Utah's Hogle Zoo

Last week Shelley and I decided to take the kids to the zoo. We grabbed Abby and had her took her with us too. At first I was thinking we were crazy taking 5 kids to the zoo, with just the 2 of us. It was so much fun though, and the kids were so good. We pulled Landon and Carter in the wagon, and attached their monkey leashes to them so they could get in and out of the wagon and I could still keep track of them. Ethan rode in the umbrella stroller, Livvy walked with Abby (who we also put a little leash on) and it was great!

All the kids loved seeing all the animals, and watching them walk around. They loved looking in the smaller exhibits to see if there was really something in there. Their surprised faces were so cute when they saw the animals. I loved it! They especially loved the giraffes. There was a baby one there, and the mama of it came right up close to us on the second floor of their exhibit. It was sweet! Landon and Carter thought it was hilarious standing in front of the gorilla to see how you measure up. It was so funny watching them holding out their arms.

We took all the kids on the new carousel, which Carter wasn't particularly fond of at first, he cried, but then warmed up towards the end of our ride. The last thing we did was ride the train. I couldn't believe how short it was, but it turned out to be perfect. By the time we got off all the kids were ready to go and so were we. It wasn't until that time that anyone had a melt down. We no more than pulled out of the parking lot and Carter was asleep. He was completely exhausted. Poor Carter! I stopped at Wendy's and got lunch for all of us and just after pulling out of there Landon was asleep too.

I realized through all this, that I should have a little more faith in myself and in my kids. I am always so afraid to take them anywhere for fear of them running off or having fits, and this just proved to me that it's possible.

Thanks Shelley for pushing me to do this with you. We had a great time.

Our Pictures

Breaking Dawn. . . I LOVED IT!

So last weekend, I was completely no help to my family. Luckily my darling husband realized that I would be this way and prepared himself for it... for the most part. All because I had my nose and mind completely stuck in BREAKING DAWN!!



**Spoiler Alert**

I have to admit, it was nothing that I expected. A baby??? WHAT??? I never saw that coming. I guess I should admit, I had thought about her missing out on such an amazing experience in life, but I never could have dreamed that Bella could have a baby with Edward. I am however happy that she did. What an amazing experience for them both!

I at first wasn't so thrilled about reading from Jacob's POV and really wanted to skip over it, but I am so glad that I didn't. For me, not having been a fan of Jacob in the other books, reading his thoughts and feelings gave me a whole new feeling about him. I am so glad that Stephanie did that. I feel like I have a better understanding of him and I actually am ok with him now. Though... I still have a hard time with him imprinting on Renesme. That was a little much to take in, but I can see how it made things in the long run easier for Bella.

In the end, I was really wanting an epic battle, and was a little disappointed about that. Stephanie took a lot of time explaining a lot of the other details, that I feel like she ran out of pages and couldn't give us the big dramatic ending I was hoping for. Though, I am SO HAPPY that no one (important) had to die defending their family. I sobbed when Alice left and I sobbed when she came back, and I cried the hardest when Bella gave Renesme to Jacob and said her goodbyes. I couldn't even see the pages, and even now just writing this has me in tears again thinking about it.

I am so impressed with and loved this book. I overall am so happy with the outcome, and I can not wait to read it again. I know there are so many details that I missed reading it through the first time, and I'm sure that I'll enjoy it even more the 2nd and 3rd, and 4th... times too. Thank you Stephenie Meyers for such an amazing series. I love these books and it has me reading again, which I never thought would happen. These books are my fairytale world that give me a break from reality and keep me sane.

