his dad's finger & made him scream.

Apparently it cracked him up. Nik's not quite so sure...

We joined my parents a few days before everyone else & went to see Crater Lake. Amazing. We did not plan on there still being so much snow & therefore are planning a trip back to do some further exploration.

7 Years & Counting.

2010-05-08T12:53:00.004-06:00

Seven years ago today I woke up in the wee hours of the dawn, did my darnedest to make myself look a little special, & drove to the Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple, where my family & I waited for my husband-to-be. Then we waited some more, after which we were asked by a kind little temple worker if the groom was on his way. I assured them that I sure hoped he was, since he wasn't answering his phone. However, he did make it, just in the nick of time. Turns out he couldn't find any clean socks & ended up washing some in the sink that morning. Or some crazy nonsense like that. And our adventures have just continued from there. And I literally mean adventures. From being 'guided' by policemen donning machine guns in Mexico to motorhome travels to the birth of our first son & the anticipation of our second & everything in between, the last 7 years have gone by in a flash & I'm grateful for my Mr who makes every one fun & exciting. Happy anniversary Mr B. I sure love you.

Closing in on 3 Decades.

2010-05-04T13:28:00.002-06:00

Well, I hit 29 & so far haven't broken a hip. This is what Mr P thinks about his aged mama. I had a great birthday & am very optimistic about the year ahead. I'm thinking another little man around a new house is sounding preeety swell.

I Need to Drive That.

2010-05-01T14:39:00.003-06:00

If there is something with an engine within a 2 mile radius of us, my son will find it & tell me he needs to drive it. This includes getting in any car whose owner is silly enough to leave the doors unlocked, 4-wheelers, tractors, lawn mowers, motorcycles and recently, airplanes & helicopters. The fact that he knows how to unlock & start many of these items has me on high alert at all times. What on earth am I going to do with 2 of these little squirts??

Upon a (Somewhat) Golden Springtime.

2010-05-01T14:16:00.005-06:00

Easter.

2010-04-20T14:44:00.003-06:00

Sin City.

2010-04-20T14:21:00.007-06:00

Went to Las Vegas a few weeks back-- It was a fun little trip, even with sick kids & wind bound to knock my 25 pound son into next Thursday. Our favorite thing was Red Rock Canyon- a MUST see. Oh- & also my son's first roller coaster ride, which he loved. The child has no fear & we laughed so hard watching him the tears flowed. I'm not going to say I can't wait to get back there, but it was good times. And a nice break from the snow at home. Oh, & I won BINGO in Mesquite, so that's always good.

Gender Verification.

2010-03-25T14:05:00.003-06:00

As you may recall from a couple posts back, we were undecided about finding out the gender of baby #2. Tyler pretty much had me convinced that I could wait until the birth, however since we pretty much only get one chance to find out we decided to have the tech write the sex down & seal it up in an envelope in case we couldn't live with not knowing. (She saw things really fast, so that plus genetics led us to lean towards boy, but I guess you never know!)

Ty tried to take said envelope with him, insisting I was not to be trusted with it, but I convinced him otherwise & we parted ways for the day. I stopped down the hall to see my mom & in that time received 2 phone calls. The 1st my husband making sure the envelope was intact. The 2nd my husband saying maybe we could just go to dinner & open it there. And he thought he could wait 4 more months.... Silly dad. Admittedly I was excited though. I didn't want to be the one who caved!

So last night we met with some family at my favorite little Pizzeria & had Mr P open the envelope to reveal we are having a

BOY!!!!

We could not be happier. I'm so excited for Mr P to grow up with a little buddy. Hopefully they'll be great little friends & be able to rely on each other & have lots of good times. He still seems a little confused at the whole concept, & thinks his brother's name will be Blue. I guess you never know.

20 weeks down, 20 more to go, & all looks great so far. It's so incredible to be able to see your growing child, watch his heart beat & his little fingers & legs move & to have a little assurance that things are falling into place. What a miracle. I could not be more grateful for it.

Seesters.

2010-03-22T13:49:00.002-06:00

These are my favorite women in the world. They are the best sisters & mom EVAH.

Sunburned Scalps & Other Signs of Spring.

2010-03-22T13:42:00.002-06:00

Spring has sprung (most days anyway) & we have been taking full advantage of the fresh air & sunshine. Anyone who knows my son very well knows he is a mover, so these past winter months have been long & hard on him. (& probably my parents whose house we currently reside in & are trying not to destroy.) I don't think I've ever been so grateful for the fact that the part in my hair is going to be a peeling, nasty mess any day now. It's soooo worth it.

Saying Goodbye.

2010-03-10T12:59:00.004-07:00

Not all of you are dog people, & I totally understand & respect that, however those of you who are might feel a little of where I'm coming from here. About a month ago we had to make the ridiculously hard decision to get rid of Birdie & Dexter, our 2 little hound dogs. Dogs I never wanted, but that became a part of my family like I could never have imagined they would. Someday maybe we'll get another dog but not if there's any tiny chance I'll have to tell it goodbye. It's so cheesy & ridiculous but no one could ever have prepared me for how hard it was going to be. Or how sad it is when Mr P looks for them & I have to remind him that they went to live at another house with another little boy. He loved them. Chasing them, pulling their tails & ears, riding them like wild horses, feeding them all kinds of 'treats' & running through the sprinklers with them on hot days. Don't know that we'll ever be able to replace them. Now there's just Frankie, the mutant dog that resides here.... Sigh...

To Know or Not to Know.

2010-03-08T14:41:00.002-07:00

Well, our big ultrasound is in 2 weeks, & we have a little urge not to find out what we're having. Ty especially. I think it would be really fun, when the baby's yanked out to hear 'it's a ....' but if by some small, tiny, itty bitty chance we're having a girl, she might be really sad when all she had to wear was a bunch of hand-me-down blue stuff. Or maybe I'd be the sad one... Either way, it's a big decision to make in the next couple of weeks. Any advice??

Gravity Slashers, baby!

