Spoiled Rotten

Dax @ 2 years old

2010-07-19T22:19:00.000-07:00

2 Year Stats: (6.10.10)

Height: 33 3/4'' 25%

Weight: 26.4 lbs. 25%

Head: 19" 30%

Favorite Words: Oopsies, Oh Maaaan! (Swiper the Fox), Stop Eit!

Favorite Songs: ABC's, Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree, Happy Birthday, and Wheels on the Bus

Favorite Things: Wiggle Bike, Sand Box, Outside, Stroller Rides, Dora the Explorer, and Dumping out my flour and sugar buckets (ooooooooh!!! frusterating!)

Favorite Foods: Apple Juice, Candy, Hot Dogs, Chips, and Doudans (Doughnuts)

Dax has definintly been our craziest monkey child we've had yet! I like to call him, Houdini. He can escape from anywhere at anytime. He just keeps us on our toes at all times. We love you, Dax!

A Handy Dandy Birthday!!

2010-05-14T19:55:00.003-07:00

Dax turns 2!!

One of Daxs' favorite shows is Blue's Clues so we decided we were going to have a Blue's Clues birthday party for him this year. I even decided I would get all creative and make his cake all by myself (which --by the way--is not really something I can do) but I figured he's only 2, he'll forgive me if I mess it all up, but lucky for me, it turned out darling and the very best part is.....he knew exactly who it was!!!! I succeeded! Yay!

Every time I told Dax Happy Birthday he would look at me and tell me "Ston't" which in his language is "Stop" and "Don't" at the same time. He's really trying to get his point across!! He didn't care one single bit it was his birthday. I tried to sing happy Birthday and every time he said "No...Popki" which means Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree (his favorite song.) No matter what I said he wasn't caring. I thought he would love it when he started opening presents, but even that he didn't care about. He finally got excited about the cupcakes, his Diego big wheel, and the Zhu Zhu pet. He also loved his new stroller because his most favorite thing to do is be "Outside" and go for walks. I'd say at the end of the day.... It was a success!!

Happy Birthday Dax!!!

Wonderful Witches of Oz!

2010-05-14T19:55:00.001-07:00

Our little Actress....Avorie as an Emerald Citizen!

Avorie spent the last 9 months going to the library every Wednesday to practice for the play "Wonderful Witches of Oz." She absolutely loved it! She got to do it with Paisley & Camryn. The 3 of them were cutest little citizens of Oz! They had so much fun! We were all way excited when the day finally came to "perform." They did it twice at the Mapleton Elementary school. They did it once for all the kids at the school and then again that night for all the parents. After their day performance I sadly have to say I was wondering what they had done every week for the past nine months, and where had all my money gone!?! We had to sit all the way in the back and we couldn't hear or really see a thing. So we were all relieved that night when things went much smoother and a whole lot better. We could actually see and hear, and it turned out to be darling. And all that matters anyway is that they had a good time! And that.... they did!

Good Job, Avorie! You did fabulous!

Avorie always gets so nervous to actually get out on stage, but you wouldn't know it by watching her. She does such a great job, always has a smile on her face, she remembers all the moves, and she dances so cute! She had to change costumes 4 times!

Mother's Day!

2010-05-14T19:54:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day.......May 9, 2010

Once again I get to reflect back on the memories I have of my Mom. The other night I thought about all my years growing up and besides the dumb obvious times I should have gotten in trouble, I can't remember a single time my mom ever yelled and got mad at me. I mean that, really! I have the very best Mom ever!!! I also can't think of a single time when my mom wasn't there for me. She would drop anything, to do something for me. I mean everything from always having our favorite cereal, after school snacks (burritos, hot pockets, frozen pizzas or chips and queso), rides to friends' houses (even to Ellen & Amber's house a million times a day), never missing a dance class, or a cheerleading event, making sure to help with homework, and always going above and beyond the call of duty when it came to any sort of project. She came down to my room every night just to talk, no matter how late it was. I could tell her anything. She was my very bestfriend! She will never know how much all that meant to me. My mom did it all and she was always calm! Always!! She had a quiet way of making me not want to dissapoint her. I'm telling you what, if I can be half the mom she was to me, I've got it made.

She was, and still is, Amazing!!!

She was the best example of a mother anyone could have ever been so I hope I can show that same kind of love to my own kids and they will some day be able to say these same things about me. It takes a lot of patience and a special kind of love to be that kind of mom. Thanks mom for loving me no matter what! I love you!!

I appreciate these memories to help me keep going when life gets crazy and I get a little stressed, I remember what life is all about.....my kids! They are my life!!! I'm so grateful to be their mom!

St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-29T21:18:00.001-07:00

Go Green!!!

Those Leprecauns' did it again! They always get into our food and turn it green! Actually this year they made our breakfast for us, and it was mighty tasty! They also made the cutest rainbow cupcakes you have ever seen, but they somehow managed to get eaten before I got a picture of them...dangit! Maybe next year they'll last a little longer!

Lake to Lake Relay

2010-03-29T21:17:00.000-07:00

Team "Moze"

We decided to put a team together to run the Lake to Lake Relay in St. George. We ran from Gunlock reservoir to Sand Hollow reservoir, a total of 50 miles. We had 5 of us on our team so we each ran roughly 10 miles. We started at 8:00 am and we finished at 3:15. Coming in 41st place overall out of 95, but in the women's we came in 9th out of about 35 teams. I thought we did pretty awesome!!! I got the privilege (NOT) of running the hardest leg in the race, but I did however get the satisfaction of knowing "I did it!" And that was worth it! My first leg I kicked some major trash (7:25 min. miles), but my second leg, I dare to say....it kicked my trash!!! It was even harder than I thought it would be. I think I might just be a wimp, but trust me when I say, it really wasn't easy. Straight up a dirt road out in the middle of nowhere, with ruts all over having to make sure I didn't brake my ankle while that darn wind was doing it's best to push me right back down that hill as if saying "Eat my dust" Most of the time I was pretty sure I was running right in place. I think I literally ate so much dust, I coughed all the rest of that day and the next. I can only imagine what my lungs might have looked like covered in the red dirt. Yuck!! But I did it and it was awesome (now that it's over!)

This is a little preview of what I had to run (too bad the pic doesn't do it justice!) I swear it was worse than it looks, but that's me way over there almost to the top of that hill, only to discover another hill! Morgan got to follow me in the car, which had it's pros and cons. It was so nice to have their support and to run with my kids for a minute, but I wanted to get in the car so bad, and if Morgan would have told me to pass the lady in front of me one more time I would have said a swear word or two. It took me a second but eventually I finally passed her...yay! I did it for you, Morg!

I was the only one lucky enough to have my family there to cheer me on! It was awesome! They are my biggest fans! And the best part is....I don't have to do much to impress them. They think I'm pretty darn cool and that's all the matters!

The very best part was after the race they had an awards banquet with lots of yummy food, and we got our way cool prize for being in the "Top 10", our awesome blue bags!! They made it all worth it!! LOL

Valentine's Day!

2010-02-22T21:04:00.000-08:00

So fun!! As a Mom I try to create traditions and memories for my kids that they will always remember and hopefully carry on with their kids. So for the past 2 years we have had our own little Valentine's Dinner as a family. Last year we ordered a heart shaped pizza, but this year I decided I would make our dinner instaed. Since Morgan & I already have our own tradition of going to Salt Lake and staying at the Little America, I decided to make this dinner all about them. Their very favorite meal is bowties with alfredo sauce so I started there.

I colored both the sauce and the pasta pink. Then we had a salad and I colored the ranch dressing pink. We had red grapes, heart shaped garlic bread, pink juice, and homemade oreos with, you guessed it, pink frosting!! They absolutely loved it! Nothing makes a mom more happy than when her kids are happy and excited! Avorie just kept saying, "Mom this is the best day ever! This is the best meal ever!" I think I had just as much fun as they did....... maybe even a little bit more. It was so much fun!

Then because Valentine's Day was actually on Sunday, we got to celebrate all weekend. We had our big, pink dinner on Saturday, and on Sunday morning I made them pink waffles with red grapes, pink milk, and bananas in the shape of a heart. I couldn't get enough of the all the fun!!

We had a great weekend! There is nothing quite like celebrating "LOVE"!!

The Big Race:)

2010-02-14T14:32:00.000-08:00

Pre-race

This year I ran the St. George half marathon on January 23! I have done it one other time, but that was way back before Avorie was even born. Gosh, that was 9 years ago! Oh my! How time flies. I didn't realize it had been quite that long, it only seems like yesterday. So this past year I had a friend of mine ask me if I would be interested in running with her. Soon after we began running together we started making some goals to do some races this year. We started off by doing the St. George half. I seriously had it in my mind that if I could just finish the race that would be awesome! As it got a little closer I began making a little bit harder goals for myself such as at least finishing in under 2 hours, and the night before the race I laid in bed and decided I was going to finish in 1 hr. 55 min. I thought that was a pretty good goal considering I hadn't trained all that well, and the whole day before I didn't feel good at all, and I was so worried I was going to wake up sick and not be able to run it at all. I was so worried I hardley slept a wink, but much to my surprise, I woke up feeling great and ready to run my socks off!

I just started running, and I ran, and I ran, and I ran (except for the time I had to stop to go to the bathroom:() What a bummer, but I came in right on cue....1 hour and 55 min.! I couldn't have felt any better, but I can't help but think if I hadn't have stopped I could have shaved a few minutes off my time, but when you gotta go, you gotta go, and that's all there is to it! And now I have a goal for another time! It was sooo awesome!! It really is true.....that runner's high! I got it bad!

I'm back!!

2010-02-14T14:24:00.000-08:00

It's a new year and I think I'm ready to jump back on the blogging band wagon! Even if I'm not, I have to because I just finished making a book for my family on the past year and my blog saved my life in helping me to remember all the events that took place throughout the year and when they actually happened. Without it, I might remember things but I'm positive I wouldn't remember when they happened. So thanks to blogging I now have a darling book that we can all look at, and since I'm not so good at journaling, and lately no time for scrapbooking, we still have some sort of history as to what happened in our lives this past year. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep it up and make one every year from now on!

Welcome back!

Scarecrow Festival!

2009-10-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

Today we ventured out to Thanksgiving Point for the kick off to Fall Break! Thanks to Grandma Deb:) The kids had an absolute ball.....I just wish I would've felt better. I still have no energy and pushing Dax in the dumb umbrella stroller through the grass kicked my butt. Just when you think you might be getting in shape, you get sick and it all goes downhill after that....oh well! All that really matters is the kids had fun!! And the best part (NOT) I brought my camera to take all those cute pics and after I had taken lots of cute ones....I realized that my memory card was not in my camera, but at home in my computer!!!! And apparently my camera doesn't have any memory of it's own so the only pics I got were the ones my sister took. Gosh Dang it!! I hate it when that happens! They had tons of fun things for the kids to do like face painting, rock climbing, train riding, game playing, bum sliding, bounce house jumping, people dancing, boutique shopping and yummy eating.....a plethera of fun!!! And to end our fun day (of coarse my favorite part) lunch at Chili's...Yum!!

The weather turned out to be great....it couldn't have been better. Thanks Grandma, Kim and Hagen (and Grandma Lori) for yet another fun day! We always love when we get to spend time with them!

Happy Fall Break!!!

Now what are we going to do tomorrow???

Sick kids

2009-10-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

3 very cute but very sick kids!!! It doesn't happen very often that all of your kids get sick at the very same time! That especially rings true at our house because none of my kids get sick very often and today......all 3 of them!

Dax has been sick for about 3 days with a fever, runny nose and cough. I hate to admit it:) I love it! All day Monday he was so huggable, lovable and unbelievably cuddly!! How could a mom not love that??? Cuz normally he is much to busy to be doing any of that! However his newest favorite is giving "Bones" and he will drop just about anything he is doing to give you bones, but don't even think about asking for a kiss, it goes in one ear and out the other meaning:) No way!! He is pretty dang good about ignoring you if he wants to! Little stink!

And Walker fell asleep about 7:00 last night. I thought it was because he is always going a hundred miles a minute and once he finally sits still for 2 seconds he falls asleep, but I think I was wrong. He woke up in the middle of the night coughing with a runny nose. He (along with Avorie) was up most of the night. And this morning he asked to get in the bathtub because he was cold and the next thing I know he is crying saying he just threw up in the bath. When he got out of the tub, he was as white as a ghost and he kept telling me his eyes and his belly hurt. Weird.....his eyes?? He has never said that before. I looked at his eyes and they look like he has been swimming in a chlorinated pool all day long.

Miss Avorie came home from dance last night and immediately went for her blanket because she said she was freezing. She sat up to eat dinner and got the shivers and said she wasn't hungry. I knew something was wrong when Walker asked if we could go to Yogurt Bliss for family night and Avorie said she didn't want to go. (She begs every single day to go Yogurt Bliss) So when I said I have a bad feeling about this and felt her head to find out she had a temperature suddenly she said she was just fine and she would love to go to Yorgurt Bliss and get some icecream, but she didn't want any toppings.....she didn't feel like eating candy! Oh yeah, I knew something was wrong, and I sent her to her bed to lay down. She didn't fight me, and the next thing I knew she was out like a light:) until 3 AM that is. She woke me and asked if she could have a bath in my tub. And she stayed awake the rest of the night. This morning when I went in her room she tried so hard to act like she was feeling fine because she wanted to go to school. I tried to explain to her if she went to school she would pass it to more kids and it would get spread all over. Thank goodness she finally admitted to her belly hurting and decided it would be a good idea for her to get back in her bed.

All 3 fast asleep in their beds......what do I do????

BLOG! Clean, make treats...whatever I want!

10th Anniversary

2009-10-06T10:13:00.001-07:00

October 4, 2009

It's been 10 years since that awesome first date of ours! Thanks again Marla:) who actually asked me out that day for Morgan. Somebody knew it was meant to be and she wasn't giving up! Now look at us 10 years and 3 beautiful kids later!!! Happily ever after!!!

Made ya think....?

2009-10-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

Ha Ha! If you read my last 3 posts... the titles go as follows!

Oh My!
It's Official!!!
Our New Addition!

If you didn't know any better, you just might think.........

Not even close people! Nice Try!

But it sure sounded pretty good:)

Our New Addition!

2009-10-04T21:06:00.001-07:00

"Billie" & "Hoofs" the goats....the newest additions to our family!!!

