Frog

 A few weeks ago Eli and a few of his cousins caught a frog.  We were at my grandparents house having a pot luck dinner in the back yard.  Here they came with a bucket, so proud of their find.  They all took turns holding the frog.  Eli tried to scare me with the frog but it didn't work- frogs just happen to have a little place in my heart (I owned one for a few days as a child, it was the size of a quarter.  Cutest thing EVER!  I knew my mom would never let me keep it so I put it in a tupperware bowl ... in the corner of the garage, thinking there were lots of flies in there for it to catch- for some reason my frog didn't make it for very long in that "habitat"- but that is a whole other story...) I figured the boys would let him go when it was time to leave but Eli put on his best puppy dog face with tears and all - I could not say "no" even though we DO NOT do pets!  I reluctantly told him that we could keep it for ONE day- that was it! and I meant it! 

Next thing I know Glen had brought up an aquarium from the basement, cleaned it out and the frog was in heaven
... so much for ONE day.

At first I didn't mind the frog.  We put him in the front room where he was out of the way.  Then after a few days (seriously that is all it took) the boys started to lose interest in frog.  Didn't feed him some mornings, didn't change the water in his swimming hole etc... Well this started to bother me... I began thinking about frog and worrying that I would be the one to find him dead and I had already killed one too many frogs in my lifetime- I couldn't bear the thoughts of finding another dead frog on my watch.  Glen seemed to get a kick out of my worrying, The boys could care less... finally I couldn't take it anymore... the frog was no longer swimming, he seemed sad and looked a little more green than usual... One night I begged Glen to let frog go, be free and find his family.  he started to give me a hard time saying frog was fine but finally my ranting got through to him!!  He got a cup with a lid and scooped up our cute little frog.  He asked me if I wanted to give frog a kiss goodbye. (I didn't) Then, in his pajamas and bare feet Glen drove frog up to the canal and let him go... watched him swim away.  Just like I asked him to.( I love him!)

I liked that frog... maybe a little too much- See why we DO NOT do pets- I can't handle the thought of losing them, finding them dead or sick...
Oh, and besides I am scared of cats, dogs stink, hamsters escape, fish die...
all of this is why WE DO NOT DO PETS!!

Farewell Frog

Preschool

Gabe started preschool a couple of weeks ago.  He couldn't wait to wear his new backpack!  

He was excited for the first day of preschool until the big day arrived and then he was a little reluctant to go.  He is tender and shy- new things make him nervous.  He likes me... a lot! That is one reason why we thought preschool would be good for him... His teacher lives just down the street (actually used to be his nursery leader at church- She goes by teacher Natalie but Gabe calls her Sister Natalie -Don't tell the ACLU) and there are only 6 other kids in his class- four of them are his friends from our neighborhood.  I knew this would be the perfect fit for him- not everything new!  I left him there that first day (look at that face of his... it was the hardest thing to leave him!)  and I questioned myself wondering if he was ready.  Just two hours later, when I went to pick him up, that question was answered when he waved at me with a grin from ear to ear on his little face and then excitedly told me about all the fun he had!  I thought he might continue to be hesitant to go the next few times after that first day, but to my surprise (and relief) he loves it! 

Thanks to the leap frog letter's DVD he knows all of his letters of the alphabet and what sound they make too! (if you don't have this DVD you have to get it...I like to pretend that I sit and teach him all those things, so this is our little secret ok ... that I pop in a movie and he is now brilliant!  I am pathetic....I know! ... but seriously it works, go buy it!  

I won't bore you with the usual speech that follows these milestone posts, you know the one ... I cannot believe how fast time flies and that another one of my babies is off to school (well, preschool anyway)

except I just did!  oops!

I will however, tell you for the millionth time that I am in love with my little Gabe.
he pretty much, makes me melt!

Back to School

Oh how I MISS my big boys since school has started and not just because they are thee best helpers and babysitters around... ok ok just so this isn't the kind of post that makes you want to roll your eyes I have to add that they do get on my nerves and fight a lot sometimes...and their room... it is messy!  but back to missing them... I was saying that I miss them not only for their baysitting (but must admit that is  HUGE part of it) I also miss eating lunch with them, I miss their sleepy faces and hanging out in pajamas until noon.  I miss forts in the backyard, hearing them laugh and splash in the pool...days spent at the park...I miss Eli always catching bugs and creatures and trying to scare me with them.  I miss Evan always with a plan- making lemonade, setting up paint projects, and leading the fun!

