Month In Review

If I had updated my blog last month, I would've told you that Avery is the cutest, sweetest, funniest 20-month old I know. I would tell you that I can't get enough of her kisses, her songs, her dances, and her sassy personality. I LOVE this girl.

I also would've mentioned that she and Parker are still partners in crime. Don't leave your kids on the bathroom counter unless you want to clean up a soapy-all-over-the-bathroom mess when you wonder why they're being so quiet!

If I had blogged last month, I definitely would've mentioned the Utah State Fair. The Burnzies invited us to go, and we had a blast (minus Avery's fat lip from a stroller-pushing face plant, and my wasted money trying to climb the impossible ladder!)

I also would've mentioned the beauty of going to the park in the fall!

I probably would've talked all about our fun trip to Lagoon's Frightmares! It was the funnest family day this year. I thought we would last at the park for maybe a few hours. We stayed for nine! Parker liked the rides much more than last year. And Avery loved them right along with him!If I'd blogged in the last month, I definitely would've told you about the Ragnar Relay in Las Vegas. I got to run, eat, and drive 178 sleepless miles with some of my favorite people in the world (minus my 2 favorite munchkins...now that made for a good weekend!) My heart still aches, however, by the death of fellow runner, Jeremy Kunz . I would've had (and still may have) LOTS more to say about that!But since I haven't blogged for over a month, I guess this will have to do! Until next time...

Parker and Avery: Partners in Crime

If I could choose a single moment in time to which I'd like to return, it would be somewhere in July 2009. Yes...I would definitely go back in time TWO months. You see, my angel baby was still my angel baby. She was only 17-months old. What a difference a month makes! She hit the 18-month mark, and something in her brain flipped. Why be an innocent observer to the daily commotion in the house when you can be an active instigator and participant! Parker has been slowly teaching her the ropes, and sometime in the last few months, Avery caught on. She can no longer be a time-out observer. She's officially the time-out queen!Don't get me wrong, Parker's definitely still the king of all kings and queens when it comes to time-out. More minutes are spent in the naughty corner these days than either of us would like to admit. But Parker's slowly trying to make the transition from "baby" to "big boy." In July, we had a "Bye Bye Diapers" party. We made up lyrics to "Bye Bye Birdie," made a cake, and watched as he ceremoniously removed the last diaper that will ever touch his bum.

The next step to becoming a Big Boy was starting preschool! So far he loves it! I especially love the new blackmail verbiage in our house..."Big Boys who go to preschool eat all of their vegetables." "Big Boys who go to preschool don't whine and cry about every dang thing." "Big Boys who go to preschool are nice to their little sisters." Blackmail totally works...he's devastated just at the thought of not being a Big Boy, or not getting to go to preschool.In order to be a Big Boy, Parker's spending his spare time teaching Avery the ropes. He's passing on all of his moves...(and let me tell you...his moves are good...) (Ignore the "water" on the front of his pants...I don't think that's water, buddy)Wherever we go, Avery is no longer content to sit in a stroller and watch the action happen. She has to be in on the action. Wheeler Farm is no exception. Watch out cow poop, Avery's coming through!Parker's also teaching Avery to eat her vegetables...and to prove she's eaten them by showing us her green-filled mouth! Nice manners...Parker's taught Avery that she should be the one in charge of what she wears each day, not Mom. Each outfit should include someone in the family's swimsuit. Shorts on the head are always an option.And as much as I'd like to believe that he had nothing to do with my couches being covered with Avery's marker-drawings TWICE in one week, I'm not sure I believe him. How could my precious Angel Baby do something like that? Oh yeah...she's moved on from that angelic phase. She prefers the partner-in-crime title. This girl's gonna seriously give us a run for our money!

And if you need a translation to her cute language, here are a few Avery-isms. This girl does not stop talking!

SHIPPOOT--swimsuit

LOWN--lay down

I LULLOO!--i love you

PAWTER--parker

PAFF--bath

WADA ON--turn the water on

CHEW ME--excuse me (when she or anyone else burps...including Shrek during the movie)

BESS YOU--bless you

I DO IT!!!!--stop helping me! i'll do it!