Yes, your eyes do not decieve you....goats! We have two pet goats! Most people (at least those who don't live on a farm) have animals like cats, or dogs, maybe even fish, but Morgan thought it would be fun for our kids to raise a goat! As you can imagine, there is never a dull moment at our house!!!

The kids thought that this was the greatest idea ever:) they were so stinking excited! They walked them around for hours, had to show all the neighbors, and every chance they could get they were out checking on them making sure they weren't cold, or if they needed a drink, some food or a even blanket. I guess it will be good for them to have to take care of something because our dang gold fish we caught in the fish pond at the ward party a few months ago (I thought wouldn't last for more than a week) I am now taking care of daily. They have actually become my little friends. I notice them watching me especially when they are hungry. They stick their cute little noses up to the glass and wait for me to notice so I will feed them. So since I take care of our fish, Morgan and the kids are in charge of the goats. For those of you who are wondering where in the world we are keeping those goats.......yep, as WT as it is, they are tied up in our backyard!! The Evans Family Farm......our petting zoo:) Come on over!

As if that isn't funny enough, Morgan thought it would be great to give one of the goats to Matt & Mick for their birthdays!! So we tied a big bow around it's neck and delivered it to the party!! Matt, being the animal lover that he is, I thought would freak out, but he actually thought it was pretty dang funny! ......And it was hilarious!!!

In case you can't tell, Matt's got the goat ready for a ride in his saddle bag! He found a new best friend! And now Mason wants to know when he gets his goat for his birthday???? Ha Ha! Look what we started??

It's Official!!!

2009-10-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

I am now officially NOT the owner of Urban Retreat Salon!!! I was scared this day would never come! Talk about soooo exciting:) Time to celebrate!!!

Now..... what to do with the money????

Oh My!

2009-09-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

Somebody stop me!!! I just can't seem to stop eating today! You know those days when you just can't get enough......junk, that is! I have eaten way more than my fair share of calories! And I still want more. Honestly, I have eaten a half of loaf of bread (the only thing I have going there for me is.....at least it's wheat) but it's smothered in butter and homemade strawberry jam, half a slice of chocolate cake from Magelby's....it's rumored to have roughly 12-1300 calories in one slice (and don't you worry just last night I had the other half of that cake) add that up! That in itself holds just about the amount of calories you should have in a whole day.....let alone one slice of cake that takes roughly 5 minutes to eat. What about the rest of the day people?? Then for dinner we had breakfast including stuffed french toast, bacon and eggs. Somewhere in between I managed to have a handful of peanut butter M&M's, penny candy, a warm chocolate chip cookie, a fresh peach shake with oreos, and don't forget about my daily Dr. Pepper. I didn't know one person could fit so many sweets in in one day and not be totally sick, and the sad thing is.....I could still eat more! If I don't give up this habit soon, Morgan will be lifting me out of bed with a crane......either that or I'm bound to have some sort of health problem! Maybe I should just stop while I'm ahead of the game! Tomorrow's a new day, right? I'll be up and running at 5:45.....at least I have that going for me! Good night!

Walker's First Day of Preschool

2009-09-10T14:50:00.001-07:00

Walker

41/2 years old

My little Walker on his first day of his second year of preschool with Miss Natti!! Maybe I'm just a little biased, but I'm pretty sure he could pose for a cute Gap commercial or something fun!!! He has such a personality....I'm still not sure most days what to do with him, but he sure holds a special place in my heart!!!! And that I know for sure!!!!

Good Luck buddy!! Or should I say Good Luck Natti???

First Day of School!!

2009-08-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

2nd Grade

Yay!!! Oops! Did I say that out loud??? It's ok, Avorie is soooo excited she can't stand it! So it's ok that I'm a little excited, right??? It's just it's a whole lot quieter around here when they aren't fighting with each other because they are bored out of their minds! Don't get me wrong.....summer is a great break and I love it, but I also look forward to being back on some sort of a schedule! So let me get a woop-woop to the new school year!!!
Avorie and Parker somehow made it into the same class again this year!! We are so excited for that! They have the cutest little teacher, Miss Guymon. We are going to miss Mrs. Bird, but I think we're on track for another great year!

I do have to say I am really going to miss having Avorie around all the time. Not only is she a great helper with Dax....she has found a new love this summer:) CLEANING!!!! You heard me right! She absolutey loves to clean and organize! She could be lost for hours and I would find her knee deep in toys downstairs happily reorganizing the bins, or scrubbing the bathrooms, or cleaning out her closet and drawers. It's a mother's dream come true!!! A child that loves a clean house!! I thought it was only a stage she was going through, but so far it's lasted all summer and into the first week of school! She is me!!! I love that I have a helper to help keep this house in order!!! Thanks Ave for helping me out!! I appreciate and love you very much!!!

You know you're getting old.....

2009-08-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

......when you're only weeks away from you're 30th birthday, and when you are sitting in sacrament meeting and your darling, sweet 7 year old turns to you and asks, "Mom, can I draw a picture of you?" I say sure! (not knowing what was coming!!) She gets her paper all ready and draws a circle (my face) and then turns to stare at me. After a few seconds she looks back down at her paper and says, "Mmm....I need to draw some lines on your forehead." Yep!!! Not my eyes, nose or mouth, the wrinkles on my forehead. Sad, but true, even my 7 year old is noticing my age!!!! What next???

5-6-7-8 Everybody get your dancing shoes on!!

2009-08-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

Forever Dancing

This summer our darling little neighbor girls did a summertime dance class for all the little girls in our neighborhood. They had class every Thursday morning throughout the summer, and today they had a little recital at the church. They even made cute little costumes for the girls to wear. I would say they went the extra mile!!! It was absolutely adorable!!!! They did such a good job!! Thanks girls for all that you did!!

They danced to Taylor Swift's "Our Song", Tim McGraw's "I Like it I Love it", and Miley Cyrus' "Icecream Freeze". Avorie spent hours practicing in her room, and even taught Paisley all her dance moves!

My Monkey

2009-07-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

One of Daxton's new favorite past times is climbing and weaving through the chairs underneath the table. He loves it, but sometimes he gets high centered and it tends to make him a little mad! I just laugh and know that he'll find his way through eventually!

My favorite part:) It will keep him entertained for hours! Yipee!!

Notice the nice raspberry on his forehead! He took his first head dive out of the stroller while it was being pushed full force down a hill by guess who........? You guessed it! WALKER!!! He better be one tough kid if he ever plans on surviving his big brother!!! All the luck buddy!

24th of July:) aka Pioneer Day!

2009-07-24T13:17:00.001-07:00

Warning:) This post could get a bit graphic! Proceed with caution!

Traditions, traditions, and more traditions!!! Who doesn't love them??? It's what making memories is all about!! I absolutely love it!! July is one of my most favorite months in the year, not to mention red, white & blue and watermelon, too!!! This year, like most, we start off the week with the rodeo, actually not true, we usually kick the week off with the carnival, but this year my darling little nephew, Mason, was riding a sheep in the rodeo on the firt night so we chose to go there instead to watch him hold on for dear life!!! It was great! Good job, Mas! The kids always seem to love the rodeo, and let's be honest, so do I!! I've been almost every single year I can ever remember! I love to go and see all the people I haven't seen forever, it's like old home week, and it brings back so many memories!

The Grand Parade!! This year instead of sitting in front of Zions Bank, we joined Matt & Ro down by Western States!! It was great, you could see things so much better. I think we'll be joining them from now on, if they'll let us!! After all the floats, ball teams, fire trucks, and tractors were thru, we went to carnival to ride a few rides!! This year Avorie thought she would be all brave and ride all the spinning rides, and 1/2 way thru the third one all the excitement began to wear off, and the sickness began to set in!! She didn't look so hot when she finally got off the Berry-go-Round, and in the car on the way home.....she lost her breakfast!!! Right on the seat!! Ooooh Gross!!!! But soon after that, she was right back to normal; however, I don't know if she'll do that again next year, or ever!!! Poor Avorie!

Don't say I didn't warn you!!!

After we got home and she had a nice glass of water, she was a new kid and we were off to eat at the Mexican Resturant, Mi Rancherito! Another tradition we have going on. Yummy!! I practically licked my plate clean, and yes, I was sick, but I couldn't stop myself. It was way too good! And don't anybody worry when we got to Aunt Ro's that night I wasn't the least bit hungry, but who can resist yummy steak & everything sandwiches, watermelon, sausage dip, and homemade strawberry icecream so.......you guessed it, I stuffed my face again!!! Thanks to food, it makes everything wonderful!!! The kids didn't care much for eating, they were way more excited about the dunk tank! Too bad it started to rain!!! Dumb weather ruins all the fun!! The night went out with a bang....literally!! Morgan and I love to watch the fireworks, so would the kids if they could ever keep their eyes open long enough to see them!!

We went out last night.....

2009-07-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

Kenny Chesney

One thing started leading to another......out last night.....Go Kenny!!!! Last night we went to the Kenny Chesney concert with Matt & Rochelle. Way awesome, of coarse! I had so much fun singing and dancing! Thanks to Morgan for being such a good sport singing and dancing right along beside me cause heaven knows he would've rather been doing something else....anything else, but he humored me and at least acted like he was having a good time. What a good sport!! That is why I love him, well.... one of the many!! You know what I love about concerts??? It's that even though I can't sing a note to save my life, I can sing my little heart out and it's so loud no one can even hear me. Either that or they just don't care. Either way, it's great!!! I had a great time! Thanks Morgan for thinking about me (again) and taking me out last night!!!!

Oh my!! Kenny has been one of my personal favorites for years now.....those of you who don't like him...well, let's just say you're crazy!!!! He is so much fun in concert! We only sat down once for about 1/2 a song. The rest of the time we were on our feet dancing and singing!!! It was awesome!!!

Thank Goodness for Grandma's!

2009-07-12T19:49:00.000-07:00

Grandma to the rescue......again!!!

Yesterday, Grandma Deb took my kids and spent the day hanging out with them, which left me kidless for almost 10 hours....NICE!!!! She took them to see "Ice Age" in 3D, then she took them on a little hike up Payson Canyon to the Grotto, and then she came to pick up Dax and they ate lunch at McDonald's and spent the rest of the day at Grandma's house. Meanwhile, Morgan and I had the day all to ourselves......it was a little piece of heaven and a much needed break!! Thanks Mom, I love you!! So do my kids, they think you are GREAT!!!

TraDitioNs!!!!

2009-07-06T07:37:00.001-07:00

4th of July!!!!

4th of July just so happens to be one of our favorite holidays! It just might be the look on the kids faces as they parade their way around the island, or the smell of a hamburger sizzling on the grill, the air after a fresh rain shower, or the juicy, sweet red watermelon, the taste of homemade icecream, or the sound of fireworks booming and lighting up the sky, but whatever it is......it makes me smile and appreciate all the little things in life I get to enjoy!!! Island Park! What a beautiful place! We are so lucky we get to go each year to spend nearly 2 whole weeks relaxing, eating, watching movies, boating, eating some more, scrapbooking, exercising, playing games, visiting, oh and did I mention eating!!! Not even kidding! I mentioned exercising because if we didn't after eating all that homemade icecream and raspberry pie every night (among everything else) we just might roll home, and that is not our goal!!!! Really.....it's absolutly, positively without a doubt our families very favorite tradition we have, and we are so grateful to have the oppertunity to enjoy the cabin. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Walker!!!

Evans Family Olympics!

We split up into our own little families and had a little competitive game of the olympics! I can't say there wasn't a little, tiny bit of cheating going on, but what fun would it be if Morgan was on his best behavior??? It's just not in his nature to play fair, and lose.......especially to his brothers!! Not a chance!! We all got a good laugh out of it...let's be honest, we'll never forget that video!! I think I almost peed my pants!! Thanks for keeping us on our toes, babe!!

The mighty hula hoop contest!! You would've paid to see this! It was great! Just take a good look at them!?!

Avorie in all her garb for the olympics! Goooo Avorie!

We all had way too much fun for our own good! I am so blessed to have such wonderful inlaws! It's a dang good thing we all like each other so much because we have spent an awful lot of time together this summer, and I wouldn't change one single minute!! Thanks guys, I love you!!!

Happy 7th Birthday, Avorie!!

2009-07-06T07:31:00.001-07:00

June 24, 2009

Oh my gosh, it's really happening. My baby girl is turning 7 years old!!! Wow!! She is litterally growing up right before my eyes!!!

This year was very different than other years for Avorie. She is my child that gets excited over weird things like going to the park, or losing a tooth. Not that those things aren't exciting, it's just when it comes to the normally super exciting holidays such as birthdays and even Christmas, she doesn't get too worked up over them.......until this year!! She was sooooo excited for her birthday, I didn't know if she would actually make it to that day without going crazy, (well, actually, let me rephrase that. I'm not sure I would make it to that day without going crazy!!!!) She was so excited she couldn't stop talking about it or asking when she could hand out her invitations. Handing out the invitations bit started um.......let me think........6 months ago!!! And I'm not kidding!! We been at this for months!! But I am sooooo glad she was finally excited about her birthday! It made me smile even though their were days I wanted to rip my hair out! J/K! You only get a birthday once a year, it should be that exciting!!! Maybe we'll start planning this next one here shortly!!!!! And we'll have 9 months to get ready! HaHa!!

I remember when I was little my mom used to sneak in my room after I had gone to sleep to decorate so when I woke up on my birthday my room was all decked out!! I loved it....so this year I started the tradition at our house. And I didn't even get a picture of it (what's wrong with me???) but I did get picture of the table I had all ready for her.....presents, cake and all! She loved it all......especially all the attention on her for her special day!! Morgan made her her favorite breakfast (Alien pancakes, thanks Denny's and Thanks Dad!!!)

Avorie gets to share her special day with her best friend, Parker!!! They were born on the same day, and they think it is just great to have the same birthday! And I have to agree! It's not very often you share a birthday with your very best friend!!! Lucky!!! This year we invited all the girls to our house and had cupcakes and opened presents, and Parker invited all the boys to his house and did the same, and we all met at the movies and watched "Up"! It was a darling show and the kids loved it! We had the whole theater to ourselves!! Way fun!!! Later that night we invited all the family over for tacos, cake & icecream, and a whole lotta fun!!! Avorie was spoiled rotten, of course, and she loved every minute of it!!!!

Happy Birthday Avorie!!! We love you!!!