2010-02-04T14:48:00.003-07:00

Last Saturday we ventured to the Energy Solutions Arena (NOT the Delta Center, kids) to see the moto-cross extravaganza known cleverly as the Gravity Slashers tour. If my dr knew how much anxiety (& thus subsequent rise in blood pressure) watching said event caused me I'm certain she would have advised against it. It's like a train wreck for me. I stare mesmerized as these (kids) men fly through the air kicking their heels, standing on their seats midair, back-flipping & who knows what other crazy stunts, just praying that this is not the day I will witness someone's neck break as they miss their seat & smash to the ground from 20 (50? 60? 100? I really have no idea) feet in the air. It's insane. And it's not so much watching these strangers perform such crazy feats as it is the gleam I see in my son's eye as he watches it. Yes, my son, who does already own a dirt bike, has no fear, & is his father's son. Sigh. Big sigh. May the fates look mercifully upon me as my son grows up....

Pretty sure this is his look of "man, I'm totally gonna do that someday!"

Clasping his hands in anticipation of a stellar land.

(If he was anything like me he would be clasping his hands in prayer of a safe land involving no broken extremities.)

It's Cold.

2010-02-04T14:31:00.003-07:00

Winter this year has been hard on me. I think mainly because it has been hard on my active, curious, busy Mr P. Days get longer & longer the more we're cooped up. We've tried really hard to get out of the house often for our sanity, & many a trip to the Treehouse, the aquarium the gym etc. etc. have really saved the day. However even in the dead of winter you gotta get out there!! There's much to be said about fresh (though possibly inversion-tainted) air & a little sun.

Pet Names.

2010-02-03T14:12:00.001-07:00

Yesterday at breakfast Mr P was calling his dad by his first name, to which Ty replied "Hey- it's daddy to you, Mr!" Then grandma asked Mr P what his mommy's name was. After a rather lengthy gaze at me he answered "It's Honey."

Hey-- If the shoe fits......

94 Looks Good on Ya.

2010-01-23T16:36:00.002-07:00

HAPPY 94th BIRTHDAY to our favorite Grandpa Stick!!!

We LOVE you!!!!

A Ride on a 'Train'.

2010-01-19T14:14:00.004-07:00

We didn't make it down to see the lights at Temple Square before Christmas & the night we chose the weekend after Christmas was the coldest night on record in SLC. (Not a verified fact, but I'm pretty sure.) When we did make the trip it was well worth it. We rode FrontRunner down with some friends, had a bite at the

Gateway & rode Trax over to Temple Square. Our time there totaled a maximum of 20 minutes before we loaded up the

babies & praised the warmth of mass transit.

Merry Christmas 2009.

2010-01-19T13:36:00.004-07:00

Christmas is a ridiculously spectacular time for me-- always has been, but it seems the older I get the more I realize how much so. My parents have been incredible with this holiday my entire life. I remember being young & being expected to choose 1 present to take to show grandparents & just pouring over the decision for what seemed like hours until it was time to load up & head out. We were not completely overwhelmed with gifts- they were plentiful, yes, but the incredible thing was that every gift was perfect- exactly what I'd been dreaming of virtually all year! My parents' thoughtfulness has always been above & beyond.

And now, as I'm in the shoes of a parent myself, I realize what a task that must have been with 5 kids!

The other notable thing about the way I was raised was knowing Christmas wasn't about Santa. The focus of Christmas is Christ, & through service, family time & generosity my parents ingrained that in me. The more years that pass, the more I recognize just how much my parents not only believe this, but live this in every facet of their lives. This year especially so, as we spent the month before Christmas saying goodbye to my sweet grandma & yet, their service did not fall along the wayside. How grateful I am for their examples as I begin the journey with my own child...

The holidays have become even more magical the last couple of years, watching my offspring as his eyes light up at the sight of lights, the story of Baby Jesus, & the opening of gifts. I keep hearing that every year gets even more fun, & frankly, I'm soo excited! I don't know how it can get any more fun but I'm excited to see it!

So, nearly a month past, I wish you all the happiest of holidays & the warmth & love of Christmas with you all year long. As always, it was over too soon.

Christmas Eve.

2010-01-13T15:22:00.004-07:00

I don't know what kind of hat

this is, or for what size of child,

but MrP got it for Christmas &

I think the bangs set it off

quite nicely, eh??

Using dad's hair as reigns: always a pleasant idea.

Pretty sisters.

KISS!!

Let the happiness commence!

Christmas Eve was spent at the in-laws, as per tradition & was a splendid time. We made the announcement to Ty's family about our expanding family, however not quite as planned. Mr P wore his shirt for dang near an hour before it was even realized what it said. We ended pointing it out to Ty's mom who read it as 'I'm gonna be a big monster.' Sigh. Oh well-- it was still worth it to see Ty's dad get a little emotional. Nothing shakes that tough guy like a grand baby!

Drumroll Please.

2010-01-13T15:12:00.004-07:00

I can't really post about Christmas without sharing this news, so here ya go. It's some of the most exciting, terrifying & joyful news I think there is. Ready or not, August is on its way.

A Soldier is My Brother.

2010-01-07T15:11:00.002-07:00

My older brother has enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves & spent several weeks at a grueling basic training in South Carolina before being able to come home & spend the holidays with his family. It was precious to see his homecoming-- His kids looked at him like they were seeing an apparition. I can only imagine how hard that separation has been & is going to be as he's headed back to finish basic & then move on to Officer Candidate School. But kudos to him for doing something I would never do without being forced. Pretty sure they don't like it when recruits lay on the ground in the fetal position & cry. I'll spare them that.

Margaret Manning McCracken.

2009-12-29T17:38:00.004-07:00

So cozy the night before the funeral.

A very sad day passed in my family a few weeks ago when my grandma was able to let go & move on with her mortal journey. Though it was a blessing for her, the loss & heartache we feel is wrenching. It was a great opportunity to spend time with family & reflect on the greatest blessings of this life. As my aunt Margie said in her remarks at the funeral, we hit the jackpot when we were born into this family. It's soooo great. And a huge part of that is due to my grandma, who never (ever) said an unkind word to or about anyone, always had a cookie waiting & made you feel the most beautiful, special person on the planet. She & my grandpa made it 70 happy years together, & I'm going to spend the next 70 years trying to be more like her.

