Snow Fun

We love snow at our house. We've established this. So the other day when we were graced with almost six inches of it and then another inch of ice on top we rejoiced. And since Bella was granted the entire day off school we celebrated by playing in it almost all day. We went sledding, made snow angels, had a snow ball fight, and just sat around playing. After an hour or so Kody was done so he went in for a nap while the rest of us played our hearts out. Once inside though we got ourselves yummy cups of hot chocolate filled with marshmellows and all snuggled down for a refueling nap. It was the perfect day if you ask me. Here's hoping for four more feet of it. Yeah!

You Say It's Your Birthday?

My Wyatt is five. I can't believe it. Almost six years ago when we were trying to pick middle names to match Wyatt, Travis came to marriage with this name and there was little disputing it, I would have never imagined how many words rhymed with his name. Then you stumble on them one at a time as you say, "Wyatt you're such a riot." or "Be quiet, Wyatt" and then you feel silly and Suess like, but I digress. This boy captures the heart of every person he meets. He is sweet, loving, and just like Travis in about a thousand ways. He loves life and gets more excited than just about anyone myself included. For his birthday he wanted a dinosaur cake, so I attempted one. He wanted to go bowling just because he saw a sign in the window that advertised they allowed birthday parties there and no amount of explaining would change his mind. He ended up loving the bowling which isn't surprising since he is about the easiest human being to please. For his present he picked out, in my mind, the dumbest thing but he couldn't be persuaded that anything else was better because he had seen a commercial for this particular item on tv. But since he has played with it contentedly for hours. Since he was born he has been the easiest most good natured child. He really is a perfect little boy. And I love that he is mine.

New Favorite Blog

www.whymormongirlsstaysingle.com

The Thought of It

There are just some things that at the end of the day I just don't feel up to doing. Bathtime is one of those. Just the thought of it I dread. Grabbing four wriggly, squiggly kids and throwing them in the tub in shifts, two typically. Soaping them up soaping them down getting their hair wet and then shampooing and rinsing, this all just seems too much. I don't know why I feel this way because once I get them in the tub it is always pure fun. Sure there are water puddles on the floor, endless splashes, and

at least one person crying at some point because of something but...they are the happiest when in

the tub, they give the best smiles,

and I capture

the sweetest moments.

Bye Little Ladybugs

These boots have gone the distance. They were the cutest little ladybug boots and they came with a matching raincoat. Every child from Bella to Issac has worn them. And with each owner they have only deteriorated in their condition. The plastic has split showing the fabric lining. The fabric lining has seen better days and decided to give way and split open too. They look beyond thrashed and being the practical person I am I decided to retire them to the trash, all of this in secret of course because every child would wail their dissent with Issac being the most impassioned. But I am sad because Kody won't be able to share in the rainboots legacy. And because yesterday out of the clear blue Issac comes to me and says -ladybug boots. Help me I can't find my ladybug boots. He needed them to jump higher. It broke my heart. I almost ran to the trash can in the garage to retrieve them. But I stayed strong. And today the trash is coming and I know they are sitting at my curb ready to be taken but I am sad. I am not one for sentiment but today I am filled with longing wishing that these boots would have just lasted a little longer two years at most. But alas it is not so.

All Ages

The other day I was driving north on the Manheim Pike towards my house. There is a stop light that allows traffic to enter a strip mall type area. Anyway the light is green and the guy in front of me has his right signal on to turn into the shopping area. As we get nearer the light though he starts breaking and eventually comes to a stop at a green light where he is turning right. I wait a second and then assume he doesn't realize the light is green whereupon I tap my horn. It is at this point the person looks up and I realize it is an old person. I now feel guilty and bad thinking this is someone's parent/grandparent and they're old. It doesn't last more than a second though because Grandpa ends up driving forward straight not turning after all and raising the littliest most wrinkled middle finger in his rearview mirror at me. I guess people can be idiots at all ages.

Wyatt's Sweet Baboo

From the Archives: Precious WyattWyatt: You know who is my Sweet Baboo? (term at our house for who you love)

Me: Me?