Camping in the Uinta's

Last weekend we loaded up the van and headed for the mountains. Kelly took Thursday and Friday off work, and we thought it would be fun to try and take the boys camping for the first time. We camped in the Uinta's above Heber and Timber Lakes with Morgan and Jordan. It was so much fun. The area we camped in was beautiful! There were quakees and pine trees and even a little brook that ran through our campground. We took the boys for a walk down the road where the brook crossed and let them play in the water. They threw rocks and waded in the water, of course Landon sat down in it and Carter even managed to squat and get his little bum a little wet too. There was no one around us and I loved how peaceful it was. Hearing the light wind rustle the leaves on the trees and seeing the clear blue skies, it was bliss! One morning Jordan was shooting his guns and scared a moose out into the open. It was so cool to watch it slowly cross the field a little ways away from us. It stopped every now and again to eat a little and eventually went into the trees and out of sight. It was so great, and the boys loved watching it with us. We tried cooking a couple meals in dutch ovens, but never seemed to get the coals hot enough for our food to actually cook, so we ended up cooking on the open fire. It was awesome! The second day we were there, Dustin and his family came up and camped too. The boys played with their cousin Trae, and had the best time. They got into the dirt and soot from where we'd tried cooking with the dutch ovens, and got filthy dirty. I couldn't believe it! The boys were having so much fun playing, that I couldn't stop them. They were throwing it and loading up their dump trucks, and I'm sure they thought they were in heaven. They giggled and laughed as they played for hours. I loved watching them. Landon, Carter and I even had a little demolition derby on their big wheels. I sat down on Carters and bumped Landon's while he was on it, and he cracked up. He thought it was hilarious. It was pretty funny, we did it a couple of times and then Carter wanted in on it too, so I sat him on the handlebars and we "crashed" a couple more times until he wanted his bike back. This trip was so needed, and I am so happy that we finally went. I never thought I could have as much fun as we did camping with 2 year old's, but I was wrong and I can't wait to do it again.

Dinner in the Wild

A couple weeks ago Genene & Dave came into town with their families, so we got together and had dinner up Spanish Fork Canyon. It was a lot of fun. Kelly and Daniel played horseshoes, and the boys ran around exploring everything. The picnic site we were at had a little trail that went down to a small river/stream, and so we took the boys down there to play in the water. Carter was ok with the water, but hated the fact that he got "sandbox" in his shoes. He's started to be a little afraid of water lately, so putting his feet in and touching it was good enough for him. Landon on the other hand loved it. He took his shoes off and walked around in the water, and even sat down and played in it. It was really shallow and perfect for them. It didn't even make me nervous. The dinner was great too! Sharee cooked BBQ chicken, potatoes, and cobbler in dutch ovens. The cobbler was like heaven, I loved it the most. We had a great time and the boys were exhausted from all the fun they had. Thanks everyone!

Utah Children's Museum

I took the boys to the Children's Museum with Jill, Bailey, Aubrey, and Grandma Drummond (Jill's darling Mom) a couple weeks ago. We'd never been there and Jill mentioned how much fun it was, so we decided to load up and go. It was so much fun! The boys loved running around and playing on and with everything. There was this truck that I couldn't keep Carter away from. He loved climbing into it and driving. Landon loved all the thing you could pick up and turn and play with. There's a place in there with a life size horse the kids can climb up on. They were a little freaked out about getting onto it, especially Carter. He really didn't like it, but they did it. One of the coolest things there is a real Life Flight helicopter. It was donated to the museum and they have it set up outside. Kids can climb into it and pretend to fly it. It even makes the sounds like it's really running. Landon and Carter were terrified of it, but me being the mean mom that I am, made them get into it anyway. They both cried. Oops!! The very last thing they played with was this huge ball pit. There are clear tubes that the kids put the balls into. Some of them are like the tubes they have at the drive-up's at banks, and they suck them up and drop them back down into a pit where all the kids fill up little trays. Needless to say, Landon and Carter loved it! We had such a great time and I can't wait to go back. I think that Kelly would have just as much fun there as the boys did... if not more. Afterwards we met up with Grandpa Drummond for lunch at Wendy's, where he bought us all lunch. Landon and Carter both said, "tanks gapa" when he brought over their food, and loved showing him their toys in their kids meals. Thanks Jill, Bailey, Aubrey, and Grandma & Grandpa Drummond for a fun day! We love spending time with you!

It's About Time!