2009-12-05T14:04:00.002-07:00

Another fun-fill autumn day was spent at the zoo with one of Mr P's best little buddies. It was chilly but nice, & lots of animals were out in full force. Including many babies! I came dang close to petting a giraffe that was within reach, but came to my senses. Although looking back, I probably should have, cuz who gets that chance twice in a lifetime?! Anyhow, good times, good friends.

Please Let Me In.....

2009-12-05T13:37:00.001-07:00

A Workin' Man.

2009-12-05T13:30:00.004-07:00

Mr P's latest thing is telling me that he always has to go to work. The job he's headed to varies depending on the day, but it's generally something involving something very large & motorized. Or fast. This particular day he wasn't disclosing where he would be working, but threw on one of grandpa's hats, grabbed the silverware basket from the dishwasher & headed to the front door. Upon questioning I was told he was late for work. Yes, even on a Saturday. Guess he takes after his dad there too.

Living Planet Aquarium.

2009-11-25T15:54:00.007-07:00

Cami & I took Mr P out (pre-ear-infection knowledge) for a day of fun at Ikea & the aquarium. Turns out he really loves fish, eels, crabs & other sea life, wanted to get in with the sting rays & makes friends amazingly easily. (With kids & grown ups alike.) I was glad he had a good day before his 2nd ear infection in a month hit & he cried all night & day, thus breaking my heart & rendering me useless in disciplinary situations. Thank goodness he bounces back quickly & he'll probably be good as new for this weekend's many festivities. (Knock on wood!!)

2009-11-25T15:37:00.002-07:00

My sister was in Seattle for work for a couple of weeks, so my dear friend Kim & I took the opportunity for a weekend trip to grace her with our company. It was so fun. SO fun. We did the usual touristy things cuz Kim had never been there & I haven't been for something like 10 years, so Space Needle, Pike's Place, a harbor cruise etc... We had tasty food, played some late-night Bingo, spent a couple of hours lost, did a lot of walking, utilized public mass transit & laughed quite heartily. Thanks to the sister's employer for the hotel room & rental car!!! I can't wait until they send her away again!!!

All Hallow's Eve.

2009-11-19T18:24:00.001-07:00

Fall Version 2009.

2009-11-18T17:01:00.003-07:00

Fall is pretty much my favorite time of the year. We have stayed so busy & loved every minute of it!! I haven't done the best at documenting all our adventures, but here's a little glimpse.

Kids.

2009-11-16T14:55:00.005-07:00

Just before my brother left Kate asked me to take pics of the kids to surprise him. It lasted about 7 minutes max, but I came away with nearly 200 pics, most of which were great, needing very little work. I can't tell you how in love with these kids I am-- they work the camera like mini J-Crew models. Lovely. The bad news was that because the army apparently has a lot of strict rules & what-not (who knew?) Kate was unable to give him these pics before he left. Well, now it looks like she can send them, & you better believe there's going to be one soldier in South Carolina crying like a little baby when he sees these.

A Little Plug.

2009-11-16T14:31:00.003-07:00

As you all may or may not know, November is National Adoption Month & since I just love this topic for obvious & various reasons, I'm gonna give it a little plug. I am SO happy to say that 4 of my friends have become parents this year through this awesome process (YAY!!!), but there are so many more who haven't. I pray for them, wish on stars for them & throw pennies in fountains for them. I wish I could do more. But I think that if we all spread the word about how great adoption is we might together be able to help more of these deserving people. Work with me, won't you??? And if you so desire, check this out. I know I'm overly touchy on a few things, but it has always bugged me when people would say I gave my baby up. Just a little heads up! And again, yay for adoption!!

He's Proud to be an American.

2009-11-14T14:44:00.005-07:00

My elder brother Andrew embarked on quite an adventure last week. He joined the military reserves. Marines, I think. He'll be gone for 10 weeks, home for Christmas & then gone again for upwards of 6 months before it becomes just a monthly weekend thing. I can't imagine the thought process he went through in arriving at the decision to do this, but I am dang proud of him for wanting to serve his country & do his part in making it a better place to raise my kids. He is much braver than I. It's pretty scary & I can't begin to know what's in store for Kate as a single mom for the next while, but I am grateful for those that choose to sacrifice for all of us. His letters make me really glad I'm not there-- all the yelling, running, push-ups, swearing in your face, pull-ups & late night guard duty make me really happy to be comfy at home. It's a good thing he's much tougher than I am, cuz I'm pretty sure I'd be curled up in the fetal position crying! But perhaps this is a just a little payback for all the times he was mean to me when we were younger. Haha!! Just kidding. Good luck, brother. See you in a while.... Glad we got some good family pics before you left!

Wedding Numero Dos.

2009-11-14T14:33:00.003-07:00

My brother's super sweet mother-in-law got re-married a couple of weeks ago, & was so awesome (& daring) to let me do the pictures. It was so gorgeous & they had the most fun reception with dancing & laughter aplenty. I wish her all the happiness in the world with her new husband. Heaven knows she deserves it. And thanks again, Ruthie, for taking a chance on me & letting me get some more practice!

Grandpa Stick.

2009-11-14T14:26:00.003-07:00

My sweet Grandma has been quite sick for a few weeks now, which is never fun, but it has given us the chance to spend some really awesome time with her & Grandpa Stick, who Mr P has come to adore. They like to hang out on the hospital bed that was intended for Grandma but was taken over by these 2, for the purposes of eating candy & watching golf. It absolutely melts my heart to see how my grandpa lights up when he sees that Mr P has come to visit. Though he can't hear a lot of what P's saying, they just laugh & laugh & talk to each other for hours. I'm so grateful for this special little bond these 2 special guys in my life have. It makes the hard times a little more bearable.

The Land of Cotton.

2009-10-05T14:47:00.003-06:00

While in the land of cotton for the marathon, we enjoyed some extra adventures as well. Mr P grew up quite a bit, having to take to the spectacles & shaving like all the other old folks around. We also got to see just a bit of Zion & Bryce National Parks which are so amazing to me. It's so hard to wrap your head around something so gigantic & gigantically gorgeous. Not a long weekend, but enjoyable none-the-less.

