Emme's New Outfit

We came out of the bedroom to find Grace and Emme playing. This was the outfit that Emme was wearing.

I call this one Emmeline of Arabia.

PS: to see some of her old outfits click here.

Why I'm Smiling This Morning

1. Jon and I got to sleep until almost 7. He got up and got all the kids breakfast while I read my scriptures, showered, and got ready for the day. Thanks babe.
2. I got a new dishwasher! Our old one wasn't cleaning well and leaving a weird pinkish residue on everything. Gross. So I just called up our office, they had someone look at it, and then a few days later, voila, a new (and free) dishwasher is delivered and installed. I complain sometimes (okay, often) about still living in an apartment, but I should remember that there are perks. Stress free maintenance is #1. Somebody tell me if there's a #2.
3. Emme is hilarious. She came to me this morning very frustrated. She said, "Mommy, I've been trying to fly all morning, and I just can't get the hang of it!" Then when I was doing her hair for preschool, she started chattering and squeaking. I said, "What's that?" "Oh, that's how you speak squirrel." "Who taught you how to speak squirrel?" "Jesus taught me, of course!" Obviously.

Girl Power Is In The House

We recently received a new netflix movie called Barbie and The Three Musketeers. Grace and Emme have watched it once with friends and once by themselves. Both times when the show is done they have a new level of energy and they become empowered to fight bad guys. They start kicking, rolling, "flipping" as the tough Musketeers do in this show. They are now saving their money to buy play swords so they can be true Musketeers. Tonight I found them outside with the broom fighting the bad guys on the basketball court while they lived under the Golden Tree (tree with yellow leaves). I don't think this empowerment will end soon. It's a lot of fun to watch. You go girls!!! (snap, snap, snap)

A Favorite Day

The weather was SO nice yesterday so we decided to go up the canyon for a walk. It was really nice and I was able to get some nice pictures for memories.

Just thought I'd add some nice color/river/serene pictures.

I love my girls.

Who could pass up a plumber bum shot?

Get a load of Max's face. It cracks me up.

They always have to find some huge walking sticks when we go up the canyon. One of us always gets hit/poked with their sticks when we go.
Just me and my boy!!!

What else can I say but I love you Mary.

Log entry #7

1. Final log entry, thanks goodness.
2. Started the day at 12:30 am with max crying. I hadn't gone to bed yet.
3. Max woke up again at 2. I let him cry back to sleep.
4. Max woke up again at 3. I picked him up and he was wet. I changed his wet poopy diaper. Thank goodness I brought a second set of PJs.
5. Got Max down by 3:30. Emme got up at 3:45.
   
6. Got Emme a late snack and back to bed by 4.
7. Dad was awake so I talked with him until 4:30.
8. Laid in bed trying to fall asleep until 5:30.
9. Came up with a new training/educational simulation in my mind why in bed.
10. Fell asleep at 6. Emme got up at 6:30.
11. My sister took care of Grace and Emme so I could sleep. Thanks Ash, you rule.
12. Took care of kids until 11 and put Max down for a nap.
13. Ran some errands, visited my brothers at work.
14. Stopped at the store and forgot to buy 2/3 of the items I went for. (no sleep = no brain)
15. Came home and spent time with kids and parents.
16. Can't wait for Mary. I'll be picking her up tonight around midnight.
17. Must stay awake while driving back to Logan.
18. Bummed that Mary missed her flight. I miss her and want her home.
19. Thought this was going to be the last post. It's not.
20. Packed up the kids and drove back to Logan. Hopped up on caffeine and M&Ms.
    
21. Have to find a babysitter to watch Max and Emme so I can go teach my class tomorrow.
    
22. I will now be volunteering for an hour at Grace's school.
    
23. Got three hours of sleep last night so I'm going to try to get more tonight. Kids, please please please sleep tonight.
24. Oh yeah, and Max started to walk on his own without Mary there to see. Sorry babe.
    