Since I forgot to get picture of everything she got, I have to make a list:

A brand new pink bike

Disney Sing it (Wii game)

High School Musical 3 Dance (Wii game)

Taylor Swift CD's (Currently her favorite singer)

Hannah Montana Movie Soundtrack (also a favorite)

Jewelry, clothes and shoes (loved them! also a sign she is growing up)

Purses filled with makeup, sunglasses, and fun stuff (which she can't leave home without!)

A new swimming suit and matching beach towel, flip flops, and water bottle

Hannah Montana Design Center (Watch out Hannah, Avorie will have her very own clothing line)

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T20:57:00.000-07:00

The Best Dad Ever!!!!

At least we think so......in our eyes he deserves the award!

We would'nt trade you for nothin'!!!

Dad's Best Buddies!!

Let me explain this shirt......When I went to New York I brought home this shirt for Walker, and a few days later on our way to Lake Powell we stopped at a gas station in Beaver. It just happened to be Morgan's birthday! We saw this shirt and we couldn't stop laughing, and the next thing we knew Matt and Grant had bought it for Morgan for his birthday! Nice!?!? Twinners!!! Kinda?

This weekend we went to Schofield to spend Father's Day with my family at our cabin! We have been going there every summer for as long as I can remember, and now we are making it a tradition for our kids. They love it as much as we did. However, this weekend it decided to rain and rain all day long. I can honestly say I didn't mind a bit. I LOVE the rain and lately it has been doing a whole lot of it, but I have been so busy I haven't slowed down long enough to actually enjoy it....so even though we were confined inside the cabin, I was secretly enjoying every minute of it!!! Poor Dax spent the weekend with 103- 104 degree fever! Another not so good thing we all enjoyed. There is just something so sweet about a baby with a fever. Don't get me wrong, I felt so bad for the poor kid, but what parent wouldn't love their normally not-so-cuddly baby to just lay there and love on them??? In fact Morgan said it was the best Father's Day ever because he got to snuggle with Dax all weekend long.......his best buddy!! We are glad you had a good Father's Day (we know you enjoyed us too!!! Ha Ha!!) because we, especially me, think you are the very best daddy ever!!! I am so lucky to have found you! I watch you with our kids every day, and every day you never cease to amaze me. You are so patient and kind with them. You love to teach them new things. You are the best discipliner I know......you know how to get your point across, but you do it with pure love. I admire you so much!! Thanks for all you do for us!!!!! Happy Father's Day to you!

We will miss you, Grandpa Walker

2009-06-08T20:24:00.001-07:00

Island Park

2008

Last night Grandpa Walker had a stroke, and today around 4:00 he passed away. We are all going to miss him so much. Our trips to Idaho will never be the same. He is responsible for so many good memories. Thanks for sharing our very favorite summer vacation with us! We will never forget you, Grandpa. We love you!!!

What a whirl wind!!!

2009-05-30T22:39:00.002-07:00

Holy Cow!!!! In the last month, from April 18-May 24, I have been to Cancun, Las Vegas, and New York!!! Who does that?? I can't believe all these fun trips fell all in a row. Oh my gosh, it has been so much fun.......a little crazy, but a lot of fun!!! I am just so grateful for all the people in my life that help me out so much! I could'nt do it without you! Thank You!!! I am forever in your debt!

Believe it or not, that was only the beginning our crazy, fun filled summer. We have a lot to look forward to! In a few days, we will be on our way to Lake Powell, and when we get home the kids will start swimming lessons, then on Father's Day weekend we will be spending it in Schofield at Grandma's cabin. Then the next week we are heading to Island Park for our annual reunion with The Evans' clan. We look forward to that every year, almost 2 weeks of relaxing fun!!! Then a few weeks after that Morgan and I are going to be the Ma & Pa on the Trek. That will be a great experience. I can't wait! And about a month later I will be headed to girls' camp down near Cedar City. And somewhere in between all of that, my mom wants to take a trip to St. George to go see a play at the Tuachaun. It will for sure be a crazy summer, but filled with a whole lot of memories! I am so excited! But I'm holding on for a wild ride!!

New York

2009-05-30T22:39:00.001-07:00

Times Square, Baby!

Rockefeller Center all decked out in Red, White, and Blue for Memorial Day!

Gosh, I don't even know where to begin!! That was one of the most amazing trips I have ever been on. It was such a different kind of vacation......I don't think I have ever done anything quite like it. Usually when we go on vacation I just like to relax, hang out, and do whatever I want to do when I want to do it....well, don't get me wrong, I did everything I wanted to do when I wanted to do it, but it was anything but relaxing!!! It was so dang EXCITING!!!!!! Every action packed minute! We honestly went from, I would say sun up to sun down, but that would be an understatement! We went from around 8:00 in the morning until somewhere around 2:00 in the morning, and by the time we would actually wind down and go to sleep I would say it was 3:00 and then we would get up at 7:00 and start again! I was so excited there was something way cool around every corner, I just could'nt get enough of it! Some of my favorite things we did were: definantly seeing Wicked on Broadway, it was a dream come true, the tour we did at Ground Zero, and also the bus tour we took around the city! We were able to see a little bit of everything, and of coarse, all the shopping!!!! Every girl's dream come true!!! In my opinion, it was one of those trips I think everyone should at least experience once in their lives. I loved all the yummy food we ate, and all the "New York" experiences we got to enjoy!!! Thanks Michelle for taking me, I will never ever forget it!!!

Michelle's Mom's apartment was right on the water in Jersey City. From one window you could see the New York skyline and out the other window was The Statue of Liberty! Can we say Amazing??? You could'nt live in a better spot! (At least in New York City)

Little Italy!

The streets transformed from New York to Italy! The food we ate was yummy!!

Wicked!!!

Fantastic, pretty much sums it all up!!!

Ground Zero was awesome! The tour we took was great! We had two women who were somehow involved personally with that day. Their stories were amazing and made it all even more real! I can't even imagine being there on that day. Let's just say, I'm glad I wasn't, and I'm glad I didn't know anyone who was.

Las Vegas

2009-05-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas-Lion King @ Mandalay Bay

Happy Birthday Marla!!!!

This was a big year for her, she has officially been around for 60 years!! When Jay decided to take her down to Vegas to see The Lion King we thought it would be fun if we surprised her and all showed up.......so that's just exactly what we did! She was so surprised and most definantly excited, which made it even more fun!!

We drove down on Friday night and ate at our very favorite resturant Texas Roadhouse. It's a must every time we go to St. George. We spent the evening hanging out in the hottub at our hotel. On Saturday morning we got up early and drove into Vegas. We spent the day shopping and site seeing. We ate dinner and then we were off to see the show. It's pretty dang awesome what they can do. The animals were amazing!!! It was fun to sing the songs and for the most part they followed the movie pretty dang close, but it was freezing in there and I couldn't seem to get warm. Which is probably a good thing because I was so tired I had a hard enough time keeping my eyes open if it would have been nice and warm, I fear I would have been fast asleep!

While we were shopping we found some giant gumballs. Here is the result of only chewing half the gum!! Morgan blew the biggest bubble I have ever seen and he could have kept going, but he was worried it would pop all over his face and in his hair!!! It was great!

We had way fun! It was a fast trip, but Marla had a great time, and so did we!!! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Dax!

2009-05-12T15:12:00.000-07:00

1 year old! You did it!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!!

1 year ago

May 13, 2008

Today, May 13, 2009

Baby Dax turns 1 year old!!

My baby turned 1 today!! I thought this day wouldn't come, but again like everything else, it just snuck right up on me. I can't believe he just keeps getting bigger! He is so much fun! We all love his darling little personality.......and trust me it shines through!!! He is so good, but he is slowly learning how to get himself into a little bit of trouble. He is my first kid who goes straight to the drawers and pulls everything out, by the time I get everything put back in that drawer he is somewhere else pulling something else out! Oh my, I can't keep up with him and he's not even walking yet!!! Watch out!!!!

Here is yet another darling cake made with love by Aunt Haley!! Thanks.....you're the best!!
He didn't really dig into the cake like I thought he would. He is my little eater and I thought as soon as he tasted that frosting he would be all over that, but I think he was too tired to care. Poor kid, just way too much excitement for one day, and no time for a good nap!

Dax was not really into opening his presents either, in fact, he could have really cared less, but don't anybody worry, he had two big helpers.......Avorie & Walker! They were far more excited to rip the paper off all those presents than he ever thought of being, but after it was all said and done, he loved all the new toys he got to play with!!

Things Dax loves at 1 year old:

Playing Pat-a-cake, giving kisses, baby Tad and going night-night, crawling and getting into everything, eating like an adult, walking along the furniture, having a bathy, saying Ma ma, Da da, Daaaaxton (in his own language) aah choo, and a whole lotta babbling. He also loves playing with Avorie and Walker, especially when they scare him and make him laugh (over and over and over again) It is soooo cute! We soooo enjoy having Dax in our house, there is always something to smile about!! We love you , Buddy! Happy Birthday!

Stats:)

Weight: 20 lbs. 12 oz. 15%

Height: 28 1/2 in. 6%

Head Circumference: 18.2 in. 40%

Growing Up!

2009-05-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

I keep looking at Avorie everyday and I can't stand how fast she is growing up. We waited forever for her two front teeth to come in and now they are in she looks so old!!! She is almost 7 and I am so sad!! I remember when she was a baby and we were talking about how long it would be before she would get baptized, and then I blinked and now it's only a year away!!! How does that happen??

Mother's Day!

2009-05-12T15:10:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!!

What would we do without our Mom's?? I know I would die without mine! Thanks Mom for all you do for me! I love you with all my heart! I can only hope that my kids feel the same way about me as I do about my mom! She would do anything for me and I soooooo love her for that and heaven knows I need her!

I am so grateful for such a wonderful mother-in-law! I truely could'nt have asked for a better one! She would do anything for us and we feel so blessed to have her in our lives! How could I be so lucky? Two great Mom's we couldn't live without! We love you Marla, Happy Mother's day!

Cancun, Baby!!! Yeah!

2009-04-26T22:50:00.000-07:00

This funny looking palm tree was right outside our room. We thought it was so cool that it was growing sideways and all of a sudden decided to turn up!!! It was the only one that did that.

If I had a quarter for every time we got asked if we brought home the "Swine Flu" ......we'd be rich!!!! Ha Ha!! Seriously..... I can't believe how crazy everyone is getting over it! So far we're feeling good so hopefully we are good! On the other hand.......Oh my!!! Pretty much sums it up! Can we say "ReLaXiNG?" That was the best vacation! We can actually call it a vacation because we did absolutely nothing but relax and eat, of coarse! It was lovely! We layed around the pool and the beach until our little hearts were content. We kept looking at each other wondering if we should go do something, but everytime we just nodded and said "Nah!" We just enjoyed each others company and our books, and fell in love all over again!! When you are home rushing around and taking care of kids, I think you almost forget how to just love each other. It was exactly just the dose of medicine we were looking for!

Relaxing!!!!

The water was amazing! It could take your breath away.....the color was so blue and just as clear as can be.

Morgan gave these guys a big tip and they sang me the cutest song! I sat on his lap and they gathered around us in a circle and serenaded me!! Ohhhhhh.......so romantic!

This is where we ate dinner every night. It was amazing! They opened the glass all around you and you could feel the breeze. One view was of the swimming pool and the other of the beach!!! It doesn't quite get any better than this! We got to drink all the yummy drinks we wanted! I thought I had died and gone to heaven....everything I could possibly want right at my finger tips.......including my wonderful husband!!!!

Spring Break???

2009-04-16T07:21:00.001-07:00

April 16, 2009

Some Spring Break, huh? It seems more like Christmas Break, it rained and snowed all day yesterday!!! Hopefully today will get better! FYI, Monday was 73 degrees and just as beautiful as it gets. Tuesday, it rained.....all day, and well Wednesday.......a blizzard! Poor kids!!

I see a hint of sun shining through, maybe we'll get lucky and the snow will melt today!!

Happy Easter!!

2009-04-12T22:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!!!

This year we did something a little different, and it turned out to be a hit!! On Saturday night we gathered the kids together and we had a little FHE, if you will, and we taught the kids the true meaning of Easter and why we celebrate it!! I was so impressed with Avorie, she knew quite a bit about it already!!! My 6 year old knows more than me when it comes to stuff like this. I swear my kids should teach me, we would all be just a little bit smarter if that were the case! Anyway, after we finished I let them open some new jammers!!! (Much needed!) Don't they look adorable??? It was great and the kids loved it! (Honestly, I think it was better than the Bunny!!! Way to go!!)

Our annual Easter Egg Hunt/Weenie Roast at Grandma Marla's!!!

Easter at Grandma Deb's!!!

Grandma always has her Easter party the week before Easter so we can all be there and we don't have to worry about having to be somewhere else. It's great!! We really love it! The kids absolutely love it because Grandma has has a way fun scavenger hunt and at the end.....the best prizes ever!! Really! I have to remind her, it's Easter......not Christmas!!! But of coarse, you know the kids think it's great!
Thanks Grandma & Grandpa, for everything!!!

Happy Anniversary!! 9 Years!!

2009-04-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

That was then!!
April 7, 2000

This is now!!
April 7, 2009

Happy Anniversary to us!!
Last night we layed in bed and reminisced about the days leading up to our wedding, the actual day, and our honeymoon!!! We had so much fun, and the memories were so strong, it felt like just yesterday!!! It was amazing the feelings it brought back. I could almost swear we were just as giddy as we were back then!!! How fun! And what a great day today turned out to be! Morgan and I promised we wouldn't buy each other anything since we are going on our trip, but I wanted to do something for him so I made him a cute little book titled "9 Reasons I Love You on our 9th Anniversary!" It turned out so cute! I went through a million pictures from our honeymoon and all the trips we have been on, and gathered some of my favorites to put in the book!! That also brought back a flood of memories! ( I sure am thankful for anniversaries for moments like these! Time to remember all the fun we've had through the years!) I planned to give him the book along with breakfast in bed, however he had to be to work extra early so I made him breakfast on the run and gave him the book!! I think he really liked it! Bonus!!! Later, he took me to dinner and we did a little shopping! He made me feel so special! I was all that mattered to him today!! He honestly couldn't keep his hands off me (another memory from our wedding day. Hello, car ride home from the temple!!!! Ha Ha!!) only this time was a little different! He held my hand, rubbed my back, whispered sweet nothings, took me shopping, and didn't even complain!!! (It's true love!!) I over heard him talking to some guy on the phone about work, he was apologizing for not getting something done, and telling him that it was his anniversary and he couldn't stop thinking about his wife and that his mind was not not really on work today!! WoW!!!! He actually admitted that to him, how cute is that??? He truley is amazing, and there isn't a day go by that I am not soooo grateful for him in my life!! I wonder why me??? How did I get so lucky??? Just for the record, there are so many more reasons than "9" that I love my guy. It was really hard to narrow it down, but that is only the beginning, I could go on forever with all the little reasons I LOVE HIM!!!

