Highlights from Beach Years

Softball and Food

Our weekend started with watching Daddy play softball. Seth is our monkey and all night he climbed the fence. Literally.

JT and Rylee had fun chasing down the homerun balls. Daddy hit at least 2 of the homerun balls.
Tonight, Makenna was doing a good job eating her mush. So I pulled out the camera to document it for all the grandmas out there, then...red eyes. You can guess the rest. Be glad I did record the clean up needed after the red eyes.

THEN Seth needed some positive attention. Boy poor. He has had 2 accidents today and I have been upset about this most of the day. He is going to be 4 in a few weeks. I need to not be so hard on him. Patience. It is a virtue I don't have. Enjoy the Seth show!

Four is better than one

I have been the mother of four for 5 months now, I here is what I have learned.

It is easier going places (stores, library, softball games, errands, shopping, etc.) with all four rather than just the baby.

Believe it or not!

Mellow Makenna Maurine

OUR Beautiful Baby is 5 months old TODAY!

She is growing up fast and I have decided to keep her a baby. I will do everything for her, forever! THAT IS THAT. Well, let's think about that. Diapers...forever...Nah! Nevermind, but I love having a baby now! She is a good girl who I love and adore. She is not much of a snuggler, but she can't get off my lap YET!

This video is long and lame. I mean it is precious and shows how mellow Makenna is. The only thing I hate about this video is my BABY VOICE! I wish I could be one of those moms that just talks to her kids, but no! I am one of those moms who BABY talks to her kids. What's a girl to do? (retorical question - no responses, please.)

Updates on past blogs:

*Makenna is sitting up now without the boppy (fancy curved nursing pillow). She enjoys her baby food.

*Seth has suffered no long term side effects from his BONK! video. Whew.

*My hair is still the same length, but I did color it. No one noticed, but that is a compliment, I think.
*Rylee's hair really IS that blond, but only in the summer. Ah, natural highlights!
*JT does like golf. He calls the holes, "flaggy thingys". A child after my own heart.

Have a great Thursday!

Merit Badges

Well, I don't know how many details you want, but pack meeting was last night. It was a Bike Rodeo and a fellow from our ward did an AWESOME job talking to the boys about bike safety. (I didn't get a picture of that, but it was cool.) He is a surgeon as a profession and even talked to the boys about crushed sculls from no helmets. It means more to the boys when you speak from truth and experience. THANKS SHAWN!

Lots of awards! Here is one who earned his Bobcat.

We had 2 bike routes for the boys to try out. One was a simply loop (8 loops = 1 mile) and the other was an obstacle course used to pass off a requirement! VERY FUN! I couldn't do it alone and I had lots of help.

On a side note, my friend passed along a site that is a must see for someone in my position (I am a cubmaster and a nursing mom). Only check out this site if you are a girl, a mom, and/ or can take a joke. THESE MERIT BADGES on the site ARE NO JOKE!

I think many of us have earned some or all of these at one point or another.

Ahh! Motherhood. Wouldn't it be nice if we got merit badges every time we deserved one. Our reward is more than a merit badge; it comes in hugs, kisses, and sweet moments. I am trying to record these precious memories before the teenage years hit. I remember how mean I was to my mom (Sorry, again, Mom).

BTW - speaking of my mom - She was visiting a friend at the hospital last night and PASSED OUT IN THE ELEVATOR!!! ISN"T THAT CRAZY! She ended up getting an x-ray, CAT scan, EKG, blood drawn, etc. She was in the hospital for 2 hours before they determined that she was to take it easy. She had low potassium, but that is it. WHAT A WEIRD THING TO HAPPEN! Isn't that something you would tell your friends about? She is not like me. She only told her boss, because she has to go to the dr. tomorrow and needed to take off from work (yes, she went to work today!). She didn't tell her friends or neighbors or ANYONE! I am definitely like my dad when it comes to talking about myself (no offense).

MOM - you deserve a merit badge for your ordeal.

Dancing in the Rain

Seth was the first one out the door when the monsoon rain started. He grabbed his umbrella and off he went. The first loud thunder bolt brought Seth back in the door! It is scary to a 3 year old.

