Family Feature Friday

Friday!!!!! Time for:

Here are the 'proof' shots.

FAMILY FEATURE FRIDAY

NAME: Adrianne

NICKNAME: Adri

BIRTHDAY: September 23

RELATION: Shilo's Sister-in-Law

OCCUPATION: Elementary School Teacher

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ADRI: Such a sweet, sweet person. I am so lucky to get to call her sister.

Adri is a twin and she actually grew up down the street from Eric, which means they were in the same ward. They also both ended up working at ZCMI in High school. Small world, eh?


Adri is a great person all around. It's not easy to come from a small family and try to blend in with such a large family, but she's done a terrific job. She jokes that when she first met our extended family she went home and wrote down everyone she could remember. That was probably about 70 or so people to remember.

Adri is a great aunt and we know we can count on her to help us out when we need her.

HERE'S A STORY: There was a time once, when we were in Lava where I was really struggling and feeling quite inadequate as a mother. This happened after my Dad got after 2 year old Lex for something my Dad didn't understand.

So, Eric and I were outside talking about it and someone overheard us. (I don't know who and it doesn't even matter.) All that matters is that word got to my mom that I felt the way I did and that I thought she thought bad of me. So, my mom wanted to talk to Eric and I.

The kids followed us back in and were just being kids and wanting to play, but I was in such a state that I couldn't handle this. Without a word to me and ever so quietly Adri gathered the kids and took them outside for me.

She does this quite often. It's like Adri can read my mind and always knows just when and how to help me with the kids.

I am so thankful for her and I am so excited that after 6 years of trying she finally gets to be a mommy! And to top it off, she is naming her son what we almost named Nate. We must think alike!

Love you Adri!!!

What Happens Next...

Talking Tunes Thursday

I am behind by a day, but at least it's happening, right?

Read about Talking Tunes Thursday here.

Today's Song: 4 In The Morning - Gwen Stefani

--- The early morning hours after an argument of some kind. Speaker hasn't been able to sleep all night just thinking about the relationship and where it's headed. The speaker is explaining what she wants out of the relationship that she isn't getting. ---

I liked the group No Doubt and was excited when Gwen Stefani went solo. I am not her biggest fan in any sense of the word, but I do enjoy her songs. This song in particular really speaks to me. I think the first time I ever heard it was actually a day after Eric and I had had an argument and I was really shook up.

Ever since that day, this song has been a favorite. Like I've said before, I am really into lyrics and these lyrics just always seem to hit home!

On the table for next week: 409 - The Beach Boys

If anyone else would like to join me in doing Talking Tunes Thursday - I would love for you to join me. I will email you the little 'siggy' (or feel free to create your own) and I can link to your blog at the end of each 'session'

What Happens Next...

Pioneer Day Festivities

I almost forgot to post about this until I just read my sister's blog. Thank goodness she is on top of things!

The weekend of Pioneer Day kept us pretty busy.

As stated earlier, Tanis' birthday was on Thursday and that was a full day. I forgot to mention that when I went to leave my little sisters place I couldn't find my keys. It was about 10:30 and I was stressing out. After trying to look in the windows of the car (since the car was locked) and calling Eric to tell him I needed help, I looked behind the diaper bag and lo and behold my keys! So we didn't get home until 11:30.

Friday morning was a pretty uneventful morning. And I got a fairly late start to the day because Eric was home and I didn't get a lot of sleep. I honestly can't even remember how we filled up our Friday, but Friday night we headed yet again to the ball game.

It was yet another firework game and if there are fireworks Grandpa is sure to treat us. I usually have fun watching the game, but for whatever reason on this particular day it was more interesting to watch the people in front of us. They weren't really loud or anything - they were just interesting to watch.

Grandma Shirley took these pics:


So Friday was another late night and we had a somewhat early day the next day. I still tried to sleep in on Saturday morning (I'm not stupid - if Eric's awake and home, I'm going to take full advantage) and when I woke up I had to straighten the house and get everyone ready.

