Rocket Ship

Ben and the kids made this box rocket ship in one of the rooms over at the new house. We filled the ship with pillows, toys, blankets, and a DVD player. The kids will play in there for hours. Its totally great. While they are hanging out I can get tons done over there.

Luck from a Leprechaun

Jolie has been obsessed with leprechauns for the past few weeks. It's a constant topic of conversation. The other day it was getting to be a little too much and I had to break it to her that leprechauns are not real and that they are only make believe. Mean, I know, but I had been painting all day over at the new house and was driving the kids home, exhausted. This was our conversation.....

"Mom! When we get home you have to get me a box so I can make a trap to catch a leprechaun!"
"Not tonight Jolie. When we get home we have to get ready for bed and I'm way too tired to find a box. How about we make the trap tomorrow?"

"Mom! You're not listening to me!" (that's her phrase of the week) "I need a box to make a trap. We have to find some shiny stuff to attract the leprechaun. Then when he tries to take the shiny stuff we have to stare into his eyes without blinking and say.....Take me to the end of the rainbow so I can have your gold!"

(What in the world are they teaching our kids at school?)

"Jolie I WAS listening to you. We don't need to trap a leprechaun and take his gold. But if you really want to make a trap we'll do it tomorrow."

"Mom! I have to do it when we get home. I have to trap him tonight! If we get the gold then we'll be rich and you don't have to work or paint anymore!"

I about died. Looking at it from her perspective makes a lot of sense, but after her relentless efforts to convince me just about drove me crazy, I had to let her know that leprechauns are just make-believe and there's no pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. I don't enjoy dashing my kids' dreams, but my sanity was at stake here.
....

Like a month ago....


....My Grandpa Merrill was visiting down in Mesa. Since he lives up near Yosemite National Park in CA and we never make it up there, me and the kids went down to Mesa to see him....

(Lacey, Summer, Grandpa, me, Brooke)

(Spencer, Kyle)

....Also my cousin Kyle Gray just returned home from his mission. He lives in Provo, UT. His family was also visiting Mesa which gave us another reason to go visit.

It was so great to see family. We love you guys.

Bronson is such a spaz when he gets out of the bath tub. He has this little dance he does whenever he's getting dressed.

We are having a baby Girl!?!?!

Well according to Jolie....

Today in testimony meeting Jolie said "...I love my mom and dad and brother and baby sister coming in June..."

That's news to me...We still don't have a clue.

Boy or Girl?

We'll see if her intuition is right.

I was hangin' out with some friends the other night and got the comment that I was "dead to the world right now." This is however Sad but True. Between painting over at the house every day, potty training Bronson, working nights at the event center, and keeping up with all the other nonsense I don't have time for blog posts or really anything else.
So today I took some time and added some of the most recent things going on. Hopefully this month I will make more time for the important things like family and friends. For now we are still alive and keeping busy.

Happy Birthday Golden!

Today is my brother's birthday. He turns the BIG 30! This picture was taken years ago on the 4th of July. I still give Spenc props for this punch. Anyways....Golden have a great Birthday!

Student of the Month

I got a notice from Jolie's school saying that she would be receiving a certificate at an awards ceremony. Bronson and I headed over to the school to see what this was all about. I was pleasantly surprised to see that she got "Student of the Month" for December and her friend Bryant was Student of the Month for January. I thought these two kids were a couple of trouble makers. Who knew?

Unexpected Visit!!

A couple of weeks ago my sister Cami and her son Carter wanted to get away from the Utah snow so they ventured down to Sunny AZ!
We had a blast hangin' out and entertaining the kiddos.
My mom came up on Saturday and a BBQ was a must.
Thanks to Cami,Carter, and my Mom for coming. We love you guys!

Whether we've had a good 2008 or not, let's put our all into 2009 and make it a better one!

Santa At The Mall

The kids were so excited to see Santa! Bronson kept staring at him like he couldn't believe santa was right there....while Jolie kept blabbering about what she wanted and that she was very good this year. She asked Santa for a Super Ball, and Santa said he would grant her wish. Well, it turns out that a Super Ball is something from a cartoon that doesn't exist! We'll have to find a way to change her mind...

Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast!
Jolie and Bryant (her friend in Primary) got put in the same Kindergarten class at school. They are now on their third teacher this year. That's right THIRD teacher. I can't begin to tell you how ticked I am at the school and hope that this teacher stays till the end of the school year.
Anyways......
All the Kindergarten classes got together for a Thanksgiving Feast. I think the other Kindergarten teachers are all buddies because their classes came to the feast decked out in Indian attire. But Jolie and Bryant's class came 20 minutes late and had only Pilgrim hats. It was really sad. Most of the food was gone and they only had a short time to eat. I'm pretty sure their class gets the shaft on most things.
Minus all the stuff that drove me crazy that day I am thankful for Jolie's ability to do very well in school and her ever-growing mind. I see great things to come for this girl.

Fall Color
The leaves have been turning their fall colors for the past month and it's been beautiful to actually have fall after having lived in the valley my whole life. So naturally I want to go take some pictures of our trees. As soon as I walk outside with the camera in my hands, Jolie yells out, "Dad, what are you taking pictures of?" When she realizes the camera is pointed at the tree, she immediately jumps right in and does this: What is that?
I ask what she's doing and she says, "Dad, this is my pose. Take the picture." Where does this stuff come from?

Oh well. Girls will be girls, right?

Happy Halloween!!

Roarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Bronson was the biggest laugh. He would run from house to house saying, "Tricker Reat!" He really didn't get the fact that you get candy at the door when you say "trick or treat." He just wanted to run from door to door.

Jolie cast some of the most evil spells. It got a little scary in the end!

Our Little Helper

Here's a little video of Jolie helping Daddy sweep and get ready for drywall.

She makes us laugh.

By the way, the house is now drywalled and Ben is putting in the doors and trimwork.

Happy Birthday Bronson!!

My baby boy isn't a baby anymore.

He's my crazy two year old!

He loves cupcakes, blocks, and playing outside.

I love this little guy!

Powder-Puff Football

Last Wednesday Bradshaw Mt. High School held their annual Powder-Puff Football game where the Junior Girls attempted to beat the Senior Girls.

The Senior Girls where "Back in Black" looking mean with their faces painted and hair pulled back in bandanas. That didn't scare the Junior Girls who where ready to go to war in their "Army Camo".

It was a close game. The Seniors pulled ahead and left the game roaring with their win of 14 to 12! Way to go Black!!

J. Mulberg, and R. Tieman anxiously awaiting the sidelines.

N. Heffner (top left face painted) ready to make her move.

We were there for mutual rooting for our favorite Seniors!

Moriah, D'ven, Joseph, and Chantel intently watching the game.

Crazy Busy!!

Yes we are still alive! Sorry for the lack of posts. I've been helping Ben every day at the house. If I'm not at the house working, I'm running around looking at paint colors, trim ideas, cabinets, countertops, fixtures, and what not. My head is spinning with colors and design ideas. It's hard to find a minute to update our blog. All of my creative juices are focused on the house. We really hope to have the house done by the end of the year (cross your fingers) and there's still TONS to do. I will report back later with pictures.

Toodles!

Bronson's Favorite Things

"mumote" - remote

He calls it "mumote" because I'm (mom) in charge of the remote. So he puts mom and remote together and ends up with mumote.

"fiee" - fire

We call Bronson Mr. Intense for many different reasons. One being how intensely he concentrates on roasting hot dogs. He gets so serious about it, it can be scary.

"ice ceem comb" - ice cream cone

The kids are on an ice cream cone kick right now. Every once in a while, if Jolie comes home from school with a smiley face on her report, they get to go outside and eat ice cream cones. Bronson can't wait for the school bus to drop off Jolie and when it does he runs through the house screaming, "ice ceem comb!"

"mooney" - moon

Whenever the front door opens Bronson screams, "Outside mooney!" No matter the time of day he has to go check for the moon. Or maybe it's his way of trying to escape out the front door.

"sagobo" - circle

Crazy I know. Bronson could play with shapes all day. He'll sit on the floor and match up shapes then destroy what he has done. He will do this over and over. It's great!

"wa-ee" - water

Of course water. Everyday he wants to play in the hose. No matter the weather. I thought he would be sick of it by now ....but...noooo. He's obsessed with watering the grass, flowers, and himself. What are we going to do when it really starts getting cold?

More Lingo:

Jeah - Jolie

potsi - pizza

keyma - keyboard

Zac Allen

My cousin Zac is living in Prescott Valley attending Guidance Helicopter School. Ben had the opportunity to go before dawn and take pictures of Zac before he flew to Williams. So here's Zac doing his thing.