Rylee and JT had much more fun and played out for a while.

JT started dancing.

Then Rylee had to enter the competition.

Fun times in AZ!

Parody - I stole from a friend

Remember when I told you about swimming at a friend's house...

Well, it was there that I heard about a friend and her family's (the Taylor's) new words to my favorite song from WICKED (the musical - based from the book Wicked, but my Aunt says the book is too dark. I never read the book, but the musical I love)! POPULAR(my favorite song)! They changed the words to fit their family of manly men - to MUSCULAR! TOO FUNNY!

Here is POPULAR perfromed by Kristen Chenoweth. I love her! She doesn't even do WICKED anymore , but she was the original Glinda. SHE ROCKS!


This is the kind of stuff I love!


MUSCULAR
(Sung to the tune of “Popular” from Wicked)

Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I
And let’s face it, who isn’t less fortunate than I?
My macho heart tends to start to fret
And whoever needs a noogie more, I simply have to boogie for
I know…I know exactly what they need

And even in your case, Which is the toughest case I’ve yet to face
Don’t worry, I’m determined to succeed, Follow my lead
And yes indeed, you..will..be MUSCULAR
You’re gonna be muscular!
I’ll teach you the proper lures when you talk to girls
Little ways to strut and flex
I’ll show you what food to eat, to expand your meat
Everything that really counts to be muscular
I’ll help you be muscular
You’ll hang with the cutest chicks, like you see in flicks
Know the things you’ve got to know
So let’s start cause you’ve got an awfully long way to go.

Don’t be offended by my frank analysis,
Think of it as wimpiness dialysis
Now that I’ve decided to become a pal, a brother and advisor
There’s nobody wiser, not when it comes to Muscular
I know about muscular
And with an assist from me to be who you’ll be instead of wimpy who you were—are—
There’s nothing that can stop you from becoming muscular.
La La La La We’re going to make you Muscular.

When I see depressing creatures with their saggy, flabby features
I remind them on their own behalf to think of celebrated hockey players or
That big gov Scwhwartzeneger—did he have brains or knowledge—don’t make me laugh. They are muscular. Please! It’s all about MUSCULAR
It’s not about aptitude. It’s the way you’re viewed—so it’s very shrewd to be…
Very, Very Muscular…Like Me.

And though you protest, your disinterest, I know clandestinely..you’re going to grin and bear it, your new found muscularity.
La La La La You’ll be muscular
Just not quite as muscular as me!

Aren't the muscular words funny?

I do not like this song because of the "popular message" (heaven knows I was never "popular"). I like this song because of the catchy music. Plus if you saw the performance, this song and Glinda for that matter are a joke. The smart, cool, and put together witch is the green one. Interesting...JUST clarifying.

Makenna met her first dog

We went swimming at a friend's house (yes, people with pools do go swimming at other pools, esp. ones that are nicer than mine - this one had a slide) and they have 2 dogs. Well, Makenna loved it! TOO CUTE!

Notice she is pulling on the dog's hair, too! I guess she pulls out any hair she can reach.

Ice Skating in AZ?

Yep! It is that time of year again. The time of year when Travis' company takes us to the rink, the ice rink! YAY! Gotta love someone else footing the bill.

The kids had fun!

Seth was still learning.

Rylee is a pro!


JT liked broom hockey the best! He also played so hard he has the blood to prove it!

Makenna stayed home with a sitter. Maybe next year, Makenna!

Missed me?

I didn't think so.

I was on a quick trip to Tucson with the family since Sunday. Did anyone notice? Probably not. I like being sneaky.

Travis had a conference at a very nice resort. He was busy, but still had time to play with the kids.

JT and Rylee getting ready to go to their kid class at the conf. They learned what Dad does at work. Rylee still can't say civil engineer. Seth enjoyed his treats in the heat.

Makenna 4 1/2 months with friend, Andrew, 8 months.

We had all 6 of us in one room and it wasn't horrible. Imagine that.


Seth got sunburned even after 3 applications of sunscreen. Any suggestions?

We even stopped by the "NEW" Tucson office. Very nice. Still just as hot as Phoenix.