I love you, Morgan!! Happy Anniversary!! Thank you for putting up with me!!!

Dax can crawl!!

2009-04-03T22:31:00.000-07:00

FiNalLy!!

He likes to be bribed!! What can I say???

The Reward!!!! Orange/Apple juice!!
.....And a happy kid!!

He finally figured it out after weeks of well.....I like to say "trying"! He really didn't care whether or not he moved, he was just as content as could be sitting there hanging out!!! He could (if he wanted) get himself where ever he wanted to go, it just wasn't too often that he actually cared to get anywhere else!! It's kind of a bitter sweet accomplishment for me! Sure.....I'm glad he can now get into anything he wants, that I now have to worry about him tumbling down the stairs (It's a long way to the bottom, buddy!!) , and that my baby boy is getting even bigger!! Before long he'll be chasing the kids.....good job buddy!

You did it!!!

Gotta love the kid!!

2009-04-02T20:44:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love his style???? This is the way Walker looks just about everyday!! Every night before bed mismatched jammies, or half naked, we just never know what we're going to get!! His outfits never cease to amaze me! He has got a style and a personality all his own! I swear he finds anything and everything that he can put together just to look as nerdy as possible, but he keeps us laughing. We don't know what we would do without the entertainment he provides (all for free!) What's a mother to do??? I just wanted to remember this cute (but really dorky) stage because before I know it he will grow out of it, and I'm really going to miss it!

Nice!! One day he will kill me! BlAcKmAiL!!

Just know when you see him dressed this way (and you will, I promise!!) it is all him!!!!

Fast Asleep!

2009-03-29T20:08:00.000-07:00

We have church at 1:00 and apparently that is also Walker's nap time! Lately almost every single Sunday he falls asleep, but he usually does it while laying on Morgan enjoying a back scratch! (I have to admit I get a little jealous, both of the back scratch and the nap!!!) But today was much different! Morgan wasn't there with us so I had all 3 kids by myself. Oh my!! I swear my kids know when they can act up. What am I talking about???? They know exactly when to act up, when they're Dad is not around!!! They think they could get away with murder! I try!!!! Anyway, I fought them pretty much all sacrament long (quite the entertainment for those around us! You're welcome!!! For keeping it alive!) and right before the closing prayer, Walker told me he was tired. I told him to fold his arms, and I looked over just in time to see his eyes close, for the last time!!! He must have been exhausted! Sitting straight up in his seat, he was fast asleep!!!! (He did have his little arms folded) Soooo cute! I only wish it would have been the opening prayer instead of the closing!!!!!

Quiet....almost always means trouble!!!

2009-03-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

I was doing laundry and running back and forth from the bedrooms to the laundry room, and Dax was sitting in the hall playing with some toys. I got a little distracted for a minute, but I could still hear him playing down there and then all of sudden I noticed it got really quiet so I decided that I better go check on him. It is his nap time so I half expected to find him laying there asleep.....not so. Those days have passed!!! He wiggled or rolled or somehow got himself into the bathroom, and this is what I found.........

Good thing the toilet paper roll was almost gone!!!!!

Going on a Treasure Hunt!

2009-03-21T19:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Walker!

And....... it was a success!! Thank Goodness we finally settled on the "Pirate Party!" For minute I was getting really nervous when I asked Walker what kind of birthday party he wanted and he told me he wanted "A Gun Party" and for his present he wanted a knife!!! Oh boy, my 4 year old is already on his way to jail! So you can imagine I was relieved when we decided on the "Pirate Party" instead.

The kids had a lot of fun going on the treasure hunt! At the end where the "X" marked the spot they found a treasure chest full of bags, each one marked with their names. They were full of all kinds of fun "treasures." I've never seen a bunch of kids tear into a brown paper sack so fast in my life.....exciting!!!!

Brothers!!! Best Friends!!!

Thanks to Aunt Haley we had the cutest cake you have ever seen!! She is absolutely amazing!!! I seriously don't know how she does it. My brain can not function like that, she is soooo creative! This darling treasure chest only took her about 7 hours (and that's not including baking the cakes!! Three of them!) Thanks Haley! We love you!!!

I would have to say Walker's favorite part of the day by far was opening the presents!!! He just couldn't get enough, that is all he was worried about!! Then again, what kid isn't?!?
Happy Birthday, Buddy! We hope you had a fun day!!!

Dax.....10 months!

2009-03-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

Wow! Another month come......and gone!! Where does the time go??? And my baby.....even bigger! However, I do need to correct my last post at 9 months when I said he was in the 95th percentile. Apparently, the computer was reading his weight in kilograms which was really making him weigh around 42 lbs!!! WoW!!!! So I found out today at the doctor that he now weighs 19 lbs. 5 oz. (Chunkster) but he is only in the 15th percentile!! I'm not sure how 85% of other boys his age are bigger, but I guess so!! So according to Dr. Paxton he is little bitty!!! (Ha! Yeah, right!!!) He is just really short! Only 26 3/4 inches long, that is only the 3rd percentile!!! He better start growing!! His Dad said he is going to end up only 5 ft. tall and 250 lbs. Dr. Paxton reassured me there are alot of great linebackers with those stats!! And just because he is short now doesn't mean he will always be short!! (Thanks Dr. P!) Ooh, but he is yummy!!! Who can resist those cheeks??? He's still not crawling, but it's going to be anyday now! However:) he loves to stand, he's thinking about skipping crawling all together and going straight to running!!! Oh no! I don't know if I'm ready for that!! But go ahead, bring it on!!!!

Happy St. Patricks Day!!

2009-03-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patties Day everyone!!!
Those darn Leprechauns, they turned our milk green?!? How do they do it????

Happy Valentines Day!!

2009-03-10T17:01:00.001-07:00

Better late than never, right???? Valentines in March?!?

Every year for Valentines Morgan takes me up to Salt Lake and we stay at Little America! Usually we eat at Tepanyaki's and if at all possible we try to stay in the same room! It is a fun tradition we have started and something we both look forward to every year!! However, this year when we arrived at Little America, not only did we not get our same room we didn't even get to stay there. They had over booked so they sent us over to the Grand America! It was way nice, but Morgan and I both agree, we like Little America way better! So we were a little dissapointed but it was still a nice getaway!! We also ended up eating at Outback Steakhouse instead of Tepenyaki's, it was way yummy, so I guess that's ok! Maybe next year we'll get back to our same old!! We also went to the movie and saw "New in Town" We laughed so hard!!! It was great!!
When we got home we spent the spent the day with the kids! We got a heart shaped pizza, ate Valentine cupcakes (and icecream!) and watched Madagascar 2!! It was a fun weekend!!
Happy Valentines Day!!

A weekend in St. George!!

2009-03-10T15:09:00.000-07:00

A much needed weekend in St. George was what I needed, and that's exactly what I got!! Well.....close enough, it could have been a tad bit warmer, but none the less, it was fun!!! Morgan spent the week down there doing stuff for work, so on Thursday I packed up the kids and headed down. They were so excited to swim, that is all I heard about (literally!!!) But when we got there, we found out they were doing maintenance on our pool, whine, whine, whine........and some more whining!!! So we had to switch to plan B. Swimming at the indoor aquatic center, which turned out to be way more fun anyway!! They played for hours and hours, and wore themselves right out so when we got home they had a great big nap!!! Everyone! You know it doesn't happen very often when all 3 kids end up asleep at the same time, whew hoo! So while they were asleep Morgan sent me shopping all by myself!! Fun??? Yeah, except there was absolutely nothing to buy!! So....I came home empty handed. Sad! Especially when he sent me shopping and said I could buy whatever! I guess I'll have to take him up on that another day!
It was way fun to spend time together with just our little family, that doesn't happen very often! We had a great time, thanks to Morgan who is the life of the party!! All I can say is....my kids are very lucky to have a dad like him!!!!

A trip out to the reservoir to let the kids play in sand! Too bad it wasn't a little warmer so they could play in the water!

Avorie building a sand castle and Walker making a sand angel??

My little chunky monkey loving the water!! It makes me sooo excited for summer and the pool!!! I can hardly wait!!

The Results are In!!

2009-02-22T10:24:00.000-08:00

My chubby bubby is climbing the charts!!! Just recently I've seriously noticed an increase in appetite in my "little" 9 month old! He loves his food, what else can I say???? He takes after his mother!! The other day I picked him up from daycare (mind you, he is there from 9-4, about 7 hours) he had drank a bottle on the way there (about 8:45) and they told me while he was there he had eaten 2 large jars of baby food, 2 8oz. bottles of milk and entire grilled cheese sandwich!! Oh my!! That is more than my 4 year old eats! It's no wonder my darling baby went from being 14lbs. 11 oz. in the 10% at 6 months to being roughly 18 lbs. and above the 95% at 9 months!! He climbed from the 10th to the 95th percentile in only 3 short months!!!! Oh my heck! He better start moving soon or he won't be able to!! Ha Ha!!!

LoSt!!! Best Buddies=Big Trouble!!!

2009-02-08T07:54:00.000-08:00

Oh my!!! What an adventure this day turned out to be!?!! My first experience of many more to come just like it, I am sure of that!!! This is sooo not what I bargained for in Heaven, it couldn't be, right???? It started out like any normal Friday morning, kinda laid back. We stayed in our jammies for awhile and then I decided it was time we got ready to run some errands. So while I was back in the bathroom getting ready I heard a little knock on the door, of coarse I knew who that would be. I listened as Walker answered the door and sure enough it was Jack's cute little voice I heard. I came out to say Hi and asked Jack if he had school today?? He told me he didn't so I told them they could finish watching the movie while I finished getting ready and then we had to leave. I walked back to the bathroom and finished getting ready. After about 10 minutes, I thought to myself, those boys are being awfully quiet, they must really be into that movie!!! I walked out into the living room, and no surprise to me, they weren't being that quiet, they were gone!!!! I didn't think anything of it because they never stay in one place that long!!! I walked out on the back porch and yelled for them, I walked downstairs and yelled for them, I walked out in the front yard and yelled for them. I looked down at Bri's house and noticed the garage door was up and I was sure they had just walked down there for a minute, like they always do. Just when I walked back in the house the phone was ringing and it was Bri asking if Jack had made his way down to our house. I told her he was just here but now they were gone, and I thought they had maybe come down to her house. She said she would look, but she didn't think they were there. I continued getting things ready to go run errands, I wasn't the least bit worried..... yet. They always turn up somewhere!!! About 5 or so minutes later, Bri came through my door wondering if they had turned up yet because they weren't at her house and she had checked up and down the street. She said she was going to get in the car and drive around the block and I told her I would check all the neighbors houses. First I walked over to Shauna Jones' to see if they had decided to play with Carter, but.....no boys. So I called Nichole Hendricks to see if they had slipped down there to either play with Lincoln or get their popsicle fix for the day! (Walker has been known a time or two maybe even three to knock on Nichole's door just to ask for a popsicle. At least he asked......right?) Anyway, no such luck. She hadn't seen them either! I, then Walked across the street to see if by some miracle of a chance they were at the Oldham's. Nope!!!! By this time I was getting a little nervous, but I still figured they would turn up somewhere, they always did!!!! I kept yelling Walker's name, hoping he would answer me. Just then Darlene Hatch stepped out of her garage and I asked if she had seen them. She had!!!! About 20-25 minutes earlier she saw them walk to the top of the street. By the way......it was raining outside and they had no coats on!!!! I thought, where would they be going??? Meanwhile, Bri was still driving around looking for them, and our whole neighborhood was outside looking and discussing where we thoght they might be. Just then Melissa Oldham's phone rang and it was Heidi Abbott saying she had seen them kind of down by the elementary school. Michelle said she would jump in the car, find Bri, and go look for them down there. At first I was relieved, and then the thoughts of the river, and someone taking them flooded into my mind, and I was sick. Just then, the lady that apparently found them, Andrea, a friend of Shauna & Heidi's, drove up to Shauna's house. She was trying to tell me the story about how she had followed these two little boys and asked them if they knew where they lived. I was trying to listen to her, but my mind was wandering. She said something about how one of them hit her friend and told her she was a stranger. I just wasn't tuned all the way in to her story. She said the cops had them.........oh my!!!! Somebody called the police!! At that moment, Bri turned the corner with the boys!!!! I had a million thoughts going through my mind all at once. I was so glad they were OK, but I was so mad at them. What were they thinking, where were they going, where were they, who's idea was it, he was grounded for the rest of the day.....or forever, whichever came first, I loved him, I was glad to see him. WoW!!!!! When she pulled up, I grabbed Walker by the hand, thanked everyone for their help and marched him straight into our house! When I got through the door, my blood was boiling. I kicked him in the butt (Don't anybody turn me in!!! Ha Ha!!) and put him in his room. I kept asking him what he was thinking? Where we they going??? He looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "We were just going to Mason's house, Mom!" I started to sob!! And I bawled and I cryed and he cryed, and I hugged him and explained to him how long we had looked for him, and that we didn't know where they were. I told him how scared I was, and that he could have fallen in the river or someone could have taken him and I would have never seen him again. I asked him if he knew what I would do if he was gone and he said, "You would be really sad." I told him he was right and that's why he could never leave me again. So, even though this is not exactly how I wanted to teach him, at the same time, I think he learned alot of lessons that day!!!
One, being never leave home without asking me first and telling me where he is going. Two, Strangers!!!! He did in fact know what a stranger was, and even though I prefer he not hit the lady, I am so proud of him for knowing she was a stranger and not to go with her!! And three, when you do something you are not supposed to, the cops will come and get you!!!! He did, in fact, take his first (and hopefully, last!!!) ride in the back seat of the police car!
I know this is only the beginning of the stunts my two little buddies are going to pull. All I have to say to myself is.......hold on, the ride is going to be bumpy!!! But worth it all the way!!!!!! I love you, Walker and Jack!!! Let's at least TRY to stay out of trouble!!!!!!!

Mother-Daughter 70's Party!!

