Always Be Consistent...

So, I've always loved to fill out quizzes and surveys...I don't know why, I just do.

I got this one in an email and figured since it had been awhile since I'd posted anything like a quiz, I figured I would.

Hope you get to know a little more about me...

A – Age: 29 for a couple more months
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: Laundry
D - Dog's name: Foxy & Milo

E - Essential start your day: Breakfast
F - Favorite color(s): Purple, Yellow, Pink (In that order)
G - Gold or Silver: Depends on the piece of jewelry
H - Height: 5' 6" or so...
I - Instruments you play: I can kinda/sorta play the piana
J- Job: Domestic Engineer

K - Kid(s): 4 - Tanis, Shaylyn, Lex & Nate

L - Living arrangements: House
M - Mom's name: Alaine

N - Nicknames: Shilo Bug, Smiley, Smileybug
O - Overnight: End up sharing a bed with the hubby, baby & Milo most nights...
P - Pet Peeves: Hypocrisy, Liars and Fake People
Q - Quote from a movie: "My Sentiments Exactly."
R - Right or left handed: Right
S – Siblings: 4 Brothers and 2 Sisters


T - Time you wake up: Usually right around 7:00 or 7:30
U - Usual Bed Time: Anywhere from 10 - 12....(Yes I changed that category)

V - Vegetable you dislike: Broccoli

W - Ways you run late: Dealing with kids, Getting involved in other things
X - X-rays you've had: Teeth, Chest, Back
Y - Years you've been married: It'll be 11 come November!

Z - Zoo favorite: I like the rare animals, that you don't always see....

What Happens Next...

Labor Day Festivities

Much to Eric's chagrin, we had a jam packed Labor Day. I had lots of fun though!

We started out the day planning to go to Hollywood Connection, but while we were on the freeway, I remembered that the kids had always wanted to go to Jungle Jim's Playland, so we gave them an option of Hollywood Connection or Jungle Jim's Playland. They chose Jungle Jim's Playland.

Seeing as how it was their first time at Jungle Jim's they had a blast! They loved riding on the rides and running around crazy. Lex made a girlfriend and they rode every ride together until it was time for us to leave. Shaylyn wanted to go crazy fast in the "Teacup" type ride that they have. Tanis was a sport and went on everything, even if he didn't care for it, and Nathaniel even enjoyed the rides - until he got tired. Nathaniel's favorite rides were the carousel and the swings. He smiled when he was on the swings and imitated Shaylyn's horsey neighs on the carousel.

- Tanis' face says it all: he was NOT enjoying it much -

- Protective Big Sister, Cause Mommy Couldn't Fit On That Ride -

After we had enough fun at Jungle Jim's we headed to the dollar movies to see Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. We all enjoyed the movie and were even more excited that it only cost us $2.50 to get the whole family in. Gotta love $0.50 Monday's!!!

After the movie we headed to my parents for a BBQ. It was lots of fun visiting with family and catching up. After we finished eating we decided to take the kids over to the school to play on the playground. Of course, they all enjoyed it and could've stayed all night.

- Best Cousins -

- A Trick He Learned From His Siblings -

- My Blue Eyed Baby -

However, we had to call it a night as we had to get home because the kids had school the next morning. It was a very fun day and one I hope the kids will all remember!

What Happens Next...

Monday's Meandering Thoughts - A Bit Late...

Yes, I'm late again...But hey, Monday was a holiday and we were gone all day (more on that later) and yesterday I spent the day painting the main bathroom and spent that time wondering why in the world I ever decided to do it....

MONDAY'S MEANDERING THOUGHTS FOR SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

THOUGHT #1: THESE PHOTOS: Photo #1 & #2 - Loving these because it shows just how uberly talented my children are. HAHAHA! Nah, I just like them because it shows both of them trying something new and succeeding at it. It makes me so happy! (And thanks to Aunt Kami for keeping Shaylyn modest...)


