Nemo or Up???

Well, take your pick. Gary rented The Blind Side last night and we thought that we would watch it as a family. Only problem, one person in the family can really make the movie impossible to enjoy. Her choice is either Nemo or Up. Maybe because those are the only movies she can say, but she really does love them. Nemo is #1, but Up is a close 2nd. So here we are sitting in my bed watching Up while the rest of the family is watching The Blind Side downstairs. I will have to watch it later. What a sad life I really lead.

P.S. A couple of days ago McKenzie wanted to go and get the treasure chest out of Blake's Leprechaun trap that belongs to her Little People. So she sets out to the backyard and quickly comes back in. She had tears welling up in her eyes, so I asked what was wrong. She said she was scared and I asked her, "of what?", yes, she was afraid of the Leprechaun. I was in the middle of doing something, so I told her to make Kodee get it. Between the two of them, they finally came back with the treasure chest and I had a little chuckle watching Kenzie creep upon it and pointing at it so that Kodee would know what to get.

Driving!!!!

I spend a lot of time in the car. I get to drive out to Saratoga Springs every morning and these are some of the things I get to see:





Ducks




Deer



Dead Animals




Sometimes Cops



and the sun coming over the mountains and shining on Utah Lake. It's kind of pretty from the school.



I get to hear silly boy conversations and sometimes no conversation. On my drive home I get to listen to the Stupid News which proves that I am not the stupidest person in the world. That's such a relief. But really it is a nice routine to start my day.

Happy Tuesday!

So... the truth is...

I am...

in love...

with...

THESE!!!!!!!!

Yep. Just got them in the mail today. Wore them and danced around my room. Perfect. I was having a not so fun day. How come DMV people are NEVER nice??? Never! I think it's humanly impossible. So after going to the DMV and trying to plead my case to a man who clearly didn't want to hear anything whatsoever and didn't care why I didn't have two proof of residence things, I treated myself to some Wendy's and headed back to the homestead. Not a good morning. But alas, I got home and look what was waiting for me! Pink cowboy boots! LOVE! Now, if I was home and could go country dancing, life would be complete, but wearing these will have to suffice for now. Wishing you all a happy DMV-free Tuesday! -jordan

Days off and a Leprechaun Trap....Seriously?

Last week's day off (I call it a day off, but really it is Gary's day off) this is what we (ok...he) accomplished. Our food storage closet was overflowing. We didn't have much access to it and it was hard to find anything that we are willing to rotate. Some of it really is food storage, meaning I really only intend to store it and eat it on my death bed. So with Jordan gone for a year we decided to utilize her room. We'll have to rearrange again next year, but for now we can add to it and know what we have.

So, yesterday was his day off again and of course we try to accomplish something in the day while the kids are at school. He ran a few errands, which consisted of buying this shelf so we can move the games, which we have accumulated over the last 20 years, to the food storage closet downstairs. He also picked up movies (5 of them), for us to watch when the kids get to bed. He also began spring cleaning the garage because it was definitely an enjoy the weather day and the kids need to be able to ride their bikes on these kind of days. Well, the kids get home from school and I realize how grateful I am for his day off before Blake's Leprechaun Trap is due. I mean whose idea was this anyway? I had to ask Blake how big a Leprechaun was because as far as I know the man that Gary and I saw at the airport 20 years ago all dressed in a green suit with a green suitcase to match was a Leprechaun. I mean, what are the odds of really catching him and stealing his gold. Well, Gary was so good to help with this project that there was no way I was going to laugh or complain about how it looked. Needless to say, both boys (meaning Trevor and Blake) were a little on the tired side this morning.

Washington D.C!

Hope Diamond- 45.52 carats!

I thought this was cool. Hagerman Fossil Excavation. We lived near here when we lived in Idaho. If I remember correctly, I went there on a field trip at one point or another. That was a long time ago though. Haha.

Entrance to the National Museum Of Natural History

In front of the Washington Monument

Washington Monument

So on Saturday, I was able to take my first visit into D.C. Chris showed me how to use and read the Metro map and where I should head first. It was a very rainy weekend, but I was determined to at least see a few things. I was able to go to the Smithsonian National Museum Of Natural History and then I walked over to the Washington Monument. They were out of tickets for the day to go in it, but it was still exciting to walk around it and kind of get a feel for where everything is. I have always loved history and am so excited to be here and able to experience it all!