We were headed to my Mom's for a bbq. However, because I didn't get to the store on Friday we had to stop on our way to my Mom's. I made Eric run in and grab everything and he did a great job - except for the fact he bought him a drink and not me!

We got to my mom's and ate food right away. We like to eat. After the food was digested my brother in law had some entertainment for some of us. He brought tons of water balloons and we all had fun creaming each other. Okay, actually - the kids, my little bro, my bro in law and I were the only ones to play. My play time got cut short though because Nate decided he didn't like what was going on.
My big sister took pics of the event and she needs to share them with me, but hasn't yet!

After the water balloon fight we decided to head over to the school. We were going to play baseball. Well, I didn't bring Ailey's stroller so she had to share Makayla's. What a sight that was. Yes I'll share the pics! It was hard not to laugh at the poor little girls all crammed together. I think I failed and did laugh a bit! Ailey was not happy that she had to share a stroller and the fact that she was ready to eat didn't help at all. And it was only when we were halfway to the school that I realized I had Ailey's little strap on baby carrier thing in the car. Oh well.


We got to the school and I fed Ailey. We then decided it was too freaking hot to play baseball so we headed back to my mom's. I was kinda bummed about not playing ball as I was all set to go, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.
When we got back to my mom's it was time for watermelon and other games. My older sister got on the kick of how the 'stupid' people play these certain types of games and the 'smart' people play the other games. Okay, now because I was so tired from such long nights I was offended. Because the games she was including in the 'stupid people' catergory are the games I really enjoy. I also enjoy some games in the 'smart people' category and when they started playing one and asked if I wanted to play I said no.

So my little sister and mom were just shooting the breeze. Then my little sis and I decided we wanted something good to snack on, but we didn't know what. So we headed over to Harmon's and got a few snacks. Little sister saw someone get arrested - I missed it somehow... Darn it!

We got back to my mom's and hung out a bit more until Eric was done with the 'smart people' game. We then loaded everything/everyone up and headed home. We were able to see some fireworks along the way and before we left my parents.

Sunday morning we got up and headed to church. I was released as a Scout Leader last Sunday, so this Sunday I started my new calling as a Primary teacher. I am teaching Shaylyn's class with another lady and I am actually excited about it. On Sunday I didn't have to teach, but I still got to go into the class and got to know the kids and listen to a great lesson on sharing!

After church we headed to Eric's parents house for our usual Sunday dinner. Eric's mom makes THE BEST homemade chicken soup, and as per Shaylyn's request weeks before, that is what we had. It was an odd meal for summer, but it was still so yummy.

After dinner Eric went out back and played Bocce ball with his dad and older brother while Eric's mom and I took and looked at pics. Here are a few she took:


We went home fairly early and got a good nights sleep and we were ready to take on this week!

What Happens Next...

I Thought A Decade Was Longer...

Last Thursday, July 22nd, Tanis turned 10! That means he has lived for a decade. A decade has always seemed like a huge chunk of time to me, but apparently it's not. I can't believe how quickly 10 years really does go by.

Eric actually took the day off (I think he got to choose a day since Pioneer Day was on a Saturday) and that made Tanis feel extra special.

We gave Tanis his gift:


Then we went to lunch. Tanis chose Olive Garden. He loves their salad dressing and I think that's about it since he ordered pizza for his meal. ;)


After lunch we came home and let Tanis play his new game. While Tanis was playing his game I was hoping that the year of 2004 in pictures was still on the hard drive of the old computer since the disc they are on doesn't read well on any comp. Well, the pictures aren't on the old hard drive so I was feeling really bummed out.

My little sister then asked us to come to her place cause she needed help with something and then the little kids could swim for a bit. The kids were ecstatic. We had a good night at the pool at hanging out with my sister's fam. Sorry there arent pics from swimming - I was watching Nate in the pool and my little sis was holding both babies.