THOUGHT #2: QUOTE OF THE WEEK: " Husbands and wives who love each other will find that love and loyalty are reciprocated. This love will provide a nurturing atmosphere for the emotional growth of children. Family life should be a time of happiness and joy that children can look back on with fond memories and associations." - Ezra Taft Benson

THOUGHT #3: SCRAPBOOKED: Nada...It seems to be a recurring theme with me lately. I am hoping to get some time to scrapbook this week, though...Maybe even today!

THOUGHT #4: RANDOM THOUGHT: "Just wishing I could do the job for you, sir. I'd give her a HA! And a HI-YA! And then a OUU-WA! And I'd kick her, sir." That's from the movie Anastasia...One of my all time faves. At our family bbq on Monday this line was brought up somehow. It took me back....And yeah there are a few people at the moment I'd like to give a HA and a HI-YA to at the moment.... Like the teenaged kids who sat in front of us in a movie theater and couldn't stay in their seats and the parents who let them...Really, why in the heck did you have to keep getting up and coming back?

THOUGHT #5: ON MY MIND: Do I spend extra $$$ to see New Moon in a themed theater??? I could be in heaven in a Jacob themed theater...I could justify it as my bday gift as it's just a few days after my bday, but do I really wanna do that? Plus, who am I gonna bribe into watching my kids at midnight on a school night....Any volunteers??? ;)

What Happens Next...

While The Cat's Away...

...The mice will play. And that we certainly did do.

Because I am apt to get lonely without the hubby around, I decided to go bug my little sister, nephew and brother in law on Wednesday night.

They recently moved to Pleasant Grove, which means they are about 20 minutes closer than they were before. For me, this is a good thing...for the brother in law, it may not be.
There cute little apartment is HUGE...They have probably the same square footage that we have on our top level of our house. It kinda makes me want to move, kinda.

Anyway, so the kids and I were hanging out on Wednesday night trying to figure out what to do. Well for anyone who knows my little sister and/or I - neither one of us is very decisive. We like people giving us ideas and even better, people making the decisions for us!

So we had no idea what we wanted to do. Somehow the idea of going to the apartment complex's swimming pool was brought up. Not sure if my brother in law mentioned it or my cute little nephew, but either way the idea was brought up and my swim deprived children just wouldn't let it rest.

Well, I hadn't brought the kids swim suits or mine, and I was really too tired to drive back to EM to get the swim suits just to turn around and head back to PG. So, we decided we'd run to Wal-Mart to see if they had any "cheap" swimsuits.

We get to Wal-Mart and at first have a hard time finding any swim suits, but then...we found them. The store only had like 1 one-piece suit for a little girl and sadly, it was too big for Shaylyn. So, as much as I didn't want to do it - we got Shaylyn a bikini...HONESTLY, I HATE little girls in bikinis. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED FOR THEM! I still don't like the fact that I got my little girl a bikini, but it was only $2 so if she never wears it again, it won't be a complete loss.

Then, we went to the boys section and lucked out, yet again. We were able to find swimsuits, with a shirt and flip-flops for $5.

We then took on the task of finding me a swimsuit...Well, I think they had women's suits all put away or whatever, cause we couldn't find A THING. So I opted for workout shorts and a tank top. It worked.

Best news of all - we got all that swimming attire for around $20. That's swimming attire for 4 people for $20. I was floored, but glad that I didn't have to spend a crap load of money for new suits that weren't really needed.

After our adventure at the store we headed back to my sisters and got in the pool. The kids had a blast! Even Nathaniel, who previously HATED swimming pools because of the cold water, was having a blast. Just Nathaniel having such a great time made my whole night!

Anyway, I will leave you with pics from the night! And Kaeloni, Cody & Ty thanks for entertaining us all night - and for your Mac & Cheese. We will repay that at some future date. ;)

What Happens Next...

Monday's Meandering Thoughts - Delayed A Day...

So I am behind a day this week, but that's because I was working on a new blog layout that I then ended up changing to this one, then we had to go get Eric from work, stopped at the store and had dinner...It was just a crazy Monday, so this post just didn't get made!