2 Marathons, 1 Month.

2009-10-05T14:23:00.005-06:00

My parents have super-human strength. That's all there is to it. They just finished the Top of Utah & St George marathons within a couple weeks of each other, making them my dad's 41st & 42nd and my mom's 26th & 27th marathons. I should feel inspired, however I mostly just feel tired. I hope the inspiration starts to set in... Congrats, you runnin' fools!!!!

Island Park.

2009-10-05T13:55:00.005-06:00

Eeps!!

Water wheel made

from old tin signs.

Last month our super friends Rex & Meredith invited us up to their cabin in Island Park for a splendid weekend retreat. I cannot tell you how cool this place was. Acres upon acres of undisturbed land, a crystal clear (COLD) stream stemming from several fresh water springs & cabins built decades ago, with original furniture & style. We had such a great time riding 4 wheelers, driving backhoes, dining in West Yellowstone & watching the billions of stars you don't get to see down here. Mr P & Miss G had a great time throwing rocks in the stream (much to Rex's dad's dismay- sorry!), swinging & being completely covered in layer upon layer of dirt. It was a great little retreat & we're so stoked to have found out about the ice cream place with the 'Tom Huckleberry.' It doesn't get any better than that! Thanks, friends!!

Celebrate in Style.

2009-10-01T18:09:00.005-06:00

I almost forgot to mention-- This is what you get for breakfast when you're at grandma's on your birthday morning. Whatever you want. Yes, it does in fact include Dorito's & a cupcake. Splendid way to start the day.

Guns, Motorcycles & Dirt.

2009-10-01T17:51:00.004-06:00

Learnin' young.

Kate makes that thing look good.

Grandpa's so good he puts the kids to sleep.

Brookie makes that thing look good!

We were able to get my whole family up camping for a night before the weather turned. It was such a dang good time. We were cracking up around the fire hearing stories of Andy's colorful younger days, & even some of my dad's. We ate tasty treats, took 4 wheeler & mini-bike rides & reveled in the fact that we have the best family ever. There was a minor set-back when Jack took a spill & had to go get 4 stitches. Blech. Never fun. But other than that, a splendid way to send out the summer!!

Two Blinks of an Eye.

2009-10-01T17:12:00.007-06:00

I have been procrastinating this post, because I haven't had a chance to do Mr P's 2 year pics yet, & because I seriously get emotional attempting it, but I better just start where I am & go from there. I don't even pretend to know how to sum up the last 2 years, other than to say they've been the best 2 of my life. Mr P came into this world with a head full of hair, the brightest blue eyes you can imagine & a smile that I'm sure could be used in achieving world peace. From the minute he was delivered he captured my heart in its entirety. And with what can be no more than 2 blinks of an eye, he's not a baby anymore.

It hits pretty hard on a daily basis, but never more than when he speaks in sentences, asks to wear an alternate pair of shoes, or runs up mid-play, gives my leg a kiss & scurries back to the task at hand. He's smart, that one, & I hope he can use some of that brain power to realize just how much he's the best thing that's ever happened to us.

I pray daily for the strength, the sanity, the bravery & foremost the ability to raise this little giant to enjoy the happiness & fulfillment I wish for him.

Happy Birthday, my only son.

Warning: Upcoming Post Overload.

2009-10-01T15:49:00.002-06:00

OK, well, I guess when you're as far behind as I seem to be, ya gotta start somewhere. I don't know what my deal is with the blog neglect, but man I have a lot to catch up on!! So, be prepared for it. Take it in small doses if you must-- I won't be offended. Just be prepared, because here it is......

New Wheels.

2009-09-08T13:28:00.004-06:00

Don't be too worried if you see these 2 characters around town. They're much more harmless than they appear. My dad's new 4-wheeler brings out the crazy in them.

It also brings out the motor-head in my son. At least he's getting in the habit of wearing a helmet...

Happy Birthday Dear Tyler.

2009-09-08T13:12:00.003-06:00

Last week we celebrated my handsome husband's 31st birthday. Don't be jealous of my unique cake-making abilities- I am willing to share them. Thanks to my mom & dad who watched Mr P so he & I could go to Park City for the night & have a blast at the Olympic Park. The ziplines, the Quicksilver & the 65 MPH Bobsled were enjoyed by all. Happy Birthday, other half!! You are 31 flavors of fun. Love you.

Sisters do as sisters should.

2009-08-26T16:29:00.002-06:00

We're all together sisters....

Summer Recap.

2009-08-25T13:19:00.003-06:00

I have been putting this off for much too long & am now going to end up with a post the size of Texas. Hmmm... Where to start.... We've had a great summer & hope to squeeze a little more juice from it's sweet fruit in the next couple of weeks. We headed to gorgeous little Cache Valley a couple of times to see Jack's last T-ball game (he's headed for the major leagues), play time at the park & much loved time with sisters & cousins.

We were lucky to have Ty's darling cousins from Texas here for a bit & were so happy they joined us on a few adventures such as the zoo, Willard Bay & Flaming Gorge. They need to move back here. Speaking of Flaming Gorge, I'm not sure what the deal is, but we have no luck with that place. Don't get me wrong- we had a great time, however torrential downpour in the middle of a rafting trip with many babes & small children in tow isn't exactly ideal. BUT we made the most of it, got everyone out alive & will no doubt try it again in the next year or two. (Just as a side note, last time we went to the Gorge we had the brilliant idea to take my parents' old van which broke down on the way home & rendered us helpless & stuck in Vernal for 3 days. Blech.)

We also took a quick camping trip to Lava, floated the river, swam & ate s'mores to our hearts content. There's been ample swimming in the backyard on the many days that soared into the high 90's. Mr P has a new-found passion for stripping down, turning on the sprinklers & going to town. We had a fun little family outing that took us to Layton to enjoy the sweet rock of Grand Funk Railroad. (Ummm Who?) Yes, we were probably the youngest there; yes, I did know a few of their songs & yes, Mr P was quite the crowd pleaser as he danced around & sang with the best of 'em. (You'll note in a couple of pics he's covering his ears. This is not due to his dislike of said band, but to sheer loathing of the shrieking & whistling of people seated by us. He glared at the super loud lady by me a couple of times, to which she took no notice. Haha.)

