4th of July

ON THE HAPPIER SIDE....

Tuesday was my Pal's birthday! I can hardly believe he is already 8 years old. I decided since 8 is such a big deal with his upcoming baptism and all, I SPOILED HIM ROTTEN!!! We celebrated at the lake on Tuesday (sorry no pictures!) and had a big bash at the bowling alley on Wednesday with his friends. It was a blast! We made awesome T-shirts for all the boys, he handed out MVP ribbons to the two highest scoring kids, and winners medals to all of them. They played arcade games and we had the obligatory b-day cake and presents. So much fun....but so many kids!!!! I would suggest smaller numbers for a bowling party. It will definetly be a wonderful memory for him and hopefully all of his cute friends. I can hardly wait to celebrate his baptism day...the 4th of July! He'll never forget it!

It just happened to be missionary p-day! Too fun!

IT WAS WORSE THAN I THOUGHT

So. The cleaning people came today to assess the damage and do what they do. Here is what my basement looks like now.











Side benefit: Chunkabears room had water leak into it as well....bye bye smelly room!!! Hooray for new carpets!

TWO WORDS

Two words to describe the fun we had today:

ROTO-ROOTER

Words can't describe the "fun"we had so here are some pictures to share with you....


**WARNING**
stop looking now if you get queasy.


Carpets will need replaced in the family room and hallway due to the lovely poop water leakage.
A cleaning agency will need called.

And I wil NEVER use this bathtub again.

I WISH I'D HAD MY CAMERA!

Today was another long summer day at the park for baseball and t-ball practices. The boys are making excellent progress. Pal has quite the arm on him and is pretty accurate with his throw. He's also got a good swing/hit. Chunkabear is kind of the all around kid. He gives his 100% with whatever coach asks of him. I'm sure his swing will come with more practice.

Speaking of progress, Mei has been potty training the last 2 days. She is doing so well. When we got to the park I showed her the port a potty. She said "Ewww, that's gross. I not go in there!" I was sure the inevitable would happen and we would be going home with wet pants after over 2 hours with no access to a suitable potty for my princess. I was shocked each time that I checked her to find her dry. Near the end of practice, I looked up to check on her at the playground only to find her standing tall and proud with her panties to her ankles! She stood there for a moment wondering how to make this happen, and resigned to sitting flat on her fanny. When I got to her I said let's go to the bathroom and she said "I'm done! And I'm dry!" I love my kids!

MOTHER'S DAY

I had a wonderful, relatively relaxing mother's day. My children gave me 3 beautiful red roses...one to represent each of them. And my husband cleaned the kitchen for me. But the gift I just had to share came from Pal. He made this picture for me at Primary.

And the CLOSE UP!
Hmmmm...what do you think????

CELEBRATING US!

My husband and I just celebrated our 9 year anniversary. At times it seems like the years have just flown by and other times like it's been forever...in a good sort of way! Since I have been working nights and weekends since August, we haven't been out on a real date in the longest time. So we made up for the lost time by running away for the weekend to Little America in SLC. It was so fun to stay at a lovely hotel and be spoiled with room service and no distractions.

We ate at Rodizio Grill on Friday night...a must for my meat-loving man, and then we went to the U2 Lazer show at the Planetarium. I ran into an old neighbor and an old friend from high school. It's a small world!

Saturday started off with sleeping in until....hold it.....10:30!!!! That may have been the highlight of the weekend. If you know either of us, we are NOT morning people and having 3 wild and adorable kids doesn't aid us in our sleeping bliss. So, let me linger in that moment..aaahhh...and now back to reality. We had a late breakfast delivered to us. I ate an $11 belgian waffle smothered in red ripe strawberries. The most expensive waffle I have ever, and will ever eat. Yummo. We then indulged in a dip in the hotel pool and hot tub. I don't remember the last time I was actually able to RELAX near water! It was surprisingly delightful. After a somewhat lazy day, we went to dinner at The Mayan. They catered to our every need and spoiled us with a yummy dessert complete with a flaming rocket in the middle. Then back to the hotel where we passed out stuffed to our eyeballs with the over indulgences of the day.

The weekend couldn't have been possible without my wonderful family. A BIG THANK YOU to those of you who helped watch my kiddos (and my dog-sorry!) I'm looking forward to another fun year with the love of my life. And as another friends said in regards to her anniversary....I am anxiously awaiting the BIG getaway for our 10 year next year.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! here are afew pics from our events of the day.

MEI STRIKES AGAIN!

Most of you know about our hospital adventure this week, but for the few of you who don't, here's the latest scoop on Mei's mischief. On Tuesday night some good friends invited us over for dinner. The kids were playing so nice with each other and having a fun time. 8:00 rolled around-which is normally bedtime for my little ones-but we chose to stick around for a bit and play a game. At 8:25, Mei came downstairs naked (she loves to take off her dresses and try on new ones) and crying and since it was past time to go, I went upstairs to find her dress. Instead of the dress, we found a bottle of lomictol (an anti-seizure medication) dumped all over the floor. I think those bottles should say adult proof, not child proof. Both Mei and her little friend had some residue on their mouths so we knew it was time for a fast run to the ER. Mei seemed fine until we got there. She became really agitated and jittery and started crying uncontrollably. Within 10-15 minutes she was zonked out. For anyone who knows her, these are not normal characteristics. She ended up with an IV and an NG tube to administer the charcoal. She fought harder than a two year old has ever fought before during the procedure and then zonked right out again when they were done. We had an overnight stay to observe her for adverse reactions, and our little friend got to go home. Mei did fine for the night and we were able to take her home in the morning after breakfast. We are so grateful for the love and support of all our friends during a crazy time. It means so much to us.
Our next adventure....finding a million Mr. Yuck stickers to apply to anything potentially harmful in our house and to hand out to all of our friends before we can ever come over again!!!

