The Blanket

Yesterday I threw Sydney's blanket into the wash because it smelled of all things gross. She spotted it in the laundry hamper and tried to pull it out, at which point I hurried and put it in the washer. Since she and Reggie are my shadows they followed me into the laundry room when I went in to change it to the dryer. Knowing she would want the blanket if she saw it I threw it to the very back of the dryer. Well she spotted it in there too and practically climbed in just to reach a corner of her wet blanket. So I hurried and shoved all the wet laundry that she'd pulled out to get to the blanket back in and turned the dryer on and this is what ensued after. I didn't catch the part of her standing at the door of the dryer trying to open it, but you'll get the point.

Summer 2010

Well school has started and playgroup is set and we're just trying to get our lives back into some sort of routine so that we can function in the world again. Although, it sounds like summer is over its still a hefty 110 and humid thanks to the monsoon season here in Arizona.

First and foremost I should let you all know that we did indeed find our dog (aka brother) Reggie. After a 24 hour spree of life in the fast lane we found him at the pound in a kennel with some chiuauas that looked as if they'd had their way with him. That also might explain his hysteria as we walked away because the lady didn't have a key with her. Reggie learned some tricks in the slammer and passed kennel cough around to all his friends, even though vaccinated. We later found out a nice lady picked him up, or should I say he jumped in her car, and then called us to let us know she had found him. I'm pretty sure she found him in the front yard of my parent's house. Whatever.

So now that life has slowed a bit here's a recap of our summer for anyone who cares.

This is our family at the "bucket pool." We spent many days here for swimming lessons and as a way to get out of the house for a couple hours a few days a week.

Sydney celebrated her first birthday. She preferred smashing the cupcake more than eating it.

We ventured to Utah for the greater part of July. As we rolled into town we came across these hobos. Somehow they all share some resemblance.

We celebrated the Fourth of July in style with the whole neighborhood at the 19th annual neighborhood parade. It was good to see old friends and strange to see kids I used to babysit all grown up. Makes me feel old.

Noelle really liked the Utah Museum of Natural History. Although the dinosaur bones were really cool, I think she liked the mineral section and the bugs the best. She was even brave enough to hold a live Madagascar cockroach. Yuck!

The girls had fun splashing in their grandmas' backyard pools. This is just one of those times.

This is Noelle's "I'm dead" face.

We ventured to Island Park with some good friends and had a fantastic time away from the heat and noise of day to day life. It was so beautiful up there. Jenny always spoils us with good food and lots of Play-doh time.

Sydney and Cal at Johnny Sack's cabin at Big Springs.

Noelle didn't want to go so she just sat on the log pretending she couldn't hear me talking to her. She must have been contemplating the things of the world.

When we got back from Idaho we went to Cherry Hill with Grammy and the cousins. Noelle had so much fun and even went down the big dragon slide and wasn't afraid. She told Boo that we were cheerleaders all the way down.

A zen moment for Noelle. This was all her.

Later in our travels we visited This is the Place Monument. The sky couldn't decide if it should rain or shine, so it did both on and off. First it would pour then sun, then pour again. We just made sure when we heard thunder that we were at a house with a porch.

Grandma and Grandpa bought old fashioned candy from one of the stores and Sydney thought it was the best thing ever.

Noelle and Sydney with Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Ted

As we were leaving we spotted this cute old wagon that needed its picture taken. So we plopped the girls on there and the end result was pretty cute. These two sure love each other.

In celebration for Pioneer Day we ran a 10k that winds through Salt Lake. Each of us has run it several times throughout our lives, but this was the first time we'd all run it together. We all did pretty well too. For doing so well I awarded all of us with a bagel medal. It was pretty funny.

On our trip home we missed the first turn toward our destination, so we ended up going up through Brian Head and stopped at Cedar Breaks to take a look. That's a really nice drive for anyone looking to take a little road trip. Reggie didn't like the winding road up the canyon and ended up barfing all over his kennel and the car, but it was worth the views.

And that's the end. Stay tuned for Fall 2010, which might be my next post at the rate I'm going.

Lost The Dog

Hey friends that read this blog I have lost Reggie! I know there are Salt Lake friends out there that read this and I'm doing all things media related to help find him. Noelle is sooo sad. He wandered out of the back yard today and of all the days it had to be the one when he didn't have his collar on. Ughhhhh. So if you read this and are in the Sugar House/ Foothill area keep an eye out for the sweetest, nicest dog ever. Here's his most recent mug shot.

All Finished

It was kind of painful, but its all finished. I really wish you all could have seen it with its ten coats of lacquer. So the new dresser went from this - (I can not get the underlines to go away)

To this -

Its so cute in Noelle's room and really it looks good in my living room (where it was when photographed.) I'm slightly jealous of her bedroom furniture.

Its Summertime

Today is the official start of summer in her four year old little mind. Last day of school and then its all about the swimsuits and pools for her.

Noelle inducted Sydney into the realm of pool time yesterday. She didn't seem to mind.

Happy Summer Everyone!

A Preview

Just a little snippet of what we've been working on lately. Boo called it a piece of junk, but I'm sure he'll be happier when the laundry baskets aren't full of our kids clothes.

The Dad

Noelle pretty much thinks that Boo is the cat's meow. And I'm pretty much chopped liver. Lately she's been very proudly telling everyone that her dad uses a lawn motor. I can't bring myself to correct her. Its too funny.

