All he wants...

Brad is celebrating his Birthday week. We have been asking him what he wants for his birthday. All he could come up with was “I just want to go bowling”… That is easy enough. He has not changed his mind for weeks. We thought his list would have to get longer. Nope…. No cars, no fire trucks, no bikes, no toys... just bowling. Oh, and he wanted a balloon too. What effortless birthday planning for me. I hope all his birthday weeks are this easy. Most likely they wont be, so we ate it up. He was so cute at bowling. He would get so excited every time a pin would fall. Monday is his real birthday but I have to work so it is going to be a birthday celebration all weekend. Stay tuned.

Let it Be and All You Need is Love

I thought it was about time to get that fly off the top of my blog. It is really pesky. Not to mention grotesque to look at. I have been sick this weekend so didn’t feel up to blogging but utterly enjoyed reading others blogs.
Today was Cowboy day at Brad’s preschool. He is so cute in his getup. I accidentally jumped the gun in telling him that cowboy day was coming up last week. Since he is only 3 and time and space continuum means nothing to him, I got asked at least 3-4 times a day if it was time to put his costume on yet. Thank goodness today was the day. I don’t know how well I would have tolerated another day of questioning.

Randy and I watched a bizarre movie last night. It was Across the Universe. It was a movie musical with Beatles songs. Did I mention it was bizarre? However, I LOVED the music in it. I grew up listening to all kinds of music. My mom worked nights so my dad was in charge at night. I remember listening to music instead of TV. If we were really well behaved, my dad would pull out his reel to reel. (I am sure most of you won’t have any idea what a reel to reel is. You will just have to Google it.) It was loaded with Beatles songs. Eric and I would sing our hearts out to Beatles, Neil Diamond, Moody Blues, Doobie Brothers, Bread, America, you name it. In fact Eric and I were so acclimatized to 60’s and 70’s music that we listened to Arrow 103.5 in High School. It was really fun to have such a great flash back last night. It brought back so many fantastic memories. Randy didn’t know any of the Beatles songs. I was floored. He said “If they made a movie with Beach Boys songs, I would be singing right along.” I told him I was going to make a CD of the Beatles and make him listen to it on every road trip until he learned every word. I just assumed everyone knew every word to every Beatle song.

Holy COW!

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. I don’t know why she swallowed a fly. Perhaps she’ll die. There was an old lady who swallowed a cow… I don’t know how she swallowed a cow. Perhaps she’ll die. There was an old lady who swallowed a horse… she died of course.


I’ll tell you exactly how she swallowed a cow. She went to Rodizio Grill. I went there last night and definitely swallowed the equivalent of a cow. It all starts off with those small pieces of meat…about the size of a fly… then your plate just keeps piling up with more and more animal. Pretty soon your brain is screaming please, please stop before you kill us. I did listen to my brain’s cries and stopped before I ate the equivalent of a horse. I didn’t want to die. After Randy and I had finished every last ounce of protein in the entire restaurant, the waiter comes to our table and asks if we would like to have desert. I snickered under my breath and asked if anyone ever ordered desert. He said most people order it and take it home. Whew…. I thought I might have been the only one with NO self control. However, I did need a hoist with a hefty winch on it to get me out of there.

When I woke up this morning, I felt like a walking stick of butter. Even when I peed this morning is smelled like cellulite. So, I felt like it was my duty to go to the gym and make amends with my body for the terrible abuse I gave it last night. I probably only worked off the calories from the chicken heart that Randy MADE me eat. (It was disgusting. Not to offend anyone who thinks chicken hearts are a delicacy.) After seeing open heart surgery, I feel that body organs are not to be digested.

Isn’t the eating/exercising battle the pitts???

What is that smell???

Driving home from work last night all I could think about was staying awake. I have been sleep deprived for most of the week. (ie...baby, going to bed late, snoring husband) As I staggered through the front door, a very strong odor came blasting into my nostrils. A big tear rolled down my cheek. It was the most glorious aroma I have ever smelled. It was the fresh crisp scent of a pine woodland. Yup, the house reeked of pine-sol. My darling husband took the liberty of cleaning the entire house top to bottom. This includes vacuuming, moping, dusting, dishes, emptying all the garages, and feeding and bathing the kids. He also felt inclined to sort, rotate, and fold ALL the laundry. Friday is my deep clean the house and do the laundry day. Maybe Randy felt sorry for me or just wanted to feel a little heroic for the day. Either way I was elated. I think I just might take a nap today. Thank you Randy you are the finest husband a girl could ever ask for. Your actions merit husband of the year. Congratulation on making your wife delighted. You are my favorite.

P. S. Just to preserve Randy’s manhood, he used to Roomba to vacuum. This is much manlier than using the real vacuum. He also broke my swiffer mop. I guess we won’t ever have to mop again. Yet again, thank you Randy.