365 DAYS OF CROCKPOT COOKING

Thanks for sharing this blog with me Tauna! It's so great that I just have to pass it on.
http://www.365daysofcrockpot.blogspot.com

A GIFT FOR YOU!

This is a different kind of "tag" and looks like fun! Who's in?

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year (might take a while).
4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. (But don't think I will)

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same (If 5 sounds like too much, you could just do 3.) The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! Good luck!

SNOW CLOTHES

Check your kids before they go outside. They might dress like mine.

"FLOUR" CHILD

I know I am always in for a treat when Mei disappears for a couple of minutes and won't answer when I call. I went looking for her today after such a moment occurred , discovered my container of flour dumped all over the kitchen, and my darling daughter no where in sight (and apparently out of ear shot since she didn't answer when I called). After a brief search I found her hiding behind her rocking chair in her room covered in flour from head to toe! The pictures are blurry so you can't get the full feel for just how much flour was all over her, but ya gotta love the "what-are-you-looking-at" face. Mischievous Mei strikes again!

CHARLIE BROWN

I was watching the Charlie Brown Valentine's Day special Tuesday night with my kids. I always knew Charlie could produce some laughs...but cries? Well, my 7 year old started crying...really crying...when Charlie didn't get any valentines. It was so sweet and yet so sad to watch him tear up over a cartoon. It was as if you could sense he didn't want that to become his reality at this Friday's class party. I'm so glad that classes these days send home lists to ensure no one gets left out of the festivities.

A FUN SATURDAY

With my crazy weekend work schedule, it's been a while since I've been able to go out and do something fun with my family on a Saturday. Well I had this Saturday off so my hubby proposed that we celebrate the day. So we took the kids out to lunch and then down to Blast Off! in Idaho Falls. The kids had a great time running a-muck through the playlands and the boys played a fun round of lazer tag. Pal is already talking about a potential b-day party there...in JUNE!

LOOK AT MY GIRL!

She's finally getting excited and giving it a try! All for a piece of bubble gum and some Little Mermaid panties!

SUCCESS and some good hygiene!

INTRODUCING....

A NEW BLOG! I've been having tons of people knocking down my door lately in regards to my interchangable watch bands. So, instead of sending out individual emails showing what new stuff I have, I started a blog. It currently has all of the random adult bands that I have on hand right now, and will soon have childrens bands as well as earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Check it out if you'd like!
http://maizeydaydesigns.blogspot.com

MY BOY IS GETTING BIG

THEN:
Tonight was the stake baptism open house for all the children who will be baptized this year....among the attendees....my son. I can hardly believe that I have a son old enough to be getting baptized. More importantly, I am so proud that I have a son who is making the right decision by being baptized. I enjoyed watching his face beam as he listened to what his baptism day will be like. He was brimming with excitment and joy. He tried so hard to hide his emotions at times, but his dimples give away his true elation every time! He is also a lucky little guy. He (and his cousin Emma) get to be baptized on the 4th of July. What a fun way to celebrate and remember such a special day!

NOW:

FUNNY VISITING TEACHING VIDEO

Take a look...can you relate??? Don't forget to turn off my music to fully enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkG1W0GeF_c

Join me in making it a goal to be better visiting teachers!

CHRISTMAS/NEW YEARS

Tis the season to be too busy to blog! So to keep it quick, Christmas was just as any should be....a fun filled pj day dotted with naps. The boys had a great time playing together in their rooms with their new military toys and Mei was occupied all day with her new princess kitchen (she pronounces as princess "chicken") and baby doll. My hubby was delighted in his new t.v.... Yes, I gave in.

Mei's Princess "Chicken"

Wy's coveted machine gun from Santa

Pal's pure glee in Christmas booty...see my pretty new chandleir from G&G? Love it!!!


The traditional "Ugly Pictures"

We left for Utah the Sunday after Christmas for 5 days of family fun. I engaged in a snow ball fight with my neices and nephews and my little ones...loser had to build a snowman. I was totally kickin' it until they all decided it was all of them against me! So as the happy loser, I began to build a snowman, and they all joined in. He wasn't very big, and he didn't last long, but it was fun to play like a kid with all of the kids. Here are half of the goobers who blasted me with snowballs doing a celebratory dance around frosty.

We had a big party on New Years Eve with all but my sister Kim and her family there. We had a ton of fun eating way too much food, playing games, skyping with Mom and Dad in Sweden, and making watch bands and bracelets. Good times, no pictures! Dang it! Jeff and Jody and the kiddies will be moving to New Orleans this week so it was great to have one last hoorah with them. We'll miss you guys! I'm excited for this new year full of new adventures and new trials. Bring it on baby! Bring it on!