All in all, a great family get away.

JT making her laugh

So cute! JT is good at making anyone laugh. He can't stand it when people (large or small) are sad. JT is a good oldest child. He doesn't even know that, but he is. The fourth child really is easier. Thank goodness for the other three to entertain the babe.

kid-ism

While playing UNO today...

Rylee: Do you have any yellow?

Seth: I saw one this year.

Cutest Movie

I just saw the cutest movie, The Last Mimzy. If you check out the site, go into Launch the site for kids to see a trailer.

I loved how this brother and sister had to work together. That is hard for brothers and sisters to do. Also in the movie, the boy said, "You're not the boss of me!" to his sister. I laughed so hard. My kids didn't think that line was funny, but I did. I hear that all day long. Everyone one of my kids says that phrase. The movie is out on DVD now. I hope you like it. It reminded me of my two oldest. I love movies that remind me of family.

The review I read said (I am paraphrasing) that it was an intelligent, imaginative children's adventure refreshingly free of rapping cartoon animals, fart jokes, and mind-numbing special effects. That review made me want to see it. Now that I have seen it all I can say is CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!

How come no one told me about this movie?

Makenna sitting up?

Well, Makenna was trying to practice her sit up muscles till Rylee came and took her boppy pillow away. Seth has to get in on any video action. Fun times!

JT likes golf. Or does he?

Travis and JT went golfing Saturday morning for the first time. Cute boys, aren't they?

Travis found out that the local coarse offers a cool JUNIORS program in the summer for the front 9 holes. JT had to go to a training class to learn golf etiquette. Part of this program is $20 for the whole summer which mean JT can golf anytime. Here is the catch. JT has to be accompanied my an adult and that adult gets to golf for FREE!



Here is my question. Does JT like golf, because HE likes golf or because his Dad likes golf? JT really does like basketball. I know this because JT asks to play basketball. No one has to ask him to play. SO...Travis and I are both competitive sports oriented people. Does that mean our kids have to like sports? Probably not. Where do we draw the line?



I think we want to expose JT to sports. After JT is exposed, I feel like we need to pay attention to his interest level in that particular sport. I hope JT never feels pressured to play a sport because of who his parents are. I also hope that if JT wanted to - say - be a magician or a chess player or join the speech & debate team, we could support that as well. Only the future will tell. I can't wait to see if JT will ask to play golf this next week. Whatever JT chooses to do, I hope he is happy!

It's cow milking time!

My friend Susan was a gracious hostess and let us come to her house to milk her cow, Rudy.

CUTE COW! Loved it.
Can you see the stream of milk coming out? Look close.

We even made butter in a blender from the cream and
the kids drank a lot of fresh milk.

Amazingly, it tasted just like MILK!

This butter had to have the milk squeezed out of it and then rinsed with cold water. Susan worked it with a spatula for at least 10 minutes. YUMMY butter!

My hiking buddy Laura (7 months pregnant) drove me and kids out there. We missed her oldest, but we had fun with my older 3 and her younger 3 kids.


JT had fun trying to squirt the milk in his mouth.

Rylee had fun with the baby turkeys.
Seth was busy climbing trees.

The amazing thing is that my kids have never seen that before. I love that I can expose them to new things, even now. We are definately city slickers.

To Cut or Not to Cut?

That is the question.

I have been shedding long hairs lately. At least I think so. It could be a sweet 4 month old pulling out my hair. I am really not sure.

Ever since she has learned to grab things (which I was excited for a new milestone) I have noticed long hairs everywhere. My couch, the floor, my carpet. I feel like I have a dog in the house and I don't. Then there is the fact that I have never had long hair when I have had a baby. I feel the urge to WHACK it! (Keep in mind my hair isn't THAT long, I am just used to medium length or short hair.)

So now, here is the question. To cut or not to cut? I want you to base your answer on what looks best on my face. I only have digital pictures since 2004 (and honestly most are of my kids, so it was hard to find pictures of me - esp. good ones).

2004

2005

2006

2007

It looks like I only have one shirt in 2007. Oh well.

Let me know what you think. I think I already know what I want to do, but I am still on the fence.