{at work with dad}

Ryan came home from school yesterday just about as excited as I've ever seen him. He announced that today was "take your child to work" day, then headed straight for the phone to call his dad.

Last night he had everything laid out and ready to go. He needed to dress up a little more than usual--no jeans--and he wanted to make sure he was ready. He was up early this morning, got dressed quickly, and didn't even complain when I combed his hair.

The highlights?

• as much hot chocolate as he wanted to drink
• playing games on the computer with Rick's double screens
• lunch with his dad in the company's cafeteria
• spending one-on-one time with his dad
• getting to see Rick "in action", and understanding a little of what he does everyday

It really was a treat for him, and he enjoyed every minute of it. We rarely get to see the inside of Rick's office, because it's in a secure building, and Ryan felt lucky to be the one to go!

{a visit to the zoo}

Last week Ryan had 2 days off of school, and we spent one of them at the zoo. It wasn't in our plans, but when the weather turned out to be so much nicer than we thought on that particular day, we decided to hurry and take advantage of it. I'm so glad we did!

We joined our good friends for the afternoon, and had a great time enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. This zoo is rather small, and could probably be termed as more of a farm than a zoo, but with a train and hand carved carousel in addition to the animals, it was perfect for the few hours we were there.

Checking out the animals




Climbing trees



Riding the train


Enjoying the day!








We stopped at our favorite burger place on the way home, which always makes the perfect ending to any day!

{almost 5}

My girls are almost 5, which totally freaks me out.

No longer are they toddlers, and they are teetering on the outer edge of being preschoolers. They talk about kindergarten everyday, and it is brought on by just about any topic. They are trying and trying to be independent, and I'm trying and trying to let them.

Five was a big year for me. I was thinking back this week to my own childhood, and some of my biggest memories (including the most trouble I have ever been in so far in my life) was when I was five years old. To say I was precocious is probably an understatement, and knowing I have one just like me is probably justice served.

1. The Canal

I lived out in farm country, and our property was next to a very large canal. We lived in Arizona, and the canals were for irrigation, and they were very large. The width of a city road, and deep enough to have a strong current. We didn't have a lot of neighbors, but I did have a friend that lived across the canal from me.

One day she came over, and told me her dog was lost. I knew I needed to help her, but I did not tell my mother. We had to cross the canal to get to her house, and so we did.

On a wooden plank about a foot wide.

There and back.

I think about my own girls doing that now, and my heart sinks to my stomach. Now I can finally appreciate how scared my mom must have been, and why I got into SO much trouble.


2. The Fire Department

It was definitely a different time then. My mom left me and my younger siblings (4, 2, and a baby) while she ran down the road to *I think* take dinner to someone. That detail is a little foggy. I do remember her leaving though, and telling me that there were beans in the crockpot in the kitchen, and to just leave them alone.

I don't know how much time passed, but all of a sudden, smoke was pouring out of the kitchen. I just knew it was a fire, and had to do something. I ran to the phone, and not being sure of my address, grabbed a letter near the phone and looked at the return address. I called the fire department, gave them our address, told them our house was on fire, then hung up. Then I grabbed the kids, put them in a wagon, and pulled them out to our fire meeting spot by the mailbox.

I can only imagine my mother's thoughts as she pulled up to our house, with fire trucks sitting in the driveway. Thankfully there was not a fire--the beans had just spilled over, but I think I would be mortified. And grateful.

3. Bananas

Some of you may know that I hate bananas. I would rather eat liver than bananas. I would rather eat worms than bananas. I am still a good mother and buy bananas, but only the green ones. As soon as they have brown on them, out they go. My poor husband--his favorite thing is banana bread, and I just cannot bring myself to make it. I've had friends take pity on him and bring him some, and my mom always makes it for him when she's here (when I'm out of the house), but I know he wishes he could have it more often. Not going to happen.

I'm pretty sure this strong dislike dates back to when I was 5 years old, and raided the pantry. I ate my little self through a HUGE bag of dried banana chips. That was enough to receive the eternal punishment of not being able to ever smell a banana again.