Wyatt: No

Me: Who

Wyatt: The girl who sings Rockstar (So What)

Me: Pink?

Wyatt: Yeah her.

Olympians Live At My House

I don't know if it is something in the weather, the air, or a full moon but today has been a day of Olympic proportions. While getting the boys dressed today I moved on to Kody. Issac and Wyatt were playing the bedroom. All of the sudden I glance out of the corner of my eye to witness Wyatt lay Issac flat on his back with a Sweep Kick. It was like karate kid on crack cocaine perfect. It was fast and technically perfect. I don't know where he learned it maybe he's seen his own link, but he made this guy look like an amateur.

Thinking we were done with all the astounding physical feats I continued on with my day. I sent the boys down to watch a cartoon while I got dressed. Travis walked in and scared me while plucking my stray brow hairs. Sharp objects by my eye while jumping in alarm not a good combination, but I digress. Anyway he had forgotten his cell phone and was home to retrieve it quick before a meeting. The kids excited for the unexpected visit start crowding around him. In a hurry he tried to get down the stairs saying move, move, whereupon he starts his Olympic Event of Midget Tossing. No one was hurt and it was quite humorous, but something is going on here folks, because both of these men did their events quite expertly. I think they might practice when I am not around.

Girls' Night Expectations

Expectations Met:
*Good company
*A barrel of laughs
*Yummy food
*Flashback to my youth
*Overall fantastic time

What I Didn't Expect:
*Random lecherous man who could not look anywhere but at his companions breast from 18 inches away
*The amount of people older than ourselves (we were all about 30)
*Old man who insisted in getting in between two old ladies to make an old person love sandwich
*The three obscenely nerdy men with matching shirts and nicknames stenciled on the back thinking they were pimps
*The two girls who got into a physical altercation about a man who was missing teeth
*To feel so tired in the morning

For pictures see Solviej's blog.

Out With the Old; In With the New

On this day, the inauguration of our forty fourth President, I find myself deep in thought or hope anyway. As I watch the hoopla build in anticipation of his presidency I can’t help but wonder what the next four years will bring. He wasn’t my first choice for the position, he wasn’t even who I voted for, but the people have spoken, the politicians have spoken and so being a believer in democracy I lend him my support. Last night as the festivities began I found myself praying for him, praying that in these times he will seek the counsel of wise men around him, that he will seek the counsel of an all powerful God, and that he will follow that counsel. I hope for the many Americans who are suffering at the hands of the economy that they will prosper, I hope for the many Americans who have sacrificed the past eight years of their life serving in the military for all of us that their service will not have been in vain with what he decides to do next, most of all I hope that every person gains whatever they thought he could do for them. God bless Barack Obama II, he’s going to need it.

And with that I can’t help but think about George W. I feel such deep gratitude for him. In my book he will go down as one of the great presidents similar to the likes of Reagan. After eight years the people have turned their backs to him and turned their back on him regarding him with hostility and disdain. Having received the highest approval rating of any president as well as the lowest approval rating only shows how many calamities he has had to deal with during his terms. Perhaps his public speaking skills could have been more polished but I always found his candor to be grounded and approachable lending to a familiarity that makes me call him George W. instead of President Bush. In his final weeks his athletic cat like ninja reflexes in ducking from the infamous “shoes” will forever cement his good standing in my eyes. Good luck to him as well in the upcoming years.

Bachelor Highlights

Nerves so bad you vomit on national tv
The world's most awkward kiss...ever...
Priceless

What A Man...What a Mighty Fine Man

Today is not just any other day. It marks the 32nd birthday of the best man ever. And I just happen to be so lucky as to be married to him. With a face like this who wouldn't be. Some of my favorite things about Travis is that he is predictable. There aren't any unpleasant unexpected surprises, he is a rock, and in such fashion every year he asks for the same cake - chocolate pudding cake. The one I posted him making a while back. Two years I go I mixed it up though by using green frosting and one gigantic candle.He is hands down the most attentive and loving husband. He would let me do anything in the world. A prime example is that tomorrow night we are having a girls night we are going out to eat and clubbing. A lot of the husbands weren't thrilled, but ended up giving in. My husband was not only excited but talked the other men into it. Yesterday I asked him if there was anything he didn't want me to do since we are going clubbing and I tend to get a little crazy. He looked at me and said have fun I trust you. And he really does. I could dance with another guy, even try to pick him up just to see if I still "got it", dance on the bar, etc...and he would be amused by all these antics. Although faint of heart don't fear I don't really plan to do any of these things. But these were scenarios I ran by him.