I miss it...I miss them so why does it feel so nice when summer comes to an end and we are finally back to a schedule?  it's a strange thing to love both things so much... freedom and a schedule... which is better?

I love the start of school...waking up with purpose, eating breakfast around the table as we read scriptures, family prayer and then kisses and hugs and off to school... It is a whirlwind day at home with the two littles and that is usually what the house looks like by mid morning- like it's been in the path of a whirlwind! (ok, really it looks like that all the time lately!)  I am trying to figure out how to juggle when to work and when to play and when to run errands and when to get things done.  It doesn't sound as hard- as it is, I promise!  These littles of mine want to play and mess and although I love play, I do not like mess- and I have to get things done!! Ah the life of a mom is full of trying to figure it out... I'm thinking that by the time I figure it out- they will be all grown up and by then it won't matter anymore.

a little after 3 o' clock I sit on the front porch with Gabe and Ollie...waiting to greet our long lost boys...  I love that first glimpse we get of them after a long day.  Oliver gets so excited and they all exchange hugs, knuckles, head bonks (boy stuff) From there it is wash hands, eat a snack while we talk about the day.  I started a new thing this school year where I've challenged the boys to look for ways and go out of their way to do something for someone else and then after school we talk about it.  It has been really fun and they get so proud as they tell their stories.  I have noticed a big difference in them.  After talking about the day it's on to homework, piano practice, chores and then soccer-games or practice then throw scouts in the mix and every night- the schedule is busy!  

I can't choose one over the other. 
As for now a schedule is nice and at the same time I sure miss freedom, lazy days... and these boys of mine!

Crazy For You

Our oldest niece on Glen's side of the family who happens to share my name! (wish we shared the same voice talent... but no, she is amazing!) Was the lead (aka: SUPER- STAR) in her middle school's musical.  They preformed towards the end of the school year and we wouldn't have missed it!  The musical was... 'Crazy for you.'  I t was a cute story with great songs and dancing and Emily even got to smooch a few loooong times with the "main guy" whoot woo- It was just a little weird to watch those parts -and I'm only her aunt- I can't imagine what her DAD must have been thinking!  (wink, wink... just kidding Em!) We knew that Oliver and Gabe would never sit through it all so Glen was gracious enough to let me go on a double date- double, as in... I had two handsome boys on my arm- Evan and Eli!  They felt pretty grown up going to their first musical and were so excited to see a few of their aunts and cousins who were in town for the big event! Not to mention the much anticipated 'kissing' :)

Evan , Maddie and Avery

Layne, Eli and Will

here is the beautiful SUPER STAR with Evan and Eli

 and all the cousins, who she shared her roses with!

We stayed the night at Glen's parents house and were able to hang out with Holly, Melinda and Sarah and the girl cousins pictures above, from Montana.  We sat around and played games, went to a local park and probably out to dinner, I might have done a target run??... seems like we hit Red Mango for yogurt?  I can't really remember the details because it was way back in May... and that is just proof that getting behind on blogging is not a good idea... details are lost! Luckily I have pictures to remind me but it's not quite the same. Here is my proof that we were at the park....

Glen with his beautiful mom four little boys

I love that I captured Gabe's true feelings for Layne...just look at his face! 

He adores her and loved that he had ALL of her attention

blurry... but adorable!  Ollie kept tipping over on the slide because he was trying to clap his hands- 

he was so excited about going fast!

love that scrunched up nose

Tricky Gabe

The crew...

I love this baby of mine...

  just starting to walk...adorable!

To wrap it up...
the musical was 'Crazy For you'
... the boys feel crazy about their cousins... so it was a perfect crazy weekend!  
how is that for cheese? It's about as creative as I get these days! :)

until next time... which is hopefully tomorrow!

Memorial Day

Logan Cemetery

With Family 

thinking about and missing our loved ones

love him

When you see him... you can't help but love him

I mean, look at those white curls, the full lips that turn up in just the perfect place and those eyelashes...
Him standing there with one hand in his pocket... such a romeo
yes, I turned up his collar...a little preppy but he can pull off... well, every look! Really he should be a model

I'm just sayin'

And you think looking at him is love?
well you should hear his voice...  high and expressive
his laugh is like wind chimes
and his heart...is oh, so tender... he is good, through and through-  So much good that when there is bad... it's really not that bad...

I love him.

Even when I catch him doing this...

with my expensive make-up  and 'special occasion' red lipstick
(apparently he has been taking notes... or has just had a lifetime of watching me get ready.  it's scary how he got everything in just the right place...)