We spent a little time at the fair admiring the many blue ribbons my aunt won for various crocheted items & canned goods as well as some of the animals. (Giant bunnies, Kenzie!) We also enjoyed some good country fun watching the ATV rodeo Ty & his friend Rex participated in. Their events were the polo derby like the one they did on the 4th of July & also the gunny sack race where Ty drove his 4-wheeler, towing a piece of tarp, onto which Rex jumped & was then dragged around barrels & through a mud pit. Boy, doesn't that sound like a good time?! They didn't win, but it sure was entertaining. I bet it took Rex a good while in the shower getting the mud out of his ears, nostrils & elsewhere. Good times.

We rocked a really good time at the Monster Jam, cheering for the old classic Gravedigger & the new classic Ninja Turtle truck & trying not to concentrate on the smells of neighboring patrons or the lack of attire. My son's love for anything with motors & wheels is almost comical. We heard "Oh boy!!!" a lot that night. Man, I love to see that kid's face light up when he's excited. They don't come cuter than that.

My mom celebrated her 60th birthday amid family & friends, complete with the timeless sounds of Michael Jackson & some quite entertaining dancing. This woman has the spirit & heart of a 16 year old. The only thing old(er) about her is her wisdom. She's utterly amazing. I'm certain there aren't that many 60 year olds who can totally kick their 20-something daughter's tail at running or biking or any of the other crazy things she does. Not only that, but I can guarantee you there is not a kinder, more generous person to be found. I love her & wish her a splendid year ahead. She's the best.

So, if you're still with me after all that, I'll just sum by saying it's been a great summer. I don't know how it goes by so fast, but I'm also excited for fall. Mmmm, cozy sweaters..... Life's good.

2009-08-24T17:01:00.002-06:00

This is how we do it.

2009-07-30T14:38:00.003-06:00

Step 1: Get a trailer. Step 2: Get some pallets. Step 3: Get some shrink wrap. Step 4: Get a forklift. Step 5: Stack & move. I could not be more glad that we have completed step 5. We got the majority of our stuff moved in one weekend, got the house cleaned & closed last Wednesday. Whew! The past month has been a whirlwind of activity, since it was only about 6 or 7 weeks from the time we put it on the market to the time we closed. Which is a good thing-- It's a really good thing! Don't get me wrong-- I feel insanely blessed that we've had such good fortune & are on to our next adventure. However the thought of never going home to my little Terrace house again, never running across the street to swim or borrow an egg, never having neighbors show up with a delicious treat, never sitting on my front porch as the sun goes down, watching my offspring ride his big wheel with the many neighbor kids-- it all tugs at my heartstrings. We knew the time in our home there was temporary going into it, but I never could have known how 'at home' I would end up feeling there. I miss it a great deal already. I hope the cute couple taking our place feels the same happiness there that we did. And I hope our friends & neighbors don't forget us too quickly because I know I'll remember them always. Thanks for everything. I say a little prayer in my heart every day that we'll be as happy in our new home...

Independence Day.

2009-07-14T15:40:00.006-06:00

We had a busy, fun-filled 4th of July that took us from Paradise all the way to Bountiful, & a few stops in between. We camped overnight in Paradise & had such fun with Gracie's family going to the fireworks at USU & the next morning I 'ran' the 15k Freedom Run up Blacksmith Fork Canyon with my parents & some friends, though it was more walking than running to be honest. I was not quite prepared for that one. I finished though, which was pretty much my goal.

From there we went to Plain City where Ty competed in an ATV polo tourney with our friend Rex, & I might add that such an event is entertainment at it's finest. Truth be told, it just might be the fact that said city holds such events that draws us to move there. One never knows.

We finished our night at Grandpa Noker's where we celebrated both, yes both of Ty's parents' birthdays with food, cake, homemade ice cream, fireworks & loads of fun! Happy 4th.

Best Question Ever.

2009-07-10T12:55:00.005-06:00

So yesterday I was picking my darling sister-in-law Roxi up to head to Brianna's wedding & some of her cute little neighbor girls were playing in their front yard. I heard them yell something, but didn't realize they were talking to us until one little girl yelled "Hey!" grabbing my attention, before repeating her question. Ready for it??? "Are you a movie star?!" she asked. To which I graciously & promptly replied "Yes, I am!" I was laughing & grinning with a little pride when she asked what movies I was in. At the risk of losing my new found little fan club, I decided I must tell her the truth. That I am in fact, not a movie star. She hesitated only a moment before replying "Well you totally look like one!" Awww, shucks. I bet I was blushing. Kids in my neighborhood never ask me that.

Father's Day.

2009-07-07T16:09:00.009-06:00

We celebrated Father's Day & my sister Brooke's Birthday by having a picnic up Logan Canyon (so gorgeous & green!) & sampling a smorgasbord of tasty desserts made by her neighbor, the pastry chef. Nice. I just gotta mention how much I love my sister. She's stunning, funny, brilliant & one of the best friends I have ever had. I hope she had a splendid birthday & that the year ahead treats her better than ever!

I'm also so grateful for the dads in my life. I have such an awesome dad, words cannot describe. He is beyond amazing in his generosity, his example & his knowledge. I really lucked out. I'm also so lucky that my son has such an incredible, hard working, smart, funny dad. He's so much fun, & lives to be a dad. I'm grateful for him every single day. (And might I add that he's handsome as the day is long.....)

And there are others... Brothers, uncles, grandpas... The list goes on... Happy Father's Day each & every one!!

Summertime & the livin's (sorta) easy!

