April Fool's!

Every year, I think I'll do a good prank for April Fool's day... but every year the day comes and goes and I think, next year I'll get it right! Well, as I was dropping off Hunter at school that day, we were talking about April Fool's Day and discussing what he could possibly do as a joke. I merely suggested getting a "pink slip" that could be for pretend. (Pink Slips are BAAAAD - a form of discipline for students who misbehave). Well, when I picked up Hunter from school - he had gotten a pink slip from his teacher. He told me about how they really didn't send the official slip to the principal (and had ripped that part up) and she had even written April Fool's on the piece of pink paper. So began our joke on daddy.

When Shayne called later that afternoon I was just starting my piano/clarinet lessons for the day. I talked quickly and said, "Cole has been so good today but Hunter, he has been a booger. "He even came home with a pink slip today, can you believe that? "I told him that we're going to talk about this and figure out what to do about it later, so now you know and you can start thinking about what we should do." (This was a common conversation at the start of the school year, but we had gone for MONTHS without incident).

When Shayne got home from school, Hunter immediately approached his daddy with the SADDEST expression. It was the face of "I know you know and I don't know what you are going to do." Shayne started to give him 3rd degree asking questions about what had happened and Hunter started talking about some made-up story of kicking a kid while in line. He kept saying, "don't you want to see my pink slip?" Shayne would answer, "no, I want to know why you did this!" This went on for seriously 10 minutes and Hunter did not give away anything. I was starting to feel so bad for him because Shayne was really upset! Finally, I walk past them and hand the pink slip to Shayne mentioning, "read what Mrs. Wright wrote." FINALLY, he looks at the slip and it all clicks - APRIL FOOLS!!!

I think Hunter is going to enjoy drama in school. He can definitely role play and match every expression and word to his character!

Random

Here are a few fun pictures from the past couple of weeks!

Danny is discovering the sweet stuff in life!
Look at Danny sitting up!! Woo-Hoo!!

I love this picture of Danny! He's talking to Nana (my mom). We went to Classic Skate while my sister was in town enroute to Alaska.
Not a very good picture - but you get the idea that Ella and Cole are having a blast playing in the Jungle Gym at Classic Skate.
Here is my sister with her youngest, Maiya. What a precious picture.
Another Kodak moment - Shayne reading bedtime stories to ALL the kids.

Why not?!?

My neighbor had a link to a photographer who has cleverly marketed herself with a free photo shoot giveaway. Of course, I'd love to win the session! Here's the link: http://lizzyphotos.blogspot.com/

Guns and stuff

Well, I'm quite opinionated when it comes to guns. We have some good friends who own a few REALLY nice guns and they are always trying to convince me about how great guns are for my safety. When Shayne's dad gave him birthday money in '08 to go towards purchasing his first gun, I start bawling right then and there. I was upset, to say the least. I thought I wouldn't ever have to have a gun under my roof. I have changed my views a little since that incident. I had to rethink what really bothers me about guns and here is my 2 cents:
First, I should say that I think people have the right to own a gun. But, I think there are more idiots than smart people with guns - and that concerns me. I also think that more accidents happen because people (especially parents) assume their kids will be as careful as they are. If there is going to be a gun in my house - it is going to be well hidden and with the ammo far from it. I think it is far more likely that my kids would do something horrific (accidentally of course) than the fact that I could use it if someone broke into my home. Having a gun hidden to help me protect myself is completely against my better judgement. My friends can not change my mind on this one.
There was a terrible tragedy in Provo just this past weekend where a boy picked up a gun at a friend's house, assuming it was not loaded. Pointed it at a friend - and killed her. Accidents happen OFTEN and it's sickening.
Ok, I've rambled enough. I did enjoy a morning out with my hubby and our good friends to just see what it's like to shoot a gun. There's a great isolated area close to us and honestly, I hope I get to go again! (of course, we had to have photos to prove that I would actually hold and shoot a gun)

Sweet Memories

I was tagged by Amber and I just had to do it right away! Here's the rules:

1. Go to your My Documents/My Pictures
2. Go to your sixth file folder
3. Go to your sixth picture
4. Blog about it
5. Tag 6 people

I tag Lara, Alisa, Chari, Kristy, Elisa, and Joni

And this is my "Found Treasure"!