It was a good day and I hope Tanis had a great birthday. I still can't believe he's 10!

And because we had a crazy weekend there was no Talking Tunes Thursday or Family Feature Friday - they will return this week!

What Happens Next...

A Little Peace of Mind

This past Thursday I took the kids - along with my mom, lil' bro, lil' sis and her kids - to the International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park in Salt Lake. I did this for a few reasons:

• We all needed to get out of the house
  
  
• It was free


• My Grandma lives close by


• I wanted to share part of my childhood with my kids. Each summer when we slept at my Grandparents they would take us to the Peace Gardens. It is such a special memory I have with them.

We started out early - 9:00 a.m. early. We got to my mom's at 10, when both babies decided it was time to eat. We left my mom's around 11:00 and got to the gardens around 11:20. It was a good thing we went when we did as it was a very hot day that day.

The kids loved the gardens and all the items/replicas of major attractions from each country. I loved how peaceful it was and that I got to spend a nice day with my kids and some of my family. I also loved the memories that always come visiting places filled with your own history.

After we were done at the gardens we stopped in to visit my Grandma. I always love visiting with her and I don't do it often enough. We decided to get some 'generation' pics while we were there.

I leave you with some fave pics of the day. (If you want to see all the pictures you can look on my facebook page or wait for the website update in August.)

What Happens Next...

Family Feature Friday

It's Friday!!!! That means another round of:

Here we go again the 'proof' shots.

FAMILY FEATURE FRIDAY

NAME: Logan

NICKNAME: Loguinea Pig

BIRTHDAY: June 11

RELATION: Shilo's Lil' Bro

OCCUPATION: Student

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LOGAN: #7 of 7 kids. He is the baby of the family and will be starting High School this fall.

He is an avid ball player and spends like 6 - 9 hours a day doing something in relation to baseball. In the morning he'll go practice with the high school's automotive league, then he'll go to the game. Half the time after a school game he'll have an all-star league game as well.

He is an awesome catcher and I loved watching him run down a guy in a pickle at his game a few weeks ago.

Logan is an awesome uncle and the kids just love him. In fact we don't go to Grandma & Grandpa's house - we go to Logan's house.

Logan is another person that'll play most any game with us and is always up for a good time.

HERE'S A STORY: When Logan was little he loved the movie The Sandlot and he'd watch it quite a  few times a day. (Still unsure how my mom didn't go crazy hearing that all day). He was also notorious for staying up into the wee hours of the morning with my mom.

So, while he was staying awake with Mom, Mom was smart and put The Sandlot in for him nightly. He would watch the movie up unto the point where the kids yells, "PLAY BALL." He would then repeat the phrase and fall asleep.

At least that is the story my mom tells. So Logan, "PLAY BALL!!!" And I hope this makes up for forgetting you on my post on Facebook yesterday! ;)

What Happens Next...

Talking Tunes Thursday

Always behind by a day, but that's life lately.

Read about Talking Tunes Thursday here.

Today's Song: 23 Days - SHeDAISY

--- The life of a musician on the road, counting down the days until they reach home again. ---

I first started listening to SHeDAISY because they were from Utah and grew up in the city next to the city I grew up in. I later found out they were cousins to some kids I grew up with - small world. Anyway, I like this song because of the beat, mainly. There are also some very clever lyrics in this song. Some of my faves include: 'the love that I've been gettin' I can't really call it mine' and 'Okalahoma City always looks pretty 'Cause it's half way home.'

This isn't a song I'd say was a favorite, but it's still a great song to listen to and to move along to.

On the table for next week: 4 In The Morning - Gwen Stefani

If anyone else would like to join me in doing Talking Tunes Thursday - I would love for you to join me. I will email you the little 'siggy' (or feel free to create your own) and I can link to your blog at the end of each 'session'

What Happens Next...