Boo has also introduced her to the idea of the Slip n' Slide. He told her all about it over dinner last night and she now is trying to "earn" a Slip n' Slide of her own. Once again Boo will be her hero. I just can't wait to watch him on the Slip n' Slide.

Stinkin' Easter Bunny

That's me. The stinkin' Easter bunny. I thought I had it all done and then remembered that I said I'd get the candy later. By later I didn't think it would be at 9pm the Saturday before Easter. Wal-Mart was abuzz with all the other loser parents wandering aimlessly through the aisles. Seriously it was like watching apes. We were all scratching our heads wondering where all the jelly beans had gone and why there wasn't a decent piece of chocolate to be had. Such a sorry sight. Lesson learned: get the candy early.

Side note: I told Noelle we'd be going to a neighbor's house for an Easter egg hunt. She asked me if the Easter bunny would hide eggs around our house. I said he might. Then her eyes lit up and she said "There will be candy in them and toys!" Ugghhhhh why did I do that last year? Then there was the candy shortage and well I'm going to have to make up a lie and tell her that the Easter bunny must have hid them all at her friend's house.

Good Riddance to March

I'm glad March is over. I breathe a big sigh of relief. During March we had seven doctor's visits. Three doses of antibiotics, two doses of steroids, breathing treatments, three blood tests, chest x-ray, lots of runny noses and coughing, coughing, coughing. Coughing to the point of throwing up on more than one occasion. We all had something awful.

So here's to hoping that April will continue to be as lovely as it has been the last two days.

Birthday Week Re-cap

She doesn't want me to stick a Barbie in the cake next time. Her words not mine.

The presents from Mom & Dad... or Auntie.
BTW, those bubbles are truly that large, and she filled it about a quarter full of pea gravel. I can't bring myself to throw them away. Seriously.

She has wanted paints for a very long time.

The Ariel costume that is "just like Madelyn's."

This giant bubble wand is one of those things that she saw on television and Ooo'd and Awww'd over. Thanks to her little friends who joined us for a birthday lunch and brought this coveted wand with them. She uses it also to whack at some of my plants. Does not make Mama happy.

Typical outfit - the crown was from her VIP day at school.

I had to add in this picture from the night we went to dinner with Auntie, JW and "Uncle Bictor."
We waited forever and all the kids were so good. Sydney, well she's my little ray of sunshine.

One of the other rockstars who was so good to wait forever for some dinner. Notice the sun has now gone down. Oh how I just love to snuggle him. He loves him some Auntie time too.

Happy Birthday Noelle

We've been celebrating since Saturday. She has loved almost every gift, even if she thinks everything we gave her was from her Auntie. She informed me that next year she does not want me to put a Barbie in her cake. (picture to come) Despite my efforts, Boo is the big winner for buying her a hula hoop.

The Pretty Poppy

If any of my blog readers out there need a personalized gift check out the Pretty Poppy at their Etsy Shop.

Also, check out this great letterpress shop, out of Idaho, The Dingbat's Agenda. I love letterpress - mostly because I'm a tactile person and well with letterpress I can actually feel the words. Mmmmm.... makes me so happy. When I'm rich I will have monogrammed letterpress stationary.

Go take a look at both of these little shops.

Utah

We don't usually travel to Utah this time of year, ie. winter. But it was nice to see the mountains all covered in snow and to play in it for a day or two. Sure glad we were able to see all of our families and a few friends while we were at it.Uncle Riley's farewell

Noelle with Frank the cat

Playing dress-ups with some cousins

Sydney and Cassie being cuties together

Noelle enjoying snow! Good thing I bought her some snow pants two years ago and they finally fit and we found a use for them.

The Grand Finale

Man o' man are we going to sleep good tonight. We worked all day long so that we could get all of our grass finished. But we're excited to have our own miniature soccer field and play ground in our back yard. It feels great to be finished with this massive project. Not sure I'd tackle it again in the same fashion (would probably hire more day laborers.) Here's to no more shoveling and no more mud baths.

The play set was assembled by Boo while the girls and I were in Utah. I've already hit my quota on time standing there pushing the swingers. Not my favorite thing. Also the gravel came on Thursday afternoon and since I couldn't find any young men to help shovel it out of the driveway I paid some young women. They were great workers and better sports about it all.

Back to the Future

Grandpa Randy was in Arizona for an old-time shoot out event. We were lucky enough to see him a couple of times while he was in the neighborhood. It was like Back to the Future III. The old west meets fifth wheels and custom motor homes. Noelle even got to meet a real life cowgirl.

Hot Pants

I just read a great post on The Apron Stage about conforming and matching and some other things that rang true to my spirit. Then just after I finished reading that entry Noelle walked in the office wearing this.
She loves to wear anything that she deems beautiful or fun. The night we picked up Reggie she was wearing a different swimsuit that looked like a ballerina get up with tutu and all, same boots. Boo and I agreed she looked like Ladybug Girl. I sometimes have to roll my eyes and remember she's only three and not for very much longer, which is why I don't mind if Cinderella is my shopping partner.

Sixteen Tons and What Do You Get?

You get to drive one of these things and load another twelve tons. This is what's left of the second load of rocks for our yard. 28 tons total.Boo's shoulders barely fit in the cage. It was a small little machine, just 36" wide so that it would fit through our gate. But as you can see Boo can manage anything with those huge muscles.
He's so tough. Here's a sneak peak at the progress of the back yard. Thanks to the rain on Saturday it hasn't changed much except that its a muddy mess still and my flip flops got stuck in the mud.