Log Entry #6

1. Kids got up at 6:40
2. Max had leaked out everywhere so gave him a bath.
3. Fixed the girls green waffles with instant mix and food coloring. Never again!!!
4. Max pooped while eating. I have to explain this poop. It had the consistency of clay. It stuck to his skin like glue. I could not get it off. I have no idea what he ate that would cause this consistency. Hammer and chisel would not help this poop. It was crazy.
5. While getting the laundry started Emme hit Max so I had to defuse that one.
6. Started to clean and pack for the drive to Grandma's this evening.
7. Realized how tired I was. I had one of those dreams that never went anywhere and the next thing I know the kids are up.
8. Just found out that my dissertation proposal defense has been set. That' s cool and nerve racking.
9. Cleaned the house and packed the bags for a quick visit to Grandma's
10. Took kids to babysitters and taught my class from 1:30 - 2:30.
11. come home picked up kids and drove for 2 hours to Grandma's.
12. Grandma had dinner all ready when we got there.
13. Played with the kids, read some books. and helped Grace do some homework.
    
14. Helped Grace and Emme play dress-up in my sister's old 1985 prom dress. That was funny.
15. Got them to bed and have been talking with my sister since.
16. Good night. See you tomorrow Mary.
    

Log Entry #5

1. Got this kids some breakfast this morning. I didn't want to make anything so they had cereal.
2. Played with the kids for a while.
3. Gave Max a bath and put him down for a nap.
4. The girls dressed themselves today. Emme had on a sleeveless dress and no tights. Grace at least had an under shirt on.
5. Got to church with 5 minutes to spare.
   
6. Max was pretty good during sacrament meeting. Emme was the one that I had to deal with. She finally fell asleep and then things were ok.
7. Sat in the the hallway for the next 2 hours because Max will not fall asleep on me or will not sit still.
8. Got home and put Max down for a nap.
9. Played games with the girls.
   
10. Let them watch a movie.
11. Had dinner, pancakes. (I think that is the 4th time we've had pancakes this week.
12. Emme hit me with a heavy pillow which then hit my arm which then hit by forehead/eyebrow. Oh yeah I was wearing a watch and yes it hurt. After I said ouch she wound up and hit me again. Ruthless kid.
    
13. Gave the girls a bath, read books, and put them all to bed.
14. Cleaned up and watched some TV.
    

Log Entry #4

1. Started at 1:15 am cleaning up Emme's throw up. (I didn't know she ate that for dinner)
2. Woke up to Emme tapping my arm saying "Daddy there is goo in my panties so I changed them" (that is something every daddy wants to hear first thing in the morning.)
   
3. Bought a package of Bacon last week for a good Saturday morning breakfast. When purchasing I saw 75% less.... and thought it said fat. However when I opened the package and noticed it really said 75% less packaging. Who cares about less packaging? So in short, yes it was fat bacon and yes it tasted good and yes I ate most of the bacon. (the girls had a few pieces)
4. Went to fix myself a bacon, egg, and cheese Mcmuffin and notice that a part of the McMuffin maker was missing. I remembered that Max had played with it the other day. Since the garbage can is right there in the kitchen, it dawned on me that he probably threw it away. The next thing to dawn on me was that I took the garbage out last night. So yes, I climbed into the dumpster in my PJs and with the neighbors watching, I pulled out my garbage bag from last night, brought it back into my house and went through it piece by dirty diaper piece. I found the missing piece to the mcmuffing maker, cleaned it and made myself a tasty bacon, egg, and cheese mcmuffin. I really wanted it ok!!!
5. Watched Max go around the house hitting a beach ball with a medium sized sauce pan.
6. Got a babysitter and went to the store for groceries. There were only 2 checkers so I waited in line for 20 minutes.
7. Took the kids to the library. They were the noisiest kids in the building.
   
8. Forgot to eat lunch.
9. Kids watched a movie
10. Took the kids over to a friends house for a Halloween party dressed as an Elephant (Grace) and Mini Mouse (Emme). Walked outside and noticed that my back tire was flat. Spent the next hour in Walmart while I waited for them to fix the flat. Awesome!!!
11. Got the kids in bed and watched the BYU game.
    
