Love Advice From Mason

We were sitting at the dinner table talking about how cute it is that Tanner thinks he has two girlfriends. Mason asked Tanner if he would like some love advice.

Mason said, "what do you want to know first? How to love a girl, or how to dump a girl." Tanner picked love.

How to love a girl according to Mason: "First lay down on the ground and pretend to be dead. When the girl leans over to pick you up, wake up and tell her she has beautiful eyes and that you love her."

How to dump a girl according to Mason: " Tell her she has smelly armpits."

What a Lovely Day!

Goodbye summer!

Hello 2nd grade round 2! Mason has been soooo good about me deciding to hold him back. It was a hard decision. One that I thought about after kindergarten, and 1st grade. His teachers just kept saying Mason is so smart don't hold him back. I know he is smart. His IQ is in the 99th percentile but it wasn't showing in his work. He has struggled every year. So I went against the teachers advice and made a MOM decision to hold him back. He used to be the youngest in his class now he will be the oldest. He was one of the tallest kids in his class last year, so I hope he doesn't stick out too much this year. I love you Mason. I hope you have a great day and make lots of new friends!

These 2 will be in the same preschool class starting in a couple of weeks. We are all very excited! Bless their teacher. They better behave themselves!

9 amazing years down, an eternity to go

Today it’s my (the husband of the most beautiful bride in the world) turn to use this blog to publicly tell my wife how madly in love with her I am. It was 9 years ago this very day that she made me the happiest man in the world. At that time I was sure life could not get any better, I mean what could be better than marrying your best friend? Well I was wrong, it does get better! Better every single day for 3,285 days! I never could have even imagined back than the absolute joy she would bring into my life. She has been so kind, so patient, so loving and so supportive. I know for many, 9 years is nothing, but when you’re putting up with all that she has, me included, she gets credit for at least double that amount of time. Besides she shared with me her love and friendship for 5 years before we were married.

Julie has given me 3 beautiful children who light up my life, she is so good with them, and they love her so much. She is so good and patient to put up with taking care of their every need. I know it’s not easy, they sometimes try my patience and I’m only with them a fraction of the time. There is no greater sacrifice than that which a mother makes, and I want her to know I will love her forever for being willing to give of herself so selflessly. She has also been a shining example for her siblings as we have been blessed to have them become a part of our family.

Julie has always stood by my side, a couple of years ago when the opportunity to open our own business arose; it was her support that made it all possible (and a gracious loan from loving parents). I know she was nervous about the amount of risk we were assuming but her vote of confidence made me fell like I could do anything. That means so much to me, I am so blessed to have someone that believes in me and supports my dreams. Sometimes at night while she is sleeping I lay there staring at her, wondering how it is that I am so blessed, surely I don’t deserve all that she has given me.

Happy anniversary Julie, I wish I could say it in better words, but always know, I love you, oh so very much!


She was hot back then, but somehow she just keeps getting prettier each day!

That's Better

So I know you all thought to yourselves wow she really does look like JoJo. It has been requested that I post a picture of myself all made up. So here it is.

Just kidding. This picture was taken at the youth museum where we just got a membership. The kids loved this place and the exhibit right now is about monsters. We can't wait to take cousin Parker with us, but it will have to wait until the monsters go away.

Here I am all made up. I like the darker color. I don't think my husband loves it though. His response was, "you mean you're going to keep it that way."

This is my brother-in-law Matt. He told me that I must have a lot of self confidence to post a picture of myself looking the way I did. He also said it's great that I know how to laugh at myself. I'm pretty sure Matt is the same way.

Good Morning!

I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror, and this is what I saw.

I turned to my husband and said "I look like the mayor's son in Horton Hears a Who."

He started laughing and said "you sure do, go take a picture."

So here I am in all my morning glory. I'm gonna go shower now, put on my makeup, do my hair, and try not to think about JoJo the rest of the day.

We Love You DAD!

(My wonderful SIL Kylie took these adorable pics. My kids don't like getting their pictures taken, and Kylie is so patient. They turned out so cute. Thanks Kylie!)