This man works hard for the money. He is a super hard worker. His life is very different than I think he ever imagined it growing up but he loves it. He loves his office job most of the time and has grown to not mind dressing in collared shirts and slacks everyday. Above him chilling in work clothes, we have come a long way. He not only works hard but is so intent on having enough time with the kids and me that he often stays up till midnight just to have alone time with me once we get the kids in bed leaving him with four or five hours of sleep a night.

He is the world's best dad. He loves playing with our kids, any kids for that matter, and in most social settings prefers playing with them instead of talking with adults. He gets equally excited over a new Spiderman five weapon blaster toy on Christmas day and takes boxing with Hulk gloves very seriously. Last night as he put the kids to bed I heard him singing his heart out to our kids with Hank Sr. and Jr. songs. Bella got a guitar and the fact that he doesn't know how to play him didn't stop him from strumming his heart out and singing anyway. With such love of life and no fear of being silly who wouldn't love this guy.

Travis is a man's man. He loves sports, outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, he loves camping and will often take our kids camping in the backyard unexpectedly throughout the year. He is super handy, can fix cars, build a house, put together a dresser or any store bought item meant to boggle the brain upon assembly. I really don't think there is much he can't do, well besides play the guitar perhaps, but he did it after all which is exactly why I love him.

Happy Birthday Bear, I hope I can make it just perfect for you. XOXOXO

No Fear

"It was my fear of failure that first kept me from attempting the master work. Now, I'm beginning what I could have started ten years ago. But I'm happy at least that I didn't wait twenty years."

Paulo Coehlo is a brilliant writer, author of my favorite book, and spot on. For years upon years now I have wanted to write a book. I have told very few people if every any because I was afraid of failure, afraid of even trying really, but suddenly I don't have fear anymore...

"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure."

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

More brilliant pearls of wisdom from Paulo. And with those things in mind and a little bit of inspiration as to a topic, I have started my book. It may not be great, it may need tons of editing, but I want to give a voice to my greatest wish.

Issac's Wisdom

This morning I was in a haze fighting through the pain to get the bare minimum accomplished at my house. All of the sudden I hear Issac screaming. I go to where he is at climbing the stairs to see what the problem is. He is mumbling some kind of incomprehensible cavemen grunts and so I am still just as unsure as to what the problem is. But he keeps opening his mouth and pointing in. It is at this point that the light hits just right and I see a piece of hair. Poor guy everyone knows how awful it is to have hair in your mouth. I got it out and told him it's no fun having hair in your mouth. This is where he turns to me and yells "Ew gross. Yuck. Mom that is way gross." And storms up the stairs. It really is Issac, I know, I never doubted it for a second.

Computer Crash

So I don't know much about computers. But I know that something is wrong when you boot up your computer and upon trying to open any program it totally freezes up. And that is where we are at folks. Thankfully we have a friend, thanks John, who loves to fix everyone he knows broken computers - not really, and another friend who lets me come to her house and use her internet, thanks Amber. So my posts may be shorter, pictureless, and less regular, but this my friends is not enough to keep me down.

Ouch

So last night I went to bed feeling just fine. And this morning I wake up at six with excruciating back pain. After retrieving the heating pad and some meds I went back to sleep thinking the kink would iron itself out. NO such luck. Woke up at 8:30 in worse pain. Ouch.