MINE!!!

HANN--hand (as in--stop carrying me...put me down and hold my hand)

MY SHEET--my seat

SUH-SHINE--(don't sing twinkle twinkle, sing you are my sunshine!)

MY PHONE!

FROGGG--frog (heavy emphasis on the G)

FWY--there's a fly!

DAMMA B--grandma b

NANNU--call nannu

DAPPAW--grandpa

I NONNEE--i'm naughty

POTTY--i want to go potty!

ELMO ON--i want to wear parker's elmo underwear

TEEN-TEE BUM?--stinky bum?

CHANGE A BUMMIE?--change my bummie?

NO DAMMIES--i don't want to wear jammies!

I TUM!--don't leave me...i'm coming!

I LIGHT A MATO--i like tomatoes

TOY-LETT--toilet

FUSH IT--flush it

NONNEE DURL--naughty girl

Letter to Parker in the Year 2020

Dearest Parker,

You have just reached the glorious age of 14. Yes, you've reached this wonderfully awful age when you're too young to drive and date, but too old to be seen in public with your (still 28-year-old) parents.

If you're anything like your (once 14-year-old-with-no-concept-of-frugality) mother, you have an unfortunate taste for expensive clothes. You can't stand the thought of being seen in the same clothes you wore last week. Hopefully you're more like your dad--great taste, but you realize that the number of times a shirt's been worn doesn't determine whether or not it's still a good shirt.

I assume you're still as social as ever. Starting when you were born, you lived for the next party or social gathering. If I told you "no" because I didn't want to spend the money, you'd whip out your penny-filled money jar as the solution to every problem. By now you probably realize that the 200 or so pennies won't actually get you very far. That's right, the fun activities you long to participate in cost money. The clothes you HAVE to have cost money.

Let me take you back to your 3-year old days. The FUNNEST days in the world were the days when I LET you help me clean. Pouring COMET in the bathtub brought exclamations of sheer joy. Actually getting to help scrub and rinse the tub was even better. And what could beat dumping a teaspoon of baking powder into the cookie dough mixture? You were quite the helper. Do you remember the first time I let you help me mop the tile floor? I cringed as you left puddles of icky water all over the floor, but to you it was THE. BEST. DAY. EVER.

So sweet little teenage Parkercito, get that grumpy look off your face, and get to work. If you want my money, you're gonna have to work for it. And no, that REALLY FUN MOPPING EXPERIENCE 11 years ago doesn't count. You were sure cute, though.

Love you,
Mom

If The Shoe Doesn't Fit....

Wear it anyway!

Fishing, Hiking, and Jet Ski's, Oh My!

After Michael and Anne's wedding, we decided that they shouldn't be the only ones who got to go on a little vacation. The rest of the family needed a week off to recover. I mean, being the groom's sister is a lot of work, after all! (Any excuse for a vacation, right?!) We got to stay in a house big enough for all eleven of us in Midway, UT. With the few pictures I actually took, I'll let you in on some highlights...

• Fishing with Grandpa at Jordanelle Reservoir...the fish weren't very hungry the first day. Parker reeled in his Sponge Bob fishing pole every 3 seconds just to make sure.
• But at least one fish was hungry later that night in the pond by the house...and the Sponge Bob fishing pole caught him! Parker couldn't sleep all night because he was worried that his fish was in his room "wiggling." A poor, dying fish was almost more than Parker could handle.
• But that didn't stop him from going again. The next day, all the kids caught fish. We cooked all TEN for dinner! (They were yummy...but we had rotisserie chicken just in case!)
  
• We saw Park City and the Wasatch Mountains from way up high on The Flight of The Canyons gondola ride.
• We rented a jet ski at the windiest reservoir ever...Jordanelle! Luckily they let us come back another day after the weather turned for the worst on the first try. We tried to brave it out, but after Joe took me for a joy (death) ride through the choppy waves, I was done. Round 2 was much better...even Parker loved it! (But it didn't beat standing on the beach throwing rocks with Blake!)
  