TO ALL MY DEAREST FRIENDS I'M SO GLAD I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS!

The correct way to weigh yourself...

I can't believe I was doing it wrong all these years.

WE MUST SPREAD THE WORD.

One Word Answers

Shelley sent this to me, and I thought it was kind of fun to do, so here are my answers. Feel free to do it yourself!

1. Where is your cell phone? Desk

2. Where is your significant other? Work
3. Your hair? Messy
4. Your mother? Amazing
5. Your father?(stepfather) Loving

6. Your favorite thing? Family
7. Your dream last night? Unknown

8. Your favorite drink? DietCoke

9. Your dream/goal? Happiness

10. The room you're in? Office

11. Your hobby? Scrapbooking
12. Your fear? Snakes

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? $Stable$

14. Where were you last night? Park
15. What you're not? Skinny

16. Muffins? Tops

17. Where you grew up? Fields

18. The last thing you did? Texted

19. What are you wearing? Shorts
20. Your TV? Entertainment

21. Your pets? Irritating
22. Your computer? Dead

23. Your life? Chaos
24. Your mood? Blah
25. Missing someone? Angela

26. Your car? Clean

27. Something you're not wearing? Makeup

28. Last summer? Memories
29. Like someone? Yes

30. Your favorite color? Red
31. When was the last time you laughed? Movie
32. Last time you cried? Stressed
33. Who will do this? Mom

At the Cabin

We had this crazy idea to go and spend a night at Shelley's cabin. We thought it would be great fun! So we packed up the van and drove to Fairview. We pulled in around 6pm. We unpacked the van and settled in. The boys played trucks and tractors in the dirt. Shelley and I scrapped while Kelly and Trent sat around trying to relax. It started to get late and so we thought it might be a good idea to try and put the kids to bed. This idea turned out to be disastrous! Landon and Carter did NOT think this was a great idea. They have never slept in a real bed and thought it would be better to jump on it, than to sleep in it. After an hour or so of fruitless efforts, we decided to drive them around in the van to get them to sleep. We ended up clear down at the Chevron (which is quite a ways away). By the time we got back to the cabin, both boys had fallen asleep. However as soon as we got out of the car Carter woke up again. Carter ended up falling asleep with me on one bed and Landon slept with Kelly on the other bed. After about an hour of us all finally getting to sleep, Landon woke up freaking out. Poor Kelly eventually had to take him outside and swing him to sleep on the log swing. Needless to say, it was a long night. That next morning when we woke up, Landon had at some point gotten off the bed and fallen asleep on the floor... at least that's what we are assuming. No one heard a loud thump, so we don't think he fell off the bed. All and all we had a great time. We were only there one night, which was more than enough. Next time we go, I'll make sure to take the pack-n-plays. Thanks for inviting us, we loved our time there!

Pool Party at Tiffany's

Last weekend, Kelly and his friends took off on Friday and went to Fairview. They stayed in Shelley's family's cabin, and went 4-wheeling. They also took their computers and did some gaming. I know... it's a little weird, but it's their thing, and it made them happy. So that's ok with me.

Seems as how we girls (Kim, Shelley, Tiffany, and I) were home with all the kids, we decided to raid Tiffany's house and have a pool party. It was so much fun! All the kids laughed and played outside for hours. Carter went completely under as he tried to go down the little slide on the pool and fell off the side. He was a little upset about it, but shook it off and went on his way.

Landon found lots of things to play with. Balls, toy lawn mowers, shovels, I think he liked playing with all that way more than actually swimming. He did play in the pool and took a couple turns on the slip-n-slide too.

Alivia, Abby, Bree, Ethan, Ian, Jackson, were so much fun to play with. The boys loved splashing around and chasing after them. Jackson used the hose to get the slide wet on the pool, and Carter thought it was so fun to play in the water as he held the hose. Bree made sure that we kept sunscreen on everyone regularly. Alivia, Ethan, Abby and Ian, were just as much fun as they always are. Ian cracked me up by carrying around the sprayer that attaches to the hose. For some reason, he loves to carry them around with him all the time. So funny!

