A New Look

So I accidentally changed the layout of my blog...I was checking out some of the templates and none of them seemed to fit my character as well as what I already have (boring as it is, yes). But apparently I saved one that I was looking at...what do you think? Jeff told me it looks really GIRLIE and so I'm not sure if he likes it. I'm not the girliest girl if you know what I mean so pink usually isn't my color, although it is definitely growing on me. Maybe I'll stick with this look for a while.......

My Little Scientist

I love that Jeff has taken so many classes in math & science because he is constantly teaching our kids and exposing them to technical terms at such a young age. For instance, he often asks them if they know what the cosine of theta is or what shearing or buckling means. It is funny but I also think it is good for them. Tonight was another good example of this. Jeff was looking at a text book from college (yea, I know...I always tease him for being a nerd) and Madlyn came up and was asking him questions. He started talking to her about an object's mass. He then introduced the concept of weight and how weight is dependent upon an object's mass, as well as the gravitational pull upon that object. Madlyn: "What's gravity, Dad?" Jeff, being the good teacher that he is, didn't just answer her question, but had an object lesson ready. He grabbed a ball and asked her what would happen if he threw the ball in the air. Madlyn: "It would fall....(the light clicked) oh yea. Gravity. I totally already know what that is." Haha. Smart girl. I'm pretty excited to be going through this stage with Madlyn; she is learning so much and is so excited about it. She has her dad's curiosity and is always asking me to, "tell me all about it, Mom." I am especially excited that she is learning to spell and read a little since that is my claimed expertise (or at least my love). Speaking of, we watched Akeelah and the Bee the other night and I was wishing that I had studied more for the spelling bees when I was younger like my dad wanted me to (although I know I wouldn't have done quite so well as Akeelah did). Needless to say, my desire to learn new words has been rekindled. My favorite word that I've most recently learned is 'quotidian'. Maybe my new goal will provide some diversion from the otherwise quotidian events that are my life :)

Overheard...

If you were visiting our house last night (actually my in-laws' house; we spent the night - long story), this is what you would have overheard:

Mom (me): Come here, please Cole. It's time to get your jammies on.
Cole: Ruff, ruff. (on hands & knees and scooting forward)
Mom: Here puppy, puppy. Come get your jammies on. (whistle, whistle)
Puppy : Ruff, ruff.
Madlyn: Here, Dog. You need to come into the closet and have a time out. Mom, the dog is not behaving so he needs a time out, he can't get his jammies on.
Mom: OK, one minute time out and then it's time for jammies....(minute ticks by with scattered ruffs and scoldings by Madlyn, the apparent dog-trainer)
Here, puppy puppy. Now it's time for prayers. (more whistling and kissing sounds)
Puppy: Ruff, ruff.
Madlyn: Here, Dog. Follow me.

anyways, you get the picture. I really never thought I would resort to calling my children like I would a dog, but I guess whatever works, huh?

My cute boy

It is not often that I get my sweet Cole boy all to myself. There is almost always one of the other two kids around. Well, yesterday I had accomplished the almost impossible task of getting all three children down for a nap at the same time...only to have Cole wake up a little prematurely. I had been relaxing on the couch with a little TV so I let him join me for a few minutes. Something happened on the screen that was apparently funny (I don't even remember what it was) because Cole started laughing and said, "That was funny." I chuckled and said, "Really? I just think you're cute, Cole." He responded with, "No. I think you're cute, Mom." So I said it again, "I think you're cute, Cole." "I think you're cute, Mom." (I really just wanted to hear him say it again). Cole actually speaks very well for his age and I absolutely love what comes out of his mouth (usually - he can be a pill sometimes). One of my favorites is when I ask him to do something, ie. get in his carseat, and he comes back with, "I'm going to go play ball, MOM." I just can't help but love him!

To the Birthday Boy...

Tuesday, September 4 marked Jeff's 28th birthday and we had a fun day! Jeff had requested blueberry pie for his special dessert so I bravely made one for the very first time. I found a recipe on the internet for a sour cream blueberry pie and it actually turned out very well. Jeff's parents came over for dinner and a little party, as well as Michael & Christina, our neighbors down the street. It was a fun night and I wasn't good at all at taking pictures, but did manage to get pictures of Jeff's birthday presents after he put them together and before they moved to their spots in the garage (I think we need a bigger garage - Jeff is getting quite the collection)!


a router table from Jeff's parents...now Jeff can make picture frames & such much more easily

a shop vac from me

We had a great day & I hope that Jeff did too...I love you, Jeff!! Happy Birthday!

Labor Day

Below are some pictures from our fun, fun weekend in Cedar City! We had a blast with Christian, Tamara, & crew! We hardly saw Madlyn for the 3 days; she was busy with Macy & Anna. They had so much fun trading clothes, making cell phones out of paper, as well as a doorway sign for their new Girls Club (no boys allowed!). They were so cute!! James & Cole hit it off pretty well and by the end were playing together like best buds. While Kate & Cade are roughly the same size, the 8 months' difference in age prevented them bonding too well. But it was fun taking pictures of them (we think they have some similarities in looks). Jeff & Christian worked a little on the backyard fence and Tamara & I chatted it up in the kitchen, while Tamara turned out delicious food every few hours! (We also enjoyed Domino's pizza and Dairy Queen blizzards, courtesy of the LeCheminants - thanks!)

We were also lucky enough to get to see Colbran & Stef at their home in Washington, as well as my parents, Buchanan & Ariann, Quinton, Stanton, & Lincoln. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures...they would have been good too. The boys would have loved pictures of them shoveling rocks, I'm sure. Colbran & Stefanie treated us to yummy pizza & breadsticks from The Pizza Factory (the breadsticks were sooooo good) and my mom provided dessert of cheesecake, Oreo pie, and ice cream sandwiches. OK, can you tell I enjoyed the food of the weekend??

Thanks to the LeCheminant & Davis families for your hospitality and love. We loved spending time with you and only wish we could have hung out more. Love you guys!

Labor Day Weekend