2009-02-03T17:58:00.000-08:00

On Thursday night I took Avorie & Livvy to the school for a mother/daughter party! They had a blast!!! It was a 70's theme, and as you can see this is about as 70's as we get!! Nice huh??? All that matters is that the girls had so much fun, we stayed from start to lights out!! They danced their little hearts out!! And enjoyed playing with all their friends, to be quite honest I think they could have cared less that I was there except to hand out money!! Isn't that what moms are for???

Mom- Do we have school???

2009-02-01T07:32:00.000-08:00

Lately, every single morning when Walker wakes up, before he even gets out of bed, he yells to me, "Mom.....Mom......Mom???? "
"What Buddy"
"Do we have school today?"

Then I have to quickly remember what day it is so I can let him know his plans for the day. I'm pretty sure he does this so that he can decide what clothes to put on when he crawls out of bed. Just so you all know he is worse than any girl I know when it comes to getting dressed. He has an outfit for every occasion and he changes his clothes a hundred times a day. It could almost drive me crazy!!!! Don't you worry, he could be absolutely filthy, covered in mud or dirt and he could care less, but if one tiny drop of water lands any where near him, he's off to change his clothes!!

This is a school day outfit! Probably not Walker's first choice in clothes, but most definantly mine!!!

This is Walker's favorite choice in clothes! Notice the lovely holes in the knees and his " way awesome cool belt buckle!" The other day, I had finally had it so I threw away 2 pair of his jeans that had holes in the knees. I was so careful to be sure and hide them in the trash so he wouldn't find them, just after I thought I had safely discarded of them, he noticed!!! He was broken hearted!! He told me with great big alligator tears (literally) rolling down his cheeks that they were his pants and not mine to throw away!! Talk about break my heart! But don't you worry, he found another pair!!! Not only do they have holes in the knees, they are only about 3" too short!! AwEsOmE!!!!! But hey, who cares down on the farm anyway???

Oh, no! RSV

2009-01-28T20:10:00.001-08:00

It's my first taste of RSV! How sad!! My poor sweet baby has RSV! I feel so bad, it breaks my heart! I knew Dax didn't feel good, but he is also getting his top tooth so when he had a little fever I just thought it was because of his tooth. But when I picked him up from daycare today, they told me his breathing didn't sound very good, so I came home and listened to him and decided it was time to see the doctor. As soon as I got there they took his oxygen levels and they were only at an 81. They immediatly told me they were sending him to the hospital and he would probably have to stay for a few days. Oh my!!! Then they checked his ears and told me he has a double ear infection. Poor kid!! What else does he have to go through?? I brought him home to pick up Morgan, and Zane & Morgan gave him a blessing, and by the time we got to the hospital and they suctioned out his nose, his oxygen levels went back up and they let us come home. Yay!! I just need to watch his breathing and take him back if it gets any worse. Oh, I hope he doesn't get worse, but they told me it will get worse before it gets better. He is only on day 2 and they said day 4 & 5 are the worst. I am just thankful for priesthood blessings, and for a husband who can give them! We are truly blessed!!!

What is it with doctors this last week anyway??? Our insurance is going wonder what is going on!! Dr. Riechman, Dr. Black, Dr. Paxton, Dr. Knochel, Dr. ?, Dr. Wolsey, WoW!!! Last week Morgan finally got in to see Reichman (who we think is finally going to help him, halleluah!) He sent him over to the hospital to see Dr. Black to have a bone scan and a shot of cortizone in his back. We're crossing our fingers that it at least works for a little while! Then I had to take Walker to see Dr. Paxton on Monday, only to discover another ear infection. That poor kid has had so many ear infections in his short little life. What a bummer!! At least since the second set of tubes we haven't had an infection for over a year, I so hope this isn't the beginning of another bad year with his ears! And meanwhile, I went to the mailbox and I recieved a letter from Dr. Wolsey saying he is going on a mission so I now need to find another OB. Any suggestions???? Anyone??? And finally Dax! We'll see what happens in the days to come and hopefully everyone at our house will get healthy and back on their game!!!! Until then, Peace out, Eat a pancake!!!!
Aren't those eyes so sad???
Weight:) 17 lbs. 5 oz.
8 1/2 Months old

Daxton's First Haircut!

2009-01-22T20:52:00.000-08:00

BEFORE...

Today Daxton got his first haircut!! He was so good, but also very curious! He watches me do it all the time, but when those clippers were coming at his head he was wondering what in the world....? He looks so adorable!!! It's not all that different, but the sides were getting long and the top wasn't quite doing the cute little faux hawk anymore so I decided it was time for a little trim!!!

......AFTER!
You can't even see it very good, but oh well!! Look close!

Daxton:) 8 Months

2009-01-15T10:11:00.001-08:00

He just keeps doing it, getting bigger, I mean. I can't stand it! Where does the time go? I swear we are losing minutes each day! It just isn't fair, what happened to the time when we were kids when it seemed like an eternity from the time Mom put up the Christmas tree until the night when Santa would finally come? This year it seems like I got the tree up just in time without a second to spare. And somewhere in between all the hustle & bustle my baby boy grew even more! He is now 8 months old! I'm not sure how much he weighs, but I took him to get his pictures taken the other day and she put him on a little scale and it read somewhere between 16 and 161/2 lbs. He is getting so chubs! A chubby baby is a happy baby!!!! We love it! Some of his favorites right now are spitting or making any sort of noise or blowing bubbles with his mouth! He loves his tongue!!!! Waving bye-bye, scratching any surface that might make a noise, talking (Da, Da, Da) is his very favorite, but he will say Ma, Ma, Ma!! Playing with toys, and as you can imagine he loves eating! Favorites:) Club crackers (I swear he could eat an entire package in one sitting!) bananas, yogurt, toast, and of coarse, his bottle! I finally figured out why he was such a spitty baby, duh! He needed a more gentle or sensitive formula, yeah!! Now that we've switched, no more spit up!!! What a blessing!! He still isn't crawling, and to be quite honest I'm pretty sure he has no desire. He is just as happy as a clam to sit there and play with his toys and let everyone else cart him around. But hey......I'm sooooo not complaining, that's just a little bit longer I don't have to worry about the stairs or pull him out of everything!!! Dax is such an amazing baby! We absolutly adore him, I still can't figure out why I am so lucky, but..... I'll take it!!

Tell me he is just not the cutest! My friend, Sarah Ward took these pics. She did an absolute amazing job! Thanks, Sarah for capturing all these cute shots!

Christmas Eve!!

2008-12-27T14:43:00.000-08:00

Traditions:) We have started a new tradition of going over to Grandma Deb's & Grandpa Curt's house on Christmas Eve to have Christmas with the Bowen's. (Kim, Nick & Hagen) For as long as I can remember we always went to Grandma Molyneaux's on Christmas Eve, and then when our family got to big to fit in Grandma's house, we started going to the church. When G & G Molyneaux passed away we started having our party at my house on the Saturday before Christmas which left Christmas Eve open to a new tradition! I love the traditions!!! They are all about the memories!!! This year Grandma Adams was able to come over and party with us. It's always fun when Grandma is there! We feel lucky to have her! Mom (Grandma Deb) always gets something yummy to eat! Of coarse, what's a party without the food?!? This year we got chinese food from Hunan City (our favorite, next to PF Changs) and chips & salsa from Joe Banditos (another favorite) I know they don't really go together, chinese & mexican, but it was way yummy!!!! And when our tummies were full, we opened gifts!! And we opened gifts, and more gifts!! Oh my, Grandma Deb always goes a little out of control, but the kids love it!! This year we got a Wii and Wii Fit!! Fun!! We were all way excited about that! Walker got a cool little bike and Avorie got a night stand for her room and we all got a million other things, too! Thanks G & G!! We gave them an over night stay up in Park City at The Hotel Park City & dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse! They are going to love it there!!
This year we were also so lucky to have a white Christmas! It has snowed so much this past week, I feel like we are living in a winter wonderland!!! There is nothing better, it makes it actually feel like Christmas, like when we were kids!! To me that's a blessing, to others, they might beg to differ, but none the less

Merry Christmas!!!!

All the kids with Grandma Adams!

Happy Holidays!!!!

Tagged! 4-4-4

2008-12-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged again!! 4-4-4!! Thanks Sarah! And since my files are continually get shuffled around, (I'm no computer wizard, so I'm not sure how that happens) my pic is different from the last one!! This is a pic of Gabe, Parker, Camryn, and Avorie on the first day of school this year!! Aren't they cute!?! They look so excited, they (Gabe, Parker & Avorie) are about to embark upon the world of all day school, 1st Grade!!!!! My baby is growing up!!! It's fun to reflect back, it already seems like that was forever ago, but yet at the same time, it seems like yesterday! Hold on to the memories, I guess that's why we take so many pics!!!

Molyneaux Family Christmas Party!

2008-12-20T21:29:00.000-08:00

Today was the annual Molyneaux Christmas party! There are getting to be so many of us, it's so much fun!! It's the only time of year I get to see all my cousins and I love it! I wish we got to see each other a little more, we need to be better!! My mom always gathers us all together for the big group photo (too bad we are missing so many of us) even though some aren't so happy to get their pics taken, in the end, we are always glad for the proof of the memories!!! We ate yummy food and played some fun games! Good times had by all!!!!

Deegan & Dax 7 Months old
They are only 5 days apart! I wish we had a pic with Brielle, she is 1 week older than Deegan. So the three of them were born within 2 weeks of each other! Fun!!

He is just so dang cute!!!! I want to mug him right to death! Today he got his 2nd tooth! Hooray for Dax!

Ooh! He is soooooo YummY!!

What would we do without Friends?!?

2008-12-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Seriously........(Thanks Melissa!) Life would be boring without our friends! I am so grateful for mine! They seriously know everything (and I mean everything!!!!) there is to know about me! In fact, I'm willing to bet, a little more than they bargained for, but nonetheless I hope they still love me because I give them much to laugh about!!! (You all know what I'm talking about!) It is a never ending pee-your-pants session when I'm in the midst, you are welcome!!

At any rate, Merry Christmas! Olive Garden was yummy!!!

Walker, Dax & Santa!!

2008-12-20T08:40:00.000-08:00

Dashing through the snow
In a pair of broken skis
Over the hills we go
Crashing into trees
The snow is turning red
I think I'm almost dead
I woke up in the hospital
With stitches in my head
Oh, 911
911
911 away
Oh what fun it is to ride in the ambulance all day, Hey!!

This is just one of the fun songs we hear frequently around are house right now!! Avorie must learn them at school, and then she comes home and teaches them to Walker! He usually starts out pretty good and by the end he is singing words that aren't so nice and it ends with me having to ask him if he needs soap in his mouth? Which by the way reminds me of the other day. We were at Macey's back in the produce, mind you it was way busy. I saw Janeen Fox and was visiting with her while grabbing my carrots when all of a sudden Walker was driving the cart and slamming it into the little stands that hold the limes and onions while yelling, "Dave likes to wear, Dirty Underwear!" (Thanks to Alvin & the Chipmunks) Everybody was staring at us and laughing out loud! All I could do was laugh and ask them if anybody wanted to take him home!?! Oh, it's always an adventure with Walker!!! If any of you would like to borrow him, just let me know. He sure knows how to keep you entertained, that's for sure!!!!

Walker had his cute little preschool program today! Don't anybody worry, he knew the words to all the songs and he let you know! He was quite the show! He was absolutly darling! I couldn't help but be a proud mom! Becky Youd was sitting right in front of us and she turned to me and said, "Yep, he is just like his dad when he was that age!" Oh....... so that's where he gets it from!! Ha! Ha!! This year Walker asked Santa for a tractor and a trailor plow and some dirt!! And just recently he has decided he wants a horse, a real one!!! What are two parents and one Santa to do?!? Good Luck with that one! As for Dax, he fell asleep! Guess he doesn't get too excited quite yet!! It's probably a good thing though because his newest favorite thing to do is yank on everything he gets his little hands on, so.... Santa's beard might have been his target!!!! But he still looks so cute, even sound asleep!!!!!

I Love my Neighbors!

2008-12-17T21:48:00.000-08:00

Did I mention I love my neighborhood? Seriously.....We have such great neighbors, we feel so blessed to have such a wonderful place to raise our kids in with so many great examples!!! So..... thank you to all of you who help to raise my children! It truly takes us all, I couldn't do it by myself! It's just so nice to know we can all trust each other, what a blessing!
The other night we gathered at Pizza Factory for a little Christmas get-together. Instead of doing all those little neighbor gifts we each brought one 15$ gift and exchanged them and we all got a little something fun to take home! (What a marvelous idea!!!) It was so fun to just visit with each other and enjoy some yummy food!!! Thanks for a relaxing, fun night out everyone!!!!

Christmas Cookies:) A work of Art!!

2008-12-17T20:43:00.000-08:00

I finally feel like somewhat of a good mom! I've been wanting to do something fun with my kids forever, and I've just been so dang busy! (I know that is no excuse) But when I found out I was going to have surgery on my foot, I wasn't sure how I would feel afterward so I was trying to get everything ready for Christmas, and time just flew by. So now that I'm ready and feeling good, I have time to do the fun things that make Christmas, well....Christmas, like making cookies and watching Rudolph & Frosty, and enjoying my kids!

I've never seen kids so excited to watch cookies in the oven! They even went and retrieved a pillow big enough for them all to sit on and watch them "puff up & get big!" And that's just exactly what they did! They literally watched the whole process, from start, to puffed up, to bigger and finally finished!

And it's finally time for the fun part........frosting!!! They had so much fun decorating the cookies, I couldn't help but keep from smiling. I was having more fun watching them than they were making a great big mess! I swear there were more sprinkles on the floor than there were on the cookies, and there were a lot of sprinkles on the cookies!!!!!

And the winner is......all of them!! Our masterpieces......a work of art!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

2008-12-13T21:09:00.000-08:00

The Evans' Family 2008

Well, I finally got those Christmas cards done! We have been so busy, I wasn't sure it was going to happen this year! But it did, and I think they turned out pretty cute! I bought us all matching red outfits for Christmas Eve ( a little tradition we have started in our family) I thought it would be fun to do sweat outfits instead of jammies, and everyone loves it!! I thought it might be cute to get our Christmas pics in them by the fireplace, so we did & here they are! Merry Christmas to all of you!!

Avorie 6, Walker 3, Dax 7 months

Under the Mistletoe!!!
I think he's enjoying it, don't ya think?!?

Foot Surgery!