Cole was just over a year here. Sweet, sweet boy. Being 3 is a lot harder than 1 - but the kisses and hugs you "THROW" at me are bigger than ever and sweeter on my cheek. I love you Pumpkin!

Danny's haircut

Well, I asked Shayne to help me cut Danny's hair... it was down to his eyes! We really did not have the intention of giving him a "buzz" look - but that's what happens when you have clippers and no training.

Here's a pic of his long hair a few days before the haircut.

All that hair is gone!

I didn't recognize him at first - his hair is so much lighter at the roots!

I love this picture of me feeding him veggies... he acts like I'm hurting him!

Thanks Mister

I am so grateful for the man who got on our plane with the most HORRID, barking cough that I've heard this entire year... or perhaps two. It reminded me of how sick Hunter was when he had Whooping cough last winter. Every time you coughed, I jumped. As I was sleeping, I kept thinking the intercom was coming on with an announcement from the pilot. Well, I just wanted to say thank you kind sir. Your germs have infected my children, myself, and probably my hard-working husband too. I'm sure that many others are also thanking you from our plane and I'm wondering if the gentleman who realized you sat down only 5 rows behind him (and us) and then proceeded to move all his belongings and self to the back of the plane was able to avoid your generosity. I suppose I'll never know. Maybe a face mask (like Surgeons wear) would have made me feel a LITTLE better or perhaps, a little less accusatory. Thank you, and please keep your future "bronchitus" infections to yourself.

Disney World!

It was a dream come true for us - we went to Disney World for a week! It was a fabulous and unforgettable week. We went expecting Florida sunshine and perhaps a little sun on our cheeks for our return home - that was not the case. They had record setting lows and the crops were all freezing at night - not quite the warmth we had hoped for - but we survived. We had one day of rain - luckily we had brought rain gear and left it nice and dry in our hotel for the day we needed it. (hee hee) We did the Disney package deal - we arrived at the airport and we were shuttled around for the rest of the time by Disney transportation - no rental car, no gas pumps, and very short rides to each of the parks! Overall, it was pretty crowded - considering we had gotten a "discount price" to get people there in the "low season" - their marketing was obviously working.

So, I have to tell you about our Cinderella dinner. It was our favorite "character dining" experience of the week. I know - we have boys and why did we do a 'princess' thing?!? It didn't feel "girly" when we were there. It was really a treat to meet Cinderella and to eat in her castle. They called me "princess" and the boys were either a "Prince" or "Lord" - it was so fun! They gave the boys swords (little girls get a magic wand) and it was an amazing place to be at. You have to get a good laugh when looking at this picture - that's our Cole. He had just hurt his thumb (if he wasn't falling to hurt his head - there was usually another injury to complain about!) and that picture says a thousand words about his attitude. WE LOVE this picture.

Here are some more pictures of our week - it was really a great experience to be just our little family for such a special week!


This is one ride that Hunter could not go on - next time he'll be tall enough. (I hope we get to go again before he graduates from high school!)

By the way - this is a true to life Lion - we were just driving by it in our "safari truck" - it was spectacular! He must be kept well-fed... there was NO FENCE to protect us. This was at the Animal Kingdom.
Hunter was tall enough to go on just about everything (I think there was 1 ride he couldn't go on). But, poor Cole - got shafted. There were quite a few rides that he could not go on. At Animal Kingdom - Cole BARELY made the cut-off for this ride - of course on a hot summer day - it would have been fabulous to get wet. So, we threw on the rain gear and covered ourselves the best we could because we had to ride it twice just because Cole was big enough!

Danny was a great traveler. He smiled and made friends with anyone who sat by us! I love this picture. Shayne is the one who always gives him "tastes" of things that mommy says "no!" So, Shayne decided to see if he'd like Hunter's sucker. Well - as you can see, he was loving it. Shayne didn't even have to hold it and that sucker was the size of his head!

Farewell Disney World! The place of magic and wonder continues everyday and we hope we can go again someday!