Better

Okay, so yesterday did end up much better than it started! The boys chilled out after lunch and actually played really well for the rest of the day. It was a long one, but in the end I got to hang out on the couch with Dan doing absolutely nothing for a change, so it was very nice. I love my husband, he's such a great guy! Anyway, enough of the mushy stuff. I wanted to post a few pictures I took yesterday. Before doing that I have to mention that I am well aware of the pathetic state of my lawn. The back yard is worse than the front, but dandelions have taken over. My poor neighbors. I think it might be time to invest in a lawn care company cause we just can't keep up on it on our own. Ah well, at least the kids love them. I remember the day when a field of dandelions was heaven to me, so maybe we'll just say that they are all for the kids! That sounds good. Here come the pics I like.....Ellie was fascinated by them.

The Longest Day Ever

Is it really only ten thirty? Holy cow, I wish it were three. My kids have not stopped fighting since Daddy left this morning and if I hear one more boy cry and come running to me to tattle on someone else I may just give up and seperate everyone to different time out spots for the rest of the day while I sit on the couch and watch a Jane Austen movie. It's actually not that bad of an idea now that I think about it. :)

I'm really not serious, in a kind of serious way. I'm just tired I guess. Let's talk about happier things now. Dan got his new TV yesterday. He's a miracle worker and was able to get insurance to pay for all but $100 of his new one. It's not as big as the original, but he's happy, which makes me happy!

I took the boys to a free movie at the Monaco yesterday with some good friends of ours. That was fun! Oh, and how could I forget to mention that my summer classes are done! I'm free for a month.

Ummm, Ellie has been screaming all morning, not so fun. I guess I'll go and take care of everyone. Just needed to vent. I have these pics from a trip to the park last week that I've been wanting to post, so I'll add them really quickly too. Hope you all have a better day than me!

I'll cheer up, I promise, if not, anyone up for some Pride and Prejudice?

Look at this little monkey! I wasn't going to take any pictures on this park visit, but when I saw him scale the wall like this, I had to go for my camera. He is so daring!

Everyone climbing

Just hanging out at the top.

This shot turned out a little fuzzy, and I was sad cause it was my favorite angle. I should have taken a few more.

Logan and Lincoln were laughing to each other through the speaker tube thingy. (that's the technical term!) This is proof that they do love each other, even though they don't sound like it today.

Little bare feet.

Ellie's first time down a slide. She was more interested in her teeth. I thought she'd like it, but she really didn't seem to care much about the slide!

Pioneer Party

We have a great ward. Dan and I really like the people we go to church with. I work with the younger, primary kids and really enjoy being so close to my boys and watching them learn and grow. All of the kids are amazing and smart!

This past Saturday our church group celebrated a holiday that is both a religious and state holiday (if you live in Utah!) It was Pioneer Day on the twenty-fourth of July, so we all got together to eat and play some good ol' pioneer games. We also had a little parade with the kids and their handmade covered wagons. (Ours fell apart within maybe five minutes! There's no way that thing would have made it across the plains to the west.) It was a lot of fun, and since I was busy helping with games, Dan got to be the photographer. He took a lot of pics and made this fun little video of them all. It's a bit long, and has a lot of our kids in it, but if any of you were at the party, I think you'll like it. :)

Oh, and just a note, Logan's hair was a one day thing! Dan was shaving it and left the mohawk for me to see, and Logan begged to keep it, so I gave him one day. He's so funny! Thanks to everyone who helped make this day so much fun!

"All By Myself!"

Owen's new favorite phrase is "ahwl by mysewf mommy!" I was getting ready to take some pictures for a friend of mine the other day and he came bounding down the stairs completely thrilled with what he was wearing. I haven't seen him this proud about something....well, ever! So, since I already had things set up, it was the perfect opportunity to snap a few. I love these pics because they really show Owen's personality. He's our comedian. He's quick to laugh and play and do anything silly and fun. But then, he has a bit of a shy side to him too. Love this boy!

Look Who Lost His First Tooth!

I can't believe it. My baby lost his first tooth! (I know, he's not really my baby...but seriously, is he old enough to get big teeth already?) It had been wiggly for a month or so now and had started to look pretty crooked in his mouth, so I talked him into letting me try to pull it, just a little, and it popped right out. He said it didn't hurt him a bit. I think Dan was a little grossed out though. :)
ANYWAY, the tooth fairy came and left him three dollars and four quarters. Logan was in such a good mood that the first thing he did with his money, was to give one dollar to Linc and one dollar to Owen and announce that we were all going to the dollar store that very day to buy a toy. ("can we pleeeaase mom?") Dan and I were so proud of him. He's a very generous big brother. So, congrats on losing your first tooth Logan, but even more, congrats on being such a great kid!

Ellie Belly

I haven't written much about my baby girl lately, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to record what she's up to. Ellie is already ten months old! She has eight teeth and is known around these parts as our "secret weapon" for her biting abilities. She is quick to smile, quick to scream, and loves to take naps! She rarely fusses when I lay her down. She still sucks her two middle fingers, but will take a pacifier instead if I offer it to her. She can say three words: "da da da" for daddy, "mmmmoommmm" for mommy, and "hi". (in a cute high pitched falling voice.) Daddy was her first word, Dan is so proud!

Ellie crawls everywhere and pulls up on everything. I caught Owen trying to get a horsey ride from her yesterday and she was so happy about it! She LOVES her Daddy and brothers. She is a definite people person, (...like she had a choice in this family!) and loves anything that has a tag on it. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that she is obsessed with tags. I'm trying to think of a way to make a tag birthday cake when she turns one, I think it would be a hit with her. I could go on and on, but I think that will do for now. Here are some close-ups of our princess. Have a great day everyone!

Watching her brothers play outside.

A Good Day

I don't know why exactly, nothing majorly exciting happened, but today was just a good day. I woke up this morning all energetic and motivated to take the kids somewhere fun, (which isn't always the case) so after breakfast and morning chores, we packed up the van and headed to Dublin Park. (aka "The Castle Park" to my kids) It was alright there, despite the enormous amount of children running the place. There were at least three or four daycare groups there today, so it was packed, but everyone seemed to be having fun, and Logan got to try out his monkey arms on a big climby pole. He got about half way up and asked me to do it, so I got to impress my kids and made it to the top. (I was a Majestic Monarch top rope climber in my day!) Linc and Owen looked at me funny when I came down. I don't know if they were impressed or wierded out, but then they both had to try it too! They didn't make it quite as far, maybe six inches off the ground, but I have a feeling their day is coming.

After the park we dropped some books at the library...two weeks over due...I like to think this is my way of supporting my public library and literacy for young children. I don't even want to know what the fine will be, cause I had a TON of books.
The boys got a "gyeezeberger" for the drive home and afterwards the three youngest fell asleep so I was able to stop at a few places I've been dying to photograph on the way home. Logan is always my little photo buddy. He's so good and gets just as excited as I do when he see's something he thinks would be cool to photograph. I think for today I'll just post the picks I took in a hay field with Logan (there are a lot....I like hay bales, what can I say?), and I'll post some other goodies on my photoblog sometime soon. Oh, and for the record, my van with my sleepy air conditioned children was directly behind me in a safe parking area! :)

I still have two weeks of my semester left, so it's crunch time. Gotta run!