It's Ladies Night, Oh What a night!

Tonight Randy took Brad to the Boat show. I HATE going to the boat show. I threw such a big tantrum; Randy decided not to bring me. My little strategy worked!!! So, the boys went to see boats and Claire and I had a ladies night at home. It was so nice to be home with just the baby and not be pulled in a million directions all at once. We really needed the bonding time. I decided to pamper my little girl for the night.


First I took her to a spa…. a nice one where they provide your own pink robe and everything. She loved the products. All organic and botanical like. I even gave her an infant massage. She was in heaven.
After feeling totally refreshed and relaxed we went to a fancy restaurant. Claire ordered the rice pilaf with pear glaze and an Italian Soda. I didn’t really feel like ordering anything. I am trying to cut down on puree. She even got spoon fed. Gosh what service.

After dinner we enjoyed a live performing arts act. We saw a classic American Idol. We are both big enthusiasts of David Archuleta. He gave a stunning performance. After dinner and the theater Claire was exhausted so I checked her into the R&J Bed and Breakfast. Actually it is more like midnight buffet than breakfast. All she has to do is ring her little bell and R or J come running with room service.

What a delightful evening. Good night little Claire and sweet dreams.

They should have been twins.

Yesterday I went to an all day scrapbook fest at the HCT with Tammy and some good friends. My favorite page I did yesterday was one with Brad and Dylan. Dylan is Brad's best friend. They are one week apart from each other in age. We met Dylan’s family when we moved to our Condo in WVC. They lived right by us. Brad and Dylan could spend every waking moment together. The second they see each other it is like one giant festivity. They get along so exceptionally. They get into mischief together too. They even pick their noses together. (As you can see from the picture) I was shuffling through some pictures so I could print a bunch to scrapbook, and I could not believe how much they do together. Sorry there are so many but I had to put my favorites on here. I know, I know, I have a lot of favorites. They are so adorable!!!! We love you Dylan and thank you for being such a good friend to Bradley. I wish every person could have such a kindred friendship.

Whether or not... depending on the weather

We started to see grass on our front yard on Wednesday morning and it was a balmy 50 degrees out. Randy and I were debating whether or not to pull out Brads spring toys for the back yard. Randy even wanted to pull out his golf clubs and chip a few balls in the front. We decided to let Brad play outside with his bike and his car. We thought winter must be close to being over..... Ha Ha Ha right?? Within a couple of hours the wicked weather came with a vengeance. We didn't get as much snow as Tooele or Utah County, but it certainly was not a small storm. Randy shoveled the driveway twice on Wednesday night and then once again yesterday morning. I really am grateful for all of the moisture we are getting but I am also very grateful for the sun, and for spring flowers as well. I wish the sky would make up its mind.

My Little Valentine

Today was Brad's pre-school valentine party. Hence the party hat. He was LOADED with sugar today. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this little guy. I love when he gives me hugs and kisses whenever I walk out the door without him. I love when he notices when I am sad and will stare at me with his goofy grin until I crack a smile. I love when he is so tender with his little sister. I love it when he gets really loud when he is excited about something. I love that he gets excited about everything. I love it when he tells me he loves me so so much. I love it when he jumps and yells when his daddy walks through the door. I love it when he says his prayers at night. I love it when he gets in my face and breaths on me after he brushes his teeth so I can smell his fresh breath. I love it when he dances and sings. I love that his ears stick out for ten miles. I love his little face and I love his beautiful spirit. He really is my little Valentine.

It finally Happened.

Last night Randy got his first police pat down. I can’t believe it. We have been living in West Valley for four years now and it has finally happened. You would think with all of the police action around here it would have happened long before now.

I was at work last night and I thought I would give Randy a quick phone call to check on him and the kids. All I get is I gotta go…. I just got patted down by the police……I gotta fill out this report…..see ya later……click……

What just happened, I thought to myself. I called him back later. I guess one of our neighbors was in a domestic dispute and was screaming for someone to help her. Randy and our neighbor Morgan ran over to rescue this poor woman from her drunk, crazy, obsessed husband. To make a long story short Randy took the car keys away from this guy who wanted to drive his kids away. Did I mention he was really drunk? By the time the police got there Randy was standing in the driveway with this guys keys and his hand was in his pocket. So naturally the police told him to take his hands out of his pockets and put them in the air. Then they proceeded to violate Randy with the dreaded pat down.

I am laughing about it this morning…. But last night I didn’t find it near as amusing. Oh, I can’t wait to move to Logan.

My Tummy Says.......