If It Isn't Going To Snow

I am not a person who looks back, who longs for the past, or desires to change things that happened long ago most of the time. But lately in the weather that isn’t quite winter, but sure isn’t spring, summer, or autumn I am longing for the summers of my youth or teenage years anyway. I was blessed with the opportunity to live both in a fairly close proximity to the beach and parents who took us annually at a minimum. And as I entered my teenage years not only did I frequent the quiet family beaches of the Delaware Coastline but the more affluent beaches of the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

I remember one particular summer or maybe it is many summers that have clouded into one summer of bliss in my mind. And I find myself being immersed in memories so vivid I feel like I am almost living it once more. All this is spurned to life by some song on the radio, the Jason Mraz song. It reminds me of the feel of Bob Marley and there I am again on the dark beach at night, with a bonfire. Boys would tote their guitars around looking for the opportunity to impress a girl singing the songs written by another often with the raspy voice of someone who has smoked their fair share of assorted substances but still pleasing to listen to.

Many groups of teens huddled around while the hormonal boys tried to test the boundaries of the girls, and the girls on the midst of becoming women trying to test the bounds of their feminine wiles at work. All around there was an electrical charge, an energy and excitement of no one knowing exactly what would happen next, but sensing that it could potentially affect the rest of their life. And so is the faulty wisdom of a teenager filled with chemicals overtaking their body and brain tricking the mind. But still in this weather it might be nice to be there instead.

What Bachelor?

Anyone who knows me knows I love The Bachelor, truth be told it has little to do with the bachelor himself or people finding love. More often, I am simply entertained at the lengths people go to trying to impress people of the opposite sex when there are 24 other people wanting that same person’s attention. And it is with this in mind that I tuned in to the new season of the show which aired Monday night. The bachelor was last season’s rejectee, Jason – single dad to three year old Ty. So the first week or two are often the best as women make complete fools of themselves. But this year was one disappointment after another. No one was going the distance and committing to the role of psychotic lunatic chick that was obviously single for a reason. I don’t know if they ran out of crazy girls, if they have decided to clean up the show, or if the TV execs with unusually low morals decided to at least give this guy a shot with somewhat normal women because he had a son and to screw with a three year old hopefully goes against their barely existent moral code. It just didn’t do it for me. Sure I wouldn’t marry the girls because they were still pretty messed up but I couldn’t really mock them and laugh at them with the same disregard I have done in past seasons because I believe these girls really are looking to get married, several of them single mothers themselves. And so instead of laughing I almost want to cry for them.

But no worries, following The Bachelor was a priceless gem of a show called True Beauty. Ten of the most “beautiful” people compete to see who is the best looking, what they don’t know is that they are being filmed by hidden cameras to explore inner beauty as well. Although I don’t find the ten beauties to be as stunning as they are more marginally attractive, they are pretty much horrible human beings. They are stereotypically not bright and almost always saying things they think are brilliant only to have me on the floor rolling with laughter. However the host, Vanessa Manilo, taught me the brilliant word of the week - bromance, which I can't even believe I have lived so long without to this point. This week’s challenge was to go to a "beauty doctor" – he measures your face and body for symmetry which is appealing to the eye and gives you a score. Another test though was when the contestants were left in the room with the other people’s files who looks and who doesn’t. And as I watched I said to Travis, “Oh, I’m so looking.” Regardless it may not be witty, smart, or even entertaining, but it just might be my new guilty pleasure. Not to be confused with one of the bachelor’s potential mates named Treasure. Yeah seriously. And she was from Salt Lake City.

Perhaps a Look at the Chart

Recently I found myself in at my family doctor's office again. I needed another refill on birth control, but since it had been a year since my last visit we had scheduled to do some other things - left unnamed. As we finished up and we were going over my contraceptive history the doctor asks me, "Now are you using condoms?" To which I reply, "Not really." I am perplexed. Is this something new? In my avoidance of doctors unless neccessary have I missed something. She then continues to extol the virtues of condoms and why I should be using them everytime. It is at this point that the dawn of revelation hits me. I cut in on her spiel "I'm married. I'm married with four kids." Startled and shocked she stammers, "Oh...oh you look young." Well thank you. I'll take that as a compliment. I am young, but still it might be helpful to look at a patient history before you start lecturing on safe sex, in it you'd find I am married, I have had four pregnancies and deliveries, and had my birth control filled with you last time where you took this extensive patient history. Just a thought. But what do I know.

