Missing Pumpkin Mystery

A few weeks ago we went to my sisters stake garden. My big strong nephew was with Maile and I and he grabbed us a few pumpkins. We have kept them in our garage so they don't rot and because we wouldn't want to look anxious. About a week ago we noticed the little one was gone. It had become quite a mystery. Darin and I were quite puzzled and couldn't figure out who would take it (as a joke) or where it could be. Don't worry we solved the mystery.

Yesterday Darin walked the girls to the park. On the way back he noticed our little pumpkin in some one's yard. It was in an unkempt yard, most likely the people who live there don't even know they had our pumpkin. Darin retrieves the 'kin then begins inquiring how it had gotten there. Madalyn, in confident pride says, I rolled it down the hill. Come to find out. She carried it our of the garage, set it on the sidewalk, and gave it a little push. Then, she proceeded to watch it go.

Take a minute to picture this, it makes this story more entertaining. If I know her, it is likely to picture her with very little clothing on, most likely only underwear, long blond hair hanging in her eyes. Because her mom never fixed it for her? No, because she insists on twisting the pony out while sucking her thumb. Now picture her huffin' this big pumpkin (relative to her size) down the driveway, losing her balance every third step but always, who knows how, stays on her feet. Then setting it down, most certainly with sheer gratification in her eye, she gives it a little nudge. You can bet she watched it until it stopped rolling then, turned and walked away while moving her hair our of her face just enough to get her little thumb in her mouth.

We love our Maddo and all of the mischeif!

This is our little punkin lover before she knew what a punkin was!

Itsy, bitsy spider

A few weeks ago a neighbor found a very large spider in their garage, the next day another had one on his front porch. I know tarantulas are native to UT but I didn't realize they were like in my neighborhood. I got all ultra paranoid and bombed my house and sprayed all around the outside as well. I thought I was safe and out of the woods since I hadn't heard any new tarantula encounters since.....until today. My other neighbor found one on her porch and I was visiting a friend a few streets over and her neighbors found 3 in their back yard. I think I am being closed in on. When I originally hear the news a few weeks ago I couldn't sleep for like 3 nights for fear that 8 hairy legs might find their way upon my face as I lay sleeping. Well.....here we go again. I can't sleep for fear one big hairy spider is lurking in my room waiting for the opportunity to crawl all over me! EWW!!! I am so grossed out. When I expressed fear about a spider in my house one friendly neighbor assured me that they don't bite and that they just eat bugs so I would be safe to just let it roam the house. I was like like are you for real??? That would be so great......until it had babies.

I was going to put a picture of a tarantula on this post, but just looking at the pictures gave me the heebies!

Under the Sea

We live in an absolute fantasy. Maile eat, drinks, sleeps or dreams in princess. She is a bit over the top most of the time which is quite entertaining. Last week she woke up in the best mood! She had cleaned her room and made both her and Mad's beds. She was fluttering and round and humming and SMILING! Not the norm for her in the morning. She sits down by me and says " Mom, I had the best dream last night!" I said, "what was it?" She looks at me all dreamy eyed and says " I can't tell you because a dream is a wish your heart makes when your fast asleep". Thank you, Cinderella!

This morning she came and got in bed with me. She was talking about a dream she had that was under the sea. She was a mermaid, of course, and there were sharks that were mean and then found a friend, then were nice. There was a king......the whole bit. I interrupted her and told her I didn't understand how mermaids could sing underwater because the water would get in their mouths. She thought for a long time, then responded: "Let's Google it."

Reach up.....

...and beat the TAR out of that ball!! That is what came to my mind this morning while palying volleyball. Funny how the strangest of things for so long ago come barrelling through your mind as if it were jusy yesterday!

If you get this, you get it and if you don't, you don't

Sleepless in Herriman

So here I am again exercising my insomnia. I have been laying in bed thinking about all sorts of random things when my latest excursion to Lagoon enters my brain. I was beginning to get the giggles so rather than giggle Darin from his slumber I am going to giggle in front of the computer as I try to paint a few comical pictures from my day at Lagoon.