Free Giveaway

Look at how cute this is. I love the polka dots. Go here to check it out. fancyschmancydesigns.blogspot.com

Pretty Princess Ballerina

Gemma performed 3 different dances and I couldn't decide which one to post so, they're all here for your viewing pleasure. I love having a daughter!

Arrrrgh Matey!

Tanner took a pirate exercise class at the community center. They performed for the parents on the last day. Tanner was extremely concerned with the boy next to him. He kept saying teacher teacher, and telling the boy to take the shirt off his head through out the whole performance. I love this kid!

SURFS UP

Mason was really nervous to perform with his class in the talent show. He did a great job. You can tell how focused he is on getting all of his moves right. Mason is in the back row dancing with the girl in the orange shirt.

Sweet Sixteen

I can't believe that Emily is 16 now! We have absolutely loved having her in our home for the past 4 years. I'm not excited for the dating years ahead of us. I will protect my baby sister from silly boys! Since this was a BIG birthday we wanted to make it special, so we surprised Emily and her friends with a night out on the town. Being chauffered around in a limo. Myself, our sister Susan, and my SIL Staci came along to make sure that the girls were on their best behavior. Really we just wanted to ride around in a limo too.

For dinner we went to Organ Stop Pizza. I worked there for 3 years during and after highschool. It's nice to go back every once in awhile to enjoy the food and music, but I don't miss smelling like onions every day.

These girls were lots of fun! Here they are outside OSP waiting for the limo. It was fun having everyone looking at us and wondering why we were so special.


Our next stop was Mesa Frozen Yogurt for desert. Yummy! Then our driver Russel drove us around while we did silly girl things. Our last stop was Fry's. We picked up some treats and popcorn for the girls to have while they watched Twilight at our house afterwards.

Good thing the ride was almost over. It started to get a little crazy in there! Happy Birthday Emily! We love and appreciate you!

I'm OLD!

I can't believe that I just turned 30! My wonderful husband planned a super fun surprise party for me on Tuesday. Two days before my birthday. The key to a surprise party is to not have it on the actual b-day. I was lied to many times that day by many different people. You all know where liars go. Even the ward executive secretary called and woke me up at 7:30 am to lie to me. He apologized several times as he was lying to me. "I'm so sorry but the Bishop wont be able to see you tonight. I hate to do this to you, but can we move your appointment to Sunday. I'm so sorry again." I think he felt guilty. Hee Hee. That's alright I forgive you all. We had a wonderful luau party at my in-laws. For dinner we had yummy Hawaiian haystacks. One of my favorites.Thanks to everyone that was there and that worked so hard to pull it all off. I feel so special. Oh and to Staci who lied to me 7 times that day I still expect to go house hunting with you.

Monster Jammin Fun

Rob and I took the boys to Monster Jam back in January. We had a blast! I love this picture of Tanner. I can't get enough of this sweet boy.

This is Mason's 3rd time going to Monster Jam. He now expects it every year.

It was a long night and a peaceful drive home.

A little survey

1) What is something mom always says to you?

Mason: I love you.

Tanner: Thank you.

Gemma: You're a princess.

2) What makes mom happy?

Mason: Doing homework and cleaning up.

Tanner: Giving you stuff that you like.

Gemma: A princess.

3) What makes mom sad?

Mason: Not doing work and homework.

Tanner: Fighting.

Gemma: I'm a princess.

4) What does your mom do to make you laugh?

Mason: I don't know. You've never made me laugh before.

Tanner: Tickle me.

Gemma: Make funny faces.

5) How old is your mom?

Mason: 29.

Tanner: 7.

Gemma: 3 like me.

6) What was your mom like as a child?

Mason: Happy.

Tanner: A girl.

Gemma: A piggy.

7) How tall is your mom?

Mason: About 15.

Tanner: Huge.

Gemma: Big.

8) What is your mom's favorite thing to do?

Mason: Clean. That was just a lucky guess.

Tanner: Play with me.

Gemma: Draw pictures.

9) What does your mom do when you're not around?

Mason: Party and clean.

Tanner: Play with Gemma.

Gemma: A princess.

10) If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

Mason: Earning tons and millions of money.

Tanner: Helping Mason do his homework.