2008-12-13T20:58:00.000-08:00

All I have to say is, you know you are busy when you welcome sickness or a surgery just so you can take a rest & relax!! That is exactly what I did!! Friday the 12th I had surgery on my left foot to get rid of neuroma that had been bothering me for awhile! For those of you who are going, "a what?" It's scar tissue that has built up in between the bones in my feet until it got so big it didn't fit anymore, and any time I was standing to do hair or wearing those cute pointed stilettos (fashion first, right?) my foot would just hurt. So after about a year of that I decided to go get it fixed. I had my right foot done about 9 years ago when Morgan & I were engaged & if I remembered right, it wasn't bad at all. And I was right! It still isn't bad at all! In fact, I had the surgery Friday morning, and I went to a Christmas party Friday night, and I felt great!!! Morgan has been wonderful (of coarse) He has taken great care of me! And I have slept more in the last two days than I have for about the last 2 weeks! What a welcomed retreat!!! It couldn't feel any better! This is my Merry Christmas present to me!!

Tagged by Bri!! 6 Quirky Things about ME!

2008-12-06T16:19:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged, again! Thanks, Bri! 6 quirky things about me! I'll have to think about this one for a minute! So hold on while I ponder all the weird things that make me, well ME!! I asked Morgan and he came up with a few things that he thinks are weird, I don't know if they are necessarily quirks, but oh well.
1. I am a freak about my floors and how they are cleaned. I have to first wash it down on my hands and knees with a bucket of soapy water, then after I've done the whole floor I dump out the water and start over with another bucket of clean hot water, and finally I go back over it with a dry white towel and make sure the towel comes up completely spotless. If not we start over! Needless to say, I don't so much love mopping day!!! But I love when they smell clean, and nobodies socks end up dirty! Whew!!!
2. I have to eat my cereal every morning with a piece of toast to dip in the milk! If I'm eating Cinnamon Life (my favorite!) then the toast has to have butter and cinnamon & sugar (as if the cereal doesn't have enough sugar) But if I'm eating Cocoa Pebbles, the toast can only have butter ( I can't believe it's not butter, it's the best!) Morgan thinks it's weird, to dip your toast in your cereal!
3. I can't do just one thing at a time! My brain doesn't work that way! It has to be going a hundred miles a minute! I start one project which then reminds me of something else I wanted to do which in turn reminds me of something else and around and around and around I go until I eventually end up back where I started in the first place and almost everything on my to do list is done!! Which is usually nice, but sometimes very tiring if not physically, mentally!!
4. Speaking of to do lists, one of my favorite things to do (especially when I have a lot to do) is make a list of absolutely everything I need to get done (down to breathing in & out!!) just so as I go in my whirlwind I can cross off a million things! There is no better satisfaction than that of the feeling you get when you've accomplished a lot in one day!! And you have the list to prove it!!!!!
5. I like to be busy!! (Most of the time!) I know I'm weird, who wants to be busy?!? But I've come to the conclusion I'm just a little busy body! I can't sit still, there is way too much to be done (in my mind) which is probably why I go in a thousand circles a day!
6. I love to take a shower while sitting down! I know I probably waste a ton of water, some people might cringe, but there is nothing more relaxing to me! First of all, it's one of the only times I can sit there by myself! If the kids are screaming I just lock the door, turn the water on and I can't even hear them! They could be killing each other and I wouldn't even know it, that's why I usually have to do it at night when Morgan is here and I can totally relax!!!! If you don't believe me just try it, and I'm sure you will be converted!!!

I'm sure I could probably go on and on, but I will stop! Now that you all know a little bit more about me than you wanted to!!

First Tooth!!

2008-12-06T14:53:00.001-08:00

While Avorie has been busy losing all her teeth, little Dax is just starting to get his! I could feel his bottom tooth playing peek-a-boo for about 2 weeks now, and today at the grocery store he got mad at me and started to cry, and there it was! A cute little tooth! I can't believe he hasn't even been cranky in the least bit. Wait, did I say I can't believe he hasn't been cranky? He is never cranky, so why would he be now? Did I tell you how good he is!!!!?! He is the best baby ever! I am so lucky to have him! He also has started sitting now. He is a little wobbely, but we are making good progress. However; I am sad! It only means he's still growing up, despite the fact that I'm trying so hard to keep him little! They just keep on growing, faster and faster everyday! But it is fun to see them accomplish those milestones. He is so happy to be sitting, the world has more to see when you're sitting, and not laying, staring at the ceiling all day!
Avorie has now lost her 5th tooth, and she is working on the 6th!! Every time I see her wiggling it, I tell her to stop until the other ones grow back in, or she's not going to have any and she won't be able to eat, but she's obviously not listening because every tome I look at her, she has her fingers in her mouth! Today Santa was at Macey's and I asked her what she wanted to tell him she wanted for Christmas, and she said, "My two front teeth!" So.... hopefully, she will get them!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2008-12-01T09:49:00.000-08:00

We did it! We finally did something different for Thanksgiving, and I loved it!! We went down to St. George with Grandma Deb & Grandpa Curt, and stayed in their condo. We decided since it was just the 7 of us, instead of making a huge mess we would go out to eat. It was a dream my mom has always had, so we went to Chuck-a-rama!!! It was soooooo YuMmY!! I love their mashed potatoes & gravy. I could sit down to a heaping plate of those babies and just be as happy as a clam! So that's just about what I did, but I also added a little bit of turkey, and of coarse, a yummy wheat roll (what's Thanksgiving without a yummy roll?) and a few veggies, and last, but not least, the icecream!!! As much as could possibly slip into the cracks! Yum! I was in Heaven!! Did you know so many people went out to dinner on Thanksgiving? Neither did I!?! We stood in line for over an hour in the pouring rain under our umbrella's! Are we crazy? But it was worth it! Even my Dad thought so! He is the one that makes that pretend puking sound whenever you mention Chuch-a-rama, but he agreed to go, and the whole time he was eating, practically everything he put into his mouth, he was saying, Mmmm, that's pretty good. Ooh, that's yummy! The only thing that wasn't quite as good as he wanted was the pumpkin pie, but it was still pretty good!!! Morgan, on the other hand, didn't groove on it too much! He also didn't feel very good either! But he wanted chips & dips, and veggies & ranch, and of coarse, his cheeseball sandwich (there was plenty of that at the condo) so he wasn't that excited about dinner. Sorry Morg! All my kids really cared about was the icecream, at least they ate something, right?!? Overall, I consider it a success! After dinner, we went to the movie "Four Christmases" Not a good choice, especially with the kids! So I took Avorie and we left! But we did redeem ourselves when we went to "Bolt" What a cute show!! The hamster made the whole movie! He was hilarious! Grandma Deb and Avorie loved it! Grandma said it made her whole trip! We also did our Black Friday shopping! We left the condo at 4:00 am! We had a great time and got a lot done!!! The only thing we didn't get was a TV at Walmart for Morgan, we sooo could have gotten it, but I didn't know how we would get it home. BuMmeR!!!!! I was dissapointed! Not only was I first in line to get it, I left because I knew I wouldn't be able to get it home. And after they let everyone go crazy, I walked back over there and there were still 7 TV's left. I could have just kicked myself, but oh well, nothing I could do about it! Dang-it!!
The kids went swimming with Grandpa Curt and Dad! They are all big fish! Morgan says someday we'll have our own pool! Ha! We'll see, in his dreams!!!

Happy Turkey Day! We hope you all had a good holiday!! We did!!

Standing in line at Chuck-a-rama in the rain!! Memories!!!

Hanging out at the condo after dinner!

Aren't my boys handsome? I like to call them hands-a-rama!!

Head Wounds!!

2008-11-17T23:26:00.001-08:00

Wow!! Walker really had a run for it this weekend!! He got all sorts of head wounds! On Friday night, we went to dinner with Zane & Bri and their family to Hunan City in Payson. Trust me when I say, they could have seen this one coming! When we got there it was nice and calm, and everyone around us was QuiEtLy enjoying their dinner, that was, until the circus showed up! Not only did we have our whole crew, 4 adults, 5 kids, and 2 babies, we also had Livvy's friend. With our kids, nothing is ever quiet & simple. It is actually sometimes embarrassing! People probably think we can't control our kids. Oh....wait! What am I talking about, most of the time I can't control my kids. That isn't true! I can control Avorie & Dax (most of the time)! Walker on the other hand, is a diffferent story! Morgan's got a pretty good hold on him, but as for me, that's yet to come! So after we ate our dinner (and saying to Walker at least a hundred times, "Please sit down, don't climb under the table. Walker, I said Sit down, stop bugging him, don't climb over the table." Yes, we are raising a monkey! At any rate, the next thing we knew, Walker and Jack had tipped the whole table over on top of them. Yes, I didn't studder, the whole table tipped over on them, and a plate came crashing down and landed right in the middle of Walker's head! Did I say, sometimes it is embarrassing?? Yeah, but I did feel way sorry for him. He was actually OK until he asked if their was blood, and I made the mistake of telling him "Yes", and then he freaked out! The cute little old man sitting next to us came over and said, "Enjoy them now, cuz one day they'll be gone." It's so the truth! So no matter how embarrassing, it was only an accident and I am so glad we didn't have to do stitches!
Then Saturday night, Morgan & I went out on a date. On the way home, our cute little babysitter, Julia Talbot, called on the phone to tell us Walker had been playing rodeo ( a favorite at our house) and his horse bucked him off right on the corner of the fireplace. His head was bleeding all over the place! Luckily we were almost home (guess we'll go to Walmart later) I was so glad to find peace when we walked through the door. He was again fine, thank goodness! We escaped the stitches once again!! Wheww!!! I think Julia was a little more freaked than he was. She was such a good sport, with blood all over her shirt!!! I sure hope after this weekend that my child doesn't have brain damage, and Julia will come back to babysit!!

Dax 6 months

2008-11-14T18:29:00.000-08:00

It seems like literally yesterday I was sitting down to write about Dax at 4 months. WOW! How time flies! It really is scary, at this pace, the next thing I know, I will be sending him out the door and into the mission field! What is this all about? Doesn't the saying go:) We better treasure the small things because someday we will look back and realize, they were the big things!!! I think I've actually started figuring that one out, thank goodness!! I don't know what I would do if in a few years down the road I looked back and realized I had missed all those little things that make life worthwhile, so that is one of the many, many reasons I love my little Dax so much!!! I've seriously sat around and wondered what it is about him I absolutely adore so much! So far, a few of the reasons I could come up with are:)
#1. He is absolutely adorable!!! I mean really adorable!!
#2. He is an angel baby! Seriously!! (For instance, on Wednesday he was sick so I kept him home from daycare to spend a day with me in the salon. He didn't make a peep, not one cry, not one whimper. He sat there in his swing all day 9-4 with a little nap in between and just watched me and played with his toys! What baby does that!?! How could you not adore him!?!)
#3. He is so HaPpY!!! He waits for anyone and everyone to look his way so that he can just GRIN!!!
#4. He saved me!!!! When he was born, I realized how fast life was flying by and that my kids were only going to be little once, and I didn't want to miss it! So...... I sold the salon and cut way back on doing hair so that I could spend more time with my kids and enjoy all the little things I was missing out on! And with tears in my eyes, I can honestly say it was the best decision I have ever made. I L...O...V...E being at home with them! Thank You, Baby Dax!!!
He is definantly loved by all at our house. Walker won't leave him alone! I find myself being a broken record all day long as I'm constantly saying, "Walker, get off of him. Walker, get out of his face. Walker, you can't pick him up." I feel so bad because I know it's only because he loves him so much and he just wants a little friend to play with. Every morning as soon as he gets out of bed, before he really even has his eyes open, first thing he says is "Where's Baby Dax?" he just always wants to hold him. Avorie is such a big helper!! She loves to play with him and keep him entertained. She is so good at making him laugh and she loves to swing him in his Johnny Jump up! I so appriciate her help! Morgan swears that babies don't like him until they are about 6 months. So now Morgan is loving him! If any of you know Morgan and his brother, Zane, you know that they like to torment the kids and throw them around like rag dolls, and the funny thing is.....that they (the kids) absolutely love them to death! Morgan just has a way with them (I could watch him play with our kids all day long_It's one of my favorite past times) And, as for me, I could eat Dax for breakfast, seriously, and if you don't believe me, you should just watch me mug him right too death. I know one of these days (which will come way faster than I would like) he will hate it when I constantly kiss on him and tell him how much I love him, so I'm going to get in as many kisses as I can, and hopefully, just hopefully, he will always let his mom love on him!

6 Month Stats:)

Weight: 14lb. 11 oz. (10%)

Length: 24.4 in. (3%)

Head Circum: 16.75 (20%)

Happy 6 Month Birthday, D!!!!! We all love you!

St. George

2008-11-10T18:48:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we went to St. George and stayed in the combo, the cabin, our house, or Jami's Hotel whatever it is you want to call it, but regardless, we had so much fun!! We all went down to watch Haleigh play in a softball tournament. By the way- she is awesome!!! She really knows how to play ball! They ended up taking 3rd place! Go Haleigh and the UC Diamond Girls!! In between games we found time to play and most important SWIM!!! Let me tell you, our family is made up of a school of fish! They could swim all day, everyday, and just be as happy as clams! My cute little Avorie learned how to do flips, yes flips, frontwards and backwards (Oh My!!) off the side and into the water. Talk about scare a mother to death! I just sat there cringing and hoping she didn't smack her face on the side of the pool. That would be way bad!!! She is way too brave for me! I can now see what my mom was talking about all those times when she was afraid to watch us "perform" on the tramp. She was scared we would break some body part! And now I know exactly why, I feel her pain!! But what are we to do? We survived, I guess!
We also went to see Madagascar 2, it was pretty funny (and safe!) Walker must have been all tuckered out from all that swimming because before it even began, I looked over and he was already asleep, and he slept the entire movie. Guess we'll have to go again, huh Walker? Of coarse, us girls found a little bit of time to do some shopping. It just wouldn't be a trip to St. George without a trip to the outlets, now would it?
All in all, we had a great time! Memories!! Did I mention the kids like to swim??

Look at our cute boys! Maybe someday the 3 of them will be out in the field playing ball together!

Can you say "Black Mail!?!" Jack & Walker are going to be in big trouble someday when I get a hold of their girlfriends, or their wedding videos!

The Reveal!