First of all I must tell you that I have only been to Lagoon twice prior to my latest experience, neither of which amounted to the extreme fun I had this time. The first time I think I was like 5, actually I am pretty sure I was 5. I know this because I remember wearing my new school shoes, which were pink Keds ( I was that cool even in 1985), and riding the bumper cars with my first love, Travis Warr. Many of you may know him, for the record we were pre-destined to be play yard crushes since our older siblings called him Jane-Lover, (and still do according to his mom, what can I say? some of us are harder to get over than others) and me, Travis-Lover for as far back as I can remember. Nonetheless, he held the door for me at one point of another that day and I have never forgotten this. My first experience of chivalry, I guess. That all changed later chivalry was out that door and he turned into a boy. I recall a serious shiner compliments of him and a treadmill experience that I won't go into.

Moving right along, the second was with my roommates, honestly I don't think it was that great.

This time I was invited to go with some wild and unruly girls from my ward with no kids! That's right, no kids. I must say that I felt super guilty about going without my family but that only lasted until we got on our way. I had so much fun getting to know them.

Before we entered the gate I am pretty sure we all noticed an odd pair buying tickets. From behind we all assumed that she was his mom, but from the front we realized that Rasputia and Norbit had made their way to UT. Throughout the day we kept catching glimpses of them. My personal favorite encounter was on the "Blast-off" when Norbit seemed to be lost. Nope,not lost, just waiting for his damsel, who was actually tall enough to get on the ride. Then there was the lady with the haircut. I thought I was being a good friend when I suggested that one of our party should maybe think about cutting her hair like our fellow citizen. The only response I got was a good laugh, or cackle, if you will. Tammy, I will forever remember the "cackle" and even more remember how it escalated every time you caght a glimpse of your next haricut. For some reason while on the rides I was getting serious dry mouth, this wasn't true for all who participated, someone had the opposite effect. I am just glad that I wasn't sitting behind her. :) Then in Subway, "Uh, I think that's enough pickles.". Oh and that old rickety roller-coaster that was making that loud rubbing noise that sounded like we might fall off the track. I'm no expert but maybe that one should be retired.

I also learned some valuable lessons, like don't call the 18 yr old out for flirting with your married friend--he might give you whiplash, and so will the Jet-Star. And if you ride the bumper cars, don't use red #8, unless you aren't into driving and more sitting. You are probably guaranteed no whiplash that way.

I seriously don't think I have laughed that hard forever. The muscles in my face were tired and my stomach muscles were sore. Maybe the sore stomach was from the mouse ride that tried to knock the wind out of me.....twice.

All of the rest of the dare devils had this great idea to put their hands in the air on some of the rides. The scariest ride actually. I was too chicken, though. I was just trying not wet myself...or swear, actually. Good times! I can't wait for our next adventure.

Pre-School

The girls outside of Morning Light Pre-School

Maile and Mrs. Brooksby

Maile started pre-school at the beginning of the month. It has been fabulous! She loves it and so do I. She has really needed something to occupy her time. She looks forward to it everyday, too bad it is only Tues, and Thurs. I guess she'll have something to look forward to Kindergarten for! She loves her teacher, although she is a little confused of what to call her since she is in our ward and is my friend. We went out with her teachers family the other night(yes I am a brown noser--I want my kids to succeed! ) and Maile was sitting pretty close to Tammy and looked at her with sheer adoration. I am sure she is thinking how does she do the BOOM-BOOM BOOM part of Alice the Camel so well!

Show and tell is everyday. Since they are learning the colors the kids are to bring something in that color. Today was orange, she took this little piece of play cheese that is cracked and chewed. I tried my hardest to talk her out of it with no avail. On red day she took a stylus from a magna doodle, that was broken as well. I honestly look forward to what random thing she chooses, as you can see it is quite entertaining. BTW, Tammy don't feel bad for her, not all of her toys are broken!

Happy Maile #1

Our first stop on the state of Washington was actually The Mercantile. My friends dad own's it so we thought we'd stop by and check it out! My favorite thing was the donkey! Apparently it's not Maile's. :) This was followed by a serious melt down, then a seriously much needed lengthy nap.

Long time, no blog.

So it has been quite a while since I have posted on this here blog. I have been super busy, the big question is with what??? I have made a list of all of the posts I want to make, which is getting a little lengthy. I am thinking I might need to scratch a few off. Here goes:

So about a month ago I went to my class reunion in WA. It was so darn fun. I was gone for 9 days from home. I think Darin was ready to have his family back and I was ready to be back. My mom came with me, or did I go with her since she drove. We stopped at my sisters house for a night and kidnapped one of my nieces to be my nanny for the weekend. Kelsey was a great help and I am so glad she came with us. My girls are still asking about their "nanny", as if they don't know who she is. She made a great re-impression on them. From there we went to WA.