Bargaining With God

Did you ever want something so bad you could barely stand it? You wished for it on the first star each night, waited till the clock had all the same numbers appearing on it to wish again, wishing on each fallen eyelash, and those flower things that float through the air chasing and grasping them wildly to make that wish. You even prayed for it. After all these things didn't work you resort to those last measeures - begging and bargaining with God to get what you want.

Well this is where I am at folks. I have been wishing and pleading with God for snow. It started with three feet plus demands as it does every year. And now in my bargaining I have made a promise to play with my kids unlimited amounts of time in the snow and one foot will due although I am still holding out for the three feet plus. My husband and I we love snow and it seemed while we lived in Utah we got some but not the dumping we had hoped for. And now that we have lived here that past two year nothing, and guess who is getting that snow - Utah. Urgh. What happened to the snow of my childhood, the several blizzards of 90's decade, and the heavens opening up and pouring its peaceful blanket all around? I miss you snow - please come back.

In The Spirit of Insanity...

we took all four kids to NYC between Christmas and New Years. It was very fun and here is our photo journal to prove it. The city as seen from Liberty Island, our first stop of the day. This is the best candid family shot you are ever going to get.

The kids showing off their statue abilities.

Ellis Island - one of my favorite places because of the historical importance. The kids loved all the displays that you could touch and walking amidst them aimlessly.

The ferry going back to Lower Manhatten. Dad took some of the kids on the upper deck.

After a quick stop to the Empire State Building, we then headed to Central Park and the zoo. We knew the kids would have the most fun there. I love this picture and it will forever stay in my mind. Just a father and a son watching the animals unaware of me snapping away. Look at his bear paw hands.

At the children's zoo, there was a spider web. It was great as the kids lost their balance and fell over.

Summing up the day with his infamous grin, Issac thought it was just perfect.

And all is well that ends well... kids conking out on the car ride home.

Or watching tv on the verge of conking out. Don't worry they all slept at some point on the way home. That's what happens when everyone starts the day at five in the morning.

Travis not a fan of the city or all the people there thought it was great for a day but has no plans to go back soon. Although I don't think I want to live there anymore like I once thought I would, I am already planning another trip with the wives, Ashley and Mindee - yeah me and Ashley are planning for you Mindee.

Philly - Girl Style

Sparing you all the pictures of Philadelphia's historical and cultural history that are probably better viewed in real life or on the internet anyway I'll get straight to the gist of it. Friday after Christmas we girls, Elizabeth, Bella and I, decided to tour Philadelphia. I always love seeing the sights and love hearing the history retold repeatedly but more on this day I loved the company. Bella running away from Elizabeth. We were playing freeze tag in Independence Hall's quad. Any worry that we might get in trouble was quickly relieved when I saw a gaurd from far off watching and laughing.

Blooming photographer, Bella, took the above picture. She got her own digital camera for Christmas but I didn't want to have to worry about losing it all day so I let her use mine for the day. She couldn't quite get the hang of the auto focus, which is why it is a little blurry, but by later in the day, she had it figured out. The below picture is much clearer.

Bella with Elizabeth. These two next to never tire of each other. Here they are embraced in one of a hundred snuggles that they engaged in that day.

Off course we saw Liberty Bell and the Signing Hall and the likes but the highlights of the day included many gift shops looking for a trinket for Ebet to take home alas none were ever purchased. Also we hit up a street vendor for a beloved Philly Cheese Steak. Yum. I got mine with the onions and sweet peppers. Bella's throat hurt and so she got hot chocolate. Being the considerate mom I am I sampled it first to test for heat knowing that they use super hot water, and I was rewarded with the worst mouth burn of my life. Honestly bubbles should have still been popping because no lie it was boiling. But on the upside I spared my daughters mouth. What are mom's for?

Overall it was a super fun day. The only shadow cast over it was by a maiden voyage of our new GPS taking us into Jersey. Upside cheap gas, full service stations. Absolute highlight...Bella asking why I was not speaking spanish to our gas station attendent. FYI he was Middle Eastern I wouldn't even begin to assume what kind. Ah the innocense of six.