The Blanket Blob

Every morning before waking up Blake I check on and cover the little girls. Last week we moved Kodee (Dakota) into a big bed and took down the crib. She really liked her crib, but she's 2 and been in one longer than any of the other kids, so I tried not to get too emotional with #7 not being such a baby anymore. Well, twice this week she was on the floor like this big blanket blob. I guess it couldn't have been too bad of a fall if she stayed asleep, right?

New Room

TV Area

Nightstand

Dresser

Desk

Chair

Closet

Bed

This is my new room here in Darnestown, MD. Enjoy the pics!

More pictures of temples!

Salt Lake, UT

Oquirrh Mountain, UT

Provo, UT

Mount Timpanogas, UT

Orlando, FL

Some other temples I've visited.... Just because they wouldn't post in the last one for some reason... I love the temples!

I love to see the temple!!!

Washington D.C. Temple

No, but really, I do! On our way back to the house from the airport on Sunday when I got here, we passed right by the temple. You are driving on the freeway and you come around a curve and it's right there in front of you. It was very cool to see. And it's only 25-30 minutes away! So I think I'll still be able to go once a week :) It's so cool that wherever you go, there are always church buildings and hopefully temples nearby! It's so awesome to go to all sorts of different temples and be able to do work there. I went this morning! It was such a beautiful day out and I didn't even get lost getting there! Yay! Go me! Ok, I did have my GPS, but I still made it there! I love to see the temple! I'm getting married there someday!!! -jordan

Another Goodbye!!!

Well, we just got back from taking Jordan to the airport to be a nanny. We have already had the experience of taking her to college and a year ago she did an internship at Disneyworld for 6 1/2 mos. I thought that this being the 3rd time of having to say goodbye for a period of time it might get easier. It doesn't. I'm saying goodbye to who she is today knowing she will come back a different person. Each time she has come back just a little different, more mature, more confident, someone with more wisdom and experience. She is still her, only better. So goodbye to my grown-up baby girl. Learn and grow and be happy. Isn't that what our Heavenly Father wants for each of us when he sends us here also?

I love you always, Mom.

Sisters!!!!

Every girl needs one. What would I do without mine? She loves my kids almost like I do and plays with them too. She isn't bitter and angry because she doesn't have her own but takes the time to get to know each one individually. Not only is she the best aunt, but she's there for me also. I mean who needs a friend when you have a Niki around. She has shared in my joys, my sorrows, my anger and everything in between. She's my therapist and advice giver. Not only that, we get to laugh and giggle together like we used to as kids. She makes me grateful that my girls have one also. Thanks, Nik for being you.

Smile!

Sometimes I forget how well and how much the little ones pick up on from their older siblings. Take for example, this picture, where Kodee has obviously learned from her sisters how to take a picture of herself and Kenzie by holding out the camera in front of her. No doubt she has watched them take self vanity pictures and thought to herself, I could do that! I thought it was cute how she pulled herself and Kenzie close together and said "smile". Bad hair day and all, it's still cute. It's great to be Dad!

All 7 in St George!

Well we were finally able to enjoy a weekend in St George together as a family with all 7 of the kids and both of us! That's not very common for us all to be together for a weekend! I was able to take the weekend off and help coach Sadie's team at a Soccer Tournament. We were also able to take some decent and of course, silly family pictures while there. It was a good weekend but not quite as warm as we would have liked it.

Kindergarten Registration

I registered Kenzie for Kindergarten last week. I remember sending Jordan off to school and I thought that was hard and then came Junior High and that was hard and then High School, but really nothing is as hard as college. It really doesn't get easier with each one.... well maybe for a couple of them!!!! But I realize that when they start kindergarten it is just a beginning that leads to college and leaving the house and that is what makes it so hard. I mean is it really going to be bad to only have one child home next year? I really am going to miss having my little helper around, but fortunately there's another to follow and she already knows how to get in my way....oops, I mean help.