The Darrington Happenings

Is this really happening....

2010-03-13T19:34:00.000-08:00

I don't know if this is for real or not but I am actually posting something on my blog. I REALLY want to be more consistent.....we'll see if it happens.

Well, it's a reality. We spent our final day in South Ogden on February 17th, 2010. It's such an emotional experience to move. I had and still have such mixed feelings about it. It's hard to say good-bye to friends and life in general that is comfortable and going well. It's hard but also exciting to start over.

As we wrapped up our last few days in South Ogden we also spent time in Pleasant Grove getting our house ready to move into. First of all, I thought I could clean my new house in 2 days and be ready to move in......I was wrong. As soon as I started working (with Ann's help) the house grew and grew and grew. After hours of cleaning I hadn't even made a dent. That's when I decided I needed a little more help. I talked Ann, my Mom and Stacie into coming back on Monday to finish the cleaning. After working so hard all day on Monday on this big empty house all I wanted to do was "go home".

Monday evening back in South Ogden I wondered how I would ever call my new house "home." It's a nice house but it just didn't feel like home.

On Tuesday the movers showed up and started packing us. I couldn't believe how fast they were. They had the entire house boxed up by about 3 pm. I just asked them to leave our beds with bedding so we could sleep in them that night. On Wednesday the movers loaded everything into the moving truck and I cleaned the house. By about 4 they had it loaded and I had the house cleaned and ready to show for any interested buyers. I was exhausted.

With tears streaming down my face I closed the door to my home and said good-bye. I cried about for about the first half of the drive to my new house. The thing I was most excited about was I could actually be with Scott every day again. We had an old mattress that we brought the week before so we would have something to sleep on and the girls sleeping bags. We spread out in the master bedroom and spent the night.

The movers showed up bright and early Thursday to unload our stuff. I couldn't believe how many boxes kept coming out of that truck. I thought they would never finish but eventually they did. I immediately started unpacking the kitchen.

Here's Aubree and I after emptying about 2 boxes. The work was just beginning.

This is how we found Sydney. She just couldn't take anymore excitement.

So, this starts the next chapter in our lives. I loved the previous chapter but can't wait to see what lies ahead.

She's Got Moves...

2009-10-04T20:45:00.000-07:00

Aubree started AYSO soccer this year and it has been so much fun for me to go and cheer for her. She was a little anxious before the first game and didn't want to leave the house but once she got there she realized she could do.

She's even pretty good. I think she scored 4 goals her first game. I was proud and yelling and cheering....I just couldn't help myself. I was pretty proud of her. During her second game one of the girls that wasn't there the game before came and pretty much stole the show. I was a little disappointed because no other kid ever really got to touch the ball.

After the second game she asked me if they won and I said yah, your team probably made more goals. I thought she might be disappointed that she never really got to touch the ball but she didn't care as long as they won and she got a cool snack at the end.

I hoped her next game would be a little better. I tried to tell her to get in there and kick the ball. Well, since the other team only had 2 players we played 2 on 2 so I knew at some point Aubree would get to the ball (at least when the one little girl was sitting out). She was more aggressive and even scored a few goals with the "Star" player. I was proud.

As Aubree was talking to us during one of the breaks, Scott, the wise parent, told Aubree to kick the ball to Addy, a cute little girl who hadn't scored a goal yet this year. Well, believe it or not Aubree actually listened.

After getting the ball down near the goal she kicked it to her less aggressive teammate and let her kick the ball in the goal. I was really proud of her and a little amazed she actually listened. I think I was more proud of her for helping her teammate out than actually scoring her goals.

I was shocked as I watched Aubree doing the following moves. I think she must have learned them from Elliot (the 8 year old neighbor) because I don't really know anything about soccer and these looked like real moves to me.

GO AUBREE!!!

One of my favorites

2009-07-19T20:56:00.001-07:00

This has to be one of my favorites photos lately. Every time I look at it I smile or laugh a little. We went to a 3-D movie a while back and since then Sydney can't see me with my sunglasses on not search the house over for "her glasses". She's been wearing them everywhere. Good times!

Happy Fathers Day

2009-07-19T20:32:00.001-07:00

I don't need to say much more than Scott is the best. Aubree and Sydney think the world of him. They love him more than chocolate milk at bedtime. He is such a good dad and cares so much for all of us. A single day doesn't go by that I don't have a moment where I think, I am so glad I married him. He's an incredible, father, husband, provider, spiritual leader along with many other things. I'm glad we have a day to honor him.

Aubree made Scott this special tie at our Primary Activity. Scott wore it with pride to church on Father's Day.

I also have an incredible Dad who has always set an example for me. He's a wonderful Grandpa too and my girls adore him. Happy Father's Day Dad!

This picture was taken just a few weeks ago as my dad was irrigating their backyard.

Annual Coalville Trip

2009-07-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

In June we joined Ann and Cody for a day at Camperworld in Coalville. Growing up we spent many summer days and nights swimming, camping and enjoying life at this campground. I want my girls to have fond memories from some of the same places I enjoyed as a child. Needless to say this is not Scott's favorite thing...but because he loves me he participates.

We actually didn't spend the night and Scott was golfing all morning so this was ideal for him. The girls loved it.

After spending a few hours in the pool Aubree got brave enough to trust her life jacket. She realized she could swim all over the pool, even in the deep parts. It was fun to play with her and watch her confidence grow.

We built a fire and spent a little time around the campfire. Here are a few photos just hanging out.

It wouldn't be a true camping experience if everyone looked nice and cleaned up.

I added this one because I loved the lighting.

We were able to watch them feed the fish in the little pond in the campground. If you look close you can see the fish jumping to catch the fish.

Here are the kids around the pond. I'm sure the people fishing weren't appreciating all the noise we were making but it's not the fish were going to eat much after just being fed anyway. Syd and Aub were "shaking their booties" here.

It turned out to be a fun day.

Best Friends

2009-07-08T18:13:00.000-07:00

One of my favorites moments of almost every day is when my girls are playing together nicely. I just love to listen to them "pretend". I also learn a lot about myself as I listen to them because usually one of them is the mom (acting just like me) and one of them is the "sweetie" (one of them).I am so glad they have each other. They keep each other busy with all their play. They have their spats too but I don't know siblings that don't have those. I really feel blessed to have them so close together and such good friends. They make me smile every day.

Just Playing

2009-06-30T15:29:00.001-07:00

Once again, I was just playing with my new toy. I got a few motion pictures. Aub and Syd were more the willing to cooperate when they saw how goofy their hair was while jumping. Just a few more "action" shots. Oh, and yes my girls were still in their pj's. That's what happens when the mom gets a new toy she can't wait to play with.

New Lens

2009-06-29T14:00:00.001-07:00

So I bought a new lens for my camera. I think I'm turning into a camera nerd because I was so pumped I could hardly wait. Anyway, this is all I could get my girls to do when I wanted so badly to take their pictures. The only time they want their picture taken is when I'm trying to take someone else's picture.

Syd's trying to hide but cant help a little peek at me.

Home Grown Strawberries

2009-06-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

All I can say is YUM! There aren't too many things better than strawberries from your own garden. Aubree and Sydney have been watching for our strawberries to ripen. Then Aub couldn't wait for me to take a few pictures before she was taking off all the stems so she could eat them.

Aubree is just "smelling" the strawberries here. She was dying to eat them all up.

Any guesses??

2009-06-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

This is for my post tomorrow. It's much easier to see what it is small like this than huge maximized on my screen. Can you tell what it is?

Singin' in the Rain

2009-06-25T21:15:00.001-07:00

I can't believe how wet it has been this June. It seems like every day we were getting some kind of moisture. It hasn't been that bad because it's kept the temperatures down. We did have one little overnight trip cancelled because of rain. We've had our sprinklers turned off and we haven't even cranked the ac yet. I keep thinking I'm going to turn it on but maybe I can make it until July. That has got to be some kind of record.

Out with the old and in with the new

2009-06-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

Our 1995 Pontiac Bonneville died a few weeks ago. It was a great car for us. Very comfy and got us where we needed for 150,000 miles. We were pretty pumped when we bought it. It replaced my black Pontiac Sunbird (I can't really remember the name) back in Afton. We then didn't have to use the Neon as our travel car. It made it to Washington several trips as well as all over Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and a few other places. It was going to end up costing more to fix than it was worth.

After being a one car family for a week we realized that wasn't going to work for us so we started some serious car shopping. We ended up with a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. Scott is loving it.

To the swing set

2009-06-24T21:52:00.001-07:00

I LOVE IT! Almost daily I have commented on being glad we made this purchase. My girls love it and love to be outside playing on it with friends or each other. Aubree can even pump herself now. It's so much nicer to hear, "Can we go outside and play?" instead of "Can we watch a show?"

One a day...

2009-06-24T21:20:00.000-07:00

Okay, my goal for the next few days is to catch up on my blog. Summer is so fun and busy that I am really far behind so, I'm going to try and do one or 2 posts a day until I get caught up.

In may we decided to head out and take the girls on a little hike. We went up Taylors Canyon. It wasn't a long hike, but what can you expect with a 4 year old and a 2 year old. It was fun anyway.

There is a beautiful view of Ogden up there and you can see it raining in parts of the valley.

Here's Syd checking out "the goods" in her "pack-pack". Both her and Aubree had backpacks with snacks and water bottles. Sydney only wore hers about half the trip but that's why Scott had a bigger backpack.Sydney and Aubree were being the king of the hill but while Syd was on the top of the rock this fly wouldn't leave her alone. If you look on her forehead you can see the fly. I think it was because she was sweating. Anyway, I love her expression here.Here's everyone (but me) loving all the big rocks once again.

Aubree found this rock and had to climb to the top. We were waiting for Scott and Sydney to catch up so Aubree was "posing" for me.

One last of Aubree with the beautiful mountain behind her. All in all it was a fun little hike. I wish we could have gone farther but the girls just weren't making it and Scott's comment was something like, "Well, that'll do me for the year."

Spicy Honey Chicken Salad

2009-05-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, I am in love. If anyone is in need of an amazing salad you must try this one. It is a main dish and I feel like I'm at a restaurant while eating it. It is soooo good. I have made it in the past but I added the mango this time and I inhaled the salad. I couldn't breathe until it was gone.

I found the recipe on this link. Check it out. There are amazing pictures to go with every step by step recipe.

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/05/spicy-honey-chicken-salad.html

It's a blog I follow and it has some really fun recipes. Most of the things that I have tried are really good but this salad has got to be my favorite.

One thing though, she uses chicken thighs, I tried once and I just can't do it. I am a breast person. They are so much less fatty and I have a thing against meat fat. It just grosses me out.

It's also a must to use the dressing that goes with the salad and you can't forget the avocado. Scott and my girls both love this as well. I copy and pasted the recipe here (in case I ever lose the recipe) but you should check out their blog. It may look overwhelming but really it's not bad at all.

Spicy Honey Chicken

2 t vegetable oil

Rub:

2 t garlic
2 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t coriander
1 t kosher salt
1 t cumin
1/2 t chipotle chili powder for extra heat, increase chipotle or add ground red pepper

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (Yes, Thighs!!)
everyone is always asking me if they can use breasts for this. Sure you can, but I'm tellin'ya right now it's better with thighs.

Glaze:
1/2 C Honey
1T Cider Vinegar

Combine the rub spices in bowl and mix well.

Use kitchen shears (or a pair of clean scissors) to trim off any excess fat from the chicken pieces. Pat dry. Drizzle oil over chicken and rub in with your hands to lightly coat all the pieces. Then toss chicken with the spice rub to coat all sides well. Use your hands and get in there! Grill chicken a few minutes on each side, until cooked through.

While chicken is cooking, warm honey in the microwave so it's not so thick. Add the vinegar and combine well. Reserve 2T honey glaze for later. Take the rest and brush on chicken (both sides) in the final moments of grilling.

I'm gonna warn you that this can make a hot mess, literally. It's sugar, and it's gonna drip. But the smelly smoke is worth it for a minute or two. Just leave your grill on for a few minutes after the chicken is done to burn off any excess glaze. It's totally worth it once you taste this stuff.

If you don't have a bbq, try it on an indoor grill pan or use your broiler. Just be sure to open a window in case you burn your glaze!

Remember how I had you reserve that extra couple tablespoons of glaze? Ya, drizzle that on top now. You're taste buds will thank you.

Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette

this recipe used to be called "Bermuda Vinaigrette," in case you were confused!
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 T grated onion
1/3 C fresh orange juice
3T fresh lime juice
1T honey
1 t cumin
1/2 t salt
1/4 t ground black pepper
1/2 C vegetable oil

3. Place all ingredients in a tightly sealed jar and shake your bootie (and the jar) vigorously. Store in the fridge, and shake before dressing salad.

Spicy Honey Chicken Salad

1-2 heads Romaine or Red Leaf Lettuce
2 ripe but firm mangoes, chilled
2-3 ripe but firm avocados

Spicy Honey Chicken
Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette

This serves 4 large salads or 6 smaller sized ones.

While chicken is grilling, wash lettuce and divide among serving plates. Slice avocados and mangoes and place them on top of the lettuce. When chicken is finished, let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing to preserve the juices. Then slice it up and divide among the salads. Drench it all in the Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette and pretend you're at a fancy restaurant!

First Dance Recital

2009-05-23T21:01:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday was Aubree first dance recital. She has been taking tumbling and ballet for the past year. For the most part she has loved it. It was only hard to get her to go if she fell asleep and I had to wake her up right before dance.

It's been good for her to practice at something and get better. Aubree is a perfectionist and has a hard time if she can't do something perfect the first time. This has helped her try something and she that she can improve.

She was very proud of herself by the end of the performance. It was so fun to watch her on stage, even if it was only about 2 minutes. At the beginning they had everyone come out with a colored ribbon and she came out waving at us fast and furiously.

I was really glad she actually performed and didn't just stand there. She tried really hard and I have to admit I was proud of her for getting up on stage and doing her thing.

I tried to get a few pics before the recital but Aub wasn't in the picture mood. I managed a few shots though. They wouldn't allow flash photography during the show so the ones I tried there all turned out blurry. We did video it though.

Aubree wasn't too excited at first when I told her she had to wear her hair up but she really liked the final result. It was all pulled back in a bun. Some of these pictures don't even look like her because her hair is pulled back.

I thought her eyes looked nice here even if she wouldn't smile.

This doesn't really look like her but she's my little dancer.Here she is showing off some of her techniques.

Dear Brave Aubree

2009-05-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

Aubree may be older than Sydney but she definitely isn't braver. (Is braver even a word?) When going to the doctor Aubree asks Syd to go first so she can see if it's going to hurt. When warming up her milk (yes, Aubree likes to warm her milk in the microwave....YUCK!), she will immediately give it to Syd to see if she's going to get burned. Aub can always talk Syd into doing something as a "test" to see if it's safe to do.

Sunday morning was no different. We have a few little sugar ants roaming around our house in different spots. I keep spraying them when I find a bunch of them together. As I was getting ready on Sunday the girls found some in my bathroom. Sydney will get down and pick them up and squeal with delight. Aubree loves to watch Syd pick them up and play with them. After a few minutes of watching Syd play with them this is what I saw and heard.

Aubree: Watch out Syd, I'm going to scare them.

Sydney: Okay (She basically does whatever Aubree asks.)

Aubree: She didn't say anything but she showed the ants her scariest face. She put her fingers in her mouth and pulled the sides of her mouth as far as she could.

I was laughing. Aubree thought she was so brave and her scary face would make all those ants scatter all over the place. What will she come up with next?

Girls Pics

2009-04-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

While we were in St. George last week I wanted to try and take some cute pictures of my girls together in their Easter dresses. That turned out to be impossible. I cannot get them to sit together and smile for anything. Sydney was too tired when we went and wouldn't do a thing I wanted her to do.

I think Aubree looks beautiful. Her skin is so nice and smooth.

This really is as good as it got for Sydney. If you look at her lips, I just put a little lip gloss on and she thought her lips were beautiful. She walked around the entire time with her lips like this.

I didn't get one of them together but they're still pretty cute little girls.

A Proud Moment

2009-04-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

There are a few moments when I accomplish something pretty amazing. I feel like this is one of those moments.

Last fall I decided we needed something for the girls to play with/on in the backyard. They love to be outside but we have nothing kid friendly in the backyard. They can ride bikes in the front but then I have to be right there with them or I start getting nervous.

At first I thought I wanted a trampoline but decided (with Scott's help) that maybe that would be better in a couple of years. So I went on the search for a swing set. They are incredibly expensive unless you get one of the small metal ones. I didn't think my girls would play too much with one of the small metal ones.

I loved my neighbor Emily's swing set. So I talked with her about it and was sold. It's definitely not one of the expensive models but it will do for our needs. I had a hard time thinking about paying "a grand" for a swing set, so I didn't.

I was so excited to go and buy this at Walmart until I got there and they were out of them. I made several calls to find one store had one left. Yea!!! After getting home and opening the box I started to understand why all the reviews I read said to plan on about 10 hours to put it together.

Scott and I were a little overwhelmed as we opened these 2 skinny boxes only to find about a thousand different pieces. We thought we just wasted our $400. We doubted we could ever get this thing together.

On Saturday when we started we ended with phase 5 and there were 23 phases in all. We had already spent about 5 hours on the thing. On Monday I was so excited to get going that Ann, my sister, came and helped me for another 5 hours or so. Her and I made quite a team. We were doing some serious work....with our hammers, drills, ratchets, wrenches and all the other tools we used. We knew our Dad would be proud.

Scott helped more on Monday but we still didn't finish. I did as much as I could on Tuesday. It's kinda hard when I was asking Sydney to hold boards for me. Luckily Brooke, my neighbor, came over and helped a bit.

Scott didn't get home until 8:00 pm on Tuesday so we didn't have much light but we got enough done that I thought I could finish alone on Wednesday and that's exactly what I did. It is finally done after 15-20 hours of assembly. The girls are already loving it and so am I.....until it comes time to mow the lawn and we'll figure out what to do then.

Anyway, here are the boxes that the entire swing set came in along with the finished product. I am proud of myself.

Inspired by Alice

2009-04-22T20:50:00.001-07:00

My friend Alice took some beautiful pictures of flowers from her flower beds. They were gorgeous so I decided to take a few myself. I don't have that many pretty flowers out right now but my grape hyacinths (sp???) look pretty amazing. They add some much needed color in my backyard. Thanks Alice!

Through the Fence

2009-04-22T15:03:00.000-07:00

Last night we got home from dance, Lowes and cleaning the car at about 5:45. As we were walking in the door Sydney had been telling me her tummy hurt. I thought she was hungry. Needless to say she barfed walking in the house. That took some time to clean up and I was just getting dinner started at 6:20.

Meanwhile Aubree headed outside and saw that Eliza, our backyard neighbor, was outside on the other side of the fence. Aubree ran in to ask is Eliza could come over and play? I said not tonight.

A few minutes later Aub came back in and said, "Why can't Eliza come over?"

I said, "Sydney is sick, it's almost time for dinner and I don't have much patience tonight."