• We cried, we laughed, we played lots of "Heck, Fire and Darnation," we went on morning walks and bike rides, and we ended the week even more sleep deprived than when it began (darn kids who don't know the meaning of sleeping in!).
• For me, the week was a solid reminder of just how much I love and need my family. My kids loved playing with their cousins and Grandpa and Nannu...and nothing made me happier than watching them play. (Too bad the newlyweds missed out and had to spend their time on a dang cruise!)

We love you guys! Come again soon!!!

Rock of Ages soundtrack review

It's no secret that I am a huge American Idol fan! After my personal crazy-audition experience, I've felt a certain connection with the show. As dorky as it sounds, it is my show. So when given the opportunity from the One2One Network to review the new Broadway musical starring American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis, I jumped at the chance. And I have to say...I was kind of disappointed. The music was fun. I enjoyed rocking out to the old school goodies, but the dialogue drove me crazy! Granted, the only time I really listen to music is either while working out, or while in the car with kids in tow. This time, I had the kids with me. While my 3-year old loved the LOUD music, I personally cringed whenever the music stopped. There were several conversations involving foul language, and topics definitely inappropriate for small ears. So I have to be honest...I would probably prefer an album with the songs from the musical without the added conversation. As much as I want to give a positive review (because of my love of all things American Idol), I can't. Don't buy it. But here's a list of the songs if you want a good mix without the junk:

Tracklisting
Just Like Paradise / Nothin' But A Good Time
Sister Christian
We Built This City / Too Much Time On My Hands
I Wanna Rock
We're Not Gonna Take It
Heaven/More Than Words / To Be With You
Waiting For A Girl Like You
Wanted Dead Or Alive
I Want To Know What Love Is
Cum On Feel The Noize / We're Not Gonna Take It (Reprise)
Harden My Heart / Shadows Of The Night
Here I Go Again
The Final Countdown
Any Way You Want It / I Wanna Rock (Reprise)
High Enough
I Hate Myself For Loving You / Heat Of The Moment
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Can't Fight This Feeling
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Oh Sherrie
The Search Is Over
Don't Stop Believin

Raubel Reunion 2009

What seems like just a few years ago (in 1998), I graduated from High School. I moved to Utah to go to BYU. My sophomore year, I went on a little study abroad to the Dominican Republic. I'm pretty sure one of the reasons I was destined to go there was to meet Rachel and Aubrey who were also in the program. (Of course the reason wouldn't be to actually learn Spanish...pssssh...that's what college was for). I HAD to meet these girls. When we got home, I lived with Aubrey and Rachel and their other friend who would also become one of my best friends, Eleisha. And thus was the beginning of RAUBEL (Robyn, Rachel, Aubrey, and Eleisha...four names in one! Get it? Dorky? Fine.)

I must still like these girls, because THREE years ago, we chose to have a little reunion over the weekend of my 26th birthday. Two of us had teeny, nursing babies, but we didn't want to miss out on the fun. So we brought them along. We celebrated, and I left even more sleep deprived than when I'd arrived. This year, over the weekend of my 29th birthday, we had another reunion...this time in Vegas. And my present to myself was to LEAVE my children home! I couldn't miss out...friends like these are hard to come by. A weekend away with these girls was just what I needed!

We ate. We shopped. We laughed.

We ate some more, and laughed some more. (What's on your shirt, Rach?)

We sweat. We swam. (And no, Michael, I didn't come home with a spotted tan, thank you very much!)

We saw the latest Cirque du Soleil show, The Beatles LOVE show. We loved it!

Did I mention that we ate? My new favorite chips and salsa are in Vegas...at the Isla Mexican Kitchen at Treasure Island. My favorite birthday dessert continues to be at the Cheesecake Factory. We were even good girls, and went to church...only to find out that it was the Spanish branch! Fitting, since Spanish is sort of what brought us together in the first place. (Even Eleisha, although she doesn't speak it! Her and I wouldn't be friends if I didn't!)