2009-07-07T15:20:00.009-06:00

We have had quite an eventful summer so far-- I'll try to recap without making this 6 years long. We were fortunate enough to sell our house in about 3 weeks so we're crazy busy with packing, moving & getting everything ready for the new construction to commence. However, this doesn't mean we haven't been having any fun. Oh we're having fun alright!! It'll just be more fun when the moving (1st move anyway) is done. We're set to close on the 22nd so cross your fingers for us that all goes well there.

Here's some evidence of the good times we've been having...

Many days at the park, playing on the huge inflatable slide at our neighbors, BBQ's, getting ready for the impending nuptials, visits to Paradise, the Treehouse, etc. etc. I love me some summer.

Breezy

2009-07-07T15:11:00.004-06:00

I believe I previously mentioned that my little sis-in-law Brianna is getting married this week. Well, I've had the wonderful opportunity to do her pictures & we've had so much fun together. I wish them the best of luck this week & for the rest of their lives. Scared witless, but looking forward to doing their wedding pictures also. Wish me luck that all goes well- A friend of mine told me not to worry, that I would do great, that there was nothing to be scared about-- weddings only happen once in a liftime, right? Whew. What great advice for a first timer. I do appreciate their trust in letting me practice one them!!!

Let's Make a Deal

2009-06-18T13:10:00.002-06:00

1 $1200 jetted tub: $50

1 $800 corner garden tub: $300

2 $150 faucets: $40

1 $200 shower floor: $25

1 $250 faucet: $15

1 $100 tub filler: $15

1 $600 kitchen sink: $100

1 $200 bathroom sink: $25

Having a husband who knows where all the deals are & has connections to them: priceless.

For Sale.

2009-06-09T21:27:00.002-06:00

Here is the humble abode we've called home for about 3 1/2 years now. It's a great house. We have GREAT neighbors. The ward is awesome. It's really close to Target. I am a tad bit sad to leave it, but please, someone come buy our house so I can build my new one.

Queen.

2009-06-09T21:20:00.002-06:00

Ain't she the prettiest little cowgirl you've ever seen? Little miss Tanya won a queening contest this past week. Congrats & yee haw!!

It's Really Quiet.

2009-06-09T21:15:00.001-06:00

Yes, it was permanent. Yes, I got it off. Yes, he's a mischievous little turkey.

Congrats, Graduate!

2009-05-31T15:00:00.007-06:00

My cute sister in law Brianna graduated this past week, so just a woot woot!! to her! We had such a fun time doing senior pics & will be moving on to engagements since she is getting married in July. What??!! Yep, July. Congrats, Breezy & Dillon!

Have a Laugh.

2009-05-28T12:30:00.002-06:00

This makes me laugh. So does this. Enjoy.

Bless Your Heart.

2009-05-27T22:03:00.003-06:00

Dear Cute Mom at the Park:

Thank you for being so kind & funny when my obviously starved-to-pieces son inched his way closer to your picinc blanket today, excitedly noted that you had fries, helped himself to a few & then graciously accepted a chicken nugget. I promise I do feed him & would love to replace your girls' lunch items should we ever meet at the park in the future. You are the kind of cute mom I hope to be.

New Year's Goal Completed? Check.

2009-05-23T09:46:00.005-06:00

Yes, ladies & gentlemen, you've heard right. I completed the Ogden 1/2 Marathon last Saturday which was the goal I had set for myself this year. (I've been excited to post on this for a week now, but have been waiting for a pic to add. Tausha--do you hear me? :) But I gotta just get it out there.) Does this mean I am under no obligation to further improve myself this year? We'll see. Actually, truth be told what it's done for me is set a bar, challenging me to do better & go faster next time. Yes, again you heard me right. There will be a next time! It was pretty slow, but I finished under 3 hours & that was my goal! An old friend from work had a son that also ran & she told me that she was long packed up & gone by the time I rolled in. Sigh. My parents can hardly believe I'm enjoying this junk, but I really am! Well-- if I'm running with someone. I'm not terribly fond of running alone. So, just let me pat myself on the back for a minute here. I did it!!

California '09.

2009-05-18T13:57:00.004-06:00

It has been quite an eventful few weeks for our little family. I was called to be the secratary in the Primary a few weeks ago, & missed the first 2 weeks of said calling because we were on vacation. Before we left for California I was able to go to Women's Conference which was a great time.

We went to some awesome classes (plus a couple not so great ones), laughed our heads off, walked at least 20 miles & 4,000 stairs, ate snacks, laughed some more & then headed home to get my Mr P. I missed him terribly.

In the meantime, Ty was working his tail off so that we could go on vacation the next day. We got a late start, but got to St George Saturday night & then Oceanside Sunday afternoon. The drive really wasn't too bad, especially since Mr P had a DVD player occupying a lot of his time. He is NOT a fan of confinement these days, & we were a bit nervous about how all that time in the car would pan out. Whew.

We had a few great days of Sea World, the Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, the beach & playing around in general. It was so fun, just the 3 of us! Mr P was so tuckered by the end of every day that he slept like a log every night, which was good because the trains went right past our window, honking every time without fail. All night long. He loved to watch them every time & yell 'choo choo!! Where it go??'

Mr P's favorite thing about Sea World was the pigeons. His favorite thing about the zoo was the bugs. His favorite thing about the Wild Animal Park was the train, and his favorite thing about the beach was the playground- It definitely wasn't the water. He was cracking us up the entire trip, as well as gathering fan clubs at every place we stopped. What a kid.

So all in all, great times. Now, back in the saddle....

2009-05-18T13:54:00.000-06:00

Wicked.

2009-05-18T13:30:00.002-06:00

I could go on & on, but I'll sum it up with this: Wicked was incredible. I LOVED it. My uber sweet husband booked us a room at a historic B&B, we ate some tasty food, slept in, & had a great time. I think it was even better than I had anticipated, which is always nice. We also made some friends from Australia that have invited us to come visit. I think we better take them up on that! So, THANKS a million to the best husband a girl could ask for, & thanks again to mom & dad for taking Mr P overnight! You're the best. It was a stellar birthday! (I had a couple of really cute pics, but they're on my old camera to which the cord is lost so I don't have a way of getting them on here. Sigh.)

Monumental Day.