12. Boy what a day.
    

Log Entry #3

• Woke up
• Took care of kids
• Only lost temper once
• kids are in bed
• The end

Forgot to add this. I left the girls in the living room for 2 minutes and when I got back this is what I found.

I mean who gets a polly pocket stuck in their hair? Emme, that's who!!! The real question is how do you get a polly pocket stuck in your hair?

Log Entry #2

1. Emme wakes me up at 5:30. (Oh just like the good old days)
2. Get Max up at 7:00 am.
3. Give Max a bath because he peed out of his diaper.
4. Thought about going to the bathroom myself.
5. Fed kids pancakes at 7:45 - 8:00.
6. Deciding on whether or not I should send Emme to preschool or not.
7. Can't wait for Max to take a nap 8:45. (is that normal?)
8. Max goes down at 9:30.
9. Read books and played with Emme till 10:00
10. Started a show for Emme and started to work on my proposal. (Boy am I tired)
11. Sent Emme to preschool at 12:15 and Max said "bye" and waved just as Emme was leaving. That's awesome.
12. Played with Max until 2:30 and went to pick up Emme.
13. Picked up Grace at 3:30
14. Played with the kids. Had dinner at 5 and sent the girls off to soccer at 6.
15. (Missed talking with an adult)
16. Watch Max and Britton until 8. All kids in bed by 9:15.
17. Finish proposal.
18. I love and miss you Mary. Have fun.

Operation Mr. Mom Is Underway

Log Entry #1

• Started the day at 1:30 a.m. (went to bed at 11) to Emme throwing up in her bed. Couldn't get back to sleep after cleaning up barf and changing the sheets. Ate bowl of Cheerios at 3 after Emme got up a second time to throw up. Talked with Mary for a bit and both of us went back to bed at 3:30. Sent Mary to airport via shuttle van service at 5 am.
• Awakened by Grace at 7:20, after brother-in-law called and woke me up at 5:40 am.
• Changed Max's nasty diaper at 7:30.
• Helped Emme with her diarrhea at 8:00, 8:20, 8:40...(you get the picture)
• Sent Grace off to school at 8:50 am.
• Played with Max and Emme till 10:00 am. Put Max down for nap.
• Played games with Emme and read books. Got ready to go to class. (Emme said something funny but I can't remember what it was)
• Took Max to babysitter at 1:00 pm
• Took Emme to class with me and started class at 1:30. (Emme watched a movie on the computer with no issues whatsoever)
• Finished class at 2:30 and took Emme to Sam's club to buy wipes for Max.
• Picked up Max from babysitter at 3:15.
• Picked up Grace from school at 3:30.
• Came home and did homework with Grace.
• Took the kids to new park in Logan at 4:30 - 5:45.
• Had pizza for dinner.
• Watched Monsters vs Aliens.
• Read books to girls and put them to bed at 8:20 p.m.
• Might work on article and/or proposal.

I respect all mothers that take care of their children day in and day out.

Dream Big My Boy, Dream Big!!!

Max Gets Branded, Or Happy Birthday Max!

A few weeks ago we traveled to Utah County for a little quality time with the extended family. Max's cousin Ike was also celebrating his first birthday so we decided to combine the festivities and have a barbeque with my side of the family. Max pretty much wanted nothing to do with his cake, but he sure loved crawling around with no clothes on. Who wouldn't, really?

On Sunday, we were planning on going to 9 am church with Jon's family. Everyone was ready but me, and just as I was about to take a shower, I heard Jon calling for me in his urgent, concerned parent voice. I ran upstairs and saw him holding Max and a blood soaked paper towel. Max had fallen and hit his head on a rocking chair and split his forehead open. So it was off to the ER, Jon in his suit and tie, and me in my black sweats, glasses, and dirty, messy hair pony tail. Sweet. He ended up with 3 stitches, exactly in the same place as a scar on Jon's forehead. The doctor asked if a forehead scar was our family crest. I told him that's how we brand our babies so we always know who belongs to us at family reunions.