MONDAY'S MEANDERING THOUGHTS FOR AUGUST 31, 2009 or SEPTEMBER 1, 2009

THOUGHT #1: THESE PHOTOS: Photo #1 - Taken at Tanis' birthday party back in July, however, I just barely got it from my sweet mother in law. I love getting pictures from her, because it seems she always takes a photo that I didn't even know about. This photo is one such photo. I was inside playing "hostess" while she took the opportunity with the kids playing outside to snap some shots. And am I ever glad she did.

Photo #2 - Taken just this morning....I looked over at the boys to see this. Talk about brotherly love!



THOUGHT #2: QUOTE OF THE WEEK: " Be there for your children. Sit on the bed and enjoy late-night talks - - try to stay awake! Pray for the Lord to inspire you. Forgive often. Choose your battles. Testify frequently of Jesus Christ and His goodness and of the Restoration. And most of all, let them know of your trust in the Lord." - Bonnie D. Parkin

THOUGHT #3: SCRAPBOOKED: Again, nothing....It's just been a week full of other things.

THOUGHT #4: RANDOM THOUGHT: Be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath...That's a scripture in the bible...Don't ask me which passage, I don't remember...

THOUGHT #5: ON MY MIND: Feeling kinda bummed. The hubby is outta town until Friday. Weeks like this are always hard for me. Luckily, though the kids are in school so I shouldn't feel too overwhelmed...

What Happens Next...

And There Goes Another One...

Yesterday, Lex started Kindergarten. He was so excited and was literally jumping around all day. He couldn't wait to go. (Perhaps, I should have put him in the AM classes...) All day long he kept asking if it was time to or when we were going to be going. I was so happy that he was so excited! But, like I've said before - Lex gets excited/animated about most things in life.

We were ready at 12:20, so that I could get the classic "school pictures." I love this boy and you can see how excited he was in the first picture.

On the way to school, we stopped and picked up his best friend, Brayden. Sadly, though, Brayden and Lex are in different classes. Lex doesn't mind it too much though, as one of the kids we did the preschool thing with is in his class.


I do have to admit that I got a little teary eyed sending Lex off to school for the 1st day. He was my baby for a good 3 years, and it's weird to have him gone for 3 hours everyday.

Below are some other pics of Lex's 1st day

Did this same pic with Shaylyn, so had to do it with Lex as well.

Heading into class for the first time

After a successful 1st day of school.

What Happens Next...

Eric's Surprise!!!!!!!!

Look at those faces! They were quite pleased with the surprise, me not so much - even though I knew what was coming. I will confess that I was only slightly more pleased when I saw this surprise in person!

And hey, isn't it convenient that my 200th post is something about surprises. Yeah, well it entertained me for all of 5 minutes....

Anyway, here is the surprise:

We have added 3 toads to our family. They are named Mario, Danny & Sam. And each of those names comes from some form of entertainment and each was chosen by one of the kids...

* Lex chose Mario (Mario Bros. Fame) who is the smaller, slightly darker green one

* Shaylyn chose Danny (Danny the Phantom TV Show) who is the big, darker green one

* Tanis chose Sam (Danny the Phantom TV Show) who is is the black one

I was only slightly more pleased because these are tiny little things and not the big frogs I had envisioned in my head when Eric first told me about it. I have to say it's been fun to watch how excited Nathaniel is with them. At least a couple times a day, I have to pull the chair over to the tank, so that he can watch the toads. (And no, the tank is not going to stay on the dishwasher forever...It's just the temporary spot until I can figure out exactly where I want these amphibians)

Tanis has wanted frogs for a very, very long time and we just kept putting if off. I guess we kind of hoped that desire would fade. Well, it never faded completely away... So, when someone at Eric's work offered him the toads, he agreed.

Ah well, at least these critters won't mess up anything in the house...Which is more than I can say for 2 hairy other critters abiding in our abode.

What Happens Next...