Words to live by...

Owen learned this song at Primary and has been singing it constantly since. 

Good advice to all!

VIVA!

Last weekend Rob and I had an early Anniversary Weekend in downtown SLC. We had so much fun! The highlights were Christmas shopping at the Gateway Mall (pretty much finished all of our shopping, woohoo!), TWILIGHT!!!! (LOVED IT!!! but Edward's hair was really lame. Shamelessly, I even bought fangear!), James Bond movie (not so much loved it), massages, great food, lots of smooching, and the best part was the COLDPLAY VIVA TOUR CONCERT! 

Rob bought tickets for the concert last summer, and the seats were amazing. We both love their music and it was fun to see them perform. They were really classy guys and put on a great show. Holy Cow it was loud though. We both used earplugs and my ears were still ringin' after the show. Oh, and I had a really hard time centering us in the picture...

The colorful stuff in the background was thousands, maybe even millions of cool vellum butterflies. You couldn't see through it because it was so thick. What an amazing way to celebrate 15 years together.

Littlebit big!

Today Owen said, "Mom, I'm a littlebit big. I'm little but I'm big. See my body? I'm a littlebit big."

He is getting so big. He can even write his own name. Pretty good for a 3 yr old! Oh, and he took this picture of his own name, which is why he cut off the "n".

He wanted to watch "Pirates of the Carribean" but I told him he was too little because he still won't go potty in the toilet. (Oh the shameless tricks we try as parents to potty-train. I'm starting to get desperate though!) That's when he told me "I'm a littlebit big". I guess he means he's big enough to watch Pirates, but too little to go potty in the toilet? Oh the complicated world of a 3 yr old.

Mom post this on your blog!

Liv and her cousin Kelly were using watercolor paints to paint their faces. Kelly is a clown and Liv is a scary clown? Not really sure...but they had a lot of fun! Liv's first comment was, "Mom take a picture and post this on your blog!"

I actually think they did a really good job. Who knew that Crayola watercolor paints had so many uses? I'll have to remember that next Halloween!

Amazing!

I don't think the pictures show how beautiful the moon is...or maybe it's the photographer? Anyway, the full moon was breathtaking tonight.

God Bless America!

Today is Veterans Day. Normally I don't think too much about this holiday, other than a quick thought of gratitude to the Veterans who have served our country. But today was a little different. Gavin's grade presented a Veteran's Day Program to honor, recognize and thank the many veterans living in our area and who have served our country so well. The program was a compilation of patriotic songs and readings written by the 5th graders themselves. I have been to this very same program just last year, and only remembered it was very long. Probably because I had to try to keep Liam quiet for almost two hours :)

 This year, I had a very different experience. I was fighting tears through the entire program from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the honoring our veterans in attendance. I felt overwhelming gratitude for those who have served and are now serving our country. I felt their sacrifice of leaving their families, of living in difficult circumstances, and even giving up their lives for freedom. I feel so blessed to have people willing to serve our country.

 I think the changes in me are because of the recent debates over the war in Iraq.  I believe that we all will need to take a stand on what we feel is right and then be willing to fight for those freedoms. I feel that the preservation of our country lies in the conviction and devotion of those who live here. I felt deeply moved by the many sacrifices that have been given so I can live under such conditions of freedom. I'm thankful that we live in a nation that teaches our children these principles and to honor those who have so bravely served. It was so neat to have my dad there and be recognized for his service in the Army National Guard. His patriotism runs deep and strong. What a blessing it is to Remember and to be Grateful. 

God Bless America!

 

 Gavin looking so handsome in his white shirt!

The 5th graders and the Veterans who attended

Grandpa and Gavin after the program

Quirky? Who me?

I was tagged by my amazing friend Traci (loved your quirks btw). Here is the tag...

LIST 6 quirky habits you have...TAG 6 quirky friends & LINK the person who tagged you.

 Traci's blog is called The Pinneapple Diaries and is AWESOME! 

Check it out!

So, in response to Traci's tag  here is my list of quirks...

1. I am largely a creature of habit. I ALWAYS do ritualistic things in exactly the same order. For example....I ALWAYS undress top to bottom, but get dressed bottom to top. In the shower I ALWAYS wash right leg, left leg, mid-section, left arm, right arm. But when I put on lotion it's left leg, right leg, mid-section, left arm, and then right arm...I ALWAYS put my right sock on first. And many other things I wont list...Is this being quirky or just OCD? Most definitely it's TMI!!!

2. I get REALLY grumpy if anyone tries to steal a bite of my food...ESPECIALLY if it's a bowl of cereal or ice cream and ESPECIALLY if I haven't had any of it yet. I'm willing to share if I offer it to you, otherwise HANDS OFF!

3. When I make hot chocolate the powder ALWAYS needs to go in first, and then the water. Never the reverse. Otherwise you get lumpy hot chocolate.

4.  The two middle toes on my right foot are different from the 2 on my left. The toes on my left foot are the same length and are short. The two on my right are different lengths with the 1st one being longer. I looked at my parents feet and realized I have a foot like my mom and a foot like my dad...How's that for being a pleaser?

5. I HATE to read instructions. I usually just blunder my way through something thinking I know how to do it already. I can't tell you how many times in school when I'd jump head-first into a math assignment without reading the instructions fully. I'd get most of the way through it and then realize that I didn't do some CRUCIAL step and would have to start all over again. Thank goodness for user friendly programs like BLOGGING! (ever noticed how simple and no-frills my blog is...that's because I refuse to read the instructions on how to do all of the bells and whistles!)

6. When I read a magazine or clothing catalogue I ALWAYS start at the back of it and work my way forward. 

So after making this list I'm wondering if they are quirky habits or if they're just OCD issues...hmmm. I guess it depends on who you ask. So, I'd love to hear all about my fun friend's quirkiness IF nothing better than to help me feel better about my own issues. :) So TAG to Tracy Portrey, Laura Broadbent, Amber Hansen, Amanda Laycock, Jen Traina, and Katie Fowles. (Julie B I can't wait to read yours too since Traci tagged you first!)

It had to happen....

So, look at this cute, angelic face. You would never suspect that this sweet little boy would be up to something would you? This cute little face is actually the face of a very inquisitive, very smart and very resourceful little boy. So, what happens when this cute, smart, inquisitive boy gets an idea in his head such as, "I wonder what it would feel like to cut my own hair?"

The results....a very large, not very easy to hide bald spot in the middle of his part!

When I asked him what happened, he replied with a sheepish grin, 

"the haircutter person made a mistake."

I guess so!

Love ya Liam!

Grandpa Saves the Day!

Yesterday, Olivia had an Acheivement Days "daddy-daughter day" planned . The only problem was, her daddy was out of town in New York. So, Olivia invited Grandpa and thankfully he was able to come! Liv and Grandpa had a great time at Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point. The weather was beautiful, the activities plentiful, and the fun just went on and on. 

 After that Grandpa, Uncle Matt, Mom, and Gavin went and played golf with Grandma and Owen along for the ride. Grandpa won the round with Matt close behind him. Owen liked to sit in the back of the golf cart where the bags go. We had to make sure he held on tight so we didn't accidently leave him behind!

Immediately after golf, we dashed to Olivia's first piano recital (Way to go Liv!). She played so well. Then we ran over to the theater and Grandma and Grandpa sat through High School Musical 3 with Liv, Owen and Mom and even "enjoyed" the movie. Thanks for the fun day! We love spending time with you both!

Whose freaky hand is on the side of the picture?

The biggest kid is the one in the middle!