The next thing I heard was Aubree saying, "Because Syd is sick and my mom doesn't have any patience."

I was a little embarrassed but oh well. Then Aubree and Eliza played for the next half our together but a fence apart. It's amazing how many games they played. The best was hide and seek. One would turn around and count while the other hid in her respective yard. Then the counter would peek through the fence slats and try to find the other one.

It was comical. I just love that the kids can outside and play. It is so nice. I'll post a picture of my big project this week. I am rather proud of myself.

Better Late Than Never

2009-04-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's taken me this long to write about our trip to Florida. Both girls are taking naps today so now that my Primary stuff is done I can get to this.

When Scott's parents were called on their mission they told us all that our Birthdays and Christmas's for the next 3 years would be a trip out to see them in Orlando. They paid for flights, took care of Disney, Gatorland, Food, Housing...the works!

A year ago during the month of February we had soooo much cabin fever we decided that we would be going to Florida the next February and that's exactly what we did. We were able to coordinate with Marcus and Brittanie so we could be there at the same time which was great because it had been about 18 months since we'd seen them too.

We flew in on Monday, February 23rd. The girls did really well on the flights even though we had no movie/tv options. The planes we were on didn't even have in-house movies and our portable dvd player doesn't have a battery just a car adapter. We arrived around 10:30 pm EST. It was a great reunion seeing Mom and Dad as well as Marcus and Brittanie.

Our first order of business on Tuesday was the beach. Even though it was a bit chilly, like 65 degrees, we couldn't help but enjoy it. It was windy but just to be at the beach and ocean in February felt wonderful.

Aubree loved the ocean. She ran and played despite the chilly temperatures. We were all in our swimsuits while the native Floridians were mostly jogging with long pants, jackets and hats on. At least we had Cocoa Beach all to ourselves.

This is in the car on the way to the beach. The girls were so excited they could hardly stand it. Syd enjoyed the sand more than the water. This picture cracks me up. Scott was pulling Aubree around on the boogie board and Aubree had her nose plugged fearing she would be "landin' in the drink". She didn't realize she was not far enough in the water and was "beached" on the sand.Scott and Marcus decided to try and be "Surfer Dudes" by renting boogie boards. They had a hard time catching waves but they sure tried hard.On Wednesday we went to Disney World. The girls really enjoyed it despite Scott's attitude. It was fun and magical. They loved seeing the Princesses. Aubree and Reagan had a great time getting to know each other and loved being together at Disney World. The teacups are always a favorite. Scott actually took the girls on them twice while Marcus and I ran around getting fast passes. Aubree was a pretty good little driver in these little cars while Sydney experimented with the "no hands" technique. The cars still go, you just get jerked around every time it hits the middle thing that keeps the cars from going off course.

Thursday we went to Zone Conference with Mom and Dad. Mom got a babysitter for the girls so we could actually listen to the meeting. I don't think the missionaries would have appreciated the noise that 4 little girls could have caused.

It was fun to be in a Zone Conference again. You could see Mom and Dad in their element as they gave instruction to their missionaries. Scott said this was his favorite day. It was a little more relaxing and great to be able to spend some time with Mom and Dad as missionaries.

Friday Scott and Marcus visited the Kennedy Space Center while Brittanie and stayed home and took the girls to the park. Since all 3 days of Zone Conferences were over Mom was able to relax and enjoy the day too. We have no pics of the Space Center because I wasn't there to take them.

We do have a few of the park though. Aubree and Sydney don't get to see Reagan and Ainsley very often so it was valuable time to spend getting to know them. We also had to say good-bye to Marcus and Brittanie because they left early Saturday morning. We were soooo glad we came at the same time. It was great hanging out with them. I just wish they lived a little closer.

Saturday we spent the majority of the day at Gatorland. It's this fun park that is all about alligators. It's amazing how close you get to them. This picture almost looks fake but they are real 'gators.

We had to take numerous shots of all of us at Gatorland and I just couldn't decide which to choose so here goes. Aubree and Sydney would have been happy to play outside the gate. I love this picture of Sydney with her Grandma Darrington, whom I think she still remembers...6 weeks later. Syd was only about 6 months old when they left so she didn't really know who her Grandpa and Grandma Darrington were. She always prayed for them but didn't really know them.

We all had to have our picture taken with this little alligator cut-out. As I looked at it, it was a little gross. Dad had to take a couple of pictures with me coaxing me to put my chin down on the cut-out like 50 million other people had done. This was as close as I got.

This is the view out Mom and Dad's backyard. I still can't believe it was February. It was so hard to pack shorts when it was snowing outside. I just knew I was going to freeze...but we didn't.

Here's Aub and Syd helping Grandma make Strawberry Shortcake. Grandma is so good about finding jobs for them to help out with.

We wanted to try and get a picture of the girls with their Grandpa and Grandma since they probably won't see them again for another year and a half but by the time we got around to pictures the girls were about done. They were both being stinkers. They progressively acted worse throughout the week. I don't know what the deal was, but I guess they were vacationed out. Anyway, this is the best we got.

It was a great trip. We had a wonderful time and are so thankful to mom and dad for making it possible. They are a great example to our family and serving their mission has blessed our lives.

Jesus, Thank-You!

2009-04-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

A couple of nights ago we knew Scott wouldn't be home for dinner so I didn't really want to make anything so.....off the Wendy's we went. I got the usual chicken nugget kid meal for the girls to share and of course, like always, it comes with a toy. I'll admit that I was a little disappointed to see a CD of some cat game. That meant if, Aubree saw it she would want to play it on the computer and yadda yadda, yadda. It just seemed like a pain to me.

A little later in the evening down she came carrying the cd and asking me how it worked. She told me she wanted to play it on the computer (I was currently on the computer) so I told her after her pj's were on we'd talk. Lately she doesn't want to wear pj's. They bug her. Half the time, I go in to check on her before going to bed myself and her pj's are on the floor in a heap and she's sleeping in her underwear.

She actually made record time in getting ready for bed so I loaded the virtual cat cd thing on the computer. She was excited to choose a cat, a collar and a name. She named her cat Aubree. As she was learning how to "play" with her cat it came to me......I asked Aubree what she had been praying for, for over a year now. She responded with "A Pet and A New Baby". I then went on to talk about how Heavenly Father answered one of those prayers tonight. Aubree now had her own pet. As she thought about this she was "Pumped". She told me that she really wanted a dog but she was happy Jesus had given her this cat.

She continued to play with her new cat. She gave it food,water and a bath. She felt so big to be able to have her own pet. Finally I made her leave the pet so we could have scriptures and prayers before going to bed. Just as we were finishing up Scott got home. Aubree just "had" to show Scott her new pet. After showing him all the things she could do it was time for her personal prayers. I reminded her that she should thank Heavenly Father for her new pet.

Usually Aubree's prayers aren't as sincere as they could be. She kinda likes to hurry through them but tonight was a little different. She began like her usual but then you could just see the wheels turning as she was trying to articulate her thanks for her new pet.

Finally, with the most sincerity I've ever heard from her, she said, "Jesus, thank-you for my new pet!" She then ended her prayer. It was all I could do not to laugh out loud but it was so sweet and she was truly thankful. It was one of those moments that you cherish as a parent and think how cute your kid is.

Now instead of saying, "Bless that we can have a pet" she says, "Bless that we can't have a pet." She's just a funny girl. I think I'm just as grateful for this kind of pet as she is and I'm glad Aubree prayers were answered.

Trying to learn...

2009-03-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

So, one of my goals for the year is to learn a little more about photography. I just really have a fascination with it. It's fun and interesting to me.....anyway, here are a few random pics I took while learning more about the manual settings on my camera.

Unfortunately for Aub and Syd my goal is a little painful for them. I'm always asking them to "pose' for the camera and they usually don't want to cooperate. The best way to get Aubree to be my model is if I let her take some pictures too.

Here's Aub's cute toes. I took this using the Aperture mode with a small F number so it would only focus on a small part of the picture.....her toes.

These were a couple that Aubree got to take. We just used the timer, she pushed the button and ran.

For this one I increased the shutter speed and caught Aubree in mid jump. I took several like this and Aubree thought they were hilarious when I showed them to her.

Just some random pic of Syd so she doesn't feel left out of this blog entry. Did I mention how pumped I am to have the snow gone!!!

Once again Aubree is trying her best to ignore the camera that's in her face as she watches something on TV.

Valentine/President's Day Week-end

2009-03-13T22:01:00.001-07:00

It seems that even the little holidays we celebrate end up being a lot of work for me. I put too much pressure on myself to get/make something for everyone. Valentine's Day is no different. I do enjoy it but the week leading up to the holiday is a little stressful.

The girls and I made cute little photo puzzles for Scott and my parents. They really did turn out cute. I don't have a picture to show but after checking out every craft store around we found the needed supplies.

After passing out Valentine's to my cute family I did something I haven't done in 15+ years......played basketball. Truthfully I didn't have that much fun. I made a couple of friends join me (thanks Melise and Renee) or I probably wouldn't have even played but I told them I'd pick them up. I had a few war wounds for at least a week and then I ended up playing again the following week. One of these days I'll learn better.

I then went home and made Valentine Sugar Cookies. They were so tasty Sydney ate too much and ended up throwing up that evening from too much sugar. We even had a neighbor volunteer to watch the girls so Scott and I could go out but Syd put a stop to that when she puked all over. Maybe next year.

On Monday we finally went sledding. This was actually our one and only time to sled this year. We found a small quiet hill at Glassman Park. It was perfect for Aubree and since we were the only ones there we didn't have to worry about being "taken out" at the bottom of the hill from other sledders.

Syd didn't really like the sledding but she hung out at the top of the hill while the rest of us had our fun. She actually went down with Scott a couple of times but she wasn't exactly squealing with delight.

I set the camera on one of the sleds and used the timer so we could take a family picture in the snow. Everyone actually looks like they are having a good time.

Beginning to Wonder

2009-03-12T21:12:00.000-07:00

I was beginning to wonder if the snow was ever going to stop....since I'm writing about this a month later I now remember it does eventually melt. February is just a month that seems to last forever with the piles of snow.

I finally learned how to use the snow blower. The last big storm we had 18 inches in one day. We had to go out twice and "push" snow. I learned the term "push" snow in Afton. You have to push the snow somewhere else because it never melts. That's what we were doing in February.

The snow was almost to the bottom branches of you tree in the front yard. It didn't slow Aubree down from having a good time. I usually tried to snow blow while Syd was asleep so I don't have many pictures of her in the snow.

I hope Aubree checked the color of that snow before she began licking away. As a child I remember making my own scrumptious snow treat. I would get snow from the yard and put it in a cup and then pour vanilla extract on top.......delicious to an 8 year old NASTY to a 34 year old.

Hasn't her Daddy brainwashed her well. Check out that hat.

Same Title....New Month...Finally Updating

2009-03-12T20:52:00.001-07:00

Once again I'm going to be marathon blogging to try and get caught up on the past month. Where does the time go? I really can't figure out why I have nooooo time these days.

I have to go back through my pictures to even remember what we've been up to these days. Preschool is one of those things. When I taught last month we did finger painting with pudding. Aubree and Sydney really got into making a big mess without me getting on them.

This picture of Syd cracks me up because she is concentrating so hard on making her picture. In reality she was licking her fingers as much as she was painting.

Aubree was pumped to put her hands in and get them all gooed up. If you look closely you can see Aubree is wearing her swim suit under her clothes. It's hard to imagine wanting to wear your swim suit just for the fun of it.....Anyway, that kinda cracks me up.

Finally Updating

2009-01-31T10:57:00.000-08:00

The past month has been crazy. I keep thinking life will slow down but truthfully I’m not counting on it. The whole month I have known I was going to have this time to blog so I’ve put off everything until now. Scott has meetings (I’m also attending but….I’m working on the computer while I listen) and my parents have Aubree and Sydney. (Thanks Mom and Dad.) So here’s my change to get caught up on blogging. Just a warning, it may be boring for most readers but this is my journal.

Scott and Becky's Random Things

2009-01-31T09:37:00.000-08:00

Well, just for the record....Scott is the Hero!! Church basketball has started up again. In one particular game our ward was down pretty much the entire game until......the final second of the game.....then out of nowhere Scott made the winning shot. I'm sure he could describe how he faked left dribbled through his legs and shot off balance and then SWISH...drilled a 3 pointer. He later said that was the first time he's made a game winning basket. We were all proud to walk out with the hero of the game.

Travis, Stephanie and their girls came and spent a few nights at our house. It was fun to play games with them until late in the evening. Steph even impressed us all by making her sister-in-law's wedding cake. They also just announced they'll be leaving Maryland and coming west to Arizona. Yea!!! We are excited to have them a little closer.

This month has been so busy and crazy for me. Our ward was split the last week of December. We are in the new ward which means we started from nothing. Every person had to be called to their new calling. Thankfully I get to keep serving in the same position as Primary President. I have learned that it is a lot of work to start over. It's been work to get all the teachers ready to teach primary, find people for nursery, get a cub scout program going and activity days going. I have a new presidency and I love them already. I was very sad to see my last presidency be put in the other ward but I felt change was coming.

Scott is still waiting for his call. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks he'll have a new calling. He is itching to get serving somewhere. He keeps saying he's been riding my 'coat tails' long enough.

I was also in charge of our fun little dinner club this month. There are 6 of us that get together and make freezer meals for our families. It's been such a great way for me to be able to make and eat dinner at home every night. It's 80% done and you already have everything so you don't have to go to the store.

When you're in charge you make up the menu, do all the shopping, divide out the food, host the event and just make sure all things are ready to go. It's definitely worth it but a lot of work for one week. I'm glad my friend Jen invited me to join them a year and a half ago.

I also started playing Layton City Rec Volleyball again this month. It's so fun to play. Most of the people I play with are in our ward. It's great to have a night to do something active. We usually laugh through most of the game. I love it.

Since it's a new year I have also set a few goals for myself. Since buying my piano I have been playing it for a few minutes almost every day. It's so much more enjoyable to play now compared to when I was younger. So, my goal for the year is to be able to play the majority of the songs from the primary songbook from the end of the year. I am working on a couple more difficult songs each week.

I also want to take a photography class sometime this year. A local photographer was offering a class but I was too late to sign up. She is going to let me know when she will be offering the class again so hopefully sometime in the next year I'll be able to take that class. I am really excited about this goal. I really enjoy photography and want to learn more.

I want to do better at my personal scripture study this year. I don't know why this is so hard to get to but I want to make a good effort to make this more of a habit.

The last and hardest goal is weight loss. Since joining Crossroads Fitness I have made slow progress but I feel better. My goal is not huge but I think it's attainable. I want to be down 20 pounds by the end of next year. I will have more to go but I think I can actually do this.

Syd's Random Things

2009-01-31T09:17:00.000-08:00

For Christmas Sydney got baby accessories. She loves to take care of her babies. Many days I'll go in my room and she'll get mad at me for waking up her baby that is sleeping on my bed. She loves to wrap up the babies and have them take naps. Here are a few pictures of her while she was playing with her 'babies'. Here's Syd feeding her baby. You can see she's concentrating very had because her little tongue is sticking out of her mouth.
Each year for Christmas, Becky (Scott's sister) puts together a family calendar. She wanted to do a page with the younger kids with food all over their mouth. I had a hard time finding a picture where she was completely messy. Then.....we had spaghetti. It was too late for the calendar but not too late for a messy face picture. She chose not to use utensils and she sat in her food.

Here's a few more pics of Syd that I thought were cute. The one is really fuzzy because I stepped outside to take the pic and it was cold. The cold air was affecting my camera.

Just a picture of me and my little Syd.

Aubree's Random Things

2009-01-31T08:58:00.000-08:00

Most evenings I have some funny little thing to tell Scott about the girls. Usually it's something they've said to me. This month has been no different.

One morning things were going pretty normal, which means I have to get fairly stern to get the girls to get dressed, get their hair done, clean their room and pick up any toys that are out. As Aubree was talking to me our conversation went something like this:

Aubree: "Mom why are you mad today?"

Becky: "I'm not mad Aubree."

Aubree: "Oh, I mean why are you fired-up?"

I just laughed and realized she really does listen to the things Scott and I say.

American Idol has started again and it's usually a show that I feel comfortable with watching as a family. The other day Simon was telling one of the contestants that he 'hated' everything about the audition.

Aubree has had a small problem with using the word hate. I really don't like the word and have stressed that we don't use that word. As Aub heard Simon say 'hate' she said, "Mom, he shouldn't say the word hate." I told her she was right about that and then she said, "I bet he doesn't believe in Jesus either." I had to let her know that just because people use 'bad' words it doesn't mean they don't believe in Jesus. They are just making poor choices. It made me chuckle though that she correlated the two.

Here are a couple of pictures of Aub as she was all gussied up to go to the temple. She wanted a necklace and lipstick so she could look like me.

Aubree got all shy in front of the camera when Scott got home and started giving her hugs but she couldn't help but love it.

Draper Temple

2009-01-31T08:42:00.000-08:00

We were able to attend the Draper Temple Open House this month. It was a great experience to be able to walk through it as a family. It seems whenever we talk about the temple Aubree and Sydney both want to marry their Daddy in the temple. I try to explain that Daddy is taken but they just can't imagine loving anyone else like their Daddy. It is sweet.

We've talked with Aubree about being sealed in the temple to us when she was 6 months old and she refers to that as the time she was married to Mommy and Daddy. It was a great opportunity to talk about the temple and blessings we receive from it. We hope our girls are already setting goals to live as Jesus wants them to so they can one day marry in the temple.

This picture was Syd enjoying her refreshments after the temple.

The Von Darrington Family Singers....

2009-01-31T08:18:00.000-08:00

If you haven't read Scott's most recent post on the obsession of the Sound of Music in our house you can learn a few family secrets there. I just wanted to add a few little things the girls have done since learning about this most entertaining film.

Aubree does not want to be called Aubree anymore, she informs me numerous times a day that she is "Griddle" (Gretl). She refers to Scott and I as Father and Mother instead of Dad and Mom. It's just too funny. Sydney has followed Aub's example by saying things such as, "I not Sydney I 'Yee sil' (Leisil), silly mommy".

The other day we were in a dressing room while I was trying on some new pants. Before I knew it "Griddle" and "Yee sil" were standing behind me (as we faced the mirror) and they started poking their little heads out from behind me singing "Coo-Coo, Coo-Coo". They thought they were pretty funny and they could see themselves singing away.

We have also downloaded a few of the songs from the original soundtrack. The Von Darrington Family Singers can do a pretty amazing rendition of "Do Re Mi". It's an especially sweet treat in the car. I've also got "Do Re Mi" down on the piano (half of it's even memorized because I've played it so many times). So if you're looking to be entertained we accept bribes for performances.

Snow Pictures

2009-01-30T17:39:00.000-08:00

We actually haven't "played" too much in the snow this year. We haven't even been sledding yet, one of these days we'll get there. Here are a few pics of the girls in the snow.

Here are the girls trying to ride bikes in the snow.....

This picture cracks me up because Aubree is much bigger than the bike. It's her old bike that I'm hoping Syd can use this summer.