.....

5 years old. It's a big year.

It all started as a regular visit to Target. (Doesn't that sound ominous?)

Rick and I were at the tail end of our date night, and we wanted to go look for birthday and Easter gifts before heading home. We made the rounds around the store (actually I made the rounds, and Rick followed behind me, lol) and then of course I had to stop in the women's section to see what they had.

My eye caught the cutest ruffled tank tops, and ran over to check them out. They looked perfect to go under a cardi--it had a high enough neckline that I didn't have to wear a cami underneath, but I wasn't sure about the length. I was going back and forth between two sizes, but I really didn't feel like going all the way to the dressing room to try them on. I was just wearing a tee shirt, so I decided to try it on over my shirt to check the length.

So, I did just that. I put it on, found that the length was perfect, and took it off. I started browsing again, looking at some of the other colors, and was ready to start moving on, when I all of a sudden I heard Rick say (rather forcefully)...

"Your shirt!!!"

I looked down, and saw that I HAD NO SHIRT ON.

IN THE MIDDLE OF TARGET.

I had taken it off on accident, along with my tank top.

Rick grabbed me, and helped me down behind a rack of clothes so I could get dressed. Of course the tank top was entangled inside my shirt, and everything was inside out, so it took what seemed like forever to get everything undone and back on again.

Afterward I looked up, and saw a security camera right above me. I'm sure they got quite the show.

All I can say is, now I know what to say when people ask me about my most embarrassing moment!

{two dancing girls}

The girls had their ballet recital this past weekend. They were mostly excited about wearing makeup (especially mascara and lipstick) and fluffy pink tutus, but really, what 4 year old girl wouldn't be?





Truth be told, I was pretty excited too.

{spring has sprung}

In the last 5 days...

• 1 campfire, roasting hot dogs
• 2 dinners outside
  
• 3 picnics
  
• 4 days at the park
• 5 happy kids (and their mama too!)

We (I) are so happy that spring is finally here!






This is how Jack felt about a day at the park...
(his hands always go up to his face when he's excited)


I know where I'll be this summer--OUTSIDE!

{children's museum}

We headed to a nearby Children's Museum this week, and the kids loved it. We actually had to pry them away--they did not want to leave! It's a smaller museum, but sometimes that's nice, because they can easily see everything there and enjoy it all.

The water area is so fun, but they really need some help designing new aprons. :) They do nothing to keep the water out, and basically any child who plays in the water comes out totally soaked. Like REALLY soaked. Unfortunately, I walked right out the door without the extra clothes, but that didn't stop them!

The boys loved the race track the best--they spent the most time there. I think Rick needs to build us one for the basement. :) The girls loved the water, and the ball machine, and Ryan really enjoyed the medical area. We saw several families we knew--it's always fun to see people you know away from home!


On the way home we stopped to eat, which is always a highlight. It's always so funny to see people's faces as we come through the door, and then sit down at a booth. There was one group that actually moved tables---not that I blamed them--we look pretty scary, I'm sure. I think my kids are pretty well-behaved in public, but they are kids--and those of you who have been out to eat with little kids in tow know exactly what I'm talking about!

I love this picture of Jack. I think we all felt a little bit like this while we were waiting for our food.


Yes, we have a lot of crazy moments when we go places as a family. Kids don't always get along, and sometimes they whine (gasp!). We can get impatient and frustrated with children who are not cooperating or being disobedient.

Every moment is not perfect, but somehow the collective moments become so.

{the weekend}

After receiving my blog books a couple weeks ago (which I LOVE), I decided to start writing about even more of daily life around our house. As much as I loved reading about our trips, special occasions, and big events, it was even more fun to look back and read about what our life was like at that moment in time. I hovered over details that may have seemed trivial then, but were now little treasures.

So, here goes...the little moments that culminate in our life.

.....

This weekend...