2008-11-06T16:57:00.000-08:00

I got a crazy whim a few months back to redo our master bedroom! It all started like this: Morgan says it's all my Mom's fault. Well, if it is, thanks Mom! I love how it turned out! So my Mom bought me a new king size bed set for my birthday. Well, we didn't have a king size bed, so of coarse, we just couldn't have a king size comforter on our queen sized bed. Afterall, we had been wanting a new mattress, right. So what a perfect excuse to get a new mattress, and therefore, a new bedroom set! Yay! Perfect, I have had my eye on one anyway! Morgan is thanking my mom, and me, for using the excuse that he might sleep better on a new mattress. Anything is better than the couch, and maybe I might get my husband to sleep by me. He thinks it was an excuse, when really I just wanted him to be comfortable!! At any rate, I found a great deal on KSL on the bedroom set I had seen at RC Willey. (By the way, I LOVE KSL!) So I got it!! Then when it came I decided I was tired of the green walls I currently had in my room, and wanted to do something totally different than anything I had in my house. My bed set was black & white so really any color would go, but I wanted something new and fresh so I chose kind of an aqua, teal blue color. The first color I chose was what you would call some sort of a disaster! It was so bright when you walked down the hall you could see a glow radiating out of my bedroom. I told my mom to bring her beach towel and join me for a day at the beach right there in my own room. Don't get me wrong, it was a way happy color, but it looked more like a kid's playroom than a refreshing, soothing master bedroom. So I had to change it! I was nervous to tell Morgan I didn't like it, but a few days later he fessed up to not liking it either, by telling me he would be glad to help me repaint it. I was so relieved!!! I finally picked the right color and got it all put back together and I love it! Our bed is huge, it makes me feel like I'm on vacation everyday!!! It's great!!!!

Before

Well, I guess this is a sort of before picture, but not really. It's not my old furniture, or my old bedding, just basically the green walls and a little decor. But anyway...........

Oops!!!!

Here is the oops color, the oh no, what am I going to do color, the make me sick every time I go in my room color!!! And..............

The Real Thing!!

So...... What do you think?
The lighting is not very good in these pics, but hopefully you can get the idea. There are still a few more things I need to do to finish it off, but I need to find just the right thing first, so... there it is!!

October '08

2008-11-04T20:25:00.000-08:00

We did a lot of fun activities this month so I decided it would be easier to do one big action packed, fun filled post! Are you ready?!?

CrAzY hAiR daY!!

It was Red Ribbon Week at school! So we got to have fun doing crazy hair day! I should have taken a better picture because you can't see all that good. Avorie had pony tails all over her head, Alivia had 3 ponies that were all a little different, and Wyatt was sporting a mohawk that had 5 pony tails in it! They had fun being crazy! After all it's what they do best!

Party On!

Can we just say "The Eighties Rocked" Seriously, who didn't love Fraggle Rock, Pound Puppies, The Smurf's, banana clips, pegged pants, neon colors, LA Gear, mullets, leg warmers, Scooby Doo, the music, and who could forget, Big hair!!!! Melissa Oldham had a great party and we had so much fun dressing up, but let's be totally honest here, it brought back way too many memories! When I was getting ready, I couldn't stop laughing, and Morgan told me I was having way too much fun! And I was!!! It was great!

Don't we look HOT? You know you're jealous! Let's just be glad they are memories and we don't have to look quite this good everyday!!
.......Next, we had a great FHE with Morgan's family at CornBellys! The kids' had so much fun! If any of you have not been there, it is an awesome place to your families. There is so much to do!

Corn Bellys @ Thanksgiving Pointe

Of coarse, they had to pose for a cute picture to start off our night!

There were many more picture ops along the way!!

We went through the maze, on a haunted hayride, watched the pig races (Avorie's won!), played in the corn box (that's corn instead of sand), jumped on a ginormous tramp, slid down the slides, went in the haunted dinosuar (well, everyone but my kids, they were just a little freaked out to say the least. You would have thought we were trying to kill them!) ,and we raced ducks. I'm telling you, there pretty much wasn't anything we didn't do! We had a great time!

Halloween Class Party!

I went to help do the party in Avorie's class on Halloween! The kid's are so darn cute! They were wound up like wood watches! But hey, who can blame them! Avorie was the cutest witch I've ever seen, of coarse! I dressed up like the bride of Frankenstein. The kids had no idea who I was, but they thought I looked funny, and that's all that matters. Did I mention, I love helping in her class?!?

Mrs. Bird's First Grade Class, Oops! I mean Glenda, the Good Witch!

And finally Halloween night!
Let the Trick-or-Treating begin!!

Daxs' first Halloween! Isn't he the sweetest!? I could just mug him right to death!

For that matter, I guess I have to brag, I'm sure my kids are the absolute cutest little people around! At least I think so!!!!
Happy Halloween!

The Toothless Wonder!

2008-11-04T13:02:00.000-08:00

Well, Avorie finally lost her tooth. It seems like she has been wiggling that thing forever! She was so excited and proud! I kept her home from school because she was coughing, so while she was hanging out she couldn't keep her hands out of her mouth. Finally, it was literally hanging there and she would not pull it out, so I told her I would give her a dollar if she would let me pull it out. She thought about it for a minute, but then she declined my generous offer! I'm glad she did though, because when she finally got up the nerve to yank it out, she was so proud of herself!! Then she was so excited all she could think about was showing everyone she could think of. She kept begging to go to school and since she hadn't coughed forever and she acted totally fine, I let her go.
Now she has lost a total of 3 teeth, and she has 3 more that are loose, so pretty soon, she really will be The Toothless Wonder!!! And when that happens, she is going to be way rich. Let's just say the Tooth Fairy was really nice to her! Lucky girl!!

The Cutest Thing!

2008-10-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, Morgan & Walker were both sick so they stayed home from church. While they were laying together on the couch, Walker looked up at Morgan and said, "Dad, do you know what I want to be when I get big? I want to be a motorcycle driver, a race car driver, um.... a farmer, ummmm....a Dad, and a teacher, so I can teach the little kids their colors and their numbers." Is that not so adorable? It just goes to show all of us the affects we have on little kids when we don't even know it. They look up to all those people they are around everyday and they take it all in. So thank you to Grandpa Jay as the farmer, Morgan as the best dad ever, and Naddie as the teacher! As for the motorcycle and racecar driver I'm not really sure, probably just the good ole imagination, something we should all have just a little more of!

Tagged!!

2008-10-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged by Danyette! Rules are as follows: Post the 4th picture in your 4th file and tag 4 people! Easy enough! Here it is, a darling picture of my cute kids! It's a good thing it wasn't a scary picture that would scare all of you away! Ha Ha!

I tag: Haley, Brianna, Michelle & Jen D. Have fun!

Barnyard Boo

2008-10-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday all the kids were out of school for Fall Break so Grandma Deb loaded us all up for a day of fun.....so we thought!!! Just kidding! It actually turned out to be great! The kids loved it and that's all that matters anyway, right? I started off the day by waking up early 6:10 (Thanks to Dax) but I thought it would be good since we wanted to leave by 8:30 (Thanks to Deb) I would have plenty of time to get everyone ready, but it turns out when I actually got out of bed my head was spinning and I had another case of the pee-your-pants sneezes! I love it when that happens! Needless to say I felt pretty crappy, but I did my best to get going. Apparently, I didn't move very fast because when Kim and Grandma showed up about 8:15 we were not even close to being ready. Thank goodness for their
help!! I sent Walker in to brush his teeth and I swear to you that he honestly had the entire tube of toothpaste everywhere but in his mouth!! I even found it on the carpet, UUgh! I love little boys! Then he decided to get himself a drink of Morgan's Mt. Dew he had open in the fridge, and after he successfully poured it into his cup, he then knocked it off the counter and all over the floor! Doesn't this sound like a fun day? We finally made it to the car, yay! And we arrived at Thanksgiving Pointe right at 10:00 when it opened. We were the first ones there and believe me, that was a good thing! By the time we left there were 5 million people there, not kidding! I think everyone else had the same idea as us. It was way fun though, the kids got to ride a pony, go on a hay ride, decorate a cookie, make a Trick-or-Treat bag, get their faces painted, and play lots of games and win prizes! They loved it!!

After we left, we all decided Brick Oven sounded yummy, and the kids were starving. At least we think that was their problem. By the time we got there, they were all bawling and fighting, and a little out of control. Oh Boy!! Good times had by all! After everyone got their food and were happily eating, Dax decided he wanted to eat also. So I tried to feed him only to send him into one of the biggest fits he's ever thrown, right there in the middle of the restaurant. He was freaking so bad I couldn't even get him to eat. Just get me home!! We really did have a fun day, it's always a treat when Kim and Hagen come to play with us! Besides, we are truly making memories for our kids, that in itself, is worth it all!!!

Best Buddies!

2008-10-19T20:10:00.000-07:00

Walker & Jack are seriously two peas in pod! Can they get any nerdier? If any of you are wondering (those in our neighborhood know) that this look they have going on is an everyday sight when you drive down our street! Our two cowboys with their shorts and cowboy boots, too bad in this particular photo they were not sporting their matching groovy Walmart cowboy hats. Wow! What a treat! They can't do anything without each other, what one does the other does, what one says the other says, and what one wears the other wears. They truely are best buddies!! They have trouble written all over their faces, but aren't they just absolutely adorable?!?

Just in_ Great News!!

2008-10-12T19:51:00.001-07:00

We just got some exciting news about Morgan's job! We weren't expecting anything like this to happen for a few more years, so we are soooooo excited! Morgan will be taking a position as an outside salesman calling on all the cities! This is something he has had his heart set on for a long time. Starting January 1, they are changing a lot of things at Mountainland, and one of the things I'm most excited about is he will have his own laptop and he will be working basically from home and his truck which means I will have him around alot more to help during the day. We will also be able to travel more because he can work on the road!!!! Yeah! That will relieve alot of stress! I am so proud of him because I know he wouldn't be where he is if he wasn't such a hard worker and so dependable. Congratulations, Morgan, you deserve it!!

I've been tagged! Yeah!

2008-10-10T16:06:00.000-07:00

This might sound kinda funny, but I was happy to be tagged! Why?!? I'll tell you! Since this is my journal I think it's a great way to remember all the little things that happen everyday without having to tell a big long story. So... thanks Candice! Really!

8 Things....

8 TV shows I like to watch
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. HGTV (just about any show)
That is really all I watch 99% of the time. Most all the time it's either on Disney channel (and it's true, I find myself sucked in to Hannah Montana) or Glen Beck, Hannity & Colmes, or lately the stock market channel) courtesy of Morgan.
3. Flip that House
4. Biggest Loser
5. Fox 13 News
6. American Idol
7. Oprah & Dr. Phil
8. CSI

8 Things that happened yesterday
1. Ran errands with my Mom ( Thursday)
2. Bought Sleeping Beauty only to open it and discover it was empty (No DVD)
3. Did hair (of coarse) It turned out so cute! Love it!
4. Ate Mexican food for lunch & dinner! Yummy, my favorite!
5. Spin Class (it's a good thing cuz Mexican food is not light on the calories)
6. Spent $211.00 at Costco.
7. Bought Dax his first baby food (squash, sweet potatoes, & applesauce)
8. Got my washer fixed (only cost me $131.00 to fish out a few quarters that were stuck in the pump) Thank goodness it was not the motor!

8 Favorite Places to Eat
1. Any Mexican Food (well almost any)
2. Texas Road House
3. Tepanyaki
4. The Trolley (Art City Special)
5. Guru's
6. PF Chang's
7. Brick Oven & Olive Garden
8. Ruth's Chris

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To
1. A trip with my Husband (hopefully Mexico)
2. Scrapbooking
3. Morgan feeling better
4. January 1st, 2009 (Morgan's New Job)
5. Eating at Texas Road House, Tomorrow!
6. Watching High School Musical 3 with Avorie (laugh all you want)
7. A time when I don't have to clean up after everyone (but I know I'll miss it)
8. When our backyard is done & not so WT!

8 Things on my Wish List
1. A new ipod (since I've now ruined two of them & I'm dying without it)
2. A Big Ol' Shopping Trip (You know, where I can buy whatever I want)
3. For my kids to listen the first time they are told. That would be nice!
4. A clean house for longer than an hour!
5. A healthy husband! (I wish they could fix him!)
6. My kids to grow up in an easier world (like it was when we were kids)
7. A vacation home!
8. Every one to be positive!

8 people I Tag
1. Danyette
2. Misty
3. Cassie
4. Sarah
5. Ellen
6. Shelley
7. Shantelle
8. Heidi

I'm Worried!!!

2008-10-06T17:13:00.000-07:00

What am I going to do with my 6 year old? I swear she already thinks she is a teenager. I am going to be in BIG trouble! Let me explain. Well, it actually all began last year when Avorie decided she liked the boys, in particular, Isaac. They( meaning a group of boys and a group of girls) started chasing each other at recess and Avorie would come home laughing and tell me she had kissed Isaac. Oh my!!!! Finally the teachers told them- No More! And that was that! Now the other day I was helping in Avorie's class and Mrs. Bird asked me if I would go out in the hall & take down the pictures the kids had drawn so she could hang up their new ones. Most of the pictures said things like Parker & Gabe are my best friends or I like school lunch, or I enjoy drawing. I'm guessing they were supposed to draw a picture of something they liked or enjoyed doing and then write about it, so......when I got to Avorie's, guess what it said? I like chasing the boys at recess! Of coarse! I immediatly started cracking up. She is so not a shy child! And then to top it all off, this morning I picked out her clothes and layed them out on the bed before I woke her up. Now mind you, she went to bed way too late ( she was reading & reading & reading. She read an entire chapter book in one night) so I knew she would be tired. She got up and I told her to get dressed, she took one look at the pants I chose and started whining. She told me she was not wearing those and I told her she was, to get dressed and come get me when she was done so I could do her hair. When she came in my room, no surprise to me, she was wearing a different pair of jeans. I asked her why, her response "Those pants are too long. I can't run in them so how am I supposed to chase the boys at recess?" Like I was going to answer her. I just shook my head! What am I going to do?!?