Here's Aub hanging out on top of the picnic table.

Scott's new toy

2009-01-30T17:27:00.001-08:00

After the first big storm of the year Scott decided it was time to break down and buy a snowblower. We have soo much sidewalk and it seems to get longer everytime we shovel. After shoveling by hand (or looking helpless and neighbors coming to our rescue) for 5 years we decided it's time. Scott now will do all the snow removal without too much grumbling. I am pumped! I thought my driveway was going to be free of the 3 inch sheet of ice it's been the past few years until the last storm and I kept driving on it so it's at least 2 inches thick....Oh well.

Christmas Day

2008-12-30T20:02:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of Christmas day. We spent it in Morgan at my parents house. We went Christmas Eve and came home the evening of the 26th. My brother and his family were there too. The girls played so well with their cousins which made it a lot of fun for the adults.

My sweet neighbor, Janet, gave us a gingerbread house kit and a book. She is such a thoughtful neighbor. We put it together Christmas Eve. The girls all loved it.

We acted out the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. Aubree was excited to be Mary even if she thought her costume was a little weird. Syd got to be a shepherd which she was delighted about because she got to carry around Grandma's special sheep. Scott was a wise man and I was the audience and photographer. The kids all did well and actually listened/acted the story as it was read from the scriptures.

Later we called Santa and each of the kids got to talk to him. It was fun to watch the excitement on their faces as Santa talked with them. (Thanks Santa......if you read this, you're a great Santa!)

The girls actually did pretty good going to bed and we got to stay up and play games. Aubree was pretty excited about Santa coming so she woke up at 6 am but we made her stay in bed until 7.

Aubree got exactly what she asked for......a Swimming Doggy. She kept seeing the commercial on tv and told me it really swims and walks. She was pretty excited and took a bath asap to see this dog swim.

Syd got baby accessories for all of her babies. She loves to take care of her babies and she's still playing with it all today so you know that was a successful gift.
The girls got a toy box from Grandpa Stevens that we can use. They really thought it was fun to get inside. Scott got a BYU football book he saw on one of his favorite shows "Cougar Diaries". Just like Aubree, he fell for the commercial. Here his is cuddling his book as he sleeps.
Later in the day we sent the kids out to play in the snow with Grandma and Michael. They had fun and built a really big snowman.

I loved this picture of Michael and Rachel. It really captured the moment.

Here are a few more cute photos in the snow.

....until next year!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-30T19:52:00.000-08:00

I've decided one of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the way people treat each other. It just seems everyone is a little friendlier, more helpful and caring towards each other. I noticed this especially in my neighborhood this year.

I wasn't able to make it to the neighborhood Christmas outing for 2 reasons, I was sick and my family was at my house that night but I love the fact that someone organized this and invited the neighborhood. Also a neighbor that I've really never met came and helped me shovel our driveway after one of those storms we had. He was really nice and I felt bad about not getting to know him before. (Scott went the next morning and bought us a new snow blower, I can't believe I can actually see the driveway. I'm not holding my breath, it is only December but it's a good start for us.)

I just love the Christmas spirit.

Tis the Season

2008-12-13T16:17:00.000-08:00

Tis the Season for soooo many things. Probably too many things because every year during December I try and do to much and end up getting sick. This week is no exception. I've felt a cold coming on for the past week and it has finally hit. Today I am trying to take things a little easier.....though I still went out shopping at 3 different stores. If I get the change to go alone being sick won't even stop me.

Last Saturday we had our ward Temple Morning/Christmas Breakfast/Primary Activity. Aubree got to be a shepherd as the kids acted out the nativity. She was very proud of her role. She also got to sit on Santa's lap. She actually did it and asked for a dog that swims. She was sooo brave. Sydney on the other hand wasn't so brave. She didn't even want to get close to Santa. I tried to help her get close but as you can see in the picture she was not very happy about it.

Aubree has been bugging me about taking a picture of all of us by our stockings every since we hung them up. We set up the camera and she got to push the button and run. It's actually kinda a cute picture.
We had a nice family bring us the cutest hot chocolate mugs with marshmallows, hot chocolate mix, cookies, etc. Basically it was the works and very thoughtful. We had to have a hot chocolate party in the evening. It was very fun and warmed us right up.This week has been crazy!!!! On Monday during the day I watched 4 different kids throughout the day, had Ann over and we had about 7 kids here, made 2 batches of caramel and dipped 3 bags of pretzel rods in the caramel.....YUMMY! I also did laundry.....everything was folded/hung up and put away, cleaned my house and we had 18 people over for FHE. It was fun but yes, it was crazy.

On Tuesday I made 2 more batches of caramel, dipped 2 more bags of pretzels in caramel and then dipped all 120 pretzel rods in chocolate, 20 marshmallows dipped in caramel and chocolate and drizzled them all with white chocolate. I also did some shopping in the morning and stayed up until 2 am working on this. I should have taken a picture of all the goodies but I was too tired.

Wednesday I tried to work out but felt too sick after being on the treadmill for 20 minutes so I came home. I spent the afternoon and evening working on Primary stuff. I had no idea how much time it takes to be ready for a new year. We had a Presidency meeting that evening and finished up 20+ manuals to be given to Primary Teachers on Sunday. I also made another batch of caramels to be wrapped.

Thursday I put together 45 goodie bags with all the pretzels and caramels I made. I also recleaned the house because it doesn't stay clean for more than an hour or so and Kimmy (Scott's sister) was coming for the night. We went to Temple Square in the evening to leave a car for Kimmy to come home and we visited Temple Square.

It was great to spend some time looking the temple, lights, nativity and Christus on Temple Square. I felt it really helped me remember the reason for Christmas. It was great to talk about that with my girls and help them focus on that. Friday I woke up feeling ill but still had things to do. We drove Kim to the airport and went to Ann's house. After finishing up our quilt blocks, making another batch of caramels for a few more pretzels and marshmallows (because all the others are pretty much packaged up to give away) we decided to make Peanut Butter Truffle Centers. Once again....yummy! I wasn't feeling very good but I kept going. We made a stop at Costco on the way home to buy a dessert for a party Scott and I had later in the evening.

I got home and crashed. I was SICK!!! We decided to call and cancel because I wasn't going to be able to make it.....now I have a huge chocolate cream pie in the fridge to eat. We stayed home and watched a movie but I still stuffed all my Christmas letters and got them ready to go.

I woke up this morning and I'm trying to feel better but still have to do a few things. It just seems like it's impossible to take a day off this time of year. We have 2 different places we're suppose to be to tonight.....I don't know if either of those are going to happen. Hopefully I can be better by tomorrow because I really can't miss church tomorrow. Maybe next year I'll slow down a bit and not get sick.....but probably not.

Pics

2008-12-02T20:00:00.001-08:00

I've been trying to update the pictures on my wall of my girls. Aubree is at the point where I can reason with her enough to get her to cooperate but Syd on the other hand isn't to that point yet. It's almost impossible to get a picture of her. This is what I've come up with:

Aubree had to take her turn with the camera. Her latest thing is using the timer. She must think it looks fun to push the button and run into the picture. This is usually what I have to do

to get into a picture. She did pretty good with this one:

After using our wood fence for a backdrop I was actually glad for a few minutes it was wood and not vinyl. That's probably the first time I was happy about the wood. (just a little random bit of info.)

For the record...

2008-12-02T19:54:00.000-08:00

I can't believe yesterday was December 1st and I RAKED the leaves outside. This marks 2 monumental occasions....first of all the weather has been amazingly warm outside. I didn't even wear a coat or jacket, just the sweater I had been wearing. It was sooo warm for December.

The second thing is we have lived in our house now for 5 years. I think it was 4 years ago that we planted a tree in the front yard and we now have enough leaves that need to be raked. I didn't think it would ever get bigger than a twig but it's grown like crazy this year.

Happy Birthday Aubree

2008-11-18T19:48:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe my little Aubree is 4 years old. I don't know where the past year has gone. She is growing up so quickly.

At the end of the day yesterday (Nov. 17th, 2008), I was extremely exhausted, had a cold and was just ready to go to bed even though it was 8:30pm. The phone rang and it was BreeAnn. She was calling to wish Aubree a happy birthday. As I talked with her for a few minutes it gave me time to reflect on the precious gift I have been given to be Aubree's Mom.

Rarely do I think about Aubree being adopted. My feelings toward her are no different than my feelings toward Sydney. Once in awhile though, I am reminded that very easily things could have been different. I can't imagine my life without my Aubree girl. She means so much to me. She is such a sweet girl and has brought so much happiness to Scott and I. She filled a void in my life when I ached to be a mom. She also brought new challenges but I wouldn't trade any of them to go back in time when I wanted her so bad.

I'm going to try and give a recap of Aubree's past year while adding some of the things that make Aubree who she is.

This picture was taken at the beginning of the year. I think Aubree is beautiful. She is becoming such a sensitive girl. We are worried about the teenage years because already she has a hard time making through a movie without crying. Recently she was tearing up at High School Musical when they Zack and Gabriella broke up for a little bit. She can't see someone else crying and not want to cry with them. We may have an emotional wreck on our hands just like her mom.

Aubree has loved holidays this year and just couldn't get enough of the festivities.

Playing outside has brought new meaning this year. It seems all we did all summer was go outside or to the park and play. She loves riding her "Pony Bike", jumping on trampolines going to the park (especially the Splash Pad) and playing with Sydney.

Aubree loves when I give her a job to do. She can swiffer-vac the floor, pick up her toys, make her bed, get dressed, put on her shoes, wipe up messes and many more things. She also loves to help out in the kitchen. One of her favorite things is pulling a chair up to the kitchen sink and rinsing dishes then loading them in the dishwasher.

She also like to help make dinner and treats. She loves when we make bread dough and she get to roll her own dough out and make into anything she wants.

When it comes time to eat she loves Macaroni and Cheese, breadsticks, apples, grapes, yogurt, McDonald's kids meals with chicken nuggets, apple dippers, chocolate milk and a toy. She likes steak and usually chicken. Her beverage of choice is chocolate milk. When it comes time to say a blessing on the food we have a fight on our hands. First of all, we always have at least 2 prayers on every meal and Aubree HAS to be first followed by Sydney who usually blesses all her toys and forgets to bless the food. Aubree never forgets to ask Heavenly Father for a new baby and a pet. (I sure hope a new baby gets her before a pet does.)

Aubree loves playing with her cousins. Aub and Ty act more like brother and sister than they do cousins. That's probably because they see each other and spend a lot of time together at least once a week. She really looks up to Abby and Kendall. Someday she wants to be just like them.

Aubree has started dance and preschool this year. I still can't believe she's old enough for either of these things. She loves letters and numbers and is always asking me what things say and finding different letters she is familiar with. She also loves going to the library and getting new books. It's great when Scott gets home and takes the time to read stories to Aub and Syd. Aubree will then do pretty good at remembering the story and "reading" it again later.

Aubree doesn't always like the spotlight and she gets a little shy but recently she'll ask me to say "Attention, Attention Everyone, Introducing Aubree doing _____" Then she'll run out and perform her little talent. It's pretty funny to watch her perform.

Aub thinks she can pull some pretty funny/scary faces. She'll do some face and then ask me if it's scary or not. It' always makes me laugh. This picture is her most famous scary face and Sydney is trying to copy everything her older sister does.

As cute as she can be, she can also be a stinker some times. This is her pouting/I'm not getting my way face. I've even heard her say...."If you don't do this then I won't play with you." Then she'll fold her arms and wait for you to do what she says. What a STINKER! Hopefully this is just a phase.

Poor Aubree has to put up with me taking her picture every chance I get. She gets really sick of the camera but will occasionally put up with me usually followed by her having a turn to take a few pictures. Luckily we have digital cameras now and we can delete most pictures.

One funny thing she did this past summer when I gave her my old digital camera was hold the picture and snap a shot of herself looking down at the camera. When we were looking through the pictures she came across a few of that particular angle and her nostrils were the most prominent thing in the picture and she asked in a very serious way, "Mom, am I a pig?" She didn't think it was funny that I laughed because she was a bit worried. I had to explain we all have nostrils and that's what they look like when you're looking up at them.

I wasn't planning on doing a "friend" party until Aubree announced on Friday (her b-day was Monday) that she really wanted her friends to come over for her birthday. I don't know what I was thinking but I quickly threw something together. Aubree loved delivering the invitations. For most of the houses I would just pull in the driveway and she jumped out of the car and delivered the invitations. She thought it was so much fun.

The party was full on dancing, balloons, playdough, ice-cream and games. I can't even remember but there were 12 or 13 three and four year olds. What was I thinking. They had a fun time and Aubree liked it. I guess that's what matters.

Aubree's cake this year was a princess castle cake. She loved it and couldn't wait for the princesses to come out.....too bad it was just cake on the inside. This morning as she woke up she was laying next to me then she sprang up and said I want to play with my presents. She had a fun day going from one new thing to the next. She's already talking about what she wants for her next birthday.

I love my Aubree girl so much and look forward to the next year to see what new things she discovers and learns.

Randomness

2008-11-10T20:22:00.000-08:00

I don't even know if randomness is a word but this is a random post. My girls were playing the other day and I had to stop and take some pictures.

I remember a few years ago when I was watching a couple of my nieces for a few days. I realized how much they looked out for each other and were helping each other even though they were only 1 and 3 years old. Aubree was also 1 and I really wanted her to have a sister to play with.

I love it when they play and laugh together. There isn't anybody like a sister.

Don't the sweats look sooo comfy. You gotta love the $3.33 sale at Target.

And last but not least this picture cracks me up for a couple of reasons. First of all, they're both in a box. It amazes me how much kids like boxes. They can get hours of fun out of a box. Secondly, Sydney is wearing the little headlamp Scott used to use for reading but my girls think it is a camera. They carry it around, pretend to take pictures and then show me the pictures. They're funny little creatures and I sure love 'em!

Halloween Week

2008-11-06T19:33:00.001-08:00

So, it's taken me awhile to get to this post mostly because Scott has been gone all week and that makes it a difficult week. By the end of the day I am not "loving" my kids quite as much as usual so it's hard to write about how cute they are. Scott is great to give me a break when he gets home from work. I miss that sooooo much. I don't know how single moms make it.

The other thing about Halloween is, it's not my favorite holiday. I guess I'm kinda a stick-in-the-mud type when it comes to dressing up. I always disliked it as a child because I always felt my costumes were dumb and I wasn't very creative. Consequently I'm still not very creative when it comes to dressing up.

And the last reason I have why this has taken me so long to get to is it seems like the festivities lasted a whole week long and that takes a few minutes to blog. Trying to put all reasons aside I'll now post a few pictures and call it good.

My mom found a Jo-Jo the Clown costume at a garage sale this summer. So, I didn't have to spend a thing on Aubree's costume. She actually got to choose between a BYU cheerleader and the clown costume. I have to admit that I hadn't actually ever heard of Jo-Jo before this costume. Scott finally found the show on tv and dvr'd it for Aubree after she already wore the costume.

Sydney was the bunny that Aubree was when she was one. It was a little big for Aubree but it fit Syd perfectly at 2 years old. She absolutely loved wearing the costume and is still telling anyone that will listen that she was a bunny. She even loved the little hat thing and didn't take it off once. I thought Syd looked adorable. I guess I'll toot my own horn and say that I actually made the bunny costume myself. It hasn't even fallen apart yet.This picture makes me laugh because Sydney has changed from the saddest tear stained face to laughing hysterically at Aubree. It amazes me how kids can go from one emotion to the next in a matter of seconds.

Those pictures were all taken before our ward trunk-or-treat, which was the Saturday before Halloween.

On Tuesday we had a little preschool field trip to a Corn Maze/Pumpkin Patch. The kids had some fun activities. The big whiteboard slide was the biggest hit with the kids though. Aubree just couldn't get enough of it.

Syd's got a fake finger on from one of the activities. She was pretty proud of herself for figuring out that's what it was.

Aubree was trying her best to stand away from the game but she couldn't help leaning just a bit.

Here's Syd trying to hide in the cornstalks.

Here's the preschool gang. They all really had a great time. I hope to go again next year.

We also carved our pumpkins on Tuesday night. Aubree actually helped this year. She was pretty good at poking the little holes in the stencil. Scott got about half of his carved and decided he was done. It was actually Syd's pumpkin and she didn't really mind but I tried to fix it up a bit so a candle would at least burn in it.

I guess you'll notice neither of the girls have any clothes on. It's just easier to clean them up that way.

We participated in the city's trunk-or-treat on Wednesday. Scott bribed Aubree to be the BYU cheerleader for that night. He told her she could wear make-up if she wore the cheerleader costume and people would give her more candy than if she was a clown. She was pumped about wearing all that make-up. We didn't get any pictures that night.

On Friday, which was actually Halloween we went to Ann's house and had dinner together and then took the kids out trick-or-treating. Aubree was actually sick so she didn't really enjoy it that much. She had a fever and was very lethargic. We even saw Santa out while we were trick-or-treating. That kids thought that was pretty cool.

My mom even dressed up for the occasion in her clown costume. She was proud because some guy told her she got the best mom costume.....She wasn't proud because her costume was great but because he called her the mom and she's the grandma.

Last picture of my Aubree girl. She was trying to be excited as the fever burned inside.

So, there are the festivities for the week. Overall it was fun and we have way too much candy. I'm just happy I don't have to worry about costumes for another year.

New Family Pictures

2008-10-29T13:45:00.001-07:00

I'm trying to decide which family picture I like best from our little photo session last week. It's really about impossible to get a good shot of everyone. It seems like the girls last for about 2 pictures and they're done.

Anyway, I like the one on the steps because of the coloring. I wish I were sitting up taller and Syd is a bit blurry here....but overall it's not too bad.

I like this one because we are all somewhat looking and nobody is too fuzzy. I don't like the pose as much here.

I think this one is sweet because Syd looks cute giving me a love.

Thanks Ann for taking the time to come and take our picture.

So, which is the best????

Little Miss Photogenic

2008-10-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm sure I'm biased but I think Aubree is beautiful. She has great skin, beautiful eyes and is pretty photogenic.

I wanted a few pictures because it was near Syd's birthday but you can't take pictures of one girl without taking some of the other. The funny thing about Aubree is I have to make a deal with her. She'll let me take her picture if I will then pose for her to take my picture.

She ends up doing the exact same thing I just did with her 5 minutes earlier but it sounds so funny coming from her. She'll say okay, Mommy, put your hand here, turn your head, etc...I guess I sound that ridiculous too.

Anyway, here's a couple of cute pictures I got of her.

I love this one because of the hole in her pants. She just looks like a cute little kid who doesn't care what her clothes look like.

I love that she looks so happy here.

I thought the angle on this one turned out kinda fun. She's sitting on the pumpkins and I'm above her.

She's giving her rooster puppet a love here...a little weird but she's just too cute.

All About Sydney

2008-10-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Sydney just turned 2 years old. I can't believe my baby is not a baby anymore. She has been so much fun for the past 2 years and added so much to our family. She can be so sweet and affectionate. I love that about her. I also love to watch her and Aubree become great friends as they grow up together. Everyone needs a sister.

