Happy Birthday Princess

I didn’t want the day to go by without a little tribute to Princess Mandy who made her appearance into the world 4 years ago today.

So sweet and darling from the very beginning.

From the moment of her birth, she has been loved and has blessed our home with so much love in return.

We just couldn’t be a family without her.

She has brought us more joy than I could have possibly thought that one little girl could.

She is sweet, funny, and loving

demanding, high maintenance, and bossy

unbelievably lovable, generous, and has a sparkling personality.

We sure love you Mandy Moo!

Turkey Bowl

Thanksgiving has become synonymous football.  Mostly watching football.  And honestly who wouldn’t love watching it when you have people like this -

 

and this -

 

playing.  Not to mention great plays like this one -

running at a 110%-

awesome touchdowns -

great smiles -

 

little lost boys not knowing what to do -

one little boy that evaded capture from even the best players -

and this little boy that made a touchdown himself!

I am usually not a huge football fan.  But this kind of football I could watch anytime!

Christmas Bells Are Ringing

Want to ring bells too? Visit www.ringbells.org to volunteer.

Thanksgiving Eve

As tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought it only appropriate to share a few of the things that I am grateful for.

1. My Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. Without them, I wouldn’t have all the other things that I am grateful for.

2. My husband. He is not perfect, but he is perfect for me. I love to laugh and smile and he makes me laugh and smile everyday.

3. My children. They each are challenging to deal with in their own unique way, but they each also bring so much joy to my life that I can’t imagine that my heart could be whole without them.

4. My extended family. I was so blessed to be born into a wonderful family that I love. They have loved me unconditionally since birth and have helped shape who I am. I am doubly blessed in not only having been born into a wonderful family, but also marrying into one. Nathan’s family has truly become my own and I love them.

5. Really good friends. I am lucky to be blessed with quite a few really good friends and I am so grateful for them.

6. A home to live in, a backyard to play in, food to eat, clothes to wear, a car to drive, comfy couches to curl up on, and all the other possessions that we have been blessed with that make our life enjoyable.

7. Music. Beautiful music. It adds a layer of happiness to life that is just delightful.

8. Photographs. The really good ones, that capture that perfect moment. They help me remember what all I am thankful for.

9. Enlightenment and understanding. I am so grateful for those moments when I have a problem and somehow, someway, I see the answer so clearly right before me.

10. Holidays. They bring together all the family and friends that I love best.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Don’t eat too much!

Bug

Yikes!  Dallin has discovered he likes bugs and wants to keep them as pets.

I love my boys, but sometimes I wish they wouldn’t be SOOOOO boyish.

Mine

A few days ago, the kids woke up at their usual time and not surprisingly they all ended up piled in our bed.  Layton has really been progressing with his speech and so we were pointing to each other and getting him to say our names.  We pointed to Dallin and he said, “dats Dallin”.  We pointed at Nathan and he said, "dats Daddy”.  We pointed at Mandy and he said, “NO”.  It’s his favorite word.  We’re taking that to mean that she is his favorite :)  Then they all pointed at me and he said, “MINE”.   Not just once, but over and over he claimed me as his.

And I have to admit, that’s about right.  I am his and he is mine.  Just like I am Mandy, Dallin, and Nathan’s too and they are mine.  Not really in the personal possession sense of the word, we are not objects, but rather in the sense that we belong to each other.  Kind of like puzzles pieces come together to make a perfect picture.  We are the same way.  Each of us is unique, but somehow we all fit in just the right spot to create a not so perfect but very happy family.  We belong together.

Animal Grossology

We took a little trip last Saturday to check out the new exhibit at the MOSH. This was quite the interesting new exhibit, with all kinds of gross and disgusting facts about animals. And add to that a live viewing and petting of snakes and other reptiles and it was one of the grossest mornings I’ve had in a long time.

Layton wasn’t too sure about the snake,











but Dallin surprised us by actually going up there and touching the snake. Mandy wouldn’t have anything to do with it, keeping in line with her fear of all things that move.








Now let the grossology begin!














Nothing like looking at micro-slides of maggots to make the day special!

















Even Nathan got in on the fun of reconstructing the bones of amphibians.









Ever want to know all about owl feces and the dead animals they eat? Well this is the place for you!












Gotta love the slime game! Who wouldn’t want to find out which creature is the slimiest?










And this had to be my very favorite display. In this room you got to match the poo with the animal that made it. They even provided you with a way to make some poo of your very own – edible poo at that!


















And no visit to the museum is complete without a little visit to Friendship fountain. Poor little Layton tries so hard to keep up with Dallin and Mandy. One of these days he’ll be able to move as fast as they do!

What is WRONG with this picture?

He is not even two and already he is grabbing his snack from the kitchen and heading off to the bedroom to play video games. Dude. We are going to have issues with this boy. I can already tell.

I Spy

Driving in the car a few days ago……

Mandy: Mom, let’s play I spy.

Me: I can’t right now, I’m driving and I have to watch where we’re going.

Mandy: I’ll just play it by mySELF. (in a slightly petulant tone)

Me: Ok.

Mandy: I spy with my little eye…..something black.

Mandy: Is it that?

Mandy: No.

Mandy: Is it that?

Mandy: No.

Mandy: Is it that?

Mandy: Yes, that’s it! (accompanied by her own clapping and cheering)

Seriously, I just don’t know about that girl sometimes. Apparently she doesn’t know either:

Good ‘Ole Farm Fun

A couple weeks ago, we were very happy to go with our friends the Jammes and the Jacksons to visit Conner’s Amazing Acres. Even Nathan’s mom (aka Nana) decided to come along with us. Which I really have to admit, it absolutely makes things much easier when you have three adults to watch three kids. That way us parents don’t feel out-numbered :) Thanks Nana!

While the entrance price was a tiny bit high (in our humble opinion) the kids definitely had a great time. Who knew that giant bales of hay could be so much fun?

Or that you could be put into stocks just for the heck of it?

Or how easy it is to get lost in a very low growing corn field?

Thanks goodness we had Dallin and Mandy to show us the way!

Or how fun swimming and being covered in corn could be?

Not so much for Layton though. He didn’t exactly love the corn. But he loved watching Dallin and Mandy in the corn!

And let’s not forget a cow train-ride,

peddle race cars,

rubber duck racing,

pvc pipe slides,

snow cones,

complete with a little brain freeze,

and slimy cow feeding!

Yay for wipes! And yay for a really great day!