Tiffany had fresh fruit and drinks, and even made sloppy joes for lunch. It was fantastic! Thank you so much Tiffany for letting us bombard your home. We loved being there and hope we can do it again soon!

Here are some pictures...

The Bachelorette

So I have been totally addicted to The Bachelorette. I love that DeAnna got to come back and find the perfect guy for herself. I was shocked to see Graham go, and even more shocked this week when she sent Jeremy away.

However, my favorite guy right from the beginning has been Jason.

So the fact that he's in the final two men is outstanding! I hope that she chooses him, but I know that she could be happy with Jesse too. I can't wait for next Monday to see who she chooses.

You have to the count of 5...

So disciplining my children is always something that I have tried to be consistent with. If I tell them they're going to be in time out the next time they do something I've asked them not to do, I put them in time out. I think that my boys are starting to really understand that.

Last night, Kelly and I were trying to get the boys ready for bed. We kept having to ask them to come to us, so we could put their pajamas on them, and I was getting frustrated. So finally, I did my normal warning. "Get over here before I get to 5 or I am going to spank your bum." I of course start counting and they're testing me, but luckily for them, they reached me before I got to 5. Lucky them... or should I say lucky me?

Anyway, a few minutes after they were dressed, I hear Carter in the kitchen saying, "Kitty here" pointing his finger to the ground, "One, Two, Three!" Of course the kitty didn't come to him, so he starts chasing after her. Kelly and I were laughing so hard, as quietly as we could while still watching him. It was hilarious! I guess I know now that he understands.

I've begun another 365 day journey around the sun...

I'm now another year older and hopefully wiser. I got the chance to celebrate another birthday this year with my fabulous husband, my boys and friends. It was great.

Kelly surprised me the morning of my birthday by bringing me breakfast in bed. It was really quite the surprise, because I thought he'd already left for work. Instead, he took Thursday and Friday off, just to spend time with me. Talk about a fantastic birthday present!

We hung out during the day and he took me into town to pick out what he wanted to get me for my birthday. Kelly bought me a Zune for my birthday, and what I got to choose was the color. I of course chose Red. I was so excited, I started to get a little teary eyed.

After that we came home and loaded some music onto the Zune and hung out for a while, until it was time to leave for dinner. We made plans with some of our friends to go and have dinner (with out kids) at Tucano's in Orem.

We were on our way there and Kim called and said that there was a party of 124 people that were already there and we couldn't get in until around 9. I was bummed, but it didn't ruin my day. Instead we went down to the Brick Oven in Provo and ate there. They have the best salad bar, and their pasta is pretty good too. So it worked out just as good.

We had a great night and I owe it all to my darling husband. I can't thank him enough for making my birthday one of the best ones I've ever had. Thank you again, I love you!!

I Got Tagged By Shelley

How To Play This Game of Tag

Post these rules on your blog.

List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself.

Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3 Joys...

Taking pictures

Yoga and meditation

Edward Cullen/Twilight

3 Fears...

Snakes

Loosing my boys/family

Drowning

3 Goals...

De clutter my home

Go to the Temple every month

Get out of debt

3 Current Obsessions/Collections...

Scrapbooking

Scentsy

My Fly Lady Routine:

Monday- Weekly Home Blessing

Tuesday- Finances & Paperwork

Wednesday- Grocery, Errands, & Garbage

Thursday- Laundry & Clean Bathrooms

Friday- Catch-up what didn't get done the rest of the week. It doesn't all get done every week, but it's a guideline that I try to stick by.

3 Random Surprising Facts About Me...

I don't like chocolate

I love organizational items, but am not good at getting anything organized

I want to be a photographer

Tag! You're It!

Jill

Morgan

Melissa

Emily

Kris Anne

Watering The Flowers

Watering has become one of Landon's newest favorite things to do these days. Anytime the water is turned on the hose always ends up in his hands. He loves to spray the flowers and water the lawn. And occasionally his brother... oops!