Sydney adores everything about Aubree. She wants to be just like her and tries to copy everything Aubree does from mimicking every word to walking exactly as Aubree walks to acting the exact same way. Here are a few examples.

Aubree tries to take care of Sydney and help her along. Recently Sydney has began to "get in trouble" and it kills Aubree to watch Sydney be so sad.

The other day Sydney kept bugging Aubree. She was trying to take off Aubree's socks and Aubree didn't want them off. After several attempts to try and get Syd to stop I'd finally heard enough from them. I sat down and held Syd so she couldn't move. I told her she had to say she was sorry to Aubree. Sydney kept refusing to apologize and was throwing a major fit. Finally Aubree couldn't take it any longer and told me it was okay for Sydney to take her socks off. I said that she still needed to say sorry. Syd continued to cry which in turn made Aubree cry to see her sister so sad. We finally got everything resolved but not after many tears.

Another little thing happened the other day and Scott and I couldn't help but laugh. Aubree got hurt and "needed" a band-aid. I can't believe the power a band-aid has. Sydney followed Aubree up as she got herself a band-aid. Aub and Syd decided Syd needed one as well. After inspecting they "found" something wrong with Syd's foot.

They put the band-aid on and came back downstairs. Sydney was so convinced that she was hurt that she limped around the rest of the night continually showing me the "owie" on her foot. The limping was hilarious especially because the "owie" was on the top of her foot. Scott and I had a good laugh.

Syd's just a happy petite little thing. I have decided the reason she is so little is because she gallops everywhere she goes. She looks so happy-go-lucky as she gallops from one thing to the next.

Some of Sydney's favorite things right now are:

Her "Ruff-Ruff". She absolutely loves her stuffed dog and it is really looking "loved". She sleeps with it every night and it comforts her when she is sad. Because of this love, I decided to make her a "Ruff-Ruff" cake for her birthday.

Syd loves singing and dancing. She loves to be familiar with a song well enough to feel she can sing it. I can never understand the words but she walks around singing quite often.

She loves listening to stories and will sit for quite awhile.....unless it's scripture stories and then she wants one of her other books.

She enjoys playing with toys and can entertain herself for quite awhile. She's more "into" toys than Aubree has ever been. It's nice to come downstairs and get her started and then just let her play. She also has starting being able to do puzzles. She loves figuring out how the pieces fit and she's actually pretty good at it.

Sydney loves the bathroom stool. She is so funny with it. She knows that when she is on the stool she can reach so much more. I'll see her trying to get something and then she'll disappear. After a few minutes she comes back carrying the stool. She'll plop it down and get whatever it is she's working at. It's amazing where I find the bathroom stool.

She's not using the bathroom stool here (probably because she's outside) but you can see she's just not quite tall enough for a few really fun things like ringing the doorbell.

Syd also loves shoes. She enjoys putting them on getting them out and stomping throughout the house. It doesn't really matter whose shoes they are she just likes to wear them.

Sydney wouldn't be a girl if she didn't like screaming....especially with other girls. I don't know why it's so fun to scream but all girls seem to really enjoy hearing themselves make noise. This picture is a perfect example. They are both trying to out-scream the other.

Today as I set out Syd's birthday presents she knew they were for her and it was her birthday. She was really excited and had a hard time waiting until her "party" started. I think we've finally convinced her she's 2 not 3. I guess she's heard Aubree say she's 3 for so long that Syd thinks she's 3 too.

Before we opened presents we went to a local pumpkin patch and had dinner and games for the kids. It was fun even though it was a bit chilly. Here's the cousins that were together.

I love my little Sydney and feel lucky to be her mom. She brings me so much happiness. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the opportunity I have to raise her. I love her so much and can't give her enough kisses and hugs.

A Daddy of Girls

2008-10-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Scott is quick to say he wants to have a boy but I know he would never trade his little girls for anything. Especially when they shower him with love and kisses. I am excited every night when he gets home but my enthusiasm isn't quite the same as Aubree and Sydney's.

Their eyes get big and they run to the door shouting Daddy, Daddy! They can't wait to give him a big hug and tell them they missed him.

A few Sundays ago Scott was trying to take a nap and the girls just couldn't stand to see him all alone with nothing to snuggle while he slept. They dug through their toys and found a few things to help him sleep. I just couldn't help taking a picture. He's such a good dad and puts up with a lot from all the girls in the house and he's just so cute here.

Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland

2008-09-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

I'm am soooo far behind on blogging, I just don't even know where to start. Scott and I just got back from a trip (for me) and ICMA conference (for Scott). I thought I could just blog each night when I got in but I didn't take into account that I would be too tired to do anything but fall into bed each night.

This is the time Scott and I try and get away just the two of us each year. It's great to be together but a little hard for me to leave the girls. The night we were taking the girls to my brother and sister-in-law's house was a little teary for me which in turn ended up being teary for Aubree as well. She tried not to cry but she was a little sad.

It was absolutely wonderful of Michael and Stacie to watch our girls for an entire week. That is a long time to watch someone else's kids but they were kind enough to do it. Eventually we'll take our turn and watch their girls for a week.

The trip out was pretty non-eventful. Scott was pumped they had individual screens for each

seat and satellite tv you could get while in the air. He watched football while I read my book. We flew into Washington D.C. and then rented a car to get to Richmond, Virginia. It was about and hour and a half drive from the airport.

Over the past year we have gotten to know some of the other local city manager's wife's so there were a few people I knew that I could hang out with while Scott was in meetings. We had 7 of us for Monday and 6 for Tuesday's events.

These are the other girls that I hang out with: Annette Hanson, Aimee Davis, Julie Hillman, Kathy Davis, Jennifer Trainer, Jen Dixon (I'm not there because I'm taking the picture.)

We rented a car and they gave us a 7 passenger SUV so it worked out perfectly during the day to get around. We started Monday morning with Mount Vernon. It was beautiful and so historical. I learned a lot about George Washington and was reminded of how the Lord was so aware of the needs of our new country as well as the preparation of the leaders.

I took my old camera for several reasons. Most of the time I was happy I just had a small camera but I can see such a difference in the quality. What can ya do?

Here I am standing in front of Mt. Vernon waiting for our tour.

Both of these views are taken from the back of the plantation. When the house was first built this was the front. The view of the Potomac River was amazing.

We had a few extra minutes and decided to drive into D.C. to see a few things. I was a little nervous because I was the driver but things went pretty well. We didn't have any accidents and only made a few wrong turns. I was proud of myself for doing fairly well.

Here's a couple shots of the Jefferson Memorial. Believe it or not I learned more about Thomas Jefferson a few years ago while teaching 2nd grade in Afton, Wyoming. I taught a little unit on him and learned more than in any history class I ever took.

I am standing on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial and this is the view. You can see the Washington Monument and the White house is to the left.

On Tuesday we went to Colonial Williamsburg. It was fun but to me it seemed more commercialized than Mt. Vernon or anything else we did. It seemed like they were just trying to make a buck. I guess I fell for it.

Here I am being punished for swiping the credit card one too many times.

We had dinner in Williamsburg that we suppose to be in the time period. This is Scott and I waiting to be seated in the tavern. There was a group of 20 of us so it was fun to be with a big group of people we knew. (That's about the biggest smile Scott has in any of the pictures. You'll notice as the trip goes on the smiles look more like he's fired-up instead of having a great time.)

After dinner we took a ghost tour of Williamsburg where they tell you stories in some of the homes. It's dark and a little spooky but I think I was the only person to actually physically jump during a couple part of one of the stories. It was a little embarrassing but I can't help it if I'm a little jumpy.

On Wednesday, I got up and went to the final meeting with Scott and then we had to return our rental car and get to Scott's sister, Stephanie's house in Odenton, Maryland. It was a beautiful drive back to D.C. The trees and foliage were amazing. I often forget I live in a desert.

After returning the car we rode the Metro to the final stop and Stephanie came and picked us up. She only lives about 20 minutes from the last stop. I had no idea she lived so close. We got to see her house for the first time and spend some fun time with them. She was an amazing host and fed us really well.

On Thursday, we went back to D.C. and walked and looked and walked and looked and walked and looked. We were exhausted by the end of the day but it just amazed me at the amount of things to do and see.

We started with the Washington Monument. As I got home and looked at the pictures I took it is in about half of them. It was just so big and just seemed like a symbol or our freedom and country. I was really enthralled with it.

The weather was really cloudy and a bit drizzly to begin with. By the end of the day it was raining and we were quite a sight to look at.

Earlier in the week I remember I had a room-mate at BYU that had moved to Virginia and was working in Washington D.C. I emailed her, hoping I had a current email, wanting to get together for lunch or something. Wednesday night she called and said we was still there and she could meet us for lunch on Thursday.

It was so fun to see Yan. She is just the same as she was 9 years ago. She works about half a block from the White House and spent an enjoyable lunch together remembering the 'good ol' days.' We laughed about her taunting Earl as we played Rook because her and Scott were beating Earl and I. Those were good times.

Anyway, here's a couple pictures of us with Yan.

We walked Yan back to work and then walked down to the White House. We didn't take a tour of it...I don't even know if they still do that but this is about as close as we got. They kept having different motorcades all day because of the big meeting with the President and Presidential Nominees discussing the economy.....I think.

After this we went back and finished the Holocaust Museum. That was an amazing experience and very hard to see. It continues to amaze me that this happened in such recent history.

We then hopped on the metro and went to the Arlington Cemetery. We were able to see the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier and see JFK's place of burial. The weather of the day really suited most of the things we did.

After Arlington we walked back to the Lincoln Memorial. I really wanted to see this at night with the lights. I would definitely recommend seeing in at night. It was amazing. It may have been even better without the rain.

I just have to laugh at something. I guess this is how I'll find out if Scott actually reads this or just skims over it. I realized why I am the one to take pictures in our house. My dear Scott couldn't quite figure out how to zoom in and out. Every time he took a picture of me he had to scoot waaaay back to get everything in the photo. You'll notice this in the above picture.

I thought this picture turned out pretty cool of the Lincoln Memorial. Like I said earlier, it was amazing at night.

As we walked back to catch the metro we walked past the World War II Memorial with, or course, the Washington Monument in the background.

This was my favorite photo of the trip. This was when I wanted my nicer camera but it still turned out pretty cool. If you look down in the left hand corner of the picture there is a guy all fired up leaning against a little wall. That is Scott trying to be patient but not doing a very good job at it. I tried to get him to take a picture of me in the foreground of this setting but it didn't turn out....

We were so busy we didn't take time for dinner. When we got back to Travis and Stephanie's house she had homemade chicken noodle soup and bread for us. It was heavenly after walking in the rain and cold for a couple of hours. No Marriott gives that kind of service.

On Friday we went the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. We were able to see them printing a whole ton of money. Then we saw the National Archives. That was interesting to see many documents that our government is based on today. We ended with the spy museum.

We got back to Travis and Stephanie's by 6 pm because she had invited over a few cousins that live in the area and we had a little party. It was fun to see Nathan and Alisa as well as Brady and Christy. Once again the food was wonderful and it felt really good to be able to sit down and relax for a few hours. Stephanie was an amazing hostess. I can't wait to visit again sometime.

We got up early Saturday morning and flew stand-by all the way home to get there a little earlier. We got lucky and got home by mid-afternoon but our luggage didn't make it until 3 am Sunday morning. I was a little concerned about what my appearance might have been without my make-up, flat iron and blow dryer. Luckily it arrived so I was able to get ready for church without too many kinks.

Preschool

2008-09-10T19:17:00.001-07:00

A few moms and I have decided to do an at-home preschool for our kids. Aubree is soooo excited to start school. She was a little disappointed when she didn't get to ride the bus but quickly got over that.

I was the first teacher this week and it was.....interesting. Sometimes you forget little kids don't even know how to make a line and stand in it. It's going to be a great learning experience for all of us.

I am excited to have Aubree doing something productive for a couple of hours each week and the price is definitely right. Hopefully I can use that time to clean house....

Aubree has been very proud of her apple tree project and has carried it around all day, in fact I think it may be taped on the front window for all to see. I can't believe she's getting old enough for this stuff.

The things I admit to.....

2008-09-09T20:57:00.000-07:00

So.....This may be a "you had to be there moment" but I'll share my embarrassment with anyone looking for a small laugh.

Scott and I have recently joined Crossroads Fitness Center. In the beginning they do a program with you where they set you up with a personal trainer, get all your beginning benchmarks (weight, measurements, % body fat etc...), and they set you up with a program.

I had my first appointment today. It just happened to be with a guy which isn't my first choice but I just want to get a program and get going with this whole thing. After the dreaded scale we went back to his office....a closed off little room in one of the corners of the gym.

This trainer told me we needed to get my measurements and we'd start with my waist. I was thinking...Oh great, if getting weighed isn't bad enough now he's measuring me. He then said he needed to find my belly button (not the easiest thing to find these days). Well, I wasn't sure what exactly he meant by he needed my belly button so I asked if I needed to take my shirt off? Yes, I know, what was I thinking that was a really dumb question. He proceeded to tell me I could just point at it through my shirt. A few minutes later he said, "By the way, we keep all our clothes on in here." I was a little embarrassed by the whole thing but tried to keep it really low key and cool. So now that's it's over I can be embarrassed that I suggested taking my shirt off in this guy's little office.

Dancing Queen

2008-08-29T22:33:00.000-07:00

Aubree started her first dance lessons this week. She has been really excited but nervous at the same time. I found myself probably more nervous than she was. We got her dressed and I think we could have ended there and she would have been happy. As we loaded in the car I asked her if she thought we should have a prayer so she could have help from Jesus. She consented and I said a quick prayer for both of our nerves.

Before going she kept asking if I could be there with her. I told her I would be there but I would just be watching. I told her that her teacher would tell her everything she needed to do. I seriously had butterflies. As a Mom you just want to see your child succeed. It's hard to see them struggle even though it's part of life and I really think it's important that they do work through some struggles.

Anyway, she went right in and loved every second of the class. She did tumbling for the first 30 minutes and then ballet for the 2nd 30 minutes. There are 3 girls in her class and they had so much fun. When we were on our way home she said that she didn't need that prayer because it was "Incredible". I tried to tell her that Jesus helped her but she wasn't having it. I guess the prayer was more for myself.

Aubree asked if she could go again some day. She was thrilled when she found out she gets to go EVERY Tuesday. She's my cute little dancer and I'm so proud of her for being brave.

Quick Trip to Bear Lake

2008-08-25T21:29:00.001-07:00

One more quick trip with way too many pictures is what happened last week-end. All summer I wanted to get to Bear Lake because I knew Aubree would just love it. We went up Friday and came home Saturday so it was really quick. We met up with Michael and Stacie for dinner and then they came back and had a campfire with us. Aubree was glad to have Abby's company. Syd and Rachel tried to be like the big girls but mostly just got dirty.

Of coarse I brought my camera and just kept taking pictures. I really need to stop. I don't know what I'll ever do with all these pictures. It's almost becoming an addiction.....It's just hard to stop when my girls are so cute and I love learning what works and doesn't work in photography. I do love the reflection in the top picture.

Even though Syd didn't sleep the greatest she still woke up pretty happy and ready for another day on the beach. Aubree didn't want to go back to our old house she prefers the tent.

Again, this wasn't Scott's first choice of a week-end, it was a little cold and the girls both came down with colds but I had a good time. I really love any time we can spend together as a family.

Merry Christmas to Me!

2008-08-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

Scott told me the other day that BYU's opening game is like Christmas for him. That sacred day just happens to be next Saturday. Knowing this helped me decide to do a little Christmas shopping for myself.

I've have decided to buy a piano. After looking at a few in a lower price range I realized I wasn't going to get something very nice for just a couple hundred bucks. Thankfully I have "my stimulus" money from the government. When we found out we were getting that money Scott was negotiating his trip to Seattle (the 2nd one in 3 weeks) to watch BYU play. He found a way by saying we could split the money we got from the Economic Stimulus and neither of us could ask questions as to how we spent our portion. Basically it was our own "play" money.

Needless to say, Scott's going to Washington and I have a piano. My piano was a little more than my portion of the money so it is also our Christmas presents to each other. It is a used piano and a little older but so far I really like it. Now Scott and I don't have to come up with ideas of what we want for Christmas. It's a win-win situation.

The one down thing when I saw it was the absolutely hideous bench. It was all smashed down upholstered with an olive green and orange nasty fabric. It was hard to look past but I figured I could reupholster it. I didn't want to bring it in the house until I was ready to rip off the old and put on the new.

When I went to get fabric I was going to get a plain black that I could wipe off easily but then I saw this fabric just couldn't pass it up. I figure if it gets dirty I'll just redo it again. The one down side is the cushion I had is just a little tall. I didn't realize it until it was all finished. Oh well.

The first night we had the piano we had a concert. Everyone got their own turn to sit and play while everyone else listened. The girls were so excited about it. I'm sure once they actually take lessons and have to practice they won't be quite as excited.

I hope to begin playing a little more. I have never been great but I would love to learn a few hymns and play a few primary songs. So, in my spare time I'll try and practice......

Darrington Reunion 2008

2008-08-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

Where do I start? We've been gone for the past week enjoying the Darrington Reunion. We were at Ensign Ranch near Seattle, Washington. It was so beautiful and I can't say enough about the magnificent weather. It was so nice to be outside enjoying the sun but not sweating our brains out.

Part of the reason I really enjoy this reunion is because Aubree and Sydney get a chance to spend quality time with their cousins on the Darrington side. They get plenty of time with the Stevens' cousins but the Darringtons are too spread out to get together very often.

Some of the highlights for me were:

1 - Going down the giant slip-n-slide - As Spence put it "It was a little ghetto-ish", however it really was a blast. The best thing I can compare it to is going sledding in the summer. There was a huge plastic tarp covering a hill and you got on a tube and sailed down. We had so much fun being "brave" as we attempted different tricks. After watching us on the video it doesn't look near as fun or exciting as it really was. I felt like a kid again.

2 - Being dumped on our canoe ride - Scott and I thought it would be fun to go out canoeing on the little lake. We decided to take the girls thinking they would enjoy it also. Well, we didn't even get off the dock before Syd and I went into the drink. Luckily I was already wet from the slip-n-slide and the water at that point was only a couple of feet. The scary part was looking up and seeing Sydney face down in the water. Needless to say she was very still the rest of the ride. It was a fun little ride.

3 - Watching the girls excitement as they got to ride horses aka "neighs" - They had horse led rides that the girls got to enjoy. I was proud of little Syd who bravely sat on the horse and walked around.

4 - Eating yummy food - I always know if the Darringtons are cooking it's going to be good. This time was no different. If only I could have had a little more pulled pork. It was all delicious.

5 - Hanging out in the late evening with the adults - As with every get together there are so many kids running around sometimes it's hard to have a conversation with others because of the attention the kids need. It's great once they are all in bed and we can sit and laugh with each other.