9 Years!

2008-10-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

It has been 9 fantastic years since Morgan & I went on our very first date! That, by the way, his mom set up. Well, I don't mean set up, I mean she actually asked me out for him and told me he would be there to pick me up. Wow! I am forever grateful for her! It's pretty easy to remember that day(like I would ever forget) because it is my now brother-in-law's birthday. October 4th, 1999, he did indeed show up to get me that night and we went to the birthday party and then we went to eat at Olive Garden. Yummy! Never ending pasta bowl! Then we went to the mall to buy Morgan some new jeans. You see, apparently when Morgan got home from his mission he still thought Silver Tab jeans that tapered down were still cool, however, they were not. So we had to go get him a pair of wide leg jeans, that by the way, he looked way hot in. Done! We brought him out of the 90's and into now. After shopping we drove around for awhile and then he took me home where he then won a bet he had with his brother, Grant. I guess the first night we met (June, '98) he told Grant that he was going to ask me out, he told him "Good Luck" she is dating someone, and Morgan's response was " I'll bet ya 5 bucks I will kiss her!" So.... when he walked me to the door, just in case I never went out with him again, he made sure he won his 5 bucks. Now, it was not the the kiss of your dreams, in fact, it was over and he was gone before I could even process what had happened! And little did he know, after that night he would be stuck with me FOREVER!!!! And trust me there have been many more kisses since that night! I love you, Morgan. Thank you for your Mom!

Every year on October 4th, or as close to it as we can, we try to go to Olive Garden. It has been a fun tradition that we will hopefully carry on for many more years to come!

Yummy, Dinner!

2008-10-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

After Daxton's shots, he was not sleeping so well, and by the end of the week I was desperate for some good zzzz's. Then I remembered the doctor told me I could try cereal, maybe, just maybe he would sleep for longer than 30 minutes if his belly was all the way full. I was tryin' it for sure. So I ran to the grocery store just for some baby rice cereal oh, and some razors for Morgan, I couldn't wait to come home and give it a try. So, I got him all ready, bib and all, since I knew it wouldn't be a clean experience. I put him in his bumbo, gave him a spoon to keep him occupied and I proceeded to feed him his first solid food. He HATED it! He screamed and screamed and screamed until I finally gave up and dumped the rest in a bottle for him to drink, and then he suddenly loved it. Go figure, but I can't say I care cuz guess what? He slept for 12 hours straight, no interuptions! Hallelueah!! So now of coarse we have cereal every night. He is still not fond of the spoon, but we're working on it!

Fall Fun

2008-09-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

Not exactly what you think of when you think of Fall Fun, right? Last September it was snowing! This September 30th, to be exact, it was near 90 degrees outside. It was HOT! Walker wanted to swim, at first I told him no, but then I thought, why not? They're not going to get many more chances to do that before we are actually enjoying true fall weather, and instead of swimming, we are jumping in a pile of leaves. Oh I can't wait! I absolutely love the Fall. It is my favorite time of year. I only wish it would last just a little bit longer. We can only hope this year it just might.

Charity Bike Ride

2008-09-28T19:33:00.001-07:00

Hog Wild

Yesterday we got to go to our first ever charity bike ride for a friend of Morgan's father in law. He was the Lehi city Chief of Police and a few months ago he was shot in the head by a lady he had pulled over. He was in the hospital for awhile an now he is home, but he will never be able to work again. So his son in law, Zack, organized a bike ride to raise money to help his family out. It was so neat! They say there were about 800 bikers who participated in the ride around the Nebo loop. They ended up at the Lehi city park where there were many others waiting. Walker thought it was way cool when the steady stream of bikers rolled in on their Harley's. Morgan helped cook up the hamburgers and hot dogs, and we all enjoyed a yummy lunch. After lunch they held a raffle and gave away awesome prizes such as over night stays, leather jackets, teeth whitening kits, jewelry, 2 guns, and much more. It turned out to be a great day and I would say that they successfully helped a family in need.

Zack Blachburn, Walker & Avorie

Luis, Morgan & Jose

Memory Lane

2008-09-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Today as I was washing my hair (I know, my once a week ritual) I caught a whiff of a smell that took me back to my childhood. I'm not sure what smell or exactly why, all I know is I found myself down at Grandma Molyneaux's house remembering all my favorite things about visiting my Grandma & Grandpa, and since this is my journal I just wanted to jot down a few of my thoughts. Both Grandma and Grandpa died a few years ago within 6 months of each other. It was a hard time for my mom, but maybe remembering some memories and writing them down will help keep them alive in us.

My Top 10 Memories of Grandma's House (in no particular order)

1. Nacho Dorito Chips & closet full of Pepsi
2. Singing & Dancing our hearts out to Grandma's big stereo
3. Swimming in the ditch out front
4. Going down to the store to buy penny candy
5. Grandma sewing, especially pajamas
6. Our annual Christmas Eve party. My Mom has kept the tradition going. Thanks Mom!
7. Grandpa's farm truck and little tractor
8. KETCHUP on everything (Yuck!) Yes, even pancakes!
9. Cousins. There was always someone to play with! I miss you!
10. Lunch Bunch at the park

Thanks for all the memories! That is only the beginning, I can only hope my kids will be as lucky as we are. They have wonderful Grandparents so I'm sure they have already begun to create those images and smells in their little minds that they will never forget!

Happy Birthday to me!

2008-09-26T21:31:00.003-07:00

29! Wow! I only have 1 year left of real life, so they say. However, I don't think I will mind being the big 3-o. I believe life gets better with age, right? If I hadn't have gotten older I wouldn't have my 3 beautiful kids, my wonderful husband of 81/2 years now, and all the memories that come along with them. Of coarse I could do without a few things like the wrinkles around my eyes, the sagginess in places I could do without (you all know what I'm talking about) and the dreaded cellulite that seems to set in more and more the older I get. Let's just say gravity is taking it's toll on my body, but oh well, I exercise every day in hopes it will someday make a difference. But I think until I decide Dr. Pepper is not so yummy, that cellulite I love so much will never go away, and for those of you who know me know that will never happen. I guess there are way worse things to worry about, so for the most part, I don't.

Hotel Park City
Sept. 6-7, '08

Anyway, this year,( and every other year let's face it) I got spoiled! My husband is the best! He always seems to out do himself. Most men just can't keep on top of it remembering birthdays and anniversaries, not my husband, he always comes up with the best ideas and my favorite part is, he always surprises me. I love surprises! This year him and my mom teamed up to get me new bedding, black & white. I've wanted to redo my room for awhile now and Morgan and I have been wanting a king size bed so now I have a big fat excuse to get a new bedroom set. He also took me to Park City to stay the night. We got to stay in the most awesome hotel, Hotel Park City! I loved it! Let's just say it was worth the money, and he took me to Ruth's Chris Steak House. For those of you who have not had the priveledge of eating there, Oh my! You have to try it. It was so yummy! We really enjoyed ourselves, just the two of us and Dax, but who knows he's there, he is so good. Sounds fantastic right? It was! And when we got home, he had yet another gift for me. I love him! I had been shopping a few weeks earlier and I had put some things on lay away at the Buckle for the soul purpose of, he always asks me what I want for my birthday and I thought it would be easy for him to just go there and pick them up. But when I told him what I had done, he told me if I wanted them to just go buy them. What he didn't know was, that I had picked out a pair of jeans that were, brace yourself, $135.00. One pair of jeans. Does that make you sick? It does me. So anyway, I didn't think he was going to get them, and surprise, he did! After I opened the jeans I told him how sick I was about the price and that I thought I was going to take them back because I just couldn't justify that much for a pair of jeans, and he told me to try them on and he would let me know if they were worth it. Well, let's just say they are now my favorite pair of jeans. Guess he thought I looked "HOT" He always makes me feel good. Another reason I love him so much! So...... Happy Birthday to me!

Walker's First Day of Preschool

2008-09-26T21:31:00.001-07:00

Even more scary than Avorie's first day of school is Walker's first day of school. I say that for a number of reasons, the first one being my second child is now old enough for school. Oh my! I really must be getting old. The second is, I'm not sure he's ready. Now, I'm not trying to be skeptical here, it's just, it's Walker. I'm used to Avorie and at 3 she could write her name, say the ABC's backwards (thanks to Dad), and she recognized all the letters and their sounds. Walker on the other hand just figured out his colors. Good job, buddy! Don't get me wrong, he can sing the alphabet, but he has absolutely no clue what letter is what, let alone what sound they make. Now I'm convinced it's a boy and girl thing. Girls, I think, are just more interested earlier than boys. However, I know they catch up sooner than later. We have been working on spelling his name, and he can now do it. Yeah!! Last, you all know him, let's be honest, he's crazy and can't sit still for two seconds. How is he ever going to sit in a chair for 2 hours? All I have to say is Naddi (Natalie Cole) is going to have her hands full. Good Luck! In the end, all that really matters is he is sooooo excited and that's the important thing! It is going to be so good for him.

It is has been a few weeks now since school started, and I'm going to have to eat my words! Walker has done great!!! He is actually a different kid! Now all he wants to do is color and learn. Every time I look at him he has a coloring book or a piece of paper and he is trying to write a "W" for Walker or color a shape. He is interested in big and little, alike and different, and he loves to practice cutting. (I need to be really careful with that one) I am so impressed! And the best part is, Naddi says he sits and listens really well, I also have seen a difference at home. What a dream come true! I am so glad he likes school and enjoys learning!

Avorie's First Day of School

2008-09-26T21:30:00.001-07:00

I can't believe Avorie is already in 1st grade. Where does the time go? It seriously seems like yesterday she was born (I remember it like it was yesterday) but now she's 6. Wow! She is so excited to be BIG! Don't mind me if a brag a bit, afterall, isn't that a part a mothers job description? First of all, isn't she absolutely adorable? We think she is pretty cute, and how about those freckles across her nose. I don't think we can go anywhere that someone doesn't mention those sunkissed beauties. Second, she is so smart! She is already reading Junie B. Jones chapter books. I went in her room to check on her the other night, and I found her there reading three books at the same time. I told her to only read one at a time so she could remember what was happening in each book, but apparently she is way smarter than me because she picked up each one and proceeded to tell me what was going on in every one. Her very favorite one is Junie B., First Grader (at last!) Isn't that fitting? She has been waiting all summer for school to start so she could finally be in first grade. I have been so lucky this year to get the oppertunity to go help out in her classroom. I get to work with each child one on one out in the hall to find out where they are at. I am so amazed at how easy school comes for her. I truely believe alot of it is she wants to learn and she wants to read. She absolutely loves it! What a blessing for her and for us. And last, but not least, she is a great kid! Any parents dream really! She is a big helper around the house. She loves to help me put away the laundry, dust, clean her bedroom, and take care of her brothers, and she always does her homework just as soon as she walks through the back door. Does it get any better?

This year Avorie is lucky to have so many friends in her class. Gabe, Hunter, and Kiley, but she was especially excited when she found out that Parker and Isaac were also in her class. Yes, it's true she already has her eye on the boys, but at least she knows how to pick the cute ones! She also loves her teacher, Mrs. Bird. When she got home the first day I asked her how it was and her reply was "Mrs. Bird is AWESOME!" Avorie loves school! She is going to be lifetime lover of learning! We are so proud of her! What parents wouldn't be?

The Adams Family - Aug. '08

2008-09-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my mom called me up to let me know it was time for a new family picture, something all the men in our lives seem to love so much. NOT! So.... it always seems to be so much fun. Ha! But of coarse after it's all over we're all glad we got that one good picture of everyone (and if not, thank goodness for photo shop) and we're at least done for a couple more years. We only had a few days to get ready, which I think is nice because you don't have to stew over it forever and keep changing your mind on what to wear. It just came and went and they actually turned out quite cute if I do say so myself.

Dax 4 months

2008-09-25T18:14:00.000-07:00

This is the reason I wanted to start this blogging business in the first place, to keep track of all of these little things I can't seem to do otherwise. I'm hoping that if I'm able to journal even just a little bit of my kids' lives I will be doing really good.
I cannot believe my little baby is already 4 months old. I took him to the doctor a few days ago to get those darn shots that haven't seemed to bother my other kids, but for some unknown reason they sure make my usually happy as can be, content, sweet baby boy just a little bit crabby and off schedule. I guess I'm getting really spoiled because I'm used to him sleeping all night or at least until 5:30 or 6:00. The day after his shots he actually slept until 10:30 in the morning. I couldn't believe it. I kept going in there to check on him and he was fine. I was ecstatic! But trust me from then on it's all went down hill. He has been going to bed around 10:00 (his usual) but he has been waking up around 1:00 and then 1:40 and 2:30 and 3:00 and then 3:30. You get the picture! Every 30 to 40 minutes and around 5:00 am I start to lose my mind, and as soon as I hear the dreaded noise seeping out of his room I want to bang my head on the pillow and start to cry myself. Especially Wednesday morning knowing that is our craziest day of the week and I have to work all day and there is absolutely no chance of a nap. HA! HA! when is there ever a chance for a nap. That just doesn't happen. So you would think since he is not sleeping at night he would have good naps during the day right? Wrong! Cat naps is all we get. Oh boy! It's now been a week and he has been better today so I think we might be pulling out of it. We'll see tonight. I'm almost scared to go to sleep, sometimes it's just easier when you're already awake, but I'm so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open even if I wanted to.
So now that I went way off I'll stray back to the important stuff like how much he weighed and such. I thought he was such a tank, but it turns out he is only in the 10th percentile for weight, 15th for height, and 10th for head. He weighs 12lbs. 11 oz. and is 24 inches long. He is definantly a growing boy! He really is a dream come true! I don't know what I would do without him. He has changed my life in so many ways and to him, for that, I am grateful. I love you, Dax! Happy 4 months!

Everyday Life

2008-09-25T15:59:00.000-07:00

Today Michelle and I were discussing the advantages of having a blog and as you can see I have just now jumped on the band wagon and started reaping the benefits of blogging such as those everyday moments in life that you want to capture and remember but just can't quite seem to get written down in that notebook, or that darling picture you took "just because" they looked cute. Most of time those are things we want to remember and want to scrapbook, but what are you going to do with that one picture when there are so many other big events to scrapbook. So...... I guess I found just the right place to do all of that and jot down of few of my thoughts to save for later. I just want all of you to know I am not a writer this is mainly for me to remember everyday life!
So with that being said, I walked home from Michelle's only to find my house turned upside down. Walker and Paisley had all the cushions and pillows off the couches and thrown all over the floor and when I walked trough the door Walker said "Mom, where you been? Paisey's tenen me." Oh no, I don't know about one three year old tending another three year old, and that's not even the best part. Michelle and I started laughing thinking this is one of those perfect everyday moments when Paisley stepped out from behind a blanket sporting a pair of Walker's unders with the news that she had, yep, you guessed it, pooped her pants. Well, just another one of those learning experiences not to leave two three year olds in charge of themselves!!