1. Rick and I ran 17 miles. Yes, you read that right. It's still hard for me to believe. (Although about mile 16 my jello legs and the cramp right under my rib totally believed it.) I'm feeling good today though, which is good, since I'm running 18 on Thursday. All this running is making me hungry! They say it's hard to lose weight (if at all) when you're training for a marathon, and I can see why. To sustain your body and give it the energy it needs to run so many miles requires a different eating regimen than I'm used to. It's worth it, but I've had to resign myself to the fact that these last 15 pounds won't be coming off until after the race.

2. In between Saturday conference sessions I ran down to the outlets to my favorite store! I had 30% off coupon of my total purchase, and I needed to look for spring/summer clothes and pajamas for all my kiddos. I actually have not been able to pass any clothes down from one child to the next, so I have to buy everything new. So, I'm always on the hunt for great deals. I certainly found some. :) It was fun to get clothes for next winter (I always buy a season ahead when I can), plus some things for the coming season. Buying 12 pair of pajamas at one time always gets some looks. :) I printed off a couple extra coupons, just in case, and when I realized I wouldn't be using them, I gave them to some other customers. One lady was so cute--she was shopping with her daughter--and she told me to wait, she wanted to return the favor. She opened up her purse and pulled out a gift card to Arby's--she worked there, and kept some extras in her purse. Totally didn't expect that, but it was so nice. I was standing next to her in line when we checked out, and she saved a lot of money with the coupon--it was so fun to be able to do that for her.

3. Rick and Ryan went to the priesthood session on Saturday night, and per tradition, went to get ice cream beforehand. I caught up on laundry, and a few other projects, and with all the other kids in bed, totally enjoyed the peace and quiet.

4. This morning I got all the kids bathed, which in itself is quite the process. Henry LOVES the water, while Jack hates it--he won't even sit down, he just stands there. He kills me. I finished up with the babies, and Rick took them downstairs to feed them while I bathed the girls. I went across the hall to get the girls' clothes laid out, when I see Henry out of the corner of my eye, diving head first into the tub! There he sat...totally soaked, fully clothed, and with a dirty diaper. Fun times. The little turkey--he absolutely loves the water, and I have a feeling we'll have to watch him like a hawk this summer at the pool/beach.


5. Today was another wonderful day of conference. I made treat buckets for the kids, and they worked like a charm. I have never had such good listeners! We had friends over to enjoy dinner and the last session--it was perfect.


6. I jinxed it. This morning I decided it was time to pack away all of our snow gear. Makes sense right? It is APRIL after all.

A few hours later, this is what our yard looked like:


Snow has it's rightful place, and this isn't it! Spring, where are you??

{girls' trip 2011...chicago!}

I look forward to our girls' trip every year, and this time it was a trip to one of my favorite places...Chicago!  

We left early one morning and took the train into Union Station, which was an experience in and of itself.  Riding the train was perfect, because we could all sit and talk and enjoy the ride. We ate, talked, laughed, played games, and enjoyed every minute.

We shopped:  Michigan Avenue!  (Mostly window shopped, but SO fun!)

We ate:  Sprinkles Cupcakes, Garrett's Popcorn, Cheesecake Factory, Gino's East Pizza, Pizza Capri, Fox & Obel...YUM!

We toured:  Museum of Science & Industry, Architectural Boat Tour, Navy Pier (where we rode the ferris wheel at night, and timed it perfectly to see fireworks at the VERY top!)

We ate some more.  

We relaxed:  trip to the spa, fabulous massages!

We stayed up late, talked and laughed so much it hurt.

It ended up being such a fun weekend to go, because it was over St. Patrick's Day, which Chicago is famous for celebrating in high style. The river was dyed green, everyone on the streets was decked out in green (even us), and there was something going on on every corner.  

We headed back to the train station, grateful for such a wonderful trip, and each other.

We had quite the train ride home...barely making it to the train in time, not finding seats and having to sit in the dining car, and a crazy lady that yelled at us.  Wouldn't change a thing.  :)

Thanks to our very fabulous husbands, who very graciously take the kids and man the forts while we're gone...we're lucky to have them!

Love you girls! Can't wait until next year!