6 - The Darrington Olympics - It was fun watching the kids compete in different races. The adults even participated a little but the kids did most of the running. Melissa really worked on getting them tired. The dads carrying all of their children had to be the funniest. Scott only had to carry Aubree since Sydney was taking a nap. Watching Rob trying to carry 3 and Spencer carry 4 was pretty funny.

7 - Taking a gazillion pictures - Yes, this is a big shock but I took sooo many pictures. It was fun and I really enjoy it so everyone had to suffer through a few photo shoots. My family just happened to be the hardest of all. Aubree was fired up we took her from a movie with her cousins. We couldn't get her to smile for anything. Maybe next time. My goal was to get a cute close up of each of the kids. I remembered the last night that I didn't think I had one of Kendall so I grabbed her Thursday morning and we took a few. After we got home I realized I forgot Aubree. We still need to take one of her and pretend it was at the reunion. Oops.

8 - Traveling to and from the reunion - This may seem weird that spending approximately 25 hours in the car is enjoyable but I really do like it. Yes, it has its moments but overall I like it. It's one of the few times I have Scott's attention all to myself. We talk and talk and talk about anything and everything. We also got to stop in Boise on the way and eat dinner with the Harwoods. It was fun to see them and their cute new house. I really like Jessica's style and always see new ideas in her house. We spent the night with Philip and Karen and their kids. Thanks to Evan for giving us his room for the night.

Then we went to Richland and spent Sunday with Kim and Dave. Hopefully Dave will let us come again after Syd moved Dave's Star Wars toys. Sorry, Dave. Then we went to the reunion on Monday.

On the way home we decided the 12 hours wasn't long enough so we took the scenic route home and went through Spokane, the Idaho Pan Handle, Montana and then down. It really was beautiful and we made it all in one day. It was 14 hours in the car. We pulled in about 2:45 am and fell into bed. The extra couple of hours were worth it because it was so beautiful.

There were other fun moments but I stopped writing for few minutes and my mind is blank so I guess it's time to end this post. It was a fun little getaway and I can't wait to do it again in 2 years. Hopefully we can do it in conjunction with Scott's parents coming home from their mission. We were sad they had to miss this one but glad they are serving the Lord.

Over Again

2008-08-07T20:35:00.000-07:00

Church Softball is over again. Scott had his final game last Thursday. As we were talking about it on the way home he said he didn't feel the same passion he once had for the game.

I actually enjoy going to the games more than I have ever enjoyed it. Part of the reason is the girls can play on the playground while I sit in the shade, relax, watch the game and chat with other ladies. It just seems like a summer activity that I've leaned to enjoy.

Every picture I tried to take of Scott hitting the ball turned out a bit blurry so I'll post this one of him on first base (insert your own first base joke here) waiting to run.

Every once in awhile Aub and Syd would sit on the bleachers and cheer for their dad instead of playing on the playground.

Once Upon a Time....

2008-08-05T20:32:00.001-07:00

Once upon a time I went to Ricks College. Looking back at those days they were so carefree and probably the funnest (is that a word) time of my life. We partied and played EVERY day! It's easy now to forget how life was until you meet up with those you shared that time with. The following picture are my roommates for the 94-95 school year. I am on the bottom right (notice my hair isn't quite as big).

The coolest thing about our apartment was we had the shortest girl Loralee (4'10") and the tallest girl, Krissy (6'2"). If you notice the following picture everyone in the back row is standing on the floor.

After graduating from Ricks Alice came back with me to Morgan for the summer to work and hang out just a little more. We were planning on missions before finishing up our bachelor's degrees. We continued to do dumb stuff like dress up in my mom's old clothes. It didn't matter what we did we had fun doing it.

Before we all left on missions we took one last hurrah and went to Disneyland together. It was Me, Krissy, Alice and Lol. We had so much fun and it was my first plane ride. We went in October 1995.

I haven't seen Alice since 2002 when I went to her home in Mesa. Every once in awhile the rest of us get together and it is always so much fun but it was especially fun yesterday.

We had SOOOOO much fun talking and laughing about the good 'ol days. I have to admit it is a bit tough to talk when there are 10 kids between us but we managed to catch up. This picture is all but one child and myself. CRAZY!

The best thing yesterday had to be watching "The Roommate Video" that Alice and I put together at the end of our Sophomore year. We were so proud of the video and as we watched it we were still proud of the technology we used in 1995. We didn't actually finish the video because we had to pause on every picture and figure out who everybody was in the picture. We also realized as we watched it that we had about 50 pictures of the same date scattered throughout. We were laughing so hard as our kids were looking at us wondering what had gotten into their moms.

Loralee just cracked me up in this picture. I was trying to get a cute picture of her and Alice talking but Lol was so animated in her story that every picture she is pulling some new face.

We ended up spending the whole day together. It was so fun to see Lol and Alice. We actually got a picture of the 3 of us. I think we may look better now than 14 years ago.

Family Camp Out

2008-08-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

One of my fondest memories during the summer growing up was camping as a family. It seems we were gone somewhere every week-end. My parents had a membership to Camperworld, which are campgrounds but they usually have grass, bathrooms, showers, swimming pools, etc. One thing about it, we didn't have to work. If we stayed home we had to work so we were all about getting away. The campground we went to the most was in Coalville.

Each year in October during General Conference we still go up there with a bunch of relatives and watch conference together. The pool is always closed by that time of year and I wanted to take my little family up during the summer to enjoy what I used to enjoy.

Scott promised me one week-end (Friday-Saturday) that I could plan and choose what to do. Our week-ends have filled up so fast that it's crazy to find one open. Since the Rowley Reunion was only an afternoon/evening thing that freed up last Friday and Saturday.
I packed everything up and was pretty much ready to go after Scott got in his promised golf game. The girls were so excited to have another new house. On our trip to Mt. Rushmore Aubree was excited to see our new house every night.

The girls could hardly contain themselves once the tent was up. They just wanted to play house. Everyone laughs at our huge 10 man tent when it comes to putting up tents. Not that it's hard to put up, it's just that it's so big. We love having all the space.

Thanks to Marcus we have a tent. I don't think Scott would ever buy a tent for the 1 or 2 times a year we use it but I love having it. Marcus gave it to us probably about 8 years ago for Christmas. It was the year he got his new job and bought everyone nice Christmas presents. Thanks Marcus! We are still using it.
Anyway, we then went swimming and it felt sooooo good. The girls loved it. Aubree even put her head under (not by her choice, but by Scott's choice). She wasn't real excited about that but on the way home she said. "Mom, I have a good idea. I can go under again and close my eyes this time." I asked if she hadn't been closing her eyes before and she said no. I guess that explains the blood shot eyes she had the entire time we were there.

Syd had so many life saving devices on while swimming that she could barely breathe. They required a life jacket for 3 and under because there is no lifeguard on duty. She was also in her little baby tube. She couldn't move at all.
This picture was an exciting 2 man game of Duck Duck Goose. You just never know who's going to picked to run with 2 people. The girls loved it anyway.

Later we roasted hot dogs and suffered though a meltdown by Aubree who was exhausted. We tried to put both girls down to bed but then neither of them were tired enough to actually go to bed so they came back out and sat around the campfire with Scotty and I.
It was a little cold and I thought the whole family might end up sleeping on the air mattress with Scott and I but we only had one kid in bed with us at a time. I guess that's a success. We got up and played on the toys and walked around in the morning and the packed up and headed back home.

It was a fun 24 hour trip and I want to do it again next year. We can only hope we have a newborn and can't do fun things like next year that but we learned long ago not to hold our breath on that one.

The Rowley Reunion 2008

2008-07-29T21:37:00.001-07:00

The annual summer Rowley Reunion was on the 24th. Usually we do an overnight thing but with Grandpa's health conditions he wouldn't be able to attend unless it was at their house. We're all thinking it's probably his last reunion.....It's still hard for me to see Grandpa the way he is now. He's not the same Grandpa I grew up with.

It was fun to catch up with everyone and it wouldn't be a family reunion without tons of food. I couldn't believe all the goodies. It made me sick to look at but that didn't stop me from helping myself to a few little treats.

Before the reunion we went to lunch and took the girls mini golfing at Trafalga. We were the only ones on the outside course so luckily nobody was mad about the girls doing "their" own thing most of the time. I only beat Scott on a couple of holes and I don't even know what my final score was. I just know Scott beat me.
We thought about going to Squaw Peak in remembrance of the first time Scott and I went there together. That's where Scott first brought up the idea of marriage. I didn't realize at the time that would be the most romantic he'd get. We didn't really have time so we'll have to live that memory another time.

Warning: BIG hair alert!!!

2008-07-27T21:25:00.000-07:00

I know this is just headed for disaster by posting these pictures to go along with my little outing but here's a little self humiliation.

Last week I was able to attend a 50th birthday party for my high school volleyball coach. She is an amazing coach and as I look back I feel she really made a big impact on my life. Some of the things which I continue to enjoy today (volleyball) can be attributed to the time and effort she put into teaching me.

I was never the star of the team at Morgan High just a solid player that really enjoyed the sport. I don't think I would even come close to making Morgan High's volleball team now days but back in the day they let people like me play (even with the big hair).

Looking at the pictures you would think that hair of mine would have been an advantage when it came to blocking. I'm surprised anybody could get the ball past that big hair of mine. Anyway, I had to put a picture of Coach Wiscombe here. This was my Senior Year, so this picture was taken in 1992. Can you figure out which big haired girl I am? That picture is not close enough to get the real effect of the hair. I was number 2 on the top left hand of the picture. My best friend and I both played. We did everything together. Melia and I then went to Ricks College together. She got married after our first year and left me high and dry. I did manage to have some fun without her around.

This is the 2 of us together.

And one last picture for anyone that can't imagine me actually playing volleyball. Here's the proof. I am the one trying to hit the ball, which you can't see, so who knows if I actually hit it. Looking at the gym, it looks like we are playing in Manti. I can't believe it looks that familiar to me but I'm pretty sure that's where it was.

One last comment about my "glory" days. I don't think I have a single picture where my mouth isn't wide open like that. It just automatically opened when I jumped.

Where Now?

2008-07-22T20:59:00.001-07:00

Today was one of those days that I just couldn't be home any longer. I tried to look through the Sunday Ads (even though it's Tuesday) to get an idea of something I needed to buy. I couldn't come up with anything. Scott wasn't going to be home until after 7 pm and I just couldn't sit at home.

I finally decided we would head to Weber State to walk around the duck pond. After gathering our crusty bread we were on our way. It was extremely hot and there wasn't much shade but we quickly made friends with the ducks.

It did make Aubree nervous that there were a couple following us. She wasn't about to sit and relax when there was a duck right there quacking for food.

I was able to find the one shady spot and take a few pictures. One day these girls will thank me for taking a new picture of them every day of their life......maybe.

On the way home we stopped at McDonalds for ice cream and my dreams came true. Scott called said he was home and it was only a few minutes after 7. YEA!!!

Ewww!

2008-07-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

So.....the other day Aubree ran to the backyard to grab something. When she returned to the front yard (we hang out in the front yard because there's more shade) she told me she saw a rat. Of course I didn't believe her but I asked her a few questions about it. Things like, was it a Ratatouille rat, did you look at it's eyes, did it have a tail.

I was trying to figure out if she really saw something. Our new neighbor, Brooke, was out with us too and I didn't want her to think we had rats so I was trying to brush off Aubree's comments. We don't want the neighbors to think we have rats.

A few days later I looked outside and this is what I saw! I know it's just a squirrel but it's hair was spiking and he had beady eyes and it just kinda sicked me out. (This is the best shot I got because I wasn't about to go out and have a photo shoot with the little guy. I really need to clean my window.)

I opened the door just a titch to see if it would run and where it would run. It ran under my back step. There's a little area that I think he thinks is his new home. Later the same day I went outside and the next thing I knew I heard some quick scurrying and the little rodent ran past me. That's when I realized I'm afraid I'm going to step on him with my bare feet or he will run over my feet YUCK!

Scott thinks I'm a little silly but I really don't want a squirrel living under my step. I tried calling Truly Nolan (the little bug car) but they told me they don't do anything with squirrels. He gave me some wildlife guy to call. I did and left a message but haven't heard back.

I haven't seen him today but maybe that's because yesterday we may have scared him with all the kids we had running around. If anyone has suggestions on getting rid of spiky haired squirrels please let me know.

Pictures with Aub

2008-07-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

Poor Aubree has to live with me and all my crazy ideas. The other day I was trying to take some cute pictures of her. That's about impossible. She can handle about 1 picture and then she's done.
Aubree is actually trying to hide from me here.

I had one picture that turned out somewhat decent. I did have a few that showed her true feelings about the day.
Since I'm writing about Aubree I'll share this little story.

Aubree is always saying things to me like, "When you're my age, Mom, you can do this." I don't know where she came up with the "my age" business but she seems to understand the correct context of the phrase. So, this was one of our conversations that made me chuckle.

Aubree: Mom, will you pretend you are my age?

Becky: Sure.....

Becky (being Aubree's age): Mommmm, come wipe my bottom.
(We have been trying to get Aubree to wipe herself instead of us wiping her after she goes #2.)

Aubree (being Becky's age): No! You can do it yourself.

After this little conversation I realized she really does listen to what I say she just doesn't always do what I say.

A Little Bit of Heaven

2008-07-16T21:03:00.001-07:00

So, my favorite breakfast cereals are Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds or Peaches and Frosted Mini Wheats. I'm really weird when I eat the Frosted Mini Wheats and it frustrates me that I have to be so picky.

Before I will eat a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats I make sure that each mini wheat is turned so the frosting is up. If any of them are upside down I manually turn them over. I just can't eat them upside down. I have to let the milk sit a but so it soaks up into each bite. I'm not like that with any other cereal. It's so bad I can't even pour some for my girls without turning all of theirs the right way too. They taste so much better if the frosting has not dissolved into the milk. Now that's way too much information about me and my breakfast habits.

Lately every morning as I am eating my cereal, right side up of coarse, I wish I had made up some of my Mother-in-Law's fabulous granola. It so soft and delicious that after eating it one time at her house I knew I needed the recipe. Thank-you mom for sharing it with me and now I will post it for anyone else interested in the best granola you have ever tasted.

Granola
6 cups oats
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 TBSP sesame seeds
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup powdered milk
1 cup dates, raisins or craisins (I usually add craisins, but Scott doesn't like them and I didn't have any today so it went without)
I also added some almonds that I had on hand

Sauce:
1 cup vegetable oil
1 TBSP salt
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp maple flavor

Mix the first seven ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the sauce ingredients in a separate bowl and pour over the dry ingredients. Stir until well coated and pour on a baking sheet. Bake at 250 degrees for 30 minutes. Stir once while baking.

American Idol Here We Come

2008-07-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

Last night we were able to attend the American Idol concert in Salt Lake City. I loved it. It was a lot of fun to be a part of. It was great to see the "Idols" as I watched the show faithfully and was able to watch their progression.

My favorite song of the night was "Let it Be" performed by Brooke White. I downloaded her studio version while it was available from itunes. I could sit and listen to her all night. I love her voice and the talent she has with musical instruments keeps me in awe.

I also really enjoyed Michael Johns perfromance of "We Will Rock You/We are the Champions". He is very talented and it was just exciting to see him. I was rooting for him from the beginning.

The noise when David Archuleta was performing was AMAZING. He has a fabulous voice and I enjoyed all of her performances also. I do wish he sang "Imagine". Oh, well. The best part of his performances were the 10 year old girls sitting near us. I thought they might be crying they were so excited. They couldn't hear him singing because they were too busy screaming in a giddy sort of way. They gave us quite a performance themselves.

David Cook pretty much thought he was "all that" as he rocked out. Needless to say he hadn't changed since the show.

I'm ready to go again next year.

Sundays

2008-07-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon/evenings around here and so peaceful and carefree. Usually we go to Morgan to visit my parents. Sometimes it's just us and sometimes Ann or Michael's family join us.

We eat dinner together and then just play with Aubree and Sydney and relax. Occasionally we get in a game. Grandma knows if Aubree sees the rest of us playing she can't leave before playing a game of "Cookie Cookie". (I loved that game when I was little and you can bet it's the same exact game I used to play.)

The girls also love to go and see the buffalo, horses, chickens, sheep and whatever other animals are out in the fields. It's a great way to spend our Sunday evenings.

Our Trip to Mt. Rushmore

2008-07-14T09:27:00.000-07:00

The following is an entry copies from Scott's blog www.scogg.blogspot.com . He has vowed never to add any photo's to his blog so the photo's added have been added by myself. Just a warning this is really long but it is well written and I enjoyed reading it. (Maybe that's because I lived it.) Good luck with the longest blog entry or your life.

What you are about to read is the longest blog post I’ve ever written. This is your warning to get out while you can. You might want to go to the bathroom or eat a meal before you start reading. If you make it to the end there is a special treat for you.

This is a basic travel log of our vacation this past week. This post may or may not hold any interest to any of you, but once again this entry is for journal purposes. Unfortunately for you I will not have any pictures accompanying this entry. It would break my long standing rule of actually attaching a picture to any of my posts. Therefore if you want to see actual pictures of the trip go to Becky’s blog at http://www.thedarringtonhappenings.blogspot.com/ (WARNING! Becky is not near as good as I am at updating her blog, therefore you might not have the desired results. Give her a year or two and I’m sure she’ll update it).

You’ll probably get more backstory than you would ever want and I’ll apologize to those readers that aren’t family since most of what is written in this blog is family related and most snide comments are inside jokes that family members may or may not get.

But let’s get it started! This was the Darrington Family trip to Mt. Rushmore starting on Monday, June 30th- Saturday, July 5th. This trip was planned well in advance and we even invited Becky’s parents to join us. They were brave enough to actually accept our invitation. I’m sure they thought this was going to be a nice peaceful trip, a great bonding time with their kids and grandkids. They didn’t realize that they were going to see a side of our kids that they had previously never seen before.

Monday, June 30th

7:30 a.m. I wake up to the sound of someone weed eating right outside my bedroom window. I swear they were 2 feet from my window. They were actually across the street, but it was quite clear that I wouldn’t be getting any further sleep.

The plan is to get on the road by noon. We packed somewhat the night before. (What’s the official rule on packing on a Sunday? If I could only remember the words to that Primary song….”Saturday is a special day….” OK, I just ran through the whole song in my head. Nothing about packing for vacation and I didn’t have to shine my shoes so I guess we’re legal.)

8:00 a.m. Phone call wakes up Becky. It’s her sister Ann. They have some sort of ritual of talking 6 times a day on the phone. I’m just glad I’m not home for most of them.

8:30 a.m. I head into the office to “take care of some last minute items.” I learned this one from my Dad. Whenever we went on family vacation Dad would head to the office to “take care of some last minute items.” Which meant that Mom and the kids would have to take care of the packing up the van so Dad could come right home, hop in the car, and take off for vacation. It’s quite ingenious so I’ve chosen to implement that into my family vacation routine. Becky is none the wiser until she reads this blog post.