2009-05-18T12:21:00.004-06:00

I do realize I'm a little late posting, so forgive me, but to celebrate Earth Day, Mr P enjoyed his very first Slurpee! Needless to say he loved it. Who doesn't love frozen sugar on a sunny day? (Don't worry, we also planted some flowers to please Mother Nature.)

Easter Weekend.

2009-04-15T17:18:00.005-06:00

Easter weekend was quite nice around our house. Mr P was pretty excited about the basket the Easter Bunny left him, but what little kid isn't excited about copious amounts of sugar? We took him to the Terrace egg hunt, where he ran in the opposite direction, got one egg, found there was candy in it, & decided he just wanted that one piece opened right then, & stared at the parents who had pillowcases like they were lunatics (possibly learned from his mother) before getting the gist of gathering the eggs & putting them in his basket. Once he figured the whole thing out it was very cute. He would put the eggs in his little basket & tell me the colors with a grin the size of Georgia on his face.

Nursery is still going well, aside from when Ty decides to peek through the window & set Mr P into a little frenzy. We're working on the standing at a distance thing, so he won't be noticed. He seems to have a great time, especially when the snacks come out. Knock on wood...

We spent the afternoon with Ty's family eating & chatting, jumping on the trampoline, feeding the baby cows, & lounging. It's always a great day for a holiday.
Mr P even got an Easter haircut (Well, a trim at least. Most people don't even notice.) following a gal asking me if I was one of 'those moms' who doesn't cut their boy's hair. In my defense, I like it shaggy-- It really isn't just an excuse for me to be lazy.

Happy as a Clam.

2009-04-15T17:04:00.005-06:00

The other night Ty & I decided to go check out some of the houses in Daybreak to just get some ideas of things we like & might decide to implement in our new house. Well, Mr P found his favorites. He sat in this little red chair, kicking his legs, laughing & telling all kinds of stories while pointing at the Dr. Seuss murals & implementing extravagant hand gestures. It was even better after he found the little Cat in the Hat guy which he brought back to the chair & repeated his narrative.
He then found this little red car & was very sad when we had to leave it behind. That kid is attracted to things with wheels like a mosquito to a bug zapper.

Grandma Extarordinaire.

2009-04-15T16:55:00.002-06:00

For those who may have needed more proof that Grandma Katherine is the quintessential grandma of the century, here you are. A couple of weeks ago we headed to Logan & hung out at Brooke's while the men-folk attended Priesthood, & though it was very chilly out, the kids wanted to play outside & the ever-obliging grandma consented. Light saber fights & all.
(It's a darn shame there are no pictures of my stellar flip. First one in probably a good 10 years or more, & quite a beauty.)

Slowly but Surely, I Guess.

2009-04-13T21:26:00.003-06:00

Well folks, I think I'm actually going to make it. Today I did a 6.5 mile run & feel great! That's half of what I'll be doing in 33 days, so things are looking up. I'm by no means going for time, so if I'm dragging my sorry body over the finish line when they close it at 6 hours, so be it. Wish me luck for the upcoming weeks. My achin' bones are going to need it!

Wicked!

2009-04-02T13:21:00.002-06:00

To my family: Do you remember when we had those friends from Canada or somewhere who used to say 'wicked!' in place of 'cool' or 'sweet'? Well, I think I'm going to bring it back. Reason for said change of vocabulary, you might ask? Well, I'M GOING TO WICKED!!!! My ever-so-sweet, thoughtful & awesome husband thought he would be able to hold out on the surprise until my birthday, but as usual, he caved & gave me the tickets last night. Woo hoo! I'm so excited I could just dance & I just had to share it. Thanks, love!!

What in the World?!

2009-03-28T21:54:00.002-06:00

I suppose I should be flattered that all of you loyal readers out there have enough faith in me to support me in my goal of running a half marathon, however why oh why didn't just one of you try to tell me how insane I am? I had been very lightly 'training' with the idea that I would run Top of Utah in the fall or possibly one in Bear Lake in June, because I didn't get registered in time for Ogden. Which is in May, mind you. Seven weeks from today. Well, I had to go open my big mouth & tell a friend that I had tried to register for Ogden & it was full, & it just so happens that said friend has a few connections & long story shorter, I am now registered.

What in the world am I thinking? Since I found this out on Tuesday I have run (using the term incredibly loosely, as there is quite a bit of walking involved) every day with no sign of improved endurance. My breathing seems to be getting a little better, but my legs just seem sooo tired! I'm not giving up, in fact, that's not even an option. I have 3 other gals planning to run with me & also the fact that a favor was used to get me registered, I better pull through. Needless to say, any advice on the matter would be appreciated. If I'm incredibly ornery the next 7 weeks you'll now know why. Please don't judge me.

Pilot Brother.

2009-03-20T17:41:00.006-06:00

I have some really awesome & talented siblings & would just like to take a moment to brag one up. My good news minute, if you will. Yesterday my dad, Mr P & I went out to the Ogden Airport where Lee was taking his Instrument Test for the flight program he's in at USU & got to see him come in & land, maneuver around the runway & take off a couple of times. It was so cool & weird & awesome to watch!! Mr P was in awe of the planes & helicopters-- his baby blues were as big as saucers. He even said 'helicopter!' We met my mom for dinner & when we took Lee back to the airport the sun was setting & we watched him do his pre-flight check, taxi & take off. Granted, I'm an emotional goober, but I really almost got choked up as we saw his plane heading toward Ben Lomond. I'm so stinkin' proud of him. What a great accomplishment!! Can't wait to go for a ride....

Whoops, He did it Again.

2009-03-18T19:10:00.001-06:00

That's right, my little angel managed to call 911 AGAIN. This time at my mom's & this time a cop showed up. I'm feeling really good that they now have my name on file twice for the same offense. I bet they think I'm such an attentive mother.