One minute he's doing that and then the next it's this...

all the while batting his eyelashes over those big beautiful eyes ... his little voice chattering
and his heart- so tender.

Can't help but Love him can you?

Rocket Power

Evan and his friend Matt decided to enter the Science Fair at school last year (in March).  When I was growing up we HAD to do a science project for school, there was no option not to participate.  As I kid I didn't like that and neither did my parents.  I remember always putting it off until the night before and then scrambling with my dad to try to make something that worked.  I'm pretty sure I like science... sort of !  But I always wish that I liked it more, you know?... a wanna be science and math wizz I guess! (who isn't?)  It is something that just does not come naturally to me... ok even with a lot of work on my part it doesn't ever really come.  :)  anyway I was so happy when Evan and his friend took on this optional project with no encouragement and not much help either.  They made a rocket out of a plastic 2 liter bottle.  Thier project was about rocket power and there's all this science mumbo jumbo that Evan told me about-- how it works and something about velocity and pressure .  He used some pretty big words but as you can see ... it went in one ear and out the other ... just like back when I was in school... hmmmm.  They had to present and explain  their project to judges who came from Utah State University Science department.  They also had to write up an explanation and make a display for the school to see.  they really did a lot of work that I knew nothing about.  I was so proud of Evan!  They did lots of work and also did a great job with their presentation. 

Evan and Matt got a blue ribbon!  First place! 

I'm currently trying to invent a serum that will clone Evan's drive, determination and responsibility tendencies and give it to my 3 other boys, just in case they need it! (on second thought I think I'll hire it out)

Man, I love this boy!

My very own  'Walter the Wolf ' ( it's a children's book... my siblings will get the comparison!)

Just because

For some reason I am NOT suppose to share pictures or write a post about our Easter. Everytime I try... my pictrues upload sideways or I can't get the pictures (that are sideways) to move down a little to allow space for writing...  I have never had this problem except for with this Easter post.  I tried to do work on it about a month ago... but had these problems!  I have tried it about 3 times since then... same problem!  I have decided that I am just going to have to skip Easter for now... I promise I am not trying to get out of work!  It is just driving me crazy.  Don't get the wrong impression, I am not the type of girl who throws her hands in the air when the going gets tough.... Just not sure what else to do.  So I'm moving on.  Maybe I'll try the Easter thing again and ask my computer genius husband to help me!  As for now,  here are a few random pictures of little Oliver, back when he was 11 months old... couldn't even walk then. .. awwww the time flies!  He used to try to lift his feet off of the grass- didn't like the feel of it on his toes when we'd sit him in it.  In these pictures he has the cutest little sleepy face- since these were taken just after his nap!

I miss this baby... now he's almost all grown up! (He just turned 16 months old this week and finally hit 20 pounds too!!)

Spring Break

My birthday usually falls on or around Easter, General conference weekend or Spring break.  I like my spring birthday I just wish it didn't mean that with each passing year (minute, really) I am getting OLD.  Just thinking about how close I am to 35-- (two years to go) makes me feel like I need to breath into a paper bag!  

This year my birthday was during Spring Break and so we decided to celebrate both occasions with a little trip to Salt Lake.  My friends from Lehi planned a girls night out for dinner at Cafe Rio for me the first night we were there.  We checked into our hotel and then I dropped Glen and the boys off at his parents home and I left to meet my friends... I miss these girls SO much! (not all of them were able to come... there are several missing from the picture that I love too!) I only lived in Lehi for one year but I think about my friends there all the time.  They are the kind of friends who get in your heart and never leave!  We had a great time catching up, had lots of girl talk, lots of laughs...it was hard when it was time to wrap it up and say goodbye.  Thanks to Emily  (pictured far right) for planning and arranging and thanks to everyone for making me feel so special!

Sunny Jo, (cute Ethan on her hip)  Tricia, me and Em

The next day was my birthday...Glen and the boys surprised me with cake for breakfast! YUM!   We walked around the beautiful grounds at temple square.  the spring flowers were beautiful!  We ate lunch at Five Guys burgers and fries in Bountiful... BEST burgers around and the fries are tasty too...washed it down with a diet coke- ate candy and treats all day...on birthdays calories don't count, right? ...it was heaven!  Then we went to the Davis County Rec center and had a blast at their indoor water park!

We had such a great time! It was wonderful to get away for a few days...
even if just a few hours away from home!