It's been forever since I have posted because my laptop has been broken. Things around here are plugging along as usual. We had a fun summer going to Seven Peaks, and going to the pool a lot. We are back to school now and have already finished our 3rd week back! I can't believe that my baby has started Kindergarten!

Our 1st Broken Arm

Poor Zach has been through a lot this week! He fell going down a hill on his heely's. A rock got jammed up in the wheel and caused the fall. He was pretty scraped up when he got down to the daycare where I was working. I didn't think it could be broken because he wasn't crying. He was really babying the arm and acting funny and not like himself, so we guessed that it was broken. By the time we got him home it was really swollen.

We went to the ER and were so freaked out by everyone there that thought they had the swine flu!! After a long wait, we finally got the x-ray and confirmed that it was broken. They put a soft cast on it because of the swelling. The next day we took him to a specialist that said it needed to be straightened out. So...the next day after that we had to go into the hospital for "surgery" They treated it just like a surgery because he was going under anesthesia, but he was only out for about 15 minutes. He did really well, but the anethesia made him pretty sick and tired. After a full afternoon resting and a good night sleep he went to school today and I haven't received a call to come get him, so that's a good sign!!!

Fun at the Park

There was finally a sunny day to go to the park and we were all excited. Well, the sun was out, but it was still super windy and freezing. Mother nature needs to make up her mind! Is it winter or spring?

Easter fun!

I waited until the Saturday before Easter to get anything....What was I thinking? I went to WalMart and there wasn't even a carton of eggs left! So I went to Harmons and they had plenty of stuff, but I was scared there for a minute! We had a great Sunday with lots of family time and yummy food!

Kids being kids...rolling eachother up like burritos! The last pic is of Bree with some of her dance friends at her last dance competition. She did a great job and I loved watching her dance. She loves to perform!

Zach turns 7!

We had a party for Zach on Saturday and he had a lot of fun! I can't believe that he is already 7! He wanted a sports theme party and invited some friends from school. I was ready for him to throw some type of fit during the party...you know, not wanting to share his new toys or something...but I was pleasantly surprised that he didn't throw one at all! He was in a great mood the whole time and even let his friends put together his new toys and play with them! I was relieved! Aiden, our neighbor, even stayed after the party was over because they were all playing so nicely!

I loved having a low key, old school party..you know, pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs, goodie bags. There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a birthday party people! When we lived in Arizona it was crazy, people would spend so much on their kids parties! Bree's one friend took about 15 kids to Build A Bear! It was fun for Bree of course, but then I felt tremendous pressure to keep up with the Jones'!

Last night I went out to dinner with some work friends and it was so much fun. I love a good Girls Night Out! I told my mom the other day that I love my job mainly because I have made new friends. Anyway, they all wanted sushi, which I tried and did like one roll and loved the Tempora. But, I didn't eat all that much. We still wanted to hang out a bit more and someone suggested Village Inn because it wouldn't be crowded. Now we're talkin'! If anyone knows me, I love places like that. So they all got some dessert and there I was chowin' down on an omelet and pancakes!!! Such a fun night, thanks girls!

Valentines Day

Or as my boys call it, "Valentimes Day" The kids all had fun at their parties and spent about 2 hours after school eating candy and going through their Valentines. I spent a good part of the day on Thursday searching for a clear balloon for Bree's bubble gum machine Valentines box...Harder to find than I thought! Anyway, we spent a lot of time on her box (thanks for the idea Sunny) and I was feeling pretty good about myself and was feeling pretty crafty. I thought Bree had a good chance at winning the contest at school. Well, she didn't win, she was up against a light house box, popcorn machine box, and a Sponge Bob box. Are you kidding? What is up with all of the over achieving moms out there? Can't they give it a rest for just one holiday and let the rest of us feel adequate for once? Why can't we just decorate a shoe box like in the good ol' days?? Anywho- Steve surprised me with beautiful flowers and cute sweats! When the kids got home, Zach took candy from his loot and made us all a Valentine that went something like this, TO MOM I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL VALINTIMES DAY AND I AM HAPPY YOUR MY MOM and he taped a tootsie roll to the paper...How precious is that!? I am treasuring these times while they still like me, I know the day will come too soon that they are embarrassed by me! :)

Lost tooth

Here is the 1st lost tooth picture. I think I was just as excited as Zach.

A Child's Mind

I love the way a child's mind works, so innocent and so curious. I love the questions and answers that I get sometimes. Ryan had his Valentines party today at preschool and as he was going through his Valentines, I asked, "Ryan, will you be my Valentine?" and he quickly said, "No, I don't want to me mailed...or hanged on the fridge." :) It took me a minute to understand that one!
At work this morning, Ryan asked, "Mom, how does hair stick on?" He was so serious, so I tried not to laugh....I love it!!

I was expecting a call from my brother on Sunday because he was driving in from Page, Arizona with my mom's car. I asked him how the drive was going and he proceeded to tell me that he'd been in a car accident and asked if we could come get him in Richfield, Utah. The car landed on the roof, shattered the huge sun roof and somehow my brother walked away from the accident. If you were to see a picture you wouldn't believe that he didn't have serious injuries. I am so grateful that he is okay and cannot believe that our family cannot catch a break! So we went on a "rescue mission" as my kids called it, to get Uncle Brent. He was a little bit in shock, but he made us laugh when telling us about the sage brush by his face as he dangled upside down in the car. :) The paramedics did have to flush glass fragments and dirt, etc. from his eyes....Yikes! And he's the type that doesn't even wear contacts because he can't touch his eyes! Anyway, quite an eventful weekend to say the least, but I'm so happy that he is ok and back home with his darling family in Texas. Love you Brent!