18 Months & Counting.

2009-03-16T12:54:00.002-06:00

My little Mr P celebrated his 18 month birthday last week, accompanied by the usual visit to the doctor. Upon her entering the room, P took about 4 seconds to compose himself before beginning to tell her a story. A story that by the sound of it included both exciting & serious turns, encompassed a few comedic moments & was critical to the completion of a good well-child visit. I can't tell you what exactly the story was, but it was apparently enough for his doctor to deem him 'socially mature.' She asked if he talked like this often, to which I replied "not often-- pretty much non-stop." She laughed, which made P laugh & hold his belly like he'd just heard the funniest joke, & for which he had a quick, if unintelligible response. (When I told my dad about this he said "Well, his dad's never met a stranger." Which is true.)

The visit progressed well; we learned that P is 10th percentile in weight & 20th in height. He's just a little guy, but he's healthy & abundantly happy. Well, for the most part anyhow. He had to get a shot, which is never any fun for either of us, but at least I don't cry anymore. I had a 'moment' this time that has been in my mind ever since. As the nurse was preparing to give the shot, & asking me to hold his arms, he was looking at her, a bit wondering, but not unhappy, however the moment he felt the pain as the needle entered his leg, his little eyes shot to mine, full of tears & confusion, probably wondering why I would let this happen to him. I grabbed him up the moment the band-aid was on, & just loved him up, wishing I could explain it all to him. And yet, just moments later, all is forgiven. The pain is forgotten & he trusts me with his whole heart once again.

This utter trust continues, as his new favorite game is to climb on to the nearest object & jump, full bore, into my arms. There is no hesitation. His little mind trusts that I will be there, ready, able & willing to catch him before he falls. As cliche as it seems, that's a lot of responsibility on my shoulders, because I know it's not just this one game; It's life. I am the one who has to be held responsible to raise this boy with all the correctness, truth, love & direction I can muster. Sometimes it's so overwhelming that I was entrusted with such an amazing spirit to raise. I have to take it day by day & heaven knows some are better than others, but because I have Ty & so many others around me, I'm willing to give it a go. But ya know, that little Mr P makes it a lot easier on me than he probably has to. Knock on wood.

Farm Fresh.

2009-03-16T12:23:00.003-06:00

My ever-adventurous & busy husband has started another endeavor. The raising of cows. He hopes to get some buying, selling & breeding going on eventually, as well as a beef supply, however for now we just have 3 little guys who still eat from a bottle & nuzzle right up to humans in hopes that visitors come bearing food. P wasn't quite sure what to make of them, but wasn't scared, so it's a start. He'll be helping Ty muck stalls in no time. Or so Ty hopes, because it sure won't be me! The day these were taken I think these little guys were 6 days old. Awww, sweet. (Jackson joined us on our visit to the farm, however I was unable to get a pic of him with the Holsteins because he choose to stay outside, a safe distance from the smell of cowpies. His words.)

It's too Quiet.

2009-03-16T12:17:00.004-06:00

Sometimes a nice, quiet house means peace & rest. Sometimes it means this.

Someone please tell me how this kid finds EVERYTHING he's not supposed to have, no matter how I try to hide it. This means that for all holidays & birthdays from now on, no more toys. Household goods only.

Bear Lake.

2009-03-11T16:03:00.004-06:00

Last weekend Ty & I went with most of my family to Bear Lake for a quick weekend getaway. I didn't do so well documenting, but we had a splendid time. We spent Saturday sledding at the Sinks, which was the BEST. However, note for next time: snowmobile necessary. It was quite a hike getting back to the top of the hill, possibly best described as excruciating, but I don't think I've ever tubed such long hills! I was laughing out loud going down, then laughing that I was such a nerd for laughing out loud. What a vicious cycle. I also had quite a hearty laugh when I dared my dad to go down on his belly & he took me up on it. Now that's entertainment.

We also thawed our bones with a little swimming & enjoyed some truly entertaining Rock Banding. Mostly from the kids, but also a very nice rendition of 'White Wedding' from Bishop Lambert. Classic.

Thanks, everyone for coming & for all the fun, good food & good memories. There WILL be a next time.

Happy Birthday Auntie Tanya!!!

2009-03-11T15:54:00.002-06:00

My auntie Tanya is now 17 & we wanted to tell her that we love, love, love her!!! She's such a great aunt who has a heart of gold, an incredible knack for making us laugh our guts out, & who is overflowing with greatness to offer the world.
We wish you a wonderful year ahead!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
xoxo

Gettin' in on the Giveaway Action.

2009-03-07T18:07:00.001-07:00

So, a friend that I grew up with now owns a pretty cool restaurant in Ogden called the Sonora Grill. Check this out for a chance to win a free dinner fr 6! Food's great & the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous!! You won't be disappointed!

Good to the Last Drop.

2009-02-21T12:36:00.003-07:00

When my Mr P likes something, he intends to enjoy it to the fullest extent. I think maybe he got this from me.

Public Service Announcement.

2009-02-19T11:53:00.004-07:00

Just warning you-- This little ninja may come in the night.....

With the intentions of stealing your child's binkies.

I can only recommend that you seriously heed my warning. A little while ago I decided I was going to get Mr P off the binkies, but the smart little bugger must've known my plan because since then he has been able to find & collect a vast amount of them. They must be multiplying in the night, because I cannot figure out where they all keep coming from. There are days when he's carrying around upwards of 5. Therefore, I spend a good part of my day following said little ninja around, collecting binkies & putting them where I know he can't get to them. I'm still having hard time getting him to go down without one (or a couple) so any helpful advice on the matter of binky weaning is welcome!

Broken?

2009-02-16T18:41:00.002-07:00

I'm am a bit concerned. When I logged onto my blog today, it was blank. Um, that can't be a good thing, right? So I thought I'd try a little test post to see what happens. Is anyone seeing previous posts when then come to my blog? I have quite a few posts I have neglected to save & will be VERY sad if they are lost. So, let me know what you see when you come to visit, & say a little wish on a star that nothing is too terribly wrong & that this is just a fluke!! Thanks!!

Youth Restored.

2009-02-03T11:49:00.002-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed a splendid night out with a couple of gal pals I haven't seen in ages. They treated me to a night of fun in the big SLC where we saw this cute missy sing a few ditties, then stayed & talked until quite late for a school night. Thanks, ladies!! Let's do it again soon!