The Frontrunner Adventure

Every once and a while we like to go on some crazy adventure, just to say we did it. Today was one of those. The first high speed commuter train in Utah started hauling passengers this week. Right now it runs from down town Ogden to down town Salt Lake City. We have been excited about it for awhile and everybody rides free until tomorrow so we had to check it out. While the ride was a little slow (hopefully that will improve as they work out the kinks), the train was comfortable and the kids had a blast. Well, let me revise that. Benjamin and Rachel had a blast. Emily liked it on the way and hated it on the way home. She was very tired. I personally think it is a tremendous step for Utah to be taking and one that will be well used for years to come. We rode from Ogden to Down town Salt Lake. We picked up a waiting trax train that took us straight to the Gateway. It was very cool.

This Weeks Top Ten

1. Our dryer stopped working, but my handy man husband fixed it for free.
2. My kids favorite show to watch this week was Letter Factory by Leap Frog and not the dreaded Sponge Bob, thank goodness.
3. It warmed up enough to send the kids outside.
4. We all got sick, but now we are all almost better
5. We made homemade pizza. A little messy, but the kids loved it.
6. I only exercised twice because I was sick, but I get to start fresh tomorrow.
7. We had a picnic and played in the sand on Saturday. Nate worked all day, bummer.
8. Ben and I had a big fight over snacks and I thought maybe he really didn't like me anymore, but today he told me he loved me.
9. Nathan is done with another semester. Hallelujah!
10. My brother Rick and his wife Eryn sealed the deal on their very first home. Congratulations!

To The Best Sister Ever!!!!

I know a lot of people probably think they have great sisters, but mine is the best. Even though we are nine years apart in age she has always been one of my best friends. She put up with me wearing her clothes, tagging along with her, and needing her for lots of advice over the years. I really love her.

Happy Birthday Sis!
Love ya!

Little Piles of . . . Stuff.

Finally, a moment of peace and quiet. I just love bath time. I sit in my room (only a couple of steps from the tub, for you safety conscious persons) and enjoy a little free time while the kids splash and go crazy in the tub. It works out nice for everyone. There are times, however, when bath time doesn't work out so well. "Mommy!!! There's a bug in the bath tub." I hear Rachel screaming at the top of her lungs. Off to the rescue I go but before I arrive I hear the next sentence escape her lips. "Ewww. It's not a bug. Emily pooped." My slow walk to the bathroom turns into a run. I make Ben and Rachel stradle the tub while I quickly clean Emily off with the shower. Then I proceed to empty the tub. Poor Ben and Rachel stand there shivering, waiting for the tub to be cleaned and sanitized so they can continue there joyous splashing in water free of feces.

Now, at this point Emily is running around the house naked. I figured it was safe seeing as she had already relieved herself. Oh, how naive I am. I was just about finished cleaning the tub when I hear Emily crying at the door. She comes up behind me. Ben says "Mom, it still smells."
"I guess I need to clean with more soap." I turn to get the soap and poor Emily is standing there looking. . . messy. I grab her and head back to the sink for another wash. Then, I have to travel around looking for the scene of the crime. On to the floor for some scrubbing.

Finally, the tub is clean, the kids are clean, and I have everyone in jammies. I pick up Emily, ready to put her to bed. As I am walking that way, alas, I nearly step into another pile of stuff that I missed from earlier. I don't know how so much grossness can come out of such a cute little girl. Thankful that no one had stepped in it I return to the floor for another round of scrubbing.

I have only one question. Why is Nathan always gone for these extra fun moments. Someone up above likes him better I think. Poor me.

Just the Girls/Boys!

This weekend we took advantage of our time by separating into just the girls, just the boys.
Nate took Benjamin to school with him so Ben could see his senior project which is nearly complete. Then they went to lunch at Burger King and finished it all off with Ben's favorite activity. Dino Miniature Golf. They had loads of fun.

The girls headed over to Sophia's birthday party. Rachel and Emily became acquainted with a lovely pony named Annie. They also jumped and swung and partied to their hearts content. I just enjoyed some good adult conversation. It won't take you long to figure out how Emily feels about the pony.


Click on Slide Show

Teacher, You Really Bug Me

I ran into Benjamin's teacher at school yesterday. She wanted to tell me about a conversation she and Benjamin had earlier in the week. Benjamin started it off like this. "Teacher, you really bug me." Luckily, she is a patient and kind teacher and simply replied "Why do I bug you?" "Because you never call on me to pass out papers." We giggled together a little in the hallway. Ben is so sensitive.

A Special Guest

Big Family Parties always mean lots of cleaning. You clean before they come until things sparkle. You clean after they leave until things are acceptable. The other night I had a nightmare that I was having a family party, but the house was a disaster. There were piles of clothes all over the house. Toothpaste was dried on to the sink from kids that spit, but never make it down to the water. The floor hadn't been mopped in at least a couple of weeks. I was running around like a mad woman as the guests were arriving, trying desperately to make the house at least presentable. My only consolation was that these people were family. They would have to be understanding. Then, to my utter astonishment and horror, President Thomas S. Monson walked in. The only thing I could think of to do was cry and hope he had pity on me. Then I woke up. Funny, I felt like I wasn't acceptable to God because my house was a mess. Yet, I expected my family to forgive me for it. I guess it goes to show that I have a lot to learn about the nature of God. Because I am sure that he would forgive me long before my family would.