Gemma: A princess.

11) What is your mom really good at?

Mason: Helping me do homework.

Tanner: Buying stuff.

Gemma: Snapping pencils. (?????)

12) What is your mom not so good at?

Mason: Hmmm thats a tuff one. You never mess up.

Tanner: Buying beanbags. It's too heavy for me.

Gemma: Nothing.

13) What does your mom do for her job?

Mason: Clean up the house.

Tanner: Cut out papers.

Gemma: Cook food.

14) What is your mom's favorite food?

Mason: Noodles

Tanner: Pandas.

Gemma: Noodles.

15) What makes you proud of your mom?

Mason: You do lots of stuff with me.

Tanner: Playing with me and my toys.

Gemma: Brushing teeth.

16) If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Mason: Transformer.

Tanner: An angel.

Gemma: A princess.

17) What do you and your mom do together?

Mason: We do too many things. They are all good.

Tanner: Buy cute stuffed animals that are soft.

Gemma: Play.

18) How are you and your mom the same?

Mason: We like the same things.

Tanner: We wear clothes.

Gemma: Girls.

19) How are you and your mom different?

Mason: We don't like the same things.

Tanner: We have different beds.

Gemma: Our eyes.

20) How do you know your mom loves you?

Mason: Because you're my only mom.

Tanner: Because I like you.

Gemma: Because you do.

So what did I learn from doing this?

1. My kids don't like to be asked questions.

2. Even if we never call Gemma a princess again, she will always know that she is one.

3. I need to make Mason laugh more.

4. Homework has become too much of an ordeal in our house.

5. The house should be cleaner than it is. After all cleaning is my favorite thing to do.

Mermaids and Sickness

Gemma has requested that her friends Hallie and Sydney come over for Princess Ariel School. What might Princess Ariel School consist of you ask. Well dressing up like mermaids of course. Watching The Little Mermaid, and coloring pictures of the Princess Ariel. All Gemma's idea. I'll admit that Ariel was also my favorite princess. I can still belt out the look at this stuff isn't it neat wouldn't you think my collections complete song from memory. And when they replayed the movie in the theatres back in 1997 I made my boyfriend/husband take me to see it. I think Princess Ariel school sounds like so much fun. I might even have to get one of those fabulous Little Mermaid cakes that turns your poop magical colors. Oh I can hardly wait. We are so having this mermaid party when we are all done with this darn sickness. Emily hasn't been feeling well. Tanner is waking up with crusty eyes. My eyes feel like they are going to pop out of my head, and my teeth feel like they are being smashed with a hammer. I finally made Rob go see a doctor because he hadn't slept in like 4 nights and his constant coughing and throat clearing was driving me bonkers. The doctor thought he might have bronchitis and put him on 3 different meds. I'm not complaining though because last year at this time I was pregnant and knee deep in throw up, and for me there is nothing worse than throw up. Wouldn't I love. Love to explore that world outside our house. Someday we'll be. Healthy and free. Back to ourselves.

I got tagged by Staci. Because I haven't posted in a long time. You have to answer these questions with one word answers. It's pretty fun.

1. Where is your phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? Matage
3 .Your hair color? brown
4. Your Mother? kayaker
5. Your Father? alone
6. Your favorite thing? children
7. Your dream last night? scary
8. Your dream/goal? happiness
9. The room you're in? kitchen
10. Your hobby? creating
11. Your fear? death
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? working
13. Where were you last night? dinner
14. What you're not? daring
15. One of your wish-list items? flooring
16. Where you grew up? Mesa
17. The last thing you ate? tamale
18. What are you wearing? purple
19. Your TV? gift
20. Your pet? never
21. Your computer? slow
22. Your mood? thoughtful
23. Missing someone? husband
24. Your car? transformers
25. Something you're not wearing? socks
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your Summer? boring
28. Love someone? Rob
29. Your favorite color? brown
30. When was the last time you laughed? Saturday
31. Last time you cried? weeks
32.Something you crave? pretzelsncheese
33. Why you blog? connection

I tag Cheryl, and whoever else wants to do this. I promise to post more often now that the month of December is over.