Taken

Steve and I went to see this movie last night and let me just say that it was one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. If you like Jack Bauer...the lead guy is like Jack's even cooler cousin! I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who wants to be on the edge of their seat the entire movie! I told Steve that I feel like I got a cardio workout because my heart was pounding for 2 hours straight! I LOVE a good movie!

Little Sneak

Ryan can also be known now as The Little Sneak. The other day, I bought 3 Reeses candy bars for my kids and said they could have them if they ate all of their lunch. Well, Bree was tending and she called me in a panic saying that Ryan had snuck away and ate his without even touching his lunch. Later that night Steve and I were asking him questions about it and he told us that he went in the bathroom and ate it! What I would give to be able to know what thoughts he had in his head at the time. I can just imagine it now, "I'm gonna just grab it and hurry into the bathroom. No one will notice it's even gone!" And what must he be thinking as he's munching away? :) Anyway, Steve and I couldn't hide our amusement and were laughing out loud and Ryan had a big grin on his face. So now we have taught our son that it is funny to break the rules and steal candy and hide and eat it. Once again, another great parenting tip from Mel and Steve. :)
One more cute tid bit...Ryan was eating marshmallows today and asked if they were made out of marsh... :) Thanks for making me smile Ryan!

Losing your 1st tooth is so exciting!

Zach lost his 1st tooth! It had only been wiggly for a few days and I think it was driving him nuts. We have had many bad experiences with Bree and her loose teeth, so I wasn't too thrilled to go through it again. With Bree, you would simply ask to feel how wiggly it was and she would burst into tears and start screaming...Leave me alone! WOW. At one point, her front tooth was literally hanging on by a thread and it would poke out when she would talk and smile. We told her everything like...I hope you don't swallow it Bree...To...Steve offering to buy her an ipod. (Aren't we such great parents?) Anyway, to our surprise and delight, Zach was the absolute opposite! He didn't shed a single tear. He would welcome one and all to wiggle his tooth! He even came down one night and asked Steve to PLEASE try to pull it out. I didn't think it was ready, but after about 5 minutes of Steve working on it...Out it came! Zach gave a big grin and I shrieked in excitement because he was so excited and there was ZERO drama! I love you Zach, you are my tough little boy! Needless to say, he has bragging rights now and loves to remind Bree that she is a big sissy. :) My camera is full, so I will post his new cute smile soon!

Ice Skating

I took the kids ice skating today and it was really fun for Bree, but not so much for the boys. I had to rent the skates the day before and when I got there today, Ryan's were too small and the rental place was closed. Zach said his feet hurt and he just didn't seem to enjoy it at all. Bree got the hang of it pretty quick and even tried a few tricks. It was pretty fun just to be out and try a new winter activity. The best part for me? FREE. F.Y.I...there was a lady there that had hit her head and was bleeding. I think she was headed to the hospital for stiches. And...a little boy fell and bonked his head really good right before my eyes. Dangerous little past time I found. Luckily, we didn't get any injuries...I was so nervous. I tried to make it up to the boys by taking them to McDonalds for an icecream. It worked. :) Yesterday we tried to go to a jumpy land in Draper and it was out of business....Once again, I felt bad, so we ended up at Chuck E Cheese somehow. I can't quite put my finger on it, but that place makes my chest tight. I though we all might leave with head lice or something. Anyway, the kids said it was a great day, and that's what I was going for.

Thanks to those of you who actually thought I wrote the poem in my last post. :) But I didn't. I just got it off of an e-mail from a friend and thought it was too funny, so I had to share it! :)

Twas the week after Christmas

"Twas the week after Christmas and all through the
> house
> Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
> On cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
> Now the holiday parties have gone to my waist.
>
> I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared,
> The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared...
> The wine and the rumballs, the bread and the cheese
> And the way I'd never said, "No thank you,
> please".
>
> As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
> And prepared once again to battle the dirt...
> I said to myself, as only I can
> "You can't spend the winter dressed like a
> man"!
>
> So, away with the last of the sour cream dip,
> Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip,
> Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
> "Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
>
> I won't have a cookie, not even a lick,
> I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
> I won't have hot biscuits or cornbread or pie,
> I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
>
> I'm hungry, I'm lonesome and life is a bore,
> I wonder, is *that* what January's for?
> I'm unable to giggle, I'm no longer a riot
> But Happy New Year to all and to All a Good Diet.
>
> Our Best Wishes to *Everyone* in 2009

Draper Utah Temple

We went to the new Draper Temple last night and were able to walk through it with the kids. I was so impressed at how good the kids were. It could have been that they were tired because we had just come from church, but still...I was so glad they behaved. They were very interested in all the rooms, Zach kept asking where the room was that we got married in. The temple is beautiful and I thought it was really cool that my kids got to walk through it because I didn't get to go inside a temple until I was a teenager. On the car ride home, Bree was asking everyone what their favorite rooms were. Ryan thought about it for a second and said, "The Marry room" :) So cute....I think he meant the sealing room. I love it!