My mom had arranged to have a new headstone placed for my dad. I was glad that I was able to be there to see the finished product. I can't say I really like going to the cemetery. It is such a weird thing for me. I know my dad isn't there but when we leave it is like I am leaving something behind. I hate the feeling and have to remind myself that I am not leaving him but I still have a hard time convincing myself, I guess. He's buried next to my grandparents, and then there is a place for my mom as well. The new headstone is a double so it has my mom's name on it, that was weird. I almost think my mom would have laid down next to it--you know try it on for size-- if the sprinklers hadn't' turned on in the middle of our visit. Who waters at a cemetery in the middle of the day anyway? From there we went to my aunts house. First things first I had her fix my hair! Thank you, Sally! Then we ate and shopped and shopped a little more. Sal, had this great idea that I should drive her super cute yellow Mercedes to my reunion. I would have to clear it with my uncle first though. Which ended up not being a big deal, so there I was rollin' up in my NEW CONVERTIBLE MERCEDES! It was fun, every time I think about it I have to smile! My mom about had a heart attack though. She was all worried that I was going to wreck it or something. I seriously called my mom when I got there so she didn't have to worry about it (the car, not me). Oh, one more thing about the car. As I was pulling out of the driveway, Sally and Ron came out on the doorstep and waved goodbye. Initially I thought they were waving goodbye to me. Now, when I think about this I realize they were waving bye to their car! :)

At my reunion I was able to catch up with so many old friends. The phrase "somethings will never change" kept recurring in my mind. My BFF from HS, is still doing all she can for a good laugh--I think she got it....and she also got the centerfold in our yearbook, or whatever you call it. Eddy O. is still a total pervert.....especially when he's drunk. Tiffani's shorts are still to damn short!!!...even for a bar, can someone tell me where her underwear are? I was a little annoyed that so many people got completely plastered. I know some things will never change, but come on.

The next day we had a water day at the reservoir. I skipped out early with plans to come back with no kids but things didn't work out. I hardly got to talk to some of my good friends and I am a little disappointed. Things just didn't happen like I wished they would have.

Then we headed back to OR, to stay at my sisters again. When we left WA I was feeling a little sick. I thought I was just worn out from all of the partying but nope I had strep throat. I was glad to get the antibiotic shot at the little clinic in their little town. Funny thing is that I educated the Dr. on this great treatment. Who's the dr here??? I felt better in no time.

The girls had a great time at Jen's. They loved playing with Maezie and the rest of the kids. I loved it as well. Talk about a vacay. There were 4 babysitters begging me to let them take care of my kids. Maile did every one's make-up over and over and over again with the play make up. The girls curled my girls hair, over and over and over again. I am a little baffled why they will let them curl their hair and I as much as mention hair and my kids are nowhere to be found. Between the beauty shop, trampoline and swimming pool I hardly saw my kids. Good fun for all.

On the way home Mad started showing signs of strep. As soon as we got home I took her in, I am so grateful for antibiotics! Honestly, how horrible would life be without them!

All in all, it was a great trip. We had a blast. I only wish we could go back soon! Seeing how I have only been back 3 times in the last 10 years I don't see that happening. Funny thing is, that the country stays the same. Not a lot has changed-except the color of my old house, that color should be illegal for the exterior of a house! But really, I miss the slower pace and the simplicity that is there. It is so pretty, and so flat!! I couldn't believe how far you could see. It seemed like the crops went on and on forever. I wish I had taken a picture of it. The other thing is how big all of the yards are there.

These are some random pictures from our trip:

Maezie, Maile and Madalyn enjoying a donut on the front porch.

Madalyn the pageant baby after having her hair curled by my nieces.

Kelsey, the nanny, posing by her new ride. My mom was letting her drive all over. Thank goodness there wasn't anyone at the cemetery! She didn't hit anything or run over anything, no harm done. She was cute because she kept petitioning her services every time we got in the car. Thanks, but no thanks!

Dad's new headstone. They leave the military one and just put the new one on top. I love the new one, it is so much prettier in real life.

Mad with Nancy's cat. No biting!