Monday we went with my sister-in-law Jandee and her little boy Ike to Hogle Zoo. The best part by far was the baby giraffe. Thanks for the fun day Jandee!

On Max's actual birthday, we decided to do another cake. Once again, he had no interest, but he loved shoving little handfuls of cake into Grace and Emme's mouths so it was a good deal all around.

Emme Rides Her Bike

We decided to take the training wheels off of Emme's bike Saturday night. We had one short session that evening and she did quite well. This video is Emme on her bike Sunday evening with one session under her belt. I must say, we have an "AWESOME" 3 year old on our hands.

Jon's in the Tribune!

In the Salt Lake Tribune, there's a picture of Jon and a short description of one of the projects he's involved in. Check it out if you're still confused about what exactly he's been doing for the past 5 years!
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13231543?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com&utm_source=BenchmarkEmail&utm_campaign=E_Connections_Sep_02_2009_Email&utm_medium=email

Toothless Grace

It just makes me laugh to see her with fewer teeth and I laugh louder when she says a word with an S in it.

Not So Top Food Experiences in Logan

1. A couple of years ago we went to a restaurant with some friends. The hostess took us to a outer section of the restaurant. This section was "enclosed" but during the winter or very early spring it is still very cold. We sat there for a while and they brought us some drinks. We sipped our drinks while shivering. After a few more visits from the waitress we asked if we could come inside. That was not a very fun experience.

2. Mary and I had just moved to Logan and a friend ranted and raved about a local restaurant. We decided to visit and we are seated in the secondary section of the restaurant which has no decor and has the feeling of a cafeteria in an old folks' home. We ordered the food and you could tell that almost everything was from frozen bags. The dressing for the salad came in a pre packaged plastic cup. Needless to say we haven't been back.

3. We went to a restaurant and ordered a sausage pizza and when we got it, it had baco-bits on it.

4. We went out the other night and ordered a sandwich for dinner. The special was a BBQ pork sandwich so I ordered that with the assumption that the sandwich would have some sort of condiment like cheese on it but alas, no. It came on a bun the size or a bit smaller than a hotdog bun and there was maybe a table spoon of pork on each half of the bun. I finished the whole sandwich in 3 bites. Oh, did I mention that the sandwich cost $4.50. Best deal of the night.

LOL Funny Story

So a week or so ago, someone I know gets a facebook message from some girl he went to highschool with. He said she was known to be kind of air headed. Anyway, she sent this message that said how sorry she was and if she had offended anyone. She thought LOL stood for Lots of Love. So she said that she was very sorry to the people who posted on facebook that a love one died or that were getting a divorce and she had posted LOL. She said that her 10 year old son told her what the code meant so she had to send out the apologies. Can you imagine the feelings she would have felt as soon as she realized what she had done?

"Oh man your dad died in a car crash, I'm sorry. LOL"

Emme Strikes Again

Emme has gone to a new level in dressing herself. She can make a whole outfit with just one pair of stretch pants. She is creating quite a repretiore of outfits.

The Statue of Liberty Meets Flash Dance

Good Times and The Good Old Days

So a couple of weeks ago we went down to visit the family and friends and while there we made a little stop at American Fork Steel Days. Mary and I used to go to this when we were younger. It was a lot of fun to see the kids there having fun at something that I used to do as a kid. We took my sister and her daughter with us and Grace, Emme, and Anna had a good time.









After the day at the carnival the kids came home and had a little mud fight. I think Emme won, sorry Anna.

I Wish . . .

While we were eating breakfast yesterday, the girls and I started talking about wishes. We all made a list of 5 things we would wish for. Funny, interesting, revealing stuff.