Today after Randy got off work, we had to go to the car wash. (For those of you who don't know, my husband and I help my uncle Craig manage his self serve car wash) Usually the car wash only takes us about forty five minutes to an hour to do. Anything and everything that could have gone wrong went wrong tonight. Things were broken or missing. Everybody decided it would be cool to throw their garbage on the ground instead of in the garbage. It was a really busy day at the carwash. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to finish. I didn't feel like cooking when I got home. So it was going to be a fast food night. Brad informed us that his tummy was telling him that he was starving. So we stopped at a Del Taco on the way home. As we were driving home I was trying to feed brad some fries to hold him over until we could eat at home.

Brad lets out a big sigh and says... "Oh, my tummy says thank you mommy."
Why doesn't he say that when I cook. I have made him tacos before. Apparently I don’t cook as well as the Del Taco senioritas.

What is Azure and Ochre anyway?

54

This was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I had to do it 3 times. Who knew there were that many colors. Good thing I know the Multi Colored Coat song from Joseph.

A LITTE BIT OF HEAVEN, AND A LITTLE BIT OF HE!!

This afternoon Randy and I went and took care of a lot of errands. We had a little time left over, so we decided to take Brad to the "I am a child of God" exhibit at the Church History Building. He LOVED it. They had a lot of cute things for him to do. His uncle Lance came along as well.
They had little windows for each of the books of scriptures. He had pulled ALL of them off the wall and I was quite impressed with how long it kept him entertained.
They had costumes there and he could dress up as a Sheppard. As you can see from the other pics we could not get him to take it off.
All the boys got into building a temple. Brad got bored with it after a few minutes and both Randy and Lance continued building. (YES WITHOUT BRAD) apparently the exhibit is not just for kids.
They had tiles that you could take on and off to change the colors of a stained glass window for the temple, also very intriguing for Brad.

We had a good day......until...... we got home. Claire screamed, and screamed, and (did I mention she screamed?), for hours and hours. I put her in the tub. Sometimes we get lucky and it will calm her down. Lucky for us it worked.

Isn't she cute when she is not SCREAMING?
I was running my fingers through her hair with the shampoo and look what appeared. Everyone says that she just has a litte attitude. Well I have always thought she had a little bit of the devil in her. My suspicions were totally confirmed tonight!!!!

Dooners

Randy has been long awaiting the grand opening of Dooners (a little restaurant in Riverton). He has been calling the manager of the restaurant and sending emails for months trying to be updated on the opening. It is a little European deli. Ever since Randy has been home from his mission he has talked about Dooners. I even have a scrapbook page of him eating a giant Dooner. I guess a lot of places in Europe have little street vendors and Turkish shops that sell these Dooners. Randy's little brother Matt had them in Scotland as well. Yesterday was their grand opening. We went and ate lunch there today. It was a pita like bread stuffed with your choice of beef pork or chicken. Then they pile it with cabbage, cucumbers, tomato, and weird red sauce. It was pretty good. I bet they taste better in Germany though. It reminded me a lot a Greek Gyro. Then we had a $4 teeny tiny gelato (Italian Icecream). It was good but again I'm sure better in Italy.

We Thank Thee oh God for a Prophet.

As I have had time to reflect and ponder on the past week, my love for our dear beloved prophet has grown immensely. I was a teenager when he was ordained prophet. What a blessing that my son will remember him as well. I want to say thank you. Thank you for the enthusiasm you brought to this church. I have a heart full of gratitude for the truthfulness of this gospel. President Hinkley taught us to be joyful, happy, and well… blissful. I will miss his smile. I will miss his cane. I will miss his jokes. I felt so honored to watch the broadcast of his funeral service. He was loved by everyone that had the privilege to meet him. I don’t think he has a single enemy. I want to be able to stand up and be bold in my belief like he was. He was never ashamed of what he stood for. When asked if he thought we were a peculiar people. He would say “Yes we are, but I think that is to our advantage. We don’t smoke. We don’t drink. We are happy.”
I AM happy. I am thankful for my beautiful children who will be taught by many great prophets and will hopefully grow to have a testimony and will love the gospel as well.

Have you Scene It?

We went over to Steve and Kari's house for dinner. They bought that totally yummy Costco rotisserie chicken that I love. I could eat the whole bird myself. It was so good. After dinner we played the DVD game Scene it. I had never played it before it was pretty fun. When we started watching it I was really hoping that a scene from Princess Bride would show up. I know that movie inside and out.

In fact Wesley was my first celebrity crush. I think I was like 8 years old when I first saw this movie, but Inigo was by far my favorite character. I used to be able to quote the entire movie from start to finish. No one would watch it with me because I got so annoying.
You would never believe it, but a scene from that movie did come up. Can you feel the exitement I was feeling. Suddenly the clip vanished. Randy pushed the wrong button and it reset. He says he was on the wrong category..... but I have my suspicions. I know he knew that Kari and I would advance and win if he let me answer that movie clip. The boys ended up winning. But we all know who the true winner should have been.

Thanks Steve and Kari for such a fun night. (We don't get out much).

Anybody want a peanut?