Rachel is getting ready to move her little family to Australia. Here's hoping that our next reunion is somewhere down under!

Problem is, I may never again be able to bribe anyone to watch my kids. While we were gone, my sweet mother-in-law and hopefully-still-friend, Kandis watched my kids while Joe worked.

Kandis made it look like she had a fun day by taking these pictures in our backyard:

But what you don't see is that Avery actually threw up all day long, and Parker decided that he didn't want to poop in the potty anymore. Kandis is going straight to heaven!

Joe's weekend wasn't much better. So thanks to RAUBEL, Mom G., Kandis, and especially my amazing husband Joe for giving me the best birthday present ever...time for ME!

And after one day back...I'm ready for another vacation! (I know, poor me...)

Let's do it again soon, girls!

Not So Cool!

Hi there, little blog. Have you missed me? Well, I'll be back soon. As soon as I can stand being inside during the heat of the day! You see, a few months ago, Joe signed us up for Rocky Mountain Power's coolkeeper program. In theory, it's a great idea. My experience so far? Not so "cool"! Is the $20 credit to our bill this fall, and the $25 amazon gift card worth living in an 85 degree home? Read what I think here!

5 Years and Counting!

HOW 5 YEARS ADDS UP!

ONE beautiful wedding reception (plus+)

ONE bride (plus+)
ONE groom (plus+)

ONE honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico (plus+)
ONE apartment in Midvale, UT (plus+)
ONE trip to Guatemala (plus+)
ONE move to California (plus+)
TWO places of residence in CA (plus+)
ONE winning of the Showcase Showdown (plus+)
ONE move back to Utah (plus+)
ONE short-term-living-with-the-parents residence (plus+)
ONE home purchase (plus+)
ONE now 3-year-old beautiful baby boy (plus+)

ONE angelic 17-month old baby girl (plus+)

ONE amazing husband (plus+)

ONE happily satisfied wife (plus+)

FIVE years of anniversary fireworks (equals=)

THE best five years of my life! I love you, Joe!

And what would a tribute to the love of my life be without the lyrics to a cheesy country love song? Thank you Brad Paisley for this one...

I THOUGHT I LOVED YOU THEN

I remember trying not to stare the night that I first met you
You had me mesmerized
And 3 weeks later in the front porch light taking 45 minutes to kiss goodnight
I hadn’t told you yet...but I thought I loved you then

Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you JOE
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than it’s ever been
We’ve come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then.
I remember taking you back to right where I first met you
You were so surprised
There were people around
But I didn’t care I got down on one knee right there
And once again I thought I loved you then

Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you JOE
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than it’s ever been
We’ve come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then.
I can just see [me] with a baby on the way
I can just see you when your hair is turning gray
What I can’t see is how I’m ever gonna love you more
But I’ve said that before.

Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you JOE
Well look back some day at this moment that we’re in
And I'll look at you and say and I thought I loved you then
And I thought I loved you then...

Living Not Blogging...

So I guess I've been sort of absent from the blogging world. That's why I love summer...it's time to LIVE instead of just BLOG! Most of our pictures are on my brother's camera, but here's a preview of how we've been "living not blogging."

We've been looking at cool trains before watching mommy run in the Ogden 1/2 marathon...and not blogging.

We've been staining our hands, faces, clothes, and nostrils with popsicles...and not blogging.We've been running in special "Parker's 3rd Birthday Biathlons" and getting our own medals...and not blogging.
We've been fishing with daddy...and not blogging.

We've been happily splashing in the water...and not blogging.

We've been swimming like sharks...and not blogging.

We've been swimming like wannabe-swimmers...and not blogging.

We've been playing with friends...and not blogging. We've been running the Wasatch Back and Bear Lake Marathon...and blogging elsewhere.

We've been visiting the library to watch cool shows, but liking the fountains outside even better...and not blogging.
We've been jumping on trampolines (which mommy hates)...and not blogging.
We've been loving red wagons and cute cousins...and not blogging.

That's us. How have YOU been living and not blogging this summer? We've missed you!