Emmeline's Wishes
1. Pet unicorn
2. Pretty horse and pony
3. A pretty wedding dress
4. Decorations
5. A giant bowl with just a tons of grapes

Grace's Wishes
1. Go to Hawaii
2. Play all day and never stop
3. Have the bestest friend in the world
4. See a rainbow all day
5. Have a boyfriend

Mom's Wishes
1. Sleep eight straight uninterrupted hours EVERY night
2. A free cleaning service to come and deep clean my house once a week
3. World peace

Max and Photobooth

I know that we've done a photobooth post before with the girls but now it's Max's turn.

Discovery Gateway coupons

I have a couple of extra coupons for the children's museum at the Gateway in Salt Lake. It's a 2 for 1 coupon good for up to 6 people. It's a fantastic museum but pretty expensive so this coupon makes the price about right. It's only good until July 31. Let me know if you want them.

The Divvy Up Sale

I know I just wrote about this, but I thought I would give this consignment sale one more plug. I dropped off my items this morning and I was so impressed with how much stuff they have to sell. So come and shop--and buy some of my stuff. If all of my items sell, it will pay for my trip to Georgia in October! Here's the email the organizers sent out this afternoon:

The Divvy UP- children's consignment sale

We are ready to start the Divvy UP sale this week. We have over 3500 items to sell- things like clothes (even charter school clothes), shoes, toys, furniture, and decorations for your children's rooms. This looks to be fantastic. Our doors open tomorrow, Wednesday, for a pre-sale for those who consign and/or volunteer and for those who have a new baby, are pregnant or active military. Thursday-Saturday will be open to the public. Saturday, many items will be 1/2 price, but the selection may be slimmer, so the sooner you come, the better the goods. We hope to see you at our sale... it looks to be great. See thedivvyup.com for specific times. The sale will be at the Fair grounds, across from the Aquatic Center. We plan to do another sale the last week of April, so save your hangers and unused childrens items so you can make some money. MIndy And Colleen

Another Emmeism

We try to read a scripture verse each day to the girls. Today I was reading and the girls wanted to listen to what I was reading in the BOM. I'm currently in the war chapters of Alma. I was reading about a particular fight between the Nephites and Lamanites and Emme looks up at me and says "Daddy, the Nephites would win if they all had bikes and ran over the lamanites so they would die."

All Logan Moms!

I wanted to let everyone know about a great way to earn a little money! A couple of moms here in Logan have organized a consignment sale that will run July 9-11. Consignment sales are a great way to get rid of what your kids have outgrown, as well as shop for what they need. They aren't common in Utah because people tend to rely on hand me downs for larger families, they just give their stuff to the DI, or they have their own garage sales. Consignment sales are nice because they typically accept things that are in very good used condition (no old ratty stained t-shirts or broken toys). The upside is that people are willing to pay more than garage sale prices, so if you are consigning items you tend to make a little more money. For example, I consigned some clothes a few weeks ago and made $20 on only 3 items. Anyway, I'm not involved with organizing the sale at all, so this really isn't a sales pitch. I just found out about it and got really excited to get rid of some things around here and hopefully make a little money, which I will probably use to just buy more stuff. Ah, the circle of life.
Here is the website if you want more info or if you want to sign up to consign.
http://www.thedivvyup.com

Emme's Influence

Many of you know about Emme and her crazy dress-ups. Well, she's at it again and she's teaching Grace how to do it. However, as you can see, Grace needs to give Emme some posing tips.

Cousin Camp

So we took Mary's brother's kids for a week while they were on a trip. It was an adventure. Mary is a champ for taking two more kids and doing daily activities. Here are some of the things we did.


Activity 1: Playing with playdoh


Activity 2: Going to the park


Activity 3: Covering the table with butcher paper and letting the kids decorate it.


Activity 4: Having a weenie roast and smores


Activity 5: Going to the little town zoo/park

After zoo snack

How we kept the place in order.

job chart on the fridge

Notice that Emme only has one check mark. (slacker)

Activity 6: Took the kids to the aquarium in Sandy