On the way into work one of the best one hit wonders of all-time comes on the radio. “Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco. Falco had some other song that came out that had medium success but I can’t remember what it was. Just a second. Checking Wikipedia…. The only other “hit” was “Vienna Calling”. Of which I don’t remember a thing about it. I guess he was truly a one-hit wonder. Did you know that Falco died in 1998 in a car wreck in the Dominican Republic? The things you learn in this blog.

The next song is “Winds of Change” by the Scorpions. I’m feeling it already. It’s going to be a good day.

10:15 a.m. I figure Becky should have the van packed by now so I decide to head home. I stop at the ATM to get $300. I’m hoping this is enough gas money to get us the 20 miles to Morgan to pick up Becky’s parents.

10:20 a.m. I stop to get a haircut just in case Becky isn’t exactly ready for us to leave. “Jump” from Van Halen is playing on the radio. The hits just keep on coming. This song reminds me of many nights staying up late watching “Night Tracks” on TBS or “Friday Night Videos” on NBC. The newness of the music video. What a milestone in the formative years of my life.

As I’m getting my haircut the stylist (I’m not sure what to call her. She’s not really styling my hair.) strikes up a conversation. I’m not the biggest conversation guy when getting my haircut, but she keeps pushing. She asks if I’ve seen any good movies lately. I tell her I don’t go to movies anymore because I have two kids that have essentially ended any sort of entertainment in my life. She brings up Indiana Jones IV. This movie I have seen. We have a mini-bonding moment.

The moment ends when I start talking about the first three Indiana Jones movies. She informs me that she hasn’t seen them. I ask her when she was born. She says 1988. Therefore she would have been 1 year old when Indy Jones III came out. I’m just getting old. How can I relate to a generation that wasn’t even born when the original Indiana Jones or Star Wars trilogies came out? These were important parts of my life. How am I ever going to be able to go back to Great Clips again to have my hair styled?

11:30 a.m. We’re on the road! First stop: Morgan, Utah to pick up the in-laws (insert in-law joke here). I’ll refrain from any in-law jokes since mom-in-law will stumble across this post and since I like my in-laws. The question is whether they’ll like me after this trip.

12:30 p.m. We’re now at full strength. We’ve got Aubree and Sydney in the very back, Mom and Dad Stevens in the middle seats and Becky and I up front. Time to leave Morgan. Knowing Becky’s parents they’ll be asleep in five minutes.

4:00 p.m. We cruise into Star Valley, Wyoming. Here’s the backstory: In July of 2000 I accepted a job as the Town Administrator of Afton, Wyoming. We lived there sans kids for three years. Afton is a wonderful place to live and we had a tough time leaving. The summers there are the best. Mild during the day and cool at night.

The winters are about the worst thing south of Alaska. Snow starts in November and is gone by the end of March if you’re lucky. It even snowed in mid-June our first year there.

Star Valley is not an actual city. Star Valley is made up of little residential areas and four incorporated towns: Afton, Thayne, Alpine and Star Valley Ranch. I have an aunt and uncle that live in Thayne so that was our first stop. We had a nice visit with Mike, Marie, Karen, and Alisa who was there with her kids. But more importantly while those in Utah were boiling in 95 degree heat it was an overcast 65 degrees in Thayne. What a lovely start to the trip.

6:00 p.m. We head back to Afton to stay with the Jacksons. Kevin and Bonnie Jackson were our best friends while we lived in Afton. We were next door neighbors and Kevin worked at the city with me. He was the Chief of Police when I left. Now he’s retired and selling real estate, making the big bucks.

It must also be noted that the Jacksons are about 15 years older than us. Three of their four kids were grown up and out of the house. Despite the generation gap we were able to become really good friends. In fact we were closer in age to their kids than to them.

Since we didn’t have any kids at the time we lived in Afton we spent a lot of time at the Jacksons. We played Hearts, Spades, Rook and Settlers of Cataan followed by Cities and Knights. So much so that I can’t play any of these games now because of burn out. Our personal record was 15 straight days of playing Settlers. Which ended in Becky leaving angry a couple of times and a renaming of the game to Settlers of Satan.

Also part of the Jackson repertoire was sitting in their backyard around their fire pit. Simply some of the best times in Afton were sitting around the fire shooting the bull. Along with the requisite entry into fringe Mormon doctrine all started by Kevin. Usually he was just wanting to argue a point whether he actually believed it or not.

Well our return was no exception. We skipped the games, but had a weenie roast around the fire pit. It started to sprinkle so we packed it inside for further conversation. Our conversation was on eternal progression i.e. moving “up” kingdoms after the final judgment day. Needless to say I tried to keep Kevin on the straight and narrow, but he had feelings otherwise. My in-laws began wondering why we would befriend an apostate, but it was for interesting discussion. Nothing was resolved nor should it have been. We reaffirmed our testimonies and then went to bed.

12:30 a.m. Go to bed.

Day 1 Travel Statistics
South Ogden-Afton
Miles traveled: 213
Cities or Towns traveled thru: Utah- Morgan, Woodruff, Randolph Wyoming- Evanston, Cokeville, Thayne
Believe it or not: This trip actually takes you about one mile into Idaho. So technically we traveled in 3 states.

Tuesday, June 1st

8:00 a.m. I think I got up around 8:00 a.m. or so. We took our time getting ready and we were out the door by 9:15 a.m.

9:15 a.m. We stop at the Maverik, gas up, and we’re heading out. Our destination today is undetermined. I pretty much have this trip planned out to the very detail, but this was the one night I didn’t have us a motel room pre-arranged. Our original destination was going to be Cody, Wyoming, but the cheapest motel on-line was $150. We’ll sleep in the car before we shell out that kind of cash. So for today we’re officially winging it.

10:00 a.m. We are driving alongside the Snake River and decide to stop at Lunchcounter. Lunchcounter is a series of rapids on the Snake. I’m not sure why they are named that. Just a second. Checking Wikipedia…..Nothing. I guess they call it Lunchcounter because it “eats your lunch” when you go through it. I’ll submit that to Wikipedia and see if it sticks.

We watch a couple of river runners cruise through it while I’m cheering for somebody to get dumped. I’ve rafted the Snake River one time and that was enough. My wife’s family thinks of the Snake as the holy sanctuary of river rafting. They keep telling me the story of when they got dumped going over Lunchcounter. And they wonder why I’m not excited about going on a river rafting trip with them.

11:10 a.m. We drive through Jackson Hole. Same old tourist trap I’ve always remembered it to be. OK, should I add my Jackson Hole story or not. You twisted my arm. Here you go:

One time when we were traveling back from Ricks to Gillette we were going over Teton Pass leading into Jackson. My younger brother, Marcus, sees a clump of snow in the road. The story he told us then: “I didn’t see the snow clump in time and ran over it revealing that it was a rock and completely blowing out the tire and bending the rim.” The story he tells now that Dad can’t punish him: “I swerved on purpose to hit the snow clump that turned out to be a rock.”

We’re able to get off the road, but we weren’t in a flat enough spot to actually use the jack to change the tire. A couple of us (me included, being the big brother and all, trying to rescue little brother for being an idiot) try to hitchhike down into Jackson. Nobody stops as car after car whizzes by. Finally I step out into the road and flag down the next car. We tell them we need a ride into Jackson. They reluctantly let us in. The back seat has a few empty beer cans rattling around. I can now understand their reluctance.

We get into Jackson and open up the phone book and find a phone number of a local bishop. Local bishop hooks us up with “ward handyman guy” and he brings a heavy duty jack and drives us back up to the car, helps us fix the tire and then brings us back down to his house so we can use his phone (pre-cell phone days). We call home and tell them we’ll be coming in a little later than originally planned and we head out.

I know that “ward handyman guy” will never read this blog. But he deserves a big thanks for helping out some college kids including a knucklehead younger brother.

11:40 a.m. We arrive and drive through Grand Teton National Park. They are majestic. There’s lots of snow still on them. The Tetons lead to this conversation:

Mom-in-law: “Does anyone know why they are named the Tetons?”

Me: (thinking to myself) “Is this a trick question? Does she really know? Is she setting me up to confirm that I’m the uncouth son-in-law I’ve always been?”

Dad-in-law: “No, where did the Tetons get their name?”

Mom-in-law: “Scott, why don’t you tell him.”

Me: *blushing* “Uhh, I think they’re named after (quickly eliminating every slang term I know) female body parts?”

Mom-in-law: (thinking to herself) “I knew Becky should have never married this guy.”

Me: (thinking to myself) “I wonder if I’ll get hurt if I just open the car door and jump out at 65 M.P.H.”

11:55 a.m. We hit the entrance to Yellowstone Park. It costs $25 to enter or in our case $25 to drive through.

12:00 p.m. The $25 fee starts to pay off as we’re driving down the road and see 20 cars pulled off to the side and 50 or so people with cameras out. As we drive by the commotion we see a baby bear just off to the side of the road minding its own business. I guess bear sightings are pretty rare.

We pull off the road, grab our cameras and head back to the bear. When we get there it’s gone. I encourage Becky to go out in the woods to see if she can find it. What the heck, her life insurance is paid up. (I know, that’s a pretty mean thing to say about your wife. She wanted to get a picture pretty bad. I was just encouraging her.)

Alas, we didn’t get any photos of the bear that I wasn’t going to post on my blog anyway. I’m sure we’ll see a jackalope later to make up for it. If you’ve never heard of the famous Wyoming jackalope you can look it up on Wikipedia. I think. Just a second. Checking Wikipedia….. It’s there, but I’m not going to link it because you’ll click on the link as an escape to quit reading this blog and never come back.

1:30 p.m. Thinking we haven’t been ripped off enough for paying $25 to drive 90 miles through Yellowstone, we stop at the Village Grill for lunch. Shockingly it was only $7.25 for a cheeseburger and fries. And they didn’t even charge us for water.

2:15 p.m. We stop by some hot pots just to make us feel better about paying $25 to enter Yellowstone.

3:30 p.m. Finally drive out of Yellowstone. It’s pretty and all, but the speed limit was 45 M.P.H. and even worse people were obeying it.

5:00 p.m. We roll into the wonderful town of Cody, Wyoming. Now, I’ve got a brother-in-law named Cody who is married to Becky’s sister, Ann. Therefore my in-laws have two son-in-laws. Me and Cody. After we spent some time in Cody, my father-in-law called me Cody the whole rest of the trip. I know it’s confusing and all when you mix up people and cities, but who am I to complain. It would have been a lot easier on my father-in-law if we would have been in Scott, Wyoming.

5:15 p.m. Dad-in-law and I (Cody) go to the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum. We rushed through it pretty quick, but it had some cool things. I’m not a big gun guy, but they have one of the largest gun collections in the world here. Not only would it talk about some of the first guns ever invented, but it would have a couple of examples for you to look at.

Overall I was just glad I don’t have another brother-in-law name Buffalo Bill. It would have been too much for dad-in-law to handle.

7:00 p.m. Since we don’t have sleeping arrangements for the night we wander down the road to Powell, Wyoming. Powell is about 5,000 people and even has a junior college. We look for someplace to eat and find the highest quality place in town: A joint KFC/Taco Bell. Life is good.

I load up on the chicken and everyone else settles for tacos. My father-in-law (who’s notorious for being a penny pincher) orders food for himself and mom-in-law. Their total is $2.97. I guess they’re planning on eating the wrappers as well so they can get their money’s worth. My meal alone cost $7.50. I think my in-laws might be ashamed of me.

After eating everyone heads out to the car except for Aubree and I. I borrow a phone book and start calling local motels for the best price. After about 10 minutes the chick at the counter asks me, “Can she have a slushie?” in reference to Aubree sitting next to me. I said “Sure.” Thinking, “What about me?” So they bring Aubree out a free slushie while I sit there like chopped liver.

8:30 p.m. We decide to drive into Lovell, Wyoming (pop. 2,000) and book a room at the Econo Inn. Aubree refers to it as “Our new house”. The girls get in the motel room and they’re totally wired. They are jumping from bed to bed and yelling and shouting. We can’t hardly get them calmed down and it’s time for bed.

10:00 p.m. We’re all lying in bed and Sydney is crying at the top of her lungs. We have six of us all in one room and I’m waiting for the proverbial “knock on the wall” from our next door neighbors.

11:00 p.m. Sydney tires out from all of her crying and we finally fall asleep. Was it a smart idea to cram us all into one motel room? Are we going to be strangling each other by the end of the trip? If I were to skip out in the middle of the night, how far could I make it hitchhiking before anyone wakes up in the morning?

Day 2 Travel Statistics
Afton-Lovell
Miles traveled: 296
Cities or Towns traveled thru: Wyoming- Thayne, Alpine, Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Cody, Powell, Byron, Lovell

Wednesday, July 2nd

8:00 a.m. Wake up time. Rise and shine. Or “Rise and shout” as one of my MTC roommates would say each morning. Stupid Cougar fans.

8:30 a.m. We load up the van and we’re ready for our next adventure. We discover we have a flat tire. We had run over a small nail somewhere along the way. Instead of putting on the spare I run to the service station next door and buy a “Fix-A-Flat” which is this foam stuff that you spray in the tire and allows you to drive it a few miles to the tire repair place.

Lucky for us, Lovell actually has a tire repair place. After fixing the hole and re-inflating the tire, it causes a bubble in the sidewall of the tire. Time to buy a brand new tire. $107 later we have our new tire and we’re on the road.

9:30 a.m. We leave Lovell and head for the Big Horn Mountains.

10:00 a.m. We’ve halfway up the Big Horn’s and we stop at a lookout point. I’ve lived in Wyoming a lot of years and there are two different sides. The (1) beautiful side and the (2) less than beautiful side. So far our whole trip has been through the beautiful side. As we get on the other side of the Big Horns it is about to change.

10:30 a.m. We’ve passed the summit and we’re heading down the backside of the Big Horn’s. We hit some fog and it starts to rain. Our temperature gauge on our van reads the outside temperature as 49 degrees. That’s the lowest temperature we see on the trip. As we drive we see plenty of snow drifts and even see certain areas with a couple feet of snow. I guess Wyoming had a good snow year too.

11:30 a.m. We stop in Sheridan, Wyoming to gas up. This was a crucial part of the trip. We were planning on eating in Gillette, Wyoming for lunch but hadn’t picked out a spot. Mom-in-law suggests that we eat at Godfather’s Pizza. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of that myself. In fact, I was downright disappointed in myself for not coming up with that on my own.

For those not in the “know”, I worked at Godfather’s Pizza in Gillette while growing up. I happen to love their pizza above any and all other pizza combined. They recently closed the one in Ogden which surprised me because I thought I was single-handedly keeping it open.

Godfather’s also has a lunch buffet. I think the buffet closes at 1:30 or 2:00 p.m. If it’s 2:00 p.m. we’re golden. If it’s 1:30 p.m. then it’s going to be close. Sheridan is a little more than 100 miles to Gillette. After I pay for my gas I grab a phone book and look up the number of the Gillette Godfather’s Pizza. It’s 686-7777. Once again I’m disappointed I didn’t remember the number. I know it’s been almost 20 years ago since I’ve lived there, but how can someone forget such an easy phone number that was actually engraved on my heart at one time.

I call Godfather’s and the lunch buffet closes at 1:30 p.m. No more messing around. I grab the family, shove them in the van and we’re out of there.

I didn’t speed the whole trip except for this one exception. It’s all interstate from Sheridan to Gillette and a 75 M.P.H. speed limit. I do a quick calculation in my mind and set the cruise control at 80 M.P.H. Our ETA is 1:15 p.m.

Things go smooth until we hit construction outside of Buffalo, Wyoming. I’m cursing the stupid flat tire we had. That had cost us an hour, $107, and possibly a chance for the Godfather’s buffet. I don’t have to tell you which of those three things bothered me the most. We hit a little slowdown, but we come out OK. We’re still on schedule.

We pull into the Gillette Godfather’s Pizza at exactly 1:15 p.m.

1:15 p.m. I run into the restaurant leaving everybody else in the van. I wasn’t waiting for anybody. I pay for the buffet, grab my plate, load it up, and go sit down and start eating. A couple minutes later the rest of the family walks in.

The restaurant is still how I remember it. I can still remember the memories of making pizzas, doing dishes, and watching some of my teenage colleagues drinking beer out of the tap. How did this place ever keep its beer license? (Sorry, that’s the city manager in me thinking.) It was a well run place, if you count the fact that I worked there over a few months and we had about 5 different managers. I guess the teenagers weren’t the only ones drinking beer out of the tap.

The pizza is as good as ever. After we’re done eating the girls are mulling around the “machines”. You know, the ones where you pay 25 or 50 cents and you control this claw-like-thing that drops down into a load of stuffed animals and NEVER, EVER picks one up. Well my mean, old parents NEVER, EVER let us play these games. And I think I give things to my kids to make up for the depravation I had as a child (sugar cereals, anyone).

One of the “machines” says on it that you are guaranteed to win. It costs 25 cents and it’s chuck full of penny candy. Aubree is begging to play and I feel like being a hero (these moments do wonders for my self esteem) so I pull a quarter out of my pocket and let her play the game. She puts in the quarter, controls the claw-like-thing and comes out with two pieces of candy. Perfect. One for her and one for Sydney. Aubree wants to play again and the hero thing has worn off, it’s time to load up and head to our next stop.

4:00 p.m. Our next stop is Devil’s Tower. If you’re not familiar with Devil’s Tower then you can do one of two things. 1) Rent “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” or 2) Look it up on Wikipedia.

I think Devil’s Tower is kind of cool. I’ve been there numerous times, but it is unique and unless you’ve been to Wikipedia lately, you probably don’t know that it is the first site to be dedicated as a National Monument.

Devil’s Tower has a path at the base of it that is a nice little hike. It’s not nearly long enough to work off 8 pieces of pizza, but it’ll be nice to stretch the legs a little bit. We have a nice leisurely walk until about the last quarter mile. Aubree goes into meltdown mode.

Most people with kids know the different stages of kid’s behavior when things are going their way. Things like a frown, or a whimper, or crying, or stomping of feet, or throwing themselves on the ground, or the dreaded meltdown. Aubree gets absolutely hysterical because, well, who knows why, I mean she’s a female, right. So, just as she starts going crazy we decide it’s time to get out of Dodge.

We pass the bench on the side of the trail that says, “Please take a moment and sit here to enjoy the peacefulness of nature.” A few people are sitting on the bench. Nature isn’t so peaceful at the moment. We head down into the parking lot and get the “everyone is looking at us” feeling because everyone is looking at us. Most people are giving us the “your kids are out of control” or “I would never let my kids act like that” looks. You know the look, I’ve given out quite a few myself over the years. This is just paybacks.

5:30 p.m. People cheer as we leave Devil’s Tower. Our next stop is Spearfish, South Dakota, but we take a route I’ve never traveled before. We head toward Hulett, Wyoming (pop. 500) and then through Alva, Wyoming (pop. 50) and then finally Alladin, Wyoming (pop.15). It’s really pretty country, but you can tell people who live out here don’t want to be found. If I wasn’t addicted to things like TV, restaurants and running water I could live out here too.

6:30 p.m. We arrive in Spearfish and our motel for the night. We’re staying at the Travelodge which was a decent room, but the swim pool was being remodeled. It’s an upgrade (slightly) over the Econo Inn in Lovell.

7:30 p.m. Even though I’m not hungry because of the vast amounts of food we had for lunch, I suggest that we go and get dinner. I’m kind of stupid that way sometimes. The clock says it’s time for dinner while my stomach is begging me to take the rest of the night off.

We drive around Spearfish and settle on going to Perkins. Perkins is a family restaurant that is somewhat of a national chain, but not one that you’d find in Utah. However we had one in Gillette during high school and that was our late night meal place.

I wish I could tell you about all the girls I took there on dates, but I can’t since I didn’t go on a single date while I was in high school. I could tell you about the time I took Miss Wyoming to Perkins in Gillette, but that would only prolong this already too long post. What’s that? You want to hear the story? OK, here you go:

After returning home off a mission, my mom was involved in the Miss Wyoming pageant. For a few years, Gillette hosted the Miss Wyoming pageant for the Miss America competition. Because I went on a date with Miss Wyoming and my younger sister became Miss Wyoming a few years later, I know more about beauty pageants than I ever wanted to. So, for those that haven’t dated a beauty queen or haven’t been related to one, here is the difference between Miss America and Miss U.S.A.:

Miss America is a scholarship pageant in which the winner gets scholarship money to the college of their choice. Miss America also has a talent competition. It has a swim suit competition as well to judge physical fitness (hey, I’m just passing on what I was told.) Vanessa Williams was Miss America until….well, this is a family friendly blog.

Miss U.S.A. is essentially a modeling competition. The winner gets a modeling contract. There is not a talent competition, but I would have to say that some of these contestants are definitely “talented”.

So, the lady who runs the Miss Wyoming pageant was in our ward. She recruits my mom to help out and this girl from Cheyenne, we’ll call her Trish, wins the competition. Trish is LDS and a returned missionary. She’s extremely talented on the piano and I’m sure she did well in the swim suit competition. After winning Miss Wyoming she has to fulfill her obligations for a year which includes traveling the state and coming back to Gillette every once in a while. My mom thinks we’d make a great couple and she arranges for us to go out.

At this point I’m about a year removed from a mission and I’ve never really been known for my dating prowess. I figure I’ve got to have a special night planned so we go to a movie and have dinner at Perkins. If I remember correctly, the movie we saw was “While You Were Sleeping”. I pull my patented move of “doing nothing” while we watch the movie in which the biggest laugh of the night was when the kid doing his paper route crashes on his bike. Trish doesn’t laugh. I’m toast. If she isn’t going to laugh at something that was absolutely hilarious then what chance have I got. She dismissed my looks long ago.

After dinner I drop her off to relieve her of her night of pure torture. I pat myself on the back for dating Miss Wyoming and my mom cries herself to sleep thinking of what might have been. Trish probably ended up marrying an astronaut or something and is living a life of luxury in the Grand Cayman Islands.

OK, where were we? I think I was talking about our vacation.

10:30 p.m. We go to sleep.

Day 3 Travel Statistics
Lovell- Spearfish, South Dakota
Miles traveled: 328
Cities or Towns traveled thru: Wyoming- Dayton, Ranchester, Sheridan, Buffalo, Gillette, Moorcroft, Hulett, Alva, Alladin South Dakota- Belle Fourche, Spearfish

Thursday, July 3rd

7:00 a.m. Wake up.

7:30 a.m. Continental breakfast. If any motel is worth their salt they’ll have a continental breakfast. The Econo Inn in Lovell didn’t have a continental breakfast.

8:00 a.m. We’re on the road. Our plan for the day is to go to Mt. Rushmore in the morning and then do something in the afternoon. The afternoon is up in the air.

9:30 a.m. We’re getting close to Mt. Rushmore. There are a couple things you should know about July 3rd at Mt. Rushmore. This is their busiest day of the year. They have a fireworks show that night on the plateau just behind the monument. According to their website, if you want to park in the on-site parking you need to be there by 10:00 a.m. I happened to stumble on this fact on their website a couple of weeks before the trip so I know we need to be there early.

We come into Keystone, South Dakota which is 2 miles from Mt. Rushmore. Aubree has to go to the bathroom because she refused to earlier, so we make a stop. It’s just past 9:30 a.m. and I’m getting a little ancy that we’re not going to get a parking spot. Aubree does her thing and we zoom up the hill to the monument. We are about 7 cars back from turning into the parking lot when they stop letting cars in. Aubree’s bladder just cost us big time.

If we don’t get into the parking lot we’re pretty much parking on the side of the road or back in Keystone. Like I said before, Keystone is two miles away and it’s uphill the whole way. After a few minutes my father-in-law tracks down a cop and he informs us that they’ll probably let a few more cars in but he doesn’t know when. I volunteer to stay in the van so everyone doesn’t have to sit in the car.

10:00 a.m. Sitting in the van.

10:15 a.m. Still sitting.

10:30 a.m. I see movement. Nope. False alarm. Still sitting.

10:45 a.m. Still sitting.

11:00 a.m. Finally they let a few cars in and I stay on the bumper of the car in front of me so no one can cut me off.

This was my third time to Mt. Rushmore, but every time I’m there I marvel at how cool it is. The problem was that because of the fireworks show that night people were all over the place. Most people had plopped their camp chairs in some spot and were going to wait it out the next 11 hours. The fireworks show wasn’t starting until 9:15 that night. I guess they were estimating 30,000 people for the show.

As I’m walking around I see a big table with a bunch of candy bar looking things spread all over the place. They are called Tanka Bars. In my mind I’m thinking that this is some new product that they were giving out for free to try to promote their product.

Me: (reaching out to grab a Tanka Bar) “Are these complimentary?”

Guy: “No. They are three dollars each.”

Me: (pulling my hand back) “Oh.”

Me: (thinking to myself) “Well, this is kind of awkward.”

Guy: (thinking to himself) “Stupid moocher.”

Me: *slowly walks off whistling*

After further review a Tanka Bar is a Native American health/protein/energy bar that has just hit the market. They are made from buffalo and cranberry. That is not a joke. Here’s part of a newspaper article to prove it:

The tiny community of Kyle on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation seems an unlikely launching pad for the next big thing in health foods, but two longtime entrepreneurs believe Tanka Bars could take off."We wanted a snack that was good for you, that would be traditionally appropriate for us but that, number one, tasted good," Karlene Hunter of Kyle said. "These taste good."Tanka Bars will be a high-protein, low-glucose mixture of buffalo and cranberry.

On second thought, I’m glad they weren’t free.

So even though I had been there about 30 minutes I was ready to go. I had seen what I wanted to see, there were way too many people there, and I skirted certain disaster by refusing to pay for a Tanka Bar.

11:30 a.m. We leave Mt Rushmore and notice more and more people coming in. I’m not sure where they are going to put 30,000 people, but I’m not sticking around to find out.

12:00 p.m. It’s lunch time. We head to Subway to try to get something “healthy”. Aubree opts for McDonalds which is across the street. We make a special stop just for her. I just can’t picture my Dad doing the same thing for me when I was three.

1:00 p.m. We go to Storybook Island in Rapid City. This was a city park and best of all it was free of charge. Different sections of the park had different themes. We had Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood, The Three Little Pigs, Cinderella, etc. etc. It was kind of a neat little park and a nice distraction for the kids.

3:00 p.m. We head back to Gillette. Gillette is essentially the town in which I grew up. We moved about every four years when I was a kid and Gillette was no exception. We moved there right before 9th grade and it ended with me heading off to Ricks College after graduating from Campbell County High School in Gillette.

After my freshman year in college and serving a mission, I would spend summers in Gillette and then spent some additional time there after graduating from college as the “kid who refuses to leave”.

I can remember one time waking up at about 11:00 a.m. and coming upstairs only to find my dad at home for an early lunch. The disappointment on his face was palpable. Admittedly I felt like a big chump, but I pretty much was a big chump so there was no hiding it. Dad, if you’re reading this, I get up some days at about 5:45 a.m. to play basketball and about 7:00 a.m. on other days. It’s been eons since I slept until 11:00 a.m. I’m just glad you never gave up hope. (Or maybe you did and I just didn’t know it.)

While growing up in Gillette I had two best friends, Matt and Steve. We hung out all the time. We had the same interests (sports, sports, and basketball) and we, for the most part, stayed out of trouble. Since leaving Gillette I’ve lost touch with Steve until about 8 years ago I tracked down his phone number and we talked on the phone. I sort of kept in touch with Matt for most of the ‘90’s but lost touch at the turn of the century.

Recently Becky did an internet search so we could send them a Christmas card. We found both of their addresses hoping that the internet never lies. Matt got his card and sent a letter in return. I still haven’t heard from Steve, but there could be some other Steve in Illinois that received a Christmas card and he has no idea who sent it.

After Matt and I reconnected, I let him know we were coming to town. We arranged to meet for the first time in over ten years. More on that later.

The bottom line with Gillette is that it is more or less my home town. I feel some kinship since I graduated from high school there, but it’s not like this everlasting love that I need to visit there every year. Once every ten years ought to take care of it. Outside of my 20 year class reunion next year, I’m not quite sure why I would come back.

5:00 p.m. In Gillette, we’re going to live in luxury. I had some extra Marriott Reward points so we booked two nights at the Fairfield Inn free of charge. The Fairfield had only been open about a month so it was going to be nice and new.

As we drove in to town we noticed a billboard advertising the Fairfield Inn and their indoor waterpark. Sweet. Now we have something for the girls to do.

As we arrived at the Fairfield we see that they are still constructing the waterpark. After our experience at the Travelodge in Spearfish, this was strike two for swimming pools on the trip.

7:00 p.m. We’ve been on the road for four days now and it comes time to choose a restaurant. Nothing sounds good. Gillette has added a few new restaurants since we’ve lived there (Applebees, Good Times Burger?) but then I have a moment of clarity. We hadn’t had Chinese food the whole trip and Hong Kong Restaurant was still in business.

As a child my parents would feed us chop suey and tell us it was Chinese food. Chop suey sucks. As a result when anybody would mention Chinese food I would turn my nose up. It wasn’t until I discovered the world of sweet and sour pork at the Hong Kong Restaurant that I realized my parents had been feeding me a lie. Real Chinese food is sweet and sour pork or chicken, ham fried rice, lo mein, kung pao chicken, and whatever other tasty treat the buffet is serving that day. I have yet to find chop suey at a Chinese buffet.

So Hong Kong was the choice and sweet and sour chicken, lo mein, and cashew chicken were the dishes. It was probably one of the better meals we had had on the trip. Just above the KFC/Taco Bell in Powell.

8:00 p.m. We take a quick tour of Gillette on our way back to the hotel. We drive by our old house (my parents moved in 2001 and none of their seven kids have taken up residence in Gillette, let alone the whole state of Wyoming) and it looks different. We try to take some pictures without looking like stalkers or terrorists.

We drive by my old Junior High, High School, golf course, new subdivisions, old subdivisions, city hall and other boring places that the passengers in our car couldn’t care less about. Unfortunately for them, I’m the one doing the driving and they have to sit and listen to all the stories of my youth. I would dare say that it was more painful for them than this blog entry has been for you.

In honor of my older sister, Melissa we drive the main drag in Gillette where all the high school kids would cruise on Friday and Saturday nights. I had a feeling if we would have been there a little later at night we might have run into some of her old friends still living the good old days.

9:00 p.m. We get back to the hotel and I’m asleep by 9:30 p.m. All this travel is starting to wear me down. But we have a big day tomorrow since it’s the Fourth of July and we need to be fresh.

Day 4 Travel Statistics
Spearfish, South Dakota- Mt. Rushmore- Gillette, Wyoming
Miles traveled: 238
Cities or Towns traveled thru: South Dakota- Spearfish, Sturgis, Blackhawk, Rapid City, Keystone, Mt. Rushmore Wyoming- Sundance, Moorcroft, and Gillette

Friday, July 4th

7:30 a.m. Wake up. Here we go again.

8:30 a.m. We head to 2nd Street in Gillette to claim our seats for the 9:00 a.m. parade. Rumor has it that there are 125 entries in the parade. I figure that I’ll see a few people that I know in the parade just to remind me that I’m back home.

9:00 a.m. The parade gets underway. They have a rule that you can’t throw candy from the float so they have people walking alongside the float handing candy to the kids. Aubree and Sydney make a killing. Or should I say, I make a killing because candy isn’t good for kids.

Out of all the entries, I recognize a whole three people. One of them is a U.S. Senator that is from Gillette, Mike Enzi. And his son Brad was with him. The last person I recognized was my friend Matt’s brother, Tony. Over the whole course of the time there I didn’t have one person come up to me and say, “Hey, Scott! It’s been a while.” Maybe it’s because I graduated 19 years ago or maybe it’s the additional 75 pounds. Either way, Gillette has moved on without Scott Darrington.

11:00 a.m. I drop off the family at Bicentennial Park for the free hot dog feed. Dad-in-law is more excited than I’ve seen him the whole trip. The price is right.

I go to visit Matt solo since I wouldn’t want to go with my wife if she were to visit a friend she hadn’t seen in ten years. Matt looks about the same. He might have a little gray hair, but don’t we all. He is married and has a son that is two weeks younger than Sydney. He’s working at a local bank, has a nice house and seems pretty content.

We talk about old high school memories and who he still sees around town. I find out that a few of our classmates have passed away via cancer, car accident, and the like. He reminds me of a story about my brother Spencer that had me in tears it was so funny. I would post the story, but it would slightly embarrass Spencer and his kids might read this someday.

It’s interesting to see old high school chums and see how far we’ve come since then. We’re responsible adults (or at least try to be) with jobs, mortgages, and families. Talk centers less around sports and more around our kids and politics. I guess we have to grow up sometime and it has its plusses, but I wouldn’t mind taking a trip back to the days of little responsibility, free food at home, and constantly hanging with the boys.

1:00 p.m. I get a call from Becky and they’re ready to be picked up. The hot dog feed is over and Dad-in-law is getting ancy. Not to mention that it’s naptime for the kids. I’ll probably see Matt next year as I’m planning on coming back for the 20 year reunion so it’s kind of a “see you later” instead of a “let’s keep in touch.”

4:00 p.m. The girls are napping and we’re out in the lobby. Mom and Dad-in-law challenge Becky and I to a game of Rook. It’s been a long time since I’ve played, but when you have my kind of skillz then it comes back to you real quick. We, of course, wipe the floor with them and they ask for mercy.

My mother-in-law is a competitive game player. She’ll play any and all games and she likes to win. I like to play games too, usually, and I like to win as well. The good news for me is that I usually win and she usually loses. I think she used to rule the roost until I married into the family.

One time we were playing Hearts and I was cleaning house as usual. I was feeling pretty good about myself and start into some pretty eloquent trash talking. Mom-in-law isn’t too impressed with my bravado and takes a full glass of water and throws it in my face. It’s always fun to see people snap. Especially your mother-in-law. She still remembers that day and I haven’t forgotten it either. I try to lessen my game playing around her and definitely the trash talk. Sometimes I have to just smile after winning my 15th consecutive Speed Scrabble game, but the message is sent. I am the champion.

6:00 p.m. We head to the City swimming pool that, according to their website, is free of charge and open on holidays. Oh, the deception of the internet. Just when you trust it unconditionally, it bites you right in the…. Anyway the pool was closed and that was strike three on swim pools for the trip. Our swimming trunks never see the light of day.

We head to Legacy Park just to burn some time and actually do something the girls would enjoy. I’m not really hungry but it was time to eat again.

7:00 p.m. We eat at Good Times Burger/Taco Johns. If you’re not familiar with Taco Johns it is the Wyoming version of Taco Time. From what I remember it wasn’t too bad, but price wise it can’t keep up with Taco Bell. I opt for the Good Times Cheeseburger which was OK. I know my hamburgers pretty well and this was about a 5 on a 1-10 scale. The fries were crappy too, so it was a good thing I wasn’t hungry in the first place. And since I was stuffed after eating I had to finish it off with a custard ice cream cone. I fully understand why gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins.

8:30 p.m. We head out to Camplex for the fireworks show. Campbell County puts on a pretty good show. I’ve seen it a few times and I’ve even participated when I worked at the local rec center. I think some of the local coal mines donate money for the show and you can tell it is a high dollar show.

10:00 p.m. The fireworks show lasts about 20 minutes and I’m “Fourth of July’d out”. In fact I’m ready to get home. Something about getting back to my own bed seems pretty good right now. We head back to the motel and we all quickly fall asleep. Tomorrow’s trip will be our longest stretch in the car.

Day 5 Travel Statistics
Gillette, Wyoming- All day
Miles traveled: Just around town
Cities or Towns traveled thru: Wyoming- Gillette

Saturday, July 5th

7:30 a.m. Get up. I’m focused and ready to go. Mentally I’m in a good spot. I’m ready to tackle a long day in the car.

9:00 a.m. We check out, gas up, and hit the road. Next stop: Home

11:00 a.m. We take a potty stop in Casper and I buy some Nilla Cakesters. Outside of Godfather’s Pizza this was single handedly the greatest moment on this trip. I have had Oreo Cakesters before, but I would take vanilla over chocolate any day. I could only keep asking myself, “How come I haven’t discovered these things before?” Over and over again in my mind.

1:00 p.m. We pull into Rawlins, Wyoming which is again an old childhood residence. I lived there from 4th grade-8th grade. We do a very abbreviated tour of the city and I’m saddened as the new neighborhood we used to live in has become rundown.

Rawlins holds a special place in my heart because it was the height of my athletic achievements. I can remember our 7th grade basketball team losing a game 18-3, but it was me who scored 2 of those points. I can also remember our 7th grade football team scoring one touchdown ALL YEAR. But it was I who scored that touchdown.

In fact I was traveling through Rawlins one time about 10 years ago and I stopped at the Middle School to see if my names were still on a couple of trophies. In 8th grade they put your name on a trophy for assists, free throw percentage, and rebounds for the year. Sure enough Donnie Pixler has his name on the rebounding trophy and I had my name on the assist trophy (12 assists) and free throw percentage (36%). Not quite NBA material.

Anyway we’re in Rawlins and we’re hungry. They have a Wendy’s and McDonald’s in Rawlins. Aubree is the only vote for McDonald’s so we head to Wendy’s. I’m crestfallen as we see that Wendy’s has been closed down. Spurning Aubree, we decide to travel to Rock Springs before we eat at McDonald’s.

3:00 p.m. We pull into Rock Springs and head to the Wendy’s. It’s open, but barely. I guess what I mean is that a bunch of teenagers are running the restaurant. The kid who takes my order can’t be over 12. And he was moving like he was 112. It blows me away that you invest a ton of money into an industry where customer service is king and then you hand the keys to a bunch of teenagers. Not that teenagers are bad, but I wouldn’t trust them with my financial future.

6:00 p.m. We arrive in Morgan and say good-bye to the in-laws. They really don’t deserve all the grief they caught in this blog. In fact I would gladly go on a week long trip with them again. Maybe it’s because we’re on the homestretch or because I’m feeling punchy from the long drive, but it was a pleasure having them with us.

7:00 p.m. Home Sweet Home! The temperature gauge reads 93 degrees as that is the warmest temperature we have had all trip. A slight contrast from the 49 degrees we hit at the top of the Big Horns.

It was a great trip and it was even greater to be home. The girls did great during the trip and Becky hung in there as well. We all still liked each other after the trip was over so we’ll chalk it up as a success.

Day 6 Travel Statistics
Gillette, Wyoming- South Ogden, Utah
Miles traveled: 522
Cities or Towns traveled thru: Wyoming- Gillette, Edgerton, Midwest, Casper, Rawlins, Wamsutter, Rock Springs, Green River, Evanston Utah- Morgan, South Ogden

Totals for the trip
Miles traveled: 1,526
Money spent on gas: $346.78
States visited: Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota
Aubree meltdowns: 1
Tanka Bars eaten: 0

I can’t believe you stuck it out reading this post. If you make a comment I might even throw in a gift certificate to Taco Johns or something.

Thanks for coming along.

Me and One of My Munchkins

2008-07-12T16:19:00.001-07:00

I realized I don't have many....if any...pictures of myself posted. That's for a couple of reasons:

1) When you have 2 cute little girls and an amazing husband why post pictures of yourself

2) I'm always the one behind the camera

With this picture I was trying to get a cute picture of Syd and I. The problem is I have to focus the camera (which is hard to do when the person you are trying to focus on is working the camera and your 1 year old won't sit still for 2 seconds), push the timer button then run to the designated photo spot and try and get your little girl to look into the camera without looking like a freak because you're in the picture too.

This was about the best we got. Because of the focus problem I had to do a little adjusting on the computer to get this to look decent. I have realized I enjoy editing the pictures as much as taking them.

Looking at this picture I just want to squeeze my cute little Sydney. She is sooo affectionate and loves to give hugs. I hope she stays like that forever but I'm sure someday she won't be quite as excited about hugs as she is now. I need to enjoy every one I get.

Cute Little Brock

2008-07-12T15:59:00.001-07:00

Here's Ann and Cody's new little Brock"lee". To hold a newborn (even though he's now a month old) is one of those precious moments in life that escapes all too quickly. I've been dying to capture some pictures of him.

Ann and I laughed pretty hard during the laborious photo shoot. We just couldn't get things quite right. I'm trying to learn that you don't really need a guzillion pictures just a few good ones. I know Ann already has tons from Kristy and Kevin (they are much more professional than myself) but it's something I enjoy fiddling with.

This is how Brock felt about most of the pictures.

Aubree and Bree

2008-07-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

Today's picture comes from a few days ago but it's something I want to document. BreeAnn came to our house for the first time to see Aubree. About a year ago we met her for lunch and then went to a park to play but she has never been to our house. Aubree has talked about Bree and knows who she is since that first visit. A few weeks ago Aubree and I had a conversation about Bree. I emailed Bree and let her know what we said. I'll copy and post that email here:

Hi Bree

I just had to write and tell you about what just happened at our house this morning. Aubree asked me to read her a story. Anyway, the book's about a little girl that is adopted and likes to hear the story of when she was born. As I read the book I was talking about when she was born.

As we finished the story I said I felt sad for Bree the day she said good-bye to Aubree. I had tears in my eyes and Aubree started getting emotional. Before I knew it she was crying big alligator tears. I asked if she knew that Bree loved her and she said yes. She cried for a good 10 minutes. As I was holding her talking about you and how much you love her she said she missed you. We got out the pictures you gave us when you were little. Anyway, it was just a sweet little moment and I wanted you to know we have been thinking about you today and Aubree loves you.

I told Aubree she could email you anytime she wanted to. She said she wanted to right now. I asked her what she wanted to say and she said that I love her.

I love you too for changing my life with Aubree. She is the sweetest girl and so much fun to have around. Thanks for everything you've done for me.

Love
Becky and Aubree

Bree called us later that night and said she would be coming through town and asked if we could get together. Aubree was soooo excited to have Bree coming. Everyday for a couple weeks she would ask me if Bree was coming that day.

As Aubree and Bree were together you could just see a special bond they have with each other. It is very sweet and I'm glad they have that. I have had people ask if I feel okay with that and the answer is...absolutely. It doesn't change the fact that I'm Aubree's mom and will be forever. I'm secure in that and think it's wonderful that she can know who her birth mom is and know that she is loved by her.

I feel like Bree is my sister. I can't imagine too many people other than a "sister" that would place a baby with another. I want her to be happy and I love her for the sacrifice she has made for myself as well as Aubree. I have a special relationship with Bree that's hard for others to understand.

As Scott and I were talking after Bree left I asked Scott if he thought Sydney would ever feel left out because she doesn't have a Bree. Aubree heard us and piped up with, "It's okay Mom, I'll share my Bree with her."

Here are a few pictures of Aubree and Bree playing together.

As they hugged and said good-bye Aubree told Bree she loved her. For Aubree, that's a big thing.

Pictures???

2008-07-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

You know things aren't going your way when you doubt yourself on day 2 of a new goal. This may be more of an every few days picture thing. Anyway, here's day 2.

A few comments about this picture. The best thing about my clean bathroom is it's clean but....I didn't have to clean it today because I cleaned it yesterday!!!!!

Cleaning the bathroom is my least favorite of all the housework but I love it when it's finished. Years ago I always said that Scott was messier than myself and he said I was the messy one. Since moving into this house we have 2 sinks and counters in our bathroom. It does make it very convenient to both have our own space, however, this has solved the mystery of the cleaner person. I probably wouldn't have brought this up if I were the messier one but alas, I am the cleaner of the 2 of us, even in the bathroom. I still love Scotty though and I'll continue to clean up his messes.

Something New

2008-07-08T22:15:00.000-07:00

I can just be called a copycat but I got a cool idea from Lara Deppe's blog. She basically has a photo blog where she posts a picture a day. As I have been thinking about this idea I think I want to give it a try to help document our ordinary every day life. The problem will be keeping up.....I don't know if I can find the time every day.

Here goes:
Who doesn't love coming home and seeing this on their doorstep?

Best Purchases of the Year

2008-07-06T20:59:00.000-07:00

I've made plenty of purchases in my life that don't turn out exactly as expected but once in a while I buy something that I don't regret at all. There are 3 things I have purchased in the past year that have become some of my essentials.

#3
OXO Salad Spinner
approx. $30

I have never had a salad spinner and usually I just bought bagged lettuce mainly because it was easier but also because after cutting a regular head of lettuce and washing it it would always wilt.

After trying Ann's new salad spinner I knew I had to buy one for myself. I really enjoy making salads now and the lettuce stays crisp and fresh and I rarely buy iceberg lettuce anymore. Scott has even enjoyed the salad spinner. That says a lot about a kitchen gadget. Aubree also loves to be the spinner.

#2
Sally Beauty Supply
Generic Value Products 1" Ceramic Flat Iron
approx. $60
I ask myself why I was using that cheap $15 flat iron for a couple of years. This thing is like magic. It works soooooo much better and is worth every penny I paid for it. It actually straightens my hair and leaves it much silkier instead of being a big frizz head with kinks all over. I'll never go back.

After rationalizing the cost of only $5 a month for a year I realized it was well worth the money. I went out that very day and bought it. The only thing that makes me a little nervous about it is it gets extremely hot and I don't want my girls to get burned by it. I have been extra cautious with it. I love it!!!

#1 BEST PURCHASE OF THE YEAR (drum roll please)
Olympus E500 Digital SLR Camera
approx. $600

Again, I can blame Ann for this one. They bought this camera and every time I looked at her pictures they were so clear and such good quality I coveted their camera. I decided if I was ever going to buy a nice camera now was the time. My kids wouldn't be little forever.

I have loved my camera since day 1. I did some research on cameras before buying this one and realized with this one you get 2 lenses for about the same price as a Canon or Nikon and the quality is definitely comparable as far as I could tell.

Needless to say we love the camera. Once I get it out Syd starts saying...cheese while Aubree begs to take a few pictures. Scott has a little headlamp for reading at night. It has a large light on a strap and looks somewhat like a flash. The girls like to put the strap around their neck, put the light to their eyes and say cheese. It cracks me up every time they find it and think it's a camera.

One of these days I'll post about some of my worst purchases because they are usually funnier stories. Usually me falling for some great deal. Until then I'll continue to enjoy my wiser assets.

Yea!!!!! The New Splash Pad

2008-06-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to have warm weather so we can enjoy the new city Splash Pad. Aubree tried to enjoy it at the Grand Opening Ceremony but the 50 degree weather put a small damper on it. She did get wet that day but wanted to leave about 5 minutes later.

We went as a family on Monday to check it out in the warm weather. It was really fun. I think we may be living there this summer.

So this has to be my favorite picture of the evening. I actually tried to look at how the light was hitting the water to find a good angle. I think the picture turned out pretty cool.

Syd hasn't been "in" to the water thing yet. She has tried to enjoy it a couple of times but getting sprinkled just isn't fun to her.

This is more Sydney's style of play. She just so cute and little I had to snap a quick photo.

I'm sure I'll be posting more pictures as the summer goes on because it really is going to be our second home.

She Kinda Understood

2008-05-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

So today at the store we each got a treat to eat on the way home. Syd got Smarties (from my purse), Aubree got bubble gum (because we ran out) and I got a Lindt white chocolate truffle (because they are to die for).

We were each enjoying our little yummy and I said,

"This chocolate tastes like Heaven."

Aubree thought about that for a second and then said,

"My gum tastes like Jesus."

I thought that was pretty cute and was chuckling about it but Aubree was a little embarassed and didn't want me to share it with Scott. I love having cute little girls.

Syd's Affection

2008-05-22T16:46:00.002-07:00

Just a quick thing about cute little Syd. She is so much more affectionate than Aubree. Aubree isn't into hugging and being close. She likes her space. Sydney, on the other hand, still loves to be held and will just throw her arms around my neck to give me a big hug and say Mommy. I love it. I try to enjoy the moment because I'm sure she won't be like this forever. I just want to remember what a sweet affectionate little 1 year old she is.

Tires, Tires, Tires

2008-05-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

Lately, we haven't had the best of luck with tires. On April 1st (April Fools Day) I hit something in the road and destroyed the front passenger tire. Scott came to the rescue and put the spare on and got us to a tire store. Luckily he didn't even question it being an April Fools Day joke. The ironic thing is as I was trying to find someplace to pull over I passed 2 different tire stores. Oops, I panicked.

About a week ago I ran over a screw or bolt or some object in the road that wasn't suppose to be there. I thought I heard a clicking noise so immediately I pulled over to check it out. I didn't see anything and the tires all seemed fine.

Later that same day I was going to clean the car. I went to pull it out and sure enough it was flat as a pancake. Again, my heroic husband took care of things so we could once again have transportation.

Today we met Ann at the store and she thought something was wrong with one of her tires. As we were checking them out we couldn't find anything wrong with the one she thought was bad but we noticed little wires coming out the back tires and it was as bald as bald. If I know it's bald that's pretty bad. Ann decided she needed to get the car into a tire store.

As we were sitting in the van waiting for Ann to drop her car off Aubree was telling Ty everything there is to know about tire stores. She told him we always go to the tire store and something to the effect of that's where you go when you have tire problems. As Ann walked out with a guy to check out her tires Aubree said, "See Ty-Ty, that's the tire boy." She felt so knowledgeable about the whole situation.

It's amazing how much they observe and learn just by living. I had to laugh at how important Aubree felt because she knew so much about broken tires.

Bad Parenting

2008-05-22T16:09:00.000-07:00

The other day I guess you could say I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Thinking exercise would help matters I went downstairs to do the eliptical. Of course while you are doing those things you constantly watch the time, distance, calories etc.... I feel like I'm always counting down the time until I'm done. Anyway, I got started and was going pretty good.

Aubree came down to join me and she did the wrong thing. She touched the cord on the machine which, as of recent, has a short in it. It is extremely temper mental and if touched you lose all your info. That's exactly what happened and I got on her pretty good. I said something to the effect of, "I told you not to touch that cord yesterday! Now leave!"

With tears streaming down her face she headed off to find her Dad. She cried until he left for work. At the time I felt a little bad but I was still frustrated with the situation. Eventually throughout the day we both forgave each other and went on with life.

The following morning as I went for the eliptical again Aubree asked, "Mommy, what's the cord?" This is when I felt terrible about the previous morning. I realized she didn't know what I was telling her not to touch. I'm glad she is such a forgiving little girl. I guess you could say she teaches me as much as I teach her.

The Train Ride

2008-05-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

Nothing seemed like more fun than a free ride on the new Front Runner Train. It makes a round trip from Ogden to Salt Lake with various stops in between. Since it is new they are letting people ride for free. Ann and I couldn't wait to take our kids on the "Choo Choo Train".

Even though it was the last day of April and it wasn't raining it was very cold. This didn't stop the kids excitement as they were about to ride a real train.

While waiting we also got to see a Union Pacific train go right next to us. Ty waved to the freight train the entire time it passed. Aubree and Ty were just excited to be sooo close to a train.

As we boarded we had no idea the amount of people that thought the free train ride was a great idea too. Every seat was taken on the ground floor so we headed for the stairs just to find out all the seats were taken on top too.

Luckily Ann is pregnant and she was holding Paige so someone took pity on us and gave us their seats. At the next stop a few people left we moved to a section that was empty. That meant I only had to hold Syd on my lap and Aubree got her own seat. We were having a great time watching everything go past.

After a few stops we decided it was so close to lunch time so we'd get off and grab the next train heading back. We thought this was a good idea. Just as we got off we were able to board the train back.

As we entered it was obvious this train was even more crowded than the last one. There were no seat available. Someone did move and gave Ann and I two seats. That's when Syd decided to throw the biggest fit of her life. Nothing would calm her down. She just wanted to lay on the floor and scream. I tried to pick her up but that just made her cry harder.

It was the longest ride of my life. Everybody was wondering what was going on. The old ladies on the train just kept giving me this disgusted "can't you stop her" look. I was embarrased and there was nothing I could do but sit and pretend everything was under control.

I am writing this so that I can remember a few things:

*free day is not always the best time for train rides

*don't take your child in public when they are cutting 4 teeth at once

*don't stare at a mother with young kids and think they are a terrible mother when I become the old lady

Of course as soon as we got in the car Sydney was fine. I guess she just wanted to get off the train. I actually missed having a car seat I could strap her in while we were riding. I'm not sure if we'll ever attempt another train ride in the next ten years but it was definitely a ride to remember.

An Embarrasing Moment (warning...graphic)

2008-05-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

This past week I have realized sometimes as a mother you have to swallow your pride and smile. Sydney has caused me to go red in the face and want to get out of public as soon as possible this week.

This was probably as much my fault as it was Syd's. One morning Ann phoned to let me know Ty had been throwing up the evening before. I was just glad my kids were doing okay.....that was until about 4 pm. I had been cleaning house all day, including mopping the floor. As I was finishing vacuuming I heard a funny noise and I said, "Aubree is Syd okay...."

I then peeked my head out of my door just in time to see Syd with her back to the couch and puke all over the place and she was letting more fly. All her breakfast and lunch came hurling out. To top things off she slipped and fell in the throw-up....(I guess I should've warned this may get graphic). She was crying and I was a little sad my clean floor was no longer clean. I also felt bad she wasn't feeling well I told Aubree to stay there until I got everything cleaned up. I then proceeded to walk through the puke to pick up Syd and rush her to the bathroom.

My footprints could be seen from the scene of the crime to the bathtub. Anyway, we got things cleaned up and Syd was doing much better. I decided the best thing would be to go outside and play for a little bit in case Syd decided she wasn't through.

She did really well and seemed to be feeling much better. My mom stopped by for a quick visit after going to the doctor. Scott wasn't going to home until around 8 pm (on his birthday) so we decided to go and get something to eat.

As they asked if our order was to stay or go I thought about my clean house and decided to stay. Upon reflection, coming home would've been much better. We began eating and Syd was eating really well but Aubree wasn't eating much and getting ornery. The next thing we knew Syd walked over to my mom and as bent to pick her up she threw-up again all over mom and the floor.

I then realized how embarrasing it is when your child throws-up in a restaurant. People are trying to eat and it isn't exactly appetizing to watch someone throw up. Luckily it didn't smell too bad but still it was all over. I quickly grabbed napkins and began wiping the floor. I told Mom to just take Syd and get to the car. Aubree and I would be out in a minute.

After wiping a few more "chunks" things looked much better. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Looking at Mom in the car I realized her black pants were covered. I think she just wanted to get home. I gave her a towel to put over her legs in the car and she went home.

Both girls just wanted to go to bed even though it was only 7 pm. Happily I put them both down and relayed my story to Scott. All seemed well until about 11:40 pm when Aubree was crying and Scott said, "Did she throw-up?" Sure enough she too had caught the bug and threw up all over her bed and floor.

Another bath later, some laundry and major wiping of the floor and everyone was again clean. Luckily that was the last of the trauma. I learned it is extremely embarrasing to have your child throw up in a restaurant.

Trip to St. George

2008-04-24T21:42:00.000-07:00

We got back a week ago from our annual trip to St. George. Scott was in meetings all day but the girls and I managed to get some fun in. It was so great to have wonderful warm weather to enjoy. It snowed and rained most of the week at home while we were gone. Our first evening there we didn't know if the girls were going to be able to sleep they were so excited to be someplace new. Sydney kept running around the room so excited about life.

We were able to go to Zion National Park for one afternoon between Scott's conferences. We found it's a bit difficult taking a stroller "hiking".
I think Scotty and the girls look cute in this picture, though Aubree can be a little stubborn when it come to taking her picture. Sometimes she'll pose and do what I ask and other times she just looks away.

The City of St. George had a new town square with some really fun water features that the girls loved playing in. Aubree was having a blast jumping from rock to rock and Syd kept bending over, getting a little water on her hands and then trying to drink the water....a little gross but she was having a great time.

I thought Syd looked particularly cute in this photo.

Both Aubree and Sydney enjoyed playing in the fountain.

One evening we were able to visit the visitor's center at the St. George Temple and take a little family photo. Overall it was great to get away for a week. Aubree is still talking about our "new home" in St. George, I hope she's not too disappointed when we don't go back for another year.

This may be official....

2008-04-24T13:23:00.001-07:00

I think I may try and start a blog. After getting everything set up Scotty wasn't near as impressed as I was with my work. I'm not really writing anything interesting but I just want to see how this works with my layout.

I am trying to decide if I should blog or keep doing my family newsletters. I love that I can print my newsletters and make them into a book....I think there are companies that will print blogs that I want to look into. I feel like a blog I can try and do a little more often with smaller entries. I love that you can add pictures and different things like that. I can try it for awhile and see how things go.

Just Trying to Figure This Out

2008-04-05T23:52:00.000-07:00

I am just trying to see if I will use this. I wanted to see how easy it is to add pictures etc....

Really, it's 1am and I am waiting for my laundry to finish because we are leaving